Pastor’s Thoughts 10-2,2024-Oct. 15-2024
BE SELECTIVE!! “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 What’s playing in our mind? What are we giving access to? We can’t think negative…and have a positive life. We can’t think sickness…and get well. We can’t think lack…and have abundance. The battle is taking place in our mind. Why are we letting destructive thoughts in? Why are we letting fear roam around? Why are we letting worry have free reign? Why are we allowing doubt to hold us back? We have complete control over what we let in. We can’t stop negative thoughts from coming and knocking on the door…but we don’t have to give them access. We must be selective of what we allow in. Let’s fill our mind with and meditate on these positive, hopeful, faith-filled thoughts today…. –God is restoring health to me. –As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. –My children will be mighty in the land. –I’m a masterpiece…one of a kind…made in the image of God…crowned with favor…wearing a robe of righteousness….fearfully and wonderfully made. “Father, thank You for giving us Your promises to meditate upon. Thank You that Your Word instructs us to think on things that are true and right, wholesome, pure, and of good report. We declare that we will be selective in the thoughts we allow in. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” ❤️ —Richard Rivera WE ARE WHO HE SAYS WE ARE!!
A lawyer asked me this basic question: If Jesus was ordinary, plain and unimpressive in His physical appearance…why did big burly fisherman leave their nets and follow Him and business sharks in the marketplace leave their cash registers to follow Him? Great Question.
My answer…Who is the real Jesus?
No one is more surprising, baffling, rattling, frustrating, astonishing and compelling.
He was born some 20 centuries ago to an impoverished couple in an obscure part of the planet. He never traveled outside His region. He didn’t write a book. He didn’t have a home. The Romans didn’t consider Him significant enough to record His execution. Jesus stepped into a world with a rigid religious establishment, a pagan empire and political parties of all stripes. Normally at odds with each other, these powers conspired to take Jesus out.
Jesus had no political base. No army. No resources. No voting bloc. No secret service. No spin. No swords. His only weapons were a serving towel, a blood stained cross, an empty tomb, a bunch of scars and a handful of ragamuffins who didn’t start out too hot but ended up out-praying, out-thinking, out-serving and out-living everyone and turned the world upside down.
Jesus befuddled everyone in not fighting…but giving up his life. He didn’t get all bent out of shape every election cycle. He read God’s book more than the newspaper. He prayed more than he talked about praying. He built bridges rather than throw rocks. He blessed more than cursed. Love Him or hate Him…the truth is you can never be the same after an encounter with Jesus.
Jesus had the nerve to hang out with the wrong crowd and sketchy people…the lost, the lame, the irreligious and misfits flocked to Him. He blew people away by saying that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the Kingdom of Heaven ahead of the religious leaders. Oh how He could tick off powerful people and the respectable folks always seemed threatened by Him. Jesus didn’t play by the rules…that is religious rules. In fact, He was the enemy of dead religion.
Jesus’ teaching drove people crazy. Think about it. He was always saying upside down stuff. If you want to find your life, you must lose it. If you want to live, you must die. Love your enemies. Up is down and down is up. Bear your cross and serve instead of be served. You couldn’t help but scratch your head…yet it seemed so life-giving.
His scandalous message is that the Shalom of God is available to every human being through Him. Amazing Grace is available to all. He didn’t come to start a religion…but to build a relationship. He offers the Grace Plan…not the Human Performance Plan. Jesus did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He is none other than the sin-substitute…the Savior…and the hope of mankind. His invitation is, “Follow me.” Wise men still seek Him.
I hope to inspire people of all backgrounds to consider, wonder, dialogue about and know the person, life and teaching of Jesus. ❤️
–Michael Sprague
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION and CONSTANT READINESS
Matthew 25:4: “The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
This verse comes from the parable of the ten virgins, where Jesus speaks about the importance of being spiritually prepared for His return. The wise virgins, in contrast to the foolish ones, made sure they had enough oil to keep their lamps burning throughout the night. This simple act of preparation symbolizes a heart that is continually filled with the Holy Spirit…living in anticipation and readiness for the return of Christ.
