Pastor's Desk: In Lieu of Sunday Worship Together

“…The world will at times look chaotic and out of control, and there will be heartbreak and loss and suffering that feels, to us, to not jive well with a God who loves us.

And although it looks chaotic to us, it never looks chaotic to God. Ever.” 

--Matt Chandler (Lead Pastor of The Village Church)

As you may know, we have suspended our meetings and worship services temporarily. This Sunday will be the first time, as far as I can remember, that we haven’t held a Sunday worship service at FIBC since we became a church (February 2002). These are extraordinary times that require some extraordinary measures to do what we can to slow the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19.

So, in lieu of meeting for worship together on Sunday, I would like to recommend that you spend some time listening to some worship songs and a sermon via internet podcast.

Since we are a community, I suggest listening to the same sermon, one that fits well with our current series in the Acts of the Apostles, by Matt Chandler. He gives a good summary of Acts 8-12, which we have or will study a little more in-depth when we resume worship services, and he has a message that is especially timely for our current situation (see quote above).

Session 6 - Scattered to Gather (Acts 8-12)

To use the link above, you will need to login with your RightNow Media account, which most of you at FIBC already have. If you do not yet have an account, WRITE immediately to nenielsen.pastor@fibc.dk to request one, and you will soon receive an email from RightNow Media with instructions. It is FREE for all of you connected to FIBC, courtesy of the International Baptist Convention. You will certainly benefit Spiritually from the many discipleship resources available on RightNow Media. Having an account through FIBC does not mean we endorse everything available on the platform and we ask you to always be discerning in your learning. There are some studies that we have highlighted for you and you’ll find them on our specially curated FIBC channel.

Additionally, you can also listen to one of our recent sermons on Acts that you may have missed. You will find them (and other sermons from years past) in our SoundCloud account here: FIBC’s Sermon Podcasts

I encourage you to spend some extra time in Bible reading and prayer, and know that others in our fellowship are doing the same. Here’s also new worship song from Kristyn and Keith Getty to enjoy: Christ Our Hope in Life and Death

For those of you at home with children for the rest of the coming weeks, see the list of activity ideas below from Tyler Conrad and Christian Roth.

For those of you who are working from home and alone most of the time, be sure to reach out to others and arrange to meet. The directives from the Danish Health Authority do not restrict meeting in groups of 4-5; just make sure you also follow all their directives of good hygiene and limited physical contact.

None of us should feel alone in coping with these extraordinary times.

In Christ,

Pastor N. Erik Nielsen

Activity Ideas

1) Watch PM press conference with kids and discuss and pray (all ages)

2) Read aloud to kid from CS Lewis or George MacDonald

3) “How to Draw” on YouTube, with parent supervision kids can watch and learn how to draw animals 

4) Gospel Project videos, scripture reading 

5) Family devotional from The Gospel Coalition, called “New City Catechism” download app and play songs, very fun and easy for kids to learn and memorize theology

6) Small Shopping trips with kids with coins to teach math and learn basic math and buy a treat

7) More ideas: -https://familyeguide.com/boredom-busters-110-fun-at-home-activities-for-families-kids-2/

8) Podcasts:

• Truth Seekers: Bible Stories for Kids 

• We Wonder: Lent podcast

• Foundations: parenting podcast 

• Risen Motherhood

9) Audio books: 

• e-Reolen Go!: app with audiobook option (for use with Copenhagen library card)

• Spotify and Apple Music have audiobook options as well

10) Scavenger hunt with your kids while on a walk/hike

11) Aimless exploration (going out with no real aim but to see things yet unseen)

12) Before entertainment, set aside time to pray and read the Bible

13) Dance party with your kid's favorite tunes

14) Build LEGOS with your kids, from the outset having a goal to build a zoo, church, airport, etc.

15) Invite your kid into one of your passions, sharing with them something you really love. 

16) Miniature Bible Studies to do alone or with friends and family:

Psalm 19

v. 1 - 6 - How have you seen nature speak of God? In what ways has it poured forth speech declaring his glory to you?

v. 7 -11 - How much time have you spent reading the Bible which the Psalmist says revives your soul, makes you wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, endures forever in its cleanness (purity), is more desirable than wealth, is sweeter than honey, and provides great reward?

v. 14 - How can the book nature and the book of Scripture be used in your life to make your words and thoughts acceptable in God's sight?

