Grumbling

Greetings my dear brothers and sisters in Christ!

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this to you today. Lately, I have noticed among the congregation quite a bit of grumbling, whining and mumbling over trivial things. Talking badly about one another to the body, being nothing more than a gossip and a slanderer. 

Have we forgotten, brothers and sisters, that it is written: 

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

James 4:11‭-‬12 NIV

It is also written: 

“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!”

James 5:9 NIV

It is also written:

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”

James 1:26 NIV

It is also written: 

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

Philippians 2:14‭-‬15 NIV

Brothers and sisters, remember the God we serve. We are to love one another as HE loves us. This is a command from the most high God. If you have a problem with someone, go to God in prayer first. Humble yourself before the Father. Give your grievances to Him. Our words to each other are meant to be seasoned with salt so that it may benefit those who hear. We are meant to encourage and build up one another, bearing in love with those who are weak in the faith.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 

Ephesians 4:29-30 NIV

I know that there is plenty that could be improved upon in our church, but simply complaining about it, pointing it out or stating what needs to be done does nothing but exhaust and dishearten those who hear you. If you see something that needs to be changed, do not be someone who sits in a chair drinking lemonade, critiquing those who are working. Rather, grab some gloves and ease the burden or be silent. 

To put it another way:

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James 2:14‭-‬17 NIV

Brothers and sisters, I am not without fault in this. I am guilty of being this way. Join me in coming before our Heavenly Father in humility to ask him to circumcise our heart and to obey what it is written: 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-‬32 NIV

I pray this word finds you well, brothers and sisters, and may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always, 

Pastor Dakota Swinton

Haughty Eyes

Greetings my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I pray this word finds you well.

Lately Pastor Tony has been addressing our mentality and how it is linked to the condition of our heart. I am compelled to speak about the condition of our eyes. In the words of our true Teacher and Savior our Lord Jesus Christ:

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Matthew 6:22‭-‬23 NIV

Brothers and sisters, we must be vigilant on what we allow our eyes to look upon. It is due to the appetite of the eye that Eve was deceived. 

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

Genesis 3:6‭-‬7 NIV

We must guard the condition of our eyes, lest they become filled with planks and we fall into judging others.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1‭-‬5 NIV

We must repent and ask Christ to remove the planks from our eyes that He would give us eyes that see His creation as He does. If we are not careful, our eyes will become haughty and that my brothers and sisters is something that the LORD hates.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 NIV

Brothers and sisters haughtiness is a condition of pride and  “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NIV

If we are not careful, we will end up like the pharisees instead of the tax collector. 

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:10‭-‬14 NIV

With haughty eyes, we will also end up to focused on the faults of others like in the spec parable but also we can end up with the attitude of Peter focused on John's walk after he was reinstated by the LORD Jesus Christ. 

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)

 21When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”  

John 21:20-23 NIV

 Or the workers worried about the weeds.

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” 

Matthew 13:24-30 NIV

Our Lord explains this parable: 

36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. 

Matthew 13:36-43 NIV

You see, my brothers and sisters, we are called to follow Christ, to look on others through the lens of which He looks at us. We must not look down on one another, but rather come to our father with humility and ask for His aid, to focus on Christ, asking Him to keep our eyes on the prize and not on each other's faults. Pray that the Holy Spirit would teach us to aid one another in this race and not use our gifts of discernment to judge and be critical and cynical, but loving and helpful. I have found it, dear brothers and sisters, that the moment my eyes are looking down at someone for faults or mistakes, it is best to take those thoughts captive and pray for them and myself that Christ may be glorified.

Blessings,

Pastor Dakota Swinton

What are you Eating?

Proverbs 4:20-27

Romans 8: 1-11

            Every day we make the choice on what we feed ourselves spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. But do you ever ask yourself? How is that movie I watched feeding my spirit or did that book benefit my walk with God?

Sometimes we don’t realize how often the normal daily things we choose to watch, read, talk about, listen to or dwell on. Is actually feeding 1 of 2 things. Romans 8 talks about feeding your flesh or spirit through how we live. And how we live adds up to all the little things we take for granted that either build you up to fight against sin. Or it will help you to start letting your guard down little by little until you have moved away from the will of God. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy and the easiest way he does it is through what we feed ourselves spiritually. I know it's hard to turn the tv when it's just a little bit of sin. But after so many little bits, we start to not notice them anymore which will lead to bigger bits.

