 Sermon Reflections from Dazzled By the Divine | Sara Wade | September 3, 2023
Have you ever wondered if the impossible is possible? Sometimes in our moments of desperation and pain, when we feel overwhelmed and have no idea what to do... we become open to God and seeing his handiwork. So much of what happens in our life is beyond our capacity, skill set, talents, gifts, intelligence, or strength. There is no way that either you or I could do or handle everything alone. We need someone to come alongside us and give us wisdom, someone to give us strength, someone to lead us and guide us, someone to help us do what seems to be impossible. This someone happens to be God. Matthew 17:18-20 says it like this... 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” The disciples of Jesus couldn't do what was asked of them. Jesus had trained, showed, and instructed them how to cast out demons. And yet they still couldn't do it. And I know what your thinking... Of course, they couldn't cast out demons...that's out of this world...that's impossible. Jesus, God, is asking humans to do only what God can do. And you would be right, except Jesus doesn't give them a pass. He calls them out for their little faith. They didn't believe that God could use them to do the impossible. They just needed an ounce of faith in God and God's plans to cast out the demons through them, but the disciples (the closest friends of Jesus) didn't even have that. Jesus wasn't upset that they didn't cast out the demons...he was upset because they didn't believe they could. They didn't trust God or believe that God would use them. They didn't trust that God, the creator of the universe, could cast out and destroy demons. How is the world supposed to believe and trust in God, if Jesus' own disciples are doubting the Almighty?!? Every day people are encountering situations where it seems impossible that any good could come out of the situation or that the situation could be resolved or that anything could be done. We feel overwhelmed, hopeless, lost, broken, empty, and afraid. But if we have even the smallest of faith. The faith of a mustard seed then we can move mountains the scriptures says. I don't know about you, but I am sure glad I don't have to face life alone. That I have a God who is there by my side, leading me, guiding me, and helping me to make the impossible possible. I can see a different path forward because of God. My future no longer looks dark but full of light. It doesn't mean it will be easy, it just means it's possible. And that possibility gives me hope of a brighter future. May you trust God, may you be dazzled by the divine, and may you know that the impossible is possible with God. ] Blessings, Pastor Alex MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from Transform For God | Alex Hardt | August 13, 2023
Pastor Alex began his message on Transformation by God by helping us to see who God really is. We know our finite minds cannot fully comprehend God, but He has given us reason and intellect to see that He is undeniably good. His attributes describe His character both the things we cannot obtain like His incommunicable attributes of omniscience, omnipresence, eternality, immutability and omnipotence. God also has communicable attributes like love, holiness, grace, peace, faithfulness, wisdom, and kindness. In these communicable attributes we cannot attain the fullness of His character but we can draw nearer and have those as part of our character too. It is like saying He wants us to be more and more like the character of Jesus, His Son. I was reading Psalm 89 this morning and came across these verses that seem to mirror what Alex was saying. Psalm 89:6-9, 14-15 For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? 7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. 8 Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. The psalmist was seeking to understand and praise Almighty God. God is above all and worthy of our praise and love. Once we grasp who God is, we see Him in stark contrast to the sin-filled world we live in. We see His motives, ways and actions are above this world and are pure and driven by his Omnibenevolent character. The world is motivated and driven by greed, hate, discrimination, hopelessness, division, and strife as a result of SIN. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they brought sin into a perfect world. Sin corrupts both man and the world in which he lives. Pastor Alex reminded us that when we identify with the world and let it dictate who we are and what we are doing, we buy into a destructive narrative that leads to death. We see the truth of Romans 3:23 in our own lives. “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” If we follow the world’s standards we fall short of what God has for us. We let sin invade and pervade our lives. If we turn to Him, we can see an end to the destructiveness of the world and its influences. Romans 6:23 reminds us of the joy of turning to God “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Christ is the answer and the way to God. Pastor Alex’s final point in our transformation to God was to receive the promises of God and to reorient ourselves to God and His plan. We know from Isaiah 55:9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” We will never fully understand God but we can know His character and His promises. His promises are true and are tangible hope we can cling to as we seek to follow Him. He are a few life changing promises you can claim. The accessibility of God Almighty in my life: Psalm 86:5-7 “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.6 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.” The