Pastor’s Blog
“What Would You Do For Love?”
4-15-2023
J. Fields
I love this time of the year for multiple reasons, Spring is right around the corner which means flowers and
trees are blossoming, warmer weather, green grass, and most importantly it’s the season that we celebrate our risen
King! For just a moment I’d like you to close your eyes and picture the Easter story. I’ve re-watched clips of the
Passion of the Christ movie several times and I’m continually heartbroken every time I see the clips of Jesus being
beaten, carrying the cross while blood drips down his face, having a crown of thorns jabbed into His skull, and the
gruesomeness of these huge nails being stuck through His hands as He hung on a cross. Can you believe you are
loved so much that someone went through all of this for you? Jesus Christ died the most gruesome death for each
one of us, now if that doesn’t make you understand how much you are loved I’m not sure what will, but…. I have
even more fantastic news!
Not only did Jesus die on a cross for the forgiveness of your sins, three days later He conquered death for
you by being raised from death. That’s right, Jesus Christ loves you so much that He kicked the enemy right in his
face so that you and I could have a life that is above sickness, death, and defeat. We were never told that life would
be perfect or that we wouldn’t have any battles but He did promise that if we have. a relationship with Him that He
will give us a comforter. John 14:15-18 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father,
and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world
cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be
in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
Since God loves us so much that He would send His only Son to hang on a cross for us don’t you think we
could at least fall in love with Him in return? Some people may call me a Jesus freak or they may say oh Jason you
just don’t understand how life really is, well, let me share this with you, you don’t know my story. When I was lost
God snatched me from the hands of the enemy, before I was ever born, He knew exactly who and what He wanted
me to be like, He created me and you in the most beautiful way, He said “Jason, I love you so much, look at what I
did for you, won’t you accept all of me and be a fire for me all the days of your life?”
This Easter I pray that you will grasp all that He has done and continues to do for you. Jesus Christ isn’t
just sitting on the throne twiddling His thumbs, He is sitting to the right of His Father working on our behalf so the
next time a negative thought comes into your mind just give it to God, the next time the enemy tries to knock you
don’t, give it to Jesus. You are beautifully, wonderfully, and perfectly created and loved. Death was conquered
once and for all for those who know and have a relationship with Jesus Christ, if you don’t know Him or if you have
someone in your life that needs Him, I pray you will share the Easter story with them. Let me leave you with this.
As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart’s desire, And I
long to worship Thee. You alone are my Strength, my Shield, to you alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my
heart’s desire and I long to worship Thee. You’re my friend and You are my brother , even though You are a King I
love You more than any other. So much more than anything , you alone are my Strength, my Shield , to you alone
may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship Thee.
Happy Easter!
Pastor Jason
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The Passover Sacrifice
C. Hayden
3-22-23
The Good Friday/Easter event has many comparisons as we travel through the pages of the Old And New
Testament. None more prominent than the Genesis account of Abraham and his son Isaac. Most of us know the
story. God spoke to Abraham and told him to take his son Isaac to the mountain of Moriah, there to offer Isaac up
as a sacrifice and show of obedience and faith to the Lord his God.
We find this account in Genesis the 22nd chapter. Verse 6 says that Abraham took the wood of the burnt
offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went
together. 7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My
father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then Isaac said, “Look, the
fire and the wood, but where is the [ b ] lamb for a burnt
offering?” By this time Isaac must have thinking that something is not
right here. But like the trusting son he was, Isaac was obedient to
follow Abraham regardless of how things looked. Abraham, of
course, responds to his son. In verse 8, Abraham said, “My son, God
will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.”
We know the end of this episode. God indeed provided a lamb, a real lamb (actually a ram) that became the substitution for Isaac satisfying the requirement that God had first laid upon Abraham. Sound familiar?