Psalm 63

v. 1 - Am I seeking the Lord? What does it mean to seek him and how do we do that?

v. 3 - The Psalmist says he praises God because God's love is better than anything else he has found in life. What motivates your worship and love for God?

v. 5 - If God satisfies us as food satisfies a hungering stomach, what do you think is the effect of that satisfaction upon your soul?

Psalm 103

v. 2 - 5 - In these verses the Psalmist lists some of the benefits of knowing Yahweh. Are there any other benefits we receive from knowing him?

v. 15-17 - The days of life are said to be incredibly fleeting and that is contrasted with the steadfast love of Yahweh which is everlasting towards those who faith is in him. Why do you think the Psalmist makes this comparison?

v. 19 - Since the Lord has established his throne in the heavens and rules over all, how should his supremacy over all things influence our lives, our obedience, our prayers?

Psalm 150

Can you spend ten minutes praising and exalting God in prayer? 

As you go about your day, how can you be intentional in praising Jesus since praise should infiltrate and penetrate into everything we do?

Pastor's Desk: The Blessed Life

Our summer sermon series on Psalms will hopefully renew our wonder in God's greatness and power, intensify our awareness of God's mercy and love, and encourage our trust confidence in God's faithfulness and omniscience.

In Copenhagen, we have been enjoying the warmest, sunniest and driest summer ever since records have been kept. It seems we won't be singing in the rain much this year. But, through our summer sermon series, we hope that all of us carry an ancient song in our hearts that will draw our attention towards God and fill us with His Spirit. We began our series with Psalms 1 and 23, two very familiar ancient songs that are often memorized.

“...But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:2 (NIV84)

The way we live our life will depend upon who we're listening to. According to Psalm 1, we can listen to those who are wicked, sinful or scornful, and, as a result, we will follow their ways and live an ungodly life. Or, we can delight in and meditate upon the law of the LORD, which will guide us to a righteous life that is blessed by the LORD.

The advice and counsel of the wicked is based upon convenience, expediency, pleasure and material gain. Their ethics are situational and relative, and their reasoning is based on mankind's limited knowledge and his discoveries. Following in their ways may lead to temporary prosperity, but, "like chaff that the wind blows away" our lives will not be blessed by the LORD. 

Far better is the life that listens to the wisdom and counsel of the LORD. He has revealed His will, His ways, His wisdom and His promises to guide us to a life that He will bless. Like a tree that has a steady source of water, our life will be fruitful and our prosperity will last. If we want that kind of a life, it requires us to delight in His Word and to meditate upon it so that His thoughts influence the decisions we make on a daily basis.

Psalm 23 by King David, himself a shepherd once, affirms the blessed life through a couple of other metaphors. The best life for a sheep would be one lived in green pastures, beside quiet waters, protected from dangers and comforted by a good shepherd. A guest of a generous host would enjoy an anointing of oil and an abundance of food and drink. Such is the life of one whose "shepherd" is the LORD and who dwells in the “house” of the LORD forever.

We can choose our destiny or our path, but we can't choose both. Do you want to enjoy a life blessed by God; a life that's like a fruitful tree, a happy and healthy sheep or a satisfied guest? That is a choice of your destiny, and the path to that destiny is then decided for you: follow the LORD's ways revealed in His Word. Or, you can choose instead to follow the world's ways by listening to the counsel of the wicked, the sinful and the scornful. But, if you choose that path, then the destiny is decided for you: a life that's like chaff, for the wicked will perish.

Too many have been deceived, thinking they can choose the path of ungodly living, yet enjoy the blessed life. As a result of their choice of path, they are confused about their gender and sexuality, still searching for significance, disappointed by the emptiness of wealth, trying to escape their sorrows, or suppressing their guilt and shame. Meanwhile, God has revealed His way for us to avoid such confusion, disappointment, regret or pain. These Psalms encourage us to remember how blessed are those who live by God's laws and follow the ways of the Good Shepherd. 

Are you reading God's Word daily? If so, are you also memorizing it, meditating upon it, even teaching it to others so that you really understand it and apply it? If not, do you realize that you won't enjoy the life blessed by the LORD? Choose the right path revealed in God's Word, it leads to the destiny you want: the blessed life.

