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 Unfortunately, the initial excitement quickly wears off … technology gets outdated, vehicles get dirty and dinged, and what was new and exciting becomes “normal.”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