The Same Place

Years ago, I heard Paul Crouch, then president of the Trinity Broadcasting Network say, “The brink of a disaster and the brink of a miracle are the same place.”  God does his finest work and proves His power when things look their worst. The hour preceding dawn is the darkest.  You may be in that hour, but take heart, morning’s coming!

Travel back with me to 1446 B.C.  Moses and the Children of Israel have escaped from Egyptian bondage.  But not without nerve-wracking consequences and further testing.  The people are backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh’s army in hot pursuit.  Things look pretty bleak for the approximate 1.5 million men, women and children. Many in the crowd begin to murmur against Moses. “Why did you bring us out here to die in this wilderness” (Exodus 14:11)?  Fear began to sweep through the camp, as horse hooves trampling the earth became louder. 

Disaster appeared imminent.  Between confusion brought on by the enemy and the grumbling of the people, Moses had his hands full.  His leadership was on the line, and God’s reputation was soon to be verified.    

But then…

Moses lifted his rod high and the waters of the Red Sea divided.  The breath of God piled the waters high on each side and dried the earth under the sea.  A pillar of fire then separated the Israelites from the fast approaching Egyptian army.  It was Israel’s finest moment, one that Jews still celebrate today!  We do, too!  In that hour, the brink of a disaster and the brink of a miracle were one in the same!       

Have you been there?  Perhaps you’re there now!  Backed up against the wall with seemingly no help in sight.  The enemy of your soul may even be taunting you:  “Where is your God now?”  

Keep praising.  Keep believing.  Your deliverance is on the way!  God has not brought you this far to fail you now.  “The horse and its rider WILL be thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:21b).   We used to sing this faith declaration:

“How great is our God!

How great is His name!

He’s the greatest One, forever the same.

He rolled back the waters of the mighty Red Sea.

And He said, “I’ll never leave you, so put your trust in Me!”

No matter how difficult your circumstances, no matter what you’re facing, the waters are about to part.  “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5b).  Let this incredible story from Israel’s archives, hold you steady today.  The same God Who parted the waters approximately 3,466 years ago is still proving His power today!  The brink of your disaster is about ready to become your most glorious victory!

Praise Him out loud this very moment! 

God is Speaking

Have you ever had a Scripture jump off the page right into your heart? I’m sure you have! In theological terms, we refer to those times as “Kairos” moments. A “now word” from God. A word in time. A word from the throne, a promise for whatever you’re experiencing at a precise moment in time. During this pandemic, I believe God wants to give a “now word” to keep His people in check.

Recently, Matthew 8:8 spoke powerfully to me: ”And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, ‘Lord my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fully tormented.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion said,, ‘Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go, and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.’”

“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, ‘Truly I say to you, I have not found such greater faith with anyone in Israel’....And the man was healed that very moment.” (Matthew 8:5-10, 13).

When God speaks, things happen! Four words invaded my spirit when I read this passage. I too marveled at the centurion’s faith -- “Just say the word…” My faith was elevated when I was reminded that God is still speaking today in the middle of this Coronavirus pandemic. Like you, I need all of heaven’s encouragement I can get!

“Just speak the word…” This same God, who spoke the worlds into existence during creation, still speaks today. His creative Word formed the sun, moon stars and everything else we see. In Genesis 1, we read nine times where “God spoke.” And every time He spoke, He formed something out of nothing.

I love what the centurion said: “Just speak the word…” He evidently had seen Jesus speak other miracles into being. The spoken word in that very moment healed the centurion’s servant! This same God wants to speak into our lives today.

You too may need healing. You may wonder how you’re going to fare financially. The needs are incredible at a time like this. I need the Lord to speak into the uncertainties of my life. I want to be like Samuel, who while being mentored by the High Priest, Eli, said, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

This is a world-wide pandemic.  I believe God is speaking to responsive hearts all over the earth. Just as the Holy Spirit hovered at creation, so God is hovering over the earth, waiting with great anticipation to speak to those who fear Him. The nations seem to be reeling under fear and great anxiety.  Governments remain uncertain regarding right decisions. But God is speaking. Daniel’s God is still on the throne of the universe. Daniel, an obscure man in Nebuchadnezzar’s court, was raised up to speak to the nations, and I believe God is still raising up accurate prophetic voices to guide today’s dilemma.  

But understand something.  You too can hear from God. He’s speaking to the world, to nations, to states, to communities, and TO YOU!  Just as Jesus commanded turbulent waters to calm, he desires to speak peace into our individual lives during this time of turbulence.  We have never navigated the present troubled waters -- no one has! We’re all in the same boat! And we need Jesus to speak peace. He spoke healing over the centurion’s servant and He spoke peace over the panicky disciples, and He wants to speak peace, provision, or whatever into your life today.  Ask Him!

Coupled with Matthew 8:8, the Lord alo spoke Isaiah 30:15 into my spirit.  This was a “now Word” for me, and I want to pass it along to you. “For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest,  you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength…” During Israel’s turbulent days, the prophet addressed the nation as a whole, but also directed his remarks to individuals. 

Pandemic storms may rage, but we as followers of Jesus Christ are promised peace in the midst of tumult.  He wants to give every believer -- that means YOU -- a “now Word,” one that will hold you steady during these uncertain times.

Our medical profession has asked us to practice social distancing.  When in groups less than ten, to practice the “six-feet rule.” Crowds of more than ten are strongly urged not to gather.  I can’t help but feel God is using these dynamics to draw us away from others into His presence. The Lord is asking for an audience of one!  God wants to give YOU a “now Word.” You need one! He’s still speaking and He has a message crafted specifically for you!  

I appreciate what our government is doing, and I pray earnestly for our President and the many other front-liners, so I beg you, don’t waste your time wasting time!

Use this interruption to get before the Lord .  Open His Word with a humble, searching heart. Like Isaiah suggested, “Seek repentance and rest.” You will be saved (from external stimuli) that threatens your peace.  Cultivate a daily quiet time with the Lord and place your trust in Him. He wants to keep you strong!

Listen intently and honestly as you search the Scriptures.  What is the Lord asking you to change in your life? Do you continue to harbor secret sins?   Have you grown complacent in your Christian life and service? What attitudes have you fostered that are counterproductive to your spiritual well being?  Are you angry? Is there someone you need to forgive? Do you struggle with sexual lust? The Lord wants to speak specifically to you! He will lovingly confront you, convict you, and by His grace show you a better way!  Isn’t He wonderful?

During this pandemic, I remain committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  I remain “confident of this one thing -- that “He who began a good work in me (over 49 years ago), will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). 

God is speaking.  Listen!  

Persistence in Prayer

Have you ever prayed and had to wait for God’s response?  Of course you have.  We all have!

In Matthew 7: 7-8 Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  The Greek tense of the verse renders the meaning:   “Keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking.”  This viewpoint focuses on God’s true meaning of this passage.  

Scholars refer to these times as employing the prayer of importunity, or perseverance.  Sometimes we are called upon to persevere in prayer, not because of God’s indifference to our needs, but because timing is always a factor with God, and He more often than not pursues a deeper purpose beyond our requests.

Importunity does not constitute begging but rather when we persevere in prayer, God has time to pull things out of our lives that He deems more important than even answering our prayer.  God is not a slot machine, that responds to our every request for help; He is a loving Father who values character, fruit and holiness above answered prayer.

I remember watching a movie that I think aptly illustrates God’s intention during our times of perseverance.  I don’t remember the name of the movie, but I remember being impacted by it very deeply.  A millionaire paid a train conductor and two other men to take a load of coal up a mountain grade deemed almost impassable in order to win a bet.  Three boxcars piled high with coal slowly grinded their way up a steep slope in western Pennsylvania.  The three men were determined to move the train forward because the millionaire had promised them a sizeable reward.

However, what these three men encountered along the way challenged their greed. Hundreds of people began lining the tracks with their hands held out, hoping to receive lumps of coal to burn in their potbelly stoves, as winter temperatures were severe.  Desperate faces and the children’s raggedy clothing caught the attention of the men and they said to themselves, “One or two pieces of coal won’t matter, as these people are freezing.”

Sad hearts were gladdened as pieces of coal were tossed into waiting hands.  Eventually, when the now empty train reached the crest of the mountain, all three men were fearful for their jobs because the millionaire’s bet had been lost. 

