North County Christ the King Church

Pastor Ricky Jenkins reminds us that the key to true success isn't resources, education, or connections, it's perseverance

"Are you a

"The God of heaven will give us success, and we His servants will arise and build." - Nehemiah 2:20

As we step into a new year, we're reminded of the power of fresh starts and new beginnings in our faith journey. The book of Joshua offers us a timely lesson on moving forward in faith, mirroring our own desires for spiritual growth. Just as Joshua was called to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses' death, we too are called to step into new territories of faith. The key message here is clear: our success in moving forward spiritually is deeply rooted in our engagement with God's Word. We're challenged to meditate on Scripture day and night, not as a passive activity, but as an active pursuit that shapes our actions and decisions. This isn't about financial prosperity, but about aligning our lives with God's purposes. As we face our own 'Jordan Rivers' - those seemingly insurmountable obstacles - we're encouraged to lean on God's promises, trusting that He will be with us wherever we go. Let's embrace this call to be 'strong and courageous' in 2025, knowing that our strength comes from immersing ourselves in God's truth.

In this powerful message, we're reminded that each of us has a unique story, and God can use any material we give Him to write a story of grace. The key spiritual lesson is that God can change, redeem, and do good things with our stories, even in times of struggle or tragedy. We're encouraged to wrestle with God during difficult times, asking 'God, what do you want from me?' This echoes James 1, where we're told to ask God for wisdom in faith. The message emphasizes that our faith should be grounded in God alone, regardless of our circumstances. We're urged to believe in God's inherent goodness and faithfulness, even when we can't see how things will turn out. This perspective shift can transform how we view and respond to life's challenges, inviting us to trust God's authorship of our stories.