Hey Friends, let's get real for a minute. This isn't your feel-good Elder’s corner this month. We're going a little deeper today. Sometimes life demands that we have to be critical thinkers. Today I am talking about that uncomfortable space between what we say we believe and how we're actually living. It's that gray area in between, where no one else is looking. The real you. The one that doesn't put on a mask and isn't dressing or looking the part that's phony or inauthentic.

We throw around words like "grace" and "forgiveness" like they're hashtags. #Blessed #SoGrateful. But are we really living in the overflow of that grace? Or are we just hoarding it, keeping it locked up in our spiritual bank accounts, afraid to spend it on the messy, imperfect people around us? We quietly judge, and we mentally cast the first stone while ignoring the large boulder in our own hearts.

How often are we quick to judge, quick to point fingers. We build these little kingdoms of "right" and "wrong," drawing lines in the sand, deciding who's in and who's out In our minds. And then we wonder why the world looks at us and sees hypocrisy, not hope.

That right there can sting. But truth hurts sometimes. I'm not pointing fingers at you. I'm pointing a finger with you. Because I'm in this boat too. We're all in this boat. We're all wrestling with the gap between who we want to be and who we actually are. It's a continual struggle. And, I want to be honest with you, I catch myself doing this all the time especially through this politically charged season.

But here's the good news: God's not surprised by our mess. He's not shocked by our struggles. He knows we're imperfect. That's the whole point of grace! It's not about pretending we have it all together. (so take off the mask and stop playing church just to look good) It's about admitting we don't have it all worked out, and then leaning into the One who does. It's about authenticity. It's about being real. It's about accepting grace in our messy lives. And giving grace in other peoples chaotic lives.

So, what's the answer? It's not another program, another self-help book, It's simpler than that. It's about love. Radical, messy, inconvenient love. The kind of love that crosses those lines we've drawn in the sand. The kind of love that sees the image bearer of God in everyone, even the people who drive us crazy - even those who didn't vote like us

It's about getting off our spiritual high horses and getting down in the dirt with people. It's about listening more than we talk. It's about serving more than we're served. It's about extending grace even when it feels undeserved (because, let's be honest, it always is). This isn't easy, friends. This is hard stuff. This is the kind of stuff that stretches us, that challenges us, that makes us squirm in our seats. It's gonna get messy. But it's also the kind of stuff that changes the world.

So, let's stop playing church and start being the church. Let's trade our judgment for grace, our apathy for action, our comfortable Christianity for a faith that's wild, messy, and real. Let's bridge the gap between what we believe and how we live. Because the world isn't waiting for perfect Christians. It's waiting for people who are willing to love authentically.

Peace,

Stan

Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

As a sat down to pen this letter to you,  my thoughts and prayers immediately went out to the many in our congregation who are going through significant periods of testing.  The suffering for some, due to prolonged health issues,  has gone on for months and years.  While, others suffer continual mental anguish and travail of soul as they yearn for the salvation of children, family, friends and neighbors.  

As I contemplated these things, my mind quickly settled in on the something that David wrote in Psalm 27: 11 - 13.  He said the following;  11  Teach me Your way,  O Lord,  and lead me in a smooth path,  because of my enemies.  12  Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;  for false witnesses have risen against me,  and such as breathe out violence.  13  I would have lost heart,  unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Within these few short verses,  David provides us with an antidote against the trials and tribulations of life.  The medicine he recommends, is prayer.  David did not assign blame for the trials he was going through nor did he seek to escape them.  Instead, he recognized that God was in control of his life and if trials came they were for a purpose.  His request to the Lord was simple “teach me your way and lead me” in a smooth path because of my enemies.  David’s desire was that God would give him understanding as he was going through life’s difficulties so that he would be able to live a life pleasing to his Heavenly Father no matter what his circumstances. 

