​Recently I brought up the topic of deacons.  I encouraged us to be thinking about that role in the life of our church again. 

I'm glad to say that Hopewell is a place where people actively seek to serve.  I'm crazy blessed as a church leader in that respect.  Our members actively take on responsibility and never need any prodding when any needs arise.  This certainly has been one of the main reasons why we have been able to put off having "official" deacons. 

(And it is a good place for me to say how fantastic it is to be surrounded by people like you all!) 

While our fellowship will no doubt continue to serve the Lord in all kinds of capacities, we will no doubt mature into the need for deacons just like the early church did (Acts. 6).  As our membership and ministry increase, so will our need for deacons.

Being that is so, it may be good to get a refresher course in what we in the Reformed tradition believe Scripture says about the office of deacon.  Perhaps one good way to spell out a deacon's profile is by striking down some common misconceptions of what a deacon is. 

So let's examine what a deacon is not.

1.  He's not an "elder in training" - Often people think that deacons are guys who are either not good enough to be an elder or gearing up to be an elder.  But this office is not a "ministry stepping stone" or "internship" for elders to be.  

Deacons are spiritual men who are specially equipped by the Spirit for this particular calling.  They compliment the office of elder and are equal to the office of elder.  They merely serve a different role in the church, and the role is a vital one at that. 

Rather than desiring to move up the ecclesiastical ladder, a deacon is one whose heart is bent on serving Christ in a way that elders are not most apt.

2.  He's not a glorified janitor -  Some of the deacons' responsibilities may very well involve keeping the church tidy or managing the property (and we rejoice that there are people who are dedicated to orderliness and cleanliness!).  But we would do a great injustice to Christ and his church if we thought of deacons as only in custodial terms.

The deacon is a spiritual office and a ministry of the church.  Christ instituted deacons so that the gospel could advance most efficiently and so that people could witness tangible expressions of His love here on earth. 

Furthermore, a deacon has authority which puts his work above mere janitor levels.  He holds an office, votes on issues, and acts as an official representative of Christ).  

In sum, a deacon touches lives, not just things.

3.  He's not an administrator -  Some Christians believe deacons just spend hours upon hours in meetings.  Their time is taken up with budgets and petty discussions about what color of carpet the sanctuary should have.  

There's no doubt that deacons have to have occasional meetings and talk over such things, but deacons should be thought more of as doers.  The office of deacon is very functional in that respect.  We are to think of them as the hands and feet of Christ in this world.  As such they are devoted to helping people, ministering in practical ways, and fulfilling varied needs which arise.

4.  He's not a social services director - Some people are intimidated by the office of deacon because they think of it as a second job.  They have this concept that deacons are actively engaged with the community, running a large soup kitchen or second hand clothing store.

To be sure, Paul talks about the deacon's work in terms of the gift of helps (1 Cor. 12:28).  It is evident that the deacon's work is devoted to the tangible expressions of Christ's empathy. 

However, the deacon's job description is not so much an outreach as it is an inreach.  The deacon's primarily arena of service is his specific congregation.  

While a church may have a outreach of that kind (and it may report to the deacons), the deacon is not the church's community services director.  He is a man who wants to build up his fellow brothers and sisters with whom he worships.

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Those of you who watched the first presidential debate know that we probably shouldn't call it presidential.  It was anything but dignified. The words "chaos" and "circus" have been used to describe the disorder.

One may say that these debates were snapshots of many believers' lives.  There is a lack of godly structure to their lives and a failure to order one's daily life.  This lack of discipline, in turn, leads to the chaos of frustration, misery, and sin.

Take Jim, for example.  Jim does not practice godly life structure in terms of his sleeping habits.  He regularly does not wake up on time, eat a proper breakfast, and (because he is running late to work) tend to proper hygiene and good dress.  He scurries in late and presents himself before his boss in his disheveled hair and wrinkled pants. 

Jim then complains when he is let go from the job, unable to pay his bills, and dumped by his girlfriend.

Or consider Kathryn.  Kathryn has begun to develop a problem with anxiety.  She's finding that the pounding heart and racing thoughts are becoming a daily struggle.  She's weary when she hits the sack at night because she's been in a state of hypervigilance all day...but her phone buzzes with yet another notification and she quickly reaches over to view it.

Both Jim and Kathryn could be professing believers, but each needs to grasp the need to rightly order one's life. 

Paul tells the Thessalonians that they should, "keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly (or undisciplined) life."  He further adds that the Thessalonians were to follow his example for, "we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you." (1 Thes. 3:6-7).

The undisciplined life is the unruly life.  It is a life which lacks sense and the good order of a godly routine.  Paul calls the fun loving, intemperate Thessalonians to look at his life and how he sought to maintain good habits which promoted godliness in his daily affairs.

We see such discipline in King Jotham's life.  When he came to power he "ordered his ways before the Lord his God."  He made it a point to discipline himself and structure his administration in a way that aligned with the will of God.  As a result, God blessed him and his rule became increasingly more powerful.

Part of our sanctification in life is striving for that kind of life structure.  It may be as simple as waking up on time, turning off the phone at night, or making a list of chores to complete each day.  Or it may mean making a plan to replace the excesses of life with a solid routine for exercise, church activities, school work, health, recreation, etc. 

Moreover, it pertains to one's thought life.  A person's mind might be in the habit of unruly thinking (lust, fear, negativity, judgmentalism), and he may need to discipline himself to think about those things that pertain to good order: things that are excellent, praiseworthy, pure, true, etc.

The point is that God calls us to mimic Him.  He is "not a God of confusion," and we should reflect that, just as Jotham did.
 
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Reflect & Apply
Ask yourself: "What in my life is in disarray?  What kind of restructuring would promote more godliness in my life?" 

Do you have a Jotham or Paul in your life?  What habits do they have which promote godliness?  What do they do that you can copy in your own life?

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 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. 

2 Corinthians 4:17

​There is a great disparity between the present and the future for the Christian.  When we grasp the magnitude of that discrepancy, the present becomes much more tolerable.

What is your complaint today?  Is it the shooting pain in your worn out knees?  How about the frustration of your financial status?  You can't seem to get ahead no matter how hard you try.  Or maybe you have stress, persecution, or grief.

No matter what the problem, balance it in the scale of history.  It may seem overbearing to you; a load with which you don't think you deal.  However, if you stare into the deep recesses of eternity, you will find that your current experience is greatly lightened.

Consider the comparison Paul makes:

Paul speaks of our sufferings in this world as light and momentary.  He does not seek to downplay the seriousness of your pains.  Neither does he want us to believe they are merely trifles about which we should just "buck up."

Paul calls them light because they are temporary and mild in comparison to the wonderful blessedness that we shall enjoy in the world to come.

This then should be your thought process when faced with suffering:  

1.  Think of the extent of eternity in comparison to the shortness of your life her on earth (or the length of the trouble you currently experience - a couple days, weeks, maybe years?).  Your chemo will last a few months.  Your children will be grown and out of the house in the blink of an eye.  These are but a blip on the scale of eternity.

A thousand years from now you will likely barely remember your present afflictions.  It may even be hard to recollect the feelings of sadness and sorrow because your life has been filled with the sunshine of happiness for what seems to be eons.  You will have laughed so much, smiled so brightly, received such love, and enjoyed so much satisfaction that the memory of today will be faded beyond recognition.

