Masterpiece

God loves you! How do I know? He says so!

God calls you His Masterpiece, His work of art:

”For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God says you are His Temple:

”Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?“

‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are His Messenger:

”But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”“

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are His Child:

”For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.“

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are Greatly Loved:

”But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are Free:

”Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.“

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are Brand New:

”Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.“

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God calls you Friend:

”No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.“

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God calls you Chosen:

”We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.“

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God says you are Wonderfully Made:

”I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you were created in His Image:

”So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.“

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says He Loves You:

”for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.“

‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are Greatly Beloved:

”And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”“

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God says you are Known by Him:

”But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.“

‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God Cares for you:

”casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.“

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

No matter what the world says or thinks about you, no matter what the enemy plants in your mind about how you see yourself, God loves you and what God says about you is Truth. 

“that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, “”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

So think about those things:

”Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.“

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

In Jesus Name - Amen

• Pastor Doug

HE IS Risen !!

”Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”“

John 20:1-2 NKJV

”But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”“

Matthew 28:5-7 NKJV

You may have heard this before:

“Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God. Their sin is like a jail cell, except it is all nice and comfy and there doesn't seem to be any reason to leave. The door's wide open. Till one day, time runs out, and the cell door slams shut, and suddenly it's too late.” - God’s Not Dead the movie 

That’s just the way the devil works. He is the father of lies and a deceiver. He makes you think that posh house you live is and the fine clothes you wear are the answer. Yeah, you’ve got it going on! You’ve made it. You’re a good person, mostly. You have some money in your pocket. You live pretty good, you do as you please and you did it all without God. 

Then it all comes to a screeching halt, the door slams shut, and you’re out of time. 

”For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?“

Mark 8:36 NKJV

”For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”“

Romans 14:11 NKJV

Jesus said: 

”Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.“

John 3:3-6 NKJV

”Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.“

John 14:6 NKJV

The dictionary defines the word “facade” as: a false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect.

Time to pull back the curtain.

When you give your heart to the Lord the devil’s illusion quickly fades. You realize the posh house is a granite tomb. Those fine clothes? They are grave clothes!

”But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;”

Isaiah 64:6 NKJV

”that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,“

Ephesians 4:22 NKJV

Time to get out!!

”Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”“

John 11:25-26 NKJV

”Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”“

John 11:43 NKJV

From death to life. Grave to garden. Time to get up out of the tomb and into the light!

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.“

Isaiah 43:1 NKJV

Out of the filthy rags and grave clothes.

”And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”“

John 11:44 NKJV

”“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.“

Isaiah 1:18 NKJV

”But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.“

Romans 13:14 NKJV

”Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”“

Revelation 21:5 NKJV

The culmination of the preaching of Jesus came into sharp focus when he raised his friend Lazarus from dead and calls him out of his tomb. That is the same salvation he has promised for us if we believe in Him!

HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!!

”But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.“

Matthew 28:5-6 NKJV

Jesus showed us His Majesty and total Victory in His Resurrection after the cross. He IS Lord of all creation and He Lives!!

Because HE LIVES:

”But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,“

Ephesians 2:4-8 NKJV

”For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.“

I Corinthians 15:22 NKJV

”even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),“

Ephesians 2:5 NKJV

Our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord IS RISEN! Confess His Name and be saved! Get up! Get up and out of the tomb. Take off those filthy rags. Be made new in Jesus Name! Repent and be saved. He stands at the door. He waits for you. Praise the Lord our Living Savior.

”“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“

I Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV

"Glorious Day"

(feat. Kristian Stanfill)

“I was buried beneath my shame

Who could carry that kind of weight

It was my tomb

Till I met You

I was breathing but not alive

All my failures I tried to hide

It was my tomb

Till I met You

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

Now Your mercy has saved my soul

Now Your freedom is all I know

The old made new

Jesus, when I met You

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

I needed rescue

My sin was heavy

But chains break at the weight of Your glory

I needed shelter

I was an orphan

Now You call me a citizen of heaven

When I was broken

You were my healing

Your love is the air that I'm breathing

I have a future

My eyes are open

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day

You called my name

And I ran out of that grave

Out of the darkness

Into Your glorious day”

”For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,“

Romans 6:5 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

In the name of our Living Savior Jesus Christ the Son of God - Amen 

HE IS RISEN!!

• Pastor Doug

The Hallel

Isn’t it funny how lyrics to songs seem to stick with you longer than just about anything else? I can’t remember word for word anything I read in high school but I can remember the words to just about every song that was on the radio back then.

In Jesus time there were no individual Bibles. Every scripture was written on scrolls and kept in the temple. Memorizing the Bible was the only way to take it with you. Then, there is the Psalms of David.

The Psalms were sung at Jewish festivals and holidays as part of their tradition. During the Passover the Hallel (meaning praise) was sung or recited. Psalms 113-118 were traditionally sung. These psalms praise God for delivering the Israelites out of Egypt.

Psalm 113 opens the Hallel with a call to praise God. Psalms 114 and 115 recount God’s deliverance from Egypt. Psalm 116 expresses gratitude for God’s salvation.

