Prayer
Have you ever wondered where your prayers end up? I have. Are they written down in heaven and considered for thirty days, and then God decides how He will answer them? Do our prayers just float around His throne in some audible form for God to hear, and ultimately He gives His answer? Have you ever considered how many prayers are being lifted up at any one moment, with every one being equally important to God…it’s mind-boggling.
When my wife and I are praying, my state of mind says that our prayers are the most important. Yeah right! I know that every prayer from every saint is important and God doesn’t categorize our prayers into levels of importance. He simply wants us to pray and depend on Him. You know, the KISS method…Keep It Simple Saints. So that’s what I do, I offer up my prayers knowing full well He will answer. But where do they go?
Revelation 5:8 gives us a beautiful answer to this question, “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Amazing! Our prayers end up in golden bowls and become a sweet fragrance to God.
God values each and every one of your prayers, so don’t stop praying, because a blessing…a promise…His peace…is on its way!
Rejoicing,
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on April 30th, 2008 by Dan
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Faith
I once told my first Senior Pastor that I believe God wants me to live by faith. He looked at me rather seriously and said, “I’m sorry.” I was young and did not fully understand his response to me at the time, but I do now. Over the years since then, I have a greater appreciation of what he said to me, and I have relied on faith to see me and my family through many trials and circumstances…too many to explain.
However, one thing I know about faith is that faith has the power, in Christ, to move mountains! Obviously, I’m not talking about moving Mt. Baldy to another geographic location, but rather, the mountains in our lives, our homes and work places. In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews you can read about faith and how faith was rewarded. In Hebrews 11:6 you will find that “it is impossible to please God without faith.” And, “he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Just reading that encourages me to stand firm in faith on the promises of God.
The rewards of faith come in many different shapes and sizes, colors and fragrances, but here’s my favorite: Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”
Faith = Blessings
Faith = Life
Faith = The Glory of God
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on April 24th, 2008 by Dan
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Fear
I wish I could say that I’ve never had to deal with fear…I have. Usually, fear comes from the unkown. In dealing with life’s circumstances, these unknown issues will come along and create a certain amount of anxiety or fear. Fear is a place the enemy wants us to live. There, he has the power to deceive us, and confusion abounds.
God’s Word tells us in 1 Cor. 14:33, “God is not the author of confusion.” Confusion is really the blossom of fear and I think we would all agree, it’s not very pretty.
Fear will keep us from depending or relying on God to see us through any situation. With fear we become paralized and vulnerable to the lies of the enemy that wants to destroy us. But let me remind you that, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) We are the adopted sons and daughters of God; heirs of His kingdom and authority.
So, the next time fear tries to creep into your life, remember this: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim.1:7)
Be strong and do not fear!
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on April 17th, 2008 by Dan
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Joy
In the book of Proverbs, we are told that laughter is health to the bones. I truly believe that! The joy that comes from a good laugh just makes you feel good. There are those times when you’re around family and friends; the food is good, the fellowship is good, the conversations are good, the laughter abundant, and the joy that comes from this is priceless.
Where does this “joy” come from? It comes from the Lord….simple as that! Throughout the Bible, we are told that God provides this joy to us. It’s a different kind of joy than what the world offers; God’s joy is pure.
So, I want to encourage you this week to enjoy the blessings around you, share with those in need, and let the joy of the Lord overflow in your life.
Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said to them, go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing was prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Rejoicing!
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on April 10th, 2008 by Dan
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Grace
Where would we be without “grace”? It is one of the most beautiful attributes we can give to others, as well as receive. “Grace” allows us to receive other very positive forces in our lives such as peace, hope, joy, encouragement and love. When grace is given to others, it often breaks down barriers and frees people to build relationships and grow together in love. Without grace we have no hope, and it builds a wall that denies access to rebuild and restore relationships.
If you, for a moment, stop and consider God’s grace in your life, I believe that you will find yourself grateful and thankful. After all, it is through God’s grace that we have access to Him any time of the day or night.
Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
“Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!”
Amen!
