Posted on December 28, 2025
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.December 28, 2025
Paul’s Ponder
December 28, 2025
Jeremiah 31:15
15 This is what the Lord says:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
mourning and great weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
I had not thought about it before. Not everyone likes Christmas, “The most wonderful time of the year” as the song goes. Before the Civil War, Northern states did not celebrate Christmas because they didn’t see it in the Bible. There are people today who do not like Christmas for theological reasons. There are other reasons. Personal experiences at Christmas time such as death of loved ones, divorce, or bad experiences can put a bad taste in your mouth. It doesn’t help that the commercialization begins before Thanksgiving with continuous songs and the bright color lights. We all need a Linus moment to remind us what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
The coming of Jesus did have angels singing and shepherds marveling. But, as Jeremiah predicted and is fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-18, it also brought a devastating horror and inconsolable weeping. Jesus, the only begotten, brought joy and tears. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, brought fulfillment and torment. The love of Christ is surrounded by a fierce hate. Christmas reminds us that, “God so loved the world..”, but it should also remind us of the cruel cross.
Not everyone loves Christmas. It should bring us to remember and to look for those who are hurting at this time. That we may be ambassadors of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:19-21).
Just Pondering
Posted on November 16, 2025
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Paul's Ponder
Saturday, November 15, the Beaumont church sponsored a Food Giveaway with the help of other Inland Valley churches and several community service organizations. Due to the government shut down earlier, we expecting a large group of people to show who did not have access to resources. With them getting money back on their cards and a rainy day, our numbers dimmed. However, the churches came through. We served about 150 people and the fellowship was wonderful. Congregations contributed from Victorville to Corona, Upland to Palm Desert and places in between. Such joy as we shared together in the gracious gifts of our Lord.
When we unite as the body of Christ we can accomplish powerful things. Not the church of Christ in one town or another, but the church eternal. We are not separate entities, but one body. We can find joy and strength in our brothers and sisters from many miles away, when we realize that we are all the same body. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17. May we fulfill Jesus’ prayer by uniting in the eternal love of our Savior.
John 17:20 - 23
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
May we be brought to complete unity.
Just Pondering.
Posted on November 2, 2025
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Paul's Ponder
You have probably seen many warnings already. So I want to warn you again. DO NOT SET YOUR CLOCK BACK AN HOUR THIS SUNDAY so that you will be on time for Bible Class.
My Aunt Donna told me she was going on a date to Disneyland. “Doesn’t that cost a lot of money?” I asked. “I don’t have to pay anything. The boy pays for it all.” I wished I was a girl.
Growing up a SOCAL kid, Disneyland was a keen objective. Neighboring children fought over who had gone to Disneyland the most. On TV we watched “The Wonderful World of Disney” and “The Mickey Mouse Club.” Due to the cost (less than $5 per adult), we only went when we had Grandma and Grandpa visiting from Michigan. I could have gone everyday. After all, Dad was paying. My involvement with Disneyland may have won me the friendship with a missionaries’ son, Allen, and the interest of my eventual bride, Debbie. Disneyland is a magical kingdom.
You could say I’m a kingdom kid, but Disneyland is not my kingdom of choice. The entry costs are between $104 and $206 (about 1,708% increase), and now I have to pay. The magic is gone. The Kingdom I desire is the Kingdom of God. It is much more magical and the joy never ends. Besides, my Father has paid the price, so I can be there every day. The residual benefits are 100 times greater than Disney.
Mark 10:
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Just Pondering
Posted on January 25, 2026
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Sweet Sisters,
As we began this series, we talked about Jesus being “the God of angel armies” or “Lord, God Almighty”.
Zephaniah 3:17 refers to Him as “the Mighty Warrior” (NIV).
“The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
In order for us to really understand why we have nothing to fear we need to understand who Jesus is. The book of Hebrews is an excellent place to go when you want to know more about Jesus. We will begin in Hebrews 1:1-4.
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
You may be familiar with this passage. I want to look at each verse carefully to make sure we understand what the writer is saying.
In verse 1, how did God speak to “our ancestors”?
Last Days - This phrase is in intentional contrast with “in the past” from verse 1. So the writer is making a contrast between now and then. He’s saying that prior to Jesus, God spoke to His people in various ways through the prophets, but now He has spoken through a Son.
- This phrase marks the transition from the Old Testament era to the new covenant, where God has delivered His final, supreme revelation through His Son, rather than through the prophets.
In verse two, what two things did God do to His Son?
What does verse 3 tell us about who God’s son is?
What does the phrase, “exact representation” mean?
This is the definition I found when I looked it up:
A depiction, description or portrayal that is truthful, precise
and faithful to the original reality.
Without distortion, bias or exaggeration
What does this phrase tell us about the relationship between God and His Son?
How does the Son sustain all things?
What did the Son provide?
What did He do when He was finished?
In verse four, what happened when He was finished?
Because of what Jesus did, he received a higher name (Son of God) and a higher position than the angels.
