She could not imagine living another day. Life had lost its meaning. Her work was rewarding, but her heart had been ripped out. He had gotten caught up in something he just could not shake. It had taken him down a path he could not return from. Life no longer held any excitement. He was numb to everything.

How can anyone help? Pills no longer work, the therapist has given up, and my friends are starting to avoid me. So, what is left?

Psalm 107:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. 15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 16 For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron.

The Psalmist says if we would cry to the Lord, he will deliver us from our dark world.

Friend, DO YOU WANT TO LIVE AGAIN? Are you ready to be free from that which chains you to the grave or to the pit of despair? If yes, then cry out to God – only He can break those chains.

Father, we thank you that you are a chain breaker. Lord, I want to live again. I want my joy and peace to return. PLEASE, FATHER, BREAK MY CHAINS. In Jesus Name, Amen.

 

In my daily Bible reading I recently completed the book of Joshua.  Reading through the stories of the Israelites and their journey, and the acts of courage that lead to entering the promise land, one verse that stuck out and was very powerful was Joshua 21:45:

 “Not one of all of the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed, everyone was fulfilled.”

God proved faithful in fulfilling every promise He had given to Israel. Fulfillment of some promises took several hundred years, but everyone was fulfilled. God’s promises will be fulfilled according to His plan, not ours. The more we understand those promises God has fulfilled, continues to fulfill and will fulfill in the future, the easier it is to hold onto His promises. Sometimes we become impatient, wanting God to act in a certain way now. Instead, we should faithfully do what we know He wants us to do and trust Him for the future because His plan will be fulfilled.

 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:4-8

 

In recent years it has become possible for researchers to probe the inner workings of the human brain in ways that seem more like science fiction than reality.  We are barely beginning to understand how the physical structures of the brain interact with the biochemicals and electrical charges to store, retrieve, and make sense of vast amounts of information.  We are learning that even the physical structures of the brain are changed based on the thoughts we think.

 

So, it isn’t surprising that God would place such emphasis in his Holy Word on our minds.  Perhaps the pinnacle teaching on this subject is Paul’s instruction that we should have the mind of Christ among ourselves, a collective commitment to put others ahead of self.  This is as contrary to our basic programming as you can get.  Our biology (flesh) is wired toward promoting the good of self, not of others.  Yet our creator demonstrated a higher mind when he emptied himself and served us to the point of death.

 

This mind brings life and peace according to Romans 8 but isn’t achieved by human learning.  It is achieved by the relentless commitment to allowing the Word of God to shape our minds into the image of Christ.  Summit family, take courage and let God have his way with your mind.  As your mind goes, so goes the course of your life.

 

This week our news headlines read: “Teen killed as series of package bombs rattle Texas capital” (WLWT Cincinnati). The awful actions of the wicked can cause even the strongest Christian to doubt God.

When we start looking at our world in terms of fear instead of faith we have shifted – the paradigm shift is from faith in God to fear-filled victims of terrorists.

One day Asaph woke – filled with doubt. This is the same Asaph who wrote Psalms 50 & 73-83 and was known as a prophet. Yet one day he looked at the prosperity of the wicked and doubt filled his soul.

Psalm 73:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Secondary to this original lie Asaph added his constant pain and rebuke (Ps.73:13-14).

How did Asaph dig himself out of his own stinking thinking pit? He simply asked – are the wicked better off? He concluded that they will be cast down in ruin and suddenly destroyed.

Christian, fear can be a healthy response to imminent danger. But constant fear is not from God. Why not exchange Satan’s lies for this truth: Psalm 73:26 (ESV) My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 

This morning I was shocked to hear about the trauma members of our congregation are going through. Their surveillance camera caught an older, male teen watching them.

Think about the scars something like this causes. If you cannot even be safe in your own home, in a safe neighborhood, in the USA – where in the world can you be safe? Will the females in this family be affected every time a male looks at them? Will they still feel safe in their home? Will they be closing the blinds in the late afternoon?

Unfortunately, this young criminal will get away with little more than a slap on the wrist. But this victimized family will carry the scars for many, many years.

