Pastor's Blog

February 2022

No Perfection in This Life

We will not achieve perfection in this life. Neither will the people around us.

However, our faith in Jesus does not motivate us to accept sin. We do not want evil to influence us. We want to serve God is a way that is pleasing to him and according to his will.

Below is Psalm 101. It is a section of God’s Word that makes you think about what and who you allow to influence you. David wrote this Psalm and expressed strong desire to avoid sinful influences. Our faith in Jesus motivates us to seek purity as well. Of course, our confidence must never be in our own efforts; Jesus saved us by his death on the cross. Read this Psalm and pray for God to fill your heart with the same desire that David had to avoid sin.

I will sing of your love and justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing praise.
I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
I will set before my eyes no vile thing.

The deeds of faithless men I hate;
they will not cling to me.
Men of perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will have nothing to do with evil.
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret,
him will I put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,
him will I not endure.
My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
that they may dwell with me;
he whose walk is blameless
will minister to me.
No one who practices deceit
will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
will stand in my presence.
Every morning I will put to silence
all the wicked in the land;
I will cut off every evildoer
from the city of the Lord.  (Psalm 101:1-8 NIV)

Pastor Tim Wempner

Pastor Joshua Zarling

 



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Do Not Be Surprised

If you consider where we live, you shouldn’t be surprised by the trials we face (not referring to Wisconsin!). Living in a sinful world means the effects of sin are always around us. Illness, wars, personal troubles, stressed relationship, a struggling economy. Add in the hardships, rejection, and persecution that come from being a Christian and we see that life is filled with troubles. Peter put our sufferings and trials in their proper context: "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." (1 Peter 4:12–16 NIV)

Nothing strange happens as we live in a sinful world. Christ suffered and was rejected; we are called “Christians.”

Knowing that we will suffer as Christians doesn’t take the pain away. The heart may still ache; and world may still persecute, but we are reminded that our real home is with our Lord in heaven. This is a temporary stop. Jesus has taken away our sins and prepared us to live in the presence of God.

As the troubles continue, look up. Jesus has a far better home for us than this world. He will take us to be with him in heaven. And until you get there, he will not leave you!

Pastor Tim Wempner

Pastor Joshua Zarling



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Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. ~ EPHESIANS 5:19 (NIV)