Life Lifters Devotional

Nov 26 8:45 AM

TOP 10: Joy Through Anxious Times (Originally Published 9-13-2021)

Nov 26 8:45 AM

Friday, November 26, 2021

The Bible says you can find joy through your anxious times. Whatever times you're going through that are leading to anxiety, you can replace your anxiety with joy.

Friday, November 26, 2021

Philippians 4:6-7

TOP 10 LIFE LIFTERS: For the next few weeks, we'll be re-releasing some of the top Life Lifters we've ever published since we started this devotional series. Join us as we look back at popular topics like prayer, joy, trust, and hope!

Boy, these are anxious times. Between world events, COVID, our economy, jobs, etc., there's so much to be anxious about. If we focus on the things of this world, a lot of anxiousness. Maybe you feel anxiety because of some personal things going on in your own life, some family things, some marriage things, or some things with your kids. It's so easy to get anxious, nervous, and discontented inside. The Bible has an answer to that. The Bible says you can find joy through your anxious times. Whatever times you're going through that are leading to anxiety, you can replace your anxiety with joy. How do you do that? Let's look at Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So, he says, "Do not be anxious about anything." It's like, "Oh, thanks. Just don't be anxious." But then Paul explains, "but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." What's Paul saying? The way you avoid being anxious about anything is to pray about everything. Whenever you feel anxiety, pray on it. Whenever you feel anxious about this, that, or the other, pray for this, that or the other. Anxiety and prayer to God cannot coexist. Prayer will always bring a defeat of anxiety. Why? Because of the rest of the verse. Paul says, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That's the result. When you are anxious about anything. You pray about everything, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. First, it'll guard your hearts. The word guard means to establish a century guard, a powerful protective guard that is virtually impenetrable. He'll guard your heart. What is your heart? It is your emotions, the seat of your emotions. In the Hebrew Old Testament, the heart was considered a seat of the human emotional system. It will guard your emotions.

God's peace will also guard your mind, because where does anxiety start? In the mind. We have thoughts that we just rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. We replay them, rehearse them, replay them, rehearse them, replay them, rehearse them. We ask ourselve, "What am I going to do? How am I going to get out? How am I going to do it?" And it's all about anxiety. If you pray when you're anxious, your heart or your emotions, and your mind and your thoughts will be kept at peace in Christ Jesus. Try it. Pray. If we did as much praying as we did worrying, we would have an awful lot less to worry about. Pray every time you're anxious. Catch it early. It's like a disease, the earlier you catch it, the likelier It is to be resolved quickly. The minute you're feeling self anxious, say, "God help me not be anxious about that. You've got it." If your job is stressful, say, "God help me not be anxious about my job, you control everything." Your family is mess? Don't be anxious about it, say, "God help me to do the best thing I can do for my family. Help me to control my controllables and realize that I'm only one person. Everybody else has to do whatever else they're going to do." I'm telling you right now, if you want joy, you can have joy through times of anxiety if you'll pray and experience God's peace in your heart and in your mind. Are you willing to do that? Every time you're anxious, pray.

Let's pray. Father, I pray right now that whatever is bothering me and whatever is bothering anybody watching this life lifter, I pray that they would lift it up to you, God. I pray right now to just give it to God. Say, "God, I'm anxious about such and such. I'm anxious about this. I'm anxious about that." Tell him tell him in your own words. Pour out your heart to him. He's a God of refuge. God, as they pour out their prayers to you now and throughout the day, week, month, year, and throughout the rest of their life, give us the answer to this promise that you'll give us a peace that guards our heart and our minds in your son Jesus Christ. I claim this for them. I claim this for me, in Jesus' name, amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 24 8:57 AM

TOP 10: Joy Killer #1: Complaining (Originally Published 7-26-2021)

Nov 24 8:57 AM

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

How many have ever had joy, maybe you found joy in Christ and what he's doing in your life, and somebody or something came along, and killed your joy. It was a joy killer.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Philippians 2:14-15

