Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: Reflecting God's Image to the World

The end of all things is near. These words from First Peter might sound alarming, but they come with a beautiful instruction: be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer. Above all, maintain fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

This isn't just poetic language. It's a call to action that speaks directly to how we're meant to live as people of faith.

The Mirror of Refinement

There's a powerful story about a silversmith that captures something essential about spiritual transformation. When asked how he knew when silver had been fully purified in the fire, the craftsman gave a simple answer: "When I can see my reflection in it."

This image reveals God's purpose in our trials. When we go through difficult seasons, when life turns up the heat and we feel the pressure, God is looking for His reflection in us. He's watching to see if His character shows through our responses, our attitudes, our actions toward others.

We complain. We groan. We question why hard times come. But if the Spirit of God lives within us, those difficult moments are opportunities for God's attributes to shine through our lives. This is where spiritual gifts come into focus—they are nothing less than the very characteristics of God imparted to us.

What Are Spiritual Gifts?

Scripture is clear that we are collectively Christ's body, and individually we are members of it, each with our own special purpose and function. God has appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and those with various other gifts.

But here's the critical question: Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Of course not. We have different gifts according to the grace given to us, and each of us is to use them accordingly.

Just as one physical body has many parts with different functions, we who are many are nevertheless one body in Christ, mutually dependent on each other. Some have the gift of prophecy, speaking new messages from God. Others serve, teach, encourage, give generously, lead with diligence, or show mercy in caring for others.

The instruction is simple: do all these things with cheerfulness.

Living Examples of Spiritual Gifts

Consider the story of Erskine Peoples, an elderly man who grew up during the civil rights era, through Jim Crow laws and systematic discrimination. He experienced firsthand a world that didn't accept him, that didn't love him, that treated people who looked like him as less than human.

Yet when you sat with Erskine, something remarkable emerged. There was not an ounce of malice. Not a trace of bitterness. Not a hint of resentment. Only unselfish love flowed from this man.

How could someone who experienced such injustice harbor no anger? Because Erskine was a reflection of God's unselfish love. He demonstrated the very characteristics and attributes of Almighty God. He lived out spiritual gifts in a way that taught everyone around him what it truly means to reflect Christ.

When people looked at Erskine, they saw compassion, forgiveness, grace, and love—the very image of God.

The Good Samaritan Revisited

Jesus told a story that perfectly illustrates spiritual gifts in action. A man traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem was attacked by thieves, beaten mercilessly, robbed, and left half-dead on the roadside.

A priest came by first. He looked at the wounded man and thought he was dead. Knowing that touching a corpse would make him ceremonially unclean for over a week—preventing him from performing his temple duties—he passed by on the other side.

Then a Levite, a young man studying to be a priest, came along. He felt sorry for the wounded man but had classes and responsibilities to attend to. He, too, passed by.

Finally, a Samaritan came down the road. Samaritans were despised by Jewish people, considered lower class and uncivilized. Yet this Samaritan stopped. He dressed the man's wounds, anointed his head with oil, took him to an inn, paid for his care, and promised to cover any additional expenses.

Jesus asked the lawyer who posed the original question: "Who was the good neighbor?"

The answer was obvious—the one who showed mercy.

Then Jesus gave the command that still echoes today: "Go and do likewise."

Spiritual Gifts in Action

The Samaritan exemplified multiple spiritual gifts in that one encounter. He demonstrated healing, compassion, empathy, generous giving, administration, wisdom, service, and unselfish love. He showed us what it looks like when someone reflects God's character to a hurting world.

This is precisely what spiritual gifts are meant to accomplish. They enable us to be the hands and feet of Christ to those around us. They allow others to see God through our actions, our words, our attitudes.

The Critical Questions

Have you asked God what your gifts are? Have you earnestly sought Him in prayer, compelling Him to reveal the specific ways He's equipped you to serve?

Do you even care?

These aren't comfortable questions, but they're necessary ones. Is your gift evangelism? Prophecy? Teaching? Healing? Compassion? Empathy? Giving? Administration?

Whatever your gift, you have a responsibility to discover it and use it for God's glory. You're meant to be part of the kingdom's advancement, not an obstacle to it. You're called to be part of someone's life transformation, not a hindrance to their spiritual growth.

A Church That Reflects God

When we all start reflecting the very attributes of God to those around us, transformation happens. Why would God bring hurting people into a community where they'll be ignored, unnurtured, or uncared for?

He wants a people who will be the spiritual hands He's left on earth—showing compassion, healing, caring, generosity, and the love of Jesus.

This isn't about filling buildings with bodies. It's about becoming a reflection of Christ so clear that others are drawn to the light they see in us.

The Refining Fire

If the Spirit of God is wrestling with you, be grateful. It means He's still working in your life, still speaking to you, still shaping you.

The alternative is becoming a reprobate—someone so hardened that God's Word no longer penetrates, someone who can hear truth and remain unmoved.

God help us if we ever reach a place where we cannot feel and hear the Holy Spirit.

Your Response

The challenge is simple but profound: Are you reflecting back to God what He's placed within you? Are people seeing Jesus when they encounter you?

God died for you. He shed His blood for you. He gave everything for you. The least we can do is show Him how grateful we are by allowing His character to shine through our lives.

Discover your spiritual gifts. Use them boldly. Reflect God's image to a world desperate to see Him.

The time is now. The need is urgent. And you are uniquely equipped for this moment.

Bringing Order Out of Chaos: Finding Peace in a Turbulent World

In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, we all long for a sense of order and peace. But how do we find stability when everything around us seems to be in constant turmoil? The answer lies in understanding the nature of chaos and embracing the divine order that can transform our lives.

At the very beginning of creation, we see a powerful image of God bringing order out of chaos. Genesis 1:1-3 tells us:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

This passage isn't just about the physical creation of the world - it's a blueprint for how God works in our lives. Just as He took the formless void and created beauty, He can take the chaos in our hearts and minds and bring forth something wonderful.

But to understand how God brings order, we must first recognize the sources of chaos in our lives. There are three primary enemies that use chaos to disrupt our peace:

1. Our depraved carnal nature
2. The evil world system
3. The prince of the power of the air (Satan)

Our carnal nature is that part of us that feeds off chaos and desires the things of this world. Romans 8:6 warns us, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." We have a choice - we can dwell in the chaos, leading to spiritual death, or we can choose to be spiritually minded, embracing life and peace.

The world system we live in is not designed to nurture our faith. Jesus himself prayed for his followers, knowing the world would hate them as it hated Him. We cannot hold hands with the world and with God simultaneously. We must make a choice. As 1 John 2:15 admonishes, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them."

Finally, we must recognize that Satan, the prince of the power of the air, is actively working to disrupt our lives. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." The enemy wants to take away our joy, peace, and sanity. But we have the power to resist and overcome.

So how do we bring order out of the chaos? We can follow the same pattern God used in creation:

1. The Spirit of God moves
2. The Word of God is spoken
3. The Light of God shines

First, we need to invite the Holy Spirit to move in our lives. Just as the Spirit hovered over the waters in creation, He wants to move upon our hearts and minds. We should pray for the Spirit to take liberty in our lives, drawing us closer to God.

Next, we must embrace the power of God's Word. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." When we immerse ourselves in Scripture, it acts like a mirror, showing us who we truly are and cutting away the chaos in our souls.

Finally, we need to let the Light of God shine in our lives. Jesus declared in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." When we invite Jesus into our circumstances, His light dispels the darkness and chaos around us.

This process of bringing order out of chaos isn't just a one-time event - it's the very essence of our salvation and ongoing spiritual growth. Every time we feel overwhelmed by the disorder in our lives, we can return to this pattern:

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to move
2. Immerse ourselves in God's Word
3. Trust in the light of Christ

As we do this, we'll find that even in the midst of external chaos, we can experience internal peace. We'll discover the truth of Philippians 4:7, which promises, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

It's important to remember that choosing order over chaos is an ongoing process. We must continually resist the pull of our carnal nature, the allure of the world, and the schemes of the enemy. But we don't fight this battle alone. We have the power of God's Spirit, the truth of His Word, and the light of Christ to guide us.

In practical terms, this might mean turning off the TV, putting down our phones, or stepping away from toxic relationships. It could involve spending more time in prayer, studying Scripture, or serving others. Whatever it looks like in your life, the key is to consistently choose the things that bring life and peace over those that lead to chaos and death.

As we navigate the turbulent waters of life, let's hold fast to the promise that God is greater than any chaos we might face. He is the one who spoke light into darkness, who calmed the stormy sea, and who can bring peace to our troubled hearts.

