God Is Good All the Time And All the Time God Is Good
ramblings from the rogue
RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROGUE
When our connection comes loose
8/13/25
When our connection comes loose
When our connection comes loose
8/6/25
Ramblings from the Rogue - A few days ago we attempted to take a trip to deliver some Redwood to Ross on Center Island in the San Juan Islands in Washington. We were going to return with a trailer. That was the plan.
Sometimes plans are interrupted.
Around Rice Hill on I-5 the truck wasn’t running right. It seemed like it wanted to shift out of overdrive to high. We stopped, checked the transmission fluid and it was fine. About this time the check engine light came on. Continuing north the problem kept getting worse.
We made it to Jessica's where I was scheduled to Baptize my grandsons. What a huge blessing that was.
I decided to try to find out what the check engine light was indicating. The parts house in Brownsville was closed. The closest parts house was in Lebanon twenty minutes away. The problem got worse and worse, barely able to limp into Lebanon. The parts guy at O'Reilly's diagnosed the check engine light and it was determined the injector pump was failing. The closest pump was in Salem.
The truck was left in the parking lot. Jessica came to pick me up in a borrowed pickup. The lumber had to be transferred to another truck. Didn't want to leave it overnight in the parking lot, $470 worth of Redwood might disappear. We went back to Brownsville. Khaidyn and I headed to Salem forty-five-minute drive. By the way the pump was $1900. We had a chance to discuss further about baptism. A great opportunity to share with him the love of the Lord.
Sunday morning and we headed to Lebanon to replace the pump. Wouldn't you know it. When we arrived at the parking lot I went to unlock the truck.
No keys.
I called Jess, and she graciously brought me the keys. Jess has a friend whose son Wyatt is a diesel mechanic. After church the dad and Wyatt came by to help. Sharp kid. I had started to remove the pump when they arrived. He wanted to make sure the lift pump was sending fuel to the injector pump. It wasn't.
It was determined that the lift pump ground wire was not completing the circuit. No ground and the pump wouldn't work. I could return the injector pump for a full refund. Thank you, Lord.
All along I was asking the Lord, "what is this all about, what are You trying to show me". Through this problem what was brought to my attention was, when there isn't adequate grounding things will not work correctly and eventually it will cease to work all together.
What the Lord was showing me is that unless I am grounded in God's Word this engine, me, will not operate as designed. Sure, I will run along seemingly fine. Then once in a while I will sputter a little bit. The sputters will become more frequent, and their intensity will increase. At some point I will be barely limping along.
Eventually this engine will quit all together. I will have run out of fuel.
The connection between the Lord and myself has been severed. Gang it is a matter of life and death that we spend time in God’s Word. There is where we will find the keys to life. It is there we will find hope. It is there that we will experience our faith growing. The more time we spend in His Word the more we will see just how much we are loved by Him.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But continue thou in the things which thou has learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which was in Jesus Christ. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
The following was found during my research on being grounded in God’s Word.
“Paul has just given Timothy a heads up on how he would be able to face the things that would come upon him. Basically, he says, "Ground yourself in the Bible, for out of it will come the strength to do these things." We should not limit it strictly to the words of the Bible, per se, but also to the Spirit and inspiration behind them. That the Spirit would be with him if he would do these things, but the constant inspiration and help that he would need would come out of Scripture. By these things he would be able to remind himself of the truth and grow in it. He would be corrected by it, instructed by it, reproved by it. All of these things are necessary to mold the faithful minister. The Bible is where his nose needs to be at all times, so that he has the proper foundation, motivation, inspiration, and resource for everything he does.”
My words following.
When our connection to the Lord becomes loose, we will start to falter. The longer it is neglected the looser it becomes. Without proper maintenance the connection will lost altogether. A matter of life and death.
Keep in God’s Word. The more we read His Word to us the stronger our connection to Him will be.
Stay rooted and grounded.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
REMIND ME, DEAR LORD
REMIND ME, DEAR LORD
7/30/25
A couple of days ago we lost a dear saint. A pillar of a man. A man who spent his younger days in the Congo. His parents were missionaries. Jim Nilsen shared his young life in a book, Born in the Congo. Fascinating story of growing up in a distant land.
Jim had a powerful voice. The Lord blessed him with a beautiful voice that Jim used to praise the Lord. Jim sang a solo often, "Remind Me, Dear Lord". *Steven Wood on YouTube, "Remind, Me Dear Lord", reminds me of Jim.
Remind me, Dear Lord.
The words bring tears to my eyes. Some of you know my story. It has some dark chapters for sure. What really stands out is how the Lord has brought me along according to His gracious and merciful ways. The song starts out, "The things that I hold dear to my heart are not mine at all, Jesus let me use them to brighten my life".
That is where you come in. Each of you in one way or another have brightened my life. I thank the Lord for you.
The song continues, and I am reminded of how things could have been had the Lord not intervened.
As a youngster, not having been raised in a Christian home. Mom did think it might be good for me to go to church even though it was by myself.
Summertime came around and I went to Bible camp. On a Thursday night around the campfire where the speaker was telling us about a beast with seven heads and ten horns would devour me if I didn't give my life to Christ. Revelation 17:7
This scared little boy was the first one down to accept his invitation to accept Jesus as Lord of my life. It wasn't long and I headed down many paths that could have led to my destruction. But God. You see God heard the voice of a scared little boy. He protected him all these years.
Twenty-three years later the bottom seemed to drop out of my life. I found myself in a perilous spot. My wife and children had been praying that I would come to church with them. In October 1982 I did. The message hit me like a ton of bricks. He was speaking about a beast with seven heads and ten horns. God hadn't given up on me. I came back to where I belonged.
Remind me dear Lord. I praise God often that He didn't give up on that scared little boy.
I share this with you hoping praying that you to will think on how it might have been had you not surrendered your life to Him. If you're wandering around lost dazed and confused ask the Lord to brighten you day and He will.
2 Timothy 1:12 states, "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. He will keep that which is committed to Him.”
*Steve Woods – Remind Me, Dear Lord https://youtu.be/aRyf7D1KoKw
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
what garment will we wear?
7/23/25
Joseph was hated by his brothers.
“Now Jacob loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colors. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all their brethren they hated him.”
Genesis 37:2-3. Jacob showed partiality to Joseph and made a very special coat that caused him to be set apart.
A coat of many colors.
We see this coat again as it was dipped in blood when presented to Jacob. Genesis 37:33, "My son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in many pieces.”
Joseph had been propositioned by Potiphar wife, lie with me. Joseph would not. Genesis 39:12 “And she caught him by his garment, saying ‘Lie with me’: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”
She accuses Joseph of mocking her. Joseph is thrown into prison.
All this time we are reminded; the Lord was with Joseph.
Joseph endured years of being a slave. Then He was made prosperous by the hand of the Lord. His prosperity was taken away and he was cast into prison.
We don't read of Joseph proclaiming his prosperity or crying at his imprisonment. What we do read is the Lord was with Joseph.
Joseph is one of two men in scripture that there is no record of sin. Daniel being the other.
There are rewards for being one who recognizes the Lord is with them in feast and famine. Genesis 41:42 “And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph's hand and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.”
Joseph goes on to save God's people. Through the leading of the Lord of course.
Gold and fine linen are signs of rightness. We too can be robed in rightness if we are led by the Lord. For many years Joseph had enjoyed good times and bad times. He endured what Satan meant for evil. Through it all Joseph trusted God.
Are we trusting God to see us through? Times when all seems well, times of temptation, times of imprisonment, of resentment of remorse. Through it all Joseph learned to trust in the Lord.
Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”
2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”
What garment will we put on this day?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Those Who Speak About the Lord
7/16/25
Good morning from PDX after a restless night returning from Iliamna, Alaska.
A couple of us were talking about the Lord and I mentioned our conversation was being recorded.
Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”
That is so awesome to think about. The Lord hears us when we talk with each other mentioning Him. He is so interested in our conversation concerning Him that it is written in a book. Will your, will mine, will our book be a novel or a short story?
Malachi continues; “And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serves him." :18 "Then shall Ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves Him not.”
Are you a servant?
Do I serve the Lord?
We are, if we talk to others concerning Him. There is a reward for those who speak about the Lord.
Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.”
What a wonderful promise. We are told that our every need will be taken care of if we serve Him, when we talk to others about Him.
In another place we read that Jesus came to serve and not to be served. Wow.
His thoughts toward us are more than sands on the seashore.
Think about that. We on occasion discuss with others, things concerning the Lord. Those are written down.
Perhaps a novel’s worth. Yet His thoughts toward us cannot be numbered.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
The Next Time You Pray
6/29/25
This Rambling comes from 30,000 feet as I make my way to Anchorage.
A few days ago, I read a prayer that was written by George Washington, which I have included at the end.
As you read the prayer you will be struck as I was at the humility that he approaches our Heavenly Father the Lord God Almighty, YHWH, the I Am that I Am, the Creator of heaven and earth. The One who descended to the earth and took on the form of a man. The sole purpose for this descending to the earth was to rescue mankind, you and me.
Speaking for myself, I don't very often approach God in a way that shows upmost respect and honor. He is the One who gives us life. He is the One who sustains our lives. Without Him we would not be. He through Jesus has set us free from the bondage of sin. We all have sinned, yet He took our punishment. He deserves all honor, glory and praise.
Solomon the wisest of men bowed before the Lord God. “Oh come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” Psalm95:6.
Paul in Ephesians 3:14 praying for the church in Ephesus; “For this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul prays a beautiful heartfelt prayer for the church there and for the church today.
In his letter to the church in Philippi and the Church today he tells us; “That the name of Jesus Christ every knee should bow, of things is heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Philippians 2:10.
I know it is difficult physically for some to bow the knee. We can all bow our hearts to the One who loves us so much that He died for you and me.
Next time you pray take a moment to think on Who it is that you are praying to. The Lord God Almighty is His name.
Prayer written by George Washington - "O Lord our God, most mighty and merciful Father, I, Thine unworthy creature and servant, do once more approach Thy presence. Though not worthy to appear before Thee, because of my natural corruptions, and the many sins and transgressions which I have committed against Thy divine majesty; yet I beseech Thee, for the sake of Him in whom Thou art well pleased, the Lord Jesus Christ, to admit me to render Thee deserved thanks and praises for Thy manifold mercies extended toward me, for the quiet rest & repose of the past night, for food, raiment, health, peace, liberty, and the hopes of a better life through the merits of Thy dear Son’s bitter passion, and O kind Father continue Thy mercy and favor to me this day, and ever hereafter; prosper all my lawful undertakings; let me have all my directions from Thy Holy Spirit, and success from Thy bountiful hand. Let the bright beams of Thy light so shine into my heart, and enlighten my mind in understanding Thy blessed Word, that I may be enabled to perform Thy will in all things"........... George Washington
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
After the Dust Settles
6/25/25
Matthew 24:42-44, “Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the Goodman of the house had known in what hour of the watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken. Therefore be ye also ready: for in the hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
We are in the midst of a fight.
Wars and rumors are flying.
There is sickness and famine, the earth is quaking. In another place we read that the Lord doesn't come in the midst of fire and storm, but He comes in a still small voice. After the dust settles and things calm down, will we be as anxious for His return as we are in the midst of the turmoil.
We should be ready at all times for His return.
Are we allowing ourselves to be caught up in our own personal agendas.
Attempting to selfishly satisfy our earthly lusts and desires or are we putting those aside and desiring to be pleasing in His sight. When He calls us up to meet Him in the air it will be too late to change direction.
Each one of us has someone who is watching. Can we honestly say to them, “follow me as I follow Christ."
Are you watching for His return?
It could be today and if not today tomorrow.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
WAS HE SAVED?
6/18/25
During Friday’s Bible study there was a question concerning Nicodemus. Was he saved? That is a great question.
There seems to be a new buzz word going around "community". What if that question was asked of those in our community. Would there be enough evidence to convict us of being born again? Let's look at Nicodemus and see if there is enough evidence.
His story is seen in John 3. Nick came to Jesus at night. Was it because he was afraid of being seen talking to Him in the day? We don't know. What we do know, 3:2 Nick’s words; “Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him.”
Jesus goes into great detail concerning being "born again" and the importance of such an event. It seems as though Nick held Jesus in high regard. He wanted to know more. Verse 3:16 has probably been seen by more people than any other verse in the entire Bible.
Jesus also says to not believe is to be condemned. Jesus concludes His conversation with Nicodemus 3:21 “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, (that is he comes to Jesus) that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
Are our lives being lived in such a way that darkness has been overcome by light?
Was Nicodemus born again?
We don't read of his conversion, or being baptized. What we do know is when the Sanhedrin was considering what to do about Jesus Nicodemus said: “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” John 7:51
Nick is standing up for Jesus, we need to let Him speak for Himself. Nicodemus felt that if Jesus were given the opportunity to speak before the Sanhedrin, they might not be so fearful of Him. They were afraid that the people would follow Him and not be ruled by the dictates of their order.
How many of us want it our way? The Sanhedrin knew the "Old Testament". Remember Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. Very learned men. Very religious.
Their "way" to heaven was by following rules and ordinances. That was not what Jesus was teaching. The way to heaven and everlasting fulfillment was through Him. Back to Nic. After Jesus death Nicodemus along with Joseph of Arimathea went to the tomb to prepare Jesus body for burial. That they did.
That is the last we read about Nicodemus.
Is there enough evidence to convict him of being "born again" of being a true follower of Jesus the Christ?
That is up to God.
He will be the judge.
What about you, what about me.
Are we born again, are we true followers of Jesus the Christ?
Was there a change in our heart, were we altered at the alter when we first asked Jesus into our lives? Do you remember the day you received new life. Since then, have you been walking in the light as He is in the light? Are we having fellowship with one another?
We desperately need to take a look at our lives. Are we true followers of Christ or are we just going through the motion?
If Jesus were to come back today, would you, would I be caught up to meet Him in the sky? All the riches all the self-satisfaction does not compare to the joy heaven will be.
We need to quit serving ourselves and start serving the One who exchanged His life for ours.
Jesus loves you, and me, this we know for the Bible tells us so.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Anniversary Edition – June 9, 2024
6/11/25
This is the message I sent out the day before Lauralee's "event". June 9, 2024 It is almost as if the Lord was preparing us for a time in which we would "know nothing but Christ and Him crucified". 1 Corinthians 2:2
Illustrations from Iliamna, Alaska - “Beloved, wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thou prospereth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:3-4
It's tough out there. The world is trying to rip us apart in every way conceivable. We slip, we fall, we bump our heads. What is important is we get back up. We get back up because a better thing awaits us as we stand steadfast in the love of the Lord.
If we like Paul keep focused on one thing. "This one thing I know is Christ and Him crucified". In these dark days the only thing that will sustain us is keeping our eyes on Jesus. As we do the things of this world will grow strangely dim.
He loves us so much that He willing took the punishment that we deserve. "It is finished" He cried. His work was completed. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Keep close to Him. Encourage one another. We will finish the race strong in the strength of His love.
Blessings, Dan
ONE YEAR LATER, June 9, 2025
Ramblings from the Rogue - One year ago today I was in Alaska. I was working on one of the boats used to transport fishermen up the river. Bill, one of the owners and a dear friend and I had been talking about prayer.
As I was walking back to the boat I was working on, I received a message, Lauralee was headed to the hospital as she was feeling very sick. I called home, talked with and prayed for her. About thirty minutes had passed and another call telling me to get home asap.
