Pastor’s Thoughts Feb 17 ,2024 through Feb. 26-2024 from my High School Classmates This is 20 of us that are Christian and the classmate who set this up named the group The God Squad.
God loves us. He does not forget us. There is no one who sits in the dark, alone…that He doesn’t see. In His omniscience, God’s vision surpasses our own…and He partners with us to bring that light and glory to earth…so His name can be known. The impact you make will be worth every ounce of effort…every minute of work…and every question and challenge you are likely going to face!
TAKE HEART…GOD IS IN IT WITH YOU!! THE ONE WHO LIFTS YOUR HEAD
God will provide all you need for the challenges you face—trust Him and be brave!
(Joshua 1:1-9) When God charged Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua was fully aware of just how daunting the task before him was. Yet he was determined to obey God…no matter what. Whatever doubts and fears the young man faced in his heart and mind…he ultimately took up the mantle of leadership with courage. He placed his faith in God, who had never let the people down…and Joshua fully expected the Lord to be true to His word again.
Whatever challenge you’re up against…God says the same words to you that He lovingly spoke over His servant in today’s passage: “Be strong and very courageous” (v. 7).
Joshua’s bravery was based upon years of seeing God’s faithfulness. Whether you’ve been a Christian for five minutes or 50 years, you can have the same confidence! The Lord is sufficient to meet your needs. He is your “refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1).
Rely upon Him in all things…and like David…you can boldly say, “You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head … The Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid” (Ps. 3:3; Ps. 3:5-6). ❤️❤️
Brought me to tears when I first heard it…and again this morning, thinking about how He made a way for me …and drew me…and saved me!!
“You Changed My Name” by Matthew West
My name was Lost ’til Your love reached down
You rescued me, now my name is Found
I was a slave to my sin and shame
But those chains fell off when You changed my name
You changed my name, You changed my name
From Too Far Gone to Saved By Grace
And now I am forever changed
All because You changed my name
You called me out from the grave I knew
The old is gone, now my name is New
I once was guilty, but not anymore
You paid my price, now my name is Yours
Yes, You paid my price, now my name is Yours
You changed my name, You changed my name
From Too Far Gone to Saved By Grace
And now I am forever changed
All because You changed my name
And I don’t have to answer to any name
That the enemy tries to call me
I don’t have to answer to any name
But Chosen Child of God
No, I don’t have to answer to any name
That the enemy tries to call me
I don’t have to answer to any name
But Chosen Child of God
It’s all because You changed my name ❤️
BE CONSECRATED: Every soul needs healing of some kind…and every one of us has baggage that needs to go. Baggage like fear…despair,…discouragement…jealousy…and insecurity.
Humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and ask Him to show you your heart…the things you cannot see.
Surrender your plan and trust Him with your desires…and see if He doesn’t meet you…minister to you…and establish you more fully in His purposes for you.
God wants to revive His Church. He’s purifying hearts, healing hearts, and disciplining those who need it. He misses nothing!
May revival start within each of us…as we sort through the stuff that pushes us down or holds us back. God always has more for us. Whatever promises we have memorized…know there are more of His promises to appropriate. In whatever ways we have experienced God…these are just tastes of things to come.
Nothing on earth compares to knowing God in a way that changes you. The world needs your influence. Jesus loves you more than you love yourself. Trust Him as He changes you from the inside out. ❤️
Psalm 85:8-9 NLT I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for He speaks peace to His faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, so our land will be filled with His glory.
—Susie Larson
THE NAME OF JESUS: Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
God exalted (lifted up) Jesus to the highest place in Heaven. Have we exalted Him to the highest place in our own life?
Before we have any chance of communicating a message of truth with the world, we must have a message of truth residing in our own heart. Have we truly accepted His forgiveness which only comes through faith…or are we still trying to earn our way…chasing after false messengers…and traveling down the broad road of destruction?
Do we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30)…or are we still just getting acquainted from a distance?
