Reach . Teach . Mend . Send
Our Vision
The vision of Fredonia Assembly is to REACH, TEACH, MEND, and SEND. Through this vision we strive to leave a lasting impression on our community and its surrounding areas.
1 Corinthians 12:12 tells us, “The body is a unit, through it is made up of many parts; and though it’s parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” It is through this fusion, one to another, that we can successfully reach the hurting for Jesus Christ.
The definition of FUSION is the connecting of two or more things. We would like to invite you to come and connect with us at First Assembly in Fredonia, Kansas. We are a place for people like you … because people really matter!
Staff
Pastor Ray and Brenda Pile
Lead Pastors
Pastor Ray and Brenda were both raised in southeast Kansas, graduating from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville in 1972. They were married in 1974 and he graduated from Central Bible College in 1976. They pastored in Lyons, Nebraska from 1976 until 1986. They moved to Wichita in 1986 to pastor Trinity Christian Center. After over 22 years of fruitful ministry there, God brought them to First Assembly in February of 2009. Pastor Ray enjoys teaching the Word and helping God’s people to walk in their respective callings. Brenda loves serving the church in practical ways and in the ministry of music. They have four grown children; Diane, Tony, Tim, and Stephen.
Pastor Nick and Jordan Sheats
Associate & Youth Pastors
Pastors Nick and Jordan joined the staff at Grace First Assembly in September of 2019. They have four children, Jaxon, Juliana, Jediah, and Jocelyn. Pastor Nick has worked with young people for over 18 years in varying capacities from diverse backgrounds in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas. His work ranged from supervising a residential facility for adolescent boys in the foster care system, to working with Jordan at a Teen Challenge facility for adolescent girls, to pastoring in the church. Jordan, as a teen, graduated from Main Place Youth—a Teen Challenge Facility in Kingman, Kansas. It was during this time that she came to know the Lord and was saved from a life on the streets. She went back later in life and worked on staff there with Nick, pouring into the lives of girls who were in the position she was once in. Nick and Jordan believe that building and developing relationships are the key to having the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with the young people in Fredonia and surrounding communities. They emphasize the mission that the Lord has given every one of His believers—to go into all the world and make disciples—to Love God, Love People, and Serve Others.
Amy Booth
Children’s Pastor
Amy has served in the Children’s ministry most of her life. Starting at age 10 she began helping teachers in the preschool children’s church class. When she later had her own children her ministry and desire to help children grow in Jesus grew immensely! Amy worked at the Fredonia Middle School for 5 years before becoming the Children’s Pastor at First Assembly. Looking back, she can see that God was preparing her for the future ministry He had in store for her. Amy stands in awe of God sometimes wondering why He chose her to minister, but then realizes that Jesus became her confidence and through Him she can do all things. Amy has one dream that is far above all other dreams, “She wants to please God!” 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Amy lives in Fredonia with her husband, Jason, and daughters Kera and Daya.
What We Believe
Please download our full doctrinal statement here.
Men’s Breakfast
Men’s Breakfast is always the second Saturday
of the month at 8:00 in the Assembly Center.
This is where the men get together to eat breakfast,
fellowship, and talk about the Lord. Any guy is
welcome to come join us! Our next Men’s Breakfast
is April 13th.
Church Information
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Church Location: MAP
Church Address: 1102 Washington St. Fredonia, KS 66736
Telephone & Fax: Tel: (620) 378-2801 | Fax: (620) 378-2905
Email: gracefirstassembly@gmail.com
Contact Us!
Sermon Archive
- Jun 9, 2019Better Together – The Beginning
- Jun 2, 2019Prep Time – Pastor Kipp Wuellner
- May 26, 2019Better Together – The Church is …
- May 19, 2019Better Together – The Puzzle
- May 5, 2019Unusual Influence
- Apr 28, 2019They Didn’t Know the Power
- Apr 21, 2019Mary’s Other Son
- Apr 14, 2019The Sacrifice of Praise
- Apr 11, 2019Go and Sin No More
- Mar 24, 2019The Most Dangerous Sin
The Great Commission
Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15
That is known as the Great Commission. It is a command to all Christians of all time. There are different ways to do it. Some go to far away lands as missionaries. Some give money to support the missionaries. Some pray daily for missionaries along with their financial support. Sadly, there are some Christians who do none of these. How are you fulfilling the Great Commission?
He Sent His Holy Spirit
“Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” They said to him, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2
There are a lot of Christians like that. They don’t really know what the Holy Spirit is. Many have not received Him since they have been saved. The Holy Spirit is not an “it”, He is part of the trinity. He i …
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Be a Peacemaker
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom. 12:18
I love this verse. It is impossible to be a peace with everybody. Some people just won’t let that happen. But, to the degree that we can, we are to be at peace with everybody. We can’t control what others do but we can take ownership of our own actions. If we need to apologize or take the first step in reconciliation, then we need to do it. Don’t wait on someone else to start. You reach out to them. If they don’t respond, then at least you tried. That is what this verse is talking about.
Pray vs. Complain
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority. I Tim. 2:1-2
It is so easy to complain about others. But have you prayed for them? The Bible tells us to do exactly that. There is no one that we should not pray for, and that includes our leaders. The Bible specifically commands us to pray for them. We are to do that, even if we disagree with their policies. You would be surprised how God can change someone if we pray for them rather than complain, gossip, or nag them. Let’s do it God’s way.
Wisdom
But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1:5
We all have times that we need wisdom to handle life. None of us have all the answers. But there is Someone who does and He is just waiting for you to ask for His help. He loves giving His wisdom to those who ask Him. He will graciously help you with your problems. But we do need to ask. Later in this same book of the Bible, it says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Let’s take God up on His word and ask.
