Who We Should Be

Here is something to think about. If we are focusing on what was and never focusing on what is or can be, we will never become who we should be.

Operation Andrew

John 1:41 (NIV 1984) says, "The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ)." Do we do this? Do we go and tell others about Jesus? There will be more details to what Operation Andrew is all about in the near future on a Sunday morning. You don't want to miss out on what Operation Andrew is about.

God Knows Me

Psalm 139:1 (NIV 1984) says, "O Lord, you have searched me and you know me." Isn't it great that we serve a God who has searched us and knows us. God knows us inside and out. He knows our thoughts. He knows our intents. He knows every detail about who we are. He knows we what try to hide from people and He knows what we make sure people can see. He not only knows us, but He knows what is best for us. I want you to be encouraged today that God knows who you are and He loves you no matter what is going on in your life. Yes, He wants you to live for Him and He wants to have a relationship with you. He wants you to be holy as He is holy, but He loves you regardless. Rest assured that He will change you from the inside out.

In the words of Herm Edwards, "Don't Press Send"

Proverbs 15:1(NIV 1984) says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
In the world that we live with social media being so prevalent and we sit behind a computer and write things, this verse is so important. We often will write things that we would never say to a person's face. Also, we say things that destroy versus build up. Let us be gentle with our answers. Let us think through what we say and what we post. Before we press send, make sure that what is being said won't be damaging to our witness for Jesus. In the words that Herm Edwards (former NFL coach) when teaching rookies about coming into the league "Don't Press Send".

Just some thoughts for this day.

New Sunday School Class

This Sunday we will be starting a new Sunday School class for people ages 18 (graduated from high school) through 39 years of age. This class will meet this week in the upstairs kitchen of the fellowship hall. We will be using a Lectio Divina study of the book of John. If you fall into the age bracket and you would like to be a part of the class, we would love to have you. If you would like to pick up a book before Sunday so that you can read the first lesson, please come by the office to see me and I will be glad to give you the book. I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do through this class. Hope to see you there.

God Bless,

Pastor Joel

Rain

As I sit and look out the window at the rain I'm reminded of what God wants to do in our lives. I don't know what your summer was like where you live, but where I live there was little rain all summer long. Crops were burned up due to a lack of rain and extremely hot temperatures. The ground has been very dry and burn bans have been in effect. Now it is raining. It has rained over the course of the past few weeks often. This rain is needed for the ground. The farmers want the rain to come and the temperatures to remain up a little so that the grass will grow and their cattle will be fed. Hay is short this year and extremely expensive. This rain is needed so that new growth can happen and the dead can be turned back to life.

This is exactly what God wants to do in our lives. Often we go through times where we are dry. Often this is due to something we have done. Yet God is always right next to us wanting to bring the rain of the Holy Spirit to our life. The raining down of the Holy Spirit is available if we will just give up and let God have His way in our lives. We have to quit fighting God. Jesus tells Saul (Paul) that it is hard to kick against the goads. What Jesus is saying is that when we fight against Him we are the ones that get hurt. When we fight against God and the Holy Spirit's rain in our life ceases, we are the one that is hurt by the dryness.

Do you want the Holy Spirit to rain down in your life? Just ask Him today to come and rain down in your life. Allow God full access to all of who you are. Give God whatever He asks you to give to Him. You will find that the Holy Spirit will rain down in your life and you will be saturated by the presence and power of God in your life.

Vision

Vision is seeing where God wants you to go in spite of the present circumstances. We live in the present and push towards the future. We live in the present and yet we don't let the present determine our future. God is in control. He gives the vision. We are to follow His vision even when it seems impossible. Look at Nehemiah. He could have been distracted by all that was going on around him. Instead he chose to follow the vision of God.