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"God's Tool Bag" - Tuesday March 24, 2026

“God’s Tool Bag”
When something needs repairing, you’ll most likely call someone to come fix the problem. Depending on the repair, the service person will want to know what’s wrong, so he knows what tools will be needed. As things get older, they tend to wear out, break down, or fall apart. Some of you think I’m describing your body right now. That wasn’t intentional, but it is a fact.

 

The thing is, our lives are a lot like furniture, a house, car, and practically every other thing. They tend to break down, need repair, or a tune-up over time. Whatever the need or situation, God not only has the tools to fix it, but he also has the right tool and never has to run back to the store or Heaven for something he forgot.

 

The Lord will never forget one of his creations. You were designed and made in your mother’s womb and God had a purpose for your life before he even started that process. God’s loves you with an everlasting love and his faithfulness will endure forever. He doesn’t just care about you – He loves you and wants the very best for you.

 

You might be feeling that every opportunity you had to succeed in life is blown. You’ve experienced heartache and disappointments that resulted from poor decisions. Things have been done you thought would be fun and exciting, but now realize terrible mistakes were made. You’ve been knocked down many times and maybe you’re on the mat right now. There’s no desire to even try to get back up.

 

When a car or other possession needs attention, we take care of it or find someone who can. Sometimes our lives are totally wrecked. We admit, we can’t fix things on our own. That’s exactly what God wants to hear from you. He wants to give you a new beginning in life.  Whatever the need, God is on call, ready to forgive and restore life.

 

You’ll never be able to repair the excessive damage in a relationship, but God can. God is more interested in your future than your past. Confess your sins to Him and let Him into your heart. Whatever the need, God can fix it.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Everybody Has Something" - Monday March 23, 2026

“Everybody Has Something”

The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 men, plus women and children with Two Fish and Five Loaves contains a mystery many of us overlook. You’ll find this story in Matthew 6 and Mark 6. A massive crowd had assembled during the day to hear Jesus teach, as evening approached, Jesus asked Philip, “Where can we buy bread for the people to eat?” The Bible says he asked this question but , already had in mind what he was going to do.

 

The reaction of the disciples in relation to feeding this crowd of people wasn’t any different than ours would have been. In fact, when facing impossible situations that test our faith, strength, and endurance it’s easier to say, “I give up,” rather than persevere and keep fighting. After being told to walk through the crowd and see what they could find, 2 fish and 5 barley loaves seemed like nothing compared to the need.

 

The instructions given to the disciples was, “go see what you can find.” He didn’t say bring back truckloads of food. Simply, see what’s available at this moment. We, like the disciples begin to calculate what’s needed and what we don’t have. Like the twelve, all we see are impossibilities. The question to Philip was simply to test his faith. The Lord was asking, “What do you have?” Not what is missing or how much do you need. What’s available?

 

You may be out of money, resources, have failing health, no job, and a very dark future. Listen for the voice of God. He’s asking, “What do you have?” Thoughts immediately go to your needs and comparing them with what you don’t have. The scales are tipped way out of balance. Likewise, the fish and loaves were nothing in relation to the need. Heaven isn’t moved by what you lack, it’s moved by what you present.

 

Jesus wants to know, “What do you have?” He’s testing you because he already knows what he’s going to do. He has an answer for your problem. You may have nothing to draw from materially, but you have hope, faith, grit, determination, a strong will, and determination. Surrender all these things to God. He can only multiply what we give him, not what we hold on to. So, you really do have something. Put your hope and faith in His hands and see what He’ll do with it.

 

Pastor Carnes  

 

 

"God is Good ... " - Friday March 20. 2026

“God is Good …”

Many of you when hearing the three words above will respond with, “All the Time.” In reverses it’s, “All the Time … God is Good!”  Knowing God is good all the time doesn’t mean we will never have a problem, setback, failure, reversal of some sort, suffer from an illness, or mourn the loss of a loved one.

 

As long as we live, there will be challenges to face, heartaches to bear, tears to dry, broken hearts to mend, and seemingly impossible situations to stand up too. However, through each of these experiences and others not mentioned, GOD IS GOOD … ALL THE TIME!

 

When facing adversity, there is a tendency to think God is silent. Depending on the situation, we may wonder if He’s even listening to our prayers? Does He really care? Sometimes our mind gets flooded with thoughts such as, “If God is so good, why is this happening to me?” We all and will face trials and battle through turbulent waters. Life isn’t always easy, but “God is ALWAYS Good!”

 

Those words need to be more than a phrase we repeat in church on Sunday mornings. As a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior, we have been redeemed by the power of His blood. We are His child and He is our Father who loves us, watches over us, protects us, walks with us, guides us, and leads us through each and every storm.

