Pastor's Ponderings, March 31, 2026

God Wants Us Blessed

 

Back in 2008, Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States. Interestingly, his name has a meaning tied to blessing—peace, well-being, hope, and a future. And that’s a powerful reminder of something even bigger: God’s desire for all of us to be blessed. From the very beginning, God created us to grow, thrive, and succeed in what He has called us to do (Genesis 1:22). His plan has always been for our lives to be filled with purpose and goodness.

 

But when we look around, the world doesn’t always reflect that. Many people struggle just to get by. There’s enough food in the world, yet millions still go hungry. Housing costs continue to rise, making it harder for families to keep a roof over their heads. And the gap between the wealthy and everyone else keeps growing. It can feel discouraging when we see so much inequality and hardship.

 

That’s the reality of the world system—but it’s not God’s heart. God’s desire for us is very different. He wants us to live well, not just barely survive. The Bible tells us He wants us to be in good health and prosper in every area of life (3 John 2). He is eager to be kind and gracious to us (Isaiah 30:18). He promises to meet our needs (Philippians 4:19) and bless us spiritually in ways the world can’t match (Ephesians 1:3). He even equips us so we can do good and make a difference in the lives of others (2 Corinthians 9:8).

 

So instead of focusing only on what’s going wrong in the world, we can choose to focus on God. He is still in control. He is still providing. And He is still blessing. Therefore, Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, trust His promises, and believe that He wants good things for our lives. No matter what’s happening around us, we can live with hope—knowing that God’s blessings are real, personal, and available to us every day.

 

Genesis 1:22

New King James Version

22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”

 

3 John 2

New International Version

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

 

Isaiah 30:18

New International Version

18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

 

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.

 

Ephesians 1:3

New International Version

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

 

2 Corinthians 9:8

New International Version

8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

 

 

 

 

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Pastor's Ponderings, March 23, 2026

God Will Not Abandon Us

Life can sometimes make us feel forgotten. Plans fall through, people let us down, and doors we hoped would open stay closed. In moments like these, it’s easy to wonder, “Is anyone really looking out for me?” The good news is this: God has not forgotten you—and He never will.

From the very beginning, God’s desire for us has always been good. The Bible tells us that He wants us to have peace, a future, and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). He wants us to grow, succeed, and thrive—not just on the outside, but deep within our hearts and souls. He created us to move forward in life, not to feel stuck or left behind.

One of the most powerful stories in the Bible is the story of the prodigal son. It’s about a young man who walked away from his father, made poor choices, and lost everything. But when he finally decided to come back home, his father didn’t reject him—he ran to meet him, embraced him, and welcomed him back with love (Luke 15:20–24). That’s how God feels about us. Even when we drift, make mistakes, or lose our way, He is not waiting to punish us—He’s waiting to receive us.

Isaiah 49:15 paints an even deeper picture of God’s love, comparing it to a mother’s love for her child. Even in a world where people sometimes forget, God never does. There may be times when people walk away from us. Friends may disappoint us. Opportunities may pass us by. We may even feel overlooked or rejected. But none of that changes God’s love.

The apostle Paul said he was convinced that nothing—absolutely nothing—could separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35, 37–39). That means not failure, not fear, not hardship, and not even our past mistakes. The enemy may try to whisper lies like, “It’s over,” or “There’s no hope for you.” But those voices are not from God. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Yes, we may go through hard times—but those hard times don’t define us, and they don’t have the final say. No matter what you’re facing today, remember this: God has not given up on you. He is still working in your life. He is still guiding, protecting, and providing for you. Psalm 91 reminds us that God rescues, protects, and answers those who love Him (Psalm 91:14–15).

So don’t lose heart. Don’t give up. The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords is still with you—and He will never abandon His children.

Jeremiah 29:11

Amplified Bible

11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

 

Luke 15:20-24

New International Version
20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 

23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 

Isaiah 49:15

New International Version

15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

 

Romans 8:35, 37-39  
New International Version

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

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

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Psalm 46:1

New International Version

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

 

Psalm 91:14, 15

New International Version

14“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliverhim and honor him.

 

 

 

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Pastor's Pondering, March 15, 2026

Let Us Keep Our Eyes on the Prize 

Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar once said, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” It’s a simple reminder that without a clear goal, it’s easy to drift through life.

 

So, what are you aiming for today? Many people spend time thinking about five-year or ten-year plans—considering their interests, their resources, and the opportunities ahead. Planning can be helpful. But as believers, our first step isn’t just planning our own goals—it’s seeking God’s direction.

