Greater is He….

We live in troubled times. You don’t even need TV or newspapers to see it. If you have a Facebook account and friends, you can see that something isn’t quite right. Here’s the scenario: You wake up in the morning, make your cup of coffee, reach for your Smartphone and start scrolling through Facebook, just to see what’s going on with family and friends. But what do you really see? Images of social violence, political scandal, domestic abuse, and physical harm to unborn babies and overly vulgar “jokes.” In other words, rude, crude, and often explicit images that most people wouldn’t expect to see over morning coffee.

Here’s the thing – I am not in anyway, a prude. I have a sense of humor, and I have trouble sometimes controlling my own attitude and my mouth. But I’m trying. That said, I have also noticed something else… There is not one single person who is completely happy with the world we live in. Everyone I see expresses the idea that this world we live in is “going to hell”, and that’s because they’re right.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

What’s the reason? A lack of God. Not because He’s abandoned or forsaken us, but because we’ve abandoned and forsaken Him! We, as a people, put our wants and desires first and foremost before and above the creator of the universe. The one being in existence who created everything and all of us, and we exclude Him from our lives on a regular, daily basis. We’re all guilty of it to some degree. All of us. There are many people who know He’s real and yet refuse to acknowledge Him in any way or worse, completely deny His existence. This way of life has tragic results. On the other hand, when we give our lives to the Lord, He says, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezk 36:26)

Let me ask you something… do you ever feel like there’s something missing in your life, but you just can’t put your finger on it? That’s God. He’s trying to get your attention. Ever feel like you need someone or something to comfort you? That’s God telling you He wants to give you His perfect love, and asks that you love Him in return. He’s polite though. He’s not going to barge in and take over your life. You have to want Him there. You have to invite Him in. But what do we do? We turn to material things, or even short-term relationships with people who we KNOW aren’t good for us, in an effort to fill that void in our lives. That’s what the world does to us. It leaves us empty, angry, and hurting.

Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

1 John 4:4 – “ You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

All you have to do is invite Jesus into your heart, and the rest will follow. I’m not saying you’ll never struggle again, I’m saying you’ll never be alone again. And you’ll have the creator of the universe and all things in it to help you. And He will help you!

If this message has been a blessing to you. I ask that you please “like” and “share” it. I ask nothing in return. I just want to know that what God is giving me, is making it out there for his glory, and the enrichment of your spirit – In Jesus’ name, amen!

Rev. Crystal Bennett

Choosing To Believe

My husband,  Rob,  wrote this, and I really think it’s something we all should think about.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Well, today has begun well and on we go. Last couple days a furry, forty pound little family member has had a mom and dad worried. Dogs can’t convey messages like us and it can make things a bit stressful. Turns out, it may have only been severe constipation. Sounds silly, but you had to be here to understand. We do love our little Molly.

We treat our dog like family and we love her the same. If she has a spirit like us I hope to see her in Heaven. A belief in God first takes faith. Without it we ain’t got nothing to back up a prayer. Kinda funny, we gotta believe in the egg to see the chicken. We gotta believe in a spirit to believe in God. If we think we are just a being with no soul, we definately have no reason to believe in an afterlife whatsoever. Makes no sense. I read once of a scientist who went out to see if we had a soul. Came to find out that humans lost a few ounces when they died. Couldn’t figure out why, we just did. Now, we can always come up with an excuse in order to support our atheist views. But we still can’t escape the fact that something left our body. If our spirit has  substance, maybe it has weight. Of course you still have to make a choice to believe it.  Otherwise we can stick to the old standby, “denial”. It’s worked for thousands of years. So why do people want to be an atheist? Denial? But why? Only thing I can figure is a lot of folks don’t like to stick with morals or decency. Or even good health. So after a time you find that people needed to get some form of decency and made up things like humanism or Buddha or whatever controlled the masses without having to give into the “Religion” side of things. God had some rules. But honestly, there were some really good rules that didn’t hurt anyone. Islam has rules about killing all non believers. Also mutilating transgressors. There’s a list, believe me. And don’t go thinking it’s only the bad Muslims. It’s written in their Book. God never, ever wished bad things on this world. He just wants us to seek Him in order for Him to be able to reward us. People listen to so much propaganda based on small out of context words either from the bible or just from what someone said. You have to read it to know what’s really going on. I do read everyday, and so far it ain’t hurting me. Or anyone else for that matter. I guess it just comes down to what I end with each day……. You just gotta believe. Without it you can’t please Him, and He can’t reward you. Ouch.”

