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

"Be A Barnabas" - Tuesday March 17, 2026

“Be A Barnabas”

You can make a difference in someone’s life by simply encouraging them. We live in a divisive and cruel world where people get angry and spew terrible words out of their mouths attempting to hurt others. And whether the words are said verbally or printed on social media, they are destructive.

 

The name “Barnabas” literally means “Son of Encouragement,”and was a vital figure in the early church. When others saw doubt or mistrust in Paul and Mark, Barnabas stepped in with encouraging words and support.

 

Every single day of our lives most of us have an opportunity to make someone smile, offer an encouraging word, or remind someone of their self-worth. Where would you be today if it weren’t for others lifting you up when you were feeling down or like a failure.

 

Jesus taught that we are to “love others more than ourselves,” and treat them with kindness. Basically, treat them the same way we want them to treat us. Some people will never get this principle, but you can. Some will choose to tear people apart because of their skin color, religion, or country they are from. As a child of God, we are better than that because God makes us better. When surrendered to His will and the power of His Spirit we can treat and serve others as Jesus does.

 

We’re able to do this because of the change Christ has made on our lives that allows us to see others as Jesus sees them. Because God’s Spirit lives within us we have the ability to look past their faults and failures and listen  

"3 Things You Can Control" - Monday March 16, 2026

“3 Things You Can Control”

 

• WHO YOU TRUST: Who do you know that cares about you enough that they will never intentionally lead you wrongly? Hopefully, you have one or two friends you can depend on that will encourage you when needed or scold you when you’re doing or thinking of doing something that will harm you. Speaking of friends – there will never be a friend like Jesus. He always has your back, lifts you when you fall, and never will forsake you.

 

The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). “And now we know that for those who trust God, all things work together for good, for those called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

 

• WHAT YOUR DO: No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. They can try to make you feel guilty for not doing something, pay you to something, or offer a gift if you do what they want. Everyone has a choice.  You have a choice! Even being held against your will, you still have a choice between doing what is right and what is wrong. Things will happen beyond your control, how you deal with those things is up to you.

 

• YOUR ATTITUDE: Philippians 2:5 says, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Romans 12:9-13 states, “Love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

 

You are what you think you are. You can do anything you believe you can. The one person you need confidence in is yourself. Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). You can control what you think. A good and healthy thought life produces good behavior.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Intercessory Prayer" - Friday March 13,, 2026

“Intercessory Prayer”

Fortunate is the person who has a Godly friend that faithfully prays for them when they are experiencing difficult times. Do you have such a person who has your back and is pray for you on a regular basis?

 

Many times, people facing a crisis run away from God and the church when of all times, they should be running to Him. God is faithful and he loves you with an everlasting love. You can serve God, reject, or neglect him. Serving him brings blessings and peace – rejection will eventually bring condemnation. He allows you to make the choice.

 

Consider the Israelites. Set free of their captivity in Egypt they grumbled and complained to Moses as he led them to the Promised Land. Eventually they arrived at the border – the Land God had promised them. The people elected to send spies to check out the land. Twelve went and upon their return ten reported seeing giants while two said “We can conquer this land.”

 

The people forgot God’s promises and power. They chose not to enter the land, and God allowed them to make that choice. Their decision was an act of disobedience which resulted in the death of an entire generation. Why? Because they wanted their own way instead of trusting God to deliver on his promises.

 

As you study the history of Israel, you’ll discover the Jews, God’s chosen people time and time again returned to worshipping their own gods and doing as they pleased. When in despair, they’d call out to God, and he’d hear and answer them. Their continuous rejection eventually caused God to turn a deaf ear.

 

Some of you may be walking a slippery slope today. If so, I can promise someone loves you and is praying for you. They are asking God to speak and tenderize your heart so you can hear his voice. Wherever you are, whatever you’ve done, despite the depths you may have fallen, or the sins you’ve committed – it is NOT TOO LATE to turn to God. Your peers may be cheering you on, but the person standing in the gap praying for you is your real friend.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"It's a Heart Condition" - Thursday March 12, 2026

“It’s a Heart Condition”

The Bible has lots of verses speaking about the heart of every human being. You may be familiar with these two: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Or “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

 

If you are thinking Proverbs has much to say about the heart, you’d be correct as this book tells us how to live our life. It guides us in things we should and should not do. It provides instructions on paths to walk and those we should avoid. Another great verse is Proverbs 23:26, “My son, GIVE ME YOUR HEART, and let your eyes keep to my ways.”

