Have you ever wondered why the Bible's view of the creation of everything is so different from the dominant theory of evolution?  Did you know that science and the Bible are compatible?    

At the start of the new year many folks set goals to get in shape before the summer, sometimes setting large, lofty goals that will be difficult to reach.  Often folks will look to the latest diet trends for inspiration.  Next thing you know, summer starts and the goals still haven't been reached.  Often we experience the same thing in our spiritual lives.  We sign on to read the Bible in a year and commit to pray multiple hours a day.  When we miss the goals we set, we're tempted to give up.  

Today Pastor Rich will discuss spiritual fitness.  There's no secret recipe to growing spiritually healthy - feast on His Word (read and study the Bible regularly) and live out what you learn.  

Psalm 119:97-104

Understanding the nature of what God's Word is, will help us to better understand what God's Word says.

Psalm 119:89-96

In the general stores of some small towns you might hear someone ask the cashier to "put it on my tab," or "put it on my father's tab."  In these situations, the store owners know the customer and trust's the value of their word.  In our passage today, this is the question that the author is asking.  What is the value of God's Word?  Can I trust Him to fulfill His Word, even when it seems like He's not going to.  When thinks are absolutely wrecked, will God take care of me?

Psalm 119:81-88

God is our creator, and His original design was good and perfect.  However, we can look around today and see that our lives and our world is no longer good perfect - instead there is chaos, disorder and rebellion - the result of sin.  We're born into sin, we choose sin, and sometimes sin happens to us.  Today, Pastor Rich will show us from Psalm 119:73-80 how to bring order in the midst of the chaos of our lives.

Psalm 119:73-80

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.  Each verse directly or indirectly talks about God's word (commands, statutes, ways, laws, etc...) and God's goodness to us through His word.  

Today we will see that some lessons in life can only learned through hardships.  The passage begins with a declaration of the goodness of God.  Our God is always good - even when times are bad.  In order to learn from a difficulty we must first rest in God's goodness, believing and trusting that God treats His servants well.

Psalm 119:65-72

When we reflect on how folks spend their money we find 2 extremes - the "Dollar Store Junkie" who spends every dollar he can find, and the "Dumpster Diving Millionaire" who tries his best to not spend anything.  Which end of this spectrum would you find yourself on?  

In Matthew 6:21 Jesus tells us that "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  How do you spend the resources, time and energy that God has given you?  Do you invest God's kingdom, striving to make an impact for eternity, or are you merely focused on this world?

1 Timothy 9:17-19, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Making Jesus the captain of your soul is a journey of becoming more like Him (called discipleship).  In our passage today, Pastor Rich will discuss the role prayer has in helping us be ready for Christ's return - being in a constant state of communion with God so we can be full of His joy as we point others to Him.

1 Thessalonians 5

Good news. Can't believe in Jesus unless you hear, can't hear unless someone tells you.  We have a calling to share with others.  

Bad news seems to be everywhere you turn.  When we receive some good news we can't wait to share it (new baby, new job, new relationship).

Today, Pastor Rich will remind us that we have good news that everyone needs to hear: the gospel of Christ.  Gospel means good news, specifically the good news that Jesus came, died and rose again, thus providing a way we can have a relationship with God.  The answer to our world's problems is Jesus, however folks can't believe in Jesus unless they first hear of Him - and they can't hear unless someone tells them about Him.  Will you share the good news with a hurting society?

2 Peter 3

Salt makes food taste good, and leaves you wanting more of it (think fries or potato chips).  In our discussion today Pastor Rich will show us that our service to Christ should be like salt in our world.  Just as salt changes the flavor of food, so our lives should bring change in our world, and cause folks to desire more of Jesus.

Matthew 5:13-16