A MIRACLE IN THE MAKING

Let me ask you a question, what is the one common denominator in every miracle? What is evident and absolutely necessary for a miracle to take place?
Some people would say faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. But honestly, we all know that many people received a miracle from God and did not have faith. Many people receive a miracle and are surprised. They didn't have a clue what happened, or how the miracle came their way. Others might say that the one prerequisite to receiving a miracle from God is prayer. "You've gotta pray!" However, the truth is that there are miracles that took place in the Bible when no one prayed.
There's only one common denominator that is in every miracle in the Bible. EVERY MIRACLE BEGINS WITH A PROBLEM! That's right. Think about it. Every miracle in the Bible begins with a need. Sometimes, that person is at the end of their rope. They are frustrated. They don't know where to turn. They've come to the end of their own resources. They don't have an answer.
So, if you have a problem, you are a candidate for a miracle from God. In fact, the bigger the problem the greater the miracle. So if you need a miracle, just remember that God loves you and you can trust Him with the circumstances, that need a miracle, of your life.

Blessings!
Pastor John J. Dodd

A Cup of Cold Water

A line in "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" says "He
prayeth best who loveth best, all things great and small..."
It is easy to love the great things, the big things. Our culture
celebrates power, money, influence, and beauty. But that
same culture ignores the small and seemingly insignificant
things. The good mother, the faithful employee, the day
laborer, the plain looking, the simply dressed, the common
person...these are just faces in the crowd, extras on the
movie set, non-essentials in the quest for perfection. But
I'm glad that God does not judge His people as our society
judges. We may think "It doesn't really matter if I live close
to God, it wont make any difference." "I'm just a nobody."
Yet, the word of God tells us that our labors for God,
however small, are noted by God and will ultimately be
rewarded by Him. Even a cup of cold water is enough
to activate the rewards of God! Can you see the repercussions
of this truth? Every kind word spoken for Christ will be
rewarded. Every handshake, hug or embrace will be
remembered. Every meal cooked for the sick God has
recorded. Every visitation, every Sunday school class
taught, every fellowship meal prepared, every offering....
Don't despair, God will reward kind words and good deeds,
no matter how insignificant they may seem.

Blessings!

Pastor John J. Dodd

THE POWER OF CHOICES

Webster Defines choice as the right, the power and the chance to choose, it means the right to pick out by preference from what is available, to take as a choice. Aren’t you glad God created you in his own image and likeness with the privilege of choice? He created you with free will, so that you can live life with the freedom of your personal choices and decisions.
However there are consequences, either good or bad, to our decisions and choices. In the book of Deuteronomy we are told to choose life or receive the consequences of death. In Matthew we read about two gates, one is straight and narrow and leads to life and the other is broad and wide and represents choosing the easy way that leads to death. As we move through this life, making the choices that will lead us closer to our Heavenly Father is wise. The questions that I have are: What would you like to be true about your life many years from now? And, are you making choices today that will produce the harvest you want? Remember, we do not always get to choose the circumstances of life, but we always have the choice of our responses to those circumstances.

THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF OUR LIFE IS MADE UP OF THE DECISIONS AND CHOICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY OF OUR LIFE.

　
Blessings!
Pastor John J. Dodd

Yet I will Rejoice!!

In the book of Habakkuk we see a man and a nation facing the worst of times. But Habakkuk responded with praise and worship of God . . . HOW? Because Habakkuk tells us that God has made him ready for this time in his life. Habakkuk says that God has given him "feet of a deer." If Habakkuk had lived on this continent, he might have said, "like those of a bighorn sheep." Because, if you go to Montana’s Glacier National Park and look up at a rocky, seemingly inaccessible peak – there near the top you would see bighorn sheep. They will climb to the uppermost crags, and run over rock fields as easily as we would run on the beach. Why are bighorn sheep able to do this? Because of their feet – their tough, cloven hooves. These hooves aren’t hurt by sharp rocks, but are able to grip even small outcrops. God designed their feet for climbing. They don’t slip. They don’t fall. So remember, the point is not the power of the sheep, but God’s design of the sheep’s foot. So in the same way, God has designed you to stand and not fall.

SO WHY REJOICE? BECAUSE . . . GOD IS GOOD! HE IS WISE! HE IS IN CONTROL! AND HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING!

Blessings!

Pastor Dodd

Hispanic Ministry

HI! I hope everything is going well for you. Well it's only a few days (July 26 11:00 a.m.) until we kickoff our new Hispanic Ministry. Some months ago, I had a desire hit me that I wanted to help Faithbridge Church venture into a ministry to the Hispanics in our area. As I thought about this new ministry, I realized that I had someone in the congregation that fit very well into this new ministry. Daniel & Cynthia have been in Hispanic ministry for many years with great results. So after just a little encouragement, they have decided to come on staff with me and head up this wonderful new ministry. My prayer is that this ministry will be of great benefit to those who are drawn to attend.