 

Experiencing times of difficulty doesn’t mean God caused what’s happening. It doesn’t mean he enjoys your pain, but it does mean that he is fully aware of it and is fully present with you in the situation. One of the hardest parts of painful seasons in life is not knowing how long they will last or what they are producing. 

 

We are reminded throughout Scripture that God brings life out of what looks finished. He uses loss, limitation, and weakness to form his followers to become more dependent on him and more compassionate toward others.  Experiencing hard times will not define you, but God may use it to refine you. It’s not noticeable at the time, but one day you’ll look back and realize God was always with you. YES, “God is Good … All the Time!”  

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Fill My Cup Lord" - Thursday March 19, 2026

“Fill My Cup Lord”

In 1959 Richard Blanchard was inspired by the biblical story of the woman at the well (John 4) and composed the hymn, which was published in 1964 becoming a widely known, popular gospel song. “Fill My Cup Lord,” has always been one of my personal favorites for it tells the story of God’s amazing grace.

 

Years later, Olivia Lane explored the themes of grace and self-acceptance, referencing the same story of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus and finding love despite brokenness. In her song, Lane wrote, “I feel just like the woman at the well, wondering how You could love me when I can’t love myself. But you want me… You’ll accept me as I am… that’s why grace is so amazing.”

 

A favorite hymn of many and never grows old contains these words, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found; was blind, but now I see” (John Newton 1779).

 

The woman at the well illustrates a life of rejection and the subject of gossip in her town. She was a “down and outer,” but when standing at the well to draw water, Jesus gave her water where she’d never thirst again. This was “Living water,” which was God’s forgiveness of everything she had ever done wrong.

 

The story doesn’t end at the well. This unnamed woman returns to her town (Sychar in Samaria) telling everyone she met, “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ” (John 4:29). Verse 39 informs us, “Many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of this woman’s testimony.

 

Where are you in your relationship with God today? Maybe you’re like Olivia Lane, lonely, feeling unloved, unwanted, and hopeless, but then she found Jesus. Or maybe you’re like the woman at the well. You’ve done things and people no longer believe or trust you. Your reputation has been shattered, but like this woman, Jesus is standing before you with love and grace, willing to accept you just as you are. Your story can become like everyone else’s, “I once was lost, but now am found!”

 

Pastor Carnes 

"The Problem with Self-Control" - Wednesday March 18, 2026

“The Problem with Self-Control”

I bet you already know where I’m going with this. But in case you don’t, here’s the problem with “Self-Control,” many times we lack the attitude, discipline, character, integrity, and desire to

Keep ourselves under control. And when we or anyone else is “out of control,” problems almost always follow.

 

The Bible has many verses that deal with self-control. They emphasize disciplining one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions, often highlighting it as a crucial “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). Self-control is a sign of wisdom and maturity. Proverbs 25:28 describes it this way, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” In other words, a person out of control is an individual without boundaries.

 

Many Bible verses encourage sobriety, patience, and relying on God’s power to overcome temptation. Temptation is a vice we all have to deal with throughout life. It’s not a sin to be tempted, but it is a sin to act on impure or immoral thoughts.

 

There are things that lead an individual losing self-control.

Notable things are alcohol, drugs, and anger. More could be listed, but these three are common. Uncontrolled anger creates anxiousness, fear, tension, and nervousness to everyone around them. 

 

God knows our vulnerabilities. The problem is, so does Satan. While Satan keeps the bait in front of us hoping to reel you in, God offers this promise to everyone, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful; and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will provide a way of escape” (I Cor 10:13).

 

You may find it difficult to control your thoughts and actions, but remember, there have been others before you that found deliverance and peace beyond comprehending after seeking Jesus and surrendered their life to Him. What He’s done for others, He can do for you.

 

Pastor Carnes

Book Information

Hi Everyone,

Over the past few years I’ve been asked by a number of people, “Why don’t you write a book?” Well, at the persuasion of my wife and daughter, a book has been written, published, and is available to anyone that has a few extra dollars to spend. I wish it was less expensive, but just so you know, I don’t get anything from the purchase.

 

The book is called, “This is My Story” and (at the request of my family) relates to my growing up years, sharing life with eleven siblings, working on a farm, school, etc. It tells how Chris and I met and shares how God had his hand on my life long before I became a Christian. So many times, we never see God working His plan for us until we reach a certain destination and then can clearly see, He was guiding us all the time. The story leads up to when we left our jobs and entered the ministry.

 

If you have an interest in this book, click on the link below (there are no pictures so click on the black and white interior & cover). If you have questions or trouble getting it, just reply to this email and I’ll try to help. Let me know what you think – if this seems to go well, I may consider a second book on “What I Learned from People” during my 53 years of pastoring.

 

https://www.storyworth.com/book/this-is-my-story---gerry-carnes/order

 

Pastor Carnes