In the Lord's Prayer, we ask God to "lead us not into temptation." This isn't just about avoiding sin - it's a plea for protection from the chaos of this world. It's a recognition that we need God's help to resist the darkness that threatens to overwhelm us.

So today, whatever chaos you might be facing, remember that you serve a God who specializes in bringing order out of disorder. He can take the formless void of your circumstances and create something beautiful. Trust in His Spirit, cling to His Word, and walk in His light.

In doing so, you'll discover a peace that transcends understanding, a joy that defies circumstances, and a purpose that rises above the chaos. For in Christ, we find the ultimate order - a life lived in harmony with the Creator of the universe.

Love is Humbling;

In a world that often glorifies self-promotion and individual achievement, we are reminded of a profound truth: love, in its purest form, is inherently humbling. This realization has the power to transform our understanding of faith, our relationships with others, and our connection to the divine.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, delivers a striking message that cuts through the noise of human accomplishment. He states that even if we possess the most extraordinary gifts - the ability to speak in angelic tongues, prophetic powers, or faith that can move mountains - without love, we are nothing. This is a humbling thought indeed. All our perceived greatness, our talents, and our achievements amount to nothing if they are not rooted in and motivated by love.

But what is this love that Paul speaks of? It's not the fleeting emotions we often associate with the word. Rather, it's a love so profound and sacrificial that it mirrors the very nature of God Himself. To truly understand this love, we must look to the ultimate example - Jesus Christ.

The crucifixion of Jesus is a story we've heard countless times, but have we truly grasped its depth? Beyond the physical suffering, which was undoubtedly excruciating, Jesus experienced something even more profound - the weight of separation from God. When He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1), Jesus was not just quoting scripture. He was experiencing, in that moment, the anguish of what it means to be separated from the source of all goodness, light, and love.

This separation wasn't because God the Father turned His back on His Son. Rather, Jesus willingly took on the experience of what it feels like for humanity to be separated from God for all eternity. He tasted the darkness, the hopelessness, and the spiritual anguish that sin brings. In doing so, He bridged the gap between humanity and divinity, making a way for us to be reconciled to God.

The realization of this sacrifice should bring us to our knees in humility. How can we, in the face of such love, hold onto our pride? How can we continue to put ourselves first when we've been loved so completely and sacrificially?

This humbling love changes everything. It transforms our understanding of what it means to be truly great. In God's economy, true greatness is found in servanthood, in putting others before ourselves, in loving even when it costs us everything. Jesus, the King of Kings, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. If that doesn't challenge our notions of power and greatness, what will?

Moreover, this love calls us to a life of gratitude. When we truly grasp what has been done for us, how can we not live lives overflowing with thankfulness? Every breath becomes a gift, every moment an opportunity to express our gratitude through how we live and love others.

But here's a challenging thought: you can never truly know what love is until you know God. Our human understanding of love, as beautiful as it can be, is but a shadow of the divine love that created the universe and sustains all life. To know God is to begin to understand love in its fullest, most transformative sense.

This understanding of love should radically change how we live. It should impact our relationships, our work, our priorities. It should make us stand out in a world that often chooses the easy path over the right one. In a culture that's becoming increasingly hostile to faith, this love should give us the courage to stand firm, to be different, to choose the narrow way even when it's difficult.

Young people especially need to hear this message. As the world grows darker, the light of Christ-like love will shine even brighter. It's not an easy path - it requires sacrifice, courage, and a willingness to be different. But it's the path that leads to true life, true purpose, and true love.

The invitation to experience this love is open to all. Just as Jesus invited His disciples to share in the Last Supper, He invites us to commune with Him, to partake in His love, to be transformed by it. This isn't a casual invitation to be taken lightly. It's a call to die to ourselves, to our pride, to our self-centeredness, and to be reborn in love.

As we reflect on these truths, let's ask ourselves some challenging questions:

1. How has my understanding of love been transformed by God's love for me?
2. In what areas of my life do I need to cultivate more humility?
3. How can I express gratitude for God's love in tangible ways today?
4. Am I willing to stand out and be different for the sake of Christ's love?
5. How can I share this transformative love with others in my sphere of influence?

Remember, love is not just a feeling - it's a force that can change the world. It's a love that humbles us, that gratifies us, that transforms us from the inside out. It's a love that calls us to something greater than ourselves, that invites us to participate in God's grand story of redemption.

May we never lose sight of this love. May it humble us, inspire us, and propel us to live lives that reflect the very heart of God. For in the end, it's not our accomplishments, our talents, or our successes that will matter. It's how well we loved.

Faithfulness: The Fruit of the Spirit and the Heart of Relationship

In a world that often feels disconnected and chaotic, there's a profound truth that can anchor our souls and transform our communities: faithfulness is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, born in the collective nature of God's children. This isn't just a nice sentiment; it's a powerful reality that can reshape how we approach our relationship with God and with one another.

At its core, faithfulness isn't something we can manufacture through sheer willpower or religious obligation. It's a divine gift, a natural outpouring of a heart that's in tune with God. Just as we recognize love in human relationships through actions, words, and sacrifices, our relationship with God flourishes through similar expressions of devotion.

Consider how we know someone truly cares for us. They show up. They sacrifice. They communicate their love. They think about us and act on our behalf. If this is how we experience love in human relationships, shouldn't our relationship with God reflect these same qualities?

The book of Galatians speaks of the fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This list isn't just a set of virtues to aspire to; it's a description of the natural outcome of a life lived in close communion with God.

Let's break it down:

1. Love, joy, and peace are inward fruits – what we experience personally from God's presence in our lives.
2. Patience, kindness, and goodness are outward fruits – how we interact with others as a result of God's work in us.
3. Faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are upward fruits – how we relate back to God.

Faithfulness, then, isn't about gritting our teeth and forcing ourselves to attend church or read our Bibles. It's about cultivating a heartfelt connection with God that naturally overflows into every aspect of our lives.

This faithfulness is rooted in humility and a genuine sense of our need for God. It's recognizing that we're in a partnership with the Divine – not as equals, but as beloved children invited into the work of the Kingdom. As 1 Corinthians 3:9 reminds us, "For we are partners with God."

So how do we cultivate this kind of faithfulness? It starts with recognizing that God desires a personal relationship with each of us. The Creator of the universe wants to connect with you individually! This truth should shake us to our core and inspire us to respond with wholehearted devotion.

Practically speaking, we can nurture faithfulness by:

1. Regularly telling God we love Him – not just on special occasions, but every day.
2. Showing up for worship and fellowship with other believers, not out of obligation, but from a place of genuine desire to connect with God and His people.
3. Giving of our time, talents, and resources as an expression of love and gratitude.
4. Engaging in spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study, not as a checklist, but as a means of deepening our relationship with God.

But here's where it gets really interesting – our faithfulness to God is intimately tied to how we treat others. Jesus made this crystal clear in Matthew 25 when He spoke about the judgment of nations. He said that when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the imprisoned, we're doing these things for Him.

This means that our vertical relationship with God cannot be separated from our horizontal relationships with others. When we show compassion, when we sacrifice for others, when we go out of our way to care for those in need – we're demonstrating our faithfulness to God in tangible ways.

Imagine a church where no one falls through the cracks. Where every person is seen, valued, and cared for. Where the lonely find companionship, the hurting find comfort, and the lost find direction. This isn't just a nice idea; it's the natural outworking of a community of believers who are truly walking in faithfulness to God.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us: "Let us consider thoughtfully how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds." This isn't about putting on a show or earning brownie points with God. It's about allowing the faithfulness that God has planted in our hearts to bear fruit in how we relate to one another.

When we gather for worship, it's not just about going through the motions. It's an opportunity to praise God in three powerful ways:

1. With thanksgiving – expressing personal gratitude for what God has done in our lives.
2. With rejoicing – celebrating the blessings and victories of others in the community.
3. With pure worship – simply basking in the presence of God and exalting His name.

As we engage in this kind of wholehearted worship together, the Spirit of God moves among us, connecting us not just to Him but to each other. We leave these gatherings with hope in our hearts and a renewed sense of purpose.

The challenge for each of us is to examine our hearts. Are we approaching our relationship with God from a place of sincere love and devotion? Or have we fallen into patterns of religious obligation and routine? Are we allowing the faithfulness that God has planted within us to flourish and impact how we treat others?

If we find ourselves falling short, the invitation is always open to come to the altar – not a physical place, but a posture of the heart. We can approach God with honesty, asking Him to forgive us where we've been unfaithful and to help us cultivate true faithfulness.