This Abraham/Isaac episode is known as a type of the sacrifice God made for us. We are a type of
“Abraham” and a type of “Isaac.” Deserving to be put to death (Like Isaac), but because of our faith (The faith of
Abraham), God indeed provided a lamb for the sacrifice. The lamb provided was not our death. We are unworthy
to pay the price for, not only our own sin, but in no way for the sins of all mankind. But God provided His Son Jesus
to die on the altar of the cross. And by God’s grace and through our faith, just like Abraham and Isaac, we are
saved from certain death and given eternal life instead. There are other types of the Christ saving us in scripture.
Noah and the type of Jesus being the Ark being one and the Israelites and the lamb’s blood on the doorposts
saving the firstborn being another. They tell us what Jesus did for us on Good Friday and what the result would be
for all that believe in His resurrection. He gave His life for our sin so that we would have eternal life in Him! Have a
wonderful Easter season this year.
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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What Do People See?
3-15-2023
J. Fields
This may seem a bit strange but I just finished watching “The Chosen” series. My life over the past couple of years has been a bit crazy so having enough downtime to stop and watch a whole series is tough. After our church rented the theatre a few months back to watch a bit of season 3 I figured I better find out what I’ve been missing, oh my I’ve been missing a lot. I’ve been in church for years, I’m about done with seminary, and I’ve studied the Word of God in detail but still, I was captured and left in awe of the goodness of the God we serve. I know the Chosen is only a series that takes us through the life of Christ but I was blown away at
how real it seemed. The thing that struck me the most was literally how much Jesus loves us, even when we least deserve it.
There are days that I look at myself in the mirror and I feel ashamed for all the wrongs I’ve done. Just because I’m a pastor, I won’t pretend that I haven’t made a lot of messes but I know that my God washes my dirt away as white as snow. As a Christian, it’s easy to see someone that you may have known in the past and remember all the “crud” from their life. Have you ever seen someone come into the church and you’ve questioned their real motives? I guess that’s one of the big takeaways after watching this series, rather it is Matthew the tax collector,
or the adulterous women at the well, Jesus Christ looks past our faults and is willing to forgive us if we will just say “yes to Him”.
Let me ask you, as we get closer to one of the biggest foundations of the Bible, Easter, are you wanting to live a life that mirrors Jesus? I’m not asking you out of any disrespect but I’m asking because if you are it means that you are willing to forgive everyone who has hurt you. If you want to live out the life of Jesus it means taking your “blinders” off and looking at someone’s potential or the beauty that someone has locked inside. Are you willing to stop judging someone especially when you don’t even know them or have never given yourself a chance to know them?
I am blown away as I study Scripture at how much love Jesus Christ has for us. Everything that He does is because He wants to have a relationship with us. Can you imagine that even though He knew he was going to be crucified, He never stopped doing the will of His Father? The life He lived was for you and me if He loves us so much that He was willing to be crucified don’t you believe that we should be going that extra mile in everything we do to be Christ-like? I’m not saying we should be crucified but what I’m saying is we should live a life, and I know many of you do, that resembles the God that we worship. When people see you do they see Jesus or do they see the world?
This Easter season, take some time and remember who created us and why we were created. Remember our true calling in life, be the Hands and Feet of Jesus. 1 John 2:6 “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 ”Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Love you all,
Jason
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The Book of Revelation: Part 1
3-1-2023
C. Hayden
I love the Book of Revelations. I know that many read it and have difficulty understanding the hidden meanings found in the Apostle John’s writing (I do too sometimes), and some ministers will even council believers not to even attempt to read it because, in their opinion, “it cannot be understood!” Well, those “councilors”are wrong to the nth degree! God would never have John write this most important, although cryptic, portion of the Bible if it was not meant to be understood and/or meant to edify Christians as other portions of the Bible most certainly do.
