On the Edge of Victory

Sometimes in life, we are so close to victory that we can almost taste it!  Have you ever been there?  So many times in life (too many times), I have been on the edge of victory.  I remember playing in the semi-finals of the NCCAA Men's Basketball Championships in 1992.  The game came down to a last second shot after our leading scorer blew out his knee.  Unfortunately, our opponents won the game and went on to win the championship.  We had come up short even though we were on the edge of victory.

Sometimes we don't know why we come up short or if there is anything to learn from our experience.  But, life certainly teaches us that you won't win again if you give up after loosing.  We all have moments in our life which look like or feel like that.  Times when we are certain we can win, but we come up short of the goal or the expectation.

The Israelites were at a similar place in Numbers 13 -- the edge of victory.  God had called them, led them, and provided for them out of slavery and through the wilderness.  Now they were on the edge of victory ready to possess the promised land.  One thing stood in the way . . .  fear!

Fear of the unknown.  Fear of change.  Fear of the obstacles.  Only one thing could overcome the fear.  Faith in God's goodness and God's plan to come through on His promises.

Fear can be crippling and it can steal your faith, your joy, and your hope.  If you are struggling with fear in some area of your life.  I encourage you to increase your faith in God.  Faith pleases God and invites Him to help you.  Join us Sunday as we consider faith on the edge of victory.  Pastor Tom

Valleys and Victory

A couple of weeks ago, we kicked off a new series at New Life called "Victory in the Valley".  I began the series because of the lives which God has allowed New Life to touch over the last few years.  As I thought about each life or family, I realized that each one was facing a valley of some type in their life.  For some, it has been financial bankruptcy, for others serious health issues or the loss of a loved one in a car accident.  We all face valleys.  In those moments of life our faith and trust in God comes into question.  We wonder if God is there or if he really has a plan for me?

Each week we have been looking at stories in the Bible which take place in a valley and provide a promise of victory.  We began with the Shepherd's Psalm.  Psalm 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

As a shepherd boy, David learned to trust in God as his shepherd even in dark valleys.  Later in life, he would need that trust.  The Shepherd's Psalm reminds us that God can lead us into quiet waters and green pastures even in the midst of a dark valley.

We considered the Valley of Transformation in Ezekiel 37 and learned that God can bring life even to "very dry bones".  If God can do it for his people, Israel, then God can do it for me today!  Last week, we were in the Valley of Redemption (Genesis 14) as Abraham redeem Lot from his status as a POW.

This week, we turn to the story of David and Goliath in the valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17).  We all know the story, it's a valley of victory for David.  He faced his fears with faith and overcame the giant.  If you are in a valley at this time in your life, remember that God can breathe life into your situation and that he is working to redeem your life and redeem others through you.  Ultimately, as children of God, we are victorious, so let's live with victory in the valleys of our lives knowing that God is with us!

See you Sunday at New Life in the Valley of Victory!  Pastor Tom

Making Church My Home

Home can be one of the greatest places on the planet.  God designed the home (i.e. the family) to meet our needs for companionship, provision, and protection.  When the home lets us down and sometimes it does, God offers to us the church.  This Sunday, I will be presenting a message entitled, "Making Church Your home".   Have you made New Life your spiritual home?   Join us Sunday as we apply this important spiritual truth.  Pastor Tom

Delighting in the Lord

One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 37:4, "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."  The verses which follows are even better.  It reads like this, "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." (37:5-6)

"Delight" is not a difficult concept for us.  We all delight in someone or something.  I delight in fishing.  As a result, no matter how busy my schedule gets, I always find some time to go fishing.  I enjoy it that much.  the same is true of my relationship with Jeni and the kids.  I take delight in doing things together.  this week, Luke, my oldest son, has been home from college so we are building out a ceiling in our screened in porch.  Why now?  Because it is fun doing it together.  We take delight in working together.  It brings back good memories and produces new ones.

The good news is that God delights in you.  Let that sink in to your soul.  God delights in spending time with you and working together with you.  Here are two scriptures which remind us that God takes delight in his children.

Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; 

in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

Psalm 147:11

"The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."

What about you?  What do you take delight in?  Do you delight in food?  Do you find pleasure in family time?  Are you a workaholic or a shopaholic?  We all have "delights", some healthy, some unhealthy!  The most important delight is the joy and pleasure you feel form walking with God on a daily basis.

 There are many things in this world which distract us from enjoying our walk with God.  That is why Bible study and prayer is so important.  Take time to delight in your walk with the Lord by spending some alone time in prayer and Bible reading.  As you discipline yourself to spend time in the Lord's presence, your discipline will turn to desire and your renewed desire will produce "delight"!

"You're the Real MVP, Mom"

You might of saw it.  Kevin Durant received the NBA's MVP award earlier this week (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/kevin-durant-to-his-mother-youre-the-real-mvp/).  He was very gracious thanking his fellow teammates, his coaches, and his mom.   With tears in his eyes, he recounted the struggle and sacrifice that his mom went through in order to raise him and encourage him to succeed.

I'm grateful that I can share in Durant's affection for "mom".  I also have a mom who has been incredibly supportive down through the years.  Growing up, she taught us how to make cookies and enjoy life.  she also modeled for us what faith and prayer looked like.  I'm thankful for my mom and know she has made many sacrifices for me and our family.  Thanks mom!

I encourage you to take time this week to Thank your mom for her support in your life.  This Sunday at New life we will have a special tribune for moms.  I hope you will join us with your mom.  See you at New Life at 10:15 AM.  Pastor Tom