Limited Knowledge

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. – Psalm 139:6

The other day I was telling my daughter Joy how she was born with a hole in her heart.  I told her it was a God shaped hole.  Her eyes grew big and she said, “Really?”  I told her “No, not really?”  But as I thought about it I wondered, “How do I know?”  I can’t see inside her heart and if I could, I don’t know the shape of God.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Since the time that Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge humans have over-estimated the knowledge they actually have.  We tend to think that we know more than we actually do.  We uphold ideas as concrete truths when in actuality they are no more than a hypothesis or a guess.  When you really think about it, our knowledge is very limited, especially compared to the knowledge of God.  That is why we must always lean not on our own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all our heart.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you have given to me.  Forgive me when I think too highly of my limited knowledge and follow my own understanding instead of trusting completely in you.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Is there a decision in your life that you are trying to make?  If so look at what you know and what you don’t know and then seek God’s will and direction to make the right decision.   

Written By Pastor Aaron Anderson

A Little Glimpse of Heaven

The wolf will live with the lamb,
   the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
   and a little child will lead them.  - Isaiah 11:6

Last night the Critter Barn came to Grace (see the picture).  The Intersection was turned into a barn as there were goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and a lot of straw.  However, the exciting part of the entire evening was the number of people that came to see the animals.  The community turned out it great numbers and their where many children laughing and smiling as they held the rabbits and petted the goats.

In Isaiah, the Lord, gives us a small picture of heaven.  It is a picture where little children peacefully coexist with the animals.  Last night, as we saw many different ethnicities gathered together, many different ages, and little children interacting with the animals, I believe we truly saw a little glimpse of heaven here on earth.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for the wonderful evening we had at Grace as the community gathered together to have a fun and enjoyable time with the animals.  Thank you for the promise of heaven and the small glimpses you give to us to renew our hope.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Today watch for those little glimpses of heaven that God might give to you.

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Marching In Step With Jesus

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; - Colossians 1:17-18a

Last night my family attended a marching band festival to watch my daughter march for West Ottawa’s band. (This is a picture of the band.)  It was enjoyable to see the various schools’ march.  It is amazing how all those students can play such powerful and beautiful music while at the same time marching around the field in perfect precision.  This is all because every band has at least one or two drum majors that stand at the front of the band and provide direction.  Without these leaders the band members would be marching to their own beat and playing whatever tempo they felt like.  It would go from something beautiful to something chaotic.

The church is like a marching band, we are held together by the head who is Jesus Christ.  He is the one who stands at the front and provides direction.  In order to carry out ministry with power and precision the church must continually keeps its focus on Christ.  When the focus is not on Christ then there is no leadership and everyone in the church begins to march to their own beat and do what they want to do, and this leads to chaos in the church.  Christ is the head and he holds all things together.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for being the leader of my life.  Help me to keep my focus on you so that I can make beautiful music with my life.  Forgive me when I take my eyes off you.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Where is Christ leading in your life?  What is he calling you to do?  How you respond is the difference between beauty and chaos in your life and in the church. 

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Oh, To Be Seen

From heaven the LORD looks down
   and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
   all who live on earth— Psalm 33:13-14

When I was a young boy, my little brother and I would watch a TV show called “Romper Room.”  At the end of each show the hostess would look through her “magic mirror” and name all the children that she could see out in “televisionland.”  My brother and I would always sit close to the TV hoping that one day she might see us.  She would always see children with names like Bob, Mary, Susie, Tommy, but no matter how close we sat to the TV she could never see little boys with names like Aaron and Arnie.

I think it is human nature to want to be seen.  Deep down we want to be noticed to assure us that there is someone who cares. Scripture tells us that the Lord looks down from heaven and he sees us.  We can take comfort in knowing that not only does God see us, but he watches over us because he cares about us. We don’t have to worry about not being seen, because God, our Creator, loves us and watches over all that we do.  He notices us!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you watch over me both day and night.  I am so glad that you notice me.  Help me to see you better.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Take a little time today to think about God looking down from heaven and watching you.  Take comfort in know that you are noticed!

Written by Pastor Aaron Anderson

Discover God

But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

Today is Columbus Day.  It is a national holiday to celebrate the discovery of America.  Over 500 years ago Christopher Columbus set sail across a vast ocean not knowing what was on the other side.  He did not know what he might find, the problems he might encounter or even if he would ever return home.  Despite the unknowns, Columbus set off on an adventure that led him to the discovery of a vast new land that we now call home.

The Christian faith is a lot like Columbus’ exploration.  Through life we seek to find more and more about God.  As we grow deeper in our knowledge of who God is, we find that there is even more to be discovered.  We will never be able to fully understand God, but it is an exciting adventure to seek and discover new things about God each and every day.   

Prayer:  Thank you Lord that you are greater than I will ever know, but you are not unknown.  Thank you that when I seek you, I always discover new things about who you are.  Help me to continue to grow in my knowledge of you.  Amen.

Faith Tip:  Try to discover one new thing about God today in prayer, Bible reading, study or just seeing how God is at work in the world.

Written By Pastor Aaron Anderson

Lift Rather Than Carry

Praise our God, all peoples, 
let the sound of his praise be heard; 
he has preserved our lives 
and kept our feet from slipping. 
For you, God, tested us; 
you refined us like silver. 
You brought us into prison 
and laid burdens on our backs. 
You let people ride over our heads; 
we went through fire and water, 
but you brought us to a place of abundance. – Psalm 66:8-12

I have recently heard about the struggles of numerous people in my life and my love and prayers go out to them. I continually think of them and lift them up to God. It’s difficult to see people go through these difficult times in their lives, but I know God is in it. If I didn’t have God to trust with these people, it would be depressing. But I know that God’s power is real and working all the time. I feel confident that whatever is the outcome in these dear ones’ lives that it will be “big picture” good for God turns all the ashes into beauty for His name’s sake.

Consider the struggles you have gone through or perhaps someone you know. At the time, I’m sure it was difficult to praise God, but as you look back can you see how He was involved? Difficulties shape us. We are made stronger and more into the image of Jesus as we journey through challenges and learn from them. How good to know that no matter what we are going through that God brings us to a place of abundance. It may not be in this life, but it is definite in eternal life.

Prayer: God, I thank you for the work you have done in my life. There have been ups and downs and you were there through it all. I praise you for your goodness in my life. Amen

Faith Tip: If you are going through struggles now or before, think about what you have been learning from God and how you are changing. Give God praise for the great work done in you.

Written by Kathy Bruins

It'll Last an Eternity

Trust in the LORD forever, 
   for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. – Isaiah 26:4

Quality is something we look for when shopping for important items such as houses, cars and clothes. We want these things to last a long time so that we don’t have to repeat the cycle of purchasing new again. Investing our time and money into such finds is an important task. We want to hear and trust those words, “It’ll last a lifetime.”

God gives us the best offer over all other things. We can trust the Lord not only in this lifetime, but eternally. God will never wear out, disappear or break. He is a constant that will be with us and uphold us forever. God is a sound investment for us.

We don’t need to fear anything that life throws at us for God is all over it. So when we are tossed a ball of chaos in life, we can use our super slugger bat of Jesus Christ to hit a home run.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you that you hang on to me even in the times I feel I am on a high wire. Your safety net of love, pole of grace, and bicycle of mercy helps me to get across the wire. I pray that I not go walking in those high places without you by my side. Amen

Faith Tip: Is there something in your life that makes you feel you are walking a tight rope? Look to Jesus to get across safely.

Written by Kathy Bruins