faithfulness of God in my life: Lamentations 3:21-23 “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” And Matthew 11:28-30 ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The Forgiveness of God towards me: 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” The Guidance of God in my life: Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” The Hope God give into my life: Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And 1 Peter 1:3-5 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. The Salvation God gives through my faith in Jesus: John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” The Love God inputs into my life for now and into eternity: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Which promises of God will you claim today? Which will you use to reorient your life and your thinking towards God? God keeps His promises- ALL of THEM! Linda If you want to study more about living a life that is more and more like Jesus, try my devotional book “Strategic Living.” If you want to study more about specific promise try my devotional book “Promises for Dynamic Living.” I have copies of both or you can order them from Amazon or Certa Publishing. Both are topics I am passionate about. MESSAGE LINK Click Here to View the Message on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from Boasting About Tomorrow | Damon Hopkins | July 23, 2023
Damon was on fire for the Lord this week as he spoke from the heart about James 4. However, he set the stage by referring to our memory verse for this week, Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Everything is life hinges on our faith in Jesus. We can pray to Him, feel His Spirit within us testifying to Him, we can read His Word but we cannot see Him. And yet, knowing what we feel, read, hear and share with others about Him, we can be assured of the unseen. Living a life of faith as proclaimed in Romans 1:17 “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” And 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. “ This begs the question, are you waking by faith, trusting in the unseen God? Your proof of His existence should be your life. What miracles has He performed on your behalf? What relationships has He mended? In what ways has God provided for you? Start a blessing list today and watch it grow. It will be added proof of God in your life and your dependence upon Him! Damon then launched into James 4 and tackled the admonitions from James to put away fighting amongst ourselves. What motives did Damon mention that trouble you? You own desires, things you covet, pride, hatred… the list is long for all of us. However, as a Christian we do not need to settle for repeating these sins that cause strife among us. We can choose Jesus and His better way of living. Damon suggested this recipe for following and avoiding the pitfalls Satan wants us to drop into! Examine our own behavior. Seek to look at yourself honestly. Can’t see things- ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify areas you need to work on. The Apostle Paul struggled with this and relates in Romans 7:18-20 “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Pray. Confession is good for the soul and leads to renewed life. 1 John 1:9 is one of my favorite promises. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God promises to forgive and cleanse us of all we have done wrong- not just some but all. We get a new start with each confession. God promises to bury our sins in the depth of the sea (Micah 6:19) and they are behind His back (Isaiah 38:17). God puts them away and does not refer to them again. If you are troubled by a sin that you have asked forgiveness for- know that it is Satan that is causing you to remember not God. They are behind Him. Rebuke Satan and move forward knowing you are forgiven completely. Read the Word. Look into God’s Word to know Him better, know what he desires of you and how you are to live. Here are a few places to start in your search. Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew Chapters 5-7 or the Upper Room discourse in John Chapters 14-17, some of the shorter letters of Paul- Philippians speaks of joy filled living and Galatians focuses on faith in Christ alone. Discuss with other believers your struggles, hopes, dreams, and desires so that together you may be grounded and established in Christ. Fellowship is essential to growth and confirmation of our faith. We are to build each other up in Christ. I love the words of Hebrews 10:23-25 “ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” As you read and meditate upon this 4th chapter of James this week, also look into your life and see if you are a ‘war’ or enmity with God over anything. Are you focusing more on worldly things versus spiritual goals and truths? Would you consider yourself double-minded? James tell us that the solution is to focus on Jesus. 7-8 “ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Damon empathized God’s promise if we submit to God, resist Satan, draw near to God Then HE PROMISES to Come to You! You can count on it! Damon concluded with James’ admonition to not boast about tomorrow as we do not know what tomorrow holds. We only know for certain who holds our future, JESUS! God promises in Deuteronomy 31:6 about our future, “ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” We can count on Him! He is always with us! Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon on Youtube Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from Trials and Temptations | Alex Hardt | July 1, 2023
