The View From My Window Pastor's Weekly Blog



January 16, 2022

In this walk of faith which is more important: obedience or grace? The answer is yes; two sides of the same coin, inseverable. We need to stop forgiving ourselves for willful, continual sin. There’s a world of difference between having our sins forgiven by God and dismissing our misconduct offhand. None of us is perfect but all of us can try to do what’s right.

On the other hand, punishing ourselves with guilt after we’ve taken our sin to the cross is equally destructive. It’s not our prerogative to dismiss our misbehavior nor our job to work out a system of penance. Seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

January 2, 2022

I saw a T-shirt in the store the other day that said, “Who made the rules?” My immediate response was, “God.” Sadly, the world doesn’t know who made the rules or why the rules are what they are. They don’t even know the rules! They used to post a version of them on government buildings, in courtrooms, parks, etc. but decided to remove them from public view. Now they’re claiming they don’t exist! That leaves a void, a vacuum that is being filled with the most ridiculous nonsense. Police are treated like criminals and criminals are treated like heroes. Thieves are protected while store owners are demonized. Children are being lied to about their own bodies and it’s being called education.

Somebody needs to find those rules and post them once again before the whole world goes mad! Fortunately, they’re still listed plain and clear in the pages of our Bibles. If only we could get people to read it, trust it, obey it!

-Pastor Joel Everhart

December 26, 2021

In today’s study we discover some rather startling truths. For example: Did you know that you may need to “run for your life” even though you are under divine protection? Hardships, opposition, stress, etc. can all be part of God’s plan!

We need to stop thinking we’ve missed God’s will whenever things aren’t going smoothly or we’re experiencing turbulence. The truth is, we might be exactly where we’re supposed to be. When Paul experienced a hurricane and shipwreck on his way to Rome, God promised him that not a single person onboard would be lost. However, the ship itself would be destroyed. God parted the sea for the Israelites, stilled the storm for the disciples, but Paul had to swim for his life.

Being blessed doesn’t necessarily mean an easy life. In fact, it could quite possibly mean the exact opposite! Still, blessed is better than lost. Keep following Jesus.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

December 19, 2021

Every birth has a story: where the mother was when her water broke, how far it was from the hospital, how long labor took, complications, etc. It makes you wonder why anyone ever has a 2nd child. But then there’s the child. Apparently, they’re worth all the pain, inconvenience, and drama. Going home from the hospital with a new baby is a joy few things in this world can match.

Always when we come to the Christmas story we talk about the journey to Bethlehem, birth in a stable, the shepherds, angels, Magi, etc. and rightly so. But dare we forget that before the night was over Joseph and Mary held baby Jesus in their arms? What’s that worth? How cool is that? Even after a lifetime of drama and having her own soul pierced with sorrow at His death, I believe Mary would tell us it was a privilege to hold Him, to raise Him, to love Him.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

December 12, 2021

It’s interesting that today before we install a pastor into office they have to wait until they complete some sort of a degree, then they have to wait until they receive some kind of credential hoping to one day be ordained. We wait for countless things & reward accomplishments of many kinds but where is the waiting on God? The Lord doesn’t have a set time table: wait four years before you do this or two years before you do that or a decade… His ordinations can come suddenly or take a lifetime. His credentials don’t need the backing of a denomination or bishop. Do you know Him? Do you know Him? Are you familiar with His voice? When was the last time you took time to seek His face, His will, His presence?

One of the very basic formulas we find in Scripture is that power follows time spent with Him alone. Public ministry is fueled by private prayer. Find new ways, new times to connect with the Lord. Wait on Him and the power will come.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

December 5, 2021

Life is hard. God is good. Clearly, we need more of God in our life. We spend far too much of our lives expecting God to tag along as we navigate the seasons of our years here on this planet. He’s supposed to protect us from enemies, cause our efforts to be successful, inspire us to become great, and prosper our finances as we do what we want to do.

We’ve often heard that we need to vacate the driver’s seat but I think a better analogy might be to use GPS, God’s Positioning System. We’re still doing the driving, making the choices, doing the walking, talking, etc. but only as directed by Him. In order for that to happen we need to INSTALL the right software then adjust the volume so that we can hear His directives.

If the Holy Spirit’s voice has become too faint for us to hear, we need to spend more time seeking God. Soaking in His presence, not just visiting His church is necessary. Nothing replaces time alone with the Lord. He’s speaking; are we listening?

-Pastor Joel Everhart

November 28, 2021

Are there any people in your life you consciously work at saying as few words to as possible? Talking to them never ends well. Some of them are argumentative and object to whatever you say even if it is clear and evident. Others take your words, twist them then pass them along causing others to get a bad attitude about you. Then there are those who don’t hear a word you say anyway, so why bother talking?

