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The book of James makes it clear that our life “…is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). God has called us to be ‘redeeming the time’ (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5) that He has given to us. Our prayer in response to God’s call to ‘redeem the time’ ought to be like that of the Psalmist who prayed- “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

Charles Spurgeon wisely said that “No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow.”

If we are going to serve Christ, today is the day to work, to serve, to learn, to grow, and to share the glorious Gospel message with others! Let us not be guilty of ‘wasted time’! The time if ticking on, so let us labor for our Master while we can!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

On July 4^th, 1776, America’s Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress which officially severed America’s political dependence on Great Britain. Every year since, Americans have celebrated this momentous event in American history which secured our independence and freedoms as a nation. But as much as we love to celebrate the freedom we enjoy in America, it would do us well to remember that America’s freedoms are only temporary and earthly. One-hundred years from now, the thing that will matter the most for every individual American is whether or not they have experienced the greatest freedom of all- the spiritual freedom offered to them through the Gospel of Jesus of Christ!

Whenever Jesus Christ came into the world, He came to purchase mankind’s freedom! This freedom, however, is not a political freedom (that only has earthly implications) but rather a spiritual freedom (that has eternal implications). It is a freedom from sin, death, and hell! It is a freedom that is not relegated to one nation but is available to all people everywhere. It is a freedom that cost Christ His very life, yet it costs us nothing to receive it. It is a freedom that cannot be taken away by any government, army, or earthly power. It is the greatest freedom of all!

Jesus made it clear that mankind’s greatest need is spiritual freedom. He said- “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). Because of our sin against God, we are in spiritual bondage. We are truly ‘servant[s] of sin’. The Bible makes it clear that “…sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). As we look into the mirror of God’s law, we find that God’s standard is holy, righteous, and perfect and that we all fall short of God’s standard. Romans 3:23 declares- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Because God is holy and just, God must punish sin- “For the wages [payment] of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a). This ‘death’ speaks of physical, spiritual, and ultimately eternal death in the ‘lake of fire’ for all who have died without their sins forgiven. 1 Corinthians 6:9 makes it clear that “…the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.  Revelation 21:8 says- “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolators, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake of which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

But there is good news for sinners! Although we deserve death because of our sin, Jesus Christ came in order to “…taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9). Jesus “…hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ took the punishment that we (sinners) deserved as He suffered upon the Cross and satisfied the justice of God against sin. And because of His death and resurrection, God offers spiritual freedom from wages of sin, the fear of death, and the flames of hell to all who will repent and receive the message of the Gospel!  

You deserve death but Christ offers you life! You deserve hell but Christ offers you heaven! You deserve wrath but Christ offers you peace and acceptance! You deserve condemnation but Christ offers you forgiveness and a new life! Will you repent (forsake your sin) and trust in Christ alone to save you from your sins? The moment you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God will grant you a spiritual freedom from sin, death, and hell that can never be taken away! Have you received the Gospel message that alone can bring true freedom in your life?

 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

~Pastor Aaron Francis

On September 6, 1943, one of America’s deadliest train derailments occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when the “Congressional Limited”, the Pennsylvania Railroad’s fastest train of its time, was making its way through a station. Due to mechanical malfunctions, flames began to shoot out of a car’s hot box, which led to the snapping of an axle, causing the train to derail, and killing 79 passengers and injuring many others. One small malfunction caused a great catastrophe. In a nation that has “derailed” from the Biblical principles that kept our nation on the right track for so long, how do we as Christians keep from doing the same?