However, the unthinkable happened.  The wealthy man’s heart was overwhelmed by their heart-rending generosity. The wealthy man, now turned humanitarian, was reduced to tears upon hearing the fear-filled men explain their story, and subsequently rewarded the three men with more than originally promised.   You see, the men were challenged to unload what was more important than an impending reward in order to receive a better prize!  And that’s what God requires from us during times of perseverance!

During our “asking…seeking…knocking” times, we too are often required to rid our lives of issues, attitudes, and even sins that may be holding us back.  As we allow the Lord to “empty our “boxcar” while asking in faith – continuing even when answers allude us – He brings answers in His time and in His way.

Are you waiting for a prayer to be answered?  Keep praying, keep trusting, keep obeying the Lord’s directives in your life when He shows you things and know that in His time, you will be rewarded for your persistence in prayer.  Remember, the people needed the coal and the two men needed to walk in obedience!  When we persevere in trust and obedience to the Lord, even those around us benefit!

Finally, the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 illustrates the principle of perseverance when a proud Syrian general is asked to dip, not one time, but seven times in the River Jordan in order to receive healing from leprosy.  Why seven times?

For one thing, the number 7 in the Bible is according to biblical numerology God’s number of perfection or completion.  But I think the reason goes even deeper.  I believe it took seven dips for the Syrian general to wash his pride away!  Do you remember?  His first response when the prophet Elisha told him to go under the water seven times was that of anger:  “But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he (Elisha) would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy” (verse 11).

And you probably know how the story ended.  In obedience to God’s prophet, General Naaman went under the water seven times, “and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy” (verse 14).  He may or may not have swallowed dirty water but we know for sure he swallowed his pride!  And the answer to his prayer came! In a very real sense, Naaman asked the Lord seven times before his leprosy was totally gone.  What a beautiful story.  Naaman obeyed the prophet’s command and God answered his desperate prayer. 

Have you reached a point of desperation regarding that thing for which you have asked the Lord?  Have you obeyed what the Lord has asked you to do?  Are you still asking, seeking and knocking?   Remember, you are not operating in a lack of faith; you are allowing the Lord to remove what may be in your “boxcar!”

Hold steady.  Your answer is on the way!

A Contradiction? (Part 3)

Parts 1 and 2 of this blog launched from the story of my friend losing his job and ultimately his home, all the while tithing to God.  Let’s continue this discussion.

Sometimes the promises of God do seem to contradict our way of thinking.  For example, what about those heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, who walked in faith and yet did not realize the outcome of promises received?  God's promises are unfailing, but His timing is often called into question by we, who hold on indefinitely without seeing the results of promises given.  God sees the larger picture, so we are called upon to place our total trust and faith in His all-sustaining grace.

May I share a personal struggle I had when a promise in the Scriptures seemed to contradict reality?  Psalm 91:11 says, "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."  However, in March 1995 my in-laws (pastors) were traveling in a foggy rain to visit a man in an Indianapolis hospital.  Just outside of Frankfort, another preacher ran a stop sign, resulting in the instant death of my father-in-law and five weeks later my mother-in-law.  That accident ushered in some of the most trying days of my life.

What happened seemed to directly contradict the promise of Psalm 91:11.  No, I did not get bitter, but I certainly questioned the Lord as to His ways.  Is the Bible true?  Yes indeed! However, God's ways are above ours; His thoughts are higher than ours.  He's sovereign (all-powerful) and we're not.  He makes decisions based out of His sovereignty.  To us, these times may seem to contradict His Word.  Times of inexplicable loss have always plagued the hearts of men.  Ask Job!

My friend lost his good job and now his home.  I don't know the reasons why, and I would not begin to wax eloquently or even to defend what may appear to be God's indifference. What I do know, however, is that because he has been faithful with his tithes and offerings, God is obligated to fulfill His Word in his life.  What appears to be so unfair and contradictory in the scheme of life and God's promises, I believe, will "produce for [you] an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).  Remember In the end, God blessed Job with what he lost and more!

This is not "preacher talk," but if we obsess over the inequities and all the unfair things that happen to us in this life, we could very well jeopardize our faith and become cynical, even bitter.  I encouraged my friend to look ahead and believe that God has placed a "replacement clause" in his life.  Job came out on top and he will, too!  

Are you facing financial loss or difficulties?  Keep tithing.  Keep giving offerings as He directs.  And know that in the future you have every right to make heavenly withdrawals because you have made earthly deposits.  I believe God will turn your circumstances around for your good and His glory.

