Thoughts on Today’s Message From the Pastor

Scripture: Psalm 112: 1-10

Most of us, if not all of us, have had conversations with someone who was affected by a less-than-loving father or mother, and the hurt that it brings throughout a person's life. We have also had conversations with others who shared how loving and caring their mother and father were and how they were blessed because of it. These point out how people's actions towards those close to them can have a powerful, long-term effect.

The way my father, mother, uncles, aunts, and grandparents interacted with me made them some of the strongest influencers and examples I have had in my life. I can share how what they said and did had a strong impact on what I have grown to believe and live. I know you can do the same, good and bad, but they did leave an impression.

This leads me to the real question I need to ask myself. How is my life, who I am, what I believe, how I live and act, affecting those I love and care about? I am a vessel of God’s love and wisdom. Do I allow it to flow through me to help strengthen others? What is the example people see in the life I live?

Psalm 112 lays out several wonderful points on how a man and woman of God should be. I strive to improve at incorporating these principles into my life as I continue to walk with my Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor John Napoli is the pastor of River Of Life Church located in Cloquet, MN. We are a non-denominational church that believes the Bible is the living word of God and all sermons are based on that truth. Pastor John does not share his sermons without thoroughly praying and studying out that they align with what the written Word of God says. For more information check out www.rolcloquet.com

Thoughts on Today’s Message From the Pastor

Scriptures: Ephesians 2:1-10, Hebrews 4:12-13, John 10:10,

Matthew 11:28

Shame and the power it can have to make us think we are of less value than we are, is a big topic that I in no way believe I have all the answers for everyone and every situation. In my life, I have experienced things that have made me cringe when I thought about them or gave me a feeling that I was less important and valuable than those around me, which resulted in me hiding my thoughts and involvement with others.

Hearing of Jesus Christ and how God the Father sees me as His Child when I open my heart to Him and call His Son Jesus my King brought joy, peace, and hope in my life. I was given a new way of thinking! This is great, but it's hard to rid myself sometimes of the old way of thinking and the past items that weighed me down.

Past views of myself and things I did or occurred to me still have a way of popping their ugly heads up, but by trusting the teachings of Jesus Christ and identifying as the person He says I am, I can allow these teachings to guide me and my actions to minimize the power my past mistakes, shame, and negative self-view has on me. God has given me the knowledge, hope, grace, and love to guide me and play “Whack-a-Mole” with those thoughts when they pop up in my life.

Pastor John Napoli is the pastor of River Of Life Church located in Cloquet, MN. We are a non-denominational church that believes the Bible is the living word of God and all sermons are based on that truth. Pastor John does not share his sermons without thoroughly praying and studying out that they align with what the written Word of God says. For more information check out www.rolcloquet.com

Pastor John Napoli is the pastor of River Of Life Church located in Cloquet, MN. We are a non-denominational church that believes the Bible is the living word of God and all sermons are based on that truth. Pastor John does not share his sermons without thoroughly praying and studying out that they align with what the written Word of God says. For more information check out www.rolcloquet.com