 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.  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
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When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 ESV  Sticks and stones will break my bones, blah, blah, blah. We know that being on the receiving end of abusive speech hurts. When you are insulted or otherwise assaulted verbally, it is difficult to take. How does one deal with that injury though? The non Christian's response is pretty obvious. They become provoked and retaliate in kind, or sulk and let the hurt dominate your life. A Christian should have a different reaction, however. Guided by Scripture, he seeks to glorify God. That means he will... 1. Take it in stride - We're not going to mask or downplay the pain of being belittled. When someone calls you an idiot, loud mouth, or pansy, it is a bruise to the soul. It's intended to humiliate, and that humilation can be felt quite deeply. It doesn't, however require you to be provoked. Jesus was called Beelzebub, an illegitimate child, and a fake. His own family called him a looney. No doubt that He was acquainted with that grief and knows how much such attacks hurt. But he embodied the wisdom of God of maintaining his composure: "Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent." (Proverbs 11:12) 2. Remember God's estimation - Paul said, "But with me it is a very small thing to be judged by you or any human court...It is the Lord who judges me." As Christians, we recognize that man's approval or judgment of us does not hold any water with us. We seek approval from God alone and know that He has given us all the worth that we need. He has made us in His image, endowed us with glory, made us co-heirs with Christ, and redeemed us from hell. All this, even despite our sinful unworthiness. No matter man's view, God has given us an identity that is high and indestructible. 3. Entrust yourself to God - You have the greatest defender. The Lord promises to bring about vengeance and will surely vindicate your name in due time. You need only trust and wait for history to unfold. Jesus did just that. "When reviled, he did not revile in return." Instead, he "continued to entrust himself to Him who judges justly." He believed that time would be his greatest defender as the sovereign God executed His plan in the world on his behalf. 4. Respond with Charity - You don't have to respond, of course. Silence is sometimes the best reaction. It may be folly to try and talk to someone who is filled with passion, and it's no use throwing pearls to pigs. However, you can respond with a gracious attitude and words if necessary. Focusing on the problem or other issue at hand while demonstrating the utmost courtesy can have many benefits. Not only can this disarm the agresser (a soft answer turns away wrath, Prov. 15:1), it can make the Lord's retribution upon him all that more severe (heap burning coals on his head, Prov 25:22).  Come & Camp Be sure to reserve June 12-14 for our annual weekend of fellowship. Grab your friends and join us as we play games, eat, and worship together at the Lillo's. Stay for the day or stay all weekend, it's up to you. Contact Kim to RSVP a headcount and get any further details. Location: 3297 Walnut Road, Willard, OH 44890  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.
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! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 (KJV)  I Don't Know |
| Join our Live Stream via our Facebook Page |
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!
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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"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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The New Normal
...
What will that look like for you?
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...
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.
________________________________
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.
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.
________________________________
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.
'New Normal' Worksheet
Don't wait. Make the change now and get moving in the right direction. Download this goal setting worksheet and make a plan to establish your 'New Normal' now. When you're done, share it with a friend or two. Challenge them to do it with you and ask them to keep you accountable.
Don't wait. Make the change now and get moving in the right direction. Download this goal setting worksheet and make a plan to establish your 'New Normal' now. When you're done, share it with a friend or two. Challenge them to do it with you and ask them to keep you accountable.
Join us in the Worship of Christ!
Looking for a church where Jesus is precious? We'd love for you to join us as we worship our Lord & Savior. Presently we are worshipping in an online conferencing platform. You can join us by phone or on a device at 10:30 am. Contact us for access.
Looking for a church where Jesus is precious? We'd love for you to join us as we worship our Lord & Savior. Presently we are worshipping in an online conferencing platform. You can join us by phone or on a device at 10:30 am. Contact us for access.
Jesus lived a life of poverty and suffering. So poor was he that he had nothing to bequeath. The only property he did own was the shirt on his own back.
And even this was taken from him.
These soldiers wasted no time in plundering the Son of God of his only worldly possessions. Governments are known to steal from the people. This robbery was just a perk of being assigned the grim role of supervising death row.
It was, so to speak, a death tax.
Roman law affirmed that soldiers could loot those who were sentenced to be executed. After all, the condemned wouldn't need it anymore.
Yet, it was more the compulsion of God than some Roman legionary. It was the Lord's stripping. The guard was merely the instrument. This was God's afflicting of His Son and sabotaging what blessings He did enjoy on this earth
The act was no doubt part of the ignominy of crucifixion. The cross was designed for enhancing the suffering process. Not only would you have excruciating pain agonizing every inch of your physic, you were to feel the sting of Roman justice far into the inner depths of your soul.
It is ironic, to be sure. The removal of the outward clothes has an inward effect. One shudders not because of some external pain, but because a would is struck within the heart.
We call it shame. It was the first punishment in the history of the world. Prior to the fall Adam and Eve were naked and felt no shame. The moment after they fell from grace, they felt the need to cover themselves.
Their nakedness was no longer an expression of the beauty of God's creation. It was a distortion; it was now indecent. It was an unholy exposure; one which they sought to immediately rectify with whatever they could get their hands on.
From that point on nakedness becomes almost synonymous with humiliation. Clothing becomes a grace.
After His pronouncement of redemption, the Lord clothed the fallen couple. God made garments from an animal for them.
That was an X rated procedure in and of itself. Adam and Eve were forced to watch an animal be slain and skinned. Imagine the shock.
Death was a completely foreign concept. All they had known was life, gentleness, and peace. As the animal was torn open and drained, What horror it had to be. To see the carcass being tanned had to be appalling; knowing it should have been them in its stead would have been all that much more sobering.
Nevertheless, they receive a covering; a blessing for which they were thankful.
At the foot of the cross this episode was relived, only in reverse. Jesus loses his attire. Grace is stripped from him. The curse of sin is descending upon him. He himself is descending into hell. \
He must feel the pain; and feel it fully. It cannot be outward and external only. It must seep into his very soul. The wrath of God must touch the core fibers of his being.
The high priest would have been the best dressed man in Israel. Yet our High Priest had no such privilege. He was covered only in the blisters of the sun's hot rays and robed with the treachery of sin.
In so doing, he secured for us our wardrobe. The gospel story should have the same effect upon us as it did for Adam and Eve. Though it may be grievous to behold, we can be thankful. We become the beneficiaries of his substitution. His loss is our gain. For we shall forever enjoy the grace of being robed in splendor.
And even this was taken from him.
These soldiers wasted no time in plundering the Son of God of his only worldly possessions. Governments are known to steal from the people. This robbery was just a perk of being assigned the grim role of supervising death row.
It was, so to speak, a death tax.
Roman law affirmed that soldiers could loot those who were sentenced to be executed. After all, the condemned wouldn't need it anymore.
