Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
One of the earliest lessons I remember learning as a young boy was the adage "Two wrongs don't make a right." My parents would drop this line on me whenever I retaliated against one of my siblings or friends, or if I justified my mean behavior by citing the other person's behavior. They would say this truth to me and I wouldn't respond, mostly because I didn't want to make things worse for myself.
But internally I'd think, "Yes, it does! It makes things even!" My 8-year-old brain didn't need to be taught this rationalization -- we're all BORN with this sinful mindset: if I'm wronged, it's only fair to get them back. They deserve it.
We have to be taught the way of Jesus, which runs counter to our intuition and impulses. God tells us in His Word: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21 (NIV)
This is the opposite of human nature, isn't it? But God -- who invented the universe, after all -- tells us how to actually defeat evil, and it's not by retaliating with a proportional response. The way to defeat evil is not to engage in the same way, because then you'll "be overcome" by it. You respond to evil with good.
Good and evil are not equal in force or competition. It's not like The Force in Star Wars, where the dark side is balanced by the light. It may feel like evil is equal in strength to good; in fact, in might actually feel like evil is winning the battle at the moment!
But love is far stronger than evil. Kindness is far stronger than evil. Good is much greater than evil. Good will win the day a hundred times over evil. In the end, God and his followers will win. Good will triumph over evil because God is love, and His love will last forever.
Rest assured, when you respond to aggression with kindness, to accusation with grace, to anger with calm, you're investing in the winning stock! All things will burn away eventually, but the only things that will remain are "faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13)
One of the earliest lessons I remember learning as a young boy was the adage "Two wrongs don't make a right." My parents would drop this line on me whenever I retaliated against one of my siblings or friends, or if I justified my mean behavior by citing the other person's behavior. They would say this truth to me and I wouldn't respond, mostly because I didn't want to make things worse for myself.
But internally I'd think, "Yes, it does! It makes things even!" My 8-year-old brain didn't need to be taught this rationalization -- we're all BORN with this sinful mindset: if I'm wronged, it's only fair to get them back. They deserve it.
We have to be taught the way of Jesus, which runs counter to our intuition and impulses. God tells us in His Word: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21 (NIV)
This is the opposite of human nature, isn't it? But God -- who invented the universe, after all -- tells us how to actually defeat evil, and it's not by retaliating with a proportional response. The way to defeat evil is not to engage in the same way, because then you'll "be overcome" by it. You respond to evil with good.
Good and evil are not equal in force or competition. It's not like The Force in Star Wars, where the dark side is balanced by the light. It may feel like evil is equal in strength to good; in fact, in might actually feel like evil is winning the battle at the moment!
But love is far stronger than evil. Kindness is far stronger than evil. Good is much greater than evil. Good will win the day a hundred times over evil. In the end, God and his followers will win. Good will triumph over evil because God is love, and His love will last forever.
Rest assured, when you respond to aggression with kindness, to accusation with grace, to anger with calm, you're investing in the winning stock! All things will burn away eventually, but the only things that will remain are "faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor. 13:13)
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Saturday, October 22: Men at Mt. Charleston!
Join David Bombara and the Men's Ministry for a potluck lunch up at Mt. Charleston. What a great idea! Men of all ages are invited to the Kyle Canyon side (first exit) of Mt. Charleston to meet at the Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway at the Ponderosa Picnic Site at 11:00 AM. Bring a dish to share and any outdoor games you would like.
Click HERE to let us know you're coming, and you can call/text/email David at 702-339-7503 and/or davidbombara@gmail.com for more details.
Join David Bombara and the Men's Ministry for a potluck lunch up at Mt. Charleston. What a great idea! Men of all ages are invited to the Kyle Canyon side (first exit) of Mt. Charleston to meet at the Spring Mountain Visitor Gateway at the Ponderosa Picnic Site at 11:00 AM. Bring a dish to share and any outdoor games you would like.
