Strengthened By The Scriptures

Week of March 10, 2023

“I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then they all forsook Him and fled.” (Mark 14:49–50, NKJV)

There are times in the darkest moments of your life when your only comfort will be the Word of God. Jesus faced the injustice of a hostile world, but His deepest pain came from His closest friends who had deserted Him. What would sustain Him at such an hour? Jesus found His sustenance and comfort in the Holy Scriptures. One example is found in Matthew 26:31, “…All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Jesus uses a passage from the prophetical book of Zechariah to keep everything in perspective. He knew what He was experiencing was according to His Father’s plan. It was the scriptures that assured Him that His Father was always in control.

The Word of God will guide you the same way. There will be times when events around you will confuse you. Those people in whom you might have placed your trust will fail you, and others will abandon you. Rest assured, at times, you will be misunderstood and criticized. In these times is when your devotion to God is put to the greatest test, and you must let the scriptures comfort you. Remember, even as a young boy, Jesus was aware of the importance of the Holy Scriptures.

Please take time to read the Word of God, and you will be guided safely through your most difficult moments!

God Bless, Pastor Rick

God Is With You

Week of March 3, 2023

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV).

Many people harbor anxiety because the future is unknown, and consequently, people can become pessimistic and discouraged.  Be assured that your life and future are in God’s hands.  God is in control of every situation in which you find yourself.  He knows your needs and will provide for you and, for the asking, lead you every step of the way. 

As our faith grows stronger and as you start trusting Him more, you will have the calm assurance, even in troubled times, of how trustworthy God is.  He is the rock upon which you can build your life because His grace is sufficient to get you through each day.

So, whatever the circumstance you find yourself in and despite the problems that confront us, always remember that God is with you.  Place your faith and trust in Him, and He will give you the victory.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Our Heavenly Father Already Knows

Week of February 24, 2023

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8 (NKJV)

Before you have a need and call on God, your Heavenly Father, He already knows what your need is. Jesus wanted His disciples to know how intimately God knows us and loves us. He told them to pray but assured them that before they did, the Heavenly Father knew about our situation. Prayer is not designed for us to inform God of our needs that He already knows. Why, then, should we pray? Well, it enables us to experience God more intimately. The more a child experiences the provision of their parent, the more convinced they are of their parent’s love. Often times a parent anticipates a child’s need before the child recognizes it and in advance, provides for their need. Our Heavenly knows exactly what we will face tomorrow and each and every day after that. He is preparing the provision in advance, and we usually end up admitting our God knew what was best for us. He already knows what’s best, but we still have the responsibility to ask. Ron Dunn wrote a book, and the title is what we should do since we have the responsibility to ask. “Don’t Just Stand There Pray Something.”

God Bless, Pastor Rick