Seeing Beyond Fear
Do you like scary movies? They are not really my thing, but it is remarkable how easily a movie can frighten us—even when we know it is not real, even when it is only playing on a screen, and even when we could turn it off or walk away at any time.
That simple truth reminds us that what we see, hear, and think can stir up fear and anxiety in our lives, even when the threat is only a shadow of our imagination. To overcome the fear of what we can see, we must learn to trust what we cannot see.
Choosing Faith Over Fear
To live fearlessly and fulfill all that God has called us to do, we must look at life through eyes of faith. That means focusing on what we know to be true instead of being ruled by what we see in the moment.
This is not always easy. Our senses may tell us to turn and run, while God is calling us to stand firm and believe. In those moments, we must decide:

• Will we rely on conventional wisdom and our instinct to flee?
• Or will we stand by faith on God’s promises of protection and victory?

Standing on God’s Promises
Faith is put to the test when the ways of the world seem to be closing in, yet God says He is opening a door for us to walk through. Will we believe Him and wait on Him, or will we forsake faith and miss the victorious life He has called us to live?
I know what I want to do. I have decided to follow Jesus, to trust in the unseen hand of the One who promised never to leave me nor forsake me. I must say that, to this day, He has always been faithful—even when I have not.
Will you join me as we commit ourselves to a walk of faith in the Lord Jesus, one step at a time?
Pastor, 
Rev. Wayne Marcus 

Yesterday, we celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday. On July 4, 1776, the thirteen American colonies declared their independence by signing the Declaration of Independence. Each signer represented one of the colonies and, by adding his name, he risked his life since the act was considered treason against the Crown. These men risked everything to help establish a nation with a form of government unlike any that had come before it. Our government was divided into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—each with distinct powers and responsibilities to help preserve a balance of power. America was born with many challenges ahead and, like every nation, with imperfections. Yet its legislative and executive leaders were to be elected by the people and serve the people. We are not ruled by a king; we are citizens with the responsibility and privilege of choosing those who represent us. For that reason, we should elect leaders whose beliefs and convictions most closely align with our own. It is important that we do not separate our convictions from our politics but instead allow our biblical convictions to guide our votes. While it may be difficult to find a candidate who believes exactly as we do, we must choose the best person in the race and not neglect our responsibility to vote according to biblical principles. Our forefathers paid a tremendous price so that, 250 years later, we could live in a free country—one where we can worship freely, come and go as we please, pursue happiness, speak our minds, and elect our representatives. Please pray for our country, defend our freedoms, and do not stand idly by while those freedoms are threatened. Communism has repeatedly shown that it can destroy free nations by placing power in the hands of corrupt leaders who make servants of the working class. We live in the best country in the world; may we do our part to keep it moving forward.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

As I think back over the past week of VBS, the Lord has reminded me of His faithfulness. I am so thankful for the Lord and His Church.
I want to thank each and every one of you who served in Emerald Crossing Vacation Bible School. We averaged 200 attendees nightly and raised over $4,500 for Peru Missions and to purchase a church.
I am always amazed at how the Lord uses each of you to fulfill His purpose.
A very special thanks to the decorating crew for turning the sanctuary into the Emerald Isle. It takes all of us working together—whether you baked, served in the kitchen, led crafts, music, and games, or taught lessons—thank you for impacting the children for the Kingdom.
I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Just a reminder that no matter what you do for the Lord, it is not useless. God uses His people to fulfill His work.
So, thank you my dear church family! You planted many seeds for the Lord, and the Peru money that was raised will continue to fulfill the Great Commission, which is our mission.
Our next outreach ministry event is Back to School Bash, which will be held on July 25th.  Mark your calendars and be ready to serve the children of Stephens and Franklin Counties.
Much love,
Tammy Marcus

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
Mark 12:29-30 “And Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments [is], Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.’”
 
When we read the passages shared today, we see that God the Father and Jesus the Son took the role of fatherhood very seriously. In the context of the culture of both these passages, the burden and blessing of passing our spiritual heritage down to our children and future generations is placed squarely upon the shoulders of godly fathers.
 
