Christ’s Gift To You

Week of February 10, 2023

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.  For there is no difference;”  Psalm 25:17 (NKJV)

Many people deny themselves the joy of a life fulfilled in Christ because they are convinced they are not worthy of it.  They have said something or done something in the past and now believe that they fail to experience Christ’s greatest gift to humanity:  God’s love.

It’s a great mystery that God has chosen us as His own.  His love cannot be earned.  We can do nothing to make ourselves worthy.  It is God’s gift to us, given by His amazing grace.

If you find it difficult to accept this fact, just think of the crucifixion of our savior.  He forgave a thief on a cross who turned to him at the last moment.  Regardless of who you are or what your past involves, the love of Christ, His forgiveness of sin and gift of eternal life is His gift to you.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

How God Deals With Our Feelings

Week of February 3, 2023

2 Corinthians 7:6, (NKJV)  “Never the less God who comforts the downcast…”

If someone asks you the question, “how do you feel today”, how would you answer?  I think the answer that might be most heard is, “Fine”.  However, if you were to be honest, what would really describe how you feel?  If you were to draw a picture with your words on how you feel, what would it look like?  

Well, I believe God cares about how we really feel because he understands our moods. He also understands when our moods and feelings need to change.  God can help us with those changes.  God’s love for us is unconditional and His love does not change because of how we feel.  His love does not change for me even when I am in a bad mood but He will work in my life to change those things that need to be changed!  Someone once said, “God loves me just as I am but He also loves me too much to leave me like that.”  Well, how does He go about that?  Moods have roots and the way that God deals with and changes our moods and feelings is to reveal the inner reason for our feelings.  Our moods and feelings are just an outward demonstration of how we feel inside.  God, through His conviction by the Holy Spirit, reveals the real inner reason.  He allows us to see our fears, anxieties, insecurities, resentments, self-pity and more for what they are in our lives.

If your feelings are wrong or if your mood is bad, stop and ask Him to show you the real reason you feel that way.  He will show you something internal and deep-seated and then you can deal with the real matter at hand, which changes you outwardly and will bring glory to God.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Christ In You

Week of January 27, 2023

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27(NKJV).

If you are a Christian, all of God dwells in you.  When Christ lives in you, He brings every divine resource with Him.  Every time you face a need, you meet it with the presence of the risen Lord inhabiting you.  When you become involved in His work, He enables you to carry out that assignment.  The Christian life is about more than just learning about God; it’s allowing Him total access to your life so that He can live His life through you.  It’s at that point that not only you but also others will see the difference the presence of Christ has made in your life.  

I believe that God wants to reveal Himself to those around us by working through us.  He wants family, friends, and business associates to see Christ in you each day, regardless of what confronts you that day.  God wants to express His love through your life.  Don’t just know about God but allow Christ to live through you.  Romans 11:8 says, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ form the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you .”  Notice those words “through His Spirit who dwells in you.”  God is in you; allow Him to now live His life through you.

God Bless, Pastor Rick