Good morning!

Digging through old sermon notes. I was moved a few years ago by a sermon on the verses shared below. The sermon was powerful and so well done, I probably should just stay away from any commentary on this. But it was so good and so many things hit home for me. Here are the verses covered – most of you are familiar with Hebrews 11:1. All the verses of course are important to what God shares here in His word. After the verses I share some of my thoughts on the richness of what God shares with us in this part of scripture.
 
Hebrews 10:35-11:3
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For,
 
“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.”
 
And,
 
“But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.”
 
But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
 
(v11:1) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
 
V11:1 may be considered the essence of Christian faith – faith is filled with conviction and the belief in promises (assurance). How do you define faith? Many of us might define it as blind, unknowing, uncertain…but this piece of Hebrews suggest otherwise.
 
Some nuggets from the sermon. What is faith, what is Christian faith:

• Faith is - when it doesn’t go your way, knowing God is still with you
• Faith – is for something hoped for, but not yet seen – the something hoped for are the promises of God – promises that God has given us for our future –
  • That I will be made perfect in Christ (Hebrews 10:14)
  • I will have eternal life and be raised up on the last day (Ephesians 2:5-7 John 3:14-16 Romans 6:22-23)
  • I have a living hope – promised resurrection (1 Peter 1:3 John 11:24-26 Romans 6:5 Revelation 20:6)
  • I have salvation (Acts 4:11-13 Romans 1:16 Ephesians 1:13-14)
  • I am made a child of God (made like Him) (Romans 8:13-15 Galatians 3:25-27)
  • I will live in the new heaven, new earth (2 Peter 3:12-14 Revelation 21:1-3)
  • I have treasures stored in heaven (Matthew 6:18-20)
  • And many more…
• Faith is confidence in the future promises of God – because of the God who promises.
• Faith is future certainty because of Devine integrity

 
None of this might make any sense if you do not believe in God, the God of the Bible, the character of God that is shared with us. If I cannot trust God, if I do not believe in God’s integrity, how would I ever have faith…at least how would I ever have faith in the promises of God?
 
However, if I trust God (something I need to work on daily), all of God’s promises are true. If all of God’s promises are true, faith is not something uncertain at all.
 
Some implications of all of this as presented in the sermon and worth reading, worth considering (my comments included):

• Faith is based on facts. This is absolutely true in if you believe in the integrity of God, truth of His Word, the truth of His character.
• Faith in God is strengthen by the Word of God. The more I get to know God by studying the Bible, the more likely my faith in God will become deeper.
• Faith is not confidence in what God has not promised. Do not put words in God’s mouth. All of the promises above are spiritual and eternal promises. We often want to extend God’s promises to material things, to how life should be…these kinds of promises – the prosperity gospel – really are not part of God’s promises. Often we get mad when we or those close to us get sick or have troubles…God does not promise a perfect life – in fact Christ promised trouble in this world if we follow him. It doesn’t mean we do not pray for healing, health or a smooth path.
• Faith is confidence in what God said. So get to know what God has said. I love this implication – it points to the need to spend time with God, in prayer and most importantly in His Word.
• As Christians we have lots of evidence that should support our Christian faith –
  • Creation
  • Israel – a nation God established and is still here
  • Christ

 
I will leave you with this.
 
1 Corinthians 15:13-15

• If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.

 
Do you believe this? Any of the discussion above about faith – none of it matters if Christ was not resurrected.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that each of us praise God for knowing the truth of the Gospel – You, Jesus Christ, came for our salvation, suffered on our behalf, took our sins – past, present and future, to the Cross, died, conquered death and rose on the 3rd day and now sits at the right hand of God the Father! That each of us carries this faith. Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick




​

Good morning!

I was reading an article and a guy was quoted as saying, when asked why he was doing something, that he was “paying off his debt of grace” – at first when I read this expression it was like a tuning fork going off within me – it resonated with me as a thought worth exploring within scripture…the guy was referring to the gift of grace we have received through Jesus Christ, being justified and made righteous by the blood of our Savior.
 
