SCC Pastors' Blog

Hi Everyone,

Sunday’s message was a good reminder to me about how easy it is to get way off track while professing our loyalty to God.  It was somewhat comforting to read Jonah’s story and realize that even God’s prophets threw tantrums when God didn’t perform to their expectations . . . I’m sure it must have been “righteous indignation” right!?  I guess I’m not the only one!

It’s good to remember that we are not defenseless against the idols that permeate our hearts.  We can identify them and replace them if we will regularly take an honest look at our:
IMAGINATIONS – What do you daydream about when your mind is in “neutral”?
HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY – Do you spend more on recreation and entertainment than you give to support ministry?
FUNCTIONAL DAILY SALVATION – What is your life really devoted to?
UNCONTROLLABLE EMOTIONS – Look for idols behind your emotions, especially when they trigger emotional melt-downs, prolonged periods of gloominess, or drive you to do things you know are wrong.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Colossians 3:1 – 5

Blessings,
 
John

By this time it was noon and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle.  Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my Spirit into your hands!”   Luke 23:44-46
  
We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way  He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins!
 
But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole He was whipped so we could be healed.   All of us, like sheep have strayed away.  We have left God’s path’s to follow our own.  Yet the LORD laid on Him the sins of us all.   Isaiah 53:3b-6
  
But God showed His great love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.   Romans 5:8,9

Good Friday, for you and me was a very good day.  Take time to connect with the Maker of all things today, Jesus, and thank Him for what He did for you that day on Calvary.
 
See you for the celebration!
 
Love you,
 
Dan