The SBC Blog

Holiday Peace

A recent poll conducted by about.com/health found that more than 80% of people say that the time just after Halloween through the end of the year is somewhat or very stressful. They found these items to cause holiday stress: 1. too many activities  2. eating, drinking, and spending too much  3. too much togetherness   4. not enough togetherness  5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I would add another stressor to the list- the unexpected. We sing songs about it being “The most wonderful time of the year” and songs about peace and silent nights. My question is- is it really wonderful with all the stress we encounter? It is noted that this time of year sees a spike in depression and suicides. It seems that holiday cheer can easily turn into holiday fear. The truth is society has focused on all these other things and we have lost the true focal point of the season. We create the stress when we focus on the worldly. Jesus came to this Earth to set us FREE. Don’t get caught up in the mess that causes the stress. Keep Jesus the focus this year. Don’t give in to what the world says it’s all about. This world and its value system is passing away. Keeping Christ in Christmas is more than just a saying; it is how we are to celebrate. CHRIST IS CHRISTMAS! What an amazing event we celebrate- that God himself would leave Heaven to become one of us so that He could save us from our sins. There is no “Peace on Earth” without Jesus. Isaiah 9:6- For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We only experience the peace of the Prince when we celebrate the Prince of the peace. May each of us focus on the Prince of Peace this season- His name is Jesus! My prayer is that you will experience His peace and joy in a very real way this year.

God Bless and Merry CHRISTmas,
Pastor Chuck

Are You Getting Genuine Rest

Are you busy? In the day and age in which we live that would be considered a strange question, because just about everyone I know is busy-maybe too busy. In the western culture we equate busyness with value and importance. People might say that if you are not busy you must not be very important.

However, God places tremendous emphasis on genuine rest. God created everything in six days and on the seventh day He rested. Adam was created on day six and the first full day of his life he experienced a day of rest! We have the tendency to work, work, work and then rest; if it's possible to find any rest. God's plan is to rest in Him, then go work and serve our fellow man not in our strength but His.

The rest God offers based on Hebrews 4 is three-fold: Sabbath rest, Canaan rest and heavenly rest. The Sabbath rest is experienced every week, you need a Sabbath day of rest every week and so do I! It's not easy to accomplish because we are so busy. However, make the time to break the routine. Spend time with family and friends, enjoy a good meal and do something you enjoy while focusing on God and others. That day for sure do the will of the Father, don't let man tell you how to honor the Sabbath. (Col. 2:16) The Canaan rest is spiritual, we are living in Canaan now-the land of promise. Therefore, claim the promises of God, resting in the finished work of Jesus and relying on His power. Rest and trust in Christ, from that relationship serve God and your fellowman.

Last of all, there is the heavenly rest. Heaven is real, it's a literal place and the home of God. Trust Jesus completely and believe Him when He says, "I go to prepare a place for you..."  This world is not our home, we are pilgrims passing through. Keep your focus on the eternal, let Jesus live through you everyday and rest assured a heavenly rest awaits us.

Are you busy? Of course, maybe too busy. Slow down and find rest, the Sabbath rest, the Canaan rest, and the assurance of the heavenly rest. I know for sure that rest is the will of God for you and me.