We must recognize that truth will divide people, groups, nations, even families. We must make sure that what we are arguing for are not our personal opinions or partisan politics, but the truths of God’s inerrant word. No matter how gracious, thoughtful, considerate, or kind you are, if you are standing up for truth inevitably someone will be offended.
Here is the beautiful reality, if we draw close to God, he will draw close to us. If we humble ourselves before him, he will be our Joy and Treasure. We are not seeking an emotional experience. We are seeking a close relationship with God. When we are walking closely with him, we will both love him and experience his love to us.
If our Heavenly Father knows everything about us and accepts us, we don’t have to worry about our reputation or what others think. We can drop our guard and be honest with others because we know we are fully accepted in the Beloved.
As his child God will only, always respond to you in love. Even when he needs to discipline or correct us it is motivated by love.
We interpret our lives in light of a narrative we believe is true–either the story of redemption or another story. We are simultaneously saints, sinners, and strugglers but we are not defined by our sins and struggles.
“When told to shut out the world from his heart, this may be impossible for the man who has nothing to replace it—but not impossible for the man who has found in God a sure and satisfying portion.” -Thomas Chalmers
Pastor Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor It was my first year in ministry and I was serving at Shell Point Village Church. The average age of the congregation was 78 years old, and we had many people in the 80s and 90s plus a few at 100+! I led a variety of Bible studies and sometimes was asked to give a […]
Pastor Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor The Puritan pastor, Richard Baxter prayed, “May the Living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving him, and delighting in him, may be the work of our lives.” 1 Our goal is to find our greatest joy, happiness, and […]
