Wednesday Encouragement — Keep Your Eyes Upon Christ

Blessings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

We have reached the midpoint of another week. On Monday, we reminded ourselves that after gathering to worship on the Lord’s Day, we were sent back into the world to live what we profess and faithfully serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, halfway through the week, perhaps the pressures of life have already begun to distract us.

Responsibilities accumulate. Problems arise unexpectedly. News from around the world troubles our hearts. Financial concerns, family responsibilities, health concerns, and the countless demands of everyday life can slowly pull our attention away from the One upon whom our eyes must remain fixed.

That is why today we need to remind ourselves again:

Keep your eyes upon Christ.

Peter walked upon the water while his attention remained upon Jesus. But when he looked at the wind and the waves surrounding him, fear replaced faith and he began to sink.

How often do we do the same?

We look at the storms instead of the Savior. We concentrate upon our problems rather than His promises. We become overwhelmed by circumstances while forgetting that the sovereign Lord who controls the wind and the waves is walking with us through the storm.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” — Matthew 14:30

And immediately, Jesus reached out His hand.

What a beautiful reminder for us today. When our strength begins to fail, we do not need complicated words. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is simply:

“Lord, save me. Lord, strengthen me. Lord, guide me.”

Whatever you are facing today, bring it before Him. Our sovereign God has not lost control of one single detail of our lives.

And while we carry our own burdens, let us remain sensitive to those around us. Someone you encounter today may also be struggling silently. God may use your prayer, your encouragement, your compassion, or your testimony of Christ to strengthen them.

So let us continue through the remainder of this week faithfully doing what God has called us to do.

Do not watch the storm.
Watch the Savior.
Do not surrender to fear.
Walk by faith.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2

May our Lord strengthen us, guide us, and keep our hearts firmly fixed upon Him as we continue serving together.

Serving Christ Together for His Glory Alone.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

My apologies for not posting yesterday. It started early, ran fast, and words just did not come to me for a post. It was a good day, in that appointments were accomplished, tasks were taken care of, playtime was accomplished, fellowship was attained, and seeds were planted.

Where there were plenty of positives to tout on, one family is in need of comfort prayers. One of them either decided that life here was not worth fighting for or they got a bad batch of something … at any rate, he has passed on. I am asking for prayers for this family. For peace. For comfort. And if possible, answers.

Father in heaven, I come to you as your humble servant, embracing the power that you have endowed upon me to come to you and request a sit-down. I come to you, Father, as an intercessor, standing on Your promise that when I seek Your face, You will come. That where two or more are gathered, You are there.

Father, I come to You and ask that You make Your presence known to this family. That they can feel, physically feel, the warmth of Your breath and love surrounding them. I pray, Lord, that they will find peace in Your presence as they navigate this difficult time. Lord, I ask that the right people be in place to be the intercessors in the physical as those of us who are abroad are the intercessors in the heavenly realm.

We stand in unity, as Your body, Lord, to bring comfort and healing to this hurting family. Hear our prayers, Lord. We cry out to Your mercies and grace. Hear our prayers, Lord. We give You the glory and the honor as they reap Your blessings. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

**The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:17-18

You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 NLT

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Every small step toward God can lead us into deeper intimacy with Him.

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Ask the Lord today to make you a channel of living water. As you bless others, you’ll discover something wonderful: God keeps the pipeline full.

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All-knowing God, nothing I do, think, say, or feel is hidden from You. Thank You for Your mercy and grace, for my hope is in You alone.

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In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; He saved me from all my troubles.

Psalm 34:6 NLT

Patsy and I have been married eight years. Before we met, we had both been widowed. She had been married 43 years to her late husband. I had been married 50 years to my late wife.

The story of how the two of us met, fell in love and married is a testimony of God's grace and favor. During the time we've been married, we have served in ministry to the widowed community we lived in in Texas. We also served in marriage support ministry (we still do) offering premarital counseling to couples soon to be married, or to the very newly married. We also have ministered to couples who were experiencing troubles in their marriages.

When we moved from Texas to Arkansas in 2021, we became involved in ministry to the addiction recovery community. The area in Arkansas where we lived has a major meth addiction problem. There are quire a few Christian ministries serving the recovery community there. She and I taught Bible classes at some of the recovery houses, and both of us engaged in much one on one support to those within the recovery houses.

Upon moving to Arkansas, we began attending a particular church. There we were asked to form and lead a seniors ministry group. We did that until later when we felt that God was leading us to make a change. Then we moved to another church. This one was heavily engaged in the addiction recovery ministry. This church was growing and God was doing some wonderful things there. Lives greatly changed, and the bonds of addiction broken for many.