That’s what happens when we don’t keep our guard up and our heart towards the things that will bring you closer to God, not farther away. The more we focus our attention on Godly things the more we desire Godly things. The same goes for if we let our heart turn toward earthly things, the desire for more will grow. The only thing is earthly desires don't fill us up or make us whole. It's depleting, unfulfilling, empty, leaving scars and empty promises. Proverbs tells us to pay attention to the Word of God and keep them upon our heart so we will be healthy and whole.

Today, take time to examine the places that you need more of Jesus. Ask Him to help with the places you struggle. Dig into the Word. Start at a place you can manage and let Him lead the rest. But take the first step into the new you. Day by day and step by step.

With Love,

 Pastor Rae Lynn Stands

Do we need a sign?

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ,

I was scrolling through my YouTube short feed the other day, when, praise be to God, I stumbled across a segment titled: “Should we ask God for a sign” - Dr. Adrian Rogers where he asks the question why is it dishonoring to God to ask for a sign, and frankly, gives the answer of: “Well, we have His Word.” Rogers goes further to give us an illustration of a father telling his son he deposited $1000 in his account and the son not being satisfied with just the father’s word and wanting to see it for himself. Rogers punctuates his point by paraphrasing 1 John 5:10.

1 John 5:10 KJV reads: “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

After hearing this 60 second sermon, I found myself remorseful and thinking, “oh my God, how many times have I not taken you at your Word and asked for a sign?” Shortly after this, I found myself reflecting on the Words of our true teacher and Savior Jesus Christ.

He says in Matthew 16:1-4 NIV: “1The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3“And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.”

After this word came to me, I had a little time in prayer, asking for correction because “It is also written: ‘You shall not put the LORD your God to the test” (Matthew 4:7 NIV) and that the wicked and adulterous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. “9Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men a 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV

These are things I do not want to do. Then, I found myself asking why? Why is it so hard for us to take God at His Word? Shortly after, the answer came to me. It is because we attribute human nature to God, whether we mean to or not.

What I mean is, brothers and sisters, how many times has someone gotten your hopes up? Took a solemn vow, a pinky promise, swearing on their child’s or parent’s grave (which I do not recommend) only to break their promise and leave with disappointment. 

For it is written: 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a] Matthew 5:33-37 NIV

If you grew up like me, this happened more often than it should have. This repetitive abuse of trust can make anyone doubtful and unbelieving, especially when it is something that sounds too good to be true. However, we must forgive others their shortcomings, brothers and sisters, as He has forgiven us. We must repent of projecting human failure onto our God who never fails. We must repent of leaning on our own understanding when it comes to HIS promises, HIS Word and HIS command. For He is our Father, our one True Father, HE is faithful, HE is trustworthy, HIS Word and HIS promises are the only thing we have that we know will not be broken. Brothers and sisters, if you are struggling wanting proof and/or battling with doubt, know that you are not alone.

As it is written: 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud

  but shows favor to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1st Peter 5:5-11 NIV

Also, my brothers and sisters in Christ, remember, it is written:

10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Psalm 27:10 NIV

May we strive to walk together in a manner worthy of our calling for the glory of our most Holy God and may the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you.

Blessings,

Pastor Dakota Swinton

Link to YouTube Short “Should we ask God for a sign” - Dr. Adrian Rogers: https://youtube.com/shorts/s5mEbgDS7nIQ?feature=share

Influences & Accountability

Greetings everyone, today I would like to talk to you about the importance of having good influences and how it affects your daily life and habits alike.

1st Corinthians 15:33 - “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”

Coming up on my halfway point of my Senior year, I continue to believe that I have made good decisions on whom I trust and associate with. It’s very important to spend your time wisely. Notice I say time and do not mention money, for money comes and goes but time you can never get back. Who you spend your time with will influence and shape you into what you become. Therefore be wise in your friends, company and all that you do. These people and things can mold habits into you that are hard to break, good or bad. Many of you know my Brother in Christ Dakota, he and I have started an accountability group with one another. We make sure to keep each other accountable and motivated to continue to work out and become stronger physically and spiritually alike.

