When you Least Expect Him, He Just Shows Up

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When I’m out on my runs, I’ll pick up little “treasures”. The hauls aren’t usually very big though I did once pick up what totaled about a buck so that was cool.\

Well, this morning I was out. Little distracted. Just contemplating some things. Praying for some folks. Gotta a big service at church Sunday. My mind is running a hundred miles an hour with not much to spare.

As I’m preparing to work all these things out in my head, I’ll be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed by it. I don’t mean overwhelmed to the point of discouraged. Just overwhelmed by the pile. Jumping from one thing to another.

Then what happens? Jesus shows up. Greatest treasure of all my years of running. (Huh! Talk about a metaphor) There He was. Lying in the sand. I guess sometimes He’ll reveal Himself just enough to let you know He’s there.

Jesus is indeed the greatest treasure of my life.

The Bible tells us in Matthew 24, that we “…must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

While I think a case can be made for this time being close, we don’t know when Jesus is coming back. That’s why He tells us to be ready.

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But I like to think that when times are tough, He’ll just show up. Not in any particular way. Maybe an encouraging word, some small but noticeable gesture or even an unexpected text from someone just wanting to say hey. Or, a little thumb sized plastic figure lying in the sand. Isn’t that great?

Jesus showed up for me this morning. My prayer is that you are encouraged by this. It’s more than a little story. And, I hope that you will take it from the perspective of Him showing up for you today.

No man knows when Jesus is coming back. So let’s take whatever glimpses of Him that we can.

-Pastor Butch

Weekly Encouragement

11/30/25

written by Frank Gupton

Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity. Thankfulness opens your heart to His Holy Presence and opens up your mind to His thoughts! Being thankful brings joy and peace! Ephesians 5:20 "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Be thankful everyday!

The sermon for Sunday is entitled, “I’m Too Tired!” The first sentence says, “This may not be what you’re thinking it’s gonna be.” It talks about Christians who are just extra. Should be fun…😳

Anyhow, just follow me a second.
We were a witness to something while on vacation that though inadvertent, prompted this message.

The church that we attended while there, holds a baptism every week. They are just set up for that. Anyway, the pastor was about to baptize a young fellow. He stopped a minute to tell the church that the fellow had flown in that morning from Atlanta to be present for the service and to be baptized. See, he had been watching this church online for a while and considering it to be his “church” so, he did whatever he could to be there.

Atlanta to Myrtle Beach. Morning of service. It touched me that this man came all that distance to come to church. Touched me because sadly, folks will barely pick themselves up long enough to drive across town. And puh-lease, don’t remind me that you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. Maybe you don’t. But I do. Besides, that don’t fly because if a person is saved, they should endeavor to be in their Father’s house every week.

And that same day, I hear that a pastor is being blasted on line for preaching the gospel. Said he was making people feel bad about themselves especially when he proposes that hell might be their fate if they aren’t repentant, if they don’t turn from their sin.

Disagreement does not make a thing less true.

Some say truth is subjective. I guess it is. What to me is beautiful might to you be ugly. The gospel truth is absolute in that if the word says that living a life of sin will absolutely separate us from God and usher a person into an eternity in hell, it will do just that.

And God is not at fault. Jesus even used a bit of hyperbole in Matthew 18 when he said if your hand causes you to sin, it’s better that you cut it off and enter into life with one hand than to enter hell with two.

What’s going to church got to do with that? Keeps you steady, mindful, sober, constant. Besides, being too tired is not a good excuse for not keeping a vow. I’d bet that there are times when the pastor is tired too. But, he’s there. Doing what he was called to do. For the Lord…and, for you.

Being too tired is just an excuse for having out of whack priorities.

If you are a believer, if you are a Christian, if you are saved, please make regular visits to the house of God a priority in your life. Then, watch what God does for you. Healing, renewal, contentment, joy, peace…all…
In the name of Jesus!

Stay warm!

Pray for each other!

And while you’re at it, say one for me, doggone it!

And, go to church Sunday!😁🙌🏻

-Pastor Butch

When you are called to be apart from,

you must be careful what you remain a part of.

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

-Hebrews 10:23-25

Ezekiel 16:13 - "Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom."

JoomVerses by: TerryWCarter.com

We need to read from the Word of God. I would hate to make a guess as to how many believers dont read their Bibles.

Listen to the Word as it is preached. How can a man have faith if he is not faithful?

Apply its teachings to your life by putting it into practice. Meditate on it. Memorize a verse or two. Share it.

Then, exercise your faith. Hebrews 4:2 says, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”

When God reveals something to you through His word, you must boldly step into it.

I can tell you that the closer you get to Jesus, the more you see the imperfections of your own life. You’ll work to fix some things. People need to see what a difference that has made for you.

All we have to do is trust Him. The rest will come.

Jesus said, “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

There is nothing in this life that we cannot get passed or come through. Do you know what makes this possible? It’s possible because God’s power does not depend on you.

It all depends on Him!

And, I am so thankful for that!

Amen!

-Pastor Butch

The sunset behind our church.

Photo taken by Scott Sexton

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