Author Archives: Stephen Rodgers

Living by Certainties in Uncertain Times

by Pastor James Lee

People in every generation have faced varying degrees of temptations towards anxiety about the uncertainties of their life circumstances. Read the history books, interact with old journal entries, and listen to the songs of every man, woman, and child that ever lived – and we are not alone in the painful daggers and persistent drownings of life that we feel. We are neither removed from the seeming uncertainties of living in a fallen world, nor are we insured from any pending hardship down the road. It is assigned to the godly. In any and every generation of true believers, we will regularly need to be thrust back to the blissful forefront of hope in the ultimate realities of God’s goodness and His glorious gospel.

For the uneasiness of what we see around us can often overshadow the greater eternal realities we should appropriate when we are walking by faith, not by sight. But, we know weakness. But, we know heartache. But we can feel like despairing. There is not a single day where there isn’t a natural disaster or loss of a loved one or marital discontentment or church conflict or cancer being faced or hurtful lie being uncovered. And don’t get me wrong, there is not all and always bad news – we shouldn’t be half-glass empty pessimists who dismiss the powerful work of God in our lives and those around us! This is in spite of the spiritual war tempting us to not believe the gospel’s transforming power. There are abundant reasons to rejoice, if we would choose to see them! God is doing some amazing and humbling things in our individual lives, in our churches, and in our world to encourage us profoundly… even when we fail to fully see what He is accomplishing on behalf of His people and for His glory. This is not to minimize the real hurt, suffering, and depression we face, let alone privilege to patiently come alongside those in the midst of such sorrows.

But when our perspective narrows like a zoom lens only on the difficulties, depravity, and decline we continually witness around us, we can very easily get discouraged by what we only see or experience – and we lose sight of the great and guaranteed certainties promised, preserved, and proven for His own children. Romans 8:28 is no cliché, but independently and actively true, as surely indeed, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

So instead of listening to ourselves, we need to preach the truths of God’s Word to our own hearts. We have to run to His Word, despite how we might feel at any given moment. We have to trust God, even if it’s just one step forward at a time. As D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exhorted, “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?” Or as the psalmist reflected and instructed in Psalm 42:5, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.”

I want to remind myself and all of us of His great, wonderful, merciful, true, and “gonna happen no matter what” certainties that God has promised and will sovereignly bring to pass. We can bank our lives on these truths. Consider today just a tiny sample list directly from God’s Word, so our dear Holy Spirit will shepherd us. Engrave them on your hearts, tattoo them on the insides of your eyes, drink and breathe them deeply as undeniable, unimpeachable, life-transforming doctrines that give us the perspective we need right now – not merely to humanistically “cope” with some difficult circumstances and challenges, but because they are free gifts of His grace to live a God-honoring, Christ-centered, Spirit-filled, Gospel-saturated, Joyous life.

Let us keep urging one another to live each moment in the hope-giving, manifold certainties of His Word:

1. The Certainty of Jesus’ Past Resurrection Demonstrates the Future Certainty of Our Own

“For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)

2. The Certainty of Our Promised Glorification

“And whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:30)

3. The Certainty of God’s Sovereign Control

“Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has commanded it?” Lamentations 3:37

4. The Certainty of God’s Faithful Character

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

5. The Certainty of God’s Powerful Word

“So shall My Word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

6. The Certainty of the Eventual End of a Believer’s Pain

“And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

7. The Certainty of God’s Merciful Reward

“For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6b)

8. The Certainty of Materialism’s Emptiness and Heaven’s Joys

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

9. The Certainty of God’s Care and Provision

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

10. The Certainty of God’s Goodness in His Demands

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

11. The Certainty of the Enduring Profit of Godliness

“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life & also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

12. The Certainty of God’s Unending Affection for Us

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

13. The Certainty of the Church’s Unchanging Mission and His Presence

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

14. The Certainty of Christ’s Return

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

It is when we return to God’s Word, and begin to preach His truth to our hearts, rather than listening to ourselves and the lies of the world and the wicked one, that our living hope again becomes the accurate lens for which we see all things. The Word sanctifies us. Perception becomes reality. We are not to be deceived by the falsehoods of positive thinking, but anchor ourselves in who Christ is. Our hearts need to be shepherded by His Word, and we will need to shepherd one another with His Word. As we believe the sufficiency of His Word, that biblical counsel will change us. As Eric Davis recently exhorted, “As a Christian, there are always reasons to rejoice. Always. The God of the Bible reigns. Christ has propitiated the Father’s wrath. He has risen. We are in him. He is working all things for good. Despite our felt decline at times, the Holy Spirit moves us forward. Christ will return and we with him, shining forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father. In that day, sorrow will be laid to rest. Until then, though sorrowful, we are always rejoicing.”

Remember our brother Apostle Paul in the midst of his imprisonment and his testing, who rejoiced in being enabled to say out of a heart of worship in Philippians 4:8-9, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Whom He Justified, Them He Also Glorified

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Romans 8:30

Here is a precious truth for thee, believer. Thou mayest be poor, or in suffering, or unknown, but for thine encouragement take a review of thy ‘calling’ and the consequences that flow from it, and especially that blessed result here spoken of. As surely as thou art God’s child today, so surely shall all thy trials soon be at an end, and thou shalt be rich to all the intents of bliss. Wait awhile, and that weary head shall wear the crown of glory, and that hand of labour shall grasp the palm-branch of victory. Lament not thy troubles, but rather rejoice that ere long thou wilt be where ‘there shall be neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.’ The chariots of fire are at thy door, and a moment will suffice to bear thee to the glorified. The everlasting song is almost on thy lip. The portals of heaven stand open for thee.

Think not that thou canst fail of entering into rest. If He hath called thee, nothing can divide thee from His love. Distress cannot sever the bond; the fire of persecution cannot burn the link; the hammer of hell cannot break the chain. Thou art secure; that voice which called thee at first, shall call thee yet again from earth to heaven, from death’s dark gloom to immortality’s unuttered splendours. Rest assured, the heart of Him who has justified thee beats with infinite love towards thee. Thou shalt soon be with the glorified, where thy portion is; thou art only waiting here to be made meet for the inheritance, and that done, the wings of angels shall waft thee far away, to the mount of peace, and joy, and blessedness, where,

‘Far from a world of grief and sin,
With God eternally shut in,’
thou shalt rest for ever and ever.

5.28a

Blessings from the Nursery

by Carol Lim

This month (August) marks my 10 years here at Lighthouse San Diego. Looking back at all those years of learning and serving at our church reminds me of the faithful One who saved me and sustains me. I’m humbled by the fact that when I first joined nursery soon after becoming a member in Oct 2006, I was looking forward to having fun playing with the babies and toddlers. Since then I have learned much about the importance of children’s ministry, particularly the nursery, and teaching the young ones about the truths of God that are grounded in His Word. God has also been teaching me over the years of how He chooses to use the believers in the local church to accomplish His work, with all the implications of serving and building up “one another” in the spirit of unity, as mentioned in Ephesians 4.

So I just wanted to share a few blessings of being in a part of this ministry:

I get to teach the children the truth about who God is

Whether the children are listening to the story of Namaan being healed from his owies (2 Kings 5:1-15), or of Zacchaeus being visited by his friend Jesus (Luke 19:1-9), the main character for every lesson is always God. He is the one always initiating the love, goodness, power, and friendship to the people. Last month in July we taught that God is everywhere through the story of Jonah. The children learned that although Jonah tried to run away from God in the hopes of hiding from Him, God is everywhere and no one can escape from His presence. Not only did they learn about His omnipresence, but the children also discovered that God is compassionate towards people who do not know Him and wants His people to tell them about Him!

God uses lessons like these not only to build biblical foundation for our children, but also to remind the grownups like me of His awesome character and how that should affect my thinking, attitude, and daily actions. The ultimate goal for our ministry is to draw children to the Savior through the filling of their minds with the truth of God’s Word. What we teach are simple truth statements and simple Bible stories, yet are filled with substantial nuggets of life-changing power. What an awesome privilege!

I get to serve alongside fellow sisters in Christ

Our staff is comprised of ladies from CollegeLife, SingleLife, and GraceLife, with a wide range of ages as well as walks of life. Some of us are married, some are married with children, and some are single and working, studying, or both. We even have a grandma!

We are a diverse group, yet like-minded about teaching and reaching the children with God’s Word. I’m truly thankful for each and every one of them. It’s really neat to see God-given gifts being used in various ways each Sunday. Those gifted with artistic talents come up with really creative ideas for crafts, and some utilize their organizational skills to help create our rooms to be more efficient, beautiful, and safe for the children.

With the recent departure of some college graduates moving out of town, we were a bit short-staffed, especially during the summer, but God is always so faithful in providing our staff needs year after year!

I get to connect with the parents and families as well as minister to them

We’ve been seeing a significant growth in the number of families at our church within the last 3-4 years, and it can sometimes get difficult to keep in touch with all of them. On the days that I serve, however brief it may be, I’m able to re-connect with many parents during their check-in/check-out times. I also enjoy meeting parents who are visiting for the first time as well as frequent attenders.

The nursery ministry seeks to serve the parents by freeing them to worship God without distraction. As they grow in the knowledge of God, He will then be able to use the parents to minister/reach out to others. We also aim to help parents bring about discipleship at