David, a spiritual man, was fully aware of the character of the wicked as described in Psalm 37: 12  -  The wicked plots against the just,  and gnashes at him with his teeth.  He knew that the primary goal of his enemies, both spiritual and physical was to displace his faith and trust in God.  As such he prayed that God would deliver him from his enemies. David also acknowledged that he would have lost heart in this endeavor absent his faith and trust in God.  

In light of these truths,  I implore you to join me in praying for those who are afflicted in our midst.  Recognizing the words of the Apostle James that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man/woman availeth much”.

In Christian Love, 

Joe Beasley

Information has never been easier to find than it is now. With advanced internet, as well as YouTube, Facebook, and other media sites, we can easily gather information that once had to be found in a library. When it comes to learning the Bible, there are so many tools out there we can use. I used to have two bibles, a Greek & Hebrew dictionary, a Strong’s concordance and a Bible reference book on my study table. Now all I need is my cell phone. Studying the Bible had never been easier with all these tools at our very fingertips! But there are many downsides to this wealth of information we have. I am amazed with the many false teachers that appear as holy men of God, sending out messages filled with personal opinions and twisted teachings, asking for money or your support for their YouTube channel. We must be more diligent with our studies of the Word of God, to know what is good to hear and what is wrong. I pray 2025 will be a good year for our church as we dive even deeper into the Bible.

2 Timothy 4  I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with ^[a]great patience and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have ^[b]their ears tickled, they will accumulate for

themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

I pray God will bless you all in a great way in 2025. Happy New Year to everyone!

Elder Jeff Kohler

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the

Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as

sons.”- Galatians 4:4-5

At Christmas, we celebrate the miraculous event of God coming to us in the flesh. The birth of Jesus

marks a moment in history that changed everything. When the fullness of time came, God sent His Son,

born of a woman, to redeem humanity. The incarnation, the Word made flesh, speaks to both the

power and the humility of God's plan. Through this divine act, Jesus not only entered into our world but

also made it possible for us to enter into God's eternal family.

The phrase “fullness of time” in Galatians 4:4 is rich with meaning. It conveys that Jesus’ arrival was not

random, but divinely orchestrated. At Christmas, we reflect on how God's timing was perfect in bringing

Christ into the world. The historical moment was right, not only in the fulfillment of prophecy but in the

context of the world at that time. In the days leading up to Jesus' birth, the Roman Empire ruled much of

the known world. The empire’s vast infrastructure of roads, its common use of Greek language made

travel and communication easier than ever before. This allowed the message of Jesus to spread rapidly,

from Bethlehem to the farthest reaches of the empire. Spiritually, too, the time was right. People were

in desperate need of hope. The moral decline of the age was so severe that even the pagans lamented

it. People were spiritually hungry, seeking a Savior, even though they didn’t yet know His name. The

world was ready for the fulfillment of God’s promise. The time was also right because the 483 years

prophesied by Daniel were drawing to a close (Daniel 9:24-26).

Jesus, born in Bethlehem, came at the precise moment that God had ordained, nothing was left to

chance. God had set the stage perfectly.

The birth of Jesus at Christmas signifies more than a historical event. It signals the beginning of God’s

redemptive work. Paul explains that Jesus came to redeem those who were under the Law. He came to

fulfill what we could not do, to live perfectly under God’s Law, to suffer for our sins, and to secure our

freedom from sin’s power.

At the heart of this Christmas story is the Incarnation: the eternal Son of God becoming fully human. As

God, Jesus had the authority and power to redeem us. As man, He was able to stand in our place. His

mission was to purchase us out of the “slave market” of sin, to set us free from bondage. The beauty of

God’s plan is that this redemption wasn’t just about setting us free. It wasn’t enough to simply free us

from the penalty of sin. As Paul writes, we also receive “the adoption as sons” (and daughters). This is

the ultimate gift of Christmas: the privilege of being brought into God’s family.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the Savior, but we also celebrate what His birth makes possible

for us: adoption into God's family. Paul’s words in Galatians 4:5 remind us that through Christ’s

redemptive work, we are not only set free from sin but are brought into the very heart of God’s family.

