The fear of the Lord, part 2

By On October 28, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

 “The fear of the Lord tends to take away all other fears.”

 

The fear of the Lord

By On October 28, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

“It is that indefinable mixture of reverence and pleasure, joy and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us. It is a love for God which is so great that we would be ashamed to do anything which would displease or grieve Him, and makes us happiest when we are doing what pleases Him.” – Sinclair Ferguson

“The fear of God in which godliness consists is the fear which constrains adoration and love. It is the fear which consists in awe, reverence, honour, and worship, and all of these on the highest level of exercise. It is the reflex in our consciousness of the transcendent majesty and holiness of God.”  –John Murray

“To fear God means to acknowledge His superiority over man, to recognize His deity and thus respond in awe, humility, worship, love, trust, and obedience.”  –R.N. Whybray

 

Psalm 111

By On October 28, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In From the Pastor

  Praise the LORD!
 I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
  in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
 Great are the works of the LORD,
  studied by all who delight in them.
 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
  and his righteousness endures forever.
 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
  the LORD is gracious and merciful.
 He provides food for those who fear him;
  he remembers his covenant forever.
 He has shown his people the power of his works,
  in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
  all his precepts are trustworthy;
 they are established forever and ever,
  to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
 He sent redemption to his people;
  he has commanded his covenant forever.
  Holy and awesome is his name!
 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
  all those who practice it have a good understanding.
  His praise endures forever!
(Psalm 111 ESV)

 

Philippians 4:13 – in context

By On October 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In Youth

If you’ve only read this verse in the context of eye black and football, you need to read this:

http://thecripplegate.com/i-can-do-all-things/

“Out of context, Philippians 4:13 is used as a blank-check promise for whatever is desired. But in context, it is a verse is about contentment. It’s not about your dreams coming true or your goals being met. Rather it’s about being joyful, satisfied, and steadfast even when life is hard and your circumstances seem impossible.”

If I could be so bold to also add, the verse is about not just being joyful and satisfied when life is hard, but also when life is easy, when everything is going your way. Paul says he’s learned the secret of being content in “plenty and want.” If we try to find meaning and happiness apart from God, we’re fighting a losing battle. It’s extraordinarily traumatic to accomplish all your goals and then realize you’re still not content. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus gets it right when he says, “Some say the bitterest sorrow a man can know is to aspire to do much and to do little. Not so. The bitterest sorrow a man can know is to aspire to do much, to do it, and then to discover it was not worth doing.” What can fill that void? Paul has a secret to tell you.
 

Laser Tag & Coast to Coast

By On October 26, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In Youth
1. Middle School Laser Tag is Friday, November 11th from 6 to 8 PM at Splitz. The cost is $10 per person for laser tag. Extra $ is recommended to be sent with because the kids like to play arcade games as they wait for the next round of laser tag. There’s a snack bar also, so that’s up to parents if they want to send with $ for that as well.

2. High School Coast to Coast is Saturday, November 19th. We’re gonna meet at the church at 4:45 AM, pack into a van(s), drive to the east coast of Florida and watch the sunrise. After that we’ll have some fun, secret stops along the way as we make our way the whole way across the state to watch the sunset on the west coast of Florida. We’ll be back to Gville by 9 PM. The cost of this fun event is $25 per person to help cover the cost of transportation and food. Breakfast and dinner will be provided, but youth would need to bring a sandwich for lunch. The deadline to sign-up for this is Tuesday, November 15th.