Pastor's Desk: Persistent Faith

When was the last time you were discouraged in your faith? Are you waiting for an answer from God? Has He recently made clear to you His answer and it was "no"?

Our journey of faith will be marked by seasons of great faith and joy, but also by seasons of doubt and discouragement. In my own journey, I have found encouragement in the lives of those who have gone before me. There are many Biblical examples and historical examples of those who exercise faith in God even when their circumstances are discouraging. When I consider how they persisted in their faith despite the circumstances presented to them, I'm encouraged to remain faithful and obey the LORD nonetheless.

“Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

— Matthew 15:28 (NIV84)

Jesus was approached by a woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon who pleaded with Him to heal her daughter of a demon that tormented her. She came to Him because He was "Lord, Son of David" a title that acknowledged His true identity as Messiah and Savior. She came begging for His mercy and what baffles us as we read the account is that "Jesus did not answer her a word."

Is this the same Jesus who had compassion on the hungry crowds, the blind, the lame, the sick and demon-possessed? Is this the same Jesus who taught His disciples to "Ask and it will given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened" (Matthew 7:7)? At first glance, it's hard to understand why the woman wouldn't receive a response, but then we realize she was not the first person in the Bible to receive silence from the LORD.

God remained silent through Job's difficult ordeal and the accusations leveled by his friends, until He finally spoke in chapter 38. Daniel had to wait 21 days for the explanation to a vision he had received, and when the messenger finally came to his assistance, there was a heavenly reason his mourning, praying and fasting had to last so long. Asaph and David in their psalms pleaded with God not to remain silent and even Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

When God chooses not to answer, we often mistake His silence for a lack of concern or care. Nothing could be further from the truth. He certainly cared about Job, Daniel, Asaph and David and He certainly cares about about us. He has revealed Himself to be loving, caring, wise and faithful and, even when He remains silent, He has something good in store for us. "He will never leave us nor forsake us," we're assured (Hebrews 13:5). "Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you," we're instructed by Peter (1 Peter 5:7).

The woman, after much pleading, finally did receive an answer from Jesus and it was essentially a "no." His calling and ministry was to the Israelites and since she wasn't one, she would not receive the blessings meant for them. Again, it's hard to understand Jesus' response because we know now that Jesus was also sent as a light to the Gentiles. But, that part of God's plan had yet to unfold. Sometimes, when we are discouraged in our faith, it is simply because our expectations are based on our plans and not on God's. We expect Him to meet our timetable instead of trusting His timing. It's important for us to remember, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8,9).

Jesus gave the woman a metaphor to explain why He would not grant her request. Not to be deterred, the woman used the very same metaphor as a good reason from Him to yet grant her request. So, Jesus commended her great faith and granted her request by healing her daughter that very moment. That does not mean God will always change his answer when our faith is persistent, but we can see that God does honor faith and does as He pleases and deems right.

Will we trust Him enough to let Him choose when and how to respond to our requests and pleas? Will we continue to have faith in Him and obey His will even when it seems like He hasn't noticed our obedience? If "without faith, it is impossible to please God," then we know that He is pleased when we "remain sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1, 6). We demonstrate that confidence and certainty through obedience to the commands, instructions and principles He has already revealed to us in His word. He gives us the opportunity to do so when He remains silent or responds with a "no."

God is looking for those who will have faith to trust Him no matter what His responses are to our requests. Many are the saints who have gone before us whose faith journeys inspire us and keep us from being discouraged in our faith. 

Pastor's Desk: What Can I Bring?

In the Lord's hands, a boy's five loaves of bread and two fish fed more than five thousand hungry people. What will you bring to Him?

The disciples were faced with an impossible task. Their master had asked them to feed more than five thousand hungry people. They had no idea how to do what He asked of them, but Jesus knew what He was about to do.

“Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said.”

— Matthew 14:16-18 (NIV84)

Jesus had withdrawn from the crowds, but they followed Him. Seeing the crowds, Jesus "had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Mt. 14:14). Where you and I would just see a sea of faces, Jesus saw precious individuals in need of His attention. God certainly knows everyone's name and their personal stories. Although He doesn't expect us to know everyone like He does,  He expects all of us to treat other people as His precious creatures made in His image. As a disciple of Jesus, we should learn from Jesus' compassion and respond to the needs of people around us. 

