stanpavkovich

I read this story about grace that I want to pass on to you….

“This is a true story. Two guys in a church, Paul and William decided that they really wanted to become godly men. So they started meeting with one another to pray and encourage one another; they even set goals for themselves and their behavior, and then were accountable to the other one. Paul decided he wanted to break his habit of using profanity. He decided he was going to put five dollars in the offering for every time he swore during the week. In order to stay accountable, he would tell William how many times he’d failed. The first week cost Paul $100.

However, Paul didn’t stop his swearing. In fact, while he improved somewhat over the next couple weeks, he really wasn’t having the success he wanted and was losing a lot of hard-earned cash.
After the fourth week, William told Paul he had decided that the deal needed to be changed for the coming week, but he wasn’t going to tell Paul how it would change. He just said, “Trust me. It will cost you both less and more.”
When they met the following Sunday before worship, Paul admitted he’d failed again. William put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Paul, I told you this was going to cost you both less and more. It’s called grace.”
William took out his checkbook, and made out a check to the church, leaving the amount blank.

He gave the check to Paul and said, “Your sin still costs, but for you it’s free. Just fill in the numbers. And next week there will be more grace.”
William’s grace cost him $55 the first week; the second only cost him $20. There was no third week. Paul couldn’t bear to see what his sin was costing his friend, so he quit sinning.

Someone said, “Grace is something that costs the one who receives it nothing, but costs the one who gives it everything.”

When you really begin to grasp the grace and love of God… you can’t help but to want to give your life to Him.

I am very well aware of my past… And I am overwhelmed with the love, mercy and acceptance He has shown me. It is there for you as well simply receive it.

Be Blessed,

Stan

My wife and I just came off of having our grandchildren for four days. It was a total blast… We spoiled them rotten.  We stayed up late every night watching movies and eating ice cream. We went to parks and played.  My wife took them to the mall and bought them toys. We enjoyed every minute of it.

We love our grandkids dearly. But it pales in comparison to God’s love towards us.

When you think about the Love of God it is truly mind boggling and really beyond our comprehension.

Eph. 3:17-18 I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ

Psalms 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.

These passages are telling us that the love of Christ is too large to be confined by any measurements.  It is larger than the universe.  I read an article where it was saying that the invention of the Hubble telescope has caused us to change our thinking about outer space. Astronomers are amazed to find out that the number of galaxies in the universe is far greater than anyone imagined. They used to say there were about 10 billion galaxies. Now they have upped that ante and are saying 50 billion. Each of these 50 billion galaxies has 50 to 100 billion stars in them….

Here is The amazing thing…God’s love is vaster than this!

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Be encouraged God has made His love and grace known to us.

Be Blessed,

Stan

I came across a very encouraging read that I want to share with you.  (Sorry I do not know the source)

If you know anything about modern helicopters, you’ll recognize the name Igor Sikorsky. Growing up in Russia at the turn of the 20th century, he was told by his parents that man would never fly—it was impossible. But after the Wright Brothers disproved that theory, Sikorsky dreamed of an aircraft that could take off and land vertically. He built his first helicopter in 1909 at the age of 20. He eventually moved to America and established a helicopter factory. Igor Sikorsky died in 1972, but today, Sikorsky helicopters are the fastest, finest helicopters flying in the world. They supply most of the helicopters for the U.S. Armed Forces including Marine One, which shuttles the President of the United States.

When Sikorsky opened his first plant in America he posted a sign in the factory that read:

“According to recognized aero-technical tests, it’s impossible for a bumblebee to fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee doesn’t know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway. The word ‘impossible’ means nothing!” If I had the power to do it, I would have every person walk out of this room and never use the word “impossible” again. In fact a long time ago, I took my old paper dictionary and I cut the word “impossible” out of my dictionary! If you ask me what are the implications of doing that—I don’t know what the word “implication” means because it got cut out on the other side of the page from “impossible!”

Do you need a miracle today? There are five words that can change your life. They are: WITH GOD, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! Do you believe that? What impossible situation are you facing right now? Fill in this blank: “With God, (blank) is possible!” Are you thinking it’s impossible to get out of debt? Say, “With God, getting out of debt is possible!” Are you struggling with depression or despair and seeking peace of mind? Say, “With God, peace of mind IS possible!” I know some of you are looking for work right now and it seems impossible. Will you say, “With God, getting a job IS possible!” Go ahead and fill in your impossibility.