Then I sat on this for a few days. I am no longer resonating with it as much as I did when I wrote this. A lot has changed since I first read the phrase on that Monday.

Maybe that changed my perspective. This is because the expression suggests somehow we could pay the debt Christ paid with His life, that we somehow earn our way to an eternal relationship with God.
 
Of course, it is true that faith without works is dead faith. But those works are fruits of the love we have for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Works born of the heart overflowing with the joy we receive as we accept the gift of mercy and grace.
 
This leads me to where this week a few years ago became surreal for me.
 
Tuesday of that week came.
 
An email from a cousin. My aunt, Sister Rosemary, had suddenly passed away earlier that day. Rosemary was my Mom’s sister, the 7th of the 11 siblings to pass away. She, as many of my Mom’s siblings, was special to me. I wear a cross daily, a gift three years ago from Rosemary because as she shared with me that she recognized Jesus Christ working in my life. I wear it daily, as a reminder two things – that my life is surrendered to Jesus Christ – my rebellion is over – and – that Jesus Christ did the work…I pray these words in some form back to Jesus every morning. In gratitude. Sister Rosemary gave her life to Christ when she entered the Convent. She understood the surrender to Christ part – and I am sure she understood there is no human effort that could ever pay off “our debt of grace”. Rosemary was a fighter. She survived (I am sure she would not have used the words “I won”) cancer twice. But she surely would have given God all the credit – for both times it looked like there was no hope. I would not be wearing this cross daily if God had not brought her though. There was no pride here, no I worked hard so God healed me with Rosemary. There was just this quiet and beautiful gratitude offered to God for His work in her life, including the work of providing the means (in and through Jesus Christ) of how we come back into right relationships with Him –God’s gift of mercy and grace.
 
As I wrote this originally, it was lent, leading up to Easter. I found this rambling set of thoughts most appropriate. Because any celebration of lent ultimately leads to the Cross and then the Resurrection of Jesus Christ – proof of God’s mercy and grace.
 
Tuesday of that week was a heavy day.
 
Later that day, a friend Andy came by. Andy and I had a friend who we served with on the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) leadership team. I knew Tom for the last five years, Andy longer. Tom was an elder in his church. His small BSF groups always had some of the highest attendance. He lived his faith in Jesus Christ daily. Tom knew deeply of God’s mercy and grace. Tuesday he dropped dead of a heart attack.
 
It did not end there. Paul, another friend, lost an aunt on that Tuesday. And another friend, Katie, lost a grandmother on that Tuesday. I not sure of where the aunt or grandmother stood with Christ. I pray they knew Him well.
 
Tuesday of that week was a good day.
 
A day for joy in this way. Rosemary, I am pretty certain, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tom Chamberlain came face to face with Christ as well. A good day. Joy in the sorrow.
 
Some passages on God’s mercy and grace for you to reflect on if you so choose. After a week like that one, after a day like Tuesday several years ago, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to remember this gift through these verses:

• John 1:16-17
• Romans 3:23-25
• Romans 5:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 1:3-5
• Ephesians 1:3-11
• Ephesians 2:1-10
• Ephesians 4:1-7
• 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
• 2 Timothy 1:8-10
• Hebrews 2:9-10

 
I am sure I am missing some scripture that is worthwhile to ponder but if this stirs you in some way, I recommend you spend some time in God’s Word, letting Him speak to you.

All of this should remind us - there is no debt to pay off for the mercy and grace we have received, when Jesus called us to himself. Jesus paid in full, did all the work... Our response should be to let the Holy Spirit generate fruit of the love demonstrated to each us, love immense beyond our comprehension.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is all over the place – that each of us knows the truth of God that He has numbered our days and wisely use the days we are given to glorify God in all we do – that we share the seeds of the Gospel so God can bring others His mercy and grace through you, Jesus Christ – and finally, in our losses of family or friends who we know are in Christ, that in addition to the mourning we experience, we find the joy that comes with knowing they are HOME... Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick 

Good morning!

Measuring up.
 
