Don't be Discouraged - Pastor Ty

A lot of times we find ourselves feeling down and out about our situations and circumstances. It's so important that we keep a guard over our heart and mind to protect it from doubt and unbelief and negative thinking...aka "stinkin thinkin." If we begin to feel sorry for ourselves, we can miss the will of God in that moment. 

I Thessalonians 5:18 - Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  

Its never going to be easy BUT YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THRU CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENS YOU!  Yeah, there are going to be times when we are disappointed. But we must be careful not to allow the enemy to keep us meditating on what's not happening for us and what's not going our way. The enemy wants to steal our faith and the opportunity that we have to exercise our faith. You are a champion! More than a conqueror! The enemy will try to invade your head with doubts about all you know to be TRUE & RIGHT. Be strategic about what you listen to. Victory is yours. Everything is going to be ok and remember that every SETBACK is a SETUP for a COMEBACK. Don't be discouraged but thank God in faith that nothing the enemy does can work as long as we keep resisting him and believing Gods plan and purpose will prevail in our lives!  Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG (bold) and COURAGEOUS. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with YOU wherever you go."

Be the Best for His Glory - Pastor Reeves

Have you ever heard the saying “living your life with excellence and worth doesn't come easy?” Bearing the cross can be a difficult process. If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all of our efforts of worth and excellence are difficult. The Christian life is “gloriously” difficult sometimes, but its difficulty does not make us faint and cave in—it stirs us up to overcome.

God saves people by His sovereign grace through the atonement of Jesus. The bible says we have to “work out” that salvation in our everyday, practical living (Philippians 2:12). If we will only start on the basis of His redemption to do what He commands, then we will find that we can do it! If we fail, it is because we have not yet put into practice what God has placed within us. But a crisis will only reveal whether or not we have been putting it into practice. If we will obey the Spirit of God and practice in our physical life what God has placed within us by His Spirit, then when a crisis does come we will find that our own nature, as well as the grace of God, will stand by us.

It’s crazy to say this but I thank God He gives us difficult things to do! Because in moments of difficulty we grow, we change but it is up to us to see or make a difference. Remember His salvation is a joyous thing, but it is also something that requires bravery, courage, and holiness. It tests us for all we are worth. The bible says in Hebrews 2:10 that Jesus is “bringing many sons to glory” , and God will not shield us from the requirements of sonship. God’s grace produces men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not pampered, spoiled weaklings. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the worthy and excellent life of a disciple of Jesus in the realities of life. And it is always necessary for us to make an effort to live a life of worth and excellence.

Take a moment this week to read and study Matthew 7:13-14

"Enter by the narrow gate . . . . Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life . . ." Matthew 7:13-14

Teach My Hands - Pastor Kristin

I was listening to a sermon the other day when the minister taught this verse.  Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight” This verse has just rolled over and over in my heart.  It made me think about what the Lord asked Moses in Exodus 4:2 “so the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod."  Moses was to simply use what he had to do mighty things for the Lord.     

David learned by experience that God would teach him to use what was in his had to do great things whether it was a slingshot or an instrument.  I know David understood what Paul would later write in 2 Corinthians 10:4 “for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” And even when are hands are empty we can lift them to the Lord in worship or clap them in praise and began to war in the spirit.