The disciples thought it was time to send the crowds away to find something to eat, but Jesus told them to feed everyone. The gospel of John reveals to us that Jesus had asked that of His disciples, "only to test them, for he already had in mind what he was going to do" (Jn. 6:6).  God often asks us to do something impossible to expose our limitations and demonstrate His limitless power and glory. Remember how He asked Gideon to defeat the Midianites with an army of only 300 men?  He did so, "in order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her" (Judges 7:2). We cannot depend on ourselves for our eternal salvation and we cannot depend on ourselves for our Spiritual growth. It's impossible for us to love others, or make disciples of all nations, or forgive our offenders as Jesus expects us to. But when we realize we are powerless, that's when God can show us what He is capable of through us.

So, with only five loaves of bread and two fish that His disciples had brought to Him, Jesus gave thanks, divided it up among the people and, miraculously, there was so much food that the disciples were gathering leftovers after everyone had eaten. We might not have much to offer the Lord who asks us to lend a hand, or help someone in need, or feed someone poor or give to the Kingdom's cause. But, maybe Jesus is waiting for you to bring whatever it is to Him so that He can show you something about His abilities that you will never forget.

When my children were little, they thought their Daddy knew everything and was capable of anything. They would come to me as though I would know where that missing glove ended up or why it was still raining. They would bring to me their broken things as though I could fix anything and they would still ask me for milk, even if I had just said to them we were out of milk. They have since grown up and they realize now I'm not all-knowing or all-powerful. But as we grow up in our relationship with God, our faith in His abilities should grow and our confidence in Him should become greater with each new experience of His power and as we encounter situations where He demonstrates His wisdom and timing.

Jesus revealed to His disciples that God wants us to love people and meet their needs even when our resources are limited. Will you entrust to Him your resources, talents, gifts, abilities, time, energy and anything else He asks of you?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21, NIV84)

Pastor's Desk: The Master's Mission

Every follower of Jesus Christ has been called to into the mission of the Master to make disciples of all nations.

A Christian is someone chosen by God to draw near to Jesus Christ, believe in Him for salvation and eternal life, and then bear witness of Him to the rest of the world. It's really not complicated, but on a day when project deadlines loom, children are sick, or travel plans are cancelled, we quickly forget our calling and mission. Looking again at Jesus' instructions to the original Twelve in Matthew 10, we are reminded of several things about the Master's Mission.

"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8, NIV84)

The essence of the disciples' mission is exactly the same as Jesus' mission was among them. As He had preached and done among them, they were to go to "the lost sheep of Israel" to preach and do the same. Then, after Jesus completed His earthly mission of atoning for sin through His death, His mission for the disciples became much broader, as He commanded them to "Go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19). We can learn several things from Jesus' instructions to the Twelve in Matthew 10 as we apply those instructions to the mission Christians have today.

1. The disciple of Jesus must depend on God's provision. The Twelve were instructed to travel very light and depend on the hospitality of those who would receive their message.

2. The disciple of Jesus is sent out like sheep among wolves. Some villages and homes would welcome them, but others would outright reject them. They could expect to be arrested, punished, betrayed, and persecuted, made to suffer and even put to death.

3. The disciple of Jesus need not be anxious nor afraid. Jesus gave them several assurances because He knew that the rejection they faced could lead to worry or fear. The Spirit would speak through them, He assured, so they need not be anxious about what to say when arrested. Their message would one day be vindicated, so they should boldly proclaim it from the rooftops. Their enemies could, at worst, kill the body and not the soul, and they were very precious to their Heavenly Father.

Today, if you are a Christian, you have one fundamental mission to fulfill, the Master's mission of making disciples of all nations. Any current vocation or calling of yours should be a means for you to fulfill what the Master has called you to. And as you confess Christ before men, you will be welcomed by some and rejected by others. But anxiety and fear must never dissuade your allegiance to Jesus Christ. Your willingness to lose your life for His sake may even be tested. But, remember, if you lose any friends or family members over your allegiance to Christ, "you shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). No suffering for Christ's sake, however severe it may be, can ever compare to the suffering of eternal condemnation in the Lake of Fire. And, those who receive your message stand to gain hope, healing, and eternal life. 