Something happened, and I won't go into the details, but the church was suddenly abandoned. We had no pastor and we lost the building. It seemed that the intent was for the church to close, and for the attendees to find other churches to attend. But both Patsy and I, and several others felt that God was not through with the ministry of that church

Both of us felt that this was what God had put us there for. I was able to get the non-profit corp. signed over to me, and took on the role of lead pastor. But we had no place to meet. and a goodly number of the former members had moved on to other churches. Every week we scrambled to find a place to meet. Renting whatever venue might be available for that Sunday. We had no equipment including no sound system for praise and worship time. We had nothing

But God provided. We borrowed sound equipment and even folding chairs. We had different ones help us conduct our praise and worship time. And I brought the Word God had for us that day. Soon we were offered the use of an American Legion hall for Sunday mornings. The fee was very good as our numbers were small, and in that community, offerings were very small as well By the way, this American Legion hall had no bar so that was a plus.

During that time we were able to slowly accumulate a few pieces of sound equipment. We also had a family join who had been experienced praise and worship leaders. They were musicians thus we now had instruments.

Later the opportunity came for us to move into an abandoned church building. The building had not been in use for over five years. It had everything we needed in the way of chairs, a small fellowship room, and Sunday School rooms. It was ready to use for services. No longer did we have to go early every Sunday morning to the AL hall to set up for service and then take down following service.

Now we had a six month lease and a regular place to meet. But we knew that God had bigger plans. In November of 2025 we were able to move into a much more capable church building. At the same time, since the couple who lead our praise and worship had been former church pastors, and Patsy and I knew that our time there would soon come to an end, we appointed them associate pastors. In January of 26, this year, we turned the church pastorship over to them. This was in preparation for our planned relocation to Florida.

So now, here we are. We have connected with a wonderful church here in our city. We are not involved in leadership. What the future will bring, God only knows. But we will serve as He leads and what doors He opens, we shall see.

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 21)

1. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.

3. To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4. A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

5. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6. Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7. The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.

8. The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.

9. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10. The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14. A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

15. It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

16. A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

19. Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20. There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

21. He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22. A wise man
scales the city of the mighty, And brings
down the trusted stronghold.

23. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

24. A proud and
haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

25. The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.

26. He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.

27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28. A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29. A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30. There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.

31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD

PROVERB OF THE DAY

(Proverbs 21)

1. The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

2. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.

3. To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4. A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

5. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6. Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7. The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.

8. The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.

9. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10. The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14. A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

15. It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

16. A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

19. Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20. There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

21. He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22. A wise man
scales the city of the mighty, And brings
down the trusted stronghold.

23. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

24. A proud and
haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

25. The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.

26. He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.

27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28. A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29. A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30. There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.

31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD

Psalms 91:3, 14-15 NIV Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Good morning and praise God. I hope you're having a great morning.

Think about a fish in the waters. Does it knows when the fisherman puts a trap to fish it? Does it know when the kingfisher is watching to catch it and eat it? Indeed it survive under mercies. We are not different. Our enemy sets traps that we may not know. In this Psalm "Ps 91:3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence."

The requirement is not your righteousness but love you got for God. He will rescue and protect you because you acknowledges His name. You'll call and He will answer and He will be with you amidst your trouble to deliver you and honor you. Sometimes you may find yourself locked in fowlers traps but God promises to be with you in all those troubles and deliver you.

There's no better story than the story of Joseph to illustrate this. God was with Joseph in all trouble he had to face and at the end God honored him. I am assuring you brethren that continue believing, continue loving God , He will deliver you from all your troubles. Fear not when you feel abandoned, betrayed, jailed by circumstances or what not, keep believing in God who called you.

Sing and worship in that place of torment like Saul and Silas. Lift your heart above your problems to God who called you. He is faithful, He is kind, He sees, He is mighty to save!

Thank you God. Thank you for your Word. Deliver us LORD and honor us. In Jesus name. Amen.

God loves you, have a blessed day. Shalom. Shalom.

I just now joined the platform. My wife Patsy and I recently moved from Paragould, AR to North Port, FL. While in Paragould, we pastored a local church until this January when we turned the pastorship over to our associate pastor. This was in preparation for our move to Florida.

Patsy and I were both widowed. I after 50 years of marriage to my late wife, she after 43 years of marriage to her late husband. But God allowed us to meet, fall in love, and now we have been married eight years.

God has done wonderful things in our married life. We have been involved in ministry within the widowed community while we were living in Texas (before our move to Arkansas), ministry to not only young couples newly married or soon to be married, but couples going through troubles within their marriage.

A big part of our ministry while in Arkansas was to the faith based addiction recovery community. Now that we are in Florida, we know God has a work for us here. We're just waiting on His leading.

We are both retired. She from many years working in an administrative role with the Salvation Army, and I after a long career in the medical electronics industry. We enjoy travel, ministry activities, and I am now a published novelist.