"Ignorant - Confused - Denial" - Tuesday February 10, 2026

“Ignorant – Confused – Denial”

There’s a lot of confusion and concern about the direction our culture is taking. What was once considered good is now considered evil, and what was evil is now deemed as good. Are people ignorant, confused, or in denial because they prefer to reject truth and righteousness to satisfy their own desires? One may wonder, what’s the benchmark? What’s the dividing line between right and wrong?

 

If you were to ask me, I’d point you to God’s Word. The Bible is God’s Word and explains the differences between right and wrong. It teaches there is a difference between good and evil. Isaiah gives a solemn warning, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (5:20).

 

When people do not carefully observe the distinction between right and wrong or good and evil, destruction will follow. It’s easy for a person to say, “No one can decide for anyone else what is really right or wrong.” They may think getting drunk, using unprescribed drugs, extramarital sex, and a number of other things isn’t really wrong, or that money doesn’t control them. Plus, all of these things lead to lying. This does not lead to a happy life.

 

But if and when we make excuses for our actions, in reality we are breaking down the distinction between right and wrong. If we do not take God’s Word, the Bible as our standard, soon our moral choices will appear fuzzy. Being influenced by another that doing a wrong is okay or won’t hurt you creates confusion leading to the denial of truth. By whose standards are you living – your own? Others? Or God’s?

 

God’s Word teaches you how to live a life that’s pleasing to Him. Living that kind of life keeps us honest, trustworthy, healthy, and reliable. To deny Jesus as truth is at the very least, compromising his teachings.

 

Here’s some good scriptures for you to look up, read and think about: John 14:6, 17:17, 8:32. Second Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, and Romans 1:16-32.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

 

"Standing Firm" - Monday February 9, 2026

Standing Firm”

After being picked up at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix last March, our friends asked if we’d ever eaten at an N-Out Burger restaurant. We never had so now there’s an opportunity. Stepping inside the restaurant I immediately sensed something different.

 

Standing in line to order our food, it was evident we were in a Christian owned establishment. When the food was delivered to our table Bible verses were noticed on the cups and wrappers. 

 

The closest N-Out Burger restaurant to Georgia is in Nashville, Tennessee. I’m mentioning this burger place because a Devotional Family Member sent me some information on the owner. As you read her story ask yourself what you can do to stand firm to your spiritual beliefs and convictions.

 

Lynsi Snyder, president of the N-Out Burger, has made it clear that the company will continue printing Bible verses on its cups and wrappers, even in the face of criticism. For her, this is not marketing, politics, or provocation – it is a quiet and consistent expression of the Christian faith that has guided the Snyder family for generations.

 

Although she leads one of the most successful private owned restaurant chains in the world, valued at nearly $ billion, Lynsi has never portrayed herself as self-made. In interviews and testimonies, she has spoken honestly about seasons of deep pain: personal loss, addiction, broken relationships, and failed marriages. Success did not spare her from suffering - and money did not heal her wounds.

 

According to Lynsi, it was Jesus Christ who restored her life. Not overnight, not magically, but through surrender, repentance, and a renewed identity rooted in faith. She has often emphasized that Christ did not simply improve her circumstances, He transformed her heart.

 

Out of that transformation, Lynsi founded a discipleship ministry called the Army of Love, focused on spiritual growth, service, and walking humbly with God. Her leadership philosophy reflects the Gospel itself: servant leadership, humility over ego, and dependance upon God rather than self-reliance. In a culture that increasingly pressures people of faith to stay silent, Lynsi’s stance is simple and steady. The verses will remain – not as a statement against anyone, but as a testimony for Christ.

 

As the scripture says, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Faith, for Lynsi Snyder, is not a brand strategy. It is the foundation. By the way, the 2025 net value for the N-Out Burger is estimated at $7.3 billion.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

"The End of the Story" - Friday February 6, 2026

“The End of the Story”

Have you ever watched a recording of your favorite football team knowing the final score? As much as I love sports, I could probably count on one hand the times I’ve watched a game where the outcome has already been revealed to me.

