It's A Good Plan

We are most assuredly engaged in a Spiritual Warfare! The enemy of our God and of our souls has launched an all out attack on the people of God. He seeks to divide and conquer—captivate and destroy. He will try to convince us to focus on our circumstances in an effort to cause us to feel hopeless and helpless. He wants you to feel as if God has abandoned you. He wants to cause you to doubt and fear.

I am sure there were times when the Children of Israel doubted anything good in their future. They found themselves wandering in the wilderness for forty years, and later they found themselves in bondage in foreign lands. Yes, it was because they had been disobedient, but God’s purpose was not merely to punish them! God loved them and He had planned great things for them. His purpose in their wanderings and captivity was to teach them to not only trust Him, but also to obey His commands—preparing them to truly be the people of God as a witness to the nations. His words of encouragement to them by the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

We are not where we are by accident. Each of us, no doubt, has experienced troubling times. There have been feelings of confusion, fear, hopelessness, and even anger. Some people would tell us to fight and some would tell us to do nothing and just wait it out, but God says “"Don't listen to people I haven't sent. You are where you are because I care, and I'm still working on you. Don't look only at the circumstances, trust My judgment. I have a plan for you, and I will bring it to pass."

Jesus warned that as long as we are in this world we will have troubles, but He didn’t stop there! “Be encouraged and rejoice,” He says, “for I have overcome the world” (My paraphrase of John 16:33).

Don’t believe everything negative that you hear. Don’t give in to discouragement. Don’t allow the enemy to cause you to focus on the trouble. God has His eye on you! He is working out His plan for you and in you. Trust Him!

SCC Anniversary

We had a wonderful day yesterday as we celebrated the 54th anniversafy of Sonbright Christian Center. God has been doing some wonderful things around here! It was such a joy to receive Sister Althea Jones into membership of our fellowship. Althea grew up around this church--her parents, Fred and Flarce Northrup, were charter members--yet for many years she was away from the Lord. Several months ago she gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized, and it has been so very exciting to see her (and her husband, Dennis Ray) growing in the Lord. I am convinced that the vision of those who fought so hard to start and build this church has not died!

As always, it was also a pleasure to have the VanNorstran family with as our musical/singing guests! It is so refreshing to have people who don't sing just because they can. This family ministered in the Spirit today!

We had a number of visitors yesterday, some of whom shared that they will be coming back on a regular basis. Other visitors were from out of our area and we were certainly pleased to have them with us to worship our God together, and to celebrate the good things He has done...and is doing!

May the Lord bless you and keep you strong as you continue to "fight the good fight of faith..." (1 Timothy 6:12).

What We Need Most

Here is a song my great, great grandfather wrote a long, long time ago. I'm not certain, but I believe he was a pastor in the Church of God of Prophecy near the end of the tenure of A. J. Tomlinson (the first General Overseer of COGOP), or durning the beginning of M. A. Tomlinsons tenure. Anyway, here are the words:

It’s not a brand new organ, nor yet a fine church bell—
It’s not a seat of cushions, nor a carpet that is swell.
It’s none of these, my brother, that we’re in need of most—
It’s good Saint Paul salvation, and the Bible Holy Ghost.

It’s not a choir of trained voices, nor solos nor none such—
That will lead lost souls to Jesus, or build your church up much.
They may sing ‘till the Day of Judgment, and sinners go down in a host—
Unless they get acquainted with the Bible Holy Ghost.

It’s not an organization, for we’re organized most to death—
With solicitors big and little, but they will not stand the test.
I’ve made up my mind brother, the thing we’re in need of most—
Is good Saint Paul salvation, and the Bible Holy Ghost.

Chorus:
Well it's hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
for the Bible Holy Ghost.

How Do You Measure Up?

Both the Bible and history record how the people of God are continually in need of self-examination (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5) and reformation (cf. Romans 12:2). But in every case of change there first had to be a recognition of the need to do so.

The Scripture teaches us that the church Jesus built, and is building, is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20). Paul also said, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

While these passages may seem to be contradictory, we can understand that the apostle Paul, who wrote both of these passages, was emphasizing that Jesus Christ is the foundation. The apostles and prophets merely pointed to and laid out the doctrine of Christ, it is not these men who constitute the foundation, but the one they represented. Jesus is the foundation, but He is also the chief corner stone.

