Live The Great

Sunday mornings . . . a first time visitor is not really sure what to expect, but they come because they have a need. For the person who is struggling with issues of life, they come because they know they will be strengthened to make it through another week. For the mom who had a crazy morning getting the kids dressed, she understands the battle for the next generation and that God has a plan for her children. As a greeter, you welcome them all to our church. The smile on your face, and willingness to serve them, tells everyone who walks through our doors that we are glad you are here and that you have come to the right place.

Please mark your calendar for a Greeters Workshop on Sunday, November 2nd at 5:00pm in the Auditorium. During this time, you will be challenged in your area of service, you will be instructed so that we can reach more people, and you will be guided as teams come together in unity.

“Am I deliberately putting my children in harm’s way?” As a mother of two young children, I can’t get this question out of my mind. I know that the wilderness has been a test of survival, but God has been faithful, but asking me to relocate to a land where our enemies will seek the annihilation of our people is quite another matter. To intentionally engage an enemy who will seek to destroy my children is the greatest step of faith I have ever taken.

My grandmother’s generation was faced with the same decision forty years ago. At times the endless wandering in the wilderness has made me critical of that generation’s lack of faith. However, once I had my own family I found I was conflicted. I’m sure my grandmother struggled with taking my mother into warfare as much as I struggle to take my children into warfare. We buried her a few days ago, the last of a generation that never possessed what God had intended for them to possess. My mother has wandered for forty years because of the faithlessness of my grandparent’s generation. Although I can understand my grandmother’s fear in entering the land forty years ago, I am passionate that my children do not have to pay a price for my disobedience.

I have also found reassurance in God’s Word. When Joshua rehearses Moses’ writings of Scripture, I have always been fascinated with his first book. My mother had told me about Eve when I was a child, as her mother had told her about Eve. But when I heard Joshua read the account it made a lasting impact on me. Understanding that Eve was created to help Adam in his mission gave me a sense of significance and purpose. I had always understood that my husband and I were in this adventure together, and he desperately needed God’s help. The story of Eve taught me that I was God’s help for my husband. I was the perfect fit, to go with him into battle, to establish our family in a place of blessing. I must be strong for my husband and my children.

My husband keeps reminding me that the same God who has preserved our family in the wilderness is the God of war who will give us victory in the land God has promised. My husband is ready for battle. No matter what my emotions tell me, I know that my children are at greater risk if we compromise than if we crossover the Jordan. As much as my emotions struggle with fear of the giants and strongholds, my mind knows the fear of the Lord must dictate my actions. I remind myself that it is God’s word that is reality, not what I feel.

I know that today the future welfare of my children depends on my choices. I know they were not created to wander, but were created to possess the life God intended for them, living in a covenant relationship with their creator. I may feel fear, but I will not be ruled by fear. Today I will CROSSOVER.

Crossover, a young married Ministry Fellowship, will begin in January. Couples where either spouse is 34 or younger, with or without children, are invited to attend. Crossover will be taught by Jeff Cox; more details coming soon.

Register online for Crossover

Standing on the edge of the Jordan I find that I’m filled with anticipation and fear. Looking across the river I know a land of blessing and promise awaiting us. Joshua tells us to be strong and courageous, but I struggle to find the same courage that he has. I know he is God’s man to replace Moses. When he speaks he inspires courage in me; courage to do things I never would have imagined at age 25.

My father told me story after story of my people’s history, and on this day I can’t help but remember how my grandfathers’ generation demonstrated fearfulness with given the same opportunity I am being given today. Instead of possessing a land, they became cowards.

My dad was five years old when he left Egypt. He was there when Moses led my people across the Red Sea. He told me the story growing up, but even he wasn’t sure how much he actually remembered and how much of the story was painted in his mind as he listened to my grandfather recall the story in vivid detail. My grandfather was about thirty when he witnessed the destruction of Egypt and crossed the Red Sea, so the details of those events were forever etched in his mind and he was a great story teller. When Moses finally finished writing down the story for us I was amazed at the accuracy of my grandfather’s memory.

My father and I buried Grandfather a short time ago. Most of his life was spent wandering in that godforsaken wilderness, filled with regret that he had not been a part of the generation that would establish a kingdom in the land God promised our people. He had not been able to lead his family into a covenant relationship with God, the opportunity I am being given today. I remember one time he told me he would have rather drowned in the Jordan than die slowly in the wilderness. I never forgot that. Life is too short to not obey God. His generation feared giants when they should have feared God.

I look over and see my wife, the person God has entrusted to me and the one God has given to help me. She looks to me for leadership, to be the man of our family. She knows my weaknesses and shortcomings, but still follows me with all her heart. Looking down into the eyes of my children I see complete dependency. To them I am everything. Their future, their relationship with God, the kingdom God desires them to inhabit, the covenant relationship God desires for them to embrace, it all depends largely on the courage I must demonstrate today.

I know that on the other side of Jordan lie enemies. They will do everything in their power to destroy my family. They wait in strongholds, fortified cities, and they are seasoned for war. I feel so inadequate to the task, and so undeserving of the responsibility. Part of me feels afraid. But I will not be controlled by fear. I will not be a coward. I believe God has spoken, and although I do not feel prepared I believe God is leading me to wage war for his kingdom, for his people, and for my family. Today I will CROSSOVER.

Crossover, a young married Ministry Fellowship, will begin in January. Couples where either spouse is 34 or younger, with or without children, are invited to attend. Crossover will be taught by Jeff Cox; more details coming soon.

Register online for Crossover