Born in '74

Lately, several newcomers to Hope Community Church inquired about our history.  One lady asked, “When was the church started?”  My reply seemed to startle her.  “The church was birthed in 1974.”  She said, I don’t remember this church being in Jefferson that long.”  I replied, “It was conceived in my heart in 1974 and born on September 10, 2017.  

Let me explain.

I was born in Ashtabula and grew up in Jefferson, graduating from Jefferson Area High School in 1974.  Four years prior to graduation, I came to faith in Jesus Christ while attending youth camp and simultaneously felt a call into ministry. 

The summer after I graduated from JAHS, I struggled with my perceived need to remain home after my mother’s untimely death in 1972 or to leave for college.  One day, while walking in the field behind my home and feeling overwhelmed, I cried out to the Lord for direction.  I remember falling to the ground, sobbing in the high grass.  I then heard the Lord say, “He who does not forsake father, mother, brother or sister for my sake is not fit for the kingdom of God.  One day you will return to Jefferson and plant a church.”

That promise came to pass 40 years later! 

I subsequently attended Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, where during my sophomore year I met Lori Owens.  We married in August 1977.  Over the next 35 years, we pastored five Assemblies of God congregations in three states.  Each time we completed a church assignment, we wondered if it was time to see the Lord’s vision for Jefferson fulfilled.

In 2012, we transitioned from our fifth pastorate.  Both of us were experiencing ministry burnout.  And that’s when the Lord directed us to Journey Church in Fairview Park, Ohio.  For one year we simply attended services.  Members of that congregation, along with lead pastors, Jim and Jennifer Wilkes, loved us back to spiritual and emotional health.

During the summer of 2013, Pastor Wilkes asked me, “Roger, do you still have a dream left inside you?”  I then shared my dream of one day returning to Jefferson to plant a church in my hometown.  Not only did the Fairview Park church support this dream, they also financially resourced the new church!

In September 2013, Lori and I began holding monthly “Meet ‘N Greets” at the Henderson Memorial Library, and Journey Jefferson was born!

Later that year the infant church moved to a small room in the Jefferson Recreation Center, still holding monthly meetings.  Momentum continued to build and by May 2014 the church was ready to begin weekly meetings.  The church launched its first weekly service on September 26, 2014.  By that time Journey Jefferson had relocated to Giddings Park, adjacent to the Jefferson Police Department.

Initially, servant leaders from the Fairview Park campus were scheduled weekly to help lead the infant church until local leaders could be raised up.  Journey Jefferson enjoyed steady growth over the next two years, necessitating yet another move.  The church moved back to the Jefferson Recreation Center in May 2016, utilizing the entire facility.  By March 2017 average weekly attendance reached 100 plus people with local leaders in place for the worship team, children’s ministries and other ministries.

Hope Community Church owes Journey Church a tremendous debt of gratitude.  The church’s first four years of existence were made possible by Journey.  In early 2017, it became apparent that Journey Jefferson’s rural culture, along with the substantially long distance from the main campus, were working a hardship on the campus’ ability to move forward.

The church exhibited needs and core values different from those of Clevelanders.  Leadership felt the unique needs of Jefferson necessitated an autonomous church in Ashtabula County.  God was doing a new thing!  In short, the campus had moved from infancy to a more mature family of believers.  It was time to move forward with a new vision, a new name and to place a pastoral presence in Jefferson.

To that end, Hope Community Church was birthed in May 2017.  The “new church” held its first service on May, 28, 2017 while still meeting at the Jefferson Recreation Center. 

In June 2017, members of the new church leadership team began looking for a permanent home for HCC, when the Lord led them to the former home of Bethel Bible Church, located at 573 Goodale Road in Jefferson.  This sister church agreed to owner-finance this facility, making it possible to acquire its new home.  Hope Community Church held its first official service on September 10, 2017.

From our inception we have been a servant leader-driven church, praying always that many who are far from God will come to faith in Christ.  If you are not part of a church family anywhere in Ashtabula County, check us out.  Allow our family-friendly environment to capture your heart!  Our Sunday morning worship service begins at 10:30 a.m.   Hope Tots (nursery-preschool) and Hope Kids (Kindergarten-sixth grade) are available, too.  “Hope” to see you next Sunday!