I am told that a corner stone is an anchor-point, a reference point, or something to build off of. When you lay that stone on the corner, every wall, every square, etc., refers back to that point. He is the Rock—the very foundation upon which we build and by Whom we measure what is built. Isaiah said, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isaiah 28:16).

It is ever so important that we examine ourselves in light of His Word which declares Jesus Christ as the Chief Corner Stone, it is by Him that everything is anchored to, built off of, and referenced to. The apostle Paul warned that “…we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). We measure ourselves by the Word of God, and we compare ourselves to the Christ we are sent to model.

So, how do you measure up?

Charity in All Things

The saying "In Essentials, Unity; in Non-essentials, Liberty; in All Things, Charity," has become a very popular motto in Christian circles today. It is rivaled perhaps only by that other dictum which asserts that "we speak where the Bible speaks, and are silent where the Bible is silent."

We have undoubtedly heard both these sayings many times, and can even concur with the veracity of each. However, there is another old cliché: "actions speak louder than words."

Jesus taught that the ten commandments could be summed up in two: 1) love God, and 2) love your neighbor. The Scribes and Pharisees were very good at teaching the ten commandments, but they were far from proficient in setting the example for others to follow. In fact, they had made the commandments of God of no effect.

Jesus stressed that it is not enough to be able to quote the ten, but one must actually live out love in his daily life.

The apostle Paul emphatically stated: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

It is amazing to me that so many Christian churches and organizations stress, with great emphasis, their belief in such Christian principles as love, patience, humility, etc., and yet so often Church bureaucracy is anything but characteristic of these Godly attributes.

Our religion is vain if we are unable to validate our teachings by our godly living—walking in love.

Improve Your Leadership GPA

The weekend before the General Assembly, Bishop Gary Langley, Pastor of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Windward Worship Center, will be teaching a 3-session leadership training seminar here at Sonbright Christian Center. A lot of the materials Pastor Gary uses is from some intensive training he received from Don Cousins. Improve Your Leadership GPA will help you better understand how your Spiritual Gifts, Passions and Abilities are all vital components in your successful ministry and sense of fulfillment.

Among the topics to be covered…

• Uncover your Spiritual Gifts
• Identify your passion
• Integrate your natural abilities
• Learn effective ways to recruit, motivate and retain volunteers
• Examine the pattern for true Biblical leadership
• Move toward consistently ministering “in the zone”
• Understand anointed moments
• Begin to create a climate of love, acceptance and forgiveness
• Spell “change” so it is not a four-letter-word

This FREE training would be ideal for local church ministry teams to get on the same page and start to operate in the zone.

If you are interested in more detail, you can download a PDF of the Pre-Registration Brochure, and/or you can REGISTER ONLINE.

The 3 sessions will be Friday Evening (August 18th) at 7:00 PM, Saturday Morning (August 19th) at 9:00 AM, and we will finish up after lunch.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Victory and Defeat

Joshua and the Children of Israel were experiencing victory. They had come out of the wilderness, and crossed the Jordan River on dry ground. They had seen the walls of Jericho fall down after they had walked around them for seven days. It was absolutely awesome! These people are walking in the land of victory. It is wonderful to see what God can do with His people when they are surrendered to Him. But all of a sudden in the midst of victory the children of Israel experienced a smashing defeat. God’s people lost 36 of their finest young fighting men and on top of that, they lost ground they had already gained as they were driven back. What in the world had happened?

God’s people are a people of VICTORY. When defeat comes there has to be a reason for it.

In the case of the Israelites and their sudden and tragic defeat, Joshua was troubled--you might even say he was discouraged. Notice his prayer: "...Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?" (Joshua 7:7-9).

The story that unfolds in Joshua 7 is fascinating--and frightening. One of the things we learn in this passage is that we cannot enjoy God's victories in our lives and harbor sin in our lives at the same time!

Consider the following questions:

Are we enjoying the victories in our lives that we use to enjoy?
Are we seeing people saved and delivered from sin like we use to?
Are we seeing our church grow the way it needs to grow?
Are our families solid and secure in the Lord and His Word?
Are our young people growing?
Are we as in love with God as we use to be?
Do we feel the presence of the Holy Ghost like we use to?

In the case of Israel, the problem--the reason for their terrible defeat--was the sin of one single man who disobeyed the Lord.

The wise Solomon said, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren" (Proverbs 6:16-19).

O, God, search us and cleanse us as as we bow our hearts before you. Help us to be obedient to your Word and walk in love.

