MERRY CHRISTMAS (posted in advance for 12/25/11)

Today is the first time Christmas falls on a Sunday since I have been a pastor, and, I must confess, it has changed my perspective to some extent. While it has made things more complicated for scheduling family Christmas celebrations, it is also very special in many ways. For one, we have the opportunity to gather as a church family and celebrate together on Christmas day. I hope that is a great joy for us all!

On top of that, I hope that we are more oriented toward worship this Christmas, as we gather and worship through song, special music, and to hear the Word of God. Through and through, this service presents the mystery and joy of Christmas: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 ESV) I hope our time together today sets the tone for all of our Christmas celebrations. Christmas is, after all, a grand celebration of Christ’s birth! I hope you don’t neglect to read the Christmas story. I hope it never grows old. I hope you never lose the sense of wonder and God’s gift of grace and mercy in Jesus Christ!

No doubt, we will all set aside time to be with family, to have a special Christmas dinner, and to exchange gifts. Perhaps we will even think about the tradition of giving gifts, following the example of the wise men / magi, who presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. But, when the wise men came, their purpose wasn’t to present gifts … it was to worship:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2 ESV—emphasis mine)

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11 ESV—emphasis mine)

So, this Christmas, as you celebrate, don’t forget to worship Christ, the newborn King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And, may you have a truly merry Christmas!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

DISTANCE AND RELATIONSHIPS

On Thursday, a friend from Grand Rapids came to Lapeer and met me for lunch and for a bit of counsel. He has a lot going on and wanted help sorting things out. Since coming to Dayton Center, we’ve talked on the phone a few times, exchanged e-mails once in a while, and chatted on Facebook a time or two. In many ways, we had grown apart because of the distance. But, when we met for lunch, our friendship was quickly renewed.

I suspect that we all have a story like that one. Perhaps you were really close to someone when one of you moved away. And, while such things as Facebook, e-mail and Skype can bridge a distance, they can never match spending time together in person. While things will never be the same as they were, you may have been able to restore some aspect of the relationship. But, let’s face it, relationships take time and effort.

This also translates into our relationship with God. Sometimes events and trials come in our lives, and we feel distant from God. Perhaps, our devotions and/or prayer life have taken a hit, and we’ve not spent the time with God that we know we ought. Or, worse, maybe there’s sin that hasn’t been dealt with that has caused a barrier in our relationship with God. In all these cases, it’s not that God has moved away from us, but we may have pulled away from Him. If you’ve experienced some drifting away in your relationship with God, take the time today to set things right. God is always waiting for you to reconnect with Him!

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Jam 4:8)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb 7:25 ESV)

And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (Heb 10:21-22 ESV)

Always remember, God never leaves or forsakes His children!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

SNOW

Snow … to some, it’s just another “four-letter word.” I must admit that I enjoyed the snow much more when I was downhill skiing once a week, back in Grand Rapids. There are also those times of riding my nephews’ snowmobiles. But now, when the snow falls, it doesn’t mean fun. Instead, it means breaking out the shovel and getting some needed, although unwanted, exercise. It’s easy to think of all the negatives—the work, the road conditions, etc. But, if we’re not careful, we may miss out on the beauty of it all. This is where I have Bea Butler to thank. On Wednesday night, Bea commented on the beauty of the snow. That simple comment made a difference for me, and I hope it does for you.

Though the view out of my study windows is partially blocked by snow, I can see the trees in the distance that are laden with snow. Instead of the usually brown field, it is now mostly white. In addition, I’m pretty sure I saw a bald eagle on Wednesday. If it had landed in a field that was brown, it would have blended in. But, because the field was snow covered, it stood out and I could take a good look with my binoculars. Yes, the snow still requires shoveling, but I have been reminded of it’s beauty.

May we never forget that God created the beauty of nature. It screams out, “God exists!” and “God is glorious!”

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. (Psa 19:1-3 ESV)

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made… (Rom 1:20 ESV)

Even if you don’t like the snow, you have to admit that it can be a beautiful sight from time to time. Today, I hope that you notice the beauty of God’s creation and it drives you to worship Him!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

DON’T TAKE THE BAIT

On Monday, as I gazed out my window hoping to see a deer or two in the field, I saw one. Between the two fields behind the church, there is a stand of trees with a mound in the middle. Right on top of the mound was a decent sized deer. It was eating from what I assume to be a bait pile. It looked up occasionally, but mostly had its head down eating. Though I didn’t see any hunters in the field that day, that deer was an easy target from either the North or the South. It had taken the bait!

I wonder if that deer had any idea of the danger it could have been in. I know of two deer that were harvested from that land less than a week earlier, and there have been hunters in the area since then. Yet, the deer probably found the food source irresistible. I’m guessing that deer lived to see another day, but it could have easily landed in someone’s freezer or dinner table.

That brought to mind several passages about temptation:

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8 ESV)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 ESV)

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 26:41 ESV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1Corinthians 10:13 ESV)

When temptation comes, and it will, I pray that we don’t act like the deer … despite the inherent danger deciding to yield to the temptation. Instead, the instant you see the temptation, run, flee, do what ever is necessary to get yourself out of that situation before it’s too late … and don’t look back. Get to safety and pray for help! God will deliver. But, the best advice is to not allow yourself to be in that position ever again. Satan is an expert tempter, but what ever you do, DON’T TAKE THE BAIT!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

I wrote the following before I knew that Pat Neff was not going to be able to make it to Dayton Center Church. I'm sure he would appreciate our prayers. Nonetheless, here's what I wrote for our bulletin:

Have you ever noticed how Israel is almost constantly in the news. The last few headlines I have seen involve the Israel’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and the violence in Gaza. It’s not uncommon to see the name, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on Google News. And, hopefully, by now, we know the difference between Hamas (the Islamic group that governs the Gaza Strip) and hummus (made from chickpeas). Then, there was the US’ funding cut when Palestine was granted membership in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It may be challenging to make sense of it all, but it should not be surprising. Throughout history, the world has, by and large, been against Israel, and will continue to be until Christ establishes His millennial reign.

Today, we are privileged to have Bob Burkhardt’s brother, Pat Neff, ministering to us in the Word and sharing about Friends of Israel. Throughout his ministry, Bob has given us updates and prayer requests, but today we get to hear it all first hand.

If you are not familiar with Friends of Israel, here’s a short history from their website (http://www.foi.org/ourhistory):

The Friends of Israel was founded in 1938 by Christian leaders in response to the desperate needs of Jewish people afflicted by the raging torrents of Nazi hate.  Through this Christian ministry, funds were raised and aid was distributed to Jewish refugees in their darkest hours of need. Today, The Friends of Israel is an important evangelical Christian voice in opposing anti-Semitism, explaining the unique, biblical role of Israel in God’s plan and encouraging Christians to pray for Israel and support her biblical, historical, and moral rights to live within secure borders.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

IMPERFECT, BUT ACCEPTED

On Wednesday afternoon, I had quite a view out my study window. For one, there was unique cloud movement. It seemed that the clouds were coming from every angle and converging toward the North. I had also seen a deer running around in the distance, toward the tree line. And, then, to my surprise, I saw a buck about twenty feet into the grass behind the church. He was a two-pointer, but only because one of his antlers was missing. After a few minutes, I saw why he was there when a doe popped up from the tall grass. Part of me wonders if she thought him goofy-looking, only having one antler. But, despite his flaws, the doe accepted him. Eventually the couple ran off to the tree line, but it was neat to see them so close.

As I pondered what to write, that buck’s imperfection struck a chord. It really is amazing grace that God looks at us with all our imperfection and sin, and chooses to love us anyway. He not only accepts us, He made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Consider the significance of Romans 5:8-10:

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Rom 5:8-10 ESV)

We were much worse off than that one-antlered deer—we had caused a seemingly un-reconcilable offense. At very least, we were powerless to set it right. But, then, “... Christ … suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit...”(1Peter 3:18 ESV)

Praise God, that imperfect though we be, we are loved, accepted and forgiven through the blood of Christ. Thank you God, for your grace and mercy!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

THE HARVEST

The other night, I was flipping through the channels and landed on one of my favorites … the History Channel. I wasn’t finding much else to watch, so I started watching a show called “Harvest.” Having grown up in farming country and being surrounded by fields now, I’m not sure why it caught my attention, but I’m glad it did. It’s not that I’m likely to start watching the show. In fact, that may have been the last episode.

