February 2023 Newsletter

From the Desk of Brandon Hughes, Pastor of Worship & Media

Psalm 115:1-3 says, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your Name give glory because of Your loving kindness, because of Your truth. Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?” But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”

Brothers and Sisters, today my heart is heavy, as I think of the culture around us, especially the post-modern “church.” In a day and age where men and women all around us are seeking to advance the kingdom of men, we have forsaken the true God over all creation. Pastors and churches around us are constantly falling apart because of establishing the kingdoms of men, meanwhile Brothers and Sisters are all over the world giving their very lives to preach the unadulterated Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. Friends, may we never be complacent and comfortable. May we be a church that stands in the gap for our Brothers and Sisters, praying continually for their Gospel fruitfulness. May we declare as in this Psalm, “Not to us, O LORD, Not to us, but to Your Name give glory.” May we be a church that seeks to please God most in every way.

Many will ask, “Where, now, is their God?” The church seems broken. Many “Christians” seem to be hypocrites (according to the world). In Peter’s words, we are exiles living in the small corners of the world, sojourners in a foreign land. Paul said our words are to be few and simple: we preach nothing but Christ and Him crucified. To the world, Paul reminds us this word is foolishness, but it is only foolishness to those who are perishing. Those who believe in these words will find life in the Person of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Our response must always be, “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.” We are the chosen of God, simple and tarnished vessels (we are nothing) carrying the greatest message ever told (Christ is everything). Church, let us put away selfish pride. Let us lay aside every weight of sin holding us down. Let us break down the walls of hell with the only message with the power to save souls from the wrath of the Most High God. In the Name of Jesus, God’s Only Begotten, I pray we are a Church most honorable and pleasing to God and to God alone. May the Lord be with us all.

To the glory of God and with much love,

Brandon Hughes

Pastor of Worship & Media