GOD WILL LIFT YOU UP

My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word.

I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. 

Make me understand the way of Your precepts;

so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. – Psalm 119:25-27

As a pastor, I often encounter anxiety, depression, and stress in the lives of those I come in contact with, especially living through a Covid pandemic.  These conditions are not new … for many these conditions have impaired God’s children.  In the words we read today, we see the psalmist so depressed he felt at the point of death.

What is the answer for those who suffer like this?  What can you do when your “soul clings to the dust?”  Here’s a plan that will help.

First, spend time in Scripture!  He says, “Revive me according to your word.”  Christians should find spiritual dividends every time they open God’s Word.  Turn to your bible.  Read for spiritual encouragement and not only for knowledge.  God will be present.

Second, spend time in prayer!  The psalmist had his requests answered before because he said, “You answered me.”  Time spent in prayer is never wasted!  When a problem cannot be fixed by human solutions, prayer is our answer.  God beckons you to call to Him.  He delights to respond!

Third, spend time at the feet of Jesus!  No better place can be found than sitting at the Master’s feet.  There you will learn as He teaches you His precepts.  Turn to the Gospels and let the Savior speak to your heart!

Finally, spend time rejoicing!  Little combats depression and darkness more than time spent rejoicing in the Savior who loves You.

Life Lessons From Children

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

Matthew 18:2-5

Believe it or not, I remember hearing this question when I was in Third Grade Sunday School: “John, does your family say a prayer before every meal?”  John quickly answered, “Oh no, my mother is a good cook!”  I don’t know how many times I have used that true episode as an illustration.  We learn a lot from children.

In the context of this passage, Jesus and His disciples are in Capernaum, probably in Peter’s house, and we find the disciples arguing who should be the greatest in the kingdom, and what does Jesus do?  He calls a little child forward.

If in the old English adage “Children are meant to be seen and not heard”, then in ancient Israel children were not even meant to be seen!  R.T. France states, “A child was a person of no importance in Jewish society.” He or she didn’t belong in the room and couldn’t have earned a place.  But unlike the disciples, who were jostling for first place, the child had no agenda no stuff to strut, no desire for applause, not even an awareness of the reason for being brought into the group.  The child knew – as did everybody else – that children didn’t belong in that room, much less at the center of attention.  What a picture of unmerited favor!  What a picture of grace!

Here are three things that I see as I look at this passage:  First, when Jesus called the child to Himself, the child listened and responded to the call of Christ.  Second, the child surrendered himself, and willingly gave up what he/she was doing.  Finally, the child was humble before Christ.  The child had no pride, no arrogance, no conceit, no expectations, no desire for promotion, no spirit of entitlement, and no phony piety.  Children crave love!  Guess what?  So do we!

Father, I thank You as one of Your children that I can come into Your presence.  Help me to hear Your voice today, and that I will respond obediently.  I thank You that I can give You all my burdens, hurts, and desires.  Father, I love You.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Dull or Deep?

The disciples reached the other shore, and they had forgotten to take bread.  Then Jesus told them, “Watch out and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.  And they discussed among themselves, “We didn’t bring any bread …” – Matthew 16:5-12

The above passage is just a little snapshot in this life-story.   Jesus was still stewing over the heated confrontation with the frowning critics (vs. 1-4) while His dull disciples were worried about bread.  Maybe they started pointing fingers, playing the blame game, or fretting over what to do about the problem.  But Jesus was preoccupied with something else.  He was instead thinking about the wicked leaders, their diabolical plot to capture and kill Him, and their dangerous false teaching, which poisoned the people’s minds.  All the while, He was just hearing, “bread, bread, bread” from his disciples.

Clearly, the disciples were clueless.  Finally, Jesus cuts in: “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (v. 6). 

I can imagine that the disciples felt a little stupid, not because they had failed to catch Jesus’ figure of speech but because they had been so worried about finding physical bread while Jesus was concerned about those who rejected the Bread of Life.

I’m sorry to say that far too many of us fit quite comfortable in the garb of the skeptical Pharisees and Sadducees or in the sandals of the worldly-minded disciples.

