Matthew 24:44 NLT

"You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least  expected."

This warning from God's Word is so true.     He is even at the door.

As children of God, we are awaiting His soon return.   The admonishment to  "BE READY" rings  so loud and clear to us today.

We often get weighted down with the cares of this world, but I encourage you today to rise above the mediocrity of everyday life.

Set your sights on our Eternal Home.  He is, I believe, standing at Heaven's portal asking the Father,  "Abba Father, is it time yet?  

Can I go and receive my children home?"   

Let us all be ready today, this may be the day.

Even so Lord Jesus Come.

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

I was a young pastor serving my first larger congregation. Vacation time finally arrived about the same time as the allergies. As usual, I started the trip in the driver's seat with Linda on my right and the children asleep in the back seat as we headed east. Since some of the interstate system was not yet complete we dropped down to a two lane blacktop after getting through the maze of St Louis. I thought I knew which road we needed to be on. I thought we were on it. But I discovered about two hours later that no matter how sincere one's intentions it is possible to be sincerely wrong. My first clue was when I saw the welcoming sign announcing we were entering a town we were not supposed to be anywhere near. In fact, my hours of poring over the atlas in the weeks prior to our departure let me know immediately...I am lost!

In my stubborn naïveté I might have continued forging ahead into the night getting farther and farther away from the correct pathway. But I was suddenly in possession of crucial information; I was headed the wrong way. And no matter how sincere and earnest my efforts, a change of direction was the only thing that would affect my destination. So...after admitting to a man's worst nightmare...being lost...I did the only smart thing, I turned the wheel over to Linda! Remember the allergies? Probably not my wisest choice, tanking up on allergy meds and trying to drive all night. Hey, nobody ever said pastors don't do unwise things sometimes! Well, I did stay awake long enough to help get Linda on the right road. And to this day, I have no clue how I wound up on the wrong road. After many more hours driving the right direction on the right road, we got to the right place where loved ones and friends were waiting. What a vacation!!

Life is a lot like that less-than-clever start to a badly needed family get away.  One may not realize he is headed the wrong way and he may never understand HOW he got on the wrong road. But God begins to reveal the sad truth, it is not Heaven that awaits at the end of this particular road.  The signs are as unmistakeable as the sign welcoming us to that city in Illinois that night. The traveler will get somewhere on the wrong road. But he absolutely cannot get to the right destination by traveling the wrong road! "There is no other name under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Ask Jesus now to save you. If you ask, He will forgive all the wrong you have done and get you onto the road that DOES lead to everlasting life.

I'll meet you at the altar of prayer...

Pastor Richard Orrell

Hope for you today!

Psalm 18: 1-3 NLT

^1 "I love you, Lord; you are my strength.  ² The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;  my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.   ³ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies."

Sometimes the cares of this world seem to overwhelm us, yes even Pastors feel the enemy's attacks.   Every child of God will face tribulations, but the scriptures tell us to "Be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world." 

As we face this New Year we have many changes facing our world.    ISIS, Affordable Care Act, changes in tax codes and many other dilemma's.

It would be easy for us to despair in times like these, but the constant thread that runs through Scripture is that we are NOT to fear.  We are to put our trust in Him, for HE will never fail us.

Last week Andre` Crouch went to be with the Lord.  He wrote Through It All, a powerful song that says "I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God."     Let that song become an earworm to us in these coming days.  Sing it over and over again.

Don't let the enemy sneak up on us with doubt and fear.  Jesus said, "Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world."   

Yes that means OUR world  today! God is our source, and our ever present help in trouble.

God's got your future my friend!  He is bigger than any problem that might come our way!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

Moving air is fascinating to think about. On a miserably hot August day, the stirring of a breeze can be so refreshing. But in early January with the actual outside temperature at a blistering 12 degrees, the accompanying 21 mph "breeze" is life-threatening without proper clothing. Wind can move ships or topple buildings. Eagles soar on the breast of the very wind wreaking havoc on the ground below. Often, the set of the sails determines how the wind will be characterized. Will it be thought of as a terrible foe bent on destruction? Or will memory recall the wind as an indispensable ally moving precious cargo to a desired destination?

How will your current winds of adversity function? Will they drive you into the ground? Or will they bear you up to soar as an eagle over some chasm beneath your feet? What appears to be an ill wind might actually be the breath of God sent to lift rather than crush.

A dear friend was approaching the end of his battle with cancer. In a testimony given at our church he spoke these incredible words, "I'm so thankful for God allowing me to have cancer. Before my diagnosis, I was far from God. As I have struggled against this disease I have found a closer walk with the Lord than I have ever enjoyed!"

The very wind that looked as though it would crush him lifted this dear brother to new heights of spiritual maturity. He turned into the wind, spread his wings and soared!

Without a doubt adversity will happen. How we respond will determine the outcome.

Be blessed of the Lord as you wait upon the Lord!

Lovingly,

Pastor Rich Orrell

A Fresh New Year

Psalm 122:1 NLT

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the House of The Lord."

This week we begin a New Year, with the opportunity for us to begin a victorious walk with our Lord daily.    Being in church this Sunday is a good first step, we should be here for each of our church services.

Secondly we need to read His Word, The Bible, daily and then let His Word shine through us to a lost world, as we're the only Bible many will ever see.  Let's be a mirror image of Him.

God's got 2015 in focus—let's see what He has in store for us and be willing to let Him guide our every step in this New Year.

He's got our future under control.  Expect great things from Him in 2015!

Love ya,  Pastor Phil