Author Archives: Pastor Dale

| 1:28 MIN READ |

Directions. We need them regularly. To get to an unfamiliar place, we need to know the way. What roads do we take? What landmarks do we look for?

It’s true in life too. We need to know the way to life destinations. “What career do I pursue? What neighborhood should I live in? What friends should I make? What purpose does God have for my life?”

All these questions are legitimate. They point to our need to know how to get there from here! We need guidance!

God has actually made guidance simple. He’s not in heaven hiding His will from us. He wants to help us get from here to there, and He’s made it clear how to find the way.

Take a look at God’s guidance made simple. It’s found in Proverbs 3:5-7 (TPT) “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong.”

Simply put, rely on God to guide you. How?

R – Develop a personal RELATIONSHIP with God.

E – Get a good spiritual EDUCATION. Learn, believe and obey God’s promises, commands, and principles.

L – LET GO of your own will and life agenda. Always want God’s will, not your own.

Y – Trust that He loves and will lead YOU!

Never forget, God knows how to get you from here to there!

Pastor Dale

| 1:56 MIN READ |

Have you desperately needed someone’s help in a crisis? We’ve all had difficult moments when we needed a friend’s assistance. It’s extremely comforting when a person proves reliable in times of trouble. It’s also painful when someone who promised to be there for us, isn’t there when we need them most. It’s the difference between being reliable or unreliable; faithful or unfaithful.

The Bible talks about this trait called faithfulness or reliability in many places. Here are a few examples:

Proverbs 25:19 (TLB) “Putting confidence in an unreliable man is like chewing with a sore tooth, or trying to run on a broken foot.”

Proverbs 20:6 (TPT) “Many will tell you they’re your loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly trustworthy?”

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT) “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.”

To be reliable and faithful is to be someone others can always count on. A faithful, reliable friend isn’t a fair-weather friend. They’re an all-season friend. A faithful, reliable worker works as diligently when not being watched as they do when they’re watched. A faithful, reliable soldier is vigilant and ready at all times.

One of my favorite places to visit in Washington, DC is Arlington National Cemetery. I especially enjoy watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These Army soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, march in front of the tomb of an unknown comrade’s remains 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, good weather and bad. They’re reliable. They’re there morning, noon, night, and in the earliest hours of the morning when no one is present. They never stop marching, never stop guarding, never let up on their duty. They are reliable. They are faithful. They are a great example for us.

One of the best things potentially said about someone is, “He or she is reliable!” Be a “count on me” person!

Pastor Dale

| 1:39 MIN READ |

Many important announcements begin with a call to attention. You can’t hear what you need to hear, and do what you need to do if you’re not paying attention!

Often in Scripture, we’re called to attention. Of all the things we should pay careful attention to, we should give full attention to the things God pays attention to.

Jesus pointed out something very important to Him, and something He consistently watches in people’s lives in Luke 16:10 (TPT) “The one who manages the little he has been given with faithfulness and integrity will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more.” This principle is repeated in Matthew 25:23 (NIV) “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

What’s the principle? Jesus taught us to pay close attention to the little things in life. Little things are big things with God! One of the ways He knows you’re ready for bigger things is by watching how you handle the little responsibilities, the little resources, the little opportunities, the little influence you have.

By nature, we’re geared to look for big things. We think big things are the really important things. Not in God’s view. He knows this, the attention we pay to things that may seem insignificant actually predicts how we’ll handle anything greater. He’s paying attention to the attention we pay to small things.

Your attention, please. Your future depends on it!

Pastor Dale

| 2:09 MIN READ |

Passion, enthusiasm, commitment, dedication, endurance — these words describe admirable qualities in someone. They show that someone is “all in.”

We often speak of people being “into” certain things. “He’s ‘into’ football.” Or “She’s ‘into’ fitness.”, etc. When we use this term in this way we’re describing our observations of others. We see the amount of time someone gives something. How often they bring it up in conversations. The discipline they show in pursuing this thing in their life. Actions and conversations reveal how important something is to us. When we are “into” something, we’re “all in.” The way we live testifies to it.

Jesus reminded us of the “all in” principle. One day He was asked a question about “all in” living. Take a look at the question and His answer in Mark 12:28-31 (TPT) “Now a certain religious scholar overheard them debating. When he saw how beautifully Jesus answered all their questions, he posed one of his own, and asked him, ‘Teacher, which commandment is the greatest of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The most important of all the commandments is this: ‘The Lord Yahweh, our God, is one!’ You are to love the Lord Yahweh, your God, with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, with every thought that is within you, and with all your strength. This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is this: ‘You must love your neighbor in the same way you love yourself.’ You will never find a greater commandment than these.’”

