1 Timothy 5

The heart of family is also the heart of Jesus. The first half of this chapter is about exactly that. We are to take care of eachother. Kids and grandkids have been mandated by God to care for their elderly parents and if the elderly person has no immediate family we, the church, are to assume this responsibility. I don't know about you but I don't see a whole lot of this going on personally in the church. We just send them to the government now. This is not to be and must stop even if it hurts people.  

The last half of the chapter tells us we need to pay our pastors and leaders in the church. Also, clarifies some church discipline. I hope your day is as blessed as mine has been.

Pastor Patrick

1 Timothy 4

We get a big time warning right out of the gate here in chapter 4 of 1 Timothy. A warning about Christians confusing spiritism with spirituality and abstenance or self denial a means to godliness leading to a departure from the faith by these Christians.  My friends depriving yourself will never be a means to spiritual maturity, yet we see this kind of stuff going on all the time. If that bowl of ice cream or that ribeye steak wrapped in bacon is received with thanksgiving it becomes an act of worship. Do not think that you can make yourself more spiritual or holy by self deprivation. It is God who makes you and I holy. Not going to the gym or eating only meat and veggies. Though these things have some value as stated in verse 8 it is more important to train ourselves for Godliness vs7. 

There was a pope that died and went to heaven and he checked in with the angel at the front desk, then proceeded to go into the library and study all the books. Then the angel heard this loud scream. When he found the pope and asked him what was wrong he exclaimed "it's an R, it's an R, it's says celebrate." 

Pastor Patrick

Psalm 27

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" You know, you probably don't have an army encamped against you. Nor do you have enemies looking to kill you. David was facing some serious trials in his life and he could have gotten all depressed and went to the doctor to get some pills to help him be happier and not think about all the bad stuff happening in his life. But no! David turns to God for his refuge and looks to the uncreated Creator for his peace and joy.

Where is your safe place? Is it in a bottle of wine or pills? It is common place in our society to fall prey to the worlds way of handling the pain and discomfort of life. We need to lift our voices to heaven with shouts of praise when the pressure of life starts looking a little bleak. We should be asking God to show us His ways and lead us on His path. There is victory for all that concerns you in worship. You and I can have a peaceful breakthrough to walk in joy and have peace in our lives through worship. 

So as life tries to throw you a curve ball today; catch it and throw it back. Start praising and worshiping God with a shout. Let our enemies know that our God is bigger then them.

Pastor Patrick

1 Timothy 3

The heart of the person that wants to be a leader in God's church "desires a noble task" Paul says to Timothy. Here is chapter 3 we get the qualities that we should be looking for in our Pastors and leaders. Do you desire to be a leader in the church? This is the place to start that self examination. 

Most of us that live here in the United States like to exercise our rights. "I have the right to say what I think". Well, this may be true; however, when you seek to become a leader in the church ultimately you give up your rights to self. It's not about you anymore but about those you have chosen to serve. Pastors and leaders in the church must surrender their heart (free will) to God and exercise His rights in their lives as well as fight for God's rights in the lives of the church body as well.

We no longer have the right to run around town and wreek havoc like we have been for so long. How would you like to call your pastor on night because your at the hospital with a loved one and he or she is unable to come to the hospital because they have had to much to drink. How would that go over? Not well. So to be a leader in the church you can't be a drunkard. You must be above reproach. And, your spouse as well. Yes!!! Your spouse can disqualify you from the position if they are not above reproach as well. 

You are called to discipleship and to be a minister of the gospel if you believe in Jesus. Take a minute and ask yourself if you have really counted the cost of complete surrender to His will. Anything less then total surrender will not fly for long.

Pastor Patrick