Memorial Day
The idea of making a memorial to remember something goes all the way back to Genesis
Genesis 28:18-22 NASB
Jacob’s Memorial
Exodus 39:6-7 NASB
Memorial to the sons of Israel
Numbers 10:10 NASB
I AM your God
Joshua 4:4-7 NASB
Memorial stones
We see that memorials are an important part of shaping our lives
Unfortunately, sometimes a memorial's real meanings are swept away
Memorial Day has become known as the start of summer
BBQs and beach days have replaced decorating graves and remembering heroes
The biggest reason is, we as a people haven’t passed the memorial on to our children
The stones on the bank of the Jordan were to be used to tell the story to generations
Throughout biblical history we are told to remember and pass it to our children
Nehemiah, in the rebuilding of the temple, had the law read to all the people
This act brought about repentance and renewed love of God
I believe that the true meaning of Memorial day should renew patriotism
As believers we must keep in memoriam our God and our Savior Jesus
We must teach this to every generation and that is something we haven’t done well
The greatest need our country has right now is to remember Jesus
1 Cor 11:23-26 NASB
Body and blood
There is one symbol that we still see everywhere that needs to be remembered
John 19:16-19 NASB
The cross of Jesus
Like Memorial day, for many, this has lost it’s original meaning
It’s just a decoration many people wear, some not knowing it’s true meaning
This symbol should daily break our hearts and bring us to live for Him
He gave
ALL
for
ALL
Tomorrow is Memorial Day, and I pray you spend time remembering the fallen
However, I pray that every day you remember what Jesus did for you
If you know Him, tell others what He did for you!
If you have never known Him, today could be your day to do that.
“Do this in remembrance of Me”
- May 30, 2021In Memoriam
May 30, 2021In MemoriamBy: Bro. George RiekSeries: 2021
Memorial Day
The idea of making a memorial to remember something goes all the way back to Genesis
Genesis 28:18-22 NASB
Jacob’s MemorialExodus 39:6-7 NASB
Memorial to the sons of IsraelNumbers 10:10 NASB
I AM your GodJoshua 4:4-7 NASB
Memorial stonesWe see that memorials are an important part of shaping our lives
Unfortunately, sometimes a memorial's real meanings are swept away
Memorial Day has become known as the start of summer
BBQs and beach days have replaced decorating graves and remembering heroes
The biggest reason is, we as a people haven’t passed the memorial on to our children
The stones on the bank of the Jordan were to be used to tell the story to generations
Throughout biblical history we are told to remember and pass it to our children
Nehemiah, in the rebuilding of the temple, had the law read to all the people
This act brought about repentance and renewed love of God
I believe that the true meaning of Memorial day should renew patriotism
As believers we must keep in memoriam our God and our Savior Jesus
We must teach this to every generation and that is something we haven’t done well
The greatest need our country has right now is to remember Jesus
1 Cor 11:23-26 NASB
Body and bloodThere is one symbol that we still see everywhere that needs to be remembered
John 19:16-19 NASB
The cross of JesusLike Memorial day, for many, this has lost it’s original meaning
It’s just a decoration many people wear, some not knowing it’s true meaning
This symbol should daily break our hearts and bring us to live for Him
He gave
ALL
for
ALLTomorrow is Memorial Day, and I pray you spend time remembering the fallen
However, I pray that every day you remember what Jesus did for you
If you know Him, tell others what He did for you!
If you have never known Him, today could be your day to do that.
“Do this in remembrance of Me”
- May 26, 2021Book of Revelation Study 33
- May 23, 2021Be Imitators of God
May 23, 2021Be Imitators of GodBy: Bro. George RiekSeries: 2021
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery
In today’s world, people are always trying to imitate others
Get your hair cut like your favorite star
Wear the same type of clothes as your favorite singer
Some people even wear costumes to look exactly like someone else
Eph 5:1 says be imitators of GOD
Out of everything you could imitate, God is the perfect subject
How can I imitate God?
Ephesians gives you instructions of how to imitate GodFirst, walk in Love, just as Christ loved YOUWe know how He loved us, so do that
Then, there is a list of things to avoid in order to imitate God
Immorality
Impurity
GreedThese are things that a Holy God is not capable of
They seem like no brainers, that we should stay away from these things
However, the world embraces these, and so, we tend to let them in too
We write off immorality and impurity as a new normal
Greed is not really greed, we just need to have enough
Be Imitators of GodWords do matter and our words can cause someone to turn away from God
"I didn’t mean anything by it! I wasn’t trying to be hurtful."
We all try to walk a line of saying things but not saying things
I've even had someone once ask me if cursing was ok as long as it wasn’t at someone
Their reasoning was it was just words and not inended to be ugly
If we are truly trying to imitate God, we need to stay away from these things
No one has ever felt bad about being nice or saying kind things
I don’t wish I could take back compliments or loving words
I am not afraid someone will find out I acted righteously
So, this doesn’t mean someone who made a mistake and was sorry for itThis means someone who lives this way with no regret
Every time we act that way, we are closer to becoming that way
Instead, be imitators of God and the same applies
Every time we act that way, we are closer to becoming that way
The only way to imitate God is to know Him
Do you know Him today?
