Pastor’s Corner

Romans 8:22,23 22 “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” The apostle Paul twice in these verses uses “groan” and “groans.”  He says that creation groans and that God’s children …

The meeting of the rich young ruler and Jesus from Matthew 19:16-18: “16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, …

In Luke 2:25 we hear these words, “25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel, the relief, the solace, the Messiah. And yet Simeon had a sense of God’s peace and presence so …

Revelation 5:6 says, “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” Charles Spurgeon says this in his devotional classic entitled Morning and Evening for April 23rd, “Why …

Luke 24:44-47 says, “44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise …

“8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8,9) “And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13) In these two passages, we …

Colossians 4:2-4 says this, “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” In this brief passage, the apostle …

“10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with …

What is the difference between the knowledge of good and evil and knowing right from wrong? In this question is an allusion to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil found in the garden of Eden. God tells Adam and Eve, our first parents, not to eat of the fruit of this particular tree. (Genesis 2:17 and 3:3)  …

I received four more questions, so I will answer two questions this month, and the last two questions in the November newsletter.  What is the best way to move forward from the loss (death) of a loved one? Once you have grieved, once you have prayed and accept by faith that God is taking care of everything, both the living …

Thanks to everyone who has submitted interesting questions in the Questions for PB box.  Here are the next two selections: How should we interpret the Bible’s admonition, “to whom much is given, much will be required” in light of the fact that we have so much in the U.S. and there is so much need in the world and in …

We all have tough life questions that we mull over. We all want to understand the world we live in. Here are two hard questions put to me by my congregation, along with two queries about things you will see in our worship services. Why do bad things happen to good people? At the end of time, do Israel or …