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Dear Shiloh Family,

The sun shone brightly on the track at Pimlico. The grandstands were packed to capacity, the ladies were decked out in their finest headpieces, and the men were topped with Fedoras and Flattops as well. All the big name uppity folks were in attendance, but the focus was on the two athletes at the starting rope.

The steeds danced and jittered; muscles tensed and nostrils flared. The Jockeys' colors glowed iridescent in the noonday sun as the long awaited matchup race between Seabiscuit, and his Great Grandsire, War Admiral neared the starting bell.

As the equines rounded the first turn, the younger stallion jumped ahead by a length and posed what would seem to be a lackluster finish. He held the lead until just before the homestretch and then the unthinkable happened. George Woolf, Seabiscuit's rider, tightened the reins and allowed the adversary to catch up. The crowd was astonished until the champion found a new burst of energy and streaked down the final quarter to a four-length victory.

Hebrews 12:1-2: 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, NKJV

You see, the trainer and Jockey had made a significant discovery. When the young horse got too far out front, he became complacent and bored. However, once he looked his opponent in the eye, he realized once again he was in a battle for the crown. Aren't we like that? We cruise along in our spiritual life as though we are on a stroll down the beach.

Complacency and boredom set in to the point we argue and fight our brothers and sisters, or we simply do nothing at all. Our master, teacher, and Heavenly Father lovingly reins us in until it seems as though we look Satan in the eye. Often, we whine and cry as if God is out to get us. If we trust Him, he will reveal the great deceiver and remind us what he is attempting to do.

My family, please, don't forget who we are fighting.  Don't forget who your real adversary really is. Don't forget that we are in a battle for our family, church, and nation.  Most importantly, don't forget to "trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey."

1 Peter 5:8-11:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJV

Even the greatest athlete needs a coach.  

God bless you all, 
Pastor Derrell

PS. I will leave the new members and baptisms up for one more week. I encourage all ministries to read the lists and seek out any person who isn't locked into a small group at Shiloh.