Everyone loves a good story. Pastor Johnny says he remembers having to read the novel, “The Grapes of Wrath” when he was in high school, and he didn’t much enjoy the experience. Quoting Johnny, he says, “The reason I disliked the book was because it was just about some guy, at some farm. A nobody.”

Yet here, as we begin this story of Ruth, could it be that God is interested in writing stories about nobodies? What does that say about my story? Your story?

Although prophecy is mentioned as one of the gifts of the new testament church…modern day prophetical use must observe the same guidelines and responsibilites that ancient prophets did. A proper understanding of the responsibilites would make modern day people at the very least, pause before calling their words “prophetic”.

We are not going to deal with prophecy in the future sense today, but in the “soverign will of God” sense. God is above all, and he sometime selects men or women to reveal something important…his soverign will.

Decaying, declining, putrefying…rotting, getting worse…all words to describe something that just isn’t what it used to be.  An apple is delicious when it is ripe…but when it decays it is not acceptable for consumption.  A mouse may be a cute little animal…but if they lay down to die in your wall…the smell of putrefaction makes everyone know that something is wrong.  If you get in your faithful old car and your shoes hit the ground like Fred Flintstone because your floor is rusted out…something needs to change.

In Romans 1 Paul describes a historical cycle of decline that happens when humanity pushes God out of their society.

Let’s see if we recognize any part of the cycle.

But what about God? What does He do when we run off?

Pastor Johnny Diaz is bringing today’s message.

Scriptures: Luke 15:1-7 and Romans 3:10-11

Jacob was bringing his family back from the northeast exile where he had just escaped the hands of his father-in-law, Laben.

Angels of God Met Him On the Way

Jacob came back to the land that God promised him and on the way angelic host met him. “This is the camp of God!” was his exclamation. He named the place “Mahanaim” which meant “two camps”.

A wonderful vision that allowed Jacob to know that he was going the right direction… but it still didn’t relieve him of the fact that he was facing another problem in Esau his brother who had sworn to kill him after the death of his father Isaac.

It is called the “hardened heart”. Israel suffered with a hardened heart many times in their history. It’s effect was devastating. When they were blinded to truth by a hardened heart…their eternal destiny changed from what God wanted for them.

The message of Hebrews 4:1-13 is clear. That choice that is given is yours. It must be made before you face eternity. To ignore it would be disastrous. To harden your heart would lead to a horrible discovery in the end.

Open your heart to the word of God today. He can penetrate the biggest failure…the most devastating weakness. At this point, He is your only hope of peace and rest. Make your choice today.

Scriptures: Genesis 16:1-16 and Psalm 139:1-12

Recently, Pastor Johnny was counseling a student, and some men attempted to steal some parts from his truck. How does this happen? Does God see this? Does God know? Does God not care about him?

Scriptures: Mark 10:46-52, Isaiah 43:7

Interruption is the name of the game when it comes to God and humanity. If we choose to follow Jesus, then we choose to allow Him the right to interrupt out lives as He sees fit. Pastor Johnny says, “This is one of those times for me…for us.”

Pastor Steve O’Brien’s message is from Colossians 1:24-27.

Do you like a good mystery? Something that is right in front of you, but that evades your understanding until just the right time. And then it is delivered in such a way that everything comes together and makes sense.
The word of God has such a mystery, and it was delivered by Christ to his disciples. They delivered it to many in their time to bring together something that God intended.

The mystery uncovered is God’s will. It was delivered to us via the scriptures, but we must understand it to allow its fulfillment.