The Engrafted Word

Wow! It has been a long time since I last posted. My old computer shut down on me, and I was without for a few weeks. I've been back up, but almost forgot about my blog in the mean time. Anyway, here we go again......


DIMMENSIONS OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY: The Engrafted Word

The story is told of Calvin Coolidge who attended church alone because of the sickness of Mrs. Coolidge. When he returned home he went up to his wife’s room to see how she was feeling. She promptly reassured him she was doing fine, and asked him if he had enjoyed the sermon. He replied weakly, "It was good."
"What was it about?" she continued.
"Sin," he said.
"What did the minister say?"
"He was against it."

James 1:21-25 gives us more instruction than merely living against sin. He stresses the fact that if we would mature in our faith, we must take faith in Christ seriously enough that it changes our behavior.

James is addressing Christian people, and insists that we must be willing to listen to what God says to us and then modify our behavior to conform our will to God’s will. In order to do that, we must have His Word written in our hearts (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:3). It’s really as simple as that.

In the Proverbs, Solomon said, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The use of the word "heart" is often used figuratively in the bible to represent the feelings, the will and even the intellect of man. It, likewise, expresses the center of human will and motivation. Consider another Proverb of Solomon, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee" (Proverbs 23:7).

Even Jesus addressed the subject of the heart controlling our actions when he said, "…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34; see also Luke 6:45).

When we consider these passages, it seems clear that simply saying that we are Christian is not enough. If we are to do that which is right and pleasing to the Lord, we must have His Word written on our hearts—the engrafted word.

It is not enough to know the Word. We must let it rule our lives—our actions and conduct—so that may adequately convey the love of God in a world so filled with hate and animosity.

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35, emphasis added).

A Call to Commitment

In his inaugural address on January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke these famous words: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

The world was in a state of unrest. We were at the height of the “cold war.” Suspicion abounded. Fear and animosity were everywhere found. Yet, in the midst of all this turmoil, this new, young President believed that the world could be a better place.

For the world to become a better place, President Kennedy realized there would be challenges. Though he desired to see a genuine peace around the world, he made it clear that the United States, under his leadership, would not compromise the future of freedom. He said it this way:

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Regardless of how one may have felt about his politics, he is certainly distinguished in our history as a true patriot, committed to the cause of preserving our liberty. This entire inagural address, in my assessment, could be classified as a call to commitment.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).

One definition of commitment is "devotion or dedication to a cause, person or relationship."

Jesus had developed the reputation as a miracle worker and a teacher of wisdom. Large crowds began to follow him out of curiosity—and, of course, for what they could receive. But Jesus didn’t want spectators or simple receivers, He wanted disciples--people who would be committed to modeling the virtues He lived and taught.

I believe it is time that we acknowledge that we have sometimes failed in our commitment to be like Him. Too often we have allowed the cares of this life--indeed, even the works of the flesh--to weigh us down. After writing about all the great men and women of faith in the Old Testament, the writer of the Hebrew letter reminds us that we, too, need to strive to keep ourselves free of anything that would hinder our effectiveness.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2 KJV).

I believe God wants this to be a year of repentance for us. We need to recognize where we have failed and ask him to forgive us and help us to be more conscious of His will. We need to be renewed in His Spirit and His Word on a daily basis. When we take the necessary steps toward Him, He will respond with Power for His people.

Just a Few More Family Christmas Pics

Family Christmas Pics

Here are a few photos from the Dyer-Meadows Family Christmas in Spring City.

A few pics from our Christmas Banquet

That's My King

I heard this message by Dr. Samuel M. Lockridge on video a couple years ago, but I just found the text online. It's a wonderful message, and I thought it would be good to share it with you here.

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King.
He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King.
He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King.
He’s the King of righteousness.
He’s the King of the ages.
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of glory.
He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords.
Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King?
David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork.
My King is a soverign king.
No means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.
Well, well, He’s enduringly strong.
He’s entirely sincere.
He’s eternally steadfast.
He’s immortally graceful.
He’s imperially powerful.
He’s impartially merciful.
That’s my King.
He’s God’s Son.
He’s the sinner’s savior.
He’s the centerpiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He’s honest.
He’s unique.
He’s unparalleled.
He’s unprecedented.
He’s supreme.
He’s pre-eminent.
Well, He’s the grandest idea in literature.
He’s the highest personality in philosophy.
He’s the supreme problem in high criticism.
He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
That’s my King.
He’s the miracle of the age.
He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.
Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He’s available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He’s strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.
Do you know Him?
Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He’s the wellspring of wisdom.
He’s the doorway of deliverance.
He’s the pathway of peace.
He’s the roadway of righteousness.
He’s the highway of holiness.
He’s the gateway of glory.
He’s the master of the mighty.
He’s the captain of the conquerors.
He’s the head of the heroes.
He’s the leader of the legislatures.
He’s the overseer of the overcomes.
He’s the governor of governors.
He’s the prince of princes.
He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords.
That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah.
His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes.
He’s incomprehensible.
He’s invincible.
He’s irresistible.
I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind.
You can’t get Him off of your hands.
You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.
Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him.
Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn’t kill Him.
Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him.
You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever and ever and ever.
How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever.
And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.
—Dr. S. M. Lockridge