For a moment, put on the garb of the testy critics.  You’re wearing those robes and looking all important with your questions, searching for more evidence, demanding more proof.  You’re determined that you’ll only believe after God meets the burden of proof and your own personal standard of evidence.  But then, just as God shows Himself to be real, the bar for passing your standard of “a sign from heaven” is raised.  This is a typical pattern of the hard-hearted, unbelieving skeptic.

Now walk in the sandals of the dull disciples.  You’re supersaturated with spiritual things – a study Bible, a great church family, Christian books and music.  But as you listen to the sermons or sing the messages or pray the prayers, they pass right through you.  You’ve heard the gospel so much that it no longer makes an impact on your life … or others.  As the pastor preaches, you’re thinking about what’s for lunch or dinner.  As you pray, your mind wanders to the next thing on the calendar.

September 13, 2020

Testing Your Soil

Then He told them many things in parables, saying: “Consider the sower who went out to sow.  As he was sowing, seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up.  Others fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much soil, and they sprang up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep.  But when the sun came up they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered.  Others fell among thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them.  Still others fell on good ground, and produced a crop: some 100, some 60, and some 30 times what was sown.  Anyone who has ears should listen!” (Matthew 13:3-9)

Third, are you shallow and shaky?  Churches are filled with believers who have shallow faith – thick on emotion and sentimentalism but thin on real substance and weak on commitment and perseverance.  Such rootless religion won’t be able to withstand the normal trials of life.  If you’re a believer, you need to deepen your knowledge of God through meditation and application of His Word.

Fourth, are you faithless and stubborn?  This category in the parable is the only one that describes a person who clearly and unquestionably rejects the truth and doesn’t have a saving relationship with Christ.  If this describes you, it’s not too late to “plow up the hard ground of your hearts” and receive the saving gospel of Jesus.

Written by: Pastor Terry

Stand Out

 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. – Proverbs 3:3-4

August 30, 2020

Sent out, but Not Sent Away

Matthew 10:16-31

This is a long passage, but for the lack of space, go ahead and get your Bible and read the text; I’ll wait.  Here is verse sixteen (16) to get you started:  Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves. 

I’m glad you’re back.

Sometimes when Jesus sends us out into foreign – even hostile – territory, we can feel like we’re being sent away to fend for ourselves.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Yes, all of us (as believers and followers of Jesus Christ) are being sent out, but none of us are being sent away. 

First, we can expect treatment similar to that of the initial disciples.  Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:11-12, “What persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!  Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  Don’t be surprised when it happens.

Second, we don’t have to be afraid.  Remember, we aren’t being sent away but sent out. When we’re given the orders to roll out and cast off into whatever mission field Christ has for us (across the street or across the world), we’re not sent away with nothing.  In fact, we’re given everything we need; Jesus’ promise still stands: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).

There is “lostness” all around us.  For some of us, we don’t have to go far … a neighbor, co-worker and maybe even a family member.  We have been given a command to “go”.  I have heard many reasons for not going: “I’m not gifted; I haven’t taken a class; I’m not good with words; I’m too old, leave it for the youth; I’m too young, leave it to the older generation, etc.” 

August 23, 2020

The Privilege of Prayer

But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation. – Psalm 69:13

The Christian’s greatest privilege is prayer.  It is an amazing gift that we can communicate directly to the Father who loves us.  We can talk to Him at any time during the day, no matter what is going on, and He will listen.  But many times we use prayer as our last resort.  Without thinking clearly, when difficult times come – and they will come – we will run to the phone instead of to the throne.  We will turn to others before we turn to God.

God wants to be the source for everything we need in life.  The Bible tells us God inclines His ear when we pray (Ps 116:2).  That means He leans in to hear us.  The great God of heaven is listening for our prayers, and He leans in always ready to respond.  Remember, nothing is too hard for God, and when we are down to nothing, God is up to something – no matter what we may be facing.

