Who Are You Going To Trust?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 ESV

Even some of my American friends may not know that here in the United States our national motto is “In God We Trust.” Ironically, this motto appears, neither on our flag, nor in our constitution but on our money, and was introduced not at the height of our prosperity, but during the darkest days of our Civil War. It came about in response to a letter from a Reverend Watkinson appealing to the Treasury Secretary, that we as a nation needed to publicly acknowledge God if we were to receive His help. Though the letter was sent in 1861, it took three years to be instituted. Finally in 1864, when, despite the many victories of the Northern States, the painful reality was that both sides were suffering devastation, death and tragedy on a scale never seen before in our history. Then, just when our hopes were at their lowest “In God We Trust” was introduced on the 2-cent piece. This national decision at that pivotal time, should be a wake-up call for us in the midst of social upheaval, violence, and division. We need to realize that we will never be blessed as “One nation under God” until we remember that our trust in God must not be a bold boast, but a cry to Him for help. Today’s verse reminds us that our greatest hope is not in victory, nor in success, but in the promise that our God will hear our cry. He is our hope this morning and for every morning. Whatever our disappointment; Whatever our despair; whatever our weakness: God has promised to hear us, to come to us and to comfort us, if we put our trust in Him. Of course, that doesn’t imply that everything in our lives will wonderful when we trust God, but that whatever we face, He has promised to be right by our side because we belong to Him!

“We cannot always trace God's hand, but we can always trust God's heart.”
Charles Spurgeon
Photo by Jeff Weese on Pexels.com

Porcupines or Eagles?

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Proverbs 15:31 ESV

Have you ever watched little birds being shoved out of the nest when they are ready to go out on their own? The chicks like being comfy, just hanging around waiting for mom to bring them food. But comfort is not their mother’s goal. She knows that for them to survive, they will need to learn to fly. Just as that mother eagle pushes her little chicks from the nest, God sometimes uses criticism that others are leveling at us to nudge us out of our comfort zone.

In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics there were many who criticized Simone Biles for withdrawing from some of her events. What they did not realize was that the fear of not living up to other people’s expectations had put so much pressure on Simone’s mind, that she couldn’t focus. Her fear while performing endangered not only her winning any medal, but even her physical safety. Later Simone went on to win more medals and ended her career as the most decorated female American gymnast on the planet! Now, most of us will never be Olympians, but we like Simone, we need to learn that the secret of success is to accept the fact that we are not perfect. In fact, it is perfectly normal to be imperfect! For me, usually, my first reaction to correction or criticism is to bristle like a porcupine, but I have learned that sometimes our greatest detractors can also be the ones who motivate us to fly. We need to remind ourselves that God created us to be eagles and not porcupines. So instead of bristling our quills like a porcupine under attack, we need to just start flapping our wings. Remember that flying even a few feet off the ground is something no porcupine will ever do! When we learn to just relax and listen to correction, then God can begin teaching us how to fly. Then one day when we least expect it, He will help us to spread our wings and fly fearlessly farther and higher than we ever imagined!

Photo by Frans van Heerden on Pexels.com

Wonderful Jesus

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 KJV

Who says that nursing home music has to be slow, sad and in hushed tones? Our folks at Life Care Center love nothing more than to celebrate just how wonderful Jesus is! Every Friday they come expecting to meet with Him and we who get to lead, are so amazingly blessed to hear them singing, clapping or simply smiling as Jesus is lifted up and His presence fills the room! Yes, “Isn’t the love of Jesus something wonderful?!” Why not join us and sing along and lift up the name of our Mighty God, our Prince of Peace, our Everlasting Father and our Wonderful Counselor?