What kind of appliance would you equate with life? A sieve, a blender, a mixer, a BBQ or a pressure cooker? I grew up with a working mom that used the pressure cooker to speed meals to the table. She found it a wonderful tool to get what she needed done quickly. Pastor Alex’s example of the way diamonds are formed reminded me of the pressure cooker. Life is like that- we’re in it and the product, meal, diamond, are not produced unless pressure is applied. God uses this same principle when working with our character as James reminds us in James 1:2-4 “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” The pressures of life’s trials are used by God to produce steadfast, enduring character within us. As we walk with Christ, they cause us to grow more and more like Jesus. He did not crack under pressure regardless of the cost. God desires to build, create that same steadfast faithful character within us. This godly character will help us withstand even greater things in our future. This character will build and strengthen our faith and trust in God. What is it that is looming in your future that is causing you to doubt or be afraid? Are your bills to high, your job unsteady, or are your family relationships in trouble? Whatever the trials you are facing He is greater. 1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” John 16:33 ““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” As Pastor Alex reminded us, the truth of God’s greatness and goodness needs to be applied to our lives in faith. With faith, even as small as a mustard seed, God can transform our lives and deliver us from fear! Trials and temptations are part of life and it is not if they will come to us but a matter of when. James reminds us that God is there for us and has His great wisdom available for us to use. James 1:5 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” I take this to mean that God does not consider any question dumb or worthless. He is not going to think badly of us when we ask for wisdom or put us down for not knowing the answer or the way. He promises to not find fault in our asking and delights to give us His wisdom! When God gives, it is pressed down to overflowing, abundant wisdom that is practical and applicable to our lives! James 1:17 reminds us that God is unchanging. He will not change His mind or principles. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” We can count on God to remain steadfast. I love Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” What comfort we have knowing our God is immutable generation to generation! The last verses of James 1 are rich in wisdom on how to live our lives in a godly way. He admonished us to watch how we interact with others. 19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” He reminds us to live clean lives and stay in God’s Word. 21 “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted can save you in you, which.” James wants us to look truthfully at ourselves and our walk with Jesus seeking to apply God’s Word to our lives. 25 “ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” Lastly he exhorts us to seek to live with pure faith and religion so that we may be victorious over the pressures of the world. 27 “ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” How will you deal with your pressures this week? Will you look to God and seek His wisdom and advice. Will you seek to apply His Word to your life and circumstances? This chapter is rich and has much to teach us about life, living and using God’s ways in the world. Will you seek to understand and apply the messages found in James 1? Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from Addiction | Stevan Cox and Alex Hardt | June 25, 2023
Pastor Alex reminded us that addiction is a powerful tool that Satan uses to capture and ensnare our thoughts and lives. His good friend, Steve Cox, shared this truth from his own life and how he saw the consequences of sin play out in what happened to him. To begin, Pastor Alex shared the movie example from Stay Awake where the lives of those surrounding the addict mother were affected by her addiction. Even though the addict thinks they are only hurting themselves the repercussions of their actions reverberate around them as others seek to ‘make things better’ and enable them to continue with their addictive behaviors. Steve continued with his own story of redemption from addiction and evil life choices though the power of Christ in his life. His transformation was complete, whole and filled with restoration and hope. God is good and showed himself in Steve’s life in extraordinary ways. Praise God! As I reflected upon the power of God’s great love for Steve, I was drawn anew to the scripture passages each chose to rely upon. Steve choose 1 Corinthians 15:32-44. This passage speaks about the truth and reality of Christ’s resurrection. Without the power of the resurrection all would be lost. Without the healing power of Christ and what he did on the cross when He died and rose again, Steve, you and I would be desolate and lost without hope. Without the reality of Christ in our lives, it would simply be as verse 32b states, “If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” All our world would be temporal and of and for itself. With Christ in our lives, we gain hope, purpose, salvation, an eternal home and a relationship with God Almighty. Pastor Alex chose Matthew 5:12-12. In this portion of scripture Jesus is giving the Sermon on the Mount and gives a listing of the attitudes that Christ desires us to have in our lives. We will receive God’s blessings if we are sorry for our sins and mourn over what we have done. With a humble attitude we will be uplifted and filled with His purpose, righteousness, purity, peace and the power to sustain us during persecution. Once one turns to Christ, a life filled with blessings awaits. Repentance will begin the process towards all that Christ has for each of us. The power of God’s love and forgiveness is greater than any addiction and is strong enough to break the chains of sin that can bind us. Steve reminded us that addiction does not have to be about drugs and alcohol alone but can be anything that takes the place of the love in Christ in our lives. This is a sobering reminder to constantly examine our priorities and pray, pray, pray. I loved his main point saying, ‘Your walk talks and your talk talks, but your walk talks louder than you talk talks.’ Taking this apart, I see how you live your life- your daily actions speaks to others about who you are. Your words of course speak to who you are. The loudest witness to others is when our words and actions match and thereby speak in unity of Christ in all ways. God uses us to show Himself to those around us as others see and hear us. God desires that our lives are committed and aligned to Him. Micah 6:8 puts it this way, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Take some time this week to examine your walk, your words and ask yourself, how they are matching up? Do your words and actions align with God’s Word? If not, take time to pray and seek God’s help. Let Him direct you and point you in the way you should go! Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from Are You There God | Alex Hardt | May 4, 2023
The topic of Pastor Alex’s sermon poses one of the most critical questions each of us faces in life- Who Am I? Then the follow-up question: why am I here? Once we know who we are then we can go about seeing why God created us at this time and in this place. Who am I is the question that has been asked by every generation. Since we believe that the answers to life’s questions are found in the Bible which is our guide, Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path,” we can look to God’s Word for our answers. Pastor Alex said that it is not about what we have done or are doing in life but about what God has done that will help us see who we are. Here are a few things we know from scripture that tell us who we are that could not be accomplished by anything we can or will do. I am reconciled to God. Romans 5:10-11 “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” No way could we reconcile ourselves to perfect and holy God without His help. I am justified or declared not guilty. Romans 3:23-24 and Romans 5:1 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” and “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” There is no way we could declare ourselves not guilty of sin without God’s intervention through Christ Jesus. I am forgiven. Colossians 1:13-14 and Isaiah 38:17 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. and “Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.” Never could we become forgiven by anything we said or did, only God can make us new and forgive our sins! Pastor Alex pointed out an important point about our identity in Christ that we are loved by God. We are his children and He is our heavenly Father. Here are a few things about God’s loving us that will warm your heart and cause you to be thankful. I am a child of God. John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Through our faith in Jesus we are ushered into God’s forever family and are adopted as His sons and daughters. I am loved by God. Jeremiah 31:3 and Ephesians 2:4-5 ““I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’ and “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” We can love God but cannot make Him love us. He initiates the loving and loves us eternally. His love makes us alive in Him. Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that we are a gift because God created each of us for His purpose. Our memory verse for this week speaks to this fact in Ephesians 2:10. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. We were not made at random but created by God as his handiwork. Other translations use the word masterpiece. He did not make a mistake when he made you! You can also take heart as you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14 and Genesis 1:27 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” and “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” God took time and care creating each of us and we reflect or bear Him image. We are His masterpieces! This week take some time to reflect upon what you have in Christ and how it makes you, you! Each believer is unique in Christ and yet is to reflect the things given to us by and through Christ. As you meditate on Christ and what He has given you, God will give you clarity on who you are in Him and then will reveal what He has for you to do. In all things we are to glorify Him. Seek Him and He will show you how you are His masterpiece and what purposes He has for you! Linda Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflections from The Bible is A Love Letter | Alex Hardt | May 7, 2023
Pastor Alex started this series on the Bible with a passage in Ephesians that is jam packed with lessons and truths for all of us. As I read the portion with my name inserted as Pastor Alex asked us to do, it brings warmth, love and hope to my very being. Alex’s sermon points of God’s story being personal, a love letter directly for me and one that connects us to His love is fully explained as we go through the handout questions he provided. We can see what God has done for each of us that know Jesus as our Savior. What has God done for me and you?