Psalm 117, the shortest psalm, simply invites all nations to praise the Lord.

”And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.“
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

No one can say for sure what hymn they sung before leaving to the Mount of Olives that night but, the final song of the Hallel would have been Psalm 118.

Psalm 118 was often called the “Conqueror’s Psalm” and contained verses of triumph over enemies. It was a perfect psalm for Jesus to sing in light of his impending death and resurrection. Interestingly, Psalm 118 is quoted numerous times in the New Testament referring to Jesus.

1.”Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2.Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 3.Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 4.Let those who fear the Lord now say, “His mercy endures forever.” 5.I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. 6.The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7.The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. 8.It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. 9.It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. 10.All nations surrounded me, But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 11.They surrounded me, Yes, they surrounded me; But in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 12.They surrounded me like bees; They were quenched like a fire of thorns; For in the name of the Lord I will destroy them. 13.You pushed me violently, that I might fall, But the Lord helped me. 14.The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. 15.The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 16.The right hand of the Lord is exalted; The right hand of the Lord does valiantly. 17.I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. 18.The Lord has chastened me severely, But He has not given me over to death. 19.Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. 20.This is the gate of the Lord, Through which the righteous shall enter. 21.I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. 22.The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 23.This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. 24.This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. 25.Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. 26.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. 27.God is the Lord, And He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. 28.You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. 29.Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118‬:‭1‬-‭29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Psalm 118 has clear connections to the crucifixion story. Verse 22, quoted in the gospels, refers to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Psalm 118:27 mentions a procession with branches, reminding us of Palm Sunday.

Verses 10-13 speak of persecution and being surrounded by enemies – a likely allusion to Jesus’ betrayers. Finally, verse 14 proclaims “The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation.”

Prior to his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus paused to sing hymns of worship to God. This displays his complete surrender to the Father’s will. Despite the anguish he felt regarding his impending suffering, Jesus put God first by worshiping and praising him.

Jesus modeled for all believers how important it is to worship God, especially during difficult times.

”Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭95‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This brings glory to God when we trust his sovereignty even in the face of adversity.

”Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭29‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The word Hallel means to praise and it is the root word for our word Hallelujah which means a shout or a song of thanksgiving or praise.

While we don’t know definitively which hymn Jesus sang at the Last Supper, we do know that he engaged in worship with his disciples even as he anticipated his own suffering and death. Through singing psalms and hymns together, Jesus demonstrated love and unity with his followers until the very end.

”While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.“
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭146‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen

• Pastor Doug

Perfect

“God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.”

II Samuel 22:33 NKJV

I remember as a kid riding in the back seat of the car with my sisters and getting the “knock it off look” in the rear view mirror from my Dad or Mom. That’s usually all it took. I said “usually”. 

Fast forward to my adult life. My wife and I with our kids, grandkids, and our English Bulldogs. There was always plenty going on in the back seat. I’m not ashamed to say I myself have shot a few “knock it off” glances in the rear view mirror over the years. 

I’m sure we all have heard the analogy of the “windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror” to remind us our future is where we need to focus our attention. Jesus was the one who started that analogy. 

“Remember Lot’s wife.”

Luke 17:32 NKJV

One of the shortest verses in the Bible. Here’s the back story:

She was the woman running for her life with her family in Genesis 19. As they ran, destruction was raining down on their hometown of Sodom, and despite being told not to look back by an angel who was holding her hand, she turned and looked back. Scripture tells us, “But Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt.”

Lot’s wife was told one thing: “Don’t look back,” and the one thing she was told not to do is the one thing she did. Why?

We all have our reasons for looking back. Maybe it’s fond memories in our past. Maybe it’s to remember where we’ve been or what we’ve been through. 

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.””

Luke 9:62 NKJV

Talk about distracted driving. Can you imagine trying to drive while only looking in the rear view mirror? You’d be in a wreck in no time. God’s plan IS always moving forward. 

Look to Him, eyes forward! 

““This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.””

Hebrews 10:16-17 NKJV

God isn’t about dragging up your past or looking in the rear view mirror. God IS moving on, building your future.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

God says:

““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”

Isaiah 43:18 NIV

Learning from the past is different than living in the past. 

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 NKJV

Keep pressing forward, yesterday is gone, today is all you have. The race is in front of us.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

So, the next time you hear a ruckus from the backseat, satan reminding you of your past and distracting you from your future, glance in the mirror and in the name of Jesus tell him to “knock it off” and get back to the road ahead. 

“Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen

• Pastor Doug

Be Still

As humans we all have a tendency to try and power through our trials. 

We think that through our own grit and determination our situation will change or bend to our will. 

Sometimes we are even willing to throw all the resources we have at things to attempt to change our situation. 

In Psalms 20 we are reminded to remember the Name of the Lord.

“Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright."

Psalms 20:6-9 NKJV

God is our source of strength and horsepower we need to overcome our challenges. His supply is endless.

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

Sometimes being still is the most powerful thing we can do. 

“Be still, and know that I am God; -”

Psalms 46:10 NKJV

I know this goes against our human nature. We need results, we need answers, we need to see something move. Believe me when I tell you I know how hard this is. 

