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

The Program has been the cornerstone of all Jimmy’s fitness programs, for any age. Two years ago Jimmy designed “balance your life” for seniors.

Balance is now the most popular fitness program among seniors. LBC will offer this program to all area seniors every third Thursday through March 18, 2010.

Good Morning America devoted a great amount of time to this a few months ago. Seniors are now recognizing the importance of attaining a higher degree of functional balance. Balance your life exercises are progressive in nature with posture, technique and proper breathing as the foundation. Those who participate will not have to get down on the floor and we will not be using weights or machines. Participants will be introduced to the “portable gym”, a resistance band, exercise ball and folding chair.

Outcomes expected:
*better functional balance
*greater coordination
*more energy
*reduce stress
*more strength
*feel and look younger

While exercising, participants will have fun! Physically-challenged are welcomed. Participants will also receive health and food tips to combat injury and illness. Everyone deserves a healthy lifestyle.

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

The joint boards (ministries) to share lunch together on January 31, after the morning service, to discuss our joint concerns with the Elders. All of this will be a new venture for us, – it will be exciting to see how God leads us!

Our in-house Bible studies will begin in February. The topic will be “The Mind of Christ”-a study in Philippians ($3.00 for the booklet) that will compliment Pastor Lew’s sermon series. If you would like to participate, please contact Pastor Wayne wayne@lbcmuskegon.com.

The Program: balance has been the cornerstone of all my fitness programs, for any age. Two years ago Jimmy designed “balance your life” for seniors. Balance is now the most popular fitness program among seniors. LBC will offer this program to all area seniors every third Thursday through March 18, 2010.

Good Morning America devoted a great amount of time to this a few months ago. Seniors are now recognizing the importance of attaining a higher degree of functional balance. Balance your life exercises are progressive in nature with posture, technique and proper breathing as the foundation. Those who participate will not have to get down on the floor and we will not be using weights or machines. Participants will be introduced to the “portable gym”, a resistance band, exercise ball and folding chair.

Outcomes expected:
*better functional balance
*greater coordination
*more energy
*reduce stress
*more strength
*feel and look younger

While exercising, participants will have fun! Physically-challenged are welcomed. Participants will also receive health and food tips to combat injury and illness. Everyone deserves a healthy lifestyle.

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.

Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m.

Join with us for a time of prayer, Bible study and fellowship!

Muskegon County Right to Life “March & Memorial for Life”

Date: Saturday, January 16, 2010

March: 1:00 p.m. at Hackley Park

Memorial: 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church

Child Evangelism Fellowship

Pancake Breakfast – Saturday, January 16^th

8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Living God at 4249 S. Quarterline (between Hile and Shettler). There will be a freewill offering to help defray the cost of snowplowing at the CEF Ministry Center. Call Karen at the office, 733-2200.