What caught my attention was their urgency. The various harvest crews were near the end of their season, and they were each in a hurry to finish the job for their own reasons: to get home, to finish the job before the crop got too dry, or to finish the job so they could harvest their own crops. At any rate, they pushed hard and finished the work.

Their urgency in finishing the Harvest reminded me of Jesus’ urgency about another type of harvest … that of souls:

Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. (John 4:35 ESV)

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:36-38 ESV)

Now, I have a few questions that we all ought to consider:
~Are our eyes open to see the harvest all around us, as Jesus did?
~Are we ready and willing to do our part, or are we content to sit back and watch it (like a TV show)?
~Do we sense just how urgent the work of the Harvest is?

I hope we catch that sense of urgency and act on it. As 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says, “...you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (ESV) So, let’s tend to the harvest, heeding the words of Christ!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

THANKS … AND PRAYER

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for your generosity, recognition, and the notes in the card given to us for Pastor Appreciation Month. No matter who you are or what you do, knowing that you are appreciated gives a boost of encouragement.

I also want to thank you for your prayers. I really appreciated Tony Gomez’ emphasis on the need to pray for your pastor. There is a reason I am listed in the “Prayer Targets” section of the bulletin every week, and that’s because I constantly need your prayers as I serve God and all of you.

I recently finished reading the book, “Preaching With Passion” by Alex Montoya. In his section about preaching with spiritual power, he emphasized our (pastors’) need for intercession by the congregation we serve, and cited three of Paul’s prayer requests for his preaching:

And [pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph 6:19-20 ESV)

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Col 4:3-4 ESV)

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, (2Th 3:1 ESV)

Montoya goes on to say,

“If such a powerful preacher as the apostle Paul relied upon the intercessions of the saints, what about the rest of us who do not hold a candle to the apostle! We should enlist our people to pray specifically for the proclamation of the Word on the Lord’s Day.(37)”

If you’re reading this, consider yourself enlisted.

So, I ask you once again to include me in your prayers … for God’s wisdom and direction, and, like Paul (but minus the prison part), for my proclamation of the Word.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

OBSCURED VISION

A little over a week ago, I walked into my study to an unusual sight. Usually, I can see out of the big picture window that overlooks the fields to the north of the church. However, on this day, the view was obscured. At first, I blinked a few times and wondered if something was wrong with my eyes. But, then, after a second or two, I put two and two together and figured out that the paint crew had put plastic over the window to keep the paint off. Instead of the usual beautiful landscape, all I saw was a cloudy piece of plastic drop cloth. I knew what was on the other side, and could picture it in my mind, but not being able to see it was an odd, and disappointing feeling.

I wonder if Paul felt the same way when, guided by the Spirit, he penned the words 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. (ESV)

“In an mirror dimly” sounds kind of like my obstructed view that day. I think we Christians all long to see Christ face to face. We’ve probably pictured Him in our minds a thousand times. Yet, that picture is terribly clouded. Through our Bible study, we do know Him in part, but we long to know Him fully, and to see His face.

That sense of longing is both healthy and hopeful. It helps us to “Set [our] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Col 3:2 ESV) It also helps us picture what we have to look forward to, even if our current view is obscured.

So, today, I encourage you to meditate on the words of Paul (above) and also on 1 John 3:2 (below), and consider our hope.

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1John 3:2 ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

TUSCOLA COUNTY CHAPLAIN’S CORPS

As many of you know, I’ve been interested in Police Chaplaincy for some time. With the approval of the Tuscola County Commissioners this past week, we are finally getting “the Corps” off the ground. What you may not know is what that means or involves.

The Tuscola County Chaplain’s Corps is a group of clergy who will volunteer with the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments. At some point in the near future, we will be sworn in as Chaplains, and there will most likely be a press release about the Corps. So, what will we do? Well, here’s what our Guidelines document says:

The Tuscola County Chaplain’s Corps is comprised of chaplains who provide pastoral services to members of the law enforcement departments serving Tuscola County (enlisted and civilian) and their families. They will be available to participate in departmental ceremonies and meetings, accompany deputies and officers on duty, and perform other related services. When requested, they may counsel members and their families, visit sick or injured members, perform wedding ceremonies, and officiate at department funerals.

In many ways, serving as a chaplain is an extension of my ministry here at Dayton Center Church. It is a unique way to reach into our community and provide a service that is greatly needed. As a general rule, this will mean spending a day or two per month with an officer or deputy. As we ride along with, and get to know, the officers and deputies, we will offer spiritual and emotional support. We will also be available in the event of natural disasters or other situations where the law enforcement community requests our presence. We will not be considered deputies or officers, but have the designation of “chaplain.” We are not authorized to carry firearms, but will wear bullet-proof vests and assist the officers/deputies as they request and direct.

We would appreciate your prayer as we continue to make progress with the Corps and eventually begin to build relationships with our law enforcement personnel. It will take a while to build trust, but we believe that it will be a meaningful ministry to our community. With God’s help, we can make a big difference in many lives.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

WHY?

Those three little letters and a question mark pack quite a punch, don’t they? Whether it’s the child who is beginning to assert his or her independence, questioning the instructions of mom or dad, the man or woman who has lost their spouse of 50 years unexpectedly, or something in-between, the question “Why?” often arises when our circumstances don’t make sense to us. Sometimes the question is a matter of curiosity, but more often, it runs much deeper than that. In times of distress or confusion, we feel like we have a right to more information … that someone owes us an explanation. At times, that may be true, but we won’t always get an answer.

Then, another question arises. When life doesn’t make sense, and we don’t get any answers, what will we do … how will we handle that? Will we get angry? Will we withdraw? Or, will we turn to God with a resolve to trust?

Consider Job, who had lost everything while walking faithfully with God. He didn’t know what we know from Job 1—that this was a test of his faithfulness, allowed by God. Maintaining his innocence, Job effectively asked, “Why?”
"I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high? Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does not he see my ways and number all my steps? (Job 31:1-4 ESV)

The book of Job never tells us that God answered Job’s “Why?” Instead, God questioned Job and his demand for an answer in an incredibly humbling manner (read Job 38-41). In the end, Job took a step back, repented, and confessed his reliance on God’s sovereignty (Job 42:1-6). Even when life didn’t make sense, Job chose to trust God.

Maybe your circumstances are trying, and you are asking “Why?” Maybe you’re not voicing the question, but it’s there, and you’re not getting any answer(s). That’s where faith comes in. It’s easy to say that you trust in God, but now that the trial is here (and the answers are not), what will you do? I hope you resolve to trust God. He may not get you out of the trial, but He will carry you through. Sometimes, like Job, we have to be OK with not knowing “Why?”and trust God’s hand.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

BUMPS IN THE ROAD

Living in Michigan, we all know what it’s like to drive down bumpy roads. Sometimes, we will even take alternative routes because of them. But, then, there are times when we are cruising along and we hit a pothole or something that we just couldn’t avoid. Once in a while, we may damage our vehicles, but usually we are just jarred, and can keep going. Oh, the joys of living in Michigan... But, as you may suspect, I’m not just talking about our physical roads. I’m also talking about the roads of our lives, which can be pretty bumpy.

Sometimes, we are cruising along in life—things may be going well, or at least uneventful, then, WHAM! Something unexpected and maybe unfortunate happens. You’ve hit a bump in the road. Jesus told us that “...In the world you will have tribulation...” (John 16:33 ESV). Still, when it happens, it takes us by surprise, and it’s not easy to “count it all joy … when you meet trials of various kinds...” (James 1:2).