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on April 3rd, 2008 by Dan
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I hear you
I have the fondest memories of my Grandpa Huff. He was my hero when I was little, and I can still see him next door in his backyard, working in his garden. Grandpa was a wonderful Christian man, physically strong, yet gentle. He loved life, family and God, and we were best friends. As long as I can remember, Grandpa was hard of hearing and wore a hearing aid. We (the family) had to speak loudly in order for Grandpa to hear us well and there were times when he just didn’t hear you at all. That really frustrated my Grandma when she would be trying to get his attention and would be calling out his name. “Robert, Robert, can you hear me?” she would call. Grandpa would go on about his business, clueless that Grandma wanted him for something…or so I thought. I was with Grandpa one time when this happened. Grandma was calling him and he looked at me and smiled, then reached into his shirt pocket, pulled out his hearing aid and turned the volume down. We both chuckled; he put his arm around my shoulders and said, “Come on ‘Knot head’, let’s go get something to drink.” Then away we went, leaving Grandma at the backdoor with that frustrated look on her face.
Some years later, Grandpa had an operation to correct his hearing and I will never forget when he said, “I can hear you.” Grandpa was never able to play his little trick on my Grandma after that, but he so enjoyed his restored hearing, it didn’t matter.
This story takes me to the scripture in 1 John 5:14-15: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He will hear us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
Isn’t it wonderful to know that when we call out God’s name He hears us!
Thank you, Lord!
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on March 27th, 2008 by Dan
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Contentment
We have all heard the expression, “The grass is always greener…” This really expresses a lack of contentment for those who buy into this way of thinking. “It must be better over there; if I only had that or could do that, I would be content.” There is always something out there that tells us “contentment is right over here.” So, we go there, and guess what…we’re still not content.
True contentment comes from God and nowhere else. It is that peace that passes all understanding; it is knowing God loves you and died for you. Contentment comes from trusting God fully for everything and allowing Him to direct your path.
So, my friends…”godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) The way to contentment is to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:11)
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and be content!
Rejoicing,
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on March 20th, 2008 by Dan
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The Cross
The cross that Jesus was crucified on was meant for another. It had been prepared for another man named Barabbas, a notable thief and murderer. In prison for his crimes of robbery and murder, Barabbas awaited his appointed time of crucifixion. Little did he know that the cross that had been prepared for him would soon be occupied by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
The morning of the crucifixion comes and instead of being prepared for the cross, Barabbas is set free. Jesus would die in his place. Jesus not only went to the cross for Barabbas, but for you and me as well. For all mankind, Jesus went to the cross, so that we ALL could be set free.
What a picture of divine grace this substitutionary death presents!
We live because of the work on the cross; the cross that was meant for you and me.
Romans 9:34, “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
Thank you, Lord!
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on March 13th, 2008 by Dan
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Value
I can look out my living room window to the slope behind our backyard and there, growing on that slope, is a tree. I don’t know what kind of tree this is, but it has the most beautiful, yellow flowers blooming on it. Even on a cloudy day this tree with its yellow flowers, makes it seem sunny. The birds dance from limb to limb and you can hear them sing their song of praise as they gather their twigs for their nests.
It really is a beautiful sight to see God’s creation in full bloom and His little creatures finding shelter in His creation. I know that this tree and these little birds are of no real value to me, but they both are a wonderful reminder of what God values.
Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they.”
It’s good to know that you are valued by God…Amen?
Rejoicing!
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on March 6th, 2008 by Dan
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Need a lift?
As we go through life, each day brings something new and challenging to deal with. We wake up, go through our morning rituals, thinking it’s just another day like yesterday; the same old routine…then BAM! Something happens that changes everything. “Where did that come from?” you ask yourself. All of a sudden you went from “everything being fine” to “needing a lift.” Life’s ‘high’ has now become a ‘low’ and you’re not sure what you should do.
James 4:8 tells us to, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” In other words, take the time to read God’s Word and pray. Allow Him the time to begin to minister to your need and lift you up. God will provide you with the strength and wisdom you need to face any situation that comes along.
James 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Remember, God is waiting for you to depend on Him and He will lift you up!
Rejoicing,
Pastor Dan Moncton
Posted on February 28th, 2008 by Dan
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