So, what is the path to healing? In 2 Chronicles 20:12 we learn how Jehoshaphat dealt with similar trauma – but on a much larger scale. The nation of Israel where being stalked by the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir. Israel was completely powerless against the reprehensible behavior of these nations.

Rather than fixing his eyes on the “criminals”, in prayer, he fixes Israel’s eyes on the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV) — 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

God’s people were extremely vulnerable as they “stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children”. But God heard their prayer and sent His Spirit on Jahaziel who said: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. … You will not need to fight in this battle. Standing firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15–17 ESV).

God turned the enemies of His people against themselves. All that was left was dead bodies and a lot of plunder.

So, what do you do when you discover “someone is watching you”?

Common sense says to do everything you can to protect yourself. While doing mission work in Kenya I found many eyes on us. During a 9-month period, we had 16 attempted break-ins. Twice we had criminals in our home – while we were in our home and the alarms were going off. So, I bought two big German Shepherd dogs and placed all my burglar alarms outside my home. These were connected to a mini alarm that alerted us to approaching criminals. This stopped all criminal activity.

However, the only way to eternally restore our sanity and protect our loved ones is to be able to tell God in prayer … “our eyes are on You”.

 

 

In my reading this morning a rich young man was asked to sell all his possessions, distribute it among the poor, and then to follow Jesus. The reason Jesus asked him to do this was … And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, (Mk 10:21).

But this young man left sad because he could not obey. To this Jesus says twice: “How difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God” (Mk.10:23-24).

Friend, what is it that you find hard leaving? Is it your house, furniture, car, cable, neighborhood, or country? Be honest, what do you spend most of your time and energy focused on? Hint: Only one of the following options are correct …

1. Expanding God’s Kingdom
2. Feeding your addiction or sinful habit
3. A daytime TV show, favorite sports team or
   political issue
4. Bringing in THE salary check or THE
   retirement fund
5. Creating a comfortable living environment

This week a friend told me that he wanted to be known more for being a Christian than anything else. Friend, are you also ready to “Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of
insight” (Prov.9:6 ESV)?

 

What do you look forward to?  I look forward to Fridays!!  After a hard week at work it is good to be off for a couple of days.  I look forward to hunting season, to get out in the woods with my sons to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of God’s beautiful creation.  I know that seeing her grandbabies makes Sheryl very happy.  Being able to hold them, care for them, and watching them grow makes her happy.  I look forward to the holidays when everyone is in a good mood and families are getting together; and did I say, “Hunting Season.”

More importantly, I look forward to worship services and fellowship at Summit.

“I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord.” Psalm 122:1

Do YOU look forward to going into the House of the Lord?  Do you look forward to worshiping together with other Christians at Summit?  Do you look forward to studying God’s word through Bible study classes, and praising Him through songs?  If you miss a service do you miss partaking of the Lord’s Supper?  Do you miss that devoted time remembering what Jesus did for us?

“Greater Love Has No Man Than This, Lay Down His Life For A Friend.” John 15:13.

Jesus loved you enough to die for you.  Can you say you love Him enough to spend time worshiping him?  Can you make this a source of your happiness?

“Let us consider how we may spur of one another on towards love and good works, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another as we see the day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24,25

Brothers and Sisters, my prayer is for Summit to have the same love for each other as the early Church did in Acts 2.  They devoted themselves to the Apostles teachings and to great fellowship.  The early Church ate together, studied together and gave to those who were in need.  The early Church loved to sing, and praise God and they were happy!

Does this sound like Summit?   Yes, Indeed!

 

The past month has been extremely busy at work with the recent market volatility. During the correction a couple weeks ago, I took about double the typical number of calls each day. People were scared, they felt uncertain and were looking for answers.

Have you ever felt so desperate or worried that you had to call someone to talk?

Psalm 34:4 (NLT) “⁴I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:6 (NLT) ⁶In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. ”

God pays attention to those who call on Him. God is there, He is listening.  He will deliver us from our fears. He will save us out of our troubles, guard us, and deliver us.

God promises great blessings to his people, but many of these blessing require our active participation and our obedience to Him.