While every person is God’s offspring in the sense of being His creation (Acts 17:28-29), the Bible

teaches that only those who trust in Jesus are adopted into the intimate relationship of sons and

daughters. The birth of Jesus was not just a miracle of divine conception—it was the beginning of God’s

plan to adopt us into His family, to give us a new identity as His children. This adoption is profound. It

means we are no longer strangers or slaves but heirs to God's promises. This is why the Christmas story

is not just about the birth of a baby—it is about the birth of a new life for all who believe in Him.

When we are united in Christ, we are given the privilege to call God “Abba”—an intimate term for

Father. Jesus Himself used this word when He prayed to God in the Garden of Gethsemane, and now,

because of His birth, life, death, and resurrection, we can call God our Father too. The Holy Spirit, who

was sent into our hearts, confirms this intimate relationship. As Paul writes in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit

Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” The same Spirit who dwelled in Jesus

now dwells in us, assuring us of our adoption and empowering us to live as beloved children of God.

Christmas reminds us that this deep, personal relationship with God is no longer out of reach. Jesus’

incarnation was the means by which God bridged the gap between humanity and Himself. The God who

was once distant is now near.

As we celebrate Christmas, we reflect on the incredible gift of the Incarnation: God with us. In the birth

of Jesus, God’s timing was perfect, He sent His Son at the right moment in history, to redeem us from sin

and to adopt us into His family. This Christmas, we remember that in Christ, we are no longer slaves to

sin, but sons and daughters of the living God.

This Christmas, may we live in the joy and confidence of being God’s children, heirs to His promises, and

deeply loved by our Father.

From all the Elders at Christ Community Church, we want to wish you a blessed and Merry Christmas to

each you.

Elder Stan Davala

Dear Brothers & Sisters:

Election Day is quickly approaching.  As it does,  I thought it appropriate to remind everyone at Christ Community Church of God’s sovereignty over the affairs of men.  If you have been able to attend Wednesday Nights - Refuel, this topic has been address time and time again as we have studied the life of Daniel. 

Daniel lived in a culture similar to the one we live in.  It was a culture where evil and wickedness were glorified.  Collectively, the citizens of the culture had abandoned the truth of God and were whole heartedly pursuing evil.  The prophet Isaiah spoke of this generation when he said the following in

Isaiah 5: 20 ,  ”Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for

darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Daniels’ response to this encroaching evil was admirable.  Unlike many, Daniel did not forsake his God.  Instead,  in faith,  he doubled down on his trust in God.  He,  like Moses,  chose faithfulness to God over the admiration of man.  Like Moses,  Daniel chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,  esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt;  for he looked to the reward.  (Hebrews 11: 25 - 26)

Daniel’s treasure was not found in the riches of this world.  Daniel had singular desire.  That,  desire was to please God.  Daniel did not despair at the thought that his faithfulness might cost him his life.  Daniel had set his affections on things above and not things upon this earth.  Daniel was looking for a city whose building and maker was God.

Daniel knew,  in spite of living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,  that God Almighty was seated on His throne in the heavenly places overseeing the affairs of man.  Daniel rested in the truth found in Psalm 2: 1 - 6  -  1  Why do the nations rage,  and the people plot a vain thing?  2  The kings of the earth set themselves,  and the rulers take counsel together,  against the Lord and against His Anointed,   saying,  3  “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.”  4  He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;  the Lord shall hold them in derision.  55. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,  and distress them in His deep displeasure:  6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

Daniel knew his King was seated on the throne in the Zion of God and His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.  As such, Daniel was able to stand in the wicked day and offer the following praise to God in response to God granting him understanding of Nebuchadnezzar's’ dream;

Daniel 2: 20 - 23  -  20  “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His.  21  And He changes the times and the seasons;  He removes kings and raises up kings;  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.  22  He reveals deep and secret things;  He knows what is in the darkness,  and light dwells with Him.  23  “I thank You and praise You,  O God of my fathers;  You have given me wisdom and might,  and have now made known to me what we asked of you,  For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”

May God Almighty grant unto us the same spirit which indwelled Daniel, that we would be able to choose faithfulness to God above all things and lives that are pleasing to him.

