Do You Love Me More Than These

Week of July 19, 2024

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love you.”  He said to him, feed my lambs.”  John 21:15 (NKJV)

Jesus always has a unique but wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him. He will not use methods like humiliation or harsh criticism to get your attention and He will not ask you to make resolutions to try harder. Jesus’ method for correction is to take us aside and ask us to reaffirm our love for Him. The Bible tells us that Peter failed his Lord when he fled from the Garden of Gethsemane and then publicly denied that he even knew Jesus. I am sure that Peter even doubted that he could once again be Jesus’ disciple.

Maybe you feel that you have failed the Lord in some way in the past or even just recently. Perhaps you have disobeyed Him or denied Him by the way you have been living. If that is you, take courage that Jesus will take you aside just as He did with Peter two thousand years ago. He will not humiliate you but He will ask you to reexamine your love for Him. He asked Peter, “Do you love me?” If your answer is yes He will most assuredly reaffirm His will for you. Remember that Jesus does not need our promises to try harder. Jesus is simply asking for our love. If we truly love Him it will show in our daily service for Him.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

God Is Still In Control

Week of July 12, 2024

“And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”  Colossians 1:17 (NKJV)

Sometimes it seems as though everything is going wrong in the present.  Your future appears uncertain when problems surround you.  Consider history, you will discover through the ages individuals have struggled through difficult times most likely similar to those you face.  People have always been confronted by situations like we have to battle.

Before we give into discouragement, we have to acknowledge the greatness of God.  He spoke the world into existence.  He created you.  He has kept a close watch over His creation.  He will never abandon us nor forsake us.  Because of His great love, He gave His Son to this world, so that “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

So, hold on to His promises, place your entire trust and faith in the living Christ.  Through Him you will survive all dangers and adversity.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Resolve to Obey

Week of July 5, 2024

 “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”  1 John 2:3 (NKJV)

          John had heard our Lord say that you can identify the type of tree by the fruit it produces. John later said that if we claim to know Christ we will demonstrate our faith through our obedience. If we don’t obey and there is no intent to obey then we have reason to wonder whether that person's faith is genuine. Knowing Christ doesn’t guarantee perfect obedience, but true believers exhibit a pattern of obedience and it’s through this pattern of obedience that the Holy Spirit moves us ahead on our path of following Christ.

          Our obedience is most often seen by those who are closest to us. We might mislead someone in the community or in the church, but those under the same roof know whether or not Christ is real in us. What does your level of obedience say about our faith in Christ? Is our obedience up to date? Has God told you to do something but you’re not doing it? If so, when will you start? Why is this so important to God? Because your obedience leads to your personal growth. Listen, Listen, God is speaking. Resolve to obey.

God Bless, Pastor Rick