The Book of Revelation is often called the most mysterious book in the Bible, but it is also one of the most hopeful books. It reveals the truth that:
God is still on the throne
Evil will not win
Christ will reign forever
But right in the middle of the judgments of Revelation, in chapter 10, something remarkable happens. The judgments pause. Heaven stops for a moment, and John sees a mighty angel descending from heaven. This angel is not just another messenger. Everything about him speaks of authority, glory, and divine purpose. In a world filled with chaos, war, deception, and darkness, Revelation 10 reminds us of three great truths: That God is still speaking. God’s plan is still unfolding, and God’s people still have a message to proclaim. Church, if there was ever a time when believers must stand and speak the truth of God, it is today.
Years ago, during a fierce storm at sea, a lighthouse keeper noticed a ship drifting dangerously close to the rocks. The waves were violent. The fog was thick, but the lighthouse kept shining. The captain of that ship later said the only reason they survived the storm was because they saw the light cutting through the darkness.
That is what the gospel is. This world is in a storm. Sin is crashing like waves. Darkness is everywhere, but the light of Jesus Christ is still shining. And as long as the church keeps preaching the truth, lost souls can still find their way safely home.

The Danger of the Rabble: When Complaining Corrupts Community
There's a fascinating and often overlooked story tucked away in the book of Numbers that speaks powerfully to our modern church experience. It's the account of the "mixed multitude"—a group of complainers who disrupted God's plan for His people.
In Numbers 11:4, we encounter a peculiar phrase: "the mixed multitude that was among them fell   a-lusting." This mixed multitude, or "rabble" as the Hebrew suggests, were non-Israelites who had packed up and left Egypt alongside God's chosen people. They were present in the crowd, but they weren't committed to the covenant.
Here's the sobering truth: just because someone is in the crowd doesn't mean they're in the covenant.
These individuals had witnessed the same miracles. They'd seen the parting of the Red Sea, tasted the water from the rock, and gathered the miraculous manna that appeared each morning. Their clothes never wore out. Their shoes never needed replacing. God provided everything they needed for their journey to the promised land.
Yet it wasn't enough.

They Desired Flesh Over Faith
The rabble's problem wasn't lack of provision—it was lack of contentment. They lusted after what God didn't provide instead of thanking Him for what He did. "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt," they whined. "The cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, the garlic! But now our soul is dried away. There's nothing at all beside this manna."
They called a miracle "nothing."
What reveals our true allegiance? Our appetite. What do we hunger for? God's house and God's word? Or our possessions, our profession, our prestige, our fleshly desires? The truth is we'll eat what we crave if we allow our flesh to control us.

They Poisoned God's People
Here's where the story takes a dangerous turn. Verse 4 continues: "and the children of Israel also wept again." The rabble lusted, and God's people started lamenting. The complaining became contagious.
One negative voice can affect many people. Hebrews 12:15 warns us: "Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Bitterness never stays contained. It spreads like wildfire through a community, defiling everyone it touches.
The complainers thought they were being constructive, offering helpful criticism. In reality, they were destructing the people of God.
Churches today aren't immune to the rabble spirit. In fact, it's alive and well in pews across the world.

The Anatomy of Church Complainers
Complainers cause trouble. They nitpick everything. The music's too loud or too soft. The preacher's sermon is too long or too short. The carpet's the wrong color. The coffee's too weak. They think they're being spiritual, but they're actually being divisive.
Complainers cause tension. When someone stirs up trouble, unity breaks down. People start choosing sides. The Spirit becomes hindered. Preaching is affected. Ministries shut down. People start looking for different churches. And the devil sits back and laughs.
Complainers cause turmoil. Once people choose sides, gossip begins. Lies spread. Before long, the church is so focused on internal conflict that it stops reaching the lost world outside its doors.

The Generation Gap Trap
One of the most destructive manifestations of the rabble spirit today appears in generational divisions within churches. We once had "white church" and "black church"—a tragic division that should never have existed. Now we're seeing "old church" and "young church."
This ought not be.
The older generation prefers the way things used to be. The younger generation says it's too old-fashioned. Both complain. Both cause division. And both hurt the cause of Christ.
Young people need to understand there's nothing wrong with traditional hymns and Southern Gospel music. God has used them greatly down through the ages.
Older believers need to remember that God didn't stop inspiring songs in 1960 either. King David wrote in Psalm 136, repeating the phrase "for his mercy endureth forever" twenty-six times! That's the original "seven-eleven song"—seven words repeated eleven times.
The point isn't which style is better. The point is that our preferences must never become weapons of division.

