March 2, 2009 by admin.

PASTOR RAFAEL ON WORSHIP, Pastor Rafael Oliveira

I love history. I love how it unfolds and how God takes care of His people according to His master plan. I especially love it when the people involved put their trust in the Lord—even though they cannot see the future.

Consider King Hezekiah. In the first month of his reign, he reopened the Temple and summoned all of the Levites and priests to consecrate themselves and purify the Temple. After the consecration, the city officials were assembled, and Hezekiah commanded the priests to make sacrifices to atone for the sins of Israel. As the burnt offering began, the Levites—stationed in the Temple with all their instruments—led worship. The entire assembly bowed down and worshiped God Almighty. What a service that must have been!

Fast forward fourteen years. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, threatened to destroy Jerusalem and utterly humiliate King Hezekiah and the people. Hezekiah readied the city for the attack, but most importantly, he went to the Temple and prayed to the Lord. His prayers for deliverance were answered, and the Assyrian army was annihilated!

Prayer is a powerful weapon. But, just as a weapon without ammunition is powerless, prayer without faith is just a nice collection of words or a religious act. King Hezekiah prayed. He did not see the future, but he had faith in God. And…God delivered His people.

I would like to encourage you to pray. Pray with faith. Use the worship time during Sunday morning and Wednesday night services to pray the lyrics that we sing. Worship God through your prayers as the instruments play. Pray to be delivered from the “Sennacherib” in your life so that God’s name will be glorified. Believe me, He will deliver you!

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March 2, 2009 by PastorMark.

HOLD STEADY,By Pastor Mark Boucher

Some years ago I was driving in New Jersey just after a snowfall. It was during the morning, and I crested a hill with the bright sun directly on the horizon ahead. The sun’s intense glare and the reflection off the road’s fresh white snow left me driving blind! My first impulse was to slam on the brakes and veer off the road. However, on snow, this would have been a sure accident. I also thought about stopping, but realized cars behind me could crash into me. Here’s what I did: I prayed (the fast kind), slowed down the car, and kept going forward the best I could until I could see again.

I believe our nation is driving in an economic whiteout. We are lurching all over the road, and fear is in the driver’s seat. The continuous flow of bad news tempts us to drive off the road or stop altogether… options with unhappy endings. In times like this, God desires His people to hold steady, trust in Him, and continue to do what is right.

Did you know that Jesus frequently spoke about money and possessions? In fact, about half of His parables have to do with finances, and one in ten verses in the Gospels deal directly with money. I want to turn your attention to one of Jesus’ stories which challenges me deeply—the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Here are some principles from this amazing parable that can help us make it through difficult times.

First, remember God is the source of everything. The Lord describes himself as “a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them” (v. 14). Our God is not poor or stingy. He supplies us with all we need for life, service, and fruitfulness. Our Father loves to share His “property” with us.

Second, God requires us to invest what He has given. “The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more” (v. 16).  The correct use of the talents didn’t require a degree in economics. The servant simply invested the master’s money. The money, of course, can also refer to our time and talents—whatever God has allowed to come to us in this life. He gives to us so that others may also be blessed. God told Abraham, “I will bless you…and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).  Investing is the opposite of hoarding.

The last principle is this: “Act in faith, not in fear.” In the parable of the talents, two of the servants invested their master’s money. They believed their master would return, and they did the wise thing. Both were commended as “good and faithful.” A third servant, however, carelessly misjudged his master. He lost faith in his master’s promise to return. When called to give an account of his neglect in investing the master’s money, he replied, “I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground” (v. 25). The consequences for this servant were not good!

As I reflect on the economic condition of America, I have determined to be the kind of person who keeps doing what is right with the money God has given. I purpose to keep honoring my Master by giving Him the tithe and by giving offerings. I believe if God could provide for the prophet Elijah by using ravens to bring him food, He can take care of His people today. Our faithfulness through difficult times allows the resources of heaven to keep flowing our way, which, in turn, becomes a powerful witness to a fear-filled world.  Keep holding steady!

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