Thanksgiving

The cover of this week's bulletin has a picture of an overflowing cornucopia, indicating an abundant harvest. Paired with that is Psalm 34:8, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (NKJV)”
I think that this pairing is good for a few reasons. First, as we look at the overflowing fruits and vegetables, our minds race to a wonderful thanksgiving meal. I can almost taste the turkey and cranberry sauce … and then there’s the pumpkin and/or apple pie. Yum! My mouth is watering, how about yours.
Then, we read Psalm 34:8: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good …” Have you tasted and seen that God is good? Or, put another way, have you experienced the goodness of God? I trust most of you have. That is what thanksgiving is all about … remembering the goodness of God and taking the time to give Him thanks.
It isn’t primarily about a family gathering, though we can and should enjoy that as God allows — and thank Him for that. It isn’t primarily about a large meal where most of us tend to overeat—though we can and should thank God for His provision, by which we can enjoy such a meal.
It IS primarily about God … and his provision for our needs, both physical and spiritual. He created us to be whole
beings, and cares about both the physical and spiritual. He provided salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, and for that we should be eternally thankful.
Yet, he also cares for our physical needs. Sometimes he provides the income we need for our own sustenance. Sometimes He provides for our needs through others (family, church, assistance programs, etc.) We may not have it as well as we might like it, but basic shelter and food are core needs. And God provides, time and time again. Don’t forget to give Him thanks on this Thanksgiving and always!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker

God's Sovereignty and Our Place in Life

For my personal devotions, I have been reading from Charles Spurgeon’s devotional, Morning and Evening. Tuesday evening’s devotional struck me. Here is an excerpt:

“Remember this: had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you had the choosing of your lot, you would soon cry, ‘Lord, choose my inheritance for me, for by my self-will, I am pierced through with many sorrows.’”1

In these few words, Spurgeon has made a profound statement about God’s sovereignty and our place in life. Some may call it fate, but “fate” ignores the fact that our creator is actively involved in our lives. As David reflected, he proclaimed, “...All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:16 NIV)” Both David and Spurgeon have acknowledged God’s ordering of our days. Have we acknowledged the same?
God allows us to walk through both joys and sorrows. God also allows us to make choices, for which we are responsible. Nonetheless, it is all allowed by God, and he sees it all.
What a great thing it is to rest in the assurance that God is in control. Though the times may be rough, we know that God is there and knows all about our circumstances. Sometimes those circumstances are for our learning and growth. Sometimes God uses them to work out His eternal plan. Though we might like to know the detail, we often don’t. In the mean time, we press on and press forward as, 'In him we live and move and have our being' (Acts 17:28).
In His grip,
Pastor Decker


1 Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, ed. By David Otis Fuller, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1948.

Overwhelming Worship

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about worship lately. While worship can occur in many contexts, my thinking has focused on the corporate worship at Dayton Center Church. Yes, we did a study on worship in August & September, but that was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Let me ask you a question … When was the last time you engaged in worship of God and felt a shiver run down your spine? I’m not talking about a cold, spooky shiver, but the kind that happens when you realize that you are in the presence of God. It’s a sense of being in God’s throne-room, like Isaiah experienced:
Isaiah 6:1-3 … I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
There’s a sense of awe, a sense of wonder, a sense unlike anything else we might experience. All else is left behind as we consider the glory and splendor of God Almighty. It is like the scene we are told about in Revelation 4:11, where the 24 elders cast their crowns before the throne of God and cry out, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
That kind of worship has transforming power because of the Holy Spirit. It is not about the experience itself, but about God, Himself. It is not something that leads to pride in what we have accomplished or experienced, but an overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude before our Savior. I pray that God would guide and empower us, so that we truly worship in spirit and truth … that we would be overwhelmed at His grace and glory … that we would realize that we are coming before His throne … that we would experience that sense of awe and wonder… and worship Him!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker