Exodus 28,29; Acts 7

Acts 7:51-52
"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him-

These scriptures speak to me of how mankind always wants to judge God. In Exodus God has Aaron go through all this ceremonial dress and behavior to even approach a mock image of the throne of God and people say “how can a God of love act like that.” Then God himself tears the temple curtain and says we can walk right into the “Holy of Holies” and people say “how can a God of righteousness let people like us (liars, thieves, murderers) into heaven”. I am allowed as a priest (We children are priests) to speak and ask of the king of the universe without having to dress a certain way or speak a certain way. Then I get mad because He does not meet my needs or wants in my timing. It seams like God can’t get a break.

Sometimes because of Gods love I forget how Holy He is. On the other hand I forget His love when I focus too much on His righteousness. There is balance in remembering Isa 55:8 “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. That scripture reminds me to let God do the Judging (and pray He judges me with mercy). I just need to trust in His ways and follow Him.

May God bless you and keep you in his loving arms this week

Pastor Jack

Next reading: Exodus 30-32 Acts 8

Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

“Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:2-4

I’m glad we aren’t the only ones who have church problems once in a while. The best church, the model church had its’ problems. The Greek speaking widows were being neglected. There was no social security program and women couldn’t go out and get a job in those days. These widows had no way to provide for themselves and no one had stepped up to take care of these women. This was an organizational gap and was causing people to accuse the leadership of being prejudice toward these Greek speaking widows. Every disciple was capable of handling this situation but they knew what they were called to do. It wasn’t that they weren’t willing to do something that was beneath them. Is was about not being able to do everything well and their call was to the word of God and prayer. But the service job of a deacon is not a non-spiritual position. I like the requirements of those who were to oversee the service responsibilities, they had to be full of the Holy Spirit, they had to have a good reputation and they had to be wise. Sounds like serving is high priority on God’s value list. No ministry in the kingdom of God is trivial. Whatever you do whether it’s serving tables, changing diapers, or teaching a bible study, do your best as unto the Lord.

God Bless You,

Pastor Rick

Exodus 9-11; Psalm 14; Acts 5

"But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men."
Acts 5:29

I believe the word for today would be "obedience." Acts 5 opens with Ananias and Sapphira being judged for their hypocrisy and lying to God. Later Peter and the disciples are on Trial for preaching in the temple. Ananias and Sapphira's lack of obedience led them to death and the Disciples obedience to the Lord led to many great miracles. Can you imagine walking down the street and people being healed by your shadow. I have found in my life and in the life of others that obedience leads to life and a lack of obedience leads to death. Before I was on staff at the church I was working in the financial services industry. So many times I would witness successful branch managers and employees lose their careers as a result of not being obedient to company policies or regulations. Whether it was an inappropriate relationship or fraud it brought a certain death to a career and many times a family. Daily I found myself confronted to be obedient to who I was in Christ or how the industry or others would want to shape me and my career. Later I found myself leaving the industry to come on staff full time at the church. Many people close to me felt I was making a big mistake, but I knew I had to be obedient. Acts 5:29 was the verse I held on to. So as you go about your day choose life, choose to be obedient to who God has called you to be. You might think that you will lose your job, client, or even family but that's just Satan working just like he worked on Ananias. I was a top producer at the company I worked for and I know that it was all because of the Lord's favor and choosing to give him each phone call and relationship or contact that was made. So today do as the Angel said in verse 19. "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

In Him,
Pastor Joe

Next reading: Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

Exodus 21-22; Ps. 12; Acts 4

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

This is one of my favorite scriptures. Boldness translated to the unbelievers realizing Peter and John had been with Jesus. Being uneducated and untrained Peter and John would not have been the kind of bold preachers they were. Preaching and teaching was reserved only for those trained to do so. Years of discipleship was required for a rabbi to hold the word of God and present it, but here was simple fishermen preaching and teaching with understanding and confidence. They sounded like their master because they had spent time with their master. I always love to see the transformation of a person who normally would have been timid and unassured become confident, bold and powerful because they have spent time with Jesus. Spending time with Jesus and His word will change you. It doesn’t take much just some time and a listening ear and the transformation begins. I’ve seen the outcast of society turn into leaders, I’ve seen the backward become brilliant, full of wisdom. I know what the Pharisees were noticing. I’ve seen the transformation because I have been the transformed and it is all because I had been with Jesus. I hope someone notices in my life today that I have been with Jesus. I hope someone notices that you have been with Jesus today.