Yet, it was more the compulsion of God than some Roman legionary. It was the Lord's stripping. The guard was merely the instrument. This was God's afflicting of His Son and sabotaging what blessings He did enjoy on this earth
The act was no doubt part of the ignominy of crucifixion. The cross was designed for enhancing the suffering process. Not only would you have excruciating pain agonizing every inch of your physic, you were to feel the sting of Roman justice far into the inner depths of your soul.
It is ironic, to be sure. The removal of the outward clothes has an inward effect. One shudders not because of some external pain, but because a would is struck within the heart.
We call it shame. It was the first punishment in the history of the world. Prior to the fall Adam and Eve were naked and felt no shame. The moment after they fell from grace, they felt the need to cover themselves.
Their nakedness was no longer an expression of the beauty of God's creation. It was a distortion; it was now indecent. It was an unholy exposure; one which they sought to immediately rectify with whatever they could get their hands on.
From that point on nakedness becomes almost synonymous with humiliation. Clothing becomes a grace.
After His pronouncement of redemption, the Lord clothed the fallen couple. God made garments from an animal for them.
That was an X rated procedure in and of itself. Adam and Eve were forced to watch an animal be slain and skinned. Imagine the shock.
Death was a completely foreign concept. All they had known was life, gentleness, and peace. As the animal was torn open and drained, What horror it had to be. To see the carcass being tanned had to be appalling; knowing it should have been them in its stead would have been all that much more sobering.
Nevertheless, they receive a covering; a blessing for which they were thankful.
At the foot of the cross this episode was relived, only in reverse. Jesus loses his attire. Grace is stripped from him. The curse of sin is descending upon him. He himself is descending into hell. \
He must feel the pain; and feel it fully. It cannot be outward and external only. It must seep into his very soul. The wrath of God must touch the core fibers of his being.
The high priest would have been the best dressed man in Israel. Yet our High Priest had no such privilege. He was covered only in the blisters of the sun's hot rays and robed with the treachery of sin.
In so doing, he secured for us our wardrobe. The gospel story should have the same effect upon us as it did for Adam and Eve. Though it may be grievous to behold, we can be thankful. We become the beneficiaries of his substitution. His loss is our gain. For we shall forever enjoy the grace of being robed in splendor.
A Time to Pray
We invite you to join us for a time of prayer this Friday evening (April 10). We will meet online in our video/phone conference venue. Time is TBA. Please contact us if you need the access codes.
We invite you to join us for a time of prayer this Friday evening (April 10). We will meet online in our video/phone conference venue. Time is TBA. Please contact us if you need the access codes.
Membership at Hopewell
Interested in learning more about Hopewell and formally becoming a member? You can read about what membership entails at our website. Be sure to check out our Hopewell Starter Guide too. When you are ready contact us about any questions and next steps for joining our fellowship.
Interested in learning more about Hopewell and formally becoming a member? You can read about what membership entails at our website. Be sure to check out our Hopewell Starter Guide too. When you are ready contact us about any questions and next steps for joining our fellowship.
"Be devoted to one another in love."
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Don't Waste Your Quarantine
...
This is a Time to Grow as a Congregation
Staying home from church is a bummer. Missing out on our face to face fellowship, the Lord's Table, and (most of all!) church potlucks are no small things.
Nevertheless, there's an upside to this. By God we can grow as a congregation and come out on the other side stronger and more vitally connected.
We live in a time of unprecedented means of communication. In previous generations people were left to themselves in isolation. Today we have devices which allow us to call one another, send texts, and video conference. We can all but physically beam ourselves into another person's home.
In sum, we have the ability to further our bonds of love and fellowship unlike any other group of Christians in history. We can build into one another while at home by being intentional with calls, texts, emails, etc.
In our time of social distancing, I want to encourage social nearness. There would be nothing better than seeing Hopewell developing the "one anothers" of Scripture by a written note or a quick text. It's a way of saying, "Though you may be somewhat out of sight, you are not out of mind."
We may be missing out on that beautiful time on Sunday morning where we can touch base with one another, but we do not have to miss it completely. As a matter of fact, we can create a deeper fellowship if we set a few goals and purposefully connect during the "off season."
There's no doubt in my mind that many of you are doing this already to some degree. There are good friends in our fellowship who naturally interact. That is truly wonderful and we are blessed to have such wonderful relationships in our congregation.
I want to encourage us to take it to the next level. You can call it the #hopewellchallenge, if you want. Make it a personal aim to make at least three contacts a week during our time apart.
How you want to do it is up to you: Vary your contacts, adopt a particular person, try to touch base with someone new, hit each family by the end of the month, or make it a group connection (use our church's video service if you want).
Touch base with that Hopewell newbie or send a quick text to one of our young men telling them you are in prayer for them. You may do a special favor to our extroverts by checking in with them and seeing if they are okay.
The manner of communication is up to you. There are many fun and meaningful ways to let the people in our congregation know that you care.
Let the kids be involved too. Set up times where they can video chat with one another and be a blessing. They also need the union and communion with one another, even if it is just making silly faces at each other.
No, you don't have to be overly spiritual. You can make it a prayer meeting or send a Bible verse. Or you can merely check in on what projects they have going and ask about the kids. If you're really at a loss just say, "I'm just doing #hopewellchallenge. How are you doing?"
The bottom line is that a quarantine is a terrible thing to waste. The Lord has brought this providence into the world for our good and growth as a congregation. Those who live in darkness will be shaken, but those who are a part of the kingdom of light can benefit greatly.
As a church this can be just another opportunity where we thrive together, bond together, and build one another up.
Nevertheless, there's an upside to this. By God we can grow as a congregation and come out on the other side stronger and more vitally connected.
We live in a time of unprecedented means of communication. In previous generations people were left to themselves in isolation. Today we have devices which allow us to call one another, send texts, and video conference. We can all but physically beam ourselves into another person's home.
In sum, we have the ability to further our bonds of love and fellowship unlike any other group of Christians in history. We can build into one another while at home by being intentional with calls, texts, emails, etc.
In our time of social distancing, I want to encourage social nearness. There would be nothing better than seeing Hopewell developing the "one anothers" of Scripture by a written note or a quick text. It's a way of saying, "Though you may be somewhat out of sight, you are not out of mind."
We may be missing out on that beautiful time on Sunday morning where we can touch base with one another, but we do not have to miss it completely. As a matter of fact, we can create a deeper fellowship if we set a few goals and purposefully connect during the "off season."
There's no doubt in my mind that many of you are doing this already to some degree. There are good friends in our fellowship who naturally interact. That is truly wonderful and we are blessed to have such wonderful relationships in our congregation.
I want to encourage us to take it to the next level. You can call it the #hopewellchallenge, if you want. Make it a personal aim to make at least three contacts a week during our time apart.
How you want to do it is up to you: Vary your contacts, adopt a particular person, try to touch base with someone new, hit each family by the end of the month, or make it a group connection (use our church's video service if you want).
Touch base with that Hopewell newbie or send a quick text to one of our young men telling them you are in prayer for them. You may do a special favor to our extroverts by checking in with them and seeing if they are okay.
The manner of communication is up to you. There are many fun and meaningful ways to let the people in our congregation know that you care.
Let the kids be involved too. Set up times where they can video chat with one another and be a blessing. They also need the union and communion with one another, even if it is just making silly faces at each other.
No, you don't have to be overly spiritual. You can make it a prayer meeting or send a Bible verse. Or you can merely check in on what projects they have going and ask about the kids. If you're really at a loss just say, "I'm just doing #hopewellchallenge. How are you doing?"
The bottom line is that a quarantine is a terrible thing to waste. The Lord has brought this providence into the world for our good and growth as a congregation. Those who live in darkness will be shaken, but those who are a part of the kingdom of light can benefit greatly.
As a church this can be just another opportunity where we thrive together, bond together, and build one another up.
Via Video / Phone Conferencing
What a joy to have so many joining with us on Sunday mornings for our video conferences! We're blessed to have these opportunities to worship together and we want to invite you to log in with us this Sunday at 10:30 am. Contact us about getting access to join!
What a joy to have so many joining with us on Sunday mornings for our video conferences! We're blessed to have these opportunities to worship together and we want to invite you to log in with us this Sunday at 10:30 am. Contact us about getting access to join!
Hopewell On the Air (Pt 2 & 3)
Recently our teaching elder, Matt Timmons, was able to sit down with a couple pastors from the area and talk about COVID-19 and what the Scripture has to say about disease and contagions. You can listen on your device by clicking below.
Recently our teaching elder, Matt Timmons, was able to sit down with a couple pastors from the area and talk about COVID-19 and what the Scripture has to say about disease and contagions. You can listen on your device by clicking below.
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.
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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Bring no more vain offerings.
Isaiah 1:13 (ESV)
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Is God & His Worship First in My Life
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Even Regular Church Goers Need to take a Spiritual Inventory
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Even Regular Church Goers Need to take a Spiritual Inventory
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.
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.
Let's Interact!
Do you have any questions we should be asking? Are there obstacles to pure worship that you know of that are not mentioned here?
We'd love to hear what you have to say.
Send your thoughts now.
Do you have any questions we should be asking? Are there obstacles to pure worship that you know of that are not mentioned here?
We'd love to hear what you have to say.
Send your thoughts now.
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.
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.
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.
You will not fear the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
Psalm 91:6
Pastoral Thoughts on the Latest Supposed Pandemic
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:
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.
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.
You're 4 Years Old
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.
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.
Let's Celebrate with Food!
We invite you to join us for our monthly fellowship dinner this Sunday. The church will provide fried chicken (with a gluten free option). Families are asked to bring a side or dessert to share if able. Drinks and place settings will also be provided.
I love our Sunday gatherings. I love it even more that we usually have a "full house" each week. It is an absolute joy that few in the Hopewell flock ever miss a chance to join together in worship.
Being that we are above board on this one, it's a good time to address excuses for missing church. Satan hates it that you are in these pews week after week. And we need to be aware that all the demonic forces of hell are plotting to pull you away.
Being that this is so, let's consider some of the most common excuses for skipping church.
1. I don't feel like going. I put this first because it is nearest and dearest to me. There are many days that I don't feel like going...and I'm the guy who usually has to preach.
Don't get me wrong, I love church. I love our church family. But sometimes my body is tired, I'd like to nurse that sinus pressure, or I have a serious case of the introverts.
Sometimes it can be more spiritual in nature: you feel down, depressed, or have some other options that are a little more fun available to you. These are common snares to worship attendance.
There may be legit reasons for not going to church (by all means, if you're sick, stay home). However, we need to be careful that our feelings are not dictating our behavior or giving us a lame justification for missing out on the worship of the King.
2. I've been burnt by the church. I don't want to downplay your hurt, but we must admit that this is not an excuse to cut out on worship. In all reality, we should expect the ugly sinners in the church to hurt us.
We can remember too that Jesus was burnt by the church in a pretty terrific way. Yet he never gave up on his people or organized religion. Worship was and is still a priority for him.
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you.
Psalm 63:1
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you.
Psalm 63:1
Additionally, our primary focus for worship is to be the Lord, not his people. Scripture urges us to seek the Lord and his grace, to celebrate His kindness, and offer ourselves to him (even with all our brokenness). And if someone poses a problem with that, we are to use the means of Matthew 5:25f and 18:15f to get it right.
3. I've not found a good fit yet. News flash: Worship is not like choosing a pair of underwear.
It doesn't matter what kind of worship style they have or if you feel like you stand out. It's about coming to the Lord and giving him your sacrifice of praise.
You may cite doctrinal differences, and this will sound quite pious. But it's no real justification for avoiding worship. Jesus had some doctrinal differences, and he still attended the synagogue each sabbath (Luke 4:16). As long as it is not heretical, you can still worship there. You may have to grit your teeth and show some grace, but you can do it.
4. I've had a busy week. That's wonderful. I'm glad you are serving and have so many opportunities. You deserve a break. And worship is the best way to refresh yourself.
God instituted the Sabbath because he knew our human frailty needed it. Worship is a part of the rest we so desperately need. As a matter of fact, getting refreshment for your soul is the primary way to restore your sanity and your beleaguered body.
What's best, you can reward yourself with a good, long nap in the afternoon.
5. I get better teaching online. I'm not going to disagree with this one. You can definitely get better teaching from the web. I'd rather listen to Alistair Beg than listen to myself too.
However, worship is more than a sermon. In worship, you meet with God and his people. There's something sacred to being amidst the body of Christ. The Spirit of God comes in a unique manner when the people meet corporately. That's something you just can't get from a video or podcast.
Online teaching isolates you too. If you are in the habit of watching or listening to sermons, then you are missing out on how your gifts and graces (and merely your presence) can benefit the wider body of Christ.
3. I've not found a good fit yet. News flash: Worship is not like choosing a pair of underwear.
It doesn't matter what kind of worship style they have or if you feel like you stand out. It's about coming to the Lord and giving him your sacrifice of praise.
You may cite doctrinal differences, and this will sound quite pious. But it's no real justification for avoiding worship. Jesus had some doctrinal differences, and he still attended the synagogue each sabbath (Luke 4:16). As long as it is not heretical, you can still worship there. You may have to grit your teeth and show some grace, but you can do it.
4. I've had a busy week. That's wonderful. I'm glad you are serving and have so many opportunities. You deserve a break. And worship is the best way to refresh yourself.
God instituted the Sabbath because he knew our human frailty needed it. Worship is a part of the rest we so desperately need. As a matter of fact, getting refreshment for your soul is the primary way to restore your sanity and your beleaguered body.
What's best, you can reward yourself with a good, long nap in the afternoon.
