From our Pastor
Newsletter Articles
September 2024
I have shared with you recently about the tragic events of the gospel music group, the Nelons and their deadly plane crash back in July. The crash killed seven people including three members of the group, Jason Clark, his wife Kelly Nelon Clark, and daughter Amber Nelon Kistler and husband Nathan. Three others including the pilot, and his wife were also killed. According to data from a program called FlightAware, the plane the Nelons were flying lost control and crashed in northern Wyoming.
The National Transportation Safety Board has not released an official report, but the data concludes that the automatic pilot ceased to function, and the pilot was having trouble controlling the plane before it descended at a high rate of speed. Many believe that the plane may have broken up in flight before crashing.
We hear the term “out of control” for different events in life. Pilots can lose control of a plane, and drivers of cars can lose control. It comes down to managing the vehicle in a safe, reliable manner. When a person loses control of a vehicle, it can produce disastrous consequences.
When the term “out of control” is used of a person, it means that the individual has allowed circumstances to spiral in their lives and things are out of control. The enemy, Satan, is good about tempting people to do things in excess. When Paul uses the term “self-control” in Galatians 5:23, he uses a word that refers to the mastery of one’s own desires and impulses. The flesh is strong, and we must be careful as Christians to not “gratify the sins of the flesh.” The vices that Satan uses to spiral people out of control can be anything from alcohol to drugs. He also uses appetites and passions to trip us up. Pornography is rampant in our society and has caused problems within marriages. It has also caused sexual abuse among our youth and children. Weekly, we hear about someone who has been arrested for child pornography.
Romans 13:14 instructs us regarding this issue. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. To be controlled by the flesh is to be “out of control.” Let your spiritual clothing be the attributes of the Spirit; “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Whatever causes you to be “out of control” get rid of it. Stop being with close friends that lead you into violating your principles and ethics. Stand firm in the faith! The lessons of being “out of control” can be deadly!
August 2024
Travis Cottrell wrote a song back in 2013 that our choir has sung several times entitled “Jesus Saves.” It is a very moving piece of music that proclaims the Gospel truth that Jesus saves!
There are times that people have asked me what has Jesus saved us from? I believe I can answer that with three sayings based on Scripture. First, Jesus has saved us from the PENALTY of sin. Romans 6:23 put it very clearly; “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The penalty of our disobedience toward God is death. The word “death” means separation. We are separated from Holy God because of sin in our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that “the heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” Every person has a sin problem that must be dealt with. A lost sinner not only is separated from Holy God but will be eternally separated from God if there is no repentance. Jesus paid the price for the redemption of sin. He has satisfied your sin debt and has taken the penalty upon Himself. We call it justification. What love Jesus has shown to mankind!
Secondly, Jesus has saved us from the POWER of sin. This is what is called in the Bible as “sanctification.” It is being set apart by God for service and commitment while here on earth. Because sin and death have been defeated on the cross, we have the ability to say NO to Satan and YES to God. We have been born again and the new life in Christ means we can overcome the temptations and schemes of Satan who is constantly attacking us as believers. We can and should be living a life of obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Many of the new songs written for the church deal with phrases like “Jesus loosed the chains of sin and set me free.” We are no longer bound to our past. Jesus has set us free from the power of sin. Praise God!
Thirdly, Jesus has saved us from the PRESENCE of sin. Here is the future view of our salvation. One day we will die a physical death or Jesus will return and our future benefit will be realized. We will no longer be in the presence of sin because we will be with Jesus in heaven. No more sin, no more sorrow, no more pain. We will arise one day to be in the presence of Almighty God. And one thing for sure will be absent. No more sin! Hallelujah!
So, do you know personally what it means when someone says, “Jesus Saves”? As the Lord draws you to Himself with the conviction of sin, He is asking you to trust Him in salvation. You must admit you are a sinner, trust in Jesus to save you, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Savior and Lord!
July 2024
I am writing this article days before we leave on a vacation to Alaska. When you read it, God willing, Lorie and I will be in the process of returning from the vacation. We will be traveling with the Smyths and the Johnsons. We have been planning this trip for about a year. I have never been real hip on cruises, but I did mention to Lorie one day I would try an Alaskan cruise. Before I knew it, she was planning us a trip to this country’s 49th state. So off we go, Lord willing.
To go on a trip like this one requires preparation. You cannot throw things together at the last minute. We have been going through a check list that is helping make sure we do not forget anything important. Preparation is the key!
There is an old story of a king and his clown or “jester” who sometimes said very foolish things. One day the jester had said something so foolish that the king handing him a staff, said to him: “Take this, and keep it till you find a bigger fool than yourself.”
“Some years later, the king lay on his deathbed. His courtiers were called: his family and his servants also stood round his bedside. The king, addressing them, said, “I am about to leave you. I am going on a very long journey, and I shall not return again to this place: so, I have called you all to say goodbye.”
Then his jester stepped forward and addressing the king said “Your Majesty, may I ask a question? When you have journeyed abroad visiting your people or paying diplomatic visits to other courts your heralds and servants have always gone before you, preparing for you. May I ask what preparations, your Majesty has made for this long journey that he is about to take?”
