Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday Aug. 2nd
It’s a heart issue.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psa. 119:11) “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds” (Deut. 11:18) What does it mean to hide God’s word in our hearts? Of course, it doesn’t mean hiding in the sense that no one can see my God-centered beliefs, but hidden in the sense that they are deeply planted in my heart so as to shape my life. The heart is who you are and this is what God loves and so He would have your heart full of His word and therefore full of Him. How does God’s word become hidden in our hearts? I hear the word and understand it. I then reflect upon it and meditate upon it. But at this point it’s not in the heart; it’s only in the mind. Only when in faith I believe what I’ve heard and surrender to it does it become hidden in my heart. With His word filling your heart He will greatly bless your life because “His word won’t return to Him empty”. God’s word is seed and seed must have time and stay in the ground in order for it to grow. So God’s word must be carried in the heart and with time fruit will grow. Read again the verses at the beginning and hear them as God’s word to you. Continue to read His word every day, God has promised to make His word a blessing in your heart and He will make His word living and powerful in you.
Pastor Don (Adapted from an article by Andrew Murray)
It’s a heart issue.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psa. 119:11) “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds” (Deut. 11:18) What does it mean to hide God’s word in our hearts? Of course, it doesn’t mean hiding in the sense that no one can see my God-centered beliefs, but hidden in the sense that they are deeply planted in my heart so as to shape my life. The heart is who you are and this is what God loves and so He would have your heart full of His word and therefore full of Him. How does God’s word become hidden in our hearts? I hear the word and understand it. I then reflect upon it and meditate upon it. But at this point it’s not in the heart; it’s only in the mind. Only when in faith I believe what I’ve heard and surrender to it does it become hidden in my heart. With His word filling your heart He will greatly bless your life because “His word won’t return to Him empty”. God’s word is seed and seed must have time and stay in the ground in order for it to grow. So God’s word must be carried in the heart and with time fruit will grow. Read again the verses at the beginning and hear them as God’s word to you. Continue to read His word every day, God has promised to make His word a blessing in your heart and He will make His word living and powerful in you.
Pastor Don (Adapted from an article by Andrew Murray)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Something to think about.
Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Prov. 19:17
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday 26 July
God’s promises, a hedge against anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God... And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6,19) When you think about it, “Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING” is quit an audacious statement. Can you really be totally free from anxiety? The reason Paul can speak so boldly is because of two things: First, make your requests known to God and second, God will supply every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. This is a promise, that if we were to believe with absolute confidence, we would not be anxious about anything! Paul does not say God will give you everything you ask for but that He will supply every need. There are many things that I have asked for that God has not given, but there has never been a need that He has not met. Anxiety is really unbelief in the provision of God; a lack of faith that He will keep His promise to supply our EVERY need. Perhaps that’s why Paul adds that God will supply according to His riches. God’s ability to provide is because He owns everything - He is rich! He has no lack therefore He can supply what is lacking in our lives. You can be totally free from anxiety. Overcome your anxiety by standing on the promises of God and the knowledge that God keeps His promises.
Pastor Don.
God’s promises, a hedge against anxiety.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God... And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6,19) When you think about it, “Don’t be anxious about ANYTHING” is quit an audacious statement. Can you really be totally free from anxiety? The reason Paul can speak so boldly is because of two things: First, make your requests known to God and second, God will supply every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. This is a promise, that if we were to believe with absolute confidence, we would not be anxious about anything! Paul does not say God will give you everything you ask for but that He will supply every need. There are many things that I have asked for that God has not given, but there has never been a need that He has not met. Anxiety is really unbelief in the provision of God; a lack of faith that He will keep His promise to supply our EVERY need. Perhaps that’s why Paul adds that God will supply according to His riches. God’s ability to provide is because He owns everything - He is rich! He has no lack therefore He can supply what is lacking in our lives. You can be totally free from anxiety. Overcome your anxiety by standing on the promises of God and the knowledge that God keeps His promises.