So many times we talk about what it takes to find joy. Last week, I talked about places to find joy from Philippians chapter one. During this week's Life Lifters we will look at the most common joy killers and how to overcome them. How many have ever had joy, maybe you found joy in Christ and what he's doing in your life, and somebody or something came along, and killed your joy. It was a joy killer. I want to talk to you about three of the biggest joy killers. Here's the first: complaining. Nothing kills joy faster than complaining. I know sometimes you have to vent stuff, and I'm the kind of guy that has a short account with stuff. So I just get it out. I complain, and it's better to complain a little than a lot, but better not to complain at all. So complaining is tough. And I find the longer I complain, the more I start to sap away my joy.

I get this because Paul gives us that admonition in Philippians 2:14-15. Philippians is Paul's letter of joy. He wrote it from prison, the last place you'd expect somebody to have joy, but joy is not happiness. You can be unhappy in prison and still filled with joy like Paul was. So while he's in prison, still filled with joy, he says this to the Philippians, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault and a crooked and depraved generation,' in which you shine like stars in the universe."

First, he says "Do everything without complaining or arguing." What's arguing? It can be a form of complaining sometimes. "I want this, I want that. I want this. I want that." James says it's competing battle of wills. Paul goes on and says if you do everything without complaining and arguing, then what happens is you shine like stars, you're filled with joy. If you don't, then you are like the crooked and depraved generation around us. How many know the crooked and depraved generation around us, which describes our generation, they're always complaining. They say, "I'm offended. I'm offended that you said that. I'm offended that you did that. I'm offended." Sometimes I just want to say "I'm offended that you're offended." Or people say, "My rights have been trampled." And unfortunately there's a lot of truth to that, but but sometimes their rights are actually their selfish needs. People are always complaining about something. And I'm telling you, I have never seen somebody that complains a lot filled with joy. Have you?

The problem is sometimes we look in the mirror and we find somebody who's doing a lot of complaining. Stop complaining. Accept it. Voice your concern, say something's wrong, challenge it, wish it were better, but don't camp out in complaining land. It'll rob your joy. Do less complaining and more contemplating. What does God want to do in your situation? Then, you will not be like the crooked and depraved generation around us, but you'll be, as Paul says, like shining stars. I think of that song by Earth Wind and Fire, "Got to be a shining star." Paul says, be a shining star. What does that mean? When you're a shining star you're filled with joy. So you get the choice: complain or joy? It's like two rabbits. You can't chase two rabbits at once. Get rid of complaining and chase down joy. Father, forgive us for being complainers. I am one who at times struggles with complaining. Help me to choose joy over complaining. Help people listening to choose joy over complaining, and we'll find more joy as a result. We ask you this in Jesus' name. Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 22 8:22 AM

TOP 10: What to Do When You're Weary (Originally Published 1-8-2021)

Nov 22 8:22 AM

Monday, November 22, 2021

Sometimes strengths, weaknesses and limitations just lead to weariness. Some people are so weary that a good night's sleep, a stiff cup of coffee, and a week's vacation can't solve it. You've experienced soul fatigue. What do you do when you're weary, or when you just feel so weak?

Monday, November 22, 2021

Isaiah 40:29-31

Hi everybody, thanks for joining me for another day of Life Lifters. This week, we have been talking about strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. God has a purpose for the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations in your life. Today, I want to talk to you about what to do when you're weary. Sometimes strengths, weaknesses and limitations just lead to weariness. You're tired of having to exercise strength, you're tired of being weak, you're tired of having limitations, and you're just weary. Some people are so weary that a good night's sleep, a stiff cup of coffee, and a week's vacation can't solve it. You've experienced soul fatigue. It's not just physical. It's every part of you that is immaterial: it's emotional, mental, spiritual. What do you do when you're weary, or when you just feel so weak?

You wait on God. You turn to God. I want to look at a very classic passage in Isaiah 40:29-31. I think these verses speak mostly for themselves. I just wanted to encourage you, if you're weak and weary, take these words in. Isaiah says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings. like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." What's Isaiah the prophet saying from God? He's saying everybody is weak and weary. It's not just a physical vitality thing. That's what I said at the beginning. It's the immaterial side. He says that even youths grow tired and weary, even young men stumble and fall.

