Psalm 116:15
TEV How painful it is to the Lord when one of his people dies!
NLT The Lord’s loved ones are precious to him; it grieves him when they die.
RSV Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
ASV Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints.
All of us have had loved ones precede us into heaven. We know that we will be with them again when we are ushered into the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We understand that we’ll have new bodies and be pain-free and healthy and that our loved one is even now experiencing that joy, but for now we wait. We feel the pain of our loss and grief and the weight of the words we wanted to say or the hugs we wanted to give.
I look forward to being with Jesus. I want those old things in my life to pass away and leave me to rejoice in the new. Heaven is our destination. It’s where we will inherit our eternal promised land and forever be with the Lord. The Word assures us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:4). The glory we’ve seen so far on earth will grow dim in the light of His glory and grace and we’ll finally see Him face to face.
But for now, we grieve the loss of our loved ones. The Holy Spirit helps us to rejoice in their gain and time heals us. God heals our heart and soul and the reality of eternity is more real and we look forward to it. 1 Thess. 4:13 tells us that we will sorrow, but that those who have preceded us will return when the Lord returns, they will be with Him, and we will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And then we will always be with the Lord. We may grieve now, but we will have the final victory with Christ. So comfort each other in loss and look up! Our redemption is closer all the time. God bless you church. Be strengthened in your spirit and let the Holy Spirit comfort your soul while we wait for Him and His return.
Pastor Darrell
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Matthew 10:40-42
Anyone who welcomes you is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me. If you welcome a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will receive the same reward a prophet gets. And if you welcome good and godly people because of their godliness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:40-42
I’ve heard many people say that they want to serve the Lord with all their heart. But I’ve discovered for myself that saying it and doing it are two very different things. It’s so easy for the pressures of life and the fullness of our schedules to become overwhelming. It seems sometimes that the addition of even one more thing will cause complete collapse and overwhelming exhaustion. But is this the life that Jesus has called us to live? Should our lives be so full and so scheduled that we don’t have time to enjoy Him or have the time to meditate on His Word or serve Him?
The pressures of life can leave us barely hanging on to today and far too exhausted to think of tomorrow, let alone eternity. But we’re eternal beings. We’re designed to rest, meditate and trust in the Lord. We’re also called to serve Him, which can seem so difficult when it’s added to the pile of other things going on in our lives. If that’s the way it is for us, then we’ve missed what Jesus wants for us. His plans are always good for us and we need to trust Him and embrace the life He calls us to. He can help us slow down our schedules, He can show us where the boundaries should be and help us to set them up, and He can bring peace to our lives. If we keep Jesus first, then thinking in terms of eternity is natural and serving our King is a privilege and a joy.
I invite you to embrace the extras and remember what this verse says: If I give a child a drink of cold water, there is eternal reward. Embracing God’s spiritual gifts in ourselves and in others brings eternal reward. We must live our lives for the sake of the kingdom of God! Let’s consider all we do and make choices for eternal rewards and for peace.
Looking forward to new awareness of serving with joy.
Pastor Darrell
I’ve heard many people say that they want to serve the Lord with all their heart. But I’ve discovered for myself that saying it and doing it are two very different things. It’s so easy for the pressures of life and the fullness of our schedules to become overwhelming. It seems sometimes that the addition of even one more thing will cause complete collapse and overwhelming exhaustion. But is this the life that Jesus has called us to live? Should our lives be so full and so scheduled that we don’t have time to enjoy Him or have the time to meditate on His Word or serve Him?
The pressures of life can leave us barely hanging on to today and far too exhausted to think of tomorrow, let alone eternity. But we’re eternal beings. We’re designed to rest, meditate and trust in the Lord. We’re also called to serve Him, which can seem so difficult when it’s added to the pile of other things going on in our lives. If that’s the way it is for us, then we’ve missed what Jesus wants for us. His plans are always good for us and we need to trust Him and embrace the life He calls us to. He can help us slow down our schedules, He can show us where the boundaries should be and help us to set them up, and He can bring peace to our lives. If we keep Jesus first, then thinking in terms of eternity is natural and serving our King is a privilege and a joy.
I invite you to embrace the extras and remember what this verse says: If I give a child a drink of cold water, there is eternal reward. Embracing God’s spiritual gifts in ourselves and in others brings eternal reward. We must live our lives for the sake of the kingdom of God! Let’s consider all we do and make choices for eternal rewards and for peace.
Looking forward to new awareness of serving with joy.
Pastor Darrell
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Jonah 4:1-3
This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That’s why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You’re eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen." Jonah 4:1-3
"I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Mal 3:6
Plans change all the time and often we get angry like Jonah did. As I was thinking about these verses, I was realizing how much in our life changes and how hard those changes can be for us. Change is unavoidable! Let’s recognize, though, that not all change is bad. Sometimes the change of a room color can be refreshing. Certainly the new seasons are necessary and a blessing. And we know that each of us will one day be changed in an atomic second to be like Jesus. So let’s learn to embrace it!
