WHAT ARE WE MAGNIFYING? Deep disappointments come more frequently than we care to acknowledge … but what happens when they do? Do we magnify THEM or do we magnify GOD?! Sometimes it’s a good thing to do a self-evaluation and ask ourselves a few tough questions. Like: do we choose to love God because it’s easy? Do we choose to serve Him because it will never be hard? Do we say we’ll follow Him because there will never be any trials or tests? Do we live in obedience because we will never have questions or setbacks or disappointments? And once we search our hearts and truthfully answer those questions, then we can get to the point of magnifying our newest disappointment – or – MAGNIFYING OUR GOD! Which will it be? Inside, there swirls a turmoil of emotions. Lots of people can honestly say, “You know, we’ve tried; we’ve given it our all … we’re tired, exhausted, and discouraged. What more can God want from us?” Well, fear not – you’re not alone! Any of us could find scores of buddies to share our disappointments with! But what God wants from us – is our trust. He wants us to know that what He calls us to do … He will enable us to do, not by our might – but by His power. He wants us to know that no matter what things look like on the outside, there’s another side that’s viewed from Heaven and He wants us to see it, too! He wants us to hang in there and not give up. The next person we meet could be changed for Eternity – because of us. The next person we share Christ with could become this generation’s Billy Graham – because we cared about their eternal destiny. The next person we reach out to could be in our eyes “the world’s worst sinner”, but could be transformed by God to bring an effective message of hope and life for the millions who are yet lost. The next person we talk to could be the one that comes alongside us to bring some encouragement and hope our way, saying, “Brother, sister … I’ve been called to stand in the gap with you. I’m here to jump on board with you and do whatever it takes to make a difference!” Sometimes we just need to hear that from one person … and we find ourselves being lifted up by that personal love and care and commitment. Other times, it does our heart good to know that someone else is signing on to help advance the cause of Christ! Isn’t is amazing how what seems insurmountable or impossible with just one or two working at something – when a few more put their hearts and hands to the job, it gets done much quicker, and with seemingly less effort! We’re so glad that God teaches us in His Word to stay the course and not be tossed about by our disappointments ~ or we’d be all over the place every single day! We encourage you to go to the New Testament and read the Faith Chapter in Hebrews 11 and take a refresher course in how so many of our spiritual forefathers down through the ages went through their trials and tests – and BY FAITH, came through as over-comers! They finished what they started, because they kept their eyes on Jesus! We love the instruction recorded for us in Hebrews chapter 12 in the first few verses: “Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (The Message Bible) How we love it that we can MAGNIFY OUR GOD and find hope for every disappointment – promises for every need – and answers for every question … if we study how HE did it – how He BEGAN and FINISHED the race! We can do the same ~ with His help! So, onward, dear ones! We’re running with you … to Jesus, and for Jesus!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- WHAT A PERFECTLY BEAUTIFUL LORD’S DAY to worship in the park at the pavilion and later to enjoy some wonderful home-cooked food provided by each of our families – and fun on the playground last Sunday! And …
A SPECIAL WELCOME to Destiny, Trinitee, and Zaylee, as well as Kathy’s mom, who all joined us in worship at the park! We pray you sensed God’s love and ours!
- REMEMBER GIVING UP SOME COFFEE, SOFT DRINKS, AND A FEW LUNCHES so we could give a love gift to Samara in her time of need? We passed the cash on to her, and this is what she wrote back to us this week: “Doug, Debbie, and church, Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and money donation. It fills my heart to know that co-workers and people I have never met can care so much about my children and me. With that I was able to get my kids’ school items and tennis shoes. With school right around the corner, I didn’t know what I was going to do. My kids never ask for anything. Thank you for helping me fill their needs. They also send hugs and thanks to each and everyone of you. God bless you all. Samara, Brandon, and Brianna”
- ANNOUNCING – God has provided a new location and promotion with the same company for Clint and he will be leaving for Michigan this coming Sunday after church. His family may be here through Christmas and then they will be moving, too. We thank God for this blessing for them, but we will miss them tremendously! We offer our deep gratitude to you, Clint, for your strong leadership, devoted support, and constant encouragement! Thank you for allowing God to use you so mightily in our midst, and we pray for God’s blessing and favor to rest upon you, your family, and this transition and new opportunity in your lives!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH, we will be back at the Clinton Falls Town Hall for worship at 10:00 a.m. – for a power-packed message from the book of Malachi for the adults and young people, an unforgettable “elevate kidz” lesson, sweet fellowship with each other, priceless time spent in the presence of our Living God raising our voices in harmony and prayer and praise! Plan to come and bring someone new with you!
- CALLING ALL KIDZ . . . Sunday afternoon will FINALLY be our CHILDREN’S SUMMER SPLASH EVENT with Pastor D and Debbie; they will be calling you with the exact time and to see how many friends are coming with you! We’ll all have a GREAT time!
- TUESDAY, SEP. 1ST - JR & SR HI YOUTH will be meeting at the home of Pastor and Debbie, then heading out to do some hiking and taking in a Bible lesson and ending up with treats! Call or text some of your friends!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- First of all, God is SO deserving of our praise for WHO He is and for ALL He is! And because He knows we are a needy people, He loves to hear us call out to Him and bring our burdens to Him. We are claiming miracles for: Melonee/dental surgery; College students/back to classes; Julia’s brother, Jim/in critical condition; Julia/doing much better – PTL!; Destiny/her step-grandmother passed away suddenly; Josh & Sarah Seykora/for financial provision for travels to their conference in Africa coming up in the next week (our church is sending a love gift to help with their expenses), and there are several unspoken requests!
- THIS WEEK – Remember this verse every day: “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11) And while you are being guarded, MAGNIFY our God!!!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
- THIS WEEK – Remember this verse every day: “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:11) And while you are being guarded, MAGNIFY our God!!!
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
