Pastors Corner

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Pastors Corner

PRAYING GOD’S WILL IN DIFFICULT TIMES

PRAYING GOD’S WILL IN DIFFICULT TIMES"Lord, teach us to pray.""When my life feels out of control, I just want peace! Don’t you? A place to get away from everything and just be alone. I have often prayed, “Lord, get me out of this mess… NOW!" When life circumstances seem chaotic and hopeless, it’s easy to pray according to our will, not God’s. We want relief. Escape. Freedom. Less pain. When life is difficult it is confusing and hard to navigate. Have you ever thought, “God are You even there? Do you hear me? Are you on vacation?”If your prayers are…

Not Park of the Plan

NOT PART OF THE PLAN"A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:28Gossip has no place in the life God has in mind for us. It’s a dangerous spark that sneaks into our conversations as innocent, “truthful” facts. Or, as something to “pray about.” Never is it helpful and uplifting.The Bible says that “a gossip separates close friends,” “betrays confidence,” and causes “quarrels” (Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 26:20). Like a spark on dry timber, the words of a gossip can create a firestorm that destroys friendships, relationships, and reputations. As Christians, we need to use our…

Image

July 10 "Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you." Isaiah 43:4 NKJV Growing up, my dad always called me his little angel. I was beautiful in his eyes, and that made me feel special. Over the years I’ve grown to understand how much my Heavenly Father loves me. He loves far more deeply than my earthly father ever could. All of us are precious in His sight. Sometimes that is hard for us to believe. Maybe you’re even thinking, “There’s nothing special about me.” But there is . . and you are.…

Jesus Our Hope Giver

Jesus Our Hope Giver"Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague." Mark 5:34 MSG One of the most touching stories in the Bible is about a woman who hemorrhaged for 12 years (Mark 5:25-34). We don’t know her name or her circumstances, but we do learn enough to feel sympathy. She was desperate, penniless, and hopeless—until she hears about Jesus. She knew that if she could get through the crowd and just touch Jesus, she would be healed. Hope and faith was all she had.She did…

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Sprit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17 NKJV Ever wonder what it means to truly have the Holy Spirit living within you? It may seem a strange thought to some of you, but comforting one, none the less.As the passage in John tells us, we know the Holy Spirit, we recognize and…

Who Is Influencing You

Who Is Influencing You? "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." Philippians 4:8 Do the relationships in your life allow you to think about positive things? Lift you up? Brighten your spirits? Or do they cause you worry, despair, and anxiety? Some people may have a negative influence on us, while some have a positive influence on us. We struggle with relationships that burn us out, leaving us drained and discouraged. “After all,” we tell…

Being Content

Being Content "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13 NIV "Content"—it literally means “desiring no more than what one has; satisfied.” Do you know anybody who lives with such freedom? Content. Satisfied. Settled. Fun to be around. Free. Despite the hardships and painful circumstances he endured, the Apostle Paul remained content. He was confident in Jesus and recognized that his strength came from the Lord. He learned the “secret of…

Knowing Your Position in God

Knowing Your Position in God "Where are you now?" my friend asked over the cell phone, trying to guide me to his office. "I can't tell where the sun is. It's too cloudy." I answered with frustration. "If the mountain is on your right, you are heading the right direction." He said assuredly, "It does not move." A prominent landmark gives stray travelers a sense of direction. However, in a world of ever-changing laws and moral standards, what assures believers that we are living His way? Paul sought to help his "son in the faith" find his way through similar…

Gideon's Fear

Gideon's Fear I like the story of Gideon in the Old Testament. He was an Israelite who lived in a time when the Midianites were constantly invading Israel. These raiders would wait until the crops were ready to harvest, then they would steal everything the Israelites had worked months to grow. It was a terrible time for the God’s people. God used Gideon to free His people, using a small band of men armed with pitchers and torches. It’s a fascinating story that can be read in chapters 6 and 7 of Judges.Here’s the story that sometimes gets overlooked. Gideon…

Walking Your Talk

Walking Your Talk “How courteous are you to your family? What do you convey with your tongue? Now, that's a big one! But more, do you use crude or inappropriate language? Are your remarks about preachers or public figures in good taste? Do you blow up often? Ask yourself, "Do I want my children to be like I am?" Parents need to set an example, first to each other, then to their children of being a servant, as Jesus was, in everything from teaching, earning money and listening, to doing the dirtiest household tasks without murmuring or complaining. Jesus left…