"Intercessory Prayer" - Friday March 13,, 2026

“Intercessory Prayer”

Fortunate is the person who has a Godly friend that faithfully prays for them when they are experiencing difficult times. Do you have such a person who has your back and is pray for you on a regular basis?

 

Many times, people facing a crisis run away from God and the church when of all times, they should be running to Him. God is faithful and he loves you with an everlasting love. You can serve God, reject, or neglect him. Serving him brings blessings and peace – rejection will eventually bring condemnation. He allows you to make the choice.

 

Consider the Israelites. Set free of their captivity in Egypt they grumbled and complained to Moses as he led them to the Promised Land. Eventually they arrived at the border – the Land God had promised them. The people elected to send spies to check out the land. Twelve went and upon their return ten reported seeing giants while two said “We can conquer this land.”

 

The people forgot God’s promises and power. They chose not to enter the land, and God allowed them to make that choice. Their decision was an act of disobedience which resulted in the death of an entire generation. Why? Because they wanted their own way instead of trusting God to deliver on his promises.

 

As you study the history of Israel, you’ll discover the Jews, God’s chosen people time and time again returned to worshipping their own gods and doing as they pleased. When in despair, they’d call out to God, and he’d hear and answer them. Their continuous rejection eventually caused God to turn a deaf ear.

 

Some of you may be walking a slippery slope today. If so, I can promise someone loves you and is praying for you. They are asking God to speak and tenderize your heart so you can hear his voice. Wherever you are, whatever you’ve done, despite the depths you may have fallen, or the sins you’ve committed – it is NOT TOO LATE to turn to God. Your peers may be cheering you on, but the person standing in the gap praying for you is your real friend.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"It's a Heart Condition" - Thursday March 12, 2026

“It’s a Heart Condition”

The Bible has lots of verses speaking about the heart of every human being. You may be familiar with these two: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Or “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

 

If you are thinking Proverbs has much to say about the heart, you’d be correct as this book tells us how to live our life. It guides us in things we should and should not do. It provides instructions on paths to walk and those we should avoid. Another great verse is Proverbs 23:26, “My son, GIVE ME YOUR HEART, and let your eyes keep to my ways.”

 

This is a call to surrender one’s inner life, desires, and will to God, rather than just outward obedience. The verse emphasizes a personal loving relationship with God, focusing on the heart as the center of thoughts, affections and will. How many times have we told a child, spouse, or friend, “I love you with all my heart?” That’s the love God wants from us. A deep committed love for someone shows up in our attitude and actions – not just words.

 

To hear someone speak about owning cattle on a thousand hills gets our attention. The Lord said in Psalm 50:10, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” What God is really saying here is although the Israelites were faithful in bringing their sacrifices to God, He recognized they were merely going through the motions. He’s stating, “I don’t need your animals (I own them all), what I really want is your heart.”

 

Sometimes we’re guilty of going through the motions. We may be doing lots of “good things,” but they are done because that’s what we are supposed to do. Or it’s what is expected of us. Do you serve God and your church through routine or ritual, or are you truly excited about the blessings of God? Are you thankful for His presence in your life and love sharing answers to prayer with others? Let’s not become lazy or complacent in our daily activities or worship. God wants our whole heart and when He has it, amazing things take place.

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Prepare for Battle" - Wednesday March 11, 2026

“Prepare for Battle”

Every day we must decide how we will face the enemy of our soul. Satan takes no time off and he is relentless in attacking us and wise enough to catch us when we least expect it. The Bible explicitly says that our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, and against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

 

Satan’s attacks may be brutal or subtle, but he never gives up. I recently read about a lady who was bitten by a dog and was determined that the dog had rabies. When the doctor told her the news, the woman sat down and began to write. The doctor assured her, “You don’t have to write out your will; we’ll give you some shots and you will be fine.” The woman replied, “I’m not writing out my will, I’m making a list of people I want to bite.”

 

True or false, the story does describe the thoughts of way too many people today. That’s the way the world operates. You don’t like me, so I don’t like you. But when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, our whole agenda changes. And one expression of that change is that we begin to have compassion for others. As followers of Christ, we develop a desire to serve others and even love the unlovely. What a great God we serve. Only with His transforming power are we able to do that.

 

Paul wrote, “Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you’ve done everything to stand, STAND FIRM with the BELT of TRUTH, with the BREASTPLATE of RIGHTEOUSNESS in place, with your FEET FITTED for readiness, TAKE UP the SHIELD of FAITH, put on the HELMET of SALVATION, and the SWORD of the SPIRIT which is the WORD of GOD” (Ephesians 6:10-18).

 

You may wonder, where do I get this equipment? There is one place and one place only. You’ll find each of these protective measures in and from the Bible, which is God’s Holy Word. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing (or reading) by the Word of God. Without learning and adhering to the basics of God’s Word, you are defenseless and not only a prime target for Satan but a weak one at that.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Low Hanging Fruit" - Tuesday March 10, 2026

“Low Hanging Fruit”

Galatians 5 tells us, “The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (v 6). The very next verse describes much of our culture today, “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (v 7).

 

Can you imagine what life would be like if people simply treated everyone they meet the way they themselves want to be treated? Paul continues in verse 17, “the sinful nature of a person is in conflict with God’s Spirit” which consequently leads to disagreements and sometimes even hatred. But God offers a remedy.

 

Galatians 5:19 describes acts of the sinful nature as being obvious, sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy envy, drunkenness, and dissensions. However, we don’t have to live this way. God’s grace is greater than all our sins and can literally transform our lives. There are two questions to be answered: “Do you really want to be a Christian and if so, what kind of a Christian do you want to be?”

 

Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Does this seem like an overwhelming list? It is without God’s help. But when totally surrendered to Christ, we begin to act as He does. This fruit exemplifies the behavior of a Spirit filled believer.

