Words from the Pastor
Welcome to the August RFFD of 2019! It’s wonderful to have you with us here today. I am excited to see you here and I hope that God speaks to your heart and you allow Him to change you from the inside out. Remember what Max Lucado said, “God takes us just like we are but He loves us too much to leave us there.” And praise the Lord that He doesn’t. He works on us and molds us and makes us into the people He can use right where we’re at. I hope that you can remember this. He (God) wants to use you right where you’re at! You may be the only Bible someone is ever going to see. Oh my! I know that for me at least, that can be scary!
I was reading this morning (Tuesday) in Proverbs. What a great book and since there is 31 chapters in the Book of Proverbs, I can start in the book on the 1st of the month and read a chapter a day and be done with the book by the end of the month. That way I can claim to read 12 books a year! What a deal! And even though I have been reading the Book of Proverbs for a long time, I always seem to come across something new, or at least something that convicts me and makes me think. Like today I read, “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” (Proverbs 15:28 NKJV) Does that convict you like it does me? A modern-day proverb that I read the other day said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; They listen with the intent to reply.” Yep, ain’t that the truth? Have you ever noticed how some people always have an answer or a comment even when you’re not really needing an answer, all you need is a listening ear? Have you ever been that person? I have. I have an opinion and I will give it to you even if you don’t want to hear it!
Interesting isn’t it that God gave us two ears and one mouth. Do you think He may have done that for a reason? I think that I mentioned James 1:19 a few weeks ago, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (NIV),” but for me anyways I feel it bears repeating. Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry! That is so important folks. It is very important in our churches, in our work places, where we shop, where we play and most importantly, in our homes. That’s the relationships with those that are closest to us. You know, the ones that you are constantly hanging out with and the ones that you don’t mind them seeing all your faults.
So next time someone is pouring their heart out to us, can we just listen? And listen intently? Are we able to allow others a chance to share their true feelings with us or a burden with us or a doubt with us without us trying to fix it? You pray for me and I’ll pray for you.
Please let me know if you need anything. Naomi and I love you! -Pastor Steve