Devotions with Pastor Bill

Dear Church Family:​
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And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.  (Philippians 1:9-11 ESV)

I find that many distractions are trying to come between me and Yahweh.  I don’t think this is anything new, but it seems to be more intense in the last few months.  I don’t think it’s just about all the pandemic worries, either.  Maybe (I hope) it’s because I’ve been seeking to spend more time in GOD’s Word and the enemy doesn’t like it!

I like Paul’s prayer about our love abounding.  He is referring to “agape” love, and a quick look at Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance shows agape as being expressed toward one another (John 13:34) and all mankind (1 Thess. 3:12) while staying focused on the LORD’s essential nature (1 John 4:8).  All this while being knowledgeable and discerning.  No pressure.

I have no excuse for my distractions. I can’t blame organized sports, outside amusements, or a heavy workload.  It is simply me, and it is my personal challenge to be discerning about the distractions I allow into my life.  Those things that prevent me from being discerning and knowledgeable about how my “agape may abound . . .” 

I trust in the Lord’s ability to keep me in His hand (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39).  And I know that it is my earnest desire to be found pure and blameless when Christ returns (verse 10). If this is our desire, it is vital that you and I conquer the distraction issue. This can only happen as we are “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” 

​Pastor Bill