How often do you get caught in the trap of whether you have jumped high enough or run fast enough or worked long enough or…<fill in the blank>?
 
Even today, in our work places and daily lives, we measure performance.
 
Does this leave you exhausted? Is this how your relationship with Jesus Christ looks? Pursuit of His love through performance to meet some sort of bar of perfection?
 
I know I have been and probably still will be guilty of that at times. God shares His truth about us and His love for us and gives us the right perspective in this passage below from Romans.
 

• Romans 3:21-26
• Righteousness Through Faith
• 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

 
Not one of us will measure up to the perfection that God requires of us – sounds bad right – but God knows that about us – so He provides the solution for us – the perfect sacrifice of atonement for us – Jesus Christ – and not just for Jews, but for us Gentiles as well. We become justified and right(eous) before God because of the blood of Christ – through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.
 
So no striving on our part to get salvation will bring us that – only faith in Christ, through which we receive God’s grace and mercy; we receive a repaired relationship with God. Even our faith is a work of God, as shared in the Gospel of John, God draws us to Christ (see John 6:44). God is calling out for us to return home to Him.
 
It is not that we shouldn’t work or measure that work or set goals. In James, we see that true faith leads to an outpouring of God’s love from us as fruit. Fruit is a result of faith.
 
However, the motivation for the work we do in the name of Jesus Christ should flow from the joy of knowing we received salvation by His hand alone and the desire to praise and glorify God.
 
Setting goals and measure helps us focus work, but it shouldn’t take over how we value ourselves – leaving us tired, frustrated or depressed. For if we truly get up every day to do our work, where ever that is, and we are focused on celebrating the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then we can rest in our title given from above – “children of God”. And know we perfect before God – through Jesus and His work.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is we find peace in God’s truth about each of us as His children and we put behind us trying to strive for His approval – for He has given us that approval – through the sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us let Your perfection reign in our lives! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

Often in scripture God exhorts His people to be strong, to be courageous, promising us that he will be present – for His people to trust Him and not be afraid. For example:
 

• “Be strong and courageous! God Himself will guide you and be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8

 
And - because of the sacrifice of Christ and His resurrection, because of His promise of the Helper, when we have received Jesus as Lord we have these promises for example:
 

• John 14:25-27 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

- Or-

• 1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

 
Each of us are in that unique place that God has placed us. We have challenges in our daily life and all that is going on around us. Things that make us afraid, anxious, unnerved, things that are painful and hurtful.
 
Of course, if you are like me, you might think that if I am in the right place, things will be easy and simple…and we know that is far from the case.
 
Here we can see in the old testament, the promise of God the Father walking with us, guiding us as we live in this world encountering the challenges that entails…And then we see this promise of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior, which is that He will walk with us through the Holy Spirit, giving us His strength and presence – providing strength we do not have in of ourselves that we might walk as light to those around us – and we can do this without fear and with His courage, a gift of the Spirit within us.
 
Be humble, yet stand tall in Christ and God will be with you.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that as the world closes in on us, as we face daily difficulties and pains, that in it all, we know your strength and courage that we receive through the presence of the Holy Spirit within us – and there we find the peace You promise us! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!
 
I ran across this somewhere in my past. Rereading it today, I realized how much my heart and soul needed God's reassurance of His love for me, you, His Bride, and the church.

I have been sick lately and what the cause is, is uncertain. However, Jesus presence through the Holy Spirit has been certain and firm. His love never wavering.

As we move towards the second half of 2026, we walk expectantly and with hope that only comes through knowing Jesus Christ into this final part of this year, it seemed appropriate that we are reminded that when we truly believe in Jesus and proclaim His name, that in our rebirth as children of God, scripture has a lot to say about who we become, who we are in Christ and the depth of His love for each one of us...

…read and cherish the love you have found in Christ:
 
Freedom Prayer - Who I am in Christ
“The Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” 2 Cor 3:17
 
Freedom comes when we continue to walk in the Truth of who our identity and sense of worth comes through who we are in Christ. Daily we are to renew our minds with the Truth that our acceptance, security, and significance are in Jesus alone. Meditate on the following truths daily. Try reading the entire list aloud, morning, and evening for the next several days. Think about what you are reading and let your ears rejoice in these truths!
 