In Christ,

Elder Joe Beasley

Over the years, in my Christian walk, I have worked with several pastors and have heard many men of God speak. One thing I have noticed, is a lack of humbleness. Please don’t get me wrong, I have witnessed many men who walk in humbleness, but some of the most gifted teachers and pastors have had issues with pride. It usually ended up with failures and divisions in the church. This pride is not a characteristic of Christ. We read in Philippians 2: ⁵ Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. A pastor’s wife once declared to me, that the pastors and their wives should have chairs in the first row of the church, higher than everyone else in the congregation!  On another occasion, during a leadership meeting, there was talk of bringing a pastor from a third world country for a week, to share with the church. One pastor stated that we could teach this pastor while he was visiting to which I replied, “He could teach us much, as well!”  The man was offended at the thought of a pastor from a third world country could teach him anything! Humbleness isn’t just a good quality or a great moral value, it should be a part of our every day life in Christ! With some, it is lacking. Ego and pride are terrible things! Charles Spurgeon often preached, “You are not mature if you have a high esteem of yourself. He who boasts in himself is but a babe in Christ, if indeed he be in Christ at all.“   I love the scripture in James 4:10; ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. With these thoughts let us always stay humble in Christ as he was humble to the world! And remember Genesis 3:19; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.

Our prayer: “Father God Help us to always be humble and not filled with pride so we can be the

example for Christ that we should be to this lost and dying world!”

Elder Jeff Kohler

I was recently talking to someone that went through some major surgery and they were lamenting that

they were struggling with muscle atrophy because they have not been able to get any exercise because

they have been laying on the couch resting and healing. I was reminded that our spiritual journey can be

a lot like my friends’ problem. I believe we all have often faced spiritual deserts where we have willingly

refrained from flexing our spiritual muscles. There have been times when I have become lethargic in my

spiritual journey and have spent far less time in prayer and more time in work or time wasting activities

that contained nothing beneficial to my soul.

Sometimes it is easy to fall into habits that edify nothing but our own sluggishness. I am not

discouraging rest, simply pointing out that there is a stark difference between being overly inactive and

resting. Rest provides much needed recharge to those who are actively working for a purpose.

There are times where atrophy of the heart and soul freezes us in place and creates walls around our

perceptions of growth and spiritual purpose. Be mindful of the traps. The father of lies would love to

keep us in these spaces of inactivity and atrophy. When we are frozen in place we are no longer a threat

to darkness and all the trappings of this world.

Be willing to have your plans disrupted. Be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to disturb your heart through

conviction and revelation. In the spiritual stretching process, may we be able to work out the pain of

growth as our wounds are exposed. The Lord seeks to heal, restore and stretch us - the only thing

preventing us from expanding our faith is us. Embrace the pain, the growing pains, the exposed hurts,

the vulnerable spaces we have yet to surrender. When we embrace them they can no longer keep us

bound by human reasoning and earthly limits. Instead we are exposed to an eternal perspective that will drive us into a deeper faith.

Something more to ponder today.

Elder Stan

Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

We live in a very troubling time.  Chaos, lawlessness, and hatred surround us at every turn.  The words of the psalmist found in Psalm 2: 1 - 3 play out before our very eyes;  1  Why do the nations rage,  and the people plot a vain thing?  2  The kings of the earth set themselves,  and the rulers take counsel together,  against the Lord and against His Anointed,  saying,  3  “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”

As Jesus foretold in Matthew 24, we witness nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom.  We observe famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  Most heart-breaking of all, “we witness the love of many growing cold”. 

