Our Blog

Filter By:
Showing items filed under “Alan Scott”
in Newsletter

Pastor's Points - August

main image

Dear Church Family,

As we enter August and the unknown of this strange new reality that we are living in, I want to encourage us to live our lives free from the spirit of fear.  Let me first say that I know that some people can get very upset when you talk about not living in fear.  Right away they get offended or say that they are not fearful, they are just very concerned about things that are going on. But I believe the reality is that there are many people living in fear of a lot of things.  Some live in fear of the unknown, others live in fear of Covid 19, others live in fear of government overreach, and still others live in the fear of not being in control.  People are very concerned and often rightly so, but we must never allow fear to set in and be the controlling factor of our lives.  Fear is real and we all experience it at some point and time in life.

But the good news for us is that God’s Word speaks to the reality of fear. There are many places in scripture where we can find insight as to how to approach fearful times, or feelings of fear that can paralyze us.  But let me just point you to two simple verse for now.

First Isaiah 41:10 reminds us…Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)  These are not suggestions.  These are commands for us to follow.  We are to not fear or be dismayed!

But I must admit that I have recently participated in both.  I have been afraid. For me it is the fear of the unknown, and fear of not making right decisions. I have been distressed over the events going on in our world.  What does all this mean?  What facts are to be believed?  Which experts are right? I love what one pastor reminds us though about Isaiah 41:10…
“God is calling all of you to not be afraid. Fear not, because God is with you. Fear not, because God is your God. Fear not,
because God will strengthen you. Fear not, because God will help you. Fear not, because God will support you and hold you up by his victorious right hand.

“I am your God.” That is, I am above you. I am over you with my mighty hand. Over you. I am with you. Beside you. I will help you from whatever angle the enemy may come — or the attack or threat. I am all around you as your help. I will strengthen you from inside out. I will be your strength. And I will uphold you from underneath you. Do not be afraid.

And there is one great ground for fearlessness: God. You have a God who is infinitely more powerful! He is God! He is God! Do you believe him? Do not be afraid.”

Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God” (John 14:1). What else can we say? “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

As we go forward let’s apply both Isaiah 41:10 and John 14:1 and make up our minds that…
1. We Will Not Fear.
2. We Will Not be Dismayed.
3. We Will Not Let Our Hearts be Troubled.
4. We Will Believe in God.
5. We Will Remember that God is With Us.
6. We Will Remember that Ge Will Strengthen Us.
7. We Will Remember that God Will Help Us.
8. We Will Remember that we are secure in His Hand and He assures us victory!

I love you and I love being your pastor!!

Posted by Alan Scott with
in Newsletter

Pastor's Points - July

main image

Dear Church Family,

To say that 2020 is different than any of us ever could have imagined is a great understatement. We have experienced a pandemic which fundamentally changed the way that we live and operate.  Because of this we have gone from one of the best economies and employment rates ever, to layoffs, terminations, and whole companies being closed. People now must take precautions that just a few months ago none of us ever even really thought about.  Many people are frustrated, scared, or just plain wore out with this whole situation.  And on top of this we see the fallout of us living in a fallen world with how we treat one another.  Our days are marked by unrest, hatred, disunity, lawlessness, anger, and fear.  And if all of this were not enough, we also have been threatened with an invasion of killer hornets, and a sandstorm.  These are indeed strange days.

But during it all, followers of Jesus Christ have much to hope in.  Our God is still in control when all seems to be spinning out of control.  He is the one that we run to and place our full hope in.  We do not need to despair!  2020 does not have to be a year of fear, and unrest.  We can run to His Word and find that we can have peace, comfort, and hope even in the middle of a pandemic that is marked by loss, unrest, confusion, and fear. Take hope and comfort from the Word of God in these strange days.

1. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

2. “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

3. 6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7

4.“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:31:34

5. “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless[d]his people with peace!” Psalm 29:11

6. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

7.“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord, your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

8. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

9. 2 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 

May God use His Word to minister to us and help us to see that in the middle of these strange days we have an opportunity to grow in our faith and trust in the Lord. I am truly excited for the days ahead and know that God is going to see us through!

I love you and I love being your pastor!!

Posted by Alan Scott with

12...23242526272829303132 ... 5960