Isaiah tells us to hope in the Lord. Hope is an interesting word. Another translation says, "Those who wait on the Lord." When you're hoping on God, you're waiting on God. Waiting is not a passive activity. It's an active activity in the text. Those who wait actively through hope on God will renew their strength. They will get back the strength that they were lacking. When you do that, you'll be soaring on wings like eagles. You know, if you watch eagles soar, you'll notice they don't flap a lot. They know how to leverage the wind around them to just glide. It's a beautiful thing to watch an eagle glide. What's he saying? He's saying when you wait or hope on the Lord, he'll renew your strength. And you'll glide like an eagle, you'll fly above the problems of mediocrity, and it won't take that much work, because God is working through you.

Isaiah also says that you will run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint. Well, I don't know about you, but I run to the mailbox and I'm winded. Well, I'm not quite that bad. But I get on the treadmill for a half hour, and I'm tired. He's saying you will run and you won't grow weary when you wait and hope on the Lord. You will walk and not be faint. This has the idea of going for a long, long walk. A day's journey was 20 miles, meaning you can walk 20 miles in a day. That's a long walk. And so you can do that and you won't faint. Here's my point. When you're weary, wait or hope on the Lord. renew your strength in him. He will give you mental reinvigoration, spiritual vitality, emotional booster shots. He'll encourage you, but you have to wait on the Lord. To wait on the Lord means you're looking to him. You're hoping in him. you're basing everything that energizes you on him. Life will drain you faster than anything. God will replenish you. I often think of coming to church as like a rechargeable battery for people. There aren't as many of those today, but you plug them in and they charge up. Every Sunday we charge people up and, hopefully, get them through another week. I hope this passage will also do that for you.

Let's pray. Father, there are people listening to me who are weak and weary. I pray that they would find a renewed strength as you promised through your prophet, Isaiah, in this text. I pray that they will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. That they'll soar through life like an eagle, effortless, gliding, riding the winds the way you created them. I pray that you strengthen them now. In Jesus' name, amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 19 8:52 AM

TOP 10: White As Snow (Originally Published 9-21-2020)

Nov 19 8:52 AM

Friday, November 19, 2021

God gives us many tremendous promises of forgiveness, and today we are going to focus on one of them.

Friday, November 19, 2021

Isaiah 1:18

Today, I'm going to talk to you about how to deal with your past so you can move forward in your life. The number one way you deal with your past is you ask God to forgive you for whatever it is that happened in your past. God gives us many tremendous promises of forgiveness, and today we are going to focus on one of them. God only forgives what we bring to him. I mean, he forgives us for sins that we don't even know about, admittedly, but the best way to deal with your sin is to acknowledge it before God when you get called to attention on it. Then, you can experience His forgiveness. One of God's promises is what I call the white as snow promise. When Isaiah the prophet, speaking for God to Israel some 2700+ years ago about their sin, he made this amazing statement. After talking to the rebellious nation about their sin, he says this in Isaiah 1:18, "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"

Our sins are bold, they're red, they're undeniable. They cannot be hidden. They're visible to everybody. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Imagine that, a big blood stain on your white t shirt, and then God says, "I'll make it white as snow. It's as if it's a brand new T shirt right out of the package and no remnant of that blood stain. Though our sins are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Again, he just goes from red to white. The amazing thing is that if you come to God in your rebellion, like Israel was challenged to do here in Isaiah 1!18, God will cleanse you. The basis of God's cleansing is Jesus Christ's blood. It's interesting to me that in Isaiah the idea of sin is painted as crimson red. The color of our blood is crimson red. It's almost like the blood of Christ, over and dealing with and engaging with the blood of our own guiltiness leads to white. It's like red plus red equals white. It's like the blood of Christ can cleanse any stain, because Jesus loves you that much. He wants to flip the script on your life. He wants to help you go from being a crimson mess to being a forgiven person.