The Main Thing
I passed on to you the most important part of the message and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. I Cor. 15:3-4
It is sad that churches disagree about so many things. It is too easy to get hung up about traditions, music and styles. The Bible tells us what is most im …
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Priorities
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. MATT 6:33
Life is a matter of priorities. We all make them. Who or what do we put first in our daily lives? Something or someone is going to be first. Jesus said that we should make our desire for His kingdom first. But then He added that when we do, all the other “things” that we need will be given to us. Put God first and He will provide in all of the other areas of our life. That is His promise. Is seeking His kingdom your highest priority?
Be Careful with Your Words
Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only good words that are helpful in meeting the need of the moment, words that will benefit those who hear them. Eph. 4:29
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What a lie! Words can hurt deeply. The Bible cautions us to be careful what we say. Is it harmful? Will it help the current situation? Does it need to be said at this time? Will it benefit the hearers? It may be true, and it may feel good to say it, but it may be the wrong thing to say right then. Let’s let the Bible “clean up” our language.
God’s Goodness
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
God wants to bless us. He wants to give good things to those who follow Him. The issue is, what is good? There are things that we think would be good but God knows that they will ultimately harm us. We have to trust Him. He sees the whole picture. Like a parent that limits how much candy their child eats, God knows that there are things we want that are not good for us. Trust Him that He is a giver of what is good for you. After all, He loves you.
We Are His Children
The Spirit Himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16
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Do Not Love
Do not love… I John 2:15
“All you need is love.” We’ve heard it said (and sung) so many times. We are told that love is the answer. But do you know that there are some things that God says we shouldn’t love? Yes! There are some things that we are not to love. Now, you’ll notice that I did not quote the whole verse. I challenge you to look it up for yourselves and find out what God tells us not to love. The whole passage is I John 2:15-17. Find out for yourselves what God says.
Worry
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Phil. 4:6
“I don’t want to bother God with my little problems.” I’ve heard that many times. However, God has told us to pray about all our problems, rather than worry. It’s hard not to worry, but God tells us to pray instead. God is never too busy or preoccupied with the issues of the world to hear your prayer. He’s that big of a God. My rule is-if it’s big enough to worry about, it’s bid enough to pray about.
Forgiven
He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:2
“I’ve done something so bad that God can’t forgive me.” I’ve heard it many times. The problem is, if that’s true, then God is a liar. The Bible says that He died for everyone’s sins. If you can’t be forgiven, then Jesus didn’t do what He said He would do. Jesus came to die for everyone’s sins. You are not a special case. He died for all of your sins too, no matter how bad they are. If you repent and confess them, God will forgive you. He promised it.
You are Valuable to God
Jesus said, “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. The very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” LUKE 12:6-7
Sometimes we all feel worthless. Other people can even make us feel that way. But you are not worthless to God. In fact, you are …
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A Changed Heart
God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Psalm 51:10
God can change our heart. We all know how ugly we can be on the inside. It takes the power of God to change us. Have you ever prayed for God to change your heart? We pray for so many “things”, but God is more concerned about our character than He is our comfort. He wants to improve who we are more than what we have. So I ask again, have you asked for God to change your heart? He can.
God is PRESENT
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
It may seem that God is far away. But He’s not. Especially in times of trouble, God is “very present”. He’s there for you to call on to receive strength and help. He’s there to give you guidance in times of darkness. He’s there just to comfort you in your times of sorrow. He’s there to give you hope in the despair. Just reach out to Him. He’s there.
God Is Not Unreasonable
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.” PSALM 103:13-14
God is not unreasonable. He knows our weaknesses and how we are made. That means that when He commands us to do something, He will also help us to do it. He knows we can’t obey on our own. How wonderful that the creator of the universe understands us!
Concentrate on the Eternal Things
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
It is easy for us to be discouraged by the troubles around us. But I have good news. They are only temporary. They will pass, but our salvation and our fellowship with Jesus will last forever. Concentrate on the eternal things.
Sin is Sin
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.” Isaiah 5:20
More and more we see what the Bible calls sin, celebrated as good. At the same time, Biblical standards are called hateful and evil. In many segments of society and even in some churches, the truth of God’s word is not only ignored, it is despised. More than ever, we must let His Word guide our hearts and lives.
Has He Saved You?
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
1 Timothy 1:15
There are those who think that Jesus came to show us how to live or to teach us about God. He did, but that was not the main reason He came. All that would be useless if He didn’t save us by dying on the cross and raising from the tomb. So the onl …
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His Love is For Us
“We know how much God loves us and we have put our trust in His love.”
1 John 4:16
Not everybody can say that. Many do not realize how much He loves them. That’s because they may feel unlovable. But God’s love is based on His ability to love anybody, no matter what they have done. We all need to trust in Him and in His love for us.
Children of God
“To those who did accept Him and believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
All but one of the w …
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He did it all!
“Jesus is able to save those who come to God through Him, completely and for ever.” Hebrews 7:25
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus did it all. He paid for all of our sins on the cross. As a result, He is able to save all of us when we come to God through Him. We don’t have to add anything. We never have to pay for any of our sins. He did it all! Praise His holy name forever!
Do you have His life in you?
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4
This last Sunday we all celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Easter is behind us for another year. However, the results of Easter continue with us daily. His resurrection means that we are now empowered to live life differently. His resurrected life in us gives us strength to live for Him every day. Do you have His life in you?
Our Source of Hope
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of Go …
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Living Hope Through the Resurrection
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
There have been some good people in the history of the world. Some of them are even worshiped as gods. But only one is not in the grave. Jesus said that He was the only way to God. Then the Father confirmed His claim by raising Him from the dead. This Sunday, we celebrate that resurrection that offers us new life and a hope for the next life.
