St Paul's Reformed Church

09/09/2026

Good morning all:

"Now hope does not disappoint" (Romans 5:5a). That is an awesome promise from Scripture.

The hopes you've had in the past and the hopes you have now; every hope you have in this life, is subservient to the ultimate hope you have in Christ. This is the holy umbrella under which every other hope you cherish abides:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2). Our future is secure. We know where we are going and we know how we will get there.

In high school drivers education class, we learned the principle, "Aim high in steering." While you are aware of what's behind you and around you, you focus forward on where you are heading. Everything you are doing in navigating the vehicle is directly affected by your destination. In navigating your life in Christ, heaven is the destination, your home.

"And not only that (knowing your future destination in Him), but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (v.3-5).

Your hope in the future compels you to encounter the here and now. Notice the progression:

Tribulations -> perseverance -> character -> hope. Tribulations come upon you. Your hope inspires you to respond to them with perseverance. And that process changes you; strengthens your character. You become a wiser, more godly man or woman in Christ. You know where you're going, and in Christ, you know why you are here.

"Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (v.5).

The love of God flows from heaven through the Holy Spirit who abides in you. Thus you will face the trials of life with boldness of character. Whatever you're facing, it's not all about you. It's about Him, moving through you, to meet your challenges for His glory.

Be blessed in who you are, and Whose you are.

Pastor Dennis

09/08/2026

Good morning:

"Know the Lord; He is God;
It is He who has made us, and
not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep
of His pasture...
Be thankful to Him, and bless His
name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all
generations" (Psalm 100:3, 4b,5)

Everything in your life is a gift of God's goodness.

"Whoa, hold up there", you may say. "What about when _____ happened?" The trials, the hardships, the losses, the death of loved ones; how is that a gift of God's goodness?

I have a friend who brought a gift to us. This involved many miles of driving. He said that the journey is part of the gift.

Dr. Charles Stanley said, " Whatever drives you to God is a good thing." What that thing is may be terrible, but how God uses it will, in the long run, be good.

Scripture doesn't tell us to be thankful for all things. It says, "in everything give thanks" (1st Thessalonians 5:18).

Trust in the goodness of God; "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1st Peter 5:7).

He goes with you today, through it all.

Be blessed.

Pastor Dennis

09/07/2026

Good morning all:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comforts, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2nd Corinthians 1:3-4).

He is the God of all comforts. Whatever comfort is needed in a particular time of crisis, He is the Source and Provider. We can mistake His comfort for "feeling better"; which is not always what you will receive. You may not feel better at all, but may even suffer worse; however, the comfort from God takes you to a different level of what you are experiencing. Comfort is not necessarily a "feeling" at all, but something richer.

He "comforts us in all our tribulation." The variety of tribulations you endure will widely differ in scope and consequence, so God's comfort also will span a range of experiences. From a conversation with a trusted friend, to a random meeting with a stranger that leads you to understand things from another angle; who knows what He may do, or how He may do it? You know that God has your back. In all your tribulations, God sends comfort to you.

Are you watching for it; asking Him for it?

In the midst of tribulation, you can find Him. Then as He comforts you, however His comfort is coming to you, think of the impact of the moment you are in with Him. Realize and be thankful that you are not alone; He is in there with you. So be calm and ask the Holy Spirit: "What are you trying to teach me in this?"

I say "trying", because sometimes you're just not getting it. He's trying, but are you submitting to Him? There's something in there for you to learn. And with the comfort with which He has comforted you, you will be able to comfort someone who needs the Lord in their affliction. Only the comfort of God, which you know all so well, is the remedy for that moment, and that soul.

Freely receive so that you may freely give.

Have a blessed day.

Pastor Dennis

09/06/2026

09/06

09/05/2026

Good morning:

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9).

At certain times in your life, perhaps this week, you feel like your efforts at doing well are an exercise in futility. You may be wondering, "Is there any point in this?"

The hoped for results of doing good are not the only reward for doing it. The result you wanted may never come to pass; at least in the way you had planned. Actually you may not even know what the result ought to be for that particular situation.

See your efforts through a biblical lens:

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9).

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise" (Hebrews 10:35-36).

For whom, or for what, do you do what you do? Purposes, objectives, and even one's own heartfelt desires, are great motivators; however, if what you do has lost connection to the highest purpose for every breath we take, you can lose heart when the going gets rough and the end is hard to see.

