Pastor Brad’s Notebook

24 Aug Devotional Thought – Faith’s Unending Fight

"Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land." Exodus 23:30 Am I to understand this verse to say that my Christian life is going to be one of perpetual conflict? Will I only "little by little" conquer my spiritual foes? I had always thought that when I came to Christ I was coming to the end of my struggle. After all, didn't Jesus Himself say, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"? But here it seems that in coming to Him there is the promise of war. Yes, there is at the same time the promise of rest and the promise of war, but these two are not contradictory. You see, the rest that Jesus promises isn't rest from the struggle - it is rest in the struggle. His gift is more than just a ceasefire in life's conflict. His gift to you is the power to fight.

22 Aug Devotional Thought – My Father’s Hidden Hand

“His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, And there His power was hidden.” Habakkuk 3:4 What an amazing and yet completely reassuring thought - my Father hides His omnipotence for my benefit. It is surely the most fantastic fiction ever  conceived for it allows me to have freedom of will. He loves me so much that He puts me in the wilderness and tells me to walk alone, but He never leaves my side. He continues to walk beside me, holding on to the hem of my garment. He hides the loving guidance of His omnipotent hand making it appear as if He were not there. He stands afar off and says to me, “Come.” He allows me to think that I am all by myself. He doesn't let me see His everlasting arms which surround me. He doesn't let me feel the care that envelopes me lest I should ever dash my foot upon a rock. He conceals the truth that I am totally, utterly and jealously guarded on all sides.  He hides His supporting arm in the mist leaving margin for my personal choice.

15 Aug Devotional Thought – The Curse Of Indifference

"Woe to you who are at ease in Zion..." Amos 6:1 I believe that the saddest thing in the world is indifference. I think that it is sadder than any heresy, sadder than any false belief; yes, sadder even than any honest unbelief. You see, the mind which has struggled into rest is one to be envied. The mind that has struggled without ever finding rest has to be appreciated. But the mind that has never even experienced any struggle at all, well, that mind is to be pitied.