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Where’s Rosie

By Bobby Baker in New Year on January 8, 2022

Wow! It’s 2022. Did you know that The Jetson’s cartoon took place in the 1980s? Aren’t we supposed to be flying around in little space cars and have a robot maid named ‘Rosie’? I guess the difference between make-believe and reality. Over the past two years, our reality has changed dramatically, and let me tell you, it’s not going to get any better. ‘Normal’ doesn’t exist anymore. If you watch much TV you have probably noticed that most TV programs and commercials include same-sex couples. This is an attempt to normalize what the Bible calls an abomination. But how do we, and by ‘we’ I mean those who are true followers of Christ, supposed to respond to all this? What does the future hold in store for us? Fortunately, we don’t have to guess because the Bible tells us what’s in store for us. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says,

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

This is the world in which we now live. Today, more than at any other time in history, the world is ready for a world ruler. The Bible calls him the Antichrist. For believers, a time of intense persecution is coming. For most of the world, this persecution has been ongoing for quite some time. Our freedoms have slowly been taken from us by clever deception here in America. The past two years have paved the way for those in power to institute totalitarianism. But this is not about politics or our freedoms as Americans. Today, true believers should be looking up for our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). James tells us to count it all joy when we face the fiery trials that are about to come upon us (James 1:2). I believe that the testing of our faith is coming. Let us stand firm upon the Word of God. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. This is not a time for fear but a time to be bold and courageous. When the storms and winds of adversity come upon us, we will be anchored to the Rock that cannot be moved if we keep our focus on Him. Let us endure the discipline of our Father that we may share in His holiness (Heb. 12:10). He is conforming us to the image of His Son. Let us lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees. Christ is our Strength. He is our Hope. Let us not fear what the world and Satan may do to us but stand in faith upon the promises of our God!

New Year, New You?

By Bobby Baker in Uncategorized on January 6, 2021

A new year, a new you? Isn’t that how we often view January 1st? We make resolutions that we don’t keep, make promises to ourselves that quickly go by the wayside. We want to have a better attitude, a better outlook. But we fail time after time.

Why do we find it so difficult to change or improve ourselves? One of the reasons is because we want to change the wrong things about ourselves. What we are in need of is a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” God isn’t interested in making you a better person, He is interested in making a whole new person. 2 Cor. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone in in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.”

But how does one become new ‘in Christ’? The Bible tells us that we must repent of our sins and believe the gospel. The gospel is the good news of what God has done for us in Christ. God sent His only Son into the world to bear the sin of His people. There is only one God and one Savior. There is no way to God except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). How can we know if we truly are in Christ and have become a new creation? In the book of 1 John, the apostle gives us some evidences of being truly saved.

1.       Our attitude towards sin (1 John 1:8;10) We must acknowledge that we are sinners in need of forgiveness and we must recognize that that forgiveness is found only in Christ (1 John 1:9). If a person has a new heart from God, he will never try to excuse or explain away their sin. They will confess and repent of it.

2.       Our obedience to God (1 John 2:4) In John 14:21 and 23 Jesus says that the one who truly loves Him will be the one who obeys Him. We obey not to be accepted by God but because we are accepted by God. What is your attitude towards obedience to God? Do you, because you love Him and long to please Him, willingly obey His commands?

3.       Our love for others (1 John 2:9-11) There is no room for hate towards another person in the believer’s heart. There will especially be love towards those who are fellow believers. It must be pointed out here that not all people are our brothers and sisters. John 1:12 says, “But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…” Only those who place their faith in Christ have the right to call God Father and others brother or sister. Also, we are to love our enemies. This is something that in and of ourselves we cannot do. Only as we are new in Christ does this become possible.

4.       Our love for the world (1 John 2:15-17) The world that John is talking about is the world’s system of doing things, the world’s way of thinking. The world we live in hates God. Everything the world believes and says is contrary to the Word of God. We cannot be a friend of the world and a friend of God at the same time.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Bobby

Christmas 2020

By Bobby Baker in Christmas, thoughts on December 18, 2020

This Christmas will be a bit different than in the past. 2020 has been a long and difficult year. But one of the things that make Christmas ‘Christmas’ is the hope that it signifies. Christmas does not promise that 2021 will be a better year or that the world will be a better place in the years to come. What Christmas does promise is that God is not oblivious to our plight here on this earth. But we need to realize that we have a problem much worse than COVID or masks or social distancing. Our problem is sin. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). The standard that God has set before us is absolute perfection. If we are to stand before a holy God some day we must do so completely sinless. There is one slight problem though…we cannot meet this requirement. No matter how “good” we may think we are, we still far short of God’s standard. God’s Word tells us that all of our good deeds are like soiled, dirty garments to God (Isa. 64:6). We are not sinners because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners. Since we cannot meet God’s standard of perfection, is there any hope for us? Or will we suffer the wrath of God for eternity in hell (This is what we all deserve)?

