Pastor's Ponderings, May 28, 2025

Let’s Start with God in Mind

 

Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” teaches a powerful principle in its second habit: “Begin with the end in mind.” Cham Tang wrote on the October 20, 2020 Authentic Education, website how he jumped into a career in IT without really knowing what that meant. He admitted he made a mistake because he hadn’t clearly thought through where the road would take him.

 

That is something many of us can relate to. We often take steps without knowing exactly where we’re headed. We pick schools, careers, or relationships with only a rough idea of what they’ll bring. The options are endless, but so are the chances of making a wrong turn.

 

But for those who follow God, the journey doesn’t have to be filled with worry and uncertainty. The Bible tells us that God already knows the plans He has for us—plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). That’s a promise we can hold onto.

 

We don’t need to map out every detail of our lives alone. Psalm 37:23 reminds us that God directs the steps of those who seek Him. And instead of stressing over our big life decisions, Proverbs 16:3 encourages us to commit our plans to the Lord, and He will guide us. Even when our plans change or fall apart, God will establish our path (Proverbs 16:9).

 

From finding the right school, choosing a career, deciding where to live, or meeting the right partner—these things can feel overwhelming. But we serve a God who created the heavens and the earth. He invites us to ask for wisdom, and He promises to give it generously (James 1:5).

 

So, whether you’re starting your day or starting a new chapter in life, make it a habit to begin with God in mind. When we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6). And He will never let us down.

 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Psalm 37:23

New International Version

23 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

 

Proverbs 16:3

New International Version

3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

 

Proverbs 16:9

New International Version

9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

 

James 1:5

New International Version

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

 

Proverbs 3:6

New International Version

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Pastor's Ponderings, May 22, 2025

God Is Our True Leader

 

It’s no secret—life feels heavy these days. Politics are full of anger, people look down on those who are struggling, science brings more questions than answers, and many businesses are hanging by a thread. With so much confusion and pressure, it’s easy to wonder who’s really in charge. But here’s the truth: God is still leading, and He is our help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

 

When things fall apart around us, our response doesn’t have to be fear or frustration. Instead, we can choose joy. The Colorado Mass Choir sings it perfectly in their song “I Still Have Joy”: “…After all, after everything I've seen, thank God I still have joy.” That kind of joy—the kind that survives the storm—isn’t based on circumstances. It comes from knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It’s what keeps us going when life gets rough.

 

What’s in our hearts eventually shows up in our words (Luke 6:45). So, what are we speaking over our lives? Are we repeating what we hear on the news, or are we declaring what God says? Yes, the world has its mess, but we have a message: we will see God’s goodness (Psalm 27:13). We won’t be ruled by fear, because God is with us—and if He is for us, nothing can stand against us (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 56:9).

 

No matter how difficult things get, God is more than enough. He promises to meet every need—big or small (Philippians 4:19). So, let’s move forward with confidence and joy, trusting that God is our leader, and He’s already working all things together for our good. Keep your head up. Keep your heart open. God’s still in control.

 

Psalm 46:1

New International Version

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

 

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.”

 

Luke 6:45

New International Version

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Psalm 56:9

New International Version

9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

 

Philippians 4:19

New International Version

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Pastor's Ponderings, May 10, 2025

God Is Our Air Traffic Controller

 

On May 9, 2025, an article by Ryan Grenoble in the Huffington Post reported a concerning event: “Newark Air Traffic Control Radar Goes Down AGAIN.” According to the article, this wasn’t the first time—just a couple of weeks earlier, a 90-second outage left air traffic controllers unable to see, hear, or talk to the aircraft they were responsible for guiding. Imagine being a passenger on one of those planes, completely unaware of what was happening, trusting that someone in a tower had eyes on your flight.

 

It's a reminder of how much we depend on others to guide us safely, especially when we can't see the full picture ourselves. Life works the same way. There are moments when we feel like we’re flying blind—unsure of what’s ahead, disconnected from guidance, and uncertain about where we're headed.

 

But here’s the good news: with God, that will never happen. Those who love and trust Him are never flying solo. God doesn’t have outages or system failures. He never loses track of us, never stops listening, and never stops guiding. His eyes are always on us. He sees the big picture—every twist, every storm, every detour—and He knows exactly how to get us safely to our destination (Jude 24).

 

Even when we feel like we’re spiraling or in free fall, He is there, steady and sure. Psalm 121:3-4 says, “He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

 

So, the next time life feels uncertain, remember who your Controller is. He isn’t in a tower that can go dark. He’s a loving God who knows you by name and sees every detail of your journey. In His hands, you're never lost (Jeremiah 1:12, Psalm 121:7-8)—you’re always safely guided (Isaiah 41:10).

 

Jude 24

New Living Translation

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

 

Psalm 121:3-4

New International Version

3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

 

Jeremiah 1:12

New International Version

12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”

 

Psalm 121:7-8

New International Version

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

 

Isaiah 41:10

New International Version

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, May 3, 2025

God Will Never Leave Us or Forsake Us

 Losing someone we love is never easy. Over the past few weeks, our hearts have been heavy as we said goodbye to three beloved family members and a dear friend. In moments like these, it's natural to feel overwhelmed by grief. But even in our sadness, there is comfort in knowing that God is nearby.

 

Psalm 116:15 reminds us, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones." That verse tells us something deeply reassuring: God doesn't overlook our pain. He watches over us and holds every moment—even our hardest goodbyes—with great care and love. He knows us so well that even the number of hairs on our head is accounted for (Luke 12:7), and every tear we cry is noticed and remembered (Psalm 56:8).

 

Sometimes life feels isolating. We might believe we're facing everything alone, that no one sees us or truly cares. But that's simply not true. God is always with us. He sees us. He cares deeply. And He has promised to return one day and bring us into eternal life with Him.

 

Yes, the world can be tough. There's no shortage of challenges, confusion, or heartache. But God hasn’t left us to deal with it all on our own. Galatians 1:4 reminds us that He "rescues us from the present evil age." Even when things look out of control, He is working behind the scenes.

 

We may not always understand why hard things happen. But we can hold onto this truth from Romans 8:28: "All things work together for good to those who love God." That includes the hard, the painful, and the unexpected.

 

God is our constant. He is our quiet companion, our wise guide, and our ever-present helper. He was there when we took our first breath, and He'll be there when we take our last. And through every step in between, He walks beside us.

 

So today, take heart. You're not alone. God sees you, loves you, and will never leave you or forsake you.

 

Psalm 116:15 

Amplified Version

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones

 

Luke 12:7

New International Version

7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

 

Psalm 56:8

New Living Translation

8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

 

Galatians 1:4

New International Version

4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

 

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.