If you tend to be a controller, it doesn't mean you're a bad person...but...it wears you out trying to play God. Controllers are living in fear... not faith. "I Surrender to the loving control of the almighty God! I live to please Him. I live to bring glory to His name. I'm choosing to live for his "Well Done"!

Never place your faith in your limited ability to control people and outcomes! Let God be God! Without this kind of faith, it's impossible to please God! Place your faith and trust in God alone! Give it up...hand over control to Him!

Sometimes, the people we love must hit the bottom and learn there’s nowhere to go but up! Know this … wherever and whenever that may be … Jesus will still be there for them!

Jesus is the only Savior and Lord. He loves them more than you do! He can reach them and help them when you can't. Jesus is the only one who can save! He is the only one who can meet their needs!

I’ve been speaking to some who have the spiritual gifts of criticism and are practicing it regularly. God loves you … and so do I!

Here’s a truth for you to marinate on! You’ll never change someone by being overly critical and by having the wrong heart motive and attitude. Never! Your words are toxic, and you are hurting other. Many times those who love you the most. By doing this, you're not helping, you're hurting! You may be hurting yourself the most!

I’m praying that you’ll realize it and that your heart will be open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and that when you begin to think and speak in such a ways ... you’ll stop in your tracks! You’ll begin to realize that your heart and tongue are being used by Satan.

When you look for the bad … you’ll find it! When you begin to look for God and good … it'll find you!

In this state of the church message. Pastor Nathan Ward goes over Wooster Nazarene's past, present, and future.

Philippians 2:13 "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him."

There are many who have embraced and moved into the post christian culture. They have rejected Jesus due to an incorrect view of who he is. They are rejecting a watered down, anemic version of Christianity … a cheap imitation.

While the church doesn't always get it right, Jesus always does! He came full of grace and truth. When you truly see him for who he is you’ll want to worship him.

Whatever platform of influence God gives me … I want to use to unify rather than divide. I’m not going to get drawn into online arguments for sure!!! There are ways to respectfully disagree without compromising truth and backing down. I sincerely desire the love of Jesus to shine through.

We don’t need to play hide and seek with culture … we need to call it out and we need to influence it!!! Be salt and light! Be all in but not of it! We have been called and set apart to add flavor and bring light!

Think about this, in America it’s been to easy to identify a christian for too long. Criticism is here, and persecution is knocking at the door.

Remember this … history tells us that when persecution comes, the church of Jesus flourishes. It purifies and strengthens God’s church. It’s time to count the cost of following Jesus.

Religion is man-focused, but relationship is God-centered. Because God loves me, He accepts me, and I choose to obey Him. It’s not my effort to gain His love. I receive it!!! Love is who He is! Love does!!! God does love you!!!

Jesus is bigger than any and all our sin! He is faithful to forgive and cleanse all confessed and repented sin. When temptation knocks … there will always be a way out! What you choose and what you do matters!!!