A huge transition

Greetings and salutations all,

Our family has started a huge transition in our lives. I accepted the call to pastor Idaville First Church of God starting August 1st, 2022. My family and I are in the process of moving from Decatur, IL to Idaville, IN.

Accepting the call at ifcog.com is a huge step of obedience for me as an individual, stepping out in faith that the Lord is going to do great work in this community in need.

Please be united with me in prayer that our transition goes smoothly, that our ministry here will be God glory, and that we will make a huge difference in the lives of people who desperately need a relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Pastor Joe

Masks, vaccines, governments…and God’s Glory!

If you don’t like wearing masks, I heartily agree with you. However, I do it. I have been a middle school teacher now for about a year. As a full-time sub, now with a full license. I hate masks! I hate making students wear masks. I hate having parents complain about me about penalties in participation for constantly needing to tell certain students to wear masks. It bothers me most when parents undermine the school, and my classroom, telling students masks don’t matter.

Honestly, I don’t care about politics in this regard. My wife reads all the medical stuff and debates through me with a pediatrician friend of mine about masks and vaccines. Truth be told, I am vaccinated. Not necessarily because I believe or don’t believe this or that… It was my get out of quarantine and masks free card. Now, in Illinois, it’s not! That sucks.

So? Why bother? Why enforce it? Why wear masks in Walmart and Kroger? Why force my students to wear their masks properly?

1. Many sick and unvaccinated people ignore the signs about masks. Exercise their right to be stupid and come to the store sick. My mom has fought cancer for two years. I don’t want to give something to her or my students.

2. My doctor friend, whom I trust, recommends it. He does it. I do it as a good example to my children and my students.

3. In my opinion, most importantly, the authorities over me, particularly my principal and the diocese my school is a part of have decided to honor the state’s authority and enforce masks. Why is that more important? Biblical authority tells me to honor, respect, and obey those authorities over me. Period.

If it’s not against God’s precepts, obey.

Do I agree? No. Do I like it? No.

Does it violate God’s law? No. So, do it.

Hopefully, over the next few years, politically people will elect new authorities. Hopefully, as soon as possible, the medical field will straight this out. If they don’t, my job is to glorify God and respect, honor, and obey the authorities over me to bring glory to God.

Do you disagree that’s fine? However, before you argue to vehemently, read these passages of scripture and decide. Am I obeying and glorifying God with all this arguing and bickering? Or, am I doing as God has told me in his Word?

The biblical view and precepts regarding the authorities over us. Whether government, employment, or some others…

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:1-7 NIV

 

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:13-17 NIV

Don’t forget!

Don’t forget to visit, like, share, and follow God’s Word is Life on Facebook! https://m.facebook.com/pastorhoot/?tsid=0.8345818494675541&source=result

I post much more encouragement, memes, and information to that page than the website.

youTube

God’s Word is Life content is now going to be available on youTube as well!

In addition to visiting our Facebook page, please begin tuning in to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLhA9wPQbMigh7yyLptQa9A

Old messages and new content will begin appearing here.

Please like, share, subscribe, recommend, and repost to share God’s Word is Life with your friends and family!

May all the blessings of God go with you as we live out God’s Word in our life!

Back in the Saddle Again

Friends,
Life can be so crazy and overwhelming sometimes, we know the secret of contentment comes from God alone through His Son, Jesus the Messiah, the Christ, the Holy and Appointed One of God. Philippians 4:13 reveals that secret, “I”, Paul says, “can do all things through Him (Jesus) who gives me strength.”
I am praying for strength right now, going through the holidays, working both my full-time job, part-time substitute teaching, both volunteer ministry and occasional pulpit supply preaching plus of course, famil; in the meantime, neglecting to post and write.
I apologize once again for my negligence.
Getting back on the ball, so please like, share, follow, recommend on Facebook  and godswordislife.com
God’s Word is Life and we can have peace and contentment through Him who gives us strength!
Thanks!

Chaos, confusion, control, conflict, and peace!

2020 has been a year unlike any other for those of us alive today. Seems like an understatement, right?

I have spoken to people in their 90s who say the same… The world is in chaos, economies are collapsing, businesses are closing, there are peaceful protests, armed conflicts, destructive riots, shootings, bombings, a global pandemic, and fear mongering.

