Pastor's Blog

Good Thursday Morning GraceView!

“The happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances. It is the happiness and contentment that fills the soul even in the midst of the most distressing circumstances and the most bitter environment. It is the kind of happiness that grins when things go wrong and smiles through the tears. The happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which will root deeply inside us, and give inward relaxation, peace, and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be. That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus”. – Billy Graham

Wise words from Dr. Graham! This kind of happiness comes from a relationship with Jesus that goes deeper than an hour a week at church. It comes from removing the obstacles that would stand in your way of Him growing His love, peace, and strength into your very inner being. It is a relationship with Him through His Word and the daily communion of His Spirit into your mind and heart. Stretch yourself today, and give Him clearance to come in your life with new hope and a new fresh anointing like never before. How? Simple- open His Words to you, read them, and ask Him to change your life through them. Just talk to Him. No magic words, and totally surrender yourself to His embrace and filling today. Loving GraceView! – pastor robbie

Good Morning GraceView.

In preparation for Celebrate Recovery tonight, I was reminded of this truth in Romans10:9-10 (NLT) – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The eternal application here is for the security of our souls when we turn our lives over to Jesus Christ. But there is a daily application as well. If we really believe that Jesus is Lord, and that He did rise from the dead, then how can we not believe that as His child He has the resurrection power to change any part of our lives that needs changing. And how can we not believe that He has the power–if we really believe He is Lord, to make a way for us through any circumstance we are facing today? Maybe child of God- you need to turn this light switch on and realize it is not as dark as you think it is if you allow Jesus to indeed be the Lord of YOUR life. Jesus IS COMING and probably soon, but until then, don’t cower to the enemies threats or disillusionment. God is and always will be in control no matter what happens in the future. On this we can stand secure. He is Lord and He is risen!

Often times we fall into various pits of discouragement and depression because we have let our guard down to negative thoughts and influences the enemy lays down at the doorpost of our minds. We easily believe a lie and then this lie turns into a belief, and then the belief into an action. That’s how we end up on the wrong road or fall in that dreadful pit we never expected to visit. The “pits” and “wrong roads” are different for each one of us. Can I remind you of John 8:32, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The truth is that we are children of the King! He has redeemed us from every lie and attack of the enemy. The pits are out there, but we are free from having to fall if we keep Him-His Truth in our minds and not allow a lie to penetrate through the doorpost of our minds and then into our hearts. I don’t know where you are this morning. I pray you are secure and strong feasting on God’s manna of His living water and bread. But if not, choose today to focus on truth and not the enemies lies. Think great thoughts. Start with Scripture. Find those verses—hundreds, that assure us of His love and favor for His children. Memorize a verse today that will keep you focused on the Truth and not a lie. Here’s one. Read-meditate, and memorize this verse and use it against the attacks of the enemy beginning today: ” Colossians 2: 15  “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” That is child of God–We are covered by the cross and its power to protect and deliver us from everything the enemy throws our way! Negative thoughts keep coming your way? Believe the Truth–and you will be set free!

Special thanks to those who made our July 4th service celebrative and reflective! High five! – to Marvin Wilson for starting our celebration with his rendition of the Armed Forces Medley playing his sax and harmonica. And, Kudos to Don Simpson for the new song He wrote for our July 4th service, “Let the Colors Fly”. We expect to hear more great original music from Don in the near future! I’m sure his engagement to Juanita gives him continual inspiration. The worship was powerful. I especially loved God Bless America- both times! The message Jeff Brooks gave us was inspirational and motivational to continue fulfilling our mission—the game, we were put on this earth to do. That is, no matter what happens to America, our goal line never changes. What a powerful illustration Jeff ended with watching the lady sitting in the car with no one to help her –but us! –maybe you—maybe me—today!

Good Friday Morning! Wish I could report all is well in the gulf, the stock market is soaring, there is peace in Israel, and a check in the mail to you today for a million! Sorry —-But what I can tell you, is that maybe it’s time for you to get your feet wet ! Joshua 3- God asked His people to follow His leading. They did what they knew to do at that time and followed His direction through the voice and leadership of Joshua. They were on the move. God told His leaders to put their feet in the Jordon River and watch what He would do. He dried up a path in the river and the whole nation crossed on dry ground. Read the story! It’s better than CNN or Fox news. I just can’t help but believe that if we are obedient to God as a church family simply doing His Kingdom commission, growing disciples, and willing to get our feet wet, He will do some miraculous things right before our eyes at GraceView and in each of our own personal lives. Finding the peace and joy of God is not about what makes you happy or comfortable. It is about taking that first step in obedience-getting your feet wet, and watching God do some incredible awesome things in your life. It may be getting back to a personal quiet time each day. It may be trusting Him with your finances by actually giving rather than always expecting to receive. It may be taking a first step in “JUST GOING”, doing something, saying something to someone at work, or at the grocery store, or wherever. It may be that first step of reconciliation. It may be that first step of repentance. Whatever the Jordan is for you, just put your feet in the water and let God do the rest!

It’s NOT ABOUT ME! While going over the words of James this morning for the message tomorrow, I was reminded that IT IS NOT ABOUT ME –and IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU! That’s right. Our lives—our purpose in this world, and our involvement at our own local church, is not about us. It is not about what we want or what we like or what we don’t want or like. I don’t know about you, but I can be so self-serving that I get tunnel vision and as a result will make decisions for what I want and what I think will make me the most happiest. And when this happens we argue, we get opinionated, we get sideways when we can’t have our way. Our degree of faithfulness and service often as well is tied to this degree of selfish pride. We will serve if we like what we see. We will be faithful and stay the course if we are comfortable with our surroundings and the course prescribed for us. But when we get uncomfortable and unhappy with the plate before us and get bored and restless, we often miss the next step and chapter of growth God has planned for our lives. James talks about this kind of self seeking stuff in chapter 4. We studied it last week. Remember the quote I gave you last Sunday –“Man finds it hard to get what he wants, because he does not want the best; God finds it hard to give because He would give the best, and man will not take it.” – George MacDonald . Think about how many abandoned plows there are in the harvest fields where Christ Followers have started plowing and working for Jesus, and have left to find their own comfort and as James put it, have “committed adultery”, and lost their loyalty to the vision and purpose of their lives. They missed the best because they were too concerned about their own agenda and comfort for life. And thus, an abandoned plow. I think back on my life, and know I have done this from time to time and only wish I could go back and keep my mind and heart on that particular plow I abandoned. The truth is, God has various plows for us to work. Various fields to harvest. But if we wrap ourselves up in our warm blankets of “spiritual self-indulgence and pride”, we become guilty as charged by James of “Spiritual Adultery” with self, which is in fact, adultery with the world ever how we package it. I challenge you today; as we end this particular study in James, don’t think his words are for someone else, when they may be speaking to you. Let’s don’t be distracted from the goal—the job—the mission, God has called you and me to do through the local body of GraceView. We are privileged to be a part of a chosen community of believers who have been called out to do a specific work in the Anderson Community. It will not always be easy and will not always be in our comfort zone, but “Faithful is He Who calls you, who also will do it.” God is blessing all over our church. 4 new people seeking help at Celebrate Recovery Last Night! New people attending our church who are seeking God. People are growing and we have a loving church family. So-“To whom much is given much is required.” J Let’s keep going and just remember that “greater things are yet to come!” Don’t be distracted, and don’t sit down. We are advancing God’s kingdom, and what a royal honor to be part of His Team! Greater Things Are Yet To Come! Pastor robbie