Laying our burdens down only to pick them up again and again. So, this is for me too....

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.”

Proverbs 3:5-10 NKJV

God, give us the strength to fully trust You for all that You have for us in every situation. We surrender our burdens once and for all to You. Give us the courage to be still and know that You are in control and:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NKJV

God, You have a purpose and a plan for us that is better than anything we could ever possibly accomplish on our own. Help us in our weakness and unbelief. Show Yourself mighty in our lives. 

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

“Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.”

Psalms 25:4-5 NKJV

In Jesus Name I pray. -Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen 

-Pastor Doug

Believe in Faith, in every situation

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”
James 5:13

“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
James 5:15

It's a simple thing we see here in the book of James.
We are told if we are suffering PRAY. If we pray in FAITH the Lord will save the sick and raise him up (verse 15). But, we have to believe in faith, that the healing will come and confess it as though it is.
It's not a "name it and claim it" thing it's a Faith thing.

Believe in Faith, in every situation.

God says:

”Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”“
John 11:40 NKJV

Believing and having Faith comes first and then you will see the Glory!

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
Philippians 1:6

Trust and never doubt. Do not confess evil over your situation while you pray for victory!

“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6 NKJV

I pray and believe that God will continue the healing work He has begun.
That every stronghold of the enemy will be destroyed.
That God will give you victory over every situation and His Grace, Mercy and Favor will be given unto you.
That God will Bless You and Keep you in His Mighty Hands.
I pray that God would give you wisdom and discernment in every detail and decision.
I pray that God would begin to reveal His plan for you and make your path straight and the way clear.
That God would bring peace to your house and all who are in it.
I pray that God would pour out blessings and abundance over you.
Lord, help our unbelief and strengthen our faith that we might see the Glory of God in our lives. In Jesus Mighty Name.

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.”
II Corinthians 4:13-15 NKJV

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen

- Pastor Doug

Follow

”Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.“
Luke 9:23 NKJV

Daily, active participation. Following Jesus is not passive. God has some expectations for us and our engagement of the process.

”Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.“
Revelation 3:20 NKJV

Open the door, take up your cross, and follow Jesus are things we all must do as Believers and Children of God.

”But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.“
Matthew 6:6 NKJV

Go into your room, shut the door, and pray.

”Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,“
Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

”Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.“
I Corinthians 9:24 NKJV

Run the race! Remember that God IS with you, God IS for you, and God Will strengthen you, but it is essential that we engage and participate in the process.

As Gods Children we are warriors who battle against darkness and evil. God supplies all we need for the job but WE have to:

”Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.“
Ephesians 6:11 NKJV

WE are the sowers:

”The sower sows the word.“
Mark 4:14 NKJV

WE are the harvesters:

”Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!“
John 4:35 NKJV

”I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”“
John 4:38 NKJV

There is always work to do in the Kingdom of God.

”And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”“
Luke 2:49 NKJV

Maybe I am the only one this is for today.

There are times when you don’t know what else to do. When you feel like you’ve done all you can and you’re waiting for God to answer, to move, to intervene. You have the assurance that God has a plan for you and your life and His ways are far beyond our comprehension. Instead of just passively waiting or “walking the floor”, get busy!

Follow, pray, sow, suit up, be about your Father’s Business. I know some days it’s easier said than done. Believe me when I tell you I know. God IS working, God IS never passive:

”And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.“
Romans 8:28 NKJV

”For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,“
II Corinthians 4:17 NKJV

God IS never late in His response. God’s plan for you is so far ahead of where you are at this moment in time we can’t even comprehend it.

God IS helping you dodge bullets before the enemy buys the gun!

”No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.“
Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

You Will have victory! You Will take back what the enemy has stolen! Your dawn is coming! Your healing is on the way! You are on the brink of your miracle! Don’t give up. Don’t quit and you Will say:

”I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.“
II Timothy 4:7 NKJV

In the Mighty Name of Jesus, the Son of God I declare this over you and your life!

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance and favor upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name – Amen

-        Pastor Doug

A Matter of Perspective

What you see from where you are and how you see it is your perspective. 

I get it, we are all humans and our default is to see the bad or difficulties in most things. 

It doesn't take long and we can whip ourselves into an emotional frenzy over the littlest of situations. 

The more attention we give our problems the bigger they become. 

I'm not saying to forget about them but I am saying to keep them in perspective. 

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.”

Psalms 119:37 NKJV

If we talked about God and dwell on Him as much as we do our problems, how much bigger would He become? 

Believe me when I tell you this is for me today! 

God has given us the greatest problem solving tool of all time, our mind. 

The problem is that our default setting is not to ponder our Source as much as we do our issue.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

In other words focus on the Source, focus on God and He will lead you to the solution!

“The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Isaiah 58:11 NKJV

Remember:

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”

II Corinthians 4:17 NKJV

Our issues, roadblocks, stumbling blocks, tough decisions, tough conversations, our health problems, financial issues, family problems, are all "light afflictions" compared to the Greatness of God! 

““Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV

The answer is NO! 

““Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Matthew 6:8 NKJV

And:

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

I John 5:14-15 NKJV

Set your eyes, your focus on God, our Source and not the problem. 

You are one “Amen” away from your answer!

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV

My prayer today is Ephesians 3:14-19. This is my prayer for you and me. Dwell on it, meditate on it, and let it change your perspective.

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJV

In Jesus Name-Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

In Jesus Name - Amen

-Pastor Doug

Now What?

We all have those times of uncertainty. Those times when the water is just flat and there is no wind to fill our sails and carry us in one direction or another. You just feel like your killing time drifting, uncertain of what to do next or where to go. You don’t really even know the question anymore much less the answer. The “okay now what” just seems to linger. 

““But if I were you, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”

Job 5:8-9 NIV

Keep praying and asking God. He IS listening. He does hear you!

“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

Jeremiah 29:12 NKJV

God IS still on His Throne:

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.”

Psalms 103:19 NKJV

God IS still working all things for the good of those who believe! 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NKJV

He makes a way where there isn’t a way!

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

God still answers prayers. God still performs miracles!

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”

Psalms 77:14 NIV

Pray, knowing you are speaking to the God of the impossible. God IS without limits!

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.””

Mark 10:27 NIV

God wants to hear from you. He wants to show you that He IS able and that He loves you.

“So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?””

Mark 10:51 NKJV

You have an open invitation to speak to the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, Almighty God, your Heavenly Father:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Matthew 6:6 NKJV

“Yet you do not have because you do not ask.”

James 4:2 NKJV

And :

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name – Amen

-        Pastor Doug

Broken Things

Broken things. God uses broken things over and over in the Bible.

““I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick;””

Ezekiel 34:16 NKJV

Everybody has a misstep, a stumble, even a fall.

“Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.”

Genesis 9:20-21 ESV

But God:

“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

Titus 3:5 ESV

Take King David. All the battles, defeating Goliath, anointed king, all the great things he did in the name of God, a true hero of the Bible.

“Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.”

II Samuel 11:2-4 NKJV

Not only did David sleep with Uriah’s wife but, David got her pregnant and then had her husband Uriah killed.

But God:

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

I Timothy 1:15 NKJV

Jacob straight up lied.

“So he went to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.””

Genesis 27:18-19 NKJV

But God says:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

The Bible is full of stories of broken people that God used to do great things.

Saul persecuted Christians

Moses murdered an Egyptian and had a stuttering problem

Peter denied Christ and had a temper

Rahab was a prostitute

Thomas was a doubter

Jonah ran from God

And the list goes on and on. The fact is God is full of Grace and Mercy.

God doesn’t call the qualified; God qualifies the called. God makes wonderful beautiful things with our broken pieces and the ashes of our lives.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

We worry about not being enough, but God’s grace fills those gaps. We are reminded that it’s through our weaknesses that His strength can shine even brighter.

It’s in the cracks of our lives that God’s grace seeps through. When we lean into His grace, we can find the courage to continue moving forward, understanding that our shortcomings do not keep us from being blessed by Him.

“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.””

Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

In moments when we feel undeserving due to our mistakes, we should remember that God sees value in every one of us. Our brokenness doesn’t diminish our worth in God’s eyes. Instead, it can be a pathway to understanding His tremendous grace and love for us. We can realize that even in our imperfections, God has a purpose for our lives. Through our painful experiences and struggles, we can find comfort in the fact that God isn’t looking for perfect people; He is looking for willing hearts.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”

Jude 1:24-25 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name – Amen

-        Pastor Doug

Iron Sharpens Iron

“If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.”

Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV

Powering through is usually my default. I think we all do that. When things get tough we lower our shoulders and push harder trying to overcome under our own strength. We don't want to bother others with our problems or trials and we don't want to just get real with God and diligently pray for His help either. We just keep swinging a dull axe hoping our own strength will power us through. 

If we would take the time to sharpen the axe:

“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

And if Wisdom brings success:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

James 1:5 NKJV

Then why don't we:

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

James 5:13-16 NKJV

Seems too easy I guess or maybe the process seems to take too long. 

Salvation is for the individual and God alone, but life as a Christian is a team effort. Yes, we all have to run our own race but:

“A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17 NKJV

We all need help getting across the finish line. Encouraging one another by sharing our testimony. Especially if it's an outcome of a prayer you've been asking for. That alone will remind us of the power prayer has and that God hears us when we pray.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

I John 5:14-15 NKJV

Ask for prayer. You don't have to go into detail but ask for help praying for whatever it is:

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.””

Matthew 18:20 NKJV

And the sharpest tool of all, use the Word of God:

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12 

As believers in Christ there are times when we have to stand shoulder to shoulder as an army fighting against darkness. There are times when we dance and sing before the Lord and there are times when we have to work together, even busting up a roof as we earnestly seek an answer to prayer for each other.

“And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.”

Mark 2:4 NKJV

“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

We continue to pray in Jesus Name-Amen

-Pastor Doug

The Wilderness

In Exodus we see the Israelites leaving the slavery of Egypt on the way to the Promised Land. To get to the “Land flowing with milk and honey” the Chosen People of God had to go through the wilderness.