August 16, 2020

Then Jesus went to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.  When He saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:35-36

If you had been standing in the crowd of onlookers in Capernaum during the nonstop day of miracles, you would have been presented with an intellectual dilemma that would call for the decision of your will: Would you give your life to be a true follower of Jesus Christ; would you continue to be an onlooker or flat out deny him?  Whatever choice you made that day would have a lasting impact on your life.

C.S. Lewis famously said that “when it came to deciding who Jesus Christ was, we really only had three choices.  First, we could say he was a liar, that all of the things he said were simply lies.  Secondly, we could say he was not a liar, but a lunatic, so he couldn’t be held responsible for saying the things he said.  And third, we could say he was actually who he said he was … the Lord of Heaven and Earth.”

Facts didn’t stop the hardheaded and hard-hearted Pharisees from believing who Jesus was.  Theirs was a spiritual problem, not an intellectual one.  And it’s a problem people still have today.  In spite of the evidence, people deny the existence of God.  And in spite of the compelling claims of Christ, they willfully reject Him as their Savior and Lord.  The solution to this spiritual blindness, then, is not another book that presents the evidence or arguing people into the kingdom.  The only One who can soften hearts and break down wills is the Holy Spirit.

August 9, 2020

Rejoice and Shout!

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; faithful love and truth go before You.

Happy are the people who know the joyful sound!  LORD, they walk in the light of Your presence.

– Psalm 89:14-15

Notice in this passage is says “know the joyful sound”, not “hear”.  We hear many things without comprehension.  The “joyful sound” in this verse is the shout of God’s people when they saw the Lord lifted high.  The Bible encourages us to shout to God.  Psalm 47:1 say, “Clap your hands, all you people; shout to God with a jubilant cry”.  Many times we shout and make noise at sporting events or even concerts.  We clap and cheer.  But when we come to church, we act like we’re at a funeral.  This should not be the case, because we are meant to rejoice and shout about Jesus.

The psalmist also exhorts: “Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth!”  (Psalm 100:1).  Rejoicing in the Lord is a recurring them in the book of Psalms.  Believers in Jesus Christ should be excited at all the blessings God has given them; and personally, two come to mind very quickly:  the day I knew that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me, and I gave my life to Jesus Christ; and secondly, the day that I look forward to: knowing there will be joyful sound at the rapture!

Until that day, when the world looks at us as believers in Jesus Christ, they should see a community who rejoices daily in the Lord’s blessings.  Pray that our lives will do just that.

Written by: Pastor Terry

August 2, 2020

Good News

I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know.  I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your loving kindness and Your truth from the great assembly. – Psalm 40:9-10

Growing up, I heard many “children songs” in my house, especially when my Dad was getting ready for Sunday.  He held many layman positions within the church, but the one I always take notice of was his leadership in Children’s Church.  He could teach 250 children on a regular basis every Sunday morning.  Chaos?  No, you could hear a pin drop when he taught the Word (using flannel-graph), and then … you should have heard the children singing. 

He was incredible, and eventually became a spokesman for Child Evangelism.  One of those songs I remember hearing was, “Good News”, and it was sung so boisterous that you had to cover your ears!

Good news!  Good news!  Christ died for me.
Good news!  Good news!  If I believe.
Good news!  Good news!  I’m saved eternally;
that’s wonderful extra good news!

© 1978 Child Evangelism Fellowship (Admin. by CEF Press)

Have you ever had an experience so wonderful in your life that you couldn’t keep the good news to yourself?

For the psalmist, the deeply moving experience of God’s favor and faithfulness toward him resulted in an open unashamed declaration of the goodness of God.  The faithfulness of God so overwhelmed David that he could not keep silent concerning the good news of God’s work in and around him.

July 19, 2020

For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. 

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the LORD’s unfailing love. – Psalm 33:4-5

Look at those five words:  right, truth, justice and unfailing love.  In all honesty, do you feel that’s the world you’re facing today?  It sure can seem like the opposite: wrong, lies, injustice and hatred.  At first glance, it can be challenging to believe “the earth is full of the LORD’s unfailing love” (vs. 5).  Yet it’s true.

