"Believing an Invisible God" Pt 2 of 2 - Tuesday April 28, 2026

“Believing an Invisible God” Pt 2 of 2:

Exodus 33 explains the irritation God had with the impatience the Israelites showed when Moses didn’t return as quickly as they wanted. Thinking he wasn’t coming back, they convinced Aaron to make a golden calf for them to worship. We may criticize these people, but aren’t we at times guilty of doing the same things when we get tired of waiting on God to answer our prayers or do a certain thing. 

 

God promised Israel He’d lead them to the Promise Land. But after turning to their false gods so quickly, He informed Moses, “an angel will lead you, but I’m not going with you” (33:1-6).  But Moses couldn’t stand the thought of departing if it meant they would be without Him. He made it clear, “If your presence doesn’t go with us, don’t send us… (15-16).

 

Out of all the things Moses could have asked, he desired the presence of God more than anything else. Moses understood the impact of His presence not only then, but in the future. He wasn’t going unless God was with him.

 

When we truly chase after God, we chase after His presence and glory. When we allow Him to captivate our heart and surrender to Him completely, our lives are never the same. Allowing the presence of God to permeate your life will distinguish you among the crowd, and people can’t help but be drawn to you. You will be a light in the darkness.

 

You may not see Him physically, but when by faith your life and every situation is put into God’s hands, you’ll begin noticing the evidence of God is all around you. This doesn’t mean you’ll never have to face problems again. It doesn’t mean life will always be easy, but it does mean, never again will you have to face or go through anything alone. 

 

The Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name” (Ex 33:17). As believers, we have a Promised Land and it’s called Heaven. Until then, God’s presence within us is also a promise. Acknowledge Him. Trust Him. Lean on His promises. Look around and like Moses you too will say, “I have seen (and can see) Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:27 NKJV).

 

Pastor Carnes

"Believing an Invisible God" Pt 1 of 2 - Monday April 27, 2026

“Believing an Invisible God” Pt 1 of 2:

The Christian faith is simply that – a life of following God based on faith. We can live our whole lives and not hear His audible voice, feel his physical touch, or see his physical presence. But we know that we know He exists and is real. When the Israelites were led out of Egypt they couldn’t see a physical God, but they saw his presence as a cloud guided them by day and pillar of fire by night.

 

On their journey to the Promised Land, Moses was summoned to a mountain top to meet with God leaving the Israelites at the foot of the mountain with Aaron. Impatience set in among the people and word spread Moses wasn’t coming back as he was gone longer than expected. What happened next is what often happens to us when it appears God is working too slowly or it’s perceived, he’s not working at all.

 

The Israelites convinced Aaron to build a golden calf for them to worship (Exodus 32). Even though they had seen the invisible God in action, Israel still wanted the familiar gods they could see and shape into whatever image they desired. Do you at times become impatient and take things out of God’s hands because he’s moving too slowly, or  think he needs help?

 

Our great temptation is to shape God to our liking, to make him convenient to obey or ignore. The gods we create blind us to the love our loving God wants to shower upon us. God cannot work in us when we elevate anyone or anything above him. Is there anything in your life that consumes your thoughts and activities that prevent the true God from living in or through you?

 

In Exodus 33 the Lord told Moses to “Leave this place, you, and the people you brought out of Egypt, and go to the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will send an angel before you, but I will not go with you because you are a ‘stiff-necked people’ and I might destroy you on the way” (vs 1-3).

 

In our moments of distraction, we can forget about or purposely ignore the Lord’s presence. We often forget His eternal promise to never leave us. Are you leaning on and trusting God’s promises today? (Pt 2 tomorrow).

 

Pastor Carnes

"The Great Puzzle Maker" - Friday April 24, 2026

“The Great Puzzle Maker”

If there was a puzzle contest, you definitely would not want me as your partner. Unless it was 12 pieces or less and made out of wood. In other words, I’m really bad at putting colors (being colorblind doesn’t help) and shapes together. Chris on the other hand – she loves them but now prefers 500 pieces or less. So, what does a devotional have to do with puzzles? Because you and I are puzzles designed by the “Great Puzzle Maker.” Okay, work with me here!

 

Why a puzzle? How many times have you said, “I’m falling to pieces?” The Lord told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (1:5). I know, you’re quick to say, “Those words were specifically for Jeremiah.” Okay, let’s get personal. “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…” (Jer. 29:11). The Psalmist admitted, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (139:13).