In a nation where the liberties we have enjoyed for so long are being infringed upon and slowly chipped away, it is imperative that we as believers keep on track by dwelling upon God’s Word. David said it best in Psalm 119:161- “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy Word.” David knew what it meant to be treated unjustly. He knew what it meant to be persecuted without a cause. Yet, David didn’t turn to rebellion or anarchy. Rather, David turned to the Word of God. David didn’t allow the unjust treatment he was receiving to veer him off the right track. Rather, David rejoiced at the treasure of God’s Word (v. 162), he expressed his love for the Word of God (v. 163), and he focused his heart upon praising God in light of God’s righteous judgments (v. 164). And in doing so, David found peace that only God’s Word could give. He said, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (v. 165). During these times when our culture has long-departed off the “tracks” of the Word of God, we as Christians must learn to so saturate our minds in the Word of God that we develop a great love for it which will, inevitably, bring a peace within our hearts. When we are given to the Word of God, the Bible states that nothing shall offend us. The word “offend” has the idea of a “stumbling block”.  When God’s Word fills our hearts, nothing will cause us to stumble. Nothing will “derail” our service to God. Oh, how we desperately need this in the day and age we live!

The answer to our nation’s ills is not going to be found in government, education, psychology, or reform to community structures of authority. These are simply ways to pad our seats and make us feel good as a nation while ignoring the fact that the train is actually veering off the rails and headed for catastrophe.  The only solution to keep us on the right track is a greater love for and devotion to God’s Word! When we stand in awe of God’s Word, God will stabilize us and fill our hearts with peace that keeps us from a catastrophic “derailment”.

~Pastor Aaron Francis

It has been stated that, “He who controls the children, controls the future.” Vladimir Lenin, the communist revolutionary, once said, “Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world.” Studies show that the average American child spends eight hours a day in public school and three and a half hours on some form of media. Studies also show that the average family spends less than an hour together each day. And even that one hour is oftentimes full of many distractions. The Bible explains that children are easily influenced and unstable. They are like a tender plant that needs constant care and nourishment to grow strong. Every child will be influenced and taught by someone. Everything that comes into their mind is shaping their worldview. The questions is: who or what is influencing and teaching them? In this world there are two opposing kingdoms: God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. And both kingdoms are vying for control within a child’s heart.

In the book of Deuteronomy, God rehearsed to a new generation of Israelites the commandments of God. In chapter 6, Moses looked beyond the present generation and applied the commands to future generations as well.  Moses made it clear that the goal of God’s commands was to produce a multi-generational faithfulness to God. Verse 2 says, “That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life…” The commandments of God were to be passed on from the adult generation to the children and to the children’s children. The Israelites would soon be confronted with idolatrous people who would try to cause them to depart from the one true God. God gave the Israelites a safeguard that would keep them from going “after other gods” (v. 14). This safeguard was multi-generational faithfulness. God explained to the people that faithfulness began in the home as children were taught diligently and daily the Word of God (vv. 7-9). To neglect the spiritual training of the next generation, would be to swing wide open the door that would lead them into idolatry.

Multi-generational faithfulness ought to be the goal of every Christian family. We live in a culture that espouses many godless philosophies that are constantly encroaching upon the minds of our children. Satan knows that children are the next generation of leaders in the home, church and government and is constantly on the prowl “seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). We must remember our duty to the next generation. Our duty involves teaching our children daily and diligently the commands and truths of God. This responsibility begins with parents, but particularly the father who is called to bring up his children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).  A parent’s greatest goal should be for his children to love God with all their heart, soul, and might.

~Pastor Aaron Francis

Pride is one of the most original and common sins amongst mankind. Pride is the sin that motivated Lucifer to rebel against God. It is one of the ugliest and most offensive sins in the sight of a holy God. When pride enters the heart of man, it always distances him away from the heart of God. A 19^th century preacher named JC Ryle once warned: “Let us watch against pride in every shape- pride of intellect, pride of wealth, pride of our own goodness.” When a man’s heart is lifted up in pride, he shuts himself out from the presence and blessing of God.

In Deuteronomy 17, God foresaw that the Israelites would desire a king like the nations around them once they entered the Promised Land. Therefore, God gave them certain requirements to look for in a king. A king of Israel had to be chosen from among the Israelites. He was forbidden to multiply horses, wives, or silver and gold unto himself. One of the most interesting requirements was the last one given. It said that when he became king “he shall write him a copy of the law in a book…and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life” (v. 18-19). The reason for this command is even more insightful- “…that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of the law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment” (vv. 19-20). One of the reasons why the king had to write a copy of God’s Word and meditate upon it was to keep himself humble.