Why the wilderness? We are talking about a desolate, desert country with few trees, mostly scrub brush, and a whole lot of nothing except for The Presence of God.

God was there! In the middle of the wilderness, God was there.

“And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door.”
Exodus 33:9-10 NKJV

These people had lived in Egypt all of their lives. They knew the lineage they came from and how their people came to live in Egypt but they had never known life outside of Egypt.

The first thing God did in their liberation from bondage was to get them out of their situation.

“Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.”
Exodus 12:31 NKJV

If you read the whole story you see over and over the Israelites complaining about everything. Here they are in the very Presence of God saying things like:

“And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.””
Exodus 16:3 NKJV

When Moses went up to the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments they got tired of waiting:

“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.””
Exodus 32:1 NKJV

“And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!””
Exodus 32:4 NKJV

So they insist that Aaron build an idol, most probably an Apis bull-calf, like they would have worshiped in Egypt. What??

It seems unbelievable to us as armchair quarterbacks that the Chosen People of God would do anything like this. But, the truth is in some way we all do. When we haven’t heard from God for in a while, when we pray for direction, when we feel stuck in the wilderness and are waiting for God to move. We lose focus and start looking in other directions for an answer or a way out. Maybe we look to another person to help us:

“It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man.”
Psalms 118:8 NKJV

Maybe we think we can spend our way out:

“Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him—”
Psalms 49:6-7 NKJV

Maybe we think someone we know of influence can help us:

“It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.”
Psalms 118:9 NKJV

Maybe we think we can just power over the wilderness and find a way out:

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalms 20:7 NKJV

Whatever it is, it’s not God!

These people witnessed daily the presence of God and still looked elsewhere for help. God went before them day and night. God fed them and clothed them. They could visibly see the Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night.

“He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.”
Exodus 13:22 NKJV

No, God brought them into the wilderness because His Presence was there. He didn’t just have to get them out of Egypt, He had to get Egypt out of them! This was a time of cleansing and sanctification. This was a time for learning who God IS and drawing close to Him. This is the time you discover your absolute dependence on God.

“So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”
Exodus 33:11 NKJV

“And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””
Exodus 33:14 NKJV

And Moses said:

“Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”
Exodus 33:15 NKJV


Lord, if Your Presence does not go with us we would rather stay in the wilderness with You then live in the Promised Land without You. Lord help us to endure and have faith. Give us strength in the wilderness. Let Your presence be known in our struggle. Lord take the Egypt out of us and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Lead us, guide us, and protect us Lord. Draw us close to You Lord. You are our portion and provision. God, You are our strength and salvation. To God be the Glory forever and ever, in Jesus Name -Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name – Amen

-Pastor Doug

rejoice and be glad

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalms 118:24 NKJV

As our day unfolds I want to encourage you to remember that God IS with you:

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.””

Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

God IS protecting you:

“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”

II Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV

God will always love you:

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

I John 4:9-10 NKJV

God will provide for you:

““Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV

God will give you peace:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27 NKJV

God will answer you:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

John 15:7 NKJV

God will be your strength:

“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

God will guide you:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

Psalms 32:8 NKJV

God will fight for you:

“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.””

Exodus 14:14 NKJV

God will keep His word:

““God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Numbers 23:19 NKJV

Today, lean on the promises of God. Put your full weight down on them. Keep these words in your mind and in your heart as you face whatever comes today knowing that God IS with you and His love for you endures forever. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. So, rejoice and be glad in it!

May God bless you with health and wholeness? May God expand your territory and prosper you and your family. May God reveal Himself to you in a Mighty way. May God show you favor and bless the things you put your mind to and your hands to. May God mend fences and relationships in your life. May God give you wisdom for all the conversation and decisions you have today. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

I pray for and declare all these things over you in the Mighty Name of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords! – Amen

-Pastor Doug

There is a Time

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

There is a time for every purpose under heaven. God IS The Creator of time.

“God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”

Genesis 1:5 NKJV

The Bible tells us that in six days God created everything just by saying “Let there be”. For us as humans our concept of time is extremely different from God’s. What we consider forever is just a moment in time for God. What we view as a long time barely makes a hash mark on the eternal clock that God uses. 

“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”

II Peter 3:8 NKJV

Let’s fast forward to Jesus.

“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.”

John 5:5 NKJV

Thirty-eight years to us is a long time. I’m sure to this man it seemed like an eternity. 

“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.”

Matthew 9:20 NKJV

Twelve years this woman was not only dealing with a medical issue but, because it was blood she was shunned by the people around her because she was considered “unclean”. Twelve years must have seemed like forever to her.

To the man at the pool:

“Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.”

John 5:8-9 NKJV

To the woman with the blood issue:

“For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.”

Matthew 9:21-22 NKJV

In a moment, in an instant thirty-eight years of affliction for the man at the pool was gone. Jesus just spoke and this man’s whole life changed. For the woman, just a touch of the hem of His garment and twelve years of sickness and shame were gone.