2.  Think of the weight of your coming joy.  The cross you now bear will be feather-like by comparison.  Again, we do not downplay our hardships.  We merely put them in perspective.  The scales of time and the mass of the coming blisses will tip in your favor.  

Have you ever been buried in the sand?  Do you remember the feeling of its weight pressing down upon your chest?  What if that mound of sand was doubled? tripled? quadrupled?  Would there be any distraction on the beach that could take your mind away from the load bearing down on you?  

Heaven's glories will be like that.  The sheer density of their richness will thrill you beyond anything you've likely enjoyed in this world.  The storehouses of heaven's euphoria will accumulate in compounding measures, such that what is now weighing upon your heart will be whisked away like brittle leaves in the wind.

3.  Think of the glories to be revealed.  You presently experience afflictions, but you will experience something radical which the Bible - in the limited language of humanity - calls "glory."

This word was synonymous in the ancient world also meant "heavy."  The glory of God was so profound that it could only be described as something that had excessive mass.  Keenly odd, since, being spiritual in nature, it has no real weight at all. 

These glories we only "know in part" now, but we see through the dimly lit glass of Scripture to behold them.  They include such things as a glorified body, heavenly fellowship with fellow saints, no spot or trace of sin, and - above all - intense communion with God.

4.  Think of how impossible it is for you to even begin to capture how tremendous the coming delights will be.  Paul's ends with the words "beyond all comparison."  This sounds pretty wonderful, but it should be noted that this is a poor translation.  It does not even begin to convey what the apostle intends.

Literally Paul says "beyond hyperbole into hyperbole."  

The word hyperbole in Greek means "a throwing beyond."  In English we use this word to describe an exaggeration, something that is so far fetched it seems thrown beyond reality.  

Paul doubles the word (hyperbole into hyperbole) to stress the surreal nature of what heaven will be like.  The glories of heaven will be exaggerated beyond all exaggerations that we can now muster.  That is to say, your greatest overstatement is but a far cry from the reality that you will behold.

Dare we even call it joy?  For what we currently understand as joy is a sad expression of what it will be like when we come to be at Jesus' side.  Today's love will be shown to be fools gold in comparison to the purity of angelic love we will receive in heaven.

Paul says, "Go ahead.  Try to imagine how wondrous it will be.  I guarantee that you will fall woefully short of what God has in store for you."

How then can our present difficulties really compare?  Are they not light and momentary?  Do we not already experience some great degree of alleviation just by having our thoughts flit so imperfectly to the paradise that is to come?

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Join Our Live Stream
Can't make it to in person worship?  We'd love to have you join us online.  We stream through our YouTube Live Channel each Lord's Day.

This Sunday evening we'll be starting a new gathering.  We'll be enjoying a time of fellowship, song, prayer, and study.  We'd love for you to join us at Hedstrom at 6pm for it.

We intend to begin an overview of the Biblical prophets.  We'll learn the nature of Biblical prophecy as well as get a feel for the context and content of each prophet's ministry.  It is sure to enrich your understanding of this often misunderstood and neglected portion of God's Word.

Wanna see where you stand?  You can test your Bible knowledge of the Prophets with this little quiz.  

Hopewell returned to in person worship "many moons ago."  Had we not had to scoot out of Hedstrom, we may have continued meeting.  However, in person worship is still hotly contested in different circles.

But why does "pew sitting" matter?  In the digital age, you can tune into some of the greatest speakers in the world just with a click or two.  One can easily Zoom church too.  Is that not soul food enough?  

Even without COVID there are factors that may prevent one from going out on Sunday mornings: introvertism, scheduling conflicts, relational conflict, "they are a bunch of hypocrites," shame, and the age old "I can worship God just as well (if not better) simply by taking a walk in the woods."

In a day when gathered worship is not seen as vitally important, we need to rejuvenate our understanding of worship's true nature.  In sum, what you get in worship is much different from what you may get through your screen or at home.  Consider the following...

1) Public Worship Maximizes His Glory:  While it is true that you can meet with God at home, God is most glorified in the context of corporate worship.  It is truly different to sing in the confines of your house, where no one will hear or see.  But when you acknowledge God publicly, in front of witnesses, the Lord receives greater honor.  You "declare His glory among the nations" (Ps. 96) and enlarge the praise by virtue of an enlarged witness.

2) Public Worship Maximizes His Blessing:  In Ex. 20:24 the Lord gave instructions about building an altar.  Right after it he says, "Wherever I cause my name to be honored (i.e. in public sacrifices and worship), I will come to you and bless you." 

What does this mean?  It means that greater blessings are to be found where God is openly and corporately acknowledged.  While there is always a risk of sickness, there is also the blessing of increased health, protection, joy, economic security, etc.  A people (and possibly even a whole community) may  enjoy His bountiful favor when a group of people gather together to exalt him.

3) Corporate Worship Maximizes His Interests:  We Americans like our individualism and (as a result) tend to focus on what we want or what we get out of things.  But have you thought about the Lord's interests? 

God commanded His people to convene at the temple 3 times a year.  He wanted them to drawn near to Him as a corporate body in week long increments.  Psalm 87 states that the Lord loves the gates of Zion (where corporate worship takes place) more than the dwellings of Judah (where individual and family worship takes place).

In sum, God is absolutely fanatical about his people gather together in person to fellowship, worship, and learn.

4) Public Worship Maximizes His Presence:  In the context of gathered worship, the Lord draws near to His people in a special way, particularly during the celebration of the Lord's Table. 

Of the Communion service Paul says, "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?"  (emphasis added)  When we come together at the Lord's Table there is a real, spiritual meeting with Christ, where he draws near to affirm His promises and apply the benefits of his mediation.

5) Public Worship Maximizes His Loving Nurture:  In the book of Revelation Jesus is depicted as standing amid the lampstands (i.e. the churches).  He had drawn close to those bodies to minister his encouragements and discipline. 

Hebrews 10 says that we should not neglect gathering that we may be stirred up by one another. Colossians 3 talks about how the Lord works through corporate singing to teach and admonish His people.

While there can be great gains through individual worship and study, the Lord puts a significant emphasis upon the spiritual socour that one gains in a gathered context.

To be sure, in person worship may not be possible for some (be it illness or some other providential hindering).  These small exceptions more serve to prove the ordinary rule than mitigate against it though.

Yet these points are but a few reasons why there should be a earnest interest in gathering personally and corporately for worship.  These examples also serve to show that Scripture puts a high emphasis on mimicking the gathered multitudes in heaven each Lord's Day.


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Want to Talk?  Let's Connect!
Is there something weighing on your soul?  Do you have some questions you'd like to ask?  Or are you just interested in grabbing a coffee and enjoying a time of fellowship?  Let us know; our leadership is always happy to meet up.

But I will sing of your strength;
​I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
Psalm 59:16 ESV

​It has been said that Scripture has the "best but's."  This is one of them.

David's enemies were after him.  King Saul was out for his blood.  It was so bad that David compared them to hungry dogs who prowled around scavenging for some small morsel to eat (59:15).

But instead of cowering or becoming embittered, he determined to sing.  He could have fallen into a fit of self pity and belly ached about all that he might lose.  But he struck up the harp instead.  He belted out lyrics of praise. 

As a matter of fact, he drowned out their howls with hymns.  He "sang aloud" of God's mercy (Hebrew: rawnan - to make a shrill creak, a ringing cry for joy).  The circumstances were such that he could have clammed up, but he determined instead to crank up the volume.  He made God's praises that much more vigorous.