5. I get better teaching online. I'm not going to disagree with this one. You can definitely get better teaching from the web. I'd rather listen to Alistair Beg than listen to myself too.
However, worship is more than a sermon. In worship, you meet with God and his people. There's something sacred to being amidst the body of Christ. The Spirit of God comes in a unique manner when the people meet corporately. That's something you just can't get from a video or podcast.
Online teaching isolates you too. If you are in the habit of watching or listening to sermons, then you are missing out on how your gifts and graces (and merely your presence) can benefit the wider body of Christ.
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Do You have a Better Excuse?
What about you? What excuses have you made or heard? I'm sure they can't be as bad as these. (ha!) Be sure to send us your best if you have one.
Do You have a Better Excuse?
What about you? What excuses have you made or heard? I'm sure they can't be as bad as these. (ha!) Be sure to send us your best if you have one.
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.
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.
Had Enough of the Excuses?
Maybe you're not a part of the regular Hopewell crew. Maybe you've fallen out of the habit of being in worship and would like to get back in it. If that's so, please know that we'd love to have you come and worship with us. Find out more at our website, or contact me to have a chat over coffee.
Maybe you're not a part of the regular Hopewell crew. Maybe you've fallen out of the habit of being in worship and would like to get back in it. If that's so, please know that we'd love to have you come and worship with us. Find out more at our website, or contact me to have a chat over coffee.
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"I will make him a helper fit for him."
Gen. 2:18
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"I will make him a helper fit for him."
Gen. 2:18
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Grasping the Woman's Divine Design
Part 2
[View part 1 of this series]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
__________________________________
"I will make him a helper fit for him."
Gen. 2:18
__________________________________
The Lord created Eve for a special purpose: To emulate Him in this world.
God is our helper and he created women specifically to express that one aspect of His splendid nature (Ps 54:4; 46:1, 121:1, etc.). His divine design for women is that they may be their husbands' help mate for life.
But how does a woman fulfill this wonderful role? The following are just a few areas where your help as a wife is needed.
1. Companionship
Eve filled a distinct void in Adam's life. He needed a friend.
Scripture tells us that it was “not good that man should be alone.” Adam was created with a deficiency. Adam experienced this deficiency as he went around naming the animals. He found that not one could keep him from being lonely or give him the real companionship that he desired.
As a wife you help your husband by being a meaningful source of entertainment, conversation, and friendship. By your humor, encouragement, listening ear, and faithful presence, you help your man to get the most out of this life.
2. Leadership
A man is called to lead, but he will also fail to lead. When he abdicates his role his wife can be a tremendous help.
This doesn’t mean taking over the leadership. His wife should not say, “Well, I must do it then. If he won’t, I will.” She may be forced into this position if a man does not step forward, but this isn't to be her first line of action. A woman should find ways to encourage her husband and help him be the leader he should.
Complimenting him when he does lead (i.e. disciplines the kids) can be one way of engaging him more in his role. Asking, "What do you think we should do in this situation?" can prompt him to lead in decision making. Offering good advice or a gentle reminder (not a nag) can be a helpful thing too.
He needs your help in leading and being the man he should be.
3. Sexual fulfilment
You know that whole "burn with desire" thing mentioned in 1 Corinthians? This has particular application for men, and the importance of physical intimacy for a man cannot be overlooked. (As a matter of fact, I wanted to put this as #1 on the list, but I thought it may come across as weird. So I backed it down here to #3.)
The truth is, God gave men a robust sexual drive. And women would do well to remember that a man's sexual temperament is quite a bit different from hers. Men have an incredible need in this area and you may be a good help to your man by fulfilling his desires in this area.
That means being the initiator from time to time and considering how frequently you come together. You may want to flirt with your husband and let him know you desire him. You may want to even set aside particular nights for intimacy. A routine can help ensure he is not going unfulfilled.
4. Work
Adam's task was to take dominion and it's obvious that Eve's role was to assist in fulfilling that calling.
Through most of history the wife would work alongside her man doing the chores on the farm. Her help was very much a tag team affair. But even despite the Industrial Revolution, a woman can still be a great help to a man's productivity.
Paul calls women to be "keepers/workers at home." The word is literally a "house guardian." By tending to the daily household affairs and managing the children, a woman enables a man to thrive in his vocation. Sure he will have responsibilities around the house, but a good home guardian will help her husband be more productive in his work. He won’t be unnecessarily distracted or drained, but will have the energy and focus he needs to accomplish his day to day labors.
To be continued...
God is our helper and he created women specifically to express that one aspect of His splendid nature (Ps 54:4; 46:1, 121:1, etc.). His divine design for women is that they may be their husbands' help mate for life.
But how does a woman fulfill this wonderful role? The following are just a few areas where your help as a wife is needed.
1. Companionship
Eve filled a distinct void in Adam's life. He needed a friend.
Scripture tells us that it was “not good that man should be alone.” Adam was created with a deficiency. Adam experienced this deficiency as he went around naming the animals. He found that not one could keep him from being lonely or give him the real companionship that he desired.
As a wife you help your husband by being a meaningful source of entertainment, conversation, and friendship. By your humor, encouragement, listening ear, and faithful presence, you help your man to get the most out of this life.
2. Leadership
A man is called to lead, but he will also fail to lead. When he abdicates his role his wife can be a tremendous help.
This doesn’t mean taking over the leadership. His wife should not say, “Well, I must do it then. If he won’t, I will.” She may be forced into this position if a man does not step forward, but this isn't to be her first line of action. A woman should find ways to encourage her husband and help him be the leader he should.
Complimenting him when he does lead (i.e. disciplines the kids) can be one way of engaging him more in his role. Asking, "What do you think we should do in this situation?" can prompt him to lead in decision making. Offering good advice or a gentle reminder (not a nag) can be a helpful thing too.
He needs your help in leading and being the man he should be.
3. Sexual fulfilment
You know that whole "burn with desire" thing mentioned in 1 Corinthians? This has particular application for men, and the importance of physical intimacy for a man cannot be overlooked. (As a matter of fact, I wanted to put this as #1 on the list, but I thought it may come across as weird. So I backed it down here to #3.)
The truth is, God gave men a robust sexual drive. And women would do well to remember that a man's sexual temperament is quite a bit different from hers. Men have an incredible need in this area and you may be a good help to your man by fulfilling his desires in this area.
That means being the initiator from time to time and considering how frequently you come together. You may want to flirt with your husband and let him know you desire him. You may want to even set aside particular nights for intimacy. A routine can help ensure he is not going unfulfilled.
4. Work
Adam's task was to take dominion and it's obvious that Eve's role was to assist in fulfilling that calling.
Through most of history the wife would work alongside her man doing the chores on the farm. Her help was very much a tag team affair. But even despite the Industrial Revolution, a woman can still be a great help to a man's productivity.