Bill contacted the local airline and made arrangements to get me to Anchorage.
I sent a message to many of you, "Lauralee has been taken to ER she had a heart attack it doesn't look good." Please be praying ".
For some reason it didn't go through. Alaska you know.
Bill got me to the landing strip. I hopped on the plane and for the next one and half hour I was shedding tears and talking to the Lord on my way to Anchorage.
The message finally got through. You all began praying. Some were a bit upset. “How could You allow this to happen you asked.” Others were just praying for a complete recovery.
There is so much that went on in a short amount of time.
The Medics had shocked her three times; she came back twice. It was determined that what they were doing would only prolong the inevitable.
They stopped CPR.
You know her, she is a fighter. John, our son noticed she hadn't given up, she was trying with everything she had left to stay alive.
After one hour of CPR, she arrived at Asante. They put on "rocket fuel" put in a breathing tube. And prayers were ascending.
Through this ordeal you didn't give up on the ability of the Lord to heal her. Neither did I. Family, Friends, those friends of friends prayed also. Your prayers were spot on.
Thanks be to our Heavenly Father your prayers were and continue to be answered.
During that twenty-eight-day period there were some real dicey moments. God intervened through the Docs and Nurses, and it worked out.
My heartfelt thanks to each one of you for hearing the call to pray.
You see I believe prayer is God's way of rallying the troops. He puts out the call, “Who will go with Me to tend this situation?” You heard and God answered. Buckets of tears were shed during this experience. Someday soon all those tears will be wiped away. No more sadness, no more heartaches, all the former things will be passed away.
The day is coming when we will be caught up to be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The day is coming when the trumpet will sound and we will meet our Bride Groom, Jesus, in the air. We will be reunited with the saints that have gone on before. What a day that will be.
In the meantime. When you feel the tug to join with the Lord. When you hear that someone is in the “need of prayer” answer the call. Be part of what God is doing in that person's life. Be part of what the Lord is doing.
Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to the earth to receive the punishment you and I deserve. Jesus willingly gave up His life for yours and mine.
Thank you again for your faithful prayers. Today Lauralee is doing well. One year ago today, we thought we might not see her this side of heaven. God had other plans.
Father, thank You for allowing my sweetie Your servant to remain here with us.
The Lord bless you, the Lord keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
There Is Coming a Time…
There Is Coming a Time…
6/15/25
Occasionally, we'll have a 100+ degree day here in the Rogue Valley.
Why do I, why do we seem to get overheated when it gets to that magic number one hundred. Ninety-nine is hot but not nearly as hot as one hundred or so it seems.
Here is the wonderful thing, air conditioning. When we get uncomfortable at whatever temperature we can cool off by going to an air-conditioned space.
There is coming a time when that option is no longer available. When the power goes out no more cooling. When we leave these physical bodies behind, where will we go? Will it be a place of comfort or a place of unquenchable heat and torment? Jesus seemed to speak more about hell than heaven. Why do you suppose that is?
In my considering that question I believe it was so that we would know exactly what the result of our choice would be. Heaven or hell is a choice that we alone must decide on. Jesus painted a clear picture of hell.
To illustrate the reality of hell, Jesus used the Valley of Hinnom, a detestable place near Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, the Jews rebelled against God by performing child sacrifice in this valley, particularly to the god Molech.
Mark 9:47-48. Prophets like Jeremiah condemned the valley for the idolatrous practices Jeremiah 7:31-32 and it was also defiled by King Josiah
2 Kings 23:10.
During Jesus’ time on earth, the valley was a public dump, a place where refuse was burned and the corpses of animals and criminals were thrown. Like Gehenna, hell is where all uncleanliness and death will remain.
Jesus also referred to hell as “outer darkness” and as “fire” Matthew 5:22.
Jesus doesn't want us to choose to go to hell.
His vivid accounts, His warnings and His sacrifice for us is a testament we should pay close attention to. He was willing to die in our place. To take the punishment we deserve. He stands before almighty God and declares our innocence. We are declared innocent if we follow Him. If we turn from our selfish sinful ways.
Satan and the world will say, don't worry be happy that sin is no big deal after all God wants you to be happy. What they say is partly true. God does want us to be happy. God desires that none should perish. We will not perish but have everlasting life if we follow His commands. What are we doing that separates us from the Love of God? He will not hear our prayers if we are living a life of sin.
Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
Time is short. Jesus is the Way.
Psalm 16:11 “Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Hear my heart on the matter.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
To Bind Together Pt 2
There Is Coming a Time…
6/5/25
If you’re anything like me, now don’t deny it. It is easy to say that we trust in the Lord. We say it with our mouth, but do we truly believe it in our heart?
That’s a tough one. How do we truly trust in the Lord? All I can say is that it is vitally important to start out each day asking the Lord to guide and direct our paths.
Many years ago, when our family was young our prayer was if we weren’t leading our kids as we should, Lord take us out of the way. Well, He didn’t.
What can I deduce from that?
He saw the direction we were taking our kiddos, the mistakes I was making, and He determined, I can use that to further My work.
We know He hears our hearts cry. Each of us has family members that are headed down the wrong path. They are messing up; they are missing the mark. If we think back a little to our younger years we can recall where we messed up where we missed the mark.
Hang in there gang. Paul in his letter to the Philippians reminded them that he, Paul was, “Being confident in this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
The Lord has started a good work in you, me too, our children and theirs also and He will see to it that when He call us home, we will be fit for use in His kingdom.
“Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He will strengthen thine heart: wait I say on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
It is up to Him to strengthen our hearts.
All mighty God the Creator of Heaven and Earth says to you and me and to our children and those closest to us; “Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:10-11.
God loves us so much that He saw it was necessary to come to the earth as a man, the Man Christ Jesus, to receive the penalty for our sins, to be beaten and crucified, to die a horrible death. He overcame death rising from the grave that you and I would be redeemed.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
To Bind Together Pt 1
6/4/25
“One thing have I desired of the Lord And will I seek after That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life To behold the beauty The beauty of the Lord To inquire in His temple The temple of the Lord”
These words come from Psalm 27:4. A Psalm of David.
David a man who seemingly had it all. A king and a warrior. Yet it seems as though something was missing in his life. There was an emptiness…
David starts the Psalm...
“The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life whom shall I be afraid.” Psalm 27:1
I suggest that these are a couple of reasons that David is known as a man after God's own heart. David learned through experience that the emptiness was filled in seeking after the Lord.
David concludes this Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He will strengthen thine heart: wait I say on the Lord.”
Here the word wait is to look for, to hope, to expect.
Wait is derived from the Hebrew
kaw-vaw to bind together.
When we bind ourselves to the Lord, that is stay close to Him, receive from Him all He desires for us, we will dwell in His house forever and ever, Amen.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
NO MIDDLE GROUND
5/28/25
Memorial Day. This day was first recognized for those soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic who lost their lives fighting in the Civil War.
During the Civil War where families were torn apart, brother fought against brother. Slavery was one of the issues being fought over.
Today, one hundred sixty some years later we are fighting a similar battle. This one deals with slavery also. Families are torn apart brother is fighting against brother. Mothers and daughters aren't speaking to one another. You get the picture.
Micah 7:6 “For the son dishonoreth the father, the daughter riseth against her mother,...a man's enemies are the men of his own household.”
This battle is centered around the belief in Christ. Whether we will become slaves to sin or be set free from the penalty sin requires. Families are torn apart. This battle is one of a spiritual nature. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and the work He accomplished are pitted against those who do not believe. The irony here is there doesn't seem to be any middle ground. There is not any room to disagree agreeably.
Scripture warns of this division in the last days. Matthew 10: and Luke 12.
We must resolve to not be haters of those who don't agree with our belief in Christ. Jesus said to you and me, John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know you are My disciples, if you have love one to another.”
One more thing. We have reached a point where there is bickering and squabbling amongst believers. This should not be. Satan will use division to keep us off the front lines. Don't engage in petty arguments, they only cause division.
Let us be united in our fight against the wiles of our enemy who seeks to destroy. Paul reminds us, “follow me as I follow Christ”. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Let us be those who do likewise.
Every day should be a Memorial Day remembering the One who gave His life for you and for me that we might have everlasting life.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
THE GOODNESS OF GOD
5/21/25
Think with me for a moment. If today God said to His Son Jesus the Christ, "Son go get Your bride." Would you, would I, would we be one of the faithful who rise up to meet Him in the air?
1Thessalonians 4:16-17 “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Most if not all who read this have asked Christ for forgiveness and confessed Jesus Christ as Lord. What about believing in your heart? Do you, do I truly believe the Words of Jesus? Are we living a life that points to the goodness of God.
“It is the goodness of God that leadeth thee to repentance.” Romans 2:4
You see in response to the Goodness of God; God sent His Son to die for our sins.
What else can we do except turn from our foolishness, do an about face on the sin that so easily besets us.
Hasn't the Lord been good to us?
He has done everything He said He would.
Love God hate sin reckon the old man dead.
Love God hate sin and by the Spirit be led.
Comfort one another other with these words.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Seeks to Restore
5/14/25
Once again, my thoughts are turned to Mephibosheth. Many of you know the story of how he fell and became lame in his feet when he and his nurse were fleeing when she heard that Saul and Jonathan were slain.
2 Samuel 4:4 tells the story. Further in chapter 9 we read where David asks, “Is there not yet any of the house of Saul that I may show the goodness of God unto him?”
David a man after God's own heart.
David sought out any of the house of Saul. He finds Mephibosheth and restores all that was rightfully his.
There is One who seeks to restore all that was taken. You see way back in the beginning everything was perfect. That is for a short time it was perfect. There was no sin. Then sin entered by one man when Eve was deceived, and Adam did not intervene. What should have been was interrupted for about 6000 years or so. Then along comes the greater than David.
Jesus Christ came to set the captives free.
He came to restore what had been taken a long time ago.
Just as David kept his promise to Jonathon, Jesus has kept the promise made by God. Isaiah 9:2, 4, 6 “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden. and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian…for unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
The goodness of God has been brought to you and I through Jesus Christ. What God promises, He has delivered.
We have been promised new and everlasting life if we put our trust in Jesus.
Trust in Jesus.
He will deliver us from the evil one.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Safe and Secure
5/7/25
2 Samuel 3:32 “And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept. And the king lamented over Abner, and said, died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.”
What a story. Abner had fled to a city of refuge. As long as he stayed within the walls of the city, he was safe. Abner had gone over from being a soldier in Saul’s army to David. There was a dispute over Abner’s allegiance. Read 2 Samuel 3 for further details. As long as Abner was in Hebron a city of refuge, he was safe.
Here is an example for you and I. As long as we are in a place of refuge, we are safe from the enemy.
We have a place of refuge. Jesus covers us with His wings as does a mother hen when her chicks are threatened. As long as the chicks remain under cover, they are safe. As long as we stay under the cover the Lord provides, we too will be safe and secure.
Abner went to the gate and was slain. He didn’t even go outside of the city wall he was just in the gate. He became vulnerable because he didn’t stay within the walls of protection. He was being lured by his enemy his curiosity got him killed.
The lesson for me and perhaps for you is stay within the walls of protection provided for by Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ is that protection. We must, if we are to survive apply the blood of Christ to our lives.
When we do we become Holy as He is Holy.
Don’t even go near the gate stay deep within the protective walls that a loving relationship with Jesus provides.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
The Way It Had to Be – Pt 2
5/1/25
Love allows for a choice, otherwise it is considered rape. The Lord loves you and me so much that He gives us a choice.
Choose life, everlasting joy and peace or choose death, everlasting torment, “Where the fire is never quenched and the worm dieth not.” Mark 9:44
I can't get over that some would choose a moment of pleasure, self-satisfaction, self-gratification over an eternity of joy and happiness.
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man the things God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Corinthians 2:9.
We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. A new heaven and a new earth await for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior.
Let go and let the Lord live in and through you. If we do, when we do, we will realize that this world is not all there is. We will be reminded this is not our home, we're only sojourners. A wonderful, glorious sin-free eternity awaits those who do not allow themselves to be swallowed up in sin.
Sure, we fall from time to time. That will happen. What we mustn't do is become a slave to it.
Sin separates us from the love of Christ.
Confess,
Repent,
Return.
Jesus with open arms awaits our return.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
The Way It Had to Be – Pt 1
4/30/25
We know that God hates sin.
Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. Everything that has ever or will ever exist He created.
Sin is the absence of God.
God hates sin because of the effects it has on His children. We are His children every human that has or ever will be is a child of God. He does not want His children to live in sin because of the effects it has it has on them. Sin destroys.
In order for sin to be dealt with once and for all God determined it would be necessary to deal with it Himself.
Almighty God came to this earth, He became a man. He is Jesus Christ. Sin which results in death had to be dealt with.
A sacrifice for sin was needed.
It was necessary for blood to be shed.
This was the way it had to be.
Jesus Christ the God Man was sacrificed so our sins would be erased. Completely atoned for. If we are to be saved from eternal death, we must believe that Christ was that perfect sacrifice, that His death on the cross paid the price and that He rose from death.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Confess with your mouth, Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart.
If you do when you do, you will be saved.
Sometimes we need a reminder.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
To Know His Voice
4/23/25
There is story concerning a woman who had seven demons. As we know, the number seven denotes completeness. We know that Mary called Mag-da-lene was one whom had seven demons cast out by Jesus. We also know she had many infirmities. Luke 8:2. This Mary became a disciple of Christ following and learning of Him.
She is a very prominent figure in the New Testament. She was the first to visit His tomb. John 20:1 “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulcher.”
She leaves and reports to Peter and John that He is not in the sepulcher. They check it out. They notice the napkin covering His face was lain aside folded. In Jewish etiquette when a person expects to return to a meal the napkin is neatly folded. If they do not expect to return it is tossed aside. In folding of the napkin Jesus is indicating that He would return.
John 20:11 “Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping.”
She sees two angels, they ask why is she weeping she replies, “because they have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid Him.”
Then she turns back and sees a figure standing in front of her. Here is where it gets beautiful. Jesus asks, “Woman, why weepiest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
She supposing Him to be the gardener asks, “Where have they taken Him.
Here it is, Jesus saith unto her, “Mary”. She now recognizes this figure to be Jesus Christ the one who had cast out seven demons and cured her of her infirmities.
I can only imagine the love that Mary heard when she recognizes the voice of her Savior.
She knew it was Him not by appearance but by His voice.
Would we recognize our Savior’s voice if He called our name?
Mary knew it was Him she had spent hours listening to Him. She was familiar with His tone; she was familiar with the affection with which He spoke. We will recognize His voice if we spend time listening to Him speak. He comes to us in the volume of the Book, speaking of the scriptures.
Get to know His voice, so when He calls your name, you too will say as Mary did, “Rabboni”.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Built on the Rock
4/16/25
Blessings to all. For a few days I have been thinkin’ on a scripture that causes me to be fearful. Oh, I know the Lord in His Holy Word tells you and I fear not, do not be afraid. 365 times we are admonished to not be afraid.
In Mathew's gospel verse 7:23 is a stark warning. Jesus words, “And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: departure from Me, ye that work iniquity. Speaking to those who find pleasure in sin.”
These words He spoke to those who had, cast out demons, who prophesied, who had done many good works in His name.
These are they who outwardly claim to be His followers but whose actions and hearts do not align with His teachings.
