Obviously people in our nation are looking to be loved. And we’re asking how to love. In actuality, God has created us to love and love is constantly looking for an avenue to be released because we were created in our Father’s image.

A Special Gift. Have you ever received a gift but did not open until much later? Perhaps you placed it away intending to open it, only to forget about it. One of my colleagues was excited to recently find some gift cards tucked away in an old forgotten Christmas card.

“If it’s from God, it will only get stronger.” And with those words we ended our conversation in a coffee shop in the late Fall of 2007. Within a few weeks, I tendered my resignation from an engineering profession that I have enjoyed and excelled in for the past eight years to commit myself fully into ministerial vocation.

So, Praise the Lord, my soul! All my being, praise his holy name! Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.He keeps me from the grave and blesses me with love and mercy. He fills my life with good things, so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.

So, what if God has shown you a dream, a calling, or destiny for your life, but years have passed, and nothing has come to fruition?

For every destiny, there’s season of testing and waiting. At that point we often feel as if the dream that God has put in our hearts is far from sight.

As we show compassion, we will be pointing others to the One who poured out His heart of grace and compassion on us.

Our Sunday message came from Mark’s Gospel Ch. 8 was named ‘A new type of King.’ In vv27-30, we have Peter confessing Jesus as the Christ. Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way He asked them “Who do men say that I am?

Life comes with seasons of trial and testing. How do we survive and thrive through the storms of life? How do we face fear, pain, addictions, loss, depression, faith crisis and sickness without becoming callused toward God and people? There are no easy and straightforward answers to life’s trials and afflictions, but one thing is sure in the midst of our tribulations – God is able and willing to bring us through storms of life.

Jesus replied with six simple, but beautiful words that would delight any parent, “Go your son will live!” In faith this nobleman goes, meeting his servants the next day on the way home who confirm that at the very moment he accepted Jesus’ word, his son was healed. Now not only did he believe, but his entire household believed!

If there is anything I’m certain of is that prayer works. One of the benefits of having walked with God for an extended amount of time is that you begin to build experience with God. And the longer you walk with Him, the more experience you will have with Him.

Jesus reminded the disciples, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26 NIV) It is part of the Holy Spirit’s role to teach and, to bring into our remembrance, the Truth that Jesus has spoken.

Share on facebook Share on google Share on twitter Share on linkedin “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let …

Like the bird, we can choose to blindly enter into situations with ignorant optimism. Optimism is an amazing quality to have, but not at the expense of taking the time to apply wisdom and careful thought. That’s the amazing benefit of being a part of God’s family.

Our everyday decisions are often affected by our understanding of current events, past experiences, assessment of consequences, hope for results, and learned preferences. However, perhaps an even bigger factor is, who is looking at us and what are they thinking.

The great news is that you can know how God wants you to live your life. You can train your spirit to recognize and discern God’s will by renewing your mind to His word (check out Pastor Dave’s series: Under Construction). Our minds are renewed and transformed as we spend time reading scripture. And in doing so we are able to recognize what God’s will is for us.

“Fuel Low” sign is on. Seeing this in my car dashboard, the thought on my mind is – how did I manage to do this again?! Whether is letting my car run until the gas tank is nearly empty, or use my laptop even with 5% battery left, I have a tendency of using everything until it reaches its limits. My disposition to give or use everything I got, without re-fueling or re-charging, is something that I’m working to change by the grace of God. The same grace that fuels me to do good works is the same grace I need to be filled again. A purpose-driven life is worth living only when we depend on the One who empowers us with His grace. 

I often hear people say that they do not know their purpose or the will of God for their lives. Well, this scripture lays it out real plain. It is God’s will for each of us to walk in thankfulness to God in everything. Everything might not be exciting or even feel good in the moment, but we are exhorted to give thanks anyways.