The question of the origins of the Christian tradition called Baptist has been, and to some extent still is, a much-debated issue.
PASTOR's PONDERINGS DECEMBER 2024
Pastor’s Ponderings –
Every year as we enter the holiday season, we are filled with a whole array of emotions. There’s joy and happiness in being together with family and friends. There are feelings of gratitude and thankful hearts for all of our many blessings. There are also feelings of sadness and loneliness for some. It can be a time of real difficulty.
I am always amazed at the amount of loneliness and difficulty that surrounded the first Christmas. We see it with such joy and gladness; we celebrate the season with such anticipation. But how difficult must it have been for Joseph and Mary? It’s no fun to have to explain getting pregnant before you’re married. How do you explain it when you know you’ve never been with a man? Can you imagine how lonely that must have been when you knew no one would believe you? Your Mom, your Dad, your family, how about your fiancé? How embarrassing would it be, especially when your explanation as to what happened is completely unbelievable? You’ve now brought such incredible shame and embarrassment on your entire family. They really can’t stand up for you because your explanation doesn’t make sense. What you’re saying happened, is not even possible, it’s so far-fetched; everybody’s going to think you’re crazy. It’s blasphemous! Your marriage is now out the window, there’s no way Joseph is going to want to marry you. You could be killed for this. Stoned to death by your fiancé, your family, friends and neighbors. Just try and think that through a little bit, look at it through their eyes and tell me it would not have been lonely and incredibly hard. Following Jesus, walking in obedience to Him can be lonely at times, because what Jesus is calling us to do for Him does not make sense to those around us. Sometimes people are not going to understand.
How hard would it have been to be Joseph, knowing that you are a very honorable man, you had done nothing wrong. But who’s going to believe you now? You know people are always going to look at you and wonder. What would it be like to get your instructions from an angel, in a dream, while you are sleeping? How believable are your dreams, and how much of your dreams are based on your dietary disciplines over the last twelve hours? It’s very easy for us to “enjoy” the Christmas story because we didn’t have to “live” the Christmas story. We’ve read the Christmas story, and we know how it turns out. When it’s unfolding right before your eyes, it’s not so easy. It’s a good lesson to us, – “Life is hard, follow God anyway”. Follow God always, regardless if it makes sense, because sometimes it doesn’t. Follow God always, regardless if it’s fun, because sometimes it’s not. Follow God always, regardless if it’s easy, because sometimes it’s hard. Follow God always, regardless if you understand, because sometimes it’s uncertain. Follow God always, regardless if it’s lonely, because you are never alone. God always knows the way. We can trust Him. And sure, it’s easy and fun when we know how the story turns out. But Joseph and Mary were just living one day at a time, not knowing what lay ahead. Just looking to God, listening for His voice, and following His leading. Sometimes life is hard, but if we don’t keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, it’s impossible! The Christmas story reminds us that obedience is always best “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”. Hebrews 12:1-2
The Christmas season is hard for some. I would like to say that we are mindful of those in our midst who have lost loved ones this year, and this will be your first Christmas without that special person in your life and in your home. There is a new kind of loneliness for you. I am so sorry, we are praying for you. Only God knows the way through that journey. Please keep looking to Jesus, you are not alone. It’s different this year, but Jesus is with you. He promises He will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. God is faithful still.
On behalf of Kristi and myself and our family, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year. It is so good, and we feel so very blessed to be with you at First Baptist Church. We are so thankful for each and every one of you. May the birth of the baby Jesus, born in a manger, be your greatest blessing “because He will save His people from their sins”. Surely Jesus Christ has come to seek and to save the lost. Praise God, Jesus still saves! May God give us the will and the determination to follow Him unconditionally, regardless of those who may not understand, regardless of what it looks like to the world around us.
Blessings to you,
Pastor Steve & Kristi