Now I will admit, some portions of this Book seems to have hidden meanings, and we often see passages that are difficult to pin down with perfect understanding, but the Holy Spirit was given to us so that we can actually have a decent grasp on what the Book has to say. First of all, the title of John’s prose is “The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.” While “Revelations” does reveal end time events and a panorama of futuristic scenery, it teaches so much more. The Book actually is a revelation of who Jesus Christ is, has been, and always will be. Through Revelations, we get the picture of Christ, not as the baby in a manger, or suffering Messiah on the cross, but He is displayed as the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and the omnipotent, omniscient Conqueror who will soon return to bring justice to the world and receive His Church unto Himself. Revelations 1:7-8 says this, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him. Even so, Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus is not just a wonderful Holy Man; He is so much more!
Revelations is also a writing which is sent to the Churches to receieve encouragement and warning on what they are doing and what God wants them to do. Would you like to know what God wants you to do?! The first 3 chapters of the book is mostly Jesus speaking to John, dictating to him on the message He wants to send to His Bride through the Angelic head of each Church. Verse 1:11 declares that John heard a voice saying (it was Jesus) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,’ and, ‘What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, the Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphio, and to Laodicea.'” Wowser!!!
The Lord revealed to John what to write SO THAT THE CHURCH MIGHT KNOW SOME THINGS THAT GOD WANTS THEM TO KNOW. Well, in the next couple of months, we will explore some things from Revelations that God wants us to know.
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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Weeds
2-15-2023
J. Fields
This past November my family and I purchased a new house here in Huntington, the house itself
isn’t brand new however, it’s new to us. If you know me very well you would know that one of my
favorite things to do is work outside, especially in the flower beds. I’m picky, I like to make sure the
mulch looks fresh, the flowers and plants are nice and hardy, and I cannot stand having weeds growing.
This time of the year, it’s hard to tell what plant may belong, which is weeds, especially when you aren’t
familiar with the flower beds yet. Now that the snow is melting and I’m starting to get a little itchy to get
out in my flower beds I’m starting to examine them a little deeper, there are a few things that look like
weeds but I can’t tell, I want to pull them but my must smarter and beautiful wife, Heather keeps telling
me to wait and be patient, she told me the last thing I want to do is pull something that just may be a
plant. Well, I’ll stay patient and wait to see what starts growing.
This situation got me thinking about a famous parable found in Matthew 13, The Parable of the
Weeds. Just a quick recap; The man in the story who plants good seed represents God, the field aligns
with heaven while the enemy (satan) represents the weeds that have “snuck” into the fields. Let’s look at
the Scripture; 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat,
and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The
owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the
weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go
and pull them up? ’ 2 9 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the
wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First
collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
The point of the story is that the enemy is a sneaky snake, he wants false believers to be in the
church so they can lead the true believers astray.
As the church, we must be cautious that we don’t allow
the “weeds” to entangle and overtake the goodness of what God is trying to do. It’s not our job to judge
or try and “uproot the weeds”, we are to stay vigilant, allow ourselves to grow strong by being fed with
the Word, and then trust that God will do the proper judging. Let’s now look at how the Scripture
explains the rest of the parable; 36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to
him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sowed
the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the
kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The
harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in
the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed
out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing
furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in
the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Life sometimes isn’t fair, but don’t grow weary, while times get tough at the end of the day light
always overtakes darkness. One day, the enemy and all his evil will be destroyed. The wrath of God will
one day be felt by all those who rebel against Him. Don’t lose heart here on earth, weeds are growing all
around us, especially in today’s culture but don’t pick up the weed killer, remember our job is to be the
light, to bloom with God’s goodness, and God will be the one whom will one day choose who it is that
belongs in His garden of eternity.