God Bless You,

Pastor Rick


Next reading: Exodus 23-24; Ps. 14; Acts 5

Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

“8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” Exodus 17:8-13

The soldiers below had no idea what was going on atop the hill. They would have thought that the battle completely depended on them. Meanwhile, there was an added dimension to the battle and it was the intercession of Moses supported by Aaron and Hur. Of course, Moses’ intercession without the soldiers would have been useless but soldiers without the intercessors would have ended in defeat. We get to participate at both in our lives. We are the soldiers pushing back the kingdom of darkness while expanding the kingdom of God. We are intercessors supporting those who are working diligently for God. Today stand on the hill for someone battling in the valley and take up your weapons to battle, asking others to stand on the hill for you.

God Bless,

Pastor Rick

Next reading: Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

The greatest joy of my life was being there for the birth of my four daughters and the pronouncement of the judge that said this little boy is now your son. To hold that babe is one of the most thrilling things in the world. To have hopes and dreams for your child, to hold, cuddle and love. Acts 2 we see the birth of the church, God’s baby. He loves the church and he sees such potential in the church. On the day this baby was born he poured out his spirit upon the church fulfilling a promise (Joel 2) and a dream to empower his church.
Acts 2:17-18 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
Sounds like fun, visions, dreams, prophesying and truly Spirit filled life. This doesn’t sound like the church today. What many Christians experience is dull, boring and lifeless. Luke 11 say if you ask for the Holy Spirit the father will give Him to you. He promised, be filled with the Holy Spirit today. Ephesians say “be filled with the Spirit”. Lord we need a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit today, we surrender our life completely to you right now, fill us as we worship you now.
Pastor Rick
Next reading: Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

Exodus 12-13; Ps. 21; Acts 1

Today we begin reading through the book of Acts where we read the story of the birth of the New Testament church. Luke, the writer of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, begins this book by tying it with the book of Luke. The last thing recorded in the Gospel of Luke is the first thing Luke records in the book of Acts. The gospel of Luke closes as Jesus is telling His disciples to wait in Jerusalem “until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49). In Acts 1, the writer opens by saying “The former treatise (that is, the Gospel according to Luke) have I written unto you, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” (Acts 1:1) Began is the key word. The book of Luke is only a partial story of the ministry of Jesus. It’s just the beginning of His ministry. In the book of Acts, we see that Jesus continues to minister as He does today—healing the sick, raising the dead, meeting the needs of each individual. His love continues to touch the world and transform lives. How does Jesus continue to do this work? It’s through you and me---disciples who have been anointed with the Holy Spirit. This is God’s plan—to use us, imperfect, fault-ridden humans. He began that work while He lived on this earth, as we read in the gospel of Luke and now in the book of Acts, we see the disciples and new believers commissioned to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit so that they can “receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) What is the work Jesus has begun through you? Who are you going to touch with His love, minister to with healing hands, and speak with words of encouragement? Today, this is the day to let the Lord “begin” something new in and through you to be His witness. Be confident in God’s plan to use you. “ …being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) So today…to good works in Christ Jesus!
Carol Danna
Next Reading: Exodus 14-16, Acts 2

EX.9-11; Luke 24

These scriptures remind me that there are only two kinds of existence, the living and the dead. Not dead as in not breathing, but dead as in the absence of God. Pharaoh was the representative of the dead. He would not believe even to the death of his own son. God had raised him up for the purpose of showing God’s power and love for His people Israel. (Ex 9:16 “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth”). I am always amazed at how people can see the power of God and still reject Him. The truth is as long as God gives people the ability to choose, there will always be, the living and the dead, Jesus told a story in Luke 16 about a rich man that was sent to hell. In the story the rich man begs Abraham to resurrect Lazarus and send him to the rich man’s brothers so they will understand and change their ways. Abraham says,” 'if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Even after Jesus was raise from the dead people still will choose to not believe, they still choose death.

In Luke 24:5 the angels ask the women a very important question; we should always be asking ourselves. This is a daily question I ask myself, because I (we) still foolishly sometimes look for answers from those who do not know the truth. Books, TV, the world etc.... They have no answers for me (us) they do not even choose to save themselves from death. The angels asked this question “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

May God bless you this day with answers from the living.

Pastor Jack

Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

“And Moses said to Pharaoh, “Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only.” 10 So he said, “Tomorrow.” Exodus 8:9-10

Pharaoh and Egypt is facing more than just a nudge from God to let his people go. The ten plagues of Egypt have begun and now there are frogs every where. Fogs in their beds and frogs in their ovens they can’t find a place to sit or sleep without a slimy creature crawling up the back, and a person can only eat so many frog legs. Have you tried frog legs before? Tastes like chicken but I digress. Moses gives Pharaoh the honor of deciding when Moses is to talk to God about removing these critters. You think Pharaoh would respond, “immediately” but his pride won’t let him. Pharaoh does what is so human nature. He says tomorrow. I wonder if Moses was thinking, “did I hear you right, tomorrow. Yep Pharaoh must have grown fond of the slimy, wart filled critters, or maybe he fell in love with going to sleep at night to the sound of a rivit, rivit, rivit. Jesus or deliverer comes to people every day and says, when would you like me to deliver you. I can save you now, I can set you free from that addiction, I can heal that out of control temper, I can free you from that sin. Like Pharaoh we say how about tomorrow. Maybe later would be better, let me have one more night with my misery, it’s not that bad. Stop, do it now ask him to help you now this moment, don’t wait another minute, “now is the time of salvation, the kingdom of God is at hand”.