The Power of One Verse: Unpacking John 3:16

In a world filled with complexity and confusion, sometimes the most profound truths can be found in the simplest of places. Today, we're going to dive deep into one of the most well-known verses in the Bible - John 3:16. This single verse encapsulates the very heart of the Christian faith and offers a powerful message of hope, love, and salvation.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Let's break this verse down and explore the rich truths contained within each phrase:

1. "For God" - We serve a monotheistic God, the creator of heaven and earth. This isn't just any god, but the one true God of the Bible. He's not the universe itself, but the creator of it all. When we speak of God, we're talking about Jehovah, Yahweh, the Everlasting Father.

2. "So loved" - God's primary attribute is love. While He is just and will hold everyone accountable, He leads with love and grace. Before judgment comes, God always offers an opportunity for repentance and change. His love precedes His justice.

3. "The world" - We live in a fallen world, marred by sin. This explains why bad things happen to good people. We're all born into a world tainted by original sin, separated from God until we accept Christ.

4. "That He gave" - God's grace is at the core of our salvation. We can't earn our way into heaven or work our way into God's good graces. It's all about His unmerited favor towards us.

5. "His only begotten Son" - Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. As He said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." All other paths lead to destruction.

6. "That whosoever believeth" - This speaks to our free will. God gives us the choice to believe or not. But true belief goes beyond mere acknowledgment. It's a faith that leads to action, obedience, and a transformed life.

7. "Should not perish" - There's a heaven and a hell, and our choices determine our eternal destination. God doesn't send us to either place; we choose our path through our response to His offer of salvation.

8. "But have everlasting life" - The promise of eternal life with God is the ultimate hope for believers. It's not just about quantity of life, but quality - a life filled with God's presence and purpose.

This single verse touches on so many crucial aspects of the Christian faith: God's nature, His love, the fallen state of the world, Jesus as the only way to salvation, our need for faith, the reality of judgment, and the promise of eternal life. It's a microcosm of the entire gospel message.

But knowing these truths isn't enough. We're called to live them out. Here are some practical applications we can draw from John 3:16:

1. Embrace God's love: Recognize that you are deeply loved by the Creator of the universe. Let this truth transform how you see yourself and others.

2. Respond to His grace: God's gift of salvation requires a response. Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If not, why wait?

3. Share the good news: If God loved the world so much, shouldn't we? Look for opportunities to share this message of hope with others.

4. Live with eternal perspective: Knowing that this life isn't all there is should impact how we live each day. Are we storing up treasures in heaven?

5. Trust in Jesus alone: In a world of many paths, stand firm in the truth that Jesus is the only way to the Father.

The power of John 3:16 isn't just in its theological depth, but in its ability to transform lives. It's a verse that has led countless individuals to faith in Christ and continues to offer hope to a broken world.

Remember, faith without works is dead. True belief in Christ should lead to a transformed life - one that pursues holiness, resists the darkness of this world, and shines as a light for others. It's not about perfection, but about progress and a heart that's fully surrendered to God.

In closing, let's challenge ourselves to memorize John 3:16 if we haven't already. But more than that, let's internalize its message. Let it shape our worldview, guide our actions, and fuel our passion for God and others.

May we never lose the wonder of this truth: that the God of the universe loves us so much that He gave His Son for us. And may we live each day in light of this amazing grace, sharing this hope with a world that desperately needs it.

As we go about our week, let's carry the truth of John 3:16 in our hearts. Let it be a source of comfort in difficult times, a wellspring of joy in good times, and a constant reminder of God's incredible love for us. May our lives be a living testament to the transformative power of this simple yet profound verse.

The Journey of Spiritual Fruitfulness

In our walk with God, we are called to be more than passive observers or casual participants. We are called to be fruitful - to bear offspring for the Kingdom and to manifest the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. This journey of spiritual fruitfulness is not always easy, but it is essential for our growth and for fulfilling our divine purpose.

The apostle Peter lays out a beautiful roadmap for this journey in his second epistle. He describes a process of adding virtues to our faith, each one building upon the last:

"Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." (2 Peter 1:5-7)

This progression is not merely a checklist, but a transformative journey. As we cultivate these qualities, we become more like Christ and more effective in our witness to the world. Peter goes on to say that if these things are in us and are increasing, we will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But what does it mean to be fruitful in God's eyes? It goes beyond mere productivity or success as the world defines it. True spiritual fruitfulness has two primary aspects:

1. Bearing offspring for the Kingdom
2. Manifesting the fruits of the Spirit

Bearing offspring for the Kingdom is about evangelism - sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others and helping to bring new believers into God's family. This is a sacred calling, one that Jesus Himself gave us in the Great Commission. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

There's a beautiful process in soul-winning that Paul likens to agriculture. Some plant the seed of the gospel through a kind word, a prayer, or simply living a faithful life. Others water that seed through encouragement and continued witness. And still others harvest - leading people to make a decision for Christ. Each role is vital, and we all have a part to play.

The fruits of the Spirit, as described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, are the outward manifestation of our inward transformation: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

These qualities should be increasingly evident in our lives as we grow in Christ. They are not just for our own benefit, but are meant to draw others to the goodness of God. As Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

The key to bearing this fruit is abiding in Christ. Jesus used the metaphor of a vine and branches to illustrate this truth:

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

We cannot produce spiritual fruit through our own efforts. It is only by staying connected to Jesus, the source of life, that we can bear the fruit God desires.

This journey of fruitfulness requires intentionality and sometimes sacrifice. Just as a gardener prunes branches to increase fruit production, God may remove things from our lives that hinder our growth. This can be uncomfortable, but it's ultimately for our good and for His glory.

In our modern world, it's easy to become complacent or distracted from our spiritual calling. We can get caught up in the routines of religious activity without truly engaging in the mission of winning souls and manifesting Christ's character. But God is calling us to more.

He's calling us to rediscover our passion for the lost, to have the courage to ask, "How is it with your soul?" He's calling us to bear fruit that will last for eternity.

Imagine the joy of seeing someone come to faith in Christ because of your witness. Picture the impact of a life fully surrendered to God, radiating His love and character to a hurting world. This is the fruitful life God intends for us.

As we reflect on this calling, let's ask ourselves some challenging questions:

- Am I actively seeking to share the gospel with others?
- Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in my life?
- Am I staying connected to Jesus, the true vine?
- What might God be pruning from my life to increase fruitfulness?
- How can I be more intentional about my spiritual growth?

The journey of spiritual fruitfulness is not always easy, but it is infinitely rewarding. It's a journey of becoming more like Christ, of making an eternal impact, of fulfilling our divine purpose.

Let's commit ourselves anew to this journey. Let's pray for God to use us in winning souls for His kingdom. Let's ask Him to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. And let's trust Him to make us fruitful beyond what we could ask or imagine.

Remember, you are called to bear much fruit. Not out of duty or obligation, but out of love for the One who first loved us. As you abide in Christ, may you experience the joy of a truly fruitful life - one that blesses others, glorifies God, and leaves an eternal legacy.

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." (John 15:16)

May we answer this divine appointment with wholehearted commitment, knowing that as we bear fruit for God's kingdom, we fulfill our highest calling and experience the deepest joy.

The Great Deception: No Need for God's Word

In a world that seems to be spiraling further into chaos and darkness with each passing day, it's more crucial than ever for believers to stand firm in their faith and cling tightly to the truth of God's Word. We are living in an era of great deception, where the very foundations of Christianity are under attack from all sides.

The signs of this deception are all around us. We see a society that is increasingly hostile to the teachings of Christ, where traditional values are mocked and scorned. False prophets and teachers abound, twisting Scripture to fit their own agendas or discarding it altogether. Even within the church, there are those who seek to water down the gospel, stripping away the deity of Christ and the need for salvation.

Jesus himself warned us about these times in Matthew 24. He cautioned His disciples to "take heed that no one deceives you," knowing that many would come in His name, claiming to be the Christ and leading many astray. He foretold a time when "many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another." Looking at the state of our world today, it's hard not to see the fulfillment of these prophecies unfolding before our eyes.

The root of this deception can be traced all the way back to the Garden of Eden. When the serpent tempted Eve, his tactics were the same as they are today – questioning God's Word and His goodness. "Did God really say...?" he asked, planting seeds of doubt in Eve's mind. Then he boldly contradicted God's warning: "You will not surely die." This same lie is echoed today in countless ways, as the world tells us we don't need God, we don't need His Word, and we can be our own gods.

But we must remember that Satan is, as Jesus called him, "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). His goal has always been to separate us from God, to make us doubt His love and His truth. And one of his most effective strategies in our modern age is to attack the authority and relevance of Scripture.

We see this attack manifesting in several ways:

1. Questioning the need for Jesus: There's a growing movement that seeks to strip away Christ's deity and His role as Savior, promoting a universalist theology that says all paths lead to God.

