Have 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

Did 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

I have often confessed that one of my greatest temptations is the temptation to fear. Fear always presents itself much bigger than it really is. It is always focused on the worst case scenario. It always tries to get you worried, anxious, uptight and panicked. Fear’s goal is to separate you from God by trying to get you to doubt His Word.

My friend, when the spirit of fear comes to you, recognize that it has no power unless you give it power. Don’t give it power by speaking what fear speaks. Don’t give it power by meditating on it. Instead, let the power of the Word of God rise up within you. Declare what God says, and declare that God has given you all authority in heaven and earth. Declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper.

Remember, no matter how big fear presents itself, it is no match for the power of Almighty God. When you yield yourself to Him, you tap into His power. Greater is HE that is in you than he that is in the world. God is bigger than your problems and bigger than fear. Let faith rise up in your heart because faith is the victory that overcomes the world! Oh my friend, love drives out fear! So rather than living in fear, experience the love of God and break free from fear!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

We live in a busy and fast paced society.  I've noticed a natural
progression in my life when I get "too busy" and I've seen it in others
as well.  It goes something like this:

     When I get busy, I pick up the pace even more.
     When I pick up the pace, I feel hurried.
     When I feel hurried, I get impatient and angry.
     When I get impatient, I see people as obstacles or intrusions.
     When I see people as obstacles, I act in an "Un-Christ-Like" way!

I don't tend to treat people the way they deserve to be treated when I am
too busy.  God knows that we are NOT at our best when our lives are out
of control with busy-ness.  That is why He created us with the idea of
Sabbath in mind from the very beginning.  God speaks very clearly and
specifically about the need for us to slow down and focus on a regular
basis.  If you look at the very first Sabbath in Genesis 2:2 you can see
three very simple and profound principles that will help us to be
better managers of our time.

1. God Finished = STOP the Work! 
God was not finished working as in that He would never work again.  But he
purposely stopped the work -- even though there was still much to be
done!  We must do the same!
2. God Rested = Change the Pace! 
God did not rest because He was tired, but He was initiating a change of
pace, He was breaking the pattern.  The seventh day was different than
the first six and that is clear.  Sabbath is about not only stopping the
work, but also changing the pace and breaking up the routine of life.
3. God Blessed = Let God fill you up!
To bless here means to infuse it, to pour into it God's grace and
goodness.  If work is fundamentally about an outpouring of effort on our
part; then sabbath is fundamentally about God pouring into us and
filling us afresh and anew with His goodness and grace!

I don't know about you, but I need to hear that and I need God to help me to
remember the importance of a regular Sabbath in my life!  Stop the Work,
Change the Pace, and Be Filled Up with God's grace and goodness!  If
you will follow God's principles, you will be blessed beyond what you
can imagine!  You need a day off, it is up to you to take it!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

There is an old story that has been around for many years and I have
heard many different versions of this particular story. It is the story
of how to catch or trap a monkey by placing some fruit or nuts into a
jar with a narrow neck. When the monkey reaches his hand into the jar to
grasp the treat, he makes a fist and cannot get his hand out of the
jar. However, he will not let go of the desired goodie! What a great
story and what a great illustration of some profound life truths.

 


Here are a couple of questions to consider: Was the monkey too stubborn
or too stupid to let go? It really doesn’t matter, because the result
was the same = monkey stew! Did the monkey have the treat or did the
treat have the monkey? There are so many things in life that will bind
you and capture you if you refuse to let them go. As long as you hold
onto them, their power over you will continue. It is only in letting go
that you can become truly free!
 
What is it in your life that
is making a monkey out of you? My friend, true freedom does not come
from hanging on; it comes from letting go. True freedom comes from total
surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Is there something you need to
surrender to Him? Surrender is a voluntary acknowledgement that there is
a God and that it is NOT you! If you want to be truly free today, then
you need to make the decision to let God be in control of your life!

 
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free ...”         (Gal. 5:1)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

One leader writes: "Little did I realize that when I started with a desire to add significance to others, that it would add significance to me."  In other words, when I choose to bless the lives of others, then my life will be blessed!  The truth is, we should not receive anything without giving and we cannot give anything without receiving.  As God's people we are all about loving and lifting those around us.  If you want to experience true joy and fulfillment in your life then give yourself to blessing others!

You may not feel like you can do much and you may feel intimidated by all the needs around you.  I encourage you to
start small and do something.  Don't try to help everyone, but help someone for God's sake!  I love the quote of Mother Teresa when she said, "In this life we cannot always do great things, but we can always do small things with great love." 

That is the call of God on your life and mine as His children, to be busy about the business of doing small things with great love!  My friend, God has blessed you and given you life so that you can bless others and give life to them.  I was so proud
of Patrick, Jim, and Willard who gave of themselves this past Saturday to help move a precious lady in need.  They were truly Jesus to this dear woman who was recently widowed.  No lights or fanfare, just Christ in the flesh helping to move a lonely lady in need.  O God, help us all to be more like Jesus everyday in the small things as well as they big.  And help us to remember that though we may not always be doing great things, we can always be doing small things with great love!

Loving God IS Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I realize that most of us are not used to the image of God throwing a
big party.  It seems to contradict the "seriousness" that we so often
attach to God.  But when I think about the ways that Jesus describes the
Kingdom of God, a joyful banquet is often at the center of it all. 
Jesus says, "Many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham
and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven."  And He
compares the Kingdom of Heaven with a wedding feast offered by the king
to his son. 

I also think of the parable of the prodigal son,
Jesus expresses here the great desire of his Father to offer his
children a banquet to celebrate the coming home of his son who was
lost.  Even though there were those who did not want to "party", Jesus
invites those who are willing to come and rejoice!  Come and feast at
the table.  This invitation to a meal is an invitation to intimacy with
God. 

And at the last of the New Testament, God's ultimate
victory is described as a splendid wedding feast: "The reign of the Lord
our God Almighty has begun; let us be glad and joyful and give glory to
God, because this is the time for the marriage of the Lamb . . .
blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb . .
."

My friend, I believe God is the author of joy and celebration
and as His children we have so much to celebrate!  God offers us His
love, His forgiveness and cleansing, His joy, His power, and His wisdom
-- rejoice and be glad!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I was reading in the Psalms yesterday and came across that very familiar verse that says; "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord" (Ps. 19:14).  The Psalmist had just finished talking about the incredible power of God's Word in our lives and how he wants to use His Word to revive our soul, to make the simple wise, and to bring joy to our hearts!  Then he goes on to remind us how powerful our own words are in the lives of those who hear them.

One writer put it this way: "A careless word may kindle strife, a cruel word may wreck a life.  A gracious word may soothe the way, a joyous word may light the day.  A timely word may lessen stress, a loving word may heal and bless."  Simply said, our words are so powerful.  They have the power and ability to bring hope to the hopeless and healing to those who are hurting.  They also have the power to discourage, defeat, and depress.  As you and I live our lives with a purpose of Loving God and Lifting People, we must measure our words carefully.  As Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers: "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" (4:29).

I want to encourage you to use your words today to help build people's faith, especially for those who are battling doubts and fears.  Let your words be comforting, especially to those who have been wounded and are hurting.  Speak words of encouragement and blessing to those who are discouraged by criticism.  May God use the words that we speak to truly lift those who need a lift!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Someone once said that personal happiness is most easily gained by bringing happiness to others. I like that saying and I believe it. Happiness may be fleeting and temporary, but we all want to be happy, and that is ok as long as we don’t depend on the emotion of happiness like an extreme athlete depends on adrenaline. Whether we depend on cars, homes, clothes, a raise or a good meal – our happiness meter is going to jump all over the place as these things come and go.
A better way to gain happiness is to do things for other people. Your spouse, your children, your parents, your coworkers, your school buddies, the clerk at the store, or even a stranger on the street. Find someone and do something to bring joy and happiness to their life – and the happiest person around will be you! As you give of yourself to make others happy, your happiness will turn to joy! When we make a difference in the lives of others, we make our own lives different – for the better!
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others before your self. And each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4)

Loving God IS Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Have you ever been in a situation where you were tempted to do wrong, and it seemed as though no one would ever know if you did?  Satan is good at making us feel that way even though it is a deception.  Peter was a night shift stock boy and worked in the local grocery store.  His boss had instructed them how to do the job properly with specific detail.  However, at night when no one was around, the other workers told him he didn't have to do it that way.  They told him he could take a short-cut and no one would ever know or care. It was a moment of decision for the teenager. 