The real question is, how will we respond? Will we buckle under the pressure, or will we “...take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Eph 6:13 ESV)? Sometimes the correct response is just that … to stand firm. While psychologists speak of two typical responses: fight (take the offensive / go on attack) or flight (run away from the problem), Christians have the third option of standing firm and relying on God in our times of confusion, disorientation, frustration, and/or hurt. But, that option comes from a life lived relying upon God, in the good times as well as the bad. If you’ve been walking with Him, you’re more likely to keep walking with Him when you hit the “bump in the road.”

Whether you’re cruising along or dealing with a bump in the road, keep your eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). Remember, His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our paths (Psalm 119:105). Rely on Him!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

FALL SEASON

It seems hard to believe, but the colors are already starting to change, and fall is upon us. The kids are back in school, and Olympians and Teen Club are in full swing. There are things I look forward to, and others, not so much.

In the next few weeks, the look of the landscape will change, as leaves turn from green, to brilliant oranges, reds, and yellows. There will be some places that we just want to stop the car and look at the beauty of fall. But, then, jackets will become a necessity and our “snow birds” will soon start making their trips south, and we will miss them.

Through it all (the things we like and the things we may not), I hope that we take a step back and remember that our God is still in control, overseeing His creation, for “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 ESV) When we see a beautiful landscape, let’s remember that God declared His creation “very good.” Yes, it has been corrupted by the fall (of man, not the season), but still, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalm 19:1 ESV)

Even more, remember how much God values you:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Mat 10:29-31 ESV)

Finally,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:6-7 ESV)

Remember, God is there, He knows what you’re dealing with, He loves you, and He’ll carry you through!


In His grip,
Pastor Decker

NATIONAL BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY

Today is National Back to Church Sunday. While we should always be inviting people to come to church, this Sunday is a focused effort, mobilizing God’s people to reach their friends and neighbors.

Back to Church Sunday is a national movement of churches to encourage formerly churched people to rediscover church and try it again. According to LifeWay Research, 38 percent of people are receptive or highly receptive to attending church. 82 percent say they would be open to attending church if a friend invited them. But, unfortunately only 2 percent of active church-going Christians invited someone to church last year!

Hebrews 10 gives us a reminder about the importance of gathering together and encouraging one another:

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb 10:23-25 ESV)

This world tries to tell us that religion is just a personal thing, and it doesn't matter what you believe … you just have to be true to yourself, and not violate your own beliefs. However, God’s Word says differently. Jesus made an exclusive claim that offends many today: “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) And, he formed us into a body, called the church (Col. 1:18). He never meant us to “go it alone.” We need each other (1 Corinthians 12).

Whether you’ve not been to church in a long time, or if you’ve not missed a Sunday in a long time, I’m glad you’re here. I hope that you find and extend a warm welcome, and that you are built up in Christ this day!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

PRAYING FOR WISDOM & DIRECTION

Do you read and pray through the “Prayers and Praises” insert in our bulletins? I hope so. And, I hope you read and pray through ALL of it. At the top of the list are three items that haven't changed in a long time, nor will they. One of those requests is for God’s direction and protection as we serve Him. It’s the first part that I’d like to focus on today.

One verse in particular comes to mind” “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (Jam 1:5 ESV) After that, there are a couple of Psalms to consider:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psa 16:11 ESV)

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; (Psa 31:3 ESV)

Praying for God’s wisdom, direction, and guidance fit together perfectly, don’t they? And, God has promised to give generously to those who ask. But, I wonder how often we miss God’s direction and wisdom because we’re really seeking his affirmation of our own plans. Deep down, we believe that God knows best, and we even pray that His will be done, but are we really willing to lay aside our own wills and desires, submitting them to Christ? Are we willing to consider the possibility that God’s wisdom and direction may conflict with our thoughts on any given matter? What do we do when God leads in an uncomfortable direction? I hope that we can let go and heed the words of Job 12:13; "With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.” Are we ready and willing to follow His lead? I hope so!

In all things, I covet your prayers for God’s wisdom and direction … for me, your deacons, and all the people of Dayton Center Church!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

A PARADIGM SHIFT FOR PETER

Paradigm: a pattern, model, or way of thinking

As I was reading Acts 10-11 this week, I was struck by how shocking the events of this passage must have been to Peter … they must have rocked his world, causing a paradigm shift.

Here was Peter, accustomed to Jewish tradition and practices, having never eaten “unclean” meat, but getting pretty hungry. Someone was preparing food, and the aromas must have intensified the longing. Suddenly, he was in a trance and seeing a vision, but it didn’t make sense. Just to make sure he got it, the vision happened three times … a sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds, and the voice calling “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter’s mind instantly raced, seeing that there were unclean animals in that group, and he protested. Then, the voice came again, “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

Still Peter was perplexed. This was different than he had been taught his entire life. This was different than the convictions of everyone he knew. But, Peter would soon find out that the vision wasn’t just about food, it was about people too. Soon he would find himself ministering to, staying with, and eating with Gentiles. How could it be?!?! Just a day ago, he would never have imagined it. Yet, it was all part of God’s plan.

Peter had to adapt quickly. He had to instantly change his ingrained way of thinking. And, then, he had to defend himself against his peers. Yet, Peter broke the mold, and I’m glad he did! Because of Peter’s audacity and willingness to change, God did a mighty work in the people (Gentiles) that Cornelius had gathered together. They were saved, and the Spirit was poured out on them. The evidence that God was reaching out to the Gentiles was indisputable. Through Christ, God could and was making Gentiles clean. Further, in just a few verses, the term “Christian” was first used … and that in a Roman colony.

For Peter, it took a powerful vision and divinely ordered events to change his paradigm, and in turn, to change the world. The mission hasn’t changed, but our world has. Are there changes that need to happen to our ways of thinking so that we can and do reach the lost? What will it take for us? God, please mold us and shape us, so you can use us. Amen.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

WHERE’S THE BATTLE?

The other day, I was flipping through the radio stations as I drove, and I heard the distinctive, familiar, voice of Alistair Begg. There’s something about that Scottish accent that makes you stop and listen every time. He was preaching from Ephesians and talking about how we sometimes forget where the real battle is. We get caught up in a lot of things that are either temporal or surface issues. We get upset at politics and news stories, but give little thought to the real battle … the spiritual battle.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12 NIV)

Do we really realize that there is an ongoing spiritual battle? When we get upset, whether it be at politics, the news, or even our spouse, do we consider that the “spiritual forces of evil” are often at work? Maybe they didn’t generate the problem, but it’s very likely that they are intensifying it.

How about our prayers? Are we praying for revival in the church and community? Are we praying that God would restrain the “powers of this dark world” so that Christ’s light would shine all the more brightly?

Do you daily “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Eph 6:11 ESV) Today, I encourage you to take a good long look at the world through your spiritual eyes and ask God to help you see what’s really going on out there. Take a few minutes to read Ephesians 6:10-20 and make sure you are prepared for battle!

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph 6:13 ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

ACCESS

Over the past couple of weeks, a lot of work has gone into increasing the accessibility of our church to people with disabilities. As a handful of people worked together, progress was made, and there is now a ramp on the east side of the church. Yes, there is more work to do, but the progress has been significant. And, for some people, it should be much easier to get into our church building … those who struggled, or just couldn't make it in, now have access.

Having access … that’s significant. Have you ever wanted to go somewhere, but did not have access? Perhaps it was a trip you wanted to take, but didn’t have the funds. Perhaps you wanted to meet a dignitary or famous person, but had no means. Or, have you wanted to fix something, but just couldn’t reach what needed to be fixed with the tools you had?

Any of these could be points of frustration and/or disappointment. But, can you imagine the frustration of not having access to God? What if we had to go through all kinds of rituals and cleansings (i.e. Old Testament sacrificial system) in order to set things right with God? What if our prayer requests had to go through a priest, instead of being spoken directly in our time of need? Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus Christ has granted us direct access to the Father? With the help of the following verses, I invite you to consider what a great gift that access is:

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 3:11-12 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. (ESV)

Access to the Father in prayer is indeed a great gift. Never neglect it!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

WHAT’S BELOW THE SURFACE?

