Pastor's Pen

  Pastor’s Pen… How could King David, a man after God's own heart, have failed so miserably in the incident involving Bathsheba and Uriah? Yet while we wonder about this, each of us has experienced failures, and each of us is susceptible to falling to temptation into serious sin. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Let the person who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Should we fail as David did, we will need to follow the road he followed to forgiveness and recovery, as he wrote in Psalm 51.  As we consider this Psalm this weekend, look for three things: how terrible sin is, how great God's deliverance is, and how intensely thankful David is for God's grace and forgiveness. ***** We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fcc

  Pastor’s Pen… King David was one of the most amazing characters in Scripture. 62 chapters in the Old Testament are devoted to his life, as well as 59 references in the New Testament. Both Testaments referred to him as a man after God's own heart.  Yet there were moments of failure in David's life, and this weekend we will consider a shocking and disappointing failure with severe consequences, involving David, Bathsheba, and her husband Uriah. This shocking and sordid story is a reminder of the consequences of sin, as well as the amazing nature of God's forgiveness and grace. ***** We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons.  If you haven't come out to worship with us recently, we sure love to h

  Pastor’s Pen… I'd like to begin our message today with three important questions: How common is discouragement today, given all the adverse circumstances of 2020? How do you define discouragement? What are the results of discouragement when we find ourselves negatively influenced by it? Usually when I'm preaching a series, I don't return to a passage of Scripture. But this weekend I'm making an exception, because I believe discouragement is at epidemic proportion in the world of Covid and other 2020 circumstances. I'm also convinced that overcoming discouragement is absolutely crucial for each of us as believers. As we learned last time together, it's no wonder that David felt discouraged. From the record of three chapters we witnessed a period of 16 months with no prior art connection with God, no psalms or worship songs written, and virtually nothing but discouragement and spiritual defection. As we delved into God's Word, we will review the

  Pastor’s Pen… Several decades ago the television show mission and possible began each program with a silver haired man and a tape. Following the recorded message where the words, “This tape will self-destruct in 5 seconds!”  That's actually where we find David in our text this morning-- he is just about to self-destruct. And this study is extremely important, because you and I could self-destruct the same way, when we find ourselves under pressure the way, David found himself in this passage. It is doubtful whether anyone under the age of 30 had ever experienced all this young man, David, had been through. From my surprise anointing, to an incredible victory, to cheers from the nation, to angry rejection by the King, to a period of running for his life, David found his very existence threatened daily. (23:14) He had experienced a serious conflict, made the right decision, and then it seemed he was worse off than before! Have you ever been there? So he makes a decision that s

  Pastor’s Pen… “People who fly into a rage always have a bad landing” (Will Rogers) In many instances we are able to experience victory and life's biggest battles. However at times we suffer defeat as a result of small art unexpected tests. So it was with David. Although he was a man after God's own heart, David was still human, and at times experienced significant failures. Although he demonstrated great patience and love toward King Saul who sought to take his life, David allowed himself to become extremely angry and resentful when insulted and rejected by a rich fool. We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons.  If you haven't come out to worship with us recently, we sure love to have you! We c

  Pastor’s Pen… It's been said just that the real test of your godliness is not how you treat your friends, but how you treat your enemies. In light of Matthew 5:44-48, this is a biblical concept. Two incidents in David's life demonstrate that he had a handle on how to deal with his enemy. In both situations his life was at risk. Yet each time David demonstrated love and respect for his enemy, Saul. And each time God protected David. These two incidents are found in the context of 1 Samuel 23, a chapter where David returns to spiritual sanity. He consults God about the Philistine attack on Keilah and gains a great victory. (1-6) Then when Saul launches an attack, He again consults God about what to do. Although chased by Saul, he is protected by God and encouraged by his friend Jonathan. Despite daily pressure from his persistent enemy, David returns to trust in his powerful God. We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in p