December Pastor’s Chat
I have been blessed this year by the task of writing once a month on our church theme for 2008, Following Christ Alone! I look forward to next year and a new theme to write about as well. However, I have one more opportunity to challenge us on this year’s theme.
I sat back in my chair and prayed, “Lord, what would you have for me to say in this last ‘Pastor’s Chat’ for 2008 about following You?” After a bit of a pause, a number of single words started to come into my mind that in themselves speak volumes: choice, commitment, faithfulness, and focus. Wow, that could be a four point sermon!
From those words the following thoughts came together: I must make a choice every moment of each day to stay committed to Christ-to follow Him or go my own way. Once I make the choice to follow Him, I will only be able to remain faithful as I keep my focus on Him. From those thoughts I immediately remembered the challenges and promises of Proverbs 3:5-10, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
There is not a little humility involved in believing and practicing the commands in this passage and in receiving the blessings of obedience. May our Lord help us to end the year in humble submission as we obediently follow our Lord into another year of spiritual adventure and growth!
With Prayer, Pastor Mark
Verses On Trusting God!
Psalm 143:8, “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
Proverbs 29:25, “ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”
Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
Isaiah 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”
Isaiah 26:4, “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD
JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”
Isaiah 50:10, “Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.”
Naham 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
Zepheniah 3:12, “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.”
1 Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”