 

We’ll never be perfect in this life, but surrendering to God allows His Spirit to work within and you will be shocked at what you’ll become when His teachings are put into practice. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “The old things pass away, all things become new for I am a new creature.”

 

Keep in mind, there are many following in your footsteps and others who are watching and listening. Do you want your journey to lead others to Christ or away from Him? The “Fruit of the Spirit” is within the reach of every single person that desires to experience it. A surrender to Christ will also impact the lives of others.

 

Pastor Carnes

"Starters for the Week" - Monday March 9, 2026

“Starters for the Week”

Monday has arrived and the weekly grind is about to begin. The hustle and bustle for many is getting the kids ready and off to school, rushing to work for an important meeting or to catch a plane, but you wind up sitting in traffic. Some folks have a doctor’s appointment that’s a little unsettling as others are trying to mentally prepare for surgery.

 

Whatever is ahead of you this week, I pray it’s all good, including whatever health issues you may be facing. Today I’d like for you to take a couple minutes and take some deep breaths. Below are 9 selected Bible verses for you to read and let one or two of them sink in and encourage you throughout the day or entire week:

• “Draw near to God and He’ll draw near to you…” – James 4:8
• “Come unto Me and I’ll give you rest…” – Matthew 11:28-30
• “I’ll give you a peace the world cannot give you…” - John 14:27
• “Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid…” - John 14:1
• “Be still and know that I am God…” - Psalm 46:10
• “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you…” – Hebrews 13:5
• “Fear not for I am with you…” – Isaiah 41:10
• “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble…” – Psalm 46:1
• “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need…” – Hebrews 4:16

 

Begin each day by finding a quiet place and ask God for guidance, strength, courage, and an opportunity to be a blessing to someone. When spending time alone with God, we begin to see things more clearly. We gain perspective, as if God has taken us to the top of a high mountain. In other words, in prayer, God takes away all the fog that engulfs your life and mine.

 

Prayer burns away the fog so we can begin to see who we are and focus on the things that matter most in life. Take time each day to talk to God, and your life will become an adventure. Prayer will activate your faith, and you’ll soon learn to face challenges with confidence because you know with God, “ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!”

 

Pastor Carnes  

"Alive in Christ Pt 5 - Friday March 6, 2026

“Alive in Christ” Pt 5:

We can have all our sins forgiven and become a born-again Christian in an instant but living the Christian life and  will take a lifetime. We are not called to be better than anyone else, God wants to help us become the very best version of ourselves. At salvation, we become a new creation – not physically, but spiritually. From that moment on, God goes to work transforming our lives. That’s His part of the process, but we also must fulfill our part.

 

The first step is admitting we can’t do this alone and need help. When Jesus ascended into Heaven after his resurrection, he told the disciples his Father would send them a “Helper.” This “Helper” is the Holy Spirit. When totally surrendered to the Lord, the Holy Spirit renews our mind (we think differently), gives us wisdom, guidance, strength, and courage to do “right things.” What does this look like?

 

Romans 12:21 is a powerful biblical instruction from the Apostle Paul, telling believers, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” This means one should not retaliate with negativity but conquer wrongdoing and hate with love, kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Breaking cycles of bad behavior reflect God’s character.

 

A true follower of Christ treats others as they themselves want to be treated. They counter hate with love, injustice with kindness, and anger with patience. As a committed follower of Jesus, we must understand life transformation is a process and doesn’t happen overnight. It takes daily commitment and discipline to do the right things because that’s what Jesus would do. We learn what’s right and what’s wrong by reading the Bible.

 

God, the Bible, church, and Christianity are under attack today. Words coming out of our mouths are meaningless today. People can’t dispute your love for God if you truly love them (see John 13:34-35). If you are serious about becoming “Alive in Christ” read Ephesians 13:34-35; I John 4:20-21; Ephesians 4:29-32, and Galatians 5:16-26. These verses explain the things we are to get rid of and what we should and will do as the Lord literally transforms our lives. What areas of your life need attention?

 

Pastor Carnes

 

 

"Alive in Christ" Pt 4 - Thursday March 5, 2026

“Alive in Christ” Pt 4:

We can’t become a Christian on our own or live a Christian life without the power of Christ abiding within us. This doesn’t mean we can’t be a nice person and be respectful of others. There are a few things some people don’t understand or refuse to learn. One is that there’s a requirement for anyone and everyone that wants to go to Heaven when they pass from this world.

 

We come into this world at birth with a sin nature. This is proven over and over by the actions of a baby that’s gets angry or as they get a little older throw temper tantrums when not getting their way. Who taught them how to act this way? It comes naturally. Some people have calm dispositions and rarely get angry or make life difficult for others. Regardless of how good or how bad a person may be, the Bible says, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

 

The requirement of Heaven is asking Jesus Christ to forgive us of our sins and receiving him into our heart. Jesus is Lord, and he is the One who sacrificed his life and died in your place for all the sins you and I have ever committed. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). Going to Heaven requires our sins be forgiven and Christ is the only One who can forgive and give us a new life.

 

The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things pass away and all things become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Repenting of sin is called, “Salvation.” They are “saved” from hell and have heaven to look forward too. A new Christian is a new (spiritually) born baby that needs care and nourishment.

 

Receiving a new life in Christ makes one think differently (read Romans 12:1-2). When we think differently, we begin to act differently. Our sins are forgiven at salvation, but God doesn’t want us to remain a spiritual infant. He wants us to pursue a holy life and live as Jesus lives. Living like Jesus is following his example in everything we do. Tomorrow this series will close with some basic principles that when put forth develops into a lifestyle resembling the life of Jesus.

 

Pastor Carnes