I'm doing a series on prayer at The Plant. This past week I talked about getting on our knees and realizing who this God really is that we pray to. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the One who created this world and formed you with His very own hands. And He cares so much for you that He came into this world in the flesh of Jesus and died and rose to give you eternal life. And as He prepares a home in heaven for you He gives us His Spirit to lead and guide us through this life.
Why a series on prayer? Probably because I have so many questions about it myself. I would like you to think about some of these questions: why pray? How is your prayer life? What do you expect from prayer? What is your view of God? Your view of God will affect how you approach Him.
Prayer for me has to be more than just asking God for things because you know I don't always get what I pray for. But I am learning that if He is the true God that He says He is and if He really is my Heavenly Father who has my best interest at heart then pray is simply me coming to Him and saying, "hey Dad, can we talk, I need You"
Someone once said prayer is getting a hold of God not the answers. We always want answers. What we need is Jesus who is already holding on to us. Next week I am going to be talking about getting on His lap for He is our Father who loves us.
It's amazing, you can be 48 years old and still feel the need to crawl up on His lap just to feel safe from this crazy world. And even more amazing is that He will hold you- that's grace and that's His love.
May you feel His arms around you today and always!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Handling Trials
The Lord gives, the Lord takes.....blessed be His Name! (Job 1)
The words of a man who had it all and then lost just about everything, livestock, children, health. And yet Job by the power of the Holy Spirit was still able to say the above words. This trial was tough though. He cursed the day of his birth and that allows us to see his hurting side.
What do you do when you are hurting? I hear people say they are trying so hard to make it through a tough time. I love these words from a Casting Crowns song- "I'm trying so hard, to stop trying so hard..." Theses are words of grace. Psalm 46 says to just be still and know that God is God! Let God bring you through and if you want to be "doing something" until God reveals His plan then practice these 3 W's. I shared this with my congregation as I am doing a series on Job this month.
The 3 W's when trials come your way. (it really works!) 1) Worship- Job simply said, blessed be His Name, shall we accept good but not bad? This world is in rough shape. Sin has changed everything but so has grace! Worship the Giver of grace who promises that in the end all things will work out!
2) Wait- I know its tough. I hate to wait. Isaiah says to wait upon the Lord and He will renew our strength. You either believe it or not. I've found its easier to believe it than fight God all the time asking why. Through my trials, concentrating on the Who is much better than the why? And the Who is Jesus who loves you, yes, you, the one reading this right now!
3) Wonder-Not- Peter tells us that we should not act as though something strange is happening to us when we go through trials. Again, sin is in the world, but so is the Savior! These trials come for the strengthening of our faith. Job says, when I have been tested I shall come forth as gold!
We at Project 52 want to do all we can to help people through tough times. When I think of the tree plantings for people who have lost loved ones it hurts to see them hurt. What helps, if only in a small way, is simply to say, I worship you God, I will wait and I will wonder not for You are the One who gave His life for me, blessed be Your Name!
And God bless you!!!
In Christ,
Pastor John
The words of a man who had it all and then lost just about everything, livestock, children, health. And yet Job by the power of the Holy Spirit was still able to say the above words. This trial was tough though. He cursed the day of his birth and that allows us to see his hurting side.
What do you do when you are hurting? I hear people say they are trying so hard to make it through a tough time. I love these words from a Casting Crowns song- "I'm trying so hard, to stop trying so hard..." Theses are words of grace. Psalm 46 says to just be still and know that God is God! Let God bring you through and if you want to be "doing something" until God reveals His plan then practice these 3 W's. I shared this with my congregation as I am doing a series on Job this month.
The 3 W's when trials come your way. (it really works!) 1) Worship- Job simply said, blessed be His Name, shall we accept good but not bad? This world is in rough shape. Sin has changed everything but so has grace! Worship the Giver of grace who promises that in the end all things will work out!
2) Wait- I know its tough. I hate to wait. Isaiah says to wait upon the Lord and He will renew our strength. You either believe it or not. I've found its easier to believe it than fight God all the time asking why. Through my trials, concentrating on the Who is much better than the why? And the Who is Jesus who loves you, yes, you, the one reading this right now!
3) Wonder-Not- Peter tells us that we should not act as though something strange is happening to us when we go through trials. Again, sin is in the world, but so is the Savior! These trials come for the strengthening of our faith. Job says, when I have been tested I shall come forth as gold!
We at Project 52 want to do all we can to help people through tough times. When I think of the tree plantings for people who have lost loved ones it hurts to see them hurt. What helps, if only in a small way, is simply to say, I worship you God, I will wait and I will wonder not for You are the One who gave His life for me, blessed be Your Name!
And God bless you!!!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wise Guy
Proverbs 4... I would encourage you to read it. A close friend of mine shared Proverbs 4:23 with me and I ended up reading the whole chapter. It is awesome and its like I can feel health coming into my body and soul as I read it.
The Word is like that-powerful and living by it is the only way to guard your heart. That's what verse 23 is about- "above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" There are people and things in this life bound and determined to mess around with you and give you heartache.