In-spite-of these things, it should be a time of high adventure for those of us who have called on the name of the Lord and found refuge in Jesus Christ.  For God has not given the Christian, the Spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1: 7)

In light of the depravity found in the world, it is of vital importance that we draw near to God as the day of wrath draws near.  We must be ready and equipped to give an answer to any man regarding the hope that is in us. (I Peter 3: 15) For the scriptures teach us in James 4: 8, If we draw near to God he will draw near to us.  Christ must become our dwelling place. 

As we come to a full understanding of what our King has done for us, we should reach the same

conclusion the Apostle Peter came to in  2 Peter 1: 3 - 4;  3  His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Brother and Sisters I admonish you, “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people for a reason”.  “You have been called to show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light”. (I Peter 2: 9) Therefore, I encourage you to live like it in these perilous times.  For the glory of Jesus Christ, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 16) 

Elder Joe  

Daniel was rescued by his savior!

We have been going through the book of Daniel on Wednesday

evenings. I have loved going through this book again! It has been some years since I have completely read Daniel. There are many

accounts in the first six chapters that spoke of extreme times where the prophets of old moved greatly in their faith. One account that spoke so much to me, is in chapter 6 where Daniel was being thrown into the lion’s den because he would not bow down to idols.  But rather, he prayed to the Lord instead.  King Darius, being tricked into throwing Daniel into the lions said this: Daniel 6:¹⁶ So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”  …. Wow. May the God whom you serve rescue you!! This always gripped me as I turned this question to myself. Who is going to rescue me? Who is my

savior? Most of this world has god-like figures and idols but are they going to rescue anyone? No! They are not real! When the time comes, and they need a savior, their gods and idols will fail them. Daniel knew that God would deliver him! But even if God would have let Daniel be martyred that day, he still would not have bowed to an idol but only to the Lord! The stand Daniel took was forever recorded in God’s Word and is an awesome example of faith that we can all learn from! When the day comes in our lives where we need to lean on our savior, he will be there for us! What a mighty God we serve! Take time to read Daniel 6, and let the Word of God build your faith!  Romans 10: ¹⁷ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Elder Jeff Kohler

The Elders decided a few months ago to start a Bible foundations class. We are now in the middle of our second round of classes on Sunday mornings. It is so great to see people desire to learn more about the sacred scriptures, and what the Bible says about the importance of Bible study.

I would direct your attention initially to Paul's second letter to Timothy in the third chapter. Now, it's important for us to understand the context in which the apostle writes the admonition that we're going to read in this passage. Paul is at the very end of his life, he stands accused by the Roman government, he is under a death sentence, and he is awaiting his imminent execution.  His Advice to his disciple Timothy is contained in this second letter to him. And so, as we read it, we observe that what Paul is instructing his disciple Timothy to do, by extension, has enormous relevance for us.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. We Will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse. Deceiving and being deceived. 2- Tim. 3:12-15

He's talking about how facing persecution is the lot of every Christian and the Christian community and Paul in the midst of this violent persecution under the Emperor Nero.  He Is saying to Timothy, hey, things are gonna get worse. And worse. And people are going to come along who are imposters, who will seek to defraud you, to lead you into falsehood, who will deceive the people of God. And they themselves are deceived And so this problem of deceiving people by distorting the truth of God is one that presents itself as a major problem in every generation.  Since the time of Christ even unto today, every generation the church has fought from being led astray.

While there may be many important authorities, they are all subservient to Scripture, which alone is God-breathed and without error, fully trustworthy and sufficient for faith and practice. Scripture alone is our magisterial (final) authority; all other authorities are second and lacking.

The author of Hebrews echoes Paul's exhortation to Timothy.  In the 5th chapter. He says to his audience For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We all start as infants in the Christian life and at the beginning of Christian life, just as babies in this world, we need milk. It would be a terrible thing to give a newborn infant a diet of steak. They wouldn't be able to handle it. But it's also true that we would not nurture a child for 10 or 15 years simply on a diet of milk. There comes a point. Where we must grow up and grow to the meat. And so the author of Hebrews, just as Paul exhorted Timothy, exhorts us not to be satisfied with milk, not to be content with being infants from the faith, but to grow the maturity on the meat of the word. We encourage you to start reading your Bible. If you struggle in navigating through scripture please sign up for the next Bible Foundations class coming soon.