When we became a child of God, our destiny became forever determined only by His grace by trusting Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.  Our life and future are in His hands.  Although the world we face today is dysfunctional, it’s only temporary and not our home.  Our day and our lives are under His control.  Last week, Pastor David shared this with us in his sermon, Titus 1:1-4.  You can check it out through our church’s website.  God’s word will be forever right.  He will only tell the truth.  

July 12, 2020

Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. 

Lead me in Your truth and each me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.

– Psalm 25:4-5

My favorite movie of all time is The Muppet Movie.  It probably explains a lot about me!  I imagine that I’ve seen this flick about 20 times (or more), and each time I see it, I see something that I’ve missed.  There are so many puns and slap-stick comedy … However, there is a time in the movie when Fozzy Bear and Kermit the Frog are “moving right-along.”  As they seek directions for their road trip, they are told to “turn left at the fork-in-the-road.”  Wouldn’t you know it; when they approached the crossroads of their travel, there was an actual fork … in the road!

I wish life was this easy, but it’s not.  God knew it would be difficult; that is why He gave us His Word to follow.  In life’s decisions, there is the right way, and there is the wrong way, and sadly; far too many believers want all of God’s blessings while proceeding on their own way.

PRAYER FOR AMERICA

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH (Ephesians 6:19-20); (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

* Pray that UBC will preach the Gospel!

* Pray that UBC will be a force for faith, hope and love.

* Pray that God will pour out His Spirit upon UBC.

* Pray that God will break down all barriers to revival.

* Pray that more laborers for ministry will be raised.

* Pray for Dr. David Norman and his family as they move to SATX.

June 27, 2020

For I will proclaim the Lord’s name.  Declare the greatness of our God!  The Rock—His work is perfect;
all His ways are just.  A faithful God, without bias, He is righteous and true.  – Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Every day we talk about many topics with others.  Our conversations might be stories about our children, the sale in the store we just left, job challenges, ball games, or even health concerns due to the Covid-19 virus.  We’re not shy to talk about what matters to us.

I’ve heard it said many times, “I cannot share the gospel at work or at school.  There are policies regarding that.”  Or, “I don’t have the gift of evangelism … I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Having travelled with several ministry teams to East Asia, it was strongly expressed that we could NOT share the gospel, because it was a “closed country”; HOWEVER, if people asked questions, we could answer those questions.  “What do you do for a living?” (I’m glad you asked; I teach music).  “What kind of music?” (I’m glad you asked; gospel music).  “What is gospel music?” (I’m glad you asked, it is about Jesus!)  “Who is Jesus?” (I’m glad you asked!!!)

If our relationship with God really matters to us, we need to be unashamed in proclaiming the name of the Lord to others.  Try this, when you go to work on Monday and you’re asked, “How was your weekend?” start with, “Church was great!”  We can touch people with the truth of God’s Word when we are faithful to share His great name with others.  Why wouldn’t we want to do that?

God is great, and there is no one is greater!  God is our Rock, and no one is stronger!  God is perfect in all His ways!  God is just in all things, in Him there is no partiality!  God is true at all times, and He is always right! 

June 21, 2020

Restore us, God; look on us with favor, and we will be saved.

Psalm 80:3

Three times in Psalm 80, Asaph (the writer) pens the phrase: “Restore us …”  Here in this psalm, we can see that he mourns the sad state of his time, the broken walls (vs. 12), the rampaging animals (vs. 13), and the burnt vineyards (vs. 16).  Sadly, it can look much like today’s news. 

There is comfort knowing that the God of Hosts, sits upon His throne, and in His Sovereignty brings provision, protection and much more!   But it is also His right to allow events in our lives to bring obedience and discipline; all for the purpose that we will seek His face and not just from His hand.

I have been praying for 8-and-a-half years for revival, and until it happens, I will continue to do so.  Broken walls, violent boars and destroyed vineyards might not be my surroundings, but I see a society filled with complacency, “self-sufficiency”, a “what’s-in-it-for-me” mentality, and a lack of love for God, and others.  I certainly am not trying to paint a “doom-and-gloom” picture, because there is HOPE; there is SALVATION, and that is found JESUS CHRIST alone! 

