Following the Call of Christ

The call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is more than a historical tradition or a church agenda; it is a personal invitation from God Himself. It is rooted in our origin, stretching back to the very first humans in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were called to a life of holiness, to steward God's creation, and to love God and each other wholeheartedly. While they initially lived this call, sin entered the picture through their disobedience, forever altering humanity's path. Yet, even then, God did not abandon His creation. He pursued Adam, Eve, and every generation since with grace and mercy.

God's relentless call is not rooted in human merit but in His unending compassion. Throughout history, He has reached out to flawed people, such as Abraham, who left everything to follow God, and Matthew, the despised tax collector who became a disciple. Each heard and responded to the simple yet profound call: "Follow Me." This call, echoed through the ages, is as relevant today as ever. It reminds us that our background, past sins, or present circumstances do not disqualify us from God's love or His purpose. When we hear Christ say, "Follow Me," we are invited into a transformative journey marked by faith, trust, and obedience.

Following Jesus means stepping into a life led by the Spirit. It is not a path of guaranteed comfort or clear answers but a walk of faith. God's Spirit guides, empowers, and shapes us, making the impossible possible. As the apostle Paul said, we are made alive in Christ and called to walk in the works He has prepared for us. This journey transforms us from fearful, limited people into courageous witnesses of God's love and power, capable of bringing light to darkness and hope to despair.

Ultimately, our call is not just about our personal transformation but also about being vessels of God's grace to others. We are called to say "Yes" to Jesus, allowing His Spirit to lead and transform us daily. In doing so, we become the salt and light our world desperately needs, sharing the good news that Jesus can break every chain, deliver from all bondage, and set the captives free. Will we answer His call with faith, trust, and a willing heart? The journey begins with a simple, powerful "Yes."

A Heart of Gratitude: Reflecting on Thanksgiving and Praise

The Bible invites us to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4). As we approach Thanksgiving, this verse reminds us of the importance of a grateful heart. Gathering with loved ones to celebrate the season, we often focus on the abundance of food and the joy of togetherness. Yet, as believers, our thanksgiving should also extend beyond the physical blessings to a deep appreciation for God's unfailing love and grace in every season of life.

In good times and bad, we are called to praise God. This truth is echoed in Matt Redman's song, Blessed Be Your Name, which declares God's worthiness of praise whether we stand in a "land that is plentiful" or walk through the "desert place." Similarly, Job exemplifies unwavering worship even amid immense loss, proclaiming, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Such faith challenges us to praise God not only when life is smooth but also when it's marked with suffering.

True thanksgiving and praise often begin with a deliberate choice. It's easy to give thanks when blessings are evident, but what about when struggles arise? Gratitude during hardship shifts our focus from our circumstances to God's character. As Paul exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." This perspective transforms our worship from being dependent on what God gives to being rooted in who God is—a faithful, loving, and sovereign Savior.

As we reflect this Thanksgiving, let us take time to truly praise God. Like the Samaritan leper in Luke 17:11-19, who returned to thank Jesus after being healed, may we pause to acknowledge God's goodness in our lives. Whether with exuberant shouts of joy or quiet whispers of gratitude, let us echo the words of the hymn, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." By turning every blessing back into praise, we align our hearts with the ultimate truth: our God is worthy of all glory, honor, and thanks—no matter the season.

A Pastor's Role in the Church in an Election Season

In an age where churches often face immense political pressure, the pastor's role is to remain steadfast in their identity as ambassadors for Christ, guiding their congregations with spiritual integrity rather than political bias. The message is clear: a shepherd must be committed to preaching biblical truth about sin, compassion, and salvation.  We remind the congregation of the ultimate source of authority and truth — the unchanging Word of God, and not to engage in partisan politics from the pulpit.

The pastor's message emphasizes that faithfulness to God's Word, rather than any political allegiance, must be the defining characteristic of Christian ministry. Though pressures are high, especially during election seasons, he believes that the role of a pastor is to shepherd God's flock and stay rooted in Scripture. In this light, the act of voting is seen not as a display of political favoritism but as a stewardship responsibility for believers to uphold their values in society.

A key reminder from this message is that true and lasting change comes not from political conviction but from personal conversion to Christ. Ecclesiastes 8 highlights the need for God's wisdom, encouraging believers to reflect, respect governing authorities, and recognize that even in tumultuous times, God's sovereignty reigns supreme. The pastor underscores that while Christians should participate responsibly in civic duties, our ultimate hope and trust must rest in God's eternal kingdom.