Pastor Don.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Something to think about.
“I've learned - That love, not time, heals all wounds. And, that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.”
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday July 19th
On this rock I stand ALL other ground is sinking sand.
‘David gave these orders to Joab and his commanders: "Take a census of all the people…” God was very displeased with the census.’ (1 Chron. 21:1-7)
I’m not going to go into why God was displeased with David taking this census, but from the passage it seems clear that David wanted to know how many “fighting men” he had at his disposal. Had David’s faith had shifted from God as the protector of Israel to the number of soldiers he had at his disposal? I mention this story because it’s an easy shift to make. For example, if you had a million dollars in the bank, would that make you feel safer? Would you worry less about your future with that kind of money in the bank? If you have a new car do you worry less about breaking down? If you have worked a long time for the same company do you feel less threatened by lay-offs? There’s nothing wrong with having money in the bank for the inevitable crises that will come; or a new car as opposed to an old one. The question I need to ask myself all the time is, “What is the source of my confidence? Is it God or my resources?” Jesus knew we would struggle with this so He said, “I want you to do just one thing. Seek God and His righteousness and I will take care of the rest.” He does it for the rest of nature He will do it for us too.
So, as we provide for our future by saving our money and try to make wise decisions regarding our future remember you are safe because God is your provider not because you have great wealth.
Pastor Don.
On this rock I stand ALL other ground is sinking sand.
‘David gave these orders to Joab and his commanders: "Take a census of all the people…” God was very displeased with the census.’ (1 Chron. 21:1-7)
I’m not going to go into why God was displeased with David taking this census, but from the passage it seems clear that David wanted to know how many “fighting men” he had at his disposal. Had David’s faith had shifted from God as the protector of Israel to the number of soldiers he had at his disposal? I mention this story because it’s an easy shift to make. For example, if you had a million dollars in the bank, would that make you feel safer? Would you worry less about your future with that kind of money in the bank? If you have a new car do you worry less about breaking down? If you have worked a long time for the same company do you feel less threatened by lay-offs? There’s nothing wrong with having money in the bank for the inevitable crises that will come; or a new car as opposed to an old one. The question I need to ask myself all the time is, “What is the source of my confidence? Is it God or my resources?” Jesus knew we would struggle with this so He said, “I want you to do just one thing. Seek God and His righteousness and I will take care of the rest.” He does it for the rest of nature He will do it for us too.
So, as we provide for our future by saving our money and try to make wise decisions regarding our future remember you are safe because God is your provider not because you have great wealth.
Pastor Don.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Something to think about.
"When you see a good man, think of emulating him; when you see a bad
man, examine your own heart."
man, examine your own heart."
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday July 12
They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!” (Psalm 92:15) The single most important thing that I can do is to get people to see God as the rock upon which they must stand. I say this is most important because only God is big enough for me to build my life on. I need the help and support of friends and family but they can never be “the rock” on which I stand because their resources are limited whereas God’s are infinite. With God as the rock beneath my feet I can withstand anything life throws at me. You see, a rock doesn’t change; therefore I know that God doesn’t change either. The above scripture says, “There is nothing but goodness in him!” And since God doesn’t change He is good ALL THE TIME; in the bad times and the good times. This is important to remember because many times what is happening in our lives is bad and it is hard to understand how God’s goodness can be present in that situation. But I must stand upon the “rock” of God’s unchanging love for me. Even though I can’t understand the situation I can understand that since God still loves me His hand is in here somewhere. Another thing about a rock is that it is a solid place upon which to stand. A rock won’t collapse under my weight because it can bear heavy loads. Sometimes life presents us with such challenging situations that we feel will crush us; the load is just too heavy to bear. But, since God is my rock I cannot sink, the ground under me will not give way. Since God is the rock beneath my feet no matter how heavy the load He will carry me through. I know many of you have huge challenges in your lives, so let me encourage you to stand firm upon the “rock” for He is sufficient for any and every situation.
