Tag Archives: Pastor

Exiled at Home: COVID-19 Quarantine

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” – 1 Pet. 1:1-2

Look, I know this is weird. We are all feeling it. The last place we want to be on Sunday is at home. We love Christ’s bride. We love our church. But the church is more than a building; it’s the people.

Right now we are “exiled,” as it were. During this time, I stand with Peter and pray grace to you and peace be multiplied!

Yours in Christ,

– Pastor Patrick

Soli Deo Gloria!

Do Your Part: STAY INSIDE

“Come, my people, enter your chambers,
And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past.” – Isa. 26:20

The Coronavirus is nothing compared to the Angel of Death appointed by God at the Passover, but the mandate is similar: stay inside for a time.

I am praying for you. I know these are unprecedented times and we are all in unknown territory.

Make the safest decision for your family.
Do not panic. Place your trust firmly in God for He is, was, and will always be in absolute and total control.

Please do your part: STAY INSIDE.

Love Mercy


We are called to not only be merciful, but to love mercy (Micah 6:8). To love it! When you love something you sacrifice for it, you protect it, and you put it before yourself.

Mercy (not getting what you deserve) is like that for a Christian and here’s why: God has shown us such immense mercy (hesed), the obvious response is to show mercy to others (Matt. 18:33).

Jesus and merciful are synonymous. Christian and merciful should be likewise.

Mercy, although not easy, is a requirement. The LORD expects it of His children.

Are we showing it?

THE RECIPROCAL RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE


God prefers love to Him & love to your neighbor above religious lip service. Worship with no heart disgusts Him.

Do you call the Sabbath a delight?

“If you turn away… From doing YOUR pleasure on MY holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight,… And honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD,”– Isa. 58:13-14 (Emphasis mine)

Where does God want the focus? On Him or your service? He desires you to actually WANT to worship, not HAVE to. If you want to worship God, then you will definitely find joy in the Sabbath!

God is not a means to an end – Serving God is satisfying in itself.

Far too often we have the incorrect response to God, myself included. Micah 6:8 is the correct response. He lays out what is required of God from His followers. This is is what’s expected:

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8 is the RECIPROCAL RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE. It is a lifestyle of justice, mercy, and humility. It is the by-product of loving Jesus.

Let us all strive to embody His lofty requirements!

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Spiritual Gifts; Let Us Use Them!

Parents love to give their kids gifts, don’t we? We also love it when they actually use them!

We are all given spiritual gifts from our Heavenly Father. We will all stand in judgement to give account of how we used our gifts at the “bema” judgement seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10)

HOW ARE YOU USING YOURS?

The person to whom much is given, much is expected, & much will be rewarded (Luke 12:48). The person who is not using their gifts for Christ  everything will be taken from him (Matt. 25:14-30).

We all have gifts from the Holy Spirit, let us use them! (Rom. 12:6)

I want to here Him say: Well done, good & faithful servant! (Matt. 25:21)

Don’t you?

What Comes Out When You Get Tripped Up? Fruit or Works (Gal 5:16-26)

Ever been seated at a restaurant and a waiter goes by with a tray full of bowls? You can’t see what’s in those bowls but everything is nice & neat. Everything is in order… until they get tripped up. Then what’s inside comes tumbling out!

What comes out when you get tripped up?

What’s inside your bowls: the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh? (Gal. 5:16-26)

Pray For Your Pastor!

pexels-photo-273850Don’t forget to pray for your Pastors throughout the week as they wrestle with the message they are preparing just for you. You can start by praying Eph. 1:15-19.

The cook presents the finished meal.

What he doesn’t present is the stack of old cookbooks he sifted through to find just the right recipe. He doesn’t mention the multiple trips to the market to find just the right ingredients. He doesn’t show you all the burnt attempts that didn’t work out quite right. He doesn’t bring out the shiny new mixer he is so very proud of that has all the bright new features.

No, the cook presents the finished meal.

The cook knows he is just the cook. Its the Farmer who produces the food (John 15:1). Its the Husbandman who gave the cook something to cook. It’s the Vine-dresser who raised the crop. And from sunrise to sunset, the divine Creator seeks to create fruit through us as we abide in Christ (1 John 2:5-6).

For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. – Psa. 107:9

No, the cook doesn’t do any of this. He just presents the finished meal to the best of his ability and prays you brought your appetite.

Bon Appétit. Who wants seconds?

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