Pastor Rick

Next Reading: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

"Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God."
Exodus 3:1

Were coming up on some of the most popular sections of Scripture. Hollywood has even made motion pictures based on the life of Moses. The pretty recent animated film Prince of Egypt was a huge success. So I would say Moses is a pretty popular guy. One of my kids favorite books is the story of how God saved baby Moses. At the start of Chapter 3 we read Moses is tending sheep. We know the events that are about to take place but Moses didn't. Moses was living a full life but probably not a fulfilling one. The reason Moses is tending sheep for his father-in-law is because he came to the rescue of a Hebrew woman and killed a guy. He's on the run in hiding and making the best of his life. He even calls his first son Gershom meaning "driven or thrust out." If you think about it he did the right thing and now look where he is at, as Moses says it "a stranger in a foreign land." Years have gone by and the scripture says Moses was content to live this small life. How many of us are are in the same place Moses was. Our lives are set, taking care of sheep, maybe made some mistakes or even took some risks but you ended up in the desert with some sheep. Your content but not living a fulfilled life . Today we're being visited by Lord just as Moses was and He's sending us to set people free. If you don't believe or you have given up on the idea that you were meant to do great and mighty things for the Lord, Moses didn't believer either. He says "Who am I"...I am slow of speech and tongue. Jesus in our reading today in the Garden said "Father...take this cup away from me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) God's promised to be with us. Make that your prayer today not my will but your will be done? Know His will is to make your name great. Let me know if your computer was on fire as you read this?

Now Go!

Pastor Joe

Next reading: Ex. 6-8; Luke 23

Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

It took 40 years in the desert to get Moses ready to be the deliverer for the people of God. The one quality trait that would qualify Moses to be the minister that God needed was meekness. We often look for people who are gifted and say boy God could really use them they are so talented or they are so articulate they would make a great teacher or preacher. Moses had none of these. He was not self confident, he was not articulate, in fact he stuttered. He was an old man hardly a person that would put fear in the heart of Pharaoh and his cronies and yet Moses was the right man for the job. What’s interesting is 40 years earlier when Moses was young and confident he was not ready. Meekness had to be produced in Moses and 40 years tending sheep will produce that in you. It has not been my success in life that have produced the qualities and make me usable to God, it is my failures and my desert experiences. Humility comes at a price, but it is necessary for the man or woman of God to be truly used as a deliverer. God give us humble hearts, teach us how desperately we need you today and every day and if we stutter let us know that, that is exactly what we need today because we have to rely on you.

Pastor Rick

Next reading Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

God has a different economy than the world. The world measures a gift by the intrinsic value of the gift. But God measures a gift by the amount of sacrifice of the giver. Rich people were putting their gifts into the treasury and they are not scorned for their gift, in fact Jesus declares the their offer was for God. God honors whatever lever of sacrifice we make. For these wealthy givers it wasn’t a large sacrifice but it still was a gift received by God. The widow however gave the greatest gift because it was all she had. God doesn’t need our money. I know you probably have heard that before but think about it. He asks us to give faithfully, in fact He tells us that we live under a curse when we rob from Him, not giving our tithe and yet he doesn’t want our money He wants our hearts. As a young father this was one of those hard lessons to get, it was about trust. It is always about trust. When my kids were young we often had barely enough to keep them fed. I had just started at the church and we weren’t making enough to pay bills let alone tithe. But it wasn’t an option for Carol and I, whatever the sacrifice it must be made. I new I had to trust God now or get out of the ministry. If I could trust God with my money than what right did I have to lead his church. I didn’t just sit around a pray, although I did a lot of praying but I took side jobs, construction cleanup, painting, working wherever God would give me a little extra all the time pastoring. I learned life lessons but do you know what I remember the most? It was when I gave my tithe it was such a sacrifice and I knew it brought pleasure to the heart of my heavenly father.

Pastor Rick

Next reading: Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Genesis 49-50; Ps. 8; Luke 20

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Gen 49:10).

