My Love Letter to You

My Child,

I have always loved you. Before you took your first breath, I knew you. My love is not something you have to earn—it has always been yours.

That’s why I gave My Son for you. Sin separated us, but I couldn’t bear to be apart from you. Jesus took your burdens so you could have life—eternal and full.

Believe in Him, and you will never be alone. Rest in My love today. Nothing can take you from My hands. You are Mine, forever.

With love,
Your Heavenly Father

John 3:16 (NIV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

God is Good All the Time

My precious child, I see the whole picture even when you cannot. I know the pain, the struggles, and the disappointments you have faced, but trust Me—I am working everything for your good. What seems like a setback is often the very thing I will use to bring you closer to Me and into the fullness of My purpose for you. My goodness is not based on your circumstances but on My nature—I am good all the time. My compassion reaches every part of your life, and I care about every detail. When you don’t understand, hold onto Me. When life feels uncertain, know that My plans for you are always filled with hope. Trust in My timing, trust in My heart, and believe that I am making all things new in your life. Keep walking in faith, for I am with you always. Amen.

Psalm 145:9 (CEB) – “The Lord is good to everyone and everything; God’s compassion extends to all his handiwork!”

Stand Firm in Faith

My child, I have placed My strength within you. The world may shake, and troubles may rise, but I have called you to stand firm. Do not be moved by fear, doubt, or the voices of the world that try to pull you away from Me. You are stronger than you think because I am with you. When challenges come, do not shrink back—stand in faith. When you feel weary, lift your eyes to Me, for I am your strength. Keep pressing forward, knowing that I have already won the victory for you. You are not alone, you are not weak, you are My warrior. Rise up, be courageous, and trust that I am guiding you every step of the way. You were made to walk in victory, not defeat. Keep your faith strong, and know that I am always holding you up. Amen.

1 Corinthians 16:13 (CEB) – “Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong.”

Pursue God Above All Else

Father, I want to seek You above everything else. The world constantly pushes me to chase success, comfort, and approval, but none of these things bring true joy. Only You satisfy the deepest longings of my heart. Help me to desire You more than anything this world offers. Let my priorities reflect a heart that is fully devoted to You. When distractions try to pull me away, remind me that everything I truly need is found in You. Fill me with a hunger for Your presence and a desire to walk in Your ways. Amen.

Matthew 6:33 (MSG) – “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."

Trust in the Lord, Not in the World

Lord, I confess that sometimes I try to figure things out on my own, relying on my own wisdom instead of trusting in You. But today, I surrender my doubts, my questions, and my fears at Your feet. Your ways are higher than mine, and Your plans are always for my good. Even when I don’t understand what’s happening, I choose to trust You. Lead me in the right direction, guide my decisions, and help me walk in faith instead of fear. Let my heart be anchored in Your wisdom and not in the shifting opinions of this world. Amen.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

God Is With You, Always

My child, do not be afraid—I am with you. When the world feels overwhelming and your heart is troubled, remember that I go before you. I am your shield, your protector, and your ever-present help. Even when you cannot see the way, trust that I am guiding your steps. No situation is too big for Me, no fear too great for My power. You are never alone, for I am by your side, holding you close. Be strong and courageous, not because of your own strength, but because I am your strength. Trust in Me, rest in My presence, and know that I will never let you go. Amen.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (CEB) – “Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the Lord your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you.”

You Are Deeply Loved

Lord, Your love is greater than anything I could ever comprehend. It is not based on what I do or how well I perform—it is unfailing, constant, and everlasting. Even in my weakest moments, You see me, You choose me, and You love me the same. When I feel rejected or unworthy, remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love. Help me to receive Your love fully and to extend it to others. Let my heart be at peace today, knowing that I am deeply and unconditionally loved by You. Amen.

Jeremiah 31:3 (MSG) – “God told them, 'I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!”

You Are God’s Child

My beloved child, you are Mine. Before the world ever named you, before you ever experienced pain or joy, I called you My own. You don’t have to strive to earn My love—it has always been yours. When you feel lost or uncertain, remember that you belong to Me. No mistake, no failure, no fear can change the fact that you are My child. Walk in confidence, knowing that you are cherished beyond measure. I will never leave you, and My love for you will never change. Trust in Me, rest in Me, and let your heart be secure in My embrace. I am your Father, and I delight in you. Amen.

John 1:12 (NLT) – "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."

A Personal Relationship with God

Lord, I don’t want to just know about You—I want to truly know You. I long for a deep, personal relationship with You, where I hear Your voice, feel Your presence, and walk closely with You every day. Help me to seek You with all my heart, knowing that when I draw near to You, You always draw near to me. I don’t want to go through life feeling distant from You; I want to experience the joy, peace, and love that comes from being in close fellowship with my Creator. Teach me to make time for You, to listen for Your voice, and to walk in step with Your Spirit. Thank You for always welcoming me into Your presence with open arms. Amen.

James 4:8 (CEB) “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”

God’s Faithfulness Never Fails

📖 Verse: “Let’s hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, because the one who made the promises is reliable.” — Hebrews 10:23 (CEB)

🙏 Reflection & Prayer:
Father, You have never failed me. Through every season, every storm, and every moment of doubt, You have remained faithful. Yet sometimes, I let worry creep into my heart. I forget all the times You have provided for me, guided me, and carried me through. Today, I choose to hold onto the hope I have in You. No matter what I face, I will not let go of Your promises. Help me to trust in Your faithfulness even when I don’t understand Your timing. Thank You for always keeping Your word and for never leaving me. Amen.

