Insights

While we won't have all the answers until we get to Heaven, Pastors play an important role for followers of Christ.  They are to lead and guide the people of God. A pastor is also responsible for preaching the word of God and teaching the Bible.   That is why I'm using this page to share various sermons, articles, devotionals and blogs that I find compelling. Maybe something in them will speak directly to you and what you may be going through.

From the YouVersion Bible App

 There is so much sickness in this world. Our world is overrun with mental and physical agonies. People are filled with fear and worry over everything, which lead to stress. Stress is at an all-time high level. There are a lot of medical studies proving that stress shortens the life of human beings. The Bible has always been ahead of science; that is why we need to have a biblical perspective and build our lives accordingly. Since the human mind cannot distinguish reality from imagination, we should always fill our minds with good, positive, kind, and lovely thoughts. Our minds should be filled with the peace of God, which will bring healing into our bodies.

Why do you think that often in the Bible, after Jesus heals someone, He tells them to “go in peace”? Because that way they would stay healed. God’s peace is so important to us, and it can only come from thinking and thanking. These two words are really connected. If we think of good things, we begin to be thankful for them. If we think about bad things, we become unthankful. The more we think about God’s promises, and become thankful for all that He has done and all we have, the greater God’s peace within us will be. Peace in the Bible means safety, soundness, healing, deliverance, and freedom. 

When our thoughts are filled with stress, fear, worry, anxiousness, and tension, we remove the peace of God from our minds. We are overly familiar with worry and stress, yet many of the things that we worry about never happen. As our minds clutter with the toxicity of stress, worry, and fear, our bodies start to lose energy, our immune system lowers, and we are more susceptible to diseases.

To break the hold of stress, worry, and fear from our minds and lives, we must gently but forcibly bring healthier and stronger ideas into our minds. When faith, rather than fear, becomes our practice, we will master worry. We were designed by God, and we were made to live, not die. That hopeful picture makes us see ourselves strong. Play a hopeful picture in the theater of your mind. Fill yourself with the image of a positive future, like the woman with the issue of blood who hoped for healing. When she acted upon what she first imagined, Jesus told her that her faith had made her whole. 

Do not believe a bad report, do not lose hope, do not give up. Believe a good report. Read and write down scriptures that talk about faith each day. Absorb them, let them sink deep into your mind. 

You can be the person God wants you to be. You are God’s best.

From a Devotional I Read, 8/23/24 

You may feel at times like the darkness has a grip on you, but God’s grip is tighter! He is the rock at the bottom when the bottom falls out. 

Let Him be your refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).  And because He is your refuge and strength... because you are trusting Him with your future, and because of the truth and promise of eternal life in heaven through His son Jesus Christ—because of this, everything is going to be okay. 

LIfe might not always feel okay. But remember 1 John 4:4 (NIV): “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus), because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  

Our God is greater! And so, we can keep standing! 

I know that your life may not be going the way you thought it would. It may feel like this dark valley will never end. It may feel like the battle is raging with no relief in sight. Be assured, God is with you. He is at work even when you cannot see it. 

This dark valley will end. 

Do not be passive with the darkness in your life. God wants you to live free. Though you cannot see it now, as you push back the darkness, you are growing stronger than you ever were before. You are going to finish well! 

Let your light shine in the darkness. Your story and your testimony are needed to guide and comfort others. 

Remember, on hard days, our God is a consuming fire. His kingdom cannot be shaken! 

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” (Hebrews 12:28–29 niv). 

And so my final words for you come from 1 Corinthians 15:58 (niv): “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you.” 

Rise up. 

Stand firm. 

Let nothing move you. 

Finish well as you walk with the King.

From the YouVersion Bible App; Studying The Book of Joel:

 Grief can shake you to the core, making you feel like the ground is shifting beneath your feet. It is during these times that understanding God's Character becomes crucial. When you grasp that God is inherently Good, you can trust Him even amidst tragedy. As Joel 2:12-13 says, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness."

