Tag: Christians

By Pastor Andrew Farland

It’s so easy in difficult times to focus on what isn’t happening and what God isn’t doing! That’s because negativity and fear can distort the way we see things, just like wearing a dark pair of glasses will do for our sight.

It’s important when we go through difficult times, we challenge that fear because if we don’t push back against it, it’ll want to push us over.

But here is the good news: God has given us a great tool to combat fear and lies: Thankfulness!

So here’s what I want you to do the next time you feel fear and discouragement rising in your heart:

Instead of being busy asking, “How is this going to get any better?”

Ask this: “What has God done that I can be thankful for today?”
Focusing on what God isn’t doing will lead to unbelief, doubt, worry, and fear. But being thankful for what you have will lead to fulfillment, contentment, life, and peace.

So today, focus on what it is that God is doing. Focus on what He has given you. As you do this you, will feel the grip of fear loosen and God’s arms of love embrace you.

Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace which is far beyond human understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Have you ever paused what you’re doing, and looked up because you thought someone was there, only to discover that no one is there? So you go on about your business, doing whatever it is that you want to do.

It’s sure happened to me!

The truth is that you are never really alone when you’re making decisions about what to do next. You have an Advisor with you always, but do you listen to the advice you receive?

Sometimes we can really feel the Holy Spirit leading us in a certain direction — but we refuse to go the way He leads. It’s important to trust Him and walk with Him step by step, especially in times of difficulty and transition. Take time each day in quiet to surrender your life to His leading. Be open to it as the day unfolds! It’s great having a personal guide for life that’s always leading us into truth and onto the right paths.

It’s the reason Jesus himself said, “it’s better that I go” or else the counselor won’t come!

The Holy Spirit we have is the same one Jesus has.

John 16:13
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

God will do anything to get us free! But the road to freedom isn’t always an easy one, nor is the journey short.

In the book of Exodus, we hear about the Israelites traveling an arduous 40 years to get to the promised land (their land of freedom). Along the journey, many of them grew tired, and they even wanted to turn back around, going back in the direction they came from, to again be slaves in Egypt. The truth was the Israelites were given two options. Freedom by choice, or freedom through struggle. The Israelites could have gotten to the promised land in 11 days, but because they were stubborn, it took 40 years. They complained and didn’t surrender to God’s plan.

In the same way, many of us want freedom, but we don’t want to do things God’s way. We are afraid of surrendering to God’s will, and because of it, we end up suffering the consequences of our decisions. We end up taking the long way to get there.

There are two ways to freedom:

Voluntarily through surrender, or Involuntarily through brokenness.

Both will bring us to God, and both will help us to become all God wants us to be. It’s just that one takes longer and involves more suffering.

God loves us. He will tear apart anything that gets in the way of our relationship with Him. It’s tough love, but God knows it’s what’s most important.

So today you have to choose. Will you do things God’s way and surrender to His plan for your life? Or will you put up a fight?
The sooner we learn to live in obedience to God the quicker we will get free.

Romans 12:1
“Because of God’s great mercy to us, I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as living sacrifices to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

As believers, we are called to serve others with the ability, heart, and instruction we have received from God. When something good happens in our lives, we want to tell everyone about it. In the same way, as we walk with God, our hearts get to the point where our thankfulness pours over, and we want others to experience the same love we have been given!

So when we feel this desire, what do we do?
How do we do minister in a way that honors God and serves others the most?
And where do we start?
Let me help you unpack it:
Ministry is taking what you’ve been given from God (your abilities, talents, gifts, love, and direction) to meet the needs of others for God’s glory alone.

The first step is to identify what God has given you!

What are you naturally good at?
What has God communicated to your heart to do?
What challenges have you gone through that you could now help others to overcome?
What is that you encourage every other believer to do? (that’s usually what you are called to do)
What need or cause do you like supporting?
What is it that others talk about that interests you?

Once you’ve identified these, pray and ask God if is there is anything else He would like to tell you about how you could minister and wait on Him to receive.

The second step is to pray and ask God how you can use these things to help others and to get started!

This is where you wait on God to show you how to move forward. We have to remember that God’s timing isn’t our timing, but His timing is always perfect. The bible says “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”

The best way to learn is to begin.
Once we have taken the first steps, we can trust the Lord to continually guide us. He loves seeing His children move forward in faith trusting that He will provide.

The third step is to give ALL the glory to God.
The Bible tells us that we are to “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name” and to “Ascribe to Lord Glory and Strength.” [1 Chronicles 16:28-29]

None of us are in control. Only God is. After all, which one of us chose to be born?
It would be wrong to minister to others so that we could receive Glory for our own sake. True Godly ministry doesn’t seek money power or fame; it seeks to help others so that God would be glorified.

Our hearts must ONLY seek that others would go to God and praise Him. When you begin to minister for the right reasons your heart will be at peace! You will experience God’s joy.

So start asking yourself these questions and allow God to show you, in whichever way He desires, what you are called to. Then, begin. Get started. You will see God provide for you the opportunities to help others.

When others are helped, remind yourself and the other person that you are only able to do this because God gave you the ability to.

Ascribe to Him the Glory due to His name!

1 Chronicles 16:28
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.