WOW!

It’s been an amazing experience reopening our worship center and reconnecting with those in attendance. I just came out of a meeting today with our team and I want to tell you all about an experiment we want to do this Sunday morning to connect better with all our members, regular attenders and visitors. The truth is that we have no idea if this will work or if we will change our format again in the coming weeks.  We want to keep growing and adapting to the times we are facing.

Speaking of that, my message this Sunday Morning is: “How To Thrive In Uncertain Times.”

I want to provide different experiences to cater to the needs of those who are able to worship with us in person and those who are enjoying our livestream from home. I sent out a survey this week and the resounding response was that you all want to try it. I don’t want those who are still at home to feel like they are simply watching the worship service through the window of their phone or computer.  Also, I want to give those who are able to come in person the “personal” experience they are looking for.  

9 am – NEW “Table Talk with Pastor David.”  This is for our facebook and youtube stream only.  I’ll be sitting with you, and a cup of coffee, at our new welcome table. It will be sort of a prequel to the message and will be more interactive and intimate than our normal stream of the sermon. It’s kind of early in the morning, but I wanted to have enough time to do it live instead of filming it and streaming it as a recording. I hope you’ll join me at 9am or a little later and catch up with us then.  

10 am – Jen and the band will kick-off worship online and in-person. This will include a children’s message during the service as well as the full video of “Pastor C’s Neighborhood” afterward.  All of the safety measures I’ve outlined before are still in effect. The only change is that our bathrooms are no longer operating only for emergencies. The facilities will be fully open for all those who feel comfortable being in a smaller space. We will, however, be cleaning throughout the morning. A special feature this week is the vocals of Graycn Lavalley. She is going into the 9th grade next year and has more anointed power and spunk in her voice than you could possibly imagine.  

10:30am – Student ministry on Sunday morning is back by popular demand. The students will transition to the youth center after Jen and the band leads us into God’s presence. Pastor Mat’s message to the middle and high-schoolers is always a hit.  

10:30am – Connection discussion, intimate prayer, and message for our in-person worshipers.  I will close out the live stream and focus completely on the needs of those who are able to be there in person.  We will be offering pre-packaged communion bread and juice in a time of celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  

The world is changing and I’m so glad to be part of this team of leaders who embrace change and want top impact the world.  

I love you Church, 

Pastor David Rathel.

P.S. – Please feel free to call or txt me with any questions or concerns or if you want a boat ride. 706.366.7717

NativityAndMe -Part 2 December 23, 2018

Luke 1:26-35

²⁶In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

Hypostatic Union: 100% God & 100% Man

Fourth Ecumenical Council: Chalcedon (451)

“We teach . . . one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, known in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.”   

Athanasian Creed (296-337)

“He is God from the essence of the Father, begotten before time; and he is human from the essence of his mother, born in time; completely God, completely human, with a rational soul and human flesh; equal to the Father as regards divinity, less than the Father as regards humanity. Although he is God and human, yet Christ is not two, but one. He is one, however, not by his divinity being turned into flesh, but by God’s taking humanity to himself. He is one, certainly not by the blending of his essence, but by the unity of his person. For just as one human is both rational soul and flesh, so too the one Christ is both God and human.”

Soren Kierkegaard –  Danish Philosopher (1813-1855)

“the ultimate paradox”, because God, understood as a perfectly good, perfectly wise, perfectly powerful being, fully became a human – burdened by sin, limited in goodness, knowledge, and understanding. This paradox can only be resolved, Kierkegaard believed, by a leap of faith away from one’s understanding and reason towards belief in God; thus the paradox of the hypostatic union was crucial to an abiding faith in the Christian God.

• Mary Knew Perfect Theology.
• God Is Real
• He Puts Babies Into Virgin Wombs

Luke 1:36, 37

³⁶Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:18-25

¹⁸Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

¹⁹The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” ²¹Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ²²When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. ²³When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

• God Closed Zechariah’s Mouth
• God Placed Elizabeth In Seclusion
• God’s Best Work Requires The Removal Of Faithless Influence.

Luke 2:15-19

¹⁵When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” ¹⁶So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

• The Heart Of Faith Treasures The Word Of Faith.

IS IT WARFARE!  10.28.18

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12

 

THE DEVIL’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO CREATE FEAR AND DOUBT

IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

 

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

 

• HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS.  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…  2 Corinthians 4:4

 

• HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.  Matthew 13:19

 

• HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU.  …and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.  2 Timothy 2:26

 

• HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU.   For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us.  1 Thess. 2:18

 

• HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8

 

GOD’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO INCREASE MY FAITH AND DEPENDENCE

ON HIM AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

 

REMEMBER…

 

• YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.

 

 

17And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

 

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV)

 

10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.  Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12

 

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

 

REMEMBER…

 

• GOD HAS ALREADY DECIDED AND DEFINED YOUR VICTORY.

 

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

 

For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our faith. [continuing, persistent faith in Jesus the Son of God]. 1 John 5:4 (AMP)

 

1 Peter 5:7-11 (NASB)

7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith… 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

WHAT CAN I DO?

STAND YOUR GROUND IN WARFARE PRAYER WITH SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND A HUMBLE HEART!

 

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:13, 18 (NIV)

 

1 Peter 5:1-5 (NASB)

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders;

 

1 Peter 5:5-9 (NASB)

and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

 

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NASB)

10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS 10.21.18  ~ 1 Samuel 30

(Liam Neeson Picture Memes 1- )

LOSE TO WIN

 

1 Samuel 30

9So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor; there those [who could not continue] remained behind. 10But David pursued [the Amalekites], he and four hundred men, for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.

 

Your Setback Was A Setup For A Comeback. ILLUS. Wedding. A Perfect Place   (Trip Over Isle Runner, Lantern Knocked Over, MIKE) Just Because You’re In A Perfect Place, It Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Going To Be Perfect.

