Influential Person?

Week of June7, 2024

 “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV)

You are an influential person. Even if you don’t recognize the fact you are. Every day, in dozens of ways you influence people about what it means or doesn’t mean to live the Christian life. What if the people in your life were asked to write a definition of Christianity from what they witnessed from your life? What would they write? Your influence is either positive or negative. People are reading the signals all the time. What kind of salt and light have you been?

People and their needs are our agenda. Everything Jesus gives us is for our influence on others. When we settle that in our mind life becomes more blessed indeed. What stands in the way of people seeing Christ’s light burning in us? Maybe our personalities need transformation, maybe an attitude that needs changing.

Paul even at the end of his life in Rome in chains did not allow his witness to be debilitated.  Guards were led to Christ while guarding him. People in Caesar’s household became Christian because of the contagious faith he communicated. We too are casting forth an influence. Lets’ be certain its reflective of the true definition of Christianity.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Memorial Day Reflection

Week of May 24, 2024

“Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friend” John 15:13 (NKJV)

On this Memorial Day Weekend we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who laid down their lives for our country. Their sacrifice demonstrates the love and commitment that we read from today’s scripture. We have always said “Freedom Isn’t free!” These heroes, through their ultimate act of courage have ensured our freedom and safety.

Let’s remember the families and loved ones who bear the weight of their loss. Let’s offer a prayer to the God of All comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) that he might lift the grief from the hearts of those suffering as they reflect on loss of life.

Also in the quiet moments of today and tomorrow lets contemplate the values these individuals fought to protect: freedom, justice and peace. Their legacy calls us to live in a manner worthy of their sacrifice. And may we always seek to serve others with the same selfless love they exemplified.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Don't Stonewall

Week of May 17, 2024

“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.” Matthew 12:31, (NKJV)

I've been asked many times is there a sin which cannot be forgiven? There is the sin against the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God working in our minds and hearts. He creates a sense of need and convinces us of the gospel. He gives us the gift of faith to accept forgiveness and new life.

The sin against the Holy Spirit is to say “No!” to his conviction. That sin is unforgivable. You have a free will and you can choose God to be part of your life or you can deny Him. The sad thing about human nature is that God is ready to forgive people of their sin but we may choose to say no.

To resist the ministry of the Holy Spirit and say no to the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin. The Pharisees and scribes refused to accept Christ as the Messiah. To do so would have meant listening to what He said and responding to His diagnosis of their sin and need for forgiveness. It can happen still today in those who stonewall against the working of God’s Spirit in their hearts. Say “Yes” to God today because there is the danger of saying “No” too often. 

God Bless, Pastor Rick