Get up in the morning, turn on the faucet, expecting warm water ... waiting ... waiting ... no warm water. Water heater ??? Go downstairs, open door to utility room, walk back behind the furnace - but before I get there I see it ........ WATER! I think that is supposed to be IN the water heater. So, the water heater needs to be replaced and I thank God that He is a God of details and I tell myself, "God works ALL things together for good to those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). Even water heaters? Yes, even water heaters. Many don't have water heaters - or water ... or faucets. Then God provides a dear brother to install it if I can go pick one up ... but then circumstances change and he can pick one up ... and then he comes and has it installed in an hour!! Thank you, Lord, for being a God of details - especially on THIS day.
Why this day? Because I am preaching at a funeral today. As we go on about our lives, this family is grieving the loss of a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, a sister, a friend. Life goes on, but not without tears. I understand what they are feeling. Eighteen years ago today my father left this world to enter the presence of God in heaven. He was buried on my birthday, September 9th, 1994. But there is a message that brings hope - the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The God of details promised to send a Savior and through all the details, the prophecies, the annunciations of His birth, His life, His ministry, His crucifixion ... and His RESURRECTION ... those details were fulfilled to the letter. And now, those who know Him as Savior and Lord HAVE eternal life. Nothing escapes God's view. Nothing ... nothing escapes God's view. He loves His children and His children love Him. He can be trusted, even when we don't understand.
So I received a phone call from a young man and his wife who were expecting triplets. Last Sunday Justin and Amber shared their excitement in front of our church family and also shared that there was a potential risk for two of the babies. We gathered around them and we prayed and we entrusted the babies to the Lord's care and we prayed for healing and we prayed for His will to be done - that He would receive glory. They were going to Ann Arbor today for an appointment with a specialist and a possible surgery to "fix" the problem. In the phone call I received a short time ago Justin shared that the two babies had not survived. The third baby appears to be doing well. So we continue to pray ... to the God of details ... ALL the details.
We believe what the Bible says, that this God works ALL things together for good to those who love Him. But there's more to that verse: " ... who are CALLED according to HIS purpose." So what IS God's purpose - in this? We don't know - yet. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). The debate about when life begins is more than a political game. Life begins at conception. LIFE begins at conception. LIFE, physical and spiritual life BEGINS, is real, at CONCEPTION!! And God's promise ... the God of the details ... HIS promise, to believers ... to HIS children, is that His angels watch over their children and should their lives end before they confess Jesus or reject Him, before they can learn and grow or make that choice, they are WITH HIM.
My father is there. My mother is there. The wife and mother and grandmother and great-grandmother whose body we laid in a grave today is there. And two babies, precious in the sight of the God of details, are there ... in His presence. The God of all the details doesn't make mistakes. We don't need to understand because we wouldn't need faith if we could understand it all.
It has been quite a day. I am so thankful that I know the God of details ... all the details. I hope, I pray, that you do, too.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Elections, America ... and Coincidences ...
Are you tired of the political conventions yet? When do we get back to real life: Survivor, American Idol, the Voice, Dancing with the Stars ... ??? (Sorry if I missed your favorite!) ... oh, the Race ... how could I forget that? "Run, Charla, run!!" We Americans sometimes seem to have a hard time separating fact from fiction; so when someone handed me a book to read last night, a book of fiction, I debated whether to take a look at it before I went to bed last night after getting home from a meeting a little after 9:00 p.m. I put the book down somewhere around midnight and will probably finish it tonight. Why? Because it is fiction, yet fact. The name of the book, for those of you who may be wondering, is "The Harbinger" - The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's future. That's all I'm going to say about the book, so you'll have to read it for yourself.
The book is intriguing, however, because the "fiction" (or is it FACT?!) is based on a little-known verse of Scripture that appears to have a connection to our present and our future as a nation. Those at the political conventions try to convince you and me that our future rests in electing them. While I believe it is our duty to vote, I am increasingly convinced that it may not make a whole lot of difference. About fifty years ago, in my lifetime, America turned a corner (described in the book!). Certain decisions have been made; certain things have happened, and they are all tied together. The events going on around us are not mere coincidences. God is at work. Now we stand on the precipice of not only national, but global disaster. There is no hope, unless we change ... and by "we," I mean the entire nation. I'm not holding my breath. I thank God for this nation and the freedoms we have - freedoms fought for by my father and so many others. But "we" have changed, as a nation ... and not for the good. Anyone who denies that has serious issues with their vision!