Who Stayed Behind In Your Fight? Joke filling mud hole. –   Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have. Empathy Museum A Mile In My Shoes In London, Thorn Flesh1C12

 

“IT’S JUST 400 CAMELS.”   A Very Particular Set Of Camels. Lights, CAMEL, Action.  Live Nativity [Camel Picture.]

 

1 Samuel 30

17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled.  18So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. 19Nothing of theirs was missing whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered it all.

 

LLUS. Chasing Thunder Lightening.  Tuffy’s Towing.   Don’t let what you CAN’T DO keep you from what you CAN DO. IGNORE – WHAT CANT DO

WHY? Because Whatever Overwhelms You Shapes You. Steve Backlund, Igniting Hope, Negativity Fast 40 Days… Raise Your “Cave In” Point.

CAPTURE INCREASED CAPACITY (Increase Mather Picture)

 

1 Samuel 30

RECOVER LOSS	18So David recovered all…  and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing…  David recovered it all.
CAPTURE INCREASE	20So David captured all… [which the enemy had]  and [the people] …said, “This is David’s spoil.”

 

If You Ever Get Knocked Down…   Pick Something Up While You’re Down There. When You’re Down To Nothing… God Is Up To Something!

Fiance’ Broke Up With Me… MELANIE!   First Broker Seminary money Buy when stock down Jim Lucas Movie Theater. Stealing Safe. Stealing AC. Wall Windows Leaking…

 

GIVE LIKE A KING

 

1 Peter 2:9

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

 

ILLUS. – Home Team Debt Program… Crane… Basketball Goal Family…  

 

1 Samuel 30

24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.” 26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing (gift) for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord…” 31 … and for [those elders in] all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.”

 

KING GAVE…

Bring Me The Ephod

What Is An Ephod?

Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. Exodus 28:30

 

Your Ephod Is Your Way Of Seeking God’s Decision.

1 Samuel 30:3-8 AMP

3When David and his men came to the town, it was burned, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive.

4Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they were too exhausted to weep [any longer].

5Now David’s two wives had been captured, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.

6Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. 7David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought him the ephod. 8David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].”

 

1 Samuel 22:9,10

9But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

10And Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for him, and gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

 

1 Samuel 22:16,18,20

16But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”

18So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

20But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David.

 

“Bring Me The Ephod. I Won’t Be A Victim.”

A Victim Is A Person Without A Decision From God.

10 Signs You Are A Victim:

1. You complain rather than act. 2. You talk about the same problems. 3. You are never able to get to resolution. 4. You are always looking to people to save you. 5. You don’t accept responsibility (always something or someone to blame).

6. You take more than you give. 7. You are uncomfortable with being emotionally well. 8. You are in crisis more than not. 9. You make people around you tired. 10. You tend to harm others rather than show mercy.

1 Samuel 23:6,9,15,16 NIV

6Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.

9When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”

15While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.

16And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

2 Samuel 6:14,15

14Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

 

10 Signs You Are A Survivor:

1. You are behaviorally active in moving toward hope. 2. You are willing to sacrifice whatever is necessary to change. 3. You are willing to be uncomfortable for extended periods of time. 4. You do not give in to fear (you may have it but are not controlled by it). 5. You are willing to adapt to the reality you are in (not the one you hope for).

6. You learn from the circumstances you are in rather than deny them. 7. You are willing to use all of your resources to move toward change. 8. You actively seek help. 9. You resist panic and fear. 10. You have hope outside of yourself.

 

What Is Your Ephod?

Call to me and I’ll answer you, and will tell you about great and hidden things that you don’t know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 ISV

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 ESV

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

David Brainerd, Missionary to Native Americans: The last words written in his diary, on Oct. 2, 1749:

“My soul was this day, at turns, sweetly set on God: I longed to be with him, that I might behold his glory. I felt sweetly disposed to commit all to him, even my dearest friends, my dearest flock, my absent brother, and all my concerns for time and eternity. O that his kingdom might come in the world; that they might all love and glorify him, for what he is in himself; and that that blessed Redeemer might “see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied! Oh, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly! Amen.”

STILL STANDING 09.09.18

You do not have to fight this battle. Take Up Your Positions, stand still,

and see the salvation of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV/HCSB  

2 Chronicles 20:3-15, 17 NIV Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. 5Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, 6and he said,

“O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.7“Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8“They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 9‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’ 10“Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them),11see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”13All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children.

14Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 17You do not have to fight this battle. Take Up Your Positions, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.

God Wants You Standing Still During The Battle Because He Wants You Still Standing After The Battle.

Standing Still Is Not… “Standing There” or “Doing Nothing.”  

It’s Standing Firm While Being Still.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S GOD’S WILL FOR ME TO STAND STILL?

After Trying Everything.

Before Trying Anything.

When There’s Something God Wants You To See.

“stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” v. 17

God Wants Me Standing Still During _____________ Because He Wants Me Still Standing After ______________.

What Lie In Your Heart Needs To Be Reversed? 

What Do You Keep Fighting That Leaves You Flat On Your Back?

When You’ve Got Nothing To Prove.

“Go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you. 18Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. 19Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.” v. 17 – 19

HOW TO STAND STILL SO YOU  CAN STILL STAND?

Face Them But Do Not Fight Them.  

“Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.” v. 17

Worship It Out Before You Work It Out.  v. 20-29

Worship Is Work And Worship Works.

Worship Like Somebody Who’s Been Rescued.

“At the end of a prize-fight, you look at the guy who’s dancing around and that’s who won.” – Aaron Sorkin, Writer / Producer

20As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

22As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. 24When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

25So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.

26On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day. 27Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets. 29The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.