A few verses before this we read: but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
Are we doing the will of the Father? He tells us to follow the teachings of Jesus.
In Matthew 7:24 Jesus says to you and me, “Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.”
Is your house, is our house built on a rock? Are we firmly planted in His Word? Or are we one who is parading around and pretending to be His follower?
I am convinced that we need to be driven by this one fear, the fear of hearing, "depart from Me I never knew you".
Follow Jesus, do what He commands. When we do, we need not walk in fear.
If we do, when we do, we will be greeted by Jesus and hear Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
REASON
4/9/25
Reason, an interesting work. What do you mean work? For me, perhaps you as well, when we think the word reason it could take work to come to a reasonable conclusion why thus is so. You have lost me already. Me too.
That is why I am writing this so that I might better understand Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
There is a move that is sweeping the scientific community. Scientific facts based on consensus. That is to say if more than fifty percent agree with the hypothesis it can be considered reasonable. Currently the Scientific method is a bit more complicated.
Make an observation, create a hypothesis, attempt to disprove the hypothesis, if it cannot be disproven it is reasonable to conclude it must be truth. Criticism is the backbone of this method. Got that?
This new way of looking at a matter creates group think. There is an axiom, the researcher will agree with the one paying for the research. The old scientific method which has been the norm since the 1600’s is not based on who is paying for the research. Much of what we see today in science and that has spilled over to politics is, if you agree with me, I will agree with you.
Reason is based in evidence much like the scientific method. In my research I have turned over every stone possible and there is only one conclusion that I can agree with. The facts are in, every possibility has been examined there is only one answer that is true. Back to Isaiah 1:18. God in Isaiah chapter one is calling court in session. He is saying let’s look at the facts.
By the way, this was a time of great upheaval. Assyria was becoming the dominant power. We know of their exploits. Terrible barbaric people indeed. 185,000 Assyrians were outside the walls of Jerusalem. God through Hezekiah had declared Assyria would never take Judah. However, God was preparing Babylon who would capture Judah unless Judah turned to God.
Court is in session. God lays out what has occurred. He has treated them well, yet they rebelled. The ox and the ass know better than the people of Judah. The prosecution continues. Judah has done nearly everything possible to turn its back on Holy God.
The accusation is this, spiritual apostasy. They are doing the right things according to the letter of the law, but their hearts are in rebellion. Today we are in the same dilemma. We have a form of godliness, but we deny the power of the God the Creator of heaven and earth.
In :18 God is saying let us sit down and think this out. Like He did with Judah. Just like Judah we are guilty. God says there is a way to reconcile this matter. There is reason to believe it is so. God throughout His word has given us illustrations. If we do this, this will be the reward or the punishment. He doesn’t beat around the bush.
We are reminded over and over there is a way. Jesus is that way. The Blood of Christ will remove all our sins when we apply it to our life. There is a time coming when every tongue will confess.
There is also a time when it will be too late. Today is the best day to receive the forgiveness of sins. Apply His Blood to our life. In the old days it was the blood of bulls and goats that was used to cover the sins. Some years it worked, others it didn’t. What was the intent of the heart of the Priest who entered into the Holy of Holies?
God isn’t calling us to be perfect. He is calling us to receive the gift of the One who was perfect. His Blood poured out for the sins of the whole world.
Are we willing to receive what He was willing to give?
1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
Reason comes with work. We have researched, we have asked the Lord to open our eyes, we have tried through our foolish actions to disprove the hypothesis. At the end of the day, we have every reason to believe.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Do Our Roots Run Deep?
4/2/25
Several times since we had high water, I have walked along the riverbank. The storm sent the river to over 10 feet which is 5 feet higher than it is today. And which is about 7 feet above normal.
What I noticed is that a lot of the soil was washed downstream. Rocks of all different sizes were left. The grasses that covered the riverbank are gone. There is a tree that should have washed downstream it wasn't. This particular tree fell into the river, and it was a group of 4 that were intertwined. Three are washed away.
This particular tree has held on.
It does show scars of being battered by material being washed downstream.
You see its roots run deep into the bedrock.
Some of the roots are as big as your arm, others are the size of your fingers. This tree has held on tight to an immovable object. Bedrock a solid mass of stone. As mentioned before there are many rocks of various sizes. They get moved around. Those rocks were held together by the soil that was easily washed away.
Here is what I am getting at. Do your, do mine, do our roots run deep? Have they found themselves working into bedrock? If so, we will be immovable when the storm rages and floods seek to wash us away.
What are we so deeply attached to that no matter how high the water gets we will not be shaken loose. God’s word should be the bedrock of our lives. When folks walk by us after the storm, they will see we were not moved.
Romans 8:18 “For I reckon that the sufferings (storms) of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Storms will come and go. IF we are to withstand, we MUST be firmly grounded in God’s Word.
Ephesians 3:17 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love.”
When Jesus dwells in our hearts we will be rooted and grounded.
We shall not be moved.
Draw near to the Lord and He will draw near to you.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Live Peaceably
3/26/25
Paul is his letter to the Romans in chapter 12 starts out with stating we as believers are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. We're not to be conformed to the world. Our minds are to be renewed. In that, we will prove what is the acceptable and perfect will of God.
And in Romans 12:18 Paul declares; “If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount declares to us we are to agree with our adversary quickly.
It doesn't take me very long as I look out on this world, whether it be locally, on the state level, nationally or on a world scale to want to pick up rocks and hurl them at those whom I disagree with.
The point is we're to be peace makers.
Do I agree with everyone?
Absolutely not.
In many cases I hate what they are doing. However, I must not hate them.
God is going to judge. When we start judging others, we soon find out we are guilty of the same things. Somehow, we judge other's actions on a different scale than we use to judge ourselves.
You may remember a previous Rambling, it bears repeating. Romans 2:6-10 “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”
Let go and let God.
He will in due time judge all things.
Let us do our part.
“If it be possible as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 1:12
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Not Making It to Your Heart?
3/19/25
Most recently I have been wrestling with several issues. One that seems to be resurfacing is, why is this happening and what is the spiritual lesson to be learned. I would like to be able to determine what it is that I should be learning from that experience. If only I could get it on the first lap rather than the fifth or sixth.
For example. My truck was experiencing fuel issues. The gauge was reading incorrectly which led to running out of fuel. Fortunately, Shane was nearby and was able to get fuel for me. Unfortunately, he had to tow me to the shop. Only a couple of miles.
Doing a bunch of research I determined the fuel pickup/float needed replaced. Did that. Truck quit in front of Coastal Farm supply on the way to Bible study at 06:00. Had to get towed to the shop.
Fuel was getting to the engine but insufficiently. Finally figured it out. Fuel in tank couldn't get it to engine.
That was one.
Jonathan and I went snowmobiling. We were having a great time. Everything was working fine. At the top of Pelican Butte his machine quit as we were headed up a steep turn. We wrestled it around and headed it downhill.
Changed spark plugs checked other things, plenty of fuel. After several attempts it dimly fired up. Ok we're on the road again.
Down the hill we went. Doin’ fine. Got to bottom, Started for the parking lot. Yep, she quit. Tried to figure it out. Ended up towing a few miles back to the truck. Into the shop. Did a little research and found the pickup tube for the fuel was broken. Even though there was fuel in the tank it wasn't getting to the engine.
Number 2. What are You trying to show me Lord?
There is fuel in the tank, yet it isn't getting to the engine. After several days of trying to figure out what is the lesson here…
Could fuel be God's Word.
Could the engine be my heart.
Lord, are You telling me that even though my tank is full the Word isn't reaching my heart?
Many of us can quote scripture. We have our favorite verse or verses. We can share how God's Word has changed us in the past. That was then what about now?
Our head is full of knowledge about God's Word. Is that knowledge making it to our heart?
1 Corinthians 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, love, I am nothing.”
Is the knowledge, fuel, stored in my mind, tank, making its way to my heart, engine?
Is your tank full? Yet is the engine sputtering? It might be the line to the heart needs to be opened.
Lord, open my eyes, open my ears, open my heart that I might be more like Jesus.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
We Have His Word On It
3/12/25
What an incredible sunrise this morning. We're usually up at 5:00 am.
This morning it was 4:00 daylight savings you know.
Well, it started out very, very dark. Then ever so slightly a change could be seen coming out of the east. A very light pink and as the minutes ticked by more pink all across the sky north to south. There was a buttermilk appearance also. Like the sky was starting to curdle.
We know from experience this points to, what some would call bad weather, not me I like a good storm. A storm has a way of cleansing.
We're told in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus speaking to the learned men of the day. How was it they could predict the weather by looking at the sky yet did not know the signs of the times. The Message puts it this way. He told them, “You have a saying that goes, 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning. ' You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can't you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders.
The sky has lost its beauty, becoming a dull gray. If you had not been watching, waiting, anticipating you would have missed it. So too those who were desiring a "sign" missed the very sign that was in their midst. Jesus and the Prophets had told them what to expect. Yet they ignored them.
Are we ignoring what Jesus said would be occurring prior to His return? Gang, don't give into your fleshly desires. Satan desires to sift us like wheat. He wants to destroy each of us. He does this using lies and accusations. Don't fall into his trap.
Jesus is coming back we have His Word on it.
Jesus speaking, John 14:2 “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there you may be also.”
Paul tells us in Romans 1:17-32. To be aware of the times. And how to live. Skipping down to Romans 2:7 “To them who by patience continuance in well doing seek glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. :8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil.”
When we find ourselves enjoying and clinging on to the things spoke of in Romans 2:17-32 everlasting evil waits.
We know Jesus has provided a way for you and I to escape the wrath to come to those who reject the Love of God through Christ Jesus.
Romans 2:4 “…the goodness of God leads thee to repentance.”
Are you, am I, are we headed in the wrong direction? Today is not too late to turn around and head back to Jesus. He has saved us. Don't let the dark sky overtake you.
Your Heavenly Father asks us to follow Jesus.
This earthly father asks you to follow Jesus.
Your eternal peace and happiness depend on it.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Hope or Despair
3/5/25
How ya doin today? How was your week?
If today is like last week, we'll get through.
Are our days full of hope or despair?
Perhaps a bit of both.
Sometimes we get down and it's hard to get back up. It is too easy to get self-focused.
How am I doin’, why can't I get ahead, why don't they like me? Me...me...I...I...I.
When we take a look around, we see a lost and dying world. The world in general has a broken compass. If we could put on our spiritual wings and fly high above and if the world were flat, we would see battles raging everywhere. With our spiritual eyes open we would see battles within each and every person. There is an ongoing battle for our souls.
The hatred we see being played out before us is inspired by the father of hatred and lies. Satan would have us believe that there is no Savior. Oh, he isn't worried about us knowing God exists. He knows only a fool would not believe God exists. His concern is that we would believe in Christ Jesus. Only those who believe on and accept His life, death and resurrection will be saved from an eternity of aloneness.
We have all been called sinners over and over so much we have become used to the accusations and have shut them out.
We might feel safe in knowing God. Again, that isn't going to get you, me either to heaven. Belief in Christ and what He accomplished will.
My heart aches for those who are making a decision to turn their back on Christ and walk away. Perhaps they believe no one could forgive their trespasses and sins. Perhaps they do want to give up their lifestyle. Perhaps they feel unworthy.
None of us are worthy.
God will make a way for us to get out of the mess we are in if we turn to Him. We all deserve hell. That is just the point even though we are not deserving, Jesus with outstretched arms is welcoming you and me to be His friend, to be His bride.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou will be saved.” Acts 16:31 Romans 10:9
Look to Jesus receive from Him.
Maybe you have Jesus in your heart if you do then this isn't for you. There are many in our circle that need to hear. Time as we know it is drawing to a close. Share Jesus' Love with others.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16-17
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Encouragement
2/26/25
Last Sunday I had a chance to pray
with a young man. After a bit of encouragement, we went to the prayer room. He was down. Recently had his hours cut at his job, his car is acting up, single parent house. So much in the negative column.
His Grandpa is trying to encourage him as is the way with a caring, loving Grandfather. We want our Grand-children to do well. Sometimes our encouragement can be misinterpreted. God finds it necessary to encourage us from time to time.
“But made His own people to go forth like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And He led them on safely, so that they feared not.” Psalm 78:52-53
“For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.” Isaiah 28:26. There are many other verses of encouragement.
This young man is searching for who he is, where he belongs, what will the future hold, and a bunch of other questions that are so, so important to a young man of 18.
My encouragement to him was hang in there. God has a plan. Knock on doors. Hang out with God’s people. My prayer was that he would reach out and grab hold of the hand that is reaching down to him.
This is a similar situation that is close to home for me. We have kiddos who know the Lord. Who have walked with the Lord, who have faced challenges, some have swam out others are treading water.
We cease not to pray for each and every one of them. I believe God who has started a good work in each of them will complete it. I believe that because God Himself declares it to be so.
A side note: for those who are treading water all they need do is stand up. The water is not that deep.
We parents, grandparents, brothers, and sisters should not cease to pray.
Ephesians 1:14-20 “After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
Let the Lord reign in our hearts. Give Him all honor and glory. He loves us so much that He came to the earth as a man. He, becoming the perfect sacrifice for sin, died, was buried and rose from the dead that He might rescue us from sin.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Words Are Not Enough
2/19/25
This morning as I look out, I am awed by the________of God. The blank was intentional. After some time of trying to describe God in terms of His Majesty I find I can't.
God the Creator of the universe and everything that is within it. Philippians 2:5-7, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
There is a song,
"Listen to Our Heart".
If you can find it on your phone and let the words sink in. If not here are the words to the song.
How do you explain
How do you describe
A love that goes from east to west
And runs and deep as it is wide?
You know all our hopes
Lord, you know all our fears
And words cannot express
The love we feel
But we long for You to hear
Chorus: So, listen to our hearts
(oh, Lord, please listen)
Hear our spirits sing (and hear us sing) A song of praise that flows
(a simple song of praise)
From those You have redeemed (from those You have redeemed)
We will use the words we know
To tell You what an awesome God You are
But words are not enough
To tell You of our love
So, listen to our hearts
Verse 2: If words could fall like rain
From these lips of mine
And if I had a thousand years
I would still run out of time
So if You listen to my heart
Every beat would say,
Thank You for the Life
Thank You for the Truth
Thank You for the Way.
Words are not enough.
If you're anything like me a tear or two appeared on your cheek.
Let go, let God overwhelm you with His Love.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
They Would Not Believe
2/12/25
Only a couple of times do we see Jesus weeping. Jesus had just entered the city of Jerusalem and was headed to the Temple. He was standing on the Mount of Olives.
Luke 19:41 “And when He was come near, He beheld the city and wept over it.”
Jesus goes on to say if the people had known who He was they would have peace. But they wouldn't. He tells them the city will be torn down and not one stone shall be left unturned.
A dire warning.
Even though they should have known who He was. The prophets had told them of the very day He was to enter Jerusalem. They would not believe.
Matthew 23:37-39 quotes Jesus: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often have I gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
Jesus weeps because of the folks who will not accept the protection He offers. He was willing to give up His life so that we would have eternal protection from sin. Sin destroys. It eats away at us until nothing is left.
Gang, seek shelter under His wings. Jesus says, “Come unto Me all who labor and who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.
Satan seeks to destroy us. He is cunning, he is a liar, a cheat, a scum bag. He uses deception in an attempt to cause us to turn our back on Jesus and what He did for us.
