Posts by Andy Baker (Page 4)

You are of Your Father…

In the heart -felt book of John, Jesus has several confrontations with the Jews to prove to them His deity (John 8). The hardness of heart of these people broke the Savior ’s heart as they claimed allegiance to God, to the things of God, and to God ’s faithful servant, Abraham. However, Jesus cuts to the core of their hypocrisy and powerfully says in 8:44, “You are of your father, the devil….” What things betrayed their “true father ’…

Hard Coaching = Love

You might have seen this picture floating around in social media streams. The picture is of a poster (probably in a locker room) that is appropriate to share here and draw some applications: Hard Coaching = Love When a coach takes it easy on you, they ’re setting you up for a hard life ahead. Don ’t take the coach for granted that ’s constantly holding you accountable. They might seem annoying to you in the moment, until one day…

Who Do You Like More: Barnabas or Ananias & Sapphira?

My kids are into asking me who I like more in movies and literature (ex. Anakin Skywalker or Obi -Wan Kenobi; Harry or Hagrid, etc.). We ask questions like this and compare names occasionally, but usually it doesn’t involve a comparison of one who has a good reputation with someone who doesn’t. It ’s kind of a no – brainer in that situation. With the names given in the title above, one name conjures good feelings and a striking reputation…

Spiritual Maturity

In the letter Paul wrote to the Colossians, he stated his goal was to “. . . present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (1:28). How serious was he about that? The next verse tells us. He wrote “I also labor” and used a word meaning “toil resulting in weariness, laborious toil.” But, he also added, “striving,” a Greek term that gives us our word “agonize. ” The next chapter begins with him expressing deep concern for them (2:1). The…

I Heard My Savior Say: Follow Me

“I came to Jesus as I was, weary, forlorn and sad,” Knowing His promise I ’d heard before: That He would make me glad! “Teach me Your laws and Your morals and such – I’d like to know them all, We ’ll conquer sin and Satan and death with Your banner, flying tall!” My child,” said He, “if you truly wish to come after Me, Denial of self is the very first key: Give up malice and greed and envy…

Remember Two Things

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus enumerated several “twos” to remember. In these, man always has a choice. In the outcome, the destiny is either eternal reward or eternal punishment: (6:19 -21) There are 2 Treasures : Some have lived their life by this principle and their confidence is found completely in their bank account. Heaven is the place where treasures should be accumulating (Mark 8:36). “What ’s my spiritual bank balance?” (6:22 -23) There are 2 Focal Points…

Honor to Whom Honor is Due

It is amazing how quickly things change! Even in the congregation here, the past two years have seen a number of changes that few could have anticipated. Sometimes we are tempted to think that things will just keep going like always and when notable milestones are achieved, they leave us wondering where the time went! Such is the milestone to which I bring your attention. Marjorie Vickers and Betty Hathorn have faithfully taught together for fifteen years. There is an…

God’s Plan for an Eternal Kingdom

God ’s plan through the Messiah was to establish a “kingdom that would never be destroyed” (Dan. 2:44). Here are some hopes, promises, and implications of the Kingdom prophecies in the Old Testament and how they relate to Christians today: The Legitimacy of the Kingdom Stands or Falls with the Legitimacy of Jesus (Luke 24:44 -48). Peter preached the first gospel sermon and quoted the Kingdom prophecy of Joel 2:28 -32. He ties it to the death, burial, and resurrection…

“My Preciousss…”

Gollum/Smeagol is one of my favorite literary characters in Tolkien ’s Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Gollum talks to himself obsessively over the One Ring —even after he loses it in the deep caverns of the Misty Mountains. He constantly seeks his “precious” ring which Baggins finds. While Peter writes some two -thousand years before Tolkien, he talks about the spiritual things that Christians ought to see as precious. In Peter ’s letters, he writes as we journey…

On COVID, Camp, and Certainties

Despite several staff members and campers getting COVID at Peach Valley, I am glad that camp happened and that I was able to attend. It was a blessing my heart badly needed! The risk of illness was not greater than the blessing God provides by His people coming together. Here are some things I gleaned from the week that may help you as you live by faith: “Blessed, blessed, blessed are we!” We learned a new song at camp by…

Taking the Big Top Down

Vacation Bible School for 2021 is in the books and what a great week it has been. Along with the numerous “thank you ’ s” I offer for all those who were a part, I offer that I have learned so much more than our kids have! I am reminded about what wonderfully, sacrificial people we have who are able to meet needs, anticipate needs, and to communicate needs in the family. So much of what we do as the…

“Things for Which We Must Pray”

It ’s a simple enough title and concept, but for each season and busy opportunity in our lives, there ought to be a reminder, “this is something for which I MUST pray” (Ps. 55:7; Zech. 8:21; 1 Thess. 5:17). Here are some things God ’s people need to be lifting up and praying about NOW: Pray for our country (1 Tim. 2:1 -2). Our nation is in rapid decline. As a whole, our rulers, leaders, and educators are invested in…