Jesus, My Direct Connection
“For there is only one God, and only one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
I am so thankful that God provided an advocate for us. Jesus is the one and only one who is our link with the Father. I am grateful for all of the great people of the Bible and all of the wonderful people in my life, but Jesus is the only one who connects me directly with the Father. Through Him and Him alone can I come to the Father in prayer. Jesus is your way to come to Him.
Forgiven, Not Condemned
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11
These were the words of Jesus to the woman caught in adultery. He did not condemn her as hopeless, but neither did He want her to continue sinning. Jesus loves and accepts us. But that does not mean that He’s OK with our sinful actions. His death on the cross not only gives us the opportunity to be forgiven for our sins, but also to overcome our sins.
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4
I am not always happy about my circumstances. I may not enjoy the weather, the economy, or even a particular church service. But I can always rejoice in the Lord. I rejoice that He is always loving, holy, and just even when I can’t see it. I rejoice that He is always with me even when I cannot sense His presence. I rejoice that He is the one constant in my life that never changes. In Him I can rejoice!
Speak the Truth
This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth. I Tim. 3:15
The purpose of the church, any church, is to proclaim and live out God’s truth. The church does not create the truth nor should it ever attempt to change the truth to “keep up with the times”. &n …
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Children Are a Gift
You created every part of me; You put me together in my mother’s womb. PSALM 139:13
The child in the womb is a creation of God to be loved and protected. It is sad that there are those today that not only want to kill God’s creation in the womb but also want to kill them after birth if they survive the
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Who’s to Blame?
There are some people who ruin their own lives and then blame it all on God. PROVERBS 19:3
Isn’t it interesting how some people live life, giving no thought to God, but when things go wrong, they blame it all on God. They make decisions without
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The Ultimate Act of Love
This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven. I Jn. 4:10
I’ve heard people say that there are many roads to heaven. They say that all religions are equal. The problem with that way of thinking is that the death of Jesus was the only way that our sins c …
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Show Love
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. I John 3:18
Words are cheap. It is way too easy to simply say, “I love you” without ever thinking about showing it. The Word tells us to back up our words with action. Love is more tha …
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Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Eph. 4:2
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Forgiveness
Then He says, “I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.” Heb. 10:17
The Bible says all of us have sinned. But it also says that if we confess them and repent, God will forgive us. The good news is that He not only forgives our sins, but that He will never remember them again. They will never b …
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Truth is Still Truth
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who exchange darkness for light, and light for darkness. Isa. 5:20
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Every Perfect Gift
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father . James 1:17
We just celebrated a time when people gave and received gifts. Sadly, some have already been returned or exchanged. The good news is that our heavenly Father only gives good gifts. His presents are always perfect, just right for the occasion. What He gives us always “fits”. In fact, everyth …
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The Old is Gone
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17
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To Worship Him
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matt. 2:2
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Savior and Lord
For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
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God Can Use Anyone
At that time a decree was issued by Augustus Caesar: a census was to be taken of the whole world. Luke 2:1
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Jesus, the Son of God
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt. 1:23
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God Gives
What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though you earned it? I Cor. 4:7
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Do You Give Him Thanks?
They knew about God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. Rom. 1:21
There are those that think that just believing in God is enough. The Bible says that you can know there is a God, but it does you no good if you do not worship Him or take time to thank Him. Have you done that? Do y …
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Jesus Never Changes
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb. 13:8
The Jesus of the Bible is the same Jesus that lives today. He still loves the downcast, forgives the repentant sinner, …
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Saints of God
To all who are beloved of God, called as saints… Romans 1:7
This was the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. D …
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God’s Word Over People’s Words
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 TIM. 3:16
There are so many voices out there telling us what is right and wrong. It’s hard to know what is truth. The good news is that God has given us His word to enlighten us. The Bible is the final authoritative word for our lives. Open it up and read what God has to say. You just might be surprised.
Pastor Ray Pile
Our Forever Home
We take delight in the thought of leaving our bodies behind to be at home with the Lord. 2 COR. 5:8
Most people do not like to think about dying. However, the Bible puts it in a different light. When we die, we get to leave these worn out bodies and be at home with the Lord. Home! What a great word! Heaven is the greatest homecoming there will eve …
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The Word Alive
Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit. I Cor. 2:14
“I don’t understand the Bible!” A lot of us have said that. To be honest, none of us can really understand it without God’s help. Our natural minds alone just can’t grasp …
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Without Exceptions
Solomon loved the Lord, except he… I Kings 3:3
Isn’t it sad that the writer of I Kings had to put that exception. It’s too bad he couldn’t have just left it at, “Solomon loved the Lord”. How about you? If the story of your life was written down, would there be an exception? You may love the Lord, but is there something that is counter to that love in your life? Or can it just be said, “They loved the Lord.”
Pastor Ray Pile
Life Isn’t Fair
His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God. Matt. 5:45
We wonder sometimes why bad things happen to good people. Life at times does not seem fair. It’s not. We all experience good and bad events in our lives. And, it doesn’t always make sense. We want to blame God for the bad, but take credit for the good. We have …
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You Alone Are Not Enough
All of us have been sinful; even our best actions are like filthy rags. Is. 64:6
That’s tough. The Bible says that even our best efforts fall short in God’s eyes. That’s why Jesus had to come to die for us. Without Him, we can never please God on our own. It’s Him that makes us acceptable and pleasing to God. Have you accepted His great offer of salvation?
Pastor Ray Pile
Live For Jesus
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. II Cor.