But if you want God to do the impossible in your life, you’ve got to be willing to surrender to His plan. When Gabriel announced to Mary that God wanted to use her to be the mother of the Savior, Mary had a choice. She could have said, “Find another girl.” But she made herself available to God. “‘I am the Lord’s servant.’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’” (Luke 1:38) So, do you want a miracle? Do you want God to do the impossible? Remember this: When I merge my inability with my availability, God’s supernatural capability is released. Will you say, “Lord, may it be to me as you desire?” When you fully surrender your life to Him you can expect to see Him do the impossible in your life!

I hope this article was an encouragement to you.

 Be Blessed,

Stan

We live in a culture that bombards us with advertisement telling us what is important in life.

You need to drive this type of car…you need to wear this type of clothing …you need this….you need that … need to vacation here…it is endless. It can make you crazy if you let it. Paul summarizes in the Bible what is the most important thing in life….that is learning to love….Col.3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

If that’s true, and of course it is, then what is love? 

In my study this week I came across a great quote about what love is…

Love is when I make your needs my needs.  Love is when I make your problems my problems.  Love is when I take your concerns and I become concerned about them.  Love is giving a person what they need not what they deserve.

When you think about it… that is exactly what God has done with you and I. God doesn’t give you what you deserve.  If God gave you what you deserved, you wouldn’t be alive and able to read this blog. (And I certainly wouldn’t be around to write it!).  God doesn’t give you what you deserve.  He gives you what you need.  You need forgiveness, love, and encouragement.  In fact, everything you have in life is a gift from God.  God says I want you to receive my love and I want you to learn to pass it on.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 “It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”

The reason that God’s word says it is better to be at a funeral then a party…is it’s a reminder of how fragile life is.

James 4:14 says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

I just came back from doing a funeral this morning for a man that went into the hospital for a simple operation – but complications set in that led to his death. This guy was not planning to die when he did.

But since life is like a vapor that appears for a little while and then passes away….it was his time to go.

Our lives are very fragile and we never know when it will be our time.

That is why it is so important for us to understand what life is all about.

What do I believe about life?

What are the important things in life?

What really matters when life comes to an end?

What do I believe about death – life after death?

What place has God in my life?

Do I believe that Jesus died on the cross FOR ME so that I may not fear death?

The Bible lays it out in a very simple way – love God and love others.

Dr. James Dobson said one time, “There are only three things that matter in life, The people you Love…

The people that Love you… And where you’re going when you die.”
I encourage you today…

Make sure Jesus is in the right place in your heart.
Keep short accounts with others.

Love God and Love others.

 Be Blessed,

Stan

This past Sunday I returned home from a 10-day mission trip to Nicaragua.  The team I was a part of built several small homes for some very needy people, provided medical clinics to a local neighborhood and did drama at some area schools.

I was reminded of something on this trip…

As you look around at the world and see the need and pain in people’s lives you can become overwhelmed to a point of becoming paralyzed and begin thinking, “What is the use?  The need is too overwhelming…what difference can I make?” and we end up doing nothing.

Here is what I was reminded of:  As we completed the two small homes this thought came to me – I may not be able to change the world, but I helped change the world for these two families who needed a safe and secure home to raise a family in.  The Bible says this…”just as you have done it to the least of these you have done it unto me.”  Do not underestimate the impact you have on the people around you.  You don’t have to go overseas to impact people (although I think everybody should experience at least once in their life time an overseas mission trip).

That neighbor who just lost their spouse to cancer…that co-worker who recently went through a divorce that is filled with shame and a sense of failure.  You can be Jesus to that person just by letting them know that you care.  By offering a listening ear and being there for them.

Be blessed and be a blessing to somebody this week,

 Stan

I am leaving today with an amazing group of people for Nicaragua!  We are linking up with Youth With a Mission in that country to do medical clinics, build several small houses for some very needy families and working with children – teaching them about the love of God.  Please pray for the teams protection and that we would have favor with the people that we encounter.

You may not be able to go on an overseas mission trip this summer, but see yourself as a change agent right where you are at – in your realm of influence.  There are people in your community, in your neighborhood, that need to be reminded of the fact that there is a God that is madly in love with them.  Show the love of God with your words, actions and attitudes.