When Moses was ready to depart the scene, God spoke through him to renew the covenant that He had originally made, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, [and that] ye shall not prolong [your] days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that] I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” (Deuteronomy 30:15-19)
 
In this the LORD makes it abundantly clear that the blessings of a spiritual heritage can be passed on through faithful fathers generation after generation. But He also makes it amply clear that the sins of neglecting one’s spiritual responsibility as a father may also have an increasingly negative impact upon succeeding generations. I think that on Father’s Day it would be appropriate to ask the fathers this question, “If you, as a father, were to pass from this mortal scene today, what legacy would you leave your children?” A father’s answer to this thought-provoking question would obviously say a great deal about his life’s focus and the importance he placed upon spiritual priorities in his life.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
      For brethren to dwell together in unity!
      It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
      That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard:
      That went down to the skirts of his garments;
       As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: For there the LORD commanded the blessing,
      Even life for evermore. Ps 133:1–3.
Scripture makes it clear that God desires His Church to live in unity. Although this is how it should be, achieving it can be difficult because we differ in our preferences, our ways of thinking, and our desire to have things done our way. True unity does not mean conformity. We can be different and still be united when we share something greater than our individual differences. That greater reality is Christ. When we surrender to His lordship, we learn to work together and to seek His will instead of our own. Consider the sunflower. It is one of the most remarkable flowers God created because it follows the sun. Seeing a single sunflower turn is interesting, but seeing an entire field move together in unison is truly striking. Even after sunset, sunflowers continue to track the sun’s direction, turning fully to remain oriented toward it. Their unity depends on one thing: their relationship with the sun.
In the same way, the Church’s unity depends entirely on each believer’s relationship with the Son.
 
Pastor, 
Rev. Wayne Marcus

As you read the Bible, do you notice how strongly it emphasizes being actively involved in a church? The book of Acts records the apostles preaching and planting churches. The Epistles were written to churches, and the Pastoral Epistles were written to pastors who were to lead them. Even Revelation opens with messages to the churches of Asia Minor. Taken together, these passages make it clear that the church was meant to play a central role in the life of every New Testament believer.
Is the church a central part of your life? Do you invest time in attending, serving, praying for, and supporting it? When something truly matters to us, we become deeply committed to it. Yet, many people assume they are more involved than they really are because they never pause to consider where most of their time and energy are actually spent. Scripture says that Jesus, the One we follow and seek to become like, "loved the Church and gave Himself for it: that He might sanctify it and cleanse it with washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5: 25-26. Jesus loves the church and gave His life for its good. How much of your life have you given to the church? The church grows stronger when we are willing to serve and to sacrifice for its good. Please note that the church is not just where you go; it is who you are as a Christian. So together, let’s work to be the best church we can be.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

I came across this and have no idea who wrote it, but I thought it to be a good reminder of the purpose of the Church.
The church is not:
* An ark for the saving of a select few.
* A ferryboat to take effortless passengers to the shores of heaven.
* A life insurance company, with no obligation on policy holders except the payment of a small annual premium.
* A social set, welcoming certain people and excluding others from its fellowship.
* A Sunday pleasure club for the providing of pleasant occupation on the day of rest.
The church is:
* A lifeboat for the rescue of sin-wrecked and perishing souls.
* A family, in which love and service are expected from each member to each member.
* An organized community, with constant activities and continual growth and development.
* A company of believers who have found the one way of life and obey the one Lord of life.
* A union of those who love for the benefit of those who suffer.
* A center of social worship, in which the spiritual life of each is helped by the spiritual life of his fellow.
* The representative -- the "body" -- of Jesus Christ on the earth, reflecting his spirit and controlled by his will.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Each year, Americans pause to remember important moments in our history, and Memorial Day is one of them. First observed on May 30, 1868, it honored those who died in the Civil War and was then called ‘Decoration Day.’  In the years that followed, communities across the country held similar observances, often by placing flowers on graves.

