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Your Love Never Fails
Our Hope
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A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Darren asked me what kind of direction the LORD had given me for the worship team for 2011. Honestly, I had no idea. Reflection isn't my strong point...so I hadn't deviated from my doing things to take time to see if the LORD was saying anything.

Then randomly, I was in a service where the speaker mentioned Isaiah 53:6 -- "All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him." The passage is a prophecy of the coming of Christ, the suffering servant that takes the punishment for our sin. So I was grateful for salvation and humbled at Jesus' sacrifice, but I realized that the LORD wants our salvation to result in our always being close to Him, never astray or far off.

He reminded me of John 10, the Parable of the Good Shepherd, where Jesus tells the importance of knowing the Shepherd...and that in knowing Him, we'll know His voice and stay close to Him. John 10:14 says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me." At that point, my prayer for the worship team for this year became clear -- that we would all know His voice a little better.

I am very thankful for Pastor Rick and his directing NLC in our YEAR OF THE BIBLE; because during this time of focusing on the Word, I know that we are all going to learn more about the LORD...and as we know Him, we'll be more aware of His voice and His speaking to us. All of this will result in more faith: faith to grow in our salvation and be obedient to what He's saying. Romans 10:17 -- "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."

Father, keep us close to You by helping us learn Your Word and hear Your voice. Give us faith to recognize when You're speaking to us and faith to be obedient.

Retroactive Grace. A concept I am still trying to wrap my mind around.

I've noticed lately that even though I profess "by grace I'm saved, not of works," I don't always think that way. In fact, most of us are so conditioned to believe in consequences based on actions that it's hard for us to understand and accept grace. Especially this notion of retroactive grace.

Time for a story (2 Chronicles 25:5-12): The king of Judah, Amaziah, made a huge mistake - he hired 100,000 mercenaries to supplement his army from Israel, a nation that was not in favor with the LORD at that time. He did not seek the LORD beforehand and paid the mercenaries a huge sum of money in advance. Then a prophet came to Amaziah and told him to send them home - the LORD would not lead Amaziah into victory while relying on these hired men whom the LORD could not bless.

Dismayed at the vast sum of money he had already paid the mercenaries, the king asks the prophet, "What do I do about the money?" And the prophet answered in this way: "The LORD is able to give you much more than this!" So Amaziah sent the hired troops home and led his army into victory because the favor of the Lord was upon him.

When I read this story, I realized just how conditioned I am to believe that when I make a mistake God is sitting there pointing His finger and saying, "Well, it's your fault - you will get what you deserve." But in reality, though we may have to experience some of the consequences of our actions, God is able to restore anything - even if the mess is our fault.

If you are honest (with yourself and with God), are there some things you feel you have failed at? I pray that you would begin to believe that the LORD is able to heal and restore back to you so much more than you feel you have ruined.

Hannah Reeves

“Oh, I'm running to Your arms, I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love will always be enough
and nothing compares to Your embrace..."
Hillsong - "Forever Reign"

I was listening to a sermon lately on the Gospel. The pastor said something that really caught my ear. He said, "The Gospel isn't that if you follow Jesus, everything will go well for you. The gospel is: no matter what comes, HE will be enough. THAT is the good news of the Gospel."

As one who has the privilege to lead others in worship on a weekly basis, I am constantly having to ask myself if I am living the words I am singing. When I proclaim the words of "Forever Reign," do I walk that truth out in my daily life? Sure, I can intellectually agree with the idea that "the riches of [God's] love will always be enough."

How about when I'm going through financial troubles? Or when I'm lonely or struggling with depression? Or when relationships are falling apart? In those times, can I stand under the love of the Father and proclaim that, despite all those things, the riches of His love are always enough? Too often, I collapse under the weight of it all and give in to hopelessness.

Jesus says in John 16:33: "here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." He doesn't promise us a care free life but warns us that there will be times that feel hopeless. But our great God does not end it with that: "But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

If you are struggling through a seemingly hopeless situation, remember that your God is a God who saves, overcomes and loves you deeply. He sent His son out of His great love for you. Remember that no matter what comes, He will be enough. Through the pain, depression and confusion, the riches of His love will always be enough.

Matt Huber