Encouraged in the Lord

   

Honestly, it seemed a little trite: “Yeah yeah, David encouraged himself in the Lord…that’s nice.  I don’t feel like encouraging myself in the Lord.  I am not in a worshipful mood here.  I don’t feel like singing.  I don’t have the energy to sit and meditate on high and lofty things.  All I can think about is what am I going to do now?!”

Listen as Pastor Rick transparently shares a message of encouragement based on the story of David and Ziklag from 1 Samuel chapter 30.

REDEMPTION, FORGIVENESS, GRACE

 

Building Series - Building A Woman

 

A Sermon for Your Heart

Listen as Pastor Rick shares four sermons in one! 😀

HEAVY

 
This week something really odd happened for me.  I heard a tune that I really liked but I didn't know the words.  When I heard the tune I thought maybe I could do some kind of spoken word performance to it.  It just had a nice rhythm and feel.  But, because I could tell it was a hip-hop kind of sound, I figured I'd better check out the source before I tried to do anything with it.  I mean, it wouldn't be good as a pastor to promote some kind of profanity laced rant right?

Well, I checked it out. and my fears were justified.  I found out it is a new song by Linkin Park featuring Kiiara.  It isn't a good song.  So I almost walked away from the idea.  But I felt it weighing on my spirit that somebody somewhere needed to hear what I had to say...maybe someone that won't hear it any other way. 

So I decided to proceed.  My performance of "Heavy" is nothing like the original.  In fact, you might say it's the exact opposite.  So please listen and share it onward if you know someone who needs to hear it because that isn't gravity weighing it down. :-) 

Christ Our Rebar

Connected with the last two sermons, Pastor Rick shares how Christ is our strength, inviting us to stop struggling; stop escaping.  Instead, surrender, relax, let go and let Him display His strength in the midst of your weakness.  Let Him have control of you and your life and your circumstances and discover what Paul discovered when Christ’s rebar strengthens your concrete. 

Pastor Rick also "translated" 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 into his own words to help us understand it.  Here is his elaboration: 

Christ said, “My graciousness of manner and actions, my benefit, favor, joy, liberality, and pleasure is enough for you.  You don’t need anything else.  I will suffice. Because, my miraculous wonderful mighty violent power is made complete and is accomplished in your feebleness of mind and body amid any of your maladies, frailties, diseases or infirmities, or sicknesses.”  Because Christ said this, with great pleasure I would rather boast about and rejoice in my weakness, frailty, feeble mind and body, that the miraculous mighty power and ability of Christ will tent upon me and abide upon me and rest upon me like the ancient Shekinah glory of God rested upon the tabernacle.  Instead of relying upon my own strength, I will rest in His.”
 

Are we relying on our own strength or resting in His?  Is Christ your rebar?

STARVING CHRISTIANS

For some reason, when i last posted this, the audio didn't embed properly so I will try again!  Thanks for your patience!

LET US PRAY!

Listen as Pastor Rick takes us a little further down the path of becoming a Praying Church.  Will you join us?