Paul calls women to be "keepers/workers at home." The word is literally a "house guardian." By tending to the daily household affairs and managing the children, a woman enables a man to thrive in his vocation. Sure he will have responsibilities around the house, but a good home guardian will help her husband be more productive in his work. He won’t be unnecessarily distracted or drained, but will have the energy and focus he needs to accomplish his day to day labors.
To be continued...
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.
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.
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.
Expository Preaching | Edifying Worship | Godly Fellowship
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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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"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.
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.
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| Here at the end of 2019 the Lord has blessed us with the addition of some wonderful new families. We are particularly delighted to have the Keener family enter into membership with us! | It was a joy to witness Josiah's public profession of faith and baptism. May God grant him to grow in grace all his days! |
New Year's Eve
Join us as we ring in the new year in good old Hopewell style! Feel free to come or go whenever you want. We'll hang out and fellowship, and have a short time of prayer to inaugurate the new year.
Schedule:
Food: Pizza, drinks, and place settings are provided by the church. Please bring a side and/or dessert to share.
Fun: We have a gym and a room for 'less rowdy' fellowship. Please bring your board games, frisbees, balls, and whatever fun activities you'd like to share.
Be sure to invite your friends and RSVP to Kim!
Join us as we ring in the new year in good old Hopewell style! Feel free to come or go whenever you want. We'll hang out and fellowship, and have a short time of prayer to inaugurate the new year.
Schedule:
- 3pm - Sledding (pending snow). Meet at the Timmons' house. We'll return to chateau Timmons after we are done.
- 6pm - Pizza & Fun. Meet at Grace Church (1144 W Main St, Ashland).
Food: Pizza, drinks, and place settings are provided by the church. Please bring a side and/or dessert to share.
Fun: We have a gym and a room for 'less rowdy' fellowship. Please bring your board games, frisbees, balls, and whatever fun activities you'd like to share.
Be sure to invite your friends and RSVP to Kim!
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"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matt 6:21
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"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matt 6:21
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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."
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:
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.
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."
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.
Jolly Ol' Christmas Time
Join us this Friday December 13 @ 7pm at Hedstrom for a joyous time of fellowship. You'll have a merry time of song, music, Scripture, & entertainment. Families may bring a finger food / appetizer to share afterwards if able.
Join us this Friday December 13 @ 7pm at Hedstrom for a joyous time of fellowship. You'll have a merry time of song, music, Scripture, & entertainment. Families may bring a finger food / appetizer to share afterwards if able.
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.
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.
| WORSHIP WITH US Hedstrom Plastics 100 Hedstrom Drive Sunday's @ 10:30 | IMPORTANT DATES December 13 - Christmas Program December 15 - Member reception & baptism December 31 - New Year's Eve Party January (TBA) - New Parenting Series (evenings) |
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For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27
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For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27
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I Am Baptized!
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The Ongoing Significance of the Sacrament
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The Ongoing Significance of the Sacrament
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.
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.
| FOLLOW HOPEWELL @ | |
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?
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?
Hopewell Church
| WORSHIP WITH US Hedstrom Plastics 100 Hedstrom Drive Sunday's @ 10:30 | IMPORTANT DATES This Sunday - Carry in Lunch December 8 - New member interviews December 13 - Christmas Party December 15 - New member reception, baptisms |
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There is only one Lawgiver and Judge.
James 4:12
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There is only one Lawgiver and Judge.
James 4:12
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Here I Stand;
I Can Do No Other
Making God Alone the Lord of Your Conscience
I Can Do No Other
Making God Alone the Lord of Your Conscience
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."
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."
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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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!
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)
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.
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.
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.
Pray with Spurgeon (.pdf)
Is your prayer life feeling dry? Maybe what you need is a little variety! What better way to spice up your prayer life than praying the prayers of Charles Spurgeon? This ebook contains many prayers composed by Spurgeon. Using it in your daily devotions can bring edification and nuance to your prayer life.
Is your prayer life feeling dry? Maybe what you need is a little variety! What better way to spice up your prayer life than praying the prayers of Charles Spurgeon? This ebook contains many prayers composed by Spurgeon. Using it in your daily devotions can bring edification and nuance to your prayer life.
Got Issues?
Life is hard. Sometimes you need help dealing with your issues. That's precisely what God's Word does. If you're dealing with "stuff," schedule a time to talk to one of our leaders. They will gladly help you find the way.
Life is hard. Sometimes you need help dealing with your issues. That's precisely what God's Word does. If you're dealing with "stuff," schedule a time to talk to one of our leaders. They will gladly help you find the way.
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"During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him..."
John 13:2 ESV
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"During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him..."
John 13:2 ESV
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This Lord's Day we will begin a new study in the gospel of John. We'll be looking at the upper room narative, in particular (chapters 13-17).
As I began my studies, I was struck by how much of chapter 13 is devoted to (of all people) Judas, the Betrayer. Almost a third of the verses center around this fiend of a man.
Even more interesting were the comments by John Gill in reference to verse 2. Gill picks apart what happened to Judas and shows us how his fall into perdition was begotten. Gill gives us an anatomy of Judas' seduction and shows us how each of us should take care to not follow the same route into oblivion.
"Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." We do good to heed this instruction and consider how Judas, a man chosen by Christ and designated to the high office of apostle, was seduced into becoming a Satanic force.
Therefore, remember...
1. Your status means nothing: Judas may have held the most significant ecclesiastical office, but that did not provide any security to his heart. Jesus had chosen him to be an apostle (a leader, a teacher, a miracle worker, etc) and invested him with profound authority. Nevertheless, he was but a man filled with evil appetites. Thus he was not immune from the vilest of temptations.
We do well to remember that no matter our standing, we are constantly dependent upon divine grace to remain faithful. We may climb the corporate ladder or attain a place of prominence within the church, but we are still sons of Adam. We must therefore seek God's favor constantly, asking for Him to guard our hearts and deliver us from the evil.
2. It can happen anytime / anywhere: The verse says that it was "during supper" (or possibly soon before the meal) that Judas' determined to betray our Lord.
There he was, in the presence of Christ himself, enjoying the Passover holiday. He was involved in a rite of worship. It was a religious festival where almost every dinner movement had some sort of spiritual lesson.
Despite the holiness of the occasion, the devilish thought darted into his mind. While hymns were sung, Satanic suggestions echoed in his ears and calcified his heart.
"No place and company can preserve persons from the evil suggestions of the devil," says Gill. So we must remember that though we enter a church building or participate in a worship service, we are still susceptible to untold folly.
The only protection we have is the gracious assistance of the Spirit upholding and preserving us at all times.
3. Your festering sin can open the door to greater misdeeds. Gill points out that in the previous chapter Judas was in a huff over the fact that Jesus was anointed with precious oil. Satan took this opportunity and used it to his diabolical advantage.
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger, lest you give the devil a foothold." Judas illustrates the words of Eph. 4:27.