Blessings,
Pastor Jason
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Pray Like This: Matthew 6:9-13
2/1/2023
C. Hayden
As we see the renovation continue here at Central Christian, we are reminded that God is doing new things in us
and through us as we prepare for the ministry the Lord has ahead for us. The most important change we see,
however, is what Jesus does inside of each of us as we follow Him and push into His
purposes. With this in mind, we are going to be launching a new pray group in the
upcoming days and you are invited! We want to gather 50 or more Central Christian
believers to commit to praying for this Church and Church families, our leadership
at CCC, our Pastors and their families, and our Elders. Below is the example Christ gave
us and some thoughts on prayer. Will you join us in this endeavor? Stay tuned & pray
like this:
9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven , ((Prayer is to be personal & relational, prayer is not to
only be transactional ))
Hallowed be Your name. ((Gazing on God brings praise )) Psalm 100:4 – I will enter His gates with thanksgiving and
His courts with praise.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ((Blackaby (“Experiencing God”) said “find
out what God is doing and get there )) Align your will with His will.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. ((Ask God for needs. Recognize that God is your Source )) Psalm 23 The Lord is
my Shepherd, I shall not want…
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (( Forgive & be Forgiven )) “If you do not forgive…” Matt
6:14-15. Recognizing your need for God’s grace makes one humble toward others.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ((God is our deliverer & Satan seeks to
destroy us thru influence ))
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. ((Father, You alone are God & Jesus you
alone are Lord of All…So we must be vessels of Worship )) John 4:23 – true worshippers worship in Spirit and in
truth…the Father seeks these kind of worshippers.
May God bless you even more!!
Pastor Chris
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Let Go and Let God!
1-15-2023
J. Fields
With a New Year comes new goals, it’s always interesting when I go workout and for the first couple months of the year it’s full of people I’ve never seen before or that I haven’t seen for a long time. Not only do people make weight loss resolutions but some people try and kick bad habits, be more positive, save more money, and the list goes on and on. Goals are a good thing, they can be tough to achieve at times but that’s all part of it, once you do succeed the feeling is oh-so-good.
Not only is the New Year a good time to set lifestyle goals, but it’s also a great time to put the past behind you and keep your focus on the now. There are many things that I have done in my life that I wish I’d never done, and there are many times that I wish I could take back something I said or even the way I treated someone, you can’t change what has happened however, you do have a choice if you will dwell on the past or if you will give it over to God and move forward.
If you feel stuck in the past and have done something that is eating you up inside, and if you are being weighed down by regrets, now is the perfect time to hand it over to God and allow Him to set you free. Holding onto sin, or even the “what ifs” of life is similar to walking around with a ball and chain strapped around your leg, it will bog down your joy and peace. The enemy wants nothing better than for you to live with regrets, he wants you to miserable, after all, he’s here to take you out.
Over two thousand years ago the only human who has lived a sinless life humbly hung on a cross so that all of our sins could be washed away.
Jesus Christ wants us to let go of our regrets, He wants us to place the “but this and but that” at the foot of the cross, if you will just take the weighted vest off, your life will be so much lighter, you will feel like the reset button has been pushed. Give everything over to God and if you are looking for the best New Year’s goal, I encourage you to make the resolution to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ daily.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Blessings!
Pastor Jason
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The God of Christmas
1-1-2023
C. Hayden
The Apostle Paul never seemed to miss an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with those
around him. After stirring up the population, along with evil men purposefully inciting the crowds in
Berea (Northern Greece), Paul is sent to Athens. There he waits for Silas and Timothy to join him.
During his “wait,” Paul notices the many idols he finds there and he, as is Paul’s way, is stirred to bring
forth the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue and the marketplace,
eventually ending up at the Areopagus (a council of men responsible for the education and governance
of Athens). In the very midst of this group of powerful men, Paul declares to them, “ Men of Athens, I
perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the
objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you…” In the following Scriptures, Paul
not only delegitimizes the false idols in the room, but then declares that it is Jesus as the one they need to seek, for it is He who was raised from the dead and will judge the world in righteousness. I wonder, when looking at the baby Jesus in a manger sitting on our fireplace mantle or displayed under the Christmas tree, or some other prominent place this season, we realize that we are viewing, in those simple Christmas decorations, a representation of the Divine Creator and Governor of all things. The wise men were not just seeking a beautiful Christmas display they could add to their many sight-seeing memories.
They were seeking the foretold one true Messiah of whom all glory, honor and praise in heaven and
earth belongs to. The One who would deliver all mankind from their sin, once and for all.