“Never Give Up, Never Surrender!”

One of my favorite things about God, is that He is a God of second chances. Jeremiah 29:11 – “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.”

My favorite movie line is from Galaxy Quest – Captain Peter Quincy Taggart,  played by Tim Allen. They just go so well together, don’t you think?  

Judge Not…..

Good morning,  Family & Friends! Happy Saturday! I want share with you something  I wrote a while back, after seeing so many hateful posts show up in my news feed.

Let’s try to remember a few things…

Not ALL women think men are idiots.

Not ALL men are abusive to their wives or girlfriends.

Not ALL men cheat.

Not ALL women are faithful.

Not ALL republicans are bad.

Not ALL democrats are good.

Not ALL Christian’s hate homosexuals & lesbians.

Not ALL Christians are crazy religious fanatics.

Not ALL “Christians” are Christians.

Not ALL white people are racist.

Not ALL Islamic people are terrorists.

Not ALL teenagers are disrespectful.

Not ALL adults are polite.

Not ALL people on public assistance or SSI are drug abusers or alcoholics.

Not ALL drug abusers & alcoholics are unemployed.

Not ALL poverty level parents abuse or neglect their children.

Not ALL financially stable parents are kind & loving to their kids.

I could go on and on, but by now, I hope you get the idea. What I’m really trying to say is… For every finger you point, there are at least 7 more pointing back at you. Don’t generalize. Don’t stereotype. Judge not, lest you be judged. Walk in faith, hope and love. Treat others the way that you would like to be treated. It’s really pretty basic common sense, but if everyone in the world did it, think how much better things would be! It all starts with one person. Be the change you want to see in others! 
As always, I pray this is a blessing to you, and I pay the Lord forgives your sins, keeps you safe, and blesses you greatly, in Jesus’ name, amen! 
– Rev. Crystal

Shelter Me

Good Morning Family & Friends! Today, I’d like to share with you one of my absolute favorite songs. Now I’m honesty not a fan of Christian music, and to see the lyrics you’d think that’s what this is. It may very well be considered such, but this is an awesome rockin’ blues song with a mean guitar riff, and it sums up how I feel about the Lord, so give it a listen. Those of you who’ve watched the TV show Sons of Guns have already heard part of it, because they used it for their theme, however it’s not about guns, which I honestly have no problem with when used responsibly! Okay, the caffeine has officially kicked in, so I’m gonna leave this right here. Have a very blessed day! ❤

Shelter Me – by Tab Benoit (click to see the video & hear the song!)

The earth can shake the sky come down*
The mountains all fall to the ground
But I will fear none of these things
Shelter me lord underneath your wings

Dark waters rise and thunder pounds
The wheels of war are going round
And all the walls are crumbling
Shelter me lord underneath your wings
Shelter me lord underneath your wings

Hide me underneath your wings
Hide me deep inside your heart
In your refuge – cover me
The world can shake
But lord I’m making you my hiding place

The wind will blow the rain can pour
The deluge breaks the tempest roars
But in the storm my spirit sing
Oh shelter me lord underneath your wing
Shelter me lord underneath your wing

Hide me underneath your wings
Hide me deep inside your heart

In your refuge – cover me
The world can shake
But lord I’m making you my hiding place

Now on the day you call for me
Someday when time – no more shall be
I’ll say death where is your sting
Shelter me lord underneath your wing
Shelter me lord underneath your wing

Hide me underneath your wings
Hide me deep inside your heart
In your refuge – cover me
The world can shake
But lord I’m making you my hiding place

Now on the day you call for me
Someday when time – no more shall be
I’ll say oh death where is your sting
Oh shelter me lord underneath your wings
I say shelter me lord underneath your wing
Shelter me lord underneath your wing