FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART March 6,2023

I have been getting a lot of compliments about my recent weight loss. I am grateful for the kind comments. I do feel much better. However, I am still the same person that I have always been, even at my largest size. My goal in this process has been to get healthier. I gave up on “lookin’ purty” a long time ago. I just want to be able to continue effectively serving the Lord and ministering to His people for years to come.

Thankfully, a person’s worth is not measured by their weight or their waistline. God loved me at my highest weight just as much as He does today. I have not always loved myself in that manner, but God’s love is greater and higher than mine. According to God’s Word, the true measure of a man is found by looking at his heart, and the actions that it produces in his life. We read in Luke 6:45, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

While my outward appearance may have changed a bit over the past few months, my heart has remained focused on God and His Church. I am not sure what effect my weight change has had on my physical heart, but my heart of love, compassion and service has not been altered in any way. You did not get a new pastor, just a slimmed down version of the same old guy. My love for you has not diminished in any way.

I

know that some of you struggle with this same battle that I have fought my whole life. I do understand the many ways that the enemy can use our body images to discourage us from acknowledging the Father’s love and acceptance of us. Let me remind you of the words God spoke to Samuel, when He chose David to be king over his brother, Eliab: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God knows everything about us, including our thoughts, our words and our actions. What is truly amazing is that even with such knowledge He still loves us! If our hearts are right with God, then the number on the scales does not really matter!

Serving in love, Bro. Jim