Live By Faith

Week of October 27, 2023

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NKJV)

Many people become slaves of everyone else’s opinion.  They agree with every viewpoint regardless of how ridiculous they may be.  They do not have an opinion about anything; all they want is to remain unnoticed. Life becomes complicated because they try to please everyone. They lose confidence in God and themselves.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have the power residing in you by the Holy Spirit that enables you to tackle life positively.  Our discipleship is based on faith, so, even though you may be experiencing a trial in your life, focus on the fact that God loves you.  He never leaves you.  Follow through with what God might be speaking to your heart, and do not base your life on feelings.

If your life is based on your faith in Christ, then your confidence will gradually increase and you will overcome those feelings of little or no confidence in yourself to hear God for yourself.  You will find that there is no situation that you will not be able to handle through God’s wisdom and His power.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

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