Although several cities claim the distinction, Waterloo, New York, is recognized as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, called for “Decoration Day” to be observed nationwide. The first national observance took place on May 30 because it was not tied to any particular battle. First appearing in 1882, the name ‘Memorial Day’ was later expanded to honor all Americans lost in war; it became widely observed after World War II and was declared a national holiday in 1967. In 1971, the holiday was moved to the last Monday in May.
This weekend, many Americans will visit cemeteries to honor loved ones and decorate graves with flowers.

Remembering is also a central spiritual practice in the Christian life. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to remember, mentioning remembrance more than 100 times. God has also established memorials so His people would remember, including the rainbow (Genesis 9), the Passover (Numbers 9), the stones from the Jordan River (Joshua 4), and many rituals and sacrifices.

Memorial Day honors the men and women who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States, including the freedoms to live, to choose, and to worship. But as we remember their sacrifice, we should also remember what Jesus did for us. Our spiritual freedom came at a cost: Jesus gave His life so we could be free from sin. If you are saved, give Him the glory and praise He deserves, and do not take that salvation for granted.

A memorial is something that helps us remember a person or event. In the same way, Jesus became that memorial for us when God sent Him to earth. Read I Corinthians 11:23-26. Jesus’ life reminds us of God’s love, and we will discuss the important effects of this remembrance next Sunday.

Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Celebrating Milestones
This time of year, many people are reaching important milestones in life. Graduating from high school or college is a major accomplishment and a meaningful recognition of years of study, discipline, and growth. A diploma marks that achievement, but it is not the final destination—it is a tool that helps open the door to your future.

Lifelong Learning and Purpose
Education teaches you how to learn, and that lesson remains essential as you step into your chosen career. As God opens new doors for you, remember that your calling is not only to earn a living, but also to make a difference in the world. A successful life requires a commitment to lifelong learning—continually growing in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom each day.

A Word of Caution
Here is a word of caution for all who will receive it: be careful not to live a life described by this verse in Scripture, “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” 2 Timothy 3:7.

A Higher Purpose for Learning
The Apostle Paul identified this as a mark of people in the last days. Learning is good, and knowledge is valuable, but not if it leads only to pride, titles, or personal recognition. We should seek wisdom so that we can do good, honor our Lord and Savior, and make a meaningful difference in the world. As you reach these milestones, know that I am proud of you. I also pray that you will use the wisdom God gives you to make a gospel-centered difference throughout your journey in life.

Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

It is a great privilege and responsibility to be a mother. No one has a more profound and enduring influence upon those around them than a mother raising her children in the fear and wisdom of the Lord.
Timothy, influenced by important women in his life, became a prominent preacher. He likely converted to Christianity during Paul’s first journey to Lystra and matured quickly, becoming Paul’s apprentice within two years. Timothy later served as one of Paul’s most trusted aides and was appointed to remain in Ephesus to counter false religious teachings.
Paul described Timothy as “faithful in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17) and trusted him deeply because of his enduring, genuine faith. Timothy’s commitment to Christ was sincere and steadfast, proven through trials and service (Philippians 2:22).
Paul recognized Timothy's strong faith, which originated from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, both committed believers who taught him Scripture from childhood (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). Paul urges Timothy to stay true to his beliefs, knowing the trustworthy sources from whom he learned (2 Timothy 3:14).
How often Christian mothers have been used of God to raise sons for the ministry of God’s church!
Proverbs 22: 6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it.”
Mothers who want a positive eternal influence on their children will teach them about genuine faith in Christ and make sure they get true teaching from God’s Word. This is a firm foundation to lay down for your children. Mothers, keep up the good work and remember that your highest calling is your family.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

