The Inward Journey by Pastor Brent Lokker

The Kingdom of Heaven is within              ~Jesus (Luke 17:21) The love you long for is within The joy you seek is within The hope you need is within The faith you desire is within The peace you crave is within Why? Because Jesus is within you and all that He is belongs to you. The riches of the glory of God's mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) Last Saturday I gave a message about the Inward Journey to connect more deeply with Jesus. I didn’t just talk about it, but we took time to try it.  I must have hit a nerve—a good one. I received more positive feedback than I can remember from one message in a very long time, so I’ve decided to continue the message this Saturday, The Inward Journey—Part 2. . I’ve also asked several of those who were impacted last Saturday to share a testimony about their ongoing inward journey as we gather this Saturday. (You can hear last week’s message here and you can skip to the part of my message about the Inward Journey at 24:24) The good nerve I hit upon is the longing for the Lord within each one of you that He's placed right inside of you. Even the longing is found within! But remember Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled!” So what is the key to connecting more deeply with Jesus? It begins by knowing by faith He is within you and never far away. You are not trying to do somethingto get him to come from somewhere out there, but you are becoming more and more aware of the One who has made his home inside of you. Then, there is a process of learning how to quiet your mind so you can enjoy unhindered intimacy with Him. One thing we practiced was "Praying the Scripture." We practiced slowly meditating and digesting word-by-word a passage of Scripture with the purpose of quieting your mind and focusing on Christ within you. Try it now... Live in the holy awe of God—which brings you trembling into His presence. God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to accomplish the good things you desire to do. Philippians 3:12-13 (TPT) (with each "..."  below, take time to be aware of His indwelling presence and love, pause and linger often, especially when you are feeling his presence) Live in the holy awe of God...Live...I am alive right now in the holy awe of my God...the holy awe of God...I am in awe in your presence God...trembling...trembling into your glorious presence...Your presence within me...your holy presence within me...your holy presence within me at this very moment...God, you will continually revitalize me...God, you will revitalize me...You continually breath fresh life in me...this is what you do...you implant within me passion...I have passion for life...you infuse me with that passion...passion to accomplish good things...good things I desire to do...good things I desire to do because you have placed them within me... Our good and very dear Savior is making himself known to everyone who wants him. Never give up this inward journey. The continual pay-off of his very real presence is what you were born for more than any other pursuit. With Love, Brent

A Heart Filled With Thanks by Pastor Brent Lokker

Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special.  (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, TMB) As I read this, and in light of the glorious time we spent together this past weekend at the Restoring Family conference, my heart is filled with deep gratitude!  Here is my prayer of thanks. I encourage you to make it yours and to add your own voice of thanksgiving to our very dear and kind Father.   Thank you, Father, for all that Jesus has done for us! Thank you, Father, for pouring out your Spirit in rich measure over us! Thank you, Father, for a spirit of unity that is rising up! Thank you, Father, for healing the places in our hearts that have caused us to alienate each other. Thank you, Father, for filling the hunger in the hearts of your children for deep connection with you! Thank you, Father, for giving us great favor! Thank you, Father, for providing for us in abundance! Thank you for being a good, good Father in every way! You’re the best!! And I truly thank God for each of you! With Love,                Brent

God is Better Than We Can Imagine by Pastor Brent Lokker

Oh, My Dear Friends! In the midst of whatever life looks like for you today, you have to remember something: God is better than anyone could ever imagine! Yes, He’ always so loving and kind, and it never stops! (Ps 107:1) And remembering this causes us to lift up our hands to our tender Abba, Papa, Yahweh and give thanks for his marvelous kindness and miracles of mercy because He loves us. (Ps. 107:15) Let that sink in deeper…He loves you! He adores you! He is particularly fond of you! Allow the words of this chorus you know well wash over you: “He loves us, oh, how he loves us Oh how he loves us, oh how he loves!” He is jealous for me. He loves like a hurricane, I am a tree bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy. When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me! I declare over each one reading this the suddenly of the Lord’s glory overtaking you and eclipsing any afflictions you may be going through. I declare the truth over your life that, God turns our barren wilderness into an oasis with water! He makes springs flow into the desert places and turns them into fertile valleys! (Ps. 107-35-36) I know you have been crying out for your heart to connect more deeply with God, your Father. How can I know this? Because God’s Spirit is moving within all of us, causing the longing for the deepest desires to be fulfilled. And God is answering! Your deep cries are being answered!  Do not give up hope!  You have a Father who adores you and who’s better than you could ever imagine! He’s so loving and kind to you and it never, ever stops! With Love, Pastor Brent

The Joy Of Sharing The Simple Gospel by guest contributor Vivian Phi

“I refused to be ashamed of sharing the wonderful message of God’s liberating power unleashed in us through Christ! For I am thrilled to preach that everyone who believes is saved—the Jew first, and then people everywhere!” ~ Romans 1:16 ~