Our patriotism today is no longer based on "In GOD we trust," even though it is still on our currency. We are no longer "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." We just aren't. God's judgment is falling on us as a nation, and we deserve it. And here at Lighthouse we have become increasingly aware of the problems in the ONE group of people who have the answer to America's problems, indeed, to the problems of every individual and every nation on the planet: the church. In a recent message I explained that the word, "church," does not appear in the Bible. The word in the original Greek is, "ekklesia," which means, literally, "called-out ones." The true Church, the one body of Christ, consists of those who have been born again by the Spirit of God and who have been "called-out" of the world. "Come out from among them, and be separate," says the Lord (II Corinthians 6:17). God's promise follows in verse 18: "Then I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters."
As citizens of these United States of America, we who believe have a higher calling, for we are also citizens of God's kingdom. In our present sermon series we are looking at God's plan to establish His reign on the earth, from Genesis through Revelation. What young people, and people of all ages, need today is a calling, a sense of purpose that transcends politics and everything else that so easily grabs our attention. It is the calling to be ambassadors of a kingdom the world knows nothing about - the kingdom of God. Knowing Jesus Christ, the King whom God has appointed to rule over all things, means that He guides my thoughts, my affections and my actions. God is an everlasting God and His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
I pray that you have come to know God through His Son Jesus Christ and that you know the hope of trusting in Him every day, no matter what goes on in your life and in His world. I pray that you are one of the "called-out ones," and that you take that calling seriously. I think of the words of an old hymn, "This is my Father's world, oh let me ne'er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet!" That's where your hope today and in the future lies. However the election turns out, God has determined and will determine our future. And even though judgment will eventually befall our nation, even more than today, you can be at peace in knowing that "if our God is for us, who can be against us?" Our God is able; therefore, we will overcome!!
The book is intriguing, however, because the "fiction" (or is it FACT?!) is based on a little-known verse of Scripture that appears to have a connection to our present and our future as a nation. Those at the political conventions try to convince you and me that our future rests in electing them. While I believe it is our duty to vote, I am increasingly convinced that it may not make a whole lot of difference. About fifty years ago, in my lifetime, America turned a corner (described in the book!). Certain decisions have been made; certain things have happened, and they are all tied together. The events going on around us are not mere coincidences. God is at work. Now we stand on the precipice of not only national, but global disaster. There is no hope, unless we change ... and by "we," I mean the entire nation. I'm not holding my breath. I thank God for this nation and the freedoms we have - freedoms fought for by my father and so many others. But "we" have changed, as a nation ... and not for the good. Anyone who denies that has serious issues with their vision!
Our patriotism today is no longer based on "In GOD we trust," even though it is still on our currency. We are no longer "one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." We just aren't. God's judgment is falling on us as a nation, and we deserve it. And here at Lighthouse we have become increasingly aware of the problems in the ONE group of people who have the answer to America's problems, indeed, to the problems of every individual and every nation on the planet: the church. In a recent message I explained that the word, "church," does not appear in the Bible. The word in the original Greek is, "ekklesia," which means, literally, "called-out ones." The true Church, the one body of Christ, consists of those who have been born again by the Spirit of God and who have been "called-out" of the world. "Come out from among them, and be separate," says the Lord (II Corinthians 6:17). God's promise follows in verse 18: "Then I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters."
As citizens of these United States of America, we who believe have a higher calling, for we are also citizens of God's kingdom. In our present sermon series we are looking at God's plan to establish His reign on the earth, from Genesis through Revelation. What young people, and people of all ages, need today is a calling, a sense of purpose that transcends politics and everything else that so easily grabs our attention. It is the calling to be ambassadors of a kingdom the world knows nothing about - the kingdom of God. Knowing Jesus Christ, the King whom God has appointed to rule over all things, means that He guides my thoughts, my affections and my actions. God is an everlasting God and His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
I pray that you have come to know God through His Son Jesus Christ and that you know the hope of trusting in Him every day, no matter what goes on in your life and in His world. I pray that you are one of the "called-out ones," and that you take that calling seriously. I think of the words of an old hymn, "This is my Father's world, oh let me ne'er forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet!" That's where your hope today and in the future lies. However the election turns out, God has determined and will determine our future. And even though judgment will eventually befall our nation, even more than today, you can be at peace in knowing that "if our God is for us, who can be against us?" Our God is able; therefore, we will overcome!!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
"Greater things than these ..."