Government officials at all levels are trying to exercise control over individuals in ways our forefathers revolted against…and just wait until the American people have to pay back, through higher taxes, all the money our government has borrowed in order to pay out all those stimulus packages.

Borders have been closed, travel has been halted, states and cities are quarantining people who travel to and from hot spots, even when their spot is hotter than the ones they are so worried about…hello, Chicago??? In the meantime, here in the good old U S of A, you’ll get COVID at church, at school, a small business, a fitness center, or a restuarant; but not at a protest rally, Walmart, Menards (where I work), or a political rally. Go figure!

It all makes us wonder…is God still alive? Does God even care? Can we have peace, when the world has gone crazy?

YES, YES, and YES!!! The answers are YES!

YES, God is still alive! YES, God does still care! YES, we can have peace!

Jesus may have died on the cross and remained in the grave for 3 days two thousand years ago, but He was resurrected and He is still alive today at the Right Hand of the Father. He is still intervening on our behalf moment by moment. The Father is still offering forgiveness for all our imperfections through our faith in His Perfect Son. His Son is still bestowing Holy Spirit upon us believers to be our Indwelling Comforter and Teacher. The Church is still on Earth and in heaven to act as Christ’s Body and Bride. However, we need unity now, more than ever!

Only God can heal this world, only Jesus can unify our divided spirit, only Holy Spirit will convict us and call us to turn from our selfish desires and grow the Fruit of the Spirit within us. Do you want love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to abound in the world? Let His Fruit grow in you, plant His Fruit in others, nurture His Fruit and watch it grow around the world!

In spite of the insanity in our world today, we can have peace… So, may the peace of God rest upon you. May the blessings of God live in you. And, may the love of God abound all around you.

Pastor Agrees with Lt. Gov. Dan Forest: Planned Parenthood Wants to Exterminate Black People

A discerning person on any side of the abortion argument should truly look at this evil person’s true intentions. Hitler had very similar ideas regarding eugenics as the founder of Planned Parenthood. The idea to exterminate anyone they considered inferior!

The most likely individuals, historically, to have abortions, those inconvenient or unplanned pregnancies, were typically obtained by those type individuals these two hated the most, including African Americans, intellectually inferior, and the impoverished.

Now, it is an epidemic of global proportions to murder the unborn out of convenience, lack of self-control, lust, and self-will. The overall number done for the ‘reason’ of rape, incest, birth defects, or to prevent mother and fetus fatalities is a minuscule percentage of the vast majority. It is now nothing more than an attempt to avoid the consequences of lustful sexually immoral behavior.

There is, of course, salvation and forgiveness available to those who repent of both performing and obtaining abortions…

However, the Church, discerning leaders, and the general public need to wake up and take action against this horrific, evil practice and shut down organizations like Planned Parenthood and all other organizations that continue to support them.

https://churchleaders.com/news/371198-pastor-dan-forest-planned-parenthood.html

Quick Update

First, an apology, I have not been posting much for the last couple months nor writing much, for those who are following God’s Word Is Life, I’m sorry. Just really busy with work and family.
Second, I promise to get back on the ball sharing encouragement, perspective, and biblical truth regarding life and recovery.
Third, a request. Please like, share, follow, and recommend both the Facebook page and the website godswordislife.com
Let’s get the message of renewal, hope, joy, and contentment to the world through the mercy and grace offered to us ALL through a relationship with our Creator Father through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus the Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Thank you all for your support!

South Bend cops warn of ‘mass exodus,’ as morale tanks over Buttigieg handling of shooting | Fox News

Having lived in South Bend during part of this man’s term and having seen what a mess he made of the city, and now this…

He definitely didn’t have my vote then, and absolutely would not have it now!

Color is not an issue here.

A man (it could be any perpetrator) was breaking the law and came at a police officer (any police officer) brandishing a knife. Is it sad that this perpetrator’s life went the direction it did, yes. Is it sad the guy gave the officer no other option than deadly force, yes. Is it sad he didn’t have an opportunity to repent before he died, yes. This police officer did nothing wrong. This wannabe president has done nothing right in handling the situation. Period!

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/south-bend-cops-warn-of-mass-exodus-as-morale-tanks-over-buttigiegs-handling-of-shooting