BLOG Archives - Foundations Bible Church

Pastor’s Pen by D.L. Barnett

Posted on Sep 5, 2025 in BLOG |

The Christian Attrition

The term attrition has 5 usages in the English language. According to Webster’s and the Cambridge dictionary shares the following:

1: sorrow for one’s sins that arises from a motive other than that of the love of God

2: the act of wearing or grinding down by friction

3: the act of weakening or exhausting by constant harassment, abuse, or attack

4: a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death

5: the people who leave an educational or training course before it has finished

Now, maybe I am a bit sensitive to the shrinking reality our community faces these days, however – I have notice a trend. Less businesses, a decrease in population, shrinking congregations and church attendance, a lack of interest in going to bible study and Sunday school, a decrease in students enrolling in Christian schools in our area…. the list can go on.

I got to thinking – is it just a sign of the times? Is it that the difference between being nominal or surrendered? Is it that discipleship is just not happening? Is it that Satan seem’s to be winning? Is it a priorities issue? Is it we are so ingrained with the world’s systems that we treat Christianity as a welfare system?

I would venture to say a little of all of this, but it is deeper – it was prophesied by the Apostle Paul that this was going to happen – attrition among Christians. Look at the following verses:

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

The Greek term for rebellion here is apostasia. It means defection from the truth, falling away, and forsake. Its root definition means something separative, that is, specifically divorce.

1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

Here the Greek term for abandon is aphistēmi. It means to remove, that is actively instigate a revolt, to desist, desert, depart, fall away, withdraw self. Its root definition means cessation, separation, departure, reversal from abiding, standing, covenant, continuing.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

And this verse contains what the characteristics of those who defect and depart from truth – even to instigate others to do so. Then they follow falsehood, demonic teachings, and become selfish and just plain narcissistic in every facet of life.

Spiritual Ministry Team Letter By Makayla Nepp

Posted on Aug 22, 2025 in BLOG |

Deuteronomy 32:1-6

Then Moses spoke the world of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel:

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God!

The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation. Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?”

An apologetics segment on Deuteronomy 32:6:

One of the three distinct yet coequal persons within the Trinity, God as Father surfaces in the OT as a title or in reference to His relationship with Israel:

Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O Lord, you are our Father.”

Jeremiah 3:19 “And I thought you would call me, My Father, and would not turn from following me.”

Jeremiah 31:9 “I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”

When Jesus appeared, both He and the NT writers referred to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit much more distinctly. The phrase God the Father occurs between 15 and 20 times in the NT, depending on which translation is used. In many instances where God the Father is mentioned, Jesus Christ is mentioned in the same verse.

God the Father and the Trinity. The coming of the Son, prophesied in the OT and fulfilled in the NT, highlights the distinction between Father and Son in the Trinity. The revelation found in the NT allows us to see God the Father with greater clarity in the OT. In the NT, God most often means “God the Father”-where He is seen as the authority or creative force behind the work on the Trinity. The creation story illustrates this in the division of labor between Father, Son, and Spirit. God (the Father) spoke the creation decrees (“Let there be”‘ Ps. 33:6) while God the Spirit hovered over the unformed earth (Gen 1:1,2). But God the Son was the agent of creation who carried out the Father’s decrees (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:1,2).

God the Father and Jesus Christ. The Father’s authoritative role is also made clear in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.” The Father put in motion the activity needed to grant redemption to sinful humanity; the Son came to earth to carry out the plan. After that work was accomplished, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to indwell those who embraced the offer of redemption: “the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name” (John 14:26).

In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul confirms that Christ was “in the form of God” and possessed “equality with God” but willingly took on “the form of a servant” and “the likeness off men.” Christ “humbled himself by becoming obedient” to the Father by dying on the cross. The Son’s obedience and loyalty to the Father are pictured also in the temptation experience in the wilderness (Matt 4:1-11) and in Christ’s absolute submission to the Father during His earthly life and ministry (John 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:28, 42; 10:37, 38; 12:49; 14:10, 31; 15:10; 17:4). Christ’s humble obedience to the Father’s will provides an example for how Christians should relate to God, their heavenly Father.

