Pastor Robert E. Rutherford

05/20/2026

HOW TO SERVE A SUFFERING FRIEND WELL

Sit with suffering people before trying to solve their pain.
“They sat on the ground with him seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him.” (Job 2:13)

Approach suffering with humility instead of suspicion. “You have not spoken the truth about Me as My servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)

Prioritize loving the person more than winning an argument or defending theology. “A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends.” (Job 6:14)

Let sufferers fully express grief without interruption or correction.
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.” (James 1:19)

Allow people to cry, question, and struggle without shaming them. “I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11)

Speak truth gently and only when it serves healing.
“Speaking the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15)

Respond to emotional pain with patience instead of criticism.
“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day… is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” (Proverbs 25:20)

Admit when you do not fully understand someone’s suffering.
“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3)

Encourage hope in God’s character more than demanding quick spiritual answers. “Now my eyes have seen You.” (Job 42:5)

Continue walking with sufferers long after the initial tragedy passes. "A friend loves at all times.” (Proverbs 17:17)

04/24/2026

Looking for a church check out Baylife!

04/24/2026

A few of the struggles churches face are their own governance and programs. These often CAUSE DRIFT from the mission of making disciples, division, as some leaders of programs do not have alignment, and create a lack of volunteers to have a dynamic Sunday morning worship experience. Governance should empower the pastor to lead a staff and make missional changes. Programs that are not aligned with the mission of the gospel, and I am not talking about the vision the church may have, but the Gospel itself and reaching people with it, and making disciples, have to be brought into alignment with God's mission for the church. Every program and every dollar should be built or spent based on its missional viability. Finally, a church should simplify what it does so that it can serve its community, reach hearts with the gospel, and make disciples that are mature, sharing their faith, attending, doing group life, giving, and serving. We overprogram, believing this is what reaches our community, and we undervalue the pastoral vision leader in many cases, or in most cases, this leads to a high turnover of pastoral leaders leaving, and it leads to ineffective churches that are stuck and not growing, not going, and not on mission.

04/23/2026

Reasons God Hides Himself (Broken Covenant & Scripture)
From the beginning, humanity has lived in the tension of a broken covenant—and Scripture even acknowledges moments when God’s presence feels hidden (Deuteronomy 31:17–18). Yet even there, He is working to restore what was lost.
Sometimes God feels distant—but Scripture shows His hiddenness has purpose:
• To deepen faith beyond sight
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
• To invite pursuit and dependence
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13
• To develop courage and responsibility
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
• To work through ordinary life
“Whatever you do… do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Colossians 3:17
• To display His sovereignty over time
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11
• To create space for a genuine relationship
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” — James 4:8
• To make His eventual work unmistakable
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
“I will surely hide my face in that day…” — Deuteronomy 31:18
Because of broken covenant, His presence is not always obvious—but His purpose never stops.
God is not absent—He is strategically hidden, working behind the curtain, orchestrating every detail for His purposes and your good.

04/23/2026

God works just as powerfully in ordinary life as in dramatic events. "Esther"

04/22/2026

I was reading about Esther this morning. God is never mentioned in Esther. However, God is behind the scenes directing the scripts of each person in the story. When God is silent, He isn't absent from the story. His name not being mentioned doesn't mean He's was not working all things for good. 1. God creates the dissatisfaction with the Queen. 2. The King is moved in his heart to find a new Queen. "God moves the heart of Kings." 3. Esther's beauty was not attached to what she wore, or what adorned her self with. She was stunning to look at as God created her for this moment. 4. She didn't seek to win the contest, but at the right moment, she won the contest. 5. The new position gave her access to information regarding the genocide of her people. 6. She was positioned to act. What if God's trouble and inconveniences in your life are God's positioning you for a greater purpose? 7. The king couldn't sleep; God troubled his heart so that he couldn't, and when she approached, he was ready to hear her. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." Haman's hatred was revealed, and then, God's great reversal had been initiated. Haman is hanged on his own gallows, Mordecai is celebrated for saving the King, and Esther convinces the King to allow the Jewish people to defend themselves. God is working even when He is silent, even when the world is turning against, He is causing the King's heart to move in the direction He desires. Silence isn't absence.

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04/20/2026

Centering life on God transforms identity, leaves a legacy, and brings His blessing on your life! "Obed-Edom".

04/20/2026

"You can’t follow a God whose Word you’ve forgotten." (See Josiah's Story in the Bible)

04/19/2026

National champions. Coke salute