I Will Not Leave You

"I will not leave you" are wonderful words to hear, especially when we are faced with uncertain circumstances. In a world filled with hurt and disappointment; let downs and heart break the feeling of being alone is too real for many. Last Monday, the 28th of January, we had to take my son Judah back to the doctor because of some complications that had set it. After seeing two different doctors and going through a C-scan it was decided that they would readmit him to the hospital. I was crushed! It was during that time I picked my bible up and turned to John 14 and I read verse 18. In the NLT it says: "No I will not abandon you as orphans -- I will come to you."

What reassuring words when you are going through a difficult challenge. "I will not abandon you." "I will not leave you." The great news is, He never leaves us! Yes we must face challenges, sometimes a lot of challenges but we have the promise of His word. He declares: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." It is early Thursday morning (3:18 am) and you know what? I still hear the Spirit of God saying the words of Jesus to me, "I will come to you."

Thank you Jesus for you will not abandon us in our time of need; instead, you will come to us. You will strengthen us! You will give us comfort! You will give us your grace! May the truth of God's Word undergird you with His goodness today.

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Power!

When we think of power we often think of a muscle car or something like a nuclear plant. When we read the Word of God you see the power of God displayed. Romans 4 speaks about how Abraham believed God in that "He was able to raise the dead and call into existence that which never existed before." Now that is power. And the great news is, this power, the power of God, is at work in every believer. As you study the Word you experience that power within your life. As you walk in faith and trust God He will do the impossible for you. He will move mountains for you as you stand upon His promises. Therefore, lift up your head for your "help comes from the Lord."

This is today,

Pastor Gary

God's Love

God's love is the greatest force and power you can think upon. The Apostle Paul asks a rhetorical question, "what can separate us from the love of God?" (Romans 8) Think about this for a moment. What can separate you from the love of God? Remember, the Apostle is writing to a church in Rome that is going through a difficult time. The Christians at this time were being persecuted for the injustices of their community. There was an all out attack by the enemy upon them. Paul is reminding these bewieldered believers that no matter what they faced; no amount of hardship, no amount of difficulty, no crises, no, not even death could separate them from God' love.

Paul also reminds these persecuted believers that they have "overwhelming victory ... through Jesus Christ." You and I have this same overwhelming victory. The KJV actually says we are "more than conquerors." Live today with confidence! Face your challenge with the assurance that "nothing shall be able to separate you from the love of God."

As you go about your business today may you have an extra step in your walk. May you go forth in praise knowing that God's love and power surrounds you and you are highly favored of God.

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Perfect Conditions?

Many people are looking for the ideal situation. They are looking for the ideal church; ideal job; ideal circumstances; and, to be totally honest, we will not see ideal until we get to heaven. Some are waiting for things to be just right before they move out and do something for God. This is a temptation all of us face. The challenge is if we wait until everything is just perfect then we may never accomplish anything because all we are doing is waiting. Proverbs 11:4 (NLT) "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."

What sound advice from the Word of God! We must seize the opportunity today. We must be about the Father's work now. Will it be inconvenient at times? Yes! Will things be just right and perfect? No! We must do what we are going to do today. We cannot wait until perfect conditions arrive to do what we know is right.

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Who Is This Man?

Mark 4 records an episode in the life of Jesus and His disciples that has become a favorite of many people. It is the story of Jesus asleep in the boat when a storm suddenly arises. There are several things about this story that are fascinating. One of the things that never cease to amaze me is how "suddenly" storms happen. It is like they arise out of nowhere. However, just as the disciples learned, if you have Jesus in the boat with you, then all is well.

The part of this story that sticks out to me the most is at the closing of the story when the disciples turn to each other and ask, "who is this man?" (NLT) Who is this man? He is the one who calms the waters. He is the one who delivered the demoniac when no-one else could tame him. He is the one who healed Jarius' daughter and He is the one who healed the woman with the issue of blood when she touched him.

Who is the man called Jesus? He is the one who died so that we could live!