Proverbs 27:17 -  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

This goes with my journey alongside Dakota, we both sharpen one another and keep each other accountable for working out and becoming better than we were yesterday. Just as I work with Dakota, I also practice and perform alongside my fellow Euphonium players in my High School Symphonic Band. Within my section there is myself and two other Euphonium players, and we always are helping out one another and pushing each other to become better and smarter musically. I definitely recommend having at least one person who you can become stronger with consistently, it helps in keeping everyone motivated throughout the process and developing healthy habits for all involved.

God Bless & Thank You For Your Time

Isaac J Sturgeon

Count your Blessings Big and Small!

        So, after having a chance to bring Gods word to the congregation Sunday and leading a few songs of praise at the right to life service being blessed from both of these services. Brenda and I head home after being there for about ten minutes unloading the vehicle I sit down, and my youngest granddaughter Tessa is walking like an ape making us laugh one minute later she is dancing the next minute jumping on our couch static electricity making her hair stand on end making us laugh even harder. Full of energy and life sharing herself with us to see.

                 Blessing after blessing after blessing just one day Sunday starts off seeing all the beauty of the frosty trees getting to see that kind of beauty some can only dream about and look at in pictures, I got to see all the trees powerlines houses all frosted. Get to the church have an amazing rehearsal with the worship team so much talent and beautiful hearts sharing their gifts using them to help others. A lead Pastor with a true heart of God helping praying spending time for the congregation. Having members giving words of encouragement to me before and after the service.

                                         So, let’s go back to Saturday getting to go to a birthday party for my oldest granddaughter Daisy Mae. Seeing the excitement as each person entered the room realizing that that many people love her, she was showing it all over her face! Getting to watch the other children excited with the little gifts and trinkets of birthday party. These are the little every day blessings some big some small. All of which come from God. God has blessed me with 4 awesome children and 5 grandchildren so far! God has given all health and myself and my family. Blessed and highly favored by my father in heaven who loves me.  

                           I get to go to a job everyday earn income to live off of God giving me the ability to do so. Have a boss who is very understanding easy to talk with and also have a friendship with. Another blessing. Having the chance to go to school and learn more about God while earning my degrees to becoming a certified, licensed, Ordained Pastor meeting many people who are helpful and getting to know others.  So now that I believe yall are getting a picture of what I am talking about. Lets look at some scripture.

                     James 1:17, ASV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.    Psalms 127:3-5, ASV

3 Lo, children are a heritage of Jehovah;

And the fruit of the womb is his reward 4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man,So are the children of youth.5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:They shall not be put to shame,

When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Children are a blessing from God and I am thankful for all of mine. God has given me blessing after blessing from sunrises to sunsets to rainbows and warm summer days to beautiful spring green days to fall days where I get to hunt and see the beautiful animals and lakes rivers streams songs of the birds colors and plumage and flowers of all kinds and colors.

           God has given me a precious wife who stands by me and supports me year after year going on 30 years this year. God has given many people on the worship teams he has me on to help. Given me so much. What about this how blessed am I that I would have a king die on the cross for my sins? I am trying to paint a picture of how much God loves that he just keeps giving to us. Count your blessings everyone. Focus on all he has done for you put your trust in him that he will be there for you and teach you.  I Love to ride motorcycles God decided one year it was time to get me riding again so I had one given to me then I didn’t have one guess what God says once again someone else gives me a bike When God decided for the second time I needed a bike I decided to buy another one he knew how much I enjoyed it and made it happen. When you think there is not a way and it cant happen God steps in and says something different. I could go on and on about how God has blessed me and my life but I am just trying to set the stage for yall look at your lives what has God delivered you from what has he delivered you to what has he delivered to you. Yes read that all again.      

                God has definitely given me a double portion, financial abundance, restorations of many kinds when I say that I don’t mean I am rich and have lots of money but God has always provided for my needs.

                 Luke 6:38, ASV

38 give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye meet it shall be measured to you again.  

  This next one is a huge blessing. Philippians 4:7, ASV

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.  I want to have a heart for Jesus and others and my thoughts to be from the Lord! Ephesians 3:20, ASV

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

I hope that in reading this you have turned your thoughts to that in which God has blessed you. Can you see the blessings in your life? Has God delivered you of an addiction? Has God given you a great Job? How about an amazing spouse? How about children? How about great Parents? How about an ability to cook? How about an ability to pray with others? How about an ability to talk with people? How about a physical ability to work on cars? How about a mind and ability to crochet Quilt, sew?  I hope and pray I got you thinking a little bit. Lord I ask that whoever read this be blessed even more and you open doors in there life to help others out in Jesus name I pray Amen.                                                               

                                                                             God bless you all Sincerely your worship arts Pastor

                                                                                                       Kent Furch

A New Year

We are a few weeks into the new year!  Lots of people made resolutions and statistically about 80% of all resolutions made on the first will be broken or abandoned within a month.  In fact, there is a growing trend to make micro resolutions.  Small, easily achieved goals, or a series of goals, so that people are more likely to reach them.

I've been thinking about Luke 10:27 a fair amount recently and thought "What if we made this our new year's resolution?  What if we made it our goal to love the lord with all our hearts, soul, minds, and strength and love our neighbors.

The first part is about loving God.  More importantly it is about loving God with everything we have.  Holding nothing back from Him.  That doesn't mean we can't love anything else.  It means we love God first and make Him the most important thing in our lives.  Everything else must come second.  This might seem harsh, but by loving God with everything we have,  we are able to truly love others better.  Because without God as our priority, we can't know true love.

The second part is about loving others.  Once we have given God everything we can, we are more likely to see others as God sees them, as His creation.  This doesn't necessarily mean we have to like everyone, but that we respect others.  That we show compassion for others.  Realizing that God loves them as much as He loves you, and that Jesus died for them just as He did for you.  Even those we don't like because they think or believe something different then us.  When we realize this, we start to see them as people and not labels that we place on them.  We start to see them as people with issues and problems, just like us.

Just imagine how different the world could be if all those who call themselves Christians were to make this their goal for this year

Pastor Ryan Canaday

Childlike Faith

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ. With the New Year upon us, I have done some reflecting on how I want to be different this year. I want to be someone who is completely reliant on Christ I want to be completely different, radically different. I want to come to Christ as a child. As it is written, and he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3 NIV

By the grace of God, I have been provided with 2 wonderful children, 2 wonderful examples of what it means to come to a father with childlike faith. My children come to me with everything. They come to me when they are hungry, they come to me when they are tired, when they are thirsty, when they are happy, when they are upset, when they are afraid, and when they are hurt. They come to me when they're excited. They bring me everything they are proud of. They look to me when they are confused. They come to me when they want attention. They come to me when they want comfort and cuddles and hugs and love.

Brothers and sisters, we are called to have the same type of faith, to be completely and utterly dependent on Christ our Savior and our Father in Heaven. It is truly amazing how God provides teaching in every aspect of life and how you teach us through a source that we don't expect. Let us follow the example of little children and come to him with a childlike faith. Brothers and sisters, let us be radically different. Let us surrender our wills, our understanding, worries, fears, pride and need for control. This year, this day, as in every day, let us live in childlike joy, knowing that we are in the hands of our Heavenly Father who, as it is written, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Let us live in confidence, brothers and sisters, and in everything do as you would do unto the Lord remembering that we can cast our cares on Him for He cares for us.

Keep in mind, in the eyes of a parent, no matter how big our children get, they will always be a child. Let us never be "to big for God" and remember He is our Father and we, through the blood of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ are adopted and are His children.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

Blessings,

Your brother in Christ Dakota Swinton

Forgiveness

It’s been a few years now, but me and a family member had gotten into a heated argument and words were exchanged. 

It had gotten to the point of a fist fight nearly breaking out. But after that, we didn’t speak to each for a long time. 

And it kind of split the family up. But as time went on and I would pray and talk to God, he would remind me of the argument and and tell me I need to forgive. But of course, I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t get past the anger and resentment. Through all of that, scripture would always come to mind, like Matthew 6:14-15 ”If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you.15 but if you refuse to forgive others, your father will not forgive your sins.” Or the part in the Lord’s Prayer that says “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” 

 It’s an easy thing to say or to tell others” we forgive because we are forgiven” but it’s a different story when you actually have to forgive. Especially when harsh words were exchanged. 

 So I had to dig down deep within my heart to find forgiveness, and release the anger that I had. Not only for the other person, but for myself. And for my obedience to the Lord as well. In Matthew 18:21-22 it says” then Peter came to him and asked,”Lord,how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”22 “no,not seven times,” Jesus replied,” but seventy times seven!”