This week, we began the groundwork for the ramp that will eventually be on the east side of the church building. As we dug down, to level the ground, we found an unpleasant surprise. Just below the surface was a fair number of decent sized rocks and pieces of concrete. I’m sure that when they were put there, it seemed like easy fill, and that no one would ever have to remove them. But, we did have to remove them. Sure, it was more work, but the rocks and concrete had to go.

Sometimes it’s unpleasant to discover and/or deal with whatever lies just below the surface … and I’m not just talking about our work project. I think that most people have things that lie just below the surface, that they are afraid to let other people see. It may be a hidden hurt that we just can’t bring ourselves to talk about. Maybe it’s a struggle that we don’t think anyone would understand. Or, perhaps, it’s sin that hasn’t been dealt with, and we don’t think that anyone can tell. While we may be tempted to say that it isn’t hurting anyone, that statement is rarely true, especially when it comes to Christians. We are meant to be interdependent, functioning as a body. Remember 1 Corinthians 12:26-27:

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (ESV)

Whether it’s in a counseling session, when someone finally reveals that hidden struggle and seeks for help, or in life, when that problem or sin is finally confessed and dealt with, there is often a newfound freedom. Let’s face it … secrets always induce fear … fear that someone will find out, or fear of what people will think. And, there are no secrets from God … He sees everything, and still loves you.

Is there something that lies just below your surface? Have you talked to God about it? Is it time to talk to someone else about it? What’s stopping you? Fear? It may not (and probably will not) be easy, but dealing with it is part of being more pliable for the Savior. Remember Isaiah 64:8, “But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” (ESV) Let’s make sure that we are all good ground … pliable clay … for the Master’s use!


In His grip,
Pastor Decker

CHOOSING YOUR WORDS

About a month ago, I received a call from Ed at WMPC, the radio ministry of Calvary Bible Church in Lapeer. They asked if I would be interested in recording 5 or 6 “Pastor’s Minutes.” Though they should be recorded by the time you read this, I’m sure it will be a challenge. A “Pastor’s Minute” is comprised of about 10 seconds of introduction and then 50 seconds that are mine. When you only have 50 seconds to say something meaningful, you have to choose your words carefully. I had to edit and re-edit what I plan to say, cut some comments, and rephrase other things to save precious seconds. Each word mattered.

Today, we live in a culture where people feel free to say anything they want to say, without filtering it or considering the implications. How many times have you been in a public place where there are children and heard someone swear without concern for the kids? Another dangerous trend is the idea of “venting.” Instead of controlling their tongues, some people speak their minds without thinking and “let it fly.” And, I’m not just talking about non-Christians here. While many Christians do not swear, many feel free to “speak their mind,” when they should be biting their tongues and considering the impact their words could have on others and on their own testimonies. I wonder how many people have left the Church (or a church) because of careless words spoken by Christians — the number is not insignificant. Words can hurt people deeply.

So, today’s encouragement and exhortation is to choose your words carefully. Consider how they might impact others. Filter what you say and discern whether it is Christ-honoring. If it’s not, don’t say it! Consider the following verses, which were written to Christians!

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

1 Peter 3:10 For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; (ESV)

Finally, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…” (Col 4:6) so that people can see Christ in what you do and don’t say!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

THE SERPENT

On Wednesday morning, just before VBS started for the day, we had quite a commotion behind the church. The boys were all excited and wanted to see … many of the girls ran the other way, not wanting to see … a garter snake! I’m told that one boy picked it up. Another boy came around the church carrying part of an old snake skin. Needless to say, there were a variety of responses, and a lot of noise.

Now, I don’t mean to make your skin crawl. What I do mean to do is to draw attention to a conception that we have of Satan, who is often described as a serpent in the Bible. When we hear this, we may picture any variety of snakes we see today, and are instantly repulsed. We may even ask, as some have, “what was Eve doing talking to the serpent in the first place” in reference to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5).

However, the serpent (Satan) in the Garden of Eden, must have been an attractive creature. As unimaginable as it may seem, the conversation was probably very natural, right up until the time the Serpent (Satan) twisted God’s instruction. Further, there was no fear between man and animal, as the Fall was only beginning to happen. Ezekiel 28:11-19 compares the king of Tyre to Satan, and describes both as beautiful creatures, before their respective (and paralleled) falls:

11 Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me: 12 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. (Eze 28:11-13 ESV)

While we are right to think of Satan as a roaring lion, or any other threatening images, we would be wise to remember that he can present himself in a rather attractive manner. He is a master of disguises: “...Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” (2Co 11:14 ESV)

So, today’s encouragement (exhortation, really) comes from 1 Peter 5:8; 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

“LET THE CHILDREN COME…”

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the kick-off for Vacation Bible School 2011. I, for one, am thankful to have “Uncle Al” back again, and for all who have volunteered to help again this year. Many of you have already put in hours of work preparing for the kids that will be here, and will spend many more hours with them this week. Thank you for your dedication and willingness to serve! As we begin this week, I would like to remind you of a few things.

First, while the disciples saw the kids as a hindrance to the Rabbi’s work, Jesus saw them as essential to His ministry:

Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." (ESV)

While you may have many things that you would like to accomplish this week, and have many demands for your time, remember that Christ made time for the children and gave them a high priority. Second, the faith of a child is a reminder of how we all ought to come to Jesus. Remember, this isn’t about us, it’s about the Savior who beckons us to come to Him.

Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (ESV)

Third, we don’t have to do this on our own strength, which would be futile. We are serving Christ, dependent upon His strength. He will supply your needs this week! After all, we are serving Him (see Matthew 25:37-40). Wait on Him ...

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV)

Finally, and above all else, remember to pray .. For the kids, and for everyone involved!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

LIBERTY

With tomorrow being the 4th of July, it seemed appropriate to “talk” about liberty. Dictionary.com defines liberty as, “(1) freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control, (2) freedom from external or foreign rule; independence, (3) freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.” I think you get the idea. We have great reason to celebrate and thank God for the liberty & freedom we enjoy in America!

When you think of liberty, what symbols come to mind? I suspect your thoughts might include the Statue of Liberty or the Liberty Bell. Maybe you thought of the “Stars and Stripes” (our flag). But, what about the “scars and stripes” of our Savior, or the cross?

[Christ] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-- by whose stripes you were healed. (1Pe 2:24 NKJ)

Now, I don’t mean to discount the price that was paid for our national freedom or say that we can’t celebrate Independence Day. It is a great privilege to worship freely! What I am saying is that, as we celebrate our American liberty, we should also celebrate our Christian liberty, and specifically, our freedom from the tyranny of sin. Remember the words of Jesus and James:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19 ESV)

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (Jam 1:25 ESV)

Through Christ, we have been set free from the “arbitrary … control” of sin, but we are not truly independent. Instead, we are humbly dependent on God, who sustains us, gives us strength, and leads on the path of righteousness. May you follow that path of liberty and righteousness all the days of your life!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

THE PATIENCE OF GOD

Just over a week ago, I began a Bible reading schedule that will take me through the Bible in a year (there are copies on the table in the back of the sanctuary). I decided to ignore the dates given, and start out with Genesis1 ... that seemed better than starting with 1 Kings 20-22. One of the passages I read this week was the account of God’s promise of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17-18.

One great thing about regular Bible reading is that it never gets old … there’s always a new insight to be gained as you delve into the Scriptures. While I’ve read this passage many times before, the thing that struck me was that both Abraham and Sarah laughed when they heard the announcement about Isaac’s upcoming birth. Can you really blame them? They were around 100 years old, and they had just been told that they are going to have a child. While they lived longer then (Abraham was 175 when he died), Genesis 18:11 makes it clear that Sarah was beyond child bearing years.

But, then, this was a message from God! It seems to me that laughing at the impossibility (probably in disbelief) of a direct message from God would be a very dangerous thing. God struck people dead for what would seem to me (and David) to be lesser offenses (i.e. 2 Sam 6:6-8). God would have been justified in striking both Abraham and Sarah dead on the spot. Or, consider Zechariah in Luke 1. He questioned Gabriel in a similar manner and was struck mute until John the Baptist was born. But, God was patient and understanding of Abraham and Sarah. God stuck to His plan; Isaac was born, and eventually Jesus came through that bloodline. Praise God for His patience. We would be lost (eternally) without it!

I hope that these verses are an encouragement to you today:

Exodus 34:6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (ESV)
Psalm 86:15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
2Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Today is a day for honoring or remembering our fathers. If your father is living, make sure to make a phone call and let him know what he means to you. If not, take a moment to remember him. In either case, consider what you learned from your father. In what ways are you like him (good or bad)? What good traits should you emulate with your children (if you have them)?

I was fortunate enough to have a father who loved God and took care of his family. While I sometimes wish we would have been closer, I am grateful for the times we spent together, especially in the barn, working on motorcycles and snowmobiles. I never picked up his mechanical ability, but I did learn to tinker, and can often figure out a way to make things work. I must admit that even after 11 years, I still miss him. Praise God, he is in heaven!

Even as you celebrate Father’s Day today, please remember what a privilege it is to call Almighty God, Father:

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" (ESV)

Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (ESV)

Remember, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 ESV) God established the Sabbath to be a day of rest, commanding that we “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8 ESV) When correcting the Pharisees, Jesus told us that "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." (Luke 6:5 ESV) Today, we set apart Sunday, in recognition of Christ’s resurrection, as the Lord’s Day. But, whether it’s Sunday or any other day of the week, it’s still the Father’s day. Never fail to remember Him or thank Him for what He’s done. Always seek to emulate His good character.

While your father may have failed you, your Heavenly Father never will. So, happy Father’s Day to one and all!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

STAYING HYDRATED

As many of you know, I am once again coaching minors baseball (ages 7-10) in Kingston. This past Tuesday was a warm night, to say the least. One of my concerns was that the kids stayed hydrated. With temperatures in the 90’s, I made sure the kids took time to take a drink. Some kids were quick to take a drink, and others only went when they really needed it. Thankfully, we didn’t have any problems, but I think everyone was ready to be done when we ended the game.

We, as Christians, aren’t much different. We all need to stay spiritually hydrated. I’m reminded of Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman by the well (John 4). Jesus had to be parched from a long journey when He asked the woman for a drink. After she expressed her shock that a Jew would ask a Samaritan woman for a drink, Jesus offered her a drink of a different type; Jesus offered more than the temporal, yet needed, refreshment … He offered her the eternal refreshment that could only come from the “living water” offered by Jesus:

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14 ESV)

Jesus’ offer is still available for those who seek Him and ask. But, just like the kids on my ball team, you have to go to the water source to get hydrated. If you just sit there and complain about being thirsty, nothing will change. But, if you get off the bench to get a drink, your will get your thirst quenched.

Are you thirsty? Do you need spiritual refreshment? Well, then, get “off the bench” and go to the source of living water, Jesus Christ, through prayer and Bible Study. He will refresh your soul. Stay spiritually hydrated, my friends!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

STORMS PASS

Over the past couple of weeks and months, we’ve seen and heard about many storms. While we’ve been threatened (last Sunday night, we had a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning), I’m thankful that the damage in our area has been minimal. Yet, sadly, these storms often leave destruction in their wake. Throughout our nation, there are many who have lost their homes and loved ones because of tornados and flooding. While it’s not nearly as bad, water in our basement and downed tree limbs can be a matter of frustration and can be expensive to take care of. But, enough of the bad news. How about some good news? Storms pass.

At some point in time, I started watching a couple of fishing shows on the Discovery Channel: “The Deadliest Catch” and “Swords: Life on the Line.” Whether it’s fishing for crab or swordfish, these can be dangerous jobs, especially in stormy weather and/or hurricanes. To make their living, they have to fish through a lot of weather, but, occasionally, they have to seek shelter. Nonetheless, after a time of rough seas, the storms pass, and they go back to fishing … life (and work) goes on.

While we may not face hurricanes or 30 + foot seas, we still have our storms. But, not all storms are weather related, are they? Whether it is a matter of health, finances, stress, or any kind of trial or temptation, we call these troubling times “storms.” And, these kinds of storms also leave destruction and trouble in their wakes. Perhaps you are in a storm or recovering from one now. If you are, please be encouraged by the thought that storms pass. Further, God is our shelter in the storm: “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. (Psa 57:1 ESV)”

Brother and/or sister, please remember that the storm will pass, and God will shelter and carry you through.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Memorial Day

May is quickly drawing to a close, and Memorial Day is upon us once again. For many, this means the beginning of summer, vacation time, and the camping and barbeque seasons. But, we would be amiss is we neglected what the holiday stands for.

For those who like history, I have included a snippet from http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html, which seems to be accurate when compared to several other websites, including the Veterans Administration (http://www.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp):

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

So, today, I encourage you to thank those you know who have served in our armed forces, pray for those who are currently serving, and pray for those who have lost loved ones while serving in our military.

And, as you remember the price that was paid our freedoms and the freedoms of others, remember the price that was paid by Christ for our freedom from the tyranny of sin, and thank Him for His ultimate sacrifice!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

DISCIPLESHIP

This past Wednesday night, we began a new Bible study series, using Ray Vander Laan’s “Faith Lessons” DVD series, and starting out with “In the Dust of the Rabbi.” The first session challenges our thinking about what it means to be a disciple. I don’t mean to be redundant, but today I’d like to recap, and build on, some thoughts from our first session.

When you think about “discipleship” today, what do you think of? Chances are it involves Bible Study (whether as an individual, a small group, or in Sunday School / Church). It probably also includes a time of prayer. It may even involve some spiritual mentoring from a respected church leader. All these things are good and important, but they can still miss the point of discipleship. As Ray Vander Laan suggests, while discipleship does involve learning, it is ultimately about becoming like Jesus.

In Bible times, few could become disciples. First, they had to exhibit extraordinary ability and understanding of the Scriptures. Second, they had to get the approval of the rabbi they wanted to follow. Then, they had to leave everything behind as they, quite literally, followed in their rabbi’s steps as they sought to become like him. Ultimately, when the rabbi was satisfied, the disciple could be turned loose to teach others.

If we are truly to be disciples of Jesus Christ, it requires everything of us. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mat 16:24) It doesn’t mean an easy life, either. It involves doing everything we can to become more like Christ. Think about what that means for a minute. How well did He know the Scriptures? How did He respond when He was crucified? How did He treat the outcasts of society? (I could go on…)

Discipleship is serious business! And, we’re not only called to be disciples, but to make disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). Today, I challenge to you examine yourself and ask yourself what you can do to become more like Jesus. Then, do it! “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phi 1:6 ESV) Press on, disciple of Jesus Christ!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

A STUMP, A MERRY-GO-ROUND, & FORGIVENESS

When I look outside from my study window, I can see reminders of what has been. One reminder is a stump from a tree that was recently removed from the north side of the church. The stump is so fresh that the color of the wood has not begun to fade. If I had the desire, I could even count the rings from my office (with the help of a pair of binoculars).

The second reminder, however, is not so vivid. In fact, I’ve never seen what was there ... but I’ve been told about it. If you know where to look, you can see a circle in the grass where a merry-go-round once was. But, if you didn’t know where to look, I doubt you would ever notice it.

So, that explains the reference to a stump and a merry-go-round in the title, but what about forgiveness? Please bear with me as I explain the connection. We all have things, sins and mistakes in particular, in our lives that we would rather forget. Yet, past happenings have had an impact on our lives, and usually do leave a mark. Perhaps it is faded, like where the merry-go-round was, and few can see or remember what was there. Or, perhaps the mark is more fresh, like the stump, and the memory is painful and the ramifications are still evident. In either case, and as I’ve said several times before, “Satan reminds us of where we’ve been, but Christ reminds us of what He’s making us to be (See Rev. 12:10; Rom 8:29; 1 Jn 3:2).” Fellow Christian, I think we have a harder time moving on and forward than God does. When Satan reminds you of the marks of past mistakes and sins, remember and remind him of these verses:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. (Psa 130:1-4 ESV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jo 1:9 ESV)

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psa 103:11-12 ESV)

If you are a child of God, you may bear the marks of past sin, but remember, you also bear the mark of Christ, which says, “Forgiven!”
In His grip,
Pastor Decker

OBSTRUCTED VIEWS

Last April (2010), the church voted to remove the pine trees that stand on the north side of the church. This week, they were finally taken down. One of those trees stood just outside the window of my study. During the winter, it was often a beautiful sight, with all the snow on its branches. In the spring, it became home to an annoying robin that kept attacking the window, leaving a mess and making a lot of noise. But, now, the tree lies on the ground. As I look out the window, I can now see much more of the landscape. Until this week, I never considered how much that tree obstructed the view from my study. It was never frustrating (other than that pesky robin), but it is kind of nice having a better view.

I’m sure that we’ve all been frustrated, a time or two, about an obstructed view. Maybe it was a taller person who sat right in front of you at some event. Or, perhaps it’s been a tree or shrub that blocks your view at an intersection. What is your example?

Scripture gives a rather pointed example of an obstructed view, and I think that it occurs far more frequently than any of us would like to admit:

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Mat 7:3-5 ESV)

While this text deals with the hypocritical correction of another Christian, I think that there is a broader application to be gained, and this is the matter of “obstructed views.” Is there something that is obstructing the view of your spiritual landscape? Sin and bias are probably the top two offenders that keep us from seeing things as they are. Sadly, we can go for long periods of time without noticing the impact they have. Today, I encourage you to ask God to reveal any “obstructed views” to you, and take action to remove them. Then, take a good, long look at your spiritual landscape to get an accurate view. While it may be painful, I promise you that it will be rewarding and freeing.

God, grant us the eyes to see things as you see them. Amen.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

HIGHER GROUND

From time to time, we all need a boost. Sometimes the need arises after stressful or challenging events that have gotten us down. Other times, it may be a busy day or week that has been tiring. It could even be as simple as a rainy, cloudy day that puts us in a bit of a funk. Many things can impact our mood and/or attitude in an adverse way, and put us in need of a “pick-me-up.” And, pastors are not excluded, especially after holidays like Christmas and Easter. After the anticipation and excitement wears off, there is often a bit of a crash. One of the newsletters I received even had an article about the “Post-Easter Blues.” I don’t mean to complain, but do mean to touch on something most people try to avoid. It seems to be taboo to admit that we’re feeling a bit down in the dumps. We all get there, but hopefully, we don’t stay there too long.

As I was sitting in my study, considering what to write today, the chorus of a hymn popped into my mind: “Lord, lift me up, and let me stand, by faith on heaven’s table-land, a higher plane than I have found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground.” (Higher Ground, by Johnson Oatman, Jr.) That chorus gave me a bit of a boost today, and encouraged me to think of the “higher ground” that I am already on because of Christ. Now, consider the verses of that song:

I’m pressing on the up-ward way, new heights I’m gaining every day; still praying as I on-ward bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

I want to live above the world, though Satan’s darts at me are hurled; for faith has caught the joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height, and catch a gleam of glory bright; but still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

Fellow Christian, whether you’re “down in the dumps” or soaring on eagle’s wings, remember that you are already on “higher ground” with Christ. May you find new strength in Him today!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

Handling Busy Weeks

We all have weeks that are busier than others. This has been a busy one for me. I’m not complaining … I’m just calling it as I see it. For me, it was the combination of a funeral, Good Friday Service, and Easter Service. Looking forward, I saw a lot of long days and expected to be pretty drained afterward. Looking back, it really wasn’t that bad. But, if I had tried to do it on my own, it probably would have been. What made the difference? I can narrow it down to one word: Prayer.

Prayer is powerful on so many levels. For one, it’s a conversation with the Almighty. Knowing that God hears when His children pray is encouraging. [2 Chr. 7:14; Jer 29:11-13] On top of that, Jesus is interceding before the Father. [Romans 8:34]But, it doesn’t stop there, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf when we don’t know what to say [Romans 8:26-27].

But, then, there’s the human side. Prayer reduces 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 the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 4:6-7 ESV)

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:6-7 ESV)

When we fail to pray, we tend to take everything on ourselves, in our own strength. When we pray, however, we both draw upon His strength and leave our burdens at His feet.

So, next time you feel a busy week coming on, instead of cutting back on your prayer life, double it. Listen to Martin Luther’s perspective on a busy day: "I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer." You may not need to take three hours in prayer, but don’t short change your prayer life! With the extra time in prayer, I suspect that you will find you have sufficient time for the demands that face you. Before all else fails, PRAY!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

WHAT IS YOUR HEADING?

Over the past few months, I’ve watched a show on the Discovery Channel called, “Out of the Wild: Venezuela.” This show follows several volunteers who are dropped off in a remote location with a little survival training, a few supplies, and a map showing how to get to the next checkpoint. As they proceed on their journey, it is vital that they pay careful attention to where they are at and where they need to go. Can you imagine being lost in the middle of Venezuela, with no signs of civilization? But, paying careful attention to their location, map, and compass, most finished their journey without quitting.

Every Christian is on a journey. The Bible is our map, and the Holy Spirit is our compass, pointing us in the right direction with the use of the Scriptures. However, sometimes we can get disoriented and lose track of where we are. This is a dangerous place to be, and it is so easy to get there. That is why it is so imperative that we constantly check our heading and ask ourselves, where are we at, where are we going, and how do we get there? Lamentations 3:40-41 says, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven.” If we just keep going without self-examination (our ways), referring to the map (the Bible) and/or paying attention to our compass (the Holy Spirit), we will soon find ourselves in a desperate situation. If, however, we are careful to “test and examine our ways,” we may realize that we are off course before we find ourselves in too much trouble. Remember,

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him. (Lam 3:25 ESV)
For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; (Psa 31:3 ESV)

So, in closing, I ask, “What’s your heading?” Are you where God wants you to be? If not, get back on track and in-tune with God!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE...

As I prayed and considered what to write for today’s bulletin / blog, James 4:7 came to mind; “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (ESV) While much could be said about submitting ourselves to God, I’d like to focus on the second half of this verse, and ask the question, “What does it mean to resist the devil?”

I suspect that we all have ideas of what it means to resist the devil. One idea might be something along the lines of the “just say no!”campaign against drugs. Another idea might involve claiming Jesus’ name and status as one of His children. Or, perhaps, you are thinking more along the lines of avoiding or running away from temptation. All of these ideas have merit, but I don’t think they are exactly what this passage has in mind. To get to the heart of the matter, we really need to look beyond the word “resist” and take a look at the Greek word behind it.

The Greek word behind “resist” is ἀντίστητε. The Greek dictionaries show the strength of this word with such definitions as, “be in opposition to,” “set oneself against,” “hold one’s ground,” and “to stand in opposition to.” (BDAG, Barclay, and LEH) Another one gives the following explanation: “to oppose someone, involving not only a psychological attitude but also a corresponding behavior - 'to oppose, to be hostile toward, to show hostility.' (Louw & Nida)”

Those strong words show us what it takes to “resist the devil” so that “he will flee from you.” It goes beyond just saying “no” and involves active opposition to, and hostility toward, the devil. There is no passivity, whatsoever, in this resistance. And, it isn't just an “in the moment” thing. It is something that must be part of our lifestyle and way of thinking. It requires us to go on the offensive, putting Satan on the defensive, and eventually to flight. And with God’s help, he will flee! So, stand strong, and resist him!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

“GLORIOUS DAY”

One of my favorite music groups recently recorded a song that I think we all know well. In our hymnal, it’s called, “One Day!” The remake is called, “Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me).” Whether you prefer the version in our hymnal or the version sung by Casting Crowns, the chorus is still powerful:

Living, He loved me;
Dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He’s coming—
Oh glorious day,
Oh glorious day! *1

In that chorus, we have the essentials of the Gospel: Jesus’ perfect, sinless life, His substitutionary death (atonement) on the cross, His victorious resurrection, and His future, glorious return. That covers Jesus’ part of the Gospel, but we all must respond —either in faith (with repentance, embracing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior), or rejecting the Good News. Eternity hangs in the balance.

As we draw nearer to Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter, I encourage you to think about the impact the Gospel has had on your life. Throughout the month of April, consider, or meditate on, the words of this hymn/song, and I suspect that you will find a fresh gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and your salvation. Whether it’s coincidence, or not, that this chorus formed a cross shape above, in all things, remember the cross of Christ and the wonder of salvation! And, if you haven’t yet responded in faith, “...Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2 ESV) Find forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ today, and you will find that is truly a “Glorious Day!”

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

*1 By J. Wilbur Chapman (1910); Mark Hall, Michael Bleecker © 2009 Word Music, LLC, My Refuge Music, Sony/ATV Tree Publishing

“MESSAGES FROM GOD”

Pastor Zach Bartels, a friend of mine from seminary, posted something to Facebook that caught my attention. Here’s what he said;

“Dear Facebook: Those ‘Messages from God’ (ya know, that app with the cloud-writing)? They're not really from God. It's just some dude who writes his own folksy thoughts and attributes them to the Almighty. Just thought you'd want to know…”

Out of curiosity, I did a search for “Messages from God” on Facebook, and found several groups, pages, and apps. The one that Zach was referring to had “303,406 monthly active users.” In the grand scheme of things, that’s not a lot of people, but, it does give evidence that a lot of people are looking for, and longing to hear, a “message from God.” The big problem is that many people don’t (or won’t) recognize it when they see or hear it. Either that, or they look in all the wrong places, whether it be an “inner voice” that comes through meditation, a motivational speaker or spiritual guru, or “some dude who writes his own folksy thoughts and attributes them to the Almighty.”

The good news is that true “messages from God” are readily available to much of the world. But, you have to look in the right place! The Bible is the definitive and complete “message from God.” If you want to hear what He has to say, spend regular time in His Word. As Hebrews 4:12 says, “... the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)

And, it doesn’t take long to see that true “messages from God” are all around us ... from the person holding up a John 3:16 sign at a ballgame to the many Bible verse posted on Facebook to the hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of Bible applications for our phones and computers. So, to everyone who is looking for “messages from God,” I dare you to read the Bible. It IS the message from God that you’ve been looking for!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

EVENTS IN JAPAN

As I walked over to the church on Wednesday morning, I saw the cloudless blue sky and thought, “what a beautiful day.” At the moment, my biggest concern was about trying not to splash any mud onto my pant legs as I walked between the snow banks and the really muddy parking lot. Then, my mind went back to the images from Japan that we’ve all been seeing on TV; entire villages (and cities) reduced to piles of rubble, people gathered in shelters with no place to go and little, if anything, to eat, people waiting for hours to get into stores with empty shelves, and thousands of people unaccounted for. First a 9.0 earthquake, then a tsunami, and now a nuclear crisis … could it get any worse? I think the answer is “yes” when you consider the following statistics from OperationWorld.com:

Population of Japan: Roughly 127 million
People groups: 34 (68 % unreached)
Religions:
Buddist: 69.59 %
Christian: 1.54 %
Evangelicals: 0.5 %
(The remainder is not noted)

Even with so much devastation, so few answers, and so much loss of life, these figures make the picture look more bleak … so many people living and dying without Christ, facing a hopeless eternity. Our hearts should be broken.

Today, I encourage you to pray in three ways. First, pray for the people of Japan- that God would draw many people to saving faith in Jesus Christ through this crisis. Second, thank God for the blessings, safety, and eternal hope that we enjoy as His children. Finally, pray for those around you who are living without Christ, and, therefore, without hope.
In His grip,
Pastor Decker

DISPOSABLE (OR NOT!)

Many things we deal with in today’s society are disposable. With most things being mass-produced, it is often cheaper or more efficient to simply replace something that has broken or become worn out. While those who lived though the great depression often saw things differently, we hardly give a thought to throwing something away. Case in point—a pair of my shoes. Just before the beginning of this week’s deacons meeting, the sole on one of my shoes separated from the upper part. My initial thought was something to the effect of … there goes another pair of shoes. However, Pastor Mead had another thought when he saw it … he saw something he could fix with the help of some “Shoe Goo.” He took the shoe home with him, and I suspect that I’ll have it back (and wearable) by the time you are reading this.

What does this have to do with anything? Well, I, for one, am thankful that God does not see us as I saw my shoe … we are not disposable. The Cathedrals sang a song entitled, “He Didn’t Throw The Clay Away.” Take a look at the first verse:

Empty and broken, I came back to Him,
A vessel unworthy, so scarred from sin.
But He did not despair...He started over again
And I bless the day, He didn't throw the clay away.

As Isaiah 64:8 says, “But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” At any point, God would have been justified in throwing any or all of us sinners away. But, Instead of giving up those He would call His children, God continues to shape and reshape us. Praise God for that! As the old hymn says, “Redeemed - how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am. (Redeemed, by Fanny Crosby)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

THE SUN AND THE SON

Jesus often used common things to illustrate a point He wanted to communicate. Granted, Jesus was far more effective than I’ll ever be (I don’t quite think people will be reading this two thousand years from now), but I’ll follow the lead of the Great Shepherd with a natural illustration.

On Tuesday morning, I decided to shovel away the snow left in a drift by the church’s back door, in preparation for Thursday’s restocking of the food pantry. It was a sunny, but cold day, and the drift wasn’t going to disappear on its own. By the time I was done, most of the snow was gone, but some snow and ice still remained. That didn’t worry me, because I figured that with most of the snow removed, the sun would warm the concrete and melt what little was left … and I was right. So, what’s my point, you ask.

Just as the snow was a barrier to the sun warming the concrete and melting the ice, so can there be barriers to the Son warming our hearts and melting away what encumbers us. Like removing the snow, it may take some action by an outside source, namely the prompting and conviction of the Holy Spirit. But, once that happens action is required on our part. In the case of sin, clearing the way for the Son to warm our hearts usually requires confession, repentance, and setting things right. With other barriers, it requires diligent prayer, day after day. In some cases, it may even require professional help. But, once the barrier is removed and Christ warms our hearts, our whole outlook is changed, and we can move forward in our relationship with Him and in the work He’s given us to do.

Do you have any “snow drifts” getting in the way of God warming your heart today? If so, pray for God’s help, and then, do your part to remove it/them. Then, pay special attention to the words as we sing the first verse of Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee and make it your prayer today:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

FADING BEAUTY

This morning (Wednesday), when I looked out the kitchen window, I saw a beautiful sight. Many of the trees behind the parsonage were coated with a fine layer of ice, which the sun made to sparkle. There was one small tree just behind the house that really drew my attention. Normally, during the winter, it looks like a barren branch, but this morning it looked quite different. As the sun shined through the ice, it was really beautiful. In many ways, it was a winter wonderland. It’s amazing what God can do with a little water and sunshine!

But, now, it’s nearing 11 AM, and the ice has melted. What once was glimmering is now either evergreen or brown. How quickly the beauty has faded! It’s much like Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (ESV) There is much in this world that looks beautiful, exciting, and glorious at first, but the splendor quickly fades. Perhaps it is a new computer, TV, or car that you’ve been thinking of. Unfortunately, the initial excitement quickly wears off … technology gets outdated, vehicles get dirty and dinged, and what was new and exciting becomes “normal.”

Now, I don’t mean to sound negative … that’s not my purpose. It is fine to enjoy those moments of beauty and excitement, but we mustn’t get too caught up in the things that lose their splendor. Instead, we should focus on what lasts, as Colossians 3:1-2 reminds us; “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (ESV) Further, we’ve been promised “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1Peter 1:4 ESV)

So, when you see a thing of fading beauty, let it lead to think of eternal beauty, and ultimately into worship of our God who is the creator of beauty and is eternal beauty in Himself.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE: A Perfect Trio

There are three Bible passages that include faith, hope, and love. When I think about these words together, the first thing that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1Co 13:13 ESV) If you prefer the King James Version, you will find the word “charity” rather than love, but the word used here is agape, which is often described as unconditional love.