Should he obey what his boss told him, or just do what everyone else was doing? The Apostle Paul encouraged his fellow believers to be obedient even when no one was watching: "... obey in all things ... not as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, and desiring to please God" (Col. 3:22).

Doing the right thing should not depend on whether our employer is around or if anyone else is watching.  The Lord is always watching!  It is not always easy or convenient to be obedient.  It is always the right thing to do and the safe thing to do!  Remember that character is measured by what we do when no one is looking!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

You need to think about what you think about.  There are many people who never reach their full potential in life because they have negative thinking patterns.  You cannot think negative thoughts and expect to live a positive life.  You can't think thoughts of failure and expect to succeed.  Your life will follow your thoughts!  If you are constantly seeing the worst in every situation, you may not realize it, but you are drawing in more negative input like a huge magnet.  You will continually attract what you are thinking about.

I am not saying that there is not a lot of negative stuff that happens in life.  I am saying that you don't have to focus on the negative, you can choose to focus on the positive!  The scripture says, "Set your minds and keep them set on . . . the higher things" (Col. 3:2; Amp.).

Don't magnify your problems, magnify God!  The more you realize how big your God is, the smaller your problems become.  Quit dwelling on what is wrong with your life and start dwelling on what is right in your life!  In other words, start thinking about what you are thinking about!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod       

Have you ever felt like the journey you are travelling is impossible for you?  It is too steep and too difficult.  There are too many curves and unexpected barriers to overcome.  I don't have the strength or the wisdom necessary to keep going.  Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed with sadness today?  Or you might be facing incredible stress at home or work?  Maybe you have a wayward child or a dependent parent that is causing you to have a heavy heart?  Whatever it is that you may be facing in your journey, God knows all about it and He is with you. 

Many times in life we seem to think that we know better than HE does, but the scripture reminds us that God knows our path and He has promised to be with us every step of the way!  "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path" (Ps. 142:3).  Our Father in Heaven knows best what path we need to take in life to become the best that we can be.  His ways are higher than ours and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  As I follow the path that He has marked out for me, and do so in total trust and surrender, He will make a way where there seems to be no way.  He is wiser and more loving than we can ever know.  He will never lead us astray.  God loves you my friend, and He is for you and not against you!  Keep looking up and keep moving forward!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Have you noticed that when we've been through tials and tough times it has a tendency to lower our expectations?  As a result I have a feeling that we end up settling for less than what God had planned for us.  The Bible tells us that there is nothing too hard for the Lord (Gen. 18:14).  The reality is that how we live our lives in the tough times reveals whether we really believe that text or not!  Jesus said, "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them" (John 13:17).  To walk in God's blessing you and I must do what He tells us.

When God decided to use Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses never questioned God's ability to do it, he questioned whether God could do it through him!  What was God's response when Moses complained that he wasn't articulate enough?  God said, "Go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Ex. 4:12).

My friend, God is neither enhanced by your strengths nor inhibited by your struggles.  There is more that He wants to do through you than you could ever imagine.  God knows that you are His unique and wonderful creation and He has a huge plan to use you for His purposes.  He loves you and longs for you to love Him and to lift others!  So don't lower your expectations, raise them up and keep your eyes on the Lord!  He is our God of victory and His Love NEVER FAILS!  To God be the glory!  Hallelujah, I think I am about to get blessed!  I love you my friend and you are a blessing to me and to others!  Let's keep . . .

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I read something recently that really made me chuckle, not so much because it was funny, but because it was profound. Here it is, "Did you think Satan was going to send you a congratulatory text because you decided to serve the Lord and do the right thing?" Not a chance! The walk of faith and obedience is one of delight -- and difficulty. When you signed on for the first, you signed on for the second as well.

Paul was one of the most successful missionaries and church planters to ever live. But he ended up in prison on trumped-up charges and was left there to rot. How did he respond??? He wrote these words; "Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice!" (Phil. 4:4) How can you rejoice when you are in prison? When you see your disappointments as God's appointments, then you start to understand its purpose.

Paul had some books that needed to be written, so God got him "off the road". Listen to what he wrote from that prison cell ... "I want you to know... that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence to speak God's message without fear." (Phi. 1:12-14)

My friend as you love God and lifte people, hidden in the disappointments of your life, you will find treasures of truth that will literally transform your life and your future! Keep trusting the Lord and know that He is working in all things for your good and His glory!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

When Jesus told us to love one another He used a word for love that basically means "to nurture".  Think of the love that a mother has for her child; her love is constant and her greatest desire for that child is that they should thrive and experience health and success.  People all around you today need to be loved, they need to be nurtured.  They need to be accepted, affirmed, appreciated, and acknowledged.  Just like you and just like me!  You and I are called to love people and to lift them.  The devil and the world are in the business of beating people down.  As followers of Christ we are called to love and lift!

Most people today don't need a critic, they need a cheerleader!  When you nurture them and lift them they will welcome you to speak into their lives -- and they will listen.  One person said, "Correction does much, but encouragement does much, much more."  I want to encourage you today to think encouraging thoughts and to speak encouraging words to people.  Look for ways to lift others up and to be a blessing to them.  Make it the purpose of your day to be a blessing to others and to make their day!

"Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things!"  (Phil. 4:8)

Loving God IS Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

While reading in Ephesians this morning I came across a phrase that I'm not sure I had ever noticed before. Paul is encouraging people to serve Christ and almost in passing he says, "doing the will of God from your heart." I think that is a very important concept for us to consider. What I really believe Paul is saying is that our lives in Christ must be based on our will and not on our emotions and feelings. We are so accustomed to considering the state of our emotions, how we feel, as being the deciding test of our faith; rather than considering the setting of our will as that test.

As human beings we put too much emphasis on our feelings and not enough focus on the setting of our will. In other words, focus on the fact that you have made the decision to live your life as a child of God. Focus on the fact that He loves you! Focus on the fact that He is for you and not against you! Focus on the promises of His word and not on the negative circumstances of your life. Focus on how big your God is and not on how big your problems are.

Set your heart to love God and do His will. Make up your mind that you are going to serve the Lord and be a blessing to His people. Determine that you will not give in to the accusations, insinuations, and temptations of the enemy; but that you will trust in the Lord and live by faith in His glorious promises to you! Remember that in Christ you are amazing, you are inspiring, and your are unstopable!!! Resist the devil and resist the feelings you may have that cause you to question God's love and provision for you. Simply do the will of God from the heart!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Paul was anything but a quitter! He wrote these words, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Over the years of my journey I have discovered that very few things are more important to my success than perseverance. I not only want to be a good starter, I want to be a strong finisher. When the odds are against you and the results are not what you had hoped for and it seems like success is impossible, you must refuse to quit and you must keep moving ahead.

Admiral Robert Peary attempted to reach the North Pole seven times before he finally succeeded. Oscar Hammerstein produced five shows on Broadway that were flops before staging "Oklahoma", which was seen by almost five million people during a record-breaking run of 2,212 performances. Ralph Waldo Emmerson said, "The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings." Are you a starter? Or are you a finisher???

Quitting is more about who you are, than where you are or what you are facing. The truth is, external things don't stop us. What stops us is what goes on inside of us. And the truth is that most of us stop ourselves from reaching our true potential. You must have a commitment to pursue your dream with patience and conviction one day at a time. The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying! I want to encourage you today to love God with all your heart and find someone that you can lift and encourage. Today is the greatest day of your life, enjoy it and make the most of it!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

David committed adultery with another man's wife, got her pregnant, then arranged to have her husband killed in an attempt to cover it all up. Then he married her and thought everything would be okay. But it wasn't! The child became critically ill. Desperately wanting to save the baby's life, David fasted and prayed and went into depression. The bible says that the elders of his household stood beside him and tried to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food (2 Sam. 12:16-17). In spite of all that David tried to do, the child died.

