A Fulfilled Life

Week of October 20, 2023

“7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (NLT)

Always know that your service for Christ is an effective source of great joy to people.  It may be something you said or did, or it may be a sympathetic ear in a time of need that makes all the difference.  The fact that our Lord used you to draw someone closer to Him leaves us humbled and fulfilled. 

With that being said, discipleship is not easy, and you will have to overcome many obstacles along the way.  There will be disappointments, and you will face adversity.  In spite of all this, never give up hope but persevere in your service just as the Master did.  As we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, He will lead us along the path. The end result will be that we will experience fulfillment that is only found in serving Him. Christ calls us to be His witness.  This is the role God expects you to fulfill because you bear His Holy name. 

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Firmly Planted

Week of October 13, 2023

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV)

It is possible to spend your whole life knowing about the truths of God and still never experience any of them.  Simply knowing about the truths of God does not mean that they have become a part of your life.  It is possible to come under the influence of wrong thinking to the point that God’s word makes no difference in your life.

The righteous man does not find encouragement in the opinions of others but in God’s word.  He is not content with a surface knowledge of scripture but meditates on it day and night so that the words of this book are reflected in his own experience.  He becomes like a fruit tree that’s rooted firmly by the rivers of water. 

If you allow God to implement His word in your life others will draw encouragement from you and whatever your hand finds to do will prosper.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

As For Me And My House

Week of October 6, 2023

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV)

Serving God was not Joshua’s only option.  He could have adopted the religious beliefs and practices of his family heritage in the pagan land of Egypt.  He could have accepted the idolatrous religion of his neighbors in the land where he now lived.  Those options might have been easier choices than worshipping God.  Joshua though, had witnessed God’s faithfulness; He was convinced that his Lord was the only true God and that serving him would bring blessings.  Joshua decided to serve God alone.  He was determined to teach his household to honor the Lord as well.

We too must decide whom we will serve. An assortment of popular beliefs lobbies for our allegiance.  If you come from a Christian heritage hopefully you embrace the faith of your family.  If you did not grow up in a Christian home you can decide, as Joshua did, to begin a generation that serves the Lord. 

Set your mind wholeheartedly to serve the Lord.  Those around you will witness your faith and they may decide to trust Him too.  Choose, as Joshua did, to serve God with all of your heart and then watch to see how God blesses you.

God Bless, Pastor Rick