God the Father and Christians. The Fatherhood of God is about more than just obedience; it highlights the love of God as well. Jesus was the first to refer to God as “Abba, Father” (Mark 14:36), Abba being an Aramaic word of endearment. The apostle Paul picked up Jesus’ reference to God as Abba, saying that every Christain enjoys the intimate privilege of calling God “Abba” (Rom 8:15). The idea that Christians have been “adopted” by God into His family, as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, further deepens our understanding of God as Father (Rom. 8:15, 23,29; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5).

The same God who spoke the world into existence and sacrificed His only Son is the same Father who knows and meets the needs of all of His adopted children.

Pastor’s Pen by Pastor D.L. Barnett

Posted on Aug 15, 2025 in BLOG |

WHAT YOU BELIEVE JESUS MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!

Galatians 1:6-10 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Now, it may be a blinding flash of the obvious, but that is not the same with everyone who calls themselves a Christian. Paul was facing a confrontation dilemma of eternal necessity. Some men were twisting around the good news to fit what they thought, not what God was telling them through Paul. People were skipping out left and right when some men started to proclaim something more, perverted, wrenched and distorted from the simple devotion to Jesus Christ and the good news of His coming, His death, His burial and His resurrection…. Why is it always the case – people complicate the simplest of things. Religious people add and surmise and bring into the Bible and the Truth so many things that just take away from the fact that all have sinned, all fall short, all need saved, and those that call on the name of Jesus will be saved.

I have been reading and studying other denomination’s and cult’s material that they add to the Bible, as equally authoritative. You wouldn’t believe, and I hope you never do, the crazy things they claim about Jesus who they think He is – things Jesus never would have said or it never would have entered His mind.

One false-work states that Father God was once a man and became a God. Another stated that Jesus’ body and blood are literally present in the bread and the wine. Others state we will one day become god’s and goddess’s just like the Father… co-creators of our own worlds and planets.

I read of rituals for “sealing” forever marriages, and baptisms for the dead, Michael the archangel became Adam, and ordinances of special endowments to be priests and vows and the list goes on…. None of which are in the Word of God.

Yet, by the thousands, and millions – people that once turned to Jesus turned to these extras, these twisted “prophetic” revelations that supersede Jesus’ Words. Many have claimed “angels” came and showed them golden tablets in the 1800’s, others in the 1900’s claimed God is an alien, even another claims they got “angelic” messages regarding moon rocks, and today – the legalists claim they are better Christians because they adhere to the laws of Moses, and still others claim you cannot eat certain foods, marry those not approved by the hierarchy or outside their denomination, some consider their denomination or cult like organization the true restored church, and all others between the 1st century until 18th century are apostate. Even one says they are the mother church. Today we have one claiming angel feathers fall on them and gold dust does too, as they worship.

Paul was right – people follow “their Jesus” – and others exploit that! I was pondering a question asked, regarding working with or interacting with the types of individuals Paul described – here is question: What would Jesus say to them about what they think about Him, and about those who compromise to please men rather than God?

How about you? What would Jesus say about what you believe about Him? Does it line up with what He says about who He is? And how much do you compromise to please men rather than God?

Pastor’s Pen by Pastor D.L. Barnett

Posted on Aug 1, 2025 in BLOG |

Yep – we are in the full swing of summer…. heat,
humidity, storms, rain and repeat. Many are in vacation
mode and looking forward to much needed rest, but as
you know with vacations – preparation and planning,
traveling and coming home all take a toll. This time of
year, I always think of the day ahead when we all are
gathered together with Jesus, and the realization of all
the heat of work, the humidity of heart, the storms of
life, the raining downpours of low points, and the
repeating cycle of ups and many downs.
I want to give you all the word of encouragement the
LORD gives me each summer, when the vacation time
seems to take forever to get there and the saying “I
need a vacation from vacation” is real!
Too many times, we feel the guilt of rest. It is difficult
for us to be still, to rest, and not feel bad about it,
because of the fallacy of believing a busy person makes
one valuable. BUT – that is not God given guilt, it is a
satanic attack!
Think about it – at least for me, when I take time away,
it takes me two or three days to declutter my thoughts
and just enjoy the “going up to mountain” moment I
have before me, after travel and the vacation
destination is reached. Without fail invading concerns
and yes worries about what I am going to come home
to, preoccupy me. Almost like I feel I can’t let them go
or everything will fall apart.
Maybe it’s a prideful thing, or a savior complex, or just
the reality of this life on earth, but it robs me of rest,
relaxation, and refreshing. I know it is cliché’, but hey –
the LORD did say through Peter, “stay casting ALL your
anxieties (distractions soliciting your attention, cares,
disunited thoughts) on Him, because He cares for you”.
Jesus Himself after ministering daily “And after he had
dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by
himself to pray. When evening came, he was there
alone.” “And after he had taken leave of them, he went
up on the mountain to pray.”
If even Jesus took time to rest, pray, be away – and
never sinned, there can be no sin in taking time away….
So, this encouraged me to not feel guilty about setting
things down and aside in the proper times.

