Monday Morning Reflections
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January 2012
During the SS hour on January 15, the congregation had the opportunity to ask questions of the Associate Pastor candidate, Cliff Gehret. One the questions that was asked was, “Where is the evidence in your life that you love Jesus?’ How might you answer such a question? Would you identify your personal devotional life as evidence of your love for Jesus? Would you enumerate your many service experiences as evidence of this love? Would you tell how much you have given monetarily to the cause of the kingdom of God? Would you explain that you try to keep the commandments as evidence of your love? What would your explanation of your love for Jesus be? You could appeal to the words of Jesus found in Mark 8:34-35. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
What is the evidence in your life that you love Jesus?
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November 14, 2011
I have been to the “mountain top.” Throughout our Christian lives God provides numerous “mountain top” experiences. They might be when we first meet the Lord. They might be during a special conference or concert. They might be at a wedding or a birth or a graduation. In any case, they are times when God seems especially present. I just returned from Moscow, Russia. During the past week I got to rub shoulders with some very hospitable Korean saints and some vibrant young Russian students. I also got to preach at End Times Church in New Moscow (about three hours south of Moscow). God is truly at work blessing these folks. Could it be that we in America could learn from the excitement and commitment of believers in a land that was once the bastion of atheism? Please join me in prayer for the church in Russia and in Korea. (By the way, I carried your greetings to these many folks. I also was able to bring a gift of $1500 from Indian Valley.)
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by Doug Floro, November 7, 2011
We took some time yesterday observing the scene of heavenly worship in Revelation chapter seven. Our corporate worship at Indian Valley is special, imperfect but also familiar. Things eternal such as worship in heaven often seem so distant and foreign. Our worship here and now are temporary yet appear to be so real. The apostle Paul reminds us in II Corinthians to”… fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
As you walk with God this week, I pray you are able to focus on the eternal even as God continues to change you into the image of His only Son Jesus Christ. Change is often times uncomfortable, but our Heavenly Father knows best. Remember through the peaks and valleys to travel “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
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November 1, 2011
How much will a follower of Jesus have to suffer for the cause of the Kingdom? I believe that we are in the last days. It is important to realize that the last days have been going on since the time of Jesus’ ascension. The difficulty is that God does not need to wear a watch because He is charge of time. I do believe that as the end gets closer the intensity of tribulation and trouble will increase. If this is all true, how then should we live? Peter tells us to live in a self-controlled and sober manner so that you can pray. How is your prayer life going? Peter also tells us to love deeply because this kind of love covers a multitude of sin. How deeply do you love others? Peter also says that we are to serve and speak up on behalf of Jesus and the Kingdom. How well are you serving and speaking? My friend, keep looking to Jesus as the end comes nearer. Do so not simply to escape hardship but to invite others to the most meaningful and complete and forever life possible.
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October 10, 2011
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to received messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?
This is something to make you go... "Hmmm, where is my Bible?"
Oh, and one more thing: unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think "Where are my priorities?" And, no dropped calls!
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October 4, 2011
On Sunday, we spoke about Hell. In the midst of this message, I shared that I didn’t think that God talks about Hell in the Bible to scare people. Instead, I believe that God’s intention is that we would be so overwhelmed by God’s mercy and grace that we would not want anyone separated from God for eternity and would share Jesus with everyone that we meet. With whom will you share the good news of Jesus this week?
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Prayer thoughts from Pastor Woody (September 2011)
- I am praying that when someone misses worship and other IV activities that they will be uneasy and restless.
- I am praying that my messages will be energized by the Holy Spirit in my preparation and presentation and in the hearing of the faith family.
- I am praying that we will truly miss one another when we are not present.
- I am praying that we will use technology for God’s purposes.
- I am praying that we will use God’s gifts in the places (and roles) where the Holy Spirit directs.
- I am praying that our enthusiasm for spiritual things will be controlled by the Holy Spirit and will be visible in our community. In other words, our enthusiasm for God will be contagious for our community beyond these walls.
- I am praying that we will be willing to take any risk for Jesus.
- I am praying that we will make ourselves accountable before God.
- I am praying that people would experience the healing of emotions, thinking, and body.
- I am praying that marriages will be renewed.
- I am praying that forgiveness will rule in our hearts and within our fellowship.
- I am praying that families would be revived: that parents who do not know Jesus would turn their hearts to Him; that children without Jesus would turn their hearts to Him; that those who have wondered away from faith will turn back to Jesus; and that hose who are living their faith half-way would commit themselves wholeheartedly to Jesus.
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Dear Faith family friends,
This audio message was given on Sunday, September 18 by Pastor Woody. Thank you for sharing in prayer for us even though you were not able to be present. Please continue to pray with us as God unfolds His plans for us. We pray that you would continue in your faithfulness to Jesus as you serve Him. We pray that you too would be desperate for Jesus and dependent upon the Holy Spirit for all that you think, feel, say, and do. (click here if you would rather view the text of the message as a PDF file)
In the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Pastor Woody