Happiness

Science Daily released a report stating what many people already knew: Trying to be happy makes us unhappy. The phenomenon is called the “happiness paradox.”1 Chasing happiness leads to exhaustion and disappointment. The Bible indicates that happiness, joy, and cheerfulness are byproducts of spiritual living.

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians while imprisoned in Rome. He may have composed his letter under house arrest in his own rented home (Acts 28:30-31), or perha

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In Due Season

I can't speak for you, but I confess that there are times I want to throw in the towel, check out, run through the woods!  I get weary with doing "stuff" and realizing I didn't do something I should have or I messed up on something else.  Can I get a witness?

The truth is that God wants us to keep persevering.  Here is the way the Lord says it to us, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9

Do we really catch it

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Celebrate the small victories

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” – Colossians 3:23-24

This may not seem to be a profound thought, or even deeply spiritual - but I believe it can help us in our everyday walk. It is so simple, just celebrate the little victories.

A lot of times we are looking for a Goliath slaying, or fire

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A Lamp to my feet

Lord, keep my lamp burning…. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 18:28; 119:105, NIV John Blanchard read this intriguing quote from Reformer John Calvin: “The Bible is the scepter by which the heavenly King rules His people.” Blanchard agreed, but he added: “This does not mean that we are to look upon it as a rod of iron. Nor, on the other hand, is it to be treated trivially as some kind of religious toy, to be used for our spiritual entertainment.

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In the midst

In the MidstI saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man.Revelation 1:12-13People think the book of Revelation is hard to interpret because of all the symbols. But the writer, John, interprets many of them for us. For example, the seven golden lampstands in chapter 1 represent the seven churches to whom this letter was originally addressed (Revelation 1:20). Jesus is walking among His churches on earth; He is in the midst...

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There is reason for Hope!

A recent message at FLF was titled, "Be of good cheer!"  Or to paraphrase that, "Get your hopes up."  In this insane, wild, mixed up world we need hope and encouragement more than ever.  You can go to Sermons and listen to the entire message, but until then here is a quick outline to give you the reasons why we can have real Bible Hope, Bible Encouragement.  Ready, here we go...

In Matthew's gospel, chapter 1:2 it says,  "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the

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Don't Quit

Galatians 6:9 says this:  "9So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." NLT

Do you ever get tired? I know I do!  Even doing good things, going to church, doing the work of the ministry, helping people, we simply get tired.   But Jesus told us His yoke is easy and His burden light.  So perhaps there are some things we need to DO that are good, here's a short list:

1) Take time, MAKE time for pr

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God's Plan for You

There's a scripture in Jeremiah 29:11 that is often quoted like God was simply a heavenly wishing well.  The part that is often quoted is "I know the plans I have for you,..plans to give you a hope and a future."

God does not provide a carte blanche so we can live any way we desire, and He will just shower down on us good stuff.  The context of Jeremiah 29:11 is the fact that this portion of scripture is a letter written by the prophet to the Jewish exiles in Babylon.  God

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NEW in 2025

Did you know if you do a word search in Revelation for "new" there are 7 verses that come up?  Because we are in such prophetic times, and because God's Word is timeless, there are lessons we can receive from each verse.  How about applying them to the first week of January 2025!

1. Revelation 2:17

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and...
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All things work together for good

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 KJV

 The context is overcoming sin with a application to overcoming the trials and hardships that life throws at us.  The main thought that we need to take away from this is that we know God IS working together for us who love Him.  We are all called with a purpose God has for us, so it applies to every one of us.

Know today that whatev

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Thank You

Two simply words, "Thank you."  They are often used off-handed, with no real emotion or importance behind them; But when they come from the heart they're powerful.  Thankfulness and gratitude swell up from within us when we have been overwhelmed by something or someone who has done something for us.

Jesus took the punishment for my sin.  He carried my anxiety and worry and fear.  He exchanged my wickedness for His righteousness. He has given me a place with Him in heaven.

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Significance of Prophecy

Have you noticed all the news relating to Israel in the current news?  And if you're listening to ministers there are many preaching on End Times events.  Without trying to be exhaustive and exhaust you with reading too much, one main thing is the emergence of Iran or ancient Persia in the current news cycle. Several of the Old Testament prophets foretold how Iran would attack the nation of Israel and we're seeing prophecy fulfilled in our lives!  The leaders of Iran have

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Promises

I preached a two part message on God's Promises recently (you can go to "sermons" and listen).  If you do a word search in the Bible there are over 100 times the word "promise" is used - that would be a long sermon!  So I broke it down to just four main promises God gave us.  I want to share them here so you can understand that for every need, for every trial, for every attack - God has a promise for you!  The text is in 1 Peter:

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us excee

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Walk in Wisdom

I usually write my own thoughts, but today I want to hare with you something from Dr. David Jeremiah.  It's just too good not to share, and it will be a blessing!

Walk in Wisdom See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.Ephesians 5:15-16 The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs are recorded as the words (advice, teachings) of a father to his son on how to live a wise life. The Hebrew idea of wisdom

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The Right End-Time attitude

Are you struggling with current events that reveal how our world is becoming more pagan, more godless, more violent, more evil?  Just trying to live and make ends meet is a challenge.  Trying to protect your children and family from the flood of moral filth is overwhelming!  It makes you want to voice the words of an old song, "Stop the world and let me off!"

Can we still hope?  Is there a way to cope?  Absolutely!  Jesus said in Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and

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