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His Faithful Love Endures Forever
In Psalm 136 there are 26 verses and in all 26 verses the writer reminds us that God’s faithful love endures forever. So often we get lost in our circumstances and forget that it is God’s love that pulls us through those uncomfortable times. There are 40 times in the New Living Translation that it reminds us that God’s “faithful love endures forever.”
Also in Psalm 136 it reminds us to “give thanks unto the Lord” because of HIS faithful love. Our heavenly Father loves us and takes care of us and does everything in His power to draw us to Himself. I love the words of a song that talks about that love. Here are a few words in that song and I encourage all to listen to it
“For The Love Of God" by Andrew Ripp
I saw mercy
Mercy seated where the judge should be
Was guilty
Guilty and getting out of jail free
How could it be I didn't get the life I deserved
And the only thing that He wanted was my heart in return
Every time I think about every time I thought was the end
I'm caught up wonder again
Chorus
Where would I be
Where would I be
If it wasn't for the love of God
This song of victory is
Now mine to sing
Hallelujah for the love of God
Has set me free
Last Stanza
If it wasn't for my failures and mistakes
I would never know the depths of this grace
Now my heart is beating for heaven's sake
And for the love of God
Hallelujah for the love of God
By: Pastor Steve Eicher
Wait on the Lord
“After two whole years, Pharoah dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,” (Genesis 41:1).
Poor Joseph! Through no fault of his own he was captured by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold to Ishmaelites, and then sold again to an Egyptian. But of course the injustice didn’t stop there. Because of his integrity he was thrown into prison. And finally, he saw a way out. He correctly interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and asked him to plead his case before Pharaoh. Surely Pharaoh would have mercy on him and release him. But nothing happened. For two years, he remained stuck in prison, his excitement over the hope of release slowly ebbing away with each depressing day in the dungeon.
But then, Pharaoh had a dream! And everything changed. Joseph was released. And at just the right time to guide the country through an awful time of famine. Despite all of his misfortunes, God had a marvelous plan for him; a plan more wonderful than anything He could have imagined.
Hundreds of years later, some of God’s people were exiled to Babylon. But lest they lose courage, God told them “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:10-11). And of course, God kept His word. He did indeed have wonderful plans for them after their long exile.
Sometimes we get tired of waiting on the Lord. But the same God who had wonderful plans for Joseph and the Babylonian exiles also has wonderful plans for us. Maybe it will take two years for us to realize those plans. Or maybe seventy years. But God still remains faithful to His people. Praise the Lord!
By: Pastor Jay Mast
Don’t Fall into the Black Hole of Confusion
Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
There is no denying that in today’s world there is a lot to be confused about. Men saying they are women and others having to take their word for it. Women allowed to legally have their children killed with the help of the government simply because they don’t want them. Giving children who are not even allowed to vote or drive cars, the right to take permanent steps in destroying their bodies. These things are not only confusing, but truly sad and seemingly despairing. These are things that I wouldn’t have even imagined when I was a kid, but here they are now and there is no hiding from it. But thankfully we have a God that loves clarity and direction, and He has given us all we need for direction through this map of confusion in our world. All we need to do is rely on Him and His word to give us what we need exactly when we need it. Praise be to God and the knowledge of the Truth!
By: Pastor Kevin Troyer
Christmas
With Christmas drawing near, I have been thinking: “What does Christmas mean to you?” Does it mean pretty lights, shopping for that perfect gift or lots of gatherings with lots of food? These can all be good things to think about at Christmas time but what is the real reason that you celebrate? Many years ago a baby was born that changed everything for mankind. He was born in a small town in a barn because there was no room in the inn. His name is Jesus. He was born as the Savior of the world. Do you have room for Him today or are you too busy with the hustle and bustle of the season to include Him?
Matthew 1:21 says: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
As we celebrate this year, let’s not lose sight of the real reason we celebrate: Jesus, the Savior of the world!
By: Elton Gingerich
Worth the Wait
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27: 14 (ESV)
Have you waited on something for hours, days, or maybe even weeks, and decided it was worth the wait? Many of us don’t like to wait – we want what we want, and we want it now. Sometimes, we have no choice but to wait. One example of this for me is waiting on my taxidermy to return from Africa. It’s sort of the culmination of my once in a lifetime trip that I was blessed with. I want my taxidermy here, as soon as possible, but I have to wait until it arrives – there’s nothing that can be done to expedite the arrival.
As a child, do you remember waiting with eager anticipation for Christmas Day to arrive so that you could open a gift? I remember! I also remember pleading with my parents to open said gift(s) early! If I waited until Christmas would it be worth the wait? (Children, if you’re reading this – its worth the wait!)
Life is full of times where we should wait on God, but too often we don’t wait. We take matters into our hands and do things our way. Have you ever done this? Some examples of this in our lives could be waiting on God’s timing or answer regarding a job, a relationship, education decisions – the list goes on and on, really. How did this situation turn out for you, when you didn’t seek God and didn’t wait on Him? Think about situations where you did seek God first, and you waited on Him. I am confident that it was far better, and I am sure that it always will be. Always. Brothers and sisters, wait on the Lord – its always worth the wait!
