Pastor's Ponderings, July 29, 2026

 Let Us Live for Christ

 

Why do you get up each morning? What gives your life purpose? What keeps you moving forward when life gets difficult?

 

In 1973, Stevie Wonder released the song "Living for the City." The closing lyrics challenge listeners to think about the direction of their lives: "If we don't change, the world will soon be over. Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city " Those words still encourage us to ask an important question: What are we really living for? People spend their lives pursuing many different things. Some chase success, wealth, popularity, power, or pleasure. Others simply try to make it through each day. While none of these things are wrong in themselves, they can never satisfy the deepest need of the human heart.

 

The Bible points us to a greater purpose. Jesus taught us to treat others the way we want to be treated—the Golden Rule. Instead of using people to gain things, we are called to love people and use the blessings God has given us to help others. The Apostle Paul understood what mattered most. He said his life was "hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). His greatest desire was that Christ would be honored in everything he did, whether he lived or died (Philippians 1:20-21). For Paul, life wasn't about building his own reputation—it was about pointing people to Jesus.

 

General George S. Patton once said, "Live for something rather than die for nothing." While those words came from a military leader, they remind us that everyone needs a purpose. As Christians, our purpose is found in Christ. The world constantly encourages us to focus on temporary things—possessions, achievements, and recognition. But Scripture reminds us to set our minds on things above, not merely on the things of this earth (Colossians 3:2). Our true citizenship is in God's kingdom, and through Christ we are already seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

 

The things of this world will one day pass away, but our relationship with Christ will last forever. So today, let's choose to live for what truly matters. Let us seek God's will, worship Him wholeheartedly, love others generously, and obey His Word. When we make Christ the center of our lives, we discover the purpose for which we were created.

Instead of simply living for this world, let us live for Christ—the One who has prepared for us an eternal home in His heavenly city (Hebrews 11:10).

 

Colossians 3:2-3

New International Version

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God

 

Philippians 1:20-21

New International Version

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

 

Ephesians 2:6

New International Version

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

 

Hebrews 11:10

New International Version

10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Pastor's Ponderings, July 20, 2026

Smile, My Friend—It's Sunrise

 

One of Robin Williams' final on-screen lines in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) was, "Smile, my boy. It's sunrise." Those simple words carry a beautiful reminder: no matter how dark the night has been, the sun always rises.

 

Life gives us plenty of reasons to feel discouraged. Every day we hear about conflict, hardship, injustice, and uncertainty. It's easy to become overwhelmed by negative news and the problems around us. But God invites us to lift our eyes and remember that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

 

The Bible reminds us that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we are only passing through. We are not meant to live there. God walks beside us, comforts us, and gives us the strength to keep moving forward (Psalm 23:4). We don't have to be afraid because He is always with us.

 

Jesus has prepared an eternal home for us, but He has also given us hope and purpose right here and now. The Bible says we are already seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Our identity isn't determined by the troubles we face but by the Savior who walks with us.

 

It's also important not to become consumed with the actions of those who do evil. Their influence is temporary (Psalm 37:1-2), but God's Kingdom is eternal. We already know how the story ends—God wins, and those who trust in Him will share in His victory.

 

When life's battles seem overwhelming, God doesn't leave us to fight alone. His Word promises that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord raises a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19). God is still our defender, our protector, and our refuge.

 

So don't let fear have the final word. Lift up your tired hands and don't lose heart (Hebrews 12:12). Keep your eyes on Jesus, the One who began your faith and will faithfully bring it to completion (Hebrews 12:2). Remember that through Him, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

 

No matter what yesterday looked like, today is a new sunrise. You can smile because God's joy is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), His presence is your peace, and through Christ, you can face whatever lies ahead.

So, smile, my friend—it's sunrise.

 

Psalm 30:5

New International Version

5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

 

Psalm 23:4

New International Version

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 

Ephesians 2:6

New International Version

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

 

Psalm 37:1, 2

New International Version

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither,

 

Isaiah 59:19

New King James Version

19 So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him

 

Hebrews 12:12

New King James Version

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

 

Hebrews 12:2

New International Version

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Romans 8:37

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

 

Nehemiah 8:10

New International Version

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 

Pastor's Ponderings, July 12, 2026

 God Is Our Very Present Help in Troubling Times

 

It can feel like every time we turn on the news; we hear about another crisis. Wars continue to rage, innocent lives are being lost, and conflicts around the world seem to grow more dangerous each day. Families are grieving, nations are divided, and uncertainty has become a part of daily life. Closer to home, we also face our own struggles. Rising prices, health concerns, broken relationships, violence, and uncertainty about the future can leave many people feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

 

So, what should those who trust in God do during times like these? The Bible gives us a clear answer. Instead of allowing fear to take over, God tells us not to become consumed by the actions of those who do evil, because their power is only temporary (Psalm 37:1-2). Rather, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Him. When we focus our minds on the Lord, He promises to give us His perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

 

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Even when situations seem beyond our control, nothing is beyond His. We may feel weak at times, but God reminds us that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13). The enemy wants us to live in fear. He wants us to believe that the problems surrounding us are greater than the God who lives within us. But throughout Scripture, we see ordinary people who chose faith over fear.

 

Queen Esther is one such example. Faced with the possibility of death, she courageously approached the king to save her people, saying, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). Her confidence was not in herself but in God's purpose. That same confidence can be ours today. We can choose to have hearts that are steadfast, refusing to be tossed back and forth by every frightening headline or discouraging report. Like David, we can believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13).

 

The news may try to fill us with fear, confusion, and hopelessness, but God's Word fills us with faith, peace, and hope. We can boldly declare, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). No matter what is happening in our nation or around the world, God is still on His throne. 

 

He controls the times and the seasons, and He is still working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). So, let us not live in fear. Let us live in faith, trusting that our God is—and always will be—a very present help in troubling times.

 

Psalm 37:1, 2

New International Version

1 Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;

2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

 

Isaiah 26:3

New King James Version

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

 

Hebrews 12:2

New International Version

2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Philippians 4:13

New International Version

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 

Esther 4:16

New International Version

16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

 

Psalm 27:13

New International Version

13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

 

Romans 8:31

New International Version

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

Romans 8:28

New International Version

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.