Don't fall for his lies, don't fall into his trap. What he offers is an eternity of wailing, gnashing of teeth, where the fire is not quenched and the worm dieth not.
Jesus offers an eternity of peace and joy.
Follow Jesus.
Listen to the Holy Spirit He is speaking to each of us.
Don't shut Him out.
The Spirit of God speaks only truth.
The spirit of the anti-Christ speaks only lies.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Brought Before Him
2/5/25
Mark 2 is a very interesting and powerful story.
As we read this account, which part do we play?
Are we the palsied man or are we the friend?
“1 And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that He was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the word unto them. And they come unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.
And when they could not come nigh unto Him for the press, they uncovered the roof where He was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?’
And immediately when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, He said unto them, ‘Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (He saith to the sick of the pals), I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw it on this fashion’.”
Are we willing to take our friend, perhaps a family member, and bring them before the Lord?
These men were willing to go to the extreme. Tearing off a roof was not an easy task. Who would pay for the repair or clean up the mess. Lowering him down would cause quite a commotion. All this was inconsequential when compared to the result.
These had known of the great power Jesus exercised. It was their faith that Jesus saw and because of their faith this man's sins were forgiven and he was healed.
Who was it that brought you or me before the Lord? It was their faith that made us whole. Faith the size of a grain of mustard seed. Jesus says if we have even a little bit of faith nothing is impossible. Of course, our faith must be in line with Him. His thoughts toward us are of good and not evil.
Which one are we?
At different times we're both.
When brought before Him our sins are forgiven.
Whom do you know that needs to be brought before Him?
Perhaps we need to spend time in His presence.
Do not cease to pray.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Who Do You Say That I Am
1/29/25
Jesus just had an encounter with the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They had tempted Him, desiring He would show them a sign from heaven. He replied that only a wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. We see that today.
There were two thieves on either side of Jesus as He hung on the cross.
Luke 23:39 "And one of the criminals which were hanged railed on Him, saying, if thou be Christ, (the Anointed One, the Son of God) save Thyself and us."
This criminal was asking for a sign like the Pharisees and Sadducees.
This criminal did not believe this was Christ. He did not fear God. He received his reward, being cast into outer darkness. The other criminal confessed Jesus was Lord. He knew they both were guilty and deserved punishment. He also knew Jesus had done nothing wrong. And did not deserve to be punished.
This man said unto Jesus, "Lord, remember me when Thou come into Thy kingdom."
Jesus said, "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in paradise."
This man acknowledged that Jesus was whom He said He was. He believed He was and called Him Lord.
Jesus speaking to His disciples:
"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?"
"Some say John the Baptist: some Elijah; others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Jesus said to them, but whom say ye that I am?"
Hebrews 1 tells you and I, "God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. (That is to say in times past He spoke to our fathers through the prophets)."
"In these last days, (the days we are living in) He has spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds. Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, (He received the punishment that we deserve thus declaring us not guilty) sat down on the right hand of Majesty on high."
That is Whom the writer of Hebrews declares Jesus Christ is.
Whom do you, who do I say that He is?
Does this sound familiar? It should.
Every day we should ask ourselves, whom do we say Jesus Christ is. Is He Lord or just one of the prophets. If He is Lord, then we will follow Him.
If not, we will join the first thief who denied He was the Son of God, spending eternity in outer darkness.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Simply Believed
1/22/25
“You have heard it said, that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.
Why must we complicate what is uncomplicated?
It is so simple even a child can understand. That is just the point. We are told to have childlike faith and elsewhere we are told to have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed.
I know that we know these things. We have heard them many times.
For me I can't be reminded often enough that it is not complicated. So often we think there must be more to salvation than simply confessing and believing. Jesus said, "if you believe in God believe also in Me".
“Only a fool has said in his heart there is no God…” Psalm 14:1 Creation itself reveals that there had to be one who created all we see around us. Romans 1:20 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3
That is to say we can't see what it is that holds everything together. All we see was spoken into existence by God, Elohim.
My Grandfather was, by worldly standards a successful man. He worked very hard. The fruits of his labor were many. He owed his success to having sold his soul to the devil. His words, not mine. A year before he left this world, he had been ill. I was concerned where he would spend eternity. One day I asked him if he had ever asked Jesus into his heart he replied, "No".
"Would you like to", I asked.
"Yes". And he did.
He confessed with his mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. Believing in his heart he experienced it until he went to be with the Lord.
He simply believed. He is in heaven for eternity. He simply confessed, "Jesus is Lord".
A reminder for us to share the simple Gospel. Don't make it more complicated than it is.
Hang in there. The storms will rage. We will make it to the other shore because He is in the boat with us.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there's something about that name.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
That Still Small Voice
1/15/25
How many times do we find ourselves in a place we never intended to go?
As we look back at how we got there it was a wink and a nod. It's no big deal.
I will be careful, we say to ourselves. We have a dozen reasons to justify our actions.
We have heard that still small voice within.
We have heard, stop, don't go there, turnaround.
Yet we again have justified our charging ahead. At some point we find our choice to block out that still small voice has led us into a mess. That was a waste of time, that was a waste of resources. That was stupid. We shake our head in disbelief. We justified our actions because all along we thought the outcome would justify the means.
How many times will we repeat that same mistake.
Some would call it insanity.
Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different outcome.
Ignoring that still small voice will always result in the same outcome.
Paul one of the Apostles was a very wise man. He spent 3 years in the desert with Jesus. In that short period, he learned a lifetime of lessons.
Here is just one: In Romans 7:15 Paul speaks about doing what he knows he shouldn't and not doing the things he should. In Romans 7:24 he declares he is a wretched man. Romans 7:25 he thanks God that through Jesus Christ those sinful things have been overcome. We are reminded that we can do right if our mind is fixed on Jesus.
Further in Galatians 5:16 Paul declares, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that we would.”
Listen and obey that still small voice.
The still small voice is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily obeyed, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Be led by the Spirit.
As much as possible do that which is good.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Our Creator Cares
1/8/25
“How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.” Psalm 139:17
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
“He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. “Isaiah 40:11
“When I consider Thy heavens, they are more work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; what is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the Son of man, that Thou visitest Him." Psalm 8:3-4
Who is this that Isaiah, Jeremiah and David are speaking of?
Isaiah answers that.
“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and compre-hended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity.
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and He shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.
Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:12-31
God, YHWH, the I AM that I Am.
It takes my breath away to know that God the Creator cares for you and for me.
He loves us so much that He became a man, the man Christ Jesus, and dwelt among us. Becoming the perfect sacrifice. That through Him we might have life everlasting.
He loves us, oh how He loves us.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Religion vs The Gospel
1/1/25
From time to time there is a portion of God's Word that needs very close examination. You know something that hits you right between the eyes. Such is Paul's letter to those at Colosse. Here he is reminding the folks anything less than the Gospel according to Christ is a lie, is heresy. Anything is permissible as long as it doesn't hurt anybody else, is a lie that will lead one to everlasting torment.
Today we hear that everywhere. There are those who maintain all roads lead to heaven, all religions are equally valid. As far as religions go that may be so.
Religion is not the answer it is "Relationship" do you we know Jesus Christ on a personal basis. Do we hear the words He is speaking to us? Take the time to read today's message, let it sink down deep inside. Rejoice that Jesus Christ is the Way, what Jesus says is the Truth and He is Life.
“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” Colossians 1:3-23
That says it all. Praying that your days are filled with the joy of knowing Him and believing in Him. He is the Way, He is the Truth, in Him is everlasting Life.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Doubt Had Crept In
12/25/24
Once again, I want to bring our attention to John 3:16. “For God so loved the world...”.
The world a place originally designed for man to inhabit and be at peace. Then that same man fell for a lie that has plagued mankind since that fateful moment. Doubt had crept in. “Yea hath God said?” That seems to be the question that causes doubt to creep into our lives.
God’s word is pure. No ifs, no ands, no buts. We can find no fault in His Word. We know that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. God became a Man, Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.
In John’s Gospel Jesus is referred to as the “I Am”. Do you recall when Moses asked God what His name was, He replied, I AM THAT I AM. John is reminding us that Jesus is also the I AM THAT I AM.
Have you, have I, thought on the enormity of that declaration?
Almighty God Creator of heaven and earth and everything that dwells therein came down to a place filled with sin and depravity. We know God hates sin for what it does to His children.
By the way we are His children and someday soon we will become the bride of Christ. We were not created to live a life and spend eternity in a place where He is not. We were created to bring Him glory. I think He is glorified when we choose to accept Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
John 3:16 continued: “…that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Christmas is the time to consider what the birth of Christ has done for us, for you, for me. He is our hope. We celebrate His birth, we celebrate His sinless life, He was the spotless lamb, and we mourn the horrible torture that eventually led to His death. It is His death that brings us eternal life.
Do you, do I believe in Jesus?
“Lord, search our hearts see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
We believe. Help our unbelief.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
DO THEY KNOW YOU BELIEVE
12/18/24
There are a few scriptures that most people have read or heard. Perhaps it was at a wedding, a funeral, a sign in the end zone, eye shadow on a player’s face.
"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. That is likely the verse everyone in the western world has seen or heard.
A couple that are nearly as familiar are Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt believe and be saved.”
John 14:1-4 “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, you may be also.”
John was writing the things Jesus said. Paul in Romans was speaking concerning what the Prophets had told.
Where do we stand as it concerns these scriptures?
Do we believe?
Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw the nail prints in His hands. Thomas saw and spoke, "My Lord and my God".Thomas believed after he saw the nail prints. Jesus went on to say, "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet believed."
I know you believe, you know you believe, do they know you believe?
They, those whom you have contact with. Friends, family, neighbors.
Now is the time to stand up and be recognized as one who "believes".
Matthew 10:32 where Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”
In these last days we should be not giving into our fleshly desires. We are near the finish line it is time to give our last burst of energy that we might finish the race strong.
When we stand before the Judge will there be enough evidence to convict us of believing?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
NO THANKS, I’M FINE
12/11/24
Recently we have seen an upsurge in illness. How many of our folks have been inflicted with some sort of medical issue? And as often happens spiritual doubts creep in also. How often do we quote scripture to help them get their mind off their infirmity? I wonder how often our attempts at bringing some relief are met with wa wa wa wa wa.
That might be how the physical part of our being receives scripture. They are sick, perhaps miserable with no end in sight. God’s Word the Scriptures are chock full of reasons to be hopeful.
What if the physical part of us was not fully receiving God’s Word. What about the inner man our spiritual side? What if that part of us was being encouraged, nourished, given hope?
Think with me. We're hot, dry, thirsty, someone comes along and offers us a glass of water. How many times have we refused to be refreshed? For me a prideful man would respond naw, no thanks, I'm fine. I don't want to appear weak and in need. I don't need help lifting that heavy load. We are a prideful lot.
Here is what is important to remember. Matthew 25:34-40 “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we Thee an hungred, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”
When we visit the sick, the imprisoned, when we lend a helping hand, when we share Gods Word, we are reaching out to Gods children, and we are reaching out to Him.
Their flesh may not respond to the Water, but their spirit will be refreshed.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson Pastor 55-Live Senior Group Applegate Christian Fellowship https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Feeling Forsaken
12/4/24
Yesterday an Elder and I were called to visit a man who was in deep despair sobbing. I have known him for 20 plus years. This condition has been ongoing for much of that time. A month or two of going fine and all of a sudden, he is slammed down seemingly with no connection as to why.
This condition can continue for months at a time. He knows the Lord and knows how much he is loved by Jesus. Yet he has these bouts of bitter sadness. He cries out for mercy. He asks, "where is God"?
We felt powerless to console him.
Here is what I do know. King David found himself often in a similar position. "Why has thou forsaken me"? David would cry out.
As you read his accounts, his life had mountains of joy, happiness, fulfillment.
Conquering enemies.
Being led by God.
Followed by valleys of despair and loneliness.
Feeling cast out and lost.
I had to tell my friend, I had no idea what he was going through, but I know a Man that went through a similar time in His life. Jesus cried out, "Eli, lama sabachthani", that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"
Jesus and David both felt rejected and alone. Jesus had to go through His lonely despair seemingly forgotten. His journey was to save you and I and my friend from an eternity of wailing and gnashing of teeth, where the fire is never quenched and the worm dieth not.
David's journey was so at the end he would realize that God was always there and he kneweth it not.
Gang Our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is right beside us no matter what. David said if he made his bed in hell, the Lord would be by his side.
When we feel alone and forsaken, destroyed, with no hope, remember the Psalmist also felt the same way. He wrote in Psalm 147:1 "Praise the Lord, for it is good to sing praises to our God". :3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
He opens prison doors; He is able to deliver us from our despair.
Several times David reminds himself and us, "Praise the Lord."
When we praise the Lord the things of this earth grow strangely dim. He is glorious, He is gracious, He is love. He is right beside us. "Lord open our eyes we want to see Jesus.
Reach out and grab His hand, He is reaching out to you.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
CareFUL to Walk Truth
11/27/24
Oftentimes, I think on how can I repay the Lord for what He has done in my life and the lives of my children? What is it that will put a smile on His face?
Is it going to church every Sunday?
Is it being involved in Bible study during the week?
Visiting the sick, feeding the poor?
Standing on the street corner sharing the Gospel?
Sure, those are good things to do. Those won't get you or me into heaven. I think those things, as good as they might be, would be our attempt at gaining acceptance. On the other hand, if we, if I do those things in response to His goodness that is entirely another thing.
In 3 John:4 John the Elder writing to Gai-us as well as to you and me, pens: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.”
I believe that is the heart of our Elder brother Jesus Christ. Walking in the truth, I believe, brings our Heavenly Father great joy. We must be careful to walk truth as defined by God and not man. There is an old adage; you can torture the scriptures to make them say what you want.
A different John in Revelation 22:18-19 tells us we are not to add to or remove any words from the book. When we look at the Book it tells us what we are to do in any given situation or circumstance. When we attempt to justify our wandering with scripture we are on very thin ice.
Let the word of God guide us in all we do. At the end we will hear the Lord say to us, “well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
Block out the noise of the world and listen to that still small voice. When you hear that voice verify what you heard with God’s Word.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Where Is Isaac?
11/20/24
The scriptures are full of similitudes. Those stories or example of similar occurrences by comparing how they resemble one another.
One such similitude we find in Genesis 22. This is such a beautiful picture. In Genesis 22 we see Abraham we see a type a similar story of what will occur in the future.
These types of incidents occur thousands of years apart. This adds to the truth of Scripture.
God tells Abraham to take his son his only son Isaac whom thou loves to a place where He will show him, and he is to offer him as a burnt offering unto the Lord. Isaac is around 30 years old at this time.
Genesis 22:3-4 “and Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Issac his son....the third day Abraham saw the place afar off."
Abraham tells the young men to wait at the base of the mountain and; "and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you.”
Up they go to the top of Mt. Moriah. Isaac questions where is the sacrifice? Abraham said, “My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”
They arrive at the scene Abraham prepares an alter, places the wood, binds Isaac, lays him on the alter and is about to sacrifice his son.
The Angel of the Lord announces to Abraham, “do no harm to the lad as I know you will withhold nothing from Me.” Abraham lifts his eyes and sees a ram caught in a thicket and proceeds with the sacrifice.
Genesis 22:19 “So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba.”
Here is the question where is Isaac?