So, in all things, remember whose child you are; that ultimately your Father in heaven has your back and knows what is best for you.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24).

Have a blessed day.

Pastor Dennis

09/04/2026

Good morning all:

"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2nd Peter 1:3).

We know that Christ is life, (you are saved by grace through faith in Him), and thus you have life that never ends. Yes your body will die, but YOU will not. There is great power in knowing that, and there is great freedom in consciously remembering that you do know that! And He empowers you to handle how to live this incredible life He's given you.

He's given you all things that pertain to life and godliness.

A godly person is one who devotes their life to serving and honoring God in all their ways. God is the center of their life; they perceive it and live it. You do this through "the knowledge of Him". This should be a growing knowledge, which comes through how much you are investing yourself toward knowing Christ deeper and better.

His divine power, and your knowledge of Him, has given to you "precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (v.4). Lusts are not just sexual desires or temptations, but the natural appetites we have for things of the world. "Natural" is not to say they are right or wrong; but that which comes with the human condition.

The corruption we see in the world comes from worldly desire. Multiply these by 7 billion, and you understand why the world is a m.e.s.s. (misery and evil side by side).

Divine power given to you through knowledge of Him has equipped you to prevail over the temptations and tests which you are facing.

Have a blessed day.

Pastor Dennis

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

SHOE NEED! We need your help to reach our goal of 2,200 pairs of new shoes for local children! We’re just over halfway there, and right now our greatest need is for new boys’ and girls’ shoes in sizes 11C through 11 Adult.

We’ll be collecting shoes through September 21, so there’s still time to help us close the gap! New shoes can be dropped off at Children In Need, Inc. Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., or you can make it even easier by purchasing shoes directly from our Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3P9LF7O1NQ6ZZ?ref_=wl_share

Every pair matters. Every pair goes to a child in our community who needs them. Help us reach 2,200 pairs and make sure our kiddos have shoes that fit!

09/03/2026

Good morning all:

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You can not serve God and mammon (riches)" (Matthew 6:24).

This passage is often used in stewardship messages. The assumption is that it's all about one's attitude toward wealth or money. But we should take it beyond dollars and cents and take it down to the basics: sense. What are your passions?

The essence of the above passage is that you can't have divided loyalties. It's an either/ or thing. To love and be loyal to one pits the other in competition for your attention; actually for your heart. Think about it: Why can't you serve both God and mammon (wealth) ? Plenty of people try.

God is the Source of wealth. He gave you skills and abilities that you can use to acquire wealth. Also you've been given abilities and talents that allow you to pursue hobbies, pleasures, and things you love to do.

But as you acquire more and better "things", worship of God can become inconvenient, even a distraction from what you want to do. So your loyalty to the great things God has given you can begin to take the throne of your heart, gradually pushing God off of that throne. You love Him less (the biblical term 'hate'), because your other 'loves' draw your attention.

Can you think of something in your life that you've been loving more than the Lord? It's wise to confess and repent of these misguided allegiances now, before you fail to miss the best of what you've been missing.

Have a blessed day.

Pastor Dennis

09/02/2026

Good morning:

Over a period of some years, as you read through the Bible from cover to cover, you can begin to perceive larger themes, God's grand story. The Scriptures show us the character of God from a broader angle. String the following verses together, written in different centuries by different human authors as they were inspired by the same Divine Author:

" And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7).

"So the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say'" (Exodus 4:11-12).

In whose mind then, is a 'handicap' a handicap? What is a disability?

"Before I formed you in the
womb, I knew you;
Before you were born I
sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the
nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).

To whom does this verse not apply? Is anyone, therefore, an accident? To whom, then, belongs the "right to choose" when God made the initial choice?

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
Your eyes saw my substance
being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were
written,
The days fashioned for me ,
When as yet there were none of
them" (Psalm 139:14,16).

Your life is so personal in the eyes of God. Your Mom wasn't the first to hold you. Your Father always had you. And He's holding you now.

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'" (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10).

Whatever it is you are going through, it's an opportunity for God to show His strength through you. He is stronger than you. And your perfection (completion) is His work in your progress. And that takes trust. Life is a journey; an adventure God had planned for you to enjoy with Him.

Be blessed to be a blessing.

Pastor Dennis