Pastor's Ponderings, June 24, 2025

Let Us Turn to God Before the End Times

 

If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ve probably noticed that talk of war, conflict, and violence is everywhere. American cities are on high alert for possible attacks, and while people worry about safety, the gun industry is projected to make huge profits—nearly $19.6 billion in 2025, according to the Trace.

 

Why is there so much anger, fighting, and hostility in the world? The Bible gives us the answer. James 4:1 tells us that the root of all this fighting comes from battles within our own hearts. We desire things we don’t have, so we argue, we fight, and we even destroy each other to get what we want. When we chase after selfish desires and follow the ways of the world, we end up working against God instead of with Him (James 4:4).

 

But God doesn’t leave us without hope. He invites us to turn to Him, examine our hearts, and ask Him for what we truly need (James 4:2-3). Jesus taught us to ask, seek, and knock—promising that God will provide for us (Matthew 7:7). He even reminded us not to be anxious about what we’ll eat or wear, but to trust that God knows and cares for our needs (Matthew 6:31-33).

 

When we put God first—when we truly delight in Him—He promises to give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). That doesn’t mean we should sit back and do nothing. God calls us to work and live responsibly, but He also calls us to stop chasing power, wealth, and status as if they are the ultimate goals. Instead, we should be seeking His kingdom above all else.

 

God has given us spiritual authority. He said He would give us the keys to the kingdom—to bind what is evil and to release what is good (Matthew 16:19). This is our calling: to pray, to act in love, and to work for peace.

 

For those leaders who are pushing for war and power, we must pray. The Bible urges us to pray for all people, especially those in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Even when world leaders make decisions, God is still in control. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that God directs the hearts of kings like streams of water—He is always overseeing what happens.

 

Before the world plunges further into conflict and chaos, let’s choose to turn to God now. When we fix our minds on Him, He promises to keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3), even when the world around us is in turmoil.

 

James 4:1-4

New International Version

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 
2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 
3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 

 

Matthew 7:7

New International Version

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

 

Matthew 6:31-33

New International Version

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

Psalm 37:4

New International Version

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 

Matthew 16:19

New International Version

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

 

1 Timothy 2:1, 2

King James Version

1.  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

 

Proverbs 21:1

New International Version

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

 

Isaiah 26:3

New International Version
3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Pastor's Ponderings, June 17, 2025

Let Us Think in a Godly Way

 

What’s been on your mind lately? Are you thinking about the goodness of God? Are your thoughts filled with worship, prayer, Scripture, and ways to love others better? Or are your thoughts weighed down with what someone said or did to hurt you? Maybe you're worrying about what could go wrong next, or replaying the hard things that have already happened.

 

The Bible says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). In other words, our thoughts shape who we are. That’s why it’s so important to ask: What are we feeding our minds? What are we letting settle into our hearts?

 

Jesus said that the words we speak come from what’s stored in our hearts (Luke 6:45). And Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from them (Proverbs 4:23). When we fill our minds with bitterness, anger, or negativity, it doesn’t just stay there—it eventually shows up in our words and actions.

 

We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). If we plant kindness, encouragement, and godly thinking, we’ll grow a harvest of peace and blessing. But if we allow negative or harmful thoughts to take root, we shouldn’t be surprised when they produce discouragement or even destruction.

 

Let’s be honest: the world encourages revenge, fear, and negativity. But we’re called to a higher standard. Philippians 4:8 gives us a clear guide for our thinking: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

 

We don’t have to be prisoners to destructive thoughts. As followers of Christ, we are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). We’ve been given a renewed mind (Romans 12:2), and we can choose to think the way Jesus thinks (Philippians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 2:16).

 

Holding onto anger or plotting to get even doesn’t help us—it hurts us. Malachy McCourt said, it's like drinking poison and expecting someone else to suffer. Instead, let's fill our hearts and minds with the truth of God’s Word. Let’s speak life, hope, and grace.

 

Today, decide to think in a Godly way. Your thoughts matter more than you may realize. And when your thinking lines up with God’s truth, your life will follow.

 

Proverbs 23:7

New King James Version

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

 

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.

 

Proverbs 4:23

New International Version

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

 

Galatians 6:7

New International Version

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

 

Philippians 4:8

New International Version

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

1 Corinthians 6:19

New King James Version

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

 

Romans 12:2

New International Version

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

Philippians 2:5

New King James Version

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

 

1 Corinthians 2:16

New International Version

16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Ponderings, June 7, 2025

Let Us Act Politically in a Godly Way

 

If you've been following the news lately, it's impossible to miss the intense political battles happening all around us. Leaders and groups are striving for power, influence, and wealth. It can feel overwhelming at times, but as believers, we have a different perspective. We are called to pray for those in authority, recognizing that ultimately, God is the one who appoints leaders (Psalm 75:6-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-2).

 

When tensions run high, it's easy to fall into negativity—to complain, argue, or speak harshly. But we are reminded in Proverbs 21:1 that God is in control. Our role isn’t to fret or spread bitterness, but to trust that His hand guides the course of history.

 

As followers of Christ, we live in this world but are not of it. Still, that doesn’t mean we should be passive. We should care about those caught in the darkness of a broken system. We can vote, run for office, write letters, march peacefully, or engage in advocacy—all under God’s guidance.

 

We draw strength for these times by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). While others may put their hope in flawed leaders or empty promises, we call on the living God (Psalm 28:1-2), the only one who can truly bring peace and deliverance.

 

Some may respond to the chaos by retreating, numbing their pain, or acting out in harmful ways. But Scripture calls us to a higher standard: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32).

 

Leaders will rise and fall, but our Lord remains on His throne. We can always approach Him to find grace and help in challenging times. As President Obama always says, "Don't boo, vote!" We can take that a step further: "Don't boo, pray!" Let’s be faithful in both, trusting God to work through us and in our nation.

 

Psalm 75:6-7

New International Version

6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.

7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

 

1 Timothy 2:1-2

New International Version

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 

2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

 

Proverbs 21:1

New International Version

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him

 

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.

 

Psalm 28:1-2

New International Version

1 To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.

2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help,

as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

 

Ephesians 4:31-32

New International Version

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.