Funeral Arrangements

I am sad to report that Sister Ada Norris passed away on Thursday. Sister Norris was first acquainted with Sonbright Christian Center during the tent revival back in 1952. It is believed that she was one of the charter members when the church was organized.

Sister Norris has been a faithful slodier of the Cross for many years, and we honor her life of commitment to Christ.

The family will receive friends at the Four Oaks Funeral Home in Oneida on Sunday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., and the funeral service will be at Sonbright Christian Center on Monday morning at 11 a.m.

Please lift up the Norris family in prayer.

IF

I came across this poem not long ago and thought I'd share it here.

IF

If all lips spoke the truth

All pride was cast aside

Greed was packed and sotred away

And jealousy subside

If love could rule the universe

Kindness was sown to every race

Then one could glance into a mirror

And view God in his face.

--written by a 16 year old girl on the street

Are you going in the right direction?

Surely everyone who has ever picked up a bible or attended a Sunday School has heard the story of Jonah. This Old Testament prophet had received word from the Lord to "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me" (Jonah 1:2).

Jonah was a prophet of God whose duty it was to bear the Word of the Lord when He spoke. Jonah’s response, however, was to go the opposite direction. He knew he could not get away from the presence of the Lord, but he was determined to get away from his new field of duty! He set out to Joppa planning to go onward to Tarshish. He wanted to get as far away as he could from Ninevah.

We are all called to be ambassadors for Christ, and sometimes the work to which we are assigned is less than exciting. There are times when we know we will be criticized and castigated, and we are loathe to place ourselves in that position. We may be so brave as to try for a time, but when our suspicions are proven correct, we make our move. Off to a place better suited to our personal comfort.

Jonah, in refusing to do what God commanded him to do, found it easy to get away. When he arrived in Joppa he found a ship ready to set sail to Tarshish—the place he intended to go. He had the money to pay the fare, so all seemed to be going well. Surely he would be able to continue his ministry in a new location. After all, Ninevah wouldn’t be easy!

God had different plans. God had placed Jonah in Ninevah and he would be successful nowhere else. In fact, he was going nowhere else, and God would see to that!

Out on the sea, a great storm began to brew and the ship was going to sink. The other men on the ship feared for their lives and began to call on their gods. When they found Jonah, he was fast asleep below. He was so comfortable in his disobedience that he didn’t even notice the storm. It took "unbelievers" to awaken him to this fact. But he did wake up!

At his own request, Jonah was thrown overboard and the others were saved as the storm died down. Jonah was also saved, but he spent three days in the belly of a great fish. That doesn’t sound too exciting to me. After three days, however, he was vomited up on shore. By this time he had been convinced that the best choice he could ever make was to simply obey.

The things God requires of us may not always seem comfortable, but the alternative will surely be worse. It’s God’s way of convincing you to do what He asks of you.

Where does God want you?

Are you going in the right direction?

Don't Remove the Thorn

"For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:6-9).

This morning during my time with the Lord, I began to think about the apostle Paul and his comments about the thorn in his flesh. As I pondered this, the Lord began to speak to my heart, and I thought I’d share it with you. I hope this will be a source of encouragement for you as it is for me.

Being human, we all face difficult and challenging things in life. Sometimes these situations bring such pressure that we loose our excitement for the purpose to which Christ has called us. We begin to withdraw out of fear and/or anger. We build up our walls of defense in an effort to protect ourselves from further hurt, then we "lay low" and hope for the best.

Speaking from the flesh, this is natural. After all, none of us enjoys the difficulties in life. None of us enjoys being hurt. None of us enjoys being misunderstood and rejected.