Why did God let this happen? That is one of those questions that for which I don't have a good answer. But one thing we learn as we read the rest of the story is this: when you have repented of your sin and received God's forgiveness, you must get up and go on with your life. And that is what David did: "Then David got up from the ground ... washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes...went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and ... they served him food, and he ate." (2 Sam. 12:20). Let me share a couple of important truths from this very important period in David's life that we all need to remember:

• When you sin, you must confess it and make it right with God and those you have hurt.
• Once you have done that you need to process your own emotions in a healthy way.
• And then you are ready to move forward with your life...get up and get on with life!

I have often said to people who have become discouraged and full of despair because they feel like a failure that just because you get a flat tire on your car doesn't mean you quit driving. You fix the flat and get on down the road! Perhaps today you feel like giving up? You feel like you are a failure in your spiritual journey? My friend, don't give up -- God loves you and He is for you and not against you! Receive a fresh outpouring of His love and grace and move forward. After all that David experienced the bible says that he was "a man after God's own heart"! You can be a man or woman after God's own heart as well. It is no disgrace to get knocked down, it is only a disgrace if you stay down. Get up and get on with your life!!!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

No matter how much you love God and how spiritually mature you may be, you will never get to a place in your spiritual journey where you will not face temptation. In fact, the closer you get to God the more Satan will try to tempt you. The devil knows that whatever can grab our attention can capture us. Ever see a sign that says, "Wet Paint -- Do Not Touch"? What is the first thing you want to do? Or when the server at the restaraunt tells you that your plate is hot, you gotta touch it just to make sure she knows what she is talking about, right?

Here is my point today. When you are tempted it is an attempt on the part of the Enemy to capture your attention and to get you to focus on something negative and destructive. When that happens it is not enough to simply resist the temptation to evil. To simply say to yourself, "I must stop smoking, or drinking, or lusting, or overeating ..." is not enough. In fact, the more you focus on the problem the more it captures your attention! As one man said, "Fighting a thought is futile; it only strengthens the connection between you and it." By dwelling on it you actually reinforce it. You must not only resist the temptation, you need to go to the next step and replace the evil thought with a good thought! Replace the destructive action with a constructive action!

In other words, you must not only resist the temptation to evil; but you must refocus your attention on something good, positive, and wholesome! Do not be overcome by evil, but OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD! Instead of simply resisting negative and destructive thoughts, replace the negative with positive and refocus your attention on things that are helpful to others and that will honor God! Instead of trying to simply resist tempting thoughts replace them. Once your focus is on something good, evil begins to lose its grip!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Are you going through a time in your life where you feel like every time you try to move forward you come up against an obstacle?  Something comes along and tries to divert you and distract you from your purpose.  I want to encourage you today, God is working in ways that you and I are not even aware of and He is working to make the "crooked places straight" (Isa. 45:2).  You may be going through a tough time right now, but God is with you and He is for you and He will provide you with all you need to come through with victory in your life!

Today, if you feel like giving up because of the circumstances of your life, DON'T do it!  Don't look at the circumstances of your life, look at the promises of God.  If you will focus on His promises and keep speaking words of faith to your circumstances, God will anoint your head with oil and fill your cup to overflowing!  You will be refreshed and anointed to do what He has called you to do.

When you are facing the challenges of life and you feel like giving up, check your attitude, and if necessary, change your attitude!  Don't go around in a negative state of mind complaining and focusing on the negative things.  Put on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving and give God the glory for the good things in life.  Keep your focus on how awesome God really is and you will be amazed and how your problems will take on their proper perspective.  God is for you my friend and He will take care of you as you learn to trust Him and walk in faith.

Loving God IS Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I just returned from a trip to Olathe where we elected a new president for Mid-America Nazarene University.  It was a wonderful experience for me personally as a rookie member on the Board of Trustees at MNU.  However, it was an intense and very challenging day.  I am happy to report that God led us and we have elected a very godly and experienced man to lead our university into the days ahead -- to God be the glory!

In the interview process, Dr. David Spittal our new president, used an illustration about sailing.  He lived in South Carolina for seventeen years.  He said something like this, "I do sailing.  I can get the boat in the water, I know all about how to rig it and get the sail up and all the stuff that you need to know to operate a sail boat. But I don't do wind."

The truth is my friends, we can do all the stuff that we can do, but only God can make the "wind blow"!  As I preached this last Sunday, "It is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty"! (Zech. 4:6).  This is true in our lives personally and it is true for us as a church, just as it is true for MNU.  We must be faithful and obedient as God's people on a day-by-day and moment-by-moment basis; but we must also be totally dependant on HIS SPIRIT to fill our sails and take us where we need to go!

I love you and I encourage you to be born of the Spirit, to be filled with the Spirit, and to walk in the Spirit!  The challenge for each and every one of us is to live and move and have our being in the presence and power of HIS SPIRIT.  The temptation we face daily is to fall back into the flesh and to operate our human mind, emotions, and will independantly of God.  And when we do that we get into trouble, always!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Do you remember an old song entitled "Singing in the Rain"?  I don't remember a lot about that song, in fact I remember very little.  But as I was reading in Acts 16 today I read a remarkable story of how Paul and Silas were arrested, stripped and beaten within an inch of their lives, then thrown into prison and locked up in shackles.  And then verse twenty five says, "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them."  I thought about writing a new song entitled "Singing Through The Pain"!

These two men were facing some of the most severe trials and tribulations that anyone could ever face for their faith in Christ.  Yet, they were not whining and grumbling -- they were praying and singing to the Lord!  I don't know about you but that is an amazing story that really speaks to me.  I want to be the kind of person in 2012 who spends less time complaining about the negative circumstances of my life and more time praying and praising the Living Lord who can bring me through those circumstances with glorious victory!

What are you facing today?  Persecution at school or at work?  Financial pressures and material needs?  Relational conflict?  Physical issues that have you feeling despair, discouragement, and defeat?  My friend, whatever you are facing I want to encourage you to "Sing Through The Pain".  As one old song says, "God will make a way, where there seems to be no way!  He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.  He will be my guide, draw me closely to His side.  With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way -- He will make a way!"

He sent an earthquake and rocked the foundations of the prison so that Paul and Silas were able to experience a miraculous escape and deliverance.  He still has the power to set you free my friend and to give you exactly what you need to experience true freedom in your life.  May God bless you and be with you as you face the challenges of a new year, and when the tough times come, don't forget ...  you can sing through the pain!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Helen Keller, who overcame incredible challenges in her life, once said that "Security is a myth.  The reason we don't experience it is because it doesn't exist.  Avoiding danger or failure is no safer in the long run than outright risk.  Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."  Wow!

I want to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone in 2012 and take a risk for God.  Set some goals, establish a plan to attain them, and become accountable to someone.  God has a plan for you and He wants to use you to be a blessing to others this year.  But it won't just happen automatically.  You must do your part.

After fishing all night and catching nothing Jesus told His disciples to "launch out" into the deep and let down their nets for a catch!  If they were going to do that it meant several things for them and it will mean the same for you:

• Confronting your fears and discovering what lies on the other side of them.
• Looking in the mirror and either respecting or correcting who you are becoming.
• Devoting your life to something bigger than just you.
• Having a "I will fear no evil, for YOU are with me attitude".
• Attempting great things for the glory of God and the good of others!

My friend, I want to encourage you to leave the safety of where you are and go to where God is calling you to go!  I promise you it will be exciting and challenging, and it will involve ...

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

One of the things you and I take for granted during these cold days of December is the modern furnace.  It has taken the work out of keeping warm.  In the "good old days", fire was carefully tended and fuel supplies were closely monitored.  Letting the fire go out could be deadly!