The Poison of Selective Memory
The rabble remembered the cuisine from Egypt but forgot the chains. They remembered the menu but forgot the misery. They remembered the food but forgot the Pharaoh.
When we complain about God's current provision, we're often romanticizing a past that wasn't nearly as good as we remember. We're preferring bondage over blessing.
The Prescription: Guarding Against the Rabble Spirit
How do we prevent the spirit of the rabble from taking root in our own hearts?
First, guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts above all else, for everything we do flows from it.
Second, guard your tongue. You cannot complain and praise at the same time. It's impossible. The Psalmist declared, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1).
Third, guard your attitude. Philippians 2:14 instructs us to "do all things without murmuring and complaining." All complaining is negativity and rebellion against God's Word.
Our job as Christians is not to be pulled into that spirit.

Moving Forward
Have you been hurt by the rabble? If you've ever done anything for the Lord, you probably have. Don't let criticism stop you from doing what God has called you to do. That's usually the purpose of the rabble—to stop the work of the Lord while thinking they ARE doing the work of the Lord.

Learn to discern between positive, constructive criticism (which is needful) and troublemaking rabble-rousing. Pray for wisdom to know the difference.
If you've been hurt, forgiveness is key. You must forgive before God can fully use you. Don't allow the enemy to steal your peace—one of the most precious gifts God gives besides salvation itself.

The rabble were few, but their influence was nearly fatal. They didn't destroy the camp with a sword but with their spirit. Let's commit today to being people of praise, not complainers; builders, not destroyers; unifiers, not dividers.
After all, we're all headed to the same promised land. We might as well encourage each other along the way. Don’t you think?

Shane Martin
Associate Pastor

Sin is a thief that comes to steal your joy, peace, and communion with God. But here's the good news: Jesus came to give you life—and life more abundantly!
In Jeremiah 5:25, God warns His people: "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you." Sin blocks blessing, steals your conscience, character, and crowns. But the thief can only take what you allow him to take.
The door to your heart has a lock. Push the button. Stand up and FIGHT for your marriage, your kids, your testimony, and your joy. Jesus knows the enemy's tactics and has given you the power to overcome. Don't hand over another thing to the devil—lock him out and let Christ restore what's been stolen.
John 10:10 reminds us: "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." Choose life today.
Associate Pastor Shane Martin

When you read Genesis 22:1-13 you will find that In this chapter before us is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ. This picture before us is actually a Polaroid, one that develops and becomes more clearly focused as we go along. 
          Notice (verse 1-2) because God does not remember our sin, (Hebrews 10:17) says "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." He doesn't even acknowledge Ishmael, who was the fruit of Abraham's impatience. Isaac is a picture and a type of Jesus Christ. We see this in four areas:
* Just as Isaac was conceived miraculously when barren Sarah was ninety years old, he was a miracle baby. So also born of a virgin, Jesus was a miracle baby. 
* Isaac's birth was promised long before he showed up, twenty years before he was born. So too Jesus birth was promised clear back in (Genesis 3:15) years before his birth in Bethlehem. 
* Abraham and Sarah were told what to name their son. So too Joseph and Mary were told what to name their son. 
* To his father, Isaac was obedient to the point of death. So it was also to His Father, Jesus was obedient unto death.
So we can see the parallels are many and Isaac and Jesus are linked together and Isaac is the type and Jesus is the fulfillment. This is just one of many throughout the Bible as you read it you will see that Jesus in seen from Genesis to Revelation. This is why reading, studying, and mediatating on the Word of God is so important everyday. Let's get in it and let the Lord speak to us today.

Someone once asked the question what is "A person of peace,” they said, “it is someone who opens doors for others so that they see life differently.”
Another answer can help us get to the heart of what Jesus was saying in (Luke 10: 1-11) when he sent out 70 followers: “A man or woman, young or old, rich or poor, who is prepared by God to provide entrance into their community for the sake of the gospel.”
When Jesus sent his followers on mission for the sake of the gospel (the good news of the kingdom of God), he talked about finding people of peace. These would be people who were open to the message of God’s love and peace, and they would welcome Jesus’ followers with hospitality.
One thing I have learned about engaging with people who share God’s love and peace with others is that they do not have a particular personality or come from a certain classification or group. Anyone can be used by God to open opportunities for the good news to be shared. It might even be someone you wouldn’t expect.
This month let’s explore some stories from the Bible and discover what it looks like to be a person of peace.