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See The Light in a Dark World
Everything is pure for someone whose heart is pure. But nothing is pure for an unbeliever with a dirty mind. That person’s mind and conscience are twisted. Titus 1:15
Two people can see the same thing and have different reactions. One sees the good and the pure. Another sees something dirty. I’m afraid that we live in a society that increasingly highlights the obscene and vulgar. It is a trend that the people of God have to resist. There is much in the world that is good and pure. The goodness of God radiates through His creation and many of His children. Let’s celebrate the good and decent that is all around us.
Pastor Ray Pile
Will You Be Present?
I say that we are confident and willing to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. II Cor. 5:8
When were were in school, we were counted either absent or present. When Christians die, both are true. We are absent from our body but at the same time we are present with the Lord. No matter how good this life gets, being with Him someday will be infinitely better. Do you have that confidence that when you are absent from your body, that you will be present with Him? You can.
Pastor Ray Pile
He Holds Tomorrow
Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. I Cor. 13:12
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Treasure
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21
I can tell what’s important to you, not by looking at your Facebook posts, but at your check book register and credit card statement. Where you spend your money shows where your heart is at. You may say that God is number one in your life but how much do you s …
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The Cross
The message about the cross doesn’t make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God’s power at work. I Cor. 1: …
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Who Are You Living For?
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Cor. 5:15
We are all born selfish. That sounds harsh, but a child has to be taught to share. It just doesn’t come naturally. But Jesus came and died for us to change us. His power in us transforms us from living for ourselves to living for Him. Has He made that change in you? Are you living for you or for Him?
Pastor Ray Pile
Child of God
A WORD FROM THE WORD
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himse …
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Temporary Home
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are taken down, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. II Cor. 5:1
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That’s My God!!
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and He will refresh your life with His love. Zeph. 3:17
Wow! Tha …
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Knowing VS Action
Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22
Just knowing what the speed limit is does not help if you don’t observe it. The same thing …
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Overflowing Joy!
Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11
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Actions Speak Louder than Words
Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” but you do not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46
There’s a lot of people that give lip service to Jesus and God. They may talk about “the Man upstairs’ or “the good Lord”, but do not follow His words. It does you no good to claim that you’re a Christian and a believer i …
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Real Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25
We’re all going to die someday. That’s just the way it is. But the good news is that though we will all die, we can still live. Death does not have to be the end. In fact, it is just the beginning.   …
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The Most Important Thing
I passed on to you what I received, of which this was most important: that Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say,
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Moving Day
We are convinced that when these bodies we live in here are folded up at death like tents, we still have a God-built home that no human hands have built, which will last forever in the heavens. 2 Cor. 5:1
&nbs …
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The Book Of Life
Be glad that your names are written in the book in heaven. Luke 10:20
I recently performed a funeral for a man in his 90’s. Coincidentally, Billy Graham just passed away in his 90’s. Both men were granted entry into hea …
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More Than We Deserve
He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. Psalm 103:10
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Act On His Word
Obey the Word of God. If you hear only and do not act, you are only fooling yourself. James 1:22
Knowing the right thing to do is not enough. You are deceived if you think that. The Bible is only effective when it is acted on, not just listened to. There are plenty of people who comfort themselves in the fact that they know the Bible, but seldom follow it. True faith is acting on His Word. That is the faith that saves. That is the faith that brings results.
Pastor Ray Pile
Jealousy and Selfishness
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16
We all have to be careful of selfishness and jealousy. The Bible says that it will lead to disorder, confusion, and all kinds of evil. That is true in a marriage, in a church, or in a community. We don’t realize it, but …
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Growing Close to God
Come close to God and He will come close to you. James 4:8
God doesn’t force Himself on anybody. He waits for us. Nobody is born closer to God than others. We all have the opportunity to get closer to Him and He promises to come closer to us. He is simply waiting on you. Are you going to get closer to Him? The next move is yours.
Pastor Ray Pile
Leave the Past in the Past
But the Lord says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.” Is. 43:18
Some people live in the past. They let what has happened control the present. You can’t change the past but you can refuse to let it ruin your life now. God gives us all the opportunity to …
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But With God
God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. PHIL. 2:13
If you will invite God into your life, He will help you to serve and please Him. It is not up to you to live the Christian life on your own. God in you will give you the desire and the ability to make good choices and follow His will for your life. Some people give up on following God because they don’t think they can. They’re right! They can’t. But with God’s help, working in them, they can.
Pastor Ray Pile
A Way Out
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Cor. 10:13
We all face temptation. The good news is that we never have to give in to it. God will always give us a way out. He limits our temptations and provides a way to say “no” to all of them. He loves us and is faithful to always help us to follow Him.
Pastor Ray Pile
Love
Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. I JOHN 3:18
For the Christian, love is not just an emotion, it is an action. Love is known by what is done, not by what is said. Feelings and emotions are fine, but the proof is in the deeds done to show love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…” God loves us and has demonstrated it to us. We are to do the same to others.
Pastor Ray Pil
Hate Evil
Hate evil, you who love the Lord. Psalm 97.10
With all of the talk of love in the bible, it is interesting that it also tells us to hate. We are not to hate people but we are to hate evil. We are to hate it because of what it is and what it does to us. It destroys lives and families. We must be careful not to tolerate it or make room for it. That which is evil can be tempting but it must be avoided. A healthy hatred of evil is basic to true happiness and long term success.
Pastor Ray Pile
From Old To New!
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17
When we come to Christ, confessing our sins and serving Him as Lord, He makes us brand new. The past is forgiven and forgotten by God. He gives us a fresh start to live for Him. The past cannot hold us down any longer …
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Our Amazing Savior!
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12
We all know what a manger scene is, bu …
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Was Mary’s Virginity Important?