There will still be times that I will cry out just like Asaph, as he pleaded in verse 18, “Revive us, (my emphasis) and we will call upon Your name.”

June 14, 2020

Why? 

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified.

– Romans 8:28-20

Why do bad things happen to good people?  This question has troubled many people for generations.  But these words from Paul bring encouragement to our hearts during difficult circumstances.  Notice what Paul did not say and what he did say.  Paul did not say, “All things are good!”  Rather, he said, “All things work together for good.”  A lot of things in life are not good – cancer, the death of a child, domestic violence, Covid-19, and so on.  But the promise of this passage is that God can take all the bad things of life and orchestrate them for our good and for His glory!

June 7, 2020

Hope

I came across this story about Florence Chadwick, and could not help but think of all that has been going on during this Covid-19 virus, especially many who have a sense of loneliness, depression, isolation, and uncertainty.

“On July 4, 1952, this thirty-four-year-old competitive swimmer waded into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Her goal was to become the first woman to swim the twenty-one miles from Catalina Island to the California coast.  Chadwick was an experienced long-distance swimmer. She had already become the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Her biggest challenge in the Pacific Ocean that day was not the distance but the bone-chilling waters and the thick fog that made it almost impossible for her to see anything, including the boats accompanying her.

While Americans watched on television, Chadwick swam for hours in the numbing water and choppy waves. But the fog kept Chadwick from seeing her goal, and she lost hope of ever reaching the shore. When she begged to be taken out, her mother and her trainer, who were in one of the support boats, cheered her on. But after fifteen hours and fifty-five minutes, Chadwick stopped swimming and was pulled out—only to discover that she had quit less than a mile from the coast. She told a reporter, ‘If I could have seen land I know I could have made it.’”

I’ve had many conversations with people lately that are engulfed with worry, doubt, depression, health problems, loneliness, financial uncertainty, and strained relationships.  To them, there is no end in sight, and are tempted to give up hope.

I can only imagine what Peter must have thought while “walking on the water”; as soon as he took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink.  We must continue to live by faith.  We must not quit!  Land is just ahead.

Written by: Pastor Terry

May 31, 2020

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come.  Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” – John 17:1-3

If someone asked you to recite the Lord’s Prayer, you would probably begin by saying, “Our Father, who art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).  I’ve heard it said many times; “Perhaps this prayer is best not-called the Lord’s Prayer – a better title is the “Disciples’ Prayer,” because Jesus gave the prayer as a model for disciples to pray.”

One of the greatest prayers ever prayed is found in John 17, and many believe and suggest that this is the “Lord’s Prayer.”  In it we see the heart of our Lord and discover His purpose for us.  In verses 1-5, Jesus prayed for Himself.  He prayed for His disciples in verses 6-19, and in verses 20-26, Jesus prayed for you and me!  Think about it:  We are part of the greatest prayer Jesus ever prayed. 

He prayed for us, because He loves us deeply and wants us to know Him personally.  Jesus prayed, “…that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” 

To know Him is to talk to Him in prayer.  Stop.  Take time to talk with your heavenly Father.  He is personal.  You do not have to come to Him with religious jargon and eloquent words.  Talk to Him as your Abba Father … and as your friend.

May 24, 2020

Memorial Day

Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight, after the assassination of his father, King Amon, and reigned for thirty-one years.  The Bible describes Josiah as a very righteous king, a king who “walked in all the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2; 2 Chronicles 34:2). He is also one of the kings mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew’s gospel.

According to the Bible, in the eighteenth year of his rule, Josiah ordered the High Priest, Hilkiah to use the tax money which had been collected over the years to renovate the temple. It was during this time that Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law. 

I can’t imagine going a day without reading God’s Word, but this was eighteen-plus years!  The nation had drifted so far away from God.  I’ve heard it said: “If God could walk out of your life, how long would it take before you knew He was missing?”

