Pastor's Corner

The Pilgrim Fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock over 300 years ago knew nothing of the affluent times which you and I enjoy today in this great country of ours. The next time you and I are tempted to complain about inflation and the state of our economy, there are a few things to remember.

Do you know anyone who cannot sit still? They always have to be doing something. Even when sitting, their motor is running. I think the Apostle Paul was like that…he always had to be preaching or witnessing or discipling or visiting. He could have settled down comfortably in the large church at Antioch, but he didn’t…not as long as there were more people who needed to be reached, he had what the world would call “itchy feet” but in reality what we all need, an undying burden for the souls of men. He didn’t view the church as a parking lot, but as a launching pad!

by ALEXANDER MACLAREN — 1826-1910

When visiting the average Christian bookstore, you will usually find a shelf marked “Self-Help.” You will be intrigued by the titles of the various books. Some are humorous, and some arouse curiosity. You will find titles such as “Healing for Damaged Emotions,” “Awakening the Child Within,” “A Search for Significance,” “Inside Out,” and so on. What is disturbing is the similarity in emphasis between these books and those offered by New-age “enlightenment” groups. It seems that the modern-day church is so desperate for spiritual meaning and purpose that it has turned to New-age teachings and pop-psychology for help. Most of these books are a desperate attempt to locate spiritual satisfaction within one’s own heart.

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. The historical setting of this Psalm is found in 1Sam. 21. Having read this passage let us make the following observations: Vs. 4, 6 tell of the danger in which David was placed at Gath; of how he lifted up his heart to God, and of how the Lord answered him. Vs. 7 tells of the camp among the Adullam cliffs around which was the protecting ‘Angel of the Lord’. Vs. 10 tells of the lions that infested the neighborhood prowling for food, and growling when they found none. Vs. 11 tells of the proclamation of David to his men of the principles on which his camp was to be governed. Vs. 13 tells of the necessity for restraining the tongue, in remembrance, probably, of his own case when in the hands of the Philistines. Vs. 18 tells of David’s sorrow for having played the madman in the hands of the Philistines, knowing as he did in his heart, that God was able, without such expedients, to deliver him (vs. 19). And vs. 20 tells of David’s escape from physical harm when roughly handled by the Philistines at the time he was taken to Achish; and probably also, of his preservation from accident whilst climbing rapidly up and down the cliffs on his escape.

What is your worst happening of forgetfulness? Did you ever get in your car, reach for your keys and didn’t have them? Or you couldn’t remember your own phone number or house number? Or the street where you lived? Or the names of some of your children?!If we were put in the right situation at the right time, we all can be quite forgetful.Memorial Day is all about remembering and this post is all about Things To Remember on Memorial Day.

In an interview with a famous Gospel preacher a reporter said: "His first words to me were, `Things are very different now from what they were 25 or 30 years ago. It was easy to work for God then, compared with what it is now. There was then a sense of sin — where there is no sense of sin you have no fulcrum for your lever." Alas. how true are these words in our own time. But if the sense of sin has been lost, the fact of sin remains. I

Ever it was Christ’s work and purpose to redeem mankind. He was the Lamb ‘slain from the foundation of the world.’ For our study purposes we will break down His work into three categories, His Personal Ministry, His Teaching Ministry, and His Redemptive Ministry. None of these can be taken and dealt with totally by itself so as we study this look at it as a 3-D approach to seeing His Work.

Why should there be a door between the ministry of the laver and the service and fellowship of the holy place? Perhaps to teach us that the work of the one was just to fit us for the enjoyment and privilege of the other. To grow in Grace means receiving to the full the blessings in Christ Jesus. Those who walk in the light they have, shall receive more light.

We live in a rapid pace society. Everything is instant, fast food, microwavable, quick-serve, Jiffy Lube, fast-paced, never a dull moment. One of the last virtues we want is patience. Oh, we want others to be patient with us but it is so very hard to be patient toward the other fellow. The word patience means ‘a willing to suffer.’ It means self-control, it means the ability to wait and not to rush into things. If ever there is a virtue we need to earnestly pray for and seek to have in our lives it is patience.