Matthew 25:14-30 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Matthew 25:24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

This is the excuse provided by the man for why he decides to do nothing productive with the talent given to him. The logical response, if he really believes the excuse he offered, should have been “I didn’t just stand there, I did something. I buckled down and got to work. These other fellas only doubled the talent you gave them, but I tripled what you gave me.” Therefore, this man’s response of doing nothing was foolish.

One day every Christian will stand before God and give an account of his or her life. The excuse and our lack of faithfulness will be just as foolish as this man in Matthew chapter 25. For the Christian, there is no longer condemnation but there will still be evaluation. The moment a person repents of their sin and places their faith in Jesus for salvation they have an irrevocable one-way ticket to Heaven but once we are there, we will still give an account for how we lived our lives for the Lord. We will not be judged for our salvation but for our stewardship. Our good works do not earn our salvation, but our good works are an expression of our salvation. It is foolish to know Christ but not to serve Him with your life.

James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Matthew 25:26 But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.’

Wickedness is such a strong word of denunciation that that it is only used 16 times in all the New Testament. Jesus used the word 8 times, Paul used the word 4 times, John used the word 3 times, and the Gallio the Roman ruler used it 1 time. The reason this word is used so sparingly, is because it is such a potent and penetrating word of denouncement.

So, what was it about the man who did nothing with his God given “Talent” that prompted the Lord to call him wicked? The man was not a thief, for the money had been give to him. The man was not a prodigal, he did not use the money on drugs, alcohol and wild living as the man did in Luke chapter 15. The man was not a liar, he did not fabricate an alibi or shift blame on circumstance or other people. No, he simply decided to bury the money given to him in the ground and left it there… he did nothing at all with it. The man is labeled as a wicked man simply because he did nothing! He just stood there and did nothing of significance…

Idleness and laziness are not valuable virtues. In the evaluation of God, it is wicked to do nothing with what He has given to us for His glory and for the good of others.  Jesus highlighted this truth during his parable about the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10. He said the religious leaders that passed by the wounded man were in sin but the man who stopped to render care was the example we are to emulate.

James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Matthew 25:28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

This seems countercultural…  Jesus often demonstrated and taught principles that seem counter intuitive to our humanistic mentality. The governmental welfare states says, “take from him that has and give to him that has not” but here Jesus says “take from him that has not and give to him that has”.

Many regard this as one of the most difficult verses in the Bible, but the meaning is obvious. It is one of the most basic laws of life. Either you use what you have, or you lose what you have. This law applies to every area of living. You can take your right arm, strap it to your side and refuse to use it for an extended period; then when you release the arm you will find that its usage has been impaired. If the muscles of your physical body are allowed to remain dormant, they will atrophy, they will wither and become useless.

The same principle applies in human relationships. If you want a relationship to die you don’t have to actively destroy it, you just stop tending to it. If you never talk, write, visit, or spend time with someone, the friendship cannot be maintained for very long. This is true in marital relationships, parenting relationships, business partnerships, with teammates, coworkers, and friends.

If a farmer wants to destroy his crop, it is not necessary for him to plow it up and plant weeds in the field. All the farmer needs to do is sit back in his rocking chair and let the days pass. Just doing nothing will result in a garden that is overtaken by weeds and will not produce what it should produce.

This same principle certainly applies in the realm of spirituality. If you want to hinder your spiritual growth, hurt your church, and do detriment to the work of the Lord, here is a suggestion that will produce a guaranteed outcome. Just get so busy with the things of the world that you don’t have time for the things of God. Only attend church for worship occasionally. Never get involved in a Mission Group and certainly don’t serve on a mission team. On the rare and random occasions, you decide to do God a favor by showing up, just occupy a seat. Don’t put forth any personal effort, don’t practice your holy habits, don’t read the Bible or pray, don’t worry about sharing your faith, don’t give of your time, talent, or treasure. Don’t get involved and don’t care. Just do nothing…. I have heard it presented this way before… if everybody in your church was just like you what kind of church would it be?

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

One of the interesting stories coming out of World War 2 is about the British Prime Minster, Winston Churchill. It was during the days of the German blitz. Bombers from across the channel were pounding the Island of England night and day. The wheels of the British war factories were turning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The industry of England was not accustomed to this intense pace, and they found themselves running short of fuel. So, Winston Churchill gathered the coal miners of England and assembled them in one of the great halls in London. Then he stood before them and put forth an appeal with an imaginary victory parade, which he said would one day take place in the streets of London. He said that in the parade there would come marching a blind man led by a buddy and someone from the crowd would ask, “Soldier, where were you during the bleakest, darkest hour of England’s history?” The soldier could answer back with pride, “I was at Dunkirk where hundreds died for liberty.” Also, in the parade there would come marching a soldier with no arms, and someone would ask, “Mister, where were you during the bleakest, darkest hour of England’s history?” The soldier could answer back with pride, “I was on the front line in France giving my best for my country.” The he said that at the back of the parade there would come marching a man with a light on his hat, black smudges on his face, and a pick in his hand, and someone half jeeringly from the crowd would ask, “Mister, where were you during the bleakest, darkest hour of England’s history?” And Winston Churchill said, “That man can answer back with pride, ‘I was in the pit with my face to the wall.’” Then he sent the coal miners home, and England had her needed fuel. If an earthly ruler can rally his citizens to produce like that, how much more eagerly should we respond to the call of God?

Don’t just stand there, Do Something!!!

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                    9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify^[a] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Human beings consist of both body/flesh and soul/spirit. There is a physical and spiritual capacity that makes up every person. Some Biblical scholars are dichotomist- believing that soul and spirit are synonymous, while other Biblical scholars are trichotomist- believing that we are comprised of body, soul, and spirit. Regardless, when the Bible refers to “flesh” it is often not just speaking about the physical body of elbows and toes but of a natural and sinful nature (you must interpret the application of the word within the context of the passage and the verse). Lewis Sperry Chafer says “the word flesh refers to the physical body. It, however, has moral, or ethical, meaning as well. It includes the body, but it also includes the human spirit and soul as animating the body”.

