Pastor Matt's Thoughts

 Be Balanced

One of the most difficult things in life to do is to maintain balance as a believer. It requires a constant effort 24/7.

Did you ever try to balance a broom on the end of your finger? If you have, you know it requires a lot of attention. First, you must move the finger forward, then backward, then to one side, then to the other. You can’t hold your finger still and balance the broom or else it will fall off.

The same principal is true in life and in our spiritual life. If we are to maintain a balanced life, we must move quickly and constantly be making corrections. It is easy to go too far in one direction or the other. Eating too much and not enough time for exercise, or playing too much to the neglect of reading God’s Word, praying, witnessing, going to church and so on.

Life it seems, can be like the pendulum on a clock-swinging from one side to the other. If you were over disciplined as child, it is likely that you will be too easy on your children. The chances are that one who was not properly disciplined as a child will be too strict on their children. Balance, that’s the important thing in anything we do in this life and as a believer in God. Surely that‘s what the Bible means in Philippians 4:5; “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”.  God bless.

                                                         Pastor’s Thoughts for July
                                                            What am I Chasing?

Have you heard of the dog that chased a freight train and when he caught it, he didn’t know what to do with it?
I guess he had a good time while he was on the run, but all his efforts ended in disappointment. It would have been a story with a different ending had he gone after a cat or a rabbit but he spent all his energy chasing an iron horse that couldn’t reward him with a single juicy bone.
It is a good thing for us to take stock of life now and then and to ask ourselves, What am I chasing? What are the objectives of my life? I keep wondering whether that dog took a good look before he took off after that train. Maybe his blood hound nature made him chase it because it moved, he probably didn’t stop to ask whether or not the effort was worthwhile.
I am afraid that too many lives are being spent pursuing unworthy things. Having nothing to show for all our efforts when it’s all said and done. (Life is over). Only as we “set our affections on the things above” can we be certain that when this life is over, we have not been “chasing freight trains.”
There is also a story of a missionary in china who was more familiar with things Chinese than any other man at that time. Because of this an oil company sought his services. He was offered a large salary. When he refused the salary was doubled and then doubled again. Each time he refused and finally he was told just to name the amount and set his own salary. In reply, he said, “The salary you first offered was large enough. It is not your salary that is too small; it is your job. I have a bigger job than the world can even offer.” I hope we all feel the same way. “If ye then been risen with Christ, seek those things which are above… set you affections on things above, not on things on earth.” Only what’s done for Christ will last! What are you chasing? What are your priorities? Why not pursue something (things of God) that will last?

Pastor Matt’s Though April 2013
Spring Is Here!

At last spring is here! The trees are  budding and the grass is green. Everywhere you look there is new life. The sunshine and the birds singing seems to put some pep in everyone’s step. I love the spring time because in many ways it reminds me of the awesome love of our Heavenly Father. How do the trees know it’s time to bud? How is it all the babies of the forest are born at this time? Why because it’s all in the grand design of our Almighty God! As I think of spring with all its magnificent workings, I am reminded of Psalm 8:4 (Amp.) David asked, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of (earth born) man that you care for him?”
The truth is, God has this great big universe to take care of, but we are the crown of His creation! Life has its seasons too. Maybe you have been going through a cold, dry, seemingly dead season in your life. I certainly have had my share of them. On a spiritual level it’s hard to read the Word. It’s hard to pray, it’s hard to worship and even harder to come to church. As much as it’s hard to believe those cold, dry winter months are necessary. As a son of a farmer, I am positive that my dad did not look forward to going right back into the field after harvest to plow it under. But if he wanted the ground prepared for next spring he needed to do it regardless of how he felt. The point is, we have to continue to do what we must do knowing spring is just around the corner. When the spring time comes, reading God’s word is easy. Praying becomes easy again, etc. None of this would be possible without those dreaded winter seasons of our lives. As we embrace spring and all its blessings. Pause for a moment and think about this. This God who created all that is going on (the budding of the trees, the greening of the grass, etc.) is the God who loves  you above all. Spring is here, and new life comes with it.

Pastor Matt

Clean Up Day

Calvary Clean Up and Spruce Up Day
On Sat. May 4 men’s ministry will be sponsoring a clean up and spruce up Calvary work day, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided by Chef Dave at noon. The Men’s ministry is asking for as many men as possible to come out and help with the clean up and spruce up of God’s house. If any of the women of the church would like to join us we would be happy for your help. A project list and equipment needed will be posted in both foyers by next Sunday, April 28. The Men’s Ministry needs your help and prayers for good weather. Any questions see Henry Grimm and Brian Shroyer. Any amount of help and time would be appreciated.