Then he goes on to tell the parable of the unforgiving debtor. But at the end of the parable, in verse 35, he says”That’s what my Heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters FROM YOUR HEART”. 

 My love for the Lord and knowing that he’s forgiven me seventy times seven times, has helped me to be forgiving to people. And look at them in a different light. 

 Because, not only does unforgiveness affect my salvation, but the other persons as well. By me forgiving someone, it brings peace to my heart and my life. And allows God to deal with that person as he sees fit. God wants all of his children to come back to him and this is one way in showing Gods love towards that person, that it might bring them to God. “For God so loved the world...”.

May the Lord bless you always.

Pastor Perry Stands

Being a Light to the World

                      God has given us the tools to succeed in this journey we are on. Are you able to say how are you doing today? Are you able to talk with people and give them words of encouragement? Are you able to help someone with a task? Are you able to give someone a ride? Are you able to pray with someone? Are you able to give someone money Pay it forward? These are some examples that you can be a light in this world.

Keeping your strength and your spirit fed and healthy is key to continually be that light in this dark world. So lets take a look at ways you can keep yourself built up. Read the word of God.

              YLT, Rom 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

              ASV, Matt 5:14-15-16

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.  15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.  16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 

              ASV, John 12:44-45-46

44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.  45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.  46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Being around other Christians that read the word will build you up also.      

ASV, Prov 27:17

17 Iron sharpeneth iron;

So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Being around other Christians helps us stand firm in what we believe so we can be that light people see. So reading the word, fellowshipping with others we have went over. What else can we do? Pray!

               ASV, Ps 66:18-19-20

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear: 19 But verily God hath heard; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, Who hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his lovingkindness from me.

ASV, Mark 11:24

24 Because of this I say to you, all whatever -- praying -- ye do ask, believe that ye receive, and it shall be to you.

            ASV, Phil 4:4-5-6-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.  5 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

   ASV, 2Cor 4:5-6

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  6 Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Never give up! Do not give up being a light to those around you God has called you to be that light in the darkness people are in. So now go out and do don’t hold back press on toward the goal God has given us.

                       Lord I ask for a special prayer for anyone reading this that you would give them a holy boldness and the words and the actions they need to be a light in this world and to have strength like never before let Jesus shine through in all we do and all we are in Jesus Name I pray Amen

Pastor Kent Furch

Hope and the Holy Spirit

So let’s consider Romans 5:2–5.

Through him [i.e., Christ] we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3) More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4) and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5) and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

In verse 2 Paul says that he does the very thing that he commands in Romans 12:12: he rejoices in hope, specifically, hope in the glory of God.

Then in verse 3 he says that he rejoices in his sufferings as well. But why? The answer is that it’s just another way of rejoicing in hope. Follow his train of thought: the reason we rejoice in suffering is that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope! So what he is really rejoicing in when he rejoices in suffering is more hope. Hope is the great source of joy in Paul’s life.

But how does this hope and joy in Romans 5:2–4 relate to the work of the Holy Spirit? This is what Paul tells us in verse 5: “And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”

Verse 5 says that underneath our hope, giving it an unshakable foundation, is the love of God. And the work of the Holy Spirit is to pour this love into our hearts, to make us see it and grasp it and cherish it.

Now we can put the pieces together: first, there is the love of God which chooses us and calls us and justifies us and guarantees for us a share in the glory of God. Then, there is the work of the Holy Spirit that pours the love of God into our hearts so that we recognize it and cherish it. Then, out of this deep experience of the love of God grows an unshakable hope even in the midst of suffering. And finally, in this hope we rejoice.

Let's Be Giving Thanks

If you are in America, then today is Thanksgiving.  A day to remember all the things you are thankful for.  One tradition in a lot of families is to go around the table and say what you are thankful for.  Most people will answer stuff like family, friends, their job ect.

One thing we all tend to forget to be thankful for is God.  Sure we sing songs during worship at church, some of which have giving thanks as a theme, but how often do you just say "Thanks God for all the awesome stuff you do."

So don't forget to thank God today, even if you aren't in the US.  Think of all the things he has done for you.  He made this planet.  He made all the animals.  He made us!   The least we can do is say "thank you".  If anyone deserves it, it is Him.

Pastor Ryan Canaday

Guard Your Tongue

Greetings my brothers and sisters in Christ. Have any of you ever been in a situation where you said something with good intentions but after you said it you were left wishing you had a redo button??

