Pastor’s Pen

Luke 6
24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
In recent days, as you all are aware, and as I pointed out on Sunday, November 17th, 2024 during one of our Prophecy Point’s, it
is no secret that some things have crept into the church (as
whole, not our congregation in particular)… it is known as the
New Age Religion – though it is really the same Old Age Paganism. Today, not only is it known as New Age, it is also known as
Luciferian Belief. I plan to do a much more in-depth Prophecy
Point on it in the days ahead, but for now I have just four points
to make.
When I look at the Scriptures, specifically the passage above, I
noticed a trend that started centuries ago, when the Pharisees,
Sadducees and Essenes (all sects of Judaism) embraced false
prophets and false teachings. They were influenced not only by
Solomon, due to the influence of the women he married and had
as concubines, but also by Babylonian religious teachings and
the nations religions surrounding them. I mean, Jeremiah was
taking the false prophets and priests head on about these things,
as God commanded.
In that same vein, when Jesus was laying out the woes in the
passage above, and of course elsewhere in Scripture – false
teachings and prophets exploit others with the intentions of gain
to make this life rich.
Also, they use their eloquent speeches and find sounding arguments about being fulfilled – I can’t help but notice the idea of those who are full now will be hungry later…. The idea of a full
life, fulfilling the life we want easily is a figure of speech – those
full of their desires and full of themselves.
Note the laugh now – weep later statement Jesus makes. Interestingly – this echoes only listening to positive things, and I can’t help but think of those who always say “don’t listen to the
haters”…. I mean, what if God sent “the haters” in our
lives to humble us – like Paul had a hateful messenger of
Satan sent by the LORD to keep him from being prideful.
My final thought is of Jesus expressing the issue of everyone speaking well of a person – like the Ancient Israelites
did of the false prophets; while they spoke ill of and killed
the true prophets of God. How many times did God send
prophets with a message about sin, repentance, returning
to Him and then He would not bring the judgment they all
agreed to as part of the covenant. There is nothing wrong
with compliments, seeing a well love preacher or teacher
praised – but, if you’re preaching and teaching what God
says to, there is no way those who have itching ears will
be happy about it.
So – considering all this said, a practical and biblical summary becomes clear:
Watch out for teaching and teachers, preachers and
speakers that promise and proclaim all good and no bad,
the richest and most fulfilling life awaits you – and you can
have it now, surround yourself with only counsel that
props you up and never confronts you, and those messages and messengers (influencers) that seek to influence
and gain an audience that only praises and speaks well of
them.
Remember, Jesus said “See that no one leads you
astray”….
Prayerfully and Discerningly Submitted,
Pastor Daren Lee Barnett

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December Upcoming Events

Dec. 3rd – NO CED Meeting
Dec. 4th – Play practice 7:30 pm
Dec. 5th – Women’s Bible Study
Dec. 8th – Time for Prayer
– Play practice during fellowship
Dec. 10th – Stewardship Meeting
Dec. 11th – Play practice 7:30 pm
Dec. 15th – Foundations Women
– Play practice during fellowship
Dec. 17th – Spiritual Ministry Team Meeting
Dec. 18th – Play practice 7:30 pm
Dec. 19th – Women’s Bible Study
Dec. 21st – Men’s Breakfast
Dec. 22nd – Final play practice during fellowship
– No Movie Night
Dec. 24th – Candlelight Service 5 pm
Dec. 27th – Newsletter Deadline
Dec. 29th – Medical Missions
 
For full calendar click here.

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Pastor’s Pen

Are you tired of being held captive by the chains of the world or your
own prison?
I am reminded of a song by a once popular band and here are the
lyrics:
Court is in session, a verdict is in
No appeal on the docket today just my own sin
The walls cold and pale, the cage made of steel
Screams fill the room, alone I drop and kneel
Silence now the sound, my breath the only motion around
Demons cluttering around, my face showing no emotion
Shackled by my sentence, expecting no return
Here there is no penance, my skin begins to burn
(And I said, ohh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said, ohh) All held captive out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I hear a thunder in the distance, see a vision of a cross
I feel the pain that was given on that sad day of loss
A lion roars in the darkness, only he holds the key
A light to free me from my burden and grant me life eternally
Should have been dead on a Sunday morning, banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain’t got no time
Should have been dead on a Sunday morning, banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain’t got no time
(And I said, ohh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said, ohh) All held captive out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
I cry out to God, seeking only His decision
Gabriel stand and confirms, I’ve created my own prison
I cry out to God, seeking only His decision
Gabriel stand and confirms, I’ve created my own prison
(And I said, ohh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said, ohh) All held captive out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
 