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts Feb. 2013

John 3:16

 

This Thursday is February 14, Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget that special person with a card, flowers, candy, dinner or jewelry. God gave us a much costlier gift to prove His love for us. A young believer asked his pastor, “ I am having problems in my Christian walk. I have been saved for two years and somehow I don’t feel the same as when I first got saved. I find myself relying on what other people  tell me and not enough on the Word of God. What’s wrong with me?”

The pastor responded, “Never let your emotions be your spiritual thermostat, always keep going with what you know is right and above all stay in God’s Word.” Calvary, I truly think at times we all feel the same way (emotional roller coaster) as the young believer. Let me share what with you some spiritual and practical truths.

 

1) Faith, not feelings-helps to keep us in love with God. Eph. 2:8- “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. “ It is through faith in the Word of God, faith in Jesus Christ and by His grace we are saved.

If our feelings were connected to our salvation, probably many of us would not feel saved much of the time.

 

2) Faithfulness to the Word of God- helps keep us in God’s love. Reading God’s Word daily can only build our faith (Romans 10:17).Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

 

3) Faithfulness in our prayer life.-Paul tells us to “Pray without ceasing and pray always in everything. “Faithful prayer life will keep us in love with God. Also, attending church services on a regular basis will help. (Heb. 10:25) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Sadly, but sometimes we not only forget to love those special ones here on earth but we also forget our love for God. (for many reasons). There are consequences that can happen Spiritually and here on earth when we do forget. (Rev. 24:5).

 

Don’t be that one that remembers at the last moment Thursday is Valentine’s Day and end up with a lot of explaining to do. My advice after you read this go out and buy something nice! Make dinner arrangements! (Not at Wendy’s), get a babysitter now! The reward is better than the consequence. For us as believers we need to stay faithful to God and keep falling in love with Him each day. Great things are about to happen here at Calvary and for you as well. Let’s begin to pray for God’s renewal in our lives and serve Him and each other daily.

Pastor Matt

 

 

 

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts… Jan. 2013

R. A. Torrey’s

Prescription for Revival

Prescription: Directions or instructions; a formula, as in preparing a medicine.

I can give you a prescription that will bring revival to any church or community or any city on earth. The prescription is as follows:

First, let a few Christians( they need not be many) get thoroughly right with God themselves. This is prime essential! If this is not done, the rest of what I am to say will come to nothing.

Second,let them unite themselves together to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down.

Third,let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ. That is all!

This is sure to bring a revival to any church or community. I have given this prescription around the world. It has been taken by many churches and many communities, and in no instance has it ever failed; and it cannot fail!

I recently came across this prescription for revival by R.A.Torry and thought why wouldn’t it work here at Calvary especially in light of the events going on in the world and in the church. 2012 is now behind us and 2013 is just getting started so what better time to start praying and expecting a revival to break out at Calvary, in us and in Connellsville!

Happy New Year, Pastor Matt

Blessed are the saints of the second fiddle.

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts

October, 2012

Blessed are the saints of the second fiddle.

1 Samuel 12:2

“And now, behold, the king walked before you; and I am old and gray headed.” Samuel was a better man than Saul, but he knew how to take a back seat graciously. Which is why I say… blessed are those who want the spotlight to be on them and them only. Saul was one of those who had no tolerance for second place. When he heard the women singing, “Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten of thousands, he was very angry and the saying displeased him.” (1 Sam. 18:7&8)

Sadly, there are even some preachers and believers who have been known to react the same way as Saul when supersede by someone more successful. In the Word of Gods we find that eh best person is not always those who want the spotlight. Here some examples; (Eccl. 10:7) “I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” (3 John 9 ). “…..but Diotrephes, who loved to be first, will have nothing to do with us.” (Romans 12:10) “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

John the Baptist was the foremost prophet and preacher of his time when he said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Our prayer should be in no matter what talent we possess or what we are asked to do, God grant us the beatitude of being in the background, that only Christ may be seen.

Samuel took what I call the back seat for someone lesser, John the Baptist for someone greater, the question is can we play second fiddle, whether for a lesson or for the Greatest of all?