Enter Christmas. Or rather, enter God! At Christmas we do not celebrate the birth of a child. We celebrate the incarnation of God. The Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took upon Himself human flesh. He came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. But understand, Jesus did not come to make us better people. He came to make us into a new creation (2 Corin. 5:17). He took upon Himself our sin. He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. If we would escape the judgment of God we must, by faith, trust in Jesus for our salvation. We must not trust in our good works, or our church affiliation, or anything or anyone else. Faith alone in Christ alone brings justification from God.

Christmas reminds us that though we are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). Though we are by nature children of wrath and enemies of God (Rom. 5:10), God Himself took the initiative and sent His only Son into the world. And through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we can be reconciled to God. This is what Christmas is all about.

Christmas is about hope: Romans 8:24 “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?”

Christmas is about love: Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christmas is about Jesus: Galatians 4:4-6 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Bobby

It’s Good To Be Home

By Bobby Baker in Joy, thoughts on May 6, 2020

The past month has been really hard. What with social distancing and quarantine. What has hit me the hardest has been not being able to meet together for worship at the Chapel.  I’ve seen several posts on social media reminding us that we don’t need to meet together in a building to worship but I strongly disagree with that statement. We do need to be together.

There’s a reason the Word of God commands us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Hebrews 10:24-25). Here the writer of Hebrews admonishes us to stir one another up to love and good works. How? By not neglecting to meet together. Throughout the Old Testament the Isrealites were commanded to come together to worship. Israel was commanded to gather together for the hearing of God’s Word (Deuteronomy 31:12-13). In Acts 2:46 note the words: “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,” Acts 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” 1Corinthians 5:4 “When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus,”.

The point I’m attempting to make is this: As a pastor I love my congregation. As a believer in Christ I love my fellow believers. I love being with them, hearing God’s Word together, praying together, singing together, laughing together. I love hugs and handshakes! But it’s more than just my wanting to be with my fellow Christians, we need each other. We need to meet and be together for encouragement.

So, this past Sunday was like a huge breath of fresh air. We had a full church and I left the Chapel that day truly refreshed in my spirit. We shared the Word together, we hugged and shook hands, we sang. We worshipped together!  In other words, we did what we are supposed to be doing and we were doing it together.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Bobby

A Christian Response to the Coronavirus

By Bobby Baker in thoughts, todays events on March 19, 2020

We find ourselves in the midst of the corona virus ‘scare’. As Christians, how should we respond?

I have seen many posts and videos online by various folks concerning this perceived threat. What concerns me most are videos and posts created by those who claim to be among God’s elect. If they are among the elect, I am greatly disturbed. Did I miss something? Has God abdicated His throne? Has God met a virus He has no control over?

I ask these questions because I see and hear a “distinct tone” from those who claim to be of God. Like a funeral director standing and saying, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today….”.

Is this virus a real threat? I do not personally believe it is, but I could very well be wrong. What I do know for certain is this…we do not need to be afraid. As believers we need not let our hearts be troubled. Read Romans 8:35-39.

Are you afraid of death? If so, you have a bigger issue than the corona virus. Our Savior has conquered death. “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where O death, is your victory?” “Where O death, is your sting?” (1 Corin. 15:55).

Do not misunderstand me. No person with a healthy mind wants to die. But death is a reality. Pastor Kevin DeYoung puts it this way, “No virus can change the number of days that God has written in his book for us. No virus can make the word of God untrue. No virus can undo the work of Christ on the cross. No virus can change the fact that through Jesus we have a Father in heaven who cares for us.”

There should be a stark contrast between the believer and non-believer. In all of this mess going on I do not see that contrast. There is nothing for we who belong to God to fear. Now, for those that have not believed on the Lord Jesus…you need to be afraid. But believe me, this ‘virus’ is the least of your worries. More on that later…