For the Glory of God

I just did a quick browse of all the churches, ministries, and places we have been blessed to serve in over the years. In one sense it is very embarrassing and not a good track record. On the other hand, I thank God for his grace that has sustained us along the way!

We have served in Latin America having learned Spanish and adapting to Argentina culture as well as teaching at a Bible College South Texas (Rio Grande Bible College). We have also served as Pastor/Associate Pastor in 4 cities in Canada. Thank the Lord for that amazing privilege! To God be the glory, great things he has done!

Having served God for so many years and in so may places, I have come to a few conclusions:

1. Ministry is about connecting people with the Lord!
   

I learned from a wise old professor years ago that ministry is not about me, it is all about connecting people with the Lord! If we fail to do that, then we have failed!

2. Ministry focuses on who God is!

We live in a world we so many competing voices that it is not easy for even the most devoted Christian to eliminate the “noise” of the world and seek the Lord. But if we fail to direct our attention to who God is and his power to change our lives, then we have really missed the mark!

3. Practicing Spiritual Disciplines is Imperative

The Bible nowhere teaches us to do certain things in order to gain salvation! It is not in the Book! But, many times we are admonished to pray, to read the Word, to congregate with God’s people and to love and care for each other. These are called “spiritual disciplines” and the more we make them an active part of our daily walk, the more we will adopt the mindset of godliness! That mindset is what we strive for every day! We long to be more conformed to the person of Christ in our daily basis. BUT, that lifestyle does not come easy! It requires spiritual discipline to say “yes” to somethings, and “no” to that which hinders us.

Final Thoughts

Wherever I have had the privilege of serving, South America, English Speaking Quebec, Alberta, or Southern Ontario, believers all have the need to continue to grow in Jesus! I have not met one who has completely arrived, we are all “under construction!” Let’s strive together to become all that God desires us to be for his glory!

Thank you for your prayers and support all these years of ministry! I could not have done it by myself!

God bless,

Pastor Bill Finch

Winning the Battle

 Like you, I was shocked and saddened by the shooting death of Charlie Kirk! Here was a man who had dedicated his life to God, who defended the faith in the public square in Universities and Colleges. Institutions that at one time, many years ago, were training grounds for pastors and missionaries. These same places of higher learning are now breeding grounds for radical thinking that has thrown out any concept of a holy, righteous, omnipotent God who loves us. Instead God, to them, is an antiquated concept associated with everything that is wrong with our society. 

To be honest the church has not helped herself in this matter. The statistics are there for all to see. The news reports the sins of church leaders making sure that ALL the details are given. The truth of the matter is that we must “own our sins”! For those of us who are members of local churches we need to pray for our church leaders! Pray that God would be their number one priority and that they have such a hunger a thirst for righteousness and holiness that even the thought of straying from their covenant is far from their mind!

I need to tell you that there is no magical formula to keep those sins away from church leaders or away from any other believer for that matter! No one has a wand that can be waved to take these sins away from us! How then can each of us take steps of faith to avoid falling in love with the sins of the flesh? What can we do to take steps of faith to become the people God desires us to be? Is it even possible in a world like ours?

ALL believers, including church leaders, must take this issue seriously! “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) This is the first thing we need to be aware of as we fight the battle: Satan does not play games, he is out to destroy you! Write that phrase down! Memorize it and live like it is true because it is! Satan wants nothing more than the Church to destroy itself by its lack of discipline and curiosity with the sins of the flesh!

Please know that all sin destroys even in the life of believers, including Pastors! Just like the first sin in the Bible brought about death so does sin even today! For those who have experienced salvation by the grace of God the same thing is true! Yes, Jesus saves us from our sins BUT sin still destroys every thing it touches! So that little innocent glance at that woman across the aisle can turn into something that can burn down a forest! Watch yourself!

What’s the solution? How can we live in this world and avoid these deadly sins (by the way, ALL sin is deadly!) ? Is it even possible?

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace… 2 Timothy 2:22

You have to be willing to fight sin! Don’t fold like a cheap tent every time temptation walks by in a short skirt! Fight for holiness!

I would like to tell you that if you just apply these things you won’t have to fight with the flesh anymore! WRONG! It is a lifetime battle! 

Meet with God’s people regularly, have a dedicated time each day to read the Word, take one day at a time and be victorious that day and then the one after that and each successive day! 

Develop this personal discipline to build godly habits into your routine! Live in the light of God’s presence every single day! Don’t take a day off, because you can be assured that our enemy NEVER does!

Let me leave you with this verse today:

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Live today in the victory that Jesus has already won! Charlie Kirk is rejoicing in the presence of his Lord today! We look forward to that day when we are all in his presence singing his praises! In the meantime, let’s live our lives in the victory that Jesus has already won!

For His Glory,

Pastor Bill Finch