BUT, are we to remain at rest, never re-engaging, to have life
of ease, pain-free, not at work, not serving? NO, a thousand
times NO!! Too much time away – one gets used to being idle,
slothful, lazy, unproductive…. Didn’t Jesus say, “I chose you
and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that
your fruit should abide”? And doesn’t His Word say through
Paul “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for
good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should
walk in them.” And not to mention “For we hear that some
among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but
busybodies”, “that if any would not work, neither should he
eat.”
This to encouraged me – after the vacation get back to the
vocation. We are told to rest, and we are told to work.
Nowhere does it say we are to remain on permanent vacation
on this side of heaven.
What are the common areas people seem to take “permanent
vacations”? That’s easy – it is usually not from a job when they
need money, though that seems to be rising these days…. It is
often from serving, giving, ministering. It is rarely from hobbies
and habits; but rather of the very works God has for us that
produce fruit, that are spiritually productive, and most often it
is from knowing what God wants us busy about not what keeps
us to busy and distracted from the things of God and even
sometimes from God Himself.
Anway, remember – take your rest when God says and it is
needed; BUT don’t forget get back to work when God says and
it is needed.
Learning to Vacation so I can Bless in Vocation,
Much Love and Prayer,

Time ~ By Ann Krause, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

Posted on Jul 3, 2025 in BLOG |

Focus…yes, I need to…squirrel! What was I doing? No, I have to do this instead…I’ll be her in a minute. When I have time – if I have time…I’ll think about it…not today but maybe later…as soon as I finish this, I’ll come help…I’ll get there as soon as I can…

Time – how many times each day do we mention time, or our lack of, or the quickness in which is passes or how much we have to do within the time limitations we have? And on and on….

When we are young, our time passages are related to events that occur at certain times – Christmas, the weekend, the summer, the start and end of school, our birthday…but as we age, and more time passes, those markers of time change: our children sleeping through the night changes to us not sleeping until they get home; their first day of school changes to graduating to adulthood and managing themselves; find a job that can comfortably support a family to retiring and being able to support a comfortable life.

The amount of time in each day, month and year never changes – just our focus for that time – whether outward or inward, forward or reviewing – we have what we have, and what our Lord ordains.

So…now that we have our allotted time, just what are your plans to utilize that time? To whom will you focus your time? To what will your efforts of time be used for? Where will you spend your time? Why have you chosen what you have chosen to expend you time on?

Some key scriptural principles:

Prioritize God’s will – Matthew 6:33

Be mindful of time – manage it well – Ephesians 5:15-16

Live intentionally – Psalms 90:12

Recognize God’s sovereignty – Psalms 31:15

Avoid worry – Matthew 6:34

Utilize time effectively – Colossians 4:5

Serve God with diligence – Proverbs 16:3

Practice Godliness – 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Lord, God, thank You for each moment of each day. Help me to utilize my time to best serve Your plans in my life. Help me to take time to listen to Your leading and to work to follow Your call. May I be generous with my time to others in need and gracious as I tend to needs before me. Help me not to rush through my tasks, but to rejoice in the opportunity and ability to perform those tasks. Thank You, Lord, for the time You have given to me today, now, at this moment. Amen

Spiritual Ministry Team Newsletter By Mitchell Jenkins

Posted on May 23, 2025 in BLOG |

We should strive, in our Christian life, to reach a point where we share the happiness of God, regardless of our
circumstances – whether good or even tragic. We can have an inner peace and happiness based on our
knowledge and wisdom of what God has for us both now and in eternity. So, whatever our circumstances are,
we have a full realization that it’s in His plan and He has it well in hand.

