STICK TO GOD'S PLAN!

Good morning, what a beautiful day! I enjoyed my run early this morning and was able to enjoy the beauty of the day and the beauty of the Lord! I am thankful for His faithfulness!

Matthew 14: 29 = "Then Peter got...out of the boat, walked on water....toward Jesus."

I see that Peter teaches us that as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and stick to God's plan we will not fail!

Here are some principles we can learn from this story:

1. Before you get into something or out of something, make sure it is God's plan, will for your life. Peter said, Lord if it is your will for me to come, tell me. Jesus said, Come! Find God's plan for your life and stick with it.

2. Do not expect everyone else in the boat to come with you. Peter was the only one who got out of the boat. Obeying God is a lonely thing at times. When you obey God you will face criticism and rejection by those who still sit in the boat.

3. If you wait for the right time, you will never get out of the boat. Peter could of said, when the storm is over then I will get out of the boat. Jesus said, come in the middle of a storm. How many times we are waiting for the right time, right season, when I get a little older. When Jesus tells you to come! COME!

4. Do not expect perfection. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and failed. Life is not a matter of failure, because we will all do that. What do we do when we fail, we need to get up and begin obeying again! God is not looking for perfection, but for progress! Peter called out to the Lord, and the Lord picked him up again.

I want to encourage you to stick to God's plan for your life. "The steps of a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.!

Connecting with you,
Pastor Ron

IS GOD IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS?

In Romans 11:36 - "For from Him and through Him, and to Him are all things." When we realize that God is in control of everything that touches our lives it causes me to think about these things:

#1. It takes away ANXIETY. When we are able to rest in the fact that God is in control of everything, that does not mean that we are not responsible or helpless pawns. It does cause us to realize that we can rest in the fact that God will be there to help us. Psalm 23:6 - "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." God gives us this certainty in our lives.

#2. It frees us from EXPLANATION. I am so glad that I do not have to have all the answers! There are a lot of things that I cannot figure out, explain or to solve. In fact, many times I do not even know the questions to ask. But when I realize that God is in control I can live with the fact: I do not know, but I know and trust the One who does. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."

#3. It keeps us from A SPIRIT OF PRIDE. What right do I have to be arrogant and proud when God is the one who is in control. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in ALL things God works together for the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose." The reality is we can either trust God or play God! Which choice is the best one?????

I pray that this encourages you as it does me today! Our God is in control!

LIFTING YOUR SPIRIT

If you have been in my office, you will notice that there are a lot of eagles. This collection started a number of years ago, when Emma gave me a painting of a soaring eagle. The eagle is just soaring over the rocks and mountain. The eagle is not flapping its wings, but just soaring.

How many feel that they are not soaring, but just flapping their wings and not getting any where? How many of us need to have our spirits lifted up again? Have we been beaten down by circumstances, and situations that are in our lives?

Here are some principles from God's Word to lift your Spirits today:

1. Have a right relationship with the Lord. 1 John 1:9 says - "Confess your sins to the Lord." If you have done this, then maintain that intimate walk with the Lord.

2. Let go of the things that keep you grounded. How many of us hold on to things that keep us from soaring. We need to loosen up, and begin to enjoy life. Life is too short to worry, and fret. Remember God is in charge!

3. Praise - We need to praise the Lord continually. Read the Book of Psalms and it talks about lifting our praise to the Lord.

4. View our circumstances from God's perspective, not ours. We all will face difficult problems in life, but remember Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works together for the good, to those who love him and have been called according to His purpose.

5. Begin to count your blessings today, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

I pray that you will begin to soar like the eagle!

Connecting with you,
Pastor Ron

HELP IN TIGHT PLACES!

How do you feel when you are in a tight place? How do you feel when you are in an elevator that is crowded with people? Do you hate that closed in feeling when you are in a tight place? In real life, we go through many tight places and we really do not like that feeling. I know that I would rather be in a place of comfort, and ease.

The reality is we live in a world that is hard and difficult. Counselors tells people that they live with hopelessness, stress, vulnerability and depression. We live in those tight places and we wonder if there is any way out.

Psalm 46:1 - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble."

In the margin of the New American Standard Bible it says - "God is abundantly available for help in tight places." How many of us need to realize that today!

Psalm 46:2 - "Therefore we will not fear." We do not need to be fearful, panic, talk defeat, or give into despair." How many remember that old song - "He's as close as the mention of His name." God is with us in the tight places.

Psalm 46:3 - "Let the oceans roar...let the mountains tremble." When everything you once thought was stable and dependable, and are beginning to shake, rattle and roll. Realize that you will be in the strong and loving arms of the Lord.

Remember - God is abundantly available to help in tight places!!!!

Amen!

GOD'S WATCHING OUT FOR YOU!

What a promise - God is watching out for you and me! Many times we feel all alone in this world, and that I must live this life in my own strength and power.

Moses prayed in Numbers 6:26 - "The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." I am thankful that God is watching over us, guiding us, and protecting us every moment of the day. In fact, the most common promise in Scripture is - "I will be with you." I am so thankful that God is with me today, and tomorrow and the next day. God was always assuring His people that He was with them. God wants to assure us today, that He is with us and watching out for us.

David said in Psalm 23 - "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me."

Joshua 1:9 NLT - "Do not be afraid or discouraged...the Lord...is with you."

This morning I encourage us all to realize - Be at peace today - God is looking out for you and me!

Connecting with you,
Pastor Ron