We throw the word “love” around very loosely, the same way nobody takes their marriage vows seriously; we think it’s all conditional because we are conditional people. But today, Pastor Eddie reminds us that love – at its core – isn’t conditional at all. We have a God who IS love; He loves us despite our flaws and our bad attitudes. He doesn’t love us only when we’re agreeable or obedient or patient with others, but always.

Do you believe that everything you need will be provided by God the Father if you ask? If so, then when he doesn't give you what you ask for, did you need it? Pastor Eddie shows us today that many times we are looking to God with a list of wants rather than actual needs. He says many times that it is for our own benefit that we DON'T get what we ask for, because of the detriment it may have on our walk with God.

Our society is pretty driven by “things” and all of the information that we are bombarded by pushes the feeling of contentment just out of our reach. So, we strive to get the next thing... and the next... AND THE NEXT! Pastor Eddie shares with us today that contentment isn't something that we can find by adding more to our lives, but that it's something that we can learn, even in the middle of our insatiably consumeristic world.

Do people around you know that you believe in Jesus because of how you live your life? Pastor Eddie tells us today that there should be something different about us if we are truly believing in, and following the Lord. If our co-workers, our neighbors, and those we rub shoulders with don't see a difference in our lives and find out that we are believers, what message are we communicating to them? Let Jesus work through you!

Pastor Eddie has shared that we are to give “Double Honor” to those in church leadership, but even though all of us have a calling to serve, not all of us should be the Pastor. We will hear today about the responsibilities and difficulties facing pastors, and how to appoint the right people for the job. We will also be reminded that the qualities required for a pastor to be a pastor, are also godly characteristics that should be evident in us too!

Throughout scripture, and probably throughout our everyday lives, we see that people tend to have poor perspectives when it comes to making judgments about others. We have a skewed understanding of what justice is and typically overlook our own sins in order to condemn the sins of others. Pastor Eddie shares some principles to live by when it comes to passing judgment on others, and how to deal with sin in the church.

Have you ever thought about what goes into being a Pastor? Have you ever labeled something “the Pastor's job” or thought that the Pastor shouldn't get paid because it's His “calling”? Well today, Pastor Eddie will challenge some of those thoughts as he looks at Paul's instructions to Timothy, regarding the treatment of Pastors and ministers in the Church. Honoring them is about more than just recognizing their position and title!

John wrote that if we see our brother or sister in need, and we do nothing, then the love of God is not in us. In the same way, we will hear Pastor Eddie share today, that we need to care for the elderly and widows in our midst. If you have someone in your life that is in need, but you haven't been caring for them, or are hoping and praying for someone else to do it... You might be missing an opportunity for YOU to engage in God's mission!

If someone, maybe your pastor, asked for a volunteer to care for an elderly widow, how many people do you think would raise their hand and make that commitment? Pastor Eddie shares today, that first, it is the job of the family to care for them, but as the Family of God, filled with God's compassion and love, WE need to be willing to respond to that call. That willingness only comes from a heart that is humbly submitted to Jesus.

Pride and selfishness are probably some of the more commonplace sins that we deal with, and they can often come out in a lack of love and respect for those around us. Pastor Eddie will share some good instructions from Paul's letter to Timothy, regarding how we should treat the elderly, and widows in our circles. Loving God, and loving our neighbor is only possible if when we lay down our lives, and let Christ shine through us!