Thanks Pastor Alex for leading us through these soul seeking questions. We can know God and know His answers for our life through His Word. His love letter to us in complete and gives us all we need for life and godliness. Linda SERMON LINK Click Here to View the Sermon Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Sermon Reflection from December 4, 2022 | The King’s Perspective
I loved Pastor Alex’s message on generosity which was shown to us as an example to follow by the Magi, Kings or Wise men. Just for fun this morning I looked up Magi in the dictionary. They are wise men, generally assumed to be 3 in number, who came to worship Jesus. They were thought to be Zoroastrian priests from ancient Media and Persia. Lastly, they were known to be astrologers. All of this fits with the story told in Matthew 2:1-12. Another thought is that these men who studied the stars had been influenced in earlier times by Daniel or Ezra or Nehemiah and that is how they had come to know of the coming birth of the “King of the Jews’. The thought that God used pagan kings, wise men to travel a great distance to worship His Son, speaks of the impartiality of God and His love for all mankind. His Son is meant to be worshipped by all people. Back to the heart of Pastor Alex’s message, generosity. How generous do you consider yourself to be? Does your generosity come from a desire to be recognized and thanked or from the heart in wanting to help and comfort others? Do you desire to please God? God desires for us to have generosity in our character as it comes from the heart of God and connects us to Him in a unique way. Our generosity is to be the result of being ‘in Christ’ and having the Holy Spirit indwell us. Believers have a spirit of generosity that is evident in their lives because they know Jesus! Psalm 112:5 “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” God’s Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives and gives us a spirit of generosity. Pastor Alex mentioned Proverbs 11:25, our memory verse for the week, “A generous person will prosper;whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” God promises to cause us to prosper and be refreshed when we are generous. Prosperity is not limited to material wealth but can include spiritual and emotional prosperity too! I love the promise in Proverbs 22:9 that God gives us about generosity. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Sharing and giving brings blessings! Jesus is the root of our generosity. He is the one who gave it all for us, that we might know Him and have a relationship with him. Through and by God’s grace, we can be and are made generous if our hearts are willing. 2 Corinthian 9:11 puts it this way: “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” God gives us the resources to practice generosity and that generosity should lead us to give thanks to God from which everything comes. Generosity comes from the heart of God and brings Him glory! So as we journey through this holiday season, take time to examine your motives for giving. Seek to align them with God’s desire for you, that you love Him and He is the reason for your generous spirit and giving. Then bask in the joy of giving as you seek to bring glory to God and bless others. Linda SERMON LINK This Christmas | The King's Perspective Click Here to View the Sermon Sermon series, "This Christmas" Today Alex teaches from Matthew 2:1-12 If you are local, please join us for our weekly service. Our Sunday service is held at 11:00am. Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass.  Getting to Know the Heart of Your Leadership Team Through Scripture
Recently I asked members of the Leadership Team to give me their favorite scripture. Seeking Assurance? ASK! As we age it seems harder and harder to keep up with those young ones around us. Whether it is little children or teens, their endurance is only a remembrance to us! Today's favorite verse, from my friend Sharon, is Isaiah 40:30-31 which gives us encouragement no matter what our age. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. In these verses, God's Word is acknowledging our humanness and reminds us that even the young do not have unlimited strength and endurance. To survive in the world, we must rely upon the Lord. He promises to renew our strength when we feel we cannot go on. We do not need to wait until we are spent to call upon the Lord for additional strength. As we learn in walking with Jesus, it is better to call upon Him before we reach the end of our strength as He promises He will lift us up, cause us to soar and be renewed. I can see how this verse is a favorite as it stands as a reminder of God's strength in all things and our limited resources. When you combine this with Philippian 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." We can be assured that God does not tire, God has unlimited resources and He wants to provide for us. We just need to ask. John 14:13-15 shows us Jesus' willingness if we ask with the right heart. "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." Where do you need God's help today? Is your need physical, mental, emotional or spiritual? What obstacles are you facing that you are allowing pride to get in your way of asking God for help? Do you see problems ahead and need God's strength to overcome? God has the resources to help you soar and not grow faint. He can give you the wings of eagles to cause you to soar above and be renewed. Thanks Sharon for the reminder of God's strength and constant provision. Call upon Him and be renewed! By Linda Knight Getting to Know the Heart of Your Leadership Team Through Scripture
