Some Things Never Change

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Is. 40:8)

Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. (Is. 66:8)

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Is. 5:20)

… I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness... (Rom. 7:7–8)

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16)

…they are … unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord [they] say to … the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right; tell us nice things, tell us lies” (Is. 30:9–10)

For I am the Lord, I do not change... (Mal. 3:6)

He swears to his own hurt and does not change; (Psa. 15:4)

Today!

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, (Heb. 3:7)

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 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. (Is. 43:18–19)

… I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jer. 31:34)

He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. (Mic. 7:19)

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt. 6:34)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Prov. 27:1)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matt. 6:33)

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’  (Jer. 6:16)

2020 Through God's Eyes

1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” … 4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem… 5 … And he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them .... 6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Sam 16:1–7)

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Phil. 4:8)

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Gen 9:8–16)

I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (Gen 9:13)

Invincible Jars of Clay

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. (Psa. 27:13)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the extraordinary power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Cor. 4:7)

If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. (Psa. 94:17)

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— 2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive… (Psa. 124:1–3)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the extraordinary power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Cor. 4:7)

We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; 9 we are persecuted but not forsaken; we are struck down but not destroyed. (2 Cor. 4:8–9)

1. Pressure will never crush me

2.Confusion will never end in doubt

3. Persecution will not dissuade me

For the righteous falls seven times and rises again... (Prov. 24:16)

No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long...   (Prov. 24:16)

4. Failure will not destroy me

1. Pressure will never crush me

2.Confusion will never end in doubt

3. Persecution will not dissuade me

4. Failure will not destroy me

A New Normal

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another … that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5–6)

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10:25)

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Psa. 34:3)

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1)

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (Acts 2:44)

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! (Psa. 133:1)

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! (Psa. 133:2)

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1Pet 4:7-8)

Church Reopening

We plan to open the church doors again this Sunday. I know that some may still be hesitant to come together at this time and we understand. We don't want to make anyone feel pushed if they are not ready nor judged if they decide to stay home for a while longer.

We plan to follow guidelines that are recommended for churches to come together as follows:

• We ask that only every other row be occupied and that there be a spacing of two seats between each family unit.

• We will not require face masks but you are welcome to wear them if you want.

• If you are running a fever, have a cough or other known Covid symptoms, we ask that you remain at home

• BYOC (bring your own coffee). We will suspend "Coffee Talk" for the time being.

• We will postpone our plans to have children's church until we feel it is safe for the young ones.

• We will have hand sanitizer available for you to use.

• If you are 65 or older (that's me) or in one of the "at risk" categories, we ask you to prayerfully consider what you need to do, Some churches are recommending the above to stay home. I will leave that up to you. Again, there is no judgement one way or the other.

We plan to do a Facebook live broadcast of the service for those who do choose to stay home at this time.

I'm excited to at least get to see a few faces and join in worship together. I look forward to the time when we can ALL be together.

With much love to you all,

Michael and Lorie

Where Are You?

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (Gen. 3:8–11)

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (Psa. 139:7–12)

…the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. (1 Sam. 16:7)

…the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought… (1 Chr. 28:9)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3)

The Best is Yet to Come

3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 6 For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” (Hag 2:3–9)

Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt? (Num 14:4)

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.  (Eccl 7:10)

Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. 19 Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. (Is 43:18–19)

But Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted through better promises. (Heb. 8:6)

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. (Prov 4:18)

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua … the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, (Hag 2:4)

‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison? (Hag 2:3)

The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace (shalom), declares the Lord of hosts. (Hag 2:9)

Though

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. (Psa. 27:3)

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. (Psa. 27:3)

though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the depths of the sea, we will not fear (Psa. 46:2)

though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. (Hab. 3:17–18)

But now thus says the Lord … “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Is. 43:1–2)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:35, 37–39)

The Who

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb 10:39–11:1 ESV)

39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Heb 11:39–40 ESV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race 

that is set before us, (Heb 12:1 ESV)

I am of those who have faith

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to 

a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he 

went out, not knowing where he was going. (Heb 11:8)

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. (Heb 11:11–12 ESV)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son… (Heb 11:17)

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Heb 11:13 ESV)

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. (Prov 19:21 ESV)

looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…. (Heb 12:2)