The only difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is whether or not our sins are forgiven. Now, hopefully a Christian lives a more noble life. Hopefully a Christian doesn't flirt around with sin. I would hope so. I know many Christians have had their lives changed and transformed, and they are living a more godly life, but that doesn't mean once you become a Christian, you stop being burdened with sin. The difference between a Christian and non Christian ultimately is what happens with our sin, it can be forgiven. So I want to say this, if you're already a Christian, God has already forgiven you in one sense, but in another sense, you need to turn to him to ask for forgiveness when you sin. And you can thank Jesus for that forgiveness because he provided it through his crimson blood. If you're not there yet, I just want you to know this: Jesus Christ loves you. He loves you so much that he shed his blood so that your crimson-stain-sin can be forgiven. I hope you'll know how much Jesus Christ loves you and I hope you know that one of the benefits of getting right with God through His Son Jesus Christ is that forgiveness is available. It doesn't matter what you've done in the past, it's available and he will turn your red, bloody, messy sin as white as snow is white as well. You want that? White as snow is available to you.

Let's pray. Lord, I come to you as one who sins and needs tons of forgiveness. I'm sure everybody listening would agree that their own life would be the same. Thank you that you provided this cleansing opportunity that our sins can be white as snow. When we turn to you, like Israel on their rebellion, if we turn to you, we can find this forgiveness. We do that now. Forgive us our sins, Lord. Forgive the specific sins that we think of, that come to mind right now we give to you. Forgive us. Help us appreciate that we are as white as snow when we ask you to forgive us, in Jesus' name, Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 17 8:18 AM

TOP 10: Competence at Work (Originally Published 8-4-2020)

Nov 17 8:18 AM

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Today I am talking about one of the greatest traits you can have as an employee: competence.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Proverbs 22:29

Today I am talking about one of the greatest traits you can have as an employee: competence. The person who has competence at work is the person who eagerly learns new skills, and they do their work with excellence. So first, they eagerly learn new skills. Some people say, "No, I'm not going to try that." I'll be honest with you, there are certain jobs I had where I didn't want to learn new skills. And guess what? That was not good for me. I just didn't want to do it, and it was wrong. We should be eagerly learning new skills, growing, and expanding. Then second, a competent person works with excellence. When they turn in their work it's thought out.One of the great things about Lakeshore staff is that I often ask them to do something, and then they come back to me with more. I say, "Can you do A?" And they come back saying, "Well, here's A, but I also found B, C, D and E." Guess what? I think they're very competent. And guess what? I also think, "How can I keep this employee? How can I give them a raise?" etc, etc, etc. We love when people are competent.

Where do I get all this from? Look at Proverbs 22:29. It says, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings he will not serve before obscure men." That word "skilled" is the same as "competent" in the language I'm using here. What's the proverb saying? By the way, proverbs are not promises. There's a difference. A proverb says that this is generally how life works. So, when you are competent and you're skilled at what you do, the proverb is saying that you're going to rise up in the ranks. You're going to start working and showing your skills before higher order people, not the obscure. When you are good at what you do, growing at what you do, everybody wants to keep you. You'll be the last person laid off. When people aren't getting raises, or very few are getting raises, you'll get them. And when people are getting raises, you'll get some of the highest raises, if you work at a good place of employment, because people who are good at what they do are special.

Are you good at what you do? Are you growing in your job? Are you asking your boss to learn new skills, going to new training, trying new things, given assignments and coming back with even more? If you're a stay at home Mom, are you building into your kids? Are you growing new parenting skills? Are you learning new ways to build into your children? Are you learning new ways to get good your profession as a parent? No matter what you do, you're either getting better or worse. It's very difficult to maintain. People who maintain, because the world is getting more complex and more challenging, even when you maintain you're really going down because the world is advancing and growing. Make it a goal to grow in competence. Father, thank you so much for helping the people reading this have more competence in their work. Help us all to eagerly learn new skills and to deliver their work as an excellent example of you and your excellence. We thank you for this in Jesus' name, amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 15 8:30 AM

TOP 10: To Ultimately Glorify God (Originally Published 7-10-2020)

Nov 15 8:30 AM

Monday, November 15, 2021

Why do people suffer? Today, we are looking at the ultimate reason why you suffer.

