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

Thoughts on Today’s Message from the Pastor

Scripture: 2 Timothy:1-7, Ephesians 5:25-21, Psalms 91:1-2 & 127:1, Isaiah 54:17, Hebrews 11:7

This week’s message focuses on our role as leaders in our families and households, and on protecting our family and loved ones by living in the will of God and following a life in Jesus Christ. Living a “Christ-like” life and not allowing sin to enter through you is a critical piece of creating a Godly household. A household where the wisdom and power of God are allowed to best protect the ones you love.

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 speaks about the Old Testiment story of Balaam. He uses Numbers 22:1-41.

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

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