Encouraging Words by Pastor Rod
Recent Posts
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Know When To Speak ... Know When To Shut Up!
Posted by Rod Thelander
Rod ThelanderLoving God & Lifting People!!!User is currently offlineI have known many people over the years who take pride in the thought that they just "tell it like it is" or "they speak the truth". And they often make it known that they don't really care what people think of what they say, after all, it is "the truth" (in their humble opinion). Sometimes people like this make me ... angry, confused, hurt, etc.I have discovered in my own life that if I just say everything that I feel or think, I can actually make others feel ... angry, confused, hurt, etc. I heard years ago that just because something may be true, does not mean it needs to be told to everyone! I need to ask myself some key questions before speaking:- Is it true?
- Is it helpful or hurtful?
- Is the timing right for me to say it?
- Is it going to edify/build up the person I am saying it to?
Paul wrote these words to the Ephesians: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Eph. 4:29)My friend, sometimes knowing when not to speak is more important than knowing what to speak.Let's make sure that with our words, we are LOVING GOD & LIFTING PEOPLE!!!Pastor RodJun 12 -
God's Love For YOU!
Posted by Rod ThelanderRod ThelanderLoving God & Lifting People!!!User is currently offlineMax Lucado wrote a book entitled, "You Are Special". In that book he tells a story of a man named Punchinello, a wooden person who lived in a village of wooden people. The villagers had a practice of sticking stars on "achievers" and dots on "strugglers". Punchinello had so many dots that the people started giving him dots for no reason at all.But then he met Eli, his maker, and Eli affirmed him, telling him to disregard the opinions of others. "I made you," he explained, "and I don't make mistakes." Punchinello had never heard such words. When he did, his dots began to drop off.When this story was shared in a Chinese orphanage where the children had been told that they "did not matter" because they were different or handicapped, something amazing began to happen. As the missionary read this story to the children and they began to hear this message that they did matter, their lives began to change. When the idea came through in the reading that they were "special" simply because they were created by a loving Creator ... everyone started cryinig -- including their teachers! It was amazing to see the transformation in these children as they began to realize that they were loved and that they were special.My friend, I want to remind you today, on the authority of God's word, that YOU ARE SPECIAL! If you will open your bible and begin to read of how much God loves you it will transform your life. Refuse to listen to the lies of the Enemy, and choose to listen to the truth of God's Word. Build your life on the truth and remember that God's opinion of you is the only opinion that really counts!"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken ... says the Lord." (Isa. 54:10)Loving God & Lifting People!!!Pastor RodJun 05 -
God Is Able!
Posted by Rod ThelanderRod ThelanderLoving God & Lifting People!!!User is currently offlineHave you ever stopped to think that perhaps the reason we don’t turn to God more often is because at some basic level we are not “fully convinced” that He is able and willing to move on our behalf??? Being able to admit that to yourself is humbling. It may also be the point at which you begin to deal with your lack of faith in God.
Nothing will change in your life until you pray, “Lord, help me!” When we says things with our lips and then don’t follow through with our behavior, nothing is going to change. Once you begin to be honest with God and with yourself you are ready for some real change. Then as you read through your bible, you can rediscover that God is able and willing to help you!
He is able to provide for you when you are in the wilderness. He is able to defeat the giants in your life. He is able take you through the fiery trials of your life and bring you out in victory. He is able to promote you when you have been overlooked by others.
Consider these two verses prayerfully and see what God does in your life:
“Being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (Rom. 4:21)
“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.” (Eph. 3:20)
My friend, GOD IS ABLE! Whatever it takes to own those words in your life, do it!
Loving God & Lifting People!!!
Pastor Rod
May 29 -
Look The Right Way
Posted by Rod ThelanderRod ThelanderLoving God & Lifting People!!!User is currently offlineThe way we see life is so important to how we live life. One writer said it this way: "The Christian life is not primarily a set of beliefs, a collection of prayers, or a series of rituals. The Christian life is first and foremost a way of seeing. It does not change the facts about the world we live in, but it can change the way we see those facts, and that in itself can make a real difference."When the Israelite people stood before the Red Sea after leaving Egypt, they saw Pharoah's army coming up behind them and they saw themselves as doomed and done in. They saw themselves as trapped, pinned in, cornered. They saw their situation as hopeless and were certain that they were about to die! Their problem was that they were looking the wrong way!Moses was there and he saw something completely different. He turned his face toward God and he saw an incredible and exciting new opportunity. Moses did not look back, he looked forward. He did not look at the strength of Pharoah's army, he looked to the power of God. He did not look to the past, he looked to the future. And because Moses looked the right way, he was able to say to the people of God ... "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today ... the Lord will fight for you." (Ex. 14:13-14)Well, you know the rest of the story! God's people did go forward and God went before them. He opened the sea and led them to safety and freedom on the other side. My friend, God comes to His people in their time of need. God saves them, protects them, and delivers them. And He will do that for you, if you will put your trust in Him -- and "look the right way!"Loving God & Lifting People!!!Pastor RodMay 15 -
You Are God's Masterpiece!
Posted by Rod ThelanderRod ThelanderLoving God & Lifting People!!!User is currently offlineDid you know that the bible says that you are "God's masterpiece"? You are created by God and with a purpose and a plan. Let me ask you this question, are you comfortable in your own skin? Do you recognize that you are a "treasure" made by God Almighty? Or are you constantly looking for approval and the acceptance of others? Are you spending time and effort trying to out-dress or out-perform your co-worker or friends?
Friend, it is time to let all of that go. Comparison is a distraction. Comparison is a thief. It steals your time, energy, focus and joy. You were not created to impress anybody, and you don't have to prove anything to anyone. You are God's special workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He prepared in advance for you to do!
If you will choose to stay free from a spirit of competition and comparison you will be much happier and healthier. Run the race that has been marked out for YOU! Don't try to run someone else's race for them. You will experience the blessing and favor of God and move forward into the life of victory that He has provided for you!
Loving God & Lifting People!!!
Pastor Rod
May 08 -
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Preaching Sunday : Amer Khokhar