Monday, November 15, 2021

1 Peter 4:16

Why do people suffer? Why do you suffer? Let me give you thought five potential reasons any or all of these may be at work in any given time of suffering. I got this list from Chuck Swindoll. I got the list from him, but I'm amplifying it and building on it with my own thoughts and commentary. First, personally, to develop our faith, that comes from James 1:2-4. Second reason might be doctrinally, to expose error in our life in our belief system, if it exists, as First Corinthians 11:27-30. The third reason we may be suffering is vertically, to learn obedience, Hebrews 5:8. The fourth reason on why you may be suffering is horizontally, to cultivate and develop our humility. And that comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7.

Today, we are looking at the ultimate reason why you suffer. All are true, but this is the ultimate reason. Are you ready for it? The ultimate reason you suffer is to have an opportunity to glorify God. The Westminster Confession of Faith says this, "Man's chief end," meaning the chief purpose of human beings, "is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever." Sometimes one of the ways we can glorify God is in how we handle suffering. 1 Peter 4:16 tells us this in this very powerful verse. Peter says,"However, if you suffer as a Christian," as opposed to suffering for doing something silly and stupid, "if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear his name." Isn't that amazing? Praise God that you bear his name. The apostles were beaten in the book of Acts for talking about Jesus Christ. But they did not say, "Oh my gosh, I'm hurting. That hurt. I can't believe Jesus let me go through that," which was something you and I do sometimes. Instead, they left praising God that they were considered worthy by God to suffer for his name.

Sometimes you're going to suffer for his name. How does that happen? You go to work, you stand up for what's right, and you're mocked. You're suffering for his name. You're trying to be a witness in your neighborhood, you won't get drunk with your friends, and they ostracize you. You're suffering for his name. You tell somebody about Christ, and they reject you, your faith, and everything about you. You're suffering for his name. Or, sometimes you try to build into your kids and your kids have gone wayward. Don't give up your ground, because you're suffering for his name. I could go on and on. It is very, very possible that God wants to ground you in him more deeply by allowing you to suffer even for doing what's right. The first four reasons people suffer, developing your faith, exposing error in doctrine, disobedience and obedience, and humility are all growth areas. They're all things that are wrong that need improvement or correction. This last one is a reaffirmation of what is right. To glorify God, that is the goal of life. I want my life to glorify God, do you? Do you want everything you do to glorify God? Of course, we're never going to get there completely, but we're going to strive to get there aren't we? Sometimes when you want to live for Christ, the Bible says all who desire to live a godly life will suffer persecution. You cannot live a godly life and expect to not be criticized and mocked for it. Our world is turned upside down. Wrong is right and right is wrong. In terms of sexuality, wrong is right and right is wrong. In terms of morality, wrong is right and right is wrong. When it comes to honesty and so many other things, wrong is right and right is wrong. That's one of the signs of the end times, and we're certainly getting close.

I want to say this: if you're suffering because you're a Christian, glorify God. Say, "Thank You, Lord, that you chose me to be the one to suffer for your name." It's very, very hard to do. Let's pray. Father in heaven, we want to glorify you with our lives. Nobody here wants suffering. Nobody reading this wants to suffer, but we want all of these good things, especially this chief one: to glorify you in our lives. If suffering is what it takes, God, give us the grace to endure suffering and glorify you through it. Let us glorify you by standing up for the truth, glorify you by praising your name throughout (not like Job's friends), and to glorify you when we get through it, and we're a better person and can glorify you even better. Thank you for all of this. I pray that this helps those who read it, in Jesus' name. Amen.

By Pastor Vince DiPaola

Nov 12 8:18 AM

Roller Coaster Called Life

Nov 12 8:18 AM

Friday, November 12, 2021

Roller coasters are amazing. However, the roller coaster of our lives isn't as fun as the physical roller coasters.