The apostle Paul said "…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh…." As I pondered that phrase, I wondered why in the world would he consider that it was given to him? Then I re-read the preceding words, "lest I should be exalted above measure."

Even with the knowledge that there was a reason, Paul prayed three times that this thorn would be removed. Like all of us, this great apostle didn’t enjoy the pain. He didn’t enjoy the limitations imposed upon his ministry as a result of the thorn, so he prayed.

Although this man had an extraordinary relationship with the risen Christ, His prayer was not to be answered, as he desired. He wanted the thorn removed, but after three earnest prayers, the
Lord responded by saying, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

We don’t know exactly what this thorn in the flesh was for the apostle Paul. All we know is that it was not pleasant. But God’s grace was and is sufficient!

Clearly, the flesh desires certain results when we pray, but the flesh must be subject to the Spirit. Rather than allowing the flesh to respond to our challenges and difficulties, we should trust in the grace of God. He will see us through!

So, don’t try to remove the thorn. It may be there for a reason. It may be that the Lord is trying to teach us humility. Remember, God’s grace is sufficient for YOU!

Who Cares

Have you ever felt that if you were to fall off the face of the earth no one would notice? I sure have. It sometimes seems as if the troubles and cares of this life are so overwhelming that we can't see the forest for the trees. We struggle to maintain the joy only to see it slowly slipping away. Sadly, our response sometimes is to just give up. I've been there!

The writer of the Hebrew letter understood the struggles a believer goes through. We are encouraged to "...keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word" (Hebrews 10:23 MSG), and "Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times!" (Hebrews 10:32 MSG)

Remembering all the Lord has done for us in the past should serve as an indicator of what He will do for us in the future. He has been faithful, and there is no need for us to entertain the notion of giving up. In fact, the writer goes on in verse 35 to say, "So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing!" (Hebrews 10:35 MSG).

Our heavenly Father has given us what we need to get through this life victoriously! "Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:4 KJV). "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).

Who cares? God cares. So, keep on following Him.

Don't try to distract me!

The Bible talks about old men dreaming dreams, and young men seeing visions (cf. Joel 2:28). I must be right on the cusp of being old and young, because I have dreamed dreams, and I feel I have had visions. I am convinced, beyond any shadow of doubt, that GREAT things lie ahead for those of us who will trust in the Lord—walking in faith and obedience to His Word.

Clearly, there will be those who will continue to question this vision and the direction in which this church is being led. I understand that this is very discouraging to those of us who are striving to achieve in actuality what we are working for with vision, but let me encourage you today!

There will always be people to challenge what we are doing, and where we are going! Noah had them, Moses had them, Elijah had them, Nehemiah had them, Paul had them, and even Jesus had them. These are people who want to lead, but have no idea where they are going. They are people who don’t want to do the work (ministry), but they want to control anyone who is doing it. They are people who are jealous of what God is doing in others. They are people who allow other spirits to control their actions and behavior, but they will not interfere with the work of the Lord when the Spirit of the Living God is doing the leading! They may try, but they will not succeed!

I am on a mission. I don't have all the answers, but I know who does! So, don't try to distract me with petty squabblings. I'm not going to take my eyes off Jesus just to please men!

Pressing Forward!

Sonbright Christian Center is a vibrant, growing body of believers pressing forward with the vision in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Many who have visited with us have chosen to make SCC their home church, and in the past year, we have added nineteen (19) new members to the church both by transfer and by covenant.

It has been said that a church without youth is a dying church. With this, I wholeheartedly agree. We rejoice, however, to see our youth and children’s ministries growing! Jesus placed great importance on children: “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:13-14).

The fact that we are growing necessarily requires adaptability! Adaptability simply means an ability to adjust to changes and new conditions.

For example, Sister Lynn Human, our Children’s Ministry Pastor, has requested volunteers to assist in the nursery. As our children’s ministry continues to grow, it will be necessary to add more volunteers. The same applies to every other ministry operating at SCC.

As we continue to grow and adapt to accommodate growth, the enemy will surely continue to fight against our efforts! It is imperative that we know his tactics and diligently seek to model Jesus’ example in order to defeat the enemy.

I am committed to press on by the grace and strength of the Lord, and to make the necessary changes to accommodate growth. We may, at times, need to change our structure, our methods, etc., but never will we compromise the fundamentals of the faith! Together, we will overcome every obstacle and see victory on top of victory as we press forward...together!

It is my prayer that the Lord bless and strengthen everyone of you as you submit to His way and His will!