Pastor Don.
They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is nothing but goodness in him!” (Psalm 92:15) The single most important thing that I can do is to get people to see God as the rock upon which they must stand. I say this is most important because only God is big enough for me to build my life on. I need the help and support of friends and family but they can never be “the rock” on which I stand because their resources are limited whereas God’s are infinite. With God as the rock beneath my feet I can withstand anything life throws at me. You see, a rock doesn’t change; therefore I know that God doesn’t change either. The above scripture says, “There is nothing but goodness in him!” And since God doesn’t change He is good ALL THE TIME; in the bad times and the good times. This is important to remember because many times what is happening in our lives is bad and it is hard to understand how God’s goodness can be present in that situation. But I must stand upon the “rock” of God’s unchanging love for me. Even though I can’t understand the situation I can understand that since God still loves me His hand is in here somewhere. Another thing about a rock is that it is a solid place upon which to stand. A rock won’t collapse under my weight because it can bear heavy loads. Sometimes life presents us with such challenging situations that we feel will crush us; the load is just too heavy to bear. But, since God is my rock I cannot sink, the ground under me will not give way. Since God is the rock beneath my feet no matter how heavy the load He will carry me through. I know many of you have huge challenges in your lives, so let me encourage you to stand firm upon the “rock” for He is sufficient for any and every situation.
Pastor Don.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Something to think about.
“The happiest people in life don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just try to make the best of everything.” John Maxwell
Pastor's Corner
for Sunday July 5th
Everyone has a cross to carry.
Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me.” The word “cross” in this sentence is what usually gets our attention because of its ominous implications. Does it involve suffering? Or sacrifice? What exactly am I getting myself into here? I want to focus on the word “your” in that sentence. Why does Jesus say “your cross”? First, the word implies that everyone has a cross. There is no one out there who doesn’t have hardship and struggles in their life. “The grass is always greener on the other side” is an old, yet true saying. Other people’s lives look easy, but we’re forgetting that everyone has a cross to carry. If you’re asking God why your life is hard and their life is easy, He would probably tell us that “They have their cross to carry and you have yours, stop worrying about theirs and pick yours up and follow me.” Also, this word “your” reminds me that it is my personal cross. I believe that each one of us has a cross that is crafted by God especially for us; one that is specially tailored to shape us into the image of Jesus. So when I look at someone else’s life and think that their life is so much easier I am reminded that I probably couldn’t carry their cross and neither are they able to carry mine. So trust God that the cross you carry, though heavy at times, is one that you can carry. Remember too, if you follow Jesus you can’t leave your cross behind, it’s a part of who you are and it’s a part of being His disciple, so carry it in faith and carry it with joy.
Pastor Don.
Everyone has a cross to carry.
Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me.” The word “cross” in this sentence is what usually gets our attention because of its ominous implications. Does it involve suffering? Or sacrifice? What exactly am I getting myself into here? I want to focus on the word “your” in that sentence. Why does Jesus say “your cross”? First, the word implies that everyone has a cross. There is no one out there who doesn’t have hardship and struggles in their life. “The grass is always greener on the other side” is an old, yet true saying. Other people’s lives look easy, but we’re forgetting that everyone has a cross to carry. If you’re asking God why your life is hard and their life is easy, He would probably tell us that “They have their cross to carry and you have yours, stop worrying about theirs and pick yours up and follow me.” Also, this word “your” reminds me that it is my personal cross. I believe that each one of us has a cross that is crafted by God especially for us; one that is specially tailored to shape us into the image of Jesus. So when I look at someone else’s life and think that their life is so much easier I am reminded that I probably couldn’t carry their cross and neither are they able to carry mine. So trust God that the cross you carry, though heavy at times, is one that you can carry. Remember too, if you follow Jesus you can’t leave your cross behind, it’s a part of who you are and it’s a part of being His disciple, so carry it in faith and carry it with joy.
Pastor Don.
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