The Apostle John wrote this of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and
was God. He (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him , and without Him
nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Colossians 1:17 says, “ 16 For by Him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: 17 And He is before
all things, and by Him all things consist.” Sort of makes you look at the Nativity scene a little different,
doesn’t it?!
Be blessed even more!!
Pastor Chris
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Slow Down & Enjoy
12-15-2022
J. Fields
Where has the year gone? I cannot believe it’s almost Christmas! One of my favorite
things to do is to throw some earbuds in and listen to some instrumental Christmas music, the
sound of the piano, saxophone, guitars, and violins are beautiful. There are times my mind starts
thinking back to when I was a kid, the anticipation of Christmas day, presents under the tree,
time with family, and the hope that it may even snow, I love this season. Now that I’m older,
and a father I love watching the excitement that I once had as a kid now being relived through
my children.
Not only is Christmas a great time to enjoy the beautiful sights, sounds, yummy food, and
presents but it’s a great time to slow down and reflect on the miracle of Jesus Christ. These past
several weeks we have been reflecting on the advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Advent is about reflection and anticipation, reflecting on what God has blessed and done in our
lives, the greatest gift of all being His precious Son, Jesus Christ, and then the anticipation of
when He comes back (His return). The great anticipation of His return will take place in a
moment that no one is aware of, are you ready? “ For as the lightning comes from the east and
shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)
My prayer is that each of you will slow down, pump the brakes, reflect, pray, and thank
Him for the gift of eternal life. Jesus Christ is the most amazing gift that any of us will ever
receive. Have hope, live in peace, be joyful, and spread the love of Christ to a lost, dark, and
confusing world. Cherish the gift of Jesus, get to know your gift, spend time with the gift, and
become one with the gift, after all, this gift saved you and me from having to endure death.
Enjoy this Christmas and remember, He truly is the reason for this season.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his
shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Pastor Jason
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God Is the Great Designer
12-1-2022
C. Hayden
For years we have been amazed by the images we were able to capture of space’s beauty and wonder
through the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope. This marvel of NASA engineering allowed scientists to
see further into space then we could have ever imagined, capturing pictures of God’s unending
wonders. Well, this champion optical technology has fallen to an even stronger telescope known as the
James Webb Space Telescope. The James Webb Telescope was launched in 2021 and can now view
space in greater detail not capable by the Hubble. We now see even farther into the expanse of our
Lord’s created universe, far beyond what the Hubble was able to do. The landscape below of
“mountains” and “valleys” speckled with glittering stars is actually the edge of a nearby, young,
star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula. It is one of the first images captured by
the Webb. Pictures from the Webb Telescope have put into question previously believed, yet
unproven, theories surrounding the universe’s supposed “Big Bang.” Scientists are now “not quite sure”
what they thought they knew due to the Webb telescope.
What the Webb has revealed to me, like its predecessor, the Hubble, before it, is that the
universe has undoubtedly been formed by a “Grand Designer” and “Precision Planner.” If God can
create a universe filled with stars, planets, and moons, all organized into
systematic galaxies with one being home to our Earth, a home that
is created so precisely that we can thrive from season to season,
year to year and century to century, He can certainly take care of
our own individual needs.
According to the Bible, God declares that He has even
planned out and designed our own lives. And as is His way, it is a
good plan. Psalm 139:16 says that all of our days were planned out and written in His book before we
were even born! Before you were conceived, God new you and loved you. And if you are nervous about
His intention regarding you, Jeremiah 29 puts our trepidation toward Him to rest. “’I know what I have
planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you
hope and a good future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).
This does not mean we will not have bad days and even seasons of extreme difficulty. But each
struggle we have, God will use it to make us more like Him, strengthening our faith with patience,
making us complete and whole, needing nothing (James 1). When in a season of difficulty or feeling lost
at times, remember that the Lord is our Shepherd as well as the designer and planner of the entire
universe, we can put our trust in Him.
Be blessed even more!!
Pastor Chris
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