Meteorology is the scientific study of the earth’s atmosphere.  The name comes from the Greek term meteorological which means, the study of things lifted up.  Meteorology dates back to 400 B.C. to Aristotle and the ancient Greeks.  For the next several centuries people tried to follow and forecast weather patterns.  As a matter of fact, in Matthew 16:1-2 Jesus referred to one observation which became a sailor’s rhyme –

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight
Red sky in morning, sailor take warning

Up until the 19th century weather forecasting was pretty much left up to folklore and almanacs.  Since then, it has greatly improved with advancements in technology.  Weather radar can now detect and track tornadoes, hurricanes, and other major storms.  At present, most weather events can be predicted up to five days in advance, some as far as thirty days out, with an average accuracy rate of 80 – 85%.

In light of this, consider the statement of Jesus in Matthew 16:2, “You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” 

Indicators pointing to the imminent return of Jesus Christ are increasing exponentially in quantity and intensity.  Just last week two major events occurred: 1) the decision of the Boy Scouts of America to change its policy regarding inclusion of homosexual youth members; and, 2) the statement of Pope Francis regarding the inclusion of atheists and agnostics in heaven.  These and other events of seismic proportions are happening all around us, and they tell us that the Coming of the Lord is near, very near!

This Sunday we are beginning a four-part series on End Times Events.  The four messages in this series are as follows:

1.      The Gathering Storm (June 2nd) – an exposition of Matthew 24 and other Scriptures concerning the major events of the Last Days.

2.      The Rapture of the Church (June 9th) – a study of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 on the event the Bible calls the blessed hope.

 
3.      The Coming of That Day (June 16th – a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 which deals primarily with the coming world dictator the Bible calls the Antichrist.

 

4.      The Final Judgments (June 23rd) – a study of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment.

We do not want to be numbered with those who cannot discern the signs of the time.  So let’s be faithful to attend every week to hear each message.  As we work through this series, remember the words of this great gospel song:

Signs of the times are everywhere

There's a brand new feeling in the air

Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky

Lift up your head your redemption draweth nigh

 

Pastor Todd Weston

This weekend our nation will observe one of its most solemn holidays – Memorial Day.  It’s a time to remember the sacrifice of every man and woman who fought and died to keep America free.  Memorial Day is also a day to remember those we have loved and lost.  As we stand beside silent graves, we remember.

Memory is a wonderful gift of God.  That is, it’s a wonderful gift when used correctly.  Memory can become very painful and even damaging when we remember the things God wants us to forget.  The apostle Paul could have let the memories of past sins paralyze his present and destroy his future.  Paul chose the better way.  Having repented of his sins, Paul chose to forget “those things which are behind” (Phil. 3:13).

Memory is a blessing when we remember the right things.  The Jewish feasts that we read about in the Old Testament were intended to remind the Children of Israel of their deliverance and God’s faithfulness.  The Lord’s Supper that we celebrate regularly was established so we would never forget what Christ accomplished for us on the cross.  As Jesus commanded, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24).

Have you ever seen the phrase on your cell phone, “Memory Almost Full”?  That means it’s time to start deleting the unnecessary.  If your memory bank is full of toxic stuff, than forget what God wants you to forget and remember what He wants you to remember.  In that way, God’s gift of memory will be just that – a gift…a blessing and not a curse.

Pastor Todd Weston

One of my goals in Junior High and High School was to win the spot of first chair in the trumpet section of our band.  After a lot of hard work I actually achieved my goal.  Unfortunately, the glory of first chair lasted for only a few days.  After a painfully sour high note that resembled the screech of a dying eagle, it was back to the more familiar territory of second chair where I remained for the rest of my High School band career.

It’s obvious from Scripture that Andrew didn’t make first chair.  That spot went to his better known brother, Peter.  While Andrew was the first disciple to follow Jesus, his seniority did not translate into a place of prominence among the twelve.  That was reserved for the trio of Peter, James, and John.  Andrew was the only member of the foursome not included.

To his credit, Andrew didn’t quit the ministry team in a huff and go back to his fishing nets.  He humbly accepted his role in the kingdom and played it to the best of his ability.  While there is no record of Andrew preaching to multitudes with thousands responding to the altar call, we do see him behind the scenes working with individuals and bringing them to Jesus.

One of those was his own brother, Simon Peter.  Peter the rock.  Peter the leader of the twelve.  Peter the preacher of the inaugural message of the Church on the Day of Pentecost.   Peter the author of two New Testament epistles. 

Whenever we meet Andrew in the Bible he is usually identified as, “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.”  Oh, that Andrew!  Peter was given the starring role.  Andrew was a member of the supporting cast.  But consider this:  Had it not been for Andrew, there may not have been a Simon Peter.  It was Andrew who introduced Peter to Jesus.

We all have our parts to play in the grand scheme of the eternal purposes of God.  Not everyone plays quarterback.  Not everyone makes first chair.  But everyone is important, and every role necessary. True success is to play the part God has given to you to the best of your ability. 

So here is to Andrew; the guy who played second fiddle and played it really well.  Whether you are an Andrew or a Simon Peter, be faithful.  And whatever you are called upon to do, do it with all your heart to the glory of God!

Pastor Todd Weston

In Romans 16 we are introduced to twenty-six people who were associated with the apostle Paul and greeted by him in the closing verses of this epistle.  In v13 Paul wrote, “Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.”  We’re not told much about Rufus.  However, in the Gospel of Mark which was written to Roman Christians, we learn that Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross for Jesus was the father of two sons – Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).

It may very well be that the Rufus Mark wrote about and the Rufus greeted by the apostle Paul were one and the same.  If so, then the mother of Rufus was the wife of Simon who is notable for his act of carrying the cross of Christ to Calvary.  Whatever her true identity, Paul saluted this woman who apparently had been as much of a mother to him and she was to her own son.

This Sunday we salute mothers!  We salute mothers because of their calling.  Motherhood is most definitely a calling.  Christian motherhood is the highest calling anyone can ever fill in this life.  There’s no more influential role on earth than that of a godly mother.  Paul recognized this when he linked Timothy’s sincere faith to the influence of his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5). 

Abraham Lincoln made this wise observation, “No one is poor who had a godly mother.”  In a society that devalues the role of a godly mother, we salute it!

And then we salute mothers because of their contribution.  The contributions of mothers are too numerous to name in this short article.  Let me sum them up in three words.  The first word is LIFE.  Mothers are life-givers.  Your mother not only brought you into this world, she cared for you when you could not care for yourself.  You are alive today because of that very special lady.

The second word is LOVE.  Is there anything that compares to the love of a mother?  A mother’s love is probably the closest thing to true agape love we will ever experience within the context of human relationships.  The third and final word is LEGACY.  I wonder how many of us are serving the Lord today because of the influence and prayers of a godly mother. 

If your mother is still living, be sure to salute her this Mother’s Day. As a matter of fact, salute her every day!  Honor her because her calling is a high and holy calling.  And thank her for her inestimable contributions of life, love, and a legacy of faith.

Pastor Todd Weston