Friday, November 12, 2021

Philippians 4:11-113

Today, we're going to be talking about probably one of my favorite things: roller coasters. I love roller coasters so much that the first thing that I do when we go to Darien Lake or Seabreeze, is I run to the roller coaster. What I love about roller coasters is it has the ups, it has the downs, you go upsidedown, and you just exhilarating. It's exciting, it's fun, it has the loop-de-loops and everything. I mean, who doesn't love roller coasters? I know for some of you out there me just describing a roller coaster is already sending your anxiety through the roof, but trust me, roller coasters are amazing. However, the roller coaster of our lives isn't as fun as the physical roller coasters. Just like roller coasters, your life has ups, it has downs, it has loop-de-loops, and things don't always look the same way. Things aren't always good, and things aren't always bad. But it's not as fun, like I said, as a roller coaster is.

One person who knew this all too well was the Apostle Paul. Paul had a life that was filled with ups and downs, turns, loop-de-loops, and his life was like a roller coaster. One place we can see that is in Philippians 4:11-13. He tells us how we can get through this roller coaster called life. Starting in verse 11, he says, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." So, he's saying, "I've learned that in this roller coaster called life with its ups and with its downs, with its left turns and with its right turns, that in whatever situation, I need to be content. So in whatever he's going through, whether it's good or bad, I have learned what the secret is. The secret is, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

What Paul is saying here is that whatever it is that he went through, the good, the bad, the indifferent, all of it, he was able get through it because of Jesus. That's my encouragement to each and every one of you. It's the holiday season. Statistics show that the holiday season is probably the most depressing for people, because you have loss of family, friends that maybe have moved away, and family that have moved away. For a lot of people these bad memories come up around the holiday season. But it's a it's a time of joy as well. So I just encourage you, whatever you're feeling, whether it's a high or a low, whatever is going on in your life during this time, know that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You don't do it alone. Not only does he walk with us, and he says he'll never leave us or forsake us, but he goes before us as well. So that's my encouragement to you, whatever you're going through, whatever situation you may be in today, just know that you can get through it with Jesus if you turn to Him.

By Pastor Antoine Evans

Nov 10 8:33 AM

Work of Art

Nov 10 8:33 AM

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

There were beautiful sculptures in there, beautiful pictures, photography, everything. And as I was looking at it and just admiring how beautiful all of this was, it reminded me that we are all considered masterpieces in God's eyes.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Ephesians 2:10

Today we're going to talk about art. I have a little story before we jump in. This past summer, we went to the Adirondacks, my family and I. It was amazing, except for one day, it was just downpouring rain, and we had absolutely nothing to do. So, we decided to go to an art museum. As we were walking around the art museum, I thought a couple things. First, I thought, "Man, I really hope my youngest doesn't bump into anything, because I definitely don't have enough money to pay for any of this art." The second thing I thought, though, was, "This is some beautiful art." There were beautiful sculptures in there, beautiful pictures, photography, everything. And as I was looking at it and just admiring how beautiful all of this was, it reminded me that we are all considered masterpieces in God's eyes.

So today, we're going to look at Ephesians 2:10. It says, "For we are His workmanship, or his masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." The encouragement fro m here is that we are considered masterpieces in God's eyes. The world will tell you that you have to look this way, you have to do this, you have to do that, etc. if you want to be accepted, if you want to be considered beautiful, intelligent, athletic, or anything like that. The world says if you want to be accepted you have to be a certain way, but God tells us that we are his masterpieces, we are perfectly made in his eyes. There's nothing wrong with us. So, the encouragement right there is that you don't have to listen to the world when it says that you're not created perfectly, or that you're not put together the way that you should be. How you were created is how you were created. God did it with a purpose and with a plan, and he looks at you and he loves every part of you. So, just know that you are a masterpiece in his eyes. Just as a piece of artwork is loved and cherished by the artist, just as a sculpture is loved by the person who sculpted it, you are loved and cherished by the Creator that created you. So take that with you today and know that God loves you immensely.