I am Accepted in Christ -
I renounce the lie that I am rejected, unloved, dirty, or shameful because in Christ, the truth is that I am completely accepted. God says that:

John 1:12
I am God's child

John 15:15
I am Christ's friend

Romans 5:1
I have been justified

1 Cor 6:17
I am united with the Lord and one with Him in spirit

1 Cor 6:20
I have been bought with a price, I belong to God

1 Cor 12:27
I am a member of Christ's body

Ephesians 1:1
I am a saint

Ephesians 1:5
I have been adopted as God's child

Ephesians 2:18
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit

Colossians 1:14
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins

Colossians 2:10
I am complete in Christ

I am Secure in Christ -
I renounce the lie that I am guilty, unprotected, alone, or abandoned, because in Christ I am totally secure. God says that:

Romans 8:1-2
I am free forever from condemnation

Romans 8:28
I am assured that all things work together for good

Rom 8:33-34
I am free from any condemning charges against me

Romans 8:35
I cannot be separated from the love of God

2 Cor 1:21
I have been established anointed and sealed by God

Colossians 3:3
I am hidden with Christ in God

Philippians 1:6
I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected

Phil 3:20
I am a citizen of heaven

2 Timothy 1:7
I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power love and a sound mind

Hebrews 4:16
I can find grace and mercy in time of need

1 John 5:18
I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me

 What Jesus did on the Cross is so much more than we can fathom - His work has made it possible for us to participate with Him in building the Kingdom. Let this understanding cause you to look to Jesus daily for someone and someway you can glorify Him as you sweetly obey Him and follow Him.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that we never forget You and who we have become as Your followers. In this mid-year reflection, let us shine the light we have been given by You, Lord Jesus and be Your salt in our relationships with others! Amen!
 
Happy New Year! Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

A few years ago , our new lead pastor at the time was doing a 16-week sermon series on Philippians called Christ is Life. At the time, one of his sermons was on the following verses and the sermon and these verses have left me in frequent thought about my faith – the maturity and depth of my faith.
 
Philippians 1:19-26 To Live Is Christ

• Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

 
Paul is writing from prison in Rome an those he wrote to were mainly Gentiles and he is sharing his heart for them, and his appreciation of them. In this section of scripture Paul gets very personal about his faith. This led me to consider my faith and where my relationship with Jesus sits right now.
 
Paul says: To live is Christ and to die is gain -à to be able to say this (for Paul to say this) shows a depth of faith, a maturity – what is Paul saying here? He answers some of that in verse 22 – if I live, that means I have fruitful labor (sharing the good news of the gospel). So he finds joy in that thought. But in verse 21 he also shares “to die is gain”. In verse 23 he explains this further – my desire is to depart, to be with Christ, for that is far better. Although at the beginning of verse 23 he says that he is hard pressed between life and death he concludes verse 23 with dying to be with Christ would be far better.
 
But Paul is not done – he recognizes that the call Jesus put on his life is more important that his desires and that his call to minister to these Philippians is absolutely necessary – as this would be obedience to his Savior, Jesus – see verse 24-26. Paul is finding his joy and working for their growth in faith and their joy in Christ so that Jesus will be glorified.
 
A point our pastor made that was important is that God is not only worried about our destination (by faith in Jesus, salvation) but also about our journey home to Him. Paul had faith the moment he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus but now in this letter we see his journey has brought Paul to deep and mature faith where he can actually say “To live is Christ and to die is gain” and actually mean it – where he has joy in Christ no matter what happens to him – and is happy to be obedient to Christ for the sake of others, in this case the Philippians.
 
Paul is keeping it real and in doing so let’s the Philippians know he is there for them, that he chooses them rather than death which would reunite him to Christ.
 
Is my faith this deep? How mature is my faith? Am I able to say this with confidence? And am I ready to declare my desire to stay to minister to others (to strengthen their faith) rather than to go home to Christ?
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that even if we know that for us it is better to be home with You, that we choose to build up the faith of others in You for as long as you give us breath and life to live in the here and now! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!
 
I reached all the way back to December of 2013 and found this verse on one of the Bummer Buster blogs I wrote and shared at that time.
 
Romans 8:38-39

• And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 
Back then, I did not have much commentary on what I shared – it was more like “verse(s) of the day”.

Today, just before writing this, Kathy and I were witnesses to a horrific motorcycle accident where a young man of 20 almost lost his life, crashing in front of us as we were driving down a mountain in northeastern Georgia. 

I treasure God's Word because He shares that he will use all things to His glory. The treasure in this tragedy was that Kathy and I got to pray and provide comfort to the young man Eli who almost lost his life - we were able to pray for him and the friends who he was riding with, in Jesus name, sharing that real life, eternal life, real peace comes from our Savior not from the world. 

Only God could put us in that position.
 
I find it interesting that these two particular verses come shortly after a verse we all know well – Romans 8:28 - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”. What a beautiful verse to cherish and consider in our hearts - as a treasure. In the light of the accident, this ve.se speaks even louder - God by His hand and His sovereignty, placed us Jesus followers in the middle of His work in the life of these young men who were experiencing a tragic accident - God uses all of that for good.

My heart hurts because of this tragedy but also leaps for joy to know that God is doing what only God can do - provide people glimpses into His presence, His light and goodness in extremely difficult circumstances.
 
This reminds me of the times in the Gospels where we hear about Mary treasuring (see Luke 2:19) certain things about Jesus in her heart. We should certainly treasure that we have all of God’s Word to treasure, but there are certain verses in scripture that might cause us to pause and treasure. 

This accident only underlines the need to treasure God's Word, especially these verses
 
There is so much encouragement from Paul in Romans and specifically in chapter 8…Paul talks about believers having life in the Spirit, our being Heirs with Christ, that future glory is ours in eternity and that we have God’s everlasting love…all to reach those who need to know Him and to fill with hope for those who know Jesus or who are just being introduced to Him.
 
But going back to the two these two verses (8:38-39), Paul shares something that should be leaving us breathless and with the knowledge of the priceless treasure we receive when Christ becomes our Lord. Nothing can separate us from the love of God – not death, not life, not angels, not demons, not our fear or worries, not the power of hell, no earthly powers – Nothing!! If we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior, nothing will be able to create a barrier between us and God’s love. Love so deep to be beyond full comprehension in the present time. Yet we have witnessed that love – as it was and is and will be revealed to each of us through Christ Jesus our Lord! The exclamation point God put on that revelation was through the suffering and death on the Cross of Lord Jesus followed up by His resurrection from the dead.
 
Hold on fast to these verses because they clearly speak to God’s never ending love that is stopped by nothing but will always be able to reach us!

And for the young men, not just Eli who was seriously injured in the accident, but also his friends, I pray they find Jesus through all of this and they too are left breathless in the joy of hope they would have in Jesus.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that hold your hope and love, that Paul shared with us in these verses, hold it close to us within our hearts and minds, with the understanding it can never be taken away from us – and represents the hope we live for, our own resurrection that will reunite us with You! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick
​

Good morning!

Humility as the foundation for true Christ-centered relationships

Philippians 2 is one my favorite chapters in scripture specifically verses 1-8. It captures the heart of God's love for humanity...
 
Philippians 2:1-8
Imitating Christ’s Humility

• Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, hen make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

 
Humility – definition - the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people: the quality or state of being humble. I have heard others give a Biblical take on this definition - humility before God - thinking less of myself and thinking more of Jesus...

This word popped into my head during prayer recently – as it often does. I went to my handy note-pad to write it down. It has been on my heart in a few ways over the last few weeks. (It is funny that I first wrote about this word in 2016 yet here in 2026 this word has resurfaced and I am spending a lot of time contemplating what this looks like from a Christ-follower perspective…any thoughts?)
 
I think we all appreciate hearing kind words of encouragement, pats on the back for a job well done – all of this is good for a person’s mood and mind set; providing a sense of being loved both by those around us and by Christ.
 
However, for me there is danger – using that input to stoke my ego, using that information to take credit, taking those kind words and using them to put myself above others. Satan loves for us to fall into that trap. Taking the God given gift of positive encouragement and support and gratitude; the gift often shared in love to support one another, Satan turns it into selfishness, if we let him. (I think here in 2026, more than ever, we are seeing social pressures pushing us to hold ourselves up on pedestals rather than looking to serve others)
 
That is why I have come to love the word humble in all its forms. Remembering my relationship with God through Jesus Christ, that we have been called to share the good news and to serve others – that is being humble – using those gifts I received from God – those given in His creation of me, knitted in the womb and those given through the life He has given me to live – to do His will. When this is my mindset, when I step back from the brink of selfishness and remember who God made me (us) to be, there is warmth of His love to be had in having humility in our hearts for that makes us true servants.
 
HUMILITY THEN LEADS TO RELATIONSHIPS THAT HOLD VALUE – IN SOME SENSE “HOLY RELATIONSHIPS”, LIKE THE ONE WE HAVE WITH JESUS CHRIST AND GOD THE FATHER. 
 
Relationships - It is pretty clear that relationships are more important than anything else in our lives. It starts with the most important relationship we have – with God, specifically through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, through which our relationship with the Father has been saved – for eternity. We are called often in scripture to take this understanding into our relationships that are a part of this world – with our families, friends, those we encounter, even our enemies. Philippians 2:1-8 frames it so well – value each other above yourselves – have the same way of thinking about relationships with each other as Christ did…
 
This kind of thinking should become normal for us, especially if God has called you into a role that involves relational interactions with others. For those in other roles or in non-relational callings or in a secular role, this kind of relational perspective can be very challenging.
 
God has blessed me and continues to bless me by calling me into relational roles. God blesses those of you in other roles and yet this might be harder to see sometimes – I certainly have heard that from others who do not see their calling at all or view their callings as non-relational. However, His hand is the hand that created each connection, each relationship that led you and I to any relationship formed where God has placed us and that now becomes a part of the fabric of this season of our lives.
 
Humility laid the foundation for these holy relationships in Christ.
 
We are richer in our lives and in our lives in Christ, because God felt it was important that, for a little while, our lives connect (yes even through this blog) – even if it isn’t often, or is seemingly insignificant when we do interact or even if we never interact except for the fact that you are reading this..
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us today is that we know the truth of God’s desire for us to be humble in service and that we are able to share the warmth of that truth that has been created in our hearts with others, and I am grateful that for some of you, I at least a little about each of you. Yet also grateful for those who read this, but we do not know each other. And finally – is that WE remember always – relationships built in humility with each other and with other people can truly reflect You Lord, Your Light Jesus Christ. … Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

This last week has left me reflecting about relationships, about other brothers and sisters providing spiritual support through prayer for us when we face a hard circumstance, the lifting up of our life that happens as a result of that support and how it represents a) acts of love; b) a demonstration of humility; c) a visible expression of people lowering themselves in service to another; and d) people placing trust in God as shown through their belief that praying for others to our Lord and Savior leads to answered prayer…
 
I love scripture that focuses the reader on how Jesus lowered himself, holding others higher than himself – here are some verses that share that perspective:
 
Matthew 20:25–28

• But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Mark 10:42–45

• And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

 

John 13:14–15

• If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

 

Philippians 2:3-8

• Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!

 
Every time I read these pieces of scripture the more I am convicted of the fact that our love shines when we get low, when we become servants, when we give instead of take. Each of us leads in some way in our lives and every time I read this scripture I am convicted that these words provide really wise counsel – could be said – perfect counsel to us as we lead others.
 
The following thoughts are based on a blog call “True Leadership Is Sacrifice, Not Privilege” by David Mathis. One of the key ideas he posits is that we should “empty themselves [read ‘ourselves’] for the good of others.” Every day at various Christian non-profit organizations and churches, that is much of what they are trying to do in order that their volunteers, donors, partners and the ones served – that good is being done – filling them up them hopefully in body and spirit. Whether we work at a Christian non-profit or elsewhere, Christ’s light can shine if we empty ourselves. So as we are leaders – in a sense we all are that regardless of the role we play – we should understand what that looks like as a follower of Christ. So David, in his blog, observes:

• “Christian leadership — in the home, the church, and elsewhere — is not for those clawing for honor and recognition, but for those most ready to fall to their knees and be inconvenienced by the needs of others. They are those who, in a sense, have their house sufficiently in order to be able to turn their attention to serving others. Instead of pursuing their own immediate benefit, they are willing to sacrifice for others’ benefit.”

 
Like the Son of Man, we lead not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). We die to self so that others might live.
 
It may sound strange as I pull these thoughts together, but the very act of many who paused in their busy lives and offer their prayers for others at the drop of a hat, are manifesting the kind of leadership spoken of in the article and in scripture.
 
This brings me back around to relationships.
 
Most likely, relationships are more important than anything else in our lives. It starts with the most important relationship we have – with God, specifically through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, through which our relationship with the Father has been saved – for eternity. We are called often in scripture to take this understanding into our relationships that are a part of this world.
 
Philippians 2:3-8 frames it so well – value each other above yourselves – have the same way of thinking about relationships with each other as Christ did…
 
This kind of thinking should become normal for us, and especially those of us who claim to know Jesus Christ – with knowledge comes responsibility.

For me I am feeling especially cognizant of this today as I have been served – served in prayer by so many. This was God present in my circumstances over the last week, this was my miracle - not the news from a medical test I had recently –although good, it could have been bad - it is that people cared, demonstrated love.
 
That is something God would recognize as love for Him, not just for the person being prayed for.
 
So I desire to value each person I meet, each child I meet above myself – in the same way Christ and therefore our Father loves and cares for them. I have a long way to go. But Jesus Christ has transformed me, so I will carry that love and joy in the living of my life.
 
In closing, I am made richer in my life, my life in Christ, because God makes relationships important, so it is important that for a little while your life and my life connect – even if it isn’t often, or seemingly significant when we do interact through your reading this blog.

And every week, it is especially important to me, and I believe to God, that some may pause, read these words, offer a prayer for anyone and any need, because God’s love was shared in that action.
 
Lord Jesus, lifting up my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend – that prayer is that that each of our hearts and eyes are open – and willing – to see opportunities to become more Christ like in every relationship and interaction, sharing love of Jesus by humbling ourselves in relationship and service and prayer to others. Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick
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Good morning!
 
In Bible Study Fellowship a few years ago, we were studying the Gospel of Matthew. One lesson covered Matthew 16. This part of Matthew 16 (verses 13-20) really stood out to me:

• “13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[b] shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[c] in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.”

 
There are two questions in this passage –
 
One is pretty general asking what others think – easy not to get pinned down. It is an easier lift for us when we can speak to what we think others are saying or might say. Nothing is weighing on our shoulders specifically and our answers are referential to what others think.
 
The second one is direct, specific and piercing.
 
A question that demands an answer. A question we all will be asked to answer… most of us today would probably answer that He is the Messiah, our Lord and Savior.
 
But answering that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, our Savior begs us to also ask these questions - what is the cost, what does that really mean for me to declare or proclaim this? Are we – are you willing to put this stake in the ground, firmly planted, without conditions or positioning?
 
We know that really following Jesus, putting Him as the reason and center of our living will lead to trials (James 1:2-4) and test our faith.
 
How do you answer Jesus’ question – "...but who do you say I am?"
 
Lord Jesus, lifting up my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend that all will firmly answer your question inspired by the Holy Spirit in true depth of faith that You are the Messiah, our Lord, our Savior. And that we will stand steadfast even in the trials that come with that declaration! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick


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