Pastoral Thought June 2022

A Thought from Pastor Bryson,

“Come unto Me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…” (Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV)

Once again, we as a nation find ourselves dealing with the horror of another mass shooting involving students at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Before that, there was a hate crime committed in Buffalo, NY where 11-14 people were gunned down while shopping at a grocery store. There are

numerous issues we are dealing with as a nation and simply put, people are tired and fearful. Once again, the question is asked, “What will it take to change the laws governing purchasing of guns in this country?”

The sad thing is that many who profess to know and love the Lord are contributing to the toxic, hate-filled environment in which we live. Yes, people are fearful and tired. BUT, in the Scriptures Jesus makes an appeal to people who are fearful and tired. He says, “Come unto Me all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” We cannot handle the stresses of this life on our own. All the more reason we need the Lord.

With all the problems we are facing in this world today, some may think it too simplistic a solution to turn to Jesus. But Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our concerns. In reading and studying the Scriptures we learn several things:

1. Jesus is God in the flesh – John 1:1-14.

2. Jesus offers us joy, peace, hope, salvation, and so much more – John 15:9-11; John 16:33; John 14:1-3, John 3:16; John 10:10.

3. The days leading up to His Second Coming would be perilous, dangerous – Matthew 24:4-13; 2 Timothy 3:1-12.

4. A new kingdom is coming and all who “know and love the Lord,” will be in that new kingdom – Revelation 21:1-7.

5. Until that new kingdom arrives, God is keeping us by His divine power – 1 Peter 1:3-5.

Obviously, laws are needed for a sinful world. But laws cannot fix a sinful soul, only Jesus can do that – 2 Cor. 5:17. May the Lord enable His church to live out the faith in this dark world, as we do – others will be drawn to the Savior and come to know His love, His peace, and His joy.

In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor; Be very sure, be very sure your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock! This Rock is Jesus…