God wants you to be a wise guy( in a good way) so He has given His Word to help protect your heart. We at Project 52 want to help young people to learn and grow in God's wisdom. I am excited to see how God will grow this ministry. And we as adults continue to seek His wisdom as He leads us.
Read Proverbs 4- you'll be glad you did!
In Christ,
Pastor John
The Word is like that-powerful and living by it is the only way to guard your heart. That's what verse 23 is about- "above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" There are people and things in this life bound and determined to mess around with you and give you heartache.
God wants you to be a wise guy( in a good way) so He has given His Word to help protect your heart. We at Project 52 want to help young people to learn and grow in God's wisdom. I am excited to see how God will grow this ministry. And we as adults continue to seek His wisdom as He leads us.
Read Proverbs 4- you'll be glad you did!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, June 8, 2009
It Doesn't Matter
I've been talking with people about taking a stand on God's Word. Unfortunately many churches do not even take a stand on what is right or wrong so how can we expect our people to. I heard someone once say, He who stands for nothing falls for everything.
Right now I am thinking of the abortion issue. I can't even stomach what we are doing in America. I wrote this poem many years ago. It is what a baby that's about to be aborted might say.
It Doesn't Matter
In a quiet place, snug and warm
Tucked away from everyone
A place all safe,
But wait...
It isn't safe, what’s happening?
The quiet place… now violent and cold
No longer tucked but thrown to the world
I thought this place was safe,
I guess...
It doesn't matter what I think.
Who does it matter to, do you know?
Do you care, or are you tucked away
In your own world,
I guess...
You only matter and what you think.
Project 52 stands on the Word of God! Listen to this verse: Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
We are here to speak the truth in love and today I want to speak for all the babies who cannot speak for themselves. I also want to speak words of forgiveness for those that may need them. I went to a post abortion seminar once and learned about helping people who regret having had an abortion. I have had a chance to work with young people who have struggled with accepting God's grace for this sin. There's no greater joy than to see the look of guilt and shame turn to a look of hope and joy.
That's the neat thing about the Word of God- it convicts but it also gives us a place to go so that we can live life again. That place is at the foot of a tree, the cross of Calvary where God gave us all the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
Have a blessed week and remember Project 52 is here to help you through anything!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Right now I am thinking of the abortion issue. I can't even stomach what we are doing in America. I wrote this poem many years ago. It is what a baby that's about to be aborted might say.
It Doesn't Matter
In a quiet place, snug and warm
Tucked away from everyone
A place all safe,
But wait...
It isn't safe, what’s happening?
The quiet place… now violent and cold
No longer tucked but thrown to the world
I thought this place was safe,
I guess...
It doesn't matter what I think.
Who does it matter to, do you know?
Do you care, or are you tucked away
In your own world,
I guess...
You only matter and what you think.
Project 52 stands on the Word of God! Listen to this verse: Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
We are here to speak the truth in love and today I want to speak for all the babies who cannot speak for themselves. I also want to speak words of forgiveness for those that may need them. I went to a post abortion seminar once and learned about helping people who regret having had an abortion. I have had a chance to work with young people who have struggled with accepting God's grace for this sin. There's no greater joy than to see the look of guilt and shame turn to a look of hope and joy.
That's the neat thing about the Word of God- it convicts but it also gives us a place to go so that we can live life again. That place is at the foot of a tree, the cross of Calvary where God gave us all the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
Have a blessed week and remember Project 52 is here to help you through anything!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hope
Psalm 25: 4-5 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
On a Gunsmoke episode years ago, the state of Kansas experienced a long, dry spell. No rain had fallen for many weeks. The crops were dying for lack of water. One day, a rainmaker came to Dodge. Festus, Matt Dillion's sidekick, asked if they ought to expose him as a fake. Matt responded, "No, this man can give the people something to hope for, something to believe in."
I know what it is like to feel there is no hope. I know the doubts that satan can bring as you feel there is nothing more to believe in or to trust. Maybe today you are saying, Yes, I have felt like that also, or, yes, I'm feeling that way today. Please look again at the Bible verse from the Psalms. Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
When life gets dry and your road is parched don't trust in any old thing that comes along. We at Project 52 won't allow you to believe in anything just for the sake of giving you something to hope for. We want you to believe in the sure thing, Jesus Christ. He is the living water that refreshes and brings new life. His Word is truth and it guides us through all areas of our lives, good times and bad. God is our Savior! He died for you! He picks you up when you want to stay down. He gives you something to live for as He blesses you with ...........you go ahead and name the blessings! Maybe friends, a new job, a new life.....go ahead, name them. And then praise Him for this life and the life which is to come.
In Christ,
Pastor John
On a Gunsmoke episode years ago, the state of Kansas experienced a long, dry spell. No rain had fallen for many weeks. The crops were dying for lack of water. One day, a rainmaker came to Dodge. Festus, Matt Dillion's sidekick, asked if they ought to expose him as a fake. Matt responded, "No, this man can give the people something to hope for, something to believe in."