Jacob is in the last days of his life and gathers his twelve sons to himself and begins to prophesy over them about their future. When he comes to Judah he gives this amazing prophesy that the scepter (that is the rod of authority or ruler ship) would be through the tribe (family) of Judah until Shiloh come. The word Shiloh has several meanings referring to the coming Messiah and all are implied here. It means the sent one, the seed (as a reference to the seed of the woman in Genesis 3), the peaceable one, and the prosperous one. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and fulfilled all of what this prophecy points to. In yesterday’s reading you recall Jesus said, "If you only knew the things that belong to your peace in this thy day but they are hid from your eyes.” Looking over the city that day, weeping over the city, He cried, "If you only knew the things that belong to your peace, shalom, until the Shiloh, shalom, come.” Now the scepter did not depart from Judah until the time of the coming of the Lord but forty years after Jesus was crucified, Rome destroyed Jerusalem and dispersed Israel, they never again had a ruler from the tribe of Judah. Thus the scepter departed from Judah. So that means that the Messiah would have to have come sometime before 70 A.D. in order that this prophecy of Jacob be truly fulfilled, I wonder who that could be? Think maybe Jesus. Today we know him as the Prince of Peace and if you find yourself in turmoil today simply reconnect with Him who is your peace.

Pastor Rick

Next Reading: Exodus 1-2; Ps. 88; Luke 21

Genesis 47-48; Ps. 10; Luke 19

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44

For those who think God is full of glee when a nation is judged need to read this passage. Jesus wept over a city that had rejected him over and over again. They had been the most blessed people because God had chosen them to reveal himself to the world. Now however their iniquity was going to come upon them. He said “if you had known.” It wasn’t that the information wasn’t available, it was shouted on the roof tops, they had seen the miracles and the signs and the fulfilled prophesies but refused to accept them and He could not protect them any longer and the consequences of their sin will play out in national devastation. Jesus said, “because you did not know the time of your visitation.” I never want to miss it when God is visiting. It isn’t easy to miss it if our heart desires God. If you stop for a moment you might hear him speak to your heart right this moment. He is visiting you.

Pastor Rick

Next reading: Genesis 49-50; Ps.8; Luke 20

Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

“And Israel (Jacob) said, It’s enough, Joseph my son is alive. I will go and see him before I die.” Genesis 45:28

Picture Jacob, a man of years, hearing the news that his son, once thought dead, the one he had suffered such great sorrow for, is not dead, he is alive. His heart must have grown faint, as the reality of Joseph’s news became reality. We read a couple of days ago of Jacob’s heart of despair as his sons reported that they needed to take their youngest brother back to Egypt and Jacob says in Genesis 42:36, “…all these things are against me.” This father surely did not want any more loss in his life. Hope had not been Jacob’s stay during those years but now, in a moment of victory Jacob declares, “It’s enough!” When all of our days are said and done and we look from the vista’s of our life, we will see the path that was laid out before us—the twists, turns, happy, sad, unexpected surprises in life. We will see how that in all these things, God was for us, not against us. What seemed like loss, God turned for gain. Paul writes in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Today may you be blessed and refreshed by the goodness of God in knowing that He is enough…enough for today and all of your tomorrows.

Blessings,

Carol Danna

Next reading: Genesis 47-48: Luke 19

Gen. 42,43 ; Ps. 5 Luke 17

I think these scriptures are all about forgiveness. In Genesis it speaks of the forgiveness of Joseph for his brothers. David speaks of his enemies and in Luke Jesus discuses forgiveness with the decuples. I think forgiveness is a very hard thing to do, and to forgive 7 times in one day seems incredibly frustrating. But the truth is Jesus said we not only need to forgive, we need to love those who persecute us. Matt 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This is what Joseph did for his brothers in Genesis. He not only forgave them, he chose to love them. In Luke Jesus cures ten men who had leprosy and even though 9 of them did not come back to even thank him he still shows his love for them by healing them. Jesus said in Matt 5:45-46 “love to you enemies that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”

David says Ps 5:4 4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; My prayer is “Lord make us (me) like you. Give me a heart that will not only forgive but chose to love those that would use and hurt me. I want to be a son of my father give me a heart like yours”

Genesis 39-40; Luke 16

Genesis 39:2 “The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.”

The writer of scripture describes Joseph’s situation as successful. I’m not sure Joseph would have quite described himself as being successful considering that he was a slave. In fact every place that Joseph seemed to go the scripture described him as successful. How can you see yourself as successful in prison, I don’t care if your the head honcho in prison, your still in prison. Often times we lose perspective in our prison experiences. No one likes trials. If you do there is something, seriously wrong. I hate trials but I love what they produce after the fact. That is why the scripture say to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, know that the trying of your faith produces… “ Joseph had know idea were the trial would take him. What if you absolutely new what the end of your trial would look like. What if you like God could see your future. Do you think you would go through your trial with a different attitude, probably. The only thing is, the change factor in a trial is the opportunity to trust God. That is why it is called the trying of your faith. God knows if we can trust Him in the middle of a trial, even though things don’t look like they are producing anything positive. Can you see through the eyes of faith? God promises that he will turn every trial, sorrow, pain around and make good out of it. Joseph teaches us to trust God when the world looks like a prison to us. Who knows we might end up with the kings ring at know matter what happens we will be dinning at the kings table as well.

