Pastor's Blog

The Apostle exhorted the Philippians to “Pray with thanksgiving…”  Sometimes our prayers are weighted toward petitions or intercession, while expressions of gratitude are reserved only for those times when we realize a prayer has indeed been answered.

I believe we are to begin and end all prayers with words of gratefulness.  We thank God for allowing us to come boldly before His presence.  We thank Him for answering our prayers before we actually see any evidence in response from God.  Finally, we thank Him for the time and attention He has allotted us in our engagement with Him.

I believe such an approach to prayer will nurture a grateful, reliant and trusting frame of mind and heart.  The Lord’s timing, ways and answers may not be what we had in mind, but we will come to realize that our Father knows best because He loves us with an unfailing love that cannot be denied.

Pastor's Blog

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is a sure way to receive grace from God!

·       Prayer fills our emptiness with God’s fullness.

·       Prayer fills our poverty with God’s riches.

·       Prayer replaces our weakness with God’s strength.

·       Prayer projects faith on God and God on the world.  Only God can move mountains and it is prayer that moves God!

·       Prayer is the discipline of transforming our mind to think God’s thoughts and talking to Him in His own language!

There is one thing the first Church did more than we do today and that is pray!  Acts 4:31   

The difference between their fervent prayer and the prayer in many churches today is the same difference between a laser beam and a night light!  One penetrates and the other lulls us to sleep.

We can talk about prayer and preach about prayer, but let me tell you about a small group devoted to prayer.

We can read a cook book all day long, but it is not until you cook the stew can any enjoy it’s wonderful fragrance.

Nutrition is found in eating the stew. Spiritual strength is found in engaging in fervent prayer! 

May I suggest that a good place to eat the stew together is in a small group?  Fervent, caring, compassionate, connected prayer is often experienced in the confines of a small group!

Pastor's Blog

The New Year has long been my favorite holiday.  When I think of New Years Day I get excited about what lies ahead for me and my family, my church and the entire country.  Being the optimist I am, my hopes are high and I become energized by my thoughts about the future.  It’s a fresh start, a new beginning, with new dreams and imaginings about tomorrow!

I have to admit that in recent years some of my hopes and dreams have become tainted because of my concerns and fears, but as a Christian, “I know who holds tomorrow and I know He holds my hand.”  No matter what may lie in store for this world, it is a wonderful consolation to know you’re on the winning team.

We don’t need to look into a crystal ball to see what may be on the horizon.  Our only hope is in God’s intervention in 2014.  If He doesn’t intervene, the coming year may be far worse than what I have imagined.  Prayer is the greatest weapon we have that the enemy cannot extinguish.  Let us put on “the whole armor of God” for the going may get tough.  I don’t know about a “Happy New Year,” but I can be assured of a secure New Year as we put of hope in God alone!