2. Redefining the church: Many are attempting to reshape the church into something more "palatable" to the world, losing sight of its true mission to preach the gospel and make disciples.

3. Undermining the authority of Scripture: By casting doubt on the Bible's accuracy, relevance, or applicability to modern life, Satan seeks to rob believers of their spiritual foundation.

In the face of these challenges, how can we as believers stand firm? The answer lies in developing a deep, abiding relationship with God's Word. We must immerse ourselves in Scripture, hiding it in our hearts so that we might not sin against God (Psalm 119:11). The Bible is not just a collection of ancient writings – it is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to transform lives, to bring light to darkness, and to equip us for every good work.

Consider these powerful truths about God's Word:

- It is the source of our faith (Romans 10:17)
- It gives us hope and encouragement (Romans 15:4)
- It guides our path (Psalm 119:105)
- It converts the soul and makes wise the simple (Psalm 19:7)
- It rejoices the heart and enlightens the eyes (Psalm 19:8)

In a world where truth seems increasingly relative and subjective, the Bible stands as an unchanging anchor for our souls. It provides us with the wisdom and discernment we need to navigate the complexities of life and to recognize the deceptions of the enemy.

But merely reading the Bible is not enough. We must study it diligently, meditate on it day and night, and allow it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We must approach Scripture with humility and a willingness to be transformed by its truth, even when it challenges our preconceptions or personal desires.

As we grow in our knowledge and application of God's Word, we become better equipped to fulfill our calling as believers. We are called to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs the hope of the gospel. We are called to love our neighbors, to serve the least of these, and to proclaim the good news of salvation through Christ alone.

This calling extends to all believers, regardless of age, gender, or position. Every Christian has a role to play in sharing the gospel and advancing God's kingdom. Whether through preaching, teaching, acts of service, or simply living out our faith in our daily lives, we all have the opportunity and responsibility to be witnesses for Christ.

In these challenging times, it's easy to become discouraged or fearful. But we must remember that we serve a God who is sovereign over all things. The same God who spoke the universe into existence is at work in our world today, and His purposes will not be thwarted.

As we face the great deception of our age, let us hold fast to the promises of God. Let us stand firm on the solid rock of His Word, knowing that it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Let us pray for a renewed hunger for Scripture, asking God to write His Word on the tablets of our hearts and to use it to convict, correct, and transform us.

And above all, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In Him, we find the strength to persevere, the wisdom to discern truth from lies, and the love that casts out all fear. As we abide in Christ and in His Word, we can face the challenges of our time with confidence, knowing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

May we be a people who are not swayed by the ever-changing winds of cultural opinion, but who stand firm on the unchanging truth of God's Word. May we be beacons of light in a dark world, pointing others to the hope and salvation found in Christ alone. And may we never lose sight of the blessed hope we have in Jesus, knowing that one day He will return to make all things new.

The Great Deception: No Need for Church

In a world increasingly marked by division, hatred, and confusion, it's crucial for believers to stay rooted in the truth of God's Word and remain vigilant against deception. We are living in unprecedented times, where the very foundations of faith and morality are being challenged on a global scale. This spiritual battle calls for discernment, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

One of the most alarming trends we're witnessing is the rapid decline of Christian faith in nations that were once considered bastions of Christianity. For the first time in history, less than half of the citizens in the United States claim to be Christian. This falling away, or apostasy, is not just a statistical shift—it's a spiritual crisis that opens the door for darker forces to take hold.

The Bible warns us about this very scenario. In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, we read: "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition." This falling away, or apostasia in Greek, refers to a turning away from God. It's a collective rejection of divine truth that paves the way for the spirit of Antichrist to flourish.

But what exactly is this spirit of Antichrist? It's not just a future figure to be feared—it's a present reality that manifests in various ways:

1. A spirit of murder: Like Cain, who killed his brother Abel out of jealousy and hatred.
2. A spirit of betrayal: Exemplified by Judas, who walked with Jesus for three years yet ultimately betrayed Him.
3. A spirit of hate: Seen in historical figures like Antiochus Epiphanes, who massacred thousands of Jews out of pure hatred.

These dark influences are not confined to ancient history—they're alive and active in our world today. We see their fruits in the increasing violence, division, and moral decay plaguing our societies. James 4:1-2 speaks to this reality: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight."

In the face of such darkness, how can believers stand firm and shine the light of Christ? Here are some key truths to remember:

1. Religion is not the church: The true church is not an institution but a living organism—the body of Christ. It's not about buildings or denominations, but about people united in faith and purpose.

2. Social justice is not the gospel: While caring for others is important, we must not replace the good news of Jesus Christ with political activism. Our primary calling is to share the transformative message of salvation.

3. Political activism is not worship: True worship is about exalting God, not rallying behind human leaders or causes. Our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ alone.

4. Hatred is not of God: No matter how justified we may feel, hatred has no place in the heart of a believer. We are called to love even our enemies and to overcome evil with good.

5. Rebellion against God is witchcraft: When we stubbornly resist God's will and elevate our own desires, we open ourselves to deceptive spiritual influences.

To combat these deceptions, we must return to the core principles of our faith:

1. Discipleship and discipline: We need to be intentional about growing in our faith and putting what we learn into practice.

2. Evangelism and soul-winning: Like the great evangelist John Wesley, who preached tirelessly to reach the lost, we must rekindle our passion for sharing the gospel.

3. Community and church family: We were never meant to walk this journey alone. We need the support, accountability, and love of fellow believers.

As we navigate these challenging times, let's pray for discernment and courage. Ask God to show you your place in His church and how you can serve others. Pray for your local church to be a beacon of hope in your community, shining the light of Christ brightly for all to see.

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:4-5: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many." Stay alert, rooted in God's Word, and filled with His Spirit. The deceptions may be great, but our God is greater.

In times of darkness, we must cling to the unshakeable truths of our faith. Christ has overcome the world, and in Him, we too are overcomers. Let us not be swayed by the spirit of Antichrist that seeks to divide and destroy. Instead, let us be united in love, firm in faith, and unwavering in our commitment to the gospel.

As we face the challenges ahead, may we echo the words of the psalmist: "Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn" (Psalm 57:8). Let our lives be a testament to the transforming power of Christ, awakening hope in a world desperate for truth and light.

The great deception may be upon us, but the greater truth of God's love and salvation remains. Stand firm, stay vigilant, and let your light shine brightly in the darkness. For it is in our weakness that His strength is made perfect, and it is through our faithfulness that His kingdom advances. May we be found faithful when Christ returns, having fought the good fight and kept the faith.

The Great Deception: Holding Fast to the Truth of Jesus

In a world filled with conflicting messages and shifting ideologies, it's more important than ever to hold fast to the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ. We live in an era where the very foundations of faith are being challenged, and a dangerous deception is creeping into our churches, communities, and even our own hearts.

Recent polls have shown a troubling trend: for the first time in the history of our nation, less than half of the population claims to be Christian. This decline in faith isn't just a statistic; it's a reflection of a deeper spiritual battle taking place. As believers, we must be aware of the forces at work seeking to undermine our faith and lead us astray.

The Bible warns us repeatedly about the danger of deception. In Matthew 24, Jesus Himself cautions His disciples, "Take heed that no one deceives you." He goes on to explain that many will come in His name, claiming to be Christ, and will deceive many. This warning is just as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago.

One of the most insidious deceptions of our time is the idea that there's no need for Jesus anymore. This lie takes many forms, from outright denial of Christ's deity to more subtle distortions of His teachings. We're seeing a rise in what some call "deconstruction theology," which seeks to tear down the fundamental truths of our faith and replace them with a watered-down version of Christianity that's more palatable to modern sensibilities.

But we must remember that Jesus is not just a historical figure or a good moral teacher. He is the Son of God, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins. As John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

The attacks on Jesus' deity are not new, but they're becoming more prevalent in our culture. We must stand firm on the truth that Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was the spotless Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. As 1 John 2:2 reminds us, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

The resurrection of Jesus is another crucial truth that's under attack. But without the resurrection, our faith is in vain. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." We must hold fast to the truth that Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, and is alive forevermore.

In the face of these deceptions, how can we stand firm in our faith? Here are a few key principles to remember:

1. Know the Word: Immerse yourself in Scripture. The more familiar you are with God's Word, the easier it will be to recognize false teachings.

2. Stay connected to the body of Christ: We need each other. Being part of a community of believers provides support, accountability, and encouragement.

3. Be led by the Spirit: Romans 8:14 tells us, "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer and listening to His voice.

4. Be a light: In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus calls us to be the light of the world. Our lives should reflect the truth and love of Christ to those around us.