Pastor Rick

Next reading: Genesis 42-43; Luke 17

Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7;Luke 15

Genesis 37:5
"Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more."

Hebrew word for "had a dream" means "to bind firmly" Joseph was bound to a dream that God had given him. A note in the Spirit Filled Bible says the dream had Joseph! It's because of a dream that Joseph would be hated, sold into slavery, and put into prison. Joseph refused to let injustice and life circumstance keep him from believing the dream God had for him. You will not find Joseph asking the question why is this happening to me? Later Joseph even acknowledges that all the evils done to him were part of God's plan. (Gen 45:7-8)When we face injustice or in a situation that appears to be out of line with the vision or dream God has for our lives. Let today's reading be a reminder that God's vision and dreams for us will be fulfilled as long as we don't waver in believing in them. God's word is filled with promises that are for you and will come to pass you can be assured of it. So maybe today your experiencing some type of injustice or you're in a place that you have given up on the dream or vision the Lord has for you. Just as the prodigal son came home to dwell with his father. Choose today to return to an unwavering faith believing the dream and plan God has for you. Seize The Day!

Believing with you,

Pastor Joe

Next Reading: Gen 39-41; Luke 16

Genesis 34-35; Luke 14

At the end of Luke 14 Jesus makes a statement that has been bewildering the casual Bible reader for centuries. 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” What is bewildering about the statement is Jesus has always taught us to love everyone. He even told us to love our enemies, and now we are to love the ones who are the closest to us. It doesn’t make sense, and it is designed to stop us in our tracks. The next statement starts to put it in perspective as he tells us that we must count the cost of being a disciple. A house builder or a king going to war must count the cost before the begin to see if they have what it takes to finish the job. But it is the last phrase that brings real clarity. 33 “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” I want you to see that Jesus is not saying that if you do not forsake all I won’t accept you as my disciple. He is saying that if you don’t forsake all, which by the way is the cost to be counted, you won’t be able to finish as a disciple. Jesus has to be first, last and everything in between and if a disciple surrenders to anything less, they will most likely quit and not be able to finish the rigors of being a disciple. So the statement to hate ones family is a comparative statement. In comparison to your love for God, your family is even second fiddle. Recently I was talking to a pastor friend of mine who was going through a tough time. It seemed like the devil has been hitting him on all sides. Most people under this kind of attack would quit, but not my friend. He said, I love God to much to quit now. You see discipleship is about a love relationship with your Lord. Count the cost, not the price it will take but the price he already paid for you. “Do you love him more than these?”

Pastor Rick,

Next reading: Genesis 36-37; Luke 15

Genesis 31-33: Luke 13

In Genesis 32, Jacob is waiting for the brother he had betrayed and stolen his blessing to come. It has been reported Esau is coming with 400 men. Jacob has no way of defending himself against such an army and yet he is still doing what he does best, connive and figure out a plan. He would put his servants first and then the part of his family he loves lastly followed by Rachel and him. He really thinks he could escape if Esau attacks the servants first? Not likely, but when you have built your life conniving and using trickery, eventually really dumb ideas look like they might work. Jacob had some successes in his life but what he did not know was that God had been secretly behind the scenes blessing his failures. Now it was time for Jacob to come to an end of himself. He finds himself in a headlock with an angel. And after a night of wrestling, he still won’t give up, but does go back to the one positive side of his stubbornness and that was he would not give up on receiving a blessing from God. The course of his life would change and he would be left with a limp that would remind him for the rest of his life that his plans must surrender to trusting in God. His name and identity would be changed; he would no longer be called ‘Jacob’ which means ‘conniving’, to ‘Israel’ which means ‘prince with God’. When we really learn to trust God, we too will find that our identity has changed, for you are a prince with God.

