It takes a lot of effort to be good all the time...

​But I get it. When we work at being good and thinking that it's our goodness that makes God like us more, we can feel proud about that. It's quite an accomplishment. Like we're really good people. For sure we're not as bad as those other people right? Whoever those other people are?? 

Being Self Righteous isn't so hard to spot... 

• The parent who is often critical of their adult son or daughter's choices? In who they married? How they're raising their kids? The choices they're making in life?
• The gossip who just loves passing along their juicy tales. They're really just trying to help. They're never able to take a look at themselves for they have so much to do in keeping score of others faults. 
• Watch out for the online moral police detective. The selective moral outrage over the "other side" doing such & such, all the while excusing or deflecting the same actions from their side of the aisle.
• Self righteous people need the constant approval of those around them and prone to fits of anger or depression when it's apparent they don't have it.  
• Self righteous people have little empathy or compassion on those they deem as not having their act together. Yeah it's sad they might say, but often unwilling to lift a finger to help other for they have to care about their own needs right?

​
I could go on but you get the picture. When we consistently have to prop ourselves up in order to look like we've got it together, it can be draining. When our focus is on what people will think of me or my family or the work I'd doing, it can be tough to see others. That's why Jesus encouraged us to take the " 2 x4 outta your own eye first" (Matthew 7:3-35) so that we might better be able to see what my neighbor needs. 

To the self righteous Jesus offers us the His Righteousness. He invites us to turn in our goodness for His greatness. To put on a new view of self and live "created to be like God in righteousness and holiness". To quit working so hard at being good and instead partner with God in being Godly.

Come to church this Sunday! Be reminded of all Jesus has done for you. Look to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ! See ya then.

Pastor Mike
PS: Huge shout out to all who made trunk or treat so much fun. We estimate we had between 225-275 people here. Not only did we give about a ton of candy but nearly 200 kids, moms & dads were reminded of Jesus love for them! Thanks for making this possible!

It's not a trick question.

Because a fire not put out SPREADS. It will consume whatever is near it. It will destroy whatever is in it's path until it is stopped. 

Paul said we need to use the Shield of Faith to EXTINGUISH or PUT OUT all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The enemy's plan would be to soak the tips of their arrows with tar and then light them. Once lit they would be launched. Shields of the day were made of wood and covered with leather or some type of animal hide. Prior to battle these shields would be soaked in water.  While this made them heavier to carry, it also served as a way to keep the flaming arrow from spreading. It would be extinguished shortly after contact.

We need the SHIELD of FAITH to put out the attacks of the evil one. What are the flaming arrows? Lies about whether or not God can cares for you? Temptations to doubt His promises. Can God be trusted? Another flaming arrow consists of the verbal attacks that come from people. Gossip. Lying. Slander. James says in 3:6 the "tongue is also a fire and itself is set on fire by hell". Attacks of fear... fear of the future... fear of failure... fear of not being good enough. Fear that God won't be there for me. These and a of others.

The Shield of Faith is more than mentally agreeing with some beliefs. Faith is an actively taking God at His Word. It's found in both believing and obeying Him.  

I've never learned to swim. Or better, I swim like a rock floats. I need a life jacket or i'm in deep water... literally. Once while white water rafting the Colorado River i was keenly aware that if i fell out of the raft, the only real shot i had at surviving was the vest wrapped around me. That and my brother-in-law whose crazy idea it was to do the trip. My who sense of security was found in trusting that vest!  

In the same way, as we live life, we must believe and live out the promises of God. They are our "live vest". God's Word says:

• "Greater is He within You, than the one in the world". 1 John 4:4. 
• "Trust in the Lord and He will make your paths straight" Prov. 3:5-6  
• "Since we have been made right by Faith, we have peace with God". Romans 5:1 
  
• ​"The name of the Lord is a safe place, a strong tower, the Righteous run to it and are safe" Prov 18:10
  
• "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet steady like a deer" Habakkuk 3:19
  

Take up the Shield of Faith and with it protect yourself and those you love!

See you Sunday!

Pastor Mike
PS: Don't forget we need you Sunday afternoon as welcome our friends and neighbors with Trunk or Treat. From 4-6pm  Pray for good weather. Pray that God may give us favor with those who are here!​

Sometimes life is a battle!  Sometimes the fight is against someone else. Words are exchanged. Something said that really hurt. Now what happens?

​Sometimes our battles are financial. Money doesn't seem to stretch as far as it once did. Maybe a job loss. Or illness or injury took away the rainy day fund.    Maybe you know someone fighting an addiction... or addictive behavior? Many suffer from mental health issues. Every Day is "fight" to stay on top of things.

Plato once said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" 

Paul said, "Be Strong in the Lord and in his mighty power". He says the source of strength for the believer is found in God's mighty power.  Be strong in the Lord means to more like receive of rely on God's strength rather than trust in your own. It's said the Ford Mustang v8 has 500 horsepower. But the reality is, without the battery in the car, it ain't going nowhere fast. The power comes from outside of itself.

In the same way our power is found outside ourselves. Our Key to Victory is in our relationship with Christ Jesus. The power that raised Christ from the dead is in our lives as Christians (see Ephesians 1:19; 2:6; 3:20). The Apostle John reminds us that "greater is the Spirit of God who is within us that the one in the world. (I John 4:4) Peter tells us to resist the devil by standing firm in the faith. (I Peter 5:9)

So how do we access this power of Christ?  Over the next few weeks we're digging into Ephesians 6:10-20 where Paul lays it all out. But for today, let me remind you:

• Choose to Stand. Every day gives us new opportunities to Stand Up. Resist. Fight. Determine by God's grace to follow Jesus!
• Get in the Scriptures- God's Word is our sword that allows us fight off error & lies of enemy.
• Embrace & Encourage Your Brothers & Sisters in Christ. Roman soldiers fought as a unit. Together. We must do the same. We fight together. Not alone. Jesus & us with others. No Lone Rangers (even he had Tonto, Batman had Robin).

Together Let's Be Strong in The Lord and in His Mighty Power!

Pastor Mike
Invite someone to sit beside you in church this Sunday!

What if knowing what Jesus wants from us isn't as hard as it may seem?

One time Jesus is at a dinner.... well more like a banquet, or maybe wedding reception. Huge spread of food, lots of people milling around. Music playing in the background. A lot of laughter.  He's meeting people, people asking Him questions. Off in the corner is a private conversation with a couple of his followers. They're not quite sure what to make of the situation. See they're not the best of the bunch, but they know good Jewish boys don't belong here.

Before long a couple of the religious folks happen by and they too are puzzled. See Jesus is at the home of Matthew, and he's one rotten scumbag of a guy. Thief. Liar. Traitor. Matthew didn't hang out with the common folk. He didn't go to church on Saturday. He missed the family get togethers.

​But here, he's got his other tax friends and Jesus. Why is Jesus here? That's what the religious folks want to know? Does he even have a clue who these people are?

And Jesus responds, "I See with the eyes of a doctor, you see through the eyes of a judge. Go back to school, reread your Old Testament Scrolls and try and get what it meant when God said he's more interested in our showing mercy than judgement"

What does it mean for us to be people of mercy? Basically mercy involves the actions of compassion and kindness we show others in the name of Christ. Because we are people of the King, we act in ways that point people to the King. Because we have received Mercy, we give it out.

Sort of like a garden hose. The hose isn't the source of the water. The water comes from an unlimited supply elsewhere. The hose simply acts as the means to get the water from the source to the dry and thirsty people who need it.

Jesus calls you and I to be dispensers of Mercy. Kindness. Compassion. To dry and thirsty people. He is the source of it. In a broken, battered world I pray you and I have the eyes of doctors and nurses, not of judge and jury.

See you Sunday, friend.

Pastor Mike