God's Word

I have another story for you told of Harry Cohn. For many years he was the head of Columbia Movie Studios. In the early days Harry’s brother came out from New York and was criticizing the way Harry did things. They got into a heated argument. Harry said, “I bet you don’t even know The Lord’s Prayer.” His brother replied, “What’s that got to do with anything?” Harry again said, “I just bet you don’t’ know The Lord’s Prayer.” His brother confidently said, “Well of course I do! Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake. I pray the Lord my soul to take.” Reluctantly, Harry said, “Oh well, I apologize. I didn’t really think you knew it.” Many times we think we know what’s in the Bible, and yet it is impossible to really know the marvelous truth of God’s Word without reading it. Again, I challenge you to commit yourself to reading the Word of God on a daily basis.

Right now we are reading in the Book of Hebrews. Today I read this marvelous statement, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Now listen to what the Life Application Bible says about that marvelous verse: “The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. With the incisiveness of a surgeon’s knife, God’s Word reveals who we are and what we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God’s Word require decisions. We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives.” Our theme 2008 is found in Romans 12:2, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” How’s God’s Word renewing your mind?

Our entry into our new facility begins soon with Wednesday night for a special gathering of study and prayer held there on July 9^th and our first workday on Saturday, July 12^th. You will hear more about it in church. These are exciting days to be a part of our fellowship.

Commitment

I have another story for you: A big-game hunter went on a safari with his wife and mother-in-law. One evening, while still deep in the jungle, the lady awoke to find her mother gone. Rushing to her husband, she insisted on them both trying to find her mother. The hunter picked up his rifle and started to look for her. In a clearing not far from the camp they came upon a chilling site. The mother-in-law was backed up against a thick, impenetrable bush, and a large male lion stood facing her. The wife cried, “What are we going to do?” “Nothing,” said the hunter husband. “The lion got himself into this mess, let him get himself out of it.”

There are numerous stories like this that pertain to mother-in-laws, but none of the stories about mother-in-laws are quite as powerful as the one found in the Book of Ruth. Naomi is the mother-in-law of Ruth, and their story will be the highlight of my message this Sunday. Along with preaching about Ruth, will be the recognition of North Salem Baptist Church, as we invite them to partner with us as church making a difference for Christ. It will be a great Sunday to be here and affirm their generosity, and our desire to partner with them.

We have had several meetings this week, and even more to come about our move-in to 4290 Portland Road. You will notice a banner sign on the property that says “Future Home of New Harvest Church.” It is an exciting time in the church. We are going to use the summer to prepare rooms, paint walls, landscape property and more, preparing us for an exciting launch as we begin the fall school year. With that in mind, please pray that God will lead us to a church that may utilize this facility by taking over our lease. We have a six-month lease which can be broken earlier if there is another church to take our place..

This is a very exciting time in the life of our church as we are recipients of God’s goodness and his abundant favor. I continue to pray that we will use this opportunity to the fullest for His Glory.

Could things get any more exciting?! I had the privilege to be a part of the signing and the exchange of $110,000 this past Thursday morning. This sale has been filed with the State and we are the owners of 4290 Portland Road and the 6.2 acres surrounding the facility. God has been so gracious to us. This is a real gift, generated in the hearts of the North Salem Baptist members, entrusted to us by God that we would be faithful to this opportunity. As the scriptures say, “make the most of every opportunity,” and that literally means “redeeming the time.” We not only have the privilege of buying this property, but we need to also buy up this opportunity to represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ well from our new setting.

This Sunday is going to be a wonderful time at church also. Chad and the Youth Group are spearheading this Service and Chad has a good message for the graduating seniors and for us. I really want to encourage you to be here so that you can see the growth that is taking place in our Youth Ministry, not just in numbers but also in depth. There will be several testimonies, as well as recognition of the High School seniors who are graduating. We want to congratulate them and pray for them. They have a hopeful future in Christ even though statistically High School seniors entering college and/or the job market have been challenged in their faith like never before. Let’s help our seniors succeed as followers of Jesus Christ as they step into the future.

Pastor Steve and I will be over at North Salem Baptist Church for some of the morning. I will be teaching a adult Sunday School class at 9:30am, sharing the vision of New Harvest Church with a group of 30 or 40 adults. Pastor Steve will be a part of their worship service and do the preaching for their Sunday Service. North Salem Baptist Church will have one more service at our new church setting on Father’s Day, June 15^th. Then they will be taking the steps to dissolving their corporation and hopefully linking arms with us in our effort to serve Christ.

Did you know that we have had 18 new professions of faith this year so far? Chad will be recognizing a young lady from our Youth Group Sunday morning as well. This is a marvelous time to be a part of New Harvest Church.

Communion

Obviously one of the most important things on my mind is this exciting opportunity to gather at North Salem Baptist Church this Sunday night at 6 pm to have a membership vote for purchasing the church and property surrounding the church. However, in preparation for this very important evening together we will meet Sunday morning for Communion. Communion has been a very important aspect in the life of the Christian church since Jesus instituted it the night he was betrayed. I want to have a great meeting Sunday night, and I think the forerunner to it is to have a deeply honest connection with Christ Sunday morning. Communion is a marvelous way to renew and affirm our love for Christ.

Maybe you remember Pastor Steve mentioning something about the Amish and their preparation for Communion. In the Amish culture they only celebrate Communion twice a year. When they do they prepare for a whole month of what is called “a season of preparation.” During that season the Amish take seriously the admonition that if anyone holds a grudge against his brother he is not to partake in the communion until he has put things right. If forgiveness isn’t offered, then how can forgiveness freely flow in our hearts?! Jesus said if we refuse to forgive there is a similar disconnect with the forgiveness that he gives. The forgiveness in this case is not based upon one’s salvation, but on the ongoing relationship that we have with the Lord. If we hold a grudge then there is an obstacle to our relationship with God. Likewise, if we are practicing sin, then there is an obstacle to our relationship with God. If we are living a compromised life, then there is an obstacle with our relationship with God. If we have taken the word sin out of our Christian vocabulary, we are missing the kind of depth that God wants to work in our lives that brings incredible freedom and joy. I challenge you to take some time before Sunday morning to prepare your hearts for the communion meal Sunday morning at our church.