FROM PASTOR TIM JOHNSON:
First of all, thanks so much to all of those who were involved in both our Thanksgiving Service and stuck around to help decorate this past Sunday right after church. I can’t say enough about the quality and quantity of soups, breads and pies for the Thanksgiving Service.
But, as always, it was the tremendous fellowship we all shared during such an intimate service that always moves my heart…especially hearing young kids take a microphone and share the things for which they are thankful. Very moving. Thank you all for being such a thankful Church! Go muffin tins!
After Sunday’s service one saint spoke of the integration of faith and obedience. As we walk by faith, we learn obedience, and, the more obedient we are, the more we see how faithful God is and that in turn increases our own faith.
Really well said Sister! It’s a dance. Faith leads to obedience, which leads to faith.
One of the points I wanted to make but did not get around to is the importance of recognizing that when we know what God wants us to do, and yet neglect it, we demonstrate the full essence of sin…rebellion against God.
When Johanan asked Jeremiah to pray to God for guidance, he “seemed” to be submitting to God’s direction. But then when the answer that came back ran counter to his own intuitions, he rejected God’s specific direction. There is no better example of sin. Sin is rejecting God’s directions, standards and will.
James 4:15 says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Amen. I think many people might avoid reading their Bibles or even going to church because they are afraid they will hear something that they don’t like, and they don’t want to be held accountable.
So, they avoid God’s word and God’s people seeking to plead ignorance. But this is no escape as the Bible makes clear; God knows our hearts. We are all responsible for both our active sins and our sins of omission.
Thankfully we have a Savior who has paid the price for our sins, through faith in Him we are considered righteous, holy and blameless in God’s eyes. It’s a miracle.
So, let’s choose to walk by faith and not by sight. And let’s help each other along the way.
Open our eyes Lord and give us more faith to believe….and obey,
Pastor Tim