Don’t give up, pray! Not long ago, I shared the good news in a facility with a mother of three young children, but she was separated from her family because of drug abuse issues. She was skeptical from the beginning and would just watch and observe from a distance when I prayed for other women or had Bible studies with them. I simply served others as usual with hugs, encouragement, prayers, and love without “pushing” her to hear the gospel. I literally “left her alone” while praying for her privately. After two months, she started to ask me questions about God and the Bible. She even asked if she could have Bible study with me. Later she opened up and shared that she was more and more eager to read the Bible because God’s words have given her much strength and hope. A month ago, I received a card from her in the mail. She shared that she has continued to read the Bible everyday no matter how hard her situation is! Praise God! Simply step out There is no fixed rules and formula as to how to lead others to Jesus “the right way”; simply be available and step out is the key. Telling others “Jesus love you!” or “You are God’s precious one!” with a smile, a hug, or an act of kindness are great ways to witness, too! Sometimes my husband and I’d give prophetic words or word of knowledge when we receive revelation from God, and people usually respond the same: “It’s crazy!” when the words are accurate (Of course! God knows everything, right!). Sometimes we pray for people who are sick on the street, and when they feel better or are healed, they say, “It’s crazy!” Many people need to hear and receive God’s love and encouragement through us; they need to hear the good news of forgiveness of sins and hope (2 Corinthians 5:20). It’s time to step out!                                                                 Love,                                                                         Vivian

Living In Sonship by Pastor Susan Fochler

Starting out as Orphans As I look back on my life, I can see a clear progression from having an orphan mindset to a growing confidence in my identity as a child of God.  As an orphan, I derived my worth from external measures such as performance and popularity.  Neither of which was ever enough, but for a little moment it seemed to satisfy.  Becoming a son/daughter means my security is increasingly drawn from belonging to and being with God.  Any fruitfulness from my life is wonderful, but not the source of my joy.  Being rooted and grounded in His love has become my goal and I am ever aware nothing less will do. Recently I had an experience that vividly revealed the nature of this unconditional love.  I had to give someone some news they did not want to hear.  As an orphan, their initial response was to lash out with rage because they felt so hurt.  I was shocked; news that seemed like a mild inconvenience to me felt like a personal attack to them.  His Constant Love is Always Enough During a time of prayer after this happened, God took me back in the spirit to that moment.  But this time He completely enveloped me in His love; I was inside Him, He was inside Me; we were as one.  And as we stood there facing a very angry person, I could feel God’s unwavering affection and kindness pouring through me.  It was like He was oblivious to the hostility.  His love was pure and holy, completely undeterred by any temper tantrum!   His Love sees Us I could sense His love flowing, unrelenting, so like the river of life we read about in the scriptures.  His smile, unflinching, His joy-filled eyes so glad to be there, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil He was facing.  His focus was on who the person was, not how they were behaving.  I became keenly aware that there is no situation, no matter how stressful, that can diminish His perfect love in any way.  That’s exactly how a loving Father treats His kids.  He sees our true hearts, not our momentary wobbles, and because He is the source of all love, He can do nothing else than pour unconditional affection and acceptance upon us.  Limitless Love that Flows like a River It is interesting that the root word for river in the Hebrew has to do with inheritance.  Just as a child receives his inheritance freely, without earning or deserving it, so do we receive freely of the unconditional, limitless love from our Father.  Come and drink your fill of all you need of belonging, approval, mutual enjoyment; there is always enough!   I encourage you to drink and delight in God’s sweet, never-ending acceptance as we read in the Psalms: All may drink of the anointing from the abundance of your house. All may drink their fill from the delightful springs of Eden. To know you is to experience a flowing fountain, drinking in your life, springing up to satisfy. In the light of your holiness we receive the light of revelation.   Psalm 36:8-9 TPT. Keep on drinking in the love! Pastor Susan