Jesus said, “You need to be ‘into’ loving God and loving others. Be all in!” You know you’re all in by the way you live. It’s seen in your choices and conversations.

Gospel music artist Jonathan McReynolds expressed well the “all in” life for Jesus in his great song, “Make Room.” Look at some of the lyrics:

“I find space for what I treasure
And I make time for what I want
I choose my priorities and
Jesus, You’re my number one

So I will make room for You
I will prepare for two
So You don’t feel that You
Can’t live here
Please live in me”

What a powerful way to say to Jesus, “I’m all in with You!”

Are you “all in” with Him?

Pastor Dale

| 1:30 MIN READ |

Did you hear about the man who wrote the book “Humility and How I Achieved It”? Obviously, there’s no book with this title (as far as I know!). If there was, the name alone would negate its message! This is called a “humblebrag”, which isn’t actually humble!

Humility is an interesting quality. It’s unknown to oneself but apparent to others. Awareness of one’s humility is a contradiction. Humility isn’t something you’re proud of in yourself or a performance for others. It’s who you are, in your soul. It reveals itself in how you live and in the way you relate to others. It’s not something you put on, it’s a way of thinking about God, yourself and others. Pride and entitlement are the antitheses of humility.

The Old Testament character, David, demonstrated a life of humility. He also often described the benefits of it. Here are a few examples from his writings:

Psalms 18:27 (NIV) “You save the humble …”

Psalms 25:9 (NIV) “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

Psalms 147:6 (NIV) “The Lord sustains the humble …”

Psalms 149:4 (NIV) “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

Sounds like humility is an excellent quality to possess! It releases lots of blessings to people.

One of the best ways to develop humility is to recognize the characteristics of pride, and the signs of entitlement in your life. Acknowledging and repenting of these ugly traits opens the door to developing humility, and the benefits it brings!

Pastor Dale

| 1:10 MIN READ |

At a certain point in school, all kids become familiar with the dreaded phrase, “pop quiz.” It’s the moment the teacher gives an unannounced test on a subject you’re supposed to know. “Pop quizzes” are real-time opportunities to demonstrate your attentiveness to study and the grasp of information that has been taught.

Every good teacher uses tests. It’s impossible to know what a student is actually learning without them. And every good teacher is thrilled when a student passes a test. Nothing is quite as satisfying to a teacher as knowing that your students are getting it!

God is a teacher. As a teacher, He gives tests too. He tests us to help us know what’s really important. He tests us to help us see our progress and to gain insight into our needed areas of improvement. A wise student appreciates tests.

Are you in a spiritual testing time? Are you feeling the pressure and stress of challenges and circumstances? Don’t be discouraged. Look for what you can learn. Become a better student. Ask God to give you wisdom to understand the things you need to understand and gain the character and capacities critical to your future!

Pastor Dale

| 1:35 MIN READ |

In many sports, the right placement is one of the keys to winning. The strategic placement of players on the field is important. The placement of the ball on the field is critical. For example, in football, there’s a big difference between having the ball on your five-yard line or having it on your opponent’s five-yard line. The difference is the distance you must go to score. Placement matters!

Placement is also important in life, especially the placement of your heart! We sometimes hear the question, “Is your heart in the right place?” It’s a basic inquiry into the condition of your attitudes.

Think about it. If your heart is “in” something, you’ll give your best to it. You’ll work hard, persevere, and demonstrate passion and enthusiasm for the cause or relationship. If not, it becomes very evident.

When it comes to your life, God is most interested in the placement or condition of your heart. When searching for the second king of Israel, the Lord made this very clear to the prophet, Samuel. Look at His words in 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) “ … ‘The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

If God inspects the condition of our hearts, it’s a good idea for us to take time and do the same. Where’s your heart when it comes to obeying and serving God. How consistently and enthusiastically are you loving, giving, caring and serving others? Is your heart in it? If you find that your heart placement needs adjusting, the Lord specializes in helping us with our hearts. Ask Him to help you!

Pastor Dale

| 1:45 MIN READ |

The world is now filled with hearts. From YouTube to Facebook to Instagram, the little heart icon has become the universal symbol of approval.

God is big on hearts too! He made this clear when He sent Samuel the prophet to anoint the second king of Israel. Samuel was sent to the house of a man named Jesse in Bethlehem. God told Samuel that the next king was one of Jesse’s sons. He also promised to make it clear which one to anoint.