By Pastor Antoine Evans

Nov 08 8:19 AM

God's Gift to Us

Nov 08 8:19 AM

Monday, November 8, 2021

Today we're talking about gifts. When I'm thinking about gifts, there's this perfect gift that we have that has been offered to each and every one of us.

Monday, November 8, 2021

Ephesians 2:8-9

Today we're talking about gifts. It's Christmas time, so we're all looking for the perfect gift. We go on Amazon, we go to Walmart, we go to Best Buy, we go to Target, and we're looking for this perfect gift for our loved ones and our friends. So we find this perfect gift, as we would think, and we give it to them. Then, a couple of weeks later, they don't use it. They use it for week one, they use it for week two, and then it just gets boring, it gets overused, and we never see them pick it up again. However, there's a perfect gift that we have. When I'm thinking about gifts, there's this perfect gift that we have that has been offered to each and every one of us. That's the gift of salvation.

Paul talks about this in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of work so that no one may boast." What Paul's saying here is that salvation, is a gift from God. What Jesus did for us on the cross is a gift from God. What's awesome about this is it says it's not of our own doing, we can't do anything to earn this gift. If we do something to earn it, then it's no longer a gift. So, that's the encouragement for today is that we don't have to do anything in order to get this this free gift of salvation that God has given to us. He has given it to us out of his love, out of his grace, out of his mercy for us, because he loves us just that much. As we go into this holiday season with Christmas right around the corner, I encourage each and every one of you not just to remember that the gift of God is free, and we don't have to do anything for it, but remember it's a gift that we can give to other people. So whoever you come into contact with, let them know what Jesus has done for them, so that they can also receive that free gift of God. So that's all I have for today. I hope you were encouraged. Until next time, make sure to love yourselves, love others, but most of all, love God. God bless.

By Pastor Antoine Evans

Nov 05 8:34 AM

Play to Your Strengths

Nov 05 8:34 AM

Friday, November 5, 2021

I use this phrase all the time, and I really believe it's true. I believe it's biblical. It's called "playing to your strengths." How do you play to your strengths?

Friday, November 5, 2021

Romans 12:6

I use this phrase all the time, and I really believe it's true. I believe it's biblical. It's called "playing to your strengths." How do you play to your strengths? When you look around you, when you look at your spouse, you look at your kids, you look at your environment, the people that you're with, you realize that you're all so different. I have many friends who, when I will look at them, I realize I have nothing in common with that person. Our interests are so different. For example, I am not a sports person. Many of you know that. I don't like sports. So when this comes up in conversation, I really can't contribute anything. Then, you kind of get this feeling like, "Wow, I really don't have anything in common with some of these people." But the fact is that we're all created this way. It's all intentional that we're all different.

I want to talk about how we play to our strengths. The apostle Paul writes this in Romans 12:6 he says, "We all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." Here's what I love about this verse, I think this is so cool. He says, "we have different gifts," and when we hear the word "different," we understand it's not the same as something else. But the word "different" here in the original text means "more excellent." You see, we all play a very specific role. We have to understand that we don't need to look down on somebody or look differently at someone because they are gifted in a different way than you. In fact, we don't want everyone to be the same, because life would be pretty boring if we were all just like one another. God has created us this way, and it was all intentional according to the grace that He has given to each of us. So let me just encourage you with that today.

Listen, you're gifted in a different way than the people around you. It's supposed to be that way because we build into one another, we strengthen one another, we make each other better. So if you see somebody who's different, don't break them down. Don't beat them up about it. It's supposed to be this way. Let's find that common ground so we can complement one another. Father, I want to thank you again, please help us understand that we are all different and gifted by your grace. Lord, let us understand that we're different. That doesn't just mean "not the same," but it means to be "more excellent," that we have a gift that is more excellent. I pray that we would really hold that true, and if we're struggling with that today, I pray that you would encourage us through it, that we may be able to see how we complement one another. We thank you and we lift this to you in Jesus' name. Amen.

By Pastor Brian Pawlowski

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