When you face unexpected trials, it's natural to ask, "Why would a Good God allow this?" Instead of getting stuck in the "why," shift your focus to "what." Ask God, "What are you trying to teach me through this?" This perspective allows you to see beyond the immediate pain and look for the deeper lessons and growth that God is cultivating in your life. It transforms your grief from a source of paralyzing pain into an opportunity for profound personal growth and deeper intimacy with God. By asking, "What, Lord, are you trying to say to me through this?" you open yourself to divine revelations and the possibility of being positioned to help others who might face similar trials.

Grieving is messy, difficult, and involves many sleepless nights. Yet, amidst the turmoil, you can find steady ground in the Character of God. He is your Anchor, holding you firm through the storm. While you may not have all the answers, trusting in God's Goodness can bring you peace and stability. In the throes of grief, the temptation is strong to focus on the chaos and despair. But by centering your thoughts on God's Unwavering Goodness, you create a foundation that can withstand the fiercest storms. Imagine this trust as the rebar within the concrete, a hidden but crucial strength that enables you to endure the pressures and stresses that come your way.

Your current crisis, no matter how overwhelming, can unlock rich spiritual understanding. Keep your eyes open for what God is doing in and around you. Document the lessons and insights He provides, as these will become invaluable in your future journey and in supporting others through their own trials. Each revelation and insight God grants you in your suffering is a Treasure, equipping you to comfort and guide others through their own hardships. This shared wisdom strengthens the entire Body of Christ, fostering a community of support and encouragement rooted in God's Faithfulness.

Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Trusting in God's Goodness and turning your heart back to Him will steady you. Even in the darkest times, God's Light can shine through, guiding you, comforting you, and reminding you that, ultimately, it's going to be alright. Let your faith be the anchor that holds you steady, and let God's Love be the Light that leads you through the darkness. 

This is Pastor Greg Laurie's Daily Devotional dated 12/25/23:

"The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"   Luke 2:11 

On the first Christmas, the angel announced to the shepherds, “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11 NLT). We can have joy this Christmas because we have a Savior. We have a Messiah. And we have a Lord.

We have a Savior. Jesus came to save us from the power and penalty of sin. Whatever we’re going through in life, we must remember that we have a Savior. He has taken our sin and has put it away from us, “as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12 NLT).

We have a Messiah. “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word that means “anointed one”; “Christ” comes from the Greek word that also means “anointed one.” Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to the Jewish people to send His Son as the Messiah. It’s a reminder that God keeps His promises. We have a Savior who has forgiven our sins. And we have a Messiah who keeps His promises.

We have a Lord. We have Someone to tell us which way to go in life, Someone who will direct us in the path that we should take, Someone who will protect us as we go on that way, and Someone who will welcome us into Heaven when we have finished our course on Earth.

Joy was present on that first Christmas. Yet we might think, “I’ll be happy later, when my next paycheck comes” or “I’ll be happy after I see what I get for Christmas” or “I’ll be happy when I finally get through this difficulty.”

We all have problems in life. The apostle Paul, for example, wanted to go to Rome to preach the gospel. Instead, he ended up there as a prisoner. Yet in the midst of those bleak circumstances, he wrote, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT).

He was saying, “I have a message for you: Lighten up. Rejoice in the Lord always! If anyone has a reason to be depressed, it’s me. But I’m not depressed. And you don’t have to be either.”

C.S. Lewis said, “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. . . . God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.” [1]

If you’re looking to this world to make you happy, you never will be. If you’re looking to Christmas to make you happy, you never will be. You need to know Christ. That is the answer.

The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem and lived a perfect life voluntarily went to a cross and died for the sins of the world. Then He rose from the dead. That is the gift that God offers us. It’s the gift of eternal life.

We have a Savior. We have a Messiah. And we have a Lord. That is all we need to have a joyful Christmas.

[1] Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. William Collins, 2012.

This is from YouVersion / The Bible App and so important to remember when you're facing struggles.  Dated 9/12/23:

No matter what you’re facing, know this: God has a purpose for your life, even when you don’t see it.

In Ecclesiastes 3, the author tells us there is a season for everything—dancing, grieving, and laughing.  This passage describes the beauty of life but also the hardships that come with it. It shows us that even during difficult times, we can trust that God is working.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time … yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

God works outside of our ideal timeline to create something greater than we could ever imagine.

Scripture tells us that our experiences—good or bad—are in God’s hands, and His timing is perfect.

It may not feel that way right now, but God is moving in your life whether you can see it yet or not.

Today, reflect on Ecclesiastes 3, and ask God to help you trust Him and His timing.

The message in the following devotional is one that reminded me how connected I felt to Job while I was in the deepest part of the valley over the past 4 years. It kept me strong, courageous and hopeful, knowing that God would keep His promise -- that His word never returns void. This is Pastor Greg Laurie's Daily Devotional dated August 14, 2023:

“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. ”  James 5:11

Job’s very name is a point of reference for the worst suffering imaginable. Job was living a great life. He had a beautiful family and was very wealthy and successful. But one day, seemingly out of nowhere, a series of calamities befell this man.

We know from reading the Old Testament book of Job that a conversation took place in Heaven between God and the angels. Satan, who is a fallen angel, also was there. God had been bragging on Job saying, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” (Job 1:8 NLT).

Satan essentially said, “Give me a break! Just let me have a little time with Job. Then we’ll see what he’s really made of.

”So, God allowed the devil to bring a series of difficulties into Job’s life. And on that tragic day when he lost all his children and possessions, here’s what Job said: “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” (verse 21 NLT).

The Bible goes on to say that “Job did not sin by blaming God” (verse 22 NLT). That is real faith.

It has been said that character is not made in crisis; it is only revealed. Some people give up on God when hardship, even tragedy, comes into their lives. When something bad happens, they say, “I lost my faith.”

However, a faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. Don’t put your faith in a person. Don’t put your faith in a church. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. He is the One who will sustain you through times of difficulty.As believers, the return of Christ is one of the most eagerly anticipated events we look forward to. It is when Jesus will return to earth and take his rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is when all things will be made new, and the world will finally be free from sin and suffering.

This is Pastor Greg Laurie's Article dated August 2, 2023:  

As believers, the return of Christ is one of the most eagerly anticipated events we look forward to. It is when Jesus will return to earth and take his rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is when all things will be made new, and the world will finally be free from sin and suffering.

The Bible tells us that no one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return, but we can be sure it will happen. Jesus Himself told us to always be ready because He will come like a thief in the night. As Christians, we should live our lives with an attitude of readiness, knowing that at any moment, Jesus could return.

In the book of Revelation, we get a glimpse of what the return of Christ will be like. Heaven will be opened, and Jesus will come riding a white horse, with all the saints following Him. He will be dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His eyes will be like blazing fire. He will come to judge the living and the dead, and His reward will be with Him.

But before the physical return of Christ to earth, the Bible speaks of an event called the Rapture. This is when believers who are still alive will be caught up together with those who have already died in Christ to meet the Lord in the air. This event is described as happening in the twinkling of an eye, and it will happen without warning. Those who are left behind will face the tribulation, a time of great turmoil and suffering on earth. 

As believers, we do not know when the Rapture will happen, but we should live our lives in a way that pleases God, always ready for that day. We should be praying for loved ones who do not know Jesus, that they too may be saved and be part of the great gathering of believers when Christ returns.

As we look forward to the return of Christ, we should be filled with hope and excitement. We know that Jesus will make all things new when He comes back. The brokenness and pain of this world will be gone, and we will live in perfect harmony with God and with each other. We will finally be able to experience the fullness of joy and peace that only comes from being in the presence of God.

