"Setbacks Don't Stop God's Plans" - Monday December 15, 2025

“Setbacks Don’t Stop God’s Plans”

Because King Herod had wrongly assumed Jesus posed a threat to his kingdom, and the Magi didn’t fall for his trick of telling him where Jesus was, he ordered the murder of every boy in Bethlehem and its vicinity that was two years old and under born in the timeline of Jesus’ birth. Joseph, warned in a dream by an angel, took Mary and Jesus and escaped to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23).

 

As we look back at the Christmas story, it’s easy to see the hand of God moving, fulfilling his promises to Mary and Joseph. The child was miraculously conceived, heralded by angels, and visited by important people. Dreams and visions all took place confirming the promises of God and fulfilment of prophecies.

 

Can you imagine the things Mary and Joseph experienced though? The situations they faced had to be difficult.  This couple saw and experienced miracles, but they also saw the circumstances that seemed to overwhelm the miracles. They believed God and his promises and were walking by faith, even when life wasn’t easy for them.

 

In our journey with God, it’s amazing how quickly we can lose sight of his promises. Throughout scripture we see God working in ways we don’t always understand. He gives a promise, confirms it with signs, but then it seems to disappear. There are times in our lives when God plans something big and we’re overly excited, but then it appears his plans change as our dream turns into a nightmare.

 

It’s in those times we must take responsibility and trust God’s promises believing he will come through. Even when we can’t see how. You see, God will fulfill his promises in his timing. Not because he’s fickle or can’t make up his mind and he certainly isn’t trying to mess with you. We must remember, He sees what we can’t see. His purposes for our lives are bigger than we perceive at face value.

 

When God makes a promise or gives you a dream, there’s always a deeper purpose to it. Often the path he forces us to walk deepens our faith and confidence. When we doubt, it doesn’t mean the promise has been removed, it simply means God is still preparing the way for you. God always honors his promises.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

"Life's Disappointments" - Friday December 12, 2025

“Life’s Disappointments” (NOTE-this is being sent early):

Life rarely looks like we thought it would be, but that doesn’t mean God’s promises aren’t true. We all deal with disappointments. The beauty of Jesus being “with us” is that he can fully relate to those feelings. No matter what we’re going through, we have someone who understands and offers hope. The story – YOUR STORY isn’t over yet.

 

At face value the prophecy of Isaiah (9:6-7) about the coming Messiah looks like he would be the government ruler. That’s what the Jewish nation believed Jesus would be. But the picture  they had in their minds didn’t match who Jesus actually is. 

 

Later in Jesus’ life we discover establishing earthly kingdoms wasn’t his target. His purpose is heavenly kingdoms. This was a big disappointment to the Jewish people. Being disappointed with God isn’t an uncommon thing. Sometimes what we expect from him is the opposite of what he does.

 

The religious leaders and priests were interpreting Scripture and making Jesus into what they hoped he would be. They were looking for external peace – peace from their physical enemies. But Jesus came to bring internal peace. It’s what they needed then and what we still need today.

 

The natural responses to God acting differently than our assumptions are disappointment, sometimes anger, doubt, frustration, rejection, and a desire for personal control. However, when we decide to shift our perceptions of God to match what he was (is) doing through the ministry of Jesus Christ our lives and purpose will be changed.

 

When we do that, we’ll find hope, forgiveness, mercy, grace, and peace. No one loves you like God loves you. There will be things you’ll never understand, but God can always be trusted. He’ll never leave nor forsake you. His faithfulness endures forever.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

"No Room" - Thursday December 11, 2025

“No Room”

Most people can tell the Christmas story with reasonable accuracy. In sharing with others, including Mary and Joseph being turned away at the Inn upon their arrival to Bethlehem must be included.

 

It’s quite sad when someone hears that part of the story for the first time. How could anyone turn away a young couple, especially a young girl about to have a baby. Surely something could have been done to provide a room for them.

 

Like anything else though, when something is full, it’s full! Even a hotel or in this case, an Inn. For centuries, lots of things have been said about the Inn Keeper. Some good, some bad, and others simply saying, “There’s nothing he could do.”

 

Because we have awareness and kind hearts, we think if we were in that situation, things would have been handled differently. Yet here we are, 15 days away from Christmas and how much time have we actually spent thinking about and worshipping the Christ Child?

 

Of course we’re extra busy this time of year. There are things to do, places to go, shopping, baking, and people to see. Plus, company is coming and the house must be cleaned! Oh, don’t forget the kids’ school and church programs. Plus the people we work for expect us to show up. And on time!!

 

Busy, busy, busy. We’re all busy and some will be so busy, Christmas will come and go and while we participated in the parties and gatherings – WE MISSED Its true significance.

 

The Inn keeper had not one extra room to give to Mary and Joseph. But he did suggest a stable which became the birthplace for baby Jesus. May I suggest something to you? STOP! Take a deep breath, find a quiet place, and focus upon the true meaning of Christmas, which is worshipping and celebrating the birth of our Savior. Don’ let your heart be so filled with things that you don’t have room to worship Him.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

"All is Well - Until" Pt 3 of 3 - Wednesday December 10, 2025

“All is Well – Until” Pt 3 of 3”:

This week we’ve reviewed the shepherds and Magi’s (Wisemen) experience in the Christmas story. The shepherds heard the message through angels, and the Magi followed a mysterious, yet fascinating star. The results were the same – they sought and found the new-born King. Today we look at an individual who was not happy with the news of this new Jewish King the Magi saw announced in the skies. Herod was blindsided and felt threatened. That’s a place many of us find ourselves at times.

 

• If you work in the tech industry, one day you won’t be the go-to individual for certain technologies.
• If you’re a parent, there will come a time when your kids no longer see you as an ultimate authority.