It feels like suffering has been showing up everywhere lately—close to home, in our circles, and across the world.  We don’t often pause to ask: What is God’s response to suffering?
It's difficult for us in real life—watching people we love walk through serious illness, facing difficult decisions in life and ministry and work, and learning again that hardship doesn’t mean God has stepped away.
One truth that keeps surfacing for me is this: when pain comes, the most important question isn’t why—it’s who. Who do we turn to? Who remains on the throne of our hearts when circumstances shake us?
We look at the lives of Joseph, Job, and even the three men in the fiery furnace—people who didn’t receive explanations in the moment, but did gain something far greater: a clearer vision of who God is. Scripture reminds us that God doesn’t promise to keep us out of the storm, but He does promise His presence in it.
This evening If you’re walking through something difficult right now—or loving someone who is—I pray that  this brings encouragement and peace. It’s a reminder that suffering is not wasted when God is near.

We are all familiar with this passage found here in Philippians 3:13-14 which says, "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
Some memories cling to us like shadows such as our failures, our regrets, our missed opportunities. We replay them over and over, wondering what we could have done differently. 
But the truth is that we can’t change the past. Even so, we don’t have to let it shape our present and our future. 
Paul had a past too. Before becoming an apostle, he persecuted the church. If anyone had reasons to carry guilt, it was him. But instead of being paralyzed by his past, Paul focused forward not because he was perfect but because he was forgiven. The Lord’s amazing grace gives us permission to let go. 
Leaving the past behind isn’t about denial. It’s about refusing to let it define you. God is doing something new, and looking backward too long can make us miss what’s right in front of us. 
So if you're carrying baggage from last year or from the past decade or more, lay it down. God is not finished with you yet. In fact, he’s just getting started. May this be our prayer in this New Year
Jesus, help me to let go of what I cannot change. Free me from shame and regret, and fix my eyes on what lies ahead in life with you.

Been pondering on Isaiah 43:18-19
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! . . .” Isaiah 43:18-19
Change has a way of making us feel uneasy. It often comes with the uncertainty of the unknown and the discomfort of moving away from what we’ve always known.
I’ve learned something valuable over the years: God doesn’t just call us to new things; he prepares us for them. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God calls us to let go of the past and recognize that he is always doing something new. God promises to make a way for us in the wilderness and to provide rivers in the desert. Though the path may seem unclear, God is already at work before we even realize it, and he has our best interests in mind.
 So, Embracing change isn’t always easy, but it is always good when we trust that God is leading us. We don’t have to have all the answers, because God holds the future. When we lean on his promises, we can take that next step in faith, knowing that God is with us in every change. May God help us to trust Him in all the things we are doing in our lives. May He give to us the strength this New Year to let go of what is familiar and to embrace the new things He has for us to do. May we strive to put Jesus first in all that we do.

The Bible says in (Philippians 3:13-14) “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, many hearts are filled with mixed emotions. Some look back with gratitude, others with regret. Some carry joy from victories won, while others bear the weight of losses, failures, and unanswered prayers. But the Word of God calls us not to live looking backward, but to move forward in faith.
The apostle Paul had every reason to dwell on his past—both the successes and the scars. Yet he declared, “This one thing I do…” Paul understood that you cannot run the race God has set before you while constantly turning around to look behind you. The past may explain you, but it must never imprison you.

God’s mercies are new every morning—and that includes the mornings of a brand-new year. The Lord is not finished with you, your family, or this church. What lies ahead is not determined by what you lost, but by Who walks with you into the future. So let go of yesterday and walk on, because the Lord who walks with you is greater than anything you left behind. Aren't you glad that the same God who carried you through the past up to the year 2025 now walks beside you into a future of a New Year 2026 that is filled with His promises.

Yet this new year also brings a challenge. Paul said, “I press toward the mark.” Pressing implies effort, discipline, and intentional faith. A new year will not automatically bring spiritual growth. It comes when we choose to pray more earnestly, to trust Him more deeply, to forgive more freely, and obey more completely. As we step into this new year, let us ask ourselves:

Am I willing to let go of what God has already forgiven?
Am I willing to move forward even when the future feels uncertain?
Am I willing to press on when faith demands perseverance?
The same God who brought you through the past year will walk with you into the next one. He goes before you, stands beside you, and remains faithful behind you. Whatever this year holds, hold tightly to Him.