In the meantime, we should be working diligently to share the love of Christ with others. We should be living our lives in a way that reflects the character of Jesus and sharing the gospel with those we meet. We have been given a great responsibility to be ambassadors for Christ, and we should take that responsibility seriously.

As we wait for the return of Christ, let us hold fast to our faith, knowing that our Savior will come back for us. Let us live our lives with an attitude of readiness, always looking forward to the day we will see Jesus face to face. And let us be diligent in sharing the love of Christ with others so that they, too, can experience the joy and peace that comes from knowing Him.

This is from Pastor Greg Laurie's Daily Devotional Email, July 24, 2023:  

 “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.” —1 Peter 1:6 

Often when we go through valleys in life, they’re not of our own making. But God allows them to bring changes in our lives. 

The apostle Paul, who hadn’t done anything that would bring God’s punishment, experienced what he described as a thorn in the flesh (see 2 Corinthians 12:7). In fact, this was a result of his seeing the glory of God. The Lord allowed this difficulty in his life to keep him humble. 

Then there was Joseph, who, through no fault of his own, went through tremendous hardships in his life. But God allowed them. 

Job is another example. It wasn’t because of his sinfulness that Job went through suffering. In reality, it was because of his righteousness. 

Sometimes we go through hardships not because we’ve brought them on ourselves. Instead, we go through them because God is doing a work in our lives.
And though trials and difficulties may last for a while, they don’t last forever.  

In 1 Peter 1:6 we read, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while” (1 Peter 1:6 NLT). 

When David wrote Psalm 23, he didn’t say, “Even when I crawl through the darkest valley” or “Even when I curl up and die in the darkest valley . . .” Rather, he said, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (verse 4 NLT, emphasis added). David was moving forward. 

You may not be experiencing any difficulties right now. But when that day comes, Psalm 23:4 will be more precious than ever. Suddenly it will ring true as it never has before in your life. He will be with you through the valley. You don’t have to be afraid.

The following sermon reminded me how important it was that I stayed faithful all through the trials I experienced. I won't say I wasn't scared... often terrified. But that's when I turned to God even more. I never turned bitter or self-pitying. And I can honestly say that everything I've been through has made me better in so many ways. The greatest gift through all of it is knowing that I am a child of the Most High God, and that will never change. These excerpts are from the sermon given July 23, 2023 by Pastor Skip Heitzig:  

Most times suffering is a consequence of living in a fallen world. But sometimes it is a direct consequence of sin - judgement from God. The result of persecution can be a direct attack of Satan, but don't try too hard to figure out which it is. WHY you're suffering isn't nearly as important as HOW you are suffering...

Pain moves people in different directions. Some become bitter, turning inward with self-pity, anger and resent God. Others become battered, weathering the storm, gritting their teeth and bearing it, or others become better.

Dark times enhance the presence of God. They are a pathway for God. God is more interested in your character than comfort. He is more interested in making you holy than making you happy. He is more interested in making you valuable to others. Because pain is part of the path that takes us directly into the will of God.

These excerpts are from a sermon given July 16, 2023 by Pastor Greg Laurie:  

A word of encouragement. How helpful that is. It's like a fresh drink of water on a hot summer day. There's so much discouragement out there... so many things that can bring you down. I think that one of the greatest needs that we have as people is we need to be encouraged. Our words can be a powerful force for good.

Proverbs 18:21 says "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 25:11 says "The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver." And I would add to that the wrong word at the wrong time can be devastating.

More people have died by words than any weapon that man has ever produced. One of the greatest use of our words is to proclaim the gospel.

You can hear Pastor Greg Laurie's entire sermon/podcast here:

https://harvest.org/resources/radio/talk-this-way-using-our-words-wisely/

Using our words wisely is SUCH an important message.  My father used to say "Think about what you say before you say it, then don't say it." And Pastor Greg has a great acronym to remind us how to use our words:

T - Is it TRUE?

H - Will it HELP?

I - Is it INSPIRING?

N - Is it NECESSARY?

K - Is it KIND?