We live in a world that has much information and knowledge, but knowledge is only beneficial when applied with wisdom. And while the wisdom of God is foolishness to this world, we can trust God for the strength to do what is wise in His sight and have the eternal benefit of doing His work. Therefore we can be bold when we use the gifts He has given us by the power of His Holy Spirit.

Each one of us has a story to tell — where we came from, how we got to where we are, and all of the decisions we had to make in the process. But the most important part in everyone's story is when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. With God's Holy Spirit leading our lives, we can choose every day to follow Him, and He will guide us through a new story — better than anything we can imagine.

As we start a new year, the most important resolution we can make is to commit our plans and desires to God, and as we do that, He will bless us in ways that are better than anything we can plan. Please listen to Pastor Carl's New Years sermon entitled, "The Promises of God"

Jesus was not just a wise man, a prophet, or a philosopher, but He is who He says He is: "I and my Father are one," & "Before Abraham was, I AM." Jesus identified Himself with His Father in Heaven, and if Jesus has called us friends, then we are friends with the Creator of the universe! And if God is for us, then who can be against us? Please listen to Pastor Vic's sermon from this Sunday entitled "Jesus is God"

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:36 We may be discouraged when we look at our circumstances and ask, "How does my life bring glory to God?" But we bring glory to Him when we proclaim that He is Lord and King over our lives. And when we decide to see our lives as an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to those around us, He will bless us in turn with His peace, joy, and love. Be sure to listen to Pastor Vic's sermon from this past Sunday!

God's wisdom and knowledge isn't the same kind of information that you could study in a book or search for online, but it is divinely inspired and given for the purpose of demonstrating his love, healing, and power at the right time in our lives. When we operate in God's gifts, it is not for the enhancing of our own situations, but for building one another up in the same love that Christ showed us. As we extend His blessings to others, blessings will return to us.

The purpose of the Gifts of the Spirit is for the harvesting of souls for God's kingdom. It's not about "Look at me!" or about having a word of knowledge for financial success, but it's to bring people to Christ's love. And when we operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the world may see Jesus through us.

"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."   God's wisdom is not the kind which requires intellectual assent or profound mental skills, but His wisdom is found through belief in Christ alone. God has chosen to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory!

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are to empower you and me to go out and touch the world around us. We're not to be just benefactors, but participants in the Kingdom of Heaven. And through His gifts, we can do extraordinary things in the name of Jesus.

We cannot let our natural abilities limit what God has for us. Although we are blessed with our unique gifts, God's gift of the Holy Spirit inspires us to operate by His inspiration and power, that we may truly bless others in His unconditional love. Please listen to Pastor Vic's second sermon on the gifts of Wisdom and Knowledge!