The Pastor’s Blog
Patsy and I really enjoyed our recent trip to Arizona to visit our son Michael and his wife Tiara. The weather was fantastic and each of the various landscapes we encountered was breathtaking.
Shortly after driving out of the Phoenix airport the speed limit on the freeway was 75 miles per hour with the traffic moving even faster. Being one who likes to make good time on the freeway I said to Patsy, “These are my people.” Two days later I was singing a different song as I found that many Arizona drivers view traffic lights as merely a suggestion and they love to lay on their horns when even a simple honk isn’t needed. Upon further evaluation, I recognized that my first impression was both ill-informed and premature, as drivers, they are not my people.
First impressions are not always bad or wrong, in fact a time or two they’ve saved my life. However, most of the time it’s better to partner our first impressions with prayer, taking the time to seek the Lord’s will, allowing Him to clarify what we are seeing, hearing and sensing.
Proverbs 3:5 and 6 tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The road of life can take us on some long and winding trips. Isn’t it good to know that as we trust in the Lord He will show us the way. He will lead and guide us as we seek Him through prayer and study. He will keep us from acting on our first impressions alone. He will keep us from making ill-informed decisions and He will lead us to the road that will take us where He has planned for us to go.
Trust in the Lord. Seek His way. Follow Him. Those steps will always protect us from making premature decisions based on first impressions alone and will take us where we are supposed to go and in the way we are supposed to get there.
Thankful to Follow,
Mark
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Home Study for November 3 through 8, 2014
Monday – Read II Peter 3:8-9
How would you describe God’s patience?
Where would we be without God’s patience?
How does this encourage you? Challenge you?
What will you do today to show patience to someone?
Tuesday – Read I Timothy 1:15-17
Why did Jesus come into the world?
How does His salvation display His unlimited patience?
How is our salvation a testimony to those who still need to be saved?
How might you be able to share this message with someone this week?
Wednesday – Read James 5:7-11
What example of patience are we given here?
In those days farmers were totally at the mercy of things that were not under their control, how is that like the things that make us impatient?
Why is it important for believers to be patient with one another?
How does this passage challenge you? What will you do?
Thursday – Read I Corinthians 13:4 and Ephesians 4:2
How is showing patience an act of love?
To whom should we show patience?
How do these verses challenge you?
How will you respond?
Friday – Read Lamentations 3:19-24
How does this passage reveal God’s patience toward us?
When does God’s compassion for us end?
How does recognizing God’s compassion and patience shown in our lives help to develop those qualities in us?
Wait upon God and give Him thanks.
Saturday – Read Isaiah 43:18-19
Why does God continually lead us to new things?
What new things is He doing in you?
Rather than being scared of the new, trust God in it.
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Home Study for October 20 through 25, 2014
Monday – Read Hebrews 13:20-21
Why is it important to recognize God as the source of peace?
Might this explain why peace is often so elusive?
God equips us to do His will, how does this bring us peace?
What is God saying to you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Colossians 1:15-23
How did Jesus make it possible for us to have peace with God?
Reading verse 22, how complete would you say the peace is that Jesus gives us with God?
Why do we so often miss it?
How does this passage encourage you? How does it challenge you?
How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read I Corinthians 14:33 and Philippians 4:6-7
How does disorder rob us of peace?
How does praying instead of worrying give us peace?
How is God’s peace described in Philippians 4:7?
Is there any other peace like God’s in all creation?
How might you experience more of God’s peace?
Thursday – Read Romans 16:20 and I John 3:8
What hope do these verses give you?
Have you been living in the fullness of this peace?
What might you do to live in greater victory and greater peace?
Friday – Read Romans 12:17-19 and Hebrews 12:14
What does it mean to make “every effort?”
When do we know if we’ve made every effort to live in peace?
How do these verses challenge you?
How do these verses encourage you?
Saturday – Read Romans 15:13
Make this your prayer for yourself, your family and for our church family.
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Home Study for October 13 through 18, 2014
Monday – Read Psalm 51:1-12
This is David’s prayer of forgiveness after being confronted with his sin.
Why does receiving God’s salvation bring us joy?
How can we live in that joy daily?
How can we restore that joy when we’ve sinned?
How does this passage encourage you? How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read Psalm 122:1 and Hebrews 10:23-25
How does meeting together and worshipping and serving with other believers produce joy in our lives?
Why is this important?
How do these verses encourage you? Challenge you?
How will you respond?
Wednesday – Read Philemon 1-7
What was the source of Paul’s joy here?
Who brings joy to you in this way?
How might you bring that same joy to others?
Thursday – Read II John 1-4 and II Peter 3:9
This letter was most likely sent to a specific congregation of believers.
How did John feel about those who were walking in relationship with Jesus? Why?
What does God want for every person?
What hope does this give you?
Identify some people in your life who need to come to faith in Jesus and commit yourself to pray regularly for them and to share the love and truth of Jesus with them as the Holy Spirit provides the opportunity to do so.
Friday – Read James 1:2-4
Where is God when we’re facing trials and troubles?
Why don’t we always see Him?
What is His purpose for the trials we face?
What hope does this passage give you?
How can you better partner with the Holy Spirit to grow in joy?
Saturday – Read Galatians 5:22-23
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