In Times of Struggle ...

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge …” (Psalm 61:1-3a)

Have you ever prayed this passage in an hour of struggle. Maybe you haven’t prayed these exact words, but I suspect the sentiment of this Psalm has been on your heart at one time or another.

Though we know God hears our prayers, sometimes, in our weakness or weariness, we cry out, “God, please hear me.” That is just what David did in this Psalm. He knew that his heart was faint. He was probably running out of both physical and spiritual strength. But, instead of just withdrawing and feeling sorry for himself, he knew where to turn — to God.

David recognized that though he may be feeling pretty low, God is our refuge, and asked to be led to the “rock that is higher than I.” Like someone looking up from a valley, the mountain tops are in sight, but seem unreachable. Yet, God can take us there. And, when God leads us to that “rock that is higher than I,” our vantage point changes. Suddenly, we can see more than we could from the valley … we can see life on either side of that low point … and we are granted hope. We also realize that God can, and will, carry us through.

What ever you may be going through, remember that God hears our prayers and will provide refuge. Whether you are in a valley or on a mountain top, God wants to lead us to “the rock that is higher than I.” Remember, “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:6)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Clean Worship

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been listening to the Books of Leviticus and Numbers while I exercise. That’s right, listening. It’s amazing what you can do with today’s technology. With an I-pod and the Bible loaded onto it, I can listen as Max McLean reads through the Bible, while I do some exercise. It’s both a physical and spiritual workout—and, both are quite beneficial.

As I listen through the Books of Leviticus and Numbers, I am once again impressed by the holiness of God and filled with gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. As Hebrews 10 reminds us,

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:11-14 ESV)

As I listened to the details of what kinds of sacrifices were to be offered for various circumstances and sins, and how each sacrifice was to be offered by the priest, I am grateful that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross took the place of all those sacrifices. God’s holiness requires atonement for sin. Christ provided that … and I am amazed and grateful.

And, then, there’s the testimony of how seriously God takes sin and impurity. I thank God that we do not have to go through the same purification rituals that are described in Leviticus. On the other hand, I have to imagine that these rituals forced the people to take worship and God’s presence very seriously.

I encourage you to spend some time in prayer before the worship service begins. Remember, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) May we remember His holiness and enter into worship, today, as a cleansed people!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Corey Sanders

This has been a rough week, hasn’t it. The week began with a light heart, planning to celebrate Pastor Mead’s 50 years of ministry. Then, tragedy struck, and the Mead’s grandson, Corey Sanders, passed away unexpectedly. In a moment, the mood changed from anticipation of celebration to shock and heartache. In the midst of that heartache, we do find hope, though. That hope is the testimony that Corey knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Though most of us can hardly imagine the pain the family is going through, let us all remember the truth of 1 Corinthians 13:12: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Corey’s faith has now become sight. Worship of God from a distance has now become worship of God, sitting at His feet. Corey’s Savior has welcomed him home. But, please, pray for the family as they get used to this earthly home without Corey.

In times like these, it is imperative that we remember that God is still faithful and His ways are often mysterious. This day, I encourage you to ponder the words of Isaiah 55:6-11:

6 "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

In His grip,

Pastor Decker

Readjusting Our Schedules

Another Labor Day Weekend is upon us and, for many, it’s time to readjust our schedules once more. Last week, I asked you how you had spent your summer. This week, I ask you, how will you spend the fall? If we never take the time to consider our priorities, they are guaranteed to get out of order. So, I invite you to consider the many things that will be vying for your time with an “eye” for which things are the most important. What things do you have to schedule in to make sure that they don’t get pushed out of your busy day(s).

When wrestling with the futility of life apart from God, The author of Ecclesiastes (most likely Solomon) wrote the famous words found in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...” While we may be quick to say, “I’m too busy,” or “I’m too tired,” to do something, we always seem to be able to accomplish the things that are our highest priorities. Now, I’m not pointing any fingers. What I am doing is encouraging all of us to be good stewards of our time and ask ourselves whether God would be pleased with how we use it.

Is there something that you sense God is calling you to do that you have made excuses for? Are you using your gifts, talents, and abilities to glorify God? As you consider your priorities and schedule for the Fall, please remember that you are part of a body, and you are needed:

Ephesians 4:15-16 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker