Notes From the Pastor's Desk
January 12, 2025
Moving In the Wrong Gear
Consider Ex. 14:15. Moses told the children of Israel to move forward. So many people spiritually are moving backward rather than forward. There are some who are neither moving forward or backward. They are sitting in neutral. Are you moving forward? What are the evidences of moving in reverse?
I. When You Read Anything More Devoutly Than Your Bible
God's people should read their Bibles every day. You should read reverently, carefully and expectantly. Most people spend more time reading their daily newspaper than they do the Word of God. If you neglect your Bible, you are moving in reverse (Josh. 1-8).
II. When You Are Somewhere Else On Sunday Besides In Church
Heb. 10:25 is very clear as to what our relationship to the local church should be. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. You need the local church and the local church needs you. In the local church we are reproved, rebuked and exhorted (2 Tim. 4:2). Satan's aim is to keep you out of church by any means possible. He may use the weather, church problems, some aliment you have, or a host of other things to keep you out of church. Don't let him fool you!
III. When You Find More In The Church To Criticize Than You Do To Commend
It is evident that the Lord, with the church at Ephesus, had much more to commend than criticize (Rev. 2:1‑7). To live with a critical spirit evidences that the Spirit filled life is absent. The more you seek to pick apart others, the more people will try to find fault with you. See what good you can find in others instead of looking for the worse.
IV. When You Fail To Pray Each Day
The trying demands of each day should drive us to our knees in prayer. The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing” (Acts 12:5) — meaning to live in a spirit of prayer throughout the day. If we will only pray more we will fail God less.
V. When Your Eyes Are On Others Instead of Jesus
The Bible says, “Looking unto Jesus…” (Heb. 12:2). The literal meaning of that is to look away from others to Jesus alone. We are never disappointed when we keep our eyes upon Christ because He is perfect.
VI. When Your Supply of Peace Has Dwindled Away
The closer we are to God the more peace we will possess. Jesus gives peace for He said, “My peace give I unto you…” (Jn. 14:27).