Blessings,

Elder Stan Davala

Dear Brothers and Sisters: 

We in the Church, who are pursuing Christ, are living in times of high adventure.  It is as if we are seeing the truths found within the scriptures unraveling right before our very eyes.  In Pauls’ second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verses 1 - 5,  he offers these words of caution to his fellow servant.  They are as applicable today as they were to first century followers of Christ;   “1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Jesus addressed this same subject in Matthew 24:12.  He said the following concerning the days we are living in;  12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  

The antidote for living in such chaotic times can only be found in the example given to us by Christ.  I John 3: 8(b) states the following;  “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”  Jesus overcame the wickedness of the world by fanning the flames of love.  A love which led him to lay down his life for the sins of the world.  We must purpose in our hearts to follow his example and never allow our love to grow cold.  

The love I am speaking of here is not the superficial love spoken of in our culture today.  It is a tenacious never-ending love that causes us to speak the truth in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation no matter the cost.   Our world has a heart problem and unless we present the cure which Christ himself delivered to us we fall short of His calling in our lives.  As such, how should we be living.  The answer is found in I Corinthians 15: 58:  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  Therefore my beloved brothers and sisters; follow the command given to us by the apostle Paul and “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear, for this is our reasonable service.” 

In Christ,

Joe Beasley

During a discussion at a church service, we talked about how someone actually comes to Christ and how someone comes to believe in Him. I debunked an opinion many people have that if we just love them, they will come to Christ. I have heard different churches try to use this approach.  I remember a man arguing with a pastor, demanding that “If we just show them the love of Christ they will get saved! You don’t have to preach to them!” The pastor replied “How is that working for you?”. The man backed away without an answer. I agree we need to show the love of Christ to everyone. We read in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body ^[a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. If we do not show his love we are just noisy people making very little difference. But we also read in the Bible where the need for preaching the gospel in necessary! Romans 10, ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ¹⁴ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! At some point the gospel must be preached so a person can believe! We can not just love someone into the kingdom of God. They must believe! This is our command from what we call the Great Commission found in Matthew 28: 19-20 , ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. We are all called to this! Let us all go forth with the love of Christ and preach the “Good News” to this lost world.

Elder Jeff Kohler

As the days become warmer Lately, I've been spending more time than usual with my nose stuck in God's "other" book—the book of nature—and I've re-discovered how true the words of the Psalmist are: The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2. There is a beauty and order in creation that we so often fail to appreciate. On my walks around camp, the newly budding patch of crocuses and the warm springtime wind all testified to this. It seems that in our busy lives, so many of nature's intricacies go unnoticed. Ironically, we cease to be amazed at all in the miracles of the every day simply because our Creator's fingerprints are too numerous and common to count. We become numb through repetition. But maybe the regularity of the seasons and the glorious monotony of creation are meant to reveal something to us about the consistency of God. Martin Luther commenting on Genesis 1:20 ("Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens."), He makes this profound assertion: "Nothing—even raising the dead—is comparable to the wonderful work of producing a bird out of water. We do not wonder at these things, because through our daily association with them, we have lost our wonderment. But if anyone believes them and regards them more attentively, he is compelled to wonder at them, and his wonderment gradually strengthens his faith."

The trees that are starting to bud. The seasonal return of the geese. (Grrr…) The grass starting to return to green. The regularity of these occurrences reveals a God who delights in the regular rhythms of life. But there is another side of nature, just as sure and certain and predictable as life. That is death.

