Unto Us...

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.  Isa 9:6-7

This has been a busy week:  Preparing for the Christmas fellowship at CCW (Dont miss it!  Friday night at 6 pm!), preparing for Sunday, and preparing for a 2 week sabbatical with our family.  Oh, and don’t worry, things are in good hands while I am gone:  Pastor Mel will be teaching both Sundays, my good friends All Lines Parallel will be bringing the worship on Dec 27th, and the talented duo Josh and Tiffany Mitchell will be bringing worship on January 3rd. (If you are thinking “ALP, aren’t they a hard rock Christian band?”  Answer:  Yes.  But they can totally bring it down and worship the Lord.  If you have ever been to a Third Day concert, you know what I mean! Trust me, you will be blessed.)

But, back to Christmas. I am not a “holiday” person, and so every year Christmas seems to sneak up on me.  And then I find myself thinking the same thoughts:  What does Christmas mean?  Is there some “special thing” that I could come up with, one of those “ah ha” moments that will be a new revelation about the birth of Christ.  But I always come back to the same simple truth:  Jesus Christ, the son of God, was presented to the world.  His arrival was heralded as a blessing to mankind, because He was sent with a purpose: To reconcile man to his creator.  Jesus Christ came with a ministry of reconciliation:

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.  2 Cor 5:18-19

His coming was promised, and it happened.  Since that time, His arrival has not only changed the world, but literally changed the lives of millions – even billions – of people throughout history.

But the best is yet to come, as His second coming is also promised, and it will happen:

“Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Merry Christmas, and praise be to God for His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

Pastor Clay

Blessed is the man...

Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plantsall around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. Ps 128:1-4

I think this is one of the most beautiful and loving promises in God’s word! Think about it:  Your efforts will be prosperous.  You will have happiness, and be “well” or contented.  Your home life will be sweet! All of this stems from one thing: “…thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.”

Remember we spoke about fear a few weeks ago:  Fear of the Lord is best described as “awe” or “reverence”. When we acknowledge the might, the power, the majesty, of the Living God, who is our heavenly Father, we come to a realization that we are under His protection.  We are filled with His power and might. 2 Tim 1:7 tells us:  For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

So today, draw into the presence of the mighty, powerful, majestic Lord of hosts, and know that you are under His protection and filled with His power and might!

Till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

Houses built in vain

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.  Ps 127:1

Today's One Year Bible Psalm nails it:  If God isn't in what we are doing, we build in vain. That doesn't necessarily mean that if we do something on our own, without God's leading, that it will be a complete failure. It simply means that if God is not leading, there will be no "God Fruit". Fruit maybe, but not God-fruit.

That is where I am today.  I am not satisfied with real-looking plastic fruit that sits on the table.  I am only interested in the real thing:  Plump, juicy, life-giving fruit.  I don't want to come up with things on my own.  I only want to dwell in houses built by God Himself.  I only want to be part of movements initiated by the Holy Spirit. Church, we don't want to settle for cheap substitutes. Let's hold out for the real thing.

Last week we talked about allowing God to search our hearts, and reveal to us any sin.  This week let's ask Him for revelation regarding the house He wants to build in each of our lives. How He wants to use us, what work does He want to do through us.  Ask, then LISTEN;  Unless the Lord builds the house, we will labor in vain.

And don't forget the second part of that verse:  Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.  Ask the Lord to guard the walls and gates of our lives, and not allow anything that defiles to enter in.

Till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

The Challenge

This past Sunday I shared with you that I believe our church is at a crossroads - a crisis of faith.  Our world is changing - and not for the better.  Our nation is in a state of moral and religious decay; Our government is rushing into uncharted territory, debating changes that if enacted will fundamentally change our world (and not for the better). People are hurting, jobs are scarce, money is tight.

During this time of trial we can do one of two things...

• We can hunker down, focus on ourselves, and become a prisoner of our circumstances. 
• Or we can take a cue from Peter:

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.  1 Peter 4:19

Even when things are difficult, when we are suffering, lets be faithful in doing good, remaining steadfast in the Lord. We can also take a cue from the Macedonian churches,

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity 2 Cor 8:2

Even though we are poor, we can reach out to others with love, ministry, and the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

I believe that God wants to radically change some things in our church. I believe He wants us to take our eyes off of ourselves, and look outside to the world around us.

We have something that the world needs more than healthcare, more than a job:  We have the life-changing power of the gospel message of Jesus Christ. I believe that God wants us to take our focus off of us and our needs, and He wants us to reach out to the world around us, and seek to meet their needs - practical and spiritual.  The question is not whether God wants to use us - but HOW does God want to use us. 

Challenge:  I told you that I will pray and fast between now and the end of the year. Praying daily and fasting one day per week, seeking God's face for the direction of our church; for direction on how He want to use us;  Seeking Him specifically for what He wants us to be involved in.

Will you join me? I would like to have a group of people that commit to fast one day a week, and pray with me, and seek the Lord for direction.

*Some have asked when I will be fasting.  My day to fast will be every Wednesday.  If you can join me on Wednesdays so that we can be in unity, that is awesome.  But if another day works better for you, no problem.

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Pastor Clay