Articles by Paul

This weekend, congregations will gather all over the world.

The people of God will gather in large buildings, small buildings, tall buildings, and short buildings. Some will gather in tents, sheds, and caves in the ground. The beloved of God will meet in the northern, southern, eastern, and western hemispheres.

What a momentous occasion. Nothing here goes unnoticed.

The angelic army will peer with awe and anticipation over the banister, their gaze fixed upon the bride. They will observe with wonder as believers engage in sacred acts of fervent prayer, inspired preaching of the divine word, joyous singing that resonates with the heart of God, attentive listening to His truth, and the communal sharing of bread and wine, all in fellowship with their Savior, the sovereign King of all creation.

Wherever the bride of Christ is assembled, no city, state, or nation remains the same.

No hesitating, church.

The people of God will assemble this Lord’s Day in your community. We should let nothing keep us from this glorious gathering short of the providence of God. These redeemed of the Lord will advance our Father’s gospel as a properly qualified man of God will rise to lead these local people with fear and trembling. We must never abandon communities to spiritual death due to a lack of faith. No place or person is beyond grace. We win hardened hearts with His gospel. No alley is too dark, no neighborhood too corrupt, no city too big or too small, no nation too strong to prevail against the Lord’s church.

The Lord of heaven has called for the sacred occasion.

Your casual jog to the meetinghouse is unimaginable. Therefore, it is crucial for each individual to examine their heart today. Your actions and your attitude as you gather with your fellow believers this weekend will serve as a profound revelation of what you truly think of the Lord and His cherished bride, the Church. The spirit of individualism, a driving force within Western civilization, indeed runs wild through our veins, influencing our perspectives and behaviors. And while a degree of healthy independence can be a gift, it can also, paradoxically, become a detriment when it crosses into untethered autonomy. The Christian must never let his independence run unchecked. His liberty may cause him to leap like a calf in a mountain meadow (and that’s what I look like when I leap, a calf), but he is not an authority unto himself.

For the Christian, despite this boundless freedom, is fundamentally a man or woman under an authority not his or her own. We are called to live in freedom, yes, but a freedom tethered to the loving rule of God and the guidance of His appointed shepherds, always remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to Him.

To the Church-house brothers and sisters. We’ve been called by the King. He is meeting with us to be worshiped.

Following is how we prepare the worship service of Eastside Baptist Church to lead the gathered people of God in an orderly, reverent, sacred time together. We pray every week, we sing every week, we preach every week, we read Scripture every week, and we commune with God every week, all to the glory of God and the nourishment of our souls.

Call to Worship:

The call to worship serves as a moment at the beginning of the worship service. It is more than an announcement that the service is about to start, it is the start of the corporate worship. It focuses the congregation’s attention upon God. The start of the service should not be habitually missed. This moment sets the worshiper’s attention upon God and away from the otherwise routine of the world. This is to set the soul upon the thrice-holy God.

Prayer:

In a Lord’s Day service, you will practice both private and corporate prayer. We will begin with a personal prayer of confession following the Call to Worship. Next, a pastoral prayer will be offered, acknowledging the grace and mercy of God and petitioning God on behalf of the sick, our neighbors, our families, our government, and our shared gospel work. We will pray several times throughout our time.

Singing:

We will speak to one another in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs. These are confessional statements based upon the influence of Scripture. We sing songs of the ancient church with tunes from various regions of the world while also singing theologically rich songs of our own era.

Reading/Preaching/Teaching of Scripture: 

The public reading and exposition of the Bible is central to our worship service, as it is the Word of God. Preaching is the means in which God has ordained the Holy Spirit to encourage the soul, awaken the sinner, strengthen the saints, and instruct the people of God as a united people.

Response:

The entire service is an invitation to respond to God. Responding to God is a discipline of submission, a discipline of obeying, a discipline of sanctification, a discipline of meditation, and a discipline of unity under the authority of Scripture. Your participation or lack of participation is a response. It is my prayer that you respond in humility, care, joy, and hope in God.

The Sacraments/Ordinances:

Baptism and the Lord’s Table should be administered as described by the Bible. They should be observed as often as possible with reverence and respect for what they represent. The Lord’s Table is just that, it is His table that He has invited His people to physically eat and drink at. Some will say that observing the Lord’s Supper too frequently will make us think less of God. Remembering that it was the death of Christ that the worshiper was rescued from the domain of darkness can only become mundane to the one who is deciding for God how we should remember. It’s true, churches may observe the Lord’s Supper on different schedules, but the elders of Eastside Baptist practice weekly communion.

Body/Mind/Soul

To worship God in Spirit and Truth involves our whole being. It will be appropriate for you to stand, sit, kneel, speak, sing, pray, meditate, lift holy hands, listen, respond, commune, enter, and exit throughout the gathered time. When you arrive at Eastside Baptist Church, you should know with confidence that the service has been prayed through in advance. This time on the Lord’s Day is unlike every other time throughout your week. Come prepared to participate fully in the worship of the Almighty.