Everything Jesus said was true - everything!! Right? So someone asked me today, "What did Jesus mean when He told His disciples that they would do greater things than the things HE had done?" Those words are found in John 14:12.
Phillip had asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus answered, "Don't you know me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. ... The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing HIS work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" (John 14:9-14).
So what did Jesus mean when He said those who had faith in Him would do greater things? Where are the "greater things?" Where are the miracles? Ah, the miracles. Is THAT what Jesus was talking about? Not really. He was talking about the Father's work and He said the miracles were just evidence of the Father's work. What was the Father's work? The WORD!! Jesus wanted them to believe His Word, His message. When Phillip wanted to see the Father, Jesus said, "The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work." HIS words were His Father's words.
God's desire is to make Himself known. This IS the "greater work" which we are called to do - to carry the message of God the Father to the entire world! That takes us right to Psalm 73, where we looked at verses 25-26 yesterday. When God is all we need and we set our minds on things above, we show that we are living in His kingdom, under His reign, right now, even as we live in this world. God in all His glory is in heaven, but through His Church, His people, the "called-out ones" (the literal translation of the word, "church" ... "ekklesia"), God continues His work on the earth - the work of making Himself known. That's what Psalm 73 is about.
The Psalmist was distraught because evil seemed to be winning. He was ready to go to his friends and to the world and say, "Believing in God doesn't help. What good does it do? Bad things still happen; in fact, those who DON'T believe in God have it easier than those who do. This doesn't make sense!" But then he entered the sanctuary of God (Psalm 73, verse 17). He set his heart and mind on things above and he shut his mouth long enough to LISTEN to God's still small voice. The result was that he gained understanding about how God works in the world and it led him to say, in verses 23-24: "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory."
Now he was ready to testify. Before, he was, in his own words (verses 21-22), "senseless and ignorant" ... "like a brute beast." God's work is making Himself known in and through His people. Jesus told the disciples that they would do more of that work than HE did because He was going to ascend into heaven and pour out His Holy Spirit to give them wisdom, courage and boldness. Notice the result of God's teaching in Psalm 73, verses 27-28: "Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will TELL of all your deeds!"
"He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." What an honor, what a privilege, to be an instrument in the Father's hands to proclaim His name to the world. As you live to do that, ask for whatever you need, and the Father will give it to you in the name of Jesus!!
Phillip had asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus answered, "Don't you know me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. ... The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing HIS work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!" (John 14:9-14).
So what did Jesus mean when He said those who had faith in Him would do greater things? Where are the "greater things?" Where are the miracles? Ah, the miracles. Is THAT what Jesus was talking about? Not really. He was talking about the Father's work and He said the miracles were just evidence of the Father's work. What was the Father's work? The WORD!! Jesus wanted them to believe His Word, His message. When Phillip wanted to see the Father, Jesus said, "The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work." HIS words were His Father's words.
God's desire is to make Himself known. This IS the "greater work" which we are called to do - to carry the message of God the Father to the entire world! That takes us right to Psalm 73, where we looked at verses 25-26 yesterday. When God is all we need and we set our minds on things above, we show that we are living in His kingdom, under His reign, right now, even as we live in this world. God in all His glory is in heaven, but through His Church, His people, the "called-out ones" (the literal translation of the word, "church" ... "ekklesia"), God continues His work on the earth - the work of making Himself known. That's what Psalm 73 is about.
The Psalmist was distraught because evil seemed to be winning. He was ready to go to his friends and to the world and say, "Believing in God doesn't help. What good does it do? Bad things still happen; in fact, those who DON'T believe in God have it easier than those who do. This doesn't make sense!" But then he entered the sanctuary of God (Psalm 73, verse 17). He set his heart and mind on things above and he shut his mouth long enough to LISTEN to God's still small voice. The result was that he gained understanding about how God works in the world and it led him to say, in verses 23-24: "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory."
