Pastor’s Note 6-1-22
God never promised an easy life or days without troubles, trials, difficulties, and temptations. He never promised that life will be perfect. He does not call His children to a playground, but to a battleground.
Be like the apostle Paul and say, “None of these things move me.” Few men suffered as Paul did, yet he learned to live above his circumstances, even in a prison cell. You can do the same. Refuse to allow circumstances to get you down. The Bible says in Colossians 3:15; “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be thankful.
Believe it or not, being thankful is the path to peace. Paul said, in Philippians 3:6-7; “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Taking the attitude of thankfulness in all of life’s circumstances will help you react as old Matthew Henry did when he was mugged. He wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”
Can you have that kind of thankful attitude that brings such peace?
Pastor Hatter
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Pastor’s Note 5-1-22
Paul writes to the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 5:17; “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.
The decree from Paul is one of hope and excitement, old things are passed away and all things become new. Every single day we have the opportunity to start something new and to pass away old things. To become new is to end old things. To end old things is to start fresh anew. If we are to be a new creature we have to set aside the old way of doing things. It’s a change of mind, it’s a change of doing things the way we used to. In order for you to become new, you have to make a decision to start anew.
As we start a new month of the year, let us endeavor to start something new. Better than that, let’s start something new for Christ, because what is done for Christ will last. Let us start a new prayer life. Let us begin to live a life that is pleasing to Christ. The old way, you feel, may have been working for you, but it wasn’t working for Christ. Christ must increase, but I must decrease.
I want to be a new creature and do the things that will bring me in to Christ. The start of something new is always exciting, but I must continue in Christ to fulfill His purpose for my new life.
Will you be a new creature in Christ?
Pastor Hatter
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Pastor’s Note 4-1-22
Easter is always a great time of the year. Personally I think it is the greatest of all days.
There is something special about Christmas, our Savior came to the earth, wrapped in flesh, and took on the form of a human. I’m not taking away from the birth of Jesus, but everyone is born.
There is something special about the cross, I’m not taking away from why Jesus died on cross for the sins of the world, but everyone dies.
But, there is something extraordinary or supernatural about Jesus conquering death and the grave. There has only been one man who was dead for three days and rose again from the grave. There is only one who has done that and His name is Jesus.
Romans 8:11 says; “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also bring to life your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.” We live because He lives!
I’m thankful for Christmas. I’m thankful for Good Friday. But, I’m so very thankful that He is alive forevermore. That’s the real meaning for Easter!
Pastor Hatter
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Pastor’s Note 3-1-22
We are beginning the month that, to me, means action. March is more than a name of a month on the calendar, it is a command. To march means to walk in a stately, deliberate manner.
To march forth does not imply charging, or pushing through haphazardly. If anything, it implies a slow methodical step in the right direction toward some particular goal, often one that may frighten us. It implies a careful step with discernment as we progress.
To march forth means to establish intent, to engage willpower and hopefulness, often enough to take just one step. This self-command might be needed at a time when we feel stuck, when we need to keep plugging away. This is often a psychological and personal spiritual command.
In Joshua 6:3, God gives Joshua and the army a command to march around the walls of Jericho one time for six days. It was to be done with complete focus, without distractions.
I was in the marching band in high school and we were not allowed to march with our heads down or in a slouched position. We were required to march with our backs straight, our heads up, and our shoulders back. If we played a wrong note, we kept marching. If we messed up, we kept marching. It didn’t matter what happened, we kept on marching.
It doesn’t matter what happens in this life, we just need to keep marching.
Pastor Hatter
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Pastor’s Note 2-1-22
If there is one Scripture that prevails when you begin to look into the birth of revivals it is always this one. . .2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV; “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
This verse is contingent on God’s people doing something. If we humble, pray, seek and turn, we change who we are. If we want a refreshing, a renewal, a revival, we need to resolve to change our lives.
If these requirements are fulfilled then God will begin to shift things in the spiritual world. He will hear, forgive, and heal.
We all want to be heard. We all a want to be forgiven. We all want to be healed and healthy. We know if we do the things necessary to make our lives better we need to make certain changes.
Many now are in need of our prayers dealing with different challenges of life.
Just knowing what God will do if we will do our part, ought to make every one of us seek to pray and deepen our spiritual life.
Spiritual awakening has always found its roots when the Church found its place of prayer.
It all starts with prayer!
Pastor Hatter
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