Tag: gift of life

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Most of us have been there. I’ll bet that you have been, too.
You’ve found yourself in a situation where you thought you weren’t, well, enough.
Not smart enough, rich enough, good enough . . . the list could go on forever. It seems like there’s always someone with more of whatever we feel we’re lacking.

You’ve allowed yourself to be held back by what you perceived were your limitations.
God has given us each different gifts and different levels of faith. But regardless of what my gift is or my level of faith, I can be sure that whatever He’s given me . . . is enough. Each of us will have our own limitations, but even those limitations are a blessing, reminding us that only God is our source of strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

In Matthew 8, a man with leprosy (an incurable, contagious disease of gross disfigurement) comes to Jesus and worships Him. He does this because He knows God can do anything, In fact, he’d probably heard about all the miracles Jesus was doing for others, but internally, he had all the same question you and I still have today:

“I know God can do anything for OTHERS but is He really WILLING to help ME?”
Does God really care about MY LIFE?
Which is it? Does God want to LOVE me or SLUG me?

You know, this story of the man with leprosy is only in the Bible because God wanted to reveal His character to us once and for all. He didn’t want us to be in the dark when it came to His will. And what’s more, Jesus didn’t want us to question whether or not He was truly willing to help us!

In the story, the leper comes to Jesus, vulnerable and with humility, to seek healing, but he still questioned whether or not God WANTED to heal him. The leper knows all too well how much he was suffering, so he puts himself out there, probably embarrassing himself. He kneels publically before Jesus. So . . . here we finally find out if Jesus will turn the leper away and reject his desire, or whether He would welcome Him with open arms and heal Him!
Almost afraid to breathe, the leprous man waits on his knees before Jesus and all the people gathered around him.

What happens next is no surprise.
Without delay, the Bible says Jesus REACHED OUT and TOUCHED THE LEPER (something that was forbidden by society), and He lovingly tells this man the words many of us need to hear today:
“I AM WILLING, BE HEALED.”
And at that moment, leprosy INSTANTLY disappeared.”
Today, you might be wondering if Jesus really cares about YOUR struggles and what you’re going through. I’ve got good news: He does. Jesus is never changing, which means that He is always the same: yesterday, today, and forever. Today Jesus desires to help and love you through whatever you are going through.
Today, He still is willing!

Matthew 8:3
“Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Did you know that the Bible says that before you were born, God planned a life for you that was Good, Perfect and Pleasing?
It’s true! And God is willing to help you live a plentiful, purposeful, and peaceful life.
But before we receive that life, we have to agree to do whatever it takes to grab hold of it, and it’s available by God’s strength alone! Wanna know more?

Here are 5 steps to walking in the fullness of life as taught in
Colossians 5:13-26
1) Disassociate from your old self!
Make a clean break from the old life patterns like sexual immorality, impurity, anger, greed, and other evil desires. If you make this conscious choice, God promises to help free you from your past!

2) Spend time learning and discovering God’s character!
Read your Bible daily and ask for God’s wisdom. God promises that if you believe what you ask for, you’ll receive it and that if you seek Him with all your heart, you’ll find Him! God wants to reveal Himself to you!

3) Put everything you learn into practice!
James 1:22
tells us not to deceive ourselves by only hearing the Word. We must do the Word. God expects us to put into practice what we learn! God predestined you to be conformed to His image. God is always ready to meet your will with His power!

4) Make an allowance for others’ faults.
It is easiest to forgive others when we remember how much God has forgiven us! We all fall short, and we can learn to be more loving, kind, and patient while others are also becoming more like Christ, too!

5) Let God’s peace rule in your heart!
Never is there a time in the Bible where God commands us to worry! God wants our trust. Over 365 times God commands us to turn worried into trust by allowing God’s peace to guard our hearts!

John 10:10
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

It’s ridiculous to think that your suffering is always because you did something wrong, and now God is getting you back. Let me say it again . . . ridiculous!!

Job was considered the most righteous man of his time and yet he suffered. We are hard-pressed to find a more righteous mature Christian man – or a person who suffered as much as he did. Not only that, but amidst that suffering, Job’s friends tried to convince him that he must have done something wrong! What help, right?! But in the end, God vindicated Job, and He dealt with those who gave this honorable Christian that bad advice. Why? Because He knew how foolish their claims were when they were convincing a righteous man that he was wayward.
What was the truth? Job didn’t do anything wrong and yet he still suffered.

Here’s the lesson of the day:
Suffering and pain visit everybody. We all have to get through challenges. But here’s the comfort: You can know today that if you are going through a difficult time, everyone else is too! Maybe not today, but at some point, they also will go through fiery trials . . . it’s a part of life.

Here’s what I want you to know: while you’re traveling through these dark and scary places, you are sheltered by the love and care of God. He cares about you and your situation. You can trust that He’s got your best interest at heart, and He will help you through it as long as you continue to trust Him.

Matthew 5:45
“For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.