Hello and God's Peace!
It is time for the weekly email and blog of encouragement! Please enjoy this article which was written by Pastor Orval Wirkkala. Orval is also on the Foreign Mission Board and I have shared his writings with you in the past. May God Bless your week! John
"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-21)"
As we bask in the joy of the knowledge as well as the experience in our hearts of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we continue our journey through life, thanking our God for the visitations of His Spirit that He showered upon us during this time of remembering and reflecting upon His great love for us. A love that John describes in his first epistle: "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10 During these refreshing times in our lives, we come to better understand the words that were spoken by Nehemiah long ago when he told his people, " The joy of the Lord is your strength." As we are refreshed as well as renewed in strength, we receive new motivation and power to plant and water the Word of grace to others.
Recently we had a missionary speak at our church and he spoke of this matter. Referring to one of the Psalms, he mentioned that those who traveled through the dry country in the ancient world would dig wells so that they could drink, not only for themselves, but so that those coming after them could also drink of the thirst quenching water. He then compared this with Christ, Who is the Well of Living Water, relating of the blessing that we receive from the previous generations who have drank of the Living Water and have faithfully looked to bless the next generation through providing for the opportunity for them to drink of Christ. In like manner, as we drink from the wells that have been provided for us, may we also be mindful to continue to make provision for the future generations who will come after us, beginning now.
In the verses which are at the beginning of our writing today, the Apostle Paul wants to help us to "see" the blessing of being called by grace; the glory that we have today as well as in the future and of the immeasurable power of grace that He wishes to "be" in us so that we may bring the Gospel of Christ to others. Lord, please give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You through your Son Jesus Christ.
Pastor Orval Wirkkala
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Real Change!
Todays article is writen by the Dean at the Inter-Lutheran seminary who is also a pastor in our ALC church in Painesdale, MI. I hope you enjoy this article! John
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:51-58)
Have you ever consideredthe duration of the twinkling of an eye? (Twinkle, as it is used here,is a synonym for “blink.”)
How long does it take to blink? However you may measure it, it’s very fast. When Christ returns to the earth again it will take that amount of time for us to be In the Twinkling of an Eye changed to be like Him. This is how complete His victory is over sin, death and the devil; there’s no agonizing or prolonged process but a change in a moment. The victory is Christ’s and when He returns we will receive the full benefit of His victory in an instant.
The ancient church fathers understood this reality and they lived their lives in a reflection of it. In their awareness of the finished work of Christ they had a clear sense of eternity, that everything would change in a moment but once the change was complete
there would be an eternity of unchangeableness. Right now times in our world are difficult: budgets are strained, political situations are in flux, there are conflicts all around us, and the future, in the estimation of many, is bleak and uncertain.
Sadly, that simply shows that the world has the wrong view of reality. The fathers had the right one; they knew that the times were always in God’s hands and they also knew that they themselves were held preciously in those same mighty hands. They lived in the assurance of the promise of a day that would be brighter than the finite mind could imagine and, with that day in mind, they persevered through tribulation.
May God grant that we sense the power of His hands that uphold us even now, the hands from which no man is able to pluck us (John 10:29). And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:7)
God’s peace,
Pastor Jay Weidner
Painesdale, Michigan
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:51-58)
Have you ever consideredthe duration of the twinkling of an eye? (Twinkle, as it is used here,is a synonym for “blink.”)
How long does it take to blink? However you may measure it, it’s very fast. When Christ returns to the earth again it will take that amount of time for us to be In the Twinkling of an Eye changed to be like Him. This is how complete His victory is over sin, death and the devil; there’s no agonizing or prolonged process but a change in a moment. The victory is Christ’s and when He returns we will receive the full benefit of His victory in an instant.
The ancient church fathers understood this reality and they lived their lives in a reflection of it. In their awareness of the finished work of Christ they had a clear sense of eternity, that everything would change in a moment but once the change was complete
there would be an eternity of unchangeableness. Right now times in our world are difficult: budgets are strained, political situations are in flux, there are conflicts all around us, and the future, in the estimation of many, is bleak and uncertain.
Sadly, that simply shows that the world has the wrong view of reality. The fathers had the right one; they knew that the times were always in God’s hands and they also knew that they themselves were held preciously in those same mighty hands. They lived in the assurance of the promise of a day that would be brighter than the finite mind could imagine and, with that day in mind, they persevered through tribulation.
May God grant that we sense the power of His hands that uphold us even now, the hands from which no man is able to pluck us (John 10:29). And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:7)
God’s peace,
Pastor Jay Weidner
Painesdale, Michigan
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Holy Week
Hello and God’s Peace to all!
….Continued from Last week….
The stone was moved away! Jesus was no longer on the cross. He was no longer in the grave. Our Lord had won the victory for us over death, hell, and the power of the devil. What a joy it is to know that we have a living Saviour who overcame all things for us.