Sometimes the big news story of the day is not the one we think it is—or there is more to it than we realize.
As Jesus was born, something else was also happening far away. Matthew 2 tells us about “Magi from the east”—often called “wise men”—who studied the stars. The Magi were astrologers, religious leaders who believed that the movement of the stars and special signs in the heavens could give direction for people’s lives.
To the Jews, that kind of study was superstitious idolatry. And yet we see in this story how God was writing an even bigger story than people were aware of at the time. Jesus was, of course, Israel’s promised Savior. But today we can also see that Christ’s birth was a crucial part of God’s plan to draw all nations to himself. Even people who were lost in the confusion of sin and idolatry could see glimpses of God’s invitation to draw near and ask, seek, and find him. In the story of the Magi we see how God can meet us where we are—no matter who we are and make the good news of Jesus’ birth come alive for us.
This Christmas, we might think (or act as if) our celebrations and gifts are the main thing of the season. But God wants so much more. He wants to draw people to Jesus, especially those who don’t know him.
How is God surprising you with that invitation this Christmas?
Lord God, help us to understand what is most important in our lives. Draw us near to you, we pray, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Here Paul prays in Colossians 1:10 "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God." This verse challenges us to consider our daily conduct: Is the way we live truly a reflection of the calling we have received in Jesus Christ? To "walk worthy" means to live a life proportionate with our high standing in Jesus. The word "worthy" here speaks of balance, like a set of scales that are equally weighted. Since God has done so much for us in redeeming us, justifying us, and calling us His own, our lives should be equally weighted by gratitude, reverence, and obedience. Our daily behavior should match the magnitude of our salvation. So in pondering this verse this morning I asked myself, "What does this worthy walk look like?" Paul defines it as being "Unto all pleasing." This is not about pleasing men, but pleasing the Lord. It's about seeking His approval in every thought, word, and deed. In other words, It asks us, before every decision does this action honor the sacrifice of my Savior? Will this choice bring a smile to the face of my Heavenly Father? Saints, it's when we recognize that we are walking for the Lord as His representatives, under His authority, and in His presence that it changes everything. Our choices suddenly carry eternal weight. May we commit to examining our steps in life. Where are we walking? Are our feet leading us down paths that align with our identity in Jesus? Let the desire to please the Lord be the compass for every decision for a worthy walk is a journey of moment by moment dependence on Him.              
                                                            Pastor Dennis McCoy

I have discovered that the more familiar with the Word of God we become, the more vulnerable we are to being tone deaf. Oh, we know the Scriptures, we have our theology down pat, and we know where to find Bible stories, and we can even give references for major points of doctrine. We know the Word but are we hearing its tone? In thinking about this I was reminded of the incident in Scripture which tone played an important role in (John 12:28-30) which says, "Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, an angel spake to him." Jesus answered and said, this voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes."
You see, everyone heard a sound but not everyone discerned the voice within the sound. O how those who are living close with the Lord can discern His voice when He speaks. Within this group of people on the same spot at the same time hearing the same voice, some thought it was just thunder, while others thought it spoke angelically. So too, whenever a sermon is preached or a lesson taught, some will hear it as thunder while others will hear it as a message from Heaven. It all depends upon what's happening in the heart. So how is your hearing?
                        Pastor Dennis McCoy 

                                                                       
Over the years, I’ve noticed a common pattern among some Christians: when something good happens, they immediately credit it as a blessing from God. But when something bad occurs, their first thought is, “Why would God allow this? I’ve been going to church, serving faithfully — this isn’t fair!”

Thankfully, we have the Word of God to correct our thinking and reveal deeper truths.
One of the clearest biblical examples that challenges this mindset is the book of Job. By the end of chapter 1, Job has lost his livelihood and all of his children. Most of us would ask, “God, what have I done to deserve this?”
But that very question is built on a flawed assumption — the idea that God only blesses those who are obedient, and that hardship is always a sign of His displeasure. That’s simply not true, and Scripture shows us why.

Take a look at Job 1:8:
"And the Lord said unto Satan, ‘Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?’"
Job wasn't suffering because he had sinned. In fact, God was pleased with Job — proud of him, even. His suffering wasn’t punishment; it was part of a greater purpose in a spiritual battle between God and Satan. Satan wanted to prove that God’s people only serve Him when life is good. God allowed Job to be tested — not because He was angry, but because He trusted Job's faith.

Child of God, difficult seasons will come. Life won’t always feel fair or pleasant. When that happens, take the opportunity for honest self-examination. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your life that might need repentance. But if there’s no unconfessed sin, don’t jump to the conclusion that God is upset with you.
In fact, your trial could be a sign that God trusts your faith and is using your life to display His glory.

