From the Pastor’s Pen

     Question: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’m sure every person has their own hang-up. Hang-ups like – worry less, be less fearful, be more out going. Well, I have learned that the power to change comes from within – from the work of the Holy Spirit. This was Jesus’ prayer for His disciples when he was about to leave them to die on the cross for the sins of the world.  Jesus said, “I’m going to pray for the Father to give you a Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”(John 14:16) An amazing power, an awesome God will work from within us as we “abide in Christ” and we will produce much fruit.

     Now the Apostle Paul lists for us the “fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”(Galatians 5:22,23) This is the outgrowth of the power of God that lives within us. So as we abide in Christ, rely upon His power, we can change. The change I desire most is to ignite a passion in God’s people to do kingdom work. Our week of Associational Emphasis is “Igniting Passion”.  It made me think of a chorus I learned as a young boy:

       This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

       This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.

        Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

The other verse tells what we often do –

       Hide it under a bushel, No, I’m gonna let it shine.

       Hide it under a bushel, No, I’m gonna let it shine.

       Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Our problem is lack of passion, so we do hide our light under a bushel basket. Conversations tell us we have passions – fishing, hunting, banana pudding, texting – and the list goes on. So why don’t we have a passion to let our light shine? God is all about change – change that begins within our hearts and then flows out into every aspect of life. Let’s ignite a passion to let our light shine all over Hillside community.

 

                       

See you Sunday,

Preacher Eddie