 

We know God is our creator, designer, planner, orchestrator, and while allowing us to do as we please, has the ability to make something beautiful with our lives. We can stray away from His guidance and get lost in the darkness, but we’re a piece of His overall picture called the “Church.” He’ll seek and find us to make his puzzle picture complete.

 

Sometimes we do terrible things and get into trouble. Going against His will often leads to shattered and ruined lives.  That’s a sad and horrible place to be in. Thankfully the “Great Puzzle Maker” has the ability to find every single broken piece of our heart, mind, emotions, and forgive every sin we’ve ever committed. If allowed, He’ll take every broken piece, brush it off, clean it up and place into its proper place making you better than you were before.

 

Too often we mess up and think there isn’t any way back to a good and decent life. Relationships are broken, bad habits control our life. Satan tries to convince us we have no hope. But Satan is no match for the “Great Puzzle Maker.” He’s the designer of your life. God’s plan for you is still in place. All it takes is a total surrender of your life into His hands and as he puts the pieces of your life back together, it becomes a life (and picture) of beauty and purpose.

 

Pastor Carnes                

"Be Strong and Courageous" Pt 2 of 2 - Thursday April 23, 2026

“Be Strong and Courageous” Pt 2 of 2:

God gave these words to Joshua after the passing of Moses. Reading the first chapter of Joshua, one might wonder what the new leader would face as he continued the task of leading the Israelites to Canaan. Three different times Joshus was told, “Be strong and courageous. Be strong and very courageous!” What would go through your mind if the Lord gave those words to you at the beginning of a day? Anxious? Nervous? Hesitant? Certainly, there’s cause to wonder is something bad about to happen.

 

Verse 9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Knowing the Lord has promised to be with us should bring great comfort, but as we walk through life, we’ll face unexpected and unknown things that cause concern.

 

Accepting a challenge, whether it’s a child going to school for the first time, a graduate heading off to college, moving out of your parent’s home, and living on your own, or beginning a new job can all be overwhelming for an individual. Facing the unknown can be scary, but sometimes facing what is known is worse. God knew what Joshua would face as he led millions of Israelites through the wilderness. It would be a trip where his faith would be tested.

 

“Be strong and very courageous” were words Joshua not only needed to hear, but they also needed to be relied upon every step of the journey. When you are lonely and afraid, ask God to give you strength and courage. When you’ve done everything you possibly can do in a given situation, know in your heart God is with you because He promised he would be. Be confident that He’s with you, even when you can’t hear his voice or sense his presence.

 

Sometimes you’ll feel alone, but you aren’t alone. He hasn’t forgotten or forsaken you. Remember, His plan for your life is still at work, even when nothing is making sense to you. God is faithful to his word. When facing adversity, he will help us “Be strong and very courageous.” Don’t ever give up! He’s with you because he said he would be.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

FW: "Be Strong and Courageous" Pt 1 of 2 - Wednesday April 22, 2026

 

 

From: Gerald Carnes
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 10:45 PM
To: Lowell Clyburn <lowell.clyburn@gmail.com>
Subject: "Be Strong and Courageous" Pt 1 of 2 - Wednesday April 22, 2026

 

“Be Strong and Courageous” Pt 1 of 2:

People refer to normal days as “uneventful.” This means nothing out of the ordinary happened. The adults went to work, the kids went to school, maybe there was afterwork or after school activities, but at the end of the day, everyone was home safe and sound. Soon it’s time to go to bed so everyone can get up in the morning for a repeat of the day before.

 

Normal days can be taken for granted if we aren’t careful. Coming home at the end of the day without any problems can also be taken for granted. Way to often life is lived routinely until the routine is disrupted. There are folks who left their homes this morning but returned with worry, stress, and uncertainty because of an unexpected crisis. That’s the twists and turns of living life. Some days are good, others not so good, and some downright gut wrenching.

 

After Moses died, the Lord appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. The Lord told Joshua, “Everything I promised Moses, I pass on to you” (Joshua 1:3). Knowing the trip would be filled with trials, difficulties, and battles to fight, God gave this new leader some encouraging words, “Be strong and courageous; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will never leave nor forsake you” (1:5-9).

 

These are comforting words from God the Father to one of his followers, but they are words the Lord gives to us each day of our lives. If we have a personal relationship with Christ, we can rely upon the Lord’s promise, “I will be with you.”

 

Joshua was told, “Be strong and courageous” four different times in the first chapter of Joshua. We are living in a day where battles, situations, and circumstances of life must be faced with spiritual strength and courage. We must determine to be strong and courageous in our decision making, our activities, the decisions we make, and the relationships we build or need to break off. Are you living each day knowing the Lord is walking beside you, leading you, or holding your hand? He said, “He’d never leave you.”

