Live by Faith

Week of September 05, 2025

“So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20, NKJV)

Many people become slaves of everyone else’s opinion.  They agree with every viewpoint regardless of how ridiculous they may be.  They do not have an opinion about anything; all they want is to remain unnoticed. Life becomes complicated because they try to please everyone. They lose confidence in God and in themselves.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have the power residing in you by the Holy Spirit that enables you to tackle life positively.  Our discipleship is based on faith, so, even though you may be experiencing a trial in your life, focus on the fact that God loves you.  He never leaves you.  Follow through with what God might be speaking to your heart, and do not base your life on feelings.

If your life is based on your faith in Christ, then your confidence will gradually increase and you will overcome those feelings of little or no confidence in yourself to hear God for yourself.  You will find that there is no situation that you will not be able to handle through God’s wisdom and His power.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Trusting God On the Journey

Week of August 29, 2025

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

Life often feels like a winding road. We have plans, dreams, and visions for our future, yet the path we walk can sometimes feel uncertain, confusing, or frustrating. We encounter obstacles we didn’t anticipate and it’s during those times that we want to rely on our own understanding.

But God calls us to something higher: trust. Which is a call to surrender our fears into His hands. That doesn’t mean that life becomes easy. It doesn’t erase challenges. What it does mean is that God promises to guide us and to direct our steps.

Each day we wake up, we are given another opportunity to trust Him a little more. A small decision, a moment of patience are all acts of faith. Over time, they form a life of trust, a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

Be reminded that wherever you are on your journey, God is with you. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Only take the next step. Trust in His guidance. The God who knows the beginning and the end is walking with you right now and His plans for you are good.

“Lord, help me to trust You with all my heart. Teach me to let go of my need to control every outcome and to rest in Your perfect wisdom and timing.”

God Bless, Pastor Rick

God's Faithfulness in Every Season

Week of August 22, 2025

“Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NKJV)

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11, NKJV)

Life is not static. It moves in rhythms and seasons, but in every season, one truth remains unshakeable: God is faithful. His mercy sustains us and His favor rests upon us.

Mercy means that God does not give us the punishment we deserve. The prophet Jeremiah, even while lamenting Israel’s suffering, boldly declared the above Lamentations 3 scripture. Every single day God presses “reset” on His mercy toward us. Yesterday’s failures don’t carry over.

God’s mercy spares us from judgment, but favor goes a step further. It is God’s goodness poured out over our lives. Favor means doors opening we could never open on our own, blessings we didn’t earn, and opportunities we could never manufacture.

So the good news is that whatever season you find yourself in, you can rest assured – His mercy covers your past and His favor surrounds your future.

So walk with confidence, knowing you are loved, forgiven, and blessed.

God Bless, Pastor Rick