Don’t be like any of these people when it’s the Holy Spirit doing the talking. Open your ears, shut your mouth, humble your heart and follow His instructions. He is speaking; are you listening? Do you know more than He does? Do you realize you really need to hear what He has to say?

Ask God to speak to you, to direct your life, to be your Friend, Partner, Coach… “Lord I need You, Oh I need You…” Seek Him out, listen for His voice, be careful and faithful to follow His commands.

Are there any people in your life you really enjoy talking to? They’re good listeners, they have encouraging things to say, they’re bright & attentive, they’ll help you figure things out… They have a good attitude and talking with them makes you feel better, you can sense how much they care. Be that person when God speaks to you.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

November 21, 2021

Have you made your list yet? No, not your Christmas list, your Thanksgiving list. The list of all the things you are thankful for this holiday season. I’ve lost a family member every other Thanksgiving over the past seven years (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020), all within the week of Thanksgiving. In 2018 we lost both my mother and my mother-in-law. You might think that’s given me a sour taste for this time of the year. Actually, it’s done just the opposite. I’m very thankful to have had those particular people in my life and now hold the people still here with greater regard.

We are only going to be together for a little while longer on this side of glory. Let’s cherish one another more than ever & dedicate ourselves to being peacemakers within the body of Christ. Let go of offenses quickly and double your efforts to let others know how much you appreciate them. That will make this the greatest Thanksgiving ever.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

November 14, 2021

Got a bucket list? Anything you hope to accomplish before you leave this world? Have any goals in mind? If I could grant you one wish, what would it be? Paul was in his 60’s and in reasonably good health when he makes a final plea. He knew he wasn’t going to die of old age. Soon he was going to be beheaded. Did he ask for a steak dinner? How about a night out on the town? No, he asked for courage & inspiration to finish well. If he was going to die for being a Christian, he wanted to go out with no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was indeed a follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, he was hoping to convince some in the courtroom, and perhaps even among the executioners, that following Jesus was the only way to live even if it meant dying.

Who would you like to influence with the gospel? Are you doing anything to make that happen? It starts with a desire to do so. Add to that prayer and a plan. The plan might include a conversation, a track, booklet or invitation to church or to view a Christian movie. It’s important to do something to help someone else find salvation.

Paul could have increased his chances of acquittal if he had just kept his mouth shut. But then again, what good is a long life if it doesn’t bear any fruit? As Paul himself wrote in Acts 20:24, “But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”

-Pastor Joel Everhart

November 7, 2021

Clearly there have been many evil days, days when evil took a severe bite out of humanity. In my lifetime was the assassination of JFK, the Challenger Disaster, and 9/11 to name just a few. Each of those days began very ordinary if not in a festive mood. President Kennedy was riding in a motorcade as adoring fans cheered. The Suttle Challenger was manned by Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from Concord New Hampshire who was selected from dozens of applicants from the Teacher in Space Project. Because of her the event drew a bigger audience which also included her students and family. Many were on hand personally to see her off as others of us watched from our televisions. January 28, 1986, Barb & I were pastoring in Shanksville. We watched the launch that day and were stunned by the results.

Days of evil rarely come with any advance warning. By virtue of the fact that they do indeed come, the Scripture tells us to be ready for them. The way to be prepared is to know the truth, live a righteous life, know how to pray and be about the Father’s business. Be ready to take a hit and strike a blow. Enjoy your life but be ready for those hard days.

-Pastor Joel Everhart

October 31, 2021

The Bible tells us that governments are instituted among people in order to protect their citizens and promote prosperity. God will hold any institution accountable that does not use its power for the welfare of those who cannot defend themselves. For much of my life I’ve watched our government work on correcting mistakes. Sometimes they got it wrong but clearly, they were trying.

Somewhere along the line we seem to have taken a turn. Our target changed from promoting liberty and justice for all to dismantling the very building blocks of our society. Police are seen as criminals; the traditional family is looked at as having outlived its usefulness and basic human rights are being dismissed in the name of social justice.

Our freedom of self expression is being squashed by mandates, threats of dismissal, and pressure to comply with extreme views of morality, or more properly, immorality. Sin has become official policy and righteousness is illegal. The benefits of cooperating with this new agenda are tremendous; the penalties for noncompliance will jeopardize your ability to provide for your family. Are you prepared to make a stand for what is right or willing to drink the Kool-Aid and blend in?

-Pastor Joel Everhart

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