Beginning in May,  I will begin a new series of messages that I have entitled “Rescue”.  We are going to look at the book of Exodus and find the many times where God brings about a rescue of His people.  This is a relevant story for we still need God to come to our rescue.  Join us each Sunday morning at 10:45 AM and find out how God desires to come into your life and “rescue” you!

In our own lives there are many opportunities for strife, so hopefully we can learn from Jacob’s example and the lessons taught in God’s word.   This Sunday we will look at the birth of Jacob and Esau.  It is an extraordinary birth that teaches us that man is often times at odds (strife) with the plan of God.   God’s sovereignty or grace at times does not fit our plans or purpose or thought.  Surely, Esau, the first born, would be God’s chosen…receive the double portion of inheritance.  That is natural!   That’s the rule in the Jewish faith!   Yet, God has something entirely different in mind.

It is the wise person who learns to bow to the will of God and not strive with the wisdom and purpose of God!

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:9

“Journey” will be a study on the life of Abraham, the first Patriarch.   Abraham’s journey began when God called him to move from his home in Ur to a new home in Canaan. Abraham’s journey was one of faith and friendship with God, yet along the way, we will also see where Abraham took missteps in that journey.  Like Abraham, I think that we are all called to a “journey” with God. And like Abraham, our journey with God will be filled
with stops and go’s… along with ups and downs. There will be times when we know we are walking hand in Hand with God and, sadly, times where we have turned our back on Him headed in another direction. Some people would referred to this as “just life”.  For the Christian, our existence is far more than “just life”.  For we know that God has created us with a plan in Mind. Life for us is a journey that God has mapped out for us and one in which He desires to be our constant  Companion, our Compass, and our Guide. God invites us to take a journey with Him and staying close to Him is the best way to live life. Like the psalmist stated in Psalms 17:5, our prayer should  be: Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.
Today is not “just life”….it’s a journey!

Pastor Danny Kirk

For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 2 Cor. 8:3-4 [NKJV]

When we study the New Testament it becomes apparent that the early churches were “mission-minded”. The church at Antioch sent out the first missionaries, Paul and Barnabas, and the church’s support followed them across the nations. In the scripture above, Paul speaks of the financial support received from the saints at Macedonia that the work of mission could continue. That was nearly 2000 years ago, but the work of missions still continues today.

We are in the middle of our 50 Days of Prayer and Giving for missions. I hope that you have been faithful to read your prayer calendar followed by praying for the missionary and their requested needs. On Sunday, March 1, we will receive a special offering for missions. As you pray about your gift on World Mission Day, let it be an offering that is sacrificial to you. Remember these three words as you give: LOST, SEARCH, AND RESCUE!

A few of our adults and young people have made missions very personal and last year  flew to Honduras for a week- long mission trip. Once you go on a mission trip, it is very difficult not to think about the next trip. We have two more short-term trips in the planning. The first one will be to our daughter church in Smithville, MO. Our local association (Meramec) is planning an “Out of School BASH” for the first weekend in June. Several youth groups including ours will invade Smithville. Jamie and Rebekak Jones are planning ways in which we can deliever the gospel and also the good news that a church is being planted in their neighborhood. This month you will have an opportunity to help us toward our fund raising goal for this mission trip by attending a “Dinner and a Movie” on Saturday, February 21. The youth will be serving a wonderful meal followed by a movie (“Fireproof”) in the auditorium. Invite a friend to come out with you to enjoy good food and great fellowship while helping the cause of missions at the same time.

We are also making plans to return back to Honduras in the summer of 2010. Bro. Mark Scott is securing the dates and we are going to get an early start on fund raising. Pray about taking this week long trip with us and makeing a difference in the lives of Hondurans. People all over the world are lost; Jesus wants us to search for them; and give them the Good News that will rescue their souls.