Messages from Pastor Bob

February 2025 – God’s Providential Care

Dear Friends of Zion,

With longing hearts we wait to see what the future with hold. Will there be an early Spring, or will we have to endure six more weeks of winter? And we owe it all to a furry creature called a groundhog, or a woodchuck. On usatoday.com, it is noted that “Since making his first prediction in 1887, Punxsutawney Phil has been right 39% of the time, according to the Stormfax Weather Almanac.” That’s not even a 50% accuracy. I think the meteorologists are more accurate, using their intricate technological equipment.

God once made a promise about the seasons. In Genesis 8:22 the Lord said, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” He doesn’t indicate the length of the seasons, obviously. Some northern states seem to have longer winters, while southern states rarely experience winter weather (with the exception of that southern blizzard that dumped around a foot of snow in some places.)

The seasons, however, are a reminder of God’s promise to preserve life on the earth through the blessings of the seasons. We do have the planting season, growing season, and the harvest season that provides so much food to both humans and animals alike. And I will not forget my Dad’s garden and his attempts to keep the woodchucks from destroying his vegetables. But that was one thing that a woodchuck was able to do with 100 percent accuracy.

May God continue to remind us of His providential care through the seasons.

Pastor


January 2025Staying Close to God

Dear Friends of Zion,

Many people celebrate the ending of a year and the start of a new year. Some stay awake to watch the descent of the Times Square ball. And there are New Year’s observances, such as eating black eyed peas or making resolutions to, hopefully, change one’s life for the better.

One way to start the New Year as God’s redeemed people is in the name of our Lord. We begin our worship services with what is called the “Invocation.” It is the name of God that He has revealed to us. “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” one God, yet three distinct Persons. Jesus commanded His apostles to baptize all nations with water and the words “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” With those words we are reminded that God has blessed us with His promises and His Holy Spirit.

As we enter the New Year, for many the celebration will be past and many resolutions will be broken and forgotten. As we enter the year in the name of our Lord, we are reminded that God has promised to be with us. He will be with us in our joys as well as our sorrows. He has promised to forgive our failures and our sins. Stay close to God during this new year. Keep His words close to your heart when He said, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

May God bless you throughout this new year!!

Pastor