Notice in Genesis 22:19 there is no mention of Issac.
As Abraham went down from the mountain, he met up with his young men and went to Beersheba. So where is Issac, why isn't he mentioned as coming down from the mountain?
In scripture there are a great many "pictures" of Jesus Christ. Similitudes, situations, circumstances similar in nature that point to Jesus Christ the Messiah.
This is one of those.
Genesis 24:67 is the next time we see Isaac in the story; “And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her.”
A couple of things to note. Abraham knew that if he did complete the sacrifice ritual that Isaac would by necessity be resurrected in order that God's promise to Abraham would be fulfilled.
The eldest servant is a type of the Holy Spirit who is called to gather the bride. Today the Holy Spirit is going throughout the earth pointing to the coming of Jesus. Genesis 22:4, "Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off."
Three days reminds us how long Jesus was in the lower parts of the earth.
Genesis 22:8 “God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so, both of them went together...Genesis: 22:13 "...a ram caught in a thicket." (a ram is a mature sheep.)
Genesis 24:13 “Behold, I (the servant) stand by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.”
Where do we hang out to receive (water)?
Jesus is the well that never runs dry.
John 4:7 tells the story. This is the same well.
She meets her bridegroom at the well of LaHai-Roi, "Well of the living One (sees) me".
In this story we see types. Abraham a type of the Father, Isaac, the Son; and Rebecca, his bride.
What a picture.
Just like Isaac left the scene so too Jesus left the scene, the next time we see them is when they return for their bride. Isaac for Rebekah, Jesus for the Church.
Now you have the whole picture.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
We Are His
The Wayward
11/6/24
Why do I invite you to meander along the river with me? Prayerfully these short strolls are words from our Father.
Thoughts that you and I should consider. Words of contemplation, words worthy of consideration, words of encouragement and finally words of warning. I ask the Lord for words for myself and words for those that will read and devote a few moments to discover how He is speaking to us.
Today’s rambling: We see several references to Jesus being a Shepherd. Always a good shepherd.
In Psalm 23 David tells us how the Lord as our Shepherd provides for our every need.
John 10 explains to us that there are thieves and robbers who seek to steal sheep from the fold, the flock. John:10-11 Jesus tells us; “The thief cometh not, but to steal and to kill, and to destroy; I (Jesus) am come that they might have life and that they might have more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
We know that Jesus did just that He died in our place. He received the punishment that we earned because of our disregard for the truth.
Matthew 18:11 “For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost.”
He came to save you and me because we were lost. Not long ago we were all together in close proximity to Him. We were led by still water, we were protected, we were anointed with oil, we were in the path of rightness.
Then for whatever reason we strayed away. We left the sheep fold. This straying away could be for an hour or two, a week a month a year or longer. For whatever reason we strayed away. The grass seems greener on the other side of the fence. That grass withers and dies it loses its allure.
Here's the deal. Is our Good Shepherd satisfied that He has ninety-nine of the hundred. NO. He leaves the comfort of his surroundings and heads out into the mountains, into the storms, into the dark of night searching for the one that is lost.
That's us gang. We wander off time to time.
We get lost thinking the grass is greener over there. We soon find out it isn't. That first mouthful seemed good.
The sweetness disappears. Jesus doesn't leave us to be eaten by wolves.
He doesn't throw His hands up and say, "oh well". We once were His, we gave our lives to Him, we served Him. He uses His rod and staff to beat back those who seek to destroy us. He chases them away. He picks us up, binds our wounds and carries us back. He loves us so much that He comes looking for us He calls us His own.
We are His. Nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ.
Matthew 18:13-14 “And if so be that He find it, verily I say unto you, He rejoiceth more of that, that of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
Do you want to be rescued from your wanderings, I sure do.
"Jesus, here I am over here."
Call out to Him He will hear and rescue us.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
The Wayward
The Wayward
10/30/24
The main idea of what I am sharing is from a friend.
Luke 15 the story of the prodigal son. I was impressed again by the fact that the son knew full well what he was doing. He had requested his portion of the inheritance. The son was impatient, totally self-focused. I was impressed with the thought the father had raised him right, was taught right so, when he was gone, I’m sure the father, and of course the mother prayed for him.
I see no reference where the father or mother went after him. He had been taught right; he knew the truth. God at that point had to work on that end.
When there is a turning, a re-thinking of what they have been taught, and turn toward home, then, right words from the father, mother, sister, or brother will be heard.
Often, I find myself trying to come up with the perfect scripture to hit someone over the head with. That person like this son has left, what they know is right. They have turned away from what they know as God's will for their life. What makes me think my words are more powerful than those of the Holy Spirit?
There are those in our lives that we know their love for us. We can sense it; we can feel it. They don't point fingers and act foolishly. They pray. They ask God to make things right. They ask God to open their eyes to the lies of the enemy.
We know their hearts.
On the other hand, there are those well-meaning folks.
Those that like Peter used the sword to cut off the ear of a servant of the High Priest. We don't even regard the words of them as they are so harsh and unloving.
I believe until the Spirit of God prompts an exchange of the truth, the wayward already knows, very little is heard.
Our God will show us what to say, and when.
Elihue in Job 32 didn’t get everything right, but in verse eight a truth came forth that you can take to the bank. He said, “there is a spirit in a man and the inspiration of the almighty gives them understanding.”
From that I believe that until the inspiration of the Almighty speaks to our spirit, not much is accomplished.
Until the son found himself in such a desperate situation and decided for himself that it was best to return to his father's presence did his life turnaround.
We see the perfect Father restoring the son to his rightful position.
Jesus reminds us of what grace and mercy of what the Love of our Heavenly Father is all about: Luke 15:32 “It is fitting that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found.”
You know my story that was me.
I left.
I turned my back on the Lord.
Finally, when I had hit rock bottom did I realize I needed to go back to my Father’s house.
I was restored.
All praise, honor and glory belong to Him.
Ask, seek and we will find the perfect opportunity to share the love of Christ.
Ask the Father for wisdom.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He First LoveD Us
10/23/24
Paul starts out his letter to Titus 15 by saying, "…though shouldest set in order the things that are wanting ". What is wanting, is remembrance, clarity and obedience.
Let these words written by Paul long ago speak to us today.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Titus 3:3-8 “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy. He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. A faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”
Gang we are to be examples to others of how the kindness of God through Jesus Christ has redeemed us. We are to be pleasing to Him. We love Him because He first loved us.
He endured unspeakable torture and torment so we wouldn't have to.
He was separated from His and our Father. He paid the price for our sin. He loves us, oh how He loves us.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Is All We Need
10/16/24
Saturday I was blessed to take part in an upcoming podcast. As a small group sat in the sound booth, we would read a portion of scripture and then answer the question, who is Jesus in what we read. John the Baptist asks about Jesus in Luke 7:19.
John had witnessed the Spirit of God descend upon Jesus. He had spent considerable time with Jesus. This question seems rhetorical in nature.
Possibly John was wanting his disciples to witness what was being rumored about Jesus. Sort of like, " go see for yourself," if this is the Messiah or not.
John could have been thinking, you need to experience Jesus for yourself otherwise you won't believe. Most of us are like that. In order to truly believe we must experience.
John's disciples find Jesus and pose the question. Are You Him or should we look for another?
Interestingly Jesus doesn't respond to their inquiry. What He does do is what He has been doing. He cured many of their infirmities and plagues and of evil spirits and unto many who were blind He gave sight. There are those today who will not believe until they see mighty signs and miracles. I say to them, "open your eyes".
Jesus does reply in time.
"Go your way and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised' to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended, (be doubtful) in Me.”
These men witnessed what Jesus had done.
We are to be witnesses of what we have seen and what we have heard Jesus do. We have seen blind given sight. We have seen lepers cleansed, we have experienced the dead raised to life, and watched as folks respond after hearing the Gospel.
Jesus told these to go tell John what you have witnessed. Gang that is us. We are disciples. We are to be witnesses of what we have seen and heard. I haven't seen or heard any of this you might say.
Let me remind you. The love of my life, her heart quit beating. It quit for an hour. Had she not responded to the Holy Spirit telling her to call 911 there would have been no one there when her heart stopped. There is an example of the dead being brought back to life. You me too we were dead in our trespasses and sin, but Jesus gave us new life. We were blind but now we see. We were those lepers that were cleansed.
Share your experience, be a witness. Share with others what you have seen and what you have heard Jesus Christ do.
Who is Jesus in this story? He is all we need. He is our "sufficiency".
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
The Guidebook
10/9/24
“I'll point out the rocks, so you won't hit any,” said John.
“Stay just to the right of that big rock and when we get past it move way over to the right.” Steve said.
Good information, precise instructions.
We launched the new raft yesterday. We decided on a 3 or so hour trip. Rogue Elk to Takelma on the Rogue. It has been many years since I was on this stretch of river. Steve was very familiar, and John is good at pointing out obstacles.
This is a fairly quiet stretch of river. My hope and plan is to run the Wild and Scenic section in the spring. This section has claimed lives over the years.
This stretch has everything from a place where a boat needs to go through with no passengers and maneuvered with ropes to slow moving smooth water. There are several spots that require scouting and someone familiar with obstacles and the currents to help navigate.
This sounds like our lives. Peaceful and tranquil one moment then boulder strewn rapids the next. There is a book that explains everything a person needs to navigate the Wild and Scenic portion of the river. It was written by folks who have made countless trips during each season. As the water rises in winter and lowers in the fall the obstacles can be much different to maneuver through.
Our lives are much like a river. What works in one season of our lives may be disastrous in another. The dangers of navigation can be quite different even though the circumstances seem similar.
There is a Book that was written by men and women over thousands of years. This book contains all we need know to navigate life.
Couple of things to know. God in His Word has given us answers to every situation that we will encounter. When we ask the Lord to reveal to us the answer to a given obstacle He will show us the way. Here's the deal we need to remember who He is. God almighty creator of heaven and earth. Genesis 1:1.
He will give us wisdom and under-standing if we ask. When we ask for guidance make sure what we think we hear lines up with what we know to be true.
Ask for wisdom, James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Isaiah 30:21 "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."
How do recognize the voice of the Lord? Spending time in His word. Spending time in conversation with Him. Listening for that still small voice.
We also are to be in contact with other believers. In a multitude of councilors there is wisdom. We are to encourage one another.
We are told to, “Seek, ask, knock it will be opened unto you.” Go to the one who has the answers. Spend time in the presence of the One who can answer the most difficult questions as how to successfully navigate. You see He has designed the boulders; He has given the currents velocity and direction. He knows everything about everything.
Place your trust in Him for He cares for you.
Stick to the guidebook, ride with those who have been there before. Listen to those who can spot the obstacles.
We will make it through.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Are You Ready?
10/2/24
Are you in need of a little encouragement. I could use some. Our dog just threw up. Not a good start to the day. I'm late getting this message together.
Today is Sunday. Is it the end of the week or is it the beginning? For me it will be the beginning. If it is the beginning, I have a lot to look forward to. What has the Lord got in store for me, for us, in the coming week.
Last week was full of news about rockets and missiles flying into Israel. About bombs being dropped on Lebanon. About people dying. God in His word said that these things will come to pass. Since Jesus went up to be with our Father in heaven mankind has been looking for His return. Never has His return been closer than it is today.
What if it were today?
Are you ready?
We have spent a week hearing of how terrible things have become. Murders, rapes, those in high places being indicted for various crimes, celebrities being jailed for lewd behavior, militaries on high alert. That was Friday. That was last week. Tony Compolla years ago, coined the phrase, "It's Friday but Sunday is a comin’". He tells of several Bible stories of how bad things had gotten, Fridays. Then he tells the rest of the story of how God came to the rescue, that was Sunday.
If we consider this Sunday to be the first day of the week this could be the week of our rescue from a wicked, lost and dying world.
Quoting Jesus in Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh.”
We are to be watching with heads lifted high Jesus has been victorious. His enemy our enemy has been defeated.
Luke 21:34 “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”
Don't believe the lies of the enemy. He would say to you, it's ok indulge yourself in fleshly desires.
Jesus continues Luke 21:36 “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
If we keep our focus on the Lord those enticements of the world will lose their allure.
Jesus is coming back just as sure as it is Sunday.
Will this be the first day of a week of excitement and expectation or the last day of a dreadful week?
The choice is yours, mine, ours.
Keep looking up we're going up. Soon and very soon we are going to see our King our Bridegroom return to take us home.
Are ya ready?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
SHELTER
9/25/24
Are you familiar with what is going on in Israel and Lebanon?
It seems as though they're on the verge of an all-out war. As I read the stories of those in Israel, when rockets are flying, they are seeking refuge in bomb shelters. Every day and at night also the rockets are flying into Israel. Their enemies to the north are bombarding their cities, their homes.
I read where the enemy wants to invade and take hostages.
Does this seem familiar? It should. We have an enemy who night and day sends fiery darts in our direction. We have a covering, an iron dome of sorts. Yet occasionally a dart penetrates, and we are wounded.
What we don't read of is those who are sheltered being harmed.
Where do we go when we are being bombarded with fiery darts from our enemy? Where do we seek shelter?
Psalm 91 speaks of how God is our refuge and fortress. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God in Him will I trust. Surely, He shall deliver thee from the snare of the Fowler and from the noisome pestilence.” Psalm 91:1-3
The Psalmist goes on to say that if we put our trust in the Lord we will be protected.
When we see fiery darts headed our way, we must seek refuge in Him. When the darts of compromise come our direction run as fast as you can. The Lord will be our refuge if we seek Him.
We are in perilous times. The enemy is saying to us, “It's ok, you deserve to be happy.” He is lying to you, me also. He desires to put a hook in us and take us to hell. He will take every opportunity to get us to compromise. Don't do it.
Psalm 91:15 “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.”
Call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Sees Our Tears
9/18/24
Time for a little confession.
You see I have a problem. Judging people.
Maybe you do too. My thoughts and maybe yours too are tainted by our past experiences.
Our Father in heaven hears our thoughts, did you know that? When I look at someone different than myself, I need to see them through the eyes of our Savior. You see Jesus died for my sins, theirs too. We have no idea of what burdens a person is carrying.
There are many people who have not received the gift of salvation and are weighed down just as we once were.
There is One who knows us better than we know ourselves.
Psalm 139:1-3 “Oh Lord thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thoughts afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down. You are acquainted with all my ways.”
Our Father in heaven knows everything about us. Every good thing we do and every sinful deed we have done or will ever do. In spite of all that He loves us still and forgives us if we ask.
There is a song that goes with these verses. "He knows my name. He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call."are some of the words that really speak to me. God is in the business of forgiveness. It is through the Blood of Christ that our sins are removed.
Our thoughts can be as vicious as words. Today see folks through the eyes of Christ. When you see yourself in the mirror be reminded that Jesus has forgiven you. All we need do is ask, receive, and then change direction.
He sees our tears He hears our call.
Ask and receive. I'm going to.
How about you?
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
The Trap of Sin
9/11/24
Mathew 11: ends with an invitation.
Jesus invites you and me; “Come unto Me, all that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
You see the Pharisees had been placing a burden of the law on the people.
There were upwards of 600 rules concerning not "working" on the Sabbath. This amounted to earning your way into heaven. If there were 600 rules concerning the Sabbath how many rules were there concerning the Ten Commandments.
We can't earn our way to heaven.
