Pastor’s Messages (Page 19)
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…
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…
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…
THE LORD WILL RAISE HIS VOICE TO BE HEARD
THE LORD WILL RAISE HIS VOICE TO BE HEARD This last Sunday, we started a new series, “Giving Up Your Idols” from Luke 9:59-60. Our midweek encouragement will be connected to the previous message for this series. Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will…
Are You Whole?
Are You Whole? Do you know the word of God and still feel like you’re somehow missing something very important? Do scriptures like the Galatians 5:22-26 bring frustration instead of peace and joy? Does it remind you of what your missing in real time faith? Can we be whole or are we destined to enjoy only fleeting moments of the fruit of the Spirit. Is God really that Cruel? Does He point at what is just out of His children’s…
What is the Truth about Me?
Truth-About-Me Above is a link to a PDF from Neil Anderson’s writings (It’s OK to click on it! ) This is an amazing organized scripture list renouncing the lies we all hear from the enemy. Your weapon is Truth and that is found in the scriptures attached. Save this, print this and perhaps post this close to you throughout the day. You’ll soon memorize the scripture and add another piece of armor.
Spiritual Warfare: The Unseen Battle
THIS SUNDAY: July 19th Avoiding Landmines in the Unseen Battle Ephesians: 6 10-18 Spiritual Warfare: The Unseen Battle Series The Armor of God 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put…
Can Wisdom Bring Healing to our Country?
Can wisdom bring healing to our country? by Pastor Matthew James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God. Wisdom is a gift from a very generous God, but can anyone get it? Is wisdom different from knowledge? Colossians 2:2-4 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of…
What’s God’s answer to what’s happening?
What’s God’s answer to what’s happening? Pastor Matthew 6-3-20 We have been experiencing a season of suffering and division and it can feel overwhelming. First the COVID-19 Virus, causing physical separation and fear, and now the killing of George Floyd revealing the depths of relational and racial separation and disunity. It can feel overwhelming at times. When we see someone who’s job is to serve and protect, use their authority to kill and destroy, it can leave us wanting to…
In Our Devotions Attitude Matters
In Our Devotions Attitude Matters Are there some things you may need to change about how you spend your devotion time with God? Psalm 46:10 “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Quiet time, personal devotion, meditating on the word, no matter what you call it, I’ve noticed a greater need personally to be in God’s presence lately. Intimacy with God tends to be more organic when we go through new struggles and experiences. But sometimes I…