YESTERDAY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States. His speech included a call for national unity. The events over the past twelve months have only demonstrated that we are a deeply divided nation. But as I have said before, these aren’t the worst of times. 159 years ago Americans were literally divided into two nations – and these nations were fighting each other. When the smoke cleared, over 700,000 Americans had been killed.
WHEN ABRAHAM LINCOLN gave his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, he presided over a nation of only twenty states. He spoke for a brief seven minutes, but the words he shared that day speak powerfully to our nation today. He quoted the Bible several times. As he addressed a divided nation he said:
Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us “judge not, that we be not judged.” The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continues until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
FORTY-ONE DAYS AFTER LINCOLN spoke these words, an assassin’s bullet took his life. I call upon every believer to obey the words of scripture where we are told “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1) And “I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
CONGRATULATIONS TO DUSTIN SLATON! Dustin has been the campus pastor of Green Acres South for over six years. Last Sunday, First Baptist Church of Round Rock called him to be their pastor starting February 14. Their gain is our loss. I have come to love and appreciate Dustin and his family. He has done a marvelous job of ministering to our entire congregation, but especially to our members who attend the south campus. Dustin’s last Sunday with us will be January 31.
WE APPRECIATE BRETT AND LINDA CAVETT! Brett announced last year that he was retiring December 31, 2020. But a few weeks ago, we asked him to work at least through January to help us with the transition of Jeff Young as Executive Pastor. This Sunday morning we will be recognizing and showing our appreciation to Brett and Linda. Brett joined our team in 2003 to learn alongside Everett Brazeal. When Everett retired, Brett assumed the role of Stewardship Director. He has done a superb job of overseeing the financial affairs of our church. He is a man of absolute honesty and integrity.
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING excellent financial oversight, Brett supervised our Facilities and Human Resources. A few years ago when we talked about the need for some kind of safety team, Brett took the leadership role. He, along with Mike Collins, invested a great deal of time and energy in creating and maintaining what I consider to be the finest Safety Team of any church in America. Brett and Linda are staying in Tyler and we’ll still see them around the church. They are blessed with two children, and just learned they are going to be grandparents! I hope you’ll join me in telling them “job well done!”
I’M GRATEFUL FOR YOUR CONTINUED compliance to observe Covid precautions every time we gather. Let me remind you that we are requiring that masks be worn while indoors and moving toward your meeting location. Once you are in place and can maintain a safe distance from people who aren’t in your family, you have the option of removing your mask. We are refraining from shaking hands and hugs at this time. Please use the hand sanitizers located throughout the building. Keep smiling. Stay positive (attitude -not Covid). Be patient. Better days are ahead. Remember that God is our main source of protection.
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High
dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.”
(Psalm 91:1)
God says: “Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.”
(Psalm 91:14-15)
God IS good …
Pastor David