This morning my heart was dis-heartened to find out that a family friend who I have not seen in years, who to the best of my knowledge and discernment was a professing follower of Christ, has now been added to the list of disciples who have deserted Christ. He was a Man who had all evidences of loving God and was actively serving the Lord in many ways. I cannot understand his choice of sin and degradation. It saddens my heart to no end. Then as I look over the list of more people I have personally known and see thier departure from Truth, I am not only more deeply saddened, but am reminded of the Scriptures that warn that in the last days many Men’s (and Women’s) hearts will turn from Truth and follow deceiving spirits. There are several I have personally known as friends that are on this list. I want to believe they do know Christ and will turn back as the prodigal son did to the love and grace of our Abba Father. But as well, I cannot get out of my mind the parable of the soils. Only God knows whether or not they are truly His. I pray and want to believe they are. We must pray harder than ever, and stand on what is true firmer than ever. But we must do so with the character of God’s heart. The deceiver is roaming about in a fury faster than ever because he knows the times are short. Before our eyes -everyday, more and more is happening to raise the curtains on the final scene of History. Just yesterday our President took our country one more step closer into sin’s final grip. We must be “watchful”. We must be awake, which means we must be in the Scriptures drinking from the truth growing and strengthening ourselves in His divine absolutes so that we will be able to stand even if all those around us fall. God give us HIS passion-and compassion for loving people and loving and standing for Truth at the same time, as “a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

This morning I sat on our back deck with a cup of coffee in one hand and my Bible in the other. As I held both and looked out over the yard and heard and felt the early morning sounds and the fresh wind of the breaking day, I was somewhat invigorated with the thoughts of a new day- a new week. I love mornings. And, I love new beginnings. My mind was taken to the Scripture that says “His mercies are new every morning.” His mercies come in all sorts of different sizes and colors. His mercies of forgiveness, of restoration, of new starts, of new blessings and miracles. We may feel at times that we are dead and tired with all of life’s troubles. But remember this child of God, HE IS NOT. And, neither does He sleep or slumber. He has no need to do so. That’s what identifies Him so well as God. I love my morning Coffee in the one hand. But I treasure and love the Word I hold in the other hand this morning more than anything. I hope you do as well. Let this week be a week of new beginnings, and a week of new opportunities to grow closer to your Abba. Allow God to make it a week of speaking no ill or critical judgments on anyone else, but rather speak words of blessing and honor to everyone you rub shoulders with this week. You never know, this could be the week you say something or do something that God uses to bring someone to Himself for salvation or for restoration. Just remember- “This is the Day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – your pastor, Robbie

Martin Luther said the following: “The essence of sin is that Man seeks his own in everything, even in God.” He is so right. Look at your own life, as I look at mine. Just think about all the activities of your day yesterday and the past week. And at the center of each, who was being served most of the time? We have man-centered homes, man-centered jobs, man-entered hobbies, man-centered relationships. And the list goes on and on. And—think about this one. Luther said ” …even in God”. He is so right! We have man-centered churches and man-centered leaders in these churches. I know of a few myself and it scares me for those congregations. Three godly Men inspired me this week at the Innovate Church conference in Lynchburg Virginia with that realization: Chuck Swindoll, Jonathan Falwell, and Jim Cymbala. There are many churches that are following men’s visions and dreams that have no root in the fire and will of God. (Remember we have studied this from James 4:15) We worship culture in our churches more than we worship HIM. We worship programs and denominations more than we worship HIM. We worship the latest church “growth strategy” more than we worship HIM. While all these things are used often by God, the passion and purpose of each day, each priority of our life, must be to glorify HIM. This is the chief end of Man. This is the reason to get up this morning and continue our life’s journey. And in going, we go as HIS Mouthpiece, His ambassador, His grace conduit for a lost and hurting world. So saints of God—Let’s JUST GO! – This morning –today –tonight, and fulfill His royal calling in our lives. –

Remember the need we put out yesterday for Shirley Smith with His Ministries. If you are able and feel led to help, call me as soon as possible at (617-0909), or give what you plan to give this Sunday. I encourage you to be faithful in your attendance at church this summer and as well in your tithes and offerings. God’s work does not go on vacation and neither should our faithfulness. 

One more note: We are pleased to announce our new interim Worship Leader who is a candidate for our permanent Worship Leader at GraceView. Let’s make Jason & Joanna Bursh feel welcome this Sunday!