It was God’s timing. I believe that every account of healing and deliverance we read about in the Bible was a divine appointment for those people with Jesus The Son of God. Jesus knew when to be at the right time and place to intervene in the lives of all He touched. Nothing God does is random. “There IS a time for every purpose under heaven”. 

No matter what you are waiting for, healing, direction, favor, promotion, relationships, a change of address, a job, whatever IT is God knows the need. 

“”For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Matthew 6:8 NKJV

And God says:

“It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.”

Isaiah 10:27 NKJV

What seems like forever for us as we wait on God will be completely turned around in a moment of time.

“I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.””

Isaiah 60:22 NIV

You are literally one Amen away! One hallelujah closer! Don’t give up or give in. Don’t settle or compromise. God’s complete and total restoration is right there and you are on the brink of your miracle! 

You can run this race, God Will provide the strength, and with Jesus by your side you will see victory! I declare it in the Name of Jesus over you and your family! 

“Don’t give up you’re on the brink of a miracle. Don’t give up God IS Still on the Throne. Don’t give up you’re on the brink of your miracle. Don’t give up, remember you’re not alone!”

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

In Jesus Name -Amen

• Pastor Doug

Commit

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Colossians 3:17 NKJV

   Commit everything you say and do to the Lord. Sometimes the practical application of this verse may seem tough. We tend to compartmentalize God in our lives for certain situations or settings. The world has definitely drawn the line between God and everything else. The same talking heads we see in the media try to convince us that God has His place in the world but it isn’t in school, sports, politics, corporate America, law making, biology and a host of other places.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”

Colossians 3:23 NKJV

   Everything you say and do matters to God. There is no separation between work, home, church, school or whatever. As a child of God we are called to represent Jesus in all aspects of our life. We do not work for men we work for God.

Jesus said:

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.””

Luke 9:25-27 NKJV

   Let your words and actions in all situations reflect the One you belong to.

“because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.””

I Peter 1:16 NKJV

   Holy means to be set apart, to be devoted to God and the things of God. Like I covered a couple of days ago, we are just visiting here our home is with our Father.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

John 14:2 NKJV

   In the meantime God expects you to:

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

I Peter 2:13-17 NKJV

   Obedience to God is paramount. God wants us to obey Him above any other sacrifice we can make.

“So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”

I Samuel 15:22 NKJV

   Obedience means to be Holy against the pressure and influence of the world. Being obedient to God will separate you from the world, now more than ever.

   Jesus said it this way:

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Matthew 16:24 NKJV

   Jesus went to the cross for our Salvation and sacrificed Himself to atone for our sins. He also wanted to be obedient to His Father.

“And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.””

Mark 14:36 NKJV

   Jesus crucified His flesh in the wilderness when the devil tempted Him and sacrificed Himself publicly on the cross for us.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV

   Put God first in all you say and do:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33 NKJV

And:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

   God, give us the strength to crucify the flesh today. To be obedient to You. Lord help us to reflect Your Son Jesus in all that we say and do. Grant us the wisdom to put You first before we speak and to acknowledge You in our words and deeds. Lord, as we used to sing in church “Let me be a sacrifice holy and acceptable.” In Jesus Name - Amen

   May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen

• Pastor Doug

Shield of faith

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV

We’ve all read the passages about the Whole Armor of God. We’ve heard it preached from time to time. Not to minimize any part of the whole I do want to focus on:

“above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

Ephesians 6:16 NKJV

God says “above all, taking the Shield of Faith” and then mentions the “fiery darts” or arrows. 

In battle fiery darts (arrows) were not used just to kill. As they were shot into enemy camps or villages they were used to set fire to whatever they stuck into. They were as much of a psychological weapon as a physical one. Fires would start and spread causing chaos, fear, and disorientation. They were used to stop the opposition from advancing and escaping. This might have been a medieval tool but it’s still being used today. 

The enemy is firing arrows into the world all around us. Into our families, homes, jobs, and lives. Through social media, television, music, the news, and the political talking heads everything in the world today seems upside down, backwards and distorted. 

We get distracted and disoriented focusing on this wide spread chaos and feel like we are pinned down with nowhere to go. Morality, truth, right and wrong, justice, fairness, family, and love have all been set ablaze. 

We are constantly being distracted from the truth and the reality of what is really going on.

It’s a kind of mental conditioning that lulls you into believing that things aren’t that bad. 

Some people call it “drinking the kool-aide”. The Bible says:

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!”

Isaiah 5:20-21 NKJV

We can get so distracted by all the fiery darts and arrows being shot into our lives and smoke and fire breaking out all around us that we lose sight of the reason for the distraction. The frontal assault, God warns us about this: 

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

I Peter 5:8 NKJV

But God says:

“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

I Peter 5:9 NKJV

The Bible IS the Word of God. It’s timeless, it’s the Living Word, and it’s always relevant. God saw all of this unfolding from the beginning of time and wanted us to be prepared and well-armed.

“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.””

II Peter 3:3-4 NKJV

As if ripped from today’s headlines God said:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

II Timothy 3:1-7 NKJV

It’s everywhere you look just as God said it would be. This is your call to arms! This is where the battle lines are drawn. The enemy has been exposed and his plans discovered. 