And embracing change is so much easier because we know that God never changes. However much the world changes around us and whatever the changes we make for ourselves, He stays the same. He remains compassionate and kind. He is forever gracious and merciful. He always loves us fully. He always draws us to change day by day. He provides for us (in accordance with our willing hearts) the opportunity to change from glory to glory and strength to strength. We get to take part in a daily project wherein we are the emerging sculpture that looks more and more like Jesus. When we are frustrated and angry over the process, it’s really an opportunity to repent and embrace the change. We can shake our heads, stretch and grow, laugh it off, let it go, and change! We are Kingdom people, so let’s be transformed into the image of Jesus and be like Him. Let’s practice repenting of our old ways and allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to change us into the image of Jesus.
Growing in grace,
Pastor Darrell
"I am the Lord, and I do not change.” Mal 3:6
Plans change all the time and often we get angry like Jonah did. As I was thinking about these verses, I was realizing how much in our life changes and how hard those changes can be for us. Change is unavoidable! Let’s recognize, though, that not all change is bad. Sometimes the change of a room color can be refreshing. Certainly the new seasons are necessary and a blessing. And we know that each of us will one day be changed in an atomic second to be like Jesus. So let’s learn to embrace it!
And embracing change is so much easier because we know that God never changes. However much the world changes around us and whatever the changes we make for ourselves, He stays the same. He remains compassionate and kind. He is forever gracious and merciful. He always loves us fully. He always draws us to change day by day. He provides for us (in accordance with our willing hearts) the opportunity to change from glory to glory and strength to strength. We get to take part in a daily project wherein we are the emerging sculpture that looks more and more like Jesus. When we are frustrated and angry over the process, it’s really an opportunity to repent and embrace the change. We can shake our heads, stretch and grow, laugh it off, let it go, and change! We are Kingdom people, so let’s be transformed into the image of Jesus and be like Him. Let’s practice repenting of our old ways and allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to change us into the image of Jesus.
Growing in grace,
Pastor Darrell
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Ephesians 5:17-20
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to t he Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:17-20
This has been a difficult portion of scripture for me at times. When I am upset and I am struggling with life’s challenges, giving thanks is difficult, if I am in the flesh, or operating out of my human spirit and not the Holy Spirit. If you will notice this portion of scripture added “give thanks for everything” after it tells you to be full of the Holy spirit, letting Him, the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Man, what an invitation, the worship and encouraging one another in song will be a natural out flow of your life.
Another expression of being filled with the Holy Spirit is giving thanks in and for all things. Not because God wants to hurt you, His plans are good not evil. He does give a future and a hope as He declares in Jeremiah. But if you see every pain, problem and situation as an opportunity for God to work in power and might for you and the Kingdom of God’s sake, then there will be another perspective. An eternal perspective, not earthly or temporary; one that is alive and hopeful. It is a wonderful life when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, when song flows from our heart and we are alive in our spirit. It is a great way to live in our heart; not denying the struggles and painful things we go through, but realizing no matter what we face, God is bigger still. And He will show up and work on our behalf, that HE may receive glory, not us. We will be secure in Him. There are times when believing God is on our side is hard, but He is. Believe in His heart; He didn’t save you to hurt you, but to transform you into the image of His son Jesus Christ. I want the transformation, I just want it my way and there in lies the problem…my way. But He is wiser still and He will transform us into the image of His son, His way. So in the transforming process let us trust God, anchor in Him and rejoice for He is working all things for our good and His glory.
Looking forward to new levels of faith and rejoicing in Him, we will grow in thanksgiving. It will help us keep perspective and Kingdom focused.
Pastor Darrell
This has been a difficult portion of scripture for me at times. When I am upset and I am struggling with life’s challenges, giving thanks is difficult, if I am in the flesh, or operating out of my human spirit and not the Holy Spirit. If you will notice this portion of scripture added “give thanks for everything” after it tells you to be full of the Holy spirit, letting Him, the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Man, what an invitation, the worship and encouraging one another in song will be a natural out flow of your life.
Another expression of being filled with the Holy Spirit is giving thanks in and for all things. Not because God wants to hurt you, His plans are good not evil. He does give a future and a hope as He declares in Jeremiah. But if you see every pain, problem and situation as an opportunity for God to work in power and might for you and the Kingdom of God’s sake, then there will be another perspective. An eternal perspective, not earthly or temporary; one that is alive and hopeful. It is a wonderful life when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, when song flows from our heart and we are alive in our spirit. It is a great way to live in our heart; not denying the struggles and painful things we go through, but realizing no matter what we face, God is bigger still. And He will show up and work on our behalf, that HE may receive glory, not us. We will be secure in Him. There are times when believing God is on our side is hard, but He is. Believe in His heart; He didn’t save you to hurt you, but to transform you into the image of His son Jesus Christ. I want the transformation, I just want it my way and there in lies the problem…my way. But He is wiser still and He will transform us into the image of His son, His way. So in the transforming process let us trust God, anchor in Him and rejoice for He is working all things for our good and His glory.
Looking forward to new levels of faith and rejoicing in Him, we will grow in thanksgiving. It will help us keep perspective and Kingdom focused.
Pastor Darrell
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