In Spirit & Truth

When we are in the midst of a trial, we beg for God to deliver us from it. We think we know what’s best for us, and question God’s plan and what we are experiencing. However, Pastor JD uses the illustration of the potter and the goldsmith to remind us, that while we may not like our current situation, God ultimately knows what we need and what is best for us.

In the last edition of In Spirit and Truth Pastor JD began talking about the concerning direction that our government is now taking regarding the nation of Israel. While Israel is being supported now more than ever...a two state solution is not something that the Bible supports. What does this mean for Bible prophecy? Tune in to find out.

For many in the Body of Christ, the election of Donald Trump and Mike Pence has proven to be a blessing in many ways. Sadly though, this administration seems to be taking a direction that cannot be supported in Scripture. Today Pastor JD will discuss the ramifications of the so called “2 state solution” that is being proposed by our president.

As Pastor JD discusses trials we face and the purposes for them, he compares our experience to that of gold going through the refining process. And just as gold must have its impurities removed before the goldsmith is finished with the process, so do our impurities need to be removed, and the image of God seen in us, before we are delivered from the trial.

We all have different spiritual gifts. Each one of them as important as the next in God’s eyes. As Pastor JD describes in his message, when God blesses us with a spiritual gift, He also supplies us with the ability to successfully live into it. The knowledge of this truth should allow us to confidently walk in our gifting…knowing it isn’t us doing the work or supplying the means, but God.

While good deeds don’t earn salvation, they are important to our Heavenly Father. As Pastor JD discusses, we are to encourage others to love, goodness, and generosity by our own actions. We don’t do these things for our own benefit, but for God’s Kingdom. Let the work of our hands and feet bring glory to God!

God hasn’t directed us to store up our treasures here on earth. So, why do we? Pastor JD explains that when struggle with greed, we hoard instead of giving as God directs us. We want more…not less. In turn, God withholds additional blessings upon us. For as the Bible says, “to whom much is given, much is required.” Don’t stunt God’s blessings in our lives by failing to give as He commands.

Thankfully our government came to its senses and things are up and running again. While we know that immigration was the central part of the disagreement...there's so much more that's happening behind the scenes. Pastor JD will also talk about the ramifications of the recent missile strike scare in Hawaii.

It’s easy to look at others, imagine what they are able to give, and compare that to our own giving. To feel as though maybe our giving isn’t as important to God’s Kingdom. However, Pastor JD teaches us that God looks beyond the amount we give and directly into our hearts…our attitudes towards and willingness to give. We are to value God more than we value our possessions.

Though the false threat of a nuclear bomb being dropped on Hawaii has seemingly passed...should we stop being worried? Today Pastor JD encourages us to certainly NOT worry...but, to be wise. We are on the brink of catastrophe in our country. Now, how that will play out, we truly don't know. We can be thankful that God is in control of all things.

We often think if we didn’t get what we asked for, that God didn’t answer our prayer. But, as Pastor JD points out, this isn’t true. God will always answer our prayer…just in His time and His way. And when we don’t get what we prayed for, it’s because God has something else in store…something perfectly aligned to His will for us.

The ultimate gift of love was given to us through the sacrifice of God’s one and only Son, Jesus. What a great example for us. Giving is an act of love; and as Pastor JD explains, it is in direct proportion to the sincerity of our love for others. Giving can be expressed in different forms, so we shouldn’t wait until we have an abundance to experience the joy of blessing others through the gift of giving!

Giving doesn’t come naturally to us. Giving is a spiritual gift…a spiritual exercise. Pastor JD reminds us of this in today’s message. He touches on the fact that while God doesn’t need us to give, WE need to give. And when our giving is done cheerfully and obediently, it is pleasing to God. Giving shouldn’t be a “got to.” It should be a “get to.” Giving is a privilege!

Most of us have, at least once, been hesitant to give our tithe. We’ve struggled with giving that portion of our earnings to God, while worrying about making ends meet. But Pastor JD shifts the thought of having to give, to one of being able to keep. God allows us to keep the majority of our blessings from Him. He doesn’t need our money…He just wants our hearts.

Pastor JD continues talking about the recent false alarm in Hawaii. You can imagine how much this shook the entire culture in Hawaii...bringing the reality of a nuclear bomb attack to the forefront of everyone's mind. Pastor JD believes that this is something that LORD has used and will continue to use. Let's be people who seize every opportunity to share Jesus with others.

The nuclear scare in Hawaii has taken center stage in the media. Friends the nuclear threat from countries like North Korea and Iran is very real. We need to get our heads out of the sand and begin seeing the world as it really is...on the precipice of change. The wonderful hope that we have is that Jesus will be returning for His bride.

Today’s society has become numb to many things not acceptable to God. In turn, the Church body has begun to tolerate evil. As Pastor JD points out, the Bible tells us that to fear God is to hate evil. We must not look to society to tell us what is right and wrong. We must turn to God’s Word to direct our choices, so that we can be a guiding light to those around us.

We’ve all had to say we’re sorry for something. As Pastor JD explains, were we sorry because we got caught or were we truly sorry for what we did? We experience Godly sorrow to bring about repentance and change. It serves a purpose in God’s kingdom. Don’t be fooled by the sorrow of this world, which brings no change…make it count for something!

Worry can be consuming. There are so many unknowns in our life, and we often like to try to control them by worrying. Pastor JD encourages us to pray about everything and give thanks for anything. In doing this, we will worry less and experience greater peace in our lives. When worry creeps in…take time to talk to God!

Thankfully our government came to its senses and things are up and running again. While we know that immigration was the central part of the disagreement...there's so much more that's happening behind the scenes. Pastor JD will also talk about the ramifications of the recent missile strike scare in Hawaii.

Though the false threat of a nuclear bomb being dropped on Hawaii has seemingly passed...should we stop being worried? Today Pastor JD encourages us to certainly NOT worry...but, to be wise. We are on the brink of catastrophe in our country. Now, how that will play out, we truly don't know. We can be thankful that God is in control of all things.

Satan is sneaky and sometimes uses us to accomplish his will. We may even think we are helping the situation or doing the right thing, when we are actually going against God. In his message, Pastor JD encourages us to be honest, open, and teachable. When we have been fooled by Satan, we must allow our brothers and sisters in Christ to open our eyes to it.

The thought of self-love cannibalizing and emptying us is frightening! Pastor JD emphasizes that self-love leads to love of this world; and in turn, love of the fleshly desires. All of these hinder our pursuit of godliness, and our ability to love others and love God. We need to fill ourselves with the things of God, so that there is less room for self and the things of this world!

We get in the way of ourselves ALL THE TIME. In his message, Pastor JD explores various obstacles to godliness. One of those being our love of self. When we love ourselves to a high degree, we are easily offended and hurt. However, dying to self allows us to love others as God wants us to…and allows others to lovingly help us grow in our walk with Christ.

Living for God isn’t always an easy task. We face so many pressures to conform to the world, and when we don’t, we face potential judgment and loss of people in our lives. Pastor JD shows us, through the life of Paul, that we must choose to live for the world or live for Christ. We can’t do both. And while it won’t always be easy to choose Christ, it will be worth it!