This recently happened to me when I unfortunately did not walk in the wisdom of the word. I had a friend that I was concerned about and instead of heeding the advice in Mathew 18:15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”

 Now my friend had not sinned against me, however there were things I was concerned about. Unfortunately, like I said I did not follow the wisdom of the word and go to him in confidence where my words may have been understood out of the love and concern, I intended. No like a Fool I failed to practice restraint as stated in proverbs 17:27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. I went to someone else with my concerns in a not so private setting. Because of my foolishness, instead of bringing healing my words became like a sword.

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 NIV

I did not present myself as wise brothers and sisters no my words were perceived as gossip and slander and the price was heavy. Not only did I possibly damage both our reputations, I damaged my witness. I misrepresented the kingdom and I hurt someone very close to me. Praise be to God! My friend did follow the word “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

Matthew 18:15 NIV

He showed me grace and confronted me the right way. However, now I am at the mercy of our Lord and open to the further consequences that may follow.

Brothers and sisters, it is my prayer that you can learn from my story and not find yourself in the snares of your own making. Be people who guard their tongues for “Those who guard their mouths, and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

Proverbs 21:23 NIV

I would also ask Brothers and Sisters in Christ that you would pray for my friend and I. That wounds would be mended and peace that knows no bounds flow over us May the Lord’s favor be upon you and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.

Blessings

Dakota Swinton

What does my future hold?

 As I continue throughout my senior year of High School knowing I have some big choices to make within my life, I realize now I need to keep my foundation and faith solid in the Lord Jesus Christ and he will show me the path. Even though I have to figure out what I want to do with my life and grow up, it can seem overwhelming and stressful but I know that God is in control. I often need to remind myself that even though I don’t know what my future holds, if I keep the faith and keep God at the center of all my thoughts, actions, and intentions, my life will work out the way he has intended for my best benefit.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

I really feel this verse is important to all Chrsitians because it goes to prove that even though we may not at all times see or feel God, we still know that he is there and his favor is upon our lives. When I go through hardships in my life I sometimes think “Why God, why is this happening to me”? But, I realize that I shouldn’t get frustrated because everything happens for a reason, it’s God’s timing not mine. Now as I mature and look at life through a different perspective, I pray not for easy times but for strength to endure whatever life throws at me, good or bad. I change my ways and think “What is this trying to teach me” and “What can I learn from this experience” instead of “Why is this happening to me Lord”? I believe just like the verse says, If I submit myself to his authority and ruling, he will guide me through the storm of life and I shall not perish, but will stand tall and become stronger from it. If the Lord our God will show me the path and guide me through it every step of the way which I know he will, why worry? Why be nervous or scared when we can have comfort and peace knowing that God has everything under control.

Thank you everyone for the encouragement and support as I continue on my journey into becoming an adult.

Thank you & as always, God Bless

Isaac J Sturgeon

How will you respond?

Seventeen years ago before I excepted Jesus in my heart and became a Christian, I used to just work temp jobs and sell marijuana for a living. I worked temp jobs because I liked the freedom of not having to stay at a job I didn’t like and I sold marijuana for the fast money.

But when I became a Christian, I gave that up and “went legit”,as some would say.

So I was trying to get a job that I had experience in and just couldn’t get one.

Now about this time, I had gotten my brother to except Christ in his heart and I know he truly did because the Lord had begun to bless him. My brother got a job at this place I applied three times for.

Now the Lord had also blessed me and my wife, with a big house and a good job for my wife. But with a big house comes big bills and not to mention eight kids to feed and clothe. We just couldn’t keep up with the bills on just my wife’s income. So I was trying my hardest to get a job, but nothing was panning out,and I was getting very frustrated and angry. One day I was to the point of giving up trying to find a job and go back to drug dealing to make the “fast buck” so I could get the bills paid. I’ll just sell drugs until the bills are paid, then I’ll stop, I was thinking. As I was thinking this, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and reminded me of the scripture, proverbs 3:5-6” trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.” And Matthew 11:28”then Jesus said, come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Upon being reminded of these scriptures, I raised my hands and prayed and told the Lord that I’m gonna trust him and I lay my burdens at his feet.

The next day, my brother calls me up and tells me there’s job openings at the place where he works,and that I should apply.