When was the last time you belted out a line of "Come Thou Fount" or ratcheted up the volume on your Christian music station?  David reminds us that when troubles assail it is not the time to shut down.  It is high time to shout out to God and give Him glory.

Everyone has moments of woe.  These are times when we must amplify God's might and mercy.  We must concentrate all that much more on the Lord's attributes and not let fear take control of us.  It must be, so to speak, sung away.  From the bottom of our larynx we must declare that God, our only Hope, is our fixation. 

Problems tempt us to get down emotionally.  But David shows us that a better response is to get down musically.  We must vocally celebrate the fact that He is all that we need in such times.

Hardships also tempt us to become inwardly focused.  God has given us a self preservation reflex when something fearful presents itself.  But this can easily go ary and we can become self consumed.  

This is what makes music so great.  We become very external when we sing, and all that much more so when we sing to (and about) our Lord.  It's only accentuated that much more when the decibel levels go through the roof.

In the end, it is a reminder that in every circumstance in life God's praises must prevail in our lives.  Joy in trials is found in the Psalter and Songbook.

So whether we are facing some pressures from opponents or getting a little tense about what lies in tomorrow, don't be afraid to let it ring.  Amplify his praises in times of difficulty.

Membership @ Hopewell
We will be interviewing and receiving candidates for membership in August.  Our plan is to conduct interviews on Sunday August 2nd and then have them stand for their vows before the congregation on August 9th.

To that end, we invite those who are regularly visiting to review our church's philosophies and membership terms and let us know your desire to join.  Or, if you believe your child is ready for profession of faith / baptism, we'd love to celebrate this great event too. 
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Family Day Fun & Fellowship
Join us at the Lillo's for a day of hanging out.  This Saturday (July 25) we'll gather to fellowship and play games.  Come and go as you please or as your schedule permits.  People are welcome to come anytime after 10:30.  Lunch and dinner will be served.  Contact us for details or directions

Join us for Worship 
Hopewell has resumed worship services and we'd love for you to be a part of it.  Come worship the Savior and King this Sunday at 10:30 am.

"And the Lord will ... satisfy your desire in scorched places." 

Isaiah 58:11 ESV

 
The test of our religion is not in the ardency of our singing or how many pages of Scripture we read per week.  The test of our faith is in whether or not Jesus is enough for us at any given minute.

Jannie had hoped that she could go to the movies with her friends.  She had been looking forward to it the whole week.  She was doubly excited to find out that Belle, her best friend who had moved away two months ago, was going to be back in town for the movie debut.  

Needless to say, she was crushed when her mother told her the night before that she was needed to babysit.  
...

Julie has been planning a surprise meal for her husband all week.  She looked online for just the perfect recipe.  She compared several sites and determined which would be the most tasty.  She spent an hour going to the store to get the ingredients and another hour hovering over the pots and pans preparing it that afternoon.

When Jim came in the door, the table was all set.  The prize dish was spread out on the platter like a master chef.

Jim's grimace was noticeable upon entry.  He picked and ate the obligatory amount.  Julie's hurt was only compounded when he pulled down the peanut butter jar just an hour later.
...

Jim couldn't wait to get home.  It had seemed like he had been battling one person after another all day. 

The project manager had bounced his plans back with several items he said needed fixed (but really didn't).  The sales personnel had phoned numerous times for the rush order, which had only been submitted that morning.  Not only that, but Julie had interrupted his concentration with what seemed like 1000 texts about napkins, spices, and the dishwasher.

He couldn't wait to get home, turn on the television, and veg out with some peace and quiet. 

When he opened the door and saw the table, he hoped that his irritation hadn't shown itself.  He knew that it was going to be a long time before he got to the TV.
...

You can probably identify with at least one of these scenarios.  They represent our daily conflicts and unfulfilled desires.  They are indicative of each of the many disappointments, hurts, and irritations that come our way.

Yet each is also indicative of a worship mentality.  In each story someone is craving something--something more than Jesus.

Idolatry isn't necessarily about bowing to funny looking statues or praying to certain deities.  It is about these sorts of things.  It's about finding our fulfilment and satisfaction in something other than the all sufficient God.

Jannie wanted a movie and fun with her friends.  There's nothing wrong with that.  It's a great thing, as a matter of fact.  The problem is that she wanted that night out more than she wanted Jesus.  Her heart was finding its satisfaction in the theater, rather than in Christ's will for her life.

Julie's love for her husband is commendable.  She should be praised for going out of her way to make this wonderful meal for him. 

Yet her hurt cut so deep because she yearned for his approval.  She found her satisfaction in his being satisfied in her meal and her hard work.  If her heart had been set more on the approval of Christ, her meal would never have been spoiled.

Jim needed more satisfaction in Jesus too.  His desire to be left alone and enjoy his little utopia free from other people's interruptions made him irritable.  It stole his personality.  If he would have simply remembered that Christ set aside His utopia and dealt with the interruption of Jim's sin through His sacrifice, he might have been a lot more cheery in his demeanor. 

These scenarios remind us that our hearts crave Jesus.  The good news is that Jesus is the fulfilment of every one of our cravings.  That's why we must seek to orient our souls towards Him and put Him first in our lives.   

When we settle for anything less, we will have problems.  The wages of that sin will be death in one way or another. 

• We'll be discouraged by disappointments. 
• We'll be emotionally scarred because we won't get all the approval we craved. 
• We'll be robbed of cheer and doomed to a life of irritation because our utopia will ever be out of our reach.

​Yet Christ came that we may have life and have it to the full.  The Gospel lifts our minds from this world and shows us that there is a fountain of eternal satisfaction in the Lord. 

The gospel also calls for us to drink deeply of Him.  Sorrow and sadness flee away when we consider how He is our All in all.  Christ never disappoints.  He is a shield from sorrow.  He is utopia and he makes our hearts abound with joy.

Join us in the Worship of Christ!
We have begun in person worship services again.  We'd love for you to join us as we come before the Lord & Savior this Lord's Day at 10:30 am.

Midweek Virtual Study
Our first run virtual Bible study series was a great success!  It was so good we're doing it again.  We'd love to have you join us on Wednesdays at 7 pm via our GoToMeeting video conferencing.  Contact us for details if you'd like to join!

I don't know.  This has become something of a mantra for me lately.  I'm calling it my "go to" answer.

If I've talked with you recently, you've probably heard me say it.  As a matter of fact, I've probably said it multiple times to you.  I've not known answers to questions like, "When will we start normal services again?"  or "Do you think we'll be able to get back into Hedstrom anytime soon?"

Thankfully, some of those questions have been solved and we are starting to get going (see below for details).  Though the cloud may be lifting, I'd still say that life is overall still pretty foggy.

The Coronavirus has had us living on a day to day basis in many ways.  It has rudely interrupted our lives and turned the world upside down in so many ways.  It has brought government protocols and event cancellations which make planning for the future very difficult.

I don't know for sure, but I bet you have been in the same boat.  You've probably had to say to the kids, "I don't know when we can do ..."  or "I don't know if we can..." 

Other questions can be added to the pile: What will my wedding be like?  What would happen if I got the virus?  Will our economy recover from these curve flattening measures?

