Pastor's Corner - July 2012
This week I moved the final things from my mother’s home. She (Sylvia Larson) lived in that home, which I built for her, for 15 years. There our extended family had many a Thanksgiving celebration, and our mother conducted numerous Bible studies, worships and gatherings. The new owners are moving in, and along with that comes a change of responsibility for my siblings, my mother and myself.
Changes like these are good reminders that we should take the time for spiritual house-cleaning, taking a spiritual inventory, or evaluation. What has God put before us? What are our responsibilities to our Creator? We know from Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who cries “Lord, Lord†will be saved. Where is our heart? Where are our desires and affections? It seems to me this is our most foundational weakness because of our humanity. Praise the Lord, He never changes. (Hebrews 13:8)
We have a loving Father who looks after each and every one of us to help us through difficult or distracting times. The legacy God has provided in the Scriptures is as pertinent today as they were in the times they were written.
“Obedience is the test of discipleship. It is the keeping of the commandments that proves the sincerity of our professions of love. When the doctrine we accept kills sin in the heart, purifies the soul from defilement, bears fruit unto holiness, we may know that it is the truth of God. When benevolence, kindness, tenderheartedness, sympathy, are manifest in our lives; when the joy of right doing is in our hearts; when we exalt Christ, and not self, we may know that our faith is of the right order. ‘Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.’ 1 John 2:3†Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, p. 175
As we rededicate our lives and homes to God and His purposes, tough times will come and try to discourage us. We should be encouraged by this process, as God is our only hope! He will meet all our needs and even some of our wishes.
Each one of us has been given the torch of truth (the Bible) to carry wherever we go in our daily lives; in our neighborhoods and workplaces, to our friends, church and families. We are to love as Jesus loves. Let’s keep that torch bright!
My mother is now comfortably settled in at her new location – what I like to call a resort – at Somerset Lodge in Gladstone, Oregon. I know she likes your calls and visits. With campmeeting coming up soon she will be in a little bit of Adventist heaven, as I hope you will be.
For your information, the elders are available throughout the week for personal issues or church-related things. The two elders who serve on the platform each Sabbath will be the “go to†elders for the following week. Feel free to call anyone of us, though. My cell phone (503-516-3146) is always on.
Praise God for His continual showers of love. We are all learning together; don't forget to be patient.