Posts from 2020

Posts from 2020

Don’t Be a Victim

Don’t Be A Victim! How does Satan manipulate you through guilt and shame? Colossians 1:13-14   For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Satan decreases the effect of our sin before we give into it and exploits it afterwards. The Enemy will try and own us, our thoughts and actions through temptation and shame. He’s a master manipulator. He whispers lies, “Don’t…

What Would You Do? New Series

What Would You Do? As we are preparing to begin a new year, we are staring a new series called, “What would You Do?” All of us experience difficult situations in life. The real challenge is, how will we respond to what’s happening around us? Are you tired of being controlled by your emotions? Our spiritual strongholds are based in the pain of the past and the problems of the present keep piling up until the fear of the future…

Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles Imagine you are sixteen years old and an angel tells you that you are going to give birth to the Savior or the world. The hopes and fears, the joy and anger would be crowding your mind, trying to find a way to make sense of what you were told. People will judge you. Some will have the legal right to take your life and others will never look at you the same way. This was Mary’s reality.…

New Christmas Series – God With Us

New Christmas Series – God With Us Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night unable to see your hand in front of your face? A small light goes a long way in bringing understanding to your present circumstances. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the light of the world. (John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the…

Keys to the Kingdom

Keys To The Kingdom When Julie and I were in Uganda, we help lead the teens in a game called, “Keys to the Kingdom”. The leaders, who were dressed as demons ran around and tried to tag the kids. There were only two ways a kid could be safe. They could kneel and pray anywhere, or they could run to different safe zones on the field and recite a verse they had memorized to get Kingdom keys. Once the had…

Love Others well

Love Others Well  I was making myself a sandwich the other day and without hesitation when I opened up a new loaf, I tilted up the heal slice of bread, reached a few slices into the loaf and removed my perfect two slices of bread. As I was eating my delicious sandwich I realized how quick I was to get the best bread for my incredible sandwich and leave the heal for the next poor sap who opened the loaf…

We Are Healed For a Reason

We Are Healed For A Reason Matthew 8:1-3                                                                                                                      When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Imagine what it meant to this man, not only to be healed, but also to be touched by another person. God is committed…

A Taste of Heaven

A Taste of Heaven Philippians 2:1-4       Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the…

God’s Purpose In Times Like These (New Series)

God’s Purpose In Times Like These (Series) When we look around at all the sickness, violence and hatred, it’s easy to feel like there’s no point or purpose. Like a ship without a rudder, it’s easy to feel lost, alone and like no one cares. It’s normal and healthy to ask questions. Where is God? Why can He seem so distant when we need Him most? Is all that we are going through right now an accident or is He…

GOD’S WAYS

GOD’S WAYS: The biblical God is one who insists He will be seen in nature, and also is one who gives leave to chance (randomness) – he allows free will and injustice.  So is He in control?  The greatest point of contention between science and religion arises when believers insist God directly controls nature (like a puppeteer) while scientists insist that nature can run “on its own”.  Which is right?  According to the Bible, that divine control may be enigmatic. …

Standing For Kingdom Culture Comes At A Cost

Standing For Kingdom Culture Comes At A Cost Is following Christ, in a post Christian culture worth it? I think it’s healthy to ask the question at a time when we are bombarded with the twisting of what’s good and bad in our society. What did the Apostle Paul say on this subject? 2 Timothy 4:4-6    For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have…

Why Temptation is so Powerful?

Why Is Temptation So Powerful? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your desire to do what you know is wrong? Why does sin have such a strong magnetic force that at times it seems to have a stronger pull than our faith? Is there any way we can overcome our sinful nature? I’m sorry to say that according to scripture, the answer is no. Not only that, but even our New Testament heroes like Paul, fall short. We see in…

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed; Matthew 13 –The sower (the Holy Spirit) and the seed (God’s Word) are effective and good, but the field  or soil must accept and allow the seed to take root and grow.  The context is about how receptive and open we (people) are to the Gospel message and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. So how can we know that God’s seed has been firmly planted and taken root…

Know Who The Battle Is Really Against  

Know Who The Battle Is Really Against   2 Timothy 2:23-26 Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, & be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. Growing up, a…

Celebration of Life Service for Jodi Marie Hall

If you missed her service, please use this link to view the service:   https://youtu.be/LmtDg3XDMe4     Please keep Jodi’s family, friends and church family in your prayers as we are all hurting and missing her. We are so thankful that she is with the Lord and that we get to see her again in heaven. Philippians 3:20-21 “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,who, by the power that enables him to…

Conditions to Answered Prayer

CONDITIONS TO ANSWERED PRAYER John 14:12-15   “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.                       15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. One of the reasons we feel like God…