The answer to most all of these questions is the simple "idk."  (or, if you want to keep up with the cool kids, insert your shruggy face emoji here)

The good news is that this is perfectly fine.  James tells us so when he says, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow... Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'"

James exhorts us to live in the now.  We can be the ultimate existentialist and exist in this moment.  Sure, you can make plans, but keep in mind that while "Man poses, God disposes."  And that requires us to live by faith right here, right now.

There are times when we must leave the future to the Lord.  Planning may be impossible and we must merely live day to day, moment by moment.  Though He may not reveal what is ahead, this moment of "now" can be ruled by what He has revealed.  In this sliver of time, we can be content and obedient.

The Psalmist expressed this quite well when he said, "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." 

A foot-lamp in those days was not much in comparison to our Maglite flashlights today.  You could not see down the path to what was ahead.  The ancient lantern would give only enough light to see the next step.  

In sum, the Psalmist reassured his singers that God desires this moment to be lived fully and faithfully.  There may be secrets He is keeping from us, but He has not left us in the dark when it comes to this very second of our lives.

All in all, the "I don't knows" we confess are humble admissions that the future is in God's hands.  They can be wonderful expressions of faith that is trusting in His divine care.  What's more, these "I don't knows" can be supplemented with what we do know in the 10 commandments. 

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Join us in the Worship of Christ!
Jesus is precious.  We'd love for you to join us as we worship our Lord & Savior this Lord's Day at 10:30 am

Midweek Virtual Study
Our first run virtual Bible study series was a great success!  It was so good we're doing it again.  We'd love to have you join us on Wednesdays at 7 pm via our GoToMeeting video conferencing.  Contact us for details if you'd like to join!

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"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Phil. 3:14 (NASB)

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As we move towards the end of the quarantine, Ohioans are starting to ask what the "new normal" will be like. 

Things are going to be different when society reintegrates.  COVID has come and its fingerprint will forever be left on this world.  We'll have new customs (like rabid hand washing and social distancing taboos).  Things like the 'elbow bump' will now define our daily existence.  

It would be foolish to think that the whole C19 experience won't change us to some degree.  The good news is that we can be proactive and dedicate the new normal to Christ.  

I highly recommend you make your own list of goals and set yourself up for your new normal (see the worksheet below).  But here are a few items that I'd like you to consider:

1.  Church Attendance - I love that so many in our group are already eager to get back to physical gatherings on Sunday morning.  But the question is: Are you one of them?

"It's been kinda nice sleeping in each week and watching worship in my pajamas," said a church member to her pastor.  Those words are chilling.  

Over my 20 years in ministry, I've seen how easy it is for people to fall out of the habit of worship.  A skip here; a conflict of schedule there. Before you know it the ritual of getting out the door on Sunday morning is too much of a hassle.  Church easily becomes a byword.

Imagine what havoc a 4-6 week stay at home order could have on someone's worship habits.

Now is the time to determine how important the worship of God really is.  Is Jesus is really worth my all in all?.  When the doors open again will you be persistently present at His feet each Sunday? 

If you're already a stay-at-homer or are being tempted towards it, seek accountability from one of our elders right now.

2.  Muscles of Graciousness - Being sequestered has likely brought out new frustrations.  When you live in close proximity to other sinners your sanctification will be challenged. 

You'll need to flex your spiritual muscles and tone the fibers of your heart.  It takes a Christ like love to live with those people who now seem to be crawling up your nose every moment.

If you discipline yourself towards godliness, you can be saved from the frustrations and temptation to vent you anger.  Christ can help you develop greater amounts of graciousness, patience, and self control.

Those 4-6 weeks can create habits of affirming words, settled hearts, and gentle smiles.  With a little work, you can begin to love in ways you never have before.  Christ can help you...

• stay calm when the kids act out
• respond graciously when your spouse spouts off
• teach the lessons that are piling up
• rejoice when your space is invaded
• be patient when your desires are not met

Be sure to check out that worksheet below and make a plan to make marked improvement in one of these areas. 

3.  Media Flab - While shut up in your house, you've probably not been doing calculus like Isaac Newton was during his quarantine.  It's likely that you've stepped up the amount of time on the television, social media, or the video gaming. 

And that's okay.  There's certainly nothing wrong with killing some boredom and passing the extra time with a bit of fun.

A season of increased media may be a good distraction, but, again, we must talk about patterns of life.  While media is a gift of God, it can also be an idol that keeps us from "redeeming the time."  

Some have even warned about online porn in particular during this quarantine.  The stay at home orders have provided unfortunate opportunities in the internet sex market.

It is obvious that porn should be cut altogether.  But we may want to watch what we watch in other respects too.  We do not want the new normal to be excess media taking the place of work, spiritual disciplines, and relationships.

4.  Zeal for Evangelism - I've loved how our families are praying for and seeking opportunities with unbelieving people.  It's raw energy I wish I could harness and unleash in a venue. 

There's a sense in which the quarantine has made this desire a little difficult to achieve though.  Since people are pent up in their homes, it's hard to reach out to them.  

The good news is that when the world opens up again, there will likely be plenty of opportunities:  On the streets, in the marketplace, with hospitality to co-workers and neighbors, etc.  What's more, there will likely be diaconal needs.  People will likely seek us out to help with bills and debts.

While the land may be dry now, it will likely be ripe for harvest in a matter of weeks.  The only problem is that we may be tempted to sink back into the old routine when the world revs up again. 

I encourage you to plan now for those evangelism activities and consider how we may effectively extend the gospel of grace to those in need.

5.  Constant Prayer - How beautiful it has been to be driven more towards God in prayer!  There's been fasting, prayer groups, and individuals setting aside specific times of prayer.  We've felt our need and it has brought us nearer to the Lord.

To be sure, Gov. Dewine has been prayed for so much that the angels assigned to him have been given all access ID passes.  Has there ever been a leader for whom there has been so much prayer in these last few weeks?

But what if God answers our prayers?  What if the economy kicks right back in when the restrictions are lifted?  What if everything returns to the old normal?  Will we be as eager to pray?

I would assume that bulking up on prayer for weeks on end will energize us spiritually and create a new 'old normal.'  If prayer is practiced for this long and this hard, it will be a hard habit to break.

All in all, its an encouragement to further that habit and keep on praying.  
   

Experts say that habits are formed in 6-8 weeks.  That just happens to be the amount of time we expect to spend in this quarantine.  So you can see how this period of time is so critical.  The new normal can be a wonderful experience if we take the right steps now.

 
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Turning It over to You
What are your thoughts?  How do you expect life to be different in the coming weeks?  Are there areas which you would see need for caution?  Or are there opportunities or goals for which we can be striving? 

Send us an email and share your perspectives.

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We can be assured that God is using COVID in amazing ways.  One of the blessings is that great educational resources are being made available for FREE!  Check out these two gems that are at your fingertips...

1.  Ligonier Connect:  Ligonier ministries (i.e. RC Sproul & friends) is making a huge number of great video/audio resources available for free.  Their Ligonier Connect site is chock full of good stuff.  You can sign up to have an account to access these resources on your own or with a group (virtual if needed).

2.  Answers in Genesis:  AiG has a new virtual Sunday School resource.  It is being made available for free through the end of June.  It covers apologetics, bible books, and many more engaging lessons for kids and adults.

Are you interested in a group study? 
We can organize a virtual class with video conferencing if a few people are interested.  So let us know if you'd like to delve into the Word and connect with some other believers.

