Looking Ahead

It’s good to remember. Years ago I ran across some magazines called the “Good Old Days.”  The magazine highlighted objects and happenings from the past.  Writers would submit stories about the glory of the simpler and somehow better, days gone by.

While I like the idea of simpler times, they weren’t always so much better. Cars were easier to fix, but they didn’t have A/C, power windows, etc.  And often our own memories will tend to soften past occurrences.  Even we, as Christians, tend to glorify the early church, until perhaps we notice the references to church leaders being stoned to death, beheaded, and persecution scattering the believers.  The fact of the matter is, times changes and as the saying goes, you can’’t go back.

But our goal isn’t to go backward but to go forward. The current times have unique issues and challenges.  I like the words of Paul when he says,  “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:13-14).  Actually I believe better days are yet to come. New technology means more ways to get the word of God out, and more people coming to Christ.  And I look forward to Christ coming to receive a pure bride without spot or wrinkle.

When reminiscing with a friend about our past days of serving God together, one thing we realized was that we knew so little, and as a result we sought God about everything.  That is worth revisiting.  If there is anything we should go back to its shear dependence on God.

Amen?

Paul

Arms Open Wide

Jesus’ arms are open wide for you. He loves you and wants you to be His child.  His open arms are saying, “Desire Me, want Me, crave after Me, desire to touch Me.  You need Me like water.  Hunger after Me.  I will not withhold Myself from you.”

 

We need the Lord. Often we live as though we are self-sufficient.  “Lord, help me to hunger for You.  Drive me to Your Word — to seek Your face.”

 

Are you  constantly aware of God’s presence in your life? He wants you to draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8 and Psalm 73:28)     The awesome Creator of all wants to be near you!   He wants to be your God.

The Corn Maze of Life

Life often resembles a maze of corn.

We see nothing more than row after row of ‘just corn’.

…Corn so high you can’t see over it…Twists and turns in the path that seem to lead us in circles…Dead ends that make us back track to find another route…And the direction we are heading just doesn’t seem to make sense.

But it is times like these that we can trust that our God (Deuteronomy 5:33) has our life in His hands.

 

Life is not always about reaching the end of the maze.

Sometimes it is more about the journey. It is the things the Lord is teaching us along the way. It is the friends and family who walk with us. It is the fact that we are never alone on the journey. (Hebrews 13:5)

 

With a different perspective…a view from above…an eternal perspective if you will…the maze is seen as a beautiful design. Take time to enjoy your journey through life, and seek His eternal perspective. From where He sits it’s a beautiful thing. (Rom 8:28)

How the LORD is Leading Us

On Sunday Sept 11, 2011 Paul Dykshoorn shared with our congregation the vision that has been growing within his heart over the past few months.

Through prayer and fasting, it has become evident to the elders of ACC that the LORD is moving us in a direction that will include a leadership transition.  In January 2012 Kirk Martin will transition to become the head pastor at ACC, and Paul Dykshoorn will remain on staff at ACC with a greater focus on outreach and community oriented ministry.

You can  listen to the sermon here.

Exciting Times

I love to read the book of Acts.  Acts unpacks for us how the church was formed and grew.  It also speaks of the problems they faced and how the Holy Spirit was working in their midst.  It tells us of healings, people being saved, persecutions, and the Holy Spirit guiding and directing the church (check out Acts 2:4, 4:31, 9:31, 10:44, 13:2&4, 15:8, 16:6, 20:23, 21:11). Frankly, the book of Acts just drips with excitement:  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-47 NIV).

I have often heard people lament that the church today, in some ways, does not measure up to the early church and they long for a return to those exciting times.  The standard answer to that concern is that the book of Acts spanned  some 30 years and all those things didn’t happen at once.  Yet, I believe we live in exciting times right now.

Consider what is happening right now.  In the past year we have seen a number of people saved and water baptized.  The churches in Alliance are working together as never before, including praying together on a monthly basis.  We are about to start a Bible School which will equip our future leaders for the work of the ministry, and even send out new churches.  We are planning on missions trips to two parts of the world where the need is great, and our young people have stepped up to the plate.  We have a number of outreach opportunities coming up.  And I am excited about a new outreach to young men in the Alliance area that is currently in the planning stages.

I believe we live in exciting times and it is up to us as individuals to step “into the fray” so to speak and get involved.  Maybe you’re a prayer warrior, we have something for you to do.  Perhaps you have a burden for the lost, why not consider a mission trip.  Perhaps you are artistic, get involved in the Christmas play.  There are a lot of opportunities.  Let’s join in the excitement.

Amen?

Paul

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