What was your favorite thing you learned about Jesus in the passage we just looked at?
The next passage we will look at in the book of Hebrews is 2:14 - 18.
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
In verse 14, why did Jesus need to share in the children’s humanity?
Whose power did He break?
From what does verse 15 tell us Jesus freed the children?
What do these two verses teach us teach us about God?
What do they teach us about us?
If we allow our fear of death to enslave us, what impact does that have on Jesus’ willingness to die for us?
For what two reasons did Jesus have to become fully human?
In the Old Testament, the High Priest was the mediator between God and the people. He was responsible for offering sacrifices. Jesus became the perfect, eternal High Priest, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.
ATONEMENT is the reconciliation of sinful humanity with a holy God, primarily achieved through the sacrificial death of Jesus. Jesus’ death satisfied divine justice and restored the broken relationship between God and man.
When I first read verse 18, I had trouble connecting it to the rest of the passage. My attention was brought back to verse 17. Jesus became like us in every way. He suffered when He was tempted, just like we suffer when we are tempted so He could relate to us.
Let’s go back to Matthew 4:11 for a minute.
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Why would the angels have come and attend to Jesus if He had not been in an emotional place where He needed that comfort?
Another passage I want to look at is at the end of Jesus’ ministry. It’s found in Luke 22:39 - 44.
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
In verse 44, why did Jesus pray more earnestly?
What we have learned so far in our study in Hebrews is that the Son who was the exact representation of God, who sustains all things through His word, was willing to become human and sacrifice Himself for us so that we could, once again, have a relationship with God.
Remember in Hebrews 2:14, we learn that Jesus shared in our humanity. I take that to mean that He experienced everything that we experience. What kinds of things can you think of that the Bible tells us that Jesus experienced that we experience as well?
Hebrews 2:17 tells us that Jesus was fully human in every way. The Hebrew writer seems to really want to get this point across. He also points out that Jesus was willing to become like us so that He could be our High Priest. Remember one of the responsibilities of the High Priest was to act as a mediator or intercessor between us and God.
Because Jesus became like us and shared in our humanity, He can go to God on our behalf and say, “I know how she feels. I’ve felt what she is feeling.”
Sweet Sisters, don’t you love it when you share a struggle with a sister and she responds with, “I know exactly how you feel. I’ve experienced that too!”
Jesus says to us, “Do not be afraid. I love you and I know exactly what you are going through. Let me talk to God for you.” How can I be afraid when the God of angel armies is always by my side?
TRUST GOD
OBEY GOD
WAIT ON GOD
Debbie
Posted on January 4, 2026
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Sweet Sisters,
Welcome to the beginning of a new year!! 2026. I believe the theme we have been studying for the past few weeks is very appropriate as we enter this new year. Whom shall I fear? What we are learning is that whatever this new year may bring, our God, is capable of guiding us through. Our God, the great I AM, is all we need.
We began our study in Genesis. Our last lesson in 2025 was from the book of Isaiah. We talked about how God loved us so much. He was willing to become a part of our world so that He could bring redemption and deliverance to us.
As we begin today’s lesson, I want us to focus not just on “whom shall we fear” but” what shall we fear?”
The first passage we will look at, comes from the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus has just taught that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. In verse 25, Jesus moves into a lesson about worry.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
What is the very first word Jesus says?
Why does He use this word?
What things does Jesus tell us not to worry about?
Why?
In Matthew 6:26, Jesus illustrates His point.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
What is the illustration?
What question does Jesus ask after His illustration?
What is Jesus telling us about how God feels about us?
Matthew 6:27
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Jesus asks a question. What is it?
Are we in control?
Jesus continues in Matthew 6:28 - 30 to again illustrate His point.
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
I find the way Jesus ends this passage very interesting. What question does Jesus ask?
Jesus ties worry and faith together.
Jesus begins verse 31 with the word “so”.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Why do you think He does this?
Jesus answers this question in Matthew 6:32.
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
What do pagans do?
I learned that the word “and” in this passage can also be translated as “for”, “because” or “but”. Jesus is contrasting how the world thinks verses how those who trust Jesus think.
What instruction does Jesus give to those who want to follow Him in Matthew 6:33?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
How do we “seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness”?
Jesus brings this lesson on worry all down to one concept in Matthew 6:34.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Do you think Jesus is telling us to “live in the moment”?
I wonder how much joy and beauty we miss out on that God is trying to bless us with because we are focused on “worldly things” instead of “spiritual things”. Maybe, as we begin this new year, we could strive to live each day to the fullest, trusting God to handle whatever comes up.
In the second half of today’s lesson, I want to look at two passages in Matthew 9. The first one is in Matthew 9:1-8.
9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26 also tell this story. They both add to the story that the friends of the man lowered him down through a hole that they made in the roof.
Why did Jesus decide to heal the man?
Please don’t miss this really important statement that Jesus is making. Jesus has the power to forgive sins! It doesn’t matter what you have done! If you come to Jesus believing that He has the power to heal and forgive you, He will! I do not need to be afraid of my past. Jesus has the power to forgive and heal. Jesus wanted the people in the passage in Luke 9 to know this and He wants us to know this.