The world is under condemnation for their sin and rebellion against God. People remain dead in their trespasses and sins and they will one day face the judgment and the second death. Since the problem of evil and sin lies within their hearts, the only solution for them is the life-changing power of God through faith in Jesus Christ. As foolish as it may seem to us, God chooses to send you and me to bear witness of Jesus Christ among them! 

So, who will be the next person to hear you testify of Jesus Christ and receive the only One who offers eternal life? Whatever you do today, hopefully your Master's mission is still the ultimate goal you have in sight:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have command you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Pastor's Desk: Saved By the Grace of God

God doesn't always do what you'd expect - after all, He saves sinners like you and me by grace through faith.

The Gospel of Matthew, among the best known books of the Bible, was written by a sinner saved by God's grace. Matthew was a tax collector, a man despised by his fellow Jews because people in his vocation were notorious for dishonest gain, extortion and abuse of authority. They, along with other "sinners," were the scum of their society. Yet, when Jesus saw Matthew, He said, "Follow me" and Matthew left everything behind and followed Him. His account of Jesus' ministry and miracles has since been a part of the most influential book in all of history.

"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

After Matthew decided to follow Jesus, he hosted a banquet for Jesus in his home and many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus. The Pharisees were expecting a Messiah who, like them, would condemn tax collectors and sinners. But Jesus explained his reason for eating with them, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." There will certainly be a time for judgment for the sinner, but God is patient, "not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Peter 2:9). Jesus ate with sinners because He wants to give us sinners an opportunity to repent of our sinful ways and respond to His call to an extraordinary life of following Him.

"How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?"

John the Baptizer's disciples were familiar with fasting, but Jesus and His disciples freely ate. While fasting would have been appropriate for a time of mourning over sin, demonstrating repentance and seeking the LORD's mercy, it was not appropriate for the time of Jesus' presence among His disciples. Expecting them to fast, He said, was like expecting wedding guests at a wedding to mourn instead of celebrate. Here again, Jesus did not conform to the expectations of His observers. He did not fast with His disciples because His presence is a time to celebrate.

We should be so grateful that the LORD doesn't always do as we humans expect. He chose to use a crucified Christ as an atoning sacrifice to save the sinner. He calls the lowly, despised and weak among us to shame the strong. He displays His strength and wisdom through our weakness and foolishness. He deliberately makes it impossible for people to boast in themselves and take pride in their own accomplishments. He saves us by His grace through faith, "and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The next time you want God to meet your expectations, remember that it's a good thing He doesn't always do what we expect of Him. Rejoice that He chose sinners like Matthew and like you and me, and called us to an extraordinary life of following Jesus. Celebrate His grace that is greater than our sin.

John Newton (author of "Amazing Grace" on the three wonders of heaven: "When I get to heaven I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be, to see many people there whom I did not expect to see. The second wonder will be, to miss many people whom I did expect to see; and the third and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there."

Pastor's Desk: Power Over Sin

Forgiveness heals us of the deepest injuries and wounds inflicted on us by our sins.

He was paralyzed and he wanted to walk. He couldn't get to Jesus, so his friends had to bring him. On a mat. Through the roof. Then, before Jesus healed his body, He healed his soul. He said, 

"Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

In Matthew 9:1-8, Jesus used an opportunity to heal a man of his paralysis, to heal him of a much deeper problem, his sin. The scribes who were present mistook His statement as blasphemy, an insult to God. And, it would have been, had Jesus not been the Son of God with power over sin and the authority to forgive. Jesus chose to demonstrate that power and authority, by first forgiving the man's sin and before making him walk again.

Which is easier to say to a paralyzed man? To say, "your sins are forgiven," or to say "get up and walk"? It's easier to say "your sins are forgiven" because those present are unable to disprove such a statement. So, proving the easier by also doing the more difficult, Jesus then told the man to get up and walk, leaving the crowd "filled with awe" and praising God.

