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 –
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” 1 Peter 1:3-6
At the end of the day, no matter what the day has thrown at us, we still have Jesus. In very simple terms, this is what Peter is saying in these verses of the opening chapter in his first letter to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. He’s not saying it to be trite or flippant. He’s declaring it because it’s true. At the end of the day, it’s the most important truth of the day, regardless of what else the day has held. We tend to want to annualize things. Maybe we tend to over annualize things. Don’t misunderstand; it’s not wrong to annualize whatever it is we’re going through. But at the end of the day it is important to remember that we still have Jesus. Regardless of whether or not we have everything figured out. The pain, the trial, the struggle may still be there. But when all is said and done, what rises to the top is the fact that we still have Jesus. And He is holding for us an inheritance that will never be taken away from us. Because of His great mercy, He has given us new birth and new life in Him that will never be taken away from us.
In less than a week we will hold a National Election to determine who will be the next President of the United States. Senators, House Representatives and the White House will all look different than it does now. On November 6th, some will be rejoicing and others will be crying and wringing their hands. But at the end of the day, God will still be on the Throne, and we will still have Jesus. It is so important that we keep that truth in the forefront of our hearts and minds. Jesus is still very much in control. When we are saved, by grace through faith in Christ alone, we are held and we are kept in Christ, by Christ, for Christ for an inheritance that can never fade, spoil or be taken from us. It
is kept for us in heaven by the God of the universe that will never fail or break His promises. He is faithful to complete what He has begun and put into motion.
Rest in our Heavenly Father, rest in The Savior. “And God in His mighty power, will make sure that you get there safely to receive it, because you are trusting Him. It will be yours in that coming last day for all to see. So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here.” 1 Peter 1:5-6 TLB
Our future is sure and certain in Christ.
Pastor Steve
