Denise Whitfield
Director of Christian Education

BE BUSY WAITING

We are not good at waiting.  And if we are honest, we can get a little frustrated with God when He doesn’t seem to be moving very quickly—or at least as quickly as we would like.  And yet, God has been extremely honest with us about His use of time.  He has not misrepresented Himself.  The Scripture is a record of God taking His time . . . of seeming to be in no hurry to bring to completion His purposes.  The story of Noah is just one example—a hundred years to build a boat in a dry land.  Abraham—decades beyond masculine vitality before the promised son is born.  Moses—ripped from the luxury of Pharaoh’s court and 40 years as an obscure shepherd before the call to lead His people to their promised home.   Joseph—years of faithfulness continually met with hardship and opposition before his dreams come true.  The nation of Israel—hundreds of years of silence before the Final Word, the Messiah is born. 

Silence, unchanged circumstances, conflict, and loss are not evidence of God’s absence or inactivity.  On the contrary, God is always present and at work. Hebrews tells us that the men mentioned above exercised faith—believing in God’s behind the scenes, invisible working.  And that faith was credited to them as righteousness.

In the same way that we must not mistake a lack of visible evidence as God’s inactivity, we must not mistake a call to waiting as prescribed inactivity for us.  Waiting is a call to faith.  And faith is always active.  Believing is something you do—to the honor and glory of God.  So in your required adherence to the governor’s STAY AT HOME order, while you wait, seize the opportunities to keep growing in the knowledge of Him, keep believing Him true to His promises, keep praying for an outpouring of His grace and mercy, keep creatively “one anothering,”and keep expecting to see His purposes fulfilled.  Be busy waiting. 

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:25

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf

of those who wait for him.”  Isaiah 64:4

Brandon Glenn
Director of Youth Ministries

Have Faith

After Jesus’s death, the disciples went into a house and locked the doors. Their decision to shelter themselves in this way is similar to what some of us may be feeling today. I wonder what the disciples were thinking and feeling during those three days between Jesus’s death and resurrection—doubt, worry, fear, anxiety—maybe. After telling us that Jesus’s disciples were together with the doors locked, John explains that “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’” (John 20:19, NIV).

Praise God that the self-isolated disciples’ story was not yet over! Likewise, your story is not yet over. Jesus’s resurrection gives each of our stories a new meaning. It takes faith to trust that God’s version of our story is far better than anything we could write on our own. My challenge to you “for today” is that we have faith that God can write the next chapter of our lives better than we could ever imagine. May we all trust God with the next chapter of our lives. Amen.

Doug Lyon
Senior Pastor

Disappointment—His Appointment

It took over a year of planning, promotion, and preparation, but just one moment to come to a screeching halt.  I refer to the Shiloh Holy Land Tour.  The coronavirus struck, and our trip was cancelled.  A group from our church was scheduled to go to Israel from March 23 to April 3.  We were to visit places of biblical significance—where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal, where David conquered Goliath, where Peter confessed Christ—to walk where Jesus walked.  It was disappointing that our trip to Israel did not come to fruition.

Perhaps you have experienced a disappointment due to COVID-19—a cancelled vacation get-away, family gathering, school activity, or church function.  However, I have learned in life that disappointment is God’s appointment.

“Disappointment—His Appointment”

Change one letter, then I see

That the thwarting of my purpose

Is God’s better choice for me.

His appointment must be blessing,

Tho’ it may come in disguise,

For the end from the beginning

Open to His wisdom lies.

Despite the cancellation of our Israel trip, I can honestly say it is well with my soul.  God is Sovereign; He is in control.  It was not His will for us to visit Israel—at least not in spring, 2020!  I trust that you can say the same concerning your disappointment.

(To hear an uplifting rendition of It Is Well with My Soul, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDIJz6zzHNU&feature=youtu.be)

Bob Lehman
Executive Pastor

So, What’s on Your Mind?

Deuteronomy 6:4-15   “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

As many of you know Deb and I were missionaries for almost 30 years.  In 1991 Deb and I gave up the security that comes from having a regular paycheck and stepped out in faith believing that God would provide for our needs; not only did he meet our needs, but so much more.  Very early on in this walk of faith we started to establish memories of how God provided in miraculous ways; there were many.  Then when we would find ourselves in a difficult situation, we would just remember how God had provided in the past.  We made sure never to hide these situations from our kids, always taking the opportunity to remind them of His faithfulness.  The funny thing was that we started looking to the difficult times not with dread but with anxious anticipation about how God would provide.  

