  A message from Pastor Martel...
But, if we are overshadowed
by the "unknowns" and the possibility of failure, then we are already
defeated. One of the best examples of an outward situation defeating a
group of people is found in the Book of Numbers, chapters 13 & 14. In these chapters we are told of the nation of Israel wandering in the
desert. Then God sent them to explore the land of Canaan, which He
promised to give to them to inhabit. Moses sent men from each tribe of
Israel to explore the land and report back what they found. They came
back reporting, "It is a land that flows with milk and honey!" in verse
27 of Numbers chapter 13. But, in the following verses they cowered
under the size and power of the inhabitants of the new land and said in
verse 31 "We can't attack these people, they are stronger than we are."
Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, saw God's might as greater than that of
the "giants" in Canaan. Only these two men saw the answer above the
problem, and they proclaimed in verses 8 and 9 of Numbers, chapter 14,
"If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land...Only
do not rebel against the Lord, and do not be afraid of the people of the
land...Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us."
What does
this story speak to your soul? What truth do you think God is teaching
here? I believe it is clear that God is giving us something greater
than ourselves to believe in. We have limitations, and we are fearful
at times, but God is not, and He has given us  something greater than
ourselves to believe in. In the book of Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 6 we
are told "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for all who
come to Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who
earnestly seek Him." To take a risk, you must have faith that the
expected outcome is worth the risk you are taking. God encourages us to
take risks, He call us to, and to have faith in His power to make it
worthwhile. Without risk we could never please God, because we would
never have to trust Him for anything. It is challenging and frightening
at times to abandon our sense of security and step out in faith, but an
evangelical church of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ should be a
dangerous place for the enemy of our God. Our churches should be
intimidating to the forces of evil that want to prevent people from
coming to know Jesus Christ as the Savior. This can only happen when we
trade in a "manageable religion" for an adventurous Christian life.
Our church
is facing a fantastic voyage and challenge as we begin to work toward
building our new chapel on Route 138 in Somerset. We see this
opportunity as a call from God to bring His message to more people than
ever before, and we see His guiding hand in every step of the
adventure. Don't you want to know God in a new way? Can you step
outside of your reservations and become part of something bigger than
yourself, something that will change your life, and the lives of so many
in our community and our world? There is a reward that awaits those of
us who grow with God beyond the victories of yesterday into the
possibilities of the future that is even more inviting than the land of
Canaan that the Israelites were promised. There is only one way to
receive it, and that is to follow our Lord Jesus Christ down the road
less traveled, the narrow road that leads not to an end, but leads us on
to the next adventure. Even though it may be challenging, the safest
place to be is walking in God's plan for your life.
For
God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and of
love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
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