I know what it is like to feel there is no hope. I know the doubts that satan can bring as you feel there is nothing more to believe in or to trust. Maybe today you are saying, Yes, I have felt like that also, or, yes, I'm feeling that way today. Please look again at the Bible verse from the Psalms. Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
When life gets dry and your road is parched don't trust in any old thing that comes along. We at Project 52 won't allow you to believe in anything just for the sake of giving you something to hope for. We want you to believe in the sure thing, Jesus Christ. He is the living water that refreshes and brings new life. His Word is truth and it guides us through all areas of our lives, good times and bad. God is our Savior! He died for you! He picks you up when you want to stay down. He gives you something to live for as He blesses you with ...........you go ahead and name the blessings! Maybe friends, a new job, a new life.....go ahead, name them. And then praise Him for this life and the life which is to come.
In Christ,
Pastor John
Monday, May 18, 2009
On Waiting and Praying
Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.
Pray and wait! I’m not very good at waiting, how about you? But sometimes you got to wander in the wilderness before you get to the Promised Land. Good Friday has to come before Easter. Sometimes I'm also not good at praying especially when I think of it as simply just asking God for something and then expecting it to happen immediately. Ever feel this way? What about this waiting and praying business?
I love watching the NHL. The Buffalo Sabres are my hockey team! I remember one game where a fight broke out and the announcer said, “I think the refs are just waiting for them to exhaust themselves.” I thought about that statement. Maybe God is waiting for me to exhaust myself and let Him be God and work through the situations in my life.
The above verse tells us that it is okay to lay our requests before God but then we are told to wait. When we wait for the Lord we are saying, Your will be done Lord and in Your timing. We exhausts ourselves trying to be in control.
As you pray to Him keep in mind these things that I have learned from others regarding prayer:
· Pray asking God to align your will with His.
· Pray recognizing who you are and who God is.
· Pray trusting that He knows best how to answer your request.
Now that kind of praying I can handle! And as far as the waiting I will continue to ask God for His help as I wait for His plan to be revealed in situations in my life. As you pray and wait maybe you need some help and encouragement- that is what we are here for. Write me and I will answer you back. I prayed with a lady the other day and when she left she said she felt so empowered. This is an example of the body of Christ working together and being there for each other. On behalf of Project 52 remember that we love and care for you and are here for you 52 weeks a year!
I'm exhausted God so take over!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Pray and wait! I’m not very good at waiting, how about you? But sometimes you got to wander in the wilderness before you get to the Promised Land. Good Friday has to come before Easter. Sometimes I'm also not good at praying especially when I think of it as simply just asking God for something and then expecting it to happen immediately. Ever feel this way? What about this waiting and praying business?
I love watching the NHL. The Buffalo Sabres are my hockey team! I remember one game where a fight broke out and the announcer said, “I think the refs are just waiting for them to exhaust themselves.” I thought about that statement. Maybe God is waiting for me to exhaust myself and let Him be God and work through the situations in my life.
The above verse tells us that it is okay to lay our requests before God but then we are told to wait. When we wait for the Lord we are saying, Your will be done Lord and in Your timing. We exhausts ourselves trying to be in control.
As you pray to Him keep in mind these things that I have learned from others regarding prayer:
· Pray asking God to align your will with His.
· Pray recognizing who you are and who God is.
· Pray trusting that He knows best how to answer your request.
Now that kind of praying I can handle! And as far as the waiting I will continue to ask God for His help as I wait for His plan to be revealed in situations in my life. As you pray and wait maybe you need some help and encouragement- that is what we are here for. Write me and I will answer you back. I prayed with a lady the other day and when she left she said she felt so empowered. This is an example of the body of Christ working together and being there for each other. On behalf of Project 52 remember that we love and care for you and are here for you 52 weeks a year!
I'm exhausted God so take over!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Thursday, May 7, 2009
To God Be the Glory!
Psalm 115:1 not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
There have been so many “God moments” over the past couple of months I couldn’t even begin to name them all. I'm thinking right now of the first tree planted by Project 52 to help a family and friends not only remember their loved one but to help them remember how much God loves them in Jesus the Christ!
I'm also thinking of all the other God moments that are in the making that we don't even know about at this moment. What does one say? To God be the Glory! This is His ministry and His Spirit grows it just like His power will grow the trees that are planted to help people in a time of loss.
Thank you for your support and remember Project 52 is here to help you in your walk with the Lord. Maybe you are waiting for a God moment to happen in your life. Know that He is with you simply because He says so, I am with you always even till the end of the world! (Matt 28) As He uses us we humbly say- To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Pastor John
Psalm 115:1 not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
There have been so many “God moments” over the past couple of months I couldn’t even begin to name them all. I'm thinking right now of the first tree planted by Project 52 to help a family and friends not only remember their loved one but to help them remember how much God loves them in Jesus the Christ!
I'm also thinking of all the other God moments that are in the making that we don't even know about at this moment. What does one say? To God be the Glory! This is His ministry and His Spirit grows it just like His power will grow the trees that are planted to help people in a time of loss.
Thank you for your support and remember Project 52 is here to help you in your walk with the Lord. Maybe you are waiting for a God moment to happen in your life. Know that He is with you simply because He says so, I am with you always even till the end of the world! (Matt 28) As He uses us we humbly say- To God be the glory!
In Christ,
Pastor John
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