Spiritual Maturity

Week of June 28, 2019

“So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”  (Romans 8:8-9, NKJV)

When your life seems restricted by a lack of opportunities when you have fallen into a rut from which you just can’t escape, it is possible to begin questioning the basic reason for your existence.

The direction in which your life is moving shows what your priorities are.  If you seek financial success or social notoriety to the exclusion of more important things, godly things, you may reach your goal but lose much more.

Because God created us as spiritual beings, worldly things can never satisfy you.  The only thing that will fully satisfy you is a dynamic relationship with the living God. It begins of course with faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  However, you should never forget that after you have accepted Jesus as Lord of your life the process of growth should continue.  This encompasses our acceptance of Jesus as Lord of our life and allowing His spirt to manifest Himself through you.  This will bring spiritual growth and maturity that will fill your life with new meaning.                                                                                                                      

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Blessed By The Lord

Week of June 21, 2019

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.   O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!” (Psalm 84:11-12, NKJV)

God will not withhold His gifts of grace from those who are obedient to Him.  God is compassionate and provides for all our needs.  Often we are envious of other people’s good relationships, their bright future, or maybe their exorbitant income.  Let’s not forget that these things do not necessarily bring happiness. 

Only a good relationship with God can bring us the consistent joy that we are searching for.  In this Psalm of Praise, the temple choir sings, “No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”  Now God doesn’t deem everything good that we might consider good and so consequently somethings are withheld from us.  But, the bottom line is things go well for those who trust in the Lord without a doubt.  So, we will praise the Lord for His blessings that He pours out on His obedient children.  To God Be The Glory! 

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Furthering The Gospel

Week of June 7, 2019

There are at least two ways to look at just about every situation.  I believe the top-two ways are; how will this affect you and how will it affect the furtherance of the gospel? The apostle Paul was always concerned with how his circumstances might aid in the spreading of the gospel.  When Paul was imprisoned he looked to see how his imprisonment might provide God’s salvation to others (Philippians 1:13).  When he was attacked by an angry mob, he preached the gospel (Acts 22:1-21).  When his criminal proceedings took him before the King he shared his faith (Acts 26:1-32).  Regardless of his circumstances, Paul’s concern was how he could use his current situation to tell others of God’s good news of salvation.

When you encounter a new situation in your own life ask God to make you aware of how He could use your circumstances to bless others around you. Maybe there is someone around you that needs to see the difference Christ’s presence makes in your life?  Are you willing for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?  I hope this devotional was encouraging to you and that I will see you in church this Sunday.

God Bless, Pastor Rick