Pastor Weekly - 1/28/26
Hello ICC Family!
There is no denying that the country feels a little on edge at the moment. There are serious problems that need to be solved – politically, culturally, economically, and more. We pray for these issues every week at our service, discipleship meetings and Bible studies, and I hope you are praying for them regularly as well. The Lord Jesus himself modeled for us and told us what to pray… “may your kingdom come soon,” “may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and “rescue us from the evil one.” Prayer is vital and important and key to seeing change in our society.
However, for many people (including Christians unfortunately) prayer does not seem to be enough. And therefore, we are now being pushed and pulled, bullied and browbeaten into choosing sides. On every issue. In every area of life. It no longer matters whether you personally are on social media or watch the evening news… Even if you don’t, most everyone around you does, and regardless of what side of whichever issues they are on… they want you to engage. They want you to take everything as seriously as they do. They want you to have the same level of passion about the same issues as they do. And when it comes down to it… they really want you to agree with them and even feel the exact same way as them.
I have seen people on opposite sides of issues quote Martin Luther King, Jr. saying that someday we will have to repent over the appalling silence of good people. People on both sides of arguments refer to Jesus flipping over the money-changer tables in the temple as justification for taking action and being angry. The cumulative effect of these passionate pleas and arguments weighs heavy. I write this today not to say that you shouldn’t have an opinion or shouldn’t be moved into action or take a side. As I said, you should be praying about things and then step out in courage however the Lord leads you. I am in almost constant prayer about whether or not to speak on various matters from the pulpit at ICC. Last Sunday I mentioned that I have been thinking and praying about stepping out of our 1st Corinthians series for a moment to address a couple of current events.
But once again the Spirit has led me not to do so at this time. I don’t want to draw a line in the sand. I do believe that the Bible is powerful and wise and relevant for our society and for us personally even today. But as we have been learning in Corinthians, the wisdom of God seems foolish to the world. And all this week the following Scriptures have helped to remind me that we are called to listen and engage and love others in a different way than the world. So, I leave you to read and meditate on these verses and pray for yourself how God is leading you to interact with others in the days ahead…
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15:1
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Proverbs 19:11
The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
Proverbs 18:17
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9
This last one is key for me as I continually attempt to model and lead us to imitate Christ. That will be our topic in 1st Corinthians 4 this Sunday. Until then, I’ll be praying for each of you that we can all be peacemakers in every conversation and situation. Being a peacemaker is not cowardly, regardless of what your friend on either side will tell you. It is the very heart of God.
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
There is no denying that the country feels a little on edge at the moment. There are serious problems that need to be solved – politically, culturally, economically, and more. We pray for these issues every week at our service, discipleship meetings and Bible studies, and I hope you are praying for them regularly as well. The Lord Jesus himself modeled for us and told us what to pray… “may your kingdom come soon,” “may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” and “rescue us from the evil one.” Prayer is vital and important and key to seeing change in our society.
However, for many people (including Christians unfortunately) prayer does not seem to be enough. And therefore, we are now being pushed and pulled, bullied and browbeaten into choosing sides. On every issue. In every area of life. It no longer matters whether you personally are on social media or watch the evening news… Even if you don’t, most everyone around you does, and regardless of what side of whichever issues they are on… they want you to engage. They want you to take everything as seriously as they do. They want you to have the same level of passion about the same issues as they do. And when it comes down to it… they really want you to agree with them and even feel the exact same way as them.
I have seen people on opposite sides of issues quote Martin Luther King, Jr. saying that someday we will have to repent over the appalling silence of good people. People on both sides of arguments refer to Jesus flipping over the money-changer tables in the temple as justification for taking action and being angry. The cumulative effect of these passionate pleas and arguments weighs heavy. I write this today not to say that you shouldn’t have an opinion or shouldn’t be moved into action or take a side. As I said, you should be praying about things and then step out in courage however the Lord leads you. I am in almost constant prayer about whether or not to speak on various matters from the pulpit at ICC. Last Sunday I mentioned that I have been thinking and praying about stepping out of our 1st Corinthians series for a moment to address a couple of current events.
But once again the Spirit has led me not to do so at this time. I don’t want to draw a line in the sand. I do believe that the Bible is powerful and wise and relevant for our society and for us personally even today. But as we have been learning in Corinthians, the wisdom of God seems foolish to the world. And all this week the following Scriptures have helped to remind me that we are called to listen and engage and love others in a different way than the world. So, I leave you to read and meditate on these verses and pray for yourself how God is leading you to interact with others in the days ahead…
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen,
slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15:1
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Proverbs 19:11
The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
Proverbs 18:17
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9
This last one is key for me as I continually attempt to model and lead us to imitate Christ. That will be our topic in 1st Corinthians 4 this Sunday. Until then, I’ll be praying for each of you that we can all be peacemakers in every conversation and situation. Being a peacemaker is not cowardly, regardless of what your friend on either side will tell you. It is the very heart of God.
Blessings to you all!
And know that I am praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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