Strength In Unity

Week of January 17, 2025

“1I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3, NKJV)

The Apostle Paul encourages us to live in a way that reflects our calling as followers of Jesus – humble, patient, and loving.

In a world often marked by division and strife, the church stands as a beacon of hope. Our strength is not just in our individual faith, but in our collective unity. Paul reminds us that maintaining unity requires effort. It means extending grace when someone falls short. It’s choosing peace over conflict.

When we are unified, we reflect the heart of Jesus to a world that is watching us. Unity doesn’t mean we all look, act, or think exactly the same. It means we are united in purpose and mission and that is to glorify God Almighty and make Him known to the world.

Maybe we should ask how am I contributing to the unity of the church? Is there someone I need to forgive and show grace to?

Commit to unity, for when we do we will see His blessings poured out upon us and His church.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Prayer Alignment

Week of January 10, 2025

 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” (Acts 2:1, NKJV)

Prayer aligns your life with God so that He chooses to demonstrate His power through you. The prayers of the people at Pentecost brought the people to a place where they were ready to participate in the work of God that God had planned.

 Jesus had told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait until the Holy Spirit came upon them. As they prayed, God adjusted their lives to what He wanted next from them. When the day of Pentecost arrived, the city of Jerusalem was filled with people from around the world. When the Holy Spirit came the city was filled with messengers who would carry the gospel to every nation. Prayer had prepared the disciples for their response.

Prayer is really to adjust us to God’s will and not to adjust God to our will. So if God hasn’t responded to what we are praying for, we may need to adjust our praying to align with God’s agenda. Instead of focusing on what we want to happen, be conscious of the fact that God may be more concerned with what He wants to see happen in you.

God Bless, Pastor Rick

God Sees

Week of January 3, 2025

“Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’” – (Genesis 16:13, NKJV)

Hagar’s story is one of rejection and redemption. In Genesis 16, she flees into the wilderness, overwhelmed by the treatment she received from Sarai. She was alone and unsure of what the future held. Hagar encountered an Angel of the Lord who gave her assurance. In that moment, she named God, “El Roi” which means the God who sees.

She realized that even in her lowest and most forgotten state, she was not invisible to God. He knew her name, her situation, and her pain. This story teaches us that God sees our struggles. Do you feel overwhelmed? Be reminded that God sees your struggles. He understands every burden. This story also teaches us that God meets us where we are. Hagar wasn’t in a temple when she encountered God, she was in the wilderness. God’s presence is not limited to holy places. God will meet you where you are. One last truth this story reveals – God has a plan for you. God promised Hagar that her son, Ishmael, would grow into a great nation. Maybe you feel forgotten, but be assured that God sees you even if you are in the wilderness and He has a good plan for your life. Reflection on these thoughts can give you hope.

God Bless, Pastor Rick