According to the Bible, when King Josiah heard the words of the law, “he tore his clothes” (an outward sign of remorse or sorrow).  He then changed his form of leadership entirely, entering into a new form of covenant with the Lord. He wiped out all of the pagan cults that had formed within his land. He, along with his people, then entered into this new covenant with the Lord to keep the commandments of the Lord.

Our country could learn an important lesson from Josiah. Today, many people in America believe that all religious systems are equally valid. But what we celebrate as diversity, God condemns as idolatry. Although our constitution grants every citizen the right to worship or not worship any god he or she chooses, that right in no way changes God’s attitude toward idolatry. The First Amendment does not usurp the first commandment. The Bible is clear: any nation that chooses to renounce the true God in order to embrace and elevate other gods will face God’s judgment.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day.  As a nation, we remember those who have given their lives for our freedom.  Freedom is never cheap.  It has cost many their lives.  Today, thank God for those who have given the “ultimate price”.  Today, thank God for the One who gave the ultimate price for our freedom at Calvary.  His name is Jesus!

May 17, 2020

“Inquire of past generations, and consider the things searched out by their fathers.

For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are as a shadow.” – Job 8:8-9

I used to enjoy watching the popular “Man on the Street” interviews on late-night comedy shows years ago.  To listen to what people said about “history” astounded me.  At times I thought it was made up. 

According to a recent survey, most residents of the United States are “alarmingly ignorant of America’s history and heritage.”  Only one in three Americans can pass the US citizenship exam, and that number plummets to a dismal 19 percent of those under age forty-five. More than half of those surveyed didn’t even know which countries the United States fought in World War II!

Lest you think this lack of historical knowledge is strictly an American problem, consider that one-fifth of British teenagers today think Winston Churchill was a fictional character, while more than 50 percent believe that Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood, and King Arthur were real.

Someone who doesn’t think history is bunk is the Author of history.  After all, history is ultimately “His story.”

No fewer than sixteen times in the book of Deuteronomy, God instructed His people to “remember” their history.

Throughout the sixty-six books that make up our Bible, we have stories of heroes who teach us the value of faith, sacrifice, love, and hope. We also have examples that show us the consequences of failures, betrayal, lying, and immorality. If we are willing to learn from it, the history we find within the pages of Scripture provides truth and wisdom—and it challenges us to be more like Christ. As Paul said in Romans 15:4, “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction.”

If you and I are going to thrive spiritually in a world that has abandoned biblical values, we cannot disregard what thousands of years of history teach us.  Instead, we should put into practice Job 8:8-9 (above).

 I want to encourage you to get into God’s Word, after all – it is the Word of Life.  God’s Word will last forever.  Yes, it is a book of history, but it is a book of revelation and needed for daily nourishment.

• Pray for the power of the gospel to be heard today both live and on live-stream.
• Pray for the UBC family as many “feel” isolated and lonely because of the Covid-19 virus.
• Pray that UBC will have a hunger and thirst for the Bread and Water of Life.
• Pray for continued finances of While this has been a time of adjustment for us all, the bills of the church and our overhead expenses continue.

May 10, 2020

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  You have heard Me say to you, “I am going away and coming back to you.”  If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, “I am going to the Father,” for My Father is greater than I. – John 14:27-28

These past six weeks of “staying-at-home” has been difficult for many.  Stress … anxiety … loneliness … abuse.  I’ve made many phone calls checking on people, mainly to see if they needed anything, especially after a community run on hygiene products and toilet paper!  But conversations quickly changed, especially for the “at-risk” who couldn’t get out. 

I had one interesting conversation when a person asked, “What will the church look like when we all get back to normal?”  My reply was, “What is normal?”  As they tried to answer my question, it was apparent that they didn’t like “change.”  Trying to ease their mind, I finally shared with them, “It’s Jesus’ church, and He knows how to run it better than we do.  We are just stewards and will continue to listen to Him as He directs us.”

The apostle John spends the fourteenth chapter of his gospel documenting the actions and teachings of the Lord Jesus as He prepared His disciples to lead His church to success.  Jesus completed His instructions by reiterating seven important commands for His disciples.  The Lord’s commands to His disciples are the same commands He gives Christians today.