The tale of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31 is often considered one of the most tragic stories in the Bible. What strikes me as particularly sorrowful is the depiction of a man who appears to possess everything during his lifetime, yet ultimately falls prey to the illusion of success. When his brief existence ends, he is left with nothing, not even his own soul. He opened his eyes in Hell, being in a place of eternal torment. How sad to be in a place of eternal damnation forever! It is hard to imagine anyone that I know having to be in Hell for eternity. Especially knowing that God loves all people and has made a perfect way for mankind to be saved through accepting His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  That is sad, but to me, what is even sadder is that this man, while in Hell, begins to plead with Father Abraham to send the beggar named Lazarus to his five brethren. He wants to warn them of this awful place they are headed toward, too. Being in Hell is terrible, but knowing you had left a well-marked path for others to follow - and could do nothing to change your destructive legacy - is even worse. Think about it: these seem to be the only people he really loved and cared about, yet he has left them a legacy that leads them - and most likely all who follow them - to eternal damnation, with no way to set it right.
As we celebrate Family Day today, will you consider the teachings of the life you are living and simply ask yourself: For those whom you love and who are following your leadership, what does their future look like? Today is the day that you can start leading them to the right place by simply changing the way you live. Make a commitment to lead well and help others find a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

It's wonderful to be back home—there truly is no place like it. Our mission trip to Peru was memorable, and I'm looking forward to some of you joining in sharing the gospel with the Peruvian people. I discovered a city full of individuals eager to hear the word of God and reflect on their lives through biblical teachings. Last week, more than 50 people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, and many others engaged in meaningful conversations with us. Most of the people of Peru seem to be very down-to-earth people who have not been overtaken in the sin of materialism due to the impoverished lifestyle they have become accustomed to. This leads us to wonder whether our abundance is truly a blessing or has become the central purpose of our lives. We are called to live for something greater than material possessions that merely catch our attention in this world. If Christ is not at the heart of your life, consider taking a moment to reflect on your priorities with eternity in mind.  Life is more than material possessions; learning contentment helps prevent greed. Real satisfaction and peace come from the Lord, who calls us to love Him fully.  Look at this passage of Scripture, 1 Timothy 6:6-10, “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”                                
Would you feel content if all you had were food and clothing? Most people would find it difficult, unless they had experienced true deprivation. Because we don't experience significant hardships, we often forget that hardship is possible. As a result, we may shift from worrying about meeting our basic needs to never being satisfied with what we do have. Let us recognize how fortunate we are, so that we can live our lives in gratitude.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Brief Thoughts from BRYAN
As we prepare to worship together here today through music, what a blessing it is to lift up our Lord and Savior Jesus. What better way to lift Him up than through song, and to be fed through the music we hear? I am reminded of how incredibly important music is to our worship: not only does it feed our spirit but also strengthens it. Music helps us in times of need and often expresses the way we feel. Please continue to be strengthened and encouraged, having a heart that overflows with the joy of the Lord! Let your song be new every day because the Lord is deserving. As we worship, let us recall Ephesians 5:19-20: (19) speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (20) always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.

Do you ever stop and think about how amazing it is that God chose us to be the gospel bearers of this world? Out of all the ways God could have - and indeed has - shared the gospel with people, His primary means of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ is for us, sinners saved by grace, to go tell the world how God saved us. We have the awesome and, I might add, obligatory responsibility of making Jesus known to the world. We do that through teaching and preaching at the local church, and by equipping, sending, and supporting missionaries both here at home and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Truth be told, we are falling behind in our efforts as more people are born in unreached areas than we can keep pace with; not to mention the fact that much of the so-called Church has become more interested in drawing a crowd than in making disciples who will go share the gospel. We are not called to come up with a more palatable gospel, or to entice people to accept Christ with sleight of hand or emotional appeals. Our commission is actually very simple. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19–20 Our mission is not to make converts, but disciples who will, in turn, go and make disciples. It is important that people accept Christ, but accepting Christ means following Him. We have a lot to do. Let’s go do it!
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

“Because He Lives” is one of my favorite songs. Its lyrics are rich with profound theological meaning, consistently inspiring genuine believers. Take a look at some of the powerful lines from this song.

