Pastor Roger's Blog: January 2009

January 30, 2009

Hi Friends,

It is good to be back. My thanks to all who have prayed for my recovery. I am back on my feet and gaining strength each day. I am eagerly anticipating this Sunday, February 1^st. We are beginning a new series – “The Healing of Our Nation” – based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. This week we will consider what it means to be the people of God as we pray for God’s healing touch on our nation.

As Christians, God calls us to pray for our new President and for our government officials. It matters not what our political affiliation may be and what the political affiliation of our President might be. The Bible says that God has ordained a system of government and that as His people we are to pray for those in authority over us. Rush Limbaugh is reported to have said that he hopes Pres. Obama fails because of Limbaugh’s disagreement over the policies of our new President. Limbaugh is first and foremost an entertainer who jettisons his own ratings as a provocateur. That is one approach. Another approach is to pray that our new President will seek out and hear the voice of God for our nation; to pray that He will follow the example of Solomon and ask not for riches and wealth and honor or long life but that he will ask God for wisdom and knowledge to lead our nation.

Our President has an unusually high approval rating – the highest since John F. Kennedy became our 35^th President in 1961. Expectations may be unfairly high on this popular President as he wades into his first one hundred days in office and faces wave after wave of economic and international turmoil. As I pray for our President I am also cautioned to remember that my help does not come from Washington or from a politician or from any one political party. In Psalm 121 I am reminded that my help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.

Over the next four Sundays we will ask the Spirit of God to give us insight into the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 as we ask God how to pray for the healing of our nation. This week we will look at God’s Word to His people. When God wants to heal the nation He calls His church to repentance. The healing of a nation begins with revival among the people of God and in the church. And this begins by living with the confidence that we belong to God Himself.

May the Lord bless you with His grace and peace in abundance.

A friend,

Roger

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January 02, 2009

January 2, 2009

Hi Friends,

2009 is underway! Ellen and I trust that you enjoyed the peace and presence of the Lord during the Christmas and New Year holidays. For many this was not an easy time with economic or relational or physical challenges. Yet the promise of God is that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

This Sunday, January 4^th, we begin a new four week series called “Financial Freedom”. I will be speaking from Galatians 5 on “The Test of Freedom”. This will not be a “try harder, do better, give more” sermon series. This series is designed to help us discover and explore biblical principles of financial freedom. With all of the economic blessings of the last ten years, how are we doing today? Do we have fewer debts and more money in savings? We will take a gracious look at whether or not we are passing the test of financial freedom.

In Philippians 4:12 the Apostle Paul said that he has learned “the secret of being content”. That’s nice, but what is the “secret” of being content? I hope you are able to join us this Sunday for our Heritage Service at 9:30am or our contemporary service at 11:00am. These messages will be available on our website next week so that you can download them to listen or read.

I pray that the grace and peace of God will be yours in abundance throughout the year before us.

A friend,

Roger

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