Month: September 2026

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing we shall receive the greater condemnation (James 3:1)

               In only a few weeks, another of our lengthy studies in the scriptures will end and I will begin preparations for the next. This is the closest I come to fear, and if not fear, extreme anxiety. After many weeks studying in one book, I reach a comfort level in which thoughts flow easily. Starting over means reestablishing the comfort level. This is one of the reasons I chose to study the London Confession of Faith on Sunday afternoons. I have always been at ease when laying foundational truths for the support of any part of the Bible we choose to study. A good example is our examination of decrees which are clearly and frequently expressed in scripture and then unequivocally affirmed in the Confession of Faith. Ignorance of how, and when, and the chief motivational factors and the necessity of God choosing those who are wholly incapable of walking with Him is defeated through expositions of truths God uses to enlighten spiritually dead minds to the glorious majesty of Christ.

               How does this work when the promises of faith in Christ are the sureties of hatred, ridicule, rejection, and possibly death as the immediately expected rewards? Who, with weak human effort succeeds in breaking through such a fortified barrier? A supernaturally energized gospel is the only hope which puts all this work within our capability. Do you understand the reason anxiety weighs on a pastor’s mind when pushed beyond his natural comfort level? I calm myself by understanding that teaching and preaching the word to achieve the desired effect is as much an act of God as regeneration is in the ability of the mind to appropriate what is heard.   

            Compounding anxiety (by which, I do not mean hopeless worry) is decision making that affects the future of the church. Consider this heart-pounding statement in (WLC 151). Briefly limiting the comments to the point at hand: “Sins receive their aggravations, ‘From circumstances of time and place: if on the Lord’s Day, or other times of divine worship; or immediately before or after these, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages; if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.’”

“What doth every sin deserves at the hands of God? ‘Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty, goodness, and holiness of God, and against his righteous law, deserveth his wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come; and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.’”

I sincerely hope there are lessons learned from these comments. It is not often the perfect storm arises to give opportunity to speak difficult subjects. Nearly twenty-five years ago when I became pastor, I read a letter with an accusation that I usurped authority to gain this position. Why this bothers me now is mysterious. The consequences are too frightening.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

               A few weeks ago on July 5^th, we passed a milestone for the year 2026. I am sure the first sentence of this article has you thinking about the July 4^th celebration of our 250^th anniversary of American independence. With perpetual remembrance, I still hear occasional explosions in my neighborhood as adults acting like elementary schoolers cannot force themselves to give up the excitement of loud noises. Accompanying is a sudden blast of a trumpet and the squeezing of life out of an accordion with a choking “¡Ay-ay-ay!” There are a few peacocks living ¼ mile from my house who protest a sudden awakening with enough pushback to emphasize the rudeness of disturbing the peace. Alas, peacocks and mariachi are strangely harmonious annoyances. This weekend blend punctuated by an occasional “GOAL!” confuses my rational American sensibilities.

               What you have just read is what happens when my mind wanders without anyone in the house to keep me focused. Regardless, Independence Day 2026 is not the milestone I had in mind. Rather, it was the beginning of the second half of the year. The Lord also blessed us with an outstanding worship offering giving relief to budget pressures that usually intensify in this part of the year. My heart nearly burst with the news! Although, I must be perfectly honest with what I do not know concerning the source. It is always God, of course. However, He works through human instrumentation. I purposely separate myself from this personal information. Whenever I preach or comment on giving, my mind is a blank slate of names. All I ask is that you praise God with me.

               Two paragraphs are finished with the most notable information being about providence and peacocks. I am sure after writing over one thousand articles peacocks never made the cut. More importantly, I mentioned the midyear milestone because I wondered about the consistency of Bible reading. Is a New Year’s resolution to keep up consistent reading still part of your daily routine? It came to my mind when my daily reading plan coincided with the Egyptian Hallel during Independence week. “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.” Step outside to experience undeniable proof.

               Strange things happen as people routinely dismiss the possibility of God’s providence. I was not paying much attention when I heard someone on television say, “I have no religion. I am an atheist.” The next line was an unwitting misquotation of 1 Corinthians 10:13. In a joking manner, the person said, “God will not put more on us than we can bear.” Followed with, “He seriously overestimated me.” These contradictions stand out if your mind is saturated with scripture. Is anyone truly without religion? No. While it may be consciously denied, it is forever engrained in our subconscious. Natural born atheists do not exist.

               You and I are acquainted with God and have much more satisfying knowledge of Him. “Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” Who knew that fireworks could open the mind to the glory of God? If only as much could be said about peacocks singing mariachi. Instead, God’s glory contrasts with a stark reminder of just how fallen this world is.

Pastor V. Mark Smith