So when the storm comes, don’t waste energy accusing God or growing bitter. Instead, focus on passing the test. Keep your heart and eyes fixed on Him. Walk in obedience. If you stumble, repent and receive His grace — then get back up and keep moving forward.
God may allow hardship, not to destroy you, but to refine you and to show the world what real faith looks like.
         Pastor Shane Martin

The Bible is full of examples of people who planned their own way and then yielded to God and He did it better. One of those characters was Joseph in (Genesis 37-50). God saved Joseph's whole family in a way that he could have never imagined. As a young man, God showed Joseph in a dream that he would gain preeminence over his brothers. But Joseph had no idea at that time that the purpose was to save his entire family from famine. And I'm quite sure Joseph absolutely would never have imagined a path that would take him from thirteen horrible years of slavery and imprisonment to becoming Prime Minister of Egypt. When Joseph realized just how miraculously God used his brothers treachery to carry out a rescue plan for the entire family, he told his brothers in (Genesis 50:19-20) "And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."
We could examine the lives of so many characters in the Bible and although they were flawed humans, when they decided to let God run their life HIS way, they discovered He does it better than they could. Is your life going the way you think it should? Do you wonder where God is in all the mess? If you are born again then He has not gone anywhere. When we begin to wonder where God is and why He is not doing our life our way then it's time to begin re-surrendering every area of our life to Him. Blessed is the person who allows God to run his or her life His way.
-Pastor Dennis McCoy

I am pondering this morning on (1 Peter 1:6-9) where it says "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." 
I preached on the clouds not to long ago in the Bible and got to thinking about the clouds this morning and how they can make a beautiful sunset. Absolute faith in God produces great beauty and strength in the fire of testings and trials in our lives.
Did you know as a believer that absolute faith always has the potential to produce beauty and strength. O how our faith is so important in our walk with the Lord each day because it gives to us a combination of qualities and abilities that become evident over the years in our work, defeat, victories, blood, sweat, and even sorrow and tears when they come. In other words, no corners can be cut to get where we are today in our Christian lives. The benefits of building our faith in what we do in our occupation dims in comparison to the benefits of building our faith in God. This is because deep faith in God produces eternal accomplishments. When we determine as God's children to place God first in our lives, then every affliction becomes a cloud producing a more beautiful sunset. It more powerfully reveals the reason for our existence and that is, to bring glory to God. To also be a light to the lost who are watching us that they might see Jesus. In other words, it means every affliction we go through is a greater opportunity to make the Son beautiful to those who are around us and change someone's eternity. 
When we give honor, praise and glory to God during our times of trials, we have an ever greater opportunity to shine for His glory and point others to Him. A diamond does not sparkle until it is cut with a laser and the dull outer surface is scraped and polished. Then the sparkle is magnified by light. When we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord, He lights His fire in us. The storms we go through in life cut and scrape the dull exterior which hides Him. He is the best part of who we are. As we are refined, we get even more of an opportunity to refract and reflect His beauty. As the clouds magnify the glory of the setting sun, so too, does the born again believer who allows the Son to shine through their storms and magnify God's glorious presence. Praise His Holy Name!!
-Pastor Dennis McCoy