We must remember that Satan loves warm coals of sin. He will not let them smolder and die out. He takes advantage of it and stokes the irksome attitude to achieve greater villany.
If you can do anything to resist the devil, it is this: Repent quickly and subdue anger. Kill the beast of sin before the Beast of Sin kills you.
As we consider how Judas was seduced, we may learn from his mistakes. We are not ignorant of the wiles of the devil and we can steer clear of them. And, as we seek the Lord's favor and strive to maintain a godly comportment, we can have hope of remaining true to God.
As I began my studies, I was struck by how much of chapter 13 is devoted to (of all people) Judas, the Betrayer. Almost a third of the verses center around this fiend of a man.
Even more interesting were the comments by John Gill in reference to verse 2. Gill picks apart what happened to Judas and shows us how his fall into perdition was begotten. Gill gives us an anatomy of Judas' seduction and shows us how each of us should take care to not follow the same route into oblivion.
"Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." We do good to heed this instruction and consider how Judas, a man chosen by Christ and designated to the high office of apostle, was seduced into becoming a Satanic force.
Therefore, remember...
1. Your status means nothing: Judas may have held the most significant ecclesiastical office, but that did not provide any security to his heart. Jesus had chosen him to be an apostle (a leader, a teacher, a miracle worker, etc) and invested him with profound authority. Nevertheless, he was but a man filled with evil appetites. Thus he was not immune from the vilest of temptations.
We do well to remember that no matter our standing, we are constantly dependent upon divine grace to remain faithful. We may climb the corporate ladder or attain a place of prominence within the church, but we are still sons of Adam. We must therefore seek God's favor constantly, asking for Him to guard our hearts and deliver us from the evil.
2. It can happen anytime / anywhere: The verse says that it was "during supper" (or possibly soon before the meal) that Judas' determined to betray our Lord.
There he was, in the presence of Christ himself, enjoying the Passover holiday. He was involved in a rite of worship. It was a religious festival where almost every dinner movement had some sort of spiritual lesson.
Despite the holiness of the occasion, the devilish thought darted into his mind. While hymns were sung, Satanic suggestions echoed in his ears and calcified his heart.
"No place and company can preserve persons from the evil suggestions of the devil," says Gill. So we must remember that though we enter a church building or participate in a worship service, we are still susceptible to untold folly.
The only protection we have is the gracious assistance of the Spirit upholding and preserving us at all times.
3. Your festering sin can open the door to greater misdeeds. Gill points out that in the previous chapter Judas was in a huff over the fact that Jesus was anointed with precious oil. Satan took this opportunity and used it to his diabolical advantage.
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger, lest you give the devil a foothold." Judas illustrates the words of Eph. 4:27.
We must remember that Satan loves warm coals of sin. He will not let them smolder and die out. He takes advantage of it and stokes the irksome attitude to achieve greater villany.
If you can do anything to resist the devil, it is this: Repent quickly and subdue anger. Kill the beast of sin before the Beast of Sin kills you.
As we consider how Judas was seduced, we may learn from his mistakes. We are not ignorant of the wiles of the devil and we can steer clear of them. And, as we seek the Lord's favor and strive to maintain a godly comportment, we can have hope of remaining true to God.
Are you interested in becoming a member of Hopewell? It is a way to make your commitment to Christ more visible and enjoy more of the benefits of Christ's care. Feel free to check out the process for becoming a member on our website. Then let us know your interest; we'd love to talk with you about it.
We'd love for you to join us for worship. If you are looking for a church home, or just a place to learn about Christianity in general, we invite you to visit us Sundays at 10:30 am. We meet in the conference room at Hedstrom Plastics (100 Hedstrom Drive).
 | ________________________________ Let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people." Ex. 19:11 ______________________________ |
Have you ever had the feeling that you missed worship, despite having sat through the entire service? You sang the songs and were there, but it was like driving in open country: you look back and don't remember the last several miles.
It may be that you leave with a blank sheet because you were not properly prepared to engage in it. Worship is much like anything else in that regard. If you just run into a grocery store without a lot of forethought, you're likely going to miss a few things you should have gotten.
How much more true is this in regards to worship, that sacred time of meeting with God?
When the Israelites were to meet with God, they didn't just waltz up to the foot of Mt. Siani. They took two days to consecrate themselves. Washings, meditation, reflection, prayer, repentance, not to mention tidying up any items pertaining to the household and work.
In the NT we read about the "Day of Preparation." (Luke 23:54) Jesus' body was hurriedly stowed away in the tomb because the Sabbath was about to start. The Israelites recognized they needed to get ready for the Sabbath. It was so important that they denominated the Friday before as the "Day of Preparation."
The same holds true for us. Scripture encourages us to maximize worship through intentional acts of preparation. How do we do that? Here are some suggestions:
1. Plan your work and work your plan: Don't let the household chores flow over to Sunday. Make a point to get all your work (occupational and household chores) done prior to Sunday. That way it's not hanging over your head and consuming your mind while you are supposed to be concentrating on things of a more divine nature.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Ex. 20:8
2. Get a good sleep: Everybody knows that "Saturday night live" makes for "Sunday morning dead." By all means, have a great time on Saturdays and enjoy an evening out, but make a habit of getting to bed in good time. A good 7-8 hours of sleep will help keep your eyelids from drooping and your brain from dragging.
3. Devote to Devotions: Just because you're going to church doesn't mean you should skimp on Bible time. Athletes are encouraged to visualize their performance prior to games; to mentally go through their footwork and "get stoked" for the game. In a similar way, taking time to read, reflect, pray, and sing Saturday night or Sunday morning will prime your heart for the main event.
4. Monitor the Mouth: As with any day, a healthy breakfast is vital for one's attention. Binging on donuts or sweets the night before will likely reduce your ability to participate in worship in an engaging fashion.
5. Concentrate on Contrition: Humility breeds worship and repentance paves the way for it. For God can't dwell with sin. Being that this is so, it's always good at the end of a week to look back and take an inventory of the ways you've fallen short. You then can confess these things and fulfill James' admonition to "draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.".
6. Reconcile: You're going to have spats and quarrels, but you shouldn't bring that baggage into worship with you. Scripture behooves you to settle matters quickly and prior to bringing your sacrifice of praise. When you do this, not only will you be honoring God's command, but your mind will be free from replaying the argument in a million ways.
7. Rise & Shine: Sunday is for sleeping in because it is a day of relaxation, right? Sure, but don't get too carried away. You want to leave enough time for your morning routine and for getting out the door in good time. Nothing ruins worship like driving like a wild hyena and shuffling in late to the pews.
8. Pray for the Service: Your time in worship depends quite a bit on the faulty vessels up front. If you really want them to perform well, pray for them. The music and ministry of the Word come with greater beauty and meaning when they are padded with your supplications.
"Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored." 2 Thess. 3:1
9. Come Eagerly & Expectantly: Let's not forget that we must tune our attitudes. God's probably going to descend in thick clouds and fire, but you can still find Him if you're looking for Him. Even the worst service can be beneficial if we seek the Lord and the things He would have for us there.
"My soul longs, yes faints, for the courts of the Lord." Ps. 84:2
10. Invite others: No, this is not a cheap way to get you to help grow the church. It is a true means of preparation. When you invite someone, you are planning ahead. You are getting in the "church groove." And besides, there's nothing better than knowing a buddy is going to be there with you in worship.
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Ps. 122:1
It may be that you leave with a blank sheet because you were not properly prepared to engage in it. Worship is much like anything else in that regard. If you just run into a grocery store without a lot of forethought, you're likely going to miss a few things you should have gotten.
How much more true is this in regards to worship, that sacred time of meeting with God?
When the Israelites were to meet with God, they didn't just waltz up to the foot of Mt. Siani. They took two days to consecrate themselves. Washings, meditation, reflection, prayer, repentance, not to mention tidying up any items pertaining to the household and work.
In the NT we read about the "Day of Preparation." (Luke 23:54) Jesus' body was hurriedly stowed away in the tomb because the Sabbath was about to start. The Israelites recognized they needed to get ready for the Sabbath. It was so important that they denominated the Friday before as the "Day of Preparation."
The same holds true for us. Scripture encourages us to maximize worship through intentional acts of preparation. How do we do that? Here are some suggestions:
1. Plan your work and work your plan: Don't let the household chores flow over to Sunday. Make a point to get all your work (occupational and household chores) done prior to Sunday. That way it's not hanging over your head and consuming your mind while you are supposed to be concentrating on things of a more divine nature.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Ex. 20:8
2. Get a good sleep: Everybody knows that "Saturday night live" makes for "Sunday morning dead." By all means, have a great time on Saturdays and enjoy an evening out, but make a habit of getting to bed in good time. A good 7-8 hours of sleep will help keep your eyelids from drooping and your brain from dragging.
3. Devote to Devotions: Just because you're going to church doesn't mean you should skimp on Bible time. Athletes are encouraged to visualize their performance prior to games; to mentally go through their footwork and "get stoked" for the game. In a similar way, taking time to read, reflect, pray, and sing Saturday night or Sunday morning will prime your heart for the main event.
4. Monitor the Mouth: As with any day, a healthy breakfast is vital for one's attention. Binging on donuts or sweets the night before will likely reduce your ability to participate in worship in an engaging fashion.
5. Concentrate on Contrition: Humility breeds worship and repentance paves the way for it. For God can't dwell with sin. Being that this is so, it's always good at the end of a week to look back and take an inventory of the ways you've fallen short. You then can confess these things and fulfill James' admonition to "draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.".
6. Reconcile: You're going to have spats and quarrels, but you shouldn't bring that baggage into worship with you. Scripture behooves you to settle matters quickly and prior to bringing your sacrifice of praise. When you do this, not only will you be honoring God's command, but your mind will be free from replaying the argument in a million ways.
7. Rise & Shine: Sunday is for sleeping in because it is a day of relaxation, right? Sure, but don't get too carried away. You want to leave enough time for your morning routine and for getting out the door in good time. Nothing ruins worship like driving like a wild hyena and shuffling in late to the pews.
8. Pray for the Service: Your time in worship depends quite a bit on the faulty vessels up front. If you really want them to perform well, pray for them. The music and ministry of the Word come with greater beauty and meaning when they are padded with your supplications.
"Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored." 2 Thess. 3:1
9. Come Eagerly & Expectantly: Let's not forget that we must tune our attitudes. God's probably going to descend in thick clouds and fire, but you can still find Him if you're looking for Him. Even the worst service can be beneficial if we seek the Lord and the things He would have for us there.
"My soul longs, yes faints, for the courts of the Lord." Ps. 84:2
10. Invite others: No, this is not a cheap way to get you to help grow the church. It is a true means of preparation. When you invite someone, you are planning ahead. You are getting in the "church groove." And besides, there's nothing better than knowing a buddy is going to be there with you in worship.
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Ps. 122:1
Now that you know how to get ready for worship, come and fill your soul! Join us this Sunday at 10:30 am for a blended worship. We're located in the conference room at Hedstrom Plastics.
___________________
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11
____________________
No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11
____________________
This past week we saw crazy amounts of rain. It's likely that some of it ended up in your basement. For others, much of it ended up in your basement.
If that latter, it likely had some devastating effects: it ruined carpet, equipment, and leaves the lingering possibility of mildew build up.
Then there's the clean up, the bills, and the ever so tight fisted insurance guy with whom you have to deal.
This is just one example of the various providences that come our way on a daily basis. If this wasn't your experience, you can no doubt fill in the blank with your own horror story.
Let's pause here and get some perspective. Put on your Biblical lenses and consider what has happened. Weigh these events from God's point of view:
"The Lord withholds no good thing from them that walk uprightly."
If you translate the double negative, it means that God is astoundingly liberal in his goodness. When it comes to His children, He is a fountain that gushes with radical generosity.
You may need to read it again and again to convince yourself. Most do not see the Lord in this light. Typically our theology of God and His goodness is quite impoverished. We see Him as gaunt and comparable to Pharoah's skinny cows.
This ought not to be so. Scripture is clear: God withholds no good thing from his people. The blessings of His covenant are secured in Christ and "the Lord has promised good to me."
Do you think something bad has happened? Do you feel that heaven is against you? Think again.
It is not possible for God to hold back any good from you. The gate of His eternal benevolence is open wide to you and it ever flows in your direction.
You will say, "Why then do I not have riches and health and honor? Why are these good things withheld from me? All I have is a basement full of water!"
If God has given you such things, it was for your good. He is to be praised for it. If He withholds them, it is for your blessed welfare. They would not serve your betterment and advancement in life.
God would rather have you stoop under the pains and difficulties of trials. He would rather cultivate in you humility, dependence, and faith. These are His gems and treasures; they have greater profit than those things which your carnally crave.
Even as you stand in the ankle deep waters of your basement, remember that before you are overflowing buckets of his generosity. So too is the peace of mind that you may have in the midst of it.
If that latter, it likely had some devastating effects: it ruined carpet, equipment, and leaves the lingering possibility of mildew build up.
Then there's the clean up, the bills, and the ever so tight fisted insurance guy with whom you have to deal.
This is just one example of the various providences that come our way on a daily basis. If this wasn't your experience, you can no doubt fill in the blank with your own horror story.
Let's pause here and get some perspective. Put on your Biblical lenses and consider what has happened. Weigh these events from God's point of view:
"The Lord withholds no good thing from them that walk uprightly."
If you translate the double negative, it means that God is astoundingly liberal in his goodness. When it comes to His children, He is a fountain that gushes with radical generosity.
