Tuesday, August 11, 2026

​​

​​

…for the least among all of you is the greatest.  (Luke 9:48)

 

 

I recently saw a video in which a child asked tennis great Roger Federer, “Why do people call you ‘goat?'"

 

(“G.O.A.T.” stands for, “Greatest Of All Time.”)

 

Federer answered, “Some other people call me “GOAT,” but I never call myself that."

 

Two aspects of Federer’s answer stood out:

(1) he felt no need to “blow his own horn,” and

 

(2) he responded to this young child with great care and respect.

 

Jesus spoke the words in the verse above as he welcomed a little child.  He instructed his disciples to do likewise.  When they did so, Jesus said, they were actually welcoming Jesus Himself.

 

Perhaps we have been encouraged by seeing someone welcome a child as Jesus instructed.

 

Perhaps our welcoming of a child has been an encouragement to others.

 

Perhaps we can remember when we were a child, and we were warmly welcomed in the name of Jesus.

 

Countless children have been blessed by being welcomed by Jesus’ disciples.

 

It’s good to remember that in our Lord’s kingdom...

 

There's a different way to be a G.O.A.T.

​

Blessings,

 

Pastor Karl

Monday, August 10, 2026

 

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to make this freewill offering?  For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.  (1 Chronicles 29:14)

 

 

The “I” in the verse above is King David.

 

While King David’s son, Solomon, was the one who would build the Temple, King David was tasked with raising the money for the upcoming construction.

 

The people responded to David’s call for an offering with large contributions.

 

In response, King David thanked the Lord for the great bounty the Lord had provided for the Israelites, from which their offerings came.

 

It was a joy to donate because the people’s offerings involved returning to the Lord what already belonged to Him (“…of your own [wealth] we have given you.”)

 

This understanding and this attitude, provide the basis for the cheerful giving our Lord desires.  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

​

Blessings,

 

Pastor Karl

Friday, August 7, 2026

​​

​​

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the prison cell.  The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.”  And the chains fell off of Peter’s wrists.  The angel said to him, “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.”  He did so.  Then the angel said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."  (Acts 12:7-8)

 

 

Acts chapter twelve tells the story of Peter’s miraculous release from prison.

 

At the time, King Herod found it politically advantageous to imprison and kill Jesus’ followers.  According to Herod’s order, Peter had been imprisoned and was awaiting his execution.

 

The Lord had other plans.  He sent an angel to bust Peter out of prison.  Actually, it wasn’t much of a prison break, as they just walked past the guards and out of the front gate.

 

One of the fascinating aspects of this story is how, at the time of his rescue, Peter did not realize that he was actually being rescued.  “Peter thought he was seeing a vision.” (Acts 12:9)

 

It was only after the angel left him that Peter understood that what was happening to him was real.

 

Are there moments in life when we are unaware of the help being provided by our Lord?

 

Are there situations such that only in looking back we see our Lord’s provision?

 

I believe so.

 

Should we find ourselves feeling abandoned by our Lord we would do well to ask ourselves:

“Has our Lord failed to help us in our time of need?”

 

“Or, have we failed to perceive the help and strength He is providing?"

 

It's a great blessing to be aware, at the very moment of our need, the provision of our Lord for us.

​

Blessings,

Pastor Karl

Thursday, July 6, 2026

​​

For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness…  (2 Peter 1:5)

 

 

The Apostle Peter spoke to a church that needed sound, practical advice.

 

By “sound and practical,” I mean advice they could use.

 

Peter went on to tell them they needed to support their faith, not only with goodness, but also with...

knowledge,

 

self-control,

 

endurance,

 

godliness,

 

mutual affection, and

 

love.  (2 Peter 1:5-7)

 

While Peter placed these items in a specific order, they would seem to have a great deal of overlap.

 

Critically, in this passage, Peter declared how faith needs to be supported through action.

 

Our faith is not something we merely observe.

 

Our faith is a flame we must tend to, if we are to keep it alive and burning.

 

Of the seven items Peter listed in these verses, I imagine there is at least one that each of us can work on today…to support our faith.

​

Blessings,

Pastor Karl

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

 

Blessed is anyone who endures temptation.  Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  (James 1:12)

 

 

There is a difference between temptation and tempt-ability.

Temptations come to us from the outside.  Temptations come to us as opportunities to sin and do what is evil.

 

Tempt-ability resides within us.  Tempt-ability involves our inner inclination to succumb to the temptations that arise from outside of ourselves.

 

According to the Apostle James we are blessed when we endure temptations.  This implies a tempt-ability within us, which is where the true battle takes place.

 

Personally, there are many temptations concerning which I am not terribly tempt-able.  I’m not terribly tempt-able toward stealing, drinking, or gambling.  These temptations—and they certainly are temptations for many—find few footholds in me.

 

However, there are other temptations concerning which there are footholds, concerning which I am tempt-able.  Sloth, anger, envy, and resentment (no need to go into additional detail!) are some of the temptations I need to watch out for.

 

So, what temptations do you need to watch out for?  Concerning what temptations are you tempt-able?

 

We are wise when we discern which temptations we really need to watch out for.

 

Once we are aware of our particular tempt-abilities we are wise to endure (resist).

 

We are also wise to steer clear of these temptations altogether.

 

When we both avoid temptations, and also endure them, we are blessed.

​

Blessings, 

Pastor Karl