 

Pastor Carnes

"Are You Sure, Moses?" - Tuesday April 21, 2026

“Are You Sure, Moses?”

Driving to a place we’ve never been to before, thankfully we a choice of maps or a GPS to get us to our destination. However, sometimes new roads have been put in that the maps don’t show, while the voice in the dashboard is either saying “Make a U-turn” or “You’ve reached your destination.”

 

How do you feel when your trip is re-routed or delayed? Frustrated? Irritated? Angry? All three, plus more? Let’s go back a bunch of centuries and join the multitude of Israelites following Moses out of Egypt. When things don’t go as expected, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with emotion and maybe even fear. However, God often uses unexpected circumstances for our protection.

 

How many times have you been delayed because of a long train, and once across the tracks viewed a serious accident that took place not long before you got there? What about realizing you forgot your phone or some important papers after traveling a couple miles and had the need to return to get them? The point is, do we ever stop to thank God for the inconvenience realizing He has protected us from something we weren’t aware of?

 

This is what happened to the Israelites when they came out of captivity in Egypt (Exodus 13:17). The shortest route from Egypt to Canaan was along “the way of the Philistines” – a trade route that hugged the southeast shore of the Mediterranean Sea. That road led directly to the land of the Philistines. Through Moses, God directed the people to turn south into the Sinai wilderness to avoid encountering the war-like Philistines and be destroyed or driven back to Egypt.

 

Though the Sinai wilderness was inhospitable, the change in direction most likely saved their lives.  Unexpected events should be used as a way to thank God that EVERY EVENT works together for your good (Romans 8:28). John Blanchard states, “No Christian should feel under the circumstances because the circumstances are under God.”

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

 

"This is Our Time" - Monday April 20, 2026

Personal Note: Several weeks ago, the completion of book I wrote called, “This is My Story” was mentioned in a devotional and how it could be purchased. In recent days, a number of folks have emailed requesting the website where it can be ordered be listed again. Please know, I did not set the price, nor do I receive anything from the sales, and a bit surprised at the number that have been sold. If interested, click on the link below, check the “black & white” section ($39), scroll down to place your order, confirm book is ready to print, hit continue and go to shipping details and purchase. Several have asked if I’d sign the book and I’m happy to do so. I normally have extras on hand and if this is your desire, contact me and I’ll work out the details with you. Here’s the link for a private purchase: https://www.storyworth.com/book/this-is-my-story---gerry-carnes/order. 

 

“This is Our Time”

As dedicated followers of Christ we believe in a number of things about Him. Like, He makes no mistakes, his ways are better than ours, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and that he has a divine plan for our lives.

 

This is being written Sunday afternoon and I’m still on “overload” after teaching a lesson on Esther in my Bible Class at church this morning. If you aren’t familiar with this incredible story in the Bible, I encourage you to read it. It’s like many of the things happening in our world today were played out centuries before us and we’re reading the events of that story. Haman, the right-hand man of King Xerxes and from the line of the Amalekites which was a nomadic warring tribe and persistent enemies of ancient Israel.

 

After learning of Haman’s plan to annihilate all the Jews, Mordecai convinces his cousin, Queen Esther, to set a time to visit the king explaining Haman’s plan. This would be a dangerous move as no one was permitted to meet with the king without being summoned.  In fear of her own life, Esther agrees to meet with the king after praying and fasting to explain Haman’s plot. Mordecai encouraged Esther, “who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this” (4:14). Esther, a young girl, determined to do the right thing stating, “If I perish, I perish” (4:16).

 

This is a “thumbnail” briefing of an exciting story, but here’s what you need to see. Most agree our nation and world is not only divided, but in crisis. There are evil people in high places, hatred and violence in our streets, and movements across the land opposing God, the Bible, Christianity, and churches where the Bible is taught. Some would say, “We are living in a dark world that’s getting darker.”

 

I believe God has a plan for your life and mine, just like He did Esther. God chose your parents and chose your birthdate knowing you would be alive at this moment in history. We aren’t here by accident or miscalculation. Our time on earth was and is orchestrated by Almighty God “For such a time as this!” He has confidence in and believes in His followers to stand for holiness and do the right things. He expects us to love others, to pray for evildoers, and let our spiritual light shine so as to point an unbeliever to the Savior. This is an exciting time to be alive! “It’s Our Time!” Let’s not be afraid to stand for truth and righteousness. Like Esther, we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

 

Pastor Carnes