(And I said, ohh) So I held my head up high
Hiding hate that burns inside
Which only fuels their selfish pride
(And I said, ohh) All held captive out from the sun
A sun that shines on only some
We the meek are all in one
Should have been dead on a Sunday morning, banging my head
No time for mourning
Ain’t got no time
You want to be free – Jesus and His Word are the only things that breaks
chains around the heart!!
The following is from my devotions this week, from Rylisms – How timely,
how true, how freeing!!
The Unchained Word –
“It is the Gospel for which I have to suffer imprisonment — as if I were a
criminal. But there is no prison for the word of God.” (2 Timothy 2:9, Moffatt
NT).
There is great irony in the fact that when the powers of darkness orchestrated the imprisonment of Paul through the efforts of religious fanatics — his
imprisonment became the occasion for the unleashing of the Word of God.
Had Paul NOT been locked up, there is good evidence to conclude that we
would not have much of the New Testament as we know it today.
Though Paul was bound in chains when he wrote it, there are no prison bars
strong enough to hold back God’s Word from anyone anywhere.
In the front of an old Family Bible, I found these words — “This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of
sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts
are binding, its histories are true, and it decisions are immutable.
“Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains
light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the
traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword,
and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and
the Gates of Hell disclosed.
“Christ is its Grand Subject, our good its design, and the Glory of God its
end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
“Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise
of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the
judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility,
rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents.
This volume is the Word of GOD.”
The Word of God cannot be chained — and it will therefore break every
chain that holds you back from fully, freely and faithfully following God.
Seeking God’s Best with You,
Pastor Daren

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Ambassadors

As ambassadors, we are representatives of our homeland – heaven, and are assigned to a foreign land – earth , the devil’s world.
Some of us who have been assigned overseas have an idea of what it is like to be in a foreign land as a US citizen, carrying out a mission for the USA in a land that may or may not be friendly.
So as citizens of Heaven, we are called to carry out God‘s mission here on earth; even though we may face hostility, we are to remain focused on our mission and bring glory to our spiritual authority.
If the nation in which we have ambassadors becomes too hostile and or on the brink of war, the nation will recall it’s ambassadors. So shall it be in the case of the resurrection of the church . God closes his embassy, the church, and calls His ambassadors home. Before the time of the devil’s desperation and intensified stage of the angelic conflict plays out on earth.
If God‘s plan for the individual believer is complete before the resurrection, the believer will receive his PCS orders, permanent change of station in the form of physical death and so shall ever be with the Lord.
So in conclusion, we are in this world, but not of this world. Even though chaos and evil reign on this planet, we can rest in absolute confidence that in our permanent home, will know no evil, sin, pain, or sorrow.
By Mitch Jenkins, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

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November Upcoming Events

03 – NO POTLUCK/Communion Sunday
05 – CED Meeting/National Election Day
07 – Women’s Bible Study (Anna)
10 – Time For Prayer during fellowship
12 – Stewardship Meeting
13 – 1 pm SAMARITAN’S BOX PACKING
16 – Men’s Breakfast
17 – THANKSGIVING POTLUCK
     – ANNUAL ELECTION & BUDGET
       MEETING
     – BOX COLLECTION
19 – Spiritual Ministry Team Meeting
21 – Women’s Bible Study
24 – Medical Missions/Women’s Ministry
        During fellowship
      – 6 pm Movie Night
26 – Newsletter Deadline
27 – NO WED NIGHT CLASSES
28 – Thanksgiving

 
You can find the full calendar here.

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Of Harvest and Seasons

Isn’t it interesting how life has a rhythm – not just the 60 second cycle, the 60 minute cycle, the hour/day/week/month/year thing. But the rest, plant, grow, harvest cycle. The lengthening and shortening of our days, the freshness an growth of new life followed by the drying an death of the very thing we have been working on to grow and produce.
I notice as I drive the chaser tractor towards the light – at times the air is so full of chaff and debri that I can’t find my target. It’s lost in the chaos caused by the separation of the good grain from the dead plant. The letting go of the worldly gains to produce spiritual fruits. And then, there’s the light – Jesus – the beacon in the fullness of the harvest night.
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,
If we do not give up.” Galations 6:9
Plant the seeds of God’s word into hearts, minds and souls, fertilize it with praise and fellowship, tend it with the communion of the saints, cultivate it with God’s word and may our salvation be complete by God’s harvest of our souls. Don’t lose sight of The Light of the World – our Rock and Salvation.
 