Renewed Strength in the Lord

📖 Verse: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary.” — Isaiah 40:31 (CEB)

🙏 Reflection & Prayer:
Lord, there are days when I feel drained—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Life can be exhausting, and I sometimes feel like I have nothing left to give. But Your Word promises that when I put my hope in You, You will renew my strength. I don’t have to rely on my own energy or abilities; I can depend on You. When I feel weak, help me to turn to You instead of trying to push through on my own. Give me the endurance to keep moving forward, trusting that You will provide everything I need. Thank You for being my source of strength and renewal. Amen.

The Depth of God’s Love

Father, it amazes me to think that You loved me even before I knew You. You didn’t wait for me to have it all together before extending Your grace. Instead, You sent Jesus to die for me while I was still broken, lost, and undeserving. This love is beyond my understanding, yet I am so grateful for it. Help me to rest in the truth that I am deeply loved—not because of what I do, but because of who You are. May I live each day with the confidence that I am cherished by You. Amen.

Romans 5:8 (CEB) “But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

God is Always at Work

📖 Verse: “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (CEB)

🙏 Reflection & Prayer:
Lord, sometimes life feels uncertain. I wonder why things happen the way they do, and I don’t always see Your hand at work. But today, I choose to trust in Your promise that You are working all things for good—even the things I don’t understand. Even in the waiting, You are moving. Even in the pain, You are bringing about something beautiful. Help me to hold onto this truth and not grow discouraged when I don’t see immediate results. Give me faith to believe that You are weaving together a story of grace and redemption in my life. I surrender my plans to You and trust in Your greater purpose. Amen.

Endurance Through Trials

📖 Verse: “Think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” — James 1:2-3 (CEB)

🙏 Reflection & Prayer:
Father, I admit that when I face difficulties, my first response is often frustration, fear, or discouragement. But Your Word tells me to consider it joy because every trial is an opportunity to grow stronger in my faith. Help me to shift my perspective and trust that You are using every challenge to refine me. Give me the endurance to walk through difficult seasons without losing heart. When I feel weary, remind me that You are walking with me, guiding me, and strengthening me each step of the way. Thank You for being my rock and my refuge. Amen.

God’s Strength in Our Weakness

📖 Verse: “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (CEB)

🙏 Reflection & Prayer:
Lord, there are moments when I feel overwhelmed, inadequate, and weak. But Your Word reminds me that my strength does not come from myself—it comes from You. When I feel like I can’t keep going, remind me that Your grace is enough. You do not expect me to be strong on my own, but to lean on You and allow Your power to work through me. Help me to trust You more and surrender my weaknesses into Your hands. I know that even in my struggles, You are shaping me and strengthening my faith. Thank You for Your constant presence in my life. Amen.

Free of fear

Our mid week message last Wednesday was on the importance of loosening up our control on people and situations in order to not steal our joy or worse: turn our hearts bitter and angry.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self-control “

2 Timothy 1:7

Last week, we identified Fear as a huge motivator of our controlling nature: 

* Fear of what others think

* Fear of abandonment

* Fear of experiencing emotional pain

* Fear of loss of control

* Fear of failure

* Fear of disappointment

Let me digress for a second and highlight the difference between what is in our control and what is not.

You are absolutely in control of your own thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Yet, as I've talked a lot about on Sundays at Beach Church, is that we need to hold each thought captive and examine it before letting it lead us in behavior or action. Some thoughts, especially those controlling ones, need to be throw out before they catch us on fire and blow up our relationships.

Now, for what you're not in control of, is other peoples thoughts, feelings and behaviors. This does not mean you shouldn’t be concerned with other people’s thoughts, feelings and actions, but we need to release the idea of attempting to control people or  circumstances.

With the goal being entrust our concerns to God. The good news is that the more plugged in we are to the Kingdom the more the Lord's grace will provide us the discernment and the will to release our controlling cares and concerns to Him.

Today, I just want to make the simple suggestion when you feel that controlling lower nature come upon you to first hold it captive before walking it out, and secondly to take a minute to talk to God about it. By talking to God about it He will lead you to recognize His  will and sovereignty from there He’ll do the heavy lifting by removing it from your shoulders as well as to provide you the grace you’ll need to stick with it.

Remember, When we try to  control people or situations, we’re actually saying, “God won’t handle it the right way or my way, so I have to do it.”

The secret sauce to giving up control is to know the Lord  is in control over all things.

“I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted”. ~Job 42:2

Choose to trust in God with all the things that concern you rather than trying to control the outcome of every life, event or person who’s in your life.

I remember when we felt moved to start Beach Church and how I immediately started thinking and saying to Paloma if we only do it, it will only be for 3 month or until Covid dies down and other churches can open up  and that after things return to some normalcy we’ll  return to the church we co-pastored.

I now realize that my control was  a screaming testament of my distrust in God”. Yikes! I was simply trusting myself more than The Creator of the world.

I finally surrendered, albeit after being convicted ( 😂)  and here we are 2 years later. 

I also had the same experience when the Lord planted the idea to go to Poland, in that after He seeded the idea; I spent a lot of time trying to find reasons not to go, but this time I took my own advice and started talking to Him about it which included my fears and worries. Yet, I once again surrendered to His sovereignty and boy did He rain favour on me and the Mai sun he sent me on.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”

Proverbs 19:21 

God’s purpose for His people, that means it does not include you controlling others or circumstances. He’s got His own bigger and better plans in mind. But it starts with you trusting Him and His plans for your life.

But let’s just strive for progress versus perfection as this will take a lifetime to get it right. The flesh is a powerful force! The good news is that the more we release control to God the easier it gets.

Question:

What area of your life do you need to put into God’s hands ?

Pastor Rick