Meditation on God’s Word is one of the best antidotes to pride. Exalted views of self are quickly deflated when one comes face to face with the mirror of God’s Word. The Word of God acts as a mirror that shows man his true self. When men compare themselves among themselves, they are usually able to find reasons to boast. However, when men compare themselves with the greatness and holiness of God as revealed in the Bible, self-boasting quickly turns to self-abasement. When one allows the Word of God to dwell in their heart, self-confidence turns to confidence in Christ, an exalted view of self turns to an exalted view of God, and independence turns to a dependence on God’s ever-present grace. So many men ruin their souls through pride by neglecting the plain truth of the Word of God. Neglect of the Bible leads to pride, error, sin, and confusion. The surest remedy for pride is an honest evaluation of self from the mirror of God’s Word. May we heed God’s command to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet. 5:6). When we meditate on God’s Word, we are led into the most blessed path of obedience as we walk humbly before God.

~Pastor Aaron Francis

The 19^th century evangelist D.L. Moody once said, “We can stand affliction better than prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.” A Baptist minister who suffered under Romanian communist rule said, “Ninety percent of Christians pass the test of adversity, while ninety percent of Christians fail the test of prosperity.” Prosperity can be a blessing but more often it can become a curse. For many years, America has enjoyed the fruits of prosperity. In fact, the poorest people in America have a better standard of living than most of the world. According to Forbes.com, “the typical person in the bottom 5 percent of the American income distribution is still richer than 68 percent of the world’s inhabitants.” As Christians in America, we live in a state of prosperity. But may we take heed to warning of the potential dangers of prosperity that God gave to the Israelites in the Old Testament.  

In Deuteronomy 8, God gives a warning to the people of Israel who were on the brink of entering “a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths…a land of wheat…barley…vines…fig trees…pomegranates…oil olive…honey…a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness” (vv. 7-9). The Promised Land would be a land of God-given abundance. However, God gave a warning before they entered the land which contained such privileges. He said, “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments” (v. 11). He warned them of lifting up their hearts and saying in their hearts “my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth” (v. 17). God reminded them to not forget who the source of their blessing was and to allow it to turn their eyes away from Him. God warned them not to forget who their Sustainer, Deliverer, and Provider was. God said, “…if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods…I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish” (v. 19).

Israel was in danger of forgetting God when she was in prosperity. Her danger was forgetting the God who had so richly blessed them. She was in danger of lifting up her heart in pride and taking credit for the good things God had so richly provided. As Christians in America, we live in the land of plenty. Even in seasons when we lack, many of us enjoy far more than most people in the world. We must beware that our prosperity doesn’t blind us to the blessings of God or cause us to lift up our hearts in pride and take credit for the good things God has richly blessed us with. God does not forbid His people to eat and enjoy physical blessing. However, He does provide us a warning against taking pride in our abundance and allowing it to turn our eyes off God as our Sustainer and Provider. Hosea 13:6 says, “According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.” May we never take credit for the blessings God has given us but realize that “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17).

~Pastor Aaron Francis

Every four years, the world watches as the best athletes from all around the world gather to compete at the highest level of sports in the Olympic Games. In my opinion, one of the most captivating sports to watch are the track and field events. Although many athletes in track and field run races or compete in individual events, there are some whose performance will affect the success or failure of an entire team. For example, consider the interdependence of those who participate in the relay races. As I watch those relay races, I find myself on the edge of my seat as I keep my eyes on the runners coming around the bend and stretching forward with the baton in hand to pass it on to the next runner. It is at that crucial moment that one slip or one hesitation can lose the race for the team.

