"I have realized that this is where I am: with the great need to recognize that not only does God exist and not only can I know about Him, but I need to know Him in the present power of His resurrection that transforms who I am, how I view everything, and how I respond to everything in my life. I need to truly believe His word that He is more than able and more than willing to work on my behalf and in behalf of all the needy people around me. I need to come to Him in that belief and welcome Him to go to work in my life and in the lives of those around me."
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
He Is Able
Inspired by Priscilla Shirer's Book titled "God Is Able," listen as Pastor Rick shares an encouraging message about what it means to really trust the Lord.
"I have realized that this is where I am: with the great need to recognize that not only does God exist and not only can I know about Him, but I need to know Him in the present power of His resurrection that transforms who I am, how I view everything, and how I respond to everything in my life. I need to truly believe His word that He is more than able and more than willing to work on my behalf and in behalf of all the needy people around me. I need to come to Him in that belief and welcome Him to go to work in my life and in the lives of those around me."
"I have realized that this is where I am: with the great need to recognize that not only does God exist and not only can I know about Him, but I need to know Him in the present power of His resurrection that transforms who I am, how I view everything, and how I respond to everything in my life. I need to truly believe His word that He is more than able and more than willing to work on my behalf and in behalf of all the needy people around me. I need to come to Him in that belief and welcome Him to go to work in my life and in the lives of those around me."
Monday, February 22, 2016
Sacred Life
Listen as Pastor Rick delivers a passionate message about Life in honor of Sanctity of Human Life Month on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.
Because of this sacred
intrinsic worth invested in us by God – because we believe that the very breath
we breathe is His gift – then we believe that all life from womb to tomb is
sacred and a treasure to be guarded at all costs. Of course, in our culture, the discussion
revolves much around the lives of the unborn.
It is why we support CareNet.
However, it is essential that we do not forget this principle in terms
of all life. Belief in the sacred worth
of human life is certainly why we support the work of organizations like
CareNet. But it is also why we should
reach out to people who are tempted or oppressed to suicide. It is why we should care about the alcoholic,
the prostitute, the drug addict, the criminal, the poor, the widow, the orphan,
the sick, the physically or mentally handicapped, the infirm, and the
elderly. It is why murder is always
wrong. It is why a baby should
live. It is why a teenager should
live. It is why an adult should live. It is why a senior should live. This life we bear is always a gift no matter
the context or the package containing it – It is the very breath of God Himself
and we dare not ever assume we have the right to take it away. That right belongs only to Him Who gave it!
Saturday, February 20, 2016
How Is Your Spiritual Plumbing?
Listen as Pastor Rick relates a tongue-in-cheek message with a very real and important meaning.
"We cannot afford to have blockages in our spiritual plumbing that make a mess of everything. We cannot spiritually succeed with sin, selfishness, unforgiveness, doubt, disobedience, fear, neglect, out of order families, unwilling hearts, or even under the crushing pressure of life without the strength of Christ. So I urge us all today to intentionally put His Word in our hearts, open our ears to His Spirit, and surrender ourselves completely to His control. Let Him in to inspect/clear/maintain our spiritual pipes so that His love and power can flow in/out of our lives."
"We cannot afford to have blockages in our spiritual plumbing that make a mess of everything. We cannot spiritually succeed with sin, selfishness, unforgiveness, doubt, disobedience, fear, neglect, out of order families, unwilling hearts, or even under the crushing pressure of life without the strength of Christ. So I urge us all today to intentionally put His Word in our hearts, open our ears to His Spirit, and surrender ourselves completely to His control. Let Him in to inspect/clear/maintain our spiritual pipes so that His love and power can flow in/out of our lives."
Monday, February 8, 2016
Hearts of Praise!
Listen as Pastor Rick leads us in a meditation of Psalm 107 on this Sunday before Thanksgiving.
"This week of Thanksgiving, I encourage us all to be wise, to observe what God has done in our lives, and understand His lovingkindness unto us. Then, let us praise Him and worship Him not only this week, but every day as we walk in His ways. “21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”
"This week of Thanksgiving, I encourage us all to be wise, to observe what God has done in our lives, and understand His lovingkindness unto us. Then, let us praise Him and worship Him not only this week, but every day as we walk in His ways. “21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.”
Magnificent Structures of Grace
Listen as Pastor Rick shares the story of his trip to the Capitol building with his children and the lesson he learned there.
"Let us be Christians who, as Paul wrote, “Colossians 3:10 …have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” & I pray during this time and season “Ephesians 3:16 That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
"Let us be Christians who, as Paul wrote, “Colossians 3:10 …have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” & I pray during this time and season “Ephesians 3:16 That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”
I Will Trust
Listen as Pastor Rick teaches us about trusting God on purpose by choice, based on Psalm 56.
"God has been at work all along. On this basis, our faith can stand certain and sure that He will undergird us no matter the battle or circumstances. Our trust is in Him and that trust dispels the oppressive fear in which Satan would rather we live. Undergirded by our faith and confidence in God we may then face the battle with internal peace and rest confident that God will enable us to walk before Him in the light of the living."
"God has been at work all along. On this basis, our faith can stand certain and sure that He will undergird us no matter the battle or circumstances. Our trust is in Him and that trust dispels the oppressive fear in which Satan would rather we live. Undergirded by our faith and confidence in God we may then face the battle with internal peace and rest confident that God will enable us to walk before Him in the light of the living."
Gear Up Series - The Adversary
Pastor Rick begins a series that teaches us some about spiritual warfare. Listen as he begins this series by teaching about our adversary the devil.
"Therefore, walk away today knowing that Satan is big; he is mean; he is hateful; he is a destroyer and devourer. He is our adversary. But God is bigger and God gives us the victory over Satan in this life and in the life to come if we will trust Christ and surrender to be engulfed and defended by the power of His might. Let us walk in his footsteps, and gear up for the fight knowing that the victory is already ours."
"Therefore, walk away today knowing that Satan is big; he is mean; he is hateful; he is a destroyer and devourer. He is our adversary. But God is bigger and God gives us the victory over Satan in this life and in the life to come if we will trust Christ and surrender to be engulfed and defended by the power of His might. Let us walk in his footsteps, and gear up for the fight knowing that the victory is already ours."
HEAVEN!
Listen as Pastor Rick turns our hearts heavenward to remember we are headed toward Heaven!
"...for us, Heaven awaits! Heaven: that spectacular place prepared for us by the Master Creator Himself who loves us and who gave himself for us. It is his certain promise and our certain hope. Let us therefore run this race with patience and persistence looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. “For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.”
"...for us, Heaven awaits! Heaven: that spectacular place prepared for us by the Master Creator Himself who loves us and who gave himself for us. It is his certain promise and our certain hope. Let us therefore run this race with patience and persistence looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. “For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.”
Wow....
Wow! It has been a while since I have posted. I apologize. Sometimes life happens and I get behind. Please forgive me! :-) I am trying to catch up. Thank you for your patience.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
PEACE
In an age when peace is so elusive, it is our hope you will find encouragement from this sermon. Listen as Pastor Rick talks about God's Peace With Us and God's Peace In Us.
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