Samuel showed up at Jesse’s home and began the process of reviewing all his sons, from the oldest to the youngest. Eliab was the eldest son. Samuel looked him over, and note what happened, recorded in 1 Samuel 16:6, 7 (NLT) “When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

When God gets ready to give someone important opportunities, He has a unique inspection process. While we generally judge people on their appearance and achievements, God goes about it differently. He goes deeper. He inspects the heart. Eventually, God affirmed to Samuel that David was the young man who had the right heart to lead Israel forward into the future.

When God chose David, David had no major accomplishments, no fancy resume, and no impressive credentials. His only experience was being a faithful shepherd over his dad’s flock of sheep. What he did have was a prepared heart! God was impressed with David’s heart.

How’s your heart? Are you giving attention to the thing that matters most to God–your heart? If so, good. If not, start today!

Pastor Dale

| 1:24 MIN READ |

If you’ve ever done any home remodeling, you know it eventually involves some painting. You want your renovated room to pop with newness. Applying your carefully chosen paint is one of the final things you do before the big reveal!

But a good and lasting paint job requires something a lot less exciting. You must do the prep work, and do it well. The drywall has to be smoothly sanded. The nail holes have to be properly patched. The proper primer has to be applied and dried. Only then are you ready for the glamorous finish!

It’s also true in life. The quality of a person’s life is determined, in large part, by the depth of someone’s preparation. Putting time into building character, gaining experience, increasing wisdom, practicing faithfulness, and disciplining desires, all contribute to a quality reveal.

When it came time for the second king of Israel to be appointed, God sent the prophet Samuel to the home of Jesse in Bethlehem. Why? Because there was a young man in the family who was prepared for the moment. His name was David. Although he would not become king for a number of years, he had already gotten God’s attention because of his prep work. David was ready for his anointing.

There are times we feel we’re waiting on God to do something significant for us, when in reality, God is waiting on us to get prepared. When you’re ready, God’s ready. Do your prep work!

Pastor Dale

| 1:39 MIN READ |

Over the years I have had the opportunity to view life from some fairly high mountain peaks. My greatest (and worst) experience was many years ago in Peru. I traveled up into the Andes Mountains with a mission team from our church. On the way to the town of Huaraz, we passed through a 17,000’ high point. Although the altitude sickness was intense, the scenery was breath-taking!

When it comes to life, far too few people ever reach the heights of God’s purpose and potential. It’s much easier not to make the journey up. Many settle for a life of basic survival. Others are fooled by the false promises of a life of success. Rare is the person who actually discovers the best life — a life of significance.

While surviving life’s challenges is a good thing, and achieving levels of success have value, nothing is greater than finding significance. There’s a big difference between these three levels of living, especially between success and significance.

Success is something that happens to you. Significance is something that happens through you. A significant life involves living for God’s purpose, making a positive difference for others.

It’s entirely possible to be successful and never be significant. It’s also possible to be significant while never experiencing what the world would call success. Either way, significant living is the best living.

Significance truly fulfills. Look at Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 4:32-34 (NIV) “But he said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about.’ … ‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’” That’s significance!

Pastor Dale

| 1:36 MIN READ |

There are two ways to think about life resources. Some live with a scarcity mindset. This way of thinking considers available resources as finite and limited. This means, if you get something good, I get less, or vice versa. It creates a competitive world, based in comparison and envy.

Other people live with an abundance mentality. Folks like this see resources as expansive and unlimited. There’s something good for everybody. What you get doesn’t affect what I get, and vice versa. This way of thinking creates atmospheres of generosity, sharing, and joy.

To understand the right way to think about resources, we need to start with knowing God’s nature. Which word better describes God, scarcity or abundance? Easy peasy! Abundance! God lacks nothing and doesn’t treat His children miserly. He is a generous God and heaven is a place overflowing with every resource you’ll ever need!

Do you remember the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000? There are many lessons for us in this message. One is the abundant and generous nature of God. After receiving the loaves and fish from the young boy in the crowd, Jesus miraculously multiplied them, fed 5,000 men, plus a whole lot of ladies and children. The record is very clear about the abundant provision of resources supplied by God. Look at these words in Mark 6:42-44 (TLB) “And the crowd ate until they could hold no more! There were about 5,000 men there for that meal, and afterward, twelve basketfuls of scraps were picked up off the grass!”

Do you have a scarcity or abundance mindset? Remember who God is!

Pastor Dale

| 1:23 MIN READ |

Anticipation is a wonderful thing. When expecting something good, we’re on the edge of our seats, with eyes wide open, waiting with excitement.

Anticipation is a part of faith. Faith believes that God is up to good things, working, helping and answering our prayers. Living with expectations is wonderful, and it’s how God wants you to think and live.

