New Life Community Church, Atwater, CA

“What Should I Do? 1 Peter 1:1-2, Micah 6:8

We are sailing on uncharted waters. From the pandemic and shutdown, to the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests across the nation, we continue to be confronted with the question of “how am I to respond?” As we open the letter of 1st Peter today, we’ll see that this is a timeless question. Peter addresses believers of every generation to start at the point of identity, for if we remember who we are, we will know what to do. 

“Rejoicing in the Face of Uncertainty” 1 Peter 1:8 , Psalm 13:5-6

We are sailing on uncharted waters. With so much uncertainty, it is easy to be overwhelmed and dismayed by the fears of the unknown. Today we’ll open the letter of 1st Peter, a letter written to the (1st century) church facing difficulty and insecurity. The encouragement from Peter is to find joy in what is certain in the face of uncertainty that surrounds us. 

“The Seen & Unseen” 2 Kings 6:8-23

Walking through times of crisis, it is easy to be overwhelmed and dismayed by the challenges we face. Today in the story of Elisha we see an example of one who could see not just the threat surrounding him, but also God’s help at work. How we recognize the “unseen” hand of God in the midst of our predicament builds our faith and guides us through the crisis. 

“A Time to Pivot” Psalm 42

In every crisis, there are stages that must be walked through. As difficult as the path may be, we are reminded that God walks with us, even guiding our uncertain steps along the way. First we panic, next we pause, then the awkward time of being perplexed which ultimately leads to the pivot. The Psalmist records the pattern for us of moving from times of distress and uncertainty, with God’s help, into a new balance of faith (the path of peace).

Motherhood is not for Sissies Genesis 16

Being a Mom is a tough job. It holds in tension a weird mix that makes both statements “more wonderful than you could ever dream” and “harder than you could ever imagine” true.

Today we look at the biblical story of a young mother named Hagar, who feels neglected, unappreciated, taken advantage of, and fed up with the new challenges she faces. She comes to the end of her rope, and there she finds a resource she hadn’t counted on – God Himself. 

Getting Through, and Growing Through the Valley” #3 The Valley of Failure The Valley of Failure

Pandemic and quarantine, we are walking through a dark valley. While the shut down has caused us to slow down and made our hectic lives a little quieter, yet even in the quiet, we can hear those inner voices of condemnation. Haunted by our past, the wounds we’ve received and mistakes we’ve made, we wonder can we move beyond this valley and be right and whole again. Where is God is such valleys? What does He offer to get us through and grow us through the valley of failure? 

“Getting Through, and Growing Through the Valley” #2 Philippians 2:3-8

Pandemic and quarantine, we are walking through a dark valley. Truthfully, it’s not just the outside world pressing on us which leads to such valleys, but also it involves our internal struggles as well. When I get irritated because “things aren’t going my way” is it more about how “things” are going or more about “not my way”? Life is always filled with peaks and valleys, and while we don’t care for the valleys, God’s does His best work there. The good news is His plan is not to leave us stuck in such valleys but to offer help in getting through (and growing through) to the other side.

“Getting Through, and Growing Through the Valley” #1 Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4, Psalm 23:4

Pandemic, quarantine, we are walking through a dark valley. We watch for the latest news, heed the latest order, and wait on the latest projection. We become anxious, we get irritable, and we feel out of control. Life is always filled with peaks and valleys, and while we don’t care for the valleys, God’s does His best work there. The good news is His plan is not to leave us stuck in such valleys but to offer help in getting through (and growing through) to the other side.

Houston, We have a Problem! Mark 16:1-7

We have a problem, God has and answer! We all have sinned, God has an answer! We will suffer pain, God has an answer! One day we will die, God has an answer! We need not be defeated, for on Easter, Christ was raised! Easter is now our answer, our hope and our reason to LIVE.

“This Jesus” (Where is He At?) Matthew 21

“This Jesus” (Where is He At?)
Matthew 21

In times of uncertainty, Jesus knew where He was at. Today we are reminded through the story of the Triumphal Entry that our focus should be more on Him(!) as well as on being thankful for all He has done for us in order to live by faith and not by fear.