Hello Promisors,

As we all prayerfully reflect on the recent tragic events in Charlottesville, our hearts are broken for our nation. Hate is simply not acceptable in God’s eyes. Racism offends His perfect love, and violence will never be tolerated by Him or His Church.

Sadly, it is far too common for news and social media to be filled with division, hate, racism, violence, death and destruction. None of these real-life problems are God’s will or desire for your life or this world.

God’s endgame for your life is victory!

Ephesians 6:11-12 says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

This week, wherever your walk takes you, stand firm, Promisors, for we must see the world with His Eyes, and recognize the spiritual. We are not here to build a kingdom of this culture, but to welcome in His Heavenly Kingdom of reconciliation and restoration for everyone.

This weekend in our sermon series, End Game, we begin a month-long look examining the reality of spiritual warfare through the lens of a chess game. In the second week of this series we will show a Faith Promise original short film as part of the message to help everyone better see the spiritual war happening all around us. As we zero in on this dark battle, let’s never forget that we’ve been given brightly burning hearts, ignited by our Lord Jesus Christ, to illuminate everyone with His great love and forgiveness!

Pray for Charlottesville; pray for the Knoxville area; pray for the United States; and beg God for a mighty move of His Church to begin healing our broken world and communities. Let’s walk in victory in the physical and spiritual worlds we encounter every day. Let’s help real people with real problems find real love!

I love you and look forward to seeing you this weekend.

Your Pastor