Today – the 2ND Sunday of October – is traditionally recognized as Pastor Appreciation Day, and we didn’t forget. We honored our Lead Pastor Bob and his lovely wife Julie with a card, a gift, a song, and a gratitude of thanks for all they do to lead us to Christ.
Incidentally we’re about to embark on a major renovation of our sanctuary that you see in the photo above. That includes doubling the size of our stage and raising it by about 9 inches, replacing the large pulpit with a modern acrylic podium, completely redoing the stage background with dark covering / shading, purchasing large flat-screen TVs for both ends of the stage, removing all of the ceiling fans and replacing all of the lighting above, replacing all of the wooden pews with portable chairs, and replacing the red carpet. The entire color scheme of our sanctuary will change to a darker tone. Needless to say our sanctuary will be a construction zone for the next many months, but once it’s all done we’ll have the look and feel of a 21ST Century Church. God’s church. God’s glory.
I’ve updated my SERMONS page here on my blog site. I believe I’m preaching my sermon on Cain & Abel next Sunday titled “Wander & Create”. I’m also writing my next sermon after that on the first 10 verses of James 4. That’s titled “War & Peace”. Here’s an excerpt that I wrote last night:
The devil wants to be closer to you – just like he used to be. He wants to be in your heart – just like he used to be. He wants to manipulate you – just like he used to do. He wants you to carry out his sinful actions – his dirty deeds – just like you used to do.
You must resist the devil and his temptations. You must declare war on the devil. When you do – he will flee from you – temporarily. Oh he’s not giving up on you. The devil never gives up. He’ll just go away for a little while, and then eventually come up and come back with a new strategy that exploits your vulnerabilities – your weaknesses.
That’s why you must submit yourself to God. Declare God as the sole authority in your life. When you do that you draw closer to God, and you move further away from Satan.
I like several verses in Psalm 16:
Keep me safe – O God, for I have come to You for refuge. (Psalm 16:1)
I said to the LORD, “You are my Master ! All the good things I have are from You.” (Psalm 16:2)
I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. (Psalm 16:8)
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