True North

It’s soooo easy to criticize others. We can find those critical messages on yard signs, in social media posts, and overhear them in practically every conversation. It’s become perhaps our culture’s favorite pastime. But today, Pastor Gary brings a critical reminder: before you look at others, you must always first look at yourself. How do you do that? The answer is simple. God’s Word is His mirror for your life. God’s Spirit is His Spokesman to your heart. Will you let Him search you?

People have a great variety of attitudes about children. Some are gifted with such a love that they even find joy in becoming elementary school teachers. Others seem to have little patience or tolerance for children. How does God feel about children? Today, Pastor Gary answers that question by looking at God the Son in His personal ministry on earth. Jesus said, “Forbid them not, to come unto me.” When you have the same heart that Jesus has, you’ll welcome His children in the same way that Jesus does.

If you’re a follower of Christ, you have a high task set before you. God wants you to reach the lost. He wants you to find those to have no hope and give them hope! Today, Pastor Gary says God desires for the church to reach the lost. He doesn’t want you to reach those who can make your church better, but rather wants you to go to the darkest of places and share the hope of Jesus with them. Show those who have no hope the love of Jesus today! Show them Christ so they have a reason to keep living!

Can I get vulnerable with you for a moment? When I was younger, I was bullied, and what these bullies did was make me feel small and insignificant. They would come into school to try and show me that I was worthless. Today, Pastor Gary says God gives significance to those who feel small, He gives purpose to those who have no purpose, and He gives hope to those who are hopeless. What you need to grasp is that God gives you purpose. He’s the reason you’re here and why you can have confidence!

When we sin, the biggest lie that gets put in our heads is that we must continually do things to fix our problem. The reality of that mindset is that you’re depending on a sinner to fix the sin in their life! Today, Pastor Gary says the profound statement that the law says to do, but grace says done. Jesus paid it all for you on that cross. He desires you to have a relationship with His Father and died on the cross so you could have that opportunity! Rest in His love today, trust that when Jesus said it is finished, He meant it.

Have you ever put food coloring in a cup of water? It turns the whole cup the color of the food coloring, even if you only put a little bit of it in the cup! What if I told you that’s how sin affects you and me? There’s no way out of it but through the one who can make you whole. Today, Pastor Gary says Jesus went to the cross so you and I can live a life free from the bondage of sin. He was perfect, sinless! And yet He chose to die a brutal death on the cross so you and I could have a relationship with God. Isn’t that awesome?

In the movie Avengers: Infinity War, the villain Thanos seems unbeatable. He must control all 6 infinity stones to control all! Once he had all 6, it felt like Thanos was in constant control of what was happening around him. Today, Pastor Gary says there’s someone on the throne who doesn’t need stones to be in control. He’s someone you can depend on through any situation. You must depend on God so you can have a solid foundation for everything you do! He’s in constant control! Trust Him to guide your life!

When I was in college, I remember taking exams where I would be lost… I would think so hard about what the answer to certain questions would be, only to never really know and end up just guessing. In today’s message, Pastor Gary says there’s someone who knows all the answers, so you don’t have to guess in life! His name’s Jesus. If you go to Him for help, He’ll provide all you need. Are you relying on your own understanding for your situation today? If so, run to Jesus! He has all the answers you need!

When I was younger, I recall being upset when my parents would punish me because I had done something wrong. I know now that they were trying to make me a better man, but it didn’t feel like that in the moment! Today, Pastor Gary says that many people don’t want God’s guidance but desire the benefits of knowing Him. To know God is to love all that He is. He wants to lead you and guide you to be more like His Son every day. Only God can give you eternal life, but you must be all in for His plan.

It’s not too crazy to say we get hungry every day, but what if I told you there’s someone who can feed you, so you’ll never hunger again? Today, Pastor Gary says that in Mark 2, the roof wasn’t the only thing that changed that day. You see, God worked through the hearts of everyone in that room. They didn’t know it, but Jesus was giving them food that’s everlasting, and He wants to give you the same thing! He’s offering you eternal life through His Son because that’s what will fill your soul forever!