A NOTE FROM OUR
PASTOR
Searching and Finding
It is during this time of year that we are anticipating the next Big Event on a weekly basis: Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas parties, going to see the lights, musical cantatas, family gatherings, Christmas and then 2012. Be careful! We will miss the joy of life if we each are not very careful. We need to remember and begin to live out life with Psalm 34:8 as a touchstone for our life and faith. "Oh taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" We forget or neglect to taste and indeed see that the Lord is good!
This very morning I woke up and felt myself drawn to read some scripture, God had for some reason placed the book of Hebrews on my heart. As I read the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to things I had missed in previous times that I had read the book. Certain verses were firmly pressed upon my heart. I was receptive to what God was saying to me through the scripture to what was happening in my life at this time.
In Hebrews 12:14-15 ESV reads, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled." When we receive God's peace as offered through Jesus Christ we are called to a life that strives and seeks after holiness.
Peace is given by God and that peace is a part of being in His' presence. This morning as I read and experienced the scripture anew, I was refreshed and revived as God's peace became self-evident to rue. We have all been given an opportunity every day to share God's grace with those we meet. The question is will we share these awesome life changing gifts of Grace and Peace?
If we are not careful, sometimes we allow this root of bitterness to grow roots in our life and even water this plant that doesn't bear good fruit, but rather trouble. This is a down hill slide after this root of bitterness and trouble enter our life. We are led into all sorts of evil that creates trouble, confusion, at times a loss of hope and even despair.
As I arose this morning I had a choice to make: I could allow the busyness of the past week and the future weeks to create a root of bitterness in me; OR, I could allow the hope, peace and joy that living in, and seeking after God's presence would bring. I picked God! What about you?
The Smith family's prayer is that in this time of year each of you would find and receive the Peace of Christ, and that your life would be completely filled with the Hope and Grace that God's Presence and Holy Spirit brings to all that will receive Jesus into their life as Lord and Savior! Jesus is the Prince of Peace! May you receive Him with open arms, ready to receive more love that you have and will ever know!
Serving Jesus Christ, so that, Others May Know Him and Serve Him,
Pastor Wayne Smith
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