Now he was ready to testify. Before, he was, in his own words (verses 21-22), "senseless and ignorant" ... "like a brute beast." God's work is making Himself known in and through His people. Jesus told the disciples that they would do more of that work than HE did because He was going to ascend into heaven and pour out His Holy Spirit to give them wisdom, courage and boldness. Notice the result of God's teaching in Psalm 73, verses 27-28: "Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will TELL of all your deeds!"
"He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." What an honor, what a privilege, to be an instrument in the Father's hands to proclaim His name to the world. As you live to do that, ask for whatever you need, and the Father will give it to you in the name of Jesus!!
Monday, September 3, 2012
A taste of heaven for today!
Heaven ...
... the place where God lives ... and the place where God says we should set our hearts and minds. How do you do that? How do you live in THIS world and set your heart and mind on heaven? From morning 'til night it seems that hundreds of things demand our attention. Tomorrow, school begins for many children and youth. Sports activities have already begun. Other extra-curricular activities are not far behind. Between work and the economy and rising prices and family struggles there is scarcely time for any thoughts at all! Yet, God calls out to us, urging us to set our hearts and minds on heaven.
Why? Because HE is there and you NEED Him! You need to know Him; to know His thoughts and to believe His promises. You need to rest in His arms and find comfort and strength and assurance and hope and peace and JOY! Some might respond, "But God is HERE, too." That's true. By His Spirit God is present with believers. Jesus promised that He would be with those who believed until the very end of the age. But it's not like heaven! Heaven is a unique place. Heaven is total peace, total joy, total bliss such as has not been experienced by anyone who is currently alive in this world. Heaven is... well, heaven!!
Heaven is where you let go of everything having to do with this world and focus your attention on GOD! Heaven is where those who believe go immediately as they take their last breath. Heaven is where the angels - spiritual beings created by God as His servants and ministers to people on earth - worship God, their Creator, continually. Heaven is not our final destination (we'll talk more about that sometime!), but it is part of the "reward" that God has promised to those who believe, a reward that comes not from merit, but from grace.
I want to go to heaven. I want to BE in heaven, but I'll leave that up to God. There are a number of reasons why it is good for me to be here right now ... not the least of which are my wife, children and grand-children, along with the opportunity to live life for God's glory alongside other brothers and sisters in Christ. But there is heaven ... waiting ... or is it you and I who are waiting?
So what do we do while we wait? We allow God to BE heaven for us now. We set our minds on HIM, knowing that HE is THERE! In Psalm 73, the writer says this, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (verses 25-26). I'll write more about the context of those words tomorrow, but for now, think about this: God is in heaven, and for those who believe, God lives within us. Paul writes in I Corinthians 2:16: "We have the mind of Christ."
At any moment, at any time, from any place, I can catch a glimpse of heaven, and even enter there with my mind as I set my mind on God, my Creator, who has become my Father in heaven. The key is in knowing God and wanting Him more than anything else, and that requires letting go of the things this world and the people in it count important - laying them aside and being convinced that God is all I need. That doesn't mean I'm not engaged in this world; it just means that my first thought, my first priority, my "first LOVE," is GOD.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!"
I'm going to like heaven... when I go there some day. Until then, I like thinking about it!!
... the place where God lives ... and the place where God says we should set our hearts and minds. How do you do that? How do you live in THIS world and set your heart and mind on heaven? From morning 'til night it seems that hundreds of things demand our attention. Tomorrow, school begins for many children and youth. Sports activities have already begun. Other extra-curricular activities are not far behind. Between work and the economy and rising prices and family struggles there is scarcely time for any thoughts at all! Yet, God calls out to us, urging us to set our hearts and minds on heaven.
Why? Because HE is there and you NEED Him! You need to know Him; to know His thoughts and to believe His promises. You need to rest in His arms and find comfort and strength and assurance and hope and peace and JOY! Some might respond, "But God is HERE, too." That's true. By His Spirit God is present with believers. Jesus promised that He would be with those who believed until the very end of the age. But it's not like heaven! Heaven is a unique place. Heaven is total peace, total joy, total bliss such as has not been experienced by anyone who is currently alive in this world. Heaven is... well, heaven!!