The same is true spiritually.  If we think our "spiritual fire" can be ignited as easily as a modern furnace, then we are in danger of taking God's presence for granted and of losing our passion for the Lord.  In ancient Israel, the priests were instructed to not let the fire on the altar go out.  This required a faithful and consistent "tending to the fire".  Some scholars see the fire on the altar as a symbol for the flame of our devotion for the Lord.  Spiritual passion is not something we can treat lightly or take for granted.  Our walk with the Lord will become cold and meaningless if we fail to  keep the fires burning bright and hot!

My friend, your love for Jesus is the key to your spiritual passion.  And your love for Him will result in a willing obedience to His will for your life.  It will result in passion for God and compassion for those you live with on a daily basis.  As you move into a brand new year I want to challenge you to "Keep the Fire Burning" in your heart for the Lord!  Love HIM with ALL your heart and serve HIM by lifting OTHERS!  Let this prayer be your prayer: "O God, my heart is the altar, and my love for You is the flame; I'll keep the fire burning for You, Lord; and I will rejoice in Your Name!"  Amen!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

The Huizingas were at church rehearsing for the annual Christmas program when their home caught on fire and burned to the ground.  As bad as that was, it was not the first tragedy of the year for them.  Three months earlier, a friend of theirs who was a single mom with two teenagers, had died of cancer.  They had taken the boys into their home.  So it was not only their home, but that of the boys who had already lost their mother, that burned down.  The following week as they sifted through the ashes, they found a slip of paper that survived the fire.  On it the read these words: "Contentment is realizing that God has already provided everything we need for our present happiness."  Wow!  Now that is an amazing perspective.

God is an amazing God who can give you MORE grace when you need it the MOST!  Suffering comes in many forms in this life, but God's grace is ALWAYS  there to carry us through.  When you are following God's purpose for your life, it gives you perspective to replace your resentment with rejoicing.  Jesus is the central piece to life's puzzle.  If we move HIM into place, the rest begins to make sense.  As my dear friend Ron always used to say, "It is all about perspective!"

Donna VanLiere writes: "When life blindsides us ... and the diagnosis, abuse, foreclosure, broken marriage, death, or financial collapse brings us to our knees ... grace says there is more love after infidelity, more joy after the diagnosis, and more life after financial ruin.  Grace is real ... an indomitable gift with the power to change your life.  But it comes with one condition ... like any gift, you have to reach out and take it."

During this Christmas season my friend, I want to encourage you to keep Loving God and keep Lifting People!!!  I know it is hard and many of you have been through some unbelievable stuff this year.  But keep your focus on Christ and let Him give you the perspective you need to keep in a position of receiving His grace ... so that you can keep on sharing His grace!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

In your lifetime you will have thousands of acquaintances, hundreds of colleagues, and dozens of neighbors.  But you will have only a few friends.  That is not to say that you won't have lots of friendships.  Many people makes friends very easily while others struggle to initiate new relationships.  But the point I am making is that there is a difference between casual friendship and true friends.  Even the friendliest person has only a few true friends.

A true friend possesses the qualities of honesty, loyalty, and a willingness to sacrifice.  Fair weather friends tend to disappear when things get tough; true friends show up and stick around when things get tough.  With that in mind, let me tell you that you will never have a better friend than Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Virgin-born King of Kings!  He will never leave you.  He will never forsake you.  And He has already made the supreme sacrifice for you!  Don't forget to give thanks to God this Christmas for the greatest gift that has ever been given ... our Savior, our Sanctifier, our Best Friend!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Trouble not only places a demand on your faith, it also reveals the depth of your faith.  You and I don't really know much about our faith when our bills are paid, our body is healthy, our children are doing right, and our marriage is going well.  But when all hell is breaking loose around you and you trust God to keep you and bring you through it all; then you know you have faith!

Sometimes people will say, "If you just have faith, then the victory will come in time."  May I propose to you that the person who is living by faith has already secured the victory, regardless of the outcome or of any particular circumstances!  Faith is the victory ... that overcomes the world!

Do you remember the story of Job?  Job was a great man of God and was very wealthy.  Then he lost his material, physical, and familial wealth overnight.  He experienced unbelievable pain and agony in his circumstances, but amazingly Job hung in there.  And God blessed him and ended up giving him twice as much as he had before.  Was that the point of victory?  No!  Victory for Job was back in (Job 13:15) when in the midst of his pain he said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." 

Faith is the victory that overcomes the world my friend, and the victory is ours at the point that we make the decision to love and trust and serve Christ regardless of our circumstances.  We love and trust and serve Him because of WHO HE IS and not just because of what He does for us!  Let's keep LOVING GOD & LIFTING PEOPLE!

Pastor Rod

I recently read a statement that made me stop and think about the life of faith that we talk about as people of faith.  Here it is, "We spend most of our twenties discovering all the hundreds of things we can be and do.  But as we mature into our thirties, we begin to discover all of the things we will never be or do.  The challenge is for us to reach our forties and beyond and to put it all together.  To know our capabilities and recognize our limitations, and then become the best we can be by the glory and grace of God."

When you sign a legal contract you cannot afford to overlook the fine print.  And as someone with a dream you cannot afford to overlook reality.  If you do, reality may stop you cold in your tracks.  I do believe that God gives us a dream, and I believe when He gives the dream He will also give us what we need to see it accomplished.  But we must all be willing to balance the boldness of dreaming with the reality of our situation.  Yes, we need to dream big and reach beyond our frail human resources; but at the same time, we need to realize that God's dream will match up with our strengths and resources. 

I get a kick out of the many contestants on American Idol who say that their dream is to be the "next American Idol"!  And then they demonstrate for all the world to see that they have no musical ability at all.  And when they are told they are not moving on, they are convinced that the judges don't know what they are talking about!  I have known many Christians who are guilty of that same kind of fantasy, and they call it faith??? 

I don't have all the answers about how to distinguish between "faith and fantasy".  But I do know that many individual believers and churches as a whole have gotten into trouble by having a fantasy rather than having genuine faith.

"For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'" (Luke 14:29)

May God help each one of us today to live by faith and not by fantasy!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I just read the story of Jesus calming the storm out of Mark 4:35-41 this morning and it spoke to me AGAIN!  Did you know that it is normal for us as human beings to be afraid in the midst of a storm?  I mean, I know we are not supoosed to be fearful, but it is normal to be afraid when the storm is raging around you and you have legitimate concerns that your "boat" is about to sink!   

Yet, once the disciples had awakened Jesus and He had calmed the storm, He looked at them and said, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"  And then the bible says, "... they were terrified."  Can you relate to those disciples in the boat that day?  Have you ever been in the midst of such a "violent storm" that you began to question God?  Your faith?  What to do next?

We have all been there, and most likely will be there again (probably sooner than later).  But I want to give you a couple of things to focus on where you are tempted to be afraid of the storms that are raging in your life. 

1. Remember that Jesus promised them that they were going to the other side!  My friend, when Jesus gives you a promise, you can count on it!  Don't ever stop believing the promises of God in your life, especially when the storms are raging.  Claim the promises of God's Word for your life and your own personal set of circumstances. 

2. Remember that Jesus was with them in the boat!  My friend, whatever you may be going through you need to remember that you are not alone.  Don't ever forget that God loves you and He is with you and He is for you.  When Jesus is in the boat, the boat is not going down!

3. Remember that Jesus was at peace internally before there was peace externally.  When you have the promises and the presence of Christ in your life, then you can be at peace regardless of the circumstances of your life.  Don't let the external details of your life control then internal attitude of your life.  Rather, let the Spirit of Christ in you give you the love, joy, and peace that trumps all the negative and uncontrollable circumstances around you.  

Our greatest challenges in life are not those from without, but those from within!  Fear comes from unbelief and the bible says that unbelief will destroy us and paralyze our ability to trust Christ and impact our world for the glory of God!  Look up my friend!  Claim the promises of God and live in the awareness of the presence of God and you will be victorious! 