As we spoke last week about how the events of this week affect our lives here on earth, notice what day we now worship on. We worship on Sunday, the Lords Day. This is because it was a the greatest event that He arose from the dead. This event was far greater even than the rest that God took after creating the entire world in six days. When we experience the living Lord Jesus in our hearts by faith, we have entered into His rest. We have a living hope of eternal Salvation because He is alive!
It is interesting that the women were the first ones to the tomb that resurrection day morning. Women still today play a very prominent roll in the church. Women often understand relationships better than men, and their hard work and dedication in the church is surely a blessing.
When our Lord showed himself to the disciples after his resurrection He said Peace be unto you John 20:19 (KJV)
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Jesus did not want the disciples to be afraid. We hear this phrase so often in the Holy Scriptures. Fear not was told to the angels at the time of Jesus birth. Many other times we are instructed to not be fearful. Fear is the opposite of faith. Do not let the devil tempt you with fear or unbelief. You will not find in the scriptures that God wants us to fear.
The work of our Lord here on earth was complete when He fulfilled all for us in His life and in His death, and the earth could not contain Him. He arose, therefore we live. However all the promises were not fulfilled.
Jesus made this wonderful promise in John 15:26 (KJV)
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Now all those that are partakers of the complete work of Jesus for our redemption and salvation, have the comforter the Holy Spirit of God living within their hearts. He said he in John 14:18 (KJV) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
This wonderful comforter is with us today, leading and guiding, comforting us, and also convicting us of sin and wrong. This is how we live our life today, by the great power of His Spirit. What a wonder, how amazing!
What a joy to know and understand that this period is the period of rest. Rest in Him and life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit! A life at Liberty in Christ! For 2 Cor. 3:17 (KJV)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Partake of and Rejoice, dear reader in the Suffering, Death, and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus this Easter Season!
….Continued from Last week….
The stone was moved away! Jesus was no longer on the cross. He was no longer in the grave. Our Lord had won the victory for us over death, hell, and the power of the devil. What a joy it is to know that we have a living Saviour who overcame all things for us.
As we spoke last week about how the events of this week affect our lives here on earth, notice what day we now worship on. We worship on Sunday, the Lords Day. This is because it was a the greatest event that He arose from the dead. This event was far greater even than the rest that God took after creating the entire world in six days. When we experience the living Lord Jesus in our hearts by faith, we have entered into His rest. We have a living hope of eternal Salvation because He is alive!
It is interesting that the women were the first ones to the tomb that resurrection day morning. Women still today play a very prominent roll in the church. Women often understand relationships better than men, and their hard work and dedication in the church is surely a blessing.
When our Lord showed himself to the disciples after his resurrection He said Peace be unto you John 20:19 (KJV)
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Jesus did not want the disciples to be afraid. We hear this phrase so often in the Holy Scriptures. Fear not was told to the angels at the time of Jesus birth. Many other times we are instructed to not be fearful. Fear is the opposite of faith. Do not let the devil tempt you with fear or unbelief. You will not find in the scriptures that God wants us to fear.
The work of our Lord here on earth was complete when He fulfilled all for us in His life and in His death, and the earth could not contain Him. He arose, therefore we live. However all the promises were not fulfilled.
Jesus made this wonderful promise in John 15:26 (KJV)
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Now all those that are partakers of the complete work of Jesus for our redemption and salvation, have the comforter the Holy Spirit of God living within their hearts. He said he in John 14:18 (KJV) I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
This wonderful comforter is with us today, leading and guiding, comforting us, and also convicting us of sin and wrong. This is how we live our life today, by the great power of His Spirit. What a wonder, how amazing!
What a joy to know and understand that this period is the period of rest. Rest in Him and life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit! A life at Liberty in Christ! For 2 Cor. 3:17 (KJV)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Partake of and Rejoice, dear reader in the Suffering, Death, and Glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus this Easter Season!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Stone Removed
Hello and God’s Peace to all!
Holy week is fast approaching. This is the time of year that we focus on the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! It is good that we focus extra time on this most important series of events. However, these events are not just historical events for a Christian. The have a much deeper meaning than this.
We must realize that these events shape who we are. These events cause us to be who we are today. This is our reality now! And if we miss these events in a spiritual way, then we suffer in this life and will for all eternity.
We as Christians live by the events of Holy Week, but not in a historical way. We live by them in a day by day journey as a child of God. Here we get our salvation and our strength to live day by day.
These events also need to become real to all who are not yet believers. It is these very happenings that allow people to become saved! Remember, Isaiah 53:6 (KJV)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. All have sinned, but Jesus bore all!
When Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he was hailed as a king. He was cheered on as he rode on that donkey. In less than one week people turned on him. This is the way man is. Without the power of God, we cannot resist temptation or sin. We cannot be consistent. Man goes this way and that. This is a sad truth of how men are when left to their own ways.
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus went into the garden alone to pray! The Lord of Lords, went alone to Pray! This is such an example for us. We can and should turn to God in prayer often. The burden of our sin came upon Him. Read about this in your bible!
He was betrayed, yet He was like a lamb before the shearers, he was dumb (silent). He was scourged, He was beaten, He suffered so much bodily pain, and the pain of the sin of all mankind that was on him was immense.
They nailed our Lord to the Cross. They hung him there between Heaven and Earth between two thieves. Our sins were nailed with Him there. All of our doubts, our fears, our lying, stealing, bad behavior in every which way, was nailed with Him there to the cross. He could have called ten thousand angels, to destroy the world and set Him free. Instead, He died alone, for you and me! No man could take the life of Jesus. He laid his life down for fallen mankind. This is not just the other person. It is for Me! For you! This is who He died for. He died so that we would not have to die.
Jesus was then put into the grave. He was there until the third day. What did those that were first to arrive at the tomb find? The stone had been rolled away! O dear reader! God had moved the stone because of what Jesus had done. Jesus had completed all and had won the victory. The Stone was rolled away. Do you have any stones that need to still be rolled out of the way in your life? Any sins, doubts or fears? Is there anything that is weighing you down today? Remember, due to the complete work of Jesus, the stone is removed. All these things in your life were nailed to the cross with Jesus. The stone was removed!
He wants all of our stones to be removed because He died for them. Believe this! By His name and by the power of His Blood, all sins are wiped away. Believe this by faith unto the salvation of your soul!
Jesus is alive! Praise God today and always that Jesus Lives! Halleluiah!
(to be continued next week, as this is too long!) Yes Jesus is Alive! There is so much more to write that pertains to our living by the power of the Holy Spirit which made possible because of the Redemptive work of our Lord Jesus!
May God Bless your week!
Holy week is fast approaching. This is the time of year that we focus on the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! It is good that we focus extra time on this most important series of events. However, these events are not just historical events for a Christian. The have a much deeper meaning than this.
We must realize that these events shape who we are. These events cause us to be who we are today. This is our reality now! And if we miss these events in a spiritual way, then we suffer in this life and will for all eternity.
We as Christians live by the events of Holy Week, but not in a historical way. We live by them in a day by day journey as a child of God. Here we get our salvation and our strength to live day by day.
These events also need to become real to all who are not yet believers. It is these very happenings that allow people to become saved! Remember, Isaiah 53:6 (KJV)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. All have sinned, but Jesus bore all!
When Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, he was hailed as a king. He was cheered on as he rode on that donkey. In less than one week people turned on him. This is the way man is. Without the power of God, we cannot resist temptation or sin. We cannot be consistent. Man goes this way and that. This is a sad truth of how men are when left to their own ways.
On the night of the Last Supper, Jesus went into the garden alone to pray! The Lord of Lords, went alone to Pray! This is such an example for us. We can and should turn to God in prayer often. The burden of our sin came upon Him. Read about this in your bible!
He was betrayed, yet He was like a lamb before the shearers, he was dumb (silent). He was scourged, He was beaten, He suffered so much bodily pain, and the pain of the sin of all mankind that was on him was immense.
They nailed our Lord to the Cross. They hung him there between Heaven and Earth between two thieves. Our sins were nailed with Him there. All of our doubts, our fears, our lying, stealing, bad behavior in every which way, was nailed with Him there to the cross. He could have called ten thousand angels, to destroy the world and set Him free. Instead, He died alone, for you and me! No man could take the life of Jesus. He laid his life down for fallen mankind. This is not just the other person. It is for Me! For you! This is who He died for. He died so that we would not have to die.
Jesus was then put into the grave. He was there until the third day. What did those that were first to arrive at the tomb find? The stone had been rolled away! O dear reader! God had moved the stone because of what Jesus had done. Jesus had completed all and had won the victory. The Stone was rolled away. Do you have any stones that need to still be rolled out of the way in your life? Any sins, doubts or fears? Is there anything that is weighing you down today? Remember, due to the complete work of Jesus, the stone is removed. All these things in your life were nailed to the cross with Jesus. The stone was removed!
He wants all of our stones to be removed because He died for them. Believe this! By His name and by the power of His Blood, all sins are wiped away. Believe this by faith unto the salvation of your soul!
Jesus is alive! Praise God today and always that Jesus Lives! Halleluiah!
(to be continued next week, as this is too long!) Yes Jesus is Alive! There is so much more to write that pertains to our living by the power of the Holy Spirit which made possible because of the Redemptive work of our Lord Jesus!
May God Bless your week!
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