Faith

He is Near

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

…The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:5‭b-‬6 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/php.4.5-6.ESV

Just a brief encouragement today for those who like me are seeking God’s direction yet feeling as if we are at a dead end. Thankfully Jesus specialized in showing up for his disciples at times just like that! In storms, in locked rooms or at gravesides Jesus came near. And when He came, he always began with same message. “It is I. Don’t be afraid! In today’s passage Paul begins by reminding us that our reason for confidence and peace in our prayers begins with one fact. Jesus is at hand. He is so close that we can reach out and touch Him just as Thomas did. So as we go about our journey we can put anxiety to rest with three simple truths. He is near, He is listening and He promises to answer. May God bless us this weekend as we rest secure in knowing that He is within our hand’s reach, He listens to our prayers and calms every fear with His message. “Do not be afraid!”

The Candle – The Wick and the Flame

/ pastorpete51 / 5 Comments

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5 KJV

Our Sunday night prayer meeting had been dismissed and we were beginning to greet one another, when our friend Judy hurried over to the pastor with a question, “Pastor Kevin, I’m not leaving here until you explain the Trinity to me!”

I groaned inwardly and whispered quietly to my wife, “Looks like we’re going to be here a while!”

But Pastor Kevin just smiled and said, “No one can explain it perfectly Judy, but think of a candle, a wick and the flame. The candle is the source of everything, the wick draws the wax up and the flame is what people see in a dark room.” I relate this story for those who like Judy, struggle to understand the Trinity. Entire denominations have separated themselves from the rest of the church over this issue, with some even going so far as to consign the rest of us to the dark side for our belief in a God who is three in one. But we may never sort it all out and demanding to do so is no more helpful than chopping up the candle, helps us understand the flame. Maybe the candle of God burns to draw us closer, so that our hearts will be set aflame with the love of Jesus Christ. When He becomes our candle our wick and flame, then God flow through us to others, so that He will shine in the darkness till day that Jesus returns!

What If Joy? – Poem

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments 
When pain pulls down the window shade
Through which our hope might see
What if joy might be the bridge on which
We must cross to be free?

Till God in grace bends down to lift
Our earthbound looking eyes
And, we can see the mountain peaks
Over which His wings can fly

So, no hiding in the corner or
Sailing far across the seas
Don’t miss the path of joy by which
Our faith in laughter leads!

1 Corinthians 10:13b
God is faithful and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability 
but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape 
that you may be able to endure it.


What if Joy? by Peter Caligiuri copyright 2021 all rights reserved