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and I will help you and I will uphold you with my righteous, victorious right hand!" (Isa. 41:10)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Have you ever noticed that there are times in our lives when God's blessings just seem to overflow and things just flow smoothly and easily?  When that happens give God praise and enjoy it while you can.  Because there are other times when it seems like nothing is going right and we can't seem to catch a break.

I am always amazed when I read of how God provided "manna in the Wilderness" for His people.  The Bible says that "everyone had just enough.  Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered little had just enough.  Each family had just what it needed" (Ex. 16:18).

My friend, there are times when God may give to you abundantly and there are times that He may give you just enough light to take one more step.  The bottom line is that God never lets us gather tomorrow's manna today!  He promises to supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Ph. 4:19).  Instead of getting all stressed out, He wants you to trust in Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding ... then he will guide your steps (Pr. 3:5-6).  And He has promised to always be with you, to never leave you or forsake you, to stay by your side until the end of time (Deut. 31:6).  Keep looking up my friend, God loves you!  He is for you and not against you!  Refuse to be discouraged, we serve the God of all hope!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

We all have times in our lives when we get overwhelmed with all the "stuff" in life that we have to deal with.  Just this morning as I was reading some of the prayer requests that have recently come into the office, I thought to myself, "Man, when it rains it pours!"  In th midst of all the busyness of our lives, one of the things that Satan wants to try and do is distract you from your relationship with God.  He will try to make you feel isolated and alone and like no one knows or cares about you!  Nothing could be further from the truth, but often we may feel that way.

I want to remind you this morning my friends, that no matter how overwhelmed you may feel, you can find rest and comfort in knowing that the eyes of the Lord are on you.  He sees everything you are going through and He knows what you need to get through it all.  And not only that, He knows how to provide you with everything you need to get through it all!!!

All you need to do is to keep abiding in Him and allowing His Word to abide in you!  The Psalmist reminds us that the righteous are never forsaken by God!  God is faithful my friend and all He asks you to do is to stay faithful and to obey His leading in your life.  I love the words to an old song that says, "God will make a way, where there seems to be no way.  He works in ways we cannot see, God will make a way for me!"  He will make a way for you if you will trust Him and walk in obedience to His will for your life!  Have a great day and let's keep loving and lifting!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

In the midst of a "heated discussion" between a husband and wife, the wife made a deep and profound theological statement: "I think it is pretty amazing that I forgive you for some of the dastardly things you have done." 

Forgiveness really is an amazing thing.  And it is not an easy subject to deal with; in fact, it is really a very hard thing to have to work through in the journey of life.  As one writer said, "It is not a sweet, platonic ideal to be dispersed in the world like air freshener sprayed from a can."  What a great word picture!  Forgiveness is very difficult, and long after you have forgiven the person the wound can live on in your memory. 

Forgiveness is not natural.  That is why it is so amazing.  When we choose to forgive someone, it is only by God's grace that we can actually do so.  And even then, it can be a gut wrenching experience!  When Joseph went through the process of forgiving his brothers ... the sound of Joseph's grief and love echoed throughout the palace! (Gen. 45:1-2)

When you are hurt and disappointed by others, make the choice to forgive them.  It is not easy or natural, but it is right and you will be the big winner when you choose to forgive! 

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

When Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth" (Matt. 6:19), the term "lay up" did not simply speak of having possessions, but of your possessions having you.  Jesus was NOT saying that it is wrong to have things.  He was warning against allowing the things of this earth becoming more important to you than your relationship with God.

God created us to love people and use things; but a materialistic person loves things and uses people.  The Apostle Paul wrote, "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty or to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy" (1 Tim. 6:17).  To be rich or to be poor is not the issue.  The issue is always about your love for God and your willingness to love and lift those around you who are in need. 

Jesus never exalted material poverty as some great virtue.  Nor did He extol material wealth as the mark of true success.  He always promoted the wise and loving stewardship (management) of all that has been entrusted to us in this life.  It is not what you have or don't have that really matters to God, it is what you do with what you have!  Money is not the root of all evil; the love of it is.  God always has and always will use those who have material wealth to bless and support the work of His Kingdom!  As one person put it, "The challenge with wealth is not in having it; it is how we get it, how we guard it, and how we give it!"

May God help each one of us to be faithful stewards of all that He has entrusted to us.  These are challenging days in our society and God wants you and I to be sensitive as to how we can best use what He has entrusted to us to be a blessing to others!  Be a blessing to someone today!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

When stuff you don't like is happening to you, and it is beyond your control; don't blame God and even worse, don't assume that He can't do anything about it.  God is always aware of what is happening to you and He is never powerless to help you through it.

So why do bad things happen to you?  Honestly, there are times when there is no good answer to that question.  At other times, especially when the bad things happening are a consequence of your own sin, you know exactly why stuff is happening.  And at other times, there is a good reason and you and I simply don't know what it is -- yet!  Either way you need to remember that the end results will be for your good and for God's glory! (Rom. 8:28)

Also, you need to remember that life is more like a marathon than a sprint.  The pain you may be feeling today is just a part of the overall race, and the prize is guaranteed as you cross the finish line.  Keep running and you will get your second breath!  It is better to see the circumstances of your life in the long-run than in the short-term.

Keep Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I recently read this line, "Don't let your possessions define you."  That is good advice and yet we all struggle with the temptation to define who we are by what we have.  Here are a couple of thoughts regarding our "stuff":

1. Material possessions are not a measurement of how much God loves you.  If that were true, then Jesus was not very popular with His Father!

2. Material possessions are not related to whether you are a bad person or a good person.  Our "stuff" is amoral.  It is not what we have, but what we do with what we have that determines whether it is good or bad.

God does not mind you and I having "stuff".  He just doesn't want our "stuff" having us!  God wants you and I to live free from the tyranny of the "stuff" of this world.  We must not allow the "stuff" we have or the desire for the "stuff" we want to interfere with our love, desire, and pursuit of God.  In other words, your possession of your "stuff" is a problem only if you are unwilling to give it all up if God asks you to.  The real question is, how important is your stuff to you?

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod 

Most of you probably do not consider yourself to be a rebel.  Your idea of a rebel may include tatoos, piercings, leather jackets, harleys and a defiant attitude.  Well, your opinion is wrong, except for the part about the defiant attitude.  You see being rebellious is more about what is inside our hearts and minds than it is about what we wear or drive.  Rebellion is usually a war of the wills.

God has designed us to be unique individuals with our own personalities and styles.  But our attitude and our actions are to line up with His purpose and plan for our lives.  And when you intentionally leave Him out of the details of your life, then you are rebelling agaisnt His authority in your life.  And that always leads to trouble and heartache! 

May God help us today to pray the prayer of Jesus when He prayed: "Father, not my will, but Your will be done." (Matt. 26:39)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Have you ever stopped to realize that honesty is like the glue that holds relationships together? Whether you are talking about a spouse, a friend, or a co-worker; honesty brings trust and loyalty to the relationship. On the other hand, dishonesty and deceit will tear a relationship apart as fast as anything I know. A lie will lead to embarrassment, anger, and a loss of trust that cannot be easily rebuilt. I have seen it divide churches and destroy marriages. My friend, honesty really is the best policy for your life and mine.

Don’t get caught in the trap of devising excuses for dishonesty. There are no loopholes, and there is no such thing as a “white lie”. When you are tempted to violate the truth, ignore the excuses and look at your motives. Why would you want to jeopardize the relationship with the virus of dishonesty? Why would you ever want to take that kind of a risk with something so valuable? Although the truth does not always come easily, God will honor you if you will live honestly before Him!

“May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.” (Psalm 25:21; NLT)

Let’s keep Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Good morning and God bless you! It is a beautiful Summer day here in Wichita. Just because you are a follower of Christ, don’t think your life will be totally serene and tranquil. He is a God of comfort, but He never promised that He would remove all the problems from your life. In fact, He promises just the opposite. The bible says that you can expect tough times. But God will equip you to handle anything and everything that He allows to come your way.