Pastor Rick


Nest Reading: Genesis 34-35; Luke 14

Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

Genesis 29:31-32 “Then the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben.” Leah always played second fiddle to her sister. She only wanted her husband to love her like he loved Rachel but that was not going to happen because even though Leah was second fiddle to Jacob, she wasn’t second fiddle to God. God was broken hearted that Leah had to suffer in such an unjust marriage and God blessed and honored her with another desire of her heart, four sons. Each son’s name gives us a little insight into Leah’s heart. Reuben’s name means “a son” doesn’t sound too creative to name your son, “a son” but Leah was certainly pleased that she had a son. Her second son Simeon means “Heard” because Leah new God was hearing her cry. God is a God who hears. Her third son was Levi, who means, “attached” because she had hoped that now her husband would be attached to her. Obviously Leah was hoping that her husband would meet her needs, it wasn’t until her fourth son that it seems she got the message. Verse 35, “And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the LORD.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing” Judah she named “Praise” for now she sees God’s love and favor and in spite of the fact her family dynamics did not change her heart had. She had changed the direction of who she was looking to, for her fulfillment. Is God bringing you blessings that you are missing? Turn your heart to Him and praise.

Pastor Rick

Next Reading: Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Gen. 27-28; Ps.4; Luke 11

Here in Gen. 27 is the story of Jacob stealing his blessing from his brother. Often the message taught from this portion of scripture is about Jacob’s conniving ways. No doubt Jacob would learn the hard way about that one, when he would suffer under Laban his future father-in-law who would even be more conniving than himself. But there is a positive side to Jacob that pleased God and that is he wanted the blessing of God on his life more than his brother did. When his brother was willing to give up his birthright for a bowl of soup, Jacob was more than willing to make the trade. And even though Esau was flippant, maybe not thinking he was making a real deal, Jacob was dead serious. He wanted God’s Blessing. Over the years, especially as a young believer, I always took advantage of having other respected men and women of God pray over me. As a young believer, whenever my church would have a respected guest speaker, evangelist or pastor, I asked them if they would pray a prayer of blessing over me. I never take those moments for granted because I don’t think God does. Receiving God’s blessing and grace is serious business, and as Isaac prayed the prayer of Blessing over Jacob, even though Jacob used trickery to get himself in the position to receive the blessing, God still honored it; maybe it was because Isaac truly valued it.

Pastor Rick

Next Reading: Gen. 29-30; Luke12

Gen 25,26 Ps 6 Luke 10

As I read these scriptures I was thinking about the men written about. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, the 72 disciples. People would say many things about them and to them in their life. Some men received truth from them. Some would hate them and try to kill them or just get rid of them. Some trusted them as men of God and some rejected them as fools or accusers of wrong doing. But in reality the only opinions that should matter to us are those of the people who really know us, our family, close friends and the opinion of Him who knows us best God Himself. God said of these men (Heb 11:13-16) that they died in faith not having seen Jesus. They recognized they were born to live with God in His kingdom. Therefore God was proud of them and prepared a city for them.

When I go to live with the Lord I want my family and friends to declare “he loved and he was loved” I want the Lord to say “Well done good and faithful servant” I look forward to these statements and try to live up to them. Maybe this Sunday we could begin to write our own eulogy, by the way we live our life. Therefore leaving a legacy for our children and the ones we love.

May God watch over you and bless you.

Pastor Jack

Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Isaac is in field and looks up just in time to see the beautiful woman coming toward him. She would end up being the love of his life, his helpmate, his partner. It isn’t our way to have someone else pick your wife. We want to make that choice, after all who knows us better than ourselves? Isaac doesn’t just summit to a cultural process to find his wife he is submitting to God. This was all part of the promise to Abraham that God was to bring him and his family to a new land. So Isaac you cannot go back but my servant will go to our homeland to get for you a wife. Reading this story we can see that the choice was not made by Abraham’s servant, but by the Lord. What is so amazing to me, is the apparent confidence Isaac had, this was evident by what Isaac was doing when Rebekah shows up. He was in the field praying and meditating on God, his a provider. Jesus promised us “Seek you first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” Matt. 6:33. Waiting on God is one of the more difficult things God asks us to do and yet the greatest gifts from God come to those who wait. I have watched patient, faith filled believers over the years always end up right side up, blessed and full. What are we waiting for God to bring us? Where will we be when God is ready to bring us His best? Will we be waiting on Him or frantically trying to make all of our own decisions. I am not say that we don’t have a responsibility to action, I’m just saying our first action should be to our knees. More good things will be accomplished on our knees than on our feet.

Blessings,

Pastor Rick

Next reading: Genesis 25-26; Ps. 6; Luke 10

Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

Genesis 22:14 And Abraham called the name of the place. The-LORD-Will-Provide; as is it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided."