Today reset your focus on God. He is your King, Commander, Father, Healer, Source, Strength, Shelter and Provider. He will lead us out. 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 NKJV

“that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

I Corinthians 2:5 NKJV

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20 NKJV

Today I pray that you take up the Shield of Faith. The Faith that can move mountains. The Faith that can snuff out the fiery darts and bring your focus back to your Source, Jesus and the Word of God. He will lead you out. He will touch you and heal you. He will give you peace in the chaos. He will give you hope in the storm. I pray God through the Holy Spirit would increase your faith and your shield would grow. That you would turn off the noise and remember the things of God. Focus on the Truth and what is right:

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””

John 8:32 NKJV

Christians it’s time! 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

Strap up your shield you mighty men and women of God the battle is at hand! 

In Jesus Name -Amen

May the Lord Bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen

-        Pastor Doug

Arise, Shine!

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”

Isaiah 60:1 NKJV

The Bible tells us to meditate on God's word day and night:

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Joshua 1:8 NKJV

But, it's not enough to know the Word, we must be doers of the Word. If Christ lives in us and we abide in Him then it would only be natural that it would show outwardly. Like hair color or eye color or facial features that we get from our Mom or Dad. Sometimes people will say that a person walks or talks like someone they are directly related to. It's family traits that carry on through generations. 

God should have the same effect on His children. We should remind people of Who we belong to. We should strive to reflect Jesus to the point where people know Jesus in the way we speak and act. We should reflect His words and heart so those around us feel His presence when we are with them. 

The moon doesn't create its own light, it reflects the sun. In the same way we should reflect the Son, Jesus.

““You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

Today I pray for favor, for the expanding of territories. I pray for healing and health. I pray for a fresh anointing on your life. I pray for peace, strength and comfort. I pray that you will be a living testimony to the greatness of God. I pray that He would so fill you with the Holy Spirit that you are incapable of holding it all and it would run over, spill out, and reflect Jesus in you for all to see. 

In Jesus Name- Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

In Jesus Name - Amen

-Pastor Doug

No Condemnation

One of the biggest attacks brought against the people of God is the lie that you’re not good enough. The devil plants the seed of this lie in our minds to make us walk in self-condemnation and doubt. People feel inadequate, believing they are not good enough to be a Christian. Some even walk away from the faith.
But it is a lie and a big one at that.

”There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.“
Romans 8:1 NKJV

The truth is that by and of ourselves, nobody measures up to the standard of God. The scripture tells us,

”As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”“
Romans 3:10-12 NKJV

We must learn that when we come to Christ, God does not condemn us. In Jesus Christ, we are reconciled to God, and we have peace with God since He forgives our sins. God accepts people as they are and where they are.

1 ”Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.“
Romans 5:1-11 NKJV

You are good enough because God has said so. Faith in Jesus Christ makes you good enough.

It is by faith and the grace of God that you are saved and by which you will receive the gift of eternal life. It is not by works of any kind or any personal goodness that you may desire or perceive others have that you do not.

The basis of salvation is faith, and your faith in Jesus Christ makes you good enough.

31 ”What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Romans 8:31-39 NKJV

You are a child of God, one of His elect, and as the scripture says, “Who shall bring any charge against the elect of God?”

Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Nobody can condemn the people of God because God said so.

5 ”which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
II Thessalonians 1:5-8 NKJV

You are made worthy by God in Jesus Christ by faith, and no one can change that. Your worthiness is not earned, it is given to you by God, and nothing and no one can take it away.

If God is for us, then who is powerful enough to stand against Him and say you’re not good enough?

8 ”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.“
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

Do not fall for the lie that you are not good enough. It is an attack of the devil to try to take you away and separate you from the love of God and Jesus Christ. Instead, accept that God has made you good enough and give Him thanks for His love and this astounding gift.

Remember always that you are a child of God. God has made you good enough, and not even you can say the opposite.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen

Maybe you are unsure where you stand with God. Maybe you’ve never really given yourself to Him or maybe it’s been a long time since you have and you just want to be sure. We all have issues. We are all broken in some way. We all fall short every single day. We are all sinners. Today, let’s start fresh. Let’s give it ALL to God once and for all and receive the precious free gift of salvation.

Pray with me:

Lord God, I thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ.
I believe that He died and rose again just for me. Lord, I repent of my sin and I turn to You.
I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

• Pastor Doug

The way that seems right

”There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. “

Proverbs 16:25 NKJV

There comes a point in most people’s lives when they have to come to grips with the fact that their way of doing things is just not working. For some it comes in time for them to course correct and others are lost forever. 

”Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.

Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! “

Luke 15:11-17 NKJV

Notice the course correction “But when he came to himself”. When he found himself in dire straits feeding hogs while he himself was starving, he snapped out of the delusion that his way was the right way.

Why do we wait so long before we decide that God knows what He is doing? 