The other two passages that include faith, hope, and love are as follows:

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 1:2-3 ESV)

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (1Th 5:8 ESV)

It surprised me that more verses don’t put faith, hope, and love together. They fit so well together ... they form a perfect trio, blending together in a perfect harmony. If one were missing, their beautiful song wouldn’t sound right. If we don’t have faith in Jesus Christ, we don’t have true hope. Without hope, our faith would waiver. Without the agape love of God, we would have neither faith nor hope—both faith and hope are rooted in the love of God.

It seems to me that faith, hope, and love are inter-related, and they all play vital roles in the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 13, faith, hope, and love, are gifts from God that endure. They help us minister to others and grow. In 1 Thessalonians 1, they are active parts of the Christian life (work of faith and love, steadfastness of hope). In 1 Thessalonians 5, they are protective in nature, as part of our spiritual armor.

Without faith, hope, and love, where would we be? Today, I encourage you to reflect on what God has provided us in the perfect trio of faith, hope, and love!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

HOPE: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Over the past few weeks, I hope that you’ve seen several ways in which the Christian hope is much different than the hope of the world. First and foremost, the Christian hope is not rooted in ourselves, our experiences, or any other person—all of which will disappoint at some point in time. However, the Christian hope will never disappoint, because it is rooted in God, His character, and His promises. Those relying on the things of the world to provide hope are sure to falter, “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa 40:31 ESV)
As we wrap up this mini-study, I’d like you take a look at our acrostic one more time:

Heart-level / Heart-felt
Optimism
Persevering
Experience

Now, let me put it into a sentence, or definition format: The Christian hope is a heart-level, heart-felt optimism, rooted in the person, character, and promises of God, that perseveres any and all experiences we may face. Hope is that “confident expectation” that no mater what challenges you may face, God will carry you through. And, while God’s ways may not always make sense to us, we remain confident that His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours. (Isa 55:9). Even better, we have a bright future—an eternity of enjoying His presence in a new heaven and earth, where His glory will provide all the light we will ever need (Rev. 21-22)! Oh, what a day that will be!

In closing, then, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom 15:13 ESV)
In His grip,
Pastor Decker

TRUE HOPE OVERCOMES EXPERIENCE(S)

In this life, we all have a variety of experiences. Sometimes we experience victories. Victories show us what we are capable of. They also give us courage for facing the next challenge that comes our way. Victories make us feel good. But, victories can also lead to pride, when we celebrate what we have accomplished without giving God the credit He deserves. While we can humbly accept recognition when it comes our way, we should be quick to give God the glory, recognizing that, “In [God] we live and move and have our being,” (Act 17:28a ESV) and “... in him all things hold together.” (Col 1:17 ESV)

Other times, we may experience defeat or a crushing blow. At these times, we are tempted to despair. We all know what it feels like to be knocked down. Even Paul knew this feeling: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Co 4:8-9 ESV) But, that’s where hope in God comes in:

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (Joh 16:33 ESV)
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. (1Jo 5:4 ESV)

Finally, much of life is lived in the daily grind … the normal, ordinary, mundane things of life. It’s neither victory nor defeat, but something in between, and we just keep plodding along. While it may be fairly comfortable, that’s a dangerous place to be, because we can become (or think we are) self-sufficient. If we’re not careful, we can just keep going without giving thought to God. However, Paul reminded us that we must live all of life to God’s glory; “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31 ESV) Or, Like Peter, if we take our eyes off of Christ, we will quickly find ourselves sinking (and experiencing defeat).

Whether you are currently experiencing a time of victory, defeat, or the mundane, it is vital that you maintain perspective and maintain hope. Remember that God is still on His throne, and he cares deeply for you! If you are a born again child of God, remember, He’s got you firmly………………………………In His grip,
Pastor Decker

TRUE HOPE PERSEVERES

Let’s take a moment to review our HOPE acrostic. First, hope is heart-level (and hear-felt). It comes from (and is rooted in) God alone, and it changes how we see the world. Next, hope produces realistic optimism. How can we be optimistic in this broken world? We are optimistic because we realize that God is still on His throne, He loves us very much, and He’s promised us a brilliant eternal future. That brings us to today … true hope perseveres.

Perseverance isn’t a term we hear very often any more. Just for reference, here’s what Dictionary.com has to say: “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.”

Perhaps another word we could use is “endurance.” Consider the connection between hope and endurance in the following passages (italics are added for emphasis):

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1Co 13:7 ESV)
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Rom 15:4 ESV)
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Rom 5:3-5 ESV)

Hope doesn’t mean that the going will always be easy. I think we’ve all lived long enough to know the truth of that. But, hope does mean that we will make it through (persevere) whatever challenges we may face … if we keep our eyes on Christ, relying on His strength and looking forward to the future He has promised. So, whatever you’re facing, persevere with hope!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

HOPE PRODUCES REALISTIC OPTIMISM

Dictionary.com lists several definitions for optimism. Among them are: “the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things,” “a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome,” and “the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.”

While the pessimists among us might be tempted to say, like Scrooge, “Bah! Humbug!” All Christians should have a realistic optimism. While we recognize that our circumstances may not always turn out very good in this life, we know that God is still in charge, and He can use even our most discouraging times for His glory or to mold us into His image:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Rom 8:28-29 ESV)

It is the knowledge that God loves us and is working in our lives that helps us “see the best in all things.” Ultimately, we’ve been promised a “favorable outcome”—an eternity with Him in a new heaven and earth (Rev. 21-22). If we take the time to read Revelation 20, we find assurance that “good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.”

Yes, we admit that we will have hard times, but that is not the end of the Story!

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 ESV)

The Christian’s optimism isn’t rooted in this world, it’s rooted in eternity and the promises of God, who will never leave us nor forsake us! While the Christian life won’t always be easy, it does have the best possible outcome—an eternity with our Savior!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker

TRUE HOPE IS HEART-LEVEL

True hope is something life-altering, that changes how we see the world. It isn’t merely something intellectual - that we think in our heads. Rather, hope resides in our hearts … it’s a heart-felt, confident expectation that is rooted in the person of Jesus Christ and the promises God has made to those who love Him.

This is where the world’s concept of “hope” has gone wrong. So many times, hope is reduced to little more than a wish or desire: i.e. I hope the Lions win today. Lets face it, those of us who like to follow the Detroit Lions have had to settle for something less than a confident expectation of a win. I’ve even heard people proclaim, “the Lions didn’t lose today” on Sundays when the Lions didn’t play. That kind of “hope” will surely disappoint.

The Christian’s hope, however, will not disappoint! While we will face trials and tribulations, we know in our hearts that God is faithful and He will carry us through! We know that His Word (the Bible) is Truth, and what God promises is sure to happen. While the head may question, the heart is resolute and unwavering. It’s not something that comes from within, but rather something that God places within the heart of a believer. So, this week I encourage you to celebrate the hope that is within you and meditate on these verses:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer 29:11 ESV)

… the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psa 147:11 ESV)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever... (Psa 146:5-6 ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

HOPE ACROSTIC

You may have noticed a new verse on the inside of your bulletins last week. It was Paul’s prayer for the church of Rome and it’s my prayer for you for 2011:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

We all need hope! Thankfully, God has provided it in the promises of Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. As I was considering and praying about what to write, an acrostic for the word, “hope,” came to mind. What is an acrostic? Webster defines an acrostic as “a poem or other arrangement of words in which certain letters in each line, as the first or last, spell out a word, motto, etc.” I’m sure there have been others, but here’s what came to me:

Heart-level / Heart-felt
Optimism
Persevering
Experiences

Over the next four weeks, I’d like to take a look at each of these. Just to give you a taste, here’s an idea of what each of the terms means to me. By “heart-level”, I mean something life-altering, that changes how we see the world. By optimism, I’m not merely referring to thinking “happy thoughts,” but a positive outlook on life that is based in eternal life … it’s that “confident expectation” of what is to come. Persevering refers to the aspect of hope that helps us work through our trials and tribulations. “Experiences” refers to our temporal experiences - past, present and future, and the recognition that true hope overcomes anything we might face.

So, for this week, keep your eyes on Christ and your heart set on the hope that He has given us!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker