So many times, people get caught up in their old way of doing things.  I know I do.  We watch the same shows, eat the same food, and repeat the same routines over and over again.  When a person gets steeped in their old ways, its hard to imagine or dream of anything new or exciting.  We can get the mindset that nothing will ever change and that no new ground will ever be gained.  Our future, at times, seems hopeless.

But God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11..."For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

If you are feeling overwhelmed and hopeless today, there is hope for you.  God has a wonderful plan for your life.  He wants to use you for His glory.  His plans for you are much bigger than what you could ever have for yourself.  We tend to allow our current situation, which appears to us to be permanent, to give us a false sense of no hope. 

Lift up your countenance today, and know that things will change.  God will do what He said.  I am constantly drawn back to the scripture in 2 Timothy 2:13 which says "If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself."  God will perform His word!

Blessings,
Pastor Stan

There are so many choices in life.  I think that the older that I get, the more difficult that it is for me to make choices.  I struggle with a restaurant menu these days.  O, I have been to the restaurants a thousand times...but no matter...I just cannot seem to make up my mind on what I want.  Should I pick vegetables, or meat, or hamburger, or steak, or eggs, or pancakes....mmmm....I'm making myself hungry already!
I look in my closet, wondering what to wear to work or church, how about khaki pants, or a blue shirt, or these shoes or those shoes.  Choices, choices, choices!  Life is filled with one choice after another.  I tell my kids this all the time.  You choose...
But I read a refreshing scripture yesterday morning in my devotion time.  Its found in John 15:16 and it says, "You didn't choose me.  I chose you.  I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name."  (NLT)
It made me feel so good to be reminded that I was His choice.  I was the subject of a decision He made at the beginning of creation.  He looked down through the portals of time, saw me, in my sinful condition, in my indecisiveness, and said "I choose you, Stan Holley".  Wow...to be the subject of God's choice...now that is something to write about
So, let me encourage you with this today.  He chose you, long before you even existed.  He loves you, cares about you, down to the most intimate detail of your life.  Through all of the mistakes, bad decisions, hurtful words, and times of running from Him...He still chose you and is patiently waiting for you to choose Him.
He has an appointment for you, a destination, something He wants you to do, some place He wants you to go...and He has given you the power of His son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish it.  You are His Choice!

I heard the story recently of the writer of the hymn Amazing Grace, John Newton, who commented on heaven.  He said that he had a dream about heaven, and that there were 3 surprises to him:  the first surprise was the fact that there were people who he thought would be there, that were not there;  the second, was the fact that there were people there that he did not expect to be there, and the third, was the fact that he himself was there.  To which he commented..."now that is grace."  Enjoy the grace of God in your life today!

If a verse ever slapped me in the face....this one just did... "Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD." 2 Kings 20:5 (KJV) Have you ever asked God the question: "Are you listening to me?" Ok...honesty is the best policy...yes you have, and so have I. When God doesn't move as quick as we would like Him to, or if His answer is not what we had hoped for...then we think He might have wax in His ears. Please hear me today...God hears you. He heard Hezekiah cry, He saw his tears. I believe we can turn the heart of God in some instances with our prayers and tears. I know my children can with me. I can be set in my mind to do something regarding them...and when I stop to hear them, to listen to their concerns...I look and see their sincerity, their love, their tears and passion for a thing; I love them so much I sometimes give in to them. I go above and beyond what anyone else would do for them. Why? Because they are my babies! Does that mean we can always change God's heart. No, absolutely not. God is sovereign, and He does not have to answer to you or me. His ways are perfect and He does not have to change them to accomodate us. However, I believe there are times when He changes His mind just for us...to let us know one more time that He cares about us...that He is concerned with every little feeling, issue, and tear. He is our Father...His heart is for you and me! There is not one thing that I would not do for my children...I love them with a love that I don't even understand. How much more so did God love Hezekiah, and was moved by his tears. How much more so does God love you and me today. And He is willing to move heaven and earth for you and your circumstances. God hears you and sees your tears....know that...rest in that. Enjoying Life Today!

Good evening everyone!  I wanted to take a moment and advertise our Mom's Day Out!  They are taking registration beginning Monday, August 10 through Wednesday, August 12, 2009...from 9 a.m. til 12 p.m.  Ages are from 18 months through age 4.  If you need more information, you may complete the contact form and send it to our email.  Or you may call 251-802-8542.