Increasing In Favor With God And Others

Week of December 8, 2023

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 1:37 NKJV)”

We have our progress in life measured in many ways.  In school we are given tests and at work we are given evaluations. A doctor can give an examination to check many physical matters.  But how do we measure our spiritual growth?  As Jesus grew from an infant to a child to an adult he “increased in favor with God and men”.  He not only pleased His Father but people admired His wisdom, they appreciated His compassion.  There is nothing wrong with acting like a baby when you are an infant, but it is the obligation of the believer, of every believer, to strive for maturity.

The longer we walk with Christ the more we should relate to others as He does.  As you are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, your heavenly Father will become increasingly satisfied with your obedience to Him.  It is helpful for you to measure the progress in your spiritual life from time to time.  A good way to evaluate your spiritual growth is to ask mature Christians around you if your actions reveal spiritual maturity.  It is imperative that you ask God to evaluate your spiritual maturity and that you never become satisfied with less than a fully developed relationship with God. 

God Bless, Pastor Rick

God’s Protection

Week of December 1, 2023

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name.  Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.” (John 17:12, NKJV)

Nothing that Satan can do to you should cause you to have fear.  Jesus chose the twelve disciples the Father had given Him and then guarded them from the evil one.  Jesus sent His disciples into the world where they experienced difficult circumstances but He interceded on their behalf with His Father so they would be protected from the evil one.

In the same way Jesus said that we, as His sheep are held securely in the Fathers strong hand.  Do you believe this?  The disciple John said, “The One that is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:3 (NKJV).  This is not merely a theological concept but a reality in which you can have absolute confidence.  It is a promise you can cling to in the midst of a hostile world.

What we do reveals what we believe. If we live an anxiety filled life we prove our lack of confidence in God’s protection. Live with confidence that Jesus is always interceding with the Father on your behalf.  As we put our complete trust in Him we have nothing to fear.      

God bless, Pastor Rick

On The Wings Of An Eagle

Week of November 24, 2023

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert, a highway for God.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

Things that do not really matter often bog us down but a positive Christian attitude has the ability to rise above irritations. We do this by trusting in the Lord and by remaining conscious of His presence.  It is impossible to be trivial and small–minded when the love of Christ fills your heart and mind.

Regardless of our current circumstances we must never allow distracters to claim our attention to the extent that we lose sight of the true purpose, meaning and direction God has for our life.  By developing an awareness of the presence of the one true living God you will be able to rise up on the wings of eagles and see things in their right perspective.

God Bless, Pastor Rick