The Christian life has many similarities to a relay race. God has entrusted every generation of Christians to pass on the “Baton of Faith” to the next generation. This crucial window of time that we have to pass on “…the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3) is fleeting. One moment of hesitation or one slip and the opportunity may be lost. This idea of passing on our faith is seen in many places throughout the Word of God including in Psalm 78. Consider the verses written by Asaph in this chapter: “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done…That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (vv. 2-4, 6-7). Asaph understood the responsibility that fathers have been given in passing on the teaching of God’s Word with a multi-generational vision in mind. Not only did he speak of teaching his own children but of his children teaching their children. We are reminded here that we must teach our children to teach their children to teach their children and on and on. Asaph was concerned with showing the next generation God’s praise, God’s strength, and God’s wonderful works. And we must be committed to doing the same.

Christian parents must not give into passivity or think they can outsource this great responsibility they have been given in passing on God’s truth to the next generation. Every parent is a teacher, a discipler, and an evangelist to their own children. Charles Spurgeon once said, “…ministers and Sabbath-school teachers were never meant to be substitutes for mothers’ tears and fathers’ prayers.” It is our duty as parents (and grandparents) to successfully pass on the “Baton of Faith” that is in our hand!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.” (Psalm 66:18-20)

Have you ever tried to make a phone call and received a “call failed” message? This can be very frustrating to those of us who are accustomed to instant, unhindered connectivity with our phones. When you try to call someone and receive the “call failed” message, there can be many reasons why your call isn’t going through. It is obvious, however, that there is something blocking your phone from connecting with the person you are trying to call. When this happens, people will do whatever they can to get that clear, instant, unhindered connectivity back in use. We will go out of our way and act with urgency in order to remove hindrances to our cell phone connections. But do we have that same sense of urgency in removing hindrances in our connectivity with God through prayer? Our greatest concern and sense of urgency ought to be directed towards removing anything that might hinder our prayer connectivity with God!

Have you ever prayed to God and felt that you were receiving the message- “prayer failed”? Has it ever seemed that there was something between you and God that hindered your prayer life? There are many things that can hinder our open line of communication with God- lack of forgiveness, doubt, disregard for God’s Word. In Psalm 66:18, we see one of the most common “prayer blockers” that can ensnare any believer in Christ. It says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me…” Unconfessed sin can be one of the greatest hindrances to our prayer life. The verse makes it clear that if I “regard iniquity in my heart”- meaning, “If, having seen it to be there, I continue to gaze upon it without aversion; if I cherish it, have a side glance of love toward it, excuse it, and palliate it” (R. Gordon) then “the Lord will not hear me”. The Psalmist is speaking of the willful acceptance of sin into our lives. When this happens, God will not give attention to or consider our prayers. The very thought of this potentially happening should seriously concern any Christ follower.

The Psalmist continues in v. 19-20 by saying, “But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.” It is clear from these verses that the Psalmist did not hold onto or cherish his sin. Rather, through confession and forsaking of his sin, his prayer was heard. The line of communication was opened. The joy of clear communication with God had returned!

What about you? Has your prayer life grown stagnant? Is there something hindering your prayers? Are you receiving the message- “prayer failed” when you cry out to God? Although prayer can be hindered by various things, we ought to check our hearts daily to see if there is any unconfessed sin that needs to be rooted out through confession and repentance. There is nothing so joyous to the Christian as sweet communion with Christ through an open line of prayer.

~Pastor Aaron Francis

“Once upon a time, a certain town grew up at the foot of a mountain range. It was sheltered in the lee of the protecting heights, so that the wind that shuddered at the doors and flung handfuls of sleet against the window panes was a wind whose fury was spent.

High up in the hills, a strange and quiet forest dweller took it upon himself to be the Keeper of the Springs. He patrolled the hills and wherever he found a spring, he cleaned its brown pool of silt and fallen leaves, of mud and mold and took away from the spring all foreign matter, so that the water which bubbled up through the sand ran down clean and cold and pure. It leaped sparkling over rocks and dropped joyously in crystal cascades until, swollen by other streams, it became a river of life to the busy town.

Millwheels were whirled by its rush. Gardens were refreshed by its waters. Fountains threw it like diamonds into the air. Swans sailed on its limpid surface, and children laughed as they played on its banks in the sunshine.