What about our place of worship? God has an important role for the local church and desires each of us to be in fellowship with other believers. But if our church does not lift up the name of Jesus Christ, it becomes little more than a social club leading an entire flock of lost sheep down the broad road away from the gate. God forbid!
Let’s exalt Jesus to the highest place in our life…in our home…and in our church. Let’s love Him with all our heart and take active steps to draw closer to His presence.
Let’s show the world that eternal life is only through faith in the name which is above all other names – the name of Jesus! ❤️—Steve Troxel
SHINING LIGHT IN OUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE: Is there someone you can serve and encourage today?
John 12:35-36: So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them.
Jesus, the Light of the World, told us—His followers—to be light as well. We are to shine so that people will be drawn to the One who dwells within us.
Light shines most effectively when it’s not hidden. As Christians, we should be transparent about our faith and dependence on the Lord. Who we are in private must match who we are in public. Eliminating sinful habits and practices will brighten our testimony for Jesus. Light reveals what’s in the darkness as well as what is missing. The Holy Spirit will use our actions to shine truth into others’ lives and reveal their need for the Savior.
Light also serves to guide and to warn. As we obey the Lord’s leading, we will be able to help others understand who God is and how much He loves them. We also can function as lanterns to warn people of the dangers along their path.
Finally, our interactions are to bring warmth through an encouraging attitude and servant-like actions. In order to have a strong impact, we must reflect the light of God’s Son. Growing in Christlikeness is the key.
Let’s be intentional about shining our light wherever we are…especially in our home, workplace, and community! ❤️—Charles Stanley
THE GREATEST POWER: And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.
Ephesians 1:19
We hear the phrase “halls of power” mentioned in political discussions, referring to the domains of government authorities. Within those walls, deals and decisions are made which gives the impression of power—the ability to direct the destinies of people and nations.
But true power resides with God not men. As Daniel expressed in Babylon, ”Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.“ Daniel 2:20-21
When the apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians, he prayed God would let them see “the exceeding greatness of His power”—the same power “He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power” (Ephesians 1:19-21).
Yes, there are halls of power in this world…but none that could have raised Christ from the grave. God’s power is the greatest power of all.
Pray Paul’s prayer for yourself so you may see that God’s power is sufficient for your every need. ❤️—David Jeremiah
“Christianity is the power of God in the soul of man.”
—Robert B. Munger
WHAT A SAVIOR! “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalm 91:15
We have a God who wants us to run to Him…and the moment we do…He has promised that He WILL answer us. Not “might,” or “perhaps,” but a definite “will.”
He does not stop at merely assuring us that He will answer us. He goes on record for all eternity, saying, “I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.”
We can have the assurance that when we call on Him, He will answer us…because of the divine exchange that took place at the cross, where our Lord Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). He was forsaken—left helpless, totally abandoned, and deserted—so that today, we can have the confidence that our heavenly Father will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). What a Savior!
He made it so easy for us to receive His promises—our part is to simply call upon Him and let Him be our God. Whatever you may be going through today…call upon Him right now and He will deliver and honor you!
Whenever I am troubled, I tell the Lord, “Lord, I am worried about this situation, but I place it in Your nail-pierced hands right now. I surrender into Your hands all my worries, concerns, and cares in this area.” Then, I receive His peace, and when the enemy tries to fire new arrows of fear into my heart and mind, I remind myself that the situation is already in the Lord’s hands. I remind myself of His promise that He will deliver me!
Are you living with panic attacks, fear, and chronic anxiety? Don’t allow the devil to cripple you with all kinds of negative mental pictures or by replaying all the worst-case scenarios in your head. Call out to your Savior, Jesus Christ! He wants you to cast “all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
You are not a sheep without a Shepherd, so stop trying to carry all your cares upon your own shoulders. Whether it is a physical symptom…a financial challenge…or a family situation that you are anxious about…call upon Him and allow His peace to supernaturally guard your heart in every area that you are troubled (Phil. 4:6–7). Let’s walk in that victory today!! ❤️