Pastor Claude Thomas Online

Author: Pastor Claude Thomas

The way popular media portrays the family has changed in the last fifty years. In the fifties we saw the family through the experiences of a little boy named Beaver and his family in “Leave it to Beaver”.
That portrayal of the family continued to dominate the scene into the eighties with popular TV Shows like the Cosby’s. But some changes were being made with Al Bundy and “Married With children”.

But in the nineties and into the 21st century other changes have been made. It is seen in “Will and Grace,” and “Friends” with Rachel and Ross.
From the 1950’s to today there has been a change in how the family is viewed and valued. How should we view and value the family? To answer that question we do not go to popular culture but we go to the reliable, relevant, absolute, and authoritative truth. We turn the Scriptures.

In Ephesians 5:22-6:4, Paul explicitly communicates the view we should have of family. And it is a view of relationships… right relationships and the right kinds of relationships. The relationship between a husband and wife is one of love and mutual respect. The relationship between parent and child is one of love, responsibility, and respect. And these relationships are nurtured in the context of an overarching relationship with God through faith in Christ.

So, we unite our families and the uniting of our families is good for all of us!

Author: Pastor Claude Thomas
We are encouraged to manage our priorities because we can all become victims of what someone called “the tyranny of the urgent.” But before talking about managing or priorities, we need to determine if our priorities are worth managing.
What are you chasing? That question was asked of a group of men and prompted my thoughts. The speaker told of his own experience. He had given himself to chasing bigger deals, bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger reputation, and a bigger bank account.
Whatever we chase reveals what we value. And everyone is chasing something. The question is what? If we truly want to know the answer, someone has suggested that a review of the checkbook and the planner will give good insight. These will tell us what our priorities are and priorities will determine what we chase. Are they worth while?
The answer to that is found in the heart. Proverbs 4:24 says, “Guard the heart … it is the well-spring of life.” Our priorities flow out of the heart. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Lk.12:34). Healthy priorities come from a healthy heart. So, let’s put our hearts under the care of a great cardiologist.
His name? Oh yes. His name is Jesus.

We live in a rapidly paced world. In a matter of a few hours you can leave New York and be in London. That’s great! But with that ability, we also can end up being caught up in the demands of living in a fast-paced world. And that will create stress.
Stress is a real problem in our world. When we have a physical, part of the exam is to determine how well we are able to deal with stress. Seminars are given to help us handle stress in life. It’s real.
How do we handle it? There are some simple but helpful and effective hints to handling stress. We see them from a look at how Jesus dealt with one of the most stressful times in His life… just before He went to the cross.
First, remember you have a purpose in life. It is relational in nature. It is our relationship to God and others (Mark 12: 30, 31). So, keep the focus on that primary purpose will alleviate some of the stress caused by secondary issues.
Second, take your concerns to God in prayer. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus faced the stress of the cross and the sins of the world. What did He do? He prayed. And so can we! In open, honest conversation, we talk to Him about the stressful matters of life.
Third, talk to some close friends about the most stressful matters of your life. Jesus did that in the Upper Room.
And finally, 1) do the best you are able 2) with what you have 3) where you are. Then you can trust God to make up any difference or deficit you might feel.
Pat Williams and my friend Jay Strack remind us in their book, Success Secrets of Shamgar, that these are principles of success.
I have discovered that following these helpful hints will help relieve the stresses of life.

Author: Pastor Claude Thomas
Are you anxious about your future…your past…or today? Anxiety or worry, as we most often call it, is a real part of life! The real question is this: How do I deal with it without allowing it to become a destructive force in my life?
Well I don’t know anyone who pretends to have all the answers to that question. But here are some suggestions for consideration.
1) Admit it! If you are experiencing anxiety don’t deny it. Admit it. The beginning to dealing with anxiety is to acknowledge that the problem exists.
2) Acknowledge you don’t have to give in to it. While anxiety is a real problem, it is equally true that it can be successfully addressed.
3) Remember that Christ will help you. Jesus said in Matthew 6 that His followers were not to be anxious. Rather they were to trust Him and all the things they normally worry about would be taken care of.
The apostle Peter said we were to give Christ all our cares because He cares for us.
May I encourage you? The sovereign God cares for you and me…and He is able to do all He has said He will do. He also cares enough to do what He said He will do. So we can trust Jesus to take care of us.

Author: Pastor Claude Thomas
She just didn’t seem to fit in anywhere. She went here and she went there but she didn’t find acceptance until she met Jesus.
When she met Him everything seemed to change. Her whole outlook changed. She showed she felt better about herself and others too!
Who are we talking about? We are talking about the woman caught in sexual misconduct. She was looking in the wrong places and to the wrong people for affirmation and acceptance. But when she met the Lord all that changed in her life.
We are told that rejection is one of the most difficult things in life to overcome. Why? We all need to feel and be accepted. But the sad thing of life is we have refined the art of rejecting people who don’t fit into our “molds.” So, where do we turn to be accepted? Where do we go for affirmation?
Well, we go to Someone Who loves us unconditionally and did all necessary to accept us. Jesus did that for the woman who knew the horrors of rejection. I believe He is still doing that for people today. Do you fell you need that today? Then turn to Him in faith right now.
He is ready to accept us when we accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. Then, we are on the road to feeling acceptance ourselves.

Author: Pastor Claude Thomas
I remember coming home to the smell of food, a warm house, a big hug from my mom, and a word to encourage me. It sure made me feel good. There are some things that just stand out in life … and those hugs and encouraging words do.
I’ve wondered why that was so important to me and is so firmly fixed in my mind. I think I’ve found out why. It was a recurring encouragement! I experienced it almost every day.
Author and friend, John Maxwell, said it like this: Encouragement enables us to persevere like nothing else (Encouragement Changes Everything).
The bible says encouragement is often found in a well spoken word. The writer of Proverbs has a lot to say about the influence of our words. He said “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21). He also said that “Good words can make an anxious heart glad.”(12:25). He said a timely word is “delightful” (Proverbs 25:23).
How about it? Do we all agree that a word of encouragement would be helpful to someone? So, let’s be encouragers and say a good word to someone today.