”“Your ways and your doings have procured these things for you. This is your wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reaches to your heart.”“

Jeremiah 4:18 NKJV

Let’s look at Thomas:

”Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “

John 14:5-6 NKJV

Thomas knew Jesus. He just didn't realize Jesus was The Way. Likewise, people today know portions of God's Word but don't realize that God's Word is their way to victory. 

People cry out for God to speak to them while their Bible lays unopened on their nightstand. God has spoken to us through His Word. We must believe it and receive its truths as The Way to victory.

”O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. “

Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV

”Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. “

Psalms 119:105 NKJV

The Word of God was written under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It was not written for “head knowledge”, but to the innermost part of our hearts. This is why some people find the Bible so hard to understand. They are trying to comprehend it using only their mind. The Word of God has to inspire our hearts before it can enlighten our minds.

”I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. “

Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV

A new Spirit:

”For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”“

Luke 12:12 NKJV

”If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. “

Galatians 5:25 NKJV

”For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. “

Romans 8:14 NKJV

It’s time to get serious about God. Time to quit relying on what you think you know and really get to know about God. 

Dig into The Word and really listen to what God has to say about you and your situation. 

”For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. “

Romans 8:15-17 NKJV

God wrote a book, just one. 

”All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. “

II Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

If your way of doing things isn’t working, isn’t getting you where you need to go, you have reached the crossroads. Continue in the bondage of believing you can do this on your own or surrender to Jesus and be free.

”Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, “

I Peter 5:6 NKJV

”Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. “

Romans 8:26-27 NKJV

There IS freedom and victory in Jesus!

”Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. “

John 8:36 NKJV

All the answers are in The Word. Seek and you WILL find!

”“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “

Luke 11:9 NKJV

Come to yourself! Snap out of it!

”Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. “

Isaiah 30:21 NKJV

”In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. “

Proverbs 3:6 NKJV

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

In Jesus Name - Amen 

-        Pastor Doug

Barrel of monkeys

Did you ever have or play the game Barrel of Monkeys? 

The game is simple. You pour out the barrel full of plastic monkeys on the table. Each plastic monkey has hooks for hands. Players hold one arm of a monkey and use the other arm to build a chain of monkeys, one at a time. The intent is to make the chain as long as you can.

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

John 19:30 NKJV

The fact of the matter is, the war is over as Jesus said “It is finished!” Once and for all the atonement for our sins was made through Jesus The Son of God. 

“Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Luke 10:2 NKJV

Our job, our mission is a mop job to rescue as many as we can. We are the laborers wading out into the harvest of humanity to rescue and recover.

Jesus said:

““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”

Luke 15:4 NKJV

Reaching the “lost” is our primary mission. 

“And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Luke 15:5-7 NKJV

In the bible, there’s a story about a tax collector named Zacchaeus. In biblical times, tax collectors were despised and considered to be some of the worst sinners, selfishly making money from whoever they wanted.

“Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.”

Luke 19:2-3 NKJV

“So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.””

Luke 19:4-5 NKJV

Zacchaeus encountered Jesus' kindness and later in this story, Zacchaeus says:

“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.””

Luke 19:8 NKJV

Jesus replies:

“And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.””

Luke 19:9-10 NKJV

As Christians we are called to be like Christ. We are called to love, forgive and accept those who are lost. To search for and rescue the lost sheep and bring them into the fold. We are called to plant the seeds of salvation and introduce people to Jesus.

We are called to leave no one behind, just like Jesus did to Zacchaeus! For many of us, it would have been so easy to overlook Zacchaeus (literally and socially) but Jesus shows us a great example of how we can make sure no one gets left behind - even the most unpopular person.

Just like in the Barrel of Monkeys game we are called to reach out to the lost, pull them out of their present situation and lift them up. There is a great quote from the movie Backdraft where two firefighters are hanging over a huge hole in the floor of a burning building and below them the next floor is engulfed in flames. 

The hero has one hand holding onto a steel beam and the other hand is holding onto the other fireman as they dangle above the raging inferno. The hero (Kurt Russell) says “If you go, we go”! 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

John 3:16-17 NKJV

Our job is to hold on! Hold on to Jesus and reach out with our other hand and rescue others. Jesus will Never let go!

We must bring the good news of Jesus and how He is the hope of the world. So, I encourage you to step out in faith and make His Name known during times where there is a loss of hope. 

Be the guiding light that brings people out of the darkness. We know our God, and we trust in Him wholeheartedly because we know He has gone before us and that His love never fails. 

During times of uncertainty, we must remember that God holds us in His hands, He will protect us and therefore we need not be fearful or afraid.

“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.”

Psalms 73:23 NKJV

And:

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”

Psalms 46:1-2 NKJV

Lord, thank You for being our immovable rock in a changing landscape. You are constant and You are good especially when our circumstances are inconsistent and uncertain. We depend on You. 

We proclaim the Truth of Your Word over our lives and into the lives of others. We look to You for provision and peace. Help us to share the Hope we have in You to a world seeking the truth. 

Give us the opportunity and strength to reach out and rescue as many as we are able for the Glory of Your Kingdom in Jesus Name - Amen

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

In Jesus Name - Amen

-        Pastor Doug