Dr. Larry Walker, Pastor

I belong to a couple of pastor forums on Facebook, and one of them recently ask a question about things that may come up in a church that can look like personal preferences if the Bible doesn’t specifically identify them as a sin. Examples that were given included ma********on or cussing.

It’s smart to start by asking the "WWJD?" question. Can you picture Jesus ma********ng or watching this movie? Would Jesus vote for this candidate? Would Jesus say this? If we’re in the process of becoming like Him, simply answering that question provides great clarity.

There are also clear Biblical principles that apply. Here are a couple of examples off the top of my head.

• Scripture tells us to focus on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8). That covers books, movies, TV shows, music, talk shows, etc. It even covers our thought life, which covers worry, fear, resentment, bitterness.

• Scripture admonishes us to watch our speech, not allowing any unwholesome words to come out of our mouths. It further says our speech should be edifying and useful for building others up. (Ephesians 4:29) That covers gossip, insulting, reprimanding, mocking, lying, arguing, cussing, etc.

Jesus summed it all up when He said that all of the Bible sits on just two (2) principles that serve as the foundation for everything else. We are to love God above all else and to love others the way we ourselves would like to be loved. (Matthew 22:37-40) Is it loving to refer to someone of the opposite political party as our enemies or call them denigrating nicknames? Would I like to be treated like this if I were in his or her shoes?

his article raises an interesting question. If we are brothers and sisters in Christ, why do we tend to worship with people of our own race?

I've been in meetings with church leaders, where someone would ask a question such as, "What could we do to appeal to more [fill in black, hispanic, etc.] people?"

Everyone in the room hems and haws or we just get blank stares and shoulder shrugs. I have to admit that I don't have any good answers, and I've not seen any churches that I thought were appealing to everyone of all races.

What are YOUR thoughts?

https://research.lifeway.com/2026/07/21/fewer-churches-aim-for-racial-diversity/?omhide=true&utm_campaign=fy26_research_general_insghts-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=subscription_3248920_20260721&fbclid=IwY2xjawTNBq5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXQWFselFzV0FGVG5HVHpMc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHubGQeQnavQz57E3ACLbmB35WVqZckvFkn1camFew3fqAUbUQ4HkNtKFcdsJ_aem_yB6UKP5UI9ldxowB8x8evw

I confess that I usually don't think about persecution of Jews in the U.S.A. After all, we llve in a free country where everyone is created equal. But as division has grown like a cancer in America, hate seems to be flourishing.

As you'd expect, I don't agree with the Jewish faith (and several other religions) because they deny the deity of Christ. But that doesn't change the fact that we must fiercely defend each person's right to their own beliefs.

In modern western culture today, what do you think we can do to love our Jewish neighbors, Muslim neighbors, and those of other faiths (or no faith at all)?

Many US Jewish adults have experienced assault or harassment over the past year, AP-NORC poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — The findings highlight the vulnerability that many Jewish adults in the U.S. feel as bipartisan support for Israel erodes and significant divides emerge within the Jewish community about what constitutes antisemitism — particularly when it comes to protesting Israel.

Whether you agree with ordination of women or not, this is pretty important. Latino women are reshaping the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S.A. It's one of the few denominations that's embraced the ordination of women. Is it the hand of God at work?

The Latina women in Texas reshaping the UMC (RNS) — Latina United Methodist Church leaders in Texas are emerging with fresh models for ministry following years of schism, decline and uncertainty within the denomination.

This seems spot-on for most of the local churches I've ever attended (or their web sites that I've checked out). We leaders of local churches, especially here in the developed world, offer "cafeteria plan" churches to newcomers.

It's like we spread out everything we can offer - and expect them to pick and choose what works for them. It's quite similar to how supermarkets functioin. Imagine that, picking up some Jesus at a supermarket!

I found this article a refreshing perspective that I need to pay attention to!

https://research.lifeway.com/2026/07/09/why-guests-arent-coming-back-to-your-church-and-how-to-fix-it/?utm_campaign=fy26_research_general_insights-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=subscription_3248738_20260709&

Oswald Chambers has always been one of my favorite authors. I'm particularly fond of his daily devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest." Each daily devotional is available for free on this website.

