Rev. Patrick Vincent
“I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.” – Jesus (John 18:20)
Jesus said nothing in secret.
He spoke plainly to all men.
He has not changed!
“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” – Acts 4:16
Don’t overlook that NO ONE EVER denied the miracles of Jesus or (like here) His followers.
They cured blindness, muteness, lameness, and rose people from the dead – and absolutely no one ever contested that they were frauds or that it was trickery or that Jesus was not doing exactly what it appeared that He was doing.
That’s because it was completely obvious that Jesus was literally performing miracles. This is undisputable proof of His deity.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” – 1 John 3:1-3
Beloved, as the world seems unsteady, we focus on that which is always steady: God and His Beloved Son, Jesus.
Continuing with 1 John 3, we read how we are children of God due to His love which He bestows on us.
I love to reflect on these verses.
• Note that we ARE children of God; that is our great heritage.
• Note that without God’s love we are not His children.
• Note that nothing is dependent on us.
• Note that He bestows this love.
What a wonderful gift!
Have a blessed week!
Yours in Christ,
-Pastor Patrick
Soli Deo Gloria!
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah” – Psa. 46:1-3
WE cannot supply our own shelter under our own strength.
God is our shelter and our might.
God is our help in trouble. IN trouble, not from trouble: trouble will come and when it does – in the middle of it and through it God is there.
He is our HELP.
He is our PRESENT help (meaning you can find Him).
He is our VERY present help (His help is in abundance and never lacking).
“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” – Psa. 47:8
Sickness can be an opportunity for worship. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out.
Sickness, ailments, and infirmities reveal our frailty. They expose our human-ness. All too often we think we are invincible. We think we are the ones in control. We place ourselves on the throne of our own little kingdom.
God never gets sick. God never has an ailment. God never has an infirmity. He is God. He is sovereign over all things.
When we are on our backs, it forces us to look up to The One really on the throne. It corrects our perspective. It propels our worship.
Beloved, one thing to on which to reflect: this virus shows no partiality. It is no respecter of persons. It does not play favorites. It comes for the young and old alike. It doesn’t care the color of skin. It doesn’t look at one’s bank account.
We are all in this together.
In like manner, the Gospel is for all of us.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Gal. 3:28
Have a safe and blessed day!
Yours in Christ,
-Pastor Patrick
Soli Deo Gloria!
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.” – Job 14:14
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” – Job 19:25-27
Looking to Job we see questions that we have all asked; like what happens after death?
And then we see answers; Our Redeemer lives!
When our days on this earth are over, the elect shall see Him face to face.
For this our hearts yearn within us!
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.” – Matt. 6:34
Trials have a clarifying quality. Distractions get washed away and the truly important things remain.
Your relationship with Jesus.
Your family.
Your health.
The Lord instructs is not to worry about what tomorrow might bring and thereby sacrifice the present moment. It’s been rightly said not to pull tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine.
Put your trust and faith in Jesus Christ today and let Him take care of tomorrow.
Beloved, trials have a clarifying quality; what’s really important is revealed. During this time of self-imposed isolation for the greater good, we have been reminded of the things which carry real truth and which have real meaning:
Your relationship with Jesus.
Your family.
Your health.
All the other distractions have been washed away. What is left but Jesus?
As you reflect in prayer today, thank God for clarifying “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy,” – Phil. 4:8
Yours in Christ,
– Pastor Patrick
Soli Deo Gloria!
Beloved, our Governor has called for a day of prayer. Let’s join others at noon to pray with our brothers and sisters all over the state. We are not alone.
Thank God for the great state of WV that recognizes faith in God and a Governor who is not afraid to call for prayer, not a moment of silence!
Yours in Christ,
– Pastor Patrick
Soli Deo Gloria!
