John Maxwell in his book Today Matters, writes, “We exaggerate yesterday. We overestimate tomorrow. But we vastly underestimate today!” Haven’t you found this to be true ? I know I have. Often times when we focus on yesterday we end up living in the past; past failures as well as past successes. When we are focused on tomorrow, we can be overcome with anxiety about the future. But if we are focused on today, redeeming the time God has given us to live each moment–each day, we are filled with hope. “This is the day- the Lord has made.–and–we will rejoice and be glad in it.” That is–we will live it to it’s fullest opportunities when we live in Him-walk in the Spirit, and claim the confidence of “I can do all thing through Christ Who gives me the strength.”

Today’s Proverbs reading in 21:21 admonishes us with this advise: “The sluggard’s cravings will be the death of him because his hands refuse to work.” This would include our jobs we go to every day, our work in our houses and homes, our work in our local church, our work in our relationships as we have been studying on Sunday mornings, our work on our personal relationship with Jesus (the most important), our work on our physical bodies, not being sluggardly but presenting them as His Temple. And the list goes on. It may sound like “work-work-work”! But in reality –these “work responsibilities” are most importantly opportunities to Honor and glorify our Lord. I Cor. 10:31- “Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do–do all to the glory of God.”. This is what makes life Sweet folks! Life surrendered to His glory in all things produces deep joy and satisfaction in this life and great rewards to come for eternity. So–today–go to work –don’t just do enough “to get by”. Advance–go Higher-Deeper-and Wider in whatever He gives you to do seizing Divine opportunities to be ALL HIS–and He will be glorified through you.

This morning I was reading about the serious problems the City of Jericho was experiencing in II Kings 2. Though this city was a beautiful and prosperous city, Their water source was contaminated causing death to the point where the land was seriously unproductive. Leaders in Jericho came to God’s Man- Elisha and asked for his help in delivering Jericho. Apparently news of Elisha’s great miracle working power from God was known all over the city. Elisha uses this opportunity to demonstrate how simple it is to receive miracles from God when needed. He ask for a “new bowl” with salt in it. He walks to the spring and throws the salt into the spring and at once declares the Lord’s words of deliverance: ” I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death or make the land unproductive.” —-Salt was used in Leviticus to symbolize God’s covenant faithfulness to His people and Salt was known as well during these times to have preservative qualities. The “new bowl” symbolizes purity. Demonstrated by God through Elisha , miracles come from the pure hand and heart of God. When we allow Him to work in our lives and in those situations that need His miraculous hand, He adds the salt of preservation to these situations–these needed miracles– and heals the water of our life. You may need a miracle today. We know America needs a miracle. Is this not the reason we as believers are called to be SALT and Light in this dark world ? Perhaps we as Christ Followers will be used to bring about revival,renewal, and healing in America, if we are willing to advance forward as agents of reconciliation and spread the SALT in whatever contaminated spring we come across and let God work a miracle. And–it works in whatever polluted area of your life that needs a miracle as well. First, verbalize and internalize your faith in God. Be a “clean bowl –a clean vessel” before Him, and spread the salt (walk in His Truth), and your waters will be healed in such a way that brings honor and glory to God.

In 3 weeks on Wednesday Nights beginning at 6:45, we will be presenting “THE AMERICAN HERITAGE” , an eye opening discovery of the forgotten and astonishing story of America’s foundation. We will hear via video from America’s foremost historian today, David Barton, the Truth about such matters as “The Faith of our Founding Fathers”, the “Church, State, and the Real 1st Amendment”, “Evidence of America’s Spiritual Heritage”, “The Assault on Judeo-Christan Values”, “The Civil Rights Movement”, “Faith in our Early Courts”, and much more! I am telling you early so you can now be inviting your associates at work, your friends at school, your family, your friends. No better time than the present with the tides of political change to learn this history that marks the true strength of our country.

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Adjust the sails–and “Be still and know that He is God.” —listen for His voice.

Working on Sunday’s message this morning. Read this quote and thought I would share it with you.
“I don’t believe in love at first sight; I believe in love at last sight. Each of my relationships has the potential to be better the next time were together than it was the previous time so that the last time we see each other on this earth we’re closer than before.” (by Kerri Shook)
This week I start a new series of messages called “LOVE WINS”. Think about your friendships, your relationships with your family members, your relationship with your wife or husband. Want to go to the next level ? It’s possible! Great worship already being planned for this Sunday.