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Bring no more vain offerings.
Isaiah 1:13 (ESV)

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Two weeks ago I wrote about the 5 Awesome Excuses for Skipping Church.  I want to double back and touch on the topic of worship again.  This time I'd like us to look at it from the other side.

Just because you are in the pews on Sunday mornings doesn't necessarily mean that everything is peachy with the Lord.  You can sing with the greatest zeal and still not have the Lord's priorities in mind.

So consider these questions.  Evaluate your presence in worship in light of them.

1.  Is God really your priority?  Malachi laid into the Israelites of his day, despite their regular attendance in worship.  God was angry with them despite their pristine record.

The problem was that they were not offering their first and best.  The sacrifices they brought were sketchy, consisting of lambs that were blind, lame, and diseased.

It wasn't the sacrifice per se.  Something was wrong with their hearts.  They were holding back on God.  They essentially said He didn't deserve their best and their highest esteem.  Sure, they will worship (and do so with ardor), but not in a costly way or a way that reflects that He was their highest enjoyment.  

The Lord should never be given the leftovers.  When we come to worship, we must give Him the first and the best.  We must give from the heart and internally witness to the fact that He is the first and best.

2.  Are you worshipping God with your life or just your lips?  Amos gave the Israelites a royal ripping too.  His beef, however, was that their worship was so incredibly inconsistent with the rest of their lives. 

These Israelites offered the purest worship; every jot and tittle of the law was followed.  But their worship was a cover for the gross sins they were committing (negligence, oppression, and injustice). They may have been better off skipping church because God hated and despised their assemblies.

This tells us that what we do on Sunday must equalize with the rest of the week.  The bully and the bossy shouldn't waste their breath if they are not repentant.  One who steals and then gives an offering makes God's nostrils crinkle in anger.  The inconsistency of justice and worship is offensive to God.   

3.  Are you putting a priority on restoring relationships?  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells people, of all things, not to go to worship.  Really, he told them to drop everything and high tail it out of the service.  If there was a broken relationship and they had not sought to rectify it, that was to take priority. (Matt. 5:24).

We might rank worship higher than relationships, but God does not.  Sometimes the most pleasing offering is an attempt at reconciliation.  When someone is estranged from us we must seek them out.  Otherwise our worship is profane. 

Granted, the other party may not want to reconcile, but that really doesn't negate our duty.  Jesus would like us to at least give reconciliation the old college try (preferably before Sunday comes rolling around).  That's because relationships are a priority to Him.

4.  Is worship your gateway to heaven?  No amount of good works will ever outweigh our bad or make God happy with us.  So, if you're depending on your presence in worship to get you merit with God, think again.  

The only thing that can make us right with God is the blood of Christ. Worship is a response to God's grace; not a means to it.  It flows out of our gratitude for His saving us and giving us eternal life.

5.  Are you rating the service?  Worship is not a performance.  It is a meeting with God and His people.  So if you are in the habit of evaluating the music team or the preacher, you've got the wrong attitude.

Sure, the message might not be quite up to snuff on occasion.  Other dynamics might not meet your preference level.  Nevertheless, God is there in the midst.  It's a 5 star service every time because He comes in power and, miraculously, does not strike us dead. 

​Contribute Special Music - Got a song you want to sing or an instrumental that you'd like to perform?  We are happy to schedule you for our communion time or other special.

Join the Worship Team - If you're a guy who likes to sing or are talented with an instrument, we always appreciate the contributions of our musicians. 

Join the Set up Crew - Would you like to make a "behind the scenes" commitment? Once a month you can be in charge of setting up for worship.  We'll be sure to show you the ropes on the equipment and make sure you are confident.

Take Photos -  If you have a knack for snapping pictures, feel free.  We love compiling material for our yearly slideshows, putting them out on our social media, and capturing our milestones & memories.  

Kiddo Care - We love it when moms and dads have a break and can enjoy a little more fellowship after worship.  Volunteer to play with or keep eyes on a little one so the parents can spend a few moments chatting with others.

Bible Bee Squad - Contribute a helping hand with the Bible Bee gatherings, preparations, and organization.  There's so many kids involved there's sure to be a place where you can fill in.

Do Something New - Don't see your niche listed?  Let us know what you'd like to do.  We'll happily consider supporting your service.

Notice on Worship Protocol
The governor of Kentucky has issued a request that churches not meet on Sunday as part of the state's COVID19 precautions.  It wouldn't surprise if other states soon follow suit.  Should Ohio's officials issue such a decree, please know that it will not affect Hopewell's regular Sunday morning meetings.

While we do encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions for their health and welfare, our doors will remain open for those who are inclined to attend.  In sum, unless the situation rises to a critical level, we will follow our normal "inclimate weather" policy: Come if you are able.

Should other churches refrain from meeting, we by no means resent their decision.  Many factors may go into their choosing to do so.  This is merely our way of seeking to balance the command to honor the Lord's Day and be faithful in our communion with one another. 

If you are showing symptoms, we do ask that you remain home.  We have appreciated the discretion our family members have always shown in this regard.

If you do see the need to remain at home, we would appreciate your letting us know.  It's always good to have a heads up, especially so that we can be in prayer for you.  Also, we have life streamed the services in the past.  This is an option we are certainly able to implement if we have enough advance notice.

I'm not a doctor; nor do I play one on TV.  But as a pastor and amatuer theologin, I want to bring some Scriptural guidance to the current germ infested world.

I give you six thoughts on dealing with plagues and pandemics in our day:

1.  Wash your hands.  Doesn't sound very spiritual does it?  The truth is, the single best way to prevent sickness and disease was discovered 200 years ago.  Using soap and water with a good lather helps prevent the spread of disease by over 50%. 

Being that is so, the Christian's responsibility of love for neighbor and self can be as simple as taking about 20 seconds at the kitchen sink.

2.  Don't live in fear.  If I can rephrase the words of Jesus:  Do not fear the germs that can kill the body, fear Him who can destroy the body and afterwards throw the soul in hell. 

God's word teaches us to fear the living God, not the bacteria that He creates.  With that attitude, we live boldly in a world filled with killer pathogens.  Christians are light in a germaphobe infested world.

That being the case, if God calls you to be sick or die of a plague, so let it be.  Glorify God in it; be bold and suffer well. 

But don't cower in corners and refuse to live a normal, God honoring life in community because you may possibly, by chance, come in contact with a random microbiome which may or may not infect your system.

3.  Don't Believe the Hype:  The news media may be considered a plague in and of itself (This is why I steer clear of them and wash my hands of them for the most part). 

Most news outlets love the sensational and the hype it can cause.  For that reason, it's hardly ever clear what on their broadcasts is true.  Exaggeration, bias, and the desire to get you to buy something from their sponsors often makes them less than a healthy source of information.

From what limited research I've done (and what limited information is available), the coronavirus is not anywhere as bad as the news has hyped it to be.  A little googling and you'll see that the Corona is not that much different than the common flu.  It may be slightly more contagious, but its symptoms and death rates are essentially equal.

So don't be quick to believe the latest headline promulgating the end of the world.  Let God be true and every man a liar.

Above all, remember what Spurgeon said:
 
"Faith by cheering the heart keeps it free from the fear which, in times of pestilence, kills more than the plague itself." 


4.  God Protects the Righteous:  God is sovereign over every single microorganism on the planet.  What's more, His sovereignty is always kindly expressed towards His people.  And ordinarily, God protects His people from plague and consumption.

