Isaiah 36,37; Psalm. 76; 1 Peter 1

So often we wander around this world being shaped by our surroundings. If we look carefully at what sort of things develop in us based on the surroundings we grow up in, one of the things so many of us see is “FEAR”, more specifically the fear of man. It is easy to be shaped by our hurts and even to see a world with so much injustice and to speculate how God can let it happen or to question if it will ever stop. Sometimes when we see things happen for an extended period of time we might ask, “Will God make things just and right? Will He step in?” These thoughts are some of the seeds that allow fear to grow in us. Thankfully, He is always faithful…..

“At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
You, Yourself, are to be feared;
And who may stand in Your presence
When once You are angry?”
(Psalm 76:6-7)

When we read through Psalms 76 we see a God who fears nothing and who looks out for us. Sometimes it is just a matter of time before God steps in. Just as a father might stand by for just a moment to see how his child is going to react in the face of opposition. Our Father in Heaven is slow to anger but is still watching with a sharp eye. He will always step in and when he does everyone will know it. When we look at the “BIG PICTURE” it brings an understanding that we must trust God and recognize He has everything under control and He will deal with the good, bad, and everything in-between in His time.

I encourage us all to look to Him who is just and true while we thank Him for the grace we have been given in our lives.


Be Blessed,
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: 2 King 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2

Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

As we read through Titus 3 we recognize there is definitely a calling on our lives that becomes very evident once we invite Jesus into our hearts and truly decide to live for Him. “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” (Titus 3, 1-3)

At one time we too were foolish, defiant, deceived and confined by our flesh. But when the compassion and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His grace and mercy. So, now as Christians we need to recognize our inheritance is no longer here. We need to learn to walk submissive and ready to do good, even when others are violent and unjust towards us. While it is a difficult lesson for us because violence and injustice stir up the heart, try to remember that the injustice others are doing is sin, and that we also were formerly its slaves. Remember, grace alone has saved us, and according to that grace we should also show that towards others.

I once heard a great quote that reminds me of the difference of our lives BC (before Christ) and now WC (With Christ)…
“If the Lord awakens the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.”
                                                          Author – Unknown


Be blessed and have a great day my friends,
Pastor Jason



Next Reading: Isaiah 4-5; Psalms 115; Jude

Prov 4-6; Romans 8

 As we read through Proverbs 4 there is a main theme we can see here and this is that the condition of our heart will effect everything else in our lives. Things like putting other people before ourselves, living in wisdom & staying focused on the Lord are all sighted here in these scriptures. The condition of our heart and the choices we make will all culminate in the direct outcome of our spiritual lives.. "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

Take a look at our world; I would say many of us have car alarms (most cars come with them built in these days)  yet a car alarm only works if we respond to the sound of the alarm. Sometimes those things will go on for hours without anybody even turning a head. How about our spiritual alarms? Shouldn't we be even more sensitive to the alarms that go off inside us? That still small voice. Isn't there more importance in these eternal matters than the physical property we have? Having all the wisdom of Solomon doesn't help if we don't listen to the alarms going off. What comes to mind here is; "discernment" - the ability to determine and choose the good from the bad, the right from the wrong.

While as infants we lack discernment, as we grow up we develop this trait. Sometimes as adults even though we have developed discernment and can clearly speak to friends about the choices they should make we still have a hard time "discerning" what is good for our hearts.

Consider this... If you have alarms going off, maybe even some that have faded to the background because you have ignored them for so long, consider listening a little more carefully. Take the triggers of those alarms and present them to God. Bring forth a repentant and broken heart. Let's ask Him to create in us a "new heart". Let's place our hearts at the foot of the cross  and experience the forgiveness God purchased for us there. Then, let's watch over our hearts with all diligence; because from it flow the issues of life.


Blessings my Friends,
Pastor Jason

Next Reading: Prov 7-9; Romans 9

1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6

^"The weight of gold that came to Solomon yearly was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold, besides that from the traveling merchants, from the income of traders, from all the kings of Arabia, and from the governors of the country." 1 Kings 10;14-15

Wow "666" Talents of gold! I think that alone should have been a warning that this wasn't going to end well!  Seriously friends, Solomon may have amassed a huge wealth and loved the Lord, and he even showed great wisdom that drew the attention of people like Queen Sheba. Unfortunately in the end his desire got the best of him as he didn't follow the Lords instruction. "But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love." 1 Kings 11:1-2 Unfortunately Solomon took his eyes off the mark and his heart grew cold to the Lord. "Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant." 1 Kings 11:11

There is a spiritual excellence in heavenly things, and in walking a good life before Christ. Remember when we offer up things to the Lord whether it be our time, our resources, our worship or anything given with a right heart, it isn't because Jesus needs them, instead He allows us to give these things to express our gratitude. Take some time today and ask yourself where does your focus on other things pull you away from God. Is there anywhere in our lives that we can/should consider handing over at the altar?

When it was all said and done King Solomon died leaving all the treasure he amassed here on earth, and all the wives that his desire drove him to didn't help him in the end.

Lord help us all daily see the areas we need more of you and less of us....AMEN!

Blessings Friends,
Pastor Jason

Next Reading: 1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6

I Samuel 22; Psalm 17, 35; Matthew 6

”But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

This portion of scripture deals with motives. It is about why we do what we do and that we need to keep in check that when we pray, when we do kind acts, when we serve, that we do these things to bring God glory, not to bring attention to ourselves. We need to be careful about motivation. We even need to know that what we pray for is tested by motivation. (James 4:3) “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Pastor Rick spoke about being honest with ourselves in the message on Fully Living. It is so important that we take the time to self-test our motives. Even David, a man who experientially knew that he was completely capable of deceiving himself pens this prayer, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) The only motive we need to have is the motivation to please God, Him and Him alone. We finish off this portion of scripture with (Matthew 6:33)”But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” As we put Christ first in every aspect of our living, we can expect God’s Kingdom, God’s Righteousness, to be added to our lives. When our motivation is to put Him first, to bring Him glory, not ourselves, we will live a life that is filled with fruitfulness and purpose.

Seeking Him together,

Carol Danna

Next Reading: I Samuel 23; Psalm 31, 54; Matthew 7