The “oil” in this parable represents our spiritual readiness—our faith, obedience, and relationship with God. Just as the wise virgins prepared ahead of time, we too are called to live in constant readiness…not only for Christ’s return…but also for the daily ways He moves and works in our lives. This means cultivating a life of prayer, studying the Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us. When we are filled with the oil of God’s presence, we are equipped to shine His light in a dark world and to stand firm in faith when challenges arise.
As we begin this day, let’s ask ourselves if we are spiritually prepared. Are our lamps full? Have we taken the time to nurture our relationship with God and invite the Holy Spirit to fill us afresh? Just as the wise virgins brought extra oil, we must make sure we are continuously seeking God’s presence and guidance…not just in moments of crisis…but every day.
May we live in a state of readiness, with hearts fully surrendered to God, so that when He calls, we are ready to respond. Let’s be wise…filled with the oil of the Spirit…and prepared for whatever God has planned for us today. ❤️
—Cathy C. Charles
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STAY READY…SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO GET READY!!
Proverbs 4:25 in the Message translation: “Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions.” This verse encourages us to maintain a clear, purposeful focus on God’s path for our lives. In a world full of distractions, temptations, and pressures, it can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters—our relationship with God and His calling for us. The writer of Proverbs urges us to fix our gaze firmly on what lies ahead…pursuing God’s will with determination and undivided attention. Distractions often come in many forms: worries, temptations, the opinions of others, or even our own doubts. These “sideshow distractions” can easily pull us away from the life of faith and obedience that God has called us to. By keeping our eyes straight ahead, we are choosing to focus on what is eternal, what truly matters in the grand scope of God’s purpose. This kind of focus requires intentionality and discipline…as we actively turn away from things that pull our attention and devotion away from God. As we walk through today, let’s commit to keeping our eyes fixed on God and His plans for us. Whether we face trials, temptations, or distractions…let’s remember that our true goal is to live in alignment with God’s will…bringing glory to His name. By doing this, we can live with clarity, purpose, and peace, knowing that we are walking the path that God has laid out for us. Let’s trust in His guidance and resist the distractions…focusing on the race marked out for us with our eyes on Christ…the author and perfecter of our faith! ❤️ —Cathy C. Charles
HE MUST INCREASE
The less we trust ourselves…the more we trust God.
The more we decrease…the more He increases.
If we want to walk in God’s power, we must become increasingly acquainted with and rooted in His tender love for His people.
If you wonder if you’ve wandered…just look at the fruit. Are you feeling irritated, judgmental? Are you tempted to construct a case against someone because you’re anticipating an argument? Or are you growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus?
Are you putting a higher priority on the peace of God? Are you becoming more and more convinced that the Savior not only goes before you…but He’s got your back too?
The more often we return to our First Love…the more we’ll be able to impart that love to a world so desperately in need.
Furthermore, knowing and walking in the intense love of God is one of our highest forms of spiritual warfare. Demons tremble when we operate in Holy Spirit-inspired love! ❤️
Psalm 139:5 NLT ~ You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head.
