Weekly Message: God Works in the Tough Times

This last weeks message was titled, God Works in the Tough Times.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you suddenly realized why some of the bad things that have been happening had to happen? I share with you a time in my life when I was suffering badly, and had no idea why, but some time later, understood why it had to happen.

Our passage looks at Joseph revealing his identity to his brothers, who, the last time they saw him, had sold him into slavery (we looked at Genesis 45, but the story starts several chapters before this). The idea being that while his brothers meant this as an evil thing, God used it for good. How many times do we go through really ugly times that God is using for good, preparing us for something grand to come?

If you're interested in reading the entire message, you can click on the title below:

August 17, 2008 - God Works in the Tough Times

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This weeks message...

This weeks message concerned knowing and trusting in our salvation. How can we really know for sure that we are saved. Why is it important to be saved. For these answers and more, check out this weeks message...

How Can We Really Know?

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Who are we putting our trust in...

I stopped to visit someone the other day that is very concerned with what the future will bring. She is living on a very limited income, and the price of gas is creating havoc with her finances, as it is for so many people.

But she is really scared. Concerned that things are going to really tight for everyone very soon. She might be right. The question is: Who are we putting our trust in?

Proverbs 3:25-26 speaks to this: “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”

We may very well be approaching a time when negotiating our family finances will be like walking through a minefield. But Jesus will be there to guide you. Trust in Him, and he will keep your foot from being snared.

Fellowship with the Saints...

I’ve been thinking over the last month or so that our church needs more opportunities for fellowship. I know that there is a certain amount of fellowship that goes on in everything that we do, we always visit before and after Worship services, Bible Studies, Sunday School, and board meetings. But fellowship is really important.

I was thinking about that yesterday when I was answering some email. It is the context of fellowship that Christian bothers and sisters talk about life, they comfort and encourage each others, they share their problems and struggles, and are open with each other, and others respond with an openness of their own. And that’s vital in a church.

And it’s Biblical. In Psalm 16.3, we read, “As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.”

Do you see your fellow worshipers this way? Do you realize that they are the glorious ones? Is seeing them all your delight?

Fellowship is important. We should be craving time together with fellow believers, and we should be open enough and honest enough with them to allow them to help us through the struggles we face.

Where do we go from here?

Following services last Sunday, we had a very informative discussion titled, Where Do We Go From Here: Recasting the Vision.

We talked quite a bit about what brought people to Almond Union of Churches, what they remember most about the various ministries we've offered over the years, the programs and services. We also talked about we see as the strengths and weaknesses of our church today. We got a look at where our church has been, and where it is now.

Next week after our Sunday morning service, we will conclude the discussion by looking at where we go from here. I'm sure there are some things that have been lost over the years that we might want to reclaim. I'm also sure that there are some new things that might appear, that we haven't even thought of yet!

It can be difficult to take good, hard, honest, look at yourself. But to see God in the process, that step is necessary. We've got a good start. And as long as we remember to let God lead in the conclusion, we'll be a strong church for some time!

Wrestling with God

For those of you who are interested in Sunday's message, you can see it here...

August 2, 2008 - Wrestling with God

Thanks.

the Olympic size prize...

The Olympics are in the news more and more lately. Beginning in just nine days or so, the media hype is already in near full gear. Athletes are already beginning to show up. Reporters are already flooding Beijing. And preparations are quickly nearing completion.

I love the idea of Olympic games. I have to confess that I don’t watch them, but I’m glad they’re held. The nations of the world need a forum where they can come together and play together, without all the political nonsense that gets in the way of people being human and caring for one another. The Olympics is one of the very few venues that provides that opportunity.

None of this means the athletes don’t compete at the very highest level. This is the epitome of their sport. The very biggest forum in which they can display their ability.

No one ever dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete who, after years of hard work and personal sacrifice, manages to come in fourth. Can you imagine a ten-year-old swimmer passionately describing to you how she is working toward the Olympic Games and her ambition is to finish just one place short of a medal? No way! Everyone making that trip feels they have a chance.

Paul uses this analogy for the way we are to live our lives of faith. We should be running the race to win the prize. This means doing our very best at everything we do. It means never missing an opportunity to share our faith. It means living a life transformed by Christ.

Unfortunately, our churches today are filled with people hoping to just do enough to get by. Hoping that when they get to heaven, they will have been just good enough to get in.

But our faith isn’t about doing things to get by. It’s about faith in Jesus. It’s about surrendering our lives, so we can live His life (which is way better anyway). There is no way to live a life of faith the way Jesus did, and try to be just good enough. We have to surrender everything, and truly run the race the very best we can. The prize is the Kingdome of Heaven, far more valuable than an Olympic medal.

Spiritually, are you running the race to win the prize?