Grace Baptist Church

06/04/2026

After rebuking the cities of Chorazin and Capernaum for not believing in Him, Jesus says the following, “At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬-‭30‬

This universal call to believe in Christ comes with a great promise - rest for the soul! Non-Biblical religion is a heavy burden no one can bear. Not even the ones who promoted it in Jesus’ day were willing to try, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger,” Matthew‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬-‭4‬.

Legalistic forms of religion are based on works. True religion is based on faith (that afterward works). This text invites the one who is working hard and being overloaded by religious ritual to drop it all and simply follow Christ. Only He can relieve the burden placed upon the weary soul.

This is also a text that settles the question or debate concerning human responsibility and Divine sovereignty of choice. Both are true!

06/03/2026

I’m aging myself, but how many of you remember the E. F. Hutton commercials? The tag line was, “When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen!” Well, when Jesus speaks, how much more attentively should we listen?! Here is just one thing he said to His disciples the night before He was betrayed, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid,” John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬.

It’s astonishing actually, that Christ would speak these great words of encouragement to just hours later have them go unheeded by 11 of the 12 men closest to Him. Fear and anxiety overtook them all, and they all fled when Judas showed up with soldiers to betray Christ. This was prophesied to happen, but that doesn’t take away from the promise stated. One that is still in effect today for all Christians.

This verse points us in a very definitive direction. Not only are we given the promise of peace (peace with God and the peace of God), but a command is given. The words “let not your hearts be troubled,” (also found in John 14:1) literally mean “stop being afraid,” or even more strongly stated, “stop being cowards.”

The point being, we have no good reason to fear anything since Jesus, “has our backs!” Fear of death, the future, market instability, wars, growing hostility toward Christianity, results from a medical test, witnessing… As we walk by faith and not by sight, may the peace we have with God manifest itself also in our lives as the peace of God in our inner man.

Praying to that end for us all,

06/02/2026

Today’s text sets a stark contrast between the saved and lost, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God,” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭8‬.

The flesh makes promises that it cannot keep. The desires at work in the flesh are diametrically opposed to the Spirit. The former promises freedom but keeps in bo***ge; tempts with joy but produces sorrow; makes one believe they are their own source of truth but is full of lies; in effect from the grammar used, to be controlled in this way by the flesh is to be a child of the devil. As said, this text puts on display the starkest of contrasts. To be controlled (set mind on habitually) by the Spirit produces the exact opposite results!

Though Christians battle with the flesh in this life, it does not define who we are in Christ. Our conscience being under the sway of the Spirit convicts us of our wandering into fleshly things and brings us back to obedience to God. The turmoil of conviction is replaced by peace. Who doesn’t want that?!

05/31/2026

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05/31/2026

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6

05/31/2026

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05/29/2026

I love the way the apostle Paul ended the book of Second Corinthians. The fourth to the last verse records 5 present tense imperatives (commands), “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you,” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭11.

In his final statement to these troubled and sinful saints, he presses upon them peace and unity in a context of not compromising truth to get it. Present imperatives stress an action that is to be done continually. All five in this verse are important enough for Paul to command them to keep doing the actions mentioned. Don’t forget, part of their problem was (of the many), “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced,” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭20‬-‭21.

Agreeing to disagree over non essential matters (all doctrines not related to the gospel) is paramount to a peaceful relationship with other Christians. According to Hebrews, this is what we are to strive for in our relationships, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord,” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭14 ESV. So, what are you and I really striving for in our lives?! Peace or proving a point? Always contend earnestly for the faith once delivered (gospel), but show some grace and mercy and love and patience in all other matters of doctrinal application. Don’t compromise the truth but don’t make mountains out of molehills either. Set aside the jealousy and gossip and vindictiveness, and love your brother and sister in Christ.

05/28/2026

I just read an account of a conversation between two brothers that perfectly illustrates this verse from Colossians, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful,” Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬.

The CliffsNotes version of what I read goes like this: a brother went to a prison to see his sibling before the one incarcerated was put to death for murder. Upon seeing him, the visiting brother was surprised to find his brother at peace. Well, interestingly enough (sovereign shout-out) the one in prison met a pastor who was also in jail, and you can guess what happened! Upon believing in Christ, the man was ready to die. He told his visiting brother, “I know that the Lord Jesus has accepted me , and I am going to be with Him—don’t worry about me.” He then shared Christ with his brother who came to comfort him before his ex*****on. And yes, he was also converted!

The theme running throughout this account is peace. All who come to Christ for forgiveness of sins are set free and made to be at peace with God, and are given the peace of Christ in their hearts to help them navigate life and death.

This is the truth for all of us that know Jesus. May this doctrine determine our practice today!

05/27/2026

Our local crisis pregnancy center (Alight in Hudson NY) is hosting a Walk for Life this Saturday. I thought it good to post this out as we pray for money to be raised, and for people to participate.

If you live locally, registration starts at 9am in Catskill at Dutchman’s Landing followed by the walk at 10am. There are plenty of activities for the whole family, and it will wind down around noon.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

05/26/2026

As I draw your attention to the Old Testament today, I remind you of it’s importance in the “Church Age,” via a text from 1Corinthians, “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did,” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭6‬.

Today’s text says, “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land,” ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭26‬:‭6‬. This comes in the context of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. If the people would remain faithful to God, he would make them secure in the land He was to give them. To lie down is the ultimate expression of peace and security. Obedience to God provides this kind of relaxation for His children. That goes for Israel of old, and for the Church now. Having said that, these moments of “lying down” experienced on earth are only a shadow of what is to come. Though we can be confident in God’s current protection, there is always the threat of our spiritual enemy’s advancing against us. That can cause us to lose sight of God’s hand on us and result in fear instead of peace. We long for the time when we will always be “lying down,” don’t we?!

Well, that day is coming, so keep working hard at looking past the difficulties to the God who loves and cares for you.