I told him I tried there three times and nothing. He told me to apply and give them his name. He talked to the boss already and he’s keeping an eye out for my application. So I applied and got the job! The Lord opened a door for me!

Then it wasn’t long after that I received an unexpected land payment for $5000!

So I able to pay all of my bills off and I had a good paying job to continue to keep paying my bills. God Is Good!!

That’s when I learned that trust is big with the lord and he wants you to trust him. So trust him with all your heart,soul and strength, and you will find peace in your heart and life. Knowing that the Lord is in control and he will take care of you.

May the Lord bless you always!

Pastor Perry Stands

Only God is Permanent

Psalm 105:4

Life is full of distractions.  Stuff like work, family, and friends are always fighting for our attention.  Then you add in stuff like smartphones giving us constant updates on our social media accounts and current events, more tv shows and movies then we can ever watch (not that we will stop trying) and all sorts of other things that are constantly shouting "Look at me!"
 

Not too surprising, it can be hard focus on God, but that is what we are supposed to do!  Several times through out the Bible it says that we are to focus on Him above everything else.

That can be tough, especially in our modern world, but remember this.  All those things are temporary.  Our social media posts will not always get a bunch of likes, current events today will be old news tomorrow.  TV shows and movies can be spoiled very easily through fan sites and wiki articles.  All of this seemed important at the time, but it won't be long before it fades away. 

Only God is permanent.  Only God will always be there for you.  And that is why we should seek His face always.

Pastor Ryan

Jesus is the Bread

           Greetings, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I wanted to share a reminder and revelation I received while studying the New Testament through the faith and action series. On page 73 in chapter 5, the author shares a native American story about two wolves: the white wolf and the black wolf. In the proverb, whatever wolf you feed is the wolf that grows stronger and eventually wins over the other one. The author linked this to feeding the spirit or feeding the flesh.

After reading this chapter, a sense of clarity came over me part of the reason why I have been struggling so much is in the midst of going through trials in my life and being places I did not want to be. I started to indulge in my old coping mechanisms, which included food, entertainment and withdrawing into myself. I was feeding my flesh and allowing my circumstances to distract and overwhelm me. I did indulge in my fleshly desires instead of consuming the Holy Living Word of God and spending time with our Heavenly Father in the secret place, edifying myself with tongues and disciplining my flesh with fasting. No, instead of doing what I know to be right and walking in the wisdom of Our LORD, I was like a dog who returned to its own vomit and then wondered why I felt so weak and tired. Praise be to God that he is merciful, pateint and kind, that we may repent!

Brothers and sisters, allow me to share with you the scriptures I was led to after being rebuked. Do you remember when our Lord and Savior was tested in the wilderness? When he was hungry, and the enemy tempted him to use his power to make stones into bread? His response to this temptation: “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Then in John 1:1-14:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

“6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

“9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

“14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

In these 14 verses, John tells us who the Word is and how he became flesh. Then in John 6:35-40:

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

What a wonderful hope we have in Christ our King. He is the bread of life; He is the living word of God and He is within us. Do not starve your spirit, but, instead, nourish it with the living and breathing Word, that you may be able to deny your flesh and bear the fruits of the spirit like He has called us to do.

Dakota Swinton

Who controls your life? - September 20

                            We have so many choices we can make. I remember years ago when I watched a couple movies with George Burns in them called “Oh God”. I still remember the Angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other shoulder. One telling him to do good the other trying to convince him to do bad things. Some things are obviously wrong, bad, evil. Some things are obviously right, good and Godly.  There are so many examples in the word of God. Take for instance the ten commandments.

                        KJV, Exodus 20:3-17

“3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s.”

                                                   So, this is the example from Gods word how we should do most things or not do. How many times have you heard the phrase the Devil made me do it? Many times, I am sure. Well, that’s bologna. We have our own free will. The devil is out to kill, steal, and destroy.

    DARBY, John 10:10

“10 The thief comes not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life and might have [it] abundantly.”  

                                So, I am not saying that the devil does not influence that bad decision that is made he is constantly trying to tell us the wrong way. But the Lord will always give us the way out.