The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us. Matt 1:23
We all know that the Bible tells us that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her womb. But is that a big deal? YES! If she were not, then Jesus was …
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Jesus
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21
&n …
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Give Thanks
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Phil. 4:6
This is a commandment from the Lord. Don’t worry but instead pray. However, don’t leave off the last part. It’s easy to pray about our needs but forget to thank God for what He has done. Thanksgiving must always be a part of our prayers. It’s not because God needs our gratitude …
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Praise Jesus Together!
Jesus said, “For wherever two or three people come together in my name, I am there, right among you!” Matt. 18:20
I’ve heard people say, “I don’t need to go to church, I can have church all by myself.” You can worship God all by yourself, but you cannot have chur …
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You Can Know
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. I Jn 5:13
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God’s Closer Than You Think
God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. Psalm 46:1
Sometimes God can seem a million miles away. But He’s not. He’s closer to you than your problem is. Your prayers do not have to ascend to the far reaches of heaven. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He’s right there with you now, so talk to Him. Tell Him all about it. He hears it all and cares. He’s ready to help you in your darkest hour.
Pastor Ray Pile
Speaking In Tongues
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. I Cor. 14:8
The topic of speaking in tongues is a controversial one. Different churches have various beliefs concerning it. One thing is clear however, the Apostle Paul, who wrote this verse, was glad that he spoke in tongues. Evidently it was an important part of his spiritual life. Yes, the gift can be abused and misused. It’s use is to be regulated in …
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He Has a Plan for YOU
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 19:11
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The Most Valuable Thing In The World
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matt. 16:26
Your soul is the most valuable thing you have. …
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It’s Not About You
You are not the owner of your own body. You have been bought at a high price! Therefore bring glory to God in your body for it belongs to Him. I Cor. 6:19-20
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Because Of Jesus
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. Eph. 3:12
The Bible says that we c …
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The Great Commission
Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15
That is known as the Great Commission. It is a command to all Christians of all time. There are different ways to do it. Some go to far away lands as missionaries. Some give money to support the missionaries. Some pray daily for missionaries along with their financial support. Sadly, there are some Christians who do none of these. How are you fulfilling the Great Commission?
He Sent His Holy Spirit
“Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” They said to him, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2
There are a lot of Christians like that. They don’t really know what the Holy Spirit is. Many have not received Him since they have been saved. The Holy Spirit is not an “it”, He is part of the trinity. He i …
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Be a Peacemaker
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom. 12:18
I love this verse. It is impossible to be a peace with everybody. Some people just won’t let that happen. But, to the degree that we can, we are to be at peace with everybody. We can’t control what others do but we can take ownership of our own actions. If we need to apologize or take the first step in reconciliation, then we need to do it. Don’t wait on someone else to start. You reach out to them. If they don’t respond, then at least you tried. That is what this verse is talking about.
Pray vs. Complain
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority. I Tim. 2:1-2
It is so easy to complain about others. But have you prayed for them? The Bible tells us to do exactly that. There is no one that we should not pray for, and that includes our leaders. The Bible specifically commands us to pray for them. We are to do that, even if we disagree with their policies. You would be surprised how God can change someone if we pray for them rather than complain, gossip, or nag them. Let’s do it God’s way.
Wisdom
But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1:5
We all have times that we need wisdom to handle life. None of us have all the answers. But there is Someone who does and He is just waiting for you to ask for His help. He loves giving His wisdom to those who ask Him. He will graciously help you with your problems. But we do need to ask. Later in this same book of the Bible, it says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Let’s take God up on His word and ask.
The Main Thing
I passed on to you the most important part of the message and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. I Cor. 15:3-4
It is sad that churches disagree about so many things. It is too easy to get hung up about traditions, music and styles. The Bible tells us what is most im …
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Priorities
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. MATT 6:33
Life is a matter of priorities. We all make them. Who or what do we put first in our daily lives? Something or someone is going to be first. Jesus said that we should make our desire for His kingdom first. But then He added that when we do, all the other “things” that we need will be given to us. Put God first and He will provide in all of the other areas of our life. That is His promise. Is seeking His kingdom your highest priority?
Be Careful with Your Words
Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only good words that are helpful in meeting the need of the moment, words that will benefit those who hear them. Eph. 4:29
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What a lie! Words can hurt deeply. The Bible cautions us to be careful what we say. Is it harmful? Will it help the current situation? Does it need to be said at this time? Will it benefit the hearers? It may be true, and it may feel good to say it, but it may be the wrong thing to say right then. Let’s let the Bible “clean up” our language.
God’s Goodness
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11
God wants to bless us. He wants to give good things to those who follow Him. The issue is, what is good? There are things that we think would be good but God knows that they will ultimately harm us. We have to trust Him. He sees the whole picture. Like a parent that limits how much candy their child eats, God knows that there are things we want that are not good for us. Trust Him that He is a giver of what is good for you. After all, He loves you.
We Are His Children
The Spirit Himself speaks to our spirits and makes us sure that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16
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Do Not Love
Do not love… I John 2:15
“All you need is love.” We’ve heard it said (and sung) so many times. We are told that love is the answer. But do you know that there are some things that God says we shouldn’t love? Yes! There are some things that we are not to love. Now, you’ll notice that I did not quote the whole verse. I challenge you to look it up for yourselves and find out what God tells us not to love. The whole passage is I John 2:15-17. Find out for yourselves what God says.
Worry
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Phil. 4:6
“I don’t want to bother God with my little problems.” I’ve heard that many times. However, God has told us to pray about all our problems, rather than worry. It’s hard not to worry, but God tells us to pray instead. God is never too busy or preoccupied with the issues of the world to hear your prayer. He’s that big of a God. My rule is-if it’s big enough to worry about, it’s bid enough to pray about.
