Jesus Christ - Example of Life

When Jesus makes our souls alive, then the one thing we have to do is to try to be like Jesus. A little girl went to a writing school. When she saw the copy set before her, she said: "I can never write like that." But she took up her pen and put it timidly on the paper. "I can but try," she said. "I'll do the best I can." She wrote half a page. The letters were crooked. She feared to have the teacher look at her book. But when the teacher came, he looked and smiled. "I see you are trying, my little girl," he said kindly, "and that is all I expect." She took courage. Again and again, she studied the beautiful copy. She wrote very carefully, but the letters straggled here, were crowded there, and some of them seemed to look every way. She trembled when she heard the step of the teacher. "I'm afraid you'll find fault with me," she said. "I do not find fault with you," said the teacher, "because you are only a beginner. Keep on trying. In this way, you will do better every day, and soon get to be an excellent writer."

And this is the way we are to try to be like Jesus. But when we read about Jesus, and learn how holy, and good, and perfect He was, we must not be discouraged if we do not become like Him at once. But, if we keep on trying, and ask God to help us we shall "learn of Him to be meek and lowly in heart" (see Matt. 11:29); and we shall become daily more and more like Him.

-Pastor John

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

Thought: Drive or Drought

When you lose hope of doing better, you lose everything that makes life worth living. A great artist was once asked, "What's the best picture you've ever painted?" "The next one," he replied confidently.

But another artist was heard to lament, "Too bad I failed," though he was at the very height of his glory. "Why do you say that?" asked a friend of his in astonishment. "Because I've lost any hope of improvement," he said. He was right; the person who has stopped hoping has truly failed. ~ Anonymous

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 the message from Pastor John:

Scripture: Matthew 7:3, 25:33-46, Hebrews 2:1, Ezekiel 33:31

One of the news sources I use at times is called Ground News. They offer articles from both left- and right-leaning news sources and rate them on how far each is from the center. The one rating I find most interesting is their “Blind Spot”, in which they identify a news item that is left out of one side or the other, as if it has never been seen.

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we have been given the truth in the scriptures, the Holy Spirit for guidance, teaching, and power, and Jesus Christ as our head and our example. With all this, our individual will, opinions, emotions, and previous teachings can find their way into our lives and result in “Blind Spots” regarding living out the teachings of Jesus.

Today's message identifies several common “Blind Spots” we can find ourselves possessing and how to see through them and not open the door to offending and even hurting others.

Pastor John

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