By Ann Krause, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

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Pastor’s Pen

On Assignment by Jesus: 1 Peter 1:1a
“I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah” (The Message)
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (ESV)
Have you ever considered that you are on assignment by Jesus? And not just any ol’ assignment, but the most important assignment of your life!
The term apostle in Biblical Greek is apostolos. It means a delegate, an ambassador, officially a commissioner of Christ, a messenger, a sent one with a mission.
What an extraordinary and serious thing this is, to be on assignment by Jesus, to be appointed as a particular person to a specific use. Os Guinness wrote, “Our passion is to know that we are fulfilling the purpose for which we are on earth. All other standards of success – wealth, power, position, knowledge, friendships – grow tiny and hollow if we do not satisfy this deeper longing.”
Deep in every heart is the God-planted desire to live a life that makes a difference. Many spend their lives looking for that one thing to which they can give their all. Somehow, we human beings are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts God has given that are truly us. The truest way to fully express those gifts is by being on assignment by Je-sus.
How wonderful it is to be able to say, “I am on assignment by Jesus.” All my talents, gifts, abilities, experiences, discover-ies, longings, dreams, thoughts, and labors are focused on doing His bidding at this time, in this place, for this reason.
We are born and saved for more than “such a time as this….” (see Esther 4:14). Of course, God’s intentional placing us in this nation, in this time, in this season, in this moment (see Acts 17:27) is part of our assignment from Jesus…. But, I am convinced and convicted that there is a very specific, special, hand picked assignment, maybe assignments, for each be-liever throughout the ages. What kind of pondering, seeking and searching have you done to find out? Have you asked (prayed to) the LORD to reveal the assignment(s) Jesus wants you to complete? You, dear Christian, will never be fulfilled until you know, until you enter into the assignment(s) and fulfill what Jesus has called you to…. Don’t settle for less than the LORD wants for you, don’t think it is the simple life, free from trouble and pain, don’t think it isn’t worth chasing, learning, doing – for it will make eternal impact! In fact, this is one of the sins that separates us from the LORD and makes us to fall short of the Glory of God that He in-tends for us. Not to mention, we will miss the opportunity, as the Word of God tells us, if we remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another…. Seeking Jesus’ Assignments Along With You,
Pastor Daren

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October Upcoming Events

 Oct 1st-   CED Team Meeting 7pm
 Oct 2nd- Wednesday in the Word 7pm
 Oct 3rd- Women’s Bible Study 7pm
 Oct 6th- Potluck
               – Nominating Committee Meeting during fellowship
 Oct 9th- Wednesday in the Word 7pm
Oct 13th- Time for Prayer during fellowship
               – Pastor Appreciation
Oct 14th- Stewardship Team Meeting 7pm (Monday)
Oct 16th- Wednesday in the Word 7pm
Oct 17th- Women’s Bible Study 7pm
Oct 19th- Men’s Breakfast 8:30am @ Huntley Café
Oct 20th- FBC Women’s Group during fellowship
Oct 23rd- Wednesday in the Word 7pm
Oct 27th- Movie Night 6pm
Oct 30th- Wednesday in the Word 7pm
Oct 31st-  Trunk or Treat 5-7pm
 
You can find the full calendar here.

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Can Anyone Have an Impact For Christ?

For those of us who are not the preachers and teachers in the world, is it possible for us to still have a big impact for Christ? Is it possible that we share the gospel with those we come in contact with even if we aren’t giving a full sermon or lesson to every person who we see in the day? I am not skilled in writing, (so my wife is helping me with this) or putting my thoughts into lengthy sermons, so how can I (we – the common people) impact the world and have an opportunity to bring others to know Christ even in our day-to-day work?
In daily conversations we have the chance to lead people to Christ. In our actions and how we handle business we have the opportunity to be Christ-like or to not. Those choices are ones we can make each day. Even without fully quoting scripture, we can speak His truths. We have the choice to mentor those around us in a good and Godly way (or we can choose to only care about ourselves, our own business, and what benefits us). Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
There is a dichotomy right now over freedom. Free for me – to murder babies – but not for thee – to speak freely whether true or false in another person’s opinion. What is interesting is the word “liberal” means “willing to respect or accept be-havior or opinions different from one’s own;” which is exactly the opposite of what we are seeing right now with censor-ship, fact checking, etc. When actual lawlessness is running rampant. It is obvious we need to use the freedom we have left to bring people to know God – the name to which one day every knee shall bow. (Romans 14:11)
Going back to Galatians 5:13 “serve one another humbly in love.” The act of serving others, leading with humility and not expecting praise for our actions, and treating others with love – doing unto others as we would want done unto us – we are bringing Christ into our everyday work. As these relationships are built, we may even have the opportunity to share the complete gospel. Mitch shared about those opportunities a couple Sundays ago in his sermon.
I do believe that even if we are not the preachers and teachers of the world, we do have a chance to impact the world for Christ. Just as Jesus called the fisherman and tax collector to follow Him and do His work, we too are called to be disciples of Christ in all that we do. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witness-es in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We are now the disciples in all the world to do His work in our daily lives.
Andrew Hervey, Spiritual Ministry Team Member

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September Upcoming Events

3 – CED Team meeting @ 7 pm
4 – Wednesday in the Word Starts at 7 pm
5 – Women’s Bible Study
7 – Church clean up day
8 – Hayride & Picnic @ 2pm
10 – Stewardship meeting @ 7 pm
15 – FBC Women’s meeting during fellowship
– Wedding Reception (Trent & Jaden)
19 – Women’s Bible Study
21 – Men’s Breakfast @ 8:30 am
22 – Movie Night
24 – Servant Leadership
29 – Medical Missions
 
You can find the full calendar here.

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