 

The Bible encourages us to seek the face of God (Psalm 27:8) and ask Him for wisdom. Why? Because God already knows the plans He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that His plans are good and that He wants to lead us toward a hopeful future. While we may not always know what our next step should be, God promises to guide us and never leave us.

 

In the book of Habakkuk, God says, “Write the vision and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2). In other words, when God shows us the path, we should take it seriously. Pay attention. Write it down. Live it out. God wants us to listen to His voice and walk in the purpose He created for us.

 

Of course, the enemy would love to distract us. He wants us discouraged, confused, and focused on everything except God’s plan. If he can keep us busy with disappointment and doubt, we might never reach the purpose God has for our lives. But God reminds us that our lives matter. Before Jeremiah was even born, God said He already knew him. The same is true for us. We were carefully created—fearfully and wonderfully made.

 

That’s why the apostle Paul said he pressed forward toward the prize in Christ (Philippians 3:13–14). Our greatest goal isn’t fame, wealth, or success by the world’s standards. Our true prize is living the life God designed for us and growing closer to Christ along the way.

 

So let’s stay focused.

Let’s listen for God’s direction.

And let’s keep our eyes on the prize He has set before us.

 

Psalm 27:8

New International Version

8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

 

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.

 

Habakkuk 2:2

New International Version

2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.

 

Philippians 3:13, 14

New International Version

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, March 8, 2026

Our God Is Our Mighty Helper

 

Every day we hear troubling news about what’s happening in the world. Nations are in conflict, leaders are making decisions that seem to create more tension instead of peace, and many people feel uncertain about the future. It can leave us wondering: Who really knows what to do?

 

The Bible reminds us that times like these will come. Scripture says people will talk about “peace and safety,” but sudden trouble may still appear (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3). When the world feels unstable, we don’t have to panic—we can turn to God.

 

God invites us to come to Him when we need help. The Bible says that if we lack wisdom, we can simply ask Him, and He will give it generously (James 1:5). Jesus also promised that the Spirit of Truth would guide us into truth and help us understand what lies ahead (John 16:13).

 

So, when we feel unsure, we can trust the Lord with all our hearts instead of depending only on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). God is the source of true wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). While the world often looks to experts, politicians, scholars, or famous leaders for answers, our ultimate hope must be in God. 

 

The songwriter Aaron Jeoffrey captured this truth beautifully in the song “I Go to the Rock.” One line says:

“I go to the Rock of my salvation.
I go to the stone that the builders rejected.
When the earth all around me is sinking sand,
On Christ the solid rock I stand.”

 

Those words remind us where our real security comes from. Today, let’s make a clear choice. Instead of relying only on the world’s advice, let’s turn to Christ—the One who is righteous, true, and holy. In Him we find strength, peace, and hope that cannot be shaken. When life feels uncertain and the world seems unstable, remember this simple truth: God is our mighty helper.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:2, 3

New International Version

2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

 

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.

 

John 16:13

New International Version

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

 

Proverbs 3:5

New International Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

 

Proverbs 2:6

New International Version

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding

Pastor's Ponderings, March 1, 2026

No Matter What You See or Hear, Do Not Fear

 

Turn on the news or scroll through social media for five minutes and it can feel overwhelming. Wars. Rumors of wars. Economic uncertainty. Natural disasters. Political tension. It’s enough to make anyone anxious.

 

In the Bible, when the disciples asked Jesus about the end times, He told them something surprising: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed” (Matthew 24:6). In other words, don’t panic. These things would happen—but they weren’t a reason to lose hope.

 

So how should we live in uncertain times? Should we constantly worry?

Should we hoard supplies? Should we prepare for the worst and expect everything to fall apart? The Bible gives us a different response. Repeatedly, Scripture tells us, “Do not be afraid.” God doesn’t want us living in fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). That means clear thinking instead of panic. Faith instead of frenzy.

 

Psalm 91 reminds us that our real safety isn’t found in a bunker—it’s found in dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High.” And Philippians 4:19 assures us that God will supply all our needs. That doesn’t mean we act irresponsibly; it means we don’t live driven by fear.

 

The enemy would love nothing more than for us to trust our anxiety instead of trusting God. He wants us leaning only on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), imagining worst-case scenarios, and forgetting who truly holds the future.

 

But here’s the truth: God is still sustaining the world by the power of His word. Nothing happens outside of His knowledge. The end will not come one moment sooner—or later—than He allows. So, no matter what headlines you see or rumors you hear, you don’t have to be afraid. God is still in control. God is still providing. God is still faithful.

 

And that is reason enough to live with peace instead of fear.

 

Matthew 24:6

New International Version

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

 

2 Timothy 1:7

New King James Version

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

Psalm 91:1

New International Version

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 

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

 

Proverbs 3:5

New International Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;