WHAT DO WE WANT? There are hundreds of “things” that promise to make us healthy, wealthy, and wise … there are even preachers that say if we “do this” or “give this” – we will get the miracles we need for healing and for prosperity. Of course, God’s Word teaches us that faith and obedience get God’s attention, and that honoring Him with our giving - and sowing financial seeds produces a harvest. But … there is definitely more to it than that. It’s not like we can put a quarter in a gum-ball machine and out will roll our miracle. God expects more from us than a robotic payment towards our needed victories and provision. Let’s roll back the calendar to the time of the Old Testament kings, and check out King Solomon’s character for a few moments. Something about young Solomon had gotten God’s attention, and He desired to give this new king whatever he would ask for. Though not perfect in his immature and inexperienced years, and though in later years he did not remain in full obedience to God’s covenant … at this point in his life, Solomon demonstrated admirable humility and dependence on the Lord God of Israel. He did this by asking – not for long life or for personal wealth, or for the death of his enemies – but for a discerning heart to lead God’s people. And it would seem that so impressed God that he granted him not only a “wise and discerning heart” – but so much so, that no one before and no one after would possess wisdom to the degree that Solomon did. And there was more! God gave Solomon the things he did NOT ask for: riches and honor, and a long life IF he would obey God’s statutes and commands as David, his father, had. The wisdom and the riches and the honor, Solomon definitely received. The long life – he did not. He lived to be about 60 years of age, because he did not stay true to the covenant God had made with His people. So, what went wrong? I Kings 3: 4 mentions a thousand burnt offerings that Solomon offered on that altar at Gibeon, so we know he was a generous giver. He had asked God for what was most important. Yet, he allowed his character to become flawed, and ended up being stripped of his kingdom (though God delayed that punishment and tore it away from Solomon’s son), and his promise of long life. Chapter 11:4 says that, “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” Verse 9 tells us that “God became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel …”. Solomon was given so much, and could have had even more, but his character flaw and lack of devotion to God in later years mattered more in God’s eyes than anything else. And when Solomon didn’t hold up his part, God had to follow through on His promise IF … and it was cancelled out, not by God, but by Solomon’s own actions. How incredible that a man as wise as Solomon was, could be lured away from the one true God and lose out on all God had for him in his lifetime! This should be a warning and a clear call for all of us as believers to hunger after and to pursue godly wisdom and divine discernment along with a desire to keep God’s covenant and commandments in full obedience. Only then will we receive all that God has for us … God always does His part – the rest is really up to us! Ephesians 1:17-19 says, “I ask – ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory – to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for us as Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him – endless energy, boundless strength!” Our prayer is that God will give all of us at Elevation North the gift of His wisdom so that we will do our part in obtaining all He has for us in our lifetimes!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- HOW REFRESHING and precious were the days that DJ and Melissa and Wade and Lindsay spent with us this past week! The time together in God’s House, in our home, eating around our table, hiking in the park, mini-golfing, relaxing in the water-park, eating ice-cream on a hot day, talking and laughing and taking photos, doing fun things that we’ll always remember … were definitely God’s gift to our hearts! Thanks to our church family for allowing us to take some extra hours with our family – you blessed us!
- A SPECIAL WELCOME to Wayne and to Kaitlyn and to Daryl who worshipped with us on Sunday; and it was great having some of our new-comers back with us again! We pray that all of you were blessed by God above!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, August 23rd - we will be meeting for worship at the Medford Park Pavilion on the north side of town at 10:00 a.m. and following will be a summer-fest picnic for everyone! Plan to bring a meat dish and a side dish (salad or dessert or chips, etc.) and your own table service (plates and silverware). Beverages and cups will be provided. Great food and fun and fellowship will be in store for all who come!
- TUESDAY, August 25th – JR & SR HI YOUTH will meet at Pastor’s & Debbie’s home at 7:00 p.m.
- SUNDAY, August 30th – CHILDREN’S SUMMER SPLASH EVENT with Pastor & Debbie in the afternoon; details to come! Invite friends and call us with how many are coming with you!
- SCHEDULES AND LISTS are available for those on the PASTORAL PRAYER TEAMS, and also for those who are a part of the PRAYER CHAIN! A CHURCH WHO PRAYS TOGETHER, STAYS TOGETHER!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- We are aware of divine miracles that have taken place this week, even in our own lives! Yes, God is still on the Throne and He is so very faithful! His mercies are new every morning! What a great reminder for the answers we are still waiting on Him for – with needs in our bodies, for finances, in relationships, for stepping out in faith for the next chapter of Elevation North as we begin Sunday School classes for our church family the Sunday after Labor Day, for trusting God for extra support for Seykoras for the YWAM conference in Africa. We are SO glad that OUR God is a God of MORE THAN ENOUGH!!! Let’s praise Him and thank Him in advance!
- THIS WEEK – Keep this quote in mind every day … “Hope means to keep living amid desperation and to keep humming in the darkness.” ~ Henri J. Nouwen (May everyone around us hear us humming a song of hope!)
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
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