Did you know that all around us are people with low self-esteem? Everybody has insecurities. Studies have shown that the younger you were when you first experienced rejection the more serious it is in your life. Jesus affirmed the people around him. Jesus looked at people, and he didn't see what they were. He saw what they could become. He saw their potential. He saw thei...

Some people think that God carries grudges. They think that God's always mad at them. They think that no matter what they do, whenever they have a problem, they think, "God's getting even with me." Is that really the way God acts? No. What's God really like? We grow up and we get this idea that he's up in heaven waiting to zap me for something I do wrong. But here's what...

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. Sound like our culture? We have to commit ourselves to seeking the truth. It's not always easy, ...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." It does not say for everything. It says in everything. God never expects you to be grateful for evil. God never expects you to be grateful for the pain in your life. We do not give thanks for pain. We give thanks in pain. Why do we give thanks in pain? Bec...

Eph. 4:23 let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. As God renews you and changes you, we have to remember that change is a process. It isn't overnight. It isn't immediate. And, it's also never "complete" this side of heaven. On Earth, we can always grow, get closer to God, become more like Jesus. Our thoughts and attitudes are constantly changing for the better....

Have you ever left a worship service or youth camp completely fired up? You just leave feeling refueled, and sporitually hungry for more of God.Then, life happens, and those "hungry for more" feelings fade. Why? How do I maintain my spiritual hunger for God the rest of my life? Not just for a week after a really moving worship service. How can God change the desires of ...

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Speak the truth in love. Some people are so quick to call out, to tell it like it is, that they forget the second part of that command in love. Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some...

Happy Independence Day! As your pastor, I pray that you have a FUN and SAFE holiday with your family. As we celebrate our Independence as a nation, I just want us to remember that sometimes Dependence can be good... in fact, it is so necessary. Dependence on God is key, especially in this day and age when we can't depend on much else. God tells us that he wants us to depe...

Gal 6:10 "Whenever we have the opportunity we should do good to everyone especially to those in the family of faith." "Wherever we've got the opportunity," Never procrastinate in showing love. Don't delay. Don't put it off. Do it now. Question: Who do you need to show love to today? Who do you need to go home after work and make that phone call and share a word of encou...

The best expression of love is time. You spell love T-I-M-E. 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." The most desired gift of love and the most priceless gift of love is focused attention. It is time. When we give our time to someone, that is the greatest gift we can give. A kid, a husband, a wif...