Click HERE to let us know you're coming, and you can call/text/email David at 702-339-7503 and/or davidbombara@gmail.com for more details.
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You know what launches this Sunday? OPERATION: CHRISTMAS CHILD!
Meadows loves OCC, and we've been engaged in this ministry for as long as I can remember. Susan Elliot will be handing out empty shoeboxes after service, and we'll collect our Meadows boxes on Sunday, November 20.
Also, Meadows will serve as an Area Collection Site again this year, from November 14-21. Volunteers are always welcome and needed to help make this awesome ministry happen! Susan will have info on how to get dialed in for that as well.
Meadows loves OCC, and we've been engaged in this ministry for as long as I can remember. Susan Elliot will be handing out empty shoeboxes after service, and we'll collect our Meadows boxes on Sunday, November 20.
Also, Meadows will serve as an Area Collection Site again this year, from November 14-21. Volunteers are always welcome and needed to help make this awesome ministry happen! Susan will have info on how to get dialed in for that as well.
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Speaking of OCC....
Susan Elliot has been leading the Las Vegas area for OCC for over 20 years! This will be her final year in this role, and she is looking for someone that is willing and able to take her position starting next year (2023).
The Central Team Drop-Off Leader role runs the drop-off site for churches, groups, and individuals that want to drop off shoeboxes. You'd be part of a larger Las Vegas team, which connects via Zoom earlier in the year, and prepares together for the full week of work, in mid-November every year.
Sound interesting? Call/text Susan for more details and info! 702-498-6197
Susan Elliot has been leading the Las Vegas area for OCC for over 20 years! This will be her final year in this role, and she is looking for someone that is willing and able to take her position starting next year (2023).
The Central Team Drop-Off Leader role runs the drop-off site for churches, groups, and individuals that want to drop off shoeboxes. You'd be part of a larger Las Vegas team, which connects via Zoom earlier in the year, and prepares together for the full week of work, in mid-November every year.
Sound interesting? Call/text Susan for more details and info! 702-498-6197
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We've got LOTS of action going on at Meadows right now.
Sundays: two awesome services at 9 & 11 AM
Mondays: Prayer Gathering at 10 AM
Tuesdays: Ladies Connect at 10 AM & 6:30 PM
Wednesdays: Wednesday Night Connect and MYG at 7 PM
Get in on the action!
Sundays: two awesome services at 9 & 11 AM
Mondays: Prayer Gathering at 10 AM
Tuesdays: Ladies Connect at 10 AM & 6:30 PM
Wednesdays: Wednesday Night Connect and MYG at 7 PM
Get in on the action!
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This Sunday, we'll continue our series out of 1 Kings, Elijah and Elisha.
Last week, God called Elisha into prophetic ministry, with Elijah throwing his cloak over him. Elisha immediately responded, and began a life of service for God.
Elijah didn't quit, of course. He kept doing prophet things, with Elisha by his side learning and preparing. One of the things he saw Elijah do often was confront the king whenever he sinned and needed to be corrected.
The story in 1 Kings 21 is one of those confrontations. It's the story of a man, Naboth, who was unjustly murdered by Ahab and Jezebel, and how God intervened to bring justice and grace. Yet again, God reveals Himself to be the "defender of the weak." What a God!
Join us this Sunday for Part 5 - Naboth's Vineyard.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ron
Last week, God called Elisha into prophetic ministry, with Elijah throwing his cloak over him. Elisha immediately responded, and began a life of service for God.
Elijah didn't quit, of course. He kept doing prophet things, with Elisha by his side learning and preparing. One of the things he saw Elijah do often was confront the king whenever he sinned and needed to be corrected.
The story in 1 Kings 21 is one of those confrontations. It's the story of a man, Naboth, who was unjustly murdered by Ahab and Jezebel, and how God intervened to bring justice and grace. Yet again, God reveals Himself to be the "defender of the weak." What a God!
Join us this Sunday for Part 5 - Naboth's Vineyard.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ron
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