Finally, the pastor calls for unity and love within the body of Christ, transcending divisive political affiliations. He should challenge the congregation to pursue gospel conversations over political ones and to engage others with grace. By keeping the Great Commandment and the Great Commission at the heart of their actions, believers can bring light and hope to a world that desperately needs it.

Thoughts from Sunday'a message on our Articles of Faith

In this blog post on the 16 Articles of Faith, we reflect on the Nazarene beliefs around the Resurrection, Judgment, and Destiny, drawing from Revelation 20:11-15. Over the past weeks, we have explored fundamental Christian doctrines—from the Trinity to salvation, grace, and the Church—each building toward a comprehensive understanding of faith in Christ. While some of the theological language may have been challenging, the series served as a reminder that we are part of a larger body in Christ, united by shared beliefs.

The 16th Article addresses the realities of resurrection and judgment. Scripture tells us that both the righteous and unrighteous will be raised from the dead, to stand before God for judgment according to their deeds. This teaching may feel countercultural in a world that values tolerance and relativism, yet the Bible speaks clearly about a final judgment, where eternal life awaits those who follow Christ, and eternal separation for the unrepentant. This is not about spreading fear, but about underscoring the importance of genuine faith—a faith that transforms both heart and actions, reflecting God's love and grace in our lives.

Our hope rests in the resurrection. As Paul notes, without Christ's resurrection, our faith would be futile. But because Christ triumphed over death, we too can look forward to eternal life with Him. This victory over death is central to our faith, a promise that we will one day gather with believers from all backgrounds, unified in Christ. This hope calls us to live each day with purpose and conviction, knowing that our faith in action bears witness to God's grace. In the end, we will be known not by our denominations but as redeemed people, forever alive in Him.

Daniel Fast Day 8 Devotion - March 20th

2 Chronicles 16:9  NIV

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him..."

We talk about seeking the face of God.  Did you know that God seeks us, too?  No matter what we are doing, He is looking on.  He is looking for people who say, "This is my life.  I'm going to dedicate to Him."  Our lives may be very ordinary and unglamorous. They may be far from ideal in our eyes, but God is not inviting us to dedicate to Him and ideal. He is asking us to dedicate our actual ordinary lives to Him because He is able to accomplish astonishing things through Him.

He doesn't ask for perfection.  He asks for commitment.  He's looking for loyalty and dedication to doing His will in the world, loving our neighbors as ourselves.  He's seeking servants and friends who will partner with Him over the long haul, even when it's difficult. He doesn't ask us to be strong―he'll provide the strength if we provide the commitment.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:  God is searching us out, looking for hearts that are fully committed to Him.

Daniel Fast Day 7 Devotion - March 19th

Psalm 17:5  The Message Bible

"I'm staying on your trail; I'm putting one foot in front of the other. I'm not giving up.".

Dr. Mark Hyman says that what you put on your fork dictates whether you are sick or well, slim or fat, depleted or energized.  With all that riding on what you eat, it would be easy to feel overwhelmed.  But there no pressure to change instantly, gradual change over time is sustainable.  Just put one foot in front of the other.  There's plenty of grace while you are in the process.  When you have a bad day, what matters is that you decide to get back on track and that you don't give up.

What do you tend to do when you have a bad day, when you feel lousy or you eat the wrong foods because you're busy or stressed?  Be gracious with yourself, because God is gracious with you.  Over time you will have more good days than bad ones, and the changes will be long-lasting for your health.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:  God is gentle with you while you are in the change process.  The goal is progress, not perfection.

Daniel Fast Day 6 Devotion - March 18th

Colossians 3:23  NIV

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters..."

What motivates you to get healthy?  It's completely legitimate to do so out of love for someone else, such as your spouse or your grand kids?  It's also legitimate to do it for yourself, so that you feel better or are able to participate in activities that requires energy and focus.  Many other motivations are equally valid and lead to numerous rewards for pursuing health.

God gives you all these incentives to get healthy, but he also has one more he would like you to consider.  Do it for Him.  It's a great energizer if you decide that all the work of getting healthy is ultimately not for anyone but the Lord.  That's a motivation that can help you  through whatever setbacks come your way.  As the apostle Paul said, "SO whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:  Pursue your goals with all your heart, and whatever your other motivations, do it ultimately for Jesus Christ our Lord.