Earlier in our study we saw God make a specific promise to Abraham. He said He’d give him a son. It’s been twenty-five years since Abraham left Haran (Genesis 12:4), but the time has finally come for that promise to be fulfilled. When things are just right in God’s eyes... when the right moment has come... He acts. God doesn’t forget what He says He’ll do. Genesis 21:1 “And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.” Keep in mind that she is 90 years old and he is 100. Only God could have provided this miracle. Genesis 21:2 “For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. Can you imagine their joy as they held their long-awaited child. They had been waiting for a quarter of a century. God has His times. It is not for us to know them; indeed, we cannot know them; we must wait for them. God is never late he is always on time. I can’t imagine Abraham preparing to offer the promise child Isaac, to be offered as a sacrifice. I for sure would have been questioning the Lord’s timing on that one, but I think Abraham knew somehow the Lord would provide and He did. So if you’re waiting on a promise and feel like God has forgotten you or is a little late, be reminded today that his timing is perfect…God will provide and he is never too late.

In Him,
Pastor Joe

Next Reading: Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Genesis 18-19 Luke 7

God is going to rightfully judge the city of Sodom. Sodom was one of the most wicked cities in the ancient world. In Genesis 18 the Lord let’s his servant in on His plan and then Abram begins bargaining with God. “Lord, if there are 50 righteous in the city will you save the entire city?” What are you doing Abram, these people are absolute perverts, and they deserve whatever God gives to them. Don’t bargain for these people, just let God rescue the righteous ones and let the rest get what they deserve. Maybe it was because Abram of all people knew that God’s blessing on his life was totally a gift of grace. After all Abram had simply believed God’s word and then good things started happening. Maybe Abram hadn’t forgotten were he had come from, that idol worshipping land of Ur. Maybe Abram had not forgotten his own sin and that he had more than once been less than totally honest. It’s easy for me to be judgmental. I don’t have to do much for my mind to look at the truly sinfully in soul and think they deserve what they get. Looks like Abram would never think that way. He didn’t just pray for his nephew he interceded for perverted people he didn’t even know. Looks like Abram identified with the human race. We can sure learn a lot from Abram. How about praying for a complete stranger today? Why not make an effort to pray for the neighborhood drunk or that guy at work who is the office degenerate? God have mercy on them because you had mercy on me.

God Bless You,

Pastor Rick

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

Genesis 15:1 “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” Abraham had just gotten back from a war to rescue his nephew. The ravages of war were just as devastating, fearful and destructive as they are today in the lives of the young solders who are engaged. Abram was probably reeling from the aftermath. When God give Abram a vision and a comforting word. Abram you don’t have to fear, because I am your shield. The most protective gear for a solder in those days was his shield. God is letting Abram know that he can count on God to be his protection. All the protection you need is God. “if God is for you who can be against you.” Although this was the first time God revealed himself as a shield it wouldn’t be the last. Deuteronomy 33:29 says”Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, The shield of your help And the sword of your majesty! Your enemies shall submit to you, And you shall tread down their high places.” Then God reveals to Abram, “I am your great reward”. Abram had just refused taking the spoils from war offered to him by the king of Sodom. No one would have thought less of him to take his rightful spoils but Abram said he didn’t want others to think the king made Abram rich, because it was God who had provided for Abram. God now tells Abram he has a reward for him far greater than the riches that he had just refused. The reward was God himself. For you and me that same treasure is ours. Enjoy your reward today. He is your great reward.


Pastor Rick

Tomorrows reading: Genesis 18-19, Luke 7

Sorry for the late post. Computer problems

Genesis 11-14; Luke 5

The commands of scripture may seem at times, like an exercise in futility. Here in Luke 5, the ‘fishermen’ (disciples) were fishing all night. The fishermen were done, their efforts unrewarded, when a carpenter told them that he knew a better way to fish and that if they threw their nets out in another place they would have better results. This was seemingly arrogant advice from a nail driver. But, this wasn’t just any nail driver – this carpenter was the Son of God. It wasn’t about fish but about knowing that Jesus would make them “Fishers of Men”. The most amazing part was not the net filled with fish, but that these experienced fishermen did what the carpenter told them too. In my life, I have come to many dead ends after futile efforts cost me unnecessary toil and strife because I wasn’t listening to the Lord’s directions. So if you are tired of spinning your wheels, laboring and toiling with very little results – stop, before you get started, and take a moment to wait on the “Carpenters” directions.

Pastor Rick

Tomorrows Reading: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Luke 4:18-19

This scripture from Isaiah, quoted by Jesus, is so filled with truth and understanding. It gives us some insight to the heart of God. Look who he came for: the oppressed, the broken hearted, the poor, the blind. Did you fall in to one of these categories? Well, Jesus came for you. The phrase, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,” well, this phrase would have been understood by the hearers of Jesus on that day. They knew it referred to what was called the Year of Jubilee and a special time in Israel every 50 years where all debt was forgiven and all prisoners were set free. Jesus came to proclaim that that year would be from that time forward. We live in the Year of Jubilee by faith in Jesus Christ. There is one last phrase that Jesus didn’t quote from the original Isaiah text. It is the last statement from that verse that reads “and the day of vengeance of our God” That is because that day will not come until the end and He ushers in that day to the enemies of God. So if the heart of God is for the broken hearted, the poor, the blind and the oppressed, than so is mine.