5. Stand firm in the face of opposition: As 1 Peter 3:15 exhorts us, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

It's crucial to remember that our faith is not based on feelings or cultural trends, but on the unchanging truth of God's Word. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

As we navigate these challenging times, let's be encouraged by the words of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

The deceptions of this world may be great, but our God is greater. He has overcome the world, and in Him, we too are overcomers. Let us hold fast to the truth of Jesus Christ, standing firm in our faith, and shining His light in a world that desperately needs hope.

As we close, let's reflect on the words of the hymn:

"I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart,
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say, 'This is the day that the Lord has made.'
I will rejoice for He has made me glad."

May we always find our gladness in the Lord, rejoicing in the truth of who He is and what He has done for us. Let us be a people who enter His presence with thanksgiving, praising Him for His unchanging love and unshakable truth. In a world of deception, may we be known as those who stand firm in the faith, holding fast to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

John 3:30 kjv
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

2024 is coming to an end and 2025 is upon us. This year has been one for the record books. We have witnessed God's Word come to life this year and there doesn't seem to be any inclination it is going to slow down. What does this mean for us? What is our response to the times we are living in. Every Child of God understands what is happening in the world and we are not taken by surprise of it. The age of grace we are currently in is quickly coming to a close. We need to prepare ourselves and take a sense of urgency for those that we know and love so that they are prepared also.

How do we prepare ourselves? The verse I shared with you is the key to our preparedness. Christ must become priority number one and we must get on board with God's plan. The reality is whether we are on board or not God's plan will happen with us or without us. The only way for us to be prepared is to take the back seat as the scripture instructs us to do. if our hearts desire is a closer relationship with our Savior then this is not hard for us. When we let God be God and we get out of the way then God takes care of the details. So as the new year comes at us hard and fast, here are some things to put into practice;

1. Prayer has to become a necessity for us. Ever time we spend time with the Lord it has a profound effect on us and our lives. It allows the Holy Spirit to have access to us and to bless us accordingly.
2. Study the scriptures. So much is happening so fast. If you are in the Word and you realize these things we told to us that they were going to happen it will encourage us not discourage us. The more we are in the Word of God the greater our faith will be.
3. Put on the Armor of God daily. We have to have a daily hunger for righteousness. When we prepare ourselves daily then we can withstand the evil in the world and not be overtaken by it. Putting on the Armor allows us to advance and not backslide.
4. Support one another. Being a part of a church/faith community is so important. We need the love and nurture of others in these difficult times. We also need to love and nurture others. 
5. Go tell it on the mountain. We have to become bold in our witness for the Lord. people need to know. We do not want anyone to slip into eternity without knowing Jesus.

I pray for you to be prepared and to help others to be prepared. Keep looking up for our Redemption draws nigh.

Pastor Tommy

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Don't Lose Hope
This world we live in seems to be unraveling at the seems. The has never been such a state of hat & division as there is currently. Sin is more prevalent today than it was in the days of Noah. Perversion is more rampant today than it was in the days of Sodom & Gomorrah. Blasphemy, Apostasy, and hatred toward God is becoming the norm for most cultures around the world. How do we continue to live the live of Faith in this unGodly world?

The scripture teaches us that Creation itself groans for the redemption of God's sons & daughters. The Lord Himself will peace back to this Earth and set everything right the way it ought to be. God will judge this world because of sin, but He will redeem His children because of Faith. Don't lose hope. God will never forsake us, no matter bad life may get. God's grace is sufficient for every instance of our lives. Put your faith in Jesus and serve Him the rest of your days. You will find your Faith will sustain you in hope. For if our hope is Christ Jesus we are already winners. We are the children of promise!

Heavenly Father I pray for everyone who is reading this message today. Lord, do not let them be overcome by the troubles of life, but help them to be overcomers in times of troubles. Our hope is in you Jesus, and we ask for your grace every minute of our lives. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen!

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

There is a tragic occurrence that is taking place in churches and in the lives of individuals all over. The travesty is the doubts and fears that plague the people of God concerning their faith. When we have doubts and fears concerning our faith it really disrupts our relationship with God. Doubts and fears rob us of our joy and peace.  Joy and peace are the gifts of the Spirit that comes from an affirmed relationship with our Heavenly Father. I want to encourage you to take this seriously and exam yourself so that you can settle things with God and become steadfast in your faith. A child of God that is secure in their faith is a person who walks by faith and not by site. They enjoy and depend upon the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that empowers them for everyday life. A secure Christian is faithful and all in for the Kingdom of God.
I want to give you a three-question exam to exam yourself by. I encourage you to be honest with yourself with God. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and affirm your faith. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to renewing and restoring your relationship with God. Life today is hard enough; we need God present and in charge of our lives so that we are not overcome by the tribulations of life. Please consider these three observations that Jesus left us with to affirm our commitment to Him;

1. Who do you love? - John 13:34-35,                                                                                             34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
   35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.             Jesus is telling us that when we are in relationship with Him we will take on His nature and character. There will be a desire for God and for Godly things. Our hearts will be given to love as our Savior's is.
2. What fruits are evident? - Matthew 7:20,                                                                                        20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.                                                                         Children of God will bring forth fruits in their lives. There will be a desire for prayer, church, service, and nurturing our faith. If these simple things are not of importance, then we need to take a deep inventory of our Spiritual condition. When fruits are present, they help us to overcome the troubles of this world. 
3.  What is the level of sincerity? - Matthew 16:24,                                                                            24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.                                                                                             Jesus brought grace into this world and offers it to all who will receive. The whole key to receiving God's grace is the sincerity of response to Him. There is no magic prayer or religious ceremony that can obtain God's favor in our lives. Jesus loves us and saves us by grace. The only thing required of us is to respond in sincerity. God sees the hearts of everyone.

It is important for us to nurture our faith continually. Doubts and fears wreak havoc in our lives. Live your life with full assurance of your salvation and relationship with our Lord and Savior. If these questions are challenging, then get alone with God settle things for one and all.

Pastor Tommy

If you are a Child of God, then your relationship with Jesus the Christ is very sacred to you. The church where we worship King Jesus is Sacred to us. The Bible we study and read is sacred to us. The time we spend in prayer is sacred to us. The transformational work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is also sacred to us. We take these undergirding's of our faith into our everyday lives. We live differently from society and do not follow the paths the rest of the world follows. We offer our lives as living sacrifices so that God may use us as shining lights of hope to the rest of the world. The horrible reality is that the world does not always receive God's love in an appreciative way. Sometimes, the reaction is just the opposite. Christians and Christianity are mocked and hated for their Godly affiliation. This animosity has always been there, because the devil has waged war against the church. The difference now is that the hatred is no longer spewed from the shadows or the background. It is now front and center and there seems to be no limits to the hate that is spewed.

Knowing that this is going to be a reality that we are going to have to experience as a Christian we must learn how to respond & react to such hatred. When your faith is challenged and your relationship with Jesus is mocked it can be devastating and can become an obstacle for some of us. I want to share a few things to remember and put into practice when experiencing such attacks on our faith journeys.

1. Do not respond with hate in return - The sad reality is that those who are spewing hatred toward people of faith do not understand us because they cannot understand the spiritual things of God. Logic would say "How could you hate something that brings love, peace, and hope into the world?" The world is turned against God because the world is broken and feeds into the carnal way of understanding. When this sinful way of living is challenged in anyway the reaction will be full oof vitriol and hate. I say pray for them and ask God to give grace to them that one day they also may know the goodness of God as we do.
2. Do not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ - No matter how hurtful, hateful, or isolating these attacks may be, never let them silence you from sharing the Gospel Truth. Responding to someone with the Gospel of Jesus is not responding in hate but just the opposite. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Everyone needs to hear the Gospel so that they may be saved and escape an eternity without God and have a life on the earth full of the goodness of God.
3. Do not let the darkness & deception of others become an obstacle to your faith walk - It is the tactic of the devil to hinder and rattle our faith. If we let the attacks of the enemy stop us from doing what we know is right, then the enemy has accomplished what he wanted. Never stop praying, praising, and serving our Lord and Savior for any reason.

This old broken world needs the children of God to shine as lights in the midst of darkness. We need to be agents of hope in a world filled with despair. Hold those things sacred to us close to your hearts and let them guide you through this lifetime as we patiently wait for our promised inheritance. God bless you brothers & sisters.

Pastor Tommy Messer

 

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

There is never more a needed promise from our Lord and Savior than the promise of Rest. The world today is constant chaos & turmoil. Our lives even seem to get out of control sometimes. We constantly fight battles in our mind of anxiety, doubts, & fears. The spiritual wickedness of this world is set up in such a way that it amplifies the battles in our mind. Sometimes it gets so bad that even a good night sleep will escape us. This effects believers & nonbelievers alike. It is really a plague on humanity. The busier we stay in our lives and the less our minds are at rest the easier it is for us to slip away from God and even ignore Him all together.

