Reflections

This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. –Psalm 118:24

This verse is my favorite and it has brought me through many hard times through the years. Each morning I thank the Lord and think about what He has in store for me this day. I rejoice that each day is a new beginning in Him. He has wiped the slate clean, forgiven my sins, and offers his peace and love every day. He walks with me daily, uplifting me, guiding me, and keeping me in his care.

So with Christus Victor’s capital campaign, what does God have in store for us as a congregation this day? He walks with us daily in our outreach to many people spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ through word and deed. He keeps us healthy and strong as a congregation to continue His work.

“Now is the Time” to let Him guide us to grow.

Each day God presents us with new opportunities to serve His people and we must be ready.

“Today is the day” and “Now is the Time.”

For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven, a time to break down and a time to build up. –Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

As I reflect on this scripture, I discover that my life has had many seasons. I still remember the day standing in my bedroom, when I threw up my hands and turned over my problems regarding raising three teenage children. I put it all in God’s hands. I felt a sense of peace and understanding. I had been focusing on what I should and should not do. I had for-gotten to pray and rely on God’s direction. Looking back, I know God did answer my prayers, on his time table, not mine.

I have learned to trust that God will provide me with the strength to get through all of the seasons of my life. I know that God stays with me as I work to grow in spiritual maturity. He doesn’t give up on me even though I have been a slow learner at times. I pray that God will guide each of us to new opportunities to serve others.

Trust that the Lord will not give up on you during the various “seasons of your life,” while he guides you to grow in spiritual maturity, serving others and preparing you for your role in eternity.

With men, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. –Matthew 19:26

Do miracles happen? An illness is mysteriously and unex-pectedly cured. A life is saved in a devastating accident. A child is born to a barren woman.

When we pray for God’s intervention, his answer may come quickly or not even in our lifetime. A community may pray that all its citizens will be spared homelessness and hunger. This prayer may be answered quickly or very slowly.

In our prayer, we should realize we are the hands, feet, and minds that do God’s will. Our plea should be asking what our role is in each situation. Our task should be to meditate on the miracles God has for our community of believers.

Grant us the wisdom to know how to respond.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Ecclesiastes 3:11 since it is the source of inspiration for the lovely song, “In His Time.”

We must believe that He has a master plan and sets the right time for everything. God plants His will in our hearts and we must trust Him now and do His work on earth.

In His Time
He makes everything beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me every day
As you’re teaching me your way
That you do just what you say
In Your time
Copyright 1978-Diane Ball

Sermon for March 1, 2009 on Mark 1:9-15

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Today’s guest preacher is Pastor David Misenheimer. Pastor David comes to us from Kairos, a Christian Resource Development firm.

David Misenheimer has been a Kairos Consultant since 2001, after serving 25 years as a parish pastor. Having been pastor in three large Lutheran churches, his expertise is in visioning for larger and growing churches and developing action plans to achieve their vision for mission. His passion is stirring the Christian imagination of congregational leaders to answer the basic question, “What is God calling you to become now?” Then the joy is seeking discernment of God’s vision and sharing inspiration and resources to move confidently into God’s preferred future.

Two years ago I went on a mission trip with our youth. During the trip I was able to really connect with our youth group for the first time. The time we had there was enjoyable and in my opinion, well-spent. My team and I helped in a café that served food to homeless people every day, and I saw people of every race and age line up to eat. We helped sort tapes in the largest library for the blind in the U.S. There we also met a really extraordinary blind person, who was always optimistic and lived like she had no handicap.

In Daytona we had the time to help others and ourselves. I saw little kids that had nothing, and that had to go home to parents that were abusive and apathetic every day. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 says “For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven, a time to break down and a time to build up.” For the five days we spent in Daytona, we took the time out of our lives to give aid to those who needed it, and to help them build in faith. We had a fun time on the trip, and I’m glad I went.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote:

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally my brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned are received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of Peace will be with you. –Philippians 4:4-9

We cannot control many of the forces in our lives, but we need to trust that God is there for us and will help get us through the difficult times. There is a saying, “God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.” Life has its ups and downs, and during the “down” times, we must listen and watch for His presence in our lives. Believe me, He is there! I know because of the many times when I needed Him, He was there and guided me through the difficulties and questions in my life.

Our business is to always pay attention to what is right and what is good, and follow the Lord’s teachings. Life will not always be easy, but we can have peace, if we leave our worries to God and trust in Him to guide us.

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me? –ELW 798, Verse 4

Sing a new song, for the Lord has done marvelous things. –Psalm 98

Indeed God has done mighty deeds, but that should not stop us to realize the marvelous things God continues to do. Inspired by His Word, we must do the same! How exciting it is to be part of a church family that by spreading God’s Word and continuous growth has outgrown its space. This is the time to put our faith into action and give generously to the building program.

Thank you God for this challenge. Your ministry at Christus Victor is alive, exciting and growing. We will sing your praises as we expand our church building and dream and visualize a retreat center in the future. Thanks be to God!

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Will You Come and Follow Me (ELW 798)

God’s call to us doesn’t depend on how we view things. He calls us because of how He views things–and he wants to include us in the plan. Our plans are no where near to what God has in mind for us. We are all connected in the fellowship of believers and this song draws us to follow God’s lead–no matter the circumstances. To open ourselves to the challenge and joy that comes when we say “yes” and leave ourselves behind. Are we willing to risk not being in control in order to let God lead us? Can we plan and then rearrange those plans so that God’s will can be accomplished? Our greatest task is to love, follow, and risk all in order to become part of the great design God has planned. More and more of God, and less and less of self.

Lord, when you call me quicken my heart to immediately say “yes” to the challenge. I am your eyes, ears, and hands–accomplish your will through me. Amen.

For everything there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven, a time to break down and a time to build up. -Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

Which one is it the time now, dear Lord? Is it the time to break down, or the time to build up?

Which one is it the season Lord? Down here in Florida it is so hard to say anyway.

Which one is it the time, Lord? The time to get born, or the time to die?

Look around people? Sings of both times are everywhere in all matter under heaven. As much as we would have loved to say which one is it the time now, it is not for us to know really. But it is for us to pray to God to give us confidence to boldly say: “Now is the Time” Lord to definitely build!

While our global economy is breaking down all over the world, our spiritual strength has been given a prominence to grow to deep depths – to let God live in us and we in him; to follow in His footsteps to move and live and grow in Him and He in us!

Which one is it the time now, Lord? Will you let me answer in prayer… to use the faith we’ve found to reshape the world around, through our sight and touch and sound in you and you in us!

Yes! Definitely the Time is Now to build and let God’s love be shown, let his name be known and let our lives be grown in Him and Him in us – Now is the Time.