We are approaching the season when we are reminded about the value of giving thanks. At least ideally, the minds of many are led to consider reasons for giving thanks. I hope you are planning to spend some time especially this month in giving thanks to God for His amazing plan of salvation. When Jesus lived on this earth, what happened when…
Shining light in Wickenburg, Arizona
Pastor’s Thought of the Month
Periodically it is good to review what God has done. The first chapter of Genesis is a summary of what God did in creation. We certainly see a review of what God has done in Deuteronomy chapter 8, as Moses pleads for the people to remember how the Lord led them through the wilderness, fed them with manna, kept their clothes from…
Many people around you likely haven’t made finding truth a central focus of their lives. It can seem to them an impossible task to determine what is ultimately true. With so many conflicting voices, they may despair of ever knowing for sure what to believe. Does what I believe matter? For someone who takes God’s Word as the standard of truth, it…
It was August 14, 1831 when William Miller preached his first sermon on the return of Jesus. He spoke in Dresden, New York in the absence of the Baptist minister. While he had been searching the Scriptures about this topic since at least 1818, he had not widely shared his views. He did not feel adequately educated to expound on the subject,…
This month of February is what I associate with spring in the desert. I usually see some daisies blooming by late January and hitting their peak soon. The sunshine is warm and gearing up for the serious rays of the months that follow. Are you ready for spring? You may be a fan of another…
New Beginnings After the flood and resettlement on the dry ground, Noah had a new project to absorb his energy. He planted a vineyard (Genesis 9:20). And like most gardeners, he sampled the fruits of his labor. Unfortunately, he overindulged and made a fool of himself (v. 21). How would God react to this situation? Did He immediately distance Himself from Noah…
How many of us want to go back to school? For some, later July or early August is the month to launch another year of school. Teachers take time to prepare. Hopefully some students do a little preparing. Even parents may be in the preparation zone. People in Bible times went to school. Moses went to school to learn how to be…
Jesus said: The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:37-38 NKJV). Jesus is interested in the harvest, because Jesus is interested in people. He cares whether they are saved or lost. And His vision is for a plentiful harvest. His sacrifice was sufficient for…
When Rebekah left her village with Eleazer on the trip to meet and marry Isaac, Genesis 24 tells us she was sent off with these words ringing in her ears: May you be the mother of thousands of thousands (verse 60). So somehow I don’t picture Isaac and Rebekah sitting up late evenings around the fire debating how long to wait until…
It has been my privilege to attend camp meeting most summers for most of my life. Some years ago I would attend at Lamoni, IA and take my bicycle along for early morning exercise. It was a challenge to keep up with the Amish buggies on the rural roads if I was facing a headwind. One morning I was on a lonely…