God sent His son, they called him Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives

I have witnessed the empty grave, which fills me with the hope we celebrate today. Jesus lived and died to secure my forgiveness, conquering death through His resurrection. While sin leads to death, Jesus was without sin, so the grave could not keep Him; the debt He paid was not for Himself, but for us all. I rejoice in Christ's triumph over death—not only because He lives, but also because everyone who believes in Him will live forever in His glory.

His victory becomes our victory, His life becomes ours, allowing us to face life’s hardships with the promise of eternal life. This is why I cherish this song—it continually reminds me of the profound hope I hold in Christ Jesus.

And then one day I'll cross the river
I'll fight life's final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to vict'ry
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns
Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.
  
Do you have this hope? It is found in a personal relationship with Christ.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Easter is one of my favorite times of the year. My family enjoys celebrating spring, the Easter egg hunt, Good Friday, and sharing a meal together with meaningful fellowship. However, when I reflect on why we celebrate, I realize it's a bittersweet occasion. For Jewish people, this period marks Passover, a festival commemorating the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. During the first Passover, the lamb's blood was placed on doorposts so that the death angel would pass over their homes, sparing their firstborn and allowing them to escape Egyptian bondage. This marked a great blessing for Israel as they were freed from oppression and began their journey to the promised land.
Yet, for the lamb, Passover represented the ultimate sacrifice. The innocent lamb was killed, roasted, and eaten, its life given as an act of grace and redemption—much like what Jesus faced before His death. As people brought sacrifices to Jerusalem, debating over lambs without blemish, Jesus understood that He Himself was the perfect Lamb offered by God as the supreme sacrifice. He knew His blood would be shed, and He would endure agony on Calvary. Good Friday is meaningful to us, but for Jesus, it was a day of brutality and suffering: He was falsely accused, whipped, mocked, denied, and crucified. What makes this day "good" for us is that through Jesus' death over 2,000 years ago, our impossible debt of sin was paid by God's grace and the sacrifice of His only Son on the cross. Because of this, we have the freedom to choose life and serve the Lord. Let us remember that we have Good Friday because we have a good God, a wonderful Savior, and a hopeful future through the power of the resurrection.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Views about reaching heaven vary. Some believe good deeds and caring for family ensure entry, while others stress strict religious observance. Some think heaven is earthly, and others think that death ends existence. The Bible is the definitive authority, teaching that only faith in Jesus Christ grants access to heaven. Jesus Himself said that He was “the way, the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father but by Me.”  (John 14:6) That is what the thief on the cross discovered in his last hours on this earth. He cried out to the Lord Jesus and was gloriously saved, not from dying but from eternal death. When your death day comes, all that will matter is what you have done with Jesus. If you have accepted Him then you will have eternal life; if you have rejected Him, you will have eternal death. No matter how messed up your life has been, no matter how mean you have been, there is hope for you in Christ Jesus. The only hopeless man is the one who hangs his hopes on the wrong person or the wrong thing. Please understand today that the most important decision you can make in life is to call on Christ and allow Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life. If you accept Him as Lord, He will also be your Savior. What about it? Do you know Him? Will you surrender to Him today?
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

It has been a great privilege and honor to serve Tom’s Creek Baptist Church over these last 28 years. I would be lying if I didn’t admit there have been some very difficult seasons, but thankfully, only seasons. There have been many more good days than tough times, which were great opportunities for personal growth in our lives. 
It is always an honor when you take time to recognize our service with an appreciation day.  I think everyone loves to know that what they do does not go unnoticed, and Tammy and I are no exception to that rule. While we don’t do what we do for our honor and glory, but for the Lord’s, we do appreciate your acknowledgement and love. The love offering, fellowship meal, flowers, and gift cards to honor us were very generous and greatly appreciated. 
I would also like to let you know that we greatly appreciate your unwavering service to the Lord through this body of Christ that we refer to as Tom’s Creek. We can always count on you to step up to the plate and serve with us, no matter what the ministry task is before us. We love each and every one of you, and pray the Lord continues to use this body of Christ to impact this community for Him.