I’ve been asked quite a bit lately if the Mormon religion is close to Christianity. In short, they are not to be identified or confused with the faith of Christ Followers. In fact, though not boldly stated in modern day, they have taught that the early church and Christians since this time were tools of Satan against the true Mormon church. Though they acknowledge a Jesus Christ and a God (who evolved from a Man they say), Mormonism in its written form by Joseph Smith, their founder, denies the Biblical truth of one God Who stands alone as the one true supreme power and God of the universe. In fact, the late Joseph Smith and his authorities of his church (Latter Day Saints-Mormons) , have taught extra-biblical error that all men can become Gods. They teach that God and Mary had sexual relations and conceived a son called Jesus, who was in fact brother to Satan. In their book of errors, they teach that Jesus had to earn his own salvation just like the other spirits of Heaven. As far as the Bible, the use the Bible to suit their own interpretations of their other “bible” put together by Joseph Smith in the 1800’s as it evolved together and was revised over and over by the various authorities of this new cult. Mormonism was established as the true church in 1830. Guess this means the Apostles and disciples in the early church of Acts were just pre-mature and the Mormon God was just a little late showing up ? Truth is–the early church developers by the Apostle’s authority, are known to the Mormon religion to be infidels and instruments of Satan. Mormonism denies the authority of Scripture alone. Simply stated, maintaining that Mormonism and Christianity teach the same thing is logically, historically, and doctrinally an indefensible position. The deception comes with biblical terms that are far different than the biblical context and meanings. This is where many are deceived, especially in the television commercials they use today. Beware of the wolves that even may be sincerely practicing this religion from being deceived themselves. But, make no mistake, error and truth do not mix, and the Mormon religion is no Biblical faith at all. And, make no mistake that America was founded on Judeo -Christian Faith of the Bible and the Bible alone. The danger? The Mormon faith has deceived thousands and thousands of professing Christians in America. Imagine if the leaders of our country increase in number as Mormons and the deception that will follow. This is a time to be grounded in the Holy-Divine Scriptures, and not a part of the deceptive philosophy that a man-made religion as Mormonism is ok to condone. And—furthermore, imagine salvation not by grace—but by works in order to determine which heaven you will live in. The teachings are so obviously “out of the Bible”, but have deceived millions. So glad HIS WORD IS FOREVER SETTLED IN HEAVEN.—Just some thoughts for you this week…pastor robbie

Which presidental candidate will bring full satisfaction & peace to the millions of people looking for hope and peace not just in America but around the world? Not sure about that question. But I do know the “Truth will set you free”. This morning I came across some Truth in Proverbs 13:4 which says, “The sluggard craves and gets nothing (even waiting for the right president I guess…), but the desires of the ‘diligent’ are fully satisfied. Fact is- as we who profess Christ are ‘diligent’ in communing with Him through His Word and prayer, Our desires connect with His supernatural filling which instills desires that will by His grace and power be fulfilled in our lives. As we serve Him diligently, our needs are met. When we are diligent in giving Him tithes and offerings of all our treasures (time, talents, finances), He is faithful to His Word to release His storehouse of blessing and favor. So today, if you find yourself outside the reality of peace and satisfaction, be careful about blaming a president or putting all your hopes on the next one. Run back to the safe and secure arms of our Redeemer who will rescue and restore you to His channel of blessing and prosperity as you walk in “diligence” –beginning today. I have seen it time and time again in people’s lives. They wonder what is wrong, and fail to see the fact and reality of living ‘diligent’ in the Lord and in the power of His provisions and favor. Take a step today and experience the reality of Proverbs 13:4.

I saw in the news yesterday where this young lady in Australia was jumping of a cliff over an Australian River. As she jumped, the rope snapped in two and she went plunging into the crocodile infested river below. Amazingly, despite her bruises and other injuries, she did survive and no crocodiles ate her for lunch. Maybe you feel like this lady at times. You feel you are plunging off a cliff and not sure the rope will hold you. Your chances are humanly speaking the rope could snap into. Well, Can I encourage you this morning with the promise from up top –the one who holds the rope of our lives as believers. In the Proverb of today (10th) we are given this promise from the on who holds our rope– “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” Whether it’s a storm, a rope , a breath away from death, whatever–God holds us! So today-this week, HOLD ON! KEEP THE FAITH! TRUST IN HIM! HE HAS YOU IN HIS GRIP!

I’ve been encouraged to be praying more “personal prayers” in my quiet time recently. David, a Man who had everything in life, expressed his own personal desire when he said, “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” Psalms 27:4 (ESV) David’s deepest longing and passion was not to just “get something” from God, but to “be with” God. Today, Saint of God- we have the opportunity to walk- to live in the Spirit or not. It’s up to me and you. It’s a matter of living in the natural, or the supernatural. Your opportunity for this very day—your choice! —robbie