Our second passage in Matthew 9 is found in verses 20 - 22.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48, also tell this story as well.
We learn in their accounts that this woman had suffered much because of her illness. She had spent a lot of money trying to find healing. Also, because of Jewish religious laws, she was an outcast in her society. She was risking so much by even being in this crowd. This is one of my favorite passages in all of the Gospels.
In verse 21, what does the woman say to herself?
What does this statement say about her faith?
How does Jesus respond to her action?
Jesus looks into the heart of this terribly broken woman. He sees the deep trust she has that He can heal her. He not only heals her, He calls her “daughter”. She is the only woman in all of Jesus’ ministry that He refers to as daughter. How do you think that must have made her feel?
What message do you think it sent to those around her?
Sweet Sisters, one again we see that Jesus (God) honors radical, risk taking faith. Whom or what should I fear? God has all power and authority to heal and to forgive sins!
TRUST GOD
OBEY GOD
WAIT ON GOD
Debbie
Posted on December 3, 2023
Masters of the Storm
In times of need we may call out to God asking ‘to be taken out of the storm’. We may later reconsider and ask God to ‘calm the storm’, or we may request that He be with us 'in the storm’. Storms are inevitable! Jesus told His disciples that they would receive many blessings ‘with persecutions’ (storms). Paul understood what He meant and said that through trials and temptations that ‘we persevere’. James, the brother of Jesus, said we should ‘count it all joy’ in our trials, and Peter added that we should embrace our suffering in the name of Jesus Christ.
God knows what is needed before people ask, and that He responds when asked. God wants what is best for all people. While Jesus was in the midst of His own storm; facing crucifixion, He relied on God and prayed ‘not My will but Thine’. Parents know that children need godly discipline—Jesus subjected Himself to His parents. Some may not appreciate discipline and may only recognize it’s value later in life—God disciplines those He loves.
God gave Adam and Eve ‘Paradise’; free of storms—they were unappreciative. Today, it is a common practice to ask God for blessings and to live ‘storm free’. Few ask to be challenged or disciplined. All people are given the choice to choose the wide road or the narrow road, the hard road or the easy road. God, our Heavenly Father, places storms in our lives to strengthen us, not to defeat us! As Christians, we delight in our struggles for ‘the joy set before us’. Overcoming a difficult task is exhilarating! Instead of asking God to remove unwanted obstacles let’s ask for the strength to endure and become ‘masters of the storm’. Peter
Peter's Message
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Posted on November 5, 2023
Jesus is called ‘The Lamb of God’. He is also known as Light, Love, Lord, and Lion (of Judah). Creation is a reflection of Jesus; the Creator, made with precision and with purpose. Nothing created is without value or significance.
Jesus is also known as ‘The Good Shepherd.’ He is the shepherd of His sheep and the perfect sacrifice for them. Shepherds are held in high esteem; willing to defend their flock against all predators and willing to stay awake and on guard through the night. Shepherds care for the entire flock, risking their lives for the 99 and one that is lost. Sheep have a special place in the hearts of shepherds who often care for them as their children. Shepherds know how to protect their flock with their lives.
People have taken lambs into their hearts as some do domestic pets. To require of a shepherd that a first born lamb, in full health, be used as a sacrifice is to demand the very best. It is a sacrifice for the shepherd and lamb! Jesus willingly became a sacrifice and went to His death with ‘joy set before Him’, as did God, the Father, make a sacrifice for His ‘love of the world’. He gave His only begotten Son. Mary, Jesus earthy mother, was with Him at His death, suffering silently. Both God the Father and Son purposed to save mankind at the right time and manner—they willingly gave the very best of themselves and heaven. Peter
Peter's Message
use 'up-arrow button' at the bottom left to return to the Quick Links menu.
Posted on October 1, 2023
Moses, a servant of God, was chosen by God to deliver His law in what is known as the Ten Commandments, and to set them as God’s standard for His people, Israel. There are two sections: respect for God and respect for fellow man. Many more commands given through Moses have formed the basis of Jewish religious law through the centuries.
Jesus, the Son of God, was chosen by God to speak His words for all people; all nations of the world. Jesus, the Word of God, stated, ‘My words will judge you in the last day’. Jesus has many attributes and is known by several well known titles: He is Christ the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, High Priest and Advocate, Great Shepherd and Prince of Peace.
Jesus’ word is God’s Christian standard. On earth, all nations have requirements for all citizens that are accepted as legal and right. By what standard-of-law, then, does God require for entrance into heaven? The Greatest Command Jesus spoke is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-30).
Jesus showed His love for all people by His willingness to forgive sin. Forgiveness is His gift and response to repentance. Jesus is our righteous judge and advocate, and we will appear before His judgment-seat (II Corinthians 5:10, I John 2:1). By His words, eternal life is given to all who hear and believe—these do not come into judgment (John 5:24). Peter
