Pastor's Blog

March 2023

Amazed at God's Grace

When we understand God’s grace, we cannot help but be amazed. It is free! We receive eternal treasures! We live at peace with God!

In the verses below, David was marveling at God’s grace. David was a shepherd who, by God’s grace, became a king!

We may not be kings, but we too know God’s grace in our lives. These words of David are fitting for all God’s people — his words of praise should be on our lips as well.

2 Samuel 7:18–22 (NIV)  Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:

 “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O Sovereign LORD, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?

“What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, O Sovereign LORD. For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant.

“How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”

This is the God who is with you today. This is the God who saved you. It is utterly amazing, but it is true: God saved you!

 

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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Fame, Glory and Power are Fleeting in this World

It is not fun to feel small. But when we consider the history of the world, we are all small. Even the greatest leaders die. Their names are in history books, but they do not exist any longer. Likewise, nations and empires come and go. Fame, glory and power are fleeting in this world.

Isaiah’s words above are a powerful commentary on the world. They are a powerful commentary on our personal existence. What seems important and lasting to us is small to God.

Which makes the message of God’s love for us more amazing. God’s love for you is personal – Jesus died for you! God’s plans for you are eternal – he will take you to heaven.

God does NOT view you as small and insignificant. He sees you as part of his family. He worked to save you and continues to work so that your faith sees the reality of his love for you.

The Lord of all creation has your name written into his book. Live in that peace and confidence!

Isaiah 40:15 (NIV) "Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust."

 

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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Renewed

“Outwardly we are wasting away.” That often describes the reality of life, doesn’t it? Troubles, pain, broken relations, illnesses. The barrage of these can make it seem like we never get ahead.

“Yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” The promises of God’s love renew the hearts of believers. We know that Jesus has set us free from sin and that he is at work for our good. As we hear God’s Word, we see the love of God again. These promises remain true, even when the troubles of life don't go away.

You are, no doubt, facing a variety of burdens and trials. Left unchecked, they will wear you down. Make time to be renewed! Make time for Jesus and his Word. Make time to hear the message of God’s presence and love for you so that you are renewed and strengthened for your life of faith and service.

Do not lose heart! The Lord Jesus is with you and will give inner you strength to face life’s many challenges.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (NIV) "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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Faith Sees Much More

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24 NIV)

Jesus made this powerful point numerous times. Notice that he used the word “has” when talking about eternal life. Likewise, when talking about crossing over from death to life, Jesus used the word “has.” Believer, these are things that have already occurred in your life!

Obviously, you will experience the fullness of eternal life in the future; we have not yet attained the glory of heaven. But through faith in Jesus Christ, we already have been made part of God’s eternal family. You “will not be condemned” because Jesus Christ has washed away any reason God had to condemn you. Through faith in Jesus you live in the security of God’s perfect love.

Of course, you only see this by faith. Your eyes still see failures – in yourself and in the world. You still suffer the sorrows and pains that come from living in a sinful world.

But faith sees much more. Faith sees the promise of Jesus Christ who has already given you eternal life. Faith sees the certain reality of heaven. Faith sees that you are alive right now to live as his child – even though the sorrows and pains of life do not go away.

You have already won because Jesus Christ is your Savior. Look at what you already have because of him and be strong and faithful to him.

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling

 



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Jesus is Perfect For You

Last Sunday we remembered Jesus’ Temptation. It is an important story for you. It is your story of perfection. In the verses above we read, “we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Jesus was perfect in all he did! He was perfect for you.

The perfection that we all lack is given to us by Jesus. He was busy as your Savior every moment of his life as he lived perfectly for you.

The result of Jesus’ perfection is that we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

God wants you to live with the confidence that he hears you and will help you. He does not want you plagued by doubt or fear, but to trust that he will be with you. The proof of this is that Jesus lived perfectly for you. God views you through Jesus’ perfection.

Yes, the season of Lent is a time of repentance. But true repentance always ends in faith – faith that rests on the solid promises of God. Be at peace and live with confidence that you are God’s child and he is working for your good.

Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV) "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling



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My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. ~ PSALM 62:1