Pastor's Devotional

You Matter 5.26.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 26, 2022

“ I have chosen you

and will not throw you away.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you.

I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

God wants you. He is with you. He is your God. He will help you.

You may feel all alone in the world. You may think no one listens to you. The Lord listens, He hears, and He is acting on your behalf. God will bring glory to His name through you. Lift up your head and give thanks!

Heaven on Earth 5.25.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 25, 2022

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.h There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3,4)

We will not spend eternity "in Heaven." When the Lord returns we will live in a new Heaven and on a new earth. It will be a place like no other. Don't worry about spending forever playing the harp on a cloud. We will have real lives on earth. But . . . it will be earth vastly different from what we now know.

God will dwell with us ad the painful things of life will be gone. Our new land will be a place where there is no crying, pain, death, or mourning. This will be better than any exotic vacation. And . . . it will never end! We don't need to be afraid of dying . . . it is the doorway to new life!

God in His Rightful Place 5.24.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 24, 2022

“Whom have you been defying and ridiculing?
Against whom did you raise your voice?
At whom did you look with such haughty eyes?
It was the Holy One of Israel!”

These words are from God's conversation with the Assyrian King, Sennacherib. He asks a question we would be wise to take to heart. When we sin; when we disregard God's commands, when we rebel against Him in any way, it is good to ask "Who is it we are ignoring or defying?" He is the Holy One! "The One in whom we live, move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28)

When we sin we show disrespect for our Lord. We act as if He is nothing! It is a huge mistake!

A healthy fear of the Lord will keep us close to Him. This in turn, will deliver us from all other fears.

Choices 5.23.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 23, 2022

People ruin their lives by their own foolishness

and then are angry at the LORD. (Proverbs 19:3).

Accepting responsibility for our decisions and sin is vital to growth in our relationship with God. The longer we blame God or others for our choices, the further we will drift from the shore of forgiveness and restoration.

Are you mad at God? Are you mad at Him because of something that is the result of your own foolishness? If so, stop blaming God and start seeking Him.

Who You Are 5.22.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 22, 2022

“The people of Israel will no longer say,
“We are sick and helpless,”
for the LORD will forgive their sins.” (Isaiah 33:34)

Believers need to change the way they think. We need to remember that we are sinners saved by an incredible grace. We need to remember where we were so we don't think we have earned salvation because we are better than others. We are not! Salvation is a gift.

However, we also have to remember that we are forgiven people. We no longer need to beat ourselves up over our past. We are no longer sinners but are now saints. We are now children of God! It is the highest privilege and the greatest honor. We should not shuffle our feet like one condemned or waiting to be condemned . . . instead we should dance and sing with joy because we are set free from our sin and loved beyond measure.

As you look in the mirror today, remember you are not what you used to be. God has redeemed you, forgiven you, and made you part of His family. What a good day it is!

Waiting 5.21.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 21, 2022

“So the LORD must wait for you to come to him

so he can show you his love and compassion.

For the LORD is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for his help.” (Isaiah 30:18)

We often think we are waiting on God. Actually, He is waiting for us. He waits for us to come to the end of our schemes, our plans, and our excuses. He waits until we are ready to trust and rely on Him. When we are ready to trust He will act.

I will be forever changed by a quote I read: "Often we say to the Lord, when are you going to act on my behalf?" and God says, "Whenever you are ready!"

No Fear in Death 5.20.22

Bruce Goettsche • May 20, 2022

“But those who die in the LORD will live;

their bodies will rise again!

Those who sleep in the earth

will rise up and sing for joy!

For your life-giving light will fall like dew

on your people in the place of the dead!” (Isa 26:19)

These verses give us comfort in times of grief. Death is not the end for the believer. It is merely a transition point. We need not despair in times of loss. Our challenge is to make sure we are "in the Lord." There is no more important decision in life - or in death.

How do we become a person who is "in the Lord?" We get there by putting our trust in and sincerely following Christ. He is the One who provides for our forgiveness and gives us new life both here and in the life to come.