As I was blowing leaves on one of those warm days, I smelled it first. And then I saw it. The carcass of a small deer that had been there for a while and the turkey vultures were having their way with it. The odor of rotting flesh filled my nostrils as I tried to hold my breath and quickly moved past the dead animal. At the edge of the wood line surrounded by spring flowers, death was on full display. Life is everywhere, but so is death. It can't be stopped, and it can't be ignored. The rest of Luther’s  quote says: "Since God is able to bring forth from the water the heaven and the stars, the size of which either equals or surpasses that of the earth; likewise, since He is able out of a droplet of water to create sun and moon, could He not also defend my body against enemies and Satan or, after it has been placed in the grave, revive it for a new life?"

This world is beautiful. But it is also deeply, deeply broken. Paul puts it this way in Romans 8:22: For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." Adam & Eve ate the fruit, they broke the world, and death entered the picture. Nothing has been the same since. Though we may catch glimpses and glimmers of order and beauty, they are always reflected through a broken mirror. Paradise was lost, and we now live with only the smallest hints of its goodness that remain. No more tree of life. No more walking with God in the cool of the day every last molecule was affected. But perhaps that's the real miracle of this time of year; not that it's simply pretty or orderly or colorful. In the full bloom of springtime, God brings forth life where there was once only bleakness and death, and in this, we catch glimpses of our own resurrection. The true miracle of springtime isn't simply its beauty, but in the way it foreshadows the life that springs forth when God creates everything new. In the springtime we encounter not just a Psalm 19 God who creates beautiful things, but a Psalm 116 God who redeems life from death: "The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow.  Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”." This is the God of the Resurrection in all of His glory, emerging from the grave victorious over the forces of darkness and death that daily threaten to overwhelm us. This is the God in us in the person of Jesus Christ, who overcame death by being broken Himself. What we broke in the Garden, Jesus fixes at the empty tomb. So the next time you walk through the woods and catch a glimpse of a young fawn scampering through the underbrush or new shoots bursting through last year's growth, remember that. We live in a perpetual spiritual springtime.

Elder Stan Davala

“Where Do You Find Your Treasure?”

For the Christian, there can be no greater advice than what Solomon offered his readers in Proverbs 4:23.  He gave the following instruction; “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”  As we contemplate his wisdom, we must keep in mind the words of 2 Timothy  3:16 - 17;  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in  righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Solomons’ words of wisdom were not his own, they were given to him by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and they were prophetic.   As such we do well to “heed them as light that shines in a dark place”.   

In speaking on the condition of human heart, Jeremiah offered the following on the subject in Jeremiah 17: 9 - 10;

 d is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Brothers and sisters in Christ,  it is of utmost importance that we reject what the wisdom of the world has to offer and adhere to what the scriptures teach us.  David recognize this when he penned the words in Psalm 51; 10 - 11;  10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,  and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  

The heart is deceitful above all things,  and desperately sick;  who can understand it?  “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind,  to give every man according to his ways,  according to the fruit of his deeds.”

These words are contrary to everything that our culture teaches us today.  In fact,  the main thrust of most modern academia revolves around the notion man is innately good.  This point of view has been held by the lion’s share of the worlds intellectual elite since the time of Christ.  As Christians, we have a choice.  We can believe the Bible, as God’s inspired word. Or, we can believe a lie. 

Jesus Christ had these words to say to his disciples, regarding the human heart in Mark 7: 18 - 23;  18 “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, an

As Christians, the most important lesson in life we can learn is to cherish Gods’ Word.  Why?  It is through learning his precepts that we gain understanding and are able to avoid every false way.  The Word of God must become our treasure.  This is the reason Jesus said the following in Matthew 6: 21;  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Charles Spurgeon had these marvelous words to say regarding Gods’ written word.  “This Bible is a           wonderful talking book; there is a great mass of blessed talk in this precious volume.  It has told me a great many of my faults;  it would tell you yours if you would let it.  It has told me much to comfort me;  and it has much to tell you if you will but incline your ear to it.  It is a book that is wonderfully communicative; it knows all about you, all the ins and outs of where you are, and where you ought to be, it can tell you everything.”  

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, learn to cherish the Word of God. 

Elder Joe Beasley