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The physical body is not inherently bad. Our bodies are created by God… though corrupted by sin. One day our physical bodies will die but the Christian will receive a new and glorified body in which we will inhabit for eternity.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

 Philippians 3:21 Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

Our physical bodies are gifts given to us by God for us to use in service to Him. We are not bodies that happen to have a soul/spirit, but we are a soul/spirit that has a body. Some have called the physical body an earth suit. We are to value it, we are to be a good steward of it, we are to take care of it, but we are not to waste it or worship it. We can honor God with our bodies but the key to that is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within us.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Although our body/flesh is not sinful the flesh/nature that lives within us is. We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. The Bible states that we are born with a natural default condition that separates us from a holy God. We are sinners by birth and by choice. Somebody who does not know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord cannot help but to sin…. Because it is in their nature to do so. However, a Christian doesn’t have to sin because we have the Holy Spirit of God within us. We have both the flesh and the Spirit residing within us… until we get to heaven…. It is our job to choose obedience to the Spirit and to choose to crucify our flesh every day.

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

You may have heard the fable of The Scorpion and the Frog. A scorpion that lived in the woods wanted to leave the forest and explore the world. Leaving its home for the first time, it came upon the banks of a raging river, but the scorpion could not swim. Spotting a frog, the scorpion asked the frog to carry it across on its back. The frog initially said no, fearing that the scorpion might sting and kill him. But the scorpion reasoned with the frog saying, “I won’t sting you, because if I do, we will both drown!” This argument seemed sensible to the frog who agreed to transport the scorpion. The frog began swimming with the scorpion on its back, but halfway across the river, the scorpion stung the frog anyway. The dying frog cried out, “You fool! Why did you do that? Now we are both going to drown!” The scorpion simply replied, “Sorry, it’s just my nature”

Like the scorpion, we all have a nature that will destroy ourselves and others. Scripture teaches that we are born with this earthly or sinful nature. Although we possess both body and spirit, unless we receive the Spirit of God and are transformed (regenerated) through faith in Jesus Christ, we will be stuck living according to our flesh/old nature. Our human spirit has no victory over our flesh. To state it simply, this means that if our spirit and our flesh duke it out, the flesh will win every time.

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.

However, if you are saved you have the Holy Spirit, therefore you can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to conquer your flesh so that you can live in obedience and righteousness.

John 3:6-7 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Romans 8:9-16 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ¹⁰ And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies ^[a]through His Spirit who dwells in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ¹⁵ For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,^[b] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Let me close with an old, but apt illustration. It is a Cherokee legend, but it is loaded with truth: Once, and old man and his grandson were walking through the woods when the grandfather turned to the young man and said, “Young one, inside all of us there is a battle raging between two wolves. You have felt it even in your young years, and I have felt it all my life. One of the wolves is evil – he is anger, envy, greed, regret, arrogance, resentment, lies, hatred, and ego. The other is good – he is love, joy peace, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, compassion, truth, and faith. Everyone has this battle going on inside them.” They walked a little further in silence, until the young boy stopped and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The wise, old man simply replied, “The one you feed.”

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

God has intentionally created each person with different skills, interests, gifts, personalities, and abilities. We are all made in the very image of God therefore humans are designed with creativity and complexity. God has created every person as a unique one-of-a-kind masterpiece. But there are some things we are all born to do! For example, we are all born to love. We were designed to give and receive love.

This innate need to love others is called relationship or fellowship and this innate love for God is called worship. However, our sin natures pollute and distort this natural desire which leads us to worship and serve lessor things… John Calvin said, “The human heart is an idol making factory.” That means we will all worship something or someone, therefore we had better choose wisely. Only God is worthy of our worship and obedience… anything or anyone else is a false idol that won’t produce life but will only deliver spiritual death! The fact is, we are alive right now to know God and to make Him known!!!

Without worshipping God, we just don’t function as God intends. Without clean oil, a car engine doesn’t work well. The vehicle will break down… the engine will overheat and self-destruct. Without worshipping the true and living God the human heart doesn’t work well… our lives will break down and we will eventually self-destruct.

“Holiness is the characteristic of God’s nature that is at the very core of His being. Only as we encounter God in His holiness is it possible for us to see ourselves as we really are. The view of God presented in Isaiah 6:1–4 leaves an individual with a deep sense of awe at the greatness of His majesty. To be indifferent is impossible for the Christian when confronted by the holiness of God. The practical life of the Christian flows from the vision of the God of holiness. In this first study we will see the importance which God puts on His holiness. In later lessons we will look at the impact of God’s holiness upon our own lives.” RC Sproul

1 Samuel 2:2 No one is holy like the Lord, For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.

Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory ^[b]due to His name;
Worship the Lord in the ^[c]beauty of holiness.

2. Recognize the Point of Worship

Many people wrongly think worship is simply the warm-up for the sermon, but worship is not just an appetizer but it’s an essential part of the spiritual main course! That is why so many church attenders show up 5, 10, 15 minutes late… If we had an appointment and opportunity to meet our favorite celebrity or professional athlete, I am sure we would be punctual and prepared to make the most of the special occasion… I wonder why we take the weekly opportunity to meet with other Christians and to worship the Creator of the universe with such a flippant demeanor… Worship must not be relegated to a secondary place in our hearts. Just as we would feel slighted to miss the first 20 minutes of a movie or the first half of a UK basketball game, we should sense a deep and profound loss when we miss out on the weekly worship experience.

