classic Hymns

Blessed Assurance

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments

Yes the parades, with green hair, green beer and even a green river here in Tampa are past, but Saint Patrick’s day is not till this Thursday. It is interesting to remember that Saint Patrick wasn’t even Irish! The best part of his story did not even begin until after being kidnapped and enslaved, then escaping back to England when he committed his life to Christ. Later Patrick returned to Ireland with the message of the gospel and his story is in many ways like each of ours. Like Patrick we have plenty of unexpected and unwanted events that happen to us. But whatever difficulties we face that keep us up at night we can also have that same blessed assurance when we choose to follow Jesus. We will never know just where He will send us with His message of hope and grace until we surrender to Him and receive His Blessed Assurance in our soul.

Jesus Watches Sparrows

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29‭-‬31 ESV

It doesn’t get any more real than worshipping with my friends in memory care. No lights..no smoke…not even a microphone and yet there is the joy of Jesus reflected in their eyes. What a privilege it is to get to sing for them. If you want to serve in your community you won’t have to look far. Start visiting a friend or family member and ask God to use you to help feed a few other sparrows with the hope of Jesus Christ.

Praying For America

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Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

This Saturday we had a great meeting at Sunshine Village but our hearts are heavy for America. With young soldiers dying in Afghanistan and a storm of a lifetime threatening Louisiana we need God more than ever. 75 years ago Dr. Peter Marshall spoke on the American dream. “For freedom is not the right to do as one pleases, but the opportunity to please to do what is right. The founding fathers sought freedom…not from the law but in law;not freedom from government but freedom in government; not freedom from speech- but freedom in speech; not freedom from the press- but freedom in the press. Not freedom from religion- but freedom in religion.

How strange that after so many years that the struggle remains the same. We must hold our freedom firmly and our personal responsibility to use it well as a holy trust from God. How America needs our humble prayers today. Who will take the time to not only have a little talk with Jesus but be ready to hear what Jesus has to say!