Pastor,
Rev Wayne Marcus

Do you think your life is truly balanced? Are you spending enough time reading the Bible, serving at church, attending services, working, vacationing, and being with loved ones? It's not easy to achieve this kind of balance, and most people need to be very intentional about it. Today, I’d like you to make a list of your priorities—not based on your current thoughts, but on how God wants your life to be ordered. List all the ways you divide your time and ask yourself if these are aligned with God’s guidance from His Word.
Next, write out, in order of importance, what you should be doing with your time and talents according to God’s teachings—not according to the world or your own desires, but honestly as you know from Scripture. Then, create a practical plan to reorder your life so it aligns more closely with how God wants you to live.
Following this path will help you honor God in every area of your life, tuning your actions to His will and accomplishing much for Him. Be aware: not everyone will approve, and it might cost you financially, but over time, you'll enjoy stronger family relationships and deeper peace each day.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Are you living a victorious life? I'm not referring to whether you're enjoying yourself or achieving financial success. Rather, I'm asking if your life is honoring and glorifying God. For Christians, living victoriously can mean persevering through persecution like Paul and Silas did while imprisoned in Philippi, or making sacrifices that result in hardship, such as David and his followers eating consecrated bread because they were starving. Achieving victory may also involve working tirelessly to prepare for preaching or teaching, or, as the Apostle Paul described, becoming a spectacle so that the gospel can be spread. Success or victory may look very different through the world’s lens compared to God’s perspective. Deacon Stephen, full of faith and power, delivered a powerful sermon, which ultimately led to him being attacked and stoned by an enraged crowd. If you look at that from the world’s viewpoint, it looks as though Stephen was defeated, but not so. The Bible says in Acts 8, “54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.’” The audience that mattered was well pleased and Stephen died having lived a victorious life.  Beloved, God wants us to live a life that is defined by Him, a life sold out to the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. That is what real victory is.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

THE LORD'S WILL
A farmer is out working his fence line near the road when he sees a neighbor from a few farms down walking toward him with a cow. "Where are you headed with that cow?" the farmer asks.
"I'm heading into town to sell it," comes the neighbor's reply.
"You mean, if it's the Lord's will, you are going to sell it," corrects the farmer.
"Well," says the neighbor, now feeling a little perturbed by the rebuke. "I don't much reckon the Lord has anything to do with it. I bought her, I raised her, I milk her, and now I'm gonna sell her, and nobody is going to stop me from doing it."
"Oh, alright," says the farmer, and off down the road goes the neighbor with his cow.
About twenty minutes later, here comes the neighbor back the other way, only now his clothes are ripped, his eye is black and he is missing a few teeth. "What happened to you?" asks the farmer.
"Well,” the neighbor replies, “I got a few miles down the road and some guys jumped me, beat me up, and stole my cow."
"Oh no," says the farmer, "what are you going to do now?"
"Well," comes the reply, "I'm going home to bandage up my wounds...if it's the Lord's will!" (Source: from a sermon by Dan Cormie)

The Lord’s will for your life is the most important thing for you to discover.

I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me.
Proverbs 8:17

Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Have you ever felt vulnerable or naked before God? So dirty that you couldn’t stand the idea of facing the LORD and giving an account of the wrong that you had done? This is how Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, felt after they sinned in the Garden of Eden. According to the Bible, they regularly walked with God and enjoyed His company until they ate the forbidden fruit; afterward, the Bible says they hid from Him. The story continues with the Bible describing how they realized their nakedness and made coverings out of fig leaves. This is a familiar pattern—trying everything possible to address one’s shame or guilt, only to find that these efforts fall short. Consider how often you have tried to hide your own guilt or mistakes by taking similar actions. Sometimes people start going to church, not to get right with God, but to cover up the fact that they are out of God’s will. It seems that religion is often man’s first attempt at covering his nakedness. As it was with Adam and Eve, man still has a guilty and naked awareness in his life, and therefore hides from the very God whom he had been accustomed to having sweet fellowship with. I recall the biblical passage in which God calls out to Adam, asking, “Adam, where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9) This moment resonates with me, as I reflect on how God's call prompted me to evaluate the status of my own relationship with Him. I attempted to achieve moral alignment through religious practices and good deeds; however, genuine reconciliation was only attained when I acknowledged my mistakes openly and admitted wrongdoing. It was only then I understood I couldn't conceal my sin, but God was ready to forgive me through His sacrifice. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, was the sole sufficient offering to restore my relationship with God. Where do you stand today? God prompted me to ask you.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