This is today,

Pastor Gary

"I Promise"

I remember as a little kid I use to love it when my dad would say, "I promise." This meant something special to me. It did not mean "maybe" or "I will see," it meant He was going to definitely do what he said he was going to do. God's promises are the same way. It is not a "maybe" or "we will see," it is a definite. God's promises are true, they are "yea and amen" in Christ Jesus. The Word of God declares, "He who has promised is also faithful."

I am grateful for the promises of God. I am grateful for what His Word has declared to us. I thankful, that through his infinite wisdom He has given us the bible passed down through the ages. We have a record of the goodness of God. We have a record of the faithfulness of God. We have a record of what God wants to do in our lives.

The old hymn of the church says, "standing on the promises of God I cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail , by the the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God."

Go forth in confidence today knowing your heavenly Father has said, "I promise." This means He will definitely do what He has declared to do and "who shall let it?"

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Citizenship

Philippians 3:20 declares: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." What a great thought! As citizens we are protected by certain rights. As citizens we can have certain expectations. As citizens, it means we belong and we have a sense of purpose and direction.

As citizens of heaven we are protected by the blood of Jesus Christ. As citizens we can expect the presence of God to always comfort us, the peace of God to always calm us, and the promises of God to sustain us.

Not only are there certain expectations of being a citizen but there are also certain responsibilities. We have a responsibility to conduct ourselves worthy of citizenship. That is, we should live by Kingdom principles. We have a responsibility to be light and salt in the world. We have a responsibility of representing Jesus in such a way that others will want to know Him.

Not only are there certain expectations and responsibilities, but there are great privileges of citizenship also. It is a privilege to call God "our Father"." It is a privilege to take all your fears to Him in prayer. It is a privilege to walk in His peace and to call Him LORD. Live today with the confidence of knowing you are a part of a great Kingdom. Live with a sense of purpose and direction to your life. You are one of the champions of God!

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Prayers of the Saints

We all know that prayer is a mighty weapon from God. The Apostle Paul said in Corinthians that the "weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God." Yesterday and last night our family saw the miraculous power of prayer. God does "hear the prayer of the destitute" and He comforts the hurting.

Thank you for your prayer, phone calls, and visits to Judah during this time. Christy and I are rejoicing today in the goodness of God and we are very thankful for our friends, family and the body of believers who are so faithful to be their with comforting words and their prayers.

Judah came through his surgery with a good report. There is a road of recovery ahead but God is already doing miracles. It is times like these you are reminded to be thankful for the small things, the ordinary things, the mundane. I realize we often take things for granted but I give thanks today, for God is really good!

It is in times like these that the prayers of other believers mean so much. Today, we have "a story" that says, God is faithful and has seen us through.

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Not Ashamed

In Romans 1:16 the Apostle Paul declared his faith when he said, "I am not ashamed." His life was a testimony to that very statement. He was never ashamed to declare the mighty works of Christ. There were many opportunities for him to be silent but he chose to speak instead. There were many times and opportunities for him to run, but he stayed instead. There were many opportunities for him to quit but he kept going. Why? Because he was "not ashamed".

Not Ashamed! That is a great place to be! May we not be ashamed when opportunities come for us to speak up. When others are saying be silent, may we boldly proclaim we are "not ashamed".

Aren't you grateful Jesus was "not ashamed" to do His Fathers will? I am thankful He was "not ashamed" to go to the cross. For it was on the cross that He redeemed us to Himself and by the power of the resurrection he was "declared to be the son of God." Striving to be "not ashamed".

This is today,

Pastor Gary

Overflowing with Thanksgiving

Colossians 2:7b NLT declares: "Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done." Paul is admonishing the church of Colossia to abound in thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for them. What has the Lord done for us? He has done great things in our lives. We too should overflow with thanksgiving. My our lives be an example of thanksgiving to others. May our words demonstrate to others our heart of thanksgiving. Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" therefore may our words demonstrate our thankful heart. As we set out on a new year may 2008 be a year of spiritual growth. May we go ahead and overflow with thanksgiving for what God is going to do. Get ready for a great year!