–Susie Larson
BOLD PRAYERS! “There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being.” Joshua 10:14 In Joshua 10, Joshua was winning a battle against five armies, but darkness was coming and the enemy would escape, so he prayed a bold prayer. He asked God to stop the sun in place. In the natural, there’s no possibility of this, but God created the solar system. He spoke the universe into existence. He can stop what He wants to stop and still cause it to work. The next verse simply says, “So the sun and the moon stood still until the Israelites defeated their enemies.” No big explanation for this amazing occurrence. God is not intimidated by bold prayers…and He’s not at a loss to figure out how to bring about His purpose. Stopping the sun was no big deal. Are you praying bold prayers? Maybe not for the sun to stop, but how about for your child to do something awesome…for you to set a new standard for your family…for you to accomplish that dream that seems far out? God put the desire in you. Perhaps He’s just waiting for you to ask. “Father, thank You for giving me every reason to believe You for above and beyond the natural. Thank You that nothing and no one is more powerful than You, and I can believe You for the extraordinary. I believe that You are going to show out in my life as You did with Joshua. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” ❤️ —Richard Rivera
A DEFEATED ENEMY As Joshua led the Israelites out of the desert and into the promised land of Canaan, the first enemy they faced lived in the mighty walled city of Jericho. When spies were sent to Jericho to determine the enemy’s strength, Rahab told the spies, “all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you” (Joshua 2:9). Rahab said the people of Jericho had heard how God parted the Red Sea and how He had been with the Israelites in previous battles. Joshua 2:11 “When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” God caused the walls of Jericho to collapse and allowed the Israelites to take the city, but the first enemy in the promised land was conquered long before the Israelite army even arrived. The people of Jericho knew of God’s miraculous power and were already defeated. The only thing necessary for victory was for the Israelites to show they were willing to walk in the strength God provided. God does not desire for us to remain in the desert. He has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). But to enter the promised land, we must be prepared to face our enemies and trust in the strength of our Heavenly Father. The enemy “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). This enemy is very real and ready to attack our areas of weakness. But the enemy is also well aware of God’s power and will turn away any time we make a stand; “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The enemy’s fate has been sealed – his end has already been determined – but we must daily resist by getting dressed for battle and then trusting in the power of God for our strength. Let’s submit our lives into the loving hands of our Heavenly Father and boldly enter the peace-filled land He has promised. The lion will continue to roar and try to bite, but we must never forget that Jesus has already assured complete victory. When we trust Him with all our heart and daily walk in His strength…we truly face a defeated enemy! ❤️ –Steve Troxel
KING OF THE EARTH
“God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.”
Psalm 47:8
Our God is the ultimate conqueror of all kingdoms. He will be exalted among the nations. Though awesome in power…He is no tyrant. Therefore, all nations are summoned to welcome His reign with the clapping of hands and the shouting of victory and are invited to “sing praises with understanding” (Ps. 47:7) to the King of all the earth. Our God conquers…to liberate.
He captures…to release.
He subdues…to free.
Personally or nationally, God is the only King who can truly set free. Because sin enslaves, its power must be broken by a greater power, which is the power of a righteous and holy God. Therefore, we “sing praises with understanding.” We recognize that “God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” Only our God…whose throne is holy…is able to free individuals and nations from the tyranny of sin. So let’s sing His praises with understanding. With the nations, let us clap our hands and shout to God with the voice of triumph!
He is our King! He is the King of all kings! ❤️🎉
–Jack Hayford
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11
In life, we face many spiritual battles. Temptations, doubts, and fears constantly try to pull us away from the path God has called us to walk. But the good news is that God has not left us defenseless. He provides us with spiritual armor to stand firm against the enemy’s attacks.
The “armor of God” is a metaphor for the spiritual tools we need to protect ourselves. This armor includes truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). Each piece of this armor strengthens us in specific ways, helping us to resist temptation, hold onto our faith, and proclaim the gospel with boldness.
Putting on the armor of God isn’t a one-time event but a daily practice. Every day, we need to renew our minds with God’s Word, pray for strength, and actively live out our faith. In a world full of spiritual warfare, we are called to be both alert and equipped, ready to stand against any schemes that seek to separate us from God.
Life Application:
Consider each day as an opportunity to equip yourself with God’s armor. Reflect on areas where you may be spiritually vulnerable and strengthen those areas through prayer and the Word.
Prayer Points:
- Lord, help me to daily put on Your armor to stand strong against spiritual attacks.
- Give me wisdom to recognize the enemy’s schemes and resist temptation.
- Strengthen my faith and equip me with Your truth and righteousness.
Return to Eden
“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 65:25
In the “kingdom” of Eden, peace prevailed. In fact, that peace existed both among humans and animals. There was apparently no hostility between humans and animals in Eden (Genesis 2:19-20); animals were not even part of the human diet (Genesis 1:29). But after sin entered the world, that peace disappeared as the rule in creation. Violence became the norm for both man and beast (Genesis 6:5-8).