God Himself gave us an example in the creation story. God created the world in six days and on the seventh day He rested. He then instructed the children of Israel to rest on the seventh day of the week. It wasn't so much for the bodily rest, which was beneficial. The rest was more for spiritual wellbeing of individuals. When our contact with God lessens, our minds will succumb to all kinds of temptations and attacks. When we lose our sanity, our lives become full of stress, then everything else starts to fall apart. We have to find rest for our hearts, soul, & minds.

Jesus gives us an invitation to find rest with Him. When we yoke ourselves to Him we are allowing Him to help us carry those burdens. When we fill our minds of knowledge of Him we are replacing the stress with the living hope of Christ. It is absolutely necessary we stay in constant connection with our Savior. The Bible tells us to pray continuously and to be diligent in studying God's word. The Word also encourages us not to forsake gathering together and worshipping God. The more we live into this discipline we will benefit from the rest we find. I want to encourage you to lean on Jesus and find rest unto your souls.

Pray with me. Lord Jesus, I come to you seeking rest from life's troubles & trials. Lord please clear my mind and remove the stress from my life. Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to lean on you and depend on you. My life makes sense when I walk hand in hand with You. Please Lord, hear my prayer. In Jesus name I pray, Amen! 

II Timothy 1:7 
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Word of God has so much to say about the spiritual battlefield of the mind. The Bible warns us that spiritual wickedness and darkness will attack us through our psyche cause us to think we are losing our sanity. Attacks consisting of fear, anxiety, isolation, doubt, & self deprivation will ruin anyone's way of thinking. The percentage of individuals that suffers from mental illness, suicidal thoughts, extreme stress, & social isolation are at all time highs. This is for believers & unbelievers alike. This is a direct attack from the forces of darkness that are at work in the world. This makes it so important that we deepen our relationship with the Lord and the Holy Spirit through God's Word.

When we fill our mind with scripture and calm our minds with prayer it has a tremendous effect upon us. This discipline along with our life's faith journey where we develop trust in God and we come to put our complete dependence upon Him, also strengthens our thought process. Knowing that God has our back and that that His word promises us that He will provide, protect, & be present with us during all of our lives brings us great comfort and reassurance. The key is for us to put our trust in Him and be vulnerable & surrender our worries to Him. The Bible promises us that if we but humble ourselves God will lift us up and care for us.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit as a Comforter. The comforter removes fear because God is with us. The Comforter brings restoration because He gives us rest. The Comforter restores love because we know we are not alone and we have the ability to restore relationships in our lives. The sound mind is the sum result of no longer giving attention to the voices of this world and our enemy and making an effort to giving attention to our God. i encourage you to be intentional with your prayers and be faithful to spending time with God. I also encourage you to be intentional with reading, studying, and meditating over God's Word. Fill your ind with His word and push out all of the negativity of the darkness that is attacking you. Then i want to encourage you to surround yourself with people of a like faith that you can love and be loved in a community. God never meant for us to be isolated from one another. Let's pray;

Heavenly Father, we come to you today seeking help in a very specific way for a sound mind. Our lives become so burdensome, our troubles become so many, and our worries become so heavy. Help us O' Lord to replace the chaos in our minds with Your sweet peace. help us O' Lord to be strong in the presence of our troubles and trust in You. Help us O' Lord to realize that You are ever present and that we have nothing to fear because You fight for us, provide for us, and stays with us always. Thank you Jesus for your grace. in Jesus name I pray. Amen! 

Revelation 4
4 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The 4th chapter of Revelation is the translation of the Apostle John into Glory and where he sees the first of many wonderful things. It is only fitting that upon his arrival the first thing John sees is a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ. John sees the Lord himself in all of His glory sitting on the throne and surrounded by the Heavenly hosts. John was overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus just as we are all awe struck by Christ's glory. All of humanity is drawn back to their origins which began with Jesus in the beginning of our existence. The Bible declares that everyone will bow their head and bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord.
The Heavenly hosts praised Jesus and declared that He was worthy of all of our praise. Christ is worthy. He died for our sins and sits as our High Priest where he continually intercedes for us in our lives. Grace teaches us that God blesses us even when we don't even recognize it or ask for it. God loves us so much that He continually works in our lives bringing many blessings and opportunities to know Him better. The average person does not really pay much attention to the good things in their lives (all good things come to us from the Father above), they contribute their good fortunes to chance or hard work. The reality is God working in our lives and in our hearts drawing us to Him. The obstacle for most unbelievers is where to give credit and to whom. Every person must value that in which they reverence.
The truth is we would all be in trouble without God's love & grace. There is great peace and joy to be had when we praise God for His goodness and realize the unpayable indebtedness we have to Him.  Christ is worthy of our thanksgiving. He is worthy of our praise. He is worthy of our love. You will never find anyone who loves you as much as God loves you. You will never be able to do for yourself what God has done for you. It is my prayer that you realize your need for Jesus and see Him as John and the Heavenly Hosts see Him. Holy, holy, holy Lord God almighty. I see You, I hear You, I need You. In Jesus name, Amen! 

I Thessalonians 5:23-24 NKJV
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 

Starting on Ash Wednesday the time of the Lenten Season begins. This season was put into place by the early church to prepare us for the coming Easter season. Easter being of course the day we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. No other person in human history has had a greater effect on all of humanity than Jesus. His resurrection set Him apart from all of the other deities known to mankind. Death has always been the insurmountable problem that no other human recognized gods had an answer for. So, the early church fathers said we need to commemorate this historical event by setting aside a season of forty days (time of preparation) for self-examination & repentance.  
The purpose of this season of examination & repentance was to develop a much deeper relationship with God Himself. The effect of this is when we draw closer to God, it changes us. God's Holy Spirit changes our hearts and minds to desire and seek after Godly things instead of worldly things. The practice was to pray and ask God "what in our lives could we let go of" so we may replace it with Him. God may lead us to spending more time with Him, serving in a greater capacity at church or in our community, or increasing our monetary support for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. We have to be open to however the Holy Spirit may lead us. This is only a few examples. The greater purpose was the change of heart & mind to be more Christ like. Our lives as Christians is a continuous work of sanctification & holiness.
When we pray and read the Bible it has a profound effect on us. I call this the Easter Effect. It is impossible to draw close to God and it not affect you in some way.  It is hard to pray and spend time with God without being humbled by His presence. Jesus said to pray for your enemies, Jesus knew it was impossible to pray and stay mad someone. We are led by the Holy Spirit to forgive and reconcile. God has called us to be Holy as he is Holy. That seems like an impossible task, and it is if we try to do it without Him.
As we journey through this Lenten season, I want to encourage you to be intentional and find ways to draw closer to God. pray and ask the Lord if there are things in your life that is an obstacle or a hindrance to your faith. When things are identified, sacrifice and fast from those things and find a way to incorporate acts of faith in their place instead. I promise you, as your relationship with Jesus grows so will effects, he will have on your life. This can only be a good thing!

Pastor Tommy Messer

Hebrews 7:23-26 Amplified Bible
23 The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office]; 24 but, on the other hand, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently and without change, because He lives on forever. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God].
26 It was fitting for us to have such a High Priest [perfectly adapted to our needs], holy, blameless, unstained [by sin], separated from sinners and exalted higher than the heavens;

