The Notes

This coming Wednesday night, November 19, 2025, we dive into a popular phrase we see this time of year: Thankful and Blessed.  We are looking at what the Bible has to say about being blessed.  It's different than what most people think when they say they are blessed.  Come worship with us as we unpack the Biblical principal of being blessed.  Remember our meeting time is now at 6:00 p.m.  We hope to see you for in-person Bible study, worship, and some mid-week encouragement for the soul, followed by a pot-luck, pre-Thanksgiving dinnerwe will honor our veterans and look at the inspiring story of a veteran.  Through that story, we can see spiritual truth and understand scripture better.  Come join us at our new time of 6:00 p.m. for Bible study, worship, and some mid-week encouragement for the soul. 

If you can't join us in person, you can always participate through our Facebook page - we go "live" at 6:00 p.m., and you will have a front row seat.  If you can't join us live, there are 3 ways to watch the message later - on Facebook, or on YouTube, or here on our website.  Messages are posted the following day and you can watch a replay of any message anytime!  

If you want to keep some notes from a message, you can download the notes for a specific message from the "Past and Future Messages" page of our website.  There are many ways to be spiritually fed and encouraged.

This past Wednesday night, November 12, 2025, our topic focused on the stories of two veterans.  If you didn't hear the message, you can read their stories here - the story of Shilo Harris and the story of William.  Two veterans who were severely injured serving our nation highlight some truth from God's Word. 

Shilo's testimony made this point:   “Everything in life is a gift. Sometimes it may not be the gift you want but you realize that your challenges are a new beginning.”

A new beginning is a Biblical concept.  The Bible tells of many fresh starts.  We read stories of renewal all the way from the Old Testament to the New Testament.  The Christian life itself highlights the fact that we are transformed in Christ.  It's Biblical concept to look at the changes in life as God's opportunity for a new beginning and and fresh start.  Just think of Adam & Eve leaving the garden; that turn of events was a new beginning.  And then there was Noah after the flood . . . a new beginning for all of humanity.  When the Israelites left slavery in Egypt - "the Exodus" – it was another new beginning.  As Israel arrived in the Promised Land . . . it as a fresh start and another new beginning.  Then we have the New Covenant – the ultimate new beginning for all of humanity.  It was prophesied in the Old Testament & fulfilled in the New Testament.  Jeremiah 31:31: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”  Jesus’ death and resurrection offers us forgiveness for sin and reconciliation with God.  It is the start of a new life in Christ.  In fact, Jesus said this new life begins with a new birth.  In John 3:3 , Jesus told Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  And Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”    Our belief in Jesus Christ is the most important new beginning we will ever experience; it changes everything.

A second lesson we learn from Shilo's story and his loss of his ears, the tip of his nose and 3 fingers is about loss.  We don’t like to think of loss as a gift.  Gifts we receive, not lose.  But Shilo came to view his experience, including the loss, as a gift.  Trust is - it’s often in losing something that we gain something more.   The loss of one job allows us to gain a better job.  The loss of one relationship will bring an even better one into your life.  And loss can bring us closer to God and a renewed appreciation for the life we have.  There is nothing like a near death event to make someone start fully living life, appreciating the frailty of life.  Scripture says it this way - Psalm 90:12 -  “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  And Psalm 39:4 says – “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is.”  We can use the awareness of life's brevity to prioritize spiritual growth and maturity, seeking to align our lives with God's purposes.  It is through life’s challenges, we gain a closer relationship with God.  We see how He brought us through the storm, we feel His presence, and we become much more aware that we need Him when life throws us a crushing blow.  When we feel powerless, we recognize our need for God and His strength.  Isaiah 41:10 gives us a scripture to hold onto in those challenging times of life – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

The lasting lesson from Shilo's story is this - every challenge in life is an opportunity for gain.  And we gain the most when we turn to God and experience a new beginning.

William's story is of a veteran who struggled for 24 years with feelings of guilt, anger, flashbacks, nightmares, and PTSD.  His dark journey began when he arrived home in the United States from Vietnam to shouts of "baby-killer," "murderer."   Those words by angry anti-war protestors settled into William's soul much louder than the words of God - "I love you."  But one night, when he was attempting suicide, God spoke to Him and called on William to name everyone he hated, and then ask God for forgiveness.    

He did.  He named names.  He asked for forgiveness.  And then he felt a peace, joy, and warmth all over him.  He felt the world had been lifted off his shoulders.  He knew God had forgiven him - all he had done in the Vietnam War - and he knew God had always loved him.  The next few days were unbelievable; he focused on God and his love, and for the first time in 24 years he started liking himself.  God had given him love, peace and joy in his heart.  That experience changed him, and his family.  They were baptized and he began to pursue a relationship with God - digging deep into God's love - his life was transformed.   A scripture that spoke to William during that time was Psalm 40:1-3 – “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.”  William's own life felt the impact of people's words; it was time to let his words have an impact - an impact for God.  Too often, we’re hurt by people and we blame God.  But God is love.  God doesn't have us shout hateful things at each other; the devil does.  God wants us to tell about His love, and show His love to others.  The fact is, William lived for many years believing that he was going to hell because he had killed people in Vietnam.  Here is a truth we must share - our sins don’t keep us from heaven; our unbelief does.  We all sin, and there is no list of greater or lessor sins in the Bible.  In fact, James 2:10 says: "For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws."  The good news is - Jesus has forgiven our sin.  If we confess our sin, He is faithful to forgive us.  And our belief in Jesus is what gives us entrance to Heaven and direct access to the Father.  Don't spend years trying to make your pain go away like William.  Give it to God.  He will fill the holes in your heart.  He will give you peace, joy, and love.