“Alas!” replied the king, “I have made no preparations.” “Then,” said the jester, “Take this staff with you, for now I have found a bigger fool than myself.”
Hebrews 9:27 says, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,” This is one appointment you will not be able to cancel, reschedule or refuse to go to. The question is have you prepared for this appointment? Have you repented of your sins and trusted Christ for salvation? One day you will journey into eternity. Make sure you are prepared! As a wise man once said, “Eternity is too long to be wrong.” Trust Christ today!
February 2024
In the Bible study that I am sharing on Wednesdays, we have come to the passages in James 3 dealing with the tongue and the problem with controlling our tongues. It reminds me of the Great Fire in Chicago on October 8-10, 1871. I have always read about the O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern in their barn as the cause of the deadly fire. Three hundred people lost their lives and thousands were left homeless. Over 2,000 acres were burned and over 17,000 buildings were destroyed. But the truth of the matter is that there was never an official cause of fire, just rumors.
James 3:5-6 explains that an uncontrolled tongue can do damage like a wildfire. All it takes is for a little spark to cause a massive inferno that can destroy lives and property. Mrs. O’Leary was accused of starting the Great Fire of Chicago, but she claims she was asleep in bed when made aware of the blaze in their barn. The fire changed her and her family. People later said that she died of a broken heart because of all the rumors and innuendos concerning the origin of the fire. All it takes is one comment or a few words that can change the direction of a person’s life. I shared this past Sunday in my Proverbs study in my Discipleship 1st class about the illustration using a tube of toothpaste and asking a child to squeeze it all out on a plate. Then after the child squeezes it out, I ask them to put it back in the tube. It cannot be done. Once the toothpaste is out there, you cannot put it back. Same way with our words. Once we say them, they can never be retrieved.
Social media has taken our culture by storm. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms are being used by people everywhere to communicate with others. Some of it is good. I have a dear pastor friend who uses his Facebook page to communicate with fellow church members. But I must admit that social media has been used to bully, intimidate, and allow people to be downright rude and insensitive. Have you found yourself posting something after becoming angry or agitated about a certain subject? Do you have a filter that can help you control what to say and what not to say? Would Jesus be pleased with your words, posts or sharing of articles?
Proverbs 21:23 says, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.” Ask God to help you to control what comes out of your mouth. Ask Him for a filter to know when to speak and when to bite your tongue! Mark Twain said it this way; “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” God desires to be Lord of our lives and that includes our speech! Think about it, especially before you open your mouth!
Bro. Jim
I have shared with you recently about the tragic events of the gospel music group, the Nelons and their deadly plane crash back in July. The crash killed seven people including three members of the group, Jason Clark, his wife Kelly Nelon Clark, and daughter Amber Nelon Kistler and husband Nathan. Three others including the pilot, and his wife were also killed. According to data from a program called FlightAware, the plane the Nelons were flying lost control and crashed in northern Wyoming.
The National Transportation Safety Board has not released an official report, but the data concludes that the automatic pilot ceased to function, and the pilot was having trouble controlling the plane before it descended at a high rate of speed. Many believe that the plane may have broken up in flight before crashing.
We hear the term “out of control” for different events in life. Pilots can lose control of a plane, and drivers of cars can lose control. It comes down to managing the vehicle in a safe, reliable manner. When a person loses control of a vehicle, it can produce disastrous consequences.
When the term “out of control” is used of a person, it means that the individual has allowed circumstances to spiral in their lives and things are out of control. The enemy, Satan, is good about tempting people to do things in excess. When Paul uses the term “self-control” in Galatians 5:23, he uses a word that refers to the mastery of one’s own desires and impulses. The flesh is strong, and we must be careful as Christians to not “gratify the sins of the flesh.” The vices that Satan uses to spiral people out of control can be anything from alcohol to drugs. He also uses appetites and passions to trip us up. Pornography is rampant in our society and has caused problems within marriages. It has also caused sexual abuse among our youth and children. Weekly, we hear about someone who has been arrested for child pornography.
Romans 13:14 instructs us regarding this issue. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” The fruit of the Spirit is self-control. To be controlled by the flesh is to be “out of control.” Let your spiritual clothing be the attributes of the Spirit; “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Whatever causes you to be “out of control” get rid of it. Stop being with close friends that lead you into violating your principles and ethics. Stand firm in the faith! The lessons of being “out of control” can be deadly!
August 2024
Travis Cottrell wrote a song back in 2013 that our choir has sung several times entitled “Jesus Saves.” It is a very moving piece of music that proclaims the Gospel truth that Jesus saves!
There are times that people have asked me what has Jesus saved us from? I believe I can answer that with three sayings based on Scripture. First, Jesus has saved us from the PENALTY of sin. Romans 6:23 put it very clearly; “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The penalty of our disobedience toward God is death. The word “death” means separation. We are separated from Holy God because of sin in our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that “the heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” Every person has a sin problem that must be dealt with. A lost sinner not only is separated from Holy God but will be eternally separated from God if there is no repentance. Jesus paid the price for the redemption of sin. He has satisfied your sin debt and has taken the penalty upon Himself. We call it justification. What love Jesus has shown to mankind!