That's what Psalm 91 teaches when it says, "For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence." 

Of course, the Psalmist isn't teaching that God's people will never get sick or diseased or die.  He's expressing the normal way God operates in this world:  The Lord usually protects His people and the righteous will, by and large, be spared from the deadly woes.

It is noteworthy that those most highly affected by infectious disease are, ordinarily, those who are not living for God.  To put it in the words of one commentator, those who tend to be victims of contagious diseases are the intemperate, the sensual, the debased, and foolish (...possibly the ones most unwilling to wash their hands?). 

In sum, the wicked essentially bring God's destruction upon themselves as they have lifestyles that predispose them to these miseries.  The godly, however, seek to live more nearly to God in all holiness and are frequently spared such sorrows.

5.  God's people do get sick.  No one is hermetically sealed from God's will.  Job was one of the most righteous men on earth, but his health was not immune. 

So, if God does bring illness into your life, it is because He has a purpose for it.  Thus, it is a time to live for Him. 

The Westminster Larger Catechism summarizes the Scripture on this point by saying we must "patiently bear the hand of God."  That means, we must be patient in affliction, praise God for His mercies, and establish our hearts til the coming of the Lord.

Sickness is also a useful time of spiritual reflection.  It is a time to remember that:

• We are constantly dependent upon the Lord for our health/life.
• We may have sinned and we need to repent (James 5:14f).
• We have a future world, cleansed of sin & misery, which we anticipate.
• The terrors of hell are much worse, and we have been spared the horrors of it.
• Our brethren around the world suffer much greater tribulations, and we ought to pray for them.

6.  Live & Die boldly.  It's been mentioned before in these articles that so many in our world are afraid to die.  The topic can hardly even be spoken of by those whose lives are so wrapped up in this world.

Not so for us.  We who are in Christ can stare death in the eye and make him blink.  We do not need to avoid it or dance around the topic.  We may joyfully live because death is a welcome thing.  We anticipate the world to come with great longing and happily draw nearer to Jesus.

Thus, we are lights and cities on a hill in a world haunted by hell and contamination.  We will die boldy if God would will it and live heartily until His grace would bring it to an end.

A group of 9 families began meeting for evening services in March of 2016.  It was the infancy of Hopewell, to be sure.  But flip the calendar to 2020 and you'll find 16 families meeting together each week.  Add in the young people who have turned 18 and entered adulthood and we have quite a testimony to the growth our God has granted us.

So blow out the candles, pin the tail on the donkey, praise God for His faithfulness, and party like you're ready to start riding a big boy bike.

Last Day for the Used Bible Drive
Do you have old Bibles lying around collecting dust?  Let's put them to good use!  This month Hopewell will be collecting used Bibles to donate to Mission Cry.  This ministry supplies pastors in devastated places around the world with resources they could not otherwise afford.  

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In our last issue of the Hopewell weekly, we began to consider how a woman can reflect God's nature by being her husband's helper.  In this issue, we want to bring to light three more areas where women can exert their role as helper.  

1. Help him grow in godliness.
Your husband is a sinner and lacks the virtues that God desires him to have. He may even have certain areas of real bondage, such as anger, sloth, addiction, or poor communication.  
 
While the world says that you should ditch him and find someone you deserve, the Bible says otherwise.  God has, in His wisdom, placed you at this side so that he can become a more righteous person. 

You can increase his sanctification as you offer gentle admonishments, set before him a godly example, and react with grace and self-control to his failures.

Just as the Helper, the Holy Spirit, comes alongside us to help us overcome our sin and become more sanctified, you can encourage spiritual growth in your husband.  

2. Help him in the decision making process.
You are your husband's chief advisor.  Providing good counsel for the decisions he has to make is a glorious help. 

Some women view their role as an excuse to get out of the decision making process.  They say, "That's his job, not mine" with great relief.  But decision making is just as daunting to him as it is to you.  It's a huge help if you are engaged in this process.  

Like a president's cabinet member, your perspective and input are vital.  Even if he doesn't take your advice or chooses to go against it, your thoughts are still helpful.  You allow him a chance to consider options, weigh pros and cons, and appraise alternative strategies.

3.  Help him by giving him the respect he needs.
What if he doesn't take your advice?  Worse yet, what if he makes the wrong decision?  What do you do now?  You help him by showing him the highest degree of respect.  (Eph. 5:33). 

You may be tempted to gloat or give the air of “I told you so,” but a godly helper seek to build her husband up and take it all in stride.  She knows God is good and will glorify Himself in everything.

Keep in mind that when a man is honored, it will likely have a radical affect on him.  He will want to present himself as honorable.  Many women have found that putting on a respectful tone, dialogue, and body language transformed their husbands and their marriages. 

It just goes to show that showing respect, even when your husband is not all that deserving, is the true help that he needs in his life.

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YES!  FOOD! 
It's always a treat to eat at Hopewell!  This Sunday is our traditional 2nd Sunday fellowship meal.  Bring a dish and/or a side to share if you are able.  There’s always an abundance, so please plan to stay and enjoy even if you can’t pull something together.  Table settings will be provided. 

We cannot express how blessed we are as a congregation.  This Year in Review will testify to how the Lord has poured out his kindness upon us yet again.  Thanks be to Him for His everlasting love and we look forward to what He has in store in 2020.

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"I will make him a helper fit for him."
Gen. 2:18

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Solid Help When You Need It 
Life can be hard.  If you are facing difficulties, avail yourself to great resources you have at Hopewell.  Our church's leadership is always willing to help you through difficult times and give you biblical guidance on the problems you face.

Worship, Grow, & Gain Friends
We'd love for you to connect with the Hopewell crew.  Join us this Sunday and taste a little of the great things that the Lord is doing in our midst.  

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"For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:11

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​In recent years flash mobs have become a thing.  In an unlikely place, such as a mall or random street corner, someone starts to sing or dance.  In a matter of minutes, mobs of people join in and thrill the onlookers with the random acts of fine arts.

The Bible tells us of a similar experience that occured in the meadows outlining Bethlehem 200 years ago.  A flash mob of angels sprung up out of nowhere to give a bunch of measly shepherds a rich taste of heaven's aesthetics.

The first notes to ring out were simple and pointed, "For unto you is born this day...a Savior." 

Just as stunning are the designated recipients of this great message.  The angelic announcement did not come to the religious elite or the political movers and shakers.  To the contrary, the profound declaration was given to the lowest and meanest of society.

We romanticize the ancient shepherds today.  Christmas cards and nativity scenes depict them as noble gents.  But this couldn't be further from the truth. 

Shepherds were a despicable bunch.  They were renown liars and cheats.  So notorious were they for their schemes that their testimony would not be accepted in a court of law.

Add to their crooked ways the fact that they were always considered "unclean."  In the fields it was virtually impossible to keep ceremonially clean (but one wonders if such a shady bunch really cared about the law or its cleanliness anyway).

Thus we must grasp the significance of this heaven sent revelation: to you a Savior is born.

Oddly enough, these double dealing scoundrels were the ones God chose to be the first to attest to the Messiah's coming.  

Is that not God's thing though:   He offers salvation to the chief of sinners; then He turns these untrustworthy crooks into His witnesses.

Let it be remembered this Christmas season that God's grace is downright scandalous.  He invites the unworthy and the incorrigible into His kingdom.  He freely forgives the liar and the hypocrite.  He pardons the sin and gladly transforms the useless into His sacred tools of good.