When was the last time you fell into the trap of sin When was the last time you went headlong into sin even though you were warned not to? If you are like me, it wasn't that long ago.
We're told the blood of bulls and goats is insufficient to remove our sins. Back then it only covered them. The blood of Christ removes our sins. Our attempt at righteousness is like filthy rags. When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior our sins are removed.
His righteousness becomes our righteousness. He abides within each of us.
What is the great commandment the lawyer asked Jesus.
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great command". Matthew 22:37
That seems like a tall order.
"Lord what would you have me to do?"
“Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, easily understood, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace.” James 3:17-18
"Father give us wisdom to do the things that are pleasing in Your sight."
Allow the Light of Jesus abide in you to shine through you, me too.
If we do, when we do, we will find rest.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson Pastor 55-Live Senior Group Applegate Christian Fellowship https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Be Who God Created
9/4/24
Something different today.
Life is a journey. No duh you might say. We have good days and bad days. We have seasons where all seems to be going rather smoothly. Then a storm hits, and it seems as if it will never end. There is always something to "deal" with.
I recall one of the big events in my young life. Who would give me a Valentines card. That was a big deal. Those cards were an indication of who liked me. We all want to be liked.
We all want to be accepted.
Many times, we find ourselves trying to fit into a mold someone else has created. Instead of being who God created us to be.
In Psalm 139:14-17 David wrote: “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
I want to look at one word, fearfully.
One translation of fearfully is to cause astonishment, to be held in awe. Are you held in awe, am I held in awe?
Do we stand out in a crowd? What is different about us that causes others to wonder.
David goes on to say Psalm 139:17 “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
For me I want to be who God created me to be not what others want me to be.
Psalm 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Before you were knit in your mother's womb, He knew you and had a plan for your life, mine too.
What is the desire of your heart. I mean deep down in your innermost being.
Psalm 27:4 “One thing I desire of the Lord and that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Let those words be who you are not what someone else wants you to be.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Has Always Been There–Pt 3
8/28/24
In writing to the Romans Paul in Chapter 10:8, “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Confession is when I went down to the fire and confessed, that is to say I spoke the word, I was a sinner and needed a savior and that Jesus Christ is that Savior.
That started a journey that ultimately leads to believing in my heart. I think belief is a daily process. Which continues until the day He calls us home.
Looking where we have been and how that just in the nick of time we were redirected, or we were snatched out of a situation that would have been extremely difficult to recover from.
My seventh-grade summer was spent on Palm Street in Medford. Nearly every day the girls and I would make our way to Jackson pool where we would spend most of the day while mom was working.
Often times I would find myself nearly drowned. There was a big guy who when he saw me would dunk me over and over again. It was miserable. To this day I don't know why he bullied me like that. I guess I could have stayed away but there was nowhere else to go.
By the way I did get even sort of. He was in a band playing at the after-game dance at Crater when I was a junior. I waited for him. I asked him if he remembered the guy he picked on at the pool. He didn't, I reminded him and that is when he thought he had been caught up in a storm. He likely didn't forget that night.
In the fall we moved to Holcomb Springs in Sam's Valley. Thinking back, it seems as if that was a way to get me/us out of the city where I could have got into a lot of trouble roaming the streets while mom was working.
Hanby was where I spent the 8th grade. Mr. Myers was my teacher and football coach. I respected him. He was a grandpa sort of a guy. About halfway through the school year he got cancer and before the school year was over, he was gone. That was difficult to deal with. Mrs. Griffin took over the class for the rest of the year. I was trouble for her. She was who I took out my anger on in that Mr. Myers was gone.
We had a special skip day for eighth graders just before school was out for the summer. I was only able to be part of the festivities for half of the day. Punishment for something that I can't recall.
And once again I managed to get in trouble. Defacing school property. I had written my name along with my girlfriends on the wheel well hump inside of the bus. Big letters with a magic marker. This and pulling the fire alarm the last day of school led to me not being allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.
Mom and Gramma decided it would be best if I were shipped off to Grandpa Pidcocks in Newport. They thought it would be best for me to get out of town for a while. It wasn't like I would end up in reform school. But I was threatened with that option if I didn't, " straighten up and fly right".
Looking back, I can say that the Lord had reached down and grabbed hold of my hand. Only He knows what might have been.
My hope is that this journey will provide you with the understanding that God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit will see us through.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Has Always Been There–Pt 2
8/21/24
There is much to the story. It is very difficult to put all my ramblings on a page. My intent is to bring to light how that the Lord has been by my side during this journey.
I do recall an incident that occurred when we lived on Oak Street in Ashland 5th grade. In the fall just after we had received word that Dad was killed in a car wreck near Visalia California. I was in the backyard, and I saw a frog.
Picking up a rock I stoned the frog to death. As I looked on that dead frog that I had stoned, a rush of emotions came over me.
I was coming to grips with Dad’s death and the needless killing of that innocent frog. I remember being angry with God. Beyond angry. Why did You take my Dad?
As you can imagine that is a question I have asked for the last sixty plus years. Growing up without a father has been difficult. So many times, I have asked the Lord why. It wasn't fair. Having several grandchildren without a father in the home I have been able to encourage them. If I could make it without a pops in the house they could also.
Grandpem, as I called my grandfather. Attempted to help me become a man. I think I made it. Admittedly some of his instruction was less than perfect.
Back to our story. Fifth and sixth grade were very difficult. Not paying attention in class, daydreaming led to poor grades. Not willing to put forth any effort to succeed in class I found myself in the principal’s office frequently.
Swats were something that was used back then. The board of education applied to the seat of learning.
Fortunately, we lived out of town so there was not much of a chance of falling in with the wrong crowd. My grades suffered to the extent I spent two tours in the seventh grade.
Looking back that was a good thing. Had I graduated in "67" more than likely I would have been drafted into the Army and would end up in Viet Nam. Who knows how that would turned out.
Being held back one year put me at an advantage in sports as I was a year older and one of the bigger kids in class. Football and wrestling kept me in school.
There was an expectation in the family that a child must graduate High School to have any chance of success. With that and the love of sports I studied just enough to pass.
While attending McLoughlin Jr High we lived just a couple blocks from school. My size as a seventh grader was enticing to a couple of ninth graders.
They liked to jump me on my way home. I found myself roughed up quite often before I could make it home. I remember running away from these two often. This is where I started learning to fight.
The Lord was with me, and I didn't even know it. It is looking back and reflecting on my life that I have seen several times I was snatched out of a bad situation. You see when I made my way to that fire God saw a scared little boy. That confession led to His protection. My world was turned upside down. My Father was gone Mom had difficulty with alcohol and my future looked bleak.
Many times, I find myself looking at snapshots of my life rather than the whole picture. When viewed as a whole the direction God has led me makes sense. Some of my detours were not of God's choosing rather my foolishness. Through it all He guided me back onto the right path.
Isaiah 55:8 Isaiah speaking the words of God says this: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but waterth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.”
Sometimes we look at what is going around us and think, God do You see what is going on down here? Don't You care.
Yes, He does. He cared so much that He came to the earth as a man. He received the punishment we deserved. His death, burial and resurrection removed the sentence we earned. He paid it all. We are forgiven. He has a plan to save everyone if they choose to believe.
To be continued,
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
He Has Always Been There–Pt 1
8/14/24
Today's Ramblings is a bit different. I am sharing with my family my story. Each one has asked Jesus to be their Savior. Not many are walking with Him today. Hopefully by sharing my story they will realize that Jesus has not given up on them. Maybe it is a good reminder for us that even though we are closer to the end than the beginning. Jesus is still right there where He has always been.
Ramblings from the Rogue
Is that ramblings as I sit along the Rogue or is it from a man who once went Rogue? You be the judge.
Part 1. As a family we moved around. Dad was a truck driver and couldn't seem to settle down in one place for very long. Up to this point we had moved around many times.
By this time, fourth grade, I had gone to seven different schools. From Roosevelt in Medford to Easy Street School in Long Beach, back and forth between California and Oregon.
Mom and Dad couldn't seem to get along. I do recall living in a Motel in Modesto while Mom picked peaches. We lived in Fontana for a short time.
Mom and Dad got into a quarrel, and we headed back to Oregon. That was the last time I remember seeing my Dad. Each time we moved we were able to put what we owned in a 49 Chevy sedan. Dad was killed in a car wreck in October 1959. He and Mom had been split apart for some time.
We were living in Ashland and Mom thought it would be a good idea if I would go to church. Christian Missionary Alliance was where I would find myself on many a Sunday morning alone. No other family member was there. The church had a basketball team. If my memory serves me right, I think we only won a couple of games. We did get the Sportsmanship trophy. That usually goes to the team with the worst record.
That following summer there was a Bible Camp at Lake of the Woods Boy Scout Camp. It was great fun. On Thursday night there was a campfire meeting. The fella who was speaking was talking to us about the Beast in Revelation. You know the one with seven heads and ten horns.
Revelation 12:3 "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his head. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman, which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born."
I don't remember the story, what I do remember is the thought of being devoured by such a Beast was scary. When he said if you don't want to be consumed by the Beast come down to the fire and give your life to Christ.
I am pretty sure I was the first one to get down to the fire. I did as he suggested. I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I confessed with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord. The believing in my heart is a lifelong journey.
When I got home from camp I shared the story with Mom. She wasn't moved nearly as much as I was.
About this time, I was going to Bellview School in Ashland. Mom met George and we moved to a ranch on Old Hwy 66 going up to Siskiyou Summit. They were building I-5 at the time. It was too far to go to church, so I wasn't able to go. George has two boys about my age. They stayed with us sometimes. We hunted and fished often. We raised sheep, turkeys, chickens and rabbits. Having a big garden life seemed to be good best as I remember.
I worked the summer fencing 320 acres. I was able to buy a pair of Levi's with some of the money I made. $4.25 for a pair of Levi's. That was something. Fifth grader paying for his own clothes. I felt I was becoming a man. At the end of the sixth grade Mom and George split up.
We moved into Medford close to Gramma and Grandpem. For most of our life they seemed to be always there when something went wrong.
This story is going somewhere. As I look back to the time I went down to the fire and asked Jesus to be my Savior, I notice He has always been there. We are told He will never leave or forsake us. I know for a fact He doesn't.
Sometimes it may seem as He isn't there or doesn't care. Not so, not true.
Talk to ya next week.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Walking Away
8/7/24
Today as nearly every day my greatest concern is for you. Each one of you.
How are you doing? I'm not asking that in regard to your physical state. Rather how ya doin’ in your relationship with the Lord? You may or may not know that these are dark days. There is a falling away occurring.
There are folks who at one time seemingly had a close relationship with the Lord. They spoke often of the Lord and His awesome power, grace and mercy. How He forgave and forgot our sins. It seemed that they were walking close to Him.
Now it seems as though many have got caught up in the cares of the world. “What is it that will make me happy?
After all, don't I deserve a little happiness.” Folks are perishing every day because they are seeking happiness in all the wrong places.
They are walking away, walking in the wrong direction.
What is true happiness? What is it that brings joy to our heart?
Matthew 6:19 Jesus own words; “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
In this chapter Jesus is asked about how to pray. The key to joy, happiness, a full life is in spending time with the One who created you and me. He concludes the chapter :33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”
Satan is going to and fro seeking whom he may devour. He is making promises that he cannot keep. He is using seducing spirits to cause folks to go after things that lead to destruction. Don't fall for his lies.
Spend time with the Lord. Seek Him. Talk to Him ask Him to direct your paths.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
When we do the peace of God will be with us and He will reign in our hearts.
He cares for you.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Good Intentions
7/24/24
Today is one of those days. Starting off by confusion and frustration.
Confusion because there are so many things I want to say to you.
Frustration because I need to hone it down to one thing.
"In the morning when I rise give me Jesus."
When was the last time you or me, when was the last time we started our day with Jesus? Oh, I know there are so many things that get in the way.
So many distractions. Did you know that is one of Satan’s greatest tools, distraction. If he can keep our minds cluttered, distracted, then he has accomplished what he set out to do.
How often do we start out with good intentions only to get distracted. Down deep inside we want to go to hang out with fellow believers, to worship, to hear the Lord speak to us, to fellowship, to perhaps pray for one another.
Putting all that aside we roll over and snooze. After an additional 15 minutes of snoozing, it's too late to make it. Oh well, maybe next week. Distracted once again. When the day is done, we look back and what have we really accomplished? We might have a pile of sawdust on the floor, but does that really matter?
Oftentimes I think we are like Israelites of long ago. They were headed for the promised land. It should have been a couple days journey. However, it took them forty years of wandering and stumbling. And a whole generation missed out on what the Lord had for them.
Are we missing out on what the Lord has for us because we are wandering around with no destination in mind?
“In the morning when I rise give me Jesus.”
Start your day out by spending a bit of your day with Him. After all He gave His entire life for you for me for us. Tell Him how much you appreciate what He has done for you.
Grace and Peace,
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
A TOOTHLESS BAG OF WIND
7/20/24
Morning friends. This is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Won't we!!! Today, Sunday, a day of rest and reflection. Resting in the Lord and reflecting on all the wonderful things He has done.
A few weeks ago, many of us were huddling on the fourth floor at Asante not knowing for sure if Lauralee was going to pull through. And if she did, what would her life be like. We all were quite concerned and worried. We prayed and prayed some more. Perhaps we made a promise to the Lord that if she would make it out alive, we would (whatever we promised).
God Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, YHWH, the "I Am That I Am" answered our prayers. Now it is our turn to fulfill our part of the bargain.
I thank the Lord every day that He spared her life. To continue life without her is something I don't want to even consider.
Through it all, through all the storms, we have learned to trust in the Lord. Just as He said He would do, "I will never leave or forsake you". He did not abandon us. He will not abandon you.
Today perhaps you find yourself in a storm. The world is trying to tear you apart. The enemy is lying to you about a situation or circumstance. Seeds of doubt have been cast your way.
Promises have been made that he does not intend on keeping. How you will be happy if you will only, ______, you fill in the blank. Don't fall for the lies of the enemy. Don't let him get his foot in the door. Don't even converse with him.
Seek refuge in the shadow of the wings of the Lord. Let Him do the battling. He has already defeated our enemy. Jesus Christ has conquered Satan. The roaring lion is a toothless bag of wind. Don't fall for his lies.
Seek refuge in the One who has promised never to leave or forsake you. Your enemy, mine too, seeks to destroy us. He hates our guts. He is going to hell for all eternity and wants you, me too, there also.
Jesus will see us through whatever difficulty we face you have His word on it.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
You Have His Word on It
7/17/24
What is it that is bugging you? Is there something from our past that we just can't let go of. Was it that time we did…you fill in the blank. That thing we knew was contrary to the heart of the Lord.
Did we hear that still small voice warning us not to go there? That's me, it might be you too. If it is, there is a solution to our waywardness. Jesus is the answer.
We remember that God came to the earth, becoming a man just like us. He was tempted in every way just like us. He did not fall for the lies of the enemy. He was beaten, tortured, and He was crucified. He died. He rose from the dead. He will return to receive all who call on His name. You have His word on it.
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh.”
There is a story in 2 Kings 5 about Naaman a Syrian King. Sin we know is like leprosy it starts as a small sore and soon ravages the entire body, leading to a horrible death. Naaman contracted leprosy. He sought out Elisha the Prophet of God for a remedy.