DARBY, 1Cor 10:13

“13 There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 

                        So, with that we are constantly tempted to do the wrong things, but God gives us the way out. Being the devil tempts us and God gives us the way out we are left with the decision to choose free will. The devil gives you an idea God gives you an idea the choice (control) is yours. We are always ultimately in the driver’s seat so when we slip over to the passenger’s seat who do you let drive? Do we let God take the wheel or do we let the devil behind the wheel to steal? Something to think about next time you are about to make a bad decision is this; the chain of events of what happens after a ball is thrown. The devil said you have thrown this many times and struck out many people just throw it. God says don’t do it do not throw it I can see what is going to happen just wait 30 seconds then throw the ball. You decide to give it everything you have let it go and it goes foul way right a little one is running in the aisle and does not pay any attention now you see what the consequences are but its too late the ball is going to hit them. We have the control to let God be in control or the enemy. Let’s give control back to where it belongs the Lord God Almighty.

  The hardest thing is to get back on track once we give control to the devil turn from God, we cannot see him we have our back turned on him we can only see our sinful ideas and the devil’s destruction. Turn to God the more you look to him and the more you have your back turned to the devil the better. In the end God is in control He wins!

         The real question is whose side do you want to be on in the end?

                                    Love yall take care God bless 

                                    Worship Arts Pastor Kent Furch

Hebrews 12:2

In Matthew 14, we read about a time when Jesus sent His disciples on ahead of Him while He prayed.  When He was done, the boat that the disciples were in was quite a ways from shore.  Jesus walked out to them and as He got close Peter saw Him.. After Jesus called out to him, Peter climbed out of the boat and started walking across the water towards Jesus.  Then, when he stopped looking at Jesus and started looking around, Peter got scared and started sinking in the water.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we treat people differently.  We think differently.  We react to situations differently.  We want to be more like God.  Sure we will still face situations where we react like the rest of the world reacts,  but we are less likely to do so, because no matter how bad the situation is, we have God on our side, and that gives us hope.

When we stop focusing on God that changes us too.  We create a hole in our lives and try to fill it in various ways.  We start to let the world tell us what is important and how we should act instead of letting God guide us.  Just like Peter, we start sinking.

Lord, help us to keep our focus on You.

Pastor Ryan Canaday

God is not our personal genie.

A long time ago, when I was in elementary school, Once in a while I would come home from school and my parents would be gone. Now I wouldn’t think anything of it, they’re just out doing what they have to do. So I would go outside to play(that’s what I did back then cause I didn’t have video games or cable), I had to use my imagination, so anyways, I would be out playing until around dusk. Then I would start wondering about my parents. Why aren’t they home yet? We lived out in the country, on the side of a hill. So I would go up on that hill and wait for my parents to get home. From that hill I could see the road in both directions for about a mile or so. Now both my parents were alcoholics, so by that time, I had a good feeling that they were out drinking. So I would sit on top of that hill (with some toys),and wait for my parents. As it started to get dark, I would pray to God to bring them home safely, that they wouldn’t get into a car wreck. In my childish way, I would pray that the third car I saw would be theirs, and when that didn’t happen, I would pray that the next few other cars would be theirs. It would be getting near dark, so I would have to go back down to the house and still no parents. I remember being mad at God for not bringing my parents home, after I prayed to him for them.

And now that I think about it, I think that was probably the beginning of my walking away from God. Because it wouldn’t be until 25 years later that I would except Jesus in my heart.

But back then I didn’t know what I know now. That God is a sovereign God. It has been said that “God is not our personal genie”.

“He is not here to grant our every wish”.

“Our wish is not his command”.

God does things in his own way and in his own timing. Because back then, I didn’t see it, but later on that night, God did bring my parents home safe(drunk as a skunk) but they still made it home safe.

So there may be times when we get angry with God for not answering our prayers, or the answer may be no. But I learned to trust in God, because the answer is no for a reason. “Father knows best”. Even if that means not receiving a healing or losing a loved one you were close to. Because praising God through the pain and/or suffering may strengthen a weakened believer. Or create a new one.

In Deuteronomy 3:24 it is written “O’ sovereign Lord, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do?”

In my walk with God, he has taught me to trust him. Because trust is big with the Lord, he wants us to trust in him. Then he will show us his greatness and mighty deeds on a personal level. Because he has opened doors for me, given me favor with man, healed me, highly blessed me, and provided for me. God has shown me that he is real, even in times when he didn’t have to. God is good.

May the Lord your God put his mighty hand upon you and keep you under his wing. And may you trust in the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength. Amen

Pastor Perry Stands