 

This is a call to surrender one’s inner life, desires, and will to God, rather than just outward obedience. The verse emphasizes a personal loving relationship with God, focusing on the heart as the center of thoughts, affections and will. How many times have we told a child, spouse, or friend, “I love you with all my heart?” That’s the love God wants from us. A deep committed love for someone shows up in our attitude and actions – not just words.

 

To hear someone speak about owning cattle on a thousand hills gets our attention. The Lord said in Psalm 50:10, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” What God is really saying here is although the Israelites were faithful in bringing their sacrifices to God, He recognized they were merely going through the motions. He’s stating, “I don’t need your animals (I own them all), what I really want is your heart.”

 

Sometimes we’re guilty of going through the motions. We may be doing lots of “good things,” but they are done because that’s what we are supposed to do. Or it’s what is expected of us. Do you serve God and your church through routine or ritual, or are you truly excited about the blessings of God? Are you thankful for His presence in your life and love sharing answers to prayer with others? Let’s not become lazy or complacent in our daily activities or worship. God wants our whole heart and when He has it, amazing things take place.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Prepare for Battle" - Wednesday March 11, 2026

“Prepare for Battle”

Every day we must decide how we will face the enemy of our soul. Satan takes no time off and he is relentless in attacking us and wise enough to catch us when we least expect it. The Bible explicitly says that our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, and against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

 

Satan’s attacks may be brutal or subtle, but he never gives up. I recently read about a lady who was bitten by a dog and was determined that the dog had rabies. When the doctor told her the news, the woman sat down and began to write. The doctor assured her, “You don’t have to write out your will; we’ll give you some shots and you will be fine.” The woman replied, “I’m not writing out my will, I’m making a list of people I want to bite.”

 

True or false, the story does describe the thoughts of way too many people today. That’s the way the world operates. You don’t like me, so I don’t like you. But when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, our whole agenda changes. And one expression of that change is that we begin to have compassion for others. As followers of Christ, we develop a desire to serve others and even love the unlovely. What a great God we serve. Only with His transforming power are we able to do that.

 

Paul wrote, “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you’ve done everything to stand, STAND FIRM with the BELT of TRUTH, with the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, with your FEET FITTED for readiness, TAKE UP the SHIELD of FAITH, put on the HELMET of SALVATION, and the SWORD of the SPIRIT which is the WORD of GOD” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

 

You may wonder, where do I get this equipment? There is one place and one place only. You’ll find each of these protective measures in and from the Bible, which is God’s Holy Word. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing (or reading) by the Word of God. Without learning and adhering to the basics of God’s Word, you are defenseless and not only a prime target for Satan but a weak one at that.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Low Hanging Fruit" - Tuesday March 10, 2026

“Low Hanging Fruit”

Galatians 5 tells us, “The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (v 6). The very next verse describes much of our culture today, “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (v 7).

 

Can you imagine what life would be like if people simply treated everyone they meet the way they themselves want to be treated? Paul continues in verse 17, “the sinful nature of a person is in conflict with God’s Spirit” which consequently leads to disagreements and sometimes even hatred. But God offers a remedy.

 

Galatians 5:19 describes acts of the sinful nature as being obvious, sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy envy, drunkenness, and dissensions. However, we don’t have to live this way. God’s grace is greater than all our sins and can literally transform our lives. There are two questions to be answered: “Do you really want to be a Christian and if so, what kind of a Christian do you want to be?”

 

Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Does this seem like an overwhelming list? It is without God’s help. But when totally surrendered to Christ, we begin to act as He does. This fruit exemplifies the behavior of a Spirit filled believer.

 

We’ll never be perfect in this life, but surrendering to God allows His Spirit to work within and you will be shocked at what you’ll become when His teachings are put into practice. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “The old things pass away, all things become new for I am a new creature.”

 

Keep in mind, there are many following in your footsteps and others who are watching and listening. Do you want your journey to lead others to Christ or away from Him? The “Fruit of the Spirit” is within the reach of every single person that desires to experience it. A surrender to Christ will also impact the lives of others.

 

Pastor Carnes