God Bless You this day,

Pastor Rick

Tomorrow’s Reading: Gen. 12-14; Luke 5

Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

The story of the flood or more precisely the story of Noah always makes me feel inadequate. Because I think it would have taken the Lord a lot more than just to tell me a flood is coming, for me to spend the next 100 years of my life building an ark. Noah’s patience, determination, and toughness challenge me. I want things to move faster. I don’t like to have to stay at something too long and I don’t like to be criticized while I’m doing it. All of these things Noah endured over a normal life time for the salvation of a grand total of eight people. I get discouraged if after a single Sunday goes by and there aren’t more than that who say yes to Jesus. I ask myself how far I will go to see a soul saved. What will I endure to help rescue someone from an eternity without God? Today as I was driving off my street I noticed a neighbor who waved to me in my car. As I smiled and waved back my heart was pricked because I have been avoiding this neighbor lately. Not because I don’t particularly like him but because of convenience, he’s a real talker and I know when I stop by for a minute it will be quite a while before I can get away. He’s not interested in spiritual things yet but love would compel me to befriend him more. I know Jesus would and I know Noah would. I don’t want to go to heaven and not see my neighbor there, it would break my heart. I plan on spending more time loving this man this next year and maybe you can join me in praying for him. Is there someone who needs Jesus that God has put in your life? How about we build an Ark?

Pastor Rick

Genesis 3-5 & Luke 2

I think my favorite verse in this section is Genesis 3:24 “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” It doesn’t say much other than Enoch walked with God. I enjoy going for a walk around our neighborhood with my wife. You don’t just walk but you talk and you share life. That is what Enoch and God are doing, they are sharing life. This was in the heart of God from the beginning. God takes no pleasure in religious ceremonialism or tradition for tradition sake. What pleases God is going for a walk. Enoch walked his way right into the eternal presence of the Lord. I think this must have been the most natural thing for Enoch. He’s in conversation with the Lord and I like to think he was so caught up in conversation with God that when he finally looked around and Enoch said, “Where are we?” Maybe the Lord said, “Why don’t you just stay?” I don’t know if that is exactly what happened but I know I want to have more times with God this next year where I lose myself in fellowship with Him.

Pastor Rick

Gen. 1,2 & Luke 1

These first 2 chapters of Genesis set the stage for the entire Bible. These chapters answer many of the questions people have about life on planet earth. It goes like this: God creates the earth, man corrupts the earth with sin, God promises to redeem the earth.

It starts with God, who creates it all. It is said if you can believe the first verse you can believe the rest of the Bible. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Don’t get hung up on the creation particulars. You can believe every word in the creation story but the creation story doesn’t give us the details. It is a summary of creation. There are several theories about the details.
Literal 7 day creation between 7 to 10 thousand years ago. This view says the sciences have it all wrong. Some believe that the speed of light has changed and what looks like a 14 billion year universe is not what it appears. It’s the literal 7 day creation theory.
The day age theory. Is the view that since there was no such thing as a 24 hour day until the fourth day of creation at the formation of the Sun and moon. So the days are actually time periods like we would say in my day or in Noah’s day. These time periods could have been millions of years.
The age theory believes God created the world in 7 days but he built age in the creation. It goes something like this. When God created Adam and Eve he didn’t create them as an embryo but as an adult so there is age in the creation. The age old question did Adam have a belly button. Did the trees created have rings in their trunk. Did the light of stars millions of light years away instantly appear even though it would have taken millions of years to reach earth. This view believes God simply created age in the creation.
The Gap theory has been a view many have taken. The gap view asserts that there is a time gap between the first part of Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. The idea is that when the scripture says 1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. From this point the idea is there is a time gap from the original creation to the fall of Satan and the earth becomes fallen without form and void.
2 The earth was without form, and void;”
and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”

The point being don’t let the real message be confused by the critics. Something even science is starting to admit. In the beginning God.

When Adam and Eve fell all of creation suffered. Sin entered the world through the human race. I know Satan had already sinned but God had given authority over creation to Adam and when Adam submitted his authority to Satan, he gave authority to the kingdom of darkness, and the curse came. But God in the same breath that he pronounced the curse also pronounced the promise of redemption.

The redemption promise is summarized in chapter 3 verse 15 while pronouncing the curse on the serpent “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Jesus did crush the serpents head on the Cross fulfilling the promise.

Pastor Rick