You shouldn’t avoid the challenges and changes of life when you know that God is on your side. In fact, you should be excited about them. It is normal and natural for you to be nervous because you don’t know what is coming next. But that feeling will keep you trusting and depending upon God (which is a very good thing). As God allows challenges into your life, don’t worry about being pushed out of your comfort zone. You are not really being pushed out of it; God is just enlarging it for you!

Prayer for Today: “O God, give me enough victories to stay encouraged; and give me enough challenges to keep me trusting and depending upon You. Amen”

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

You are less likely to “fall into temptation” if you don’t “walk along the edge”!

We all struggle with temptation. When we yield to it, we usually blame it on our weakness or our humanity. But it is not always a matter of weakness. Sometimes it is a matter of plain stupidity! We sometimes put ourselves stupidly (is that a word?) in the path of temptation when we could have avoided it totally.

If you are going to win over temptation, you have to use your head. Protect yourself and don’t place yourself in the direct path of a temptation that you know is going to be there. Decide ahead of time what you will do and what you will not do. Decide ahead of time where you won’t go and what you won’t watch and what you will not listen to. The toughest time to resist temptation is when you are knee-deep into it. Be smart and don’t place yourself into situations where you know you will be tempted in a way that you know you will be defeated. Don’t set yourself up for failure, don’t walk so close to the edge; set yourself up for victory and stay as far away from your temptation as you possibly can!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

When we believe that God is going to do something because we "need it" right now, we are putting our faith in the wrong place.  We pray, "Lord, I need a miracle and I need it NOW!"  So we pray and we believe, and God gives us a miracle.  But what if He does NOT give us a miracle?  Does that mean our faith is weak and inadequate?  Does it mean that God is trying to teach us something or trying to get our attention? 

Actually, any of those could be true.  But here is the point I want you to think about today.  When your faith demands miracles, you are putting your faith in your faith.  You think that if you believe hard enough, then God will do what you want.  The problem is not your belief, you are simply believing in the wrong thing.  Faith is about trust and we get into trouble when we put our trust in our faith rather than in God.  In other words, don't put your faith in your faith, put your faith in God!  Trust God and allow Him to be in control of the details of your life. 

I love the story of the Three Hebrew Children and of their faith in God!  Their faith was totally in God and they believed Him for their miracle, but they left the results up to Him.

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O King.  But even if He does not, we want you to know O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

It is one thing to know what is right, and it is another thing to do what is right.  Following God requires thinking and doing.  You have to know what is right and this involves your thinking.  And you need to put that knowledge into action, which involves your doing.  You will not be a devoted follower of Jesus if you have one aspect without the other.  If you intellectually know what is right but fail to act on that knowledge, your life will be ineffective.  If you plunge ahead into action without an understanding of God's Truth, then your efforts will be misguided.  It takes both knowledge and action to experience the benefits of living according to God's principles.

God is the ONE who equips you in both of these areas.  He has given us His Word so that we can know the "right and wrong".  And He has given us His Spirit to empower us to do the right things.  Following God is not only a single action, it is a lifelong process.  And the joy of living life as a believer in Christ is in learning of all that God wants and has for you, and then doing it!

"Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right." (Hebrews 5:14)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

I recently preached on the importance of choosing to focus on the positive rather than the negative.  There is always going to be both, but we have the choice as to what we will make the priority of our lives.  I just read a story this morning that really illustrates this point quite well.  I share it with you and pray that God will speak to you as He did me...

"I once watched a child open her presents at a birthday party.  She especially wanted a certain gift that she did not get.  One by one, she opened the packages as each friend or family member watched.  And each one was disappointed in her response as she would snub her nose and push each package away anxious to move on to the next one.  It was painfully embarrassing to all of us, especially the girl's parents.  It was a startling example of ingratitude.  She was given gift after gift, and all she could think about was the one gift she wanted, but never received.  I later learned that the gift she wanted was neither precious nor valuable, but was inferior to many of the gifts that she had received that day.

As I drove home I thought about how awful that experience was, and how spoiled and ungrateful that little girl was.  Then the Spirit whispered to me, "Are you so different?"  I thought about how often I was guilty of the same attitude as the little girl.  How I often focus on something I want God to do for me, and then neglect the then thousand things -- often better things -- He has already done for me.  The more we are able to see just how many blessings we have been given -- given freely and undeserved -- the more we will be able to see that God is out for our good.  And when that happens, our trust level increases."  (The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith)

I want to encourage you to spend five minutes today slowing down, thinking about all you have to be thankful for, and giving God praise!  One man said that the more you praise God for, the more you will have to praise God for!  Try it!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Beautiful music is achieved NOT because the entire orchestra plays the same instrument, but because the different instruments are playing the same song in the same key!  An interesting thing happens when people in a group work against each other rather than with each other: nothing!  All of the productivity is slowed and time is wasted when people are more concerned with their own interests than the interests of the group.  When this happens, hurt feelings and confusion are the result.  And it is unfortunate when this happens in the body of Christ. 

Instead of worrying about our own interests, we need to become aware of how the strengths of others can complement our areas of weakness.  Realizing that God has uniquely gifted and equipped each one of us to carry out His purposes.  Each one of us has a role to play, a part to fulfill, and the work will not be complete unless we all do what God has called us to do within the Body of Christ. 

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body... Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (1 Cor. 12:14, 27)

May God help us all to make beautiful music as we build His Kingdom here on earth!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

We are all familiar with that old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."  I'm not sure where that saying came from???  I think I understand why we tell our children that, but it just isn't true.  As much as any force on earth, our words can discourage, defeat, depress, and even destroy.

We need to teach our children to use their words to encourage rather than discourage.  We want to lift and strengthen and bless others with the power of our words.  James understood this power of the tongue and he reminds us of how important it is to keep watch over what we say.  A careful tongue, is a tongue in control.  We need to think before we speak and make sure that our words are good for building others up, not tearing them down.  Many times in life we create problems for ourselves by being careless with our words.  The truth of scripture exhorts us to exercise "tongue control".

"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)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

We all have a lot going on in our lives these days. We all have busy schedules, issues at work, challenges with the family, and major decisions that need to be made. Did you know that God wants to be included in all of it. And the best way to do that is through prayer. Simply by talking to HIM about whatever it is that you are facing. Sometimes it is hard to get started and people say they don’t know what to say. Here are a couple of thoughts for you.

Try beginning your prayers by simply thanking God for WHO He is and for His many blessings in your life. Then you can confess to Him any of the things that you have said or done that were not said or done in a way to glorify Him. Then you can pray for others you know who are in special need. And last, but not least, ask God to help you with the problems/issues/decisions/challenges that you are facing! Prayer is your direct link to God. He is waiting and He is listening. All you have to do is start talking!

Reading a book by Norman Geisler entitled, "If God, Why Evil???"  In a chapter on "The Purpose of Evil", he is making the point that God is so awesome that HE can take the ugliest things in life and work them out for our good, in HIS time and in HIS way!  I wanted to share the final paragraph of this chapter with you today and I pray that it will bless you as it has me!

"An all-knowing God knows the end of all things.  An all-good God wants to bring all things to a good end.  And an all-powerful God can bring all things to a good end.  Therefore, all things (including suffering we don't understand now) will come to a good end -- if not in this life, then in the next.  In short, only the biblical, theistic God guarantees a good end.  Bad things will happen to good people, but a good God has for us a good end, for these bad things will bring about good results." (N. Geisler)

"Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweigh them all." 

                                                                                                                  (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

If there is one thing I am learning these days, it is that spiritual growth is not automatic.  Oh, I've known that for a long time, but I really believe that our perspective of how this growth takes place is really important.  And I am wrestling with trying to communicate in a fresh way how important spiritual discipline is in our lives.  One of the concepts that I am working with is simply this: spiritual growth is not a matter of trying harder, but more a matter of regular training.  If I am going to experience growth in my life spiritually I must develop regular habits that are exercised daily to "build those muscles" of my life.