Father, I want my eyes to always be fixated on You.  I will live by “faith and not by sight”.  I want to live my life with this expectancy … knowing You will order my steps each day, and that You have planned for my life what is best for me.  To God be the glory!

May 3, 2020

Jesus said to him, “’You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all you mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:37-40

I’m sure that during these “stay-at-home” days, we all have some story to tell.  I hope that you haven’t missed opportunities to minister to others – maybe write an encouraging note (when was the last time you did that in this day of texting and email?); call to check on someone; or even meet your neighbors while walking your neighborhood.  Sharon and I were able to distribute “masks” that my mother had made, and have had many conversations with others while maintaining the “6-feet distance.”

There were 613 laws in the Jewish law, but you can sum them all up with just two:  Love God and Love People.  Every Biblical law and command ultimately comes down to one of those two.  For my family … “ministry” will continue to happen after Covid-19 … why, it’s pretty simple.

The famous Westminster Shorter Catechism says, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”  Thus Christians need to glorify God, which occurs when one loves God.  Loving God transforms your life.  Worship is the act of loving God.  Christians use music to express their love to Him, but worship is more than music.  Worship is about expressing your love to God.

The second command is as important as the first: love people.  If you truly love God, you will also love people who bear the image of God.  People who brag about their spiritual devotion but then mistreat others or use them for selfish gain, deceive themselves.  If you don’t love people, you don’t love God.

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter-in-law was driving around in Mobile, Alabama “picking up groceries” and came across a sign on the front lawn of a house that read: “Take what you need.”  On display was an “act of kindness.”  She didn’t need any groceries.  She was able to find what the family needed at the local market, but what she saw compelled her to pray for others who were less fortunate.  As she continued home, she decided to get some coffee.  She went through a drive-thru, made her order, and as she got to the place to pay, she found out that the car in front her had already paid for her bill!  Pay It Forward!!!

Loving people can be as easily as that.

I pray that we at UBC will never be the same.  I pray that we will be the church that God has called us to be … 24/7!  I like the meme that I saw recently on that first Sunday when the “doors were locked” because of the Coronavirus: “The Church Isn’t Closed, Just Deployed.” 

This is my prayer and I hope that you will join me: “Father, help me to demonstrate a genuine love to You, not only in my worship, but also in my service, kindness, and generosity to others.  Amen.”

• Pray for the power of the gospel to be heard today on live-stream.
• Pray that people will STOP and listen. These are powerful sermons from Dr. Rudy that the CHURCH NEEDS TO HEAR!
• Pray that UBC family members will draw closer to Him.
• Pray for continued finances. While this has been a time of adjustment for us all, the bills of the church and our overhead expenses continue.
• Pray for the re-opening, next Sunday, May 10.

April 26, 2020

HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE?

The writer of Hebrews asked, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3).  The gospel is so simple.  Jesus came to die upon the cross for our sins.  He took our place and paid sin’s debt that we owed.  He arose again on the third day and offers salvation to all who will repent of their sins and place their trust in Him.  It is the gift of God.  He offers it to us, but must receive Him.  When we do, God give us eternal life!

April 19, 2020

YOU ARE VALUABLE

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?  And not one of them is forgotten before God.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Luke 12:6-7

I don’t know about you, but there are times I feel unworthy, unimportant, and insignificant.  We sometimes do our best in school, and we barely get by.  We often try to eat healthy and exercise, but we still don’t like what we see in the mirror.  We sometimes work hard on our jobs and are still passed over for a promotion or raise.  Or in my case, we hear other pastors or see how their churches are growing – only suddenly to feel like failures.

Now it may just be me, but I imagine most of us struggle with this.  That’s why this passage is so important.  Luke 12:1 tells us that “an innumerable multitude of people had gather” to hear Jesus.  The rich.  The poor.  The married.  The divorced.  The single.  The healthy.  The sick.  The misfits.  The successful.  That crowd mirrored the society back then and our society today.  And Jesus’ message to everyone was, “You are valuable to God.”  The same message applies to everyone today.