 

Knowing how things (anything) end, changes the way a person thinks. Their tension goes down because the end of the story has been revealed. When you don’t have to wonder if things will turn out badly, it affects your perspective and your attitude.

 

This is why believers in Christ grieve differently from the rest of the world. It doesn’t mean we don’t hurt or feel sad. When believers lose family members or friends who are also believers, they grieve because they miss the person who is gone, but they also know they are in a far better place – heaven. With God, FOREVER.

 

The pain of loss is real, but the hope of seeing a loved one again is also real. In a sense, we grieve for ourselves because we have to find a way forward without them. But we grieve without fear because we know the end of the story. One day, we will join them in heaven and celebrate with a wonderful reunion.

 

You can have hope, even when there is loss. How? You’ve got to get a bigger picture and a longer view. You have to refocus your attention. You’ve got to stop thinking about just the here-and-now and start living as if there is much more to your story – because there is. This life is not all there is! Jesus said, “He’s going to prepare a place for us…”(John 14:1-6).

 

Don’t forget: You know how the story ends. The “end” is really the beginning – of spending eternity with Christ in heaven and with loved ones and friends and friends who have gone before you. The Living Bible paraphrase says, “So we do not look at what we see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

 

Pastor Carnes

"The Problem with Jealousy" - Thursday February 5, 2026

“The Problem with Jealousy”

Yesterday, through a study of Reuben we learned when we begin to compromise certain things, it begins to erode our convictions. Compromising or “doing your thing,” has become a very popular acceptance in today’s society. When we compromise our standards of life or convictions, we do so by taking something right and reduce it to meet our lifestyle. Removing ourselves from right and truth can lead down on a path of no return.

 

More often than not, the opening story on any news station relates to some sort of violence and in too many cases, a person murdering another. We watch angry crowds as they march in protest destroying anything and everything that gets in their way. Civil conversations are outnumbered by those where people disagree and someone getting angry.

 

Most violent actions stem from jealousy. It’s like, “I want your job … your home … your bank account … your title … or someone else serving in a political position”. Jealousy can lead to anger which can lead to uncontrolled rage, that leads to someone being injured or killed. In the story of Joseph and Reuben, (Genesis 29 – 50) , we find jealousy turning into such hatred, that the brothers actually tried to kill Joseph.

 

Lest we say, “That could never happen to me,” let’s take a look at the commentary on verses 19 and 20 in Genesis chapter 37.

 

Could jealousy ever make you feel like killing someone? Before saying, “Of course not,” look what happened in this story. Ten men were willing to kill their younger brother over a robe and a few reported dreams. Their deep jealousy had grown into ugly rage, completely blinding them to what was right.

 

Jealousy can be difficult to recognize because our reasons for it seem to make sense. But left unchecked, jealousy grows quickly and leads to serious sins. The longer you cultivate jealous feelings, the harder it is to uproot them. The time to deal with jealousy is when you notice yourself keeping score of what others have.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Profile of Reuben" - Wednesday January 4, 2026

“Profile of Reuben”

A profile is a brief description of a person usually written in a resume, article, or document. If we were to write a profile on ourselves, we’d be sure to include all the good qualities. But what would be written by those who know us best? The NIV Life Application Bible includes a profile on many biblical characters. The story of Reuben is told in Genesis 29-50. His profile is listed here to help us evaluate our life as we look at his.

 

Parents are usually the best judges of their children’s character. Jacob summarized the personality of his son Reuben by comparing him to water (Gen. 49:3,4). Except when frozen, water has no stable shape of its own. It always shapes itself to its container or environment.

 

Reuben usually had good intentions but seemed unable to stand against a crowd. His instability made him hard to trust. He had both private and public values, but these contradicted each other. He went along with his brothers in their action against Joseph while hoping to counteract the evil in private. The plan failed.

 

Compromise has a way of destroying convictions. Without convictions, lack of direction will destroy life. Reuben’s sleeping with his father’s concubines showed how little he had left of the integrity he had displayed earlier in life.

