​Back in 1986 when I was working at another job I won an award for going above and beyond the expectations of the job I was doing. This award was known by the acronym “P.W.M.D.” That acronym stood for People Who Make a Difference. At that time in my life I as well as others was recognized for making a difference in the place that we worked and with the people we worked with. The PWMD award was coveted and while many competed only a few received it. That seemed so long ago and I wonder today if I am still making a difference in the world around me.

The Bible says in Jude 1:22 “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” In striving for the PWMD award I out the effort into knowing what was required to be successful and ultimately saw the results of that effort. When reflecting on that I began to wonder if I put that type of effort out to serve God. God does tell us what we need to do to serve him. If we read in the previous verses of Jude 1 we can see that God instructs us to build ourselves up on “your most holy faith.” We all have faith in something but the faith that builds and matures the believer is faith in God. We should be “praying in the Holy Ghost” and keeping ourselves “in the love of God.” Having an active prayer life that includes every aspect of our life gives us the desire to be God honoring in all that we do. Keeping ourselves in the love of God also gives us the ability to look upon others and have compassion on them and the circumstances they are found in. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life show them some love just like Jesus showed you. No one needs our disdain or judgmental attitudes. What they need to someone to show them the compassion and understanding of Jesus. They need to know that someone loved them enough to die for them and rise again so that their sin debt would be paid. If you want to make a difference in the life of someone, show some compassion. Look at them through the eyes of Jesus and let them see the love of God. Enjoy your coffee.
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Love you all,
Pastor Gary

Yesterday our nation and many of those around the world remembered the tragedy of 9/11. The events of that day changed our lives forever. Have you ever wondered about the day after? I am sure the rescue efforts continued that day and people began to evaluate the impact of 9/11.

Can you imagine the next day after God sent out Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden as told in Genesis 3:23-24? I wonder how long Adam and Eve stood and gazed at their old home.  No doubt they spent time evaluating their decision to sin and to this day the “whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain.”

The day after Jesus was born Mary “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” What was Mary pondering? Being a new Mom? The Mother of the Saviour of the world had been born and most likely Mary knew the prophecies and the sacrifice that Jesus would be required to make.

How about the day after Paul was struck down on the road to Damascus? The Bible says in Acts 9:8 “ And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” The day after Paul sat in darkness yet God was working in him and he became the most prolific missionary of his day.

What about your “day after?” Do you realize as a believer your day after will be in Heaven? As an unbeliever your next day will be in Hell. When God gives us today he allows us an opportunity to accept and serve him. 2nd Corinthians 6:2 says “now is the day of salvation.” If you know Jesus as Saviour each of your “day after” needs to be another day to grow and serve God. Do not wait until the “day after” to make a decision for God. Those decisions need to be made today. Enjoy your coffee.
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Love you all,
Pastor Gary