Author: pastorwendell

I dislike change. I am the type who likes everything to stay pretty much the same. But, the older I get, I realize that some change is necessary. As we walk with God, He is in the process of making changes in us. Sometimes, it is to rid us of things that does not need to be in our lives. Other times, it is to deliver us from sin. Still, it may simply be that God is making us into the best we can be in Him.

Even as I write this, I am going through the process of being changed. While it does not always sit well with me, I know God does know what He is dong in my life. I need to sit still and allow Him to change me. I say allow because God never forces me into something. He simply loves me and shows me how this is the best for me.

So, let change take place. Let God overhaul you. It will be beneficial for you.

Have you asked yourself this question in the last three weeks? It seems as if the New Year started great, January and February went fine, and now March hits and many of us are quarantined, sheltering in place, lock down, told to stay at home, etc. This COVID-19 has hit everyone very hard. Many people I know, who serve the Lord faithfully, have contracted this dreaded disease.

While I do not pretend to know exactly what is taking place, I do not that no matter the circumstances, God is in control. Let Him hear your complaints, fears, misgivings, etc. Stop listening to the media so much. As much as you can, enjoy the life God has given you. It is harder on some than on others, I understand that. But, hold on to Jesus and you will make it through this.

So, whatever situation you find yourself, spend more time with Jesus, listen to His voice, and let all of us obey what He speaks to our hearts. You are in my prayers, hold on to Jesus.

As I awoke this morning, there was 4 inches of snow on the ground. I could not help but marvel at the beauty of it and give God the praise. When was the last time you praised God for His handiwork in nature or in your life?

I believe we should be constantly praying and praising God. The Apostle Paul instructs us in this matter. We are to have the correct attitude in service to God and praise and prayer will get us there and keep us there.

Take the time to praise God and then allow Him to God in your life. To God be the glory!

April showers bring May flowers. This was a saying I repeated as a child. Where I grew up, we did receive rain in April and the flowers would bloom in May. It may be different where you live but the inference is the same, plants need water to grow.

As followers of Christ, we need to be watered. We need Jesus to pour into us so we can grow in Him. It may be slightly different for each one, but it basically follows the same design.

I believe it goes something like this: We accept Christ and begin to follow Him. In order to grow, we need the rain. This involves different types of rain: prayer, Bible reading and study, church attendance, worship of God, witnessing-with words and actions, and discipleship. While discipleship involves all that I listed, we need to be intentional about it. Serve God with purpose. Pray regularly. Tell people about Jesus lovingly. Intentionally read and study God’s Word. In other words, let it rain on you. Will you?

God is good all the time, all the time God is good. We hear and say this statement, but do we truly believe it. God is good, but sometimes it seems as if He has forgotten me or my family. I have felt this way, at times, this year. Yet, God is always there, and He always will be-I must hold onto that truth.

I cannot live by my emotions, cannot allow them to rule me. I have to control them and live by faith in Christ alone. I may feel lonely at times but I should never let it remain. Worship God, spend time in His presence and this feeling of loneliness will go away. I pray God’s blessings on you. Keep the faith.

A new year. Are you ready? I am. Last year was hard personally, spiritually, therefore, no posts. No excuses, I just did not do it. This year, new posts, new experiences, new school.

I want everyone to experience new things. I pray for a powerful experience for myself and all of us. Let 2018 be a great year with God.

Wow! October, November, December! It seems this time of year always goes very quickly. Where does the time go? We start a new year and then it is Christmas time. Ahh…Christmas, that special time of year. This is when we begin to decorate, shop, eat, shop, eat, etc. We watch Christmas classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and that all time classic, my absolute favorite, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

 

But, do we enjoy all of these things and forget the true reason for our celebration? Jesus, Son of God, Creator of the Universe, came and became a part of His creation because He knew it was the only way to reconcile humanity with God. Yes, it started at His birth in a manger…or did it? This story of redemption began before the world or humans came into existence. Jesus knew what He would need to do before creation and He still went through with the plan. That, my friends, is true love and dedication.

 

At this time of year, celebrate what Jesus did for us, this is truly Christmas!

Labor Day weekend-a three-day event which many people anticipate. It gives them the opportunity to have an extra day off from work.  “Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” (United States Department of Labor, online)

If we take a day to celebrate the contribution of workers to our country, how well are we taking seriously the command to make contributions to the country of our Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus commanded us to “Go and make disciples.” Matthew 28:19 How are we doing? We may say we do not speak well, but the best, in my opinion, way to make disciples, is to live your life for Jesus so others may become curious and ask about your lifestyle. Go ahead and celebrate Labor Day, but also remember to labor for the Lord Jesus. It will make a tremendous difference in your life and in the lives of others.

December brings with it the change in weather, cold in some parts of the country or simply mild weather in other places. Yet, regardless of where we live, we still hear the argument of whether we should say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.”  As a pastor, I prefer merry Christmas. After all, I am a follower of Christ who is celebrating His birth. But, do I correct those who do not say Merry Christmas? Do I become offended if they say “Happy Holidays?” I think this is a debate that will continue until Christ comes for His people but I need to decide if it is necessary to my witness as a believer.

Yes, I will continue to respond to people with “Merry Christmas.” I will not try to correct those who say “Happy Holidays.” I simply want to allow people to see Jesus in me, the way I believe He (Jesus) intended. So, you make up your mind on the topic. I will celebrate Christmas because Jesus is my Savior. You?

As I sit in my office waiting for the start of the Wednesday meeting, my mind begins to think, “Who will come tonight?” This seems to be a familiar theme with pastors-who will come to worship? So, does church attendance matter? I believe it does. It is the place we gather with people who think like us on spiritual things. It is a place where we can fellowship (old word, I know, but I still like it), catch up with friends, and study God’s Word together. It is a place where we can grow spiritually, be an encouragement to others, or be encouraged.

Church matters to those who allow it to matter. How high a priority we place on church attendance seems to indicate how our relationship with Jesus is progressing or not. We are commanded by Scripture to grow in our faith and the church is a good place to help us do this. We can be discipled or disciple. We can be an example to someone who maybe struggling in their faith. It is a place to gather with people so we can, in unison, worship the King of Glory.

Does church attendance matter? I believe it does and we need to be faithful. After all, the church was started by Jesus and we are to obey Him, yes?