"Settled" 

1 Peter 5:10 "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered for awhile, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."

This is a bit of a benediction from Peter and I am sure he is blessing us with what the Lord has blessed Him with. Life comes with some suffering, but just for awhile. Then comes the effect of suffering as it can be used to mature us. Our troubles have a way of perfecting us. The refining fire produces a precious product. Perfected in Him. Perfecting is a process and a journey not an accomplishment or destination. Established means no longer wavering, rooted and secure. Strengthened is made strong as needed. Made strong again and again for God's purposes.

Now this word "settle". Love this word. Not only perfected, established, and strengthened, but finally settled. Maybe meaning after sifting comes a settling that we should not fear. In His hands we should not fear God at work in our lives. He knows us and how to get us from here to there. By His grace, until glory I will trust Him for it all as He sees fit.

In His Service,

Pastor Fred

"Press On" 

His early 6:2 "Let us acknowledge the Lord, let us press on to acknowledge Him."

I am gonna put this in my own words today, so it will help me remember this truth.

'Hey everybody, don't forget to think about God, to remember that He is there and everywhere. The Lord is present and no matter what happens or doesn't happen we should remember to think about Him as often as possible. Certainly more often than we do. Don't give up, get back on course. Move forward in Him. Let Him lead. When we keep trying, or even just give Him the time of day, that can be a starting point of putting Him back in the formula of our plans. I, for one, am gonna decide right here and right now to think of Him and not just let that be a passing thought, but an ongoing thought. Lord, help me constantly consider you.

Gratefully and humbly acknowledging you again and again,

Pastor Fred

"Pray Continually"

Today’s devotional is shared from our staff devotions here at Grace Harbor Church and School.

I Thessalonians 5:17

Up to this time you have not asked a single thing in My Name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete.

YOU NEED ME EVERY MOMENT. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength. Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence. However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against: self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up. Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice – deep dependence on Me, or despair. The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence. Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment. Use My name liberally to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete. Pray continually.

Have a blessed day!

Grace Harbor Staff 

"True Motives" 

John 12:5-6 "But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray him, said, 'why was this fragrant oil not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?' This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box and he used to take what was put in it."

Mary had just anointed Jesus's feet with oil. The spikenard that she used was extremely expensive and Judas took offense at this and made this seemingly noble statement about the poor. His true motive was about the money, because he had his fingers in the till.

People sometimes use the most religious sounding reasons to justify their most selfish motives.

Mary on the other hand had purer motives which Jesus commended her first in verse 7. "Leave her alone, she has kept this for the day of my burial." Mary anointed Jesus's feet to respect Him and show concern for Him. What are our true motives for what we say and do? Especially the super spiritual stuff we do and say. Jesus knows. Let us be careful to not try to appear to be something we are not. Jesus knows. Lord, sort out our true motives.

Being sorted with you,

Pastor Fred

"The Fatherless"

Psalm 10:14b "The helpless commits himself to You: You are the helper of the fatherless."

Our Father is the Father of all, the Helper of all, specifically the Father to the fatherless. We are His children and we are born of the Spirit by Him, we are also adopted into the family of God. Note here that God has a special tenderness towards the fatherless. As our Heavenly Father, He has a father's heart toward us. A heart that loves, protects, provides and cares deeply. This passage talks about those who have been abandoned, neglected and victimized.

I don't know about you, but it always seems to touch my heart about those who do not have fathers. I hope it is my Father who has given me a father's heart for those who are helpless. As a father it always does my heart good to help them in some way. To any and all of you who feel abandoned and neglected, victimized or abused. Your Heavenly Father cares and so do I and a lot of others too. He who said He will never leave us or forsake us is our Heavenly Father. Not only all of us, but each of us by name.

Thank you Father,

Pastor Fred

"Above or Below"

Colossians 3:1 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

Often Scripture can be understood better if we turn it around and consider what it is not saying. For example, this verse is encouraging us to be raised with Christ as opposed to torn down by the devil. It also suggests that we should set our heart on things above as opposed to setting our flesh on things below. It also recommends we look on Christ who is seated at the right hand of God as opposed to being distracted by the enemy who is the ruler of the things of this world. Obviously we want to do as the Word says because the alternative is awful. If we do not follow the truth, by default we will live the lie. Sounds stark but it does describe the choices.

So, as it says in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Just consider what the opposite of that is.... very disturbing. But, since we have been raised with Christ, our hearts are set on Him and the things above, not the things below. Above or below, where is your heart?  Choose Christ today, such a better choice for your heart and probably your head too.

In Him,

Pastor Fred

"Wrong-headed Traditions"

Mark 7:13 "Thus you nullify the Word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

This is not an easy teaching. When our traditions run counter to the Word of God, the tradition should be questioned. Church, through the years has picked up a number of practices that are not biblical. For example, the old tradition that Communion is only held on the first Sunday. Or, that you can only use Welch's grape juice and tasteless crackers. Or, that only deacons can serve it, or that only pastors can pray over it. Or that it must be delivered to you in the pew, or that we all have to take it simultaneously or while hearing the exact same words. If you grew up in the church in the 50's and 60's, you know what I am talking about.

Obviously, we are over a lot of that kind of stuff, but as Jesus said, "You do many things like that.” There are more. Some are no big deal, others are silly and some really keep the church from relating to real people. I am not going to try to say what l think they are, but, just know that when humans run organizations they sometimes institute practices that are not from Scripture.

The Bible is our only source for matters of faith and practice, right? So then, why do we let traditions become sacrosanct? Interesting question. Probably why Jesus mentions it. Something to consider.

Respectfully submitted,

Pastor Fred

"The Greatest Commandment" 

Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"

There you have it. Jesus answers the question... What is the greatest commandment? Seems to me that there is a progression here. If we indeed Love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind...THEN, loving our neighbor as ourselves will fall into place more easily. Also, if we want to fulfill what the Law and the Prophets teach (meaning the Old Testament) THEN if we do the first and second great commands, that will fall into place also.

So it all begins with living God. I recommend thinking about that often, saying that often and considering that always before we speak or act. This would probably change our choices of words and actions. So, instead of trying to adhere to an endless list of rules and expectations.... just two. Love God completely and hence everyone else too, just as you should love yourself.

He loves you. Completely. Pretty simple. But, only doable with constant connection with Him.

In Him,

Pastor Fred

"Who of You?"

Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Another rhetorical question. The answer to this question is obvious and convicting. None of us. Not one of us can add any time to our lives. We did not come into this world by our choice and we will not leave this world by choice. He is the author and finisher of life. He gives life, He is Life. In Him we live and move and have our being as it says beautifully in Hebrews.

But, we worry, worry, worry. My anxieties and fears, my fretting and fussing begin in unnecessary and unfounded worry. I say I trust Him and that I have faith, then I deny that by being worrisome. If I park my emotions for just a moment, just a moment, I can almost always turn my worry off, if I will surrender it all to Him. Try it, you'll see. We worry about big and small things. Important things and irrelevant things. We even worry about the past. It has passed hasn't it? I hope so.

So today we should cast all our cares on Him. Because He cares for us. Worry is fruitless and faithless. Let it go with me. Ahhhh... feels good. Thank you Lord.

Trusting Him,

Pastor Fred

Daily Devotional 

"Who Is Like God?"

Micah 7:18-19 "Who is a God like you, who pardoned sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us, you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

I enjoy answering the Bible's rhetorical questions, when I can. The answer to the question of verse 18 is that nobody is like God, period. He alone is who He is and there is no one like Him.

A little checklist of His uniqueness.

□ He alone pardons sin
□ He alone forgives transgression
□ He alone has a remnant that will inherit
□ He alone does not stay angry forever
□ He alone delights to show mercy
□ He alone will again have compassion
□ He alone will tread our sins underfoot
□ He alone will hurl our iniquities to the depths of the sea

Only God can do this. Our merciful, living forgiving, compassionate, pardoning, delighting Father. Be encouraged today, God is faithful.

In Him,

Pastor Fred

 
"A Time For Everything" by David Cunningham

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 (NIV)

1 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

We must learn how to put the world on mute for awhile and give HIM our full attention. The LORD wants to give us all our heart desires if we first and foremost understand that our intention must be to glorify HIM. Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you.

Our days here on earth are numbered so let us make it our highest priority to spend personal time with the LORD on a daily basis through prayer or by reading HIS word. HE also wants us to lean on HIM when times in our life's get rough as well as good.

Let us not be discouraged for our heavenly Father will never leave us or forsake us. HE has paid the price for our sins made with the ultimate sacrifice so we can be with HIM eternally forever.

"Turn off that tainted news" and let us not be influenced by the world. As Christians let's make it our mission to be fishermen of the world by showing God's Love to our fellow man and paying it forward to uplift HIS Kingdom.

"Made In HIS Image" 
Have a Blessed Day Grace Harbor Family,
David L. Cunningham

"I Love The Lord"

Psalm 116:1-2 "I live the Lord, for He heard my voice, he heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

Lately I have been doing two things more often. 1. Telling the Lord I love Him more often. 2. Crying out for mercy. I think I am feeling closer to Him for both efforts. Whenever I express my love for Him, I immediately am reminded of His perfect and unfailing love for me.Whenever I cry out to Him for mercy I immediately am reminded of His perfect and unfailing love for me. Wait, am I repeating myself? I am, for it is true. Since mercy is not getting what I deserve, it reminds me of His grace. Grace is getting what I don't deserve. Read those definitions again. Very deep.

So, indeed for the rest of my life I will keep calling on Him, because He hears me, turns His ear to me, and loves me. That is why I love Him so much and desire to tell Him more often. I love you Lord. Can you say it again today? He is listening and He cares.

In Him,

Pastor Fred

"The Just Shall Live By Faith" 

Habakkuk 2:4 "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in Him, but the just shall live by faith."

This often quoted verse in the New Testament from Habakkuk is vital to our understanding of grace. We are not justified by our works, or our church, or the Bible, or anything we do. We are solely justified by our faith in what Christ did for us that we cannot do for ourselves. All our efforts are a form of self-justification. Which can only lead to self-righteousness. As we know, our righteousness is worthless, hence why we need to be redeemed. His righteousness is perfect.

How arrogant and proud we are to think we can reckon with our sin without Christ. That just isn't right, and we sense it in our souls. We know deep inside there is something we need to live at peace within ourselves. It is Christ. We need a Savior to deliver us from our own desires and devices. So we trust the Lord, for He alone is trustworthy. That is why we can live by faith, the faith He gives us when we surrender to Him. So we can just live by faith.

Gratefully,

Pastor Fred

Titus 3:14 "Let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful."

Seems to me that maintaining good works infers that we should keep serving one another. Doing kind and helpful things for as many as we can. Additionally, we should rally around urgent needs too. Above and beyond situations that if we all respond it really solves a problem.

I have one for you. I have recently visited the Courtyard Homeless Center in Santa Ana several times, learning ways to partner with them. The Director, Doris shared two needs, one ongoing, and one urgent. They would love for some folks to come during mealtimes and be available to listen to people who just want someone to talk to, maybe pray for them. Could that be you once a month? Urgently they need bath towels. Who doesn't have an extra towel or three in the cabinet?

We are gonna collect towels for a couple of weeks and if you could give an hour a month to be available to listen I would love to talk to you about how to plug in to the Courtyard ministry. 460 people in the redesigned bus terminal in the Civil Center in Santa Ana. About 4 miles from Grace Harbor.

Let's learn to maintain good works together. Let's be fruitful. Got an extra towel? How about a little time to listen to someone who is trying to move forward as best they can? Hope to see you soon.

In His Service with you,

Pastor Fred

Mark 6:30-32 "Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them 'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.' For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves."

So important to read the whole Bible, and in context. This verse starts out with the word   "then". This made me ask what just happened? When I read the preceding verses, I teared up. It says in verse 29 "When His disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb." We are talking about the headless corpse of John the Baptist. His friends took care of his body after Herod had him beheaded. Wow, intense. So they share this with Jesus and all the other teaching and ministry they had been doing, and Jesus decided it was time to get away for awhile. What ultimate sensitivity. So they take off on a short retreat in the boat to a deserted place.

They got away for awhile. Good plan. Jesus understood they had been through a lot and they needed a break. So He made it happen. By the way, the feeding of the 5,000 cuts the retreat a bit short, but Jesus did deal with the crowd and gave them the day, before the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Jesus cares about you and me. Let Him get you away, even just for a day. Be sensitive to His sensitivity. 

In Him,

Pastor Fred

Daily Devotional - By Gabby Botts

Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

As some of you might know, I attended winter camp at Thousand Pines with the junior high and high school group of our church a few weekends ago. It wasn’t the original plan, and I was a last minute fill in when the girls’ counselor got sick. In the spirit of being honest here, I will tell you that when Devin our youth pastor called me on that Friday afternoon to ask if I could go, I told him to pencil me in as a “last resort” if he couldn’t find anyone else to go. A few hours later I got the call that I was indeed...the last resort. I ended up having 15 minutes to pack a bag (I forgot a few things) and I was on my way packed tightly into a minivan with Devin and the teenagers heading up the mountain! Did I mention the theme of the weekend was “Messy”? How appropriate. I prayed to God I could put myself aside and be a vessel, used by Him to serve these kids in any way possible. Fast forward to the end of the weekend, and I know that God used the situation for His good, to accomplish His purposes, and we all ended up having an amazing time learning and growing together. Now, I by no means am implying that this situation was one in which someone “intended to harm me”--I don’t think Devin is that cruel ;). But it’s a very small example of a way in which I have seen God work lately, in a situation I didn’t ask to be in. This passage, which was the theme verse of the weekend, is about Joseph, and he certainly was thrown into several horrific situations through no fault of his own where people did try to harm him. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery, he ended up later being thrown into jail because his master’s wife falsely accused him of rape, he helped a man in prison be able to get out but then that man forgot all about him once he was free...I could go on. But through it all, Joseph never seemed to complain, never asked “why me?”, never lost his hope or faith in God, and (probably most impressive to me) never plotted or got revenge on his brothers for what they did to him. He says this verse to his brothers instead--”You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” How powerful is that response?!

Many things may happen in our lives that are out of our control. This is, unfortunately, a part of life in a sin-filled world. What is in our control is what we choose to do about the situation we’re in, or the reaction that we have to our “mess” that we’re currently in. We might have to wait long periods of time until we see God’s plan and the good that can come from our struggle, like Joseph did. It might not make sense to us in the moment. What lessons can we learn from this “mess” in the meantime? Do we trust God enough to be patient to see the good that can come from the bad? It’s hard, for sure. The notes from the Life Application Study Bible says that having the kind of faith like Joseph did takes a lot of practice, like exercising a “faith” muscle which only gets stronger with time. The speaker at the camp said something that stuck with me: “God will write a beautiful story of your life, if only you are willing to give Him the pen.” While I was a little confused at first as to what the “pen” was in this case, I think it’s a metaphor for us always wanting to be in control of our destinies. May we all be a little more like Joseph was in this instance, hand over the “pen”, and flex our faith muscles! His ways are higher than our ways. Hope to see you all Sunday at church.

Gabby

“The Blessing Part 3”

1 Thessalonians 3:13 "May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones."

The third blessing from our brothers Paul, Timothy and Silas is for us to have the strength of heart to live for Christ. We are exhorted to be blameless (not perfect) and holy (not holier than Thou). To live as though He could return today. To act like we are ready. To live and love in such a way that we would not have to worry about any unfinished business. To be salt and light in this bland and dark world. To love and forgive like the price has really been paid for sin. To encourage one another to be strong and continue in the faith and the good fight.

We are His hands and feet, His emissaries and ambassadors. We are the Body of Christ, His Bride and He will return for us one day. May we redeem the time and do His will, fulfill His promises and represent His Kingdom work. What a blessing to be His child and be part of the Family of God. May His grace abound in us and may we serve Him together with gladness.

With Joy,

Pastor Fred

“The Blessing Part 2”

1 Thessalonians 3:12 "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

The spiritually intimate tones of these words are compelling. This love that comes from Jesus for each other is beautiful and contagious. We need to learn how to spread it. Not just to one another, but to everyone. It should be our trademark and our reputation. The heartbeat of the people of God. The language of brothers and sisters in Christ. This kind of "agape love" is healing and hopeful. It is not pretentious or phony, syrupy or manufactured. This love comes from Christ through us. He Himself loves us and then He demonstrates and multiplies that love by having us love one another like He loves us.

With His Love and mine,

Pastor Fred