                                                          Salt Of The Earth
As I prepared for our Wednesday young adult class at Hopewell, I intended to discuss a passage from Matthew 5 about "being the salt of the earth" to conclude our study on being a separate, sanctified people. This led me on a fascinating exploration of salt's significance in the Bible, revealing far more references than I had realized.
Scripture frequently mentions salt in various contexts:
Leviticus explains its use in grain offerings, Numbers describes a covenant of salt with priests, 2 Chronicles references a similar covenant with King David, Ezekiel uses salt to symbolize a covenant relationship, Genesis recounts Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt, Matthew's Sermon on the Mount calls disciples the salt of the earth, Mark 9 highlights salt's preserving qualities during trials, and Colossians likens salt to our speech.
Salt holds deep symbolic meaning in the Bible. In ancient Rome, soldiers were sometimes paid in salt, underscoring its value. This is partly why God required it in Old Testament sacrifices—it was a precious commodity, making it a significant and expensive offering. Salt was essential in ancient times, serving as a seasoning, preservative, disinfectant, ceremonial element, and even a unit of exchange.
In Leviticus 2:13, Moses instructs the Israelites: "You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of your covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt."
Salt was vital in these offerings, symbolizing purity, preservation, and cost. Every sacrifice to God should be pure, enduring, and valuable. Salt slows decay and acts as an aseptic, preventing contamination and spoilage—a critical function in an era without refrigeration.
Salt also represented friendship and deep relationships in ancient customs. Sharing salt with someone established a lifelong bond. God used this symbolism to remind His people of the relationship He desired with them. This "salt covenant" appears again in Numbers 18:19, where God promises the priests: "Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings… I give to you and your sons and daughters as your perpetual share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord for both you and your offspring."
Similarly, 2 Chronicles 13:5 references God’s covenant with David: "Don’t you know that the Lord… has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?" These covenants were seen as enduring because they included salt.
Ezekiel 43:23 reinforces this symbolism: "The priests are to sprinkle salt on the offerings and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the Lord," reminding the people of God’s lasting commitment.
 Thus, requiring salt in offerings wasn’t arbitrary—it reflected God’s desire for a pure, enduring relationship with His people and their role as a preservative in the world.
This theme carries into the New Testament, notably in Matthew 5:13 from the Sermon on the Mount, which I’ll emphasize in our Wednesday study:
 "You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." 
Jesus tells His disciples they are precious and valuable, tasked with preserving the world. Without their godly influence, society would decay. However, if salt loses its flavor—its preserving power—it becomes useless, fit only to be discarded and trampled, as was done in Jesus’ time with worthless salt. The people at that time would put the useless salt on pathways to make the path better.
This is a sobering warning for Christians. If we lose our influence and godly qualities, we fail to serve God’s kingdom. Lot’s wife exemplifies this in Genesis 19:23-26. She became a pillar of salt after looking back longingly at her sinful life, losing her preserving role and merging with the world—a cautionary tale echoed in Luke 17:32:
"Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it."
Mark 9:49 adds: "Everyone will be salted with fire."
Many interpret this as trials and tribulations in this life preserving us, like salt, strengthening our faith and deepening our relationship with God as we learn to rely on Him during these times.
 Colossians 4:6 ties salt to speech: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." Our words should be pure, flavorful with truth and love, reflecting God’s grace and mercy.
Salt symbolizes the deep relationship God seeks with us and our call to preserve and flavor the world with His love and mercy. Jesus called His disciples—and us—to be the salt of the earth. Are we leaving a loving, impactful taste? Are we purifying society with God’s grace? Let’s strive to be His flavor in a lost world.

I’ve been reflecting lately on what we pass down to our children and grandchildren. Beyond physical traits like hair color, eye color, or height, we hand down so much more. Sometimes it’s an old family heirloom, a piece of wisdom gained through years of experience, or lessons inherited from our own parents and grandparents. These are often cherished gifts—wanted, even needed.
But not everything we pass along is welcome. Some inheritances, like health conditions, are burdens no one asks for. Recently, while studying Numbers 14 in God’s Word, I stumbled across a verse that stopped me in my tracks. In Numbers 14:18, it says:
“The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.”
Now, this doesn’t mean God punishes us for our fathers’ sins. I’ve heard old preachers put it plainly: “Every tub sits on its own bottom.” We’re each accountable for our own sin, and through Jesus’ sacrifice, we can find forgiveness. But what this verse does reveal is that the consequences of a father’s sin can ripple outward, touching the lives of the next generation—and beyond.
This truth has grown clearer to me as I’ve aged and my family has expanded. My beliefs and behaviors don’t just affect me—they shape my wife, my three daughters, and now my grandson. When I was young and single, my choices—good or bad—rarely impacted anyone else. But as a husband, father, and grandfather, I see now how much weight my actions carry.
Take this example: Imagine I struggled with drug addiction but, by God’s grace, overcame it. My children might witness how a good God rescued me from that sin. They’d have a powerful testimony of their dad—or “Papaw”—that could spark hope in their own struggles. My belief in God’s power and my behavior in trusting Him could inspire them to lean on Him too.
But flip the script. What if I let that sin defeat me? What if I never sought God’s help and instead fell deeper—verbally or physically abusing my family, creating a home filled with darkness and unpredictability? My children might watch me numb life’s pain with drugs or alcohol. They could learn that life is too hard to face sober, and they might turn to the same crutches—passing that pattern down to their own children and grandchildren. Sometimes, it takes generations to untangle the mess one person’s sin creates.
Numbers 14:18 reminds us of God’s character: He’s slow to anger, overflowing with mercy, ready to forgive. Yet He doesn’t let the guilty off the hook—the consequences of sin linger, affecting those we love most, even “to the third and fourth generation.”
Here’s the point: Your relationship with Jesus isn’t meant to be a private affair. It can’t be. You have a choice. Claim victory over sin through Christ, and you could pass down a legacy of faith, resilience, and hope to the generations that follow. Or let sin claim victory over you, and in your brokenness, you might hand down destructive lessons and lifestyles instead. The decision is yours—it’s up to each of us.
So, start today. Dive into the Bible. Spend time in prayer with our Father. Ask Him to show you how your beliefs and behaviors impact those you love. Ask Him to uncover and uproot any sin in your life. And ask Him to teach you more about Him—so you can intentionally show your family that following Jesus is worth it. Your legacy depends on it.

