Gods Instruction

Week of April 28, 2023

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.  Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.” Psalm 32:8-10 (NKJV)

Our lives are very complicated.  Many people feel like they are lost in a maze and cannot find their way out.  They make hasty decisions that influence them and their loved ones in a negative way.  So often, people’s lives are controlled by the storms and winds of life. 

The good news is that God will accompany you along the path He has ordained for you if you follow Him obediently.  Often it may seem as if the things that happen to us are not in our best interest but never forget God has a way of turning what happens as evil and bad around for our good.  He watches over us for our good.  He knows the road from beginning to end. 

So lay every decision that you have to make big or small before Him in prayer.  An omniscient God will guide you and watch over you. 

God Bless, Pastor Rick

The Lord Precedes You

Week of April 7, 2023

“But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”  Mark 14:28

God never sends you into a situation alone.  He always goes before His children, as He did with the children of Israel when He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  He always precedes you in any situation you encounter; God is never caught by surprise by your experiences, He has already been there.  He is prepared to meet every need because He has gone before you and knows exactly what you will need for your journey.  “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.  He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

If you are going through a difficult or confusing time, know that your Lord has gone before you, and He is present with you.  He is fully aware of what you are facing.  There is nowhere you can go that you will not find Christ waiting for you to join Him.  As a child of God; rest in the knowledge that your Savior preceded you, and He will walk with you through each experience of your life.  Ask for his guidance at this time.  He is more than ready to direct your path.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

The Crucified Men Beside Jesus

Week of March 31, 2023

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.”  (Luke 23:33, NKJV)

Easter is just around the corner, so I want to share an interesting story that took place on the day that Christ was crucified.  To the left of Jesus, on a cross, was a robber and a rebel, but that is not the worst that can be said about him.  This man also had no remorse, even though the savior of sinners was hanging beside him. So, that man died unsaved.  

To the right of Jesus was another robber and rebel on a cross.  He was no better than the other robber and rebel to the left of Jesus. He, though, representing guilt for sin and repentance, gained eternal life that day.  This criminal cast himself upon the mercy and love of Jesus.  He confessed his guilt, so Jesus said, “today, you will be with me in Heaven.”  That promise is made to anyone and everyone who will drink from the river of grace.

There is a valuable lesson to be learned here by the man on the cross to the left of Jesus. That man reminds us that we can live in close proximity to the Savior and still go unsaved.  God has provided a river of grace to whosoever will, but if you do not drink from that river you will die of thirst from a spiritual standpoint. 

God Bless, Pastor Rick