We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8 – 10)

Following Christ is not like the way advertisers try to hawk their products, telling us that their “new and improved” whatever will make your hair shinier, make your teeth brighter, or driving “our brand” of automobile will make you look more sophisticated.  These advertisers try to sell you the “goods” without pointing out the bad.

Jesus made no bones about it.  He said, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38).  “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32 – 33).

The words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8 – 10 is what one author calls “the fine print of the Christian life.”  Too many Christians lose grip of their faith when trials come.  They came to Christ to get into heaven.  But Jesus signs us up to be His disciples, not just “life insurance” holders.  Paul tells us that it is through our weaknesses, our difficulties that Christ is magnified.  That’s what we are to be all about – making much of Christ.  People will see Him most when we are least.

In the words of author John Fischer, “This is not just endurance training through tough times.  This is God’s strategy for ministry through us.  There is no other way for it to be done.  His strategy is His power and strength through our weakness – His life through our death.  This doesn’t just happen to some Christians; it happens to us all if we desire to be effective in our faith.

Let’s commit ourselves to live our lives to the glory and honor of Christ.  Let’s be willing to be wholehearted disciples of the one who gave His life, so that we could honor His life, with ours.

Pastor Leslie

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 ESV)

The entire world has been shocked by the powerful and destructive earthquake that rocked the country of Haiti in January 2010.  At least 150, 000 men, women, and children have already been buried, mostly in massed graves and the Haitian government fears that there are still at least 50,000 bodies still trapped under the tons of rubble that is yet to be cleared in and around Haiti’s capital.

Some have looked at this tragedy and decided that there is no God, because a loving and compassionate God would never allow a disaster like this to occur.  But I think just the opposite.  Of course God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8) and we can’t (nor should we try) to fully understand why He has allowed the earth to move as it did, at that particular spot where millions of people lived.

Just how is God seen in such a disaster?  Compassion.  It may not register at first, but God is a compassionate God.  Much has been seen in the countless men and women who have made their way to Haiti to help; medically, rescuing, tearing down unsafe buildings, feeding the hungry, holding young orphans and showing them love.  What moved these people and millions more around the world to send money and supplies to this tiny nation and its people?  Compassion.  Why did so many people show compassion?  The answer – God.  When Moses asked to see the Lord’s glory, this is how YHWH replied, “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression sin . . .” (Exodus 34:6 – 7a).  The psalmist says of the Lord, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13).

One of God’s attributes is His compassion.  All humankind is an image-bearer of the Creator.  Why would so many people respond to the earthquake crisis as they did and continue to do? It is the feelings of compassion toward others, which is one of the great gifts that God has given to men and women; boys and girls.  It’s unique to human beings.  Do elephants come and help a pride of lions that have gone through a crisis?  Do penguins try to show compassion to a hurt elephant seal?  Of course not!  But we humans without a second thought will freely help people that we don’t even know, from another culture, and thousands of miles away will show compassion just as God does when a lonely, dying sinner receives the greatest gift of compassion, a relationship with the Heavenly Father through the blood atonement of His only Son.  That’s love!  That’s compassion!

Yes, there is a God.  And He cares more than anyone that a destructive earthquake destroyed the homes and lives of so many people.  But in God’s perfect, holy plan, “just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after comes judgment, so Christ,  having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27 – 28).

Waiting with you for the perfection of all things,

Pastor Leslie

Please join us

Wednesday Mornings @ 10:00 a.m.
Pastor Lew continues a study on
“The Book of Daniel”
Come and enjoy a time of Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other believers.

Please join us

Wednesday Mornings @ 10:00 a.m.
Pastor Lew continues a study on
“The Book of Daniel”
Come and enjoy a time of Bible study, prayer and fellowship with other believers.

Beacon Article January 2010

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord (Psalm 40:3). This verse comes in the midst of a psalm of David who reflects on the many ways that God had taken care of him, even through times of great trial and difficulty.  With the single turning of a page of the calendar, we often find ourselves in David’s place, reflecting on the past year and reflecting on the events that shaped our lives.  Hopefully, like David, we too will sing a song of praise to God.

So what has this past year brought you?  Are you bitter over difficulties or losses?  Don’t lose the perspective that the psalmist had.  In verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 40, David sang, I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.  He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. Perhaps you still feel like you are in the pit of destruction and your steps feel unsure as you look into the future. Go back to the beginning of this Psalm and wait patiently for the Lord.

As we enter 2010 (can you believe it!) we can find all the trust and confidence that we need from the Lord’s hand.  I would like to challenge everyone who is a part of Lakeside, to seek together for the Lord’s hand in our individual and congregational lives.

We are facing a very important milestone in our church as we gather on Sunday, January 17^th to vote on a proposed new constitution as a document to guide Lakeside Baptist Church into the future.  I believe that this new constitution articulates biblical principles of leadership and church governance.  We do need to remember that this document, like any written by human hands, is imperfect and will be used by imperfect people.  But with the Lord’s guiding hand, we will be able to say I delight to do your will, O my God, your law is within my heart (Psalm 40:8).

Let’s be sure that in this new year of 2010, the words of the psalmist will ring true in our hearts.  But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” (Psalm 40:16).

May the grace, peace, and love of God be with you in 2010.

Pastor Leslie