In all of our lives there are some things that just “get old” and there are others that “never get old”. They are more important, more significant, more encouraging, or more pleasant than ever. I don’t know which events, situations, holidays, or traditions fall into which categories for you. For me personally, spending time with my family never get’s old. Seeing my children and grandchildren never gets old. Chasing deer around in the cool Fall weather or crisp winter weather never gets old for me, although it may some day. Long drives alone in my truck, solving all the problems of the world, writing a few imprecatory psalms of my own, engaging in open dialogue with God, singing His praise, and of course doing all this while enjoying some great, hot, black coffee…well, that never gets old for me. Clearly the grandest of all things that never gets old is my relationship to the Lord Himself. Of course there are ups and downs, but on the whole its one of and the best of a few things that only get better with time. Its power and pleasure deepens and intensifies each year, each blessing, each new battle, each old battle. As the song writer has written, “His grace still amazes me.” While intensely enjoying the true fellowship in our small group bible study last night, these verses were a source of joy for us all.

2 Samuel 22:18-20

¹⁸ He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. ¹⁹ They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. ²⁰ He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

22:31-32

³¹ This God- his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. ³² “For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?

See you Sunday! Lord willing.

In Him,

P. Tim

Well, the news on my television, computer, radio, and pages of the paper isn’t getting any better, is yours? Paul described the spiritual trajectory of mankind in his first letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:12-13
^“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

While we know this is true, it’s not particularly encouraging, is it? Yet no matter what happens in the society in which we live, no matter whether there is revival or a refusal of mankind to turn from their evil ways, the glorious truth for you and me is that God doesn’t lump us all into one basket, one future, or one outcome. He remains graciously focused on each individual. In Jeremiah chapter 39, God points out that he had noticed the faith and courageous choices of one particular individual in a nation that had ultimately rejected God and His Word and would suffer ultimate judgment.

Jeremiah 39:15-18
¹⁵ The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard: ¹⁶ “Go, and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day. ¹⁷ But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. ¹⁸ For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.’”

What an amazing truth! What an amazing promise! What an amazing comfort and encouragement in times like these!

See you Sunday, Lord willing. Remember we begin our annual missions conference. Pray that God will speak to your heart. Pray that God will speak to the hearts of our young people. Pray about your share in giving to support those who are taking the gospel around the world!

Thanks,

P. Tim

In all of my life and ministry, I have never found anyone, absolutely no one, who wanted to have a life and ministry like Jeremiah, have you? You guessed it, in my personal Bible reading this past week I’ve been spending quality time in the book of Jeremiah. His candor encourages me, “O Lord, you have deceived me…” (23:7) , while his pain saddens me, “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night…” (9:1). My heart aches in sympathy with his betrayals, “Should good be repaid with evil: Yet they have dug a pit for my life…” (18:20), yet marvels and rejoices with him in his undying, although deeply tested and wounded, trust in God’s ultimate purposes and plan, “…to you have I committed my cause. Sing to the LORD; praise the LORD!…” (20:12-13). He continued, with great difficulty, to trust God’s promise as in 15:20, “And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord.” Sometimes we really think we have a “rough row to hoe” (and we do), but when I revisit the life and ministry of Jeremiah, most of my laments seem a bit “whiney”. Life is hard. God is good. Life with God is well, both good and hard!

Have a great week in the Lord!

P. Tim

I’ve rarely if ever been accused of being a pessimist. I have sometimes been called a realist, but most frequently an optimist. The “realist” in me acknowledges that life as a believer in this corrupt world system and with the inner corruption of my human soul always has been and always will be a battle. As you remember, at the very end of Paul’s life he shares one summary of his life by saying, “a good fight I have been fighting.” The optimist in me reminds me that although this battle is life-long, incessant, and excruciatingly difficult at times, because of God’s grace I can experience real progress. I can engage the battle in such as way that God is truly pleased and this battle will end with an eternal expression of His praise when He tells His faithful, “well done.”

We all know that in the ebb of flow of this life long battle it is essential for us to find true encouragement, strength for the day, wind for our sails. We find it in the fellowship of the saints. We find it in the power of public worship. We find it in candid prayer. We find it in His Word. This past week a short powerful verse provided such encouragement to me. Isaiah 52:12 says…

“…for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

In our day to day battles…God has the front covered AND God has our back. Basically, He’s got all sides covered. I found that profoundly encouraging. I pray you do too.

In Him,

P. Tim