In (Genesis 49:22) Joseph was likened to a fruitful bough whose branches run over the wall. The picture is one of overflowing fruitfulness. That's exactly what Jesus wants to do in our lives as well. He wants us to be so close to Him that we are overflowing in His love, power, and Presence everywhere we go. Jesus tells us in (John 15) that He wants others to be refreshed and nourished by the fruit of His love and goodness, His graciousness, and patience in our lives. (John 15:8) says, "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples."
The ultimate purposes for following Jesus include spiritual blessings and eternal life, but must also include bearing spiritual fruit or winning others to Christ. That's what Paul meant when the church was supporting his missionary travels, and he said he desired that fruit would abound to their account in (Philippians 4:17). Could you imagine what kind of worship service we would have this Sunday if God's children came to church so saturated in Him overflowing with His love, power, and presence. We would have a service like none other and God's people would be beside themselves. It starts by following Jesus daily. Oh what a Savior is He! Praise His Holy Name!

I have been pondering on a rich verse today found in (Psalm 16:11) which says "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." What a Promise! This Scripture teaches us that for us as God's children, the delight of our Father's presence is beyond measure and always available. Praise His Holy Name! O to help us appreciate this profound spiritual joy, let's think about the pleasure derived from a more earthly source, like a summer garden. In full bloom, a flower bed can be different colors: with variations of green, red, yellow, purple, white, and more. Blossoms release fragrance into the air that is often filled with birds singing. It's a treat for our senses to enjoy. But delight in God's presence surpasses that of any human experience. For in Him, the psalmist says, we find "fullness of joy." And even more, His goodness is not dependent upon circumstances; it is always accessible even when life is filled with concerns and hardships and difficulties.
God's presence and the blessings it brings will endure for all eternity. But cultivating a heart of gratitude, prayer, and worship can help us experience deep delight right now. As we draw near to Him, we will find comfort in sorrow, strength in weakness, and hope in despair all of which add to the fullness of our joy.

It's amazing that Jesus told us exactly how to attain spiritual prosperity; but yet, we still seem to focus our greatest life efforts on attaining physical prosperity. You see, what or whom we love the most directly affects our spiritual prosperity! The evidence of what or whom we love most is revealed in what we think about most; what we worry about most; what we work at the most. Is it our money, our job, our friends or family? What does our treasure look like? What is the one thing that would devastate you if you lost it? Saints, if we want to live in spiritual prosperity, then the most important goal of our lives must be having a strong sense of the presence of God. We need to desire God as much as He desires us. Throught the scripture, God reveals His great longing to bless us with His presence. Even His thoughts are to bless us. 
(Jeremiah 29:11) says "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, throughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." 
O but to capture the full height, depth, length, and breadth of God's eternal blessings for us, we must enter into His presence and be determined this upcoming New Year to live there daily. We must search for Him with all of our heart! In this next passage God goes on to say that when we recognize how much goodness He has in store for us, we respond with a great passion to know Him and live in His presence. 
(Jeremiah 29:12-13) "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." We must seek to constantly live in God's Holy presence. This means we must come to God based upon who He is and not who we think He is. The more we experience God's presence, the more we discover how remarkably wonderful He has made us and in turn we will want even more of Him! Let us thrive in 2025.

As God's children, we each possess the opportunity to experience the blessings of giving like God gives. But this isn't really about money, it's about our heart. Which do we treasure the most: A close relationship with God, or something less? Biblical giving is about being all-in with God. He doesn't need our money to accomplish His glorious purpose. But we need Him if we want the Blessing of being a part of it! We cannot maximize our blessings unless our heart belongs to God. This means He is the center of our entire life, that is: our work, our play, our family, our friends, our time, our money, our possessions, and so on. We must realize today that every resource we possess is a gift from God. Most of us have the basics like decent health, sight, hearing, intellect, plenty of food, clean water, talent, a source of income, a vehicle, a home, friends, family, time, and freedom. Many of the things we often take for granted. But God has given to us so much more if we have His gift of salvation! We have the Fruit of His Spirit which we have listed in (Galatians 5:22-23). We possess the same power that raised Jesus from the dead in (Ephesians 1:19-20) and we are promised the wisdom of God in (James 1:5).
What will we do with all these great, great resources? I like to ask myself this question because it helps me reassess my plans for the day. God's immense blessings place us in an extraordinary position to be both a temporal blessing and an eternal blessing. God didn't give to us these things to keep them to ourselves. O how He graces us with the opportunity to experience His blessing of giving. When our heart belongs to God we enter into the extraordinary powerful experience of giving. So here is the Scripture I have been pondering on today found in (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) which says, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." Saints, we are incapable of out giving God!! Thank God for the eternal opportunities we have to experience His endless circle of giving!

"In Micah 5:2 it says “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, God inspired this man, Micah to pinpoint the very site where Jesus would be born. God didn’t chose the place of Rome (the political center of the day), or Athens (the intellectual center of the day), or Jerusalem (the religious center of the day), but He chose Bethlehem. Bethlehem: a small, unimportant, insignificant, isolated little community town located five miles outside of Jerusalem. Before Jesus was ever born, He knew His people would go to war against Him, that they would smite Him, refuse to respond to Him, and reject Him. Yet, He still came. You see, Jerusalem was where the action was. Bethlehem was simply where the shepherds hung out and in Jesus's day shepherds were considered outcasts. Aren’t you glad Jesus was born in a place where outcasts hang out, therefore, Jesus can be born in us. Thank God for the greatest gift to ever be given: God’s Son Jesus, so that we might have the gift of salvation, eternal life. For Jesus is the reason for the season. Praise His Holy Name!!!"

When life is pleasant and things are going good in life its easy to praise God because His kindness is evident. But we may have difficulty recognizing pain and trouble as an expression of His loving care. In difficult times when things don't go good, we need to trust the Lord for the Bible tells us that He has stored up goodness for those who take refuge in Him in (Psalm 31:19). We may not always feel that God is acting favorably toward us. The difficult and painful situations in our lives can hinder our understanding of His divine goodness. If we believe the Lord is good only when our circumstances are enjoyable, then we misunderstand His nature. But it's as we seek God and grow closer to Him, we learn His character and His ways. O how we need to impress (Isaiah 55:8) on our hearts which says, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord." You see, it's then that we'll begin to see evidence of His goodness in all situations even in the trials that we go through. And in His love and wisdom, He'll use those trials to help shape our character. God's good for us is not for our comfort but for our conformity to His Son Jesus so that He gets the glory and we get the ultimate good. Today, when God allows something we don't like, may we seek Him and pour out our heart and listen earnestly. In doing so, we will find that our gratitude and trust will grow.
We live under the umbrella of God's goodness. When circumstances and emotions tell you otherwise, rely on what you do know. Throughout the day, look for signs of His loving care for you and then as your perspective changes, you will see the signs of His goodness everywhere you turn.

I have been pondering on (1 Corinthains 10:31) where it says "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." As this Christmas season draws closer, the best gift as a believer is a life lived for God's glory. The more we transition from living for self-glory to living for God's glory the greater our lives become a gift far greater than we could ever imagine. As God's children we must change our way of thinking. We must stop thinking about Our power, Our glory, Our prestige, Our reputation and think in terms of God's power, God's glory, God's prestige, and God's reputation. This wrong thinking must die and we must train our brain to think: "As long as God gets the glory, it doesn't matter who gets the credit."
How do we know if we have a problem with self-glory?
1. Living for the self-glory always wants the credit. They want everyone to know what part they played in every successful venture.
2. Living for the self-glory is highly concerned with rank. They are hypersensitive to position and title.
3. A person living for self-glory resents anyone whose success surpasses their own. They are plagued with jealousy for anyone who gets the glory or credit.
God deserves the glory for our lives: everyday of it, and every minute of it. Saints, we give ourselves a remarkable gift if we consistently and passionately train our brain and heart to live for His glory. Jesus sets the standard, for His life was truly a gift and He came to this earth and became a nobody so we could become a somebody with His Father. It is our reasonable service to give our life back to the Lord.