But peace will return when the Prince of Peace rules the world: “For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). Natural enemies like wolves and lambs, leopards and goats, and lions and calves will exist harmoniously together. Even a child will play with a deadly snake (Isaiah 11:6-8). Just as peace was the norm in Eden, so peace will be the norm in Christ’s Kingdom on earth.
Until that day, let us fulfill our stewardship responsibilities towards God’s creatures that He has entrusted to us.
Everything we have is on loan from the Lord, entrusted to us for a while.
John MacArthur
“For we live by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
As believers, we are called to live differently from the world. The natural tendency is to rely on what we can see, hear, and touch. We want concrete answers and tangible evidence before stepping forward. Yet, the life of faith demands a different perspective—one that trusts in God’s promises even when we can’t see the full picture.
Paul’s words to the Corinthians remind us that our lives should be anchored in faith. To “walk by faith” means trusting God in every situation, even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming. It means believing that God is sovereign and His plans for us are good, even when our human eyes can’t perceive how things will work out.
In times of uncertainty, we must remember that God is faithful. His Word is a lamp to our feet, guiding us step by step (Psalm 119:105). We may not always see the full path ahead, but we can trust that God is with us, directing our way. Walking by faith requires daily surrender, letting go of our desire for control and allowing God to lead.
Life Application:
Is there an area of your life where you are struggling to trust God? Take a step of faith today, trusting in His wisdom and timing, even if you don’t have all the answers.
Prayer Points:
- Lord, help me to trust You in uncertain times and rely on Your guidance.
- Strengthen my faith when I am tempted to doubt or fear.
- Teach me to walk by faith daily, resting in Your promises.
DON’T FORGET YOUR VALUABLE!
I know, I know, you are worried about my grammar. You think the title should be “Don’t Forget, You’re (You ARE) Valuable,” right? Or, you might think my title should be “Don’t Forget Your ‘Valuables,’” not “Valuable!” Well, I wrote the title as it was meant to be written. For this devotion, the word needs to be VALUABLE. I meant to write that word in the singular because this lesson is talking about the ONE thing in your life that is the key to it all. In our lesson for today, an individual comes up to Jesus and asks the million-dollar question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s the big question; that’s the one that really matters. You see, the Bible talks about life as precious, purposeful, and eternal. Those three all go together. Jesus wants you to know that your life is eternal; you are not just here today and gone tomorrow. He wants you to know that you are precious to Him, that your life matters to Him.
That is exactly what Jesus was trying to show the rich young man in our reading. Jesus offers him what He also offers to you and me today — Love, HIS LOVE, the eternal and lasting love of God in Jesus Christ, and a life that is purposeful and eternal because of what He has done for you on the cross and by His resurrection. When Jesus tells the man that he lacks “one thing,” He’s trying to get him to receive life, now and forever, as a gift from God. He’s leading him to see that a relationship with Jesus is the key to it all.
So, today, ask yourself questions like these: Is there anything getting in the way of knowing and receiving the one thing that is truly valuable for your life? Are the things of this temporary world more precious to you than knowing the love of God in Christ Jesus now and forever? Are the trinkets of the moment to be more prized than God’s mercy in Christ? Is there anything more precious than knowing that no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, life IN HIM can be fresh and new today? He offers you eternal life right now as a gift, apart from any works you have or have not done. Only Christ Jesus can remove everything that stands in the way of having a life that is good, meaningful, and enduring. Trust in what is truly valuable today — your life in Christ! Then the very same Jesus who urged this man to follow Him urges us to live for Him as well. But, first, hear another promise from Him as you face this week. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, it’s easy to get caught up in the treasures of the here and now. Give us eyes to see that only in and through You does life become precious, purposeful, and eternal. Then give me the wisdom to follow You as I take up the challenges of today. AMEN