God loves you!  He has a plan for you!  He will never leave you, and He will never turn His back on you!  You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  You are His prized possession!  So stop it.  Stop letting the enemy fill your mind with thoughts that you are insignificant or unimportant.  It’s a lie.  Today go out there and live as the prized possession of God you are!

April 12,2020

BEHOLD OUR GOD

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;

“For YAH, the LORD is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. 

Therefore, with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2-3

Storms will come in your life.  There will be moments when you know that if God does not show up in a specific situation, you are in deep trouble.  Living through these storms is not fun.  The prophet Isaiah wrote about such difficult times in the text for today.  But when God shows up, you know He will intervene in this situation and save you powerfully.  There is nothing like God reveling Himself in the situations of your life.

When He showed up in the form of a burning bush, God changed Moses’ life forever.  Moses’ direction and confidence relating to his future took on a new trajectory.  Just as with Moses, when God shows up in your life, it impacts you forever.

Many times it alters only your perspective and confidence, but other times it changes the direction of your life.  This energizes you with new spiritual strength!  Your vision and energy become impacted, and you want to brag on Jesus and what He is doing in our life.  Jesus gives you joy … again.  Jesus becomes as rivers of living water in your life … again.  Jesus makes you want to sing … again.

Here at UBC we sing many songs which comes in many forms (psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit (Ephesians 5:19).  We all have our favorites, but every now-and-then there comes a song that seems to hit everyone’s chord.  Behold Our God, by Sovereign Grace Music is one of those songs.  When we sing that song, the church erupts!  Here are those lyrics … and maybe right now, where you are … you can begin and sing (no matter what it sounds like):

Behold Our God

(Baird, Altrooge)

Who has held the oceans in His hand; Who has numbered every grain of sand
Kings and nations tremble at His voice; All creation rises to rejoice

Chorus

Behold our God seated on His throne; Come let us adore Him
Behold our King nothing can compare; Come let us adore Him

Verse 2

Who has given counsel to the Lord; Who can question any of His words
Who can teach the One who knows all things; Who can fathom all His wondrous deeds

Verse 3

Who has felt the nails upon His hand; Bearing all the guilt of sinful man
God eternal humbled to the grave; Jesus Savior risen now to reign

One day … we will all gather again … and we’ll sing this song!!!

April 5, 2020

Sing!

The LORD our God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

Did you know God sings?  The God who is the Mighty One, Savior, Deliverer, King of kings, and Lord of lords also sings!

He made us in His image, and when He saved us, He gave us new identities, new lives, new beginnings, and new songs.  Psalm 40:3 says, “He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God.”  It is the song of redemption for the glory of God.  This is a song many will hear, and they will fear the Lord and place their trust in Him.

We sing because God sings.  Music is a gift from God, and He has given us much about with to rejoice.  Authenticity should mark our worship.  It should involve a response from our hearts to praise Him for all He has done for us.

Paul wrote, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16).  Singing stirs our hearts and hides God’s Word in our hearts.  It helps us remember all the Lord has done and helps us teach others. 

Pray:

March 29, 2020

I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

– Jeremiah 17:7-8

By watching the news over the past few weeks, uncertainty seems to be a constant companion for many people.  In reality, it has been this way for years.  Financial turmoil, employment woes, political unrest, wars, the threat of terrorism – all of this and more are reported daily in the news.  Where should a person turn for rest from these troubles?

Today’s verses make it very clear that one’s only hope is to turn to the Lord and place his or her trust in Him.  The picture in this passage is that of a tree planted by the waters that will withstand heat and drought and still bear fruit.

Trust, however, is not always easy to give.  Are you the type of person who finds it difficult to trust someone else, especially someone you can’t see?  If so, God knows and understands your reluctance.  This is one reason He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of you.  Now you have God with you every single moment of your life.  As you learn to trust the Holy Spirit, you will discover a new closeness with the Father and trusting Him will become much easier.  You will then become like a tree planted by the waters.

Pray: