"Great, Greatly, Greatness" 

Psalm 145:3 "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable."

Great is one of those words that is greatly overused. The greatness of the word great is greatly overstated. We use it to describe anything and everything that is above average. We use the word sometimes when we roll our eyes and say it facetiously. But, when using it to describe the LORD it is a great word. God is greater than our poor usage of words.

When praising the Lord, calling Him great is great, but move on from there... say more. Describe His greatness. How is He great to you? Try amazing, awesome, phenomenal, glorious, perfect.. Just to name a few great words that also mean great. Read this verse again and mean it, as overused as the word is, of God it is so true.

Great is our God!
Pastor Fred 

"My Identity In Christ" 

You are God’s masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)
The dictionary defines a masterpiece as “a person’s greatest work of art,” or a “consummate example of skill or excellence.” Now, when God’s Word describes you as His masterpiece, what comes into your mind? Do you accept His assessment, or do you think, Well, He must be talking about someone else…if He really knew me, He wouldn’t think that! (From Joyce Meyers)

I have always struggled with the idea of not being enough, not being good enough, not being worthy or not being the person I should be, not trying my hardest or just not doing my best and I have come to realize in the last couple months these thoughts are not of the Lord. I have come to desire a more personal relationship with My Lord. I have begun (slowly) to understand He has a great plan for me, that He whats me to live for Him.

So now what do I do with this new information, these new feelings, and desires? I’ll tell you, I read his Word, His Truth and I let go of the internal Judgement, I let go of the doubts and I have faith, I believe and I cry out. I seek counsel and the support of friends and family. I talk and listen to Him... Now I know I've been on this journey before and I know I can sound like a “broken record” but for the first time I'm ok with that because I know, without a doubt He’s not done with me yet!!! My Lord will find me in the darkest shadows He will pull me (drag me) from the deepest ocean and He will continue His great works in me and through me... As long as I do my Part in Him The Lord My God, My Jesus will lead the way...

I Just wanted to share and maybe reach just one person to say “You Are Enough, You do Matter and You are His Masterpiece” You just have to stop Listening to the lies and have Faith that He is and will Forever be The Truth, The Way, and The Light...

Thank you, 
Regina Eggen

"Friends In Christ" 

Romans 16:12-15 "Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philogus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them." 

Between the calls, emails, cards, texts, social media and personal contact over this weekend, I have been in touch and been touched by hundreds of people. Real folks with real names and real lives who share real memories with me. Some current, some from decades ago, some for all my life. Almost all are brothers and sisters in Christ. Many with whom l have shared ministry and mission with for years.

Like this passage of Scripture, real people with real names. Almost all of these names in Romans, we know nothing more about. They are noted once or at most twice in the Bible. They too are our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  This connection is amazing to me. Billions of believers through the years, connected by Christ. Wow! What a thing to consider.

Blessed, grateful and awed.
Pastor Fred 

"My Prayer Today" 

Psalm 67:20 "Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His lovingkindness toward me."

I prayed fervently regarding a number of matters early today. The content of my prayer is not as important as the fact that I know He heard me. He also did not turn my prayer away, He received it. He heard me. It was not a pretty prayer. But, His response was beautiful. He filled my heart with His lovingkindess toward me. Me, personally. By name. He has given me a peace that passes understanding. Even though l was upset in my prayer, He heard my cry, turned toward me and loved me kindly. For this l am grateful and praise Him. I am humbled, glad and blessed. Bless the Lord, praise His Name. He knows us, hears us and cares. May His grace abound in you today.

Pastor Fred 

"Follow Me" by Sarah Young

"Does God Change His Mind?"

Jonah 3:10 "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way, and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."

From our perspective, it certainly appears that God changed, but when we see God's response from His perspective, we find the consistency that we expect of Him in His Word. Here's how we can understand these seeming contradictions.

God's "change" is an accommodation. When God uses language such as, "I am sorry I have made man", He is doing it as an accommodation to us, stopping to communicate in the only terms we understand: the language of humans. 

God's change is an affirmation. God's repentance is not a change of His will, it is His willingness to allow us to change. While it is true that God knows everything in advance, it is a mistake to infer from this that He is incapable of emotion or reaction to his creatures. The scriptures show that He is a God who cares deeply for those made in His image, and He acts according to that love. 

God's change is an application. God's immutability does not mean He is immobile. He is consistently pursuing a righteous course, and thus He adapts His response to people's moral changes. God's unchanging holiness requires that His treatment of the wicked will differ from that of the righteous. When the righteous turn wicked or the wicked turn righteous the way He treats them must change. God must deal with each of us according to the way we are currently living and particularly according to the ways we change.

These notes from my study Bible gave me a lot of reasons to think deeper about God's immutability.

Hope it challenged you.
Pastor Fred 
 

HONOR GOD AND OUR VETS BY BEING “GOOD SOLDIERS” OF CHRIST The Word of God urges, as Christians, to follow the example set by our military veterans - to be “good soldiers”, fully dedicated to Christ and His Kingdom (2 Timothy 2:1-4) as they are to defending our country and our freedom. This Sunday, we will be honoring our U.S. military veterans - those, from among us, who became “soldiers”; taking a solemn oath to give up their personal freedom and pursuits for a season to fully dedicate themselves to defending our country (and their fellow citizens) from all enemies “foreign and domestic” - and, if necessary, even at the cost of their own bodies and lives. We often forget that when a “soldier” takes his/her oath of enlistment, they become (legally) the “property” of the U.S. Armed Forces - no longer free to pursue their own lives, liberties and freedom, but duty-bound to obey all lawful orders of their superior officers regardless of the costs or the risks, under (literally) penalty of imprisonment or death. In a very real sense, they subjugate their own safety, freedoms and lives to the higher calling of defending their country, homes, families and our constitutional democracy which is the bedrock foundation of all of our laws, liberties and fundamental rights and beliefs. Likewise, when we submit ourselves, and our eternal souls, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we should recognize an even more sacred oath (commitment) to seek to devote our entire hearts, souls and lives to Him and to His commands, His purposes, His Word, His Kingdom, and His eternal plan for all of our lives for eternity. Paul made this simple analogy: “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”  2 Timothy 2:1-4 We are admonished as believers to “be strong in the Lord” [not in our own strength] and to put on “the whole armor of God” [see: Ephesians 6:14-18] for our battle is not one of flesh and blood but “...against the rulers, against the authorities, against the supernatural powers over this present darkness [the world], against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  [Ephesians 6:11-13] - to present our very [earthly] bodies “...as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is just our reasonable service [worship]” to our Lord who paid for us with His body and His blood.  (Romans 12:1-2) While God gives each of us differing gifts, strengths, and purposes, the ultimate the goal never changes.  Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love each other [all other human beings] as Christ loved us and gave himself for us! [Mark 12:30-31] If we strive to live as “good soldiers” of Christ, He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us and will empower us with His mighty right hand to accomplish His purposes for our lives. [Isaiah 41:9-16] And if we actually try our best, we will then be able to say with the apostle Paul (on that last day): “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!” [2 Timothy 4:6-8].   I was a “good soldier” for Christ. We then will receive indescribable eternal rewards, as Jesus welcomes us back to our true home (in Heaven in His presence) saying, “Well done, my good and faith servant!”   God’s best blessings and our most sincere thanks and appreciation to all of our veterans (and their families) for your service to our country. John Adams

"Beyond Lip Service"
 

Hebrews 13:15-16 "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

There are two sacrifices mentioned here. The sacrifice of praise, our continuous thankfulness for His provision and blessings, glorifying Him for Who He is. Also mentioned is the sacrifice of service. That is, doing good and sharing, for that pleases Him.

Used to be that we called Sunday morning church events Worship Services. Nothing wrong about that in particular. Although, it seems to me that we worship Him and that the service part is more like a verb and not a noun, and it is what we do after we worship. Granted, many people serve on Sunday morning too. I get that, but we should worship Him and serve Him between Sundays too.

So, praise Him and serve Him. Mixing those two things together works too. Do not neglect either. Praise and service. Powerful combination.

In His Service and praising Him,
Pastor Fred 

"Saved"
 

Joel 2:32  "And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

The Old Testament is full of some very colorful language about the depravity of humans and God's righteous judgment. It also contains lots of prophetic promises about our opportunity for deliverance from our disastrous choices. This verse follows promises of wonders being shown in the heavens and God's awesome power being manifested.

Salvation is available to all who call on the Name of the LORD. The Name that is above all names. There is no other Name by which humans can be saved. Everyone will bow to this Name. The Name is Jesus Christ our only LORD and Savior. Has this come to pass for you? Today is a good day to be saved. If you are not, call upon His Name. Repent, confess, be forgiven, choose salvation, put your trust in Him. Jesus, remember the name. Share it.

In Him,
Pastor Fred 

"Hearts and Treasures"
 

Matthew 6:21 "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

What do you treasure? Your family, your time, your secrets, your aspirations, your faith, your memories? As I write these things down l am noticing which ones my heart is attracted to most. Kind of revealing. This is obviously not a comprehensive list. We treasure trivial things and precious things. Maybe we should think harder and longer about the question.

I must admit that l treasure my memories more than l would at first think. Now, ask me what my priorities or commitments or most important things are, l will give you right answers. And, they are true. But, l may treasure my memories too much. Even the ones that break my heart or bring me tears. Let the Word speak to you today. It may tell you something about yourself you need to know. I think l may need to focus more on making new memories. My heart says this is true. And... l do treasure the truth.

Lord, speak to my heart today. Father, l want to treasure you most. In my heart and with my life, after all you are at the core of my best memories.

In His Service,
Pastor Fred 

"How To Stop Contention"
 

Proverbs 17:14-15 "The beginning of strife is like releasing water, therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord."

It is always easiest or at least most prudent to stop before you start anything. Like water, once anything is set in motion, it is difficult to stop it or even to slow it down. If you mix water with dirt you get mud. Like gossip or mudslinging, a real mess. Both calling wrong right and right wrong are equally foolish. God is not mocked either way. Let us get control of our words, actions, and choices much sooner. Avoid quarrels, contention and thereby their consequences. If you look for trouble, it will find you. Do not feed a fire, do not start a flood. God is listening and hearing. He is watching and must bed consulted in everything.

In Him,
Pastor Fred 

Daily Devotional "Leaven" 

Matthew  "Another parable he spoke to them: The Kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal so it was all leavened."

The notes from one of my study bibles says, "Yeast or leaven describes the process of the Kingdom's growth. Yeast accomplishes its work over time, although it does not produce results immediately, eventually its presence affects everything around it."

I remember waiting for bread or cakes to rise. Takes time. So does Kingdom growth.  Worth the wait. But, growth is essential or inevitable, or maybe you forgot the yeast. I believe every believer, every church, every work and ministry that has His Spirit, will grow. Even if it ebbs, it will flow again, but it will not die. I hope you, we and His work are growing by His Spirit. We see evidence of this right now in many lives, MINISTRIES, and Grace Harbor. Let us make sure we are all leavened and keep growing.

In His Kingdom work
Pastor Fred 

 "Light"
 

Today, Some verses about light.

Genesis 1:3-5 "Then God said, 'Let there be light', and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good, and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. So the evening and the morning were the first day."

John 8:12 "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" 

Jesus our LORD also said this of us.
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

May you see the light, know the light, shine the light and follow His light this day. "This is the day the Lord has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

In His Light,
Pastor Fred