Heaven is where you let go of everything having to do with this world and focus your attention on GOD! Heaven is where those who believe go immediately as they take their last breath. Heaven is where the angels - spiritual beings created by God as His servants and ministers to people on earth - worship God, their Creator, continually. Heaven is not our final destination (we'll talk more about that sometime!), but it is part of the "reward" that God has promised to those who believe, a reward that comes not from merit, but from grace.
I want to go to heaven. I want to BE in heaven, but I'll leave that up to God. There are a number of reasons why it is good for me to be here right now ... not the least of which are my wife, children and grand-children, along with the opportunity to live life for God's glory alongside other brothers and sisters in Christ. But there is heaven ... waiting ... or is it you and I who are waiting?
So what do we do while we wait? We allow God to BE heaven for us now. We set our minds on HIM, knowing that HE is THERE! In Psalm 73, the writer says this, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (verses 25-26). I'll write more about the context of those words tomorrow, but for now, think about this: God is in heaven, and for those who believe, God lives within us. Paul writes in I Corinthians 2:16: "We have the mind of Christ."
At any moment, at any time, from any place, I can catch a glimpse of heaven, and even enter there with my mind as I set my mind on God, my Creator, who has become my Father in heaven. The key is in knowing God and wanting Him more than anything else, and that requires letting go of the things this world and the people in it count important - laying them aside and being convinced that God is all I need. That doesn't mean I'm not engaged in this world; it just means that my first thought, my first priority, my "first LOVE," is GOD.
"My flesh and my heart may fail, but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!"
I'm going to like heaven... when I go there some day. Until then, I like thinking about it!!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Setting your heart and mind on things above ...
Some people are "so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good!" Maybe you've heard that said before. It is not meant as a compliment. Usually those who say such things are talking about people who are very open in their expressions of praise to God or who have a way of bringing God into every conversation. Such people may merely be trying to encourage others by pointing to the God who created the world and who cares about people, trying to help people to look at life from a different perspective; but such an attitude is often considered to be lacking common sense and is thought by those who don't recognize God's hand at work to be unrealistic. Most people, it would seem, think that God has better things to do than to be intimately involved in our lives. Yet, the Bible teaches exactly that!
Where is your mind throughout the day? What is your first thought when you wake up, or your last thought before you go to sleep? When experiencing God's blessings throughout the day, does your mind immediately move you to give thanks to Him from whom all blessings flow? When faced with trials, are you moved to run to the One who is able to strengthen you, to give wisdom and hope and peace in the midst of the storm? What does God mean when He tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above, where Jesus is seated at His right hand? (Colossians 3:1-4).
I think of heaven often. I remember my Dad two days before he died asking me what I thought heaven was like. I answered him the only way I could - from Scripture. One of the most beautiful descriptions of heaven is found in Revelation 4. Like Isaiah (6:1-3), John sees God on His throne being worshiped and served by living creatures beyond human description. John says that "day and night they never stop saying, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come'" (Revelation 4:6-8). John describes a scene so magnificent that it is beyond imagination, yet it is here that God tells us to set our hearts and minds.
When you are thinking of heaven and what lies beyond the veil of human limitations the Spirit of God does something amazing - He lifts the burdens of this life from your shoulders, He removes the fear and anxiety produced in your mind by earthly things and gives you the "peace that passes understanding," which Paul talks about in Philippians 4:7. Once again the mind and heart are mentioned: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Thinking about heaven, you see, is not only a good thing to do, but is the answer to the stress and anxiety of life in this world. Heaven is a reality that exceeds what people call "real life." As you and I live life, Jesus is on the throne and the angels are singing - 24/7! They never stop! And you can join them, no matter what is going on in your life ... IF you set your heart and mind on things above.
Tomorrow we'll look at Psalm 73 ... more about a reality too many people know nothing about ... the God who is worth seeking, knowing, loving and serving.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
A blog is only as good as its "blogger" ...
It's September 1st, 2012. Summer is not officially over, but it's close. Tomorrow is September 2nd and Monday is Labor Day, September 3rd. Then school starts and really, in spite of what the calendar says, summer is over! So why the lament over summer ending? It's not really a lament, more an observation of the passing of the seasons. Next Sunday, September 9th, is my 62nd birthday. It doesn't seem possible that I will be 62, but I counted and that's the reality of it. At 62 you can look back over a lot of things. I just looked at some pictures on Facebook of my grand-daughters visiting their grandma and grandpa and cousins in Volga, South Dakota. I served First Reformed Church there for seven years and have many fond memories of the years there. Yes, at 62 you have a lot of memories.