A Greater Treasure

A medical doctor recently said that socialistic healthcare is inevitable.  His rationale was a simple deduction,
 
"People are too scared to die; they will therefore spend every cent of other people's money in order to stay alive."
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This quote is not only insightful for our present political direction, it is also expressive of what characterizes an earthly minded person.  

Christians are supposed to be heavenly minded people.  Their treasure is in heaven and their hearts are knit to that place where God resides. 

As such, the Christian's mind should generally turn towards heaven.  He will regularly reminisce upon its nature, excellence, glory, and blessedness. 

His mind will naturally flit there.  It is a subject that fills him with wonder, sparks his curiosity, and inflames his heart's desires.

Thus, the idea of death is radically different for us than it is for our current culture.  We do not scrape and claw with every ounce of our energy (and every penny of our neighbor) to to maintain our mortal existence.  We are well prepared to die and let nature take its course. 

Unlike the unbeliever, we happily leave an inheritance to our children's children.  Doctors and hospitals do not need to eat up our life savings, for we have a greater treasure to inherit in the world to come.

While a Christian will not ever think to speed death along, he does have a healthy anticipation of it.  For to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Or, in the words of the 19th c. English preacher, John Angell James,
 
He would instantly dissolve his ties with earth and, leaving his family and connections, fly the next moment to his eternal home. He is willing to wait as long as it is His heavenly Father's will to detain him upon earth, but he is willing to leave all and go to God whenever it is judged proper by Him to decide that he should go up to the mount and die.

In the advent season, our minds may all the more be raptured and caught up into the skies.  We will likely think of his second coming and how our lives will be radically changed when he parts the clouds:  

• How will our bodies be transformed and how will our existence be different? 
• What will it be like to ceaselessly smile and be glad? 
• How glorious it will be to love and be loved perfectly and permanently?
• What will my occupation be in the world to come?  How shall I benefit my neighbor and with what will I fill my free time?

There will always be those who see death as a curse to be avoided.  However, we as Christians have a different attitude.  For those of us in Christ, death truly comes a blessing.  When this mortal life is done, we shall die to sin and revel in the riches of heaven.

Baptism & New Member Reception
This Lord's Day we will have the blessed opportunity to receive the Keener family into membership.  Josiah Ott will also be making his formal profession of faith and will be baptized during the service.

A company in town recently had a "grand opening," complete with ribbon cutting ceremony with all the big wigs in town present: the mayor, city counsel members, chamber of commerce heads, etc.  Speeches were given, sales were had, smiles were flashed, and hope for a wonderful addition to the community was created.

Another company has prospects for opening.  The big wigs were all present again for the ceremonial first shovel of dirt as they broke ground for their new building project.  Speeches were made, smiles were given, and anticipation for the completed building (and its ongoing merchandising) was created.

Imagine if everything stopped there.  Imagine if after the ribbon cutting, everyone went immediately home and the store closed its doors.  

That would be a real bust.

Yet this is how our baptisms are often regarded.  They are usually seen as a "one and out" type ritual.  Now it is something long ago and far away.

Though our baptisms may only happen once in our lives, this blessed ritual is to continue to have significance for us all through our lives. 

Theologians call baptism an "initiatory rite."  It's God's ribbon cutting that portrays the fact that we've just entered the kingdom of God through our union with Christ and His pardon of sin.

But we can also think of baptism as an "anticipatory rite."  It anticipates a long walk with Christ, growth in faith, and a full salvation that is yet to come.

That's why we are to always remember our baptism, reflect upon it, and be challenged by it.  Whether we remember the actual day of our baptism or how wet we got does not matter.  What matters is that it happened.  And we must bring that reality to bear on our lives. 

We need to understand its reality and apply its significance regularly for our ongoing life.  From time to time it is even good to say to yourself, "I've been baptized!  I've been marked out as belonging to God.  He's branded me as His own and washed me of my sin."

You wear your wedding ring each day, just like you "wear" your baptism.  The water may have long dried up, but you've still been marked by the rite.  And like the wedding ring, your baptism is to preach to you on a daily basis. 

Your wedding ring reminds you of important truths: I'm loved; I'm united to my spouse; I have vows to keep.  

Similarly, your baptism is to be a constant reminder of how you are loved by God, set apart to him, and have vows to keep towards him.

Paul wrote to the Galatians about baptism.  These were not new converts getting ready to be baptized.  They were already baptized members of the church.  But he set their baptism before them and reminded them of its significance for their present lives:
 
"All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Paul was telling the Galatians: You've been baptized! You need to remember that.  You need to remember that you have a new identity.  You have new opinions, new desires, and should be demonstrating new actions keeping with that identity!

Though the water may have dampened your clothes long ago, it should not ever evaporate, spiritually speaking.  You need to continue to work out the implications of your baptism and draw strength from the realities which it signifies.

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Church Membership
The leadership will be conducting interviews for membership, professions of faith, and baptism after morning services on December 8th.  Anyone who would like to meet with the leadership is invited to contact us to schedule an interview. 
 
LEARN MORE:  Membership at Hopewell  |  Is your child ready to profess faith?


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There is only one Lawgiver and Judge.
James 4:12

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Today we remember Luther's nailing of the 95 Thesis, the spark that ignited the Reformation.  And it is here we remember that our consciences are bound by no other authority than the Word of God.

We live in a day of many laws, pontifications, and advisements.  From the Dear Abby column to the halls of Congress, from religious leaders to health guru's, we are bombarded with the mantra:  "This is what you must do."

Yet the Reformational principle that resonates through history is this:  our conscience as Christians is to be held captive by the Word of God.  No other authority has primacy over us, for "we must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)

In this respect Christians can be rigid and inflexible.  They may be known to be annoying, roadblockers, and dissident.  They have practiced civil disobedience and are willing to be fed to the lions because they know that Christ (and He alone) is to be obeyed.  They have objected, opposed, and even started wars because the Word of God was regarded as the only supreme rule over their life and conduct.

Luther's firm standing at the Diet of Worms (1522) was just as (if not more) important than his 95 Thesis (1517).  Luther was called before Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, and various high officials in the Roman Catholic church.  In that assembly he was expected to recant his writings, wherein he expounded on the doctrines of justification by faith alone, the authority of Scripture, and the folly of indulgences.

"Here I stand; I can do no other," was his reply.  In those words Luther gave vivid expression to his conviction that the Scripture was the inspired Word of God, who's authority outweighed that of the pope.  He would not back down, even though his life could have easily been taken at that very moment, being executed as a heretic of the church.

Christ himself demonstrated this spirit when he walked the earth.  He did not tolerate the extra biblical commands that the religious leaders touted.  When standing before Pilate and Herod, he remained a silent protester against the absurdity of their courtroom demands.

Jesus had come to do the will of His Father and no one could enslave his soul.  

It is true, there have been some men who have died for their convictions despite their beliefs not being founded upon the Word of God.  But they have been few and far between.

Modern man, in particular, tends to be quite pliable.  He often goes with the flow and bends to every whim that comes down the pike.  That's because there isn't much spine in someone who puts man and man's thought up as his authority. 

He will likely bow down and cow-tow to any law that is passed, any decree that is made, and any advice that is given.  He may make a stink about it, but he'll eventually conform because he has no firm standard by which to live.  He is governed by men and standards of men and is blown here and there by them, especially if it means having comforts or their very life taken away.