Secondly, Jesus has saved us from the POWER of sin. This is what is called in the Bible as “sanctification.” It is being set apart by God for service and commitment while here on earth. Because sin and death have been defeated on the cross, we have the ability to say NO to Satan and YES to God. We have been born again and the new life in Christ means we can overcome the temptations and schemes of Satan who is constantly attacking us as believers. We can and should be living a life of obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Many of the new songs written for the church deal with phrases like “Jesus loosed the chains of sin and set me free.” We are no longer bound to our past. Jesus has set us free from the power of sin. Praise God!
Thirdly, Jesus has saved us from the PRESENCE of sin. Here is the future view of our salvation. One day we will die a physical death or Jesus will return and our future benefit will be realized. We will no longer be in the presence of sin because we will be with Jesus in heaven. No more sin, no more sorrow, no more pain. We will arise one day to be in the presence of Almighty God. And one thing for sure will be absent. No more sin! Hallelujah!
So, do you know personally what it means when someone says, “Jesus Saves”? As the Lord draws you to Himself with the conviction of sin, He is asking you to trust Him in salvation. You must admit you are a sinner, trust in Jesus to save you, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Savior and Lord!
July 2024
I am writing this article days before we leave on a vacation to Alaska. When you read it, God willing, Lorie and I will be in the process of returning from the vacation. We will be traveling with the Smyths and the Johnsons. We have been planning this trip for about a year. I have never been real hip on cruises, but I did mention to Lorie one day I would try an Alaskan cruise. Before I knew it, she was planning us a trip to this country’s 49th state. So off we go, Lord willing.
To go on a trip like this one requires preparation. You cannot throw things together at the last minute. We have been going through a check list that is helping make sure we do not forget anything important. Preparation is the key!
There is an old story of a king and his clown or “jester” who sometimes said very foolish things. One day the jester had said something so foolish that the king handing him a staff, said to him: “Take this, and keep it till you find a bigger fool than yourself.”
“Some years later, the king lay on his deathbed. His courtiers were called: his family and his servants also stood round his bedside. The king, addressing them, said, “I am about to leave you. I am going on a very long journey, and I shall not return again to this place: so, I have called you all to say goodbye.”
Then his jester stepped forward and addressing the king said “Your Majesty, may I ask a question? When you have journeyed abroad visiting your people or paying diplomatic visits to other courts your heralds and servants have always gone before you, preparing for you. May I ask what preparations, your Majesty has made for this long journey that he is about to take?”
“Alas!” replied the king, “I have made no preparations.” “Then,” said the jester, “Take this staff with you, for now I have found a bigger fool than myself.”
Hebrews 9:27 says, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,” This is one appointment you will not be able to cancel, reschedule or refuse to go to. The question is have you prepared for this appointment? Have you repented of your sins and trusted Christ for salvation? One day you will journey into eternity. Make sure you are prepared! As a wise man once said, “Eternity is too long to be wrong.” Trust Christ today!
February 2024
In the Bible study that I am sharing on Wednesdays, we have come to the passages in James 3 dealing with the tongue and the problem with controlling our tongues. It reminds me of the Great Fire in Chicago on October 8-10, 1871. I have always read about the O’Leary’s cow kicking over a lantern in their barn as the cause of the deadly fire. Three hundred people lost their lives and thousands were left homeless. Over 2,000 acres were burned and over 17,000 buildings were destroyed. But the truth of the matter is that there was never an official cause of fire, just rumors.
James 3:5-6 explains that an uncontrolled tongue can do damage like a wildfire. All it takes is for a little spark to cause a massive inferno that can destroy lives and property. Mrs. O’Leary was accused of starting the Great Fire of Chicago, but she claims she was asleep in bed when made aware of the blaze in their barn. The fire changed her and her family. People later said that she died of a broken heart because of all the rumors and innuendos concerning the origin of the fire. All it takes is one comment or a few words that can change the direction of a person’s life. I shared this past Sunday in my Proverbs study in my Discipleship 1st class about the illustration using a tube of toothpaste and asking a child to squeeze it all out on a plate. Then after the child squeezes it out, I ask them to put it back in the tube. It cannot be done. Once the toothpaste is out there, you cannot put it back. Same way with our words. Once we say them, they can never be retrieved.
Social media has taken our culture by storm. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms are being used by people everywhere to communicate with others. Some of it is good. I have a dear pastor friend who uses his Facebook page to communicate with fellow church members. But I must admit that social media has been used to bully, intimidate, and allow people to be downright rude and insensitive. Have you found yourself posting something after becoming angry or agitated about a certain subject? Do you have a filter that can help you control what to say and what not to say? Would Jesus be pleased with your words, posts or sharing of articles?
Proverbs 21:23 says, “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.” Ask God to help you to control what comes out of your mouth. Ask Him for a filter to know when to speak and when to bite your tongue! Mark Twain said it this way; “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” God desires to be Lord of our lives and that includes our speech! Think about it, especially before you open your mouth!
Bro. Jim