Just Be You

Week of September 8, 2023

 “But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out His special favor on me – and not without results.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

God wants you to be you.  Now of course God wants you to be you full of Him.  You don’t have to try to pretend to be someone else.  The most attractive people I know are not the best looking; rather, they are the authentic, those that have no pretense about themselves. 

You can relax knowing that being yourself is exactly what God wants of you.  You bring glory to God just by being yourself because He created you to be just the person you are led by His hand.

No one else has a vote on who you are.  You are free to be you instead of imitating someone else.  You are free to use your unique, God-given gifts and there’s no need to compare your gifts to the gifts of others.  Are there areas in your life where you are trying to be someone else?  Remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  God is happy with you being you.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Give Your Best

Week of September 1, 2023

“You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God a bull or sheep which has any blemish or defect, for that is an abomination to the Lord your God.”  Deuteronomy 17:1

God’s love moved Him to sacrifice that which meant the most to Him - His only Son.  Our response to this sacrifice, if we truly understand His love for us, is in the desire to give back to God, that which means the most to us.

The Old Testament reveals that God set forth high standards for the sacrifices He required of His people because a worthy sacrifice had to cost the people something.  That which we give to God reveals our heart’s condition.  A heart that overflows with gratitude for God’s love will respond in devotion.  God takes delight in the person who gives to Him out of a loving heart. This is a person who understands that God is the source of everything they possess.  If you struggle in giving your best to God, take some time to reflect on what God sacrificed for you.  It will surely inspire you to love Him with all your heart!

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Redeeming the Time

Week of August 25, 2023

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 5:15-16

Every week we are bombarded with opportunities that entice us to invest our time and energy.  Many of these opportunities promise that the time we spend on them we will reap a great reward.  The unwise chase every opportunity not questioning whether that is the best choice and at some point the unwise wake up to the fact that they have squandered the investment of their time.  Foolishly spending our time in wasteful pursuits can cost you and others.

Often it’s not evil pursuits that rob us of our time.  Rather, the temptation is to sacrifice what is best for what is good.  The enemy loves to lure us with distractions, thus leaving us no time to carry out God’s will.  His temptation is to fill our schedule with good things which leaves us no time for God’s best.  From time to time we should take a close look at our schedules.  Maybe, it’s time to make some adjustments.  We need to be sure we are investing our time wisely.  Our time is our life and one day we will give account for our life.

God Bless, Pastor Rick