McMinnville Seventh-day Adventist Church

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Pastor's Corner - August 2012

Where does our/your power come from? Mac Water and Light? PGE? GOD?

I have watched a little bit of the summer Olympics, and it seems to me everyone needs power. I have dreamed of being powerful like the athletes performing feats of strength in the Olympics. Even with all their practice and dedication to their sport, I see them cry and almost break down under the pressure. I wonder how many – if any – spend quality time with their Creator and connect into the real Power Source.

We all have the daily/hourly choice of whether or not to plug into the great Power Source offered us.

I like to read of Jesus as a young child in the book The Desire of Ages:

“The more quiet and simple the life of the child, the more free from artificial excitement, and the more in harmony with nature, the more favorable is it to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength.... He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life.... He was doing God's service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude.” (end of chapter seven) Yay; go carpenters!

“When we become absorbed in worldly things so that we have no thought for Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered, we separate ourselves from Jesus and from the heavenly angels.... This is why discouragement so often exists among the professed followers of Christ.” (end of chapter 8)

“Many attend religious services and are refreshed and comforted by the word of God; but through neglect of meditation, watchfulness, and prayer they lose the blessing and find themselves more destitute than before they received it. Often they feel that God has dealt ‘harshly’ with them. They do not see that the fault is their own. By separating themselves from Jesus, they have shut away the light of His presence. It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ.... As we associate together we may be a blessing to one another. If we are of Christ's our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him, and as we speak to one another of His love our hearts will be softened by divine influences.” (end of chapter 8; II Cor. 3:18)

Our friend Gayle Matthews reminded us at prayer meeting last Wednesday to put on the armor of God: rhe sturdy belt of truth, the body armor of God's righteousness, shoes of the peace of the Good News, the shield of faith, salvation as the helmet, and the sword of the Spirit/Bible. (Eph. 6) We have been very blessed by our prayer meetings; thanks, Jim! We can go out into our world and conquer for God by His power.

“For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” Phil. 4:13, NLT

As you meet your daily trials and temptations, go to God and be bold through Him. This life is not easy, but God never said it would be. I believe we are God’s “special forces” here on this earth. Yes, there will be casualties, but He will never leave us or forsake us if we continually give our live over to Him. Heb. 13:5, 6

And you know what? I am learning to be okay with not being really buff like those Olympic athletes.

- Elder Ronley Larson