One the most disheartening things about being a pastor… having the responsibility of looking from the front out and over the congregation… is to see people standing stoically, with their arms crossed, looking like they had just been baptized in pickle juice. The same people who will jump, cheer, clap, shout and act crazy at a concert or a sporting event will stand like a statue during worship…. It almost seems like for many church members their favorite song to sing should be “I shall not be moved”!

I am personally not a great singer, (I know how to carry a note, I just don’t know how to unload it…lol) but I have learned over the years to participate in worship. The Senior Pastor is not the worship leader, but he is the lead worshipper. I want to be a good example for The Mission Church of Lexington on how to be engaged in the worship experience. I have also learned, not to participate in worship is often rooted in pride or fear… and pride is a sin and fear is opposite of faith! Lord, please forgive me!

People are welcome at The Mission Church of Lexington who never sing a word or lift a hand or even crack a smile, but I know once somebody truly begins to experience the Lord’s presence, they will long to experience worship with both their voices and their bodies!

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, ^[a]giving thanks to His name.

Psalm 47:1 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

3. Recognize the Pursuit of Worship

John 4:23-24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Like a runner leaning forward to reach the finish line is a picture we get when thinking about the pursuit of God in worship. To earnestly worship requires a gaze not a glance of the True and Living God. Worship is looking intently and intensely at His majesty and his might. It is looking with anticipation at His presence and His promises.

Every time we worship, we are to expect God to speak to us. Not in an audible way but in and through our mind, soul, and spirit. Therefore, we must come to God with an attitude of anticipation. Some people will say “I just didn’t get anything out of that worship service”. This statement says more about you than it does about the worship service. When we come prepared to pursue God in praise, that changes everything!

Many years ago, when the billionaire Howard Hughes died, his company’s public relations director asked the casinos in Las Vegas, where Hughes owned multiple casinos, to show him respect by giving him a minute of silence. For an uncomfortable sixty seconds, the casinos fell eerily silent. Then a pit boss looked at his watch, leaned forward, and whispered, “Okay, roll the dice. He’s had his minute.” (From the book, Howard Hughes: The Hidden Years, cited in “Our Daily Bread,” 11/77.)

I wonder if sometimes we treat God as those gamblers in Las Vegas treated Howard Hughes. We interrupt our busy schedules once a week, rush into church, give God “His hour,” and then forget about Him and get back to what we’d rather be doing.

John MacArthur was certainly correct to title his book on worship, The Ultimate Priority [Moody Press, 1983]. God created us for the ultimate priority of worshiping Him. As the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Or, as John Piper modifies it, our chief end is “to glorify God by enjoying Him forever” (Desiring God [Multnomah Books], 1996 edition, p. 15).

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                   9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY                           40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

Recent surveys show that professing Christians and church members are skipping church attendance more frequently than in the past. One denomination has reported that of their recorded 16 million members only about 6 million of those members attend church on a given Sunday. That means 10 million members are skipping!!! Where are they? What could be more pressing and important than worshipping and serving God with their faith family??? This is an alarming reality considering the importance and necessity of corporate worship for a Christian. As a pastor, I can accurately determine a person’s spiritual commitment and maturity based upon their level of engagement and participation in a solid local church. When people start skipping church it reveals a spiritual disconnect in their lives…

There are clearly some circumstances in which it is appropriate and even necessary to skip church attendance- sickness, physical disablement, being out of town to care for a family member, or a family vacation (even on vacation why not find a nearby Bible based church and worship? You might just be a blessing to them, and they will be a blessing to you). However, skipping church should be the exception and not the rule in your life.

It has been said, “When a church member skips worship it’s a vote to close the doors”. Ouch!

God uses 3 things to build our faith and strengthen our walk with Him. He uses the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God. If you are trying to live the Christian life alone and not connected to a faith community… you are missing out. God uses the corporate praising, praying, and preaching as primary tools of discipleship in our lives.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Greg Gilbert says “At the very least, therefore, we have to say that, for every Christian, attendance at church gatherings is not optional. The author of Hebrews- and therefore the Holy Spirit himself- commands Christians to be present when the believers to who he or she belongs gather”. God reveals 2 general commands for all people, the first is “Come and keep coming to Him” then “Go and keep going for Him”. Not to do either of these is to be disobedient to His plans and purposes for your life.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is said you can identify a person’s priorities by looking at their checkbook and their datebook. How a person is spending their money and time will reveal what is the most important thing to them. If anything is more important to you than God, it has become an idol.

John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

Too frequently people think that corporate worship is only about getting their spiritual needs met. Therefore, if they don’t have any spiritual needs now…. They see no pressing reason to attend church. The problem with this mentality is that it is far too individualistic and self-centered. As followers of Christ, our lives are to be spent serving, helping, and encouraging others.

Skipping church robs you of the opportunity to welcome an unbeliever to church, to make a first-time guest feel comfortable, to pray for and with other church members, to encourage the congregations with your singing, to be an example in your giving, to speak words of encouragement to those who are hurting, to volunteer on one of the many Mission Teams and so much more!

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

God created us to worship Him, that is the primary reason we exist! This is why Christ is redeeming a people on earth and is preparing a people for Heaven. I have been to many boring church services, but I have never been to a boring worship service! When we are truly worshipping God it is a little piece of Heaven. If you don’t look forward to worshipping and serving God together here and now on earth what makes you think you would enjoy worshipping and serving God, then and there in Heaven? We are to begin practicing now, imperfectly, what we will enjoy doing then, perfectly. 

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

The Mission Church of Lexington has a Church Covenant and a Covenant Membership Agreement which reflect our high view of commitment to the local church:

Church Covenant

 Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive Jesus Christ as the Lord, Savior, and, supreme Treasure of our lives, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and peace; to promote its spirituality and fruitfulness; to sustain its worship, ordinances, and discipline; to welcome, and test biblically, instruction from the Scriptures by the Pastors of the church, seeking to grow toward biblical unity in the truth; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment, to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger; to seek God’s help in abstaining from all drugs, drink, and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.