Parable of the Hibicus by Pastor Brent Lokker

About a month ago, I purchased a hibiscus plant to enjoy in our backyard. Actually I bought two of them—one with pink blossoms and one with orange blossoms and I planted them in the same extra large pot for a splash of colors to enjoy throughout the waning days of fall. When I bought the plants, one orange flower was already in full bloom with numerous buds of each color well on their way to producing a beautiful floral display. Then something happened...more accurately squirrels happened and my beautiful flower as well as all the forming buds on both plants became a scrumptious early morning squirrel buffet. Arrrrrgh!! So I went straight to Google to get the scoop on how to dissuade these hungry critters. I learned that sprinkling some fresh coffee grounds over the soil (who knew squirrels weren’t early morning coffee drinkers?) as well as spreading a thin layer of petroleum jelly laced with cayenne pepper (who knew squirrels weren’t into spicy foods?) around the edge of the pot would do the trick. And you know what? It did! The squirrels completely laid off of their hibiscus buffet. With a renewed commitment to see these plants restored I continued to faithfully water the plants every few days and kept the pot in full sun. I also continue to spread around fresh coffee ground every week or so. Although it took several weeks, new buds formed and the first two bright colored hibiscus flowers returned—one pink and one orange! Even with the flowers now flourishing, the squirrels still don’t cross the coffee/cayenne pepper barriers. Then the Lord spoke to me... “I love the beauty and fragrance of your life just the way I’ve created you. My intention is for you to flourish! The enemy of your soul wants to come and devour the fruit of your life through lies of discouragement and fear. Just as the squirrel couldn’t cross certain lines, so too the enemy cannot be around you when your heart is deeply connected to mine and we are enjoying closeness together. The blood sacrifice of Jesus brought the truth of perfect intimacy back into clear view, just as Adam and Eve had with me in the garden. This enjoyment of your protected place in my heart is a barrier the enemy simply cannot cross. So let’s walk together more closely as you enjoy the tenderness of my heart that’s my most priceless gift to you. Continue to drench and soak your life in my love. Continue to bask in the sunshine of my approval and favor. You will flourish again! Don’t get distracted my child. Intimacy with me is the key to a sustained fruitfulness in your life. I am inviting you in this very moment to know me in a deeper, more tender way than you’ve ever experienced before. Let’s go there!” We are to God the sweet aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:15) ​ Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord! To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. My passion is to be consumed with him...  (Philippians 3:7-9, TPT)                                                                            Love,                                                                                  Brent

Tenderize & Soften My Heart by Pastor Todd Lout

Non of us are immune to hardness of the heart attempting to set in, and on a daily basis. It's because we live in a broken system in a broken world, among broken people all around.  But God offers a replacement, a "heart of flesh" instead of a stoney one. We really want to, and need to, take Him up on this offer because the hardness of heart will clog our ears from hearing Him more clearly. It will cause us to see others without love-lenses.  It will block us from going through the doors we can go through, eat away at our joy, cause bitterness, misunderstanding, lack of identity and other such things that can eventually manifest into actual, physical problems.  Why is this such a big deal? Because the heart is not simply the blood-pumping organ in our chest. Consider the Greek word for heart, which is Kardia.  Kardia means the CORE or CENTER. In Hebraic-Biblical thought, the heart is the most central part of a person's being, governing a person's entire life.  Proverbs 4:23 tells us, "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Often we can get so busy in life, so consumed by external things, that we forget to tend to our heart.  Over time we even allow some things in and to become our "norm" that are building stone walls around our hearts.  Recently, knowing that my heart can easily get rocky, I decided to pay attention to every little thing that made a threat to my heart in a single day.  I thought there would be many things, but was shocked when it became blaringly clear just how many things posed a threat in a 24 hour period.  It was so unsettling that I went to bed, that night, praying Song of Solomon 5:2 over myself, "I sleep, but my heart is awake.", asking God to be at my heart's door, even in the middle of the night. I could bombard you with a vast array of things that threaten to harden our hearts, but I'll make a short, short list here just to possibly provoke some awareness for us all:

* Sin (those things that we do when we forget who we really are) * Religion             * Offence * Injustice (To me and to others.)          * Small Beginnings * Taking on other people's hardness of heart. * People not getting our heart and even misrepresenting it. (For me, probably the worst) * Not getting your way.                            * That person who is just moseying in front of your car when you're trying to make that turn and they look right at you like, "I know you want to go, but Imma walk slow as I want....then they mosey in the next crosswalk that's in your turn!!   :)

OK, now for the GOOD NEWS! ("Oh thank God! Todd's email was getting depressing and hardening my heart!":). We don't have to live with a stoney heart!  NO!  True worship, fellowship with Holy Spirit, contemplating Jesus' heart, consuming His Word, setting our minds and keeping them set on "things above" and being outward (putting others above ourself) like Jesus is, will tenderize and soften our hearts.  The TRUTH will set us free! One thing I've decided will be my normal, every morning, is to hold out my hands in surrender and say to the Lord, "Tenderize and soften my heart."  I've done this when I can see the signs of it going the other way throughout the day and most of the time there is an instant shift.  Also, I'm learning to be really intentional in the middle of situations....like with the crosswalk moseier (that's probably not a real word).  I would ask God to give me His heart for that person and immediately He gives me a word for them.  Now my heart is tender and I'm thinking His thoughts toward that person, rather than letting a silly little thing do something yucky to my core. In conclusion here I would like to make a declaration over you by adding to one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies, "The Help":  You is KIND. You is SMART. You is IMPORTANT. You is a SOFT-HEARTED PERSON. You is AWARE THAT EVERYONE ELSE IMPORTANT TOO. You is LOVED BY A PERFECT FATHER.