Ask, Seek, knock

MATTHEW 7:7-11

“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock. ⁹Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? ¹⁰Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? ¹¹As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

I have probably read or heard these verses a thousand times. And each time, I never really sat back and meditated on what the Word is saying. Last Sunday, Pastor Todd spoke on Gods favor and to me this scripture really speaks on how one can obtain his favor. I believe the key is seeking Him out. When we are in tune with what God has in store for us, we tend to have a peace about us and can understand when there are situations that we need to overcome. However, in order for us to understand what He has for our lives, we have to be in his word, in prayer, and trust that God will bless us more than we could ever imagine. I hear people say all the time how much this person has been blessed and how much this person has done for the advancement of the kingdom. Then, I always hear them say I wish I could be in their shoes. The reality is, that all we have to do is seek him out and continue to push through when things are a little rough. I have found in my life, through the good and the bad, the more I seek him out, the more I trust in Him, the less I stress and worry about the day to day struggles of life. God delights in giving good things to His children. It’s when we pray without ceasing, and ask for those things in our life that he will bless us. If we desire to receive, find, and have doors open for us, then we need to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking. We have a father in heaven who is not untouched by the pleas of his children. Just as I go running to my son Manny when he is hurt, so too will He come running to us.

Live out Loud. Love Like Jesus. Reach the Lost

God Bless,

Pastor Jesse

Vision

HABAKUK 2:1-3

²And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. ³This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.

VISION…. Where would I be without God’s vision. Where would I be if I did not trust and accept the plans that God has for me. I remember just about 6 months ago, when I was going through a phenomenal change in my life; God had put me on a brand new path. At the time, I was searching for purpose because I knew that God had something in store for my life; I knew that God had more for me than a life of going through the motions. He took a regular guy who loved the Lord, and put him in a place to teach his word. I remember sitting in my Coke van and God coming into me right where I was and filling me with His Vision for Imagine Student Ministries. He revealed to me a youth that was about Living out Loud, Loving LIKE JESUS, and Reaching the LOST. He showed me a youth room filled with his presence, and a youth that had a genuine LOVE for him. Now, as the months go by, I have to continue to go back to the VISION and re-read it and keep it engrained in me and the youth. I know that if I do not keep the vision God set in me for this youth, then I may go astray. The truth is that the enemy will figure out ways to throw you from the vision God has set out for your life. He will send giants to make you stumble. Your giants could come in the form of drugs, sexual perversion, TIME management, financial issues etc. However, if we continue to stay focused on the Vision and continue to trust in His plan, then we will be able to fight off these giants. For me, this passage is not only about presenting the vision to others and patience; it’s about trusting the plans that God has set for you. And ultimately, if we are patient and keep his vision in plain sight, then we will have peace about the plans that God has in store for us. You will have peace in the Vision that God has set for your Church, your home, your family and your life.

Live out Loud. Love like JESUS. Reach the Lost.

God Bless,

Pastor Jesse

The Good News

ROMANS 10:14-15

⁴But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? ¹⁵And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!

When I was in The Marine Corps we used to have all sorts of witty little sayings like “keep it simple stupid” and…. Well maybe I shouldn’t go there. However the one saying that I remember hearing was how would you know if no one ever told you. When I read this scripture that is what I get out of it. The truth is that it each and every one of us believers has been called to share the good news of Jesus Christ. When I think about my salvation I also think about my wife. At the time I knew of Jesus but I didn’t know him. She took a simple concept of showing Christ’s love and used it to impact my life. Because of her love for Christ I began to know Christ. As a result of her faithfulness to him I have the honor of teaching the word of God to our youth. When I look at these youth I see a generation of young Christians that are ready to rise up and spread the good news of Jesus Christ the way my wife did. I see teenagers that are hurting from broken homes, drug addictions and self esteem issues coming together and praising God despite their situations. I see a generation that is unashamed to speak the name of Jesus Christ. I see a generation that is a site to take your breath away because of their willingness to tell the good things of GOD. God has touched us, who are saved, so that we may touch the world.

Live Out Loud. Love Like Jesus. Reach The Lost

God Bless,

Pastor Jesse

We shall OVERCOME

John 16:33

“These things Christ says I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

So when I initially read that verse it made me happy. I became overjoyed. Because I know that since Christ had overcome the world. That I, while walking with him can overcome anything. The beauty of being freed from the chains that keep us bound is the testimony that we are able to share with others. The reality is that we can be of good cheer because HE overcame the world. The bible tells us in Psalms 66:16- Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. As over comer’s we should never be ashamed of our testimony. The touch that you received from God, that delivered you from your strongholds. Will ultimately be used to advance his kingdom. Lets walk with our heads held high and rejoice! Knowing that through him we can do all things!!

Live out Loud. Love like Jesus. Reach the Lost

God Bless,

Pastor Jesse