 

How consistent are your public and private lives? We may want to think they are separate, but we can’t deny that they affect each other. What convictions are present in your life at all times? How closely does Jacob’s description of his son – “turbulent as the waters” – describe your life?

 

The character of a person is being made and molded each day by the decisions they make or following the wishes of others. You choose every day the type of person you want to be and the legacy you’ll leave behind. Your personal story is being written by your or someone else. What is it? What do you want it to be and what steps are you willing to take to become the person you want to be? Sacrificing certain things can be a virtue, not a penalty.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Today" - Tuesday February 3, 2026

“Today”

The Hebrew word for day is “Yom” and is used 2,301 in the Old Testament. Outside of Genesis 1, Yom plus a number is used 410 times which indicates a 24-hour day. In Genesis 1:3 the word day is used describing the daylight hours. The word today is mentioned over 100 times often emphasizing immediate action, divine promises, or urgency of obedience (see Psalm118:24; Hebrews 3:13).

 

Life can feel overwhelming; our calendars are filled with commitments, and our hearts carry burdens unseen to others. Yet God’s Word assures us that He is present every moment, offering guidance and strength. Proverbs encourage us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge (submit to) him, and he will make your paths straight.”

 

So, what’s the big deal about a “Day,” or “Today?” It’s a big deal because today could be the most significant day of your life. Consider what the Lord has placed before you today – the conversations you’ll have, the opportunities given to you, and the responsibilities to fulfill. We also experience unknown or “surprise” events. 

 

Today – this 24-hour period is God’s gift to you. The only thing we know for certain is His promise to be with us. We have plans that may be fulfilled or completely nullified. God has promised us that his “mercies are renewed every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Some day we need a lot of mercy, others not so much. But we are assured whatever is needed will be supplied. No more, no less.

 

Today is important because during this 24-hour period someone will seek forgiveness of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. It could be you! It’s important because your forgiveness from a friend or family member may be accepted. Today may be the day you stop to help someone in need and your act of kindness points them to Jesus and ultimately the transformation of their life.

 

Make no mistake, today isn’t an accident. It’s God’s ordained gift to you. We can fill it with selfish ambitions or use it to make a difference in the life of another person. Don’t take this day for granted and remember, the choices you make today will determine where you will be tomorrow.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

"Can You Hear Me Now?" - Monday February 2, 2026

“Can You Hear Me Now?”

Everyone remembers the catchy slogan or advertisement designed by Verizon several years ago. It became so popular people often used it in conversations making sure the person they were speaking to, was actually hearing them. As odd as it seems, many of us are hearing today, but not much effort is put into listening. There’s a difference. A BIG difference!

 

The world fills our ears (and minds) with noise and distractions. When in the presence of someone speaking to us, it’s unfortunate, but so often we’re busy forming our own response, waiting for our turn to talk, or scrolling through our phones that we fail to truly hear what the person right in front of us is saying.

 

I remember hearing someone say long ago, “Listening is a skill.” There wasn’t much thought given to those words then, but now I believe they were right. Listening is more than just staying silent while someone else talks, “it’s an active posture of the heart that communicates value, respect, and love” says Dr. Joe Pettigrew.

 

The Bible also places a very high value on listening, not just as a social skill but as a spiritual discipline. James admonishes us to be, “quick to listen” and “slow to speak” (James 1:19). Choosing to listen means we set aside our own agenda and ego to make space for another’s thoughts and feelings. It’s an act of service and Jesus is our model. The Bible shares numerous occasions where He stopped to listen to the cries of the hurting and the questions of His followers. We must remember, when you or I call out to Him, he stops and LISTENS to us also.

 

The principle of listening not only applies to our human relationships but also to our relationship with God. We all want God available and attentive when we pray, especially when we’re desperate. He says, “Call unto me and I will answer…” (Jeremiah 33:3). Our Lord is always a good listener. One we should talk to every day, but the flip side is, don’t rush through your prayers then head on to something else. Ask Him to quiet your heart and take your turn to listen. Without question, He’ll have many valuable things to say and you don’t want to miss them.

 

Pastor Carnes