But the City Council was a group of hard-headed, hard-boiled businessmen. They scanned the civic budget and found in it the salary of a Keeper of the Springs. Said the Keeper of the Purse: ‘Why should we pay this romance ranger? We never see him; he is not necessary to our town’s work life. If we build a reservoir just above the town, we can dispense with his services and save his salary.’ Therefore, the City Council voted to dispense with the unnecessary cost of a Keeper of the Springs, and to build a cement reservoir.

So the Keeper of the Springs no longer visited the brown pools but watched from the heights while they built the reservoir. When it was finished, it soon filled up with water, to be sure, but the water did not seem to be the same. It did not seem to be as clean, and a green scum soon befouled its stagnant surface.

There were constant troubles with the delicate machinery of the mills, for it was often clogged with slime, and the swans found another home above the town. At last, an epidemic raged, and the clammy, yellow fingers of sickness reached into every home in every street and lane.

The City Council met again. Sorrowfully, it faced the city’s plight, and frankly it acknowledged the mistake of the dismissal of the Keeper of the Springs. They sought him out of his hermit hut high in the hills, and begged him to return to his former joyous labor. Gladly he agreed, and began once more to make his rounds.

It was not long until pure water came lilting down under tunnels of ferns and mosses and to sparkle in the cleansed reservoir. Millwheels turned again as of old. Stenches disappeared. Sickness waned and convalescent children playing in the sun laughed again because the swans had come back.

Do not think me fanciful, too imaginative, or too extravagant in my language when I say that I think of women, and particularly of our mothers, as Keepers of the Springs…There never has been a time when there was a greater need for Keepers of the Springs, or when there were more polluted springs to be cleansed. If the home fails, the country is doomed. The breakdown of homes life and influence will mark the breakdown of the nation. If the Keepers of the Springs desert their posts or are unfaithful to their responsibilities, the future of this country is black indeed. This generation needs Keepers of the Springs who will be courageous enough to cleanse the springs that have been polluted. It is not an easy task- nor is it a popular one; but it must be done for the sake of the children, and the young women of today must do it.”

D.L. Moody was an evangelist whom God used in a mighty way to shake two continents with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Growing up, Moody faced many seemingly insurmountable obstacles in his life. Moody grew up in a fatherless home, was raised in very poor conditions, and lacked a complete education.  However, one day, Moody was challenged by a man who said, “It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him.” In spite of the obstacles he faced, Moody accepted the challenge by faith and gave himself wholly to the service of God! Because of his choice to walk by faith, God used D.L. Moody in a mighty way to reach many people with the Gospel!

In Numbers 13, we see a group of twelve spies who had been sent out to survey the land that God had already promised to the nation of Israel. God told the Israelites in Exodus 23:28 that He would “drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.” All they had to do was trust in the promise of God and take the land. This group of twelve spies searched out the land for forty days and brought back a report to Moses and the people of Israel. Tragically, however, just as they were on the verge of entering the land God has promised them, ten of the spies chose to focus on the obstacles that stood between them and the land rather than focusing on the promises of God. These spies chose to walk by sight and view the obstacles (strong people, walled cities, giants) of the land as insurmountable. Two of the spies, however, named Joshua and Caleb chose to walk by faith. Caleb said in his report to the people, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (v. 30). The ten spies saw the obstacles that stood in their way. The two spies saw God’s faithful ability to bring them into the land if they would simply trust in Him and obey.

In spite of what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles, D.L. Moody chose to see with the eye of faith what God could do with any man that was fully surrendered to Him. Similarly, Joshua and Caleb chose to see what God could do if they would simply trust in Him to keep His promises. As believers, we are called to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we get our eyes off God and forget His promises, difficulties and problems are quickly magnified in our sight. When unbelief fills our hearts, our eyes begin to focus on the “giants” around us, rather than the God who is with us. When we view life from God’s point of view, however, we are given the faith to overcome whatever obstacles are in our path. 1 John 4:4 reminds the believer in Christ that “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  When we walk by sight, we see giants. When we walk by faith, however, we are able to focus on our faithful and mighty God who enables us to live out the promises of God!

~Pastor Aaron Francis