The spiritual disciplines of prayer, bible study, and obedience are part of the training process.  There is simply no way around it.  If you are not training regularly, you will not be able to run the race that is set before you and come through with victory.  Don't view these training exercises as daily chores that must be endured.  Rather, consider them as an opportunity and a privilege that allows you to get to know Jesus in a greater way and become a closer friend of His!  After all, the goal of the Christian life is relationship with Jesus Christ.

As with any training program, the toughest part is getting started.  Then the next toughest part is to keep going once you get started!  In other words, it is never easy, but it is worth it!  There is no greater reward in life than to know Christ and to grow in your relationship with HIM! 

"Train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."  (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Have you ever heard of the Law of Entropy?  It basically goes like this: over time, things naturally lose energy, they decay, they move from order to disorder.  Think of your desk at work.  From time to time you can clean your desk (I need to do that!), and before long you will need to clean it again.  In other words, it does not stay clean.  Nor does your closet, or your kitchen, or your bedroom, or your car, etc., etc.!  These things move from order to disorder, and it is easy to understand this with "things".

But think about some of the intangible things of your life, things like your character and your integrity.  Think about your relationship with your God, your spouse, or your children.  If you leave these things alone and fail to give them the attention they deserve, they too will lose energy, they will decay and move from order to disorder.  In fact, anything that requires your time and energy -- will go backward if you neglect it!  Anything within the scope of your responsibility will decay without your attention.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5 to ... "be very careful then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, becasue the days are evil ... do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."  May God help you this day to be careful to not neglect the things that are most important to you in your life!  Guard your relationship with God and with others from the Law of Entropy!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Many people go through life full of axiety and worry.  They worry about their jobs, their homes, their money, their relationships, their health -- they worry about all the details of life.  And they allow these cares and concerns to overwhelm them and affect every area of their lives.  They don't sleep well which causes them to become touchy and sensitive to people throughout the day.  If that describes you my friend, I want to remind you that God has a plan for you to live in peace.

God wants you to experience peace in your life when it doesn't make any sense to have peace!  When the world around you is upset and anxious; when circumstances are beyond your control; when things aren't going the way you thought they would.  You serve an awesome God, and no matter what things may look like today, He is working behind the scenes on your behalf!

"Father in heaven, I give you my cares and concerns.  I choose to trust you and believe that YOU are working behind the scenes on my behalf.  Fill me with your love, your joy, and your peace today as I surrender every area of my life to you!"

"And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Do you remember the story of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples?  It was the custom of that day to wash the feet of the guests who had been travelling on dusty roads.  The disciples were not doing it, so Jesus grabbed a towel and took care of the menial task Himself.  What makes this incident so ironic is that the disciples had been arguing earlier about who was going to be the "greatest" in the Kingdom of God.  While they were worried about a title, Jesus grabbed the towel.

Here's a thought for the day: Be more concerned about the task to be performed by you than the title to be conferred upon you!

Let Jesus be your model and example.  Forget about your own sense of self-importance and focus on the needs of those around you.  Be looking for practical and meaningful ways that you can be helpful.  

Jesus said, "The greatest among you will be a servant."  (Matt. 23:11)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod 

Good morning dear friend!  I hope that you are having a blessed week.  I just read this and had to share it with you.  Hope it ministers to you and challenges you as it did me.

One of the great debates of the last few years has centered on character.  Some people believe that it is possible for a person to possess both a public and a private character, even if the two are very different.  What you do in private, the reasoning goes, is your business, as long as it doesn't affect your public performance.

There is a major problem with this kind of thinking.  Once you divide your personality and your actions into two or more categories or compartments, you deviate from the very definition of character.  At its root, character is defined by integrity, and at the heart of integrity is the idea of wholeness.

One of the best ways to keep your life whole and healthy is to pay attention to the small stuff.  Do what it takes every day to develop your character and preserve your integrity.  Most of all, don't live your life to please others, live your life to please God!

"May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in YOU."  (Psalm 25:21)

Have a great day and by God's grace, live your life with character and integrity!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Our God is an awesome God!  He has been faithful in the past and He will be faithful in the future.  His love and His grace for you is beyond your ability to comprehend.  He truly is amazing!  Do you know what will cause God to act on your behalf?  Do you want to know what gets His attention?  God is not moved so much by our needs or our whining and complaining.  He is not moved by a "poor me" mentality.  God is moved by our faith in Him!  When you and I take a stand on the promises of God, no matter what is going on around us, that is what gets His attention and causes Him to act on our behalf!

Remember that God has promised in His Word to fight our battles, but that does not just happen automatically.  We have to do our part.  We must plant ourselves firmly in the truth of His Word and exercise endurance, patience, and perseverance!  We must stand strong in our faith and face the challenges that come our way by the grace of God!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. . . put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand" (Eph. 6:10-13).  Stand strong my friend and know that God is standing with you!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Few things in life are more painful than shame and guilt.  One of the greatest kindnesses we can show to others is to love them and accept them in Christ.  When the disciples met a man who was blind from birth they asked Jesus whose "fault" it was; his or his parents???  Instead of figuring out a way to help him, they wanted to stand around and talk about who was to blame!

It is easier to label people and place blame than it is to help those in need.  We tend to label people because we think we know what is on the inside of them.  We'd rather debate homosexuality than befriend someone who is gay; condemn divorce rather than help those who have been through it; and argue about abortion rather than support adoption.  Jesus did not see this blind man as a victim of fate, He saw him as an opportunity to express love and compassion.  And He said to His disciples, "You are looking for someone to blame ... Look instead for what God can do" (John 9:3;TM). 

Someone has said, if you don't love people, you don't love God!  In fact, the Bible says if you don't love people, then you don't even know God! (1 John 3 & 4).  Lord Jesus, remind me today that the greatest gift that I can give to others is Your Love!  I've come to believe that loving God and lifting people are not two separate things.  I have come to believe that ... Loving God IS Lifting People!!!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Have you lived long enough to realize that not every battle is worth fighting?  Many of the challenges that come our way in this life are simply distractions trying to sidetrack us from God's purpose and plan for our life.  When you are being tempted to get upset and fight another battle, you need to ask yourself this question: "If I engage my time and resources in this battle and accomplish what I intend, will it really make any difference in the long run?"

You see my friend, there are a lot of battles in life that come our way, that simply are not worth the time and effort to fight.  The end result is strife and disharmony.  Proverbs 20:3 says, "Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor."  If you want to  honor God and live a life of love, joy, and peace; then avoid every fight possible.  By the grace of God, choose to be a peacemaker.  Choose to be a lover and a lifter; not a hater and a condemner (not sure that is a word you will find in the dictionary!). 

Stay disciplined and discern which battles are worth fighting, then fight them!  But also discern those battles that will only take your focus off of what really matters, and walk away.  "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov. 15:1).

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Five seagulls are sitting on a dock.  One of them decides to fly away.  How many seagulls are left?  Four?  Nope, there are still five.  Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things.  There is really no difference between the person who "intends" to change their life and the one who never even thinks about it in the first place.  The result is the very same for both of them; no change!

Have you ever stopped to consider how often we judge ourselves based on our "intentions" and we judge others on the basis of their actions?  Yet intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best out of you. 

• "I intended to bring you flowers on your birthday, but . . ." 
• "I intended to get the job done on time, but . . ." 
• "I was planning on being there for your game, but . . ."

Someone once said that the road to hell was paved with good intentions.  In this new year, may God help each one of us to not only have good intentions, but may we follow through and make the changes in our lives that God is calling us to make!

"You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe."  (James 2:24;CEV)

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

My friend, I want to encourage you today that God is working in your situation; in spite of what you may feel and what your circumstances may be.  We often hear that phrase that God works in "mysterious ways", and we tend to think of God doing some mighty miracle to deliver us from all our trials and tests.  Did you ever stop to think that maybe God works in "mysterious ways" through our trials and tests.

Remember the dream that Joseph had as a young boy?  God worked in "mysterious ways" to bring that dream to pass.  Think about it.  Where did Joseph get the wisdom to lead a nation???  God worked in Joseph's life by helping him to deal with his own family problems, by handling Potiphar's household staff, and by running a prison system.  Like rungs on a ladder, each one took him closer to the fulfillment of his dream.  His brothers sold him to slave traders, who sold him to Potiphar, who put him in prison where he met the butler, who introduced him to Pharaoh, who made him prime minister of Egypt, fulfilling his dream! 