God has giving us many promises in the Scriptures starting with John 3:16 – “for God still love the world. They
gave his own only begotten son that whom believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Those promises go beyond that which, in our finite minds, can claim such as: “all things were together for
good for those who love God and those who were called according to his purpose” found in Romans
8:28. These are not empty promises, as they are from His character / essence, that is His omniscience (allknowing), omnipresence (all present), omnipotence (all powerful), absolute justice, and righteousness, immutability (unchangingness), veracity (truthfulness and truth), and love. God cannot tell lies, cannot tell halftruths: everything that’s in the His Word (Scripture) is an absolute.

We quite often claim one of the hundreds of promises that’s in the Scripture without fully grasping the wonderful power behind it…. But if we are as a song says, “standing on the promises of Christ, our Lord” daily, we
can achieve that higher level of happiness that we seek.

Pastor’s Pen by Pastor D.L. Barnett

Posted on May 16, 2025 in BLOG |

OK – so I heard a statement this week…. It really got me to thinking, honestly it made me think about how I think. The
statement was made in light of hearing a fellow pastor expound upon his study the following passage of Scripture:

So, Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness
overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.” (John 12:35)

The statement he made was this: “too often Christians curse the dark, rather than shine the light”…. He then quoted
the following saying: “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness”. This quote has been attributed to
Eleanor Roosevelt, Confucious, John F. Kennedy, and several others.

Roman 13:11-12 says “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now, is our
salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the
works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light.”

And Jesus said, as recorded in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be
hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In
the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your
Father who is in heaven.”

Well, like I said, I got to thinking about my thinking regarding light and dark, each of their respective powers, and
whether or not Christian are more dark oriented than light illuminating. What do I mean?

I am glad you asked!! By and large, we go around talking all about the darkness of the day, and rightfully so, but do we give as much attention to the light that expels that darkness? More than that, do we really live like the light of the world, like a bright city on a hill, or do we hide ourselves under a basket by living in or with the darkness that needs expelled?

What I am getting at is – do we talk too much and not walk enough? Do we curse about the darkness and do nothing
to bring the light into it? Do we shine a dark light or a bright light? It is so easy to point out the darkness in others,
and the darkness around us, that we forget our darkness emanates too. Before I go onto another point, I want to
make a challenging request…. For one week, rather than scourer the news and the happenings for the darkness that
is so readily noticeable – look for what God is doing in the midst of it…. And the second part of that challenge, take
the time to assess your own talk and walk, asking “what AM I showing the world around me…. the light or the dark?”
I am reminded of the dark Pharisee and the light sinner in Luke 18:10-14:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by
himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like
this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God,
be merciful to me, a sinner!’

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Even in prayer, the dark Pharisee noticed the sinner’s sins more than his own. In today’s language it would be “I know
I have my issues and my sins, BUT that isn’t the only side to this” or “I am the first to admit I got my sins, BUT….” or it
comes out as one has done nothing as bad as the others and I have done so much good compared to others…
However, on the right side of things, the truly repentant light sinner only recognized his own sins before God – no
excuses, no self-justifications, no shifting the blame, but just the shame and ownership of his own sin and a plea for
the mercy of God on his soul….

This is stepping into the light…. Ownership, despite anyone else’s involvement< no pity party, no self-preservation, or
making less of the sin, no trying to keep it quiet – just simple straight forward, I have sinned… God have mercy please….

Now, the second point, the Bible does tell us “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things
the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time
you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that
is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:6-14)

This means people use empty, false, masked words and build partnerships with the same ilk…. And God considers this
disobedience and it makes Him angry enough to bring down the wrath. If you’re a believer, you used to walk and talk in
darkness, but as a believer it is unbecoming and should no longer be part of your life, nor should we be taking part in
those dark things anymore. Rather we should not cover them up, but tell the truth and share the issue and problem, or
expose the fake and phony that wants it to remain hidden so they can stay indulging in it, while putting on the façade of
faith… In fact, it says people do disgusting things in secret – we should not have hidden secret sins, they are the shameful
proverbial skeletons in the closet that need removed. So, if your serious about following Christ, it is high time to wake
up! Quit sleeping in sinful spiritual slumber and let Christ’s light shine on you to reveal the darkness so it can be eradicated and expelled! Of course this is the amplified Barnett paraphrase commentary, but I think it sheds the light, yes pun intended, on the dark situation and hearts at hand.