On Sunday evening on March 30, 2025, several churches gathered at Eastside Baptist Church for an evening of preaching, singing, and fellowship. Following are the messages from the five local pastors.

All Five messages are HERE: https://www.sermonaudio.com/series/202526

Background: Senate Bill 1059 was introduced last week by Sen. Shippy to add language to the Idaho code to protect all human life equally. Currently, preborn children, created in the image of God are not protected by the law. Our preborn neighbors can be murdered by poison with the protection of the law. Why not protect the innocent person rather than the criminal. This is an unjust law that should not exist.

This letter is to Senator Jim Guthrie, chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee who has claimed he will not grant a proper hearing for this legitimate bill.

If compelled, you should contact Senator Guthrie as well. His email address is here: JGuthrie@senate.idaho.gov

_______________________________________________

Date: February 10, 2025
Subject: Idaho Prenatal Equal Protection Act, Senate Bill 1059

Dear Senator Guthrie,

I write you today with a solemn plea: to champion the cause of personhood of the preborn and
ensure their right to life is protected under the law. This basic duty of legislating law is to
protect the innocent and prosecute the wicked.

As a pastor and citizen of this great state, I believe every human life, from the moment of
fertilization, is sacred. Like you, I am deeply troubled by the ongoing tragedy of abortion, which
has claimed the lives of countless innocent children and caused immeasurable pain to women
and families.

I understand that the issue of abortion is emotionally charged. However, the fundamental
question at its core is simple: does every human being, regardless of age, size, or stage of
development, have an inherent right to life? I firmly believe that the answer is yes.

I believe that the state has a moral and ethical duty to uphold the sanctity of life and protect the
most vulnerable.

Senator Guthrie, please use your leadership to advocate for equal protection for the preborn in
Idaho. Such legislation would be not only just and compassionate but also in line with the
values of the majority of Idahoans, who cherish life and family.

I am confident that by taking a bold stand for the preborn, you will earn the respect and
gratitude of this generation and every generation to follow. I am committed to working with you
and other elected officials to achieve this vital goal. I offer my prayers, my support, and my
unwavering commitment to the cause of life. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Paul Thompson      <><
www.paulthompsonblog.com

“It is certain those that live without prayer,
live without God in the world.”
Matthey Henry 1710

In our current day, the Wednesday night prayer gathering is the least attended service. Not just at our church, but the trend is across the landscape of Christendom. 

One might ask why. One might examine their soul.

But I might start with a similar question first.

Who should come to the Lord’s table? This sacred table is for the born-again believer, the one who has the capacity to examine his own heart. 

We are agreed, not everyone should come to the Lord’s Table. Some churches practice what is called open communion, where everyone, regardless of belief or not is welcome. 

Some in Christiandom argue for what is called infant communion. 

Where I understand their desire for this, I’m convinced by Scripture that the participant in communion must show the capacity to articulate believing and the ability for self-examination. Granted, the infant and toddler may comprehend far more than we know. I’m not suggesting a hard age for when a child is able to examine their heart before God, but they should at least be able to display and articulate their heart before God.

There’s not a chapter and verse that establishes an age in the Bible when a soul is able to examine one’s self. But we do have a chapter and verse that instructs the one coming to the Lord’s Table; he must examine himself first (1 Corinthians 11:28).

This coming Lord’s Day we will invite the born-again believers to come to the Lord’s Table after the examining of self.  

The few prerequisites for communion are believing and examining. The only reason someone should not take communion is if they do not believe, cannot investigate, or refuse to examine themselves. The only other argument for not taking communion would be if one is under church discipline.  

That’s the long way to my opening thoughts about why prayer gatherings are attended by so few Christians. But I think a correlation is present. 

This coming Lord’s Day, when we examine our hearts before taking communion make sure you examine why you don’t pray with the brothers and sisters at the house of prayer. This Christian discipline is more avoided than neglected. Someone who doesn’t know that part of the Christian life involves praying may still be young in their faith. Or, like most, it is really something to be avoided because the soul just doesn’t want to be bothered with the idea of interceding for others, giving thanks to God, praying for sanctification, or pleading with God to let His word serve as a lamp to our feet or a light to our path. 

Can’t someone pray by themselves? 

Of course they can. Obeying one command while disobeying another command is poor examining of the heart, soul, and mind. 

Consider this with each other. We will gather again, Lord willing at 6:30 PM on Wednesday night, to pray for each other, our community, the state, the nation, and the whole of the world. Come participate in the most earth-shaking discipline of the Chris

Advent Devotional: WEEK THREE

Introduction: 

Joy is a word often associated with the Advent season. It’s in the title of one of the most popular Christmas Carols, “Joy to the World”. How often have you heard this song this month? On the radio? (Does anyone still listen to the radio?) In the background at the retail shop, the grocery store, or even on the playlist of your favorite streaming service?

The question before us is an old question, isn’t it? It can be summed up by asking, 

“To be joyful, or not to be joyful?”