Elisha told Naaman to dip himself in the Jordon River seven times. Naaman "turned and went in a rage" he didn't want to hear the truth. Naaman's servants kept encouraging him to do what Elisha was telling him to do. Finally, he did.
Guess what, he was cleansed. He dipped in the river.
We have water that we can dip in daily. It is called the Word of God. David said in Psalm 119: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Thy word..... Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.”
God's Word has a cleansing effect. Take some time to soak. Allow His Word to remind us of how much He loves you and me. The weight of the sin that so easily besets us will be washed away when we dip ourselves in the water of His Word.
We have His word on it.
Grace and Peace
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Where Are U?
7/7/24
Jeremiah 29:7 "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end".
Lauralee, Mom, Grammy was taken to a city she was not familiar with she has been a captive there.
There were and continues to be difficulties, uncertainties and frustrations.
Such as being tied down so she wouldn't rip out the IV's, a breathing tube down her throat. She had no control over what was being done to her.
Yet in the midst of all this turmoil she had a measure of peace. She knew that the Lord had a plan. She was unable to alter that plan. What did she do? She hung in there and fought with every fiber of her being. She was confident that His thoughts toward her were only good.
She didn't understand, neither did we. Her hope, faith and trust were in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He ever lives to make intercession for us. And He did, along with countless others, family, friends and total strangers. The church prayed on her behalf.
You sought the Lord and found Him and He heard your petitions to heal
Lauralee, Mom, Grammy, my Sweetie.
Jeremiah 29:12 "Then ye shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you."
I know that this story in Jeremiah follows a different path.
These folks were rebellious and there is a price to pay. Here is the thing as I see it within this story is another one. The one I just wrote about. Even when we find ourselves in a strange city, circumstance, situation. We can have peace if we seek it. When we pray, He hears, He answers.
Peace comes from letting go and letting God. He has a marvelous plan.
Grace n Peace,
Blessings, Dan n Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
My Flesh Says: “Why Bother”
7/4/24
My Sweetie called and sounded good, although she got up every 2 hrs. They removed the dialysis catheter last evening. Her blood work is getting near normal as is her blood sugar. So many things to keep in perfect balance.
I have noticed that in my daily life. Those days I start out in prayer and submitting to the Lord seem to go better. Am I spending time so my day will go better or is my day going better as a result of spending time with the Lord?
Is it obligatory, is it submission, is it selfishness? My spirit wants it to be out of friendship. My flesh says, "why bother."
Paul says it best in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me"
In order to have the mind of Christ which my spirit longs for I must spend time with Him. Either in His word or in conversation with Him. He is, or He should be our best friend. The one who knows things about us that no one else knows.
Each one of you have spent time with the Lord on behalf of your friend, Mom or Grammy because she has touched your life in a wonderful way. Perhaps you felt obligated to pray because you "owed" her. She spent time with us because she has the Love of Christ abiding in her.
She showed up, not knowing how the Lord was going to use her. Daily we must put our flesh in submission to the will of the Lord. It is a daily grind it is not easy. The rewards are beyond comprehension.
Stay the course, fight the fight, there is a crown of glory that awaits those of us where remain steadfast in the Love of Christ.
Even while Lauralee has been laid low, she does not cease to pray for us.
Blessings n Love, Grace and Peace
Dan & Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Creating In Us a New Heart
6/26/24
Whether you bowed your head, or you lifted your eyes to the heavens or you went to your knees in response to the storm Lauralee found herself in, you prayed.
Paul writing to the believers in Ephesus in Chapter 3:14 says this to us:
“For this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ May dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and the length, and the depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think; according to the power that works-in us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-20
When we go through trials, difficulties, storms or calm, call upon Him. We are responding to the call He has placed on our heart. That is; we are to trust in Him with every fiber of our being.
When we spend time with Him, He is creating in us a new heart. We are becoming a new vessel that will be used in the ages to come. It is through these times that our spirit is being renewed and formed into the likeness of Christ. Through it all we have learned to trust in Jesus.
Blessings. Dan n Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
To Share the Love of the Lord
6/23/24
Hey everybody, good news. Lauralee has graduated out of CICU. They took such good care of her. She had the opportunity to share the love of the Lord with them. They may have not known it but they shared His love with her in a practical way.
Matthew 14:27 This is such a great story. The boys were in the ship and saw a figure. They were scared. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer it is I; be not afraid.” And Peter walked on the water to Jesus. And then…
We walk with the Lord, and everything seems smooth and calm. And it is easy to say we are close to Him, and it seems as though we are. And then the sea gets rough, and the winds begin to blow. It is then we wonder where is He.
When Jesus saw Peter was beginning to sink, He reached out His hand caught him and said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt.”
I love Jesus, He doesn't condemn our lack of faith. He reaches His hand out and encourages us. Why did you doubt I am always here, He was saying. He never leaves nor forsakes us. After this episode they were even more convinced of a truth thou art the Son of God.
So are we.
Jesus was beaten and tortured, stripes were ripped into His back and sides.
Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did not esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
We asked God to apply the healing touch promised in Isaiah. And He did.
I have never doubted Lauralee's faith in the Lord. The winds have been blowing very hard, the waves have tossed us to and fro. We have felt the presence of the Lord. He was there to lift us up and calm the stormy sea.
We are so grateful that we have Him in our midst.
Blessings, Dan n Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group Applegate Christian Fellowship https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Illustrations from Iliamna, Alaska
6/15/24
“Beloved, wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thou prospereth…I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”3 John 1:2, 4
It's tough out there.
The world is trying to rip us apart in every way conceivable. We slip, we fall, we bump our heads. What is important is we get back up. We get back up because a better thing awaits us as we stand steadfast in the love of the Lord.
If we like Paul keep focused on one thing. "This one thing I know is Christ and Him crucified". 1 Corinthians 2:2 In these dark days the only thing that will sustain us is keeping our eyes on Jesus. As we do the things of this world will grow strangely dim.
He loves us so much that He willingly took the punishment that we deserve. "It is finished" He cried. John 19:30 His work was completed.
Walk in the light as He is in the light.
Keep close to Him.
Encourage one another.
We will finish the race strong in the strength of His love.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
DECLARATIONS FROM THE DESCHUTES
DECLARATIONS FROM THE DESCHUTES
5/15/24
In writing to the Romans Paul in Chapter 10:8, “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Confession is when I went down to the fire and confessed, that is to say I spoke the word, I was a sinner and needed a savior and that Jesus Christ is that Savior.
That started a journey that ultimately leads to believing in my heart. I think belief is a daily process. Which continues until the day He calls us home.
Looking where we have been and how that just in the nick of time we were redirected, or we were snatched out of a situation that would have been extremely difficult to recover from.
My seventh-grade summer was spent on Palm Street in Medford. Nearly every day the girls and I would make our way to Jackson pool where we would spend most of the day while mom was working.
Often times I would find myself nearly drowned. There was a big guy who when he saw me would dunk me over and over again. It was miserable. To this day I don't know why he bullied me like that. I guess I could have stayed away but there was nowhere else to go.
By the way I did get even sort of. He was in a band playing at the after-game dance at Crater when I was a junior. I waited for him. I asked him if he remembered the guy he picked on at the pool. He didn't, I reminded him and that is when he thought he had been caught up in a storm. He likely didn't forget that night.
In the fall we moved to Holcomb Springs in Sam's Valley. Thinking back, it seems as if that was a way to get me/us out of the city where I could have got into a lot of trouble roaming the streets while mom was working.
Hanby was where I spent the 8th grade. Mr. Myers was my teacher and football coach. I respected him. He was a grandpa sort of a guy. About halfway through the school year he got cancer and before the school year was over, he was gone. That was difficult to deal with. Mrs. Griffin took over the class for the rest of the year. I was trouble for her. She was who I took out my anger on in that Mr. Myers was gone.
We had a special skip day for eighth graders just before school was out for the summer. I was only able to be part of the festivities for half of the day. Punishment for something that I can't recall.
And once again I managed to get in trouble. Defacing school property. I had written my name along with my girlfriends on the wheel well hump inside of the bus. Big letters with a magic marker. This and pulling the fire alarm the last day of school led to me not being allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies.
Mom and Gramma decided it would be best if I were shipped off to Grandpa Pidcocks in Newport. They thought it would be best for me to get out of town for a while. It wasn't like I would end up in reform school. But I was threatened with that option if I didn't, " straighten up and fly right".
Looking back, I can say that the Lord had reached down and grabbed hold of my hand. Only He knows what might have been.
My hope is that this journey will provide you with the understanding that God through Jesus and the Holy Spirit will see us through.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Reconnoitering from the Rogue
DECLARATIONS FROM THE DESCHUTES
5/10/24
2 Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men, manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”
Paul was writing to the Christians in Corinth. Corinth, a city noted for everything depraved, dissolute and debauched. Sin was rampant they worshipped many gods. Paul is saying to the church there that they are near and dear to the hearts of other believers in the church as a whole.
As believers there, they are being closely watched by those around them. In as much as what had been taught to them about Christ. It was God working through Paul and the other believers to deliver the message of salvation to those there. It was the Holy Spirit that was doing the writing on their hearts not men.
We often pray that God would write on the tablets of our heart the things He wants us to hold dearly. We can read the Scriptures and agree with what we read. If you’re anything like me in a few moments, I have forgotten what I just read. But when the Word really hits home, and I dwell on it chewing on it somehow it becomes part of me. I may have seemingly forgotten the words, yet at the appropriate time they come streaming from my lips.
How are you, how am I, how are we doing at being living epistles of what God through His Spirit has entrusted to us. Has his Word been written on fleshly hearts or hearts of stone? Good question.
Our prayer should be that we are a living example of Jesus here on the earth.
Are we standing on the rock of our Salvation or are we standing on shifting sand?
Are we being blown around by every wind of doctrine?
There is so much noise now days of how we should not be offensive. I get that. However, I think it is much more deadly to allow someone to walk into quicksand without warning them. If after they have been warned they choose to walk where they will be swallowed up, you, we have done all we can do.
Share the love of the Lord with every-one you come in contact with. It is up to them to follow Christ or not. You, me too, we have done all we can do, we made the introduction.
Don't allow the flesh to dictate. Our flesh is a raging fire it is never satisfied. Your true satisfaction is found in Him.
Let us be living examples of Christ. Let His light shine through us. He is the way the truth and the life. He is the ticket to everlasting life. A life of joy and happiness in the heavenly's.
Be followers of Christ, walk in His footsteps. In due time we will arrive into His presence.
You watch, you wait, you'll see.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
BELIEVE
5/1/24
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
That answer was spoken to the jailer who was making sure Paul and Silas along with others would not escape. If they escaped the jailer would certainly have been put to death.
Believe. Interesting word, believe.
As the truck is headed in your direction at 60 miles an hour, you believe he will stay in his lane. When you have worked all week and go to the pay window you believe a check will be waiting for you.
When you jump into your car you expect it to start and deliver you to your destination. Our lives are based on belief. We were born and we believe we will, in due time, leave our tents, our bodies behind.
Then what? Our spirit continues on. On to where, we wonder.
John 14:1-6 Jesus said, “ “If you believe in God believe also in Me.”Jesus tells us He has gone on ahead to build a dwelling place for us if we believe.
Believe what?
Believe that God became a man. His name was Jesus. He came to the earth to become the only sacrifice that would remove our sin. He was sacrificed, He died, He rose from the dead. That is a lot to believe. Yes, it is.
The Bible gives the account of what happened to Jesus. Eyewitness accounts. Folks who were there wrote of what occurred. These eyewitness accounts are testimonies that are admissible as evidence in a court of law.
Speaking of believers, calling out the babes in Christ. Those who believed in Christ the moment before they left their mortal bodies. Matthew quotes Jesus in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Thomas a disciple said he wouldn't believe unless he could "thrust his hand into His, Jesus’ side, I will not believe". John 20 gives the account. :27 Jesus said, "reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side, and be not faithless but believing."
Here it is. :29 Jesus said unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
All that was written over 1400 years, the book we know as the Bible, by many different authors point to one thing, Jesus Christ.
Simply believe, believe simply.
From time to time, we need to remind ourselves of these truths.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
De
5/15/24
Today as nearly every day my greatest concern is for you. Each one of you.
How are you doing? I'm not asking that in regard to your physical state. Rather how ya doin’ in your relationship with the Lord? You may or may not know that these are dark days. There is a falling away occurring.
There are folks who at one time seemingly had a close relationship with the Lord. They spoke often of the Lord and His awesome power, grace and mercy. How He forgave and forgot our sins. It seemed that they were walking close to Him.
Now it seems as though many have got caught up in the cares of the world. “What is it that will make me happy?
After all, don't I deserve a little happiness.” Folks are perishing every day because they are seeking happiness in all the wrong places.
They are walking away, walking in the wrong direction.
What is true happiness? What is it that brings joy to our heart?
Matthew 6:19 Jesus own words; “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
In this chapter Jesus is asked about how to pray. The key to joy, happiness, a full life is in spending time with the One who created you and me. He concludes the chapter :33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”
Satan is going to and fro seeking whom he may devour. He is making promises that he cannot keep. He is using seducing spirits to cause folks to go after things that lead to destruction. Don't fall for his lies.
Spend time with the Lord. Seek Him. Talk to Him ask Him to direct your paths.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
When we do the peace of God will be with us and He will reign in our hearts.
He cares for you.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Goo
7/24/24
Today is one of those days. Starting off by confusion and frustration.
Confusion because there are so many things I want to say to you.
Frustration because I need to hone it down to one thing.
"In the morning when I rise give me Jesus."
When was the last time you or me, when was the last time we started our day with Jesus? Oh, I know there are so many things that get in the way.
So many distractions. Did you know that is one of Satan’s greatest tools, distraction. If he can keep our minds cluttered, distracted, then he has accomplished what he set out to do.
How often do we start out with good intentions only to get distracted. Down deep inside we want to go to hang out with fellow believers, to worship, to hear the Lord speak to us, to fellowship, to perhaps pray for one another.
Putting all that aside we roll over and snooze. After an additional 15 minutes of snoozing, it's too late to make it. Oh well, maybe next week. Distracted once again. When the day is done, we look back and what have we really accomplished? We might have a pile of sawdust on the floor, but does that really matter?
Oftentimes I think we are like Israelites of long ago. They were headed for the promised land. It should have been a couple days journey. However, it took them forty years of wandering and stumbling. And a whole generation missed out on what the Lord had for them.
Are we missing out on what the Lord has for us because we are wandering around with no destination in mind?
“In the morning when I rise give me Jesus.”
Start your day out by spending a bit of your day with Him. After all He gave His entire life for you for me for us. Tell Him how much you appreciate what He has done for you.
Grace and Peace,
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
A TOO
7/20/24
Morning friends. This is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it. Won't we!!! Today, Sunday, a day of rest and reflection. Resting in the Lord and reflecting on all the wonderful things He has done.
A few weeks ago, many of us were huddling on the fourth floor at Asante not knowing for sure if Lauralee was going to pull through. And if she did, what would her life be like. We all were quite concerned and worried. We prayed and prayed some more. Perhaps we made a promise to the Lord that if she would make it out alive, we would (whatever we promised).
God Almighty Creator of heaven and earth, YHWH, the "I Am That I Am" answered our prayers. Now it is our turn to fulfill our part of the bargain.
I thank the Lord every day that He spared her life. To continue life without her is something I don't want to even consider.
