Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
The Book of Numbers tells of a time when Moses and Aaron sent twelve spies to scout out the Promised Land, Canaan, to explore the land God was set to give them. It was an exciting day! Let's go see the great prize God has for us!
And it was exactly as God had advertised: a land "flowing with milk and honey," with fertile soil and amazing fruit, a sign of promise and supply. It really was a great land. But in spite of this, 10 of the 12 spies came back with terrible news.
"We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are! The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers!" (Numbers 13:31-33)
The Israelites heard their report and panicked. Even though Joshua and Caleb implored them that they could do it, the Israelites wept in sadness and complained, "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness! Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle?" (Numbers 14:2-3). They even threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb, the only ones who wanted to go for it!
We know how things ended. God caused them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, until everyone who lived in fear and unbelief died off. The Book of Hebrews confirms the reason for them not entering the Promised Land: "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief." (Hebrews 3:19)
Ouch. That's one of the saddest verses in the Bible. And in all honesty, it causes me to self-assess: what blessings am I missing out on simply because of my unbelief?
It's worth asking. Am I missing out on a thriving marriage, simply because I refuse to believe it can improve? Or missing out on healthy relationships with my kids or friends or relatives or church friends, because I'm just done believing? Or missing out on a ministry opportunity, because I don't believe I can do it? Or missing out on health and wholeness, because I don't believe I can see it through?
The Good News is that it's never too late to believe again! Just like God never gave up on you and your salvation, He also never gives up on your life. You came to saving faith because of His persistence and pursuit of your soul, and you responded not with a great exploit or act -- but belief! It's the faith that He was after.
In the same way, believing again is what He's after in almost every area of disappointment in your life. He wants to get you out of the mindset that thinks, "Next to this issue, we're just grasshoppers!"
Maybe so. Maybe you are too small for victory in this area. But He's not. He's more than capable. He can work in you and through you to bring about a great victory. And the fruit that lies on the other side of that victory is rich and lush. Maybe God just wants you to believe again!
"Help me, Lord, to see my life through Your eyes, eyes of belief and not of fear. May I grow in faith, and may You lead me in a fruitful direction! In Jesus' name!"
The Book of Numbers tells of a time when Moses and Aaron sent twelve spies to scout out the Promised Land, Canaan, to explore the land God was set to give them. It was an exciting day! Let's go see the great prize God has for us!
And it was exactly as God had advertised: a land "flowing with milk and honey," with fertile soil and amazing fruit, a sign of promise and supply. It really was a great land. But in spite of this, 10 of the 12 spies came back with terrible news.
"We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are! The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers!" (Numbers 13:31-33)
The Israelites heard their report and panicked. Even though Joshua and Caleb implored them that they could do it, the Israelites wept in sadness and complained, "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness! Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle?" (Numbers 14:2-3). They even threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb, the only ones who wanted to go for it!
We know how things ended. God caused them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, until everyone who lived in fear and unbelief died off. The Book of Hebrews confirms the reason for them not entering the Promised Land: "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief." (Hebrews 3:19)
Ouch. That's one of the saddest verses in the Bible. And in all honesty, it causes me to self-assess: what blessings am I missing out on simply because of my unbelief?
It's worth asking. Am I missing out on a thriving marriage, simply because I refuse to believe it can improve? Or missing out on healthy relationships with my kids or friends or relatives or church friends, because I'm just done believing? Or missing out on a ministry opportunity, because I don't believe I can do it? Or missing out on health and wholeness, because I don't believe I can see it through?
The Good News is that it's never too late to believe again! Just like God never gave up on you and your salvation, He also never gives up on your life. You came to saving faith because of His persistence and pursuit of your soul, and you responded not with a great exploit or act -- but belief! It's the faith that He was after.
In the same way, believing again is what He's after in almost every area of disappointment in your life. He wants to get you out of the mindset that thinks, "Next to this issue, we're just grasshoppers!"
Maybe so. Maybe you are too small for victory in this area. But He's not. He's more than capable. He can work in you and through you to bring about a great victory. And the fruit that lies on the other side of that victory is rich and lush. Maybe God just wants you to believe again!
"Help me, Lord, to see my life through Your eyes, eyes of belief and not of fear. May I grow in faith, and may You lead me in a fruitful direction! In Jesus' name!"
_________________________________________________
After last Sunday's Square One conference, Meadows added 15 new members to our flock! Praise God!
_________________________________________________
June 1-3: Vacation Bible School!
VBS is coming! By exploring God's awesomeness, kids form a rock-solid faith for the road ahead. On June 1-3 (Wednesday to Friday), from 9 AM-12 PM, kids (kindergarten to fifth grade) are invited to a week of faith, learning, singing, and fun! Click HERE for more info and to register (deadline is May 15).
VBS is coming! By exploring God's awesomeness, kids form a rock-solid faith for the road ahead. On June 1-3 (Wednesday to Friday), from 9 AM-12 PM, kids (kindergarten to fifth grade) are invited to a week of faith, learning, singing, and fun! Click HERE for more info and to register (deadline is May 15).
_________________________________________________
By the way: this Sunday is MOTHER'S DAY. This is your official reminder. Don't blow it.
_________________________________________________
Every week at Meadows:
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
_________________________________________________
This Sunday, we'll continue the series, What is a Christian?
It's worth taking time to really think that through, right? What even are we? What are our defining attributes and characteristics? In a world that seems to live on division and disunity, it's good to rally around the things that unite and define us.
Last week, we started things off with the first and most important attribute of a Christian: we're beloved children. We've been set apart, adopted, taken in. We're His kids.
This week we'll look at what happens next, what He does with these born-again children: He gives us a church family to belong to. It's a defining quality, and one worth talking about and celebrating.
Join us this Sunday for Part 2 - Beloved Community.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
It's worth taking time to really think that through, right? What even are we? What are our defining attributes and characteristics? In a world that seems to live on division and disunity, it's good to rally around the things that unite and define us.
Last week, we started things off with the first and most important attribute of a Christian: we're beloved children. We've been set apart, adopted, taken in. We're His kids.
This week we'll look at what happens next, what He does with these born-again children: He gives us a church family to belong to. It's a defining quality, and one worth talking about and celebrating.
Join us this Sunday for Part 2 - Beloved Community.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
Recent
Archive
2023
March
June
September
2022
March
July
September
2021
January
Categories
no categories