Forgiven
He paid for our sins with His own blood. He did not pay for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:2
“I’ve done something so bad that God can’t forgive me.” I’ve heard it many times. The problem is, if that’s true, then God is a liar. The Bible says that He died for everyone’s sins. If you can’t be forgiven, then Jesus didn’t do what He said He would do. Jesus came to die for everyone’s sins. You are not a special case. He died for all of your sins too, no matter how bad they are. If you repent and confess them, God will forgive you. He promised it.
You are Valuable to God
Jesus said, “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. The very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” LUKE 12:6-7
Sometimes we all feel worthless. Other people can even make us feel that way. But you are not worthless to God. In fact, you are …
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A Changed Heart
God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Psalm 51:10
God can change our heart. We all know how ugly we can be on the inside. It takes the power of God to change us. Have you ever prayed for God to change your heart? We pray for so many “things”, but God is more concerned about our character than He is our comfort. He wants to improve who we are more than what we have. So I ask again, have you asked for God to change your heart? He can.
God is PRESENT
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1
It may seem that God is far away. But He’s not. Especially in times of trouble, God is “very present”. He’s there for you to call on to receive strength and help. He’s there to give you guidance in times of darkness. He’s there just to comfort you in your times of sorrow. He’s there to give you hope in the despair. Just reach out to Him. He’s there.
God Is Not Unreasonable
“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.” PSALM 103:13-14
God is not unreasonable. He knows our weaknesses and how we are made. That means that when He commands us to do something, He will also help us to do it. He knows we can’t obey on our own. How wonderful that the creator of the universe understands us!
Concentrate on the Eternal Things
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
It is easy for us to be discouraged by the troubles around us. But I have good news. They are only temporary. They will pass, but our salvation and our fellowship with Jesus will last forever. Concentrate on the eternal things.
Sin is Sin
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness.” Isaiah 5:20
More and more we see what the Bible calls sin, celebrated as good. At the same time, Biblical standards are called hateful and evil. In many segments of society and even in some churches, the truth of God’s word is not only ignored, it is despised. More than ever, we must let His Word guide our hearts and lives.
Has He Saved You?
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
1 Timothy 1:15
There are those who think that Jesus came to show us how to live or to teach us about God. He did, but that was not the main reason He came. All that would be useless if He didn’t save us by dying on the cross and raising from the tomb. So the onl …
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His Love is For Us
“We know how much God loves us and we have put our trust in His love.”
1 John 4:16
Not everybody can say that. Many do not realize how much He loves them. That’s because they may feel unlovable. But God’s love is based on His ability to love anybody, no matter what they have done. We all need to trust in Him and in His love for us.
Children of God
“To those who did accept Him and believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
All but one of the w …
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He did it all!
“Jesus is able to save those who come to God through Him, completely and for ever.” Hebrews 7:25
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus did it all. He paid for all of our sins on the cross. As a result, He is able to save all of us when we come to God through Him. We don’t have to add anything. We never have to pay for any of our sins. He did it all! Praise His holy name forever!
Do you have His life in you?
“Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4
This last Sunday we all celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now Easter is behind us for another year. However, the results of Easter continue with us daily. His resurrection means that we are now empowered to live life differently. His resurrected life in us gives us strength to live for Him every day. Do you have His life in you?
Our Source of Hope
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of Go …
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Living Hope Through the Resurrection
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
There have been some good people in the history of the world. Some of them are even worshiped as gods. But only one is not in the grave. Jesus said that He was the only way to God. Then the Father confirmed His claim by raising Him from the dead. This Sunday, we celebrate that resurrection that offers us new life and a hope for the next life.
Jesus, My Direct Connection
“For there is only one God, and only one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 2:5
I am so thankful that God provided an advocate for us. Jesus is the one and only one who is our link with the Father. I am grateful for all of the great people of the Bible and all of the wonderful people in my life, but Jesus is the only one who connects me directly with the Father. Through Him and Him alone can I come to the Father in prayer. Jesus is your way to come to Him.
Forgiven, Not Condemned
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11
These were the words of Jesus to the woman caught in adultery. He did not condemn her as hopeless, but neither did He want her to continue sinning. Jesus loves and accepts us. But that does not mean that He’s OK with our sinful actions. His death on the cross not only gives us the opportunity to be forgiven for our sins, but also to overcome our sins.
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4
I am not always happy about my circumstances. I may not enjoy the weather, the economy, or even a particular church service. But I can always rejoice in the Lord. I rejoice that He is always loving, holy, and just even when I can’t see it. I rejoice that He is always with me even when I cannot sense His presence. I rejoice that He is the one constant in my life that never changes. In Him I can rejoice!
Speak the Truth
This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth. I Tim. 3:15The purpose of the church, any church, is to proclaim and live out God’s truth. The church does not create the truth nor should it ever attempt to change the truth to “keep up with the times”. &n …
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Children Are a Gift
You created every part of me; You put me together in my mother’s womb. PSALM 139:13
The child in the womb is a creation of God to be loved and protected. It is sad that there are those today that not only want to kill God’s creation in the womb but also want to kill them after birth if they survive the
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Who’s to Blame?