Yet Christians have been known as protesters (Protestants), Non-conformists, and dissenters throughout their history.  They have been fed to lions, sent to the stocks, imprisoned, buffeted, burned, and beheaded, because their faith has been built upon the solid rock of God's infallible truth.

Even at Hopewell our leadership says, "Look to the Scripture."  We do not want anyone to blindly follow what we say or do.  No pope, pastor, prince, priest, or politician should have ultimate governance over you. 

Rather, it should be as the old Presbyterians used to say,

"God alone is Lord of the conscience and has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are in any respect contrary to the Word of God."​

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Date with a Mission!
Let's help the Ott's raise funds for their adoption and deepen relationships at the same time.  Invite a friend or two to go out for a date on Wednesday Nov. 6th.  Go to BW3's in Ashland and show the ticket.  The Ott's will receive 20% of the dinner's proceeds.

Mentors Needed
Ashland City School officials are developing a new program.  The goal is to provide mentors for parents whose children are in the city schools.  These mentors are to occasionally meet to provide practical guidance on parenting and decision making.  Several families have already requested assistance.  Request more information on becoming a mentor.

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The plans of the diligent lead to profit.
Proverbs 21:5

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​The Scriptures speak about money more than any other topic.  Approximately 2000 passages deal with the topic in some way or other.  In the gospels alone, one out of every four verses deals with money. 

Many other passages draw from the economic world.  Redemption, ransom, forgiveness, sin-debt, are all terms that have financial undertones.

This only highlights how much of our lives should be dedicated to developing faithfulness in stewardship.  But how do we do keep from feeding the urge to get and acquire?  How do we honor God and keep from falling into the trap of materialism?  Scripture is clear in its guidance.

1.  The Power of "No." 
This one word can kill off the materialism germ significantly.  The disciplined power of delaying gratification and resisting the urge to impulsively buy shows that your heart is governed more by God than by things. 

Esau's unbelief was expressed in how he rashly bought that fateful pot of stew.  He was governed by passion and the moment, not reason and self control.

While a "hope deferred may make the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12), it is a fruit of the Spirit to be able to say, "No, I don't really need that right now."

2.  Contentment vs. the Splurge
From whence does that "power of no" come?  It flows from a heart that rejoices in God and His supply.  We don't need to splurge and spend when we recognize the immense generosity of God in all that we already have.

Of course, the key to contentment is the upward focus.  It's being immensely satisfied with God, and not so much the stuff He's bestowed upon us.  Someone who can be content with the older model, the second hand buy, or with not having in the first place is someone who has made the Lord his greatest yearning above all else.

3.  Keeping up with the Jesus
One doesn't feel the need to keep up with the Joneses if he's keeping up with Jesus.  If you are not nurturing your relationship with Christ through regular worship, personal devotions, and prayer, let's admit it: you will be more susceptible to a spirit of materialism.

The Lord uses the means of grace to squelch our raging fleshly passions.  We gain new desires and are conformed more to the image of Christ as we fellowship with God.

To put it another way, when you are worshipping God, you will be less apt to worship your wallet.

4.  Plan a Budget & Diligently keep it
Growth takes diligence, accountability, and self control.  A budget is just that for our finances. 

Developing a detailed budget helps to set parameters on what we can and cannot have.  It tells us "You can't have that," and makes us cut certain things out.

On the positive side, a budget will tell us what we really value.  We're forced to say, "I'm putting this amount towards the Lord."  Or it reminds us that diapers are more important than yet another trip to Macy's.

5.  Spend, Save, Give Principle
That is biblical stewardship in a nutshell.  We buy what we need, save what we can, and give with intentionality and liberality as much as we can. 

Let's not forget about saving too.  Too often teaching on stewardship focuses on spending and giving.  But there's a great deal in Scripture about investing, saving, and building wealth for the future (and future generations). 

Use Jars with Your Kids to Teach the Give, Spend, Share Principle.

6.  All the Cool Kids Do It
Being cool is expensive.  It is also vanity.  When we value prestige and admiration, it's going to cost us.  On the other hand, if we have our minds set on being esteemed by God, there will be less incentive to bust the bank on the latest fashions, phones, and trends.

7.  What do you Value?
Do you value what the Bible values?  If you do, you'll have a completely different financial focus.

For instance, what are your thoughts on kids?  The world today prefers big vacations and exotic trips; that means fewer kids.  But Scripture says that having children is a heritage (note the financial language again) from the Lord.  In sum, kids have much more value in the eyes of God.

Take another example:  Scripture commends the accumulation of wisdom over and above the accumulation of wealth.  Wisdom is greater than gold (Pr. 16:16) and more precious than rubies (8:11).  If you believe this, it will likely make a difference in what (and how much) you accumulate in life.

All this is to say, if you value what what the Lord values, there's going to be different spending priorities.  ​

More on Money
​​Want to delve further into some of those 2000 verses on money?  Here is a nifty Bible study and devotional that you can use to further understand what God says about this important topic!

Local Apologetics Conference
Our friends at Covenant OPC are holding their annual conference this Saturday (Oct. 26).  This all day conference will take a practical look at how to defend and commend the faith to unbelievers.  (Registration is requested)

Do you pray?  Okay, good.  Now let me ask you this:  How do you pray?  Do you pray with the firm confidence that the Lord will certainly hear and answer your prayers?

I want you to pray, and I want you to pray OUTRAGEOUS prayers.  When I say outrageous, I mean prayers that would seem to be completely absurd and virtually impossible.  World impacting, life changing, kingdom exploding type prayers.

Because you will be heard and God will answer!

How do I know?  Because God challenges us to pray.  In Psalm 27:8 he says, "Seek my face." This is what I call a 'promissory command.'  God commands you to seek his face.  It is an obligation that put us under a mandate.  But the command implies a promise:  God will answer.  

God commands us to seek him because he is ready to be found.  He will answer our prayer and bring his power and grace to bear on our situation.

The New Testament provides the echo and extended commentary on this verse: Ask, seek, knock.  For whoever asks will receive, whoever seeks will find, and whoever knocks, to him the door will be opened.

This command (and implied promise) gives warrant to our prayers.  We can be encoruaged to pray.  And we can be encouraged to pray for spectacular things.

So be absurd. Ask for the outrageous. 

• Ask that Hopewell will swell to 300 godly saints. 
• Pray that abortion will be ended.
• Beseech Him for revival
• Make a request that persecution will stop in North Korea and China
• Pray that missionaries would be funded and whole nations be transformed.

Don't be bashful.  God tells us to seek his face.

John Knox was known to pray, "Lord, Give me Scotland or I'll die."  He wanted the whole nation to be taken over by the Reformational ideas he was preaching.  Was that ludicrous?  Absolutely!  And God was happy to answer in asounding ways.

Bloody Mary (i.e. Mary, Queen of Scots) said, "I fear the prayers of Knox more than all the armies of England."  She feared that protestantism would roll through England and that she'd be unseated by the finger of God simply because a man was passionately pleading with God for the transformation of the nation.

The Heidelberg Catechism cites Psalm 27:8 in its 116th Q&A.  It says that we should"

"be firmly assured that, notwithstanding how unworthy we are of it, God will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, as he has promised us in His Word."

I pray that you may pray with the confidence that no prayer bounces off the ceiling.  May this also increase and enrich your prayer life.

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