What can you do next – if the LORD has been exposing you, be honest, humble yourself, don’t hide or pretend anymore,
mercy is found for the honest sinner not the self-righteous man.

There are extraordinary promises from the LORD for those with enough integrity really tell the truth and deal with the
darkness…. His Word is that “He will humble the prideful and exalt the humble”.

In this day of darkness, for the world, for our nation, for us individually, it is time to let the light expose the reality of our
walk and talk. If the light of the fire of revival is to ever burn bright, we must let the LORD consume us and ignite our
hearts. Let Jesus burn away the chaff and stubble of our lives and refine the gold and silver He has made us to be….

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If
we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in
the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all
sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a
liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10)

How to Start a Conversation with Someone About the Gospel by Mitch Jenkins, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

Posted on Apr 25, 2025 in BLOG |

Have you ever wondered “man, how can I share Jesus with this person” in your mind, right when you’re in the middle of having a good conversation with someone, and you feel that “nudge” from God to tell them about the gospel?

Well – to get started, let me share with you a simplified version of the Gospel:

God’s Word tells us that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins”. So, God sent His Son, born of a woman by the Holy Spirit, whose name was called Jesus to shed His own blood for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins. He grew up from a boy, into a young man, and into an adult – and never sinned! He went about doing the things God wanted Him to do – healing people of diseases, delivering them from demons, performing miracles and many signs. The religious leaders of that time hated Jesus and wanted Him dead. Romans ruled during Jesus’ times, and those religious leaders stirred up the people against Jesus, convincing them to crucify Him on the cross. After He died on the cross – Jesus was laid in a tomb (the grave) and three days later He rose from the dead – never seeing decay. This act conquered sin, death, the devil and his demons. It also showed that God, through Jesus, offers us forgiveness, eternal life and we can have a new life, being born again, placing our trust and belief in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. There were many witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, and several other people came back to life when He rose from the dead. He hung around for about forty days – eating and talking with the disciples and others. Then He ascended to heaven in the clouds, but not before telling them He would one day return to take the disciples and future believers back with Him to heaven to be with God the Father.

So – how do you start a conversation about this? How do you bring Jesus into the talks you have with the people around you?

Sure, we are already pretty good at having discussions about the weather, sports, fishing, hunting, our likes or dislikes, and around here – farming.

Well – take the same relaxed posture and talkative demeanor. While, as Christians we know the Bible contains the truths that are needed for people to hear the Lord, it is not always the first thing to throw out there. You have to get around to the Scriptures of course but remember at this point it is not an in-depth Bible Study you’re having – it is sharing what you know about Jesus, His Word’s impact on your life and your testimony – that is the story of how you came to become a Christian and believe in Jesus.

Here are three questions you can ask that will get the conversation moving towards sharing the Gospel and what God’s Word says that go beyond superficial or just life-on-earth things:

Question #1: Why are you here and what is your purpose here on earth?
Some will have some kind of an answer like: to be happy, to be good, to make a living, to have a family, etc… some won’t be able to give an answer at all….

Question #2: How did you get here? How did we get here?
Again, some answers you may hear are: my mother had me, I was born, we evolved, something had to make all this and us….

Question #3: What is going to happen when you die and leave this planet?
You know – they say “hands-on” learning is the best way to get good or gain knowledge or ability to do something and retain what you learned in the experience. So, practice, ask the questions, start interjecting them into the conversations you have with people. It may take a few times before you are comfortable with it or get it down…. You may even be rejected a few times, but don’t give up! Eventually you will spark the heart and mind of a person to think about Jesus.

If you never noticed before, look at Jesus’ interactions with people as recording in the Bible – He asked a question, and then often replied to their answers with another question, or He told them a parable (a story or true account with a spiritual meaning or lesson). Follow His example. And don’t forget that people hear and become saved through Gospel by our sharing our testimonies, the truths of God’s Word, and knowing about the blood of Jesus shed.

Romans 10:13-17 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Pastor’s Pen

Posted on Apr 10, 2025 in BLOG |

WHAT DO YOU TREASURE?

At the risk of coming off as a pirate hiding his treasure, making a map so they can find it again, or for their successors to…. I ask this question: what do you treasure?

