FINDING STRENGTH

This week, I’ve decided not to say much. Instead, I’ve put together a few passages about finding strength, no matter what we face. As Mercy Me put in their song, “Word of God speak. Would you pour down like rain, washing my eyes to see Your majesty. To be still and know that you're in this place, please let me stay and rest in your holiness, Word of God speak!” May these passages minister to you today.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 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. (Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV)

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 ESV)

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

ICY ROADS

It may have surprised some people, but Wednesday was a “snow day” without a lot of snow. I don’t know about the other schools, but I heard that two buses from Kingston went into the ditch on Tuesday morning. While the main roads weren’t too bad, I’m sure the back roads were pretty icy.

That got me thinking … our lives are often like that. When we are cruising along on the main roads—times when things are going as planned and, for the most part, we know the course—it’s fairly easy to keep plugging and chugging along. However, it’s the back roads that are challenging and tricky. These are the times when things don’t go as planned—when people say something that hurts you, when your plans change (or get changed for you), and times of uncertainty. Just like many dirt roads, these times are riddled with potholes and other obstacles. While the main road seemed fine, these times can be like icy back roads. They require more diligence. You have to slow down and pay careful attention to both the path and how you’re navigating it. If you don’t you could easily find yourself in the ditch, or worse. Without intending to, you could find yourself doing damage to yourself or to others.

Let’s face it, it doesn’t take much to get us off track, so let’s be careful in both the good times and the rough times! Consider the instruction in Proverbs 4:23-27:

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, stay on the straight and narrow way, and, whether literal or figurative, watch out for icy roads.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

STANDING OUT IN A CROWD

Once again, as I sit down to write, I look out on the landscape and something catches my eye. Off in the distance I see two white birch trees on the edge of the woods to the north of the church building. It’s a beautiful and unseasonably warm day for January, but it’s the sunshine illuminating those birch trees that makes all the difference… they almost glow in contrast to the grey-brown winter woods.

That contrast reminds me of how a Christian should stand out in this dark world. Consider the following passages, which speak of Christians as bearing Christ’s light:

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Ephesians 5:8-9 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)

Phillipians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Just as those birch trees stood out from the rest of the woods as they reflected the light of the sun, all Christians should stand out from the crowd as we reflect the light of the Son! They should see the hope within us, as Peter wrote in 1 Peter 3:15:

... in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (ESV).

I pray that our lives are so filled with the hope that is ours in Christ that the world sees us “glow” with His light. Let’s stand out from the crowd in a good way … that attracts people to Christ!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker

NEVER ALONE!

Often as I ponder what to write, I look out on the landscape outside my study window, asking God what He wants me to write this week. Sometimes an idea pops into my head right away. Other times, it takes a while. Today, I noticed the few trees that are scattered throughout the field. Most of them are small evergreens standing alone at various places in the field. Directly north of the church, there are two groupings of three or four trees that are in close proximity. If I look beyond the field, I can see several other groupings of trees, ranging from a few dozen to the heavily treed area beyond the fields. And, as you may have suspected, I’m going to spin this into an analogy.

The trees in the landscape remind me of our varying circumstances as Christians. Some Christians may be the only Christians in their families or workplaces. In those settings they may stand alone. But, if the trees in the field could see, they would notice that there are other trees around … maybe not in close proximity, but, still, they are there. Sometimes Christians can feel like they are alone, but we are not. Just take a look at Elijah in 1 Kings 19. He felt all alone, and didn’t see any other followers of God anywhere near Him, but God told Him that there were still seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. If that’s where you are at today, remember the words of 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong,” and that Christ has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5 ESV)

Sometimes, we may be in small clusters of Christians, whether they be our family or friends that share the faith. Other times we may be in a larger group, whether it be dozens, hundreds, or thousands of other Christians. In these settings, we can strengthen and encourage one another. Keep pointing each other to Christ!
No matter your setting, or the number of Christians around you, remember the instruction of Hebrews 10:23-25 and take it to heart:

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.

Fellow Christian, please remember, you are never alone!


In His grip,
Pastor Decker

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For those of us who still use a wall calendar, today we not only turn the page … we have to take down our 2011 calendar and put up a new one for 2012. While the transition may hardly be noticeable to some, we move from a year of filled with memories—some good, some not-so-good— into a year that has yet to be defined.

When it comes to 2011, each of us could probably come up with quite a list of memorable events and occasions—some of which we cherish, some of which we would rather forget. Whether or not you make such a list, I ask you, what did you learn in 2011? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn about other people? Most importantly, what did you learn about God and how have you grown in your walk with Him? Take some time and reflect, but don’t get stuck in the past … reflect with an eye for the future.

When it comes to 2012, I imagine that the year holds some uncertainty for all of us. Some may wonder how their health will hold out in the new year. Some may wonder what opportunities will arise throughout the year or what changes might occur. Maybe you have vacation plans that you have been anticipating and now the plans need to start materializing. Inevitably, some will approach the year with fear and trembling (and not in a good way) as they anticipate cataclysm on December 21, 2012 (doomsday prediction / end of the Mayan calendar).

As for me, I’m not going to waste the year in worry. Oh, I may have a few moments, but no matter what people think will or will not happen, God is still on His throne! Jesus gave us some pretty clear instruction to this end: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Mat 6:33-34 ESV)

I’m going to head into the new year with the same resolution Joshua exclaimed: “... as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15) As Psalm 9:10 says, “… those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” So, instead of worry, I will approach 2012 with anticipation and curiosity at what God will do in the year ahead. And, as your pastor, I encourage you to do the same.

In His grip,
Pastor Decker