But at 62 you also have to make a decision whether to focus on what is past or on what is present and what is future. While I cherish the memories and thank God for all that is past, the future beckons with promises of fruitful ministry and opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel with those who have not yet heard and those who need to hear it again. I think of the words of the old hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story." "I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting, to hear it like the rest." The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is the greatest story ever told, for it is true and has the power to give hope and peace and joy like no other message on the face of the earth.
So, this "blogger" is committing to something I've tried since starting this blog: writing an entry every day! It seems like a big task, and what do I have to say that is so important? Actually, it is GOD who has something to say and I sense His call to share His Word daily to encourage those who read, to answer questions, to proclaim His truth. In the past I have written on certain topics and my blogs have gotten ... well, LONG! So I'm going to try to keep them shorter, at least most of the time, so you don't have to set aside an hour to read them!
As I begin a new sermon series tomorrow, "Thy Kingdom Come," there is no more important topic than God's kingdom. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is in your midst." One day - heaven ... until then, God says, "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).
With God's help, this is how I want to live the rest of my life; and as He enables, I hope to be an instrument in His hands to help you to do the same. After all, "a blog is only as good as its blogger." I hope to be better, more faithful to the task of using this medium to glorify God and to encourage His children. It's part of my calling; part of who I am in Him.
May God fill you with His grace and love in Christ Jesus, Pastor Steve
But at 62 you also have to make a decision whether to focus on what is past or on what is present and what is future. While I cherish the memories and thank God for all that is past, the future beckons with promises of fruitful ministry and opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel with those who have not yet heard and those who need to hear it again. I think of the words of the old hymn, "I Love to Tell the Story." "I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting, to hear it like the rest." The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is the greatest story ever told, for it is true and has the power to give hope and peace and joy like no other message on the face of the earth.
So, this "blogger" is committing to something I've tried since starting this blog: writing an entry every day! It seems like a big task, and what do I have to say that is so important? Actually, it is GOD who has something to say and I sense His call to share His Word daily to encourage those who read, to answer questions, to proclaim His truth. In the past I have written on certain topics and my blogs have gotten ... well, LONG! So I'm going to try to keep them shorter, at least most of the time, so you don't have to set aside an hour to read them!
As I begin a new sermon series tomorrow, "Thy Kingdom Come," there is no more important topic than God's kingdom. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is in your midst." One day - heaven ... until then, God says, "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:1-4).
With God's help, this is how I want to live the rest of my life; and as He enables, I hope to be an instrument in His hands to help you to do the same. After all, "a blog is only as good as its blogger." I hope to be better, more faithful to the task of using this medium to glorify God and to encourage His children. It's part of my calling; part of who I am in Him.
May God fill you with His grace and love in Christ Jesus, Pastor Steve
Sunday, July 29, 2012
The Simple Truth ... and Moving - AGAIN!
Some truly exciting things are happening at Lighthouse these days! God continues to move among us and we give Him praise and our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. Believing that God had called us to become a non-denominational congregation and desiring to stand on the truth of God's Word, we left our former denomination, at the cost of our church building. We began meeting for worship at Evergreen Elementary School here in Allendale on June 10th, just seven short weeks ago. We decided to have our two services merge into one for the summer months so we could get to know each other better and build the oneness which Christ came to give us as members of one body - the body of Christ. With many people camping and vacationing during the summer months, we didn't expect what God was going to do. He is bringing many new faces and attendance in worship has been steady throughout the past seven weeks. A decision had to be made as we look towards September: Do we stay at one service or go back to two? If we wanted to stay at one, we would need more space!!
We committed to prayer and seeking the Lord once again and once again God seemed to make it clear: we needed to move - AGAIN!! So on August 12th we will begin meeting at the Oakwood Intermediate School, just a small distance from where we have been meeting. It reminded me of God telling Abraham, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). Of course, God was leading Abraham to the promised land of Canaan and was entering into covenant with him and his descendants. But God is also in covenant with US! And as He promised to be with Abraham, so He has promised to be with us.
Our confidence for the future lies in our faithful God. "No matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ" (II Corinthians 1:10). God has called us to proclaim a simple truth: that in Jesus Christ God is at work to offer forgiveness and eternal life to those who repent and believe. In a world that seems to like a "show," we offer those whom God brings to Lighthouse the same message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and that Paul preached to the Gentiles: Christ, and Him crucified. This is the Gospel, the good news that has the power to save, to transform, and to empower those who place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. While Lighthouse is blessed to have a committed team of leaders, musicians, teachers and servants in various areas of ministry, it is this simple message that is central to the ministry God has entrusted to us. You won't find anything "fancy" at Lighthouse. We're not trying to impress, but to be faithful to our God.
As God leads us into the future, we stand on the truth of His Word that will never change. Some may wonder what it means to be non-denominational. In fact, some have asked how we can be sure that we will remain true to "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). Being "non-denominational" may mean different things to different people, but to us it means simply that we are part of the one true Church, the one body of Christ. We want to take down unnecessary walls that divide, and stand firm on the simple truth of the Gospel which is the foundation for Christ's Church. We believe that God worked in an amazing way during the Reformation, especially during the 1500's and 1600's, drawing His Church back to the truth of His Word. We stand on the historic confessions that were written during that time period. We aren't looking for some new message to proclaim. The message we proclaim is the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Christ and Him crucified, risen and exalted to the right hand of the Father.
The future is in God's hands. Amazingly, we are already looking at some potential property for a new location for a future church building. While we are thankful for God's provision thus far, we know that in order to carry out the ministries which God has called us to be engaged in to reach our community and area and to work with others, we will need a place to call "home." Watch for more news on that in the near future. Meanwhile, it is our heart's desire to glorify God as we seek earnestly to minister to all who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and to experience His love in word and deed. It is our joy and pleasure to be used of God as His servants. We invite you to join us in this real adventure of a lifetime!!
We committed to prayer and seeking the Lord once again and once again God seemed to make it clear: we needed to move - AGAIN!! So on August 12th we will begin meeting at the Oakwood Intermediate School, just a small distance from where we have been meeting. It reminded me of God telling Abraham, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). Of course, God was leading Abraham to the promised land of Canaan and was entering into covenant with him and his descendants. But God is also in covenant with US! And as He promised to be with Abraham, so He has promised to be with us.
Our confidence for the future lies in our faithful God. "No matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ" (II Corinthians 1:10). God has called us to proclaim a simple truth: that in Jesus Christ God is at work to offer forgiveness and eternal life to those who repent and believe. In a world that seems to like a "show," we offer those whom God brings to Lighthouse the same message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and that Paul preached to the Gentiles: Christ, and Him crucified. This is the Gospel, the good news that has the power to save, to transform, and to empower those who place their faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. While Lighthouse is blessed to have a committed team of leaders, musicians, teachers and servants in various areas of ministry, it is this simple message that is central to the ministry God has entrusted to us. You won't find anything "fancy" at Lighthouse. We're not trying to impress, but to be faithful to our God.
As God leads us into the future, we stand on the truth of His Word that will never change. Some may wonder what it means to be non-denominational. In fact, some have asked how we can be sure that we will remain true to "the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). Being "non-denominational" may mean different things to different people, but to us it means simply that we are part of the one true Church, the one body of Christ. We want to take down unnecessary walls that divide, and stand firm on the simple truth of the Gospel which is the foundation for Christ's Church. We believe that God worked in an amazing way during the Reformation, especially during the 1500's and 1600's, drawing His Church back to the truth of His Word. We stand on the historic confessions that were written during that time period. We aren't looking for some new message to proclaim. The message we proclaim is the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Christ and Him crucified, risen and exalted to the right hand of the Father.
The future is in God's hands. Amazingly, we are already looking at some potential property for a new location for a future church building. While we are thankful for God's provision thus far, we know that in order to carry out the ministries which God has called us to be engaged in to reach our community and area and to work with others, we will need a place to call "home." Watch for more news on that in the near future. Meanwhile, it is our heart's desire to glorify God as we seek earnestly to minister to all who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and to experience His love in word and deed. It is our joy and pleasure to be used of God as His servants. We invite you to join us in this real adventure of a lifetime!!
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