"An Invite from Jesus" - Friday February 20, 2026

“An Invite from Jesus”

We all have received an invitation to a party, wedding, graduation, or some type of celebration for a friend or loved one. The invitation is from someone who loves us or at least thinks we’re important enough to attend this special event. These are generally happy occasions.

 

But we also know that life isn’t always happy and doesn’t always call for a celebration. In fact, there are seasons when it’s downright hard. During times of difficulty, one might not only become tired and weary, but discouraged, lonely, sad, and feel hopeless in their situation. The voice of Satan becomes loud and clear trying to convince us that things will not get better. It’s times like this when we overestimate the power of Satan and underestimate the power of God.

 

Don’t ever forget, the Lord knows exactly where you are, what you’re going through, and what you need. He offers you a number of personal invitations to come into His presence. Here’s a few of the many He extends to you:

 

Invitations from Jesus:

“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“…if any man thirst let him COME to Me, and DRINK…” (John 7:37).

“COME and DINE” (John 21:1).

“What do you want Me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51).

“Come away to a secluded place and rest” (Mark 6:31).

“Let not your heart be troubled, if you believe in God, believe also in Me…” (John 14:1)

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (Comforter – Helper – Advocate) to be with you” (John 14:15-16).

 

Jesus wants to be up close and personal to you because you are very personal to Him. He loves you with an everlasting love and His faithfulness endures forever. He can mend the broken hearted and set the captive free. Will you accept one or more of His invitations and let Him help you? You don’t have to face life alone.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

 

 

"Things Jesus Teaches His Children" - Thursday February 19, 2026

“Things Jesus Teaches His Children”

Some people admit that they would live for God if they only knew what to do. Sometimes a list to follow is helpful until we understand the principles. Jesus taught a number of things to His early followers which if followed would become a lifestyle, not just a bunch of rules. Today you’ll find a few things Jesus taught and as one of his children, wants us to adopt and make them a daily discipline. Doing so will make us more and more like Him.

 

• Repent of your sins and believe the gospel - Mark 1:15
• Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength – Mark 12:30
• Love your neighbor as yourself – Mark 12:31
• Be compassionate and merciful, just as God is – Luke 6:36
• Help the less fortunate – Luke 14:13, Matthew 25:31-46

 

• Forgive those who wrong you, even your enemies – Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:32
• Do not worry about material things, but seek God’s kingdom first – Matthew 6:25-34
• Serve others humbly and sacrificially – John 13:12-17; Philippians 2:3-4
• Share with others what Jesus has done in your life – Matthew 28:16-20
• Deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him daily – Luke 9:23

 

These ten things are paraphrases from scripture which I hope you’ll take the time to look up. When we commit our life to Christ, He teaches us how to love God and when practiced, that helps us to love others. The Lord gave us two Great Commandments – “Love Him with all our heart”” and “Love others as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:30; and Luke 10:27).

 

These two commandments are the cornerstone of Christian ethics. They represent a complete balance of devotion to God (upward focus) and service (outward focus). When we get the first one right, everything else in life begins to fall into place.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

"God Will Not Be Mocked" - Wednesday February 18, 2026

“God Will Not Be Mocked”

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians warns believers and non-believers alike that while they may deceive others (including themselves), they cannot deceive God regarding their true motives and actions. Throughout scripture, followers of God are warned about falling prey to false teachers. These influencers are described as wolves in sheep clothing.

 

No one wakes up in the morning with a desire to become an alcoholic, drug addict, or child molester. No one falls into deep sin overnight. It’s an inch by inch, then step by step process. Many times, you’ve read from my blog about the dangers of sin. Sin always takes you further than you intended to go, it keeps you longer than you intended to stay, and it ALWAYS costs you more than you expected to pay!

 

Satan is a liar and deceiver. We read in 2 Corinthians 11:14, “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (ESV). This passage warns that evil often appears righteous or beneficial to deceive believers, mimicking goodness, truth, and love.

 

Paul writes, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). This statement isn’t a possibility or maybe, it’s depth and sincerity is a definite warning that no one has ever or will ever fool God. Nor will they escape the consequences of their actions, as they will inevitably harvest what they plant.

 

“Those who live to satisfy their sinful nature will reap destruction, while those who live by the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8). Here you find the remedy for sin – true, heartfelt repentance. It’s never too late to seek God’s forgiveness. The devil is lying when telling you that you’ve gone too far, you aren’t good enough, or that God made you the way you are and there’s no way out.

 

God spoke the world into existence; he holds the universe in place and provides the oxygen for your next breath. He came to seek and to save you, not destroy you. He can forgive and transform your life. All He needs is your surrender.

 

Pastor Carnes

"It's Okay to Accept Help" - Tuesday February 17, 2026

“It’s Okay to Accept Help”

You’ve either heard or said, “We really do need each other.” In reading the Bible it’s discovered we are created for relationships. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good that man (woman) should live alone.” There are many more verses indicating the need and purpose of having personal relationships with others. Here is a small sampling:

 

“Two are better than one …” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10); “As iron sharpens iron …” Proverbs 27:17); “A friend loves at all times …” (Proverbs 17:17); and “Be devoted to one another …” (Romans 12:10). The Bible is the textbook or manual not just for building strong marriages, but friendships and the need for friendships.

 

One of the most challenging spiritual disciplines for many people is not giving help but receiving it. We admire strength and self-reliance, and we often feel that asking for or accepting help is a sign of weakness. However, God’s design for community paints a very different picture. He created us not just to give help, but also to receive it graciously.

 

The Apostle Paul instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Most of us are familiar with this verse but some fail to understand it’s a two-way street. For someone to bear a burden, someone else must be willing to share it. When help is refused, you’re exercising your independence and denying the service of another.