Was it easy for Joseph to experience the fulfillment of his dream?  Not at all, but God was with him and was working behind the scenes in ways that Joseph could not see or understand.  My friend, God is working in your situation in ways that you cannot see or understand.  Keep the faith and trust in the Lord, especially when you can't see or understand all the details.  God is faithful and He will bring you through!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Jesus Christ died so that you and I could live.  Yet, for you and I to really live, we must die -- to our self.  As you and I choose daily to die out to our self, we are then free to be truly alive in Him.  I lay down my own life and declare myself to be dead so that Christ may truly become alive in me.  I can then declare with Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).

So I am now abiding in Christ and He is living in me.  All I have to do is yield myself to Him as one alive from the dead and allow Him to do with me whatever He pleases.  However, I have discovered that I do not always "abide in Him".  I have found, that at times, Satan succeeds at tempting me and deceivng me into taking up my old life of living in the flesh.  In other words, my self comes back to life!  And I hate it when that happens.  But thanks be to God and to Christ my Savior, when that happens, His blood avails to atone for my failures.  He is there to forgive and to cleanse and to remind me that it is only by His grace that I am truly free!  And I am reminded that He is the vine and I am the branch, and I continue to abide and draw from Him that life-givng flow of His precious Holy Spirit.

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

The bible tells us that when Jesus was born, there was "no room" for Him in the inn.  As I reflect on that detail of the first Christmas, it makes me wonder how many people today have "no room" for Jesus in their lives?  How many people in America today will be so busy with all the traditions and activities of Christmas, that they will unknowingly squeeze the Christ right out of Christmas?

May I remind you on this wonderful day, that God wants to bless you this Christmas.  He wants to bless and honor you with more than you could ever dream or imagine.  But sometimes, we fill our lives with so much stuff that we don't have room to receive all that God wants to give us.  People fill their lives with many good things, noteworthy obligations and impressive accomplishments.  But as we all know, "good" can be the enemy of "best". 

May I encourage you today to evaluate your life.  Look at all that you have in your "hands" and see if maybe you need to let go of some stuff so that God can give you something better.  Be open and sensitive to what God wants to do in you and through you this Christmas.  Perhaps God wants you to give away something you already have in your hands to someone else?  Maybe God needs you to give some of your time to be a blessing to someone? 

"Heavenly Father, today I open my hands and my heart to YOU!  I choose to release anything and everything that would leave "no room" in my life for Your blessings this Christmas.  Clear out the clutter of all the good things so that I can enjoy the very best that You have for me and my family.  Amen!"

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Good day to you my friend!  It is a week that we have designated as Thanksgiving Week here in America.  I love this week for many reasons: I love turkey and all the trimmings, I love family being together and I enjoy watching some football with my sons and sons-in-laws (as well as my daughter and d-i-ls!).  Anyway, as I was praying and preparing to write this article I felt led to go a totally different direction.  I want to talk to you about how to be thankful in the midst of your loss.  No long intro, just a few thoughts for all of us to consider this Thanksgiving week as it relates to dealing with pain and loss.

Honestly process your loss/pain.  Emotions like fear, anger, worry, depression, resentment, helplessness and grief are normal.  It is no good to try and stuff them or deny they exist.  God created us to feel.  He does not expect us to act happy when we are feeling sad.  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matt. 5:4).  Be honest with God and with yourself and He will comfort you!

Be willing to accept help/support.  It is a mistake to isolate yourself when you are experiencing the pain of great loss.  We all need the encouragement of others, even when that may be the last thing we think we really want or need.  We are called to carry one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2).

Make the healthy choice.  When you choose to be bitter about your loss, you choose to be unhealthy and unhappy, because you can't be bitter and healthy or happy at the same time.

Know that true joy comes from God.  There is a difference between your circumstances and your joy.  True joy is not depenedent on external circumstances; try joy comes from within.  It is based on WHOM you trust, and not on what you see and feel (Prov. 3:5-6).

Focus on what you have left.  Do not fall into the trap of only focusing on what you have lost.  Choose to focus on all that you have left.  In fact, it would be good to put together a list of the many positive things that you have left in your life with God.  Then begin to THANK HIM for all of the incredible blessings that you have experienced in your relationship with Him.  It is impossible to be thankful and hopeless at the same time.  Kind of like looking in a mirror and trying to smile and frown at the same time -- can't be done!

Well, my friend, I don't know if this was for you or not, but I trust it was meant for someone very special today.  I want to remind you that in Christ you are forgiven, you have full access to His resources and you are free!  May God bless you and may you bless God this Thanksgiving week!

 

"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"  (Matthew 5:16).

Do you realize that you are a representative of God to your world?  When you follow the Word of God and live in obedience to His will for your life, then you are being a blessing and shining a light in the darkness for your neighbors.  When you are good to people and show them kindness, even when they don't deserve it, you are shining your light.  When you smile and keep a positive attitude, even when things don't go your way, you are setting an example so that people will glorify God in heaven. 

Notice that this verse says that people will see your "good works..."  People aren't impressed by our knowledge or what we say, people are drawn to God and the church by our good works!  In other words, loving God is lifting people!  Let your light shine wherever you go -- at home, at work, in the grocery store, and even on the highway when that guy cuts you off!  If you will be open and sensitive, there are always many opportunities to let God's light shine through you.  And as you take advantage of those opportunities, it will bring honor and glory to God; and when you honor Him, He always honors you!

Loving God IS Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Good day to you my friend!  I want to bless you with an awesome little story that teaches a great truth and that truth is how much we need each other!  When you are down it effects me, and when you are up it blesses me!  Enjoy this great story!

A mouse looked out through a crack in a farmhouse wall and was distraught to see a mousetrap.  When he went to tell his buddies, the chicken said, "Sorry pal, not my problem."  The pig said, "I'll pray for you."  The cow was busy and said, "Come back later."  Dejected the mouse was left alone to handle the problem. 

That night a poisonous snake was caught in the mousetrap and when the farmer's wife went to investigate she was bitten by the snake.  She developed a raging fever, and everyone knows you treat a fever with chicken soup.  So the farmer took his axe to the barn for the main ingredient!  As his wife's condition deteriorated and neighbors gathered, he had to butcher the pig to feed them.  Finally, she died.  So many people came to the funeral that he ended up slaughering the cow to make dinner for all of them.  In the end, everybody lost!

Before deciding that someone else's problem has nothing to do with you, remember what the bible says: "If one member suffers, all the members suffer..." (1 Cor. 12:26).  We must remember that we really do need each other!  In the good times and in the tough times -- God's loving grace and comfort flows through HIS PEOPLE!  May God bless you today as you find someone to lift and encourage. 

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod

Good morning to you my friend!  I have a very simple, but profound thought that I want to share with you today.  This is so elementary to our faith, yet something that we all struggle with from time to time.  It has to do with keeping things in the "right order" so to speak.  And I am talking about our faith, the facts of life, and our human emotion or feelings.

God's order and the order of good common sense is always: fact, then faith, then feeling.  But in matters of religion, man has a tendency to reverse this order and says: feeling, then faith, then fact.  There is in all spiritual matters a divine order and a human order.  And very freguently they are in exact contrast to one another. 

In the divine order God gives us the fact of His salvation, then we believe those facts, and as a result we have the feelings that come from believing those facts.  But to reverse this order is to say that I must have the feelings first, and then I can believe or have faith in the feelings, and then I can get a hold of the facts.  Of course, this is wrong and a trick of the enemy, but it is a very common temptation for all of us as we endeavor to live a life of faith.  So my encouragement to you today is this: when it comes to living your life, "get the right order" -- focus on the facts, have faith in that truth, and the right feelings will follow as you walk by faith and not by sight!

Loving God & Lifting People!!!

Pastor Rod