…from the Carpenter’s Shop…

 

Cling to the Promise

 

“God is faithful to God’s promises. Before you die, you will find the acceptance and the love you crave. It will not come in the way you expect it. It will not follow your needs and wishes. But it will fill your heart and satisfy your deepest desire. There is nothing to hold on to but this promise. Everything else has been taken away from you. Cling to that makes promise in faith. Your faith will heal you.”

-Henri Nouwen 

 

Paul is writing in Philippians that there is joy in knowing that Christ is with the Christian every step of your journey. He is with you on the mountain-top of transcendence, and he is with you in the valley of the shadow of death. He is even with you in death itself. In fact, I believe he is there with open arms to receive us when we do make that big crossover from one life to the next.

 

Rejoice this week in knowing that Jesus Christ is with us through all things. It is there that we find the victory for life. It is in that we find that our strength in Christ gets us through anything.

 

Coram Deo,

Trev

From the Carpenter’s Shop:

  Temptation's Timing

	Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
	— 1 Corinthians 10:12

History tells us that during World War II, Hitler had an interesting strategy for attacking the various European nations: he always did it on a weekend. Hitler knew the various parliaments would not be in session, making it more difficult to react swiftly to an invasion.

In the same way, the devil will wait for an opportune moment, that decisive time to attack. It may be when our guard is down, when we are not expecting it. It may even come when we think we are the strongest, when we think, "I am doing pretty well spiritually. I think I am really growing. Everything is going great." Often weaker believers are less vulnerable than stronger ones, because weaker believers recognize their frailty and vulnerability. The Bible says, "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

Perhaps recently you have experienced a great blessing in your life. That blessing may involve your family, your career, your ministry, or your personal walk with God. But the enemy wants to rob you of it.

Remember, when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit came upon Him in the form of a dove, and a voice was heard from heaven from the Father saying, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). The Bible says that after this, Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness (see Luke 4:1–14).

Remember, it's not a sin to be tempted. Even Jesus was tempted. The sin takes place only when we give in to that temptation, when we open the door to it and entertain it. That is why we should flee temptation and never leave a forwarding address.

            -Greg Laurie

Yesterday was such a great day of worship. Seeing our men pray like that, kneeling before God, and then blessing our students, was such a great gift. It is in that spirit of unity that our church is the body of Christ. Let us go out and remember that we are blessed to be a blessing to others.

Coram Deo,

Trev