MIND BOGGLING … EXCITING … all at the same time! What are we talking about? Well, nothing other than the LIVING WORD of God! It IS alive! It literally “jumps” off the pages of the Bible and enters our heart, soul, and mind. But it doesn’t just stay there for the moment; it takes up residence! And once there, it begins its life-changing work. It definitely is not lazy; doesn’t slouch around on the couch of our heart; it goes to work right away. It starts to speak. It actually makes sense ~ LOTS of sense! It seems to know what we need most at that very moment. At times it seems like a cheerleader, an applauder, an encourager. Other times, it seems like a teacher, a counselor, a tutor. Then there are times when it seems to be a Father – correcting, disciplining, shaping. That part seems to be the least pleasant; yet we like what we become when He’s through with that particular lesson! Sometimes we feel the embrace, the grace. We’ve cried out, and the answer has come wrapped in love and comfort and peace. When the storms of our souls rage and the trials and tests have just about taken their toll; the Word comes in like a flood with its rescuing power ~ and we experience divine deliverance! Much of the time, it extends friendship like no other; it’s a relationship that we can count on because while we change, the Living Word never does. In fact it tells us that “Jesus Christ is the same: yesterday, today, and forever.” We would add an exclamation point there! How’s that for a “forever friendship”? It promises us gifts for this life – and rewards for all of eternity. That’s better than any birthday or holiday celebration we’ve ever had, believe me! After reading in the book of Daniel late last night and first thing this morning, God led me to the New Testament in 2 Corinthians. Let me just take you on a little tour so you can experience what I did! First, I saw a man wholly devoted to God, the Living Word, who in the face of a signed death sentence, didn’t let that phase him, but “continued to pray just as he had always done.” Result? Thrown in the lion’s den. Result? Spared by his God who locked the lion’s mouths shut for the night! Result? The king’s proclamation “to every race, every color, every creed on earth, that Daniel’s God should be worshiped and feared in all parts of his kingdom; that He is the Living God, world without end.” Fast forward to the apostle Paul’s writings. Here’s a teensy, tiny synopsis of chapters 4-5-6. “Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we’re proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you … If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us … We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized … we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken ,,, So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace … The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever … The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead … He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less … That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet … It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? … Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions … That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God … His love has the first and last word in everything we do … He included everyone in His death so that everyone could be included in His life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own … Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively … God Himself put it this way, ‘I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people … So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good … Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.’ The Word of the Master, God.” (from The Message Bible) We encourage you to take time to read the entire three chapters to get the entire message that Paul wrote as he was inspired by God … LIVING WORDS from God’s heart to yours!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- THE LORD’S SUPPER was so meaningful to each of us who partook of it this past Sunday; how wonderful to focus on what the Lord Jesus did for us through the gift of His very life and shed blood!
- OUR THANKS & APPRECIATION to Isaac for helping with our portable music system each week for our time of worship; God bless you, Isaac!
- BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Shirley Jones who celebrated this past Friday! And to Isaiah … (Pastor’s and Debbie’s grandson) who turned 4 on the same day! We love you both!!
- WHAT A GREAT TIME the Jr and Sr Hi Youth had at the new waterpark last evening; perfect weather and perfect opportunity to enjoy each other surrounded by God’s beautiful outdoors! Thanks to Isaac and Christian for the awesome root beer floats afterwards!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- NO YOUTH THIS TUESDAY, as Pastor Doug and Debbie will have family visiting with them all week!
- THE FOLLOWING WEEK of our Steele County Fair will provide a time for our youth to meet up on the fairgrounds and enjoy an evening together – watch for the details!
- MARK ON YOUR CALENDARS: Sunday School classes begin the Sunday after Labor Day!
- WITH A LIGHTER MINISTRY SCHEDULE this last month of summer vacation, take the extra time to celebrate “family time” and growing in the Lord with each other! Make some new memories together!
- THIS SUNDAY: Don’t miss out on great worship and preaching and fellowship with a church family who loves you and cares about you! One last additional message from Habakkuk on “THE BIGGER PICTURE!” And what will Pastor D have to share about during our “elevate kidz” time?! Come and see!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- Of all the things we do this week, nothing will be more important than lifting up these people and their needs before the Lord: Tina’s gramma in Chicago is doing better – PTL!; comfort for Star and her family in the loss of their mom; recovery for Tina following this week’s procedure; continued healing for Julia’s brother, Jim, and for Pam’s dad, Lynn; healing for Samara from paralysis; for financial needs, for spiritual needs, for major, urgent, unspoken requests, and for the ongoing ministry of Elevation North, that God might be glorified and souls reached for His Kingdom! Let’s pray fervently, and thank God in advance for His answers!
- THIS WEEK ~ Discover the joy of hearing God speak to you through His Living Word every day!!! Write “time with God” in your daily appointment book ~ and it will be the best appointment you have all day long!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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