Christian Unity

It seems to me that we are living in especially chaotic times. The news of natural disasters, weather events or human tragedies often are reported in the superlative, “the worst…, the biggest…, the coldest…, the most….” A recent example of this is a CNN headline from two days ago. “Tonga eruption was ‘hundreds of times’ more powerful than Hiroshima atomic bomb.”

How do we remain tethered to our faith when so many around us are polarized and angry? Our enemy has been successful, even in the church, of turning brothers and sisters against each other. Recent political strife has drawn many of us into taking sides and vocalizing our conservative or progressive opinions on-line. Government and employment mandates regarding taking the COVID-19 vaccine or wearing masks have at times triggered feelings of resentment that often get played out within the fellowship of the church family.

When was the last time you prayerfully asked God what His will is for you regarding these things? Have you earnestly asked the Lord to purge your thoughts of selfishness and criticism?

Jesus, praying to the Father, says, “…That they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” John 17:22-23 ESV

Unity within the church is not something we can achieve by trying to get along. Christian unity is a gift the Holy Spirit brings when we are together surrendered to God. And unity, when everyone else in the world is quarreling, is a powerful testimony of the power of God’s love.

—Jim McMurry

The Presents of His Presence

If you are like me, you like to have your devotional time in the morning. It’s quiet, you are alone, and you can just be in scripture and in prayer with God. Eventually, that time comes to an end and you hit the ground running. You have checklists to complete, emails to send, meetings to be at, grandkids to pick up at school, dentist appointments, grocery shopping, etc. The list goes on and on. For many of us, while we mindfully practice being in the presence of Jesus during the beginning of our days, we usually forget about God as the day goes on. While we begin our days with Jesus, the rest of the day is completely dependent upon us.

           Psalm 127:1 says this, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” In other words, if God is not a part of the work, then the work was done in vain. Friends, I do not want my days to be in vain. Let us all practice being in the presence of Jesus not only in the morning but also in the afternoon and in the evening. As we go about our daily tasks, may we invite Jesus to be a part of our days so that as we look back at our lives, we can say that we lived a life in the presence of Jesus.

Here are three ideas you can put into practice.

-      Pause, and invite Jesus to be a part of your day. Ask Him to help you with whatever you are doing at the moment.

-      Go for a ten-minute walk. While walking, spend time in prayer.

-      If you are stressed, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

—Pastor Evan Davies

A Desirable Sacrifice

When Nathan told David of an injustice that had happened in his kingdom, he became enraged! David analyzed the situation correctly and passed a righteous judgment. But in doing so he condemned himself. And God said to him: “You did it in secret, but I will [hurt you] in broad daylight before all Israel’” (2 Sam 2:22). And so we see something clearly about David that stands as a lesson for us today: He was just enough to judge others justly, but not just enough to judge himself justly. If he would not judge himself correctly, God would.

Why is it so easy to judge everyone around us but so difficult to judge ourselves? And when I say ‘judge’ I do not mean it in the meaningless way that is often used in the church to escape accountability. When I say ‘judge’ I mean it in the biblical sense of justice. Why are we able to judge the injustice in the world so easily but we cannot judge the injustice of our own actions? The reason is that it is hard to be objective about ourselves. It’s easy to admit what someone else’s actions reveal about them. But it is hard to accept what our own actions reveal about us. But if we are not honest with ourselves, God will force us to be honest with ourselves.

Holiness is not a perfect sinless life, but an honest life of repentance. Saints are not perfect people, but people who war against the worst part of themselves. Repentance cannot happen without honesty, and coming to terms with who we really are can be a humbling experience. One that shatters us completely. This is why years later reflecting on this incident, David would write in Psalm 51:17 - “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.”

What does God want from you? He wants you to be honest with yourself and repent. There is no need to worry about God’s response to your brokenness. For he has already promised not to reject you and revealed that your broken spirit is exactly what he wants.

—Pastor Alex Portillo

This last Sabbath, Pastor Jim challenged us to deeply consider how we will live in the new year, 2022.  

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I was hangry and tired. I was out all day and I didn’t stop to eat until late. So when I finally found food, I was completely frustrated when I was unable to sit anywhere comfortably in the cafe and eat my dinner. I know…first world problems.

 As I walked back to my lodging, food getting cold, kicking the sidewalk and grumbling along the way...I just thought, "What in the heck is wrong with this world?!"

 Walking through the streets I was becoming more and more frustrated. It was crowded and loud. I was hungry. My dinner was getting cold. But I knew that my attitude was the problem.

I paused. I took a breath. And I said a quick prayer…

I spied a spot to eat my meal. As I sat and turned to admire the spectacular view, I saw an older man next to me. Pulling out my food, I commented about the beauty in front of us. That man and I had a wonderful conversation. I learned so much about his life. The scruff and the deep lines on his face confirmed the struggles he shared with me. He didn't have a car, only the old bike by his side. He didn't have a family. And at his age, retirement wasn't on his radar; he still had to work just to get by.

 But his attitude was on point. "Ric, this is my favorite spot. I ride my bike here a few times a week just to enjoy it."

 After an hour of conversation he left. 

I got my phone out and started taking some pictures. The sunset made the spectacular view even more stunning. I know how fortunate I am. I know how blessed I am. And I know that without Jesus' teachings in my life, without that moment of prayer and

connection with Him that stopped my slide into a negative attitude, my evening could've been much different. God soothed my soul.

Again, I think about the verse… And it means the world to me––a world that Jesus has overcome.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John‬ ‭16:33‬

Each year I choose one word that will define the year to come. This year I chose a word that I want to live my life by. MORE. More faith, more service, more Spirit, more growth, more positivity, more people at Jesus' feet, more church vision, more joy, more family, more development, more Mission, more of Jesus. 

—Ric Peinado

Christmas Everyday?

As the year winds down this week, I am basking in the warmth and glow of my Church Family’s recent Christmas’ Sabbath services. The common sharing of our stories, children singing, voices raised, young and old joining together to simply acknowledge the birth of our Savior. I want to capture this feeling, I want to bottle up that special sense of joy, peace, and love to last the whole year through.

I’m disappointed in myself because it is so easily forgotten, the light so often dims as the year progresses. But wait! It really doesn’t have to. It shouldn't. Sure, it’s not like everyday is Christmas, and sure, life comes at us in succession of endless waves crashing over us; but I should know better.

 It may not be Christmas everyday, but every day, Christ is to be invited into our hearts, our lives, our families, our church, and into our world. Everyday, we can live in the assurance of our risen Lord. Everyday we can acknowledge the promises of Jesus, that His Word created the world, that He physically joined our world to live with us, in all our joys, our pain, and our disappointments. 

This is a challenge for all believers, C. S. Lewis knew this challenge very well, writing, “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists of shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice … letting that quieter life come flowing in … coming in out of the wind.”

I like that sentiment, “Come in out of the wind.” For a heart centered on Christ, everyday can be Christmas.

—Dr. Bill Pritchard

Learning to Grow Together

As we prepare for a second pandemic Christmas, it is easy to be discouraged. There have been difficulties, losses, anxiety, and lots of fear. It has been hard. And let's be honest, sometimes when we face hard things, it doesn't always bring out the best in us.

But sometimes, dare I say often, it does!

We have learned so much, individually and as a Church Family, over the last (almost) two years.

We have learned that we are stronger than we knew we were. We have learned that we really, REALLY need each other - family, friends, and community. We have learned that corporate worship IS extremely valuable and that it is important to get up on Sabbath morning and physically come to church. And we have learned to be grateful that we have the opportunity to do so! We have grown and we have learned.

We have learned that navigating difficult and challenging relationships is (most of the time) worth the effort. We have learned the art of compromise. We have learned that not every topic needs to be discussed . . . or even broached. We have even learned that we don't have to agree on everything to be in good, meaningful, mutually respectful relationships. We have grown and we have learned.

And most importantly, we are learning to trust our God more. Everyday, all day, in everything. Exodus 14:14 clearly states that God's got this! He's got us! I love these various translations:

"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (KJV)

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (NIV)

"The Lord will fight for you, and you won’t need to lift a finger!" (TLB)

"God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” (MSG) (This is my favorite!)

We have learned to face hard things and yes, we've learned to allow those hard things to absolutely bring out the best in us!

I am so, so grateful for each of you! I am grateful for all the leadership, kindness, consistency, and support that you have given our church, our community, and . . . me. I have learned and grown so much.

Merry Christmas, dear Church Family!

—Karen Mallory

Learning and Growing - Together!

As we prepare for a second pandemic Christmas, it is easy to be discouraged. There have been difficulties, losses, anxiety, and lots of fear. It has been hard. And let's be honest, sometimes when we face hard things, it doesn't always bring out the best in us.

But sometimes, dare I say often, it does!

We have learned so much, individually and as a Church Family, over the last (almost) two years.

We have learned that we are stronger than we knew we were. We have learned that we really, REALLY need each other - family, friends, and community. We have learned that corporate worship IS extremely valuable and that it is important to get up on Sabbath morning and physically come to church. And we have learned to be grateful that we have the opportunity to do so! We have grown and we have learned.

We have learned that navigating difficult and challenging relationships is (most of the time) worth the effort. We have learned the art of compromise. We have learned that not every topic needs to be discussed . . . or even broached. We have even learned that we don't have to agree on everything to be in good, meaningful, mutually respectful relationships. We have grown and we have learned.

And most importantly, we are learning to trust our God more. Everyday, all day, in everything. Exodus 14:14 clearly states that God's got this! He's got us! I love these various translations:

"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." (KJV)

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (NIV)

"The Lord will fight for you, and you won’t need to lift a finger!" (TLB)

"God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” (MSG) (This is my favorite!)

We have learned to face hard things and yes, we've learned to allow those hard things to absolutely bring out the best in us!

I am so, so grateful for each of you! I am grateful for all the leadership, kindness, consistency, and support that you have given our church, our community, and . . . me. I have learned and grown so much.

Merry Christmas, dear Church Family!

—Karen Mallory