So a while back I stumbled across a video that went viral last year with over 3 million views. How I missed it I’m not sure, but I thought the timing of when I watched it was pretty amazing.
As many of you know, my wife is pregnant with our second child. My daughter, Madelyn, is my little princess and describing her would be difficult because she is the daughter I always wanted and asked God for. The day we found out we are going to have a baby boy was the same day that I saw this viral video. Finding out that we are having a boy was great news to both of us. Fawn and I are very thankful to God and know that this is a gift from Him. After you watch this video, you will understand why I am writing this, but I want to encourage you today that no matter where you are at right now in your life, God loves you.
This was a Father's Day video from comedian Michael Jr. If you have not heard of him, you should check him out. He is hilarious.
You may be going through the most difficult circumstance of your life. He still loves you, and He has not forgotten you. You may be thinking that there is no hope, no answers, no purpose to your life, but I am telling you today that JESUS is your answer. It’s time to stop wondering how your life is going to turn out and open your eyes to see God. See Him in a way you have never seen Him before.
You may not be a parent, but there is no greater feeling then when I tell my daughter that I love her, and at the age of two she responds, “I love you too, Daddy.” Family is the most important thing that we have here on this earth. I cherish the times that I have with my wife and daughter. I want what is best for them, and I believe that what is best for them is for me to be a husband and father that listens to His Heavenly Father say, “I love you, Ryan.” When I truly believe that God loves me and that He wants to take care of me, it changes my outlook on everything. I begin to learn how to treat my family better, my friends, and anyone I meet. I begin to understand that difficulties are going to come my way, and I have to daily trust God. It’s not always easy, but it is how we were meant to live this life. You may not have the best relationship with your family, and maybe it’s hard to look at the image of God as a loving Father, but I believe we can put things in our past behind and be the difference makers. We may not forget what difficult things have happened in our past, but we can use those things as stepping-stones to reach the people around us. So you see, the value of LIFE is all around us, and when we begin to see that value, it changes our perspective. I am looking forward to that moment where I can hold and talk to my new baby boy, Neal Ryan Brooks. I want to be able to tell him that I love him so that when he opens his eyes, he sees a dad with open arms ready to take care of him, from that moment on with no strings attached. Pastor Ryan
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Sermon from September 2016 at People's Church.
Sermon from August 2016 at People's Church.
Sermon from November 2015 at People's Church
Sermon from June 2015 at People's Church
Sermon from March 2015 at People's Church
Sermon from July 2014 at People's Church
Sermon from July 2014 at People's Church
Remembering my friend, Lina Today was like every typical morning except then all the sudden it wasn’t. I woke up and got ready for work, and on my way to work, I heard news of a very dear friend of mine passing away. I’ve had people in my life that have gone to be with the Lord, and it’s not the greatest feeling. This time it was a friend of mine that I knew while living in Argentina, and a friend that I cared for deeply, even to the point of thinking she was a part of our family. Lina was a person I will always remember because it was because of her friendship that helped me to break out of my nervous teenage shell of not wanting to talk to people. It was her friendship and many others during my last time in Argentina that caused me to have some of the best years of my life growing up. Those were years of my life that I will never forget.
I still remember her pulling her car into the Bible School in Cordoba, Argentina, and it was this tiny yellow car. I always looked forward to seeing that car and seeing her. She took me for a ride once in that car, and it felt like I was in some kind of video game because it was so little, but that was hers, that was Lina. The thing I remember most is the conversations we had. I looked up to her, and I could talk to Lina about anything, and she would listen. At the time, I was just a teenager but she always had my back and showed me she was there for me. I have story after story about Lina, but I will always remember her as extremely kind, giving, generous, patient, humble, loyal, self-sacrificing, and the list could go on and on. My heart is heavy today because I know she leaves her husband, Clement, and their two children, Juliette and Benjamin. I know that during times like these, only God can bring peace to this situation. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to see Lina a few times in the past several years and a couple of those times with her husband. Don’t take for granted those that are close to you and don’t keep secrets from your families. Be honest with each other and work to always build your relationships up rather than down. It’s not worth being upset with a relative, a friend, or whoever it might be. Our time on this earth is quick, and we need to spend it seeking God and living out His plan for our life even if we don’t quite understand it. Right now, that’s where I am at, I don’t get it but will continue to trust God no matter. Remember, God knows every situation, and He knows what is best for you. Today, I am hurting with this news, but I sure hope somehow this encourages someone today to make things right with the people close to you. Youth Pastor Ryan THRIVE YOUTH IS BACK! So you’re wondering how is THRIVE YOUTH back? I thought it was always here. Well, you are right, but have you ever had one of those moments in your life where you go through a tough season? Maybe seasons where you struggle to get motivated or feel like things are not going the way you hoped they would?
I feel like THRIVE YOUTH has been going through one of those seasons. We have had our ups and downs, we waited patiently for a new room, and we even lost some people. Maybe as a youth pastor I should not say this type of thing, but I believe it is good to always be upfront and honest about everything. Even those reading this that are on the outside looking in, need to know what we are about. What are we about? Simple. Jesus all the way! We are about putting Him as our Number 1 priority. We are about going above and beyond for Him. We are about standing up for what we believe in. We are about living out our faith out and helping anyone we come into contact with. You see many of us are going through really difficult circumstances in life, things that are completely out of our control, and they're tough to deal with sometimes. A lot of times those types of situations can affect whether or not we choose to follow Jesus. Whether we choose to even come to church at all. I recently went through a tough season in my life. Not a season of not wanting to come to church but a season of wondering if God was really hearing my prayers. I’m not saying that I’m completely out of it, but I’m not going to be defeated either. Satan wants to defeat you by tearing you down and putting obstacles in your way to keep you from God’s will. I heard this quote the other day and it really hit me. “Satan knows your name, but he calls you by your sin. Jesus knows your sin, but He calls you by your name." Jesus is calling each one of you right now BY YOUR NAME. You have an identify in Christ. Don’t let Satan steal that from you, don’t let him destroy your identity and cause you to stay in a low place of discouragement. Get out of that place. My challenge for you today is to be a part of something, whether or not that is THRIVE YOUTH is your choice, but most importantly get back to seeking after God and watch where you will go next. Pull out your Bible and read it and pray and talk to God. Remember we at THRIVE are always here for you and want to be a part of your life. THRIVE YOUTH IS BACK, and if you don’t believe us, just come join us on a Wednesday night and see our new space and let's go after God TOGETHER. Youth Pastor - Ryan Brooks |
RYANBROOKS
Youth Pastor at People's Church in Arnold, MO.
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