Be Blessed,

Stan

In my study time, I came across this great piece that I wanted to share with you. Patience, trust and faith go hand – in – hand and this is some encouragement for the journey.

                                             THE PATIENCE OF FAITH
“Because thou hast kept the word of My patience.” Revelation 3:10
Patience is more than endurance. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, and He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says – “I cannot stand any more.” God does not heed, He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight, then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God’s hands. For what have you need of patience just now? Maintain your relationship to Jesus Christ by the patience of faith. “Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him.”
Faith is not a pathetic sentiment, but robust vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. You cannot see Him just now, you cannot understand what He is doing, but you know Him. Shipwreck occurs where there is not that mental poise which comes from being established on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the heroic effort of your life; you fling yourself in reckless confidence on God.
God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to venture our all in abandoned confidence in Him. There are spots where that faith has not worked in us as yet, places untouched by the life of God. There were none of those spots in Jesus Christ’s life, and there are to be none in ours. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee.” The real meaning of eternal life is a life that can face anything it has to face without wavering. If we take this view, life becomes one great romance, a glorious opportunity for seeing marvelous things all the time. God is disciplining us to get us into this central place of power.

Blessings,
Pastor Stan

This weekend is Mother’s Day. It is a time set aside to honor and show appreciation to the person that brought us into the world, nurtured us and cared for us – our mothers.

So often whether you are a mother or not, we forget how our lives can impact not only people currently around us, but also can impact future generations. One such person is Naomi, a mother whose story is found in the Old Testament; a story that is often overlooked.

Her family had to move to a foreign country because of a terrible famine. And while they were there, her sons married. But in time, her husband and sons died and she decided it was time to return to her home in Bethlehem.

Here is the cool thing… she was so dedicated to God, that her daughter-in-law, Ruth decided she wanted that life for herself as well. Ruth was so impressed by the dedication of Naomi’s life to God, she told Naomi, “Your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.” From that day forward Ruth turned her back on the old life she used to live and embraced a new life she found in God.

Because of Naomi’s influence, Ruth influenced her family, and Ruth’s love for God was so powerful that her great grandson became one of the most influential men of the Old Testament – David, King of Israel.

Ultimately, Ruth is one of the few women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
All this took place because one woman, Naomi… built her life around her dedication to God.

Often we’re simply focused on the influence that we have right here and right now on our children, grandchildren, etc. But the life of a man or woman who give themselves totally to God can have a ripple that will impact generations to come.

I don’t know about you but I love me some “salty” food from time to time. But have you ever noticed when you eat salty food you usually end up getting really thirsty. In fact, just sitting here thinking about salt and water I had to stop and take a drink of some ice cold water. Even now while reading this your mouth is probably starting to water. Isn’t the body amazing how it works? By now you are probably starting to really want to pick up a really cold refreshing drink of water. Have you ever been sitting and watching a movie where the scene is in the desert and the guys lips are parched, cracked and broken from the heat of the desert. His face is swollen and burned from the elements. He even begins to hallucinate about seeing an “oasis” of water that he can drink. I usually have to take a sip of my diet coke during the movie at that time… and if there is no diet coke then my hubbie better be making a beeline out to the concession stand for me.

Salt is used in many different things such as a preservative in foods and other things as well as “enhancing” the taste of our food. However, too much salt and not enough water to compensate; and we can have some very uncomfortable bloating, swelling and inflammation within our bodies. I was told once that in order to alleviate the swelling and inflammation from having too much salty food you need to drink more water. Too me that was an oxymoron, because the last thing I wanted to add to my body was more fluid to be retained. But you have to actually over-compensate the water with the salt in order for the salt to be used where needed and the rest washed away.

I believe everything in our universe has checks and balances right down to the balancing of salt & water in our diet. Amazing isn’t it! God’s word tells us that as Christians we need to be the salt of the world and God will be the “Living Water”. In other words our lives should be lived in such a way as to make other people’s souls literally thirst for HIM, the Living Water. Maybe when people only get the saltiness from us and not reach out to the “Living Water” an imbalance can occur. We need to perhaps encourage them to drink more of the “Living Water” on their own rather than continuing to lick the salt block only. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could all be like that? Maybe there would be less bloated, swelling, inflamed lives out there that are stagnant – and more joyful, comforted, healed lives out there that are producing. So go ahead GRAB your SALT but take THE WATER along with you to help water the dry, thirsty, parched souls you encounter.

Blessing To You All