“Love is one of the most powerful emotions we have. The actress Joan Crawford once said, ‘Love is a fire but whether it warms your heart or burns your house down, you can never tell!’ Love can motivate, give pleasure, hurt even destroy. It can make us do bold, even stupid things. During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the bell did not sound. The soldier’s fiancé had climbed into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking. When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions, she wept as she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Cromwell’s heart was touched and he said, ‘Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice. Curfew shall not ring tonight!’ As Christians, portrayed in the bible as brides of Christ, who is the Bridegroom, we too have a lover who gives us life because of his sacrifice. We are told that one day the Bridegroom will return and we shall be reunited and honeymoon, so to speak, in heaven. Before the world of political correctness and equality, the marriage ceremony as printed in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, made the bride, not bridegroom, pledge to obey the one they loved!”
                                                                                                            - Evangelist Roger Whipp


Understanding that one is deeply valued is essential; indeed, recognizing love may be unattainable without first experiencing it. The concept of love is often perceived as complex, frequently regarded simply as an emotion. However, while genuine love undoubtedly evokes strong feelings, it transcends mere sentiment by representing a deliberate commitment to support and invest in another’s well-being. The form of love discussed here—agape love—is considered the highest kind and appears in the New Testament 137 times as a verb and 116 times as a noun. Clearly, this authentic love encompasses not only emotions, but also consistent actions demonstrated daily.
Pastor,  
Rev. Wayne Marcus

Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? 15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; Jer 18:14–15.
God presented a straightforward question to the people, reminding them of His kindness. When we imagine snow-covered mountains, their impressive beauty is striking—but it’s easy to forget that these peaks rise from dry desert landscapes in the Middle East. More important than their majestic appearance is the clean, cold water that flows from melting snow, which reliably refreshes the people each day. God asked whether anyone would willingly give up such a vital blessing, emphasizing this because the people were turning away from Him—the true source of daily nourishment—to follow false gods. Have you ever turned away from the Lord, who generously provides good and perfect gifts, only to pursue distractions that don’t last? Only God, our creator, can satisfy our deepest needs. Place your trust in Him and allow Him to care for you.
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus

What would you consider your most valuable possession? While many homeowners might answer "my house," and others might mention their farm or vehicles, we're not referring to minor material things but rather something worthwhile, meaning something truly priceless. We're talking about what is genuinely worth protecting, something so important that losing it would leave you empty. No, it's not your health or marriage; it’s the most precious thing you have: your eternal soul—the real you. It isn't your body or the things you own temporarily on this earth, but rather the essence of who you are when all worldly possessions fade away.
If you find yourself doubting the worth of your soul, remember that the greatest struggle ever waged is truly for our souls. Satan works tirelessly to tempt, trap, deceive, and damn your soul both day and night. He does this not so he can have it, but so you will lose it. He is destined for eternal damnation, and your eternal destination will not change his fate. He works to destroy you because God has placed such high value on your soul by declaring His love toward you. Please hear me when I say that what makes your soul valuable today is the fact that God has declared His love and desire to spend eternity with you. Satan works to destroy and God gave to deliver you. He has established the immense value of your soul in that He gave His only begotten son to save you. Friend, if you reject Jesus and die having lost your eternal soul to this awful place called Hell, you have lost the most valuable thing you ever had. That is the reason Jesus said, “what does it profit a man if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) The ultimate losers are the people who die without Jesus as the Lord of their lives. Will you give your life to Jesus today?
Pastor,
Rev. Wayne Marcus