The psalm-writer David lived with faith, anticipation, and expectation. He told us about this in Psalm 5:3 (NIV) “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

David had a good daily habit. He began his day with God. He started his morning with prayer, laying out his needs and requests to God. But his devotional time didn’t stop with prayer. Before he left his prayer closet and concluded his prayer time, he made sure his attitude was where it needed to be. He made sure he had prayed through his needs to a place of confidence in God and expectations of a response from Him. This is the part we need to improve.

How different would your day be if you not only prayed daily but never concluded your prayer time without coming to a place of faith and confidence that God not only heard you but was responding to you? What if you prayed and then really believed that answers were on the way! What if you lived each day with a “get ready, God is moving” mindset? Try it!

Pastor Dale

| 1:49 MIN READ |

“I need a miracle!” I’ve heard this many times as a pastor. What usually follows is a description of a predicament or problem that defies human solutions or resolutions. It’s a cry for God’s help to do for us what we can’t do for ourselves.

Let me go on record, I believe in miracles. I believe God hears and answers prayer. I believe God invites us to present our impossible situations to Him, trusting Him to do what we can’t do.

I also believe we have a part to play in experiencing a miracle. There’s often work for us to do too. There are actions we need to take that position us for God’s supernatural power and positive intervention in our impossible situations.

Here’s a story illustrating this point. During the days of Elisha the prophet, we are told about a lady whose husband died, leaving her in great debt. Her sons were about to be enslaved to pay the bills she owed.

After telling Elisha about her situation, Elisha does something interesting. Look at the story in 2 Kings 4:2-6 (TLB) “‘What shall I do?’ Elisha asked. ‘How much food do you have in the house?’ ‘Nothing at all, except a jar of olive oil,’ she replied. ‘Then borrow many pots and pans from your friends and neighbors!’ He instructed. ‘Go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Then pour olive oil from your jar into the pots and pans, setting them aside as they are filled!’ So she did … Soon every container was full to the brim.” After reporting this to Elisha, Elisha told her to sell the oil, pay all her bills and then live on the money left! It was a true miracle.

But the miracle, as great as it was, wouldn’t have happened without this lady doing her part! She did what she was told to do, and God did what only He could do!

When it comes to miracles, there’s work for you too. Do your part, and God will do His part!

Pastor Dale

| 1:20 MIN READ |

What’s the biggest need in your life?

No one is needless. Everybody has some lack in their life. Lack is part of life.

Lack isn’t a bad thing. Often it’s lack that leads you to God!

There’s a Bible story that reminds us of this. Jesus told us about a young man who determined his life was boring at home. He chose to spread his wings and head out into the big, bad world for himself. He went to his dad and asked for his inheritance. His father agreed to his son’s request. This foolish kid went into the world and had a good time, for a while. Eventually, he spent everything he was given, carelessly and sinfully. He ended up working for a pig farmer, wishing for the food the swine he tended ate. He had a serious lack in his life.

Jesus tells us what happened next in Luke 15:17-20 (TLB) “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.”’ So he returned home to his father…”

What brought this young man to his senses and motivated him to return home to his father? His lack!

Whatever the lack is in your life—whatever needs are pressing you—let your lack lead you to God!

Pastor Dale

| 1:54 MIN READ |

Sometimes the biggest miracles begin with the smallest things. Human life begins at conception with the union of microscopic cells. Great relationships start with an initial, and often brief introduction. Massive trees providing landscape beauty come from tiny seeds. With God, little is big!

There’s a wonderful story from the life of Jesus illustrating this principle. Jesus invested a day teaching a large crowd. 5,000 men were present, plus women and children. Jesus instructed His disciples to feed this massive group. The 12 disciples were concerned with this request. They combed through the crowd for food and discovered one little boy with a lunchbox. They had a grand total of 5 small loaves of bread and a couple of fish. The disciples called a quick meeting and decided to suggest an alternative plan to Jesus. Look at their recommendation to Jesus found in Mark 6:36 (TPT) “You should send the crowds away so they can go into the surrounding villages and buy food for themselves.”

These fellows meant well, but they didn’t understand what Jesus wanted to do. He wanted to teach us a lasting principle. Jesus asked about the resources the disciples found in the crowd. Notice what happened next; Mark 6:39-42 (TPT) “Then he instructed them to organize the crowd and have them sit down in groups on the grass … Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gazed into heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and the two fish and distributed them to his disciples to serve the people — and the food was multiplied in front of their eyes! Everyone had plenty to eat and was fully satisfied.”

Jesus took a little and turned it into a lot. He taught us a great lesson. Don’t spend time worrying about what you don’t have, or the little you do have. Remember what God can do! It doesn’t take much for a miracle to happen when you give what you have to Him!

Pastor Dale