But what is joy?

Joy is often confused with happiness, but they are distinct emotions. Happiness is fleeting and dependent on external circumstances, while joy is a deep-seated, enduring state of contentment and well-being that can even overlook the current circumstances. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a source of strength and resilience.

Joy sometimes comes when one is in a difficult day. Consider Hebrews 12:2, “Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross.” Joy can even be something we aim at because we know its apprehension is worth enduring the hardship.

Joy is not the absence of suffering or hardship, but rather the ability to find meaning and purpose even in the midst of challenges. 

This week we will meditate on the subject of Joy. 

• How to get joy
• How to be joyful
• How to give joyfully

That is an important subject, isn’t it?

Sunday, December 15, 2024
Question: Who is the Prince of Peace
Answer: The Prince of Peace is Christ the Lord.  
– Isaiah 9:6-7

There are many helpful disciplines to develop in your life. One of them is to discipline yourself in the practice of reflecting on a recent sermon you’ve heard. We archive our Sunday morning services at www.sermonaudio.com/thebridge for a few reasons. One of those is to give you a place to relisten to a sermon to reflect upon the word of God. What are your thoughts on the sermon by John Martinez this morning? If you took notes, take a moment and remember a few important thoughts you wrote down.

Read: Isaiah 9:6-7

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Monday, December 16, 2024

Joy is a profound sense of inner peace and delight that springs from a relationship with God. It is not the absence of suffering or hardship, but rather the ability to find meaning and purpose even in the midst of challenges. As in the introduction to this week’s Advent Devotional, Hebrews 12:2 reminds us, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Look unto Jesus. Consider and meditate on a few words. 

• What joy was set before Him?
• What did He endure for you?
• What shame did He go through on the cross?

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Tuesday, December 17, 2024

In the Spring (which is months away) I cultivate the soil in my garden, meaning I have to do some things. I have to work, prepare, add, remove, and correct the soil. Generally speaking, I put effort into improving the soil.

Do you put any effort into cultivating a relationship with God?

What are you currently doing to cultivate a joyful relationship with God? Do you have a discipline of prayer, worship, and Bible study? Is it possible joy is missing in your life because you don’t see the need to cultivate a relationship with God?

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Here are a few things to meditate upon throughout the day concerning the discipline of joy.

Practice Gratitude: Recognizing and appreciating the blessings in our lives, both big and small, cultivates a grateful heart and opens the door to joy.
Serve Others: Giving of ourselves to others through acts of service and kindness brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment that contributes to lasting joy.
Forgive Others: Harboring resentment and bitterness hinders joy. Choosing to forgive others frees us from negativity and allows joy to flourish.

Join others today at 2 PM, 5:30 PM, or 7 PM to pray for our church and our community in the Thanksgiving Room of Eastside Baptist Church.

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Thursday, December 19, 2024

Consider Habakkuk 3:18

Joy is not a constant state, and there will be times, like the phases of the moon when it waxes and wanes. However, we can cultivate and sustain a joyful heart that endures through all seasons of life. May we all find and keep the joy that comes from knowing and serving God.

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Friday, December 20, 2024
Sing or read: Joy To The World

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Saturday, December 21, 2024

Prepare for the Lord’s Day Gathering. Don’t forget, last week David invited all of us to wear something with purple in it. Throughout the Bible, purple is deeply symbolic. In the context of Advent, this symbolism extends to the arrival of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. This is a visual reminder of the nature of Christ’s birth and the reverence we share in His anticipated return.

The catechism question for Sunday, December 22, is…

Question: Who told the shepherds where Jesus was born?
Answer: An angel of the LORD told the shepherds where Jesus was born. 
– Luke 2:11-12

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Sunday, December 22, 2024

Plan to attend at least two (if not all) of the following opportunities to gather with each other today.
9:15 AM: Sunday School
10:30 AM: Morning Worship
5:30 PM: Christmas Carolling at the Twin Falls City Commons on Main St.

It was Francis Schaeffer who first said, “Every abortion clinic should have a sign in front of it saying…”

“Open by the permission of the church.”

Over 15 years ago, Planned Parenthood tip-toed into the city of Twin Falls with the promise that they were not opening an abortion clinic (death mill). Within a short time, they would murder thousands of babies in South Central Idaho.

Pastors and churches were largely asleep at the wheel, this pastor included.

For the past 12 years we have been advocating for the glory of God and the preservation of life with any elected official who would give an ear to us and by standing in front of Planned Parenthood in Twin on murder days.

Today, for the glory of God alone, this beast is no longer.

The sign Schaeffer argued for can be removed in Twin Falls and replaced with “The Mercy of God Has Visited the City of Twin Falls, Today.”

Don’t get me wrong. Babies are still murdered in Twin Falls. It’s easier than ever. The pharmacy or the mailbox is how the bloodthirsty get their weapons to murder their babies now. The work of the church has not finished here.

But today, the church shall rejoice. May the shout of the King be heard from the saints at His house of prayer today.