Through it all, through all the storms, we have learned to trust in the Lord. Just as He said He would do, "I will never leave or forsake you". He did not abandon us. He will not abandon you.
Today perhaps you find yourself in a storm. The world is trying to tear you apart. The enemy is lying to you about a situation or circumstance. Seeds of doubt have been cast your way.
Promises have been made that he does not intend on keeping. How you will be happy if you will only, ______, you fill in the blank. Don't fall for the lies of the enemy. Don't let him get his foot in the door. Don't even converse with him.
Seek refuge in the shadow of the wings of the Lord. Let Him do the battling. He has already defeated our enemy. Jesus Christ has conquered Satan. The roaring lion is a toothless bag of wind. Don't fall for his lies.
Seek refuge in the One who has promised never to leave or forsake you. Your enemy, mine too, seeks to destroy us. He hates our guts. He is going to hell for all eternity and wants you, me too, there also.
Jesus will see us through whatever difficulty we face you have His word on it.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
You Hav
7/17/24
What is it that is bugging you? Is there something from our past that we just can't let go of. Was it that time we did…you fill in the blank. That thing we knew was contrary to the heart of the Lord.
Did we hear that still small voice warning us not to go there? That's me, it might be you too. If it is, there is a solution to our waywardness. Jesus is the answer.
We remember that God came to the earth, becoming a man just like us. He was tempted in every way just like us. He did not fall for the lies of the enemy. He was beaten, tortured, and He was crucified. He died. He rose from the dead. He will return to receive all who call on His name. You have His word on it.
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh.”
There is a story in 2 Kings 5 about Naaman a Syrian King. Sin we know is like leprosy it starts as a small sore and soon ravages the entire body, leading to a horrible death. Naaman contracted leprosy. He sought out Elisha the Prophet of God for a remedy.
Elisha told Naaman to dip himself in the Jordon River seven times. Naaman "turned and went in a rage" he didn't want to hear the truth. Naaman's servants kept encouraging him to do what Elisha was telling him to do. Finally, he did.
Guess what, he was cleansed. He dipped in the river.
We have water that we can dip in daily. It is called the Word of God. David said in Psalm 119: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Thy word..... Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.”
God's Word has a cleansing effect. Take some time to soak. Allow His Word to remind us of how much He loves you and me. The weight of the sin that so easily besets us will be washed away when we dip ourselves in the water of His Word.
We have His word on it.
Grace and Peace
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Wher
7/7/24
Jeremiah 29:7 "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace."
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end".
Lauralee, Mom, Grammy was taken to a city she was not familiar with she has been a captive there.
There were and continues to be difficulties, uncertainties and frustrations.
Such as being tied down so she wouldn't rip out the IV's, a breathing tube down her throat. She had no control over what was being done to her.
Yet in the midst of all this turmoil she had a measure of peace. She knew that the Lord had a plan. She was unable to alter that plan. What did she do? She hung in there and fought with every fiber of her being. She was confident that His thoughts toward her were only good.
She didn't understand, neither did we. Her hope, faith and trust were in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He ever lives to make intercession for us. And He did, along with countless others, family, friends and total strangers. The church prayed on her behalf.
You sought the Lord and found Him and He heard your petitions to heal
Lauralee, Mom, Grammy, my Sweetie.
Jeremiah 29:12 "Then ye shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you."
I know that this story in Jeremiah follows a different path.
These folks were rebellious and there is a price to pay. Here is the thing as I see it within this story is another one. The one I just wrote about. Even when we find ourselves in a strange city, circumstance, situation. We can have peace if we seek it. When we pray, He hears, He answers.
Peace comes from letting go and letting God. He has a marvelous plan.
Grace n Peace,
Blessings, Dan n Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
My Fle
7/4/24
My Sweetie called and sounded good, although she got up every 2 hrs. They removed the dialysis catheter last evening. Her blood work is getting near normal as is her blood sugar. So many things to keep in perfect balance.
I have noticed that in my daily life. Those days I start out in prayer and submitting to the Lord seem to go better. Am I spending time so my day will go better or is my day going better as a result of spending time with the Lord?
Is it obligatory, is it submission, is it selfishness? My spirit wants it to be out of friendship. My flesh says, "why bother."
Paul says it best in Romans 7:19 "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me"
In order to have the mind of Christ which my spirit longs for I must spend time with Him. Either in His word or in conversation with Him. He is, or He should be our best friend. The one who knows things about us that no one else knows.
Each one of you have spent time with the Lord on behalf of your friend, Mom or Grammy because she has touched your life in a wonderful way. Perhaps you felt obligated to pray because you "owed" her. She spent time with us because she has the Love of Christ abiding in her.
She showed up, not knowing how the Lord was going to use her. Daily we must put our flesh in submission to the will of the Lord. It is a daily grind it is not easy. The rewards are beyond comprehension.
Stay the course, fight the fight, there is a crown of glory that awaits those of us where remain steadfast in the Love of Christ.
Even while Lauralee has been laid low, she does not cease to pray for us.
Blessings n Love, Grace and Peace
Dan & Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Creat
6/26/24
Whether you bowed your head, or you lifted your eyes to the heavens or you went to your knees in response to the storm Lauralee found herself in, you prayed.
Paul writing to the believers in Ephesus in Chapter 3:14 says this to us:
“For this cause I bow my knee unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ May dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and the length, and the depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think; according to the power that works-in us. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-20
When we go through trials, difficulties, storms or calm, call upon Him. We are responding to the call He has placed on our heart. That is; we are to trust in Him with every fiber of our being.
When we spend time with Him, He is creating in us a new heart. We are becoming a new vessel that will be used in the ages to come. It is through these times that our spirit is being renewed and formed into the likeness of Christ. Through it all we have learned to trust in Jesus.
Blessings. Dan n Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
To Shar
6/23/24
Hey everybody, good news. Lauralee has graduated out of CICU. They took such good care of her. She had the opportunity to share the love of the Lord with them. They may have not known it but they shared His love with her in a practical way.
Matthew 14:27 This is such a great story. The boys were in the ship and saw a figure. They were scared. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer it is I; be not afraid.” And Peter walked on the water to Jesus. And then…
We walk with the Lord, and everything seems smooth and calm. And it is easy to say we are close to Him, and it seems as though we are. And then the sea gets rough, and the winds begin to blow. It is then we wonder where is He.
When Jesus saw Peter was beginning to sink, He reached out His hand caught him and said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt.”
I love Jesus, He doesn't condemn our lack of faith. He reaches His hand out and encourages us. Why did you doubt I am always here, He was saying. He never leaves nor forsakes us. After this episode they were even more convinced of a truth thou art the Son of God.
So are we.
Jesus was beaten and tortured, stripes were ripped into His back and sides.
Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did not esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
We asked God to apply the healing touch promised in Isaiah. And He did.
I have never doubted Lauralee's faith in the Lord. The winds have been blowing very hard, the waves have tossed us to and fro. We have felt the presence of the Lord. He was there to lift us up and calm the stormy sea.
We are so grateful that we have Him in our midst.
Blessings, Dan n Lauralee
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group Applegate Christian Fellowship https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Illus
6/15/24
“Beloved, wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thou prospereth…I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”3 John 1:2, 4
It's tough out there.
The world is trying to rip us apart in every way conceivable. We slip, we fall, we bump our heads. What is important is we get back up. We get back up because a better thing awaits us as we stand steadfast in the love of the Lord.
If we like Paul keep focused on one thing. "This one thing I know is Christ and Him crucified". 1 Corinthians 2:2 In these dark days the only thing that will sustain us is keeping our eyes on Jesus. As we do the things of this world will grow strangely dim.
He loves us so much that He willingly took the punishment that we deserve. "It is finished" He cried. John 19:30 His work was completed.
Walk in the light as He is in the light.
Keep close to Him.
Encourage one another.
We will finish the race strong in the strength of His love.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Declarations from the Deschutes
Declarations from the Deschutes
5/15/24
Today we are in lodgepole country. The Piute people used these small diameter pine poles to build their lodges.
As I sat and pondered this, I was reminded that these people wasted nothing. What we would today toss into the trash heap they would use. Dry reeds were turned into mats and baskets. When the poles wore out or broke, they were used to cook meals or to warm up the lodge. Which got me to thinking how God is the great recycler.
There is a song,
“I was nothing until You found me,
You have given life to me,
Heartaches, broken people,
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary.
Your touch is what I long for,
You have given life to me.”
God takes what the world casts off. You see once we have asked Jesus to come into our lives, He does just that. By inviting Him in we have given Him authority to steer us in the right direction.
How often do we get off track.
How many times have we gone in the wrong direction.
If you're anything like me, it is more times than we care to admit.
The wonderful, amazing, beautiful thing is He is always there with His hand in the air beckoning us to get back on the right trail.
We are so Blessed to have a Father that doesn't give up on us. To have a Savior that is closer than a brother. No matter how far off track we get He will never leave us or forsake us.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
The Great Recycler.
Sometimes in our own eyes we see ourselves as not worth saving. We may be in the pig pen yet. When we decide it is time to return to our Father, He will kill the fat calf, place His robe on us and welcome us home.
With Him nothing is lost. He will leave the ninety and nine to search for the one who is lost.
That's us!
We were lost.
He came and found us.
He is the Great Recycler.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
https://www.applegatefellowship.org/
Reconnoitering from the Rogue
Declarations from the Deschutes
5/10/24
2 Corinthians 3:2 “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men, manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”
Paul was writing to the Christians in Corinth. Corinth, a city noted for everything depraved, dissolute and debauched. Sin was rampant they worshipped many gods.
Paul is saying to the church there that they are near and dear to the hearts of other believers in the church as a whole. As believers there, they are being closely watched by those around them. In as much as what had been taught to them about Christ. It was God working through Paul and the other believers to deliver the message of salvation to those there. It was the Holy Spirit that was doing the writing on their hearts not men.
We often pray that God would write on the tablets of our heart the things He wants us to hold dearly. We can read the Scriptures and agree with what we read. If you’re anything like me in a few moments, I have forgotten what I just read.
But when the Word really hits home, and I dwell on it chewing on it somehow it becomes part of me. I may have seemingly forgotten the words, yet at the appropriate time they come streaming from my lips.
How are you, how am I, how are we doing at being living epistles of what God through His Spirit has entrusted to us. Has his Word been written on fleshly hearts or hearts of stone? Good question.
Our prayer should be that we are a living example of Jesus here on the earth.
Are we standing on the rock of our Salvation or are we standing on shifting sand?
Are we being blown around by every wind of doctrine?
There is so much noise now days of how we should not be offensive. I get that. However, I think it is much more deadly to allow someone to walk into quicksand without warning them. If after they have been warned they choose to walk where they will be swallowed up, you, we have done all we can do.
Share the love of the Lord with everyone you come in contact with. It is up to them to follow Christ or not. You, me too, we have done all we can do, we made the introduction.
Don't allow the flesh to dictate. Our flesh is a raging fire it is never satisfied. Your true satisfaction is found in Him. Let us be living examples of Christ.
Let His light shine through us. He is the way the truth and the life. He is the ticket to everlasting life. A life of joy and happiness in the heavenly's.
Be followers of Christ, walk in His footsteps. In due time we will arrive into His presence.
You watch, you wait, you'll see.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
BELIEVE
5/1/24
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
That answer was spoken to the jailer who was making sure Paul and Silas along with others would not escape. If they escaped the jailer would certainly have been put to death.
Believe. Interesting word, believe.
As the truck is headed in your direction at 60 miles an hour, you believe he will stay in his lane.
When you have worked all week and go to the pay window you believe a check will be waiting for you.
When you jump into your car you expect it to start and deliver you to your destination.
Our lives are based on belief. We were born and we believe we will, in due time, leave our tents, our bodies behind.
Then what? Our spirit continues on. On to where, we wonder.
John 14:1-6 Jesus said, “If you believe in God believe also in Me.”Jesus tells us He has gone on ahead to build a dwelling place for us if we believe.
Believe what?
Believe that God became a man. His name was Jesus. He came to the earth to become the only sacrifice that would remove our sin. He was sacrificed, He died, He rose from the dead. That is a lot to believe. Yes, it is.
The Bible gives the account of what happened to Jesus. Eyewitness accounts. Folks who were there wrote of what occurred. These eyewitness accounts are testimonies that are admissible as evidence in a court of law.
Speaking of believers, calling out the babes in Christ. Those who believed in Christ the moment before they left their mortal bodies.
Matthew quotes Jesus in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Thomas a disciple said he wouldn't believe unless he could "thrust his hand into His, Jesus’ side, I will not believe". John 20 gives the account. :27 Jesus said, "reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side, and be not faithless but believing."
Here it is. :29 Jesus said unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
All that was written over 1400 years, the book we know as the Bible, by many different authors point to one thing, Jesus Christ.
Simply believe, believe simply.
From time to time, we need to remind ourselves of these truths.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Where There is Light...
Where There is Light...
4/27/24
Rise and shine and give God the glory, children of the Lord.
This morning, I am changing direction.
Instead of looking at the river I am looking east. The sun is rising and although things are starting to get lighter there is a particular ray of light that is much brighter. Is there a ray of light that emanates from you and me?
There should be. When we walk into a room, if there is any darkness there, it should flee. We are to remember that when we asked Jesus to be the Lord of our life we were filled with the Spirit of God.
Where there is light darkness flees. Jesus is the light of the world.
Jesus sent Paul unto the Gentiles to show them the light. Who is that light? Jesus.
Acts 26 Jesus speaking to Paul when Paul asked, "Who art thou Lord?"
“I am Jesus whom thou persecutest”.
Are we persecuting Jesus? I think we do when we don’t follow His Word. Did you know, I didn’t, one definition of persecute is to drive away.
Are we turning our back on Jesus when we don’t heed His Word? Are we driving Him away?
Back to our story: Acts 26:16-18 “But rise and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou has seen and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.”
Jesus has sent us to Walmart, to Costco, to Jack in the Box, you name it, into worldly places. We are to bring light into a dark world. We are filled with His Spirit. Be those who rise and shine giving God the glory for all the great things He has done.
When light is introduced into a dark place darkness flees.
Blessing, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship
Revealed at the River
Where There is Light...
Revealed at the River
4/22/24
Today we find ourselves pulled in many different directions.
Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the straight gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be which go there at: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
With that in mind we read in Galatians 6:7-9, “Be not deceived God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Our sin will find us out. We have a choice to make. As I sit here by the river, I am reminded that if I toss a log into it in a few days that log will reach the ocean. There, the log, big or small, will be swallowed up in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.
Our sins can be like that log. When we choose to place them at the foot of the cross, repenting, asking for forgiveness, they are swallowed up in the sea of forgiveness. They will be remembered no more, just as if they never happened.
However, there is a river that doesn't lead to the ocean.
When we continue in sin refusing God’s grace and His power to be over comers. When we bathe in the river of sin, that water does not reach the sea of forgiveness, rather it leads to the Dead Sea where there is no outlet.
There is no life in that sea.
This life is a journey of many short steps. We are to take every thought captive. Don't let your mind go to places it shouldn't. A little leaven leaven's the whole lump. Don't end up in the Dead Sea.
Gang, He loves us. He will give us the strength and courage to make it to the river where we can toss our sins in.
Repent, change direction, our sins, big or small will be swallowed up in the sea of forgiveness.
Blessings, Dan
Dan Patterson
Pastor 55-Live Senior Group
Applegate Christian Fellowship