But for Jesus to say, "your sins are forgiven," He would later also have to do something very difficult. He would bear the weight of the man's sin and ours. He would endure the agony and pain of being scourged, the shame and jeering of those who stood and mocked, the weight of an unbearable cross and the torment of hanging by his wrists and heels. He would literally have to offer His last breath to make that statement effective because "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Jesus' sacrifice: His death for my life, His righteousness for my sin.

We are all broken by sin to one degree or another. Wounded and scarred by our sins and the sins of our forebears. But, once we have received Jesus' healing touch and received His forgiveness, we can finally be made whole again. Healed, restored, renewed, forgiven. We all have a friend who also needs that healing touch in the deepest part of their soul. They need to hear that their sins are forgiven. Will you be bringing that friend to Jesus, too?

Pastor's Desk: Power Over Nature and Demons

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

Have you ever experienced the fear of death? Passengers aboard Air France flight 66 last Saturday must have been very fearful when the A380's engine blew up at 38,000 feet above sea level. Parts of the engine came apart in mid-air over the Atlantic requiring the pilots to declare "May Day" and make an emergency landing in Goose Bay, Canada. Thankfully, they made a safe landing and everyone got off the plane unharmed. But, what if you were faced with such a fearful situation? Or, maybe not the fear of death, but the fear that comes with uncertainty, trials, difficulties and challenges?

Jesus wants to calm the storms of your life. Really? No, not really. 

When Jesus told His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, He took them through a life-threatening storm that suddenly raged against them and caused them to fear for their life. When He woke from His sleep, He first rebuked them before He rebuked the wind and the waves. He said to the disciples, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" before He commanded the winds and waves to calm down (Matthew 8:26, NIV). When the winds and waves died down immediately, you would expect the disciples to be very relieved and calm. Instead they were more afraid than before, asking themselves, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

Some preachers will say that Jesus wants to calm the storms of your life. But, I don't think that's the point of this incident and the reason it has been recorded in the Gospels for us. I believe this happened to demonstrate who Jesus really is by His power over nature. It was part of how the disciples realized they were following the Son of God. When God takes us through a difficult and fearful experience, I believe He wants us to have faith in Him instead of fear. And, I believe that He will demonstrate to us something about His character and abilities that will grow our faith and confidence in Him.

When they reached the other side, Jesus also demonstrated His power over demons who had possessed two men and held an entire village captive in fear. As the Son of God, Jesus also has power over the supernatural, spiritual forces of evil. His authority over them has also been delegated to His disciples and the demons are thus subject to us who speak in Jesus' name.

As you follow Jesus, remember that when you are with Him, you walk with the One who has power over all nature and all supernatural forces of evil and darkness. We will always be a threat to the Prince of Darkness because we walk with the Light of the World, and he will do his part to cause us to live in the fear of uncertainty, trouble and death. But, "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4, NIV). 

Following Jesus means that we are always with the One with all power, authority and strength.

Are you going through something difficult or challenging right now? Does it seem like an uncontrollable storm is raging around you and you are afraid of drowning? God may or may not calm that storm. Through it, He expects you to keep trusting Him and He will soon show you what He is capable of. Remember, there is no room for fear when our faith is in God.

Pastor's Desk: Count the Cost

"Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!" - Isaac Watts (1674-1748) - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Matthew 8:19-22 (NIV84) - "Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'

Another disciple said to him, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' But Jesus told him, 'Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.'”

COUNT THE COST

Too often, we sign up to do something without considering all that the commitment may require of us. In many cases, we trust the recruiter enough. In other cases, we figure that we can always back out of our commitment. 

What do we commit to when we respond to Jesus' call: "Follow Me"? 

In last Sunday's message, we saw how Jesus interacted with two individuals who wanted to follow Him. One was a teacher of the Law (i.e. a scribe), the other a "disciple." The scribe was ready to follow Jesus wherever He would go, but the disciple was asking permission to go and bury his father before he could follow Jesus.

Jesus' response to the scribe made it clear that following Him required careful consideration of the price he would have to pay. Following a teacher meant learning from them and becoming like them and Jesus was more than an ordinary teacher. He was the "Son of Man," who would be rejected and suffer humiliation and pain on a cross. Following Him would not have the prestige or recognition the scribe was expecting. Elsewhere (see Luke 14:25-33), Jesus explained to those who desired to follow Him what it meant to be a "disciple" of His: (1) They must be willing to forsake precious family members and even their own life, (2) they must be willing to endure suffering, and (3) they must be willing to forsake all their earthly possessions. In other words, if you are going to follow Jesus wherever He would go, consider first that you must pay the highest price.