The New Year has come upon us like a big cat stalking its prey. This time of year always causes us to reflect (which is a good thing) on the past year's decisions and outcomes and to reflect on what needs to change for the New Year. As a Pastor I find myself praying for blessings and favor for everyone in my family, church family, and circle of friends. I truly enjoy seeing others blessed by our Heavenly Father. When I reflected on this passage of scripture God convicted me to not just to pray for blessings & favor but to pray for Salvation to come to those who are yet still lost in their sins. The days of just assuming everyone is saved (right with God) are over. The Gospel message has been diluted and watered down to the point no one can really understand what it means to be saved to the uttermost.
Saved to the Uttermost is the phrasing the King James translation uses for verse 25. The Amplified adds a bit of clarity by reading "completely, perfectly, for eternity". Modern day church has changed so much that the Gospel has gotten lost in exchange for religious practice, worship experience, and feel good acts of service. While these things are not against God, if they are not partnered with the Gospel of Jesus Christ they become meaningless in the grand scheme of things. When we stand before God on judgement day (everyone will have to) good works mean nothing if we haven't accepted Christ as our personal Lord & Savior. God will not allow any other justification for atonement (being at one with God) other than the finished work of the cross of Christ. All of the good works and best intentions is not enough to blot out the handwriting of transgressions that has been recorded against us. Only the blood of Jesus can bring us forgiveness and redemption. If we do not know Christ as Savior then we will stand before God naked and guilty on judgement day. Sin does carry a tremendous weight that crushes all of humanity under it's destructive reality.
Here in lies the problem. Preaching against sin and teaching everyone to live lives that are holy and acceptable with God is becoming a lost practice. Sin is destroying humanity and the church sits back not wanting to offend anyone or to be considered radical in it's faith. Let me share with you what is offensive. For someone to withhold the truth (that can set you free) for the sake of some worldly gain while at the cost of souls slipping off into eternity without God, that is offensive! The very thought of anyone dyeing without knowing Christ as their Savior should break the hearts of every born-again child of God. I know it breaks the heart of God.  
This preacher wants you to be blessed and highly favored by our Heavenly Father. But, most importantly this preacher wants you to know that you are saved to the uttermost. There is only one mediator between God and humanity and that is Christ Jesus our Lord. Let Jesus be your advocate on judgement day, let Jesus be your high priest as you live out your days here on this earth, let Jesus into your heart and lives by accepting (by faith) Him as your Lord and Savior. Christ's death upon the cross broke the curse of sin and removed the penalty of death for all of those who trust in Him. Pray this prayer with me;
Lord Jesus I am in full awareness of my sinful nature and my need for forgiveness. Please Lord have mercy upon me and forgive me of my sins. I need your grace Lord, and I am fully trusting in you right now. Thank you for loving me and for dying for me on the cross. Because of you I now have an eternal hope. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Isaiah 7:14    New Living Translation
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

The Advent season is upon us, and it brings with it so many wonderful experiences every year. Advent is a time of preparation & expectation. This the time we prepare ourselves for the celebration & remembrance of the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. God promised a Messiah and God Kept His promise. The birth of the Son of God was a miracle of miracles when the virgin Mary brought forth the promised child. Jesus brought mercy & grace into a very desperate world. When Jesus gave His life on Mount Calvary (as prophesied) He gave humanity the greatest gift of all (an answer for the sin that plagues us all). On Resurrection Sunday Jesus rose from the grave and gave humanity hope, peace, joy, & love. When Christ ascended, He made another promise. Jesus promised He would return and redeem this world and gather all of us who has chosen to accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. So, Advent is also a time of great expectations as we look forward to this glorious time of the second coming of Christ.
When God makes promises He is faithful and will keep His promises. He has gone above and beyond to prove to us that He is sincere and truly loves us with a love we could never comprehend.  God wants to bless us and provide us. Jesus promised He would never abandon us or forsake us. The key for us is to trust in God and have faith in Him. The truth is in our humanity we struggle with faith. We have doubts and fears and that causes us to miss out on blessings. We are also selfish to a point as to expect things on our terms and our times. We have to trust God that He knows what is best and when is the best time.
My prayer is that we all realize the reality of God's promises. This Advent season put God back as a priority in your life. Allow Him to love you, strengthen you, provide for you, and protect you. Please remember that all good things come from the Heavenly Father above!
Heavenly Father I pray for everyone that is reading this letter. I pray blessings over them as they open their hearts to you and as they prepare themselves to walk a journey of faith with you. Give us all faith to trust in you and to receive the promises you have made to us. May this Advent season be a season of Joy, Love, Peace, & Hope. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Matthew 10:16-22, Amplified Bible
16 “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves [have no self-serving agenda]. 17 Beware of men [whose nature is to act in opposition to God], for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour; 20 for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and children will rise up and rebel against their parents and cause them to be put death. 22 And you will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and endured to the end who will be saved.


Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
I want to share with you what is on my heart as I write this blog. The current state of the society we live in today is truly troubling & concerning. This world has gone dark and everything the Bible shares about the state of the world in the Last Days seems to be playing out right before our very eyes. We currently live in a post-Christian country. More people deny Christianity than profess Christianity. We are the country that needs missionaries from other countries to come and evangelize us. Our society has come to the point of calling Good, evil and Evil, good. Individuals are lovers of themselves more than they are lovers of God. The good news is there are still faithful believers who are trying to walk the straight and narrow, love and worship God, and find a way to continue growing in their faith, but this has become very difficult!

When Jesus gave His marching orders to the disciples before sending them out two by two, to do ministry and to preach the Kingdom of God He shared with them these wise words. I firmly believe this passage of scripture holds a lot of wisdom for us today. How are we supposed to grow in our faith and help others find their faith in a world that has grown dark? How are we supposed to hunger for righteousness when the world is laden with unrighteousness? How can we be effectual witnesses for Jesus when everything in our society seems to be anti-God & anti-Jesus? These are common questions & concerns we all have.

Jesus admits in this passage He is sending the disciples out as sheep among the wolves. Some of these wolves are in sheep's clothing. Jesus says to be wise as serpents. Let's explore this a little bit.

• Stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and let God discern for you what is right and what is wrong. One of the biggest problems in the church today is that sin has become acceptable, and believers are being desensitized to the destructive power of sin. The days of turning a blind eye to sin has to come to an end. We have to let the Word of God be our guide and let the Holy Spirit be the force in our lives that sanctifies us from sin. The wisdom here is not to stray from God.
• Secondly, we have to start trusting God again. We let the confusion of this world confound our way of thinking. Doubt and fear have no place in the lives of God's children. When doubt and fear creep in then comes all of the heartaches and tribulations right along with it. Trust God! Let God fight your battles and depend on God to supply all of your needs! Jesus told the disciples that God will give you what to say in front of your accusers. It is wise to repent of our doubt and to beg God to increase our faith.
• Thirdly, when we find ourselves in situations where we have to choose between what the world says is acceptable and what God says is acceptable, we have to have the confidence to do what is right. These times come about more than we would like them to. The truth is people will look for our acceptance of their ways of believing as a form of justification for their actions. We have to stand for what is right according to the scriptures and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is when we are questioning what to do, we choose to do the right thing always.

Jesus also warned the disciples to be gentle as doves. It is a hurtful thing not to love others as Jesus loves them or not to give them grace as Jesus has given us grace. John Wesley shared with the people that calls themselves Methodists three simple rules. If we apply these practical approaches to the wisdom, we are learning we will be meek & gentle as the Holy Spirit has gifted us to be.

1. Do No Harm - Our commission is to love and help people to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not the judge & jury that is Christ's job. We are called to be a light and an example and we walk upright in a loving Christ like manner without bringing shame to the name of Jesus like the religious leaders that nailed Him to an old rugged cross.
2. Do Good - It is absolutely necessary that we never stop doing good. We must learn to love our enemies and forgive those that trespass against us. Jesus calls us to be servants (e.g. washing feet). Doing good is our way of pushing back against the darkness that is overtaking this world.
3. Stay in Love with God - We have to guard our own hearts and protect our own walk-in faith. Once we drift away from God then we are susceptible to the ways of this world.  Pray without ceasing, feast off of God's Word, worship God without fear or inhibitions, and love one another in fellowship and service for this is how we keep ourselves close to our Heavenly Father. 

It is my prayer that these words encourage you and help you find peace through troubling times. Heavenly Father I pray for every person that comes across these words. Lord give them grace in their times of trouble. Lord give them peace when the enemy is trying to steal it away. Lord strengthen them as they navigate this world we live in today. Help us Lord is our prayer, In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

Matthew 6:31-33 NLT
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

The world as we know it has been rapidly changing over the past few years. The biggest change is the majority of population's attitude toward God. There is an obvious reality that we are living in the day of apostasy (turning away from God). I have been preaching about a great spiritual war that the children of God is currently engaged in. There is an unprecedented increase in darkness, deception, hatred, violence,  and evil like we have never seen before. This spiritual war has an indirect effect on the people of God. Believers are not exempt from the hardships of the world. The pandemic, political unrest, economic breakdown, and the rise of iniquity does hit home for believers just as unbelievers. The one thing I pray for my brothers & sisters in Christ is the realization that we can choose to live our lives according to the principles of God's Kingdom which does give us promises of favor over the kingdom of this world.  

Jesus shares with us in Matthew chapters 5-7 some very important principles and promises concerning our Heavenly Father's commitments to us. In chapter 5 verses 1 thru 12 there are blessings promised to us, in verses 13 thru 16 of that same chapter there is a distinction made between those that love God and how they stand out as examples for everyone else. When you get to chapter 6, Jesus gets into everyday life and teaches us that our Heavenly Father has promised to take care of us. Jesus instructs us on prayer, fasting, finances, and the daily cares of everyday life. God is concerned and does provide for His children in all of these areas. Living in a Kingdom Mindset  brings us peace of mind when the rest of the world is in chaos. This peace of mind is available to everyone who puts their trust in God.