I can tell you, not only from experience and observation, but also from the Word of God – we as people, individually and congregationally, tell everyone around us exactly what we treasure by what we talk about, what we invest in, what we do, what we prioritize. Each of us displays our treasure without even saying a word at times and by how we use our time, talents. It shows exactly what we are treasuring.

Look at the following passages:
Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So, let’s dig these verses apart:

Good used here means beneficial, and is directly related to being properly beautiful, valuable, virtuous, honest.

Stored used here means placed in deposit of wealth figuratively as treasured.

Overflow used here means a surplus, superabundance.

Speaks used here means to talk, utter words, preach, tell.

Jesus is teaching us that what our heart contains will ooze out of us in our conversations and what we are prioritizing in our lives.

There is a serious lesson for us to take away, actually – a few of them:
1) What you set your heart upon is your treasure, and it is what you will work for and towards
2) What you treasure you prioritize, so take an inventory of what you spend your time on, what you put first, and what you don’t will help you discern what is most important….
3) When it comes to the LORD, when it comes to Church, when it comes to Family, when it comes to Work, when it comes to Money, When it comes to Possessions, When it comes to People, When it comes to Pleasures…. which occupies most of your time, talent and treasure? This will tell you what is in your heart and what is most important to you, or more over who is most important to you…. of course, this does not mean, when it comes to making a living, as many need to put much time in, but it is wise to take stock of how much of your life is balanced or out of balance.
4) It is easy to make excuses, or put off something or someone – or to even notice what others prioritize, but let’s be honest, how many of us do any one of these three things and never take the time to really assess our own heart’s treasures and priorities?
5) Look at your investments – money, time, people, work, church, family, your relationship with Jesus, etc…. which one usually gets the short end of the stick? Which one gets the most attention? What are you most involved in?
6) How many of us make it hard or hinder, help or make it easier for others to prioritize the right things or more important things? I mean – do we serve one another in a way that makes it possible for those around us to prioritize the right things in the right order? Or do we throw more on others, leaving them with not enough time or energy to prioritize the right things?

OK, so hearts, treasure – all that said…. I would like to touch on a nerve a bit. Everyone knows the family is under attack right now. Everyone sees the devastation it is bringing to the next generation. We think doing more benefits our family, rather than making them more. I wonder if we have gotten so out of balance with life stuff, that the life we have is run ragged and our loved ones are suffering because we have our own personal treasures placed ahead of them, expectations of what they should treasure but we don’t consider what we treasure may need changed, or we are teaching them by example what to treasure that should not be one’s top priority as a follower of Christ that should treasure Him above all things.

Treasure Jesus Along with You,

Pastor Daren

Spiritual Ministry Letter by Team member, Sharon Fowler

Posted on Mar 28, 2025 in BLOG |

The following story helps us to understand what it means to call Christ our Savior. It is adapted from a story frequently told by Dr. R.G. Lee, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and long-time pastor of a large and influential church in Memphis, Tennessee.

A century ago in a backwater village deep in the mountains of Virginia, there was a community school consisting of a single room. Students of all grades attended the school, mostly the children of mining or logging families. The older boys, raised to survive the hardscrabble life of the mountains, were tough and mean-spirited. No teacher at the school had lasted more than two months – some only a few days – because these boys took great pride in their ability to run off every teacher daring or naïve enough to take the job.

Shortly after yet another teacher had left, a young man, fresh out of teachers college, applied for the job. The moment he
walked into the office for an interview, the director took pity on him. He did not want this young, green teacher to face impossible odds and end his first teaching assignment in discouragement.

“I frankly advise you not to take this job,” said the director. “You have no idea what you’ll be up against. We’ve never had a teacher last more than two months – not even the most experienced. You will likely take an awful beating because you are so young.”

“I do appreciate the warning, sir,” replied the teacher, “but I need the job and I’m willing to take the risk.”

The director sighed deeply and hired him.

The next morning, the young teacher sat at his desk watching the students as they came into the classroom. Several of the
boys gathered at the back before they took their seats. It was clear to the teacher that their leader was the biggest and obviously the oldest boy. “Big Tom” they called him – the bully of the class. The boys were talking in low tones among themselves, looking often toward the teacher. Finally, Big Tom said, deliberately loud enough for the teacher to overhear, “I don’t need no help on this one. When I get done with him, he won’t dare set foot in this classroom again.”