 

Transition and power changes are normal. We shouldn’t feel threatened by them. But that’s what we see King Herod experiencing when he hears the news from the Magi (Matthew 2:3-12). Imagine if instead, he had recognized the change that was coming and leaned into it. He could have been part of the legacy of Jesus’ story and much more than just a dark spot in biblical history.

 

Interruptions to our routines are uncomfortable. They never feel good in the moment, but that’s where our greatest opportunities often lie. We see in the three sets of people mentioned this week got to be a part of the greatest story ever told. Some were allies, one was an enemy. Ultimately, the enemy died in relative historical obscurity (even though he was a king). The other two sets continue to live on countless Christmas cards and nativity sets. We are given opportunities to become allies to other people’s stories by seeking God and acting on opportunities to serve and encourage.

 

Remember, God is more concerned with who we are than the position we hold. He’s concerned with our heart and ability to love and give to others. When we choose to embrace and help those who threaten our position or power, we have the opportunity to become a part of their accomplishments and legacy.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

"All is Well - Until" Pt 2 of 3 - Tuesday December 9, 2025

“All is Well – Until” Pt 2 of 3:

God is available to anyone who seeks Him (Matthew 2:1-2). The Magi from the Christmas story were priests from a Persian astrological religion. They were as far from the Jewish religion as anyone could be. Yet, when the star appeared in the sky, they decided it was worth checking out.

 

They made a months-long journey to find this new King of the Jews. If the star they followed announced his birth, he was surely worth seeing for themselves. And they found Him. They sought the truth, even if it meant getting out of their comfort zone and stepping outside of what they believed to be true.

 

Compare their experience with a fortune-teller in full costume showing up in your next Sunday morning worship service. Would we embrace him? Would we find them weird? Would we be a bit nervous?

 

I’ll assume we would welcome him but also know it would be a bit outside the norm. But what if he was really trying to find the truth of this “Jesus’ thing.” That’s a lot like the story of the Magi. For all intents and purposes, they didn’t belong in the presence of a new Jewish King. But they took a risk to feel out of place and went to find him.

 

In Jeremiah 29:13, God told the Israelites, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” The beauty of the Christmas story is that we see this promise acted out, even for those people who might assume God would reject them. The truth is, God has made himself available to everyone who seeks Him. We have no say in who God accepts for His grace is available to all. 

 

The angel told the terrified shepherds, “Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy, a Savior has been born to ALL people and he Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:9-11). It might take a step outside of your comfort zone and your preconceived notions of truth, but you will find God if you truly look for him.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"All Is Well - Until" Pt 1 0f 3 - Monday December 8, 2025

“All is Well – Until” Pt 1 of 3:

As believers we should always be looking for opportunities to serve God even when the routine of our day gets interrupted. Over the next three days we’ll look at three sets of characters and their response when they heard the news of a newborn king. Some of these characters found the opportunities presented them to bring amazing truths through Jesus’ birth. Others didn’t respond correctly and missed an opportunity to be a part of something much bigger than themselves.

 

The shepherds’ job was watching sheep. Yet when the angels appeared to them, announcing the good news of Jesus’ birth, they left their flock to go meet him. This might seem irresponsible, yet it was the best thing they could do because they understood the significance of the moment. They’re decision made them a part of history.

 

Shepherds had no distinction. They were “nobodies” in the eyes of their peers and leaders. Did they wonder why angels were giving them the announcement of Christ’s birth and not those of prestige? Were they worried about leaving their sheep that may be attacked by a wild animal? What would people say about their irresponsibility?

 

Perhaps some of the shepherds refused to go but we know some did. In doing so they risked losing their family’s or their owner’s livelihood. It’s reasonable to think they were nervous and anxious about what they were doing. But leaving their flock is when they met Jesus and became a part of the Christmas story forever!

 

There will be times when God interrupts a perfectly good day sending us opportunities to serve him. It might make us late for an appointment. It might keep us from doing what we were supposed to do in order to help someone in a particular moment. The story of the shepherds reminds us that they were willing to take a risk. Their story is recorded in eternity, because they chose to be a part of something bigger than their present responsibility.

 

Let’s be willing to inconvenience ourselves, even look irresponsible if necessary, in order to be a part of caring for others when God provides us with opportunities.  

 

Pastor Carnes

"Christmas Changes Everything" - Friday December 5, 2025

“Christmas Changes Everything”

The Christmas story is the story that never gets old. It has been repeated year after year for centuries. What your parents told you, you told your kids who will share with their kids. What must have seemed like a mystery coming from the lips of the prophets became reality. Everything began to change when Gabriel visited Mary – and things have never stopped changing.

 

The prophecies of old began to resonate when the angel spoke to Mary saying, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:30-32).

 

We’ve all wondered and discussed the thoughts and emotions this young girl must have experienced. The fact she was engaged to Joseph only increased her anxiety. How could she explain being pregnant, but had never been with a man?

 

No law of physics can substantiate this announcement. Mary’s pregnancy defies modern science. It destroys the boundaries of biology. God announced the Son of God will be born of a virgin and skeptics have marveled how this birth actually came about for centuries. Sadly, there are many theologians today who still do not believe.

 

Christmas began to change everything even before Christ was born. It began when a young virgin girl totally trusted God to do the impossible through her. Luke 1:37-38 gives great insight to this story. The angel informed Mary her relative Elizabeth was going to have a child in old age – “For nothing is impossible with God!” Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said” (and the angel left).

 

God has always done the impossible through willing people. He has always put his treasures in earthen vessels and has the ability to take nothing and make something out of it. Jesus takes the rejects and makes them the elect. There is a treasure inside of you. You may look at yourself and see a big nothing, but that’s God plan. You see; He created you with a purpose but to fulfill that purpose He wants your total dependence upon Him.

 

Pastor Carnes