- May 19, 2021Book of Relevation Study 32
- May 16, 2021Stagnant Ponds
May 16, 2021Stagnant PondsBy: Bro. George RiekSeries: 2021
"You are moving like Pond Water!"
That is what my drill Sergeant used to say
Pond water doesn’t move and because of that it is full of all sorts of nasty
It is when ponds are stirred that makes them teem with life
Hang out on verse 3 with me a momentEverything pertaining to life and Godliness
Who called us by His own Glory and excellence
All of these things boil down to Love, the Love of ChristThis we need to understand is spiritual growth:If we are not growing, we are stagnant
Stagnant water begins clean and clear,
Due to lack of movement, it turns green and stinky
This is what happens to believers who are not growing
He who lacks these qualities is blind
We sit stagnant and become blind to our stinky condition
If these qualities are increasing, we are growing
If we are growing, it means we are full of life and bring life to others
You will never stumble!
The reality is, we should all stand ready to remind each otherAre you all stagnant and stinky?
Are you ready to be full of life in Christ?
- May 12, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 31
- May 9, 2021A Mother’s Faith
May 9, 2021A Mother’s FaithBy: Bro. George RiekSeries: 2021
Mothers are amazing and they are the great teachers of life
I want to share with you this morning a few things that mother’s teach us
That list is funny, but it’s true!
Every year at this time, I try to think of a Biblical mother that we can learn from
This year I want to learn from Naomi
This is a lot of tragedy for one woman to endureRemember, during this time, women didn’t have any rights on their own
Now, without any males left to take care of her, she decided to return to Bethlehem
So, look what happened with her daughters-in-law
Naomi must have shown faith for Ruth to want to serve her GodMother’s lives are not always easy and sometimes children learn from the struggle
Reality check.
Even mother’s struggle with their faithNaomi means “Pleasant”Mara means “Bitter”
Even so, she strived to take care of her daughter-in-law
In chapter 2, Naomi’s hope was restored as God provided Boaz to take care of them
Naomi taught Ruth how to trust God and He provided a redeemer in Boaz
The story of Naomi and Ruth is unconventional, but, often times, so is life
Naomi’s faith wasn’t perfect and a Mother’s faith isn’t either
Moms today, if you have ever struggled thinking you aren’t good enough;
Understand that all of us struggle with that because we live in a fallen world
But God made you a mom for a reason and He is always there for you
God knows exactly what He is doing so trust Him
A mother that follows God will be the mother that she is supposed to beThis goes for Grandmothers, Great-Grandmothers, Step-mothers
And yes even Mothers-in-law
In fact, it applies to all people; if we follow God, we will be exactly right
So are you following God today?
Do you want to? - May 5, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 30
- May 2, 2021Salvation
May 2, 2021SalvationBy: Bro. George RiekSeries: 2021"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."
What does the word Salvation mean?
Salvation is necessary!
Vs 12 says we “must be saved”
Because we are lost, John 3:16 NASB
Because we can’t save ourselves.
God provided salvation for us. Why else would He do that except we must be saved
Salvation in the here and now
Salvation can’t happen after death. It has to happen in the here and now
There is only one way under heaven for salvation
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.Prior to vs 12 we see that the name being talked about here is Jesus
The incredible thing is that salvation is offered to ALL!
for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."Salvation is a gift
You can’t buy it
You can’t earn it
You don’t deserve it
It is a perfect gift that God has offered you through Jesus Christ
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,Now the question is, will you accept the gift?
A gift, no matter how amazing, is no good unless it is received.
God has offered to ALL the ultimate gift of Salvation
Will you simply accept it and be saved?
- Apr 28, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 29
- Apr 25, 2021Start Right Here
Apr 25, 2021Start Right HereBy: Bro. George RiekSeries: 2021"If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."If God’s people have turned away and things are bad because of that, vs 14
So many people want to blame the problems in this world on everyone but self. We say we want to see peace and unity but do nothing to see it happen. In verse 14, the Lord told Solomon exactly what had to happen. I want to say today that, if we want to see our land healed, it has to start right here. It has to start in the hearts of the people who are called by His name. So how do we do that?
If My People…
Who are called by My Name…
Will humble themselves…
And Pray…
And seek My face…
And turn from their wicked ways…
Then…
I will hear from heaven…
And forgive their sin…
And heal their land…
It starts right here in the hearts of His people. He will never leave us, even when we have failed Him. It is past time for us to realize that, in order for the world to change, the church has to return to God! It starts right here in the heart of His people. It starts right here in His church. Are you ready to begin?
- Apr 21, 2021Book Of Revelation Study 28