We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, if possible, unite with a like-minded church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NKJV)
² We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Luke 14:23-24 (NKJV)
²³ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
²⁴ For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ “

1 Peter 4:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV)
¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

4. I will support the testimony of my church

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV)
²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Philippians 1:27 (NKJV)
²⁷ Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NKJV)
² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am) and Mission Groups                   each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

“So, what exactly is a disciple? On one level the answer is simple: a disciple is a follower of Jesus. Now in our culture, the word “follower” is often quite negative: a follower is the opposite of a leader. And we are all called to be leaders, at least according to our culture.

\Leadership is an entire genre for books, for conferences, etc.… If you can still find a brick-and-mortar bookstore, you will find a leadership section. Interestingly though, I’ve never seen a follower section in a bookstore, have you? Now “followers” as a term has gained some popularity in recent years because of social media. Instagram and Twitter enable people both famous and almost famous to try to build their own brand by gaining “Followers”. But again, the whole point is that you need to be a leader, so that other people can follow you.

So isn’t it interesting that the primary word for people who worship Jesus as Lord and Savior is the word “follower”? (disciple) Now in the context of Jesus’ day, a disciple was a follower not just in a general sense, but also in a particular way. A disciple tended to be either a pupil, someone that would sit at the feet of a master or be an apprentice in some sort of trade.

And I think there is something to this, that even for the first disciples, they never graduated into something else. They always remained disciples, that is followers of Jesus. And one of the many reasons for this is that a disciple is always in a position of humility, right? They are never the master with all the answers, but always the ones who sit at the feet of Jesus. So being a disciple is to be a follower, but not just in a casual way. An apprentice or a pupil has essentially given up a whole variety of opportunities to follow the one master. We can follow a lot of things, sports teams, musicians, politicians, etc…but to be a disciple of someone is to turn your life over to them and ask that their wisdom might help direct your life. So that’s discipleship…it’s following Jesus every day, becoming more and more like Him.”  By Stuart Strachan Jr., The Art of Followship.

Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus provided two main objectives for every disciple. They were to first come to Him then, they were to go for Him. We go to Jesus for salvation, then we go for Jesus in service. There was a saying in the ancient near east that went like this, “May you be covered with the dust of your Rabbi”. This means a disciple would be following their teacher so closely that the dust of the teacher was literally apparent on the disciple.

How closely are you following Jesus Christ? Do you have any dust of the Rabbi covering you? Are you following in your Teacher’s footprints?

Jesus always demonstrated a perfect trust and obedience in His Heavenly Father. Every disciple must live a life committed to trusting the one and only true and living God.

John 5:19Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall ^[a]direct your paths.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

In an issue of CT magazine contributing editor Susan Wunderink writes:

Man is never more like the devil than when he is full of pride and man is never more like Christ than when he is walking in humility. Jesus was a perfect picture of humility and if we are to follow Him, we must also nature a heart a humility. Walking around with your shoulder slouching, head down and looking at the ground is not humility… that’s just bad posture… True humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Micah 6:8He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love ^[a]mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

James 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

It has been said that you can give without loving but you can never love without giving. Therefore, there has never been anyone who has ever loved like Jesus because nobody has ever given like Jesus. If a disciple is following Jesus that disciple cannot help but show and share the love of God with others.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

1 John 4:10-12 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am)                       and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

What is the often-repeated lie of all time? “I have read and accepted the terms and conditions.” Lol

The world is masterful at presenting counterfeit products as the genuine articles. We are all susceptible to believing lies and deceptive doctrines. But as Christians, we care about the Truth. We want to know the Truth, live the Truth, and teach the Truth. However, and unfortunately, many Christians over the years have fallen victim to some reoccurring lies. But the good news is, if something is predictable it should be preventable. So, in this blog post I am going to point out some predictable lies that many Christians have fallen for so that we don’t make the same mistakes. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!

Lie #1- Church is Not Necessary.

If you are following Jesus, you will follow Him to church. When you love Jesus, you will love what Jesus loves and Jesus loves His church. God created us for community. God created us to be a part of the Body of Christ. There are no lone ranger Christians… Even the Lone Ranger needed Tonto!

Going to church or being a member of a church doesn’t save you or keep you saved but church is critical for our spiritual growth and maturation. It is within your faith family that you are encouraged, challenged, equipped, and prayed for and you do the same for others. You need the church, and the church needs you!

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the ^[a]edifying of the body of Christ,

Lie #2- All God Wants from a Christian is for Them to Be Good and to Be Nice.

Obviously, God doesn’t want His children to do bad things or to be unkind. But Christianity is so much more than that! One preacher said, “If Christianity was just about not cussing, drinking, and smoking then my old hound dog would be the best Christian I know.”

Christianity is more than just behavior modification. Walking with the Lord is more than moralistic therapeutic deism. Christianity is about living a crucified life. Christianity is about being filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Christianity is about worshipping and working for the Lord. Christianity is not simply turning over a new leaf but receiving a new life!

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Lie #3- God Doesn’t Really Care About the “Small” Things.

Somewhere along the line we convinced ourselves that God has got a lot on His plate and a lot of other people to take care of…. So, we don’t want to bother him with our problems. We will often pray for others or even pray for the big things in our life, but we try to take care of the “small” things in our own understanding and ability.

However, the Bible is clear that God wants to be invited and involved in every area of your life. If something is important to you it is important to God! You will never approach God in your thoughts and prayers and hear Him say “Oh…. it’s just you again” or “really? Why don’t you talk to me about something significant?”. No, my friends! The God of the universe who heaped up the mountains, scooped out the ocean, and flung the stars into space wants to relate to you on a personal level.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save ^[a]to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Lie #4- We Believe Only Pastors, Evangelists and Missionaries Can Really Serve God. 