During these stressful times I think it would do us all good to spend more time reflecting on God’s past faithfulness in our lives.  As you reflect on these times, you need to talk about them with your spouse, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.   Remember, when we focus on the problem it becomes difficult to see God, but when we focus on God, we tend to see the problem differently.

Dave Hamilton

How Firm a Foundation

Next to our fireplace is an interesting African piece given to me by my son when he returned from a mission’s trip to the island nation of Comoros.  It has three cleverly shaped legs carved by a craftsman out of a single piece of wood.

As I have thought about the days we are in today, and, truly, ALL times of struggles and trials which we go through, I am drawn to the three firm supports of our confidence:

• God is All-Powerful!  Isaiah 44:24 and SO many others!
• God is All-Knowing!  Isaiah 40:28
• God is All-Loving!  John 3:16

IF God is All-Powerful, All-Knowing but does not love me, what matter does it make?  I cannot trust that my trials to be for good and not for harm!

IF God is All-Knowing and All-Loving but is powerless to change anything, then my lot will be tossed about with each crashing wave with no Rescuer able to help me!

IF God is All-Loving and All-Powerful but knows nothing more than I, we are both shocked by events; blind-siding both He and a fearful I!

Remove just one leg from the wooden stand we have and the bowl it holds along with its contents will be scatter in disarray! 

No, God knows all, is powerful in and through all and loves me with an everlasting love!  My confidence is well placed.  My hope is secure!  My God is Sovereign.

And I am loved!

Denise Whitfield
Director of Christian Education

NO ROCK LIKE OUR GOD.

I remember, many years ago, when Wade and I went to a concert in New York, Steve Green sang a song that was very familiar to me— “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” I had sung that song so many times . . .but that night, I felt like I was hearing it for the first time. Meaning was hung on every word as he sang the entire hymn acapella, while raising the musical key a half step with each new verse. I was deeply moved as I was reminded of profound truths.

Today a different hymn popped into my head and as I was mentally singing it, I was again reminded of life altering and life sustaining truths. Each line packed with meaning . . . meaning that I can sometimes sing through with little thought on a Sunday morning. Praise God for moments in our lives where we become better listeners—when Truth gains our full attention.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

Today’s challenges call for more than wishful thinking, or optimistic anticipation. We need hope based on the power and provision of the cross of Christ.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

In these days, we are continually reminded of the frailty of our earthly bodies, the unreliability of earthly provisions, and the fleeting nature of material possessions. If we are going to lean on something, it best be something—no better yet, SOMEONE—strong and unchanging.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.

Everyone, to differing degrees, has had their world shaken. For even the faith-filled, this is an enormously impactful, unexpected, and unprecedented turn of events. But it is also a perfect opportunity for us to reestablish our footing. We can reaffirm our stand. And I would encourage standing on the One who is unwavering and secure, Jesus Christ. Nothing and no one else will do.

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2

Brandon Glenn
Director of Youth Ministries

April Fools

The self-isolation is over…April Fools! Sorry if that was too soon, but yes, today is April Fool’s day! Do you enjoy pranking and tricking your friends and family? Or maybe you’re too “mature” for that nonsense. Either way, we all get the concept of April Fools’ Day. I believe it’s all in good fun to enjoy this day by playing a prank or two (or more), but the book of Proverbs has some strong words regarding the fool.

“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2

“If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.” Proverbs 29:9

The antidote to being a fool is being wise. Solomon, the author of Proverbs, asked God for wisdom. These are just three verses I’ve highlighted regarding being a fool. I encourage you to take time to read through some Proverbs, comparing and contrasting the fool and the wise individuals. Ask yourself which best describes you. Ask yourself how you can become more like the wise individual than the foolish individual. Ask God, the Holy Spirit, to do a work in your life to make you wiser, today.

Doug Lyon

Senior Pastor

Lonely, But Never Alone

During this period of COVID 19, you might be practicing extended times of social distancing or self-imposed quarantine.  Either way, you are not routinely out and about in public, and you are spending much time alone at home.  As a result, you might feel lonely, but it is important to realize that you are never alone.  God is omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere present at all times.  There is no place where God is not. 

King David expresses this biblical truth in Psalm 139 when he acknowledges to the Lord, “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens [north], you are there; if I make my bed in the depths [south], you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn [east], if I settle on the far side of the sea [west], even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (vv 7-10).

No matter where you are, God is there.  Even when you are not aware of God’s presence, He is there (Genesis 28:16).  

