Anytime you allow a person, a position, or a product to become an idol, it will leave you with some consequences you might not have expected. Today we learn from Pastor Ed that idols will dominate, disappoint and deform you. In other words, you can be transformed into the image of God, if He's Who you worship, or you'll deform into the idol, threatening to consume your heart and mind. Listen in to learn that you can't distort the image of God, without it making a negative impact on the life you live.

As we examine the second commandment presented in our text, Pastor Ed explains what's really going on when Believers create idols. He says it's an attempt on our part to limit and control The Creator. We want to define and describe Him. We want to make Him into something we can carry along with us and take out at our own convenience, or hide from our guilty conscience. Listen in to learn that any representation of God, other than through His revelation and power, is in fact a sinful misrepresentation.

God commands every Believer to have faith in Him when He says, thou shalt have no other gods before Me. It's not something you'd think was a problem, if you're actively going to church and are for the most part, a good Christian. Well today Pastor Ed reminds us that as followers of Christ, our faith is expressed by the confidence we have in God. And as you consider this, who or what is your life saying you trust? When you truthfully answer that question, you'll find out who your god really is.

Is there something taking the place of God in your life? Something you're worshiping by giving your attention, devotion, or time to? Today Pastor Ed strongly warns us, only God is worthy of our worship, but in our nation, we're pushing Him out, writing Him off and doing things our own way. We allow all of this and then wonder, why our world is such a mess. Whatever you fill in the blank with, is violating God's first commandment. Friends, nothing should come before God... nothing!

The valleys we encounter in our lives are difficult, and can sometimes seem completely pointless. In today’s message, however, we are reminded that God is there, not just guiding us, but also refining us. Pastor Ed likens it to a shepherd guiding his sheep with a rod, not to needlessly inflict pain, but to remind us of the direction we are heading, and to remind us that He is in control. He loves us enough to speak to us, to support us, and to train us, so that we can be all He has created us to be!

Today, Pastor Ed revisits Psalm 23 – one of the most well-known chapters of the Bible. Today’s theme, however, is on the low parts of spiritual life: the valleys. There will be times in everyone’s life where we reach a personal low, a place where we feel abandoned, unloved, and truly hopeless. Sorry to depress you…Pastor Ed gives some encouragement though – God, our Shepherd, is right there with us, and is trying to guide us out of there. We will need to do some work, but He will support us, every step of the way!

Total surrender to God means just those things that Pastor Ed mentioned: every thought, every word, every action – they all belong to God and are to be glorifying of Him! That sounds great in theory, but in practice? Difficult, isn’t it. Pastor Ed reminds us in today’s message, however, that we don’t have to strive for this alone! We can request help, from God Himself! And the best part is, when we fail – which, let’s face it, is inevitable – we just confess it to God, and we’re forgiven! That makes living for Him so much easier!

What drives your walk with God? Do you have a desire, a thirst and hunger for God’s Word for you? That is what Pastor Ed asks us in today’s message, and he encourages us to examine our own spiritual lives. What happens inside, deep in our hearts, when we hear a song glorifying God? When we read a passage of scripture? When we see the beauty of God’s creation, in nature, or in another person? If we find we are lacking in desire to worship our Creator, it might be time for a change of focus!

Well, how does that make you feel? You can never surprise God. He knows you inside out, upside down, and everything in between, better than even you know yourself! He knows how you will react to every situation, and really, He tailors His guidance of you just to YOU. Not to your friends, family, anyone else. Pastor Ed’s message today on the 23rd Psalm is a great reminder that we are not in control, but that’s ok – the One who is has our very best interests in mind, and will never leave us stranded!

Have you ever wondered why God keeps trying to help you? Every mistake you make, every sin that you commit, God continues to come back! There are so many people in the world, why does He take such an individualistic approach? Pastor Ed today has the answer to that: as we have committed our lives to God, He also has made a commitment to us – to keep showing up, no matter what, and to keep forgiving us, no matter how terribly we mess up! His love is certainly greater than we can fathom!