Today's devotional is hard-hitting (the way I like it) and reminds me of what's true in life. It also reminds me of what I need to be prepared to do each and every day as I respond to the Holy Spirit's leading in my life. May this bless you as well!

Don’t Think Now, Take the Road The wind was wild and the waves were high, but at first Peter didn’t notice. Fixing his eyes on Jesus, he stepped out in recognition of his Lord and walked on the ...

It's good to focus on what is true in life.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Ephesians 2:1-3

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202%3A1-3&version=NIV

Courage is just fear that has said it’s prayers.

I was reading through the 10 Commandments this morning (Exodus 20). Most of us are at least familiar with them. As I read Exodus 20:5-6, I thought about what it means.

How does God punish children for the sins of their parents and other ancestors. Why does He do that? How does He punish them?

To put it simply, this passage isn't about God being "mean" to innocent kids. It’s about two main things: consequences and mercy.

1. The "Ripple Effect"

Think of sin like a toxic habit or an addiction. If a father chooses a destructive path, the children grow up in that environment. They often pick up those same bad habits.

The "punishment" is often the natural consequence of growing up in a home that rejects good values.

It lasts "three or four generations" because that was the size of a full family living together back then. The choices of the head of the house affected everyone under his roof.

2. Breaking the Cycle
The punishment only sticks to those who continue to "hate Him." If a son sees his father's mistakes and decides to live differently, the "cycle" is broken. God doesn't hold the grandfather's specific sins against a grandson who chooses to do what is right.

3. Mercy Wins
The most important part of the verse is the math: Consequences last for 3 or 4 generations. Love and Mercy last for 1,000 generations.

God is saying that while our bad choices have a "ripple effect" on our kids, His desire to be kind and bless people is thousands of times stronger than His need to punish.

The “Bottom Line”:

Our choices matter. If I go down a dark path, it makes life harder for my kids and grandkids. But God is much more interested in showing mercy than He is in holding a grudge.

Any questions?

I’ve recently shared how I’ve appreciated a testimony of author & speaker Joni Erickson Tada. She’s been paralyzed from the neck down for most of her life. Tada has experienced periods of immense, excruciating pain. She testifies that Jesus meets her at the deepest points of her pain.

Scripture points to the same truths shared in Joni’s testimony. Consider, for example, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel, Chapter 3:1-30. Nebuchadnezzar had ordered them to be thrown into the hottest fiery furnace to be burned alive. But instead of being incinerated, they encountered Jesus at the depth of their crisis. He stepped into their circumstances just in time. They emerged with not a singed hair or clothing fiber. The depth of the firey furnace couldn’t harm them in the presence of Jesus.

It’s true that Jesus meets you and me in the depth of our pain, in our most dire of circumstances. When He does, there can be no question as to who it is. He makes Himself known.

A few years ago, some in our church were reciting popular Serenity Prayer. I've always been uncomfortable with that prayer because it says we should "accept the things we cannot change." I don’t believe that’s Biblical. Indeed, we may very well be called to struggle or stand against things we cannot change. I began to look for Biblical truth that could replace this cultural prayer.

The Holy Spirit took me to Psalm 90, where I saw basically the same context as is found in the traditional Serenity Prayer. Here's what the Lord led me to write and teach from that passage of Scripture:

BIBLICAL PRAYER FOR SERENITY
(Based on Psalm 90)

Dear Lord,

You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the whole world, You were God and forever You will be God.

You created us from dust and to dust we’ll return. A thousand years in Your sight are like a single day.

We have set our hurts, habits and hangups before You, our secret sins are in the light of Your presence.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Have compassion on Your servants, Lord. Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us grateful for trials You allow in our lives, for even they have Your purposes to serve.

May Your will be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to even our children.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; making our efforts to live for You successful.

We pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior.

Amen.

Note that line, “Make us grateful for trials You allow in our lives, for even they have Your purposes to serve.” We can be sure that in the depths of our pain, we’ll find Jesus Christ. Moreover, we can be certain that the Lord allowed each of those trials to enter our lives and that they “have His purposes to serve.”

Feel free to teach this to your congregation! 😊