 

Allowing someone to help is an act of humility – it’s admitting you aren’t superhuman and you can’t navigate life’s heaviest seasons alone. It’s okay to let someone bring you a meal after surgery or take your kids to school when you’re sick. If you have a friend that you can confide in, they are a gift. If they can trust you with their struggles, you are a gift to them. It’s a basic truth of life, “We do need each other!”

 

Loving and caring for one another is fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. Of course, the most important relationship for each of us is developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through Him we find the true meaning and purpose of life. A big part of God’s plan and purpose for us is not only in helping (serving) others but accepting their acts of kindness (and service) when we need it.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Living Under Pressure" - Monday February 16, 2026

“Living Under Pressure”

Some of the most painful moments in life are the ones you never planned for. You didn’t ask for the conflict. You didn’t expect the criticism, and you had no idea a major disappointment was about to take place. One day you are living obediently to God and serving faithfully, and the next day you’re wondering how things got so complicated.

 

There are times in life when we begin asking hard questions like, “What did I do wrong,” or more explicitly, “Why is this happening to me?” The biggest problem with a big problem is thinking things are going to get worse and there’s no way out! But maybe there is an even bigger problem and that’s “THINKING about the problem, rather than BELIEVING God is with you IN the PROBLEM.”

 

Whatever you are going through right now is not random. It hasn’t slipped past God’s attention. Nor has it arrived without a purpose. At this moment life may feel heavy, confusing, or unfair – but it is not meaningless. God is with you during this difficult time. He’s not wasting a single moment of your faithfulness.

 

When life hurts, it’s natural to assume God must be behind what you’re experiencing. But there’s something you must remember – God is sovereign. While He is in control of everything, he is not the author of sin, injustice, or cruelty. He does not delight in your pain, and he never asks you pretend that you don’t hurt.

 

If you belong to Jesus, nothing enters your life without your Father’s permission. Even during times of crisis when you’re confused and afraid, God is paying attention to every detail. The Bible tells us, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

 

The most painful experiences can be used by God for a greater purpose, even though what we might be going through at the present time makes no sense to us at all. God often does his deepest work in us before he does his most visible work through us. He shapes the heart long before he changes the situation. What feels like delay is often preparation. You may feel like you’re stuck – but today isn’t the end of the story.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Who Will You Choose?" - Friday February 13, 2026

“Who Will You Choose?”

Joshua challenges the Israelites to decide whom they will serve – the Lord or other gods. This is a powerful call for a daily commitment to faith. This call was to Israel centuries ago, but God’s call upon our lives is just as real today. Each day, we choose between serving God or worldly alternatives.

 

When reading the Israelites journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, we’re amazed at how easily they turned away from God. He was leading, protecting, and providing for them daily. Why would they do this? They did it because Satan is a liar, deceiver, and distractor. Satan’s trap is making something really bad look better than good. What he doesn’t show is the end results of following him – shame, guilt, and complete destruction.

 

Jeremiah acted as God’s faithful messenger in spite of many attempts on his life. He was so deeply sorrowful for the fallen condition of Judah that he earned the title “weeping prophet.” The united nation of Israel included the “house of Israel” and the “house of Jacob” (Judah).

 

Jeremiah tried to remind Israel of God’s faithfulness; making sure they wouldn’t forget, since they didn’t have Bibles to read. He emphasized God’s love and reminded them that there was a time when they were close to God. When we read the Bible, we need to learn from history so we can avoid repeating the same failures they did.

 

In Jeremiah chapter two, we read, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (v 13). Who would set aside a sparkling spring of water for a cistern, a pit that collected rainwater?

 

God told the Israelites they were doing that very thing when they turned from him, the spring of living water, to the worship of idols. Not only that, but the cisterns they chose were empty and broken. Before criticizing the terrible decisions of the Israelites, look in the mirror. You have the gift of another day - will you follow God and the path He sets before you, or listen to Satan’s lies and follow him? It’s your choice!

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"If Satan's Talking - He's Lying!" - Thursday February 12, 2026

“If Satan’s Talking – He’s Lying!”

We all know this phrase: God is Good – All the Time! All the Time – God is Good! Here’s something to be aware of;  Satan lies – all the time! All the time – Satan lies!  Satan’s target is basically everyone, but especially every follower of Christ. Satan hurts God by hurting God’s people. (See Jeremiah chapter one).

 

The Lord tells Jeremiah, “I knew you before you were born and set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” The enemy quickly brings negative thoughts to Jeremiah, “I can’t speak for you, I’m too young!” (1:6).

 

Satan is a master at not only saying, but in convincing us of what we can’t do, or become. The Lord’s response to Jeremiah is the same advice he gives us. “Don’t say, “I’m too young, for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you” (1:7-8).

 

Does this sound familiar … “You can never live a Christian life!” Or “You aren’t good enough; smart enough, you don’t have a winsome personality, you have bad habits you’ll never break, or an addict without the ability to ever be transformed”. Folks, that isn’t God talking – those are the words and thoughts Satan places in your head to keep you from turning to Christ. The Lord speaks truth because He is Truth. Satan speaks lies because he’s a liar!

 

The Lord said, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?” He replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.” Then the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching and I will certainly carry out all my plans” (vs 11-12 NLT). The almond tree is among the first to blossom in the spring. God saw the sins of Judah and would carry out swift and certain judgement. But He would protect Jeremiah. We will face trials, but God always protects His children.

 

A person living in sin is lost. Jesus came to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). The Bible describes Satan as a murderer, liar, and father of lies because there is no truth in him (John 8:44) and John 10:10 says he’s a “thief who comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy.” Who do you want to align your life with?  Truth or a liar?

 

Pastor Carnes