There are some people who ruin their own lives and then blame it all on God. PROVERBS 19:3Isn’t it interesting how some people live life, giving no thought to God, but when things go wrong, they blame it all on God. They make decisions without
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The Ultimate Act of Love
This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven. I Jn. 4:10
I’ve heard people say that there are many roads to heaven. They say that all religions are equal. The problem with that way of thinking is that the death of Jesus was the only way that our sins c …
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Show Love
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. I John 3:18
Words are cheap. It is way too easy to simply say, “I love you” without ever thinking about showing it. The Word tells us to back up our words with action. Love is more tha …
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Treat Others the Way You Want to Be Treated
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Eph. 4:2
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Forgiveness
Then He says, “I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.” Heb. 10:17
The Bible says all of us have sinned. But it also says that if we confess them and repent, God will forgive us. The good news is that He not only forgives our sins, but that He will never remember them again. They will never b …
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Truth is Still Truth
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who exchange darkness for light, and light for darkness. Isa. 5:20
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Every Perfect Gift
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father . James 1:17
We just celebrated a time when people gave and received gifts. Sadly, some have already been returned or exchanged. The good news is that our heavenly Father only gives good gifts. His presents are always perfect, just right for the occasion. What He gives us always “fits”. In fact, everyth …
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The Old is Gone
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17
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To Worship Him
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matt. 2:2
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Savior and Lord
For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
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God Can Use Anyone
At that time a decree was issued by Augustus Caesar: a census was to be taken of the whole world. Luke 2:1
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Jesus, the Son of God
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matt. 1:23
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God Gives
What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though you earned it? I Cor. 4:7
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Do You Give Him Thanks?
They knew about God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. Rom. 1:21
There are those that think that just believing in God is enough. The Bible says that you can know there is a God, but it does you no good if you do not worship Him or take time to thank Him. Have you done that? Do y …
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Jesus Never Changes
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb. 13:8
The Jesus of the Bible is the same Jesus that lives today. He still loves the downcast, forgives the repentant sinner, …
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Saints of God
To all who are beloved of God, called as saints… Romans 1:7
This was the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. D …
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God’s Word Over People’s Words
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 TIM. 3:16
There are so many voices out there telling us what is right and wrong. It’s hard to know what is truth. The good news is that God has given us His word to enlighten us. The Bible is the final authoritative word for our lives. Open it up and read what God has to say. You just might be surprised.
Pastor Ray Pile
Our Forever Home
We take delight in the thought of leaving our bodies behind to be at home with the Lord. 2 COR. 5:8
Most people do not like to think about dying. However, the Bible puts it in a different light. When we die, we get to leave these worn out bodies and be at home with the Lord. Home! What a great word! Heaven is the greatest homecoming there will eve …
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The Word Alive
Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him. He can’t understand the revelations of the Spirit because they are only discovered by the illumination of the Spirit. I Cor. 2:14
“I don’t understand the Bible!” A lot of us have said that. To be honest, none of us can really understand it without God’s help. Our natural minds alone just can’t grasp …
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Without Exceptions
Solomon loved the Lord, except he… I Kings 3:3
Isn’t it sad that the writer of I Kings had to put that exception. It’s too bad he couldn’t have just left it at, “Solomon loved the Lord”. How about you? If the story of your life was written down, would there be an exception? You may love the Lord, but is there something that is counter to that love in your life? Or can it just be said, “They loved the Lord.”
Pastor Ray Pile
Life Isn’t Fair
His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God. Matt. 5:45
We wonder sometimes why bad things happen to good people. Life at times does not seem fair. It’s not. We all experience good and bad events in our lives. And, it doesn’t always make sense. We want to blame God for the bad, but take credit for the good. We have …
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You Alone Are Not Enough
All of us have been sinful; even our best actions are like filthy rags. Is. 64:6
That’s tough. The Bible says that even our best efforts fall short in God’s eyes. That’s why Jesus had to come to die for us. Without Him, we can never please God on our own. It’s Him that makes us acceptable and pleasing to God. Have you accepted His great offer of salvation?
Pastor Ray Pile
Live For Jesus
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. II Cor.
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See The Light in a Dark World
Everything is pure for someone whose heart is pure. But nothing is pure for an unbeliever with a dirty mind. That person’s mind and conscience are twisted. Titus 1:15
Two people can see the same thing and have different reactions. One sees the good and the pure. Another sees something dirty. I’m afraid that we live in a society that increasingly highlights the obscene and vulgar. It is a trend that the people of God have to resist. There is much in the world that is good and pure. The goodness of God radiates through His creation and many of His children. Let’s celebrate the good and decent that is all around us.
Pastor Ray Pile
Will You Be Present?
I say that we are confident and willing to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. II Cor. 5:8
When were were in school, we were counted either absent or present. When Christians die, both are true. We are absent from our body but at the same time we are present with the Lord. No matter how good this life gets, being with Him someday will be infinitely better. Do you have that confidence that when you are absent from your body, that you will be present with Him? You can.
Pastor Ray Pile
He Holds Tomorrow
Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. I Cor. 13:12
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Treasure
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21
I can tell what’s important to you, not by looking at your Facebook posts, but at your check book register and credit card statement. Where you spend your money shows where your heart is at. You may say that God is number one in your life but how much do you s …
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The Cross
The message about the cross doesn’t make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God’s power at work. I Cor. 1: …
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Who Are You Living For?
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Cor. 5:15
We are all born selfish. That sounds harsh, but a child has to be taught to share. It just doesn’t come naturally. But Jesus came and died for us to change us. His power in us transforms us from living for ourselves to living for Him. Has He made that change in you? Are you living for you or for Him?
Pastor Ray Pile
Child of God
A WORD FROM THE WORD
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himse …
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Temporary Home
Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are taken down, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. II Cor. 5:1
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That’s My God!!
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and He will refresh your life with His love. Zeph. 3:17
Wow! Tha …
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Knowing VS Action
Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:22
Just knowing what the speed limit is does not help if you don’t observe it. The same thing …
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Overflowing Joy!
Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11
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Actions Speak Louder than Words
Why do you call me “Lord, Lord,” but you do not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46
There’s a lot of people that give lip service to Jesus and God. They may talk about “the Man upstairs’ or “the good Lord”, but do not follow His words. It does you no good to claim that you’re a Christian and a believer i …
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Real Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25
We’re all going to die someday. That’s just the way it is. But the good news is that though we will all die, we can still live. Death does not have to be the end. In fact, it is just the beginning.   …
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The Most Important Thing
I passed on to you what I received, of which this was most important: that Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say,
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Moving Day
We are convinced that when these bodies we live in here are folded up at death like tents, we still have a God-built home that no human hands have built, which will last forever in the heavens. 2 Cor. 5:1
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The Book Of Life
Be glad that your names are written in the book in heaven. Luke 10:20
I recently performed a funeral for a man in his 90’s. Coincidentally, Billy Graham just passed away in his 90’s. Both men were granted entry into hea …
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More Than We Deserve
He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. Psalm 103:10
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Act On His Word
Obey the Word of God. If you hear only and do not act, you are only fooling yourself. James 1:22
Knowing the right thing to do is not enough. You are deceived if you think that. The Bible is only effective when it is acted on, not just listened to. There are plenty of people who comfort themselves in the fact that they know the Bible, but seldom follow it. True faith is acting on His Word. That is the faith that saves. That is the faith that brings results.
Pastor Ray Pile
Jealousy and Selfishness
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. James 3:16
We all have to be careful of selfishness and jealousy. The Bible says that it will lead to disorder, confusion, and all kinds of evil. That is true in a marriage, in a church, or in a community. We don’t realize it, but …
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Growing Close to God
Come close to God and He will come close to you. James 4:8
God doesn’t force Himself on anybody. He waits for us. Nobody is born closer to God than others. We all have the opportunity to get closer to Him and He promises to come closer to us. He is simply waiting on you. Are you going to get closer to Him? The next move is yours.
Pastor Ray Pile
Leave the Past in the Past
But the Lord says, “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.” Is. 43:18
Some people live in the past. They let what has happened control the present. You can’t change the past but you can refuse to let it ruin your life now. God gives us all the opportunity to …
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But With God
God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. PHIL. 2:13
If you will invite God into your life, He will help you to serve and please Him. It is not up to you to live the Christian life on your own. God in you will give you the desire and the ability to make good choices and follow His will for your life. Some people give up on following God because they don’t think they can. They’re right! They can’t. But with God’s help, working in them, they can.
Pastor Ray Pile
A Way Out
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Cor. 10:13
We all face temptation. The good news is that we never have to give in to it. God will always give us a way out. He limits our temptations and provides a way to say “no” to all of them. He loves us and is faithful to always help us to follow Him.
Pastor Ray Pile
Love
Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. I JOHN 3:18
For the Christian, love is not just an emotion, it is an action. Love is known by what is done, not by what is said. Feelings and emotions are fine, but the proof is in the deeds done to show love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son…” God loves us and has demonstrated it to us. We are to do the same to others.
Pastor Ray Pil
Hate Evil
Hate evil, you who love the Lord. Psalm 97.10
With all of the talk of love in the bible, it is interesting that it also tells us to hate. We are not to hate people but we are to hate evil. We are to hate it because of what it is and what it does to us. It destroys lives and families. We must be careful not to tolerate it or make room for it. That which is evil can be tempting but it must be avoided. A healthy hatred of evil is basic to true happiness and long term success.
Pastor Ray Pile
From Old To New!
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Cor. 5:17
When we come to Christ, confessing our sins and serving Him as Lord, He makes us brand new. The past is forgiven and forgotten by God. He gives us a fresh start to live for Him. The past cannot hold us down any longer …
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Our Amazing Savior!
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12
We all know what a manger scene is, bu …
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Was Mary’s Virginity Important?
The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us. Matt 1:23
We all know that the Bible tells us that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived in her womb. But is that a big deal? YES! If she were not, then Jesus was …
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Jesus
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21
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Give Thanks
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Phil. 4:6
This is a commandment from the Lord. Don’t worry but instead pray. However, don’t leave off the last part. It’s easy to pray about our needs but forget to thank God for what He has done. Thanksgiving must always be a part of our prayers. It’s not because God needs our gratitude …
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Praise Jesus Together!
Jesus said, “For wherever two or three people come together in my name, I am there, right among you!” Matt. 18:20
I’ve heard people say, “I don’t need to go to church, I can have church all by myself.” You can worship God all by yourself, but you cannot have chur …
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You Can Know
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. I Jn 5:13
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God’s Closer Than You Think
God is our shelter and our strength. When troubles seem near, God is nearer, and He’s ready to help. Psalm 46:1
Sometimes God can seem a million miles away. But He’s not. He’s closer to you than your problem is. Your prayers do not have to ascend to the far reaches of heaven. He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. He’s right there with you now, so talk to Him. Tell Him all about it. He hears it all and cares. He’s ready to help you in your darkest hour.
Pastor Ray Pile
Speaking In Tongues
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. I Cor. 14:8
The topic of speaking in tongues is a controversial one. Different churches have various beliefs concerning it. One thing is clear however, the Apostle Paul, who wrote this verse, was glad that he spoke in tongues. Evidently it was an important part of his spiritual life. Yes, the gift can be abused and misused. It’s use is to be regulated in …
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He Has a Plan for YOU
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jer. 19:11
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The Most Valuable Thing In The World
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matt. 16:26
Your soul is the most valuable thing you have. …
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It’s Not About You
You are not the owner of your own body. You have been bought at a high price! Therefore bring glory to God in your body for it belongs to Him. I Cor. 6:19-20
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Because Of Jesus
Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. Eph. 3:12
The Bible says that we c …
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