insights

Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 


Isaiah, being directed by God, is giving encouragement to a people going through massive hardship. Yes, by their own hand due to their disobedience, but Isaiah is reminding them and us to trust in the miraculous power of God and His great love for them. But God is not going to rescue and bring help in the same way as He did for ancient Israel from Egypt. He is doing something new, something that seems impossible, a way in the wilderness, a spring in the desert. God does that. Nothing is too difficult or impossible for God. 


Jeremiah 32:17 Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. 


Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God. 


Yes, God can and will help, heal, and rescue. It may not be how we desire or even imagine, and we will most likely experience pain, hardship, and hurt along the way. Yet there will be deliverance, and times of peace, hope, fulfillment, even joy with some happiness mixed in. It comes as we trust in the miraculous reality of God. That He is the ultimate, all-in-all, Alpha and Omega, who does something new, making ways when there seems to be no way, providing when the well is dry. Being reminded of this truth brings hope. Do you have that hope? It’s found in coming under that leadership and Lordship of Jesus, who says... 


Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

news

Next Sunday August 23, 2020 we start our annual All-Church-Focus. This year is entitled “Exploring Joy in Difficult Times” a study in the Bible book of Philippians. Both the Apostle Paul and the Philippian Believers were struggling, and being Paul had found Joy in focusing on Jesus, he wanted to challenge others to do the same. Paul knew, like Nehemiah did, that there is strength in joy.

Nehemiah 8:10... for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

 

This All-Church-Focus is a study focus where our entire church: kids, students, families, and adults all study the same Bible book. This year we have made some fun new opportunities to get the most out of our study of this book. One of these new elements is we are using a lot of videos to help you grow in your own time with the Lord. You will be learning about SOAP to help in your daily Bible reading. As well, we have established Neighborhood Bible University (NU or NBU) to give you short Bible teaching videos as we walk verse-by-verse through the Bible book of Philippians. They will be available through our website and YouTube channel to be viewed as we walk through the book, or you can binge watch the whole series. Sunday sermons will be inspirational times to learn more and be challenged to take on joy. The key element of the All-Church-Focus is being connected to and involved in a Life Group. These smaller groups will be a great time to connect and learn together as we discuss what we are learning from our own time in the Bible, NBU, and from the sermons. To sign up to be part of a Life Group click here.  Also, through these groups we will be doing a service project encouraging us to bring some joy to our neighbors. Oh, and there will be more!!

 

Our hope and prayer is that you join in on this All-Church-Focus, be part of a Life Group, and seek to learn much as we spend this concentrated time together.

 

In all the ups and downs of this time of life, God wants to make a way and do something new in you. Let’s discover the joy in it all together.

 

Believing in our miraculous God along with you,

Pastor Mike