God accomplishes His Kingdom work through both the “Pros” and the “Joes”. You don’t have to have the first name of Pastor to serve God. Every Christian is a minster. You are saved to serve not sit. You do not need a seminary degree or a title to serve God.

A person who is not in “vocational ministry” has a distinct advantage. When a pastor serves, ministers, prays, shares the Gospel etc. the people being ministered to often think to themselves “that’s just their job, they are supposed to say/do that” but when somebody who is not being paid or carries a title does the very same things the people being ministered to often think to themselves “they must really believe in Jesus to be willing to say/do that”. In short, pastors are often viewed as “professional salesman” while committed Christians who are not pastors are often viewed as “satisfied customers”.

Romans 12:1 I beseech^[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your ^[b]reasonable service.

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for^[a] you serve the Lord Christ.

1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Lie #5- God Just Wants Me to Be Happy.

This may come as a surprise to you… but God is much more concerned with your holiness than with your happiness and God is much more interested in your character than your comfort. Happiness is dependent on external happenings and is often fleeting but joy is dependent upon Jesus and can be experienced even during difficult circumstances and experiences. In reality, God allows adversity for the purpose of drawing us into great dependance upon Him.  The things in life that don’t make us “happy” are often just the things we need to develop our faith and to give us a greater ministry.

If you seek happiness, you will never obtain it… it will always be elusive and just out of reach. But if you seek Jesus, you will find what this world can never offer. If you aim for heaven, you will get earth thrown in but if you aim for earth, you will miss both!

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and ^[a]mammon.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Which of these 5 lies have you believed in the past or are currently struggling with now? I would love to hear from you. How has God used this article to challenge you think?

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am)                       and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

A man woke from a coma at the hospital after suffering a terrible accident. He began yelling “Doctor, please help! I can’t feel my legs!” The doctor said, “That’s because we had to amputate both your arms.” 

Job 14:1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of ^[a]trouble.

The Bible is clear that suffering and trouble are part of the human experience. It has been said that God only has one Son without sin, but God has no sons without suffering. The reality is nobody is immune from the difficulties of life. It is good that Christians develop a Theology of joy, but we must also develop a Theology of suffering. Christ followers must develop a world view that does not allow difficulties to drive them from God but draw them closer to Him. Spiritual maturity helps us to move past asking “Why me?” to asking, “What now?”. We must learn to look through our circumstance and concerns to our Christ and His comfort.

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to ^[a]be abased, and I know how to ^[b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through ^[c]Christ who strengthens me.

We don’t have much trouble understanding why wicked people suffer. We understand that God allows consequences to lead people to repentance and belief. As is often repeated at The Mission Church of Lexington, “We can choose our choices, but we can’t choose our consequences”.

Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding ^[a]gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

However, its more challenging to comprehend when God’s saints are passing through trials and tribulations. When this happens many begin to question the character of God! They will start to think or even say… If God is allowing this tragedy to take place, He must not be both loving and powerful.  Because surely, if God was loving and powerful, He would do something to stop all this suffering.

As a pastor, I have heard this same argument packaged in many ways and I have seen the issue of pain and suffering to cause many people to volitionally turn their back on God. Many liberal theologians and secular philosophers have used this very thing to undermine the faith and commitment of many vulnerable people from trusting in the goodness of God.

Therefore, I am writing this blog post today to help us think through the significance of suffering and the purpose of pain.

John 9:1-3 Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

The Lord did not mean that this man never committed any sin, nor that his parents were perfect. Everybody is a sinner by birth and by choice. Everybody is disobedient to God by nature and by nurture. This is why we all need a Savior!

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Jesus was clearly stating that this suffering of blindness was not a punishment for sin but rather an opportunity to reveal God’s power and glory. It was for the same reason that Lazarus was permitted to die.

John 11:1-4 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. ² It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. ³ Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” ⁴ When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

When Lazarus was sick, his sisters (Mary and Martha) called for Jesus, but Jesus did a strange thing. Instead of coming immediately, He waited until Lazarus was dead and had been buried four days. When Jesus eventually arrived, He merely spoke, and Lazarus walked out of the tomb. As a result of this miracle, many of the people who witnessed it were convinced that Jesus really was the Son of God and they believed in Him. Certainly, the death of Lazarus meant some short-term heartache for Mary and Martha but the long-term joy of seeing Jesus being worshipped and glorified made it all worth it! Paul felt the same way about the suffering and persecution that he experienced throughout his ministry.

Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.

Many have experienced seasons of prolonged and terrible suffering. There is everything right and good to ask God to heal you and others; to take away the pain and suffering but ultimately, we must pray for God’s will to be done. When we do this, we follow the example of our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Luke 22:42 Saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

2- Suffering and Pain Corrects us and Helps to Perfects us

The Scriptures make it clear that God’s purpose for us is primarily our holiness not our happiness. God wants us to become more and more like His Son Jesus Christ in our character and our conduct. This spiritual maturation will not take place apart from the experience of suffering and pain because these experiences serve as sandpaper for the spiritual rough edges of our lives.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Ephesians 1:4 Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Hebrews 12:10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Sometimes we suffer in order that God might teach us the spiritual discipline and the holy habit of prayer. Prayer is an expression of dependance upon God, therefore when we don’t pray it reveals a heart of self-sufficiency and pride. When suffering and pain takes place in our lives (physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, etc.) it should serve as a call to prayer and seeking the Lord.

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Sometimes we suffer and experience pain in order that God might teach us the lesson of humility. Some people are so proud they can strut sitting down. However, pain and suffering remind man of our fragile state. We are never more like Christ than when we operate in humility, and we are never more like the Devil when we operate in pride.

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before ^[a]a fall.

Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

3- Suffering and Pain Provides a Ministry for Us

This world is filled with suffering and heartaches, and one of the greatest needs that suffering people have is for somebody who can empathize with them in their troubles. Not trying to “fix” them or the situation but to simply practice the ministry of presence. We cannot truly empathize with those in sorrow unless we have suffered some sorrow and have found the Lord faithful and sufficient. God never wastes a hurt and neither should we! God wants to turn our pain into praise and our hurts into Hallelujahs. God is willing to transform our misery into our ministry. Chuck Swindoll once said, “It is doubtful that God can use anyone greatly until He has first hurt him deeply”. So, have you suffered with depression, have you experienced the death of a child, have you walked through a divorce, have you ever been laid off from a job, have you ever had cancer, have you ever been in drug rehab, have you ever been incarcerated, have you ever been hurt? Then you are just the kind of person that God is looking for to reach others who are experiencing similar hurts, habits, and hangups now!

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any ^[a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Galatians 6:1-3 Brethren, if a man is ^[a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

4- Suffering and Pain Turns Our Attention Toward Heaven

It has been said that humans are the only living creatures that know they will eventually die but do everything they can, not to think about it. Death is a reality with the staggering static that one out of every one person will have this experience. As Christians we know that this earth is not Heaven, and this physical existence is not our eternal existence. We live as pilgrims and sojourners. We live with dual citizenship… we are citizen of this world, but we are also citizens of the Kingdom of God. When life is going wonderful, we often forget this truth and get too comfortable with the here and now… but suffering and pain turns our attention toward Heaven.

Luke 12:13-21 Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of ^[a]covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” ¹⁶ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ ²¹ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Colossians 3:1-4 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Sometimes it takes sickness and sorrow and disease and disaster and shattered dreams to bring us to the end of ourselves and turn hearts to God. The suffering and sadness that we experience often gives us a desire and a longing for the promises of a very real place called Heaven. C.S. Lewis once said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf word”.  For a Christian the suffering of this life will one day be no more, but until that day may we continue to embrace the significance of suffering and the purpose of pain, for our good and God’s glory!

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                    9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Dr. Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

A teenager brings her new boyfriend home to meet her parents. They’re appalled by his haircut, his tattoos, his piercings. Later, the girl’s mom says, “Dear, he doesn’t seem to be a very nice boy.” “Oh, please, Mom!” says the daughter. “If he wasn’t nice, would he be doing 500 hours of community service?”

#1 Intentional Child-Training is Needed.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, ^[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.

#2 Child-Training Must Happen Early and Often.

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart ^[a]on his destruction.

#3 Parents Must Be Selective to Be Effective with Their Time and Energy

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

#4 A Family That Has Fun and Laughs Together Stays Together

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart ^[a]does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

#5 Be Honest and Keep Your Word with Your Children

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

This week we are going to consider Biblical Instructions for Teenagers

#1 A Teenager Will Give An Account for How They Spend Their Youth

Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ^[a]ways of your heart, And ^[b]in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.

Just as parents need to be reminded that children are only lent to them from God, so teenagers need to be reminded that their youthful years are a priceless, irreplaceable gift to which God will hold them accountable for. Every life, regardless of age, is a gift from God and the life that we live is our gift back to God. Teenagers must also realize that the decisions made in life in the early years will impact (for good or for bad) their later years. Our decisions determine our destiny. Our lives are the sum of all the decisions we make. A clear truth revealed in Scripture is that we can choose our choices, but we cannot choose our consequences. We make our decisions then our decisions make us!

Romans 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

#2 A Teenager Should Give Respectful Consideration to What their Parents Say

Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;

There is great value in learning from the life experiences of others. In most situations parents truly are looking out for the best interest of their children (sadly, there are some relatively rare exceptions to this generality). A teenager may think and feel they “know more” than their parents but this is delusional thinking based on inexperience. Most parents have faced the objectives and challenges of life and are willing to be a good source of wisdom and guidance for their children. Teenagers must maintain the teaching about a coachable mentality because when we stop learning we stop improving.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

#3 A Teenager Should Consider the Company they Keep

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

 It is important for a teenager to choose their company and companies from those who are not infected with the spirit of rebellion, immaturity, laziness, or entitlement. As the old saying goes “Show me your friends and I will show you your future”. When a clean car drives through a mud puddle the puddle doesn’t get clean… the car always gets dirty. Teenagers are to be a Gospel witness to their friends that are not yet Christians, but a teenager must be careful to surround themselves with like-minded Christ followers. Specifically in dating…. Teenagers must remember that dating is not evangelism… the best way not to marry an unbeliever is by not dating an unbeliever. The Spiritual condition of our friends should be the number 1 criterion for whom we allow access to our lives to whom we invest our lives in.

 Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ^[a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what ^[a]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what ^[b]communion has light with darkness?

#4 Teenagers (both boys and girls) Should Consider the Bible’s Standard for Ideal Womanhood.

Proverbs 31:10-31 Who^[a] can find a ^[b]virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. ¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands. ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. ¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants. ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; From ^[c]her profits she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. ¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. ¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. ²² She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” ³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. ³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.

A- Verse 11- Loyalty. The Scripture implies that loyalty and trustworthiness are of more value than wealth.

Ruth 1:16-17 But Ruth said: “Entreat^[a] me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. ¹⁷ Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me.”

B- Verse 13,19, 22, 27- Skill in homemaking. May girls today make light of domestic knowledge. But without skill in homemaking and the grace of good character, it will be difficult to maintain a happy home.

1 Timothy 5:14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

C- Verse 20- Generosity. This is the crown of Christian character.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows ^[a]bountifully will also reap ^[b]bountifully. ⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of ^[c]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

D- Verse 26- Wisdom and kindness in speech. A sharp tongue and harsh words will destroy any loving relationship.

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

E- Verse 27- Carefulness and orderliness. Orderly habits can be cultivated. Lack of order in the home has caused many conflicts between couples.

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

The qualities outlined in Proverbs 31 do not change, and so to summarize the whole matter, we would simply say that things have changed very much for teenagers over the years, but people have changed very little, and God has not changed at all. When we do things God’s way, we can expect and enjoy God’s results.

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at                    9am) and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

A teenager shows up at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Marching straight into Professor Xavier’s office, he says “I want to join the X-Men!” “Oh?” Xavier asks the boy, “What powers do you have?”  He responds, “I have the gift of perfect hindsight!” The Professor raises an eyebrow and says “Sorry, I don’t think that would be very useful.”
The teen replies, “Well yeah, I can see that now.”

There has always existed a “generation gap” between parents and their teenagers. There has continuously been perturbed parents saying, “you just can’t reason with teenagers; they want their own way; they won’t listen to advice; you can’t talk any sense to them”. But on the other hand, there have always been ticked off teenagers saying, “my parents just don’t get me; they are so out of touch; why can’t they just get off my back; they don’t know anything”.

Though this generation gap has always existed we must admit some other societal factors are new and evolving rapidly… the relatively modern proliferation of social media, access to smartphones, the decline in the educational system, political and social upheaval, the work and financial demands on parents, just to name a few of the dynamics at hand.

Psalm 119:89 Forever, O Lord, Your word ^[a]is settled in heaven.

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Biblical Instructions to Parents

#1 Intentional Child-Training Is Needed.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, ^[a]And when he is old he will not depart from it.

To “train up” means careful teaching and guidance. To help the child to learn to love and serve God. To equip the child to be a productive and contributing member of society. Parents must remember they are not just raising children they are raising future adults. The best teaching has always been a consistent example because “more is caught than taught”.  Alert and aware parents will look for teachable opportunities to impart valuable life lessons.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

#2 Child-Training Must Happen Early and Often.

Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart ^[a]on his destruction.

If a child doesn’t learn duty, discipline, respect, honor and so forth at home… he will have to be taught by the authorities in society.  And when society must do the teaching there are consequence from principals, police officers, judges, employers etc. Think of it this way, one who trains a dog, or a horse must insist on obedience, or the training will be unsuccessful. Training a child is much the same, but with this important difference: while we train a dog so that he may please us, we train a child to know how to please God. For this reason, the training of a child is so very important. Children do not belong to us. God only lends them to parents for a short time. Sadly, many men spend hours training their dogs and keep them safe at home at night but spend hardly any time training their teenagers and let them run wild all night! Many parents just need a good dose of good old-fashioned common sense.

Romans 13:1-4 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will ^[a]bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. ⁴ For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

#3 Parents Must Be Selective to Be Effective with Their Time and Energy

Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

 All children spell love, T.I.M.E. Parents must invest both quantity and quality time with their children. It is true that our lives are hectic, and the days are busy. But if the child senses their parent(s) are more interested in making money or pursing their own hobbies/interests than in raising them… they will get resentful and they will get bitter. When a child doesn’t feel “seen or heard” they will do whatever it takes to get their parents attentions… and often whatever it takes is destructive attitudes and actions. One of the most common complaints made by teenagers in counseling sessions is that their parents are just too busy for them, or their parents don’t show adequate interest in them. It has been astutely said of parenting “the days seem so long but the years seem so short”. Parents only have a finite amount of time to train, influence, coach, and prepare their children in preparation for their futures.

Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that you walk ^[a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

#4 A Family That Has Fun and Laughs Together Stays Together

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart ^[a]does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Just in case you have forgotten how to laugh and have fun check out this list! Just choose one and get started as a family today!!!

101 Weekend Family Activity Ideas – All Pro Dad

#5 Be Honest and Keep Your Word with Your Children

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

If you make a promise, keep it faithfully. Trust is a precious commodity… children naturally trust their parent(s), but trust can be easily shattered. Honor should be given by the child to his/her parent(s), but respect must be earned by the parent(s). It is also imperative for parents to be forthright enough to apologize to their children when they get it wrong. No parent is perfect… we will all have bad days, say things wrong, jump to conclusions, discipline out of anger or frustration etc. The important thing is when we mess up, we must be willing and humble enough to ask our kids to forgive us. This does not lessen our authority in the eyes of our children but amplifies it many times over!

Matthew 5:37 But let ^[a]your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Join me next week for “Biblical Instructions for Parents and Teenagers” Part #2 as we will look at Biblical Instructions to Teenagers.

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am)                       and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”

A man’s wife is missing…

Man: Officer, my wife is missing. She went out yesterday and she hasn’t come home.
Officer: Okay, what’s her height?
Man: Not sure…. Maybe around 5’6?
Officer: Okay, weight?
Man: I dunno… not slim not big.
Officer: Okay… color of her eyes?
Man: Sort of blue, I think? I never really noticed.
Officer: What’s the color of her hair?
Man: Well, that changes all the time depending on the hairdresser she goes to.
Officer: what clothes was she wearing the last time you saw her?
Man: Could’ve been a red dress? Maybe a blue one? I don’t know exactly.
Officer: when she left to go somewhere, did she go by car?
Man: Yeah, she did.
Officer: What was the make of that car?
Man: it’s a high performance 560 horsepower Audi in a very specific grey silver metallic paint. It has 8 speed paddle shift automatic transition and a 6.35-liter v12 engine generating at least 560 horsepower. It has a z51 super performance package, larger than normal alloy wheels, gt bucket seats, satellite navigation. And unfortunately… a little thin scratch on the front left door handle.
Officer: Don’t worry, sir. We’ll find your car.

Worry and anxiety appears to be an epidemic that plagues many people to various degrees. Sometimes the worry is based on fact and sometimes it is based on fiction. Mark Twain once said, “I am an old man and I have known many troubles, but most of them never happened”. I often teach that worry is like a rocking chair… it doesn’t accomplish much but it keeps you busy… Our world is fast paced with almost limitless demands. We all feel pressure and responsibility on every side. The demands are great in both our personal and our professional lives. One person quipped “I have so many worries, that if anything new happens to me today, it will be two weeks before I’ll have time to get around to worrying about it!”. It is unrealistic to simply say “don’t worry about it” because worry is a predictable human response. But what we do with our worry and how we use our worry to draw us closer to the Lord is critically important.

1- The Cause of Worry

Worry is not a part of God’s good plan for the lives of His children. But in a fallen world and in the limitations of our faith we all experience the detrimental and destructive disease of worry.

The concerns and cares of this life cause us to worry. Home repairs, vocational endeavors, concerns about health, new reports about wars, global pandemics, economic uncertainties, political and social disorder to name just a few of the issues that can rob us of our peace and contentment.

Matthew 6:25-26 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Another cause for worry is when we fail to remember the character and nature of God. Darkness and despair will grip our minds and heart when we take our eyes of faith off of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2- The Curse of Worry

Worry never makes things better. Worry typically only makes things worse. Worry is destructive in a variety of ways… a worried mind can lead to emotional, psychological, and mental ailments. There are many clients to mental health clinicians and many patients under psychological care because of unchecked and poorly managed worry and anxiety over issues of life. Worry will wage war on our spirit, soul, and body if we are not vigilant to address it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify^[a] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A worried mind will always impact a person’s physical wellbeing. Medical research reveals that many physical maladies can be attributed to sustained and unaddressed life anxiety. Worry will release chemicals in the brain and will secrete juices in the digestive system that tend to break down a person’s natural resistance to disease.

Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Additionally, our worry is harmful to others. No person lives to himself and all sin splatters. It is always discouraging to listen to the woes who are chronic complainers and wearisome worriers. Friends, family, coworkers, neighbors are watching us to see how a Christian respond and reacts to the trials and tribulations of life. Our faith filled response will positively impact them but our faith less response will leave a negative impression about our confidence in our mighty God. In short, our worry is harmful to the good reputation of the Lord we serve.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

3- The Cure for Worry

The Word of God offers a Christian a life of peace- a life that can free from worry. This doesn’t mean a Christian won’t face the same challenges and stressors of life, but they have a resource and a resolve to handle these matters differently.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

Those who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior can overcome worry by trusting in God’s character. One cannot trust in God and worry at the same time. Worry and faith cannot coexist. John Wesley once said, “I would just as soon cuss as to fret”. When we find ourselves fretting and worrying it is a call to run to the Lord in prayer and obedience.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ⁶ So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Christians can also overcome worry by loving God thoroughly. Hudson Taylor was a great missionary to inland China. He once made this remark, “Out of a thousand troubles and worries that beset us in life, 999 of them work together for our good- and one more”.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

This verse does not mean that everything that happens to us is good… but in God’s plan and purpose He uses everything (including the bad) things to work together for a result that is good. Anything that drives us to great dependance and obedience in the Lord is ultimately a good thing. When we face adversity, we should not waste much time asking “Why me Lord?” but asked “What now Lord?”.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces ^[a]patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be ^[b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Christians can counterattack worry through the power of prayer. Prayer doesn’t take any special skill and no insider information is necessary. We are simply able to talk to God, to ask Him for help, to submit to His will, and to trust that whatever then occurs He will give us the grace and the strength to overcome.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

When we pray, we have the privilege to cast our concerns upon Christ. When life is over our head it is still under His feet!

Years ago, there was a man walking along a country road, carrying a sack of potatoes on his back.  A man, riding by in a wagon, invited him to ride along with him. The pedestrian climbed into the wagon and sat down, but he kept the sack of potatoes over his shoulder. The driver noticed the awkward sight and said to him “Put the bag of potatoes down in the wagon bed. You don’t need to keep them on your shoulder”. “Oh no sir,” came the reply, “It is very kind of you to offer this ride, but to make those horses carry the weight of the potatoes too, that just too much!”.  Many Christians are just like that… The Lord is carrying them, but they think God in not able to carry their burdens.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

During World War II, German planes bombed London night after night. One aged Christian lady seemed to stand up well under the strain and stress. So, someone asked her how she managed to keep so calm day after day despite the awful danger they faced constantly. She simply said “Every night I pray and tend to worry about what Hitler is going to do during the time I am asleep- but then I remember how the preacher says that God is always watching. Therefore, there is no use for the two of us to stay awake.”

Psalm 121:1-4 I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?
² My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

A child was lost in the deep dark woods. She wandered for hours, hearing nothing but her own sobs and the rustling of the leaves under her feet and the tearing of the branches and undergrowth at her clothing.  At last, utterly wearied, she sat down. Then, in the stillness, she heard the calls of her father. She might have heard them before, had she been quiet, for her daddy had been searching and calling her all night.

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

However, if you are not a Christian you truly have something to worry about. Life lived separated from and out of fellowship with God is a very scary prospect and endeavor.

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If this blog post has grabbed your curiosity and you would like to know more, please pursue any/all of the below options:

1-              Contact me at pastor@missionchurchlex.org

2-              Check out our church website Misisonchurchlex.org

3-              Visit us for Community Celebration and Worship every Sunday at 9am and 11am (Facebook livestreaming available at 9am)                       and Mission Groups each Wednesday at 630pm. We are located at 3288 Beaver Creek Drive Lexington KY 40515.

4-              Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missionchurch.lex

5-              Continue to read this weekly blog- “Find your Why with Pastor D”