Take comfort in the fact that the Lord is with you, and, as He promises, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Bob Lehman
Executive Pastor

Hope

Last week President Trump said that he was setting a goal for our country of being back on track by Easter.  Many said that he should not have said this, but I think it was a good thing.   He instilled hope by setting a light at the end of the tunnel even if that end is further down the road than April 12^th.    All of us need hope, without it we live in despair.

How much more does this ring true for those who have placed their hope in the living God.  Hebrews 10: 23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;” and Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the ^[a]assurance of things ^[b]hoped for, the ^[c]conviction of things not seen.”

Present Trump is trying to instill hope but let us not forget where our true hope lies.  God alone is in control of the COVID19 situation and He alone has the power to bring good out of it for those who choose to put their hope in Him.

Romans 15:13,  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“For Today” March 26, 2020

Denise Whitfield

Director of Christian Education

“Those who know your name, trust in you.”
Psalm 9:10

What is in a name?  Reputation? Relationship? Power? Access? Fame? Fortune?  All of the above.  Expectant parents spend a lot of time considering, discussing, disagreeing and finally deciding upon a name for a new baby.  In recent years, there is a trend toward emphasizing the uniqueness of the individual by ensuring the uniqueness of a name through creating unusual spellings, or reaching back in time to choose an old, no longer commonly used name.  After not knowing of anyone being named “Henry” for 4 decades, I know of 2 in the last year.  We believe names matter—and this is nothing new.  For years we based our fair ministry on this reality. 

There are number of names of people in the Bible that proved to be real identifiers of the person’s appearance, character, emotions, or experiences.  Esau was hairy from birth.  Jacob, the supplanter, grasp the heel of his older brother.  After the loss of her husband and sons, Naomi renamed herself “Mara” meaning “bitter”.  Thomas was a twin.     

There is a name we know that is totally complete in its uniqueness.  It is the name that is above any other name.  There is a name that means “Yahweh is salvation”.  This name is the Word of God (Revelation 19:13).  This name drives out demons (Luke 10:17). This name confers family status (John 1:12).  By this name, healing comes (Acts 3:16).  In this name, whole nations will put their hope (Matthew 12:21).  This name is the source of prayer power and protection (John 15:16, 17:12). 

What’s in a name?  Everything.  In these days of uncertainty and upheaval, when we are experiencing an onslaught of information and expert opinion—we need but one Word—one Name.  JESUS. 

There is a name that we know—we put our trust in Him. 

For Today, Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Director of Youth Ministries
Brandon Glenn

After the COVID-19 quarantine in China, the country has seen a sharp increase in the number of psychological issues such as depression and anxiety, mostly brought on by isolation and loneliness. How can we help prevent and defeat depression during our self-isolation?

I would encourage you to read Jesus’s answer to a question regarding the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV).

One of the best ways we can prevent and defeat depression is by following these two commands. Take time to LOVE God. Take time to LOVE others. Ask God how you can show your love to others through this Pandemic. Maybe it’s running for groceries for someone else, or calling an isolated friend, or staying home!

Helping other people gives us a sense of purpose and worth. We can love God by loving others.

For Today, Tuesday, March 24th

^{Doug Lyon}

“Fear Not”

COVID-19. 

The very words strike fear in the hearts of people.  However, the Word of God encourages believers not to fear.  But why?  In the midst of a life-threatening pandemic, why are we told not to fear?  The answer lies in the presence of God.  Psalm 46:1-2 state, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

God is our help in times of trouble, and His presence sustains us.  Twice in this psalm, the sons of Korah remind us that “the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (vv 7, 11).

Psalm 46 is the basis of Reformation Leader Martin Luther’s best-known hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

Be confident, knowing that the Sovereign Lord of the universe is with you even in the most trying and uncertain times.

^{Bob Lehman
Executive Pastor}

^{Focus On The Promises}

It seems that all we hear lately is the uncertain and scary news about COVID 19. Recently, I have been hearing statements such as: “How long will it last?”, “Will we ever return to normal?”, What will our new normal look like?”  When this is all we hear, it is easy for us to become worried and anxious over what tomorrow will bring.  It is during times such as these that we must cling to the promises of God’s Word. 

In Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) we read, “You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

I would like to encourage you today to fill your mind with the promises of God, rather than the pessimism of the world.  Commit to memory the above verse and other promises in Scripture, and when you find yourself becoming worried or anxious, say them out loud.  You will be surprised what a difference it will make!