You Are the Camera Operator
You Are the Camera Operator
One of the things that make a good hero is a good villain. Life has opposition that often frustrates us. We spend so much energy complaining about life’s challenges, and trying to pray them away without realizing they are helping make us stronger. Now let me be clear, I am not saying go find some more enemies or opposition. But I am saying your enemies and opposition play an important role in your continued growth and development. We must remember not to become consumed or overly distracted by our opposition.
You are the camera operator in your life which means you determine what you focus on. You have the choice to focus on your problems, or on your problem solver. If you choose to give more camera time to the opposition then that becomes the star of your life’s show. But if you can focus the camera more on God, God becomes the star and God’s ability takes center stage. Make sure to keep the right things in focus.
Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Founders Day with Dr. Ralph D. West.
God bless you,
Pastor Cox
6/05/21
Don't Leave Jesus Hanging
Life can often be filled to capacity. There are so many things that demand out attention, and sadly sometimes our focus on Jesus falls through the cracks. We get so busy Jesus gets left on hold waiting for us to either come back to the line, or to open the door to let Him in. In Mark 3:14 you will find these 6 simple words explaining why He chose the 12 disciples. The Bible says, “that they might be with Him.” What a tender statement, what a warm invitation. It is also a wonderful reminder that Jesus wants to spend time with us. Jesus wants us to be with Him.
I want to encourage you to make some time to spend with Jesus this week. It may be an extra moment to pause in an attitude of prayer. It could mean spending time reading your bible. It may mean just getting out in nature to further appreciate the majesty of God’s creation. It could also mean being still and silent to hear God better. Whatever you do, don’t leave Jesus hanging.
God bless you,
Pastor Cox
6/13/21
Free Indeed
Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday, and it is a picture of how elusive freedom can be. The slaves were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, but in Texas that freedom was being withheld. Can you imagine being free and not knowing it? Can you imagine having access to possibilities and opportunities and not being told that you had it?
It was true for slaves in Texas, and, sadly, it is true for many who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior. Jesus died to free us from the bondage of sin. He freely offers us this tremendous gift of freedom, and many have yet to accept it. Some don’t know about it. Others have decided they are undeserving of it. They are like those slaves in Texas, they have been freed, but no one has bothered to inform them. This is where you come in. Just like Major General Gordon Granger informed those slaved 156 years ago today, you can inform someone about the freedom they have in Jesus Christ. Let us work to spread the good news. “If the Son sets you free you are free indeed.” (John 8:36)
God bless you,
Pastor Cox
6/20/21
Don't Miss the Confetti
All of life is not a party, but there are some moments worth celebrating, and some of the best celebrations involve throwing confetti. This old tradition comes from Europe and has made its way into many American parades. It has even shown up in my home. This year for Father’s Day and for my birthday, a few days later, my youngest daughter knocked on my door and when I opened it she threw homemade confetti all over me. I was startled, then I laughed. She said “don’t worry I’ll clean it up.” I told her not to do it just yet. For the rest of the day every time I saw some confetti on the floor I remembered the celebration. We tracked that stuff all over the house. Confetti was in the kitchen, the bathroom, the back deck, everywhere. But that meant everywhere I went in the house there was a reminder of the celebration.
I wonder when God blesses us if we remember to throw some confetti. And when we throw that confetti are we too quick to clean it up. My prayer for you is that you remember to celebrate God’s blessings and presence in your life. Throw some confetti and track it all over your life. And every time you see some confetti smile and celebrate!
God bless you,
Pastor Cox
6/27/21