You may need to read it again and again to convince yourself. Most do not see the Lord in this light. Typically our theology of God and His goodness is quite impoverished. We see Him as gaunt and comparable to Pharoah's skinny cows.
This ought not to be so. Scripture is clear: God withholds no good thing from his people. The blessings of His covenant are secured in Christ and "the Lord has promised good to me."
Do you think something bad has happened? Do you feel that heaven is against you? Think again.
It is not possible for God to hold back any good from you. The gate of His eternal benevolence is open wide to you and it ever flows in your direction.
You will say, "Why then do I not have riches and health and honor? Why are these good things withheld from me? All I have is a basement full of water!"
If God has given you such things, it was for your good. He is to be praised for it. If He withholds them, it is for your blessed welfare. They would not serve your betterment and advancement in life.
God would rather have you stoop under the pains and difficulties of trials. He would rather cultivate in you humility, dependence, and faith. These are His gems and treasures; they have greater profit than those things which your carnally crave.
Even as you stand in the ankle deep waters of your basement, remember that before you are overflowing buckets of his generosity. So too is the peace of mind that you may have in the midst of it.
Ministry Spotlight:
Ashland Christian Health Center
This month we are collecting donations for our friends at the Ashland Christian Health Center. Items include: Manilla envelopes, legal size (non-window) envelopes, reams of colored copy paper, rolls of paper towels, Depends pull ups (esp. larger sizes XL and 2 XL), and $20 visit vouchers.
This ministry serves those who lack or have little insurance coverage by providing affordable medical care. Learn more about ACHC
Ashland Christian Health Center
This month we are collecting donations for our friends at the Ashland Christian Health Center. Items include: Manilla envelopes, legal size (non-window) envelopes, reams of colored copy paper, rolls of paper towels, Depends pull ups (esp. larger sizes XL and 2 XL), and $20 visit vouchers.
This ministry serves those who lack or have little insurance coverage by providing affordable medical care. Learn more about ACHC
Family Day @ the Lillo's
Come join the fun this Saturday (July 27)! We'd love to have your fellowship as we swim, eat, and hang out. Lunch is scheduled for 1pm, but you can join us anytime in throughout the afternoon. Friends are welcome!
Come join the fun this Saturday (July 27)! We'd love to have your fellowship as we swim, eat, and hang out. Lunch is scheduled for 1pm, but you can join us anytime in throughout the afternoon. Friends are welcome!
Membership @ Hopewell
Are you interested in membership at Hopewell? Is a young one ready to make a profession of faith / be baptized? We'd love to have that conversation or help you learn more.
Are you interested in membership at Hopewell? Is a young one ready to make a profession of faith / be baptized? We'd love to have that conversation or help you learn more.
______________________________
Whoever conceals his transgression will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
______________________________________
Whoever conceals his transgression will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
______________________________________
We have our own version of this proverb. It goes like this: It's my way or the highway.
Yet, when it comes to stubborn persistence in sin, we must recognize that God is not tolerant. He demands holiness in the inward parts.
If someone tries to cover their sin, and does not confess and forsake it, the Lord, you may be sure, will withhold his favorable kindness.
"No sin is too great for him to forgive, but no sin is too small for him to overlook either," said the great commentator, Charles Bridges.
You can easily see how it is excused. It is only a small sin, it is not flagrant or scandalous. It will not do any harm!
Tell that to Adam. A mere bite of an apple plunged all mankind into a world of sin and misery. Ananias and Sapphira know that their concealment had significant penalties attached to it.
When sin is not adequately repented of, the Lord will not allow one to prosper. Death is the wages of sin, and God will allow it to wreak its cursed havoc among those who coddle it.
It's miserable regressions can come in different ways:
Any one or a combination of these pains are the just deserts of sin. The Lord will save the sinner, but the sinner must apply the means God has appointed. He must confess and forsake his sin.
So do yourself a favor. When your sin is brought to your attention, take it to the Lord. Flee from it and find reprieve from its devastating effects. Enjoy the fruit that comes by means of confessing and forsaking it.
Yet, when it comes to stubborn persistence in sin, we must recognize that God is not tolerant. He demands holiness in the inward parts.
If someone tries to cover their sin, and does not confess and forsake it, the Lord, you may be sure, will withhold his favorable kindness.
"No sin is too great for him to forgive, but no sin is too small for him to overlook either," said the great commentator, Charles Bridges.
You can easily see how it is excused. It is only a small sin, it is not flagrant or scandalous. It will not do any harm!
Tell that to Adam. A mere bite of an apple plunged all mankind into a world of sin and misery. Ananias and Sapphira know that their concealment had significant penalties attached to it.
When sin is not adequately repented of, the Lord will not allow one to prosper. Death is the wages of sin, and God will allow it to wreak its cursed havoc among those who coddle it.
It's miserable regressions can come in different ways:
- The conscience may be stricken (Gen 52.21),
- Health may be afflicted (Ps 32.3),
- Plans may be thwarted (1 Sam 15:21),
- Life may be cut short (Prov. 7.),
- Prayers may be hindered (1 Pet. 3.7)
- Money may be lost (Prov. 5.10)
- Reputations may be shamed (Matt 23.25f)
- Jobs/promotions may be kept at bay (Lk 15.15)
- Happiness may be frustrated (Ps. 31.10)
- Social calamity may befall (Deut 28)
- And many, many, more!
Any one or a combination of these pains are the just deserts of sin. The Lord will save the sinner, but the sinner must apply the means God has appointed. He must confess and forsake his sin.
So do yourself a favor. When your sin is brought to your attention, take it to the Lord. Flee from it and find reprieve from its devastating effects. Enjoy the fruit that comes by means of confessing and forsaking it.
What is Reformed Theology?
What makes Hopewell distinct? One of the most significant factors is our commitment to Reformational theology. You can get to know our beliefs through this wonderful study series by RC Sproul. (Available in audio & video)
What makes Hopewell distinct? One of the most significant factors is our commitment to Reformational theology. You can get to know our beliefs through this wonderful study series by RC Sproul. (Available in audio & video)
Suggest a Song
Is there a song you've been wanting to sing in worship? Do you have a tune you'd like to see if we can add to our repertoire? We're always open to your suggestions. Just let us know what you'd like & we'll see what we can do!
Is there a song you've been wanting to sing in worship? Do you have a tune you'd like to see if we can add to our repertoire? We're always open to your suggestions. Just let us know what you'd like & we'll see what we can do!
The Lord is to be praised for His great blessing upon our weekend of camping. We enjoyed the graces of wonderful weather, blessed times of worship, and dear comradery. What a grand testimony to His goodness to us.
HOPEWELL CHURCH
A Reformed and family integrated Church in Ashland, Ohio.
Come & Worship
Sunday Mornings
@ 10:30 am
LOCATION
1995 Baney Road
Ashland, OH 44805
@ 10:30 am
LOCATION
1995 Baney Road
Ashland, OH 44805
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