“As for me and my house” November 10, 2019 Joshua 24:15 The American poet Robert Frost wrote simple yet powerful poems about life and nature.  “The Road Not Taken” is about the different choices we make.  “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”  Frost’s road “less traveled by” reminds us of Jesus’ “narrow” gate and “difficult” way (Matt. 7:14).  Many are called to discover that less-traveled-by way, but few ultimately find it (Matt. 22:14).   Joshua was one who did find the way.  We sometimes want to excuse those who don’t find Christ or who make destructive choices in life.  Given the times, we say, it’s almost inevitable that we cannot escape corruption. But some do; and because some do, it means that all may.  The difference is in choice: whom do we choose, this day, to serve?  Joshua is an excellent role model for us. His relationship with his people was based on his relationship with God.  He wasn’t shy about being in charge. God had placed him in that position, so he worked at it with all his strength.  Joshua led a focused life. He chose to serve the living God, while others chose to serve the Gods of this life. When faced with choices, he didn’t have to think about whether he would obey God.  He’d already decided that long ago, and he didn’t change his mind when challenges came. God wants us to be that focused today. He wants us to be able to say, “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15). This morning we celebrate our military veterans (0.5% of the U.S. population) who chose the narrow military gate to serve their country.  As you contemplate life’s choices today, make the ones that lead to life, now and forever.  A wise choice delayed is a wise choice not made. Choose everlasting life through salvation in Jesus Christ!   Your brother and friend, Pastor Bruce 

One Step At A Time November 3, 2019 Micah 6:8

The Time is Now! October 27, 2019 John 1:40-42 In 1990, following a televised Monday-night game, eight players from the San Francisco 49er’s and eight from the New York Giants knelt together at midfield to pray.  The practice was criticized by Sports Illustrated magazine and NFL officials indicated they might stop it – which they didn’t.  The practice continues today. We don’t know if this was a spontaneous prayer, or if they did a cost-benefit analysis before deciding to pray.  Regardless, these men made a conscious decision to publically demonstrate their faith. Praise the Lord that we live in a country where we remain free to express our faith in public!  This morning we’ll turn to the gospel of John and learn about Jesus’ “first disciple.”  Before he began to follow Jesus he was a disciple of John the Baptist.  He and his more famous brother, Peter, made a living as fishermen. When his mentor, John, pointed to Jesus as the “Lamb of God, “ he believed him and immediately followed Jesus and spent the better part of the afternoon listening to him (John 4:18-19).  Afterwards, he went home and told his brother, “We have found the Messiah!”  Have you figured out who “he” is?  You’re right… it’s Andrew! We don’t have any record of Andrew preaching a sermon (though he certainly might have).  We don’t have any report of him leading crowds of people to make decisions for Christ.  But wherever Andrew went, he brought other people to Jesus. He may not have said a lot, but he knew how to point.  Whom in your sphere of influence are you pointing to Christ? People may or may not believe your words, but they will respond to the person of Jesus.  If you truly believe you have found the Messiah, as Andrew did, then whom do you know who could benefit from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ?  Who’s the one you’re going to introduce to Jesus? Your brother and friend, Pastor Bruce 

Colossians 1: 9-14 Scripture: II Peter 1: 5-8 People that had the privilege of knowing Jesus personally made the observation that He did all things well. That’s an amazingly complimentary thing to say! Seems no matter what the situation or circumstance, Jesus responded in just the right way. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house” as a twelve year old facing an “anxious” Mom over His whereabouts when she wanted to know, “Why ….”  He went missing from the caravan home after the Passover. He handled pressure from unbelievers, threats from Pharisees, pain from the sick, betrayal from Judas, sarcasm from His brothers, disciples slow to learn and even worship from some. He commanded demons, held little ones in His arms, raised the dead, heard the very voice of His Father and yet freely offered His life on the cross where “no man takes it from me.” He got so tired He slept though storms at sea. He never lost His temper. He never fell for temptation. He never gave up even when the disciples slept through His last hours of freedom in the garden before His arrest. And He never failed to witness to lost folk around Him. And He’s our example!!! It’s His desire we become well rounded and thoroughly prepared for the same challenges. We are called to be His disciples.  We are known by the term, “Christians.” And we are to live a life “worthy of our calling.” Let us strive to “overcome” the sinful nature and live a vibrant balanced life for Jesus!  Your brother and friend,  Pastor Jon

October 13, 2019                                                                                                                                      Luke 16:19-31

There’s a strange little insect called the velvet ant – attractive, as ants go – garbed in a thick coat of tiny hairs that feel smooth and velvety.  But it’s all a disguise. This tiny creature isn’t an ant at all, but a wingless wasp with a nasty sting. After injecting its victim with venom, it lays its eggs in their incapacitated bodies.   How like Satan!  He’s a venomous imposter who wants to implant his warped ideas into the dulled hearts of his victims.  One of his cleverest strategies is to make evil seem desirable. Just consider today’s movies. Sexual sin of every type is glamorized and glorified.  Profanity “appears” as righteous indignation.  Fame captivates. Fortune beguiles. Violence titillates.    It’s not popular today to talk about Satan, the devil… the “evil one.”   A personal being who personifies evil just seems, well, so medieval, and not so 21st century.  But this being is the adversary in God’s great story and is found in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.  Jesus in the parable of the sower (Matt 13:1-23), blames the devil for thwarting the message of the gospel.      This morning’s Scripture tells of a rich man who went to hell, not because of his wealth, but because he was selfish, refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him.  The rich man was hardhearted in spite of his great blessings. Sounds like the “velvet ant” got him.   There are no second chances in hell.  Abraham replied to the rich man, “between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there [hell] to us” (Luke 16:26).  Satan doesn’t mind if we become religious, just so long as it remains politically incorrect to proclaim Jesus Christ as the ONLY name under heaven whereby we must be saved.  Will you dare to be politically incorrect and tell one person about Jesus today?!