The disciple who wanted to first go and bury his father revealed that he wasn't quite ready to follow Jesus at that moment. Maybe he was waiting until he would receive his inheritance, or maybe he had received word that there was an obligation waiting for him at home. Jesus' response to that disciple made it clear that following Him required immediate and complete obedience. Jesus is the Son of God who has the highest authority, so every other obligation, desire or intention needs to be surrendered to Him as our highest priority.

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Is there an instruction from Him that you have still been avoiding or neglecting? Are you being partially obedient or delaying your obedience in any given area that His Word addresses? Is there anything that keeps you too busy from spending time alone with Him?

Following Jesus means that He is worth the highest price we must pay and He has become the highest priority in our life.

As I consider my commitment to follow Jesus, I remember also, that whatever price I have paid or will have to pay to faithfully follow Jesus, I have been or will be rewarded with something far greater than I could have ever imagined!

Pastor's Desk: Power Over Every Sickness

Henry Blackaby, about his experience when his child was diagnosed with cancer at age 16 (excerpt from Experiencing God - the Musical):

"The cancer treatments could have been very devastating for us, but did God still love us? Yes he did. Had his love for us changed? No it had not.

"When you face circumstances like this, you can question and ask God to show you what is going on. We did that. We had to ask Him what we should do. We asked all those questions, but I never said, 'Lord, I guess you don’t love me anymore.'

"At times I went before the heavenly Father and saw behind my child the Cross of Jesus Christ and I said 'Father, don’t ever let me look at my circumstances and question your love. Your love for me was settled on the Cross. That has never changed and it never will.'"

POWER OVER EVERY SICKNESS 

When we are in need of a healing miracle, many of us will turn to God. Some will come to Him and claim their healing, expecting to receive their miracle because they prayed for it and believed it would happen. But, if they do not receive their miraculous healing, either they will be disappointed in God and question His love, or they will reason it away as a lack of faith on their part.

What can we learn about the healing miracles of Jesus? (Matthew 8:1-17)

The leper who came to Jesus for healing did not doubt Jesus' ability to cleanse him, but was uncertain only about His willingness: "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." The centurion who asked Jesus for his servant to be healed believed that Jesus had the authority to heal by a simple command. His servant was healed the moment Jesus declared it, though nothing is said about his servant's faith in Jesus. Peter's mother-in-law was so completely healed of her fever that she was able to immediately serve her guests. And, the many sick who came to Jesus for healing that evening needed to be set free from evil spirits. Through those miracles, we know that God as all authority over all sicknesses and disease and that His healing miracles do not depend on our faith.

We so often misunderstand what is meant by "your faith has made you well." We certainly need faith in God, or we wouldn't bring our need to Him, and we certainly need to believe that He is capable of healing every disease. But, if He has the authority over everything that He has made, then He certainly also has the authority to deny us our request. God can have a variety of reasons to deny or accept our request for a healing miracle. Among the reasons to deny our request may be His desire to call us home to His presence in heaven. So before we claim our healing, let's remember to bring our needs to Him as requests, not demands. And, let's remember when we bring our requests, to say to God, "nevertheless, Thy will be done" and trust Him, both for His ability to heal and for His wisdom choose the right response.

When Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, we shared that news with just our family, our church family and a few close friends. We went to our good and loving Father in prayer and we followed the advice of our capable doctors. Thankfully, the lumpectomy and radiation treatments were successful and just recently, through follow-up scans and mammograms, Kim received the "all clear." We didn't receive a healing miracle but we are continually sustained supernaturally and we feel God's intimate presence. Like Henry Blackaby (quoted above), we never questioned God's power or His love for us throughout our experience, because we know that He sometimes allows His loved and chosen ones to suffer. After all, He let His Beloved Chosen Son suffer the Cross to give us eternal life and draw us into His presence.

If you think you can twist God's arm, by claiming your healing miracle in faith, then you can't also be expecting to see His mighty hand and outstretched arm.