This letter is just a letter of encouragement for us  to seek out God's Kingdom just as Jesus encourages us to do in the verses above. I pray you will turn that worry into prayer, that hand ringing into service, that fear into faith, and that endless attack of the enemy into an opportunity for you to shine as a light to others as an overcomer who has victory thru our Lord Jesus Christ. I know it seems sometimes that we are in a hopeless situation. When we dwell in the confines of this world things can become hopeless, but when we seek the Kingdom of God first and His righteousness we can have full assurance and hope because our Heavenly Father has promised us that He has our back.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person that is reading this letter. I pray that you will bring light into dark situations and that you will give them the faith and strength to grab ahold of You and Your promises. Lord forgive us for our sins and redeem us from our depravity. Open our eyes that we may see Your blessings and provisions that you have given to us. Help us Lord to stand strong in these uncertain times and  shine a light thru us so others may experience Your goodness as well. I ask all of these things in Jesus name, Amen!

Pastor Tommy Messer  

I John 2:9-11 NLT
9 If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

These verses speaks volumes especially during these very turbulent times we are living in. I have never witnessed so much hatred before in my life than what is taking place currently in our society. There is no denying that there is an evil force at work spreading this hatred like spreading seed onto fertile soil. The soil is fertile because of the pandemic we have been stricken with. The soil is fertile because of all of the corruption in our political system. The soil is fertile because there is a falling away from God. When God becomes secondary in our lives or an option that we can live without then the door is open for great evil to move in and wreak havoc to the point we are witnessing today.
The devil is throwing everything he has in his arsenal at us right now. There is hatred in politics, main stream media, social media, cancel culture, social justice, and it has crept it's way into the church. My heart breaks and the Spirit within me is grieved when I see brothers & sisters in Christ spewing hatred toward one another. Children of God are not to be consumed by hate. We must not let the devil win by separating us and destroying us from within. Hate is not of God. It is like the verse says "we are being blinded by the hate". I am praying that the Holy Spirit will wake up God's children to what is happening. Open our eyes to the deception and the attack of the enemy. There is so much suffering in this world and  this old world needs God's church united and strong to bring a light of hope, truth, and love to a very dark world. Here is what we can do to withstand the attack of the enemy;

1. Pray - pray like you have never prayed before. Push back against the darkness by drawing closer to God.
2. Listen - listen to God and the Holy Spirit. Discipline ourselves to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will always lead us in the truth of God's Word and the fruitfulness promised to God's children.
3. Stand - we have to keep the faith. Discouragement and defeat is not an option in this critical time we live in. Choose faith over fear. Choose love over hate.
4. Serve - we must stay faithful to our service. Those around us needs our testimony and generosity to help them thru these dark times.
5. Praise - we must never stop praising God in the good time and the bad, Praise God! Praise keeps us connected and keeps us strong. We need church and our church family. Stay connected to your church the very best you can.

Stay strong my brothers & sisters. We are already victorious and we are already overcomers through Christ Jesus our Lord. I am so tired of the enemy stealing blessings and destroying relationships. Next time you feel the urge to give in to the temptation to spread hate remember who you are in Christ. Choose love over hate.

Pastor Tommy   

Revelation 22:17 (KJV)
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The past few years has proven to be a mess when it comes to politics. As a Pastor I have the privilege of ministering to people who are on both sides of the political spectrum. The one thing I have learned is that there are good Christian republicans and good Christian democrats. The sad thing is that we let political issues divide us as a united people. I have learned to stay quiet and pray for my leaders no matter who wins or who is in charge. There is one thing that has happened in the political fiasco is that evangelical has become a bad word.
 
The word evangelize is very important to me. There is no greater privilege or responsibility than to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people of this suffering world. I don't care what political party you belong to or what race you are or how much education, money, or fame you have; everyone needs Jesus. I have preached the Gospel to rich and poor, black and white, liberal and conservative and I have witnessed how each person has an absolute need for the Love of God that is given to us through God's Son. Salvation is for everybody, Grace is for everybody, and God's Holy Spirit ministers to everybody. So I do take issue when the term evangelical is made to be a bad thing. I know it is used as slang to describe a group of people who have set themselves apart and separated themselves as being morally superior to everyone else. This is stereotyping at its worst because it twists the meaning of the word and belittles the true mission of what being an evangelist is all about. The one thing I am sure of is that this world needs Jesus right now. With Jesus comes all of the Godly attributes that goes with it; love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy. Yes we need Jesus!
 
I chose this scripture because it is the perfect formula of how evangelism works. The Holy Spirit works in the Body of Christ (The Church) and disciples are made. Then those disciples who have heard and believed go and become a part of the mission themselves by sharing their testimony of what God has done and is doing in their lives. The mission is for all that hear to come and take of the water of life freely. This preacher says to you "drink in all of Jesus you possibly can, you will never regret it"! Now go evangelize and share Jesus with someone today.
 
Pastor Tommy

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].

My dear friends,
I write this blog at a very difficult time in this nation and in our own individual lives. Our nation is being being riveted with riots and destruction over the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. George Floyd's death was nothing more than an act of evil and a crime against the very sanctity of life given to each of us by God. After Mr. Floyd's death many took to the streets to protest his death and demand justice in his name. This is exactly what the citizens of the United States is supposed to do in a time when there is an injustice committed by our governing authorities. Then evil stepped in again and turned peaceful protests into destruction, death, and mayhem. The evil that has run rampant on our streets has brought suffering to more innocent human beings. More lives have been lost and the destruction in our cities is bringing more suffering to innocent people. We are losing more and more of our humanity each day this continues. It is affecting each and every one of us whether or not we are directly involved or watching it on television. What do we do?
 
When I very first started in the ministry I was under the misguided understanding that everything was black & white. I thought there was only a right and wrong and I did not understand there were gray areas. As I have gotten older and more experienced in my own faith journey I have learned that life is balanced in the gray area. If you focus on just the black or just the white everything becomes tilted and only brings harm to the other side. I have come to call the gray area God's Sufficient Grace. There are so many life experiences that will thrust us to one side or the other. When our lives become unbalanced it is because we are reacting on our own power and not in the power of God. It is like the Bible verse said, in my weakness, God makes me strong. I need some sufficient Grace right now.
 
As a pastor I struggle with the world's events that are taking place. I struggle with the prejudices and racism that rises up in the human nature. I struggle with all of the hurt and need in my community being compounded and multiplied by the current events. Don't let me forget the COVID 19 virus as well. I struggle with my own words and actions because I know that now people look to me for spiritual guidance and I want to help and not add to the harm. I am struggling just as you are and I want you to know I am there with you.
 
I wish the answer to all of this was Black & White. It is not. I do know the answer is found in the center of God's Sufficient Grace. God knows our worries, He knows our fears, and He cries with us during these ugly times. No matter what you are experiencing right now I want you to know that God is with you and that God loves you! Keep the faith. Center yourself in the gray area and cling to God's grace and peace. Let God take all of the things that makes us weak and turn them into victory for God's glory and our own transformation. Seek God like you have never sought Him before. Pray harder than you have ever prayed before. Purposefully decide in your heart that you will stand with God and push back against all of the evil of this world. We need to do this not just for our own sake but for the sake of humanity.
 
Pastor Tommy

Ephesians 3:1  (NRSV)
3 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

When you think of someone being a prisoner the first thing that comes to mind is what did they do wrong? You think they are being punished for their crime and locked up where they pay for the wrong they have done. This is the understanding of what prison is today in our modern day world. Being a prisoner was different for the Apostle Paul though. Yes, Paul was imprisoned for his faith and was persecuted for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but Paul did not say in this verse I am a prisoner of Rome. Paul said I am a prisoner of Christ.

I love this image Paul is giving us of his relationship he has with the Lord. Paul became so consumed with Christ that he was completely captivated by the Lord. This captivity was not a cold cell with bologna sandwiches to eat but it was a relationship that had brought Paul's mind, body, and soul into a bondage with the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh how I yearn in my spirit to be captured by the Lord in such a way. To experience Him so intimately that I too would say that I am a prisoner of Christ. I encourage us all to strive on our spiritual journey to experience that deep of a relationship with the Lord. A relationship that finds us being willing prisoners not religious participants. A relationship that compels us to be working prisoners where it is our joy to serve God by serving others. A relationship that makes us wealthy prisoners not of money per say but of those things profited from the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, & temperance). These are the dividends that have a much greater affect on us than just money and possessions.

Heavenly Father, I pray for myself and everyone who reads this blog. I pray that you will capture our hearts in such a way and allow us to experience you so intimately that we too will say we are prisoners of Christ. In Jesus name, Amen!
Pastor Tommy