When All the students were seated, the teacher rose and said, “Good morning. I’m Mr. Wilson, your new teacher. I can’t teach without rules. So I want you to help me make the rules. Tell me what rules you think we ought to have and I will list them on the blackboard.”

The class had never been asked to participate in establishing order and Big Tom didn’t know what to make of it. He decided to wait and see how it all came out before he put the screws on the new teacher.

“No stealin’,” called out a student.

Mr. Wilson wrote the rule on the blackboard.

“No bein’ late,” cried another, “No lyin’,” rang out a third voice.

The students began to get into the swing of things and soon Mr. Wilson had ten rules on the board.

“This looks like a good set of rules,” he said. “They are your own rules, so do all of you agree to them?”

“Sure, we agree to them,” the class replied, snickering and looking slyly at one another.

“Okay,” continued Mr. Wilson. “Rules can’t be enforced without penalties for breaking them. What penalty should we impose if a rule is broken?”

Big Tom spoke up, “Whoever breaks a rule gets ten licks across his bare back.” Making a tough rule bolstered his pugnacious reputation.

Mr. Wilson thought the penalty was too severe. “Does everyone agree to this penalty?”, he asked. No one dared counter Big Tom and since the teacher had put the rule – making process into the students’ hands, he felt he had to let the penalty stand. “Very will. Ten licks it will be.”

Big Tom’s involvement in the process made him feel big enough that he didn’t bother Mr. Wilson that day. Class resumed the next morning and went smoothly until the noon bell was about to ring. Big Tom’s voice boomed out, “Somebody stole my lunch!”

“Keep your seats class,” said the teacher. “No one eats until we find out who stole Tom’s lunch.” He questioned each member of the class, one by one, and all denied committing the theft. But finally, a little 10 year old boy wearing a worn-out coat wailed, “I done it! It was me. I was so hungry I couldn’t help myself. I am sorry!”

Mr. Wilson’s heart sank. “Jimmy, you know the rule. I have to give you 10 licks across your back. Take off your coat.”

“Oh teacher, please!”, Jimmy begged. “Do whatever you got to do, but don’t make me take off my coat.”

But the teacher was firm and the boy slowly began to unbutton his coat as tears streamed down his cheeks. He was wearing no shirt. There was nothing on his thin upper body but the suspenders holding up his pants.

Mr. Wilson faced a hard dilemma. How can I possibly whip this poor child, he thought. But, if I don’t, I will forever lose control of this class. He stalled and asked, “Jimmy, why didn’t you wear a shirt today?”

“It’s ‘cause mom’s been real poor since dad got killed in the mine. I only got one shirt. On wash day mom washes it and I have to wear my brother’s coat. I’ll get my shirt back tomorrow.”

It was all Mr. Wilson could do to make himself pickup the paddle. He turned Jimmy’s scrawny back to him, lifted the paddle and hesitated, trying to work up the courage to administer the punishment.

Suddenly Big Tom jumped up and cried, “Don’t do it Mr. Wilson. I wanna take Jimmy’s lickin’ for him.” He walked quickly to the front of the classroom, stripping off his shirt as he went.

The teacher nodded, handed Jimmy his coat and stood Big Tom in his place. As he administered the strokes, he realized that every child in the room was crying – little Jimmy most of all. Suddenly the boy ran to Big Tom, threw his thin arms around his neck and clung to him.

“Oh Tom,” Jimmy cried, “I’m so sorry I stole your lunch. I hate that I done this to you. But I want you to know that I’ll love you till my dyin’ day for takin’ the lickin’ I should’ve got.”

The hearts of those boys were broken forever. Big Tom had become little Jimmy’s savior.

This story is a picture of what it means to call Jesus our Savior. All of us have broken the rules and we deserve the prescribed punishment, which, in our case, is death. But Jesus looked on us frail, fallen creatures and could not stand to see us destroyed.

He loved us so much that He couldn’t bear the thought of spending eternity without us. So, He took off His coat, stretched His arms over the wooden bar of the cross and suffered the punishment of death that you and I deserve. He IS our Savior!

Jesus died for You. Every drop of His blood was shed for you! Every step, every humiliation, every strike, every whip, every mocking, every piercing nail…you were always on His mind.