Archive for May, 2010

This morning I sat on our back deck with a cup of coffee in one hand and my Bible in the other. As I held both and looked out over the yard and heard and felt the early morning sounds and the fresh wind of the breaking day, I was somewhat invigorated with the thoughts of a new day- a new week. I love mornings. And, I love new beginnings. My mind was taken to the Scripture that says “His mercies are new every morning.” His mercies come in all sorts of different sizes and colors. His mercies of forgiveness, of restoration, of new starts, of new blessings and miracles. We may feel at times that we are dead and tired with all of life’s troubles. But remember this child of God, HE IS NOT. And, neither does He sleep or slumber. He has no need to do so. That’s what identifies Him so well as God. I love my morning Coffee in the one hand. But I treasure and love the Word I hold in the other hand this morning more than anything. I hope you do as well. Let this week be a week of new beginnings, and a week of new opportunities to grow closer to your Abba. Allow God to make it a week of speaking no ill or critical judgments on anyone else, but rather speak words of blessing and honor to everyone you rub shoulders with this week. You never know, this could be the week you say something or do something that God uses to bring someone to Himself for salvation or for restoration. Just remember- “This is the Day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – your pastor, Robbie

Martin Luther said the following: “The essence of sin is that Man seeks his own in everything, even in God.” He is so right. Look at your own life, as I look at mine. Just think about all the activities of your day yesterday and the past week. And at the center of each, who was being served most of the time? We have man-centered homes, man-centered jobs, man-entered hobbies, man-centered relationships. And the list goes on and on. And—think about this one. Luther said ” …even in God”. He is so right! We have man-centered churches and man-centered leaders in these churches. I know of a few myself and it scares me for those congregations. Three godly Men inspired me this week at the Innovate Church conference in Lynchburg Virginia with that realization: Chuck Swindoll, Jonathan Falwell, and Jim Cymbala. There are many churches that are following men’s visions and dreams that have no root in the fire and will of God. (Remember we have studied this from James 4:15) We worship culture in our churches more than we worship HIM. We worship programs and denominations more than we worship HIM. We worship the latest church “growth strategy” more than we worship HIM. While all these things are used often by God, the passion and purpose of each day, each priority of our life, must be to glorify HIM. This is the chief end of Man. This is the reason to get up this morning and continue our life’s journey. And in going, we go as HIS Mouthpiece, His ambassador, His grace conduit for a lost and hurting world. So saints of God—Let’s JUST GO! – This morning –today –tonight, and fulfill His royal calling in our lives. –

Remember the need we put out yesterday for Shirley Smith with His Ministries. If you are able and feel led to help, call me as soon as possible at (617-0909), or give what you plan to give this Sunday. I encourage you to be faithful in your attendance at church this summer and as well in your tithes and offerings. God’s work does not go on vacation and neither should our faithfulness. 

One more note: We are pleased to announce our new interim Worship Leader who is a candidate for our permanent Worship Leader at GraceView. Let’s make Jason & Joanna Bursh feel welcome this Sunday!

I don’t know where you are right now emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, but I do know where God is. He is on His throne and He loves you with the highest degree of love there is. In fact, there just really is no way to describe His love for you. Someone who lost everything he had through business reversals wrote the following about God’s love: “The Love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. O Love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless, and strong. It shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels song.–Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made. Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above, would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll, contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.” This is, child of God, the love God has for you personally. So today, look up! It may seem everything is too much too bear for you and that all is lost. But just remember and call to your mind the fact that if you have accepted Christ as your Savior, There is NOTHING that can separate you from His love and care. I’m reminded personally this morning of Isaiah 40:31 (amp) -”But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Just think about His love this morning-all day. He loves you and me! Wow! Hard to comprehend! But -it is THE TRUTH! —-Blessings – robbie