By: Marcus Steury
Praying Without Ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without Ceasing.” This was a verse, growing up, that was always kind of a struggle for me. I struggled with it because it confused me on how my prayer life was supposed look. Every time I thought about this verse, it made me think I wasn’t praying enough everyday. Was I supposed to just lock my self in my room every minute of everyday and just sit in prayer? Was I supposed to constantly be in prayer when I was driving or when I was speaking with friends? Should I be spending time reading a book or playing games with my family or put those things aside to pray? Well over the years of pondering this uncertainty and seeking answers from the Lord, He made some things very clear to me. He most certainly does not want us to spend every waking minute in our rooms praying, but that quiet time with Him is very beneficial and He can show us many really incredible things when we do. I find that a nice balance makes a big difference in my spiritual walk. Another thing God has showed me is the importance of putting Him first in all thoughts and plans. When I see the words, “pray without ceasing,” I many times only think of kneeling and praying before Him in my room or quiet place, but I think putting God in the forefront of your thoughts is really what Paul was saying in this verse. So many times we make decisions quickly and without hesitation when we really need to take them to the Lord first. I don’t believe this verse is simply telling us to hide away in prayer everyday for the rest of our lives, but it is deeper than that. We need to remember to put God first in our heart and our mind and do that without ceasing every day. God bless!
By: Pastor Kevin Troyer
Whiter Than Snow
This week I was reminded again as I get older it’s more difficult for me to like the snow, even though it didn’t really snow that much. Although I like the beauty of the snow it’s just getting harder to be motivated to work in it. It does seem to transform the countryside from darkish and drab colors and freshens things up.
But I am also reminded as I get older, that I like the imagery that the scriptures make about the snow. It gives the indication that the Blood of our Savior blots out our sins and make us whiter than snow. “Ps 51:7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow “
“ Isa 1:18“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
Snow also is representative of what Jesus in His resurrected body looks like, when he returns to judge the masses. “Dan 7:9 I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire,” “Matt 28:3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.” “Rev 1:14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire.”
Our Heavenly Father created the snow and it is beautiful when we stop to think about!
By: Pastor Steve Eicher
Wait
Who likes to wait for anything? Do you get frustrated in the drive through or waiting for your spouse to get ready? Have you ever had to wait on the Lord’s timing? I know in my life I had times where I was waiting on the Lord’s call or direction. During those times it can be hard to wait and be patient. In Acts 1:3-5 it says "He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”" The disciples have just been with Jesus and have been first hand witnesses to the miracle of Jesus raising from the dead. I can just imagine their excitement and desire to go and share what they have witnessed to others. Instead, they waited for the Holy Spirit which helped to guide them on the direction they needed to go. God's timing is perfect and when we wait on him everything will work out according to his will. So be patient and hang in there.
By: Michal Troyer
Be of Good Cheer
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16: 33 (NKJV)
Being of good cheer isn’t always my first reaction in life, but Jesus asked His disciples (and I believe asks us) to be of good cheer, and immediately reminds us why that is possible. He has overcome. Jesus has overcome the world, and defeated the enemy. He has defeated the one who desires to steal our joy. He has defeated the one who wants to drag us down and causes discouragement.
Jesus Christ reminds us though, that we will have trouble in this world – that’s reality. We will have trouble! Its vitally important though, to maintain an eternal perspective. I’ll leave you with this thought from Joni Eareckson Tada to ponder this week:
“The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough. It’s enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrow currently assail us aren’t worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon.”
Be of good cheer, and focus on Jesus in your tribulations, sufferings, and sorrows – He has overcome the world!
By: Marcus Steury
I Will Carry You
4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
Isaiah 46:4 (ESV)
I have likely been carried more than the average person, because of my disability. Its an interesting feeling that requires complete trust of the person carrying you. When we are carried, we have almost no control of the situation. When I was being carried, I had one job – hold on tight and don’t let go! If the person carrying me stumbled and fell, I was going down with them! (I’m thankful that it didn’t happen very often at all.)
As I reflect on being carried, I had to ask the question – why was I being carried? I was being carried because I couldn’t get to my destination without some help! Life can be like that for all of us. Jesus needs to carry us – and we need to trust Him to carry us. Sometimes our enemy has us so burdened, discouraged and dismayed that we are weighted down emotionally and mentally and we need to be carried; sometimes we physically can’t go on and need to be carried. Either way, we have one response and one job – first allow Jesus to carry us, then hold on tight and don’t let go! I am sure that Jesus will not stumble or fall.
Brothers and sisters, I don’t know what you’re battling today – illness, grief, sorrow, sadness, discouragement, heartache, uncertainty, doubt, despair – whatever it is – Jesus wants to carry you. If you ask Him, I’m quite certain of His response: “I will carry you.”
By: Marcus Steury