Faith

Things that are Seen

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

If when Paul tells us that he chooses to live by focusing on things he cannot see it seems mysterious remember the prayer which Jesus taught us.

Our Father – the invisible God

Who is in heaven – an unseen place

May Your name be Holy- an unknowable purity

Your kingdom come – a government we don’t see yet

Your will be done – while all the world rejects its invisible laws

Give us this day our daily bread- His unforseen miraculous provision

Forgive us our trespasses- an unexpected mercy

Lead us not – a loving guidance

Deliver us from evil- an astonishing rescue

For Yours is the kingdom power and glory – just 3 of the limitless riches of our Father

Forever Amen- an unimaginable eternity!

Almost everything He taught us to pray for is invisible. The only two things we can see are our daily bread and our sin. How wonderful a Gift He has given when He became the living bread so He could take away our sins!

Sitting Next to Dad

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Growing up in a home without my father was sometimes confusing and lonely. Two stepfathers came and went but neither knew my heart or were able to help me feel like I really belonged anywhere.

Then when I was 15 years old I met my real father. He didn’t know me either but he committed to do whatever it took to build a relationship.

Those first years were pretty rough between us but Dad stayed with it through my years of drug abuse, misunderstandings and lots of bad decisions on my part. How blessed I was that my Dad stuck it out!

As I grew older I learned that I could talk with my Dad about anything. I could ask for his advice or help at any hour. As Dad’s neared the end of his life, our every meeting became more meaningful; each word more valuable and each kiss more precious. Sure Dad had his own weaknesses and failures but what he did most importantly was to show me that I could trust God always and for anything. Happy Father’s day Dad. Thanks for helping me to find the eternal unfailing father who we can both sit next to one day in heaven. See you there!

Back to the Valley

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Recently we returned from our trip to Pennsylvania back to Florida. One of my favorite parts of that drive was the view as we descended into North Carolina. It may have looked a lot the same as the disciples came down from the mount of transfiguration. The truth however is that at the bottom of such a beautiful view lie our real life problems.

Instead of a home coming celebration, the first thing waiting for Peter, James and John in the valley was an embarrassing failure of faith. One father who had brought his son to the other disciples for help found out that Jesus’ followers were powerless his child. The harsh facts of suffering appeared to be greater than the prayers of God’s people.

But when Jesus came things changed. Jesus didn’t need a special meeting or even time to think up a solution. He simply said, “Bring him to Me.” When Jesus comes things change. Impossible problems find their answers.

Then Jesus answered … Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Matthew 17:17‭-‬18 NKJV

No matter what we are face to face with in life we can know that Jesus is also coming down into the valley for us. Unbearable circumstances will find release. Our hopeless hearts will receive help. And at the bottom of the valley of our struggles lie God’s answers to every one of our prayers!