by Linda Knight Recently I asked members of the Leadership Team to give me their favorite scripture. Just a slight deviation from favorite verses today to favorite Bible stories. When I asked my friend Kathy for a favorite verse or two she responded with her favorite stories. As I thought about this, it so suits Kathy. She is a lifelong student of the Bible and the consummate Sunday School teacher. She sees things relationally as they impact our lives. Here are her favorites: “I love the story of Esther because it tells me that even though the name of God is never mentioned, He is there, working in our lives.” Do you see God working in each area of your life? Is He with you in the hard times- rescuing, helping, guiding and providing all that behind the scenes encouragement? Do you also turn to Him in praise when things go well? I am reminded of God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Esther believed God was there with her and her people. What about you? “I love the story of Ruth because of the love and devotion it speaks.” Ruth gives us an example to follow because of the love she showed her mother-in-law, Naomi. Do you have someone you are serving even though it is hard? Are you letting the love of God shine through you towards them? Paul put this in another context in Romans 12:9-11 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” What does your love reflect? “I love the story of Jonah because it tells me that I can’t outrun God.” Jonah is such a great example of thinking we know better and can get away from God. Do you try to second guess God and tell Him how things should be? Submission is not easy but it is biblical. Christ is our example in Hebrews 5:7 “ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Let us learn from Jonah and strive to be like Jesus. “I love the story of the blind man in John 9 because it tells me that even though people can see, they may still be blind.” Jesus made mud and put it on this man’s eyes and his eyes were opened. He had been blind from birth. The Pharisee’s were incensed that Jesus healed this man and did it on the Sabbath. They considered healing work and Jews were not permitted to work on the Sabbath. They questioned the man’s parents to verify he was born blind. They questioned the former blind man about who had healed him. He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not (meaning Jesus), I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” He was blind physically but Jesus gave him sight. The Pharisee’s were blind spiritually and could not see the truth of Jesus and His power. Are you open to His work and leading so that you can see God’s truth in your life? “I love the story of Ananias and Sapphira because it tells me that God knows me so well, I can’t lie to him (and lying never brings about a good ending).” This story occurs in Acts 5. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. It would seem from what happened, they said they were giving all the proceeds from their land sale. Maybe they wanted to look good in the eyes of the apostles and their fellow believers so they would think well of them, think them generous and selfless when they secretly held back a portion for themselves. Their actions were deceitful and here is what happened. Ananias came before Peter: Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out and buried him. Next his wife came in, not knowing what had happened to her husband. “About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. The sin was not that they did not give it all to the Lord’s work but lying about it. If they had been truthful about the price and what they were giving, all would have been well but they tried to lie and get away with it. What a price to pay for pride and trying to be more than they were. I agree with Kathy this is an example of God’s Omniscience and man’s pride. God knows, and we kid ourselves, when we think we can get away with things. God always knows. I am reminded of 1 John 3:19-21 “This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” Be encouraged today with these stories displaying God’s character. He is Omnipresent and Sovereign as in Esther showing His providential care and guidance. He is loving and the great Provider as seen in Ruth. He is Omniscient in the case of Jonah and Ananias and Saphira. He is Compassionate, Loving and Almighty God as seen by the blind man. Who is God to you? How do you see him in the story of your life? Is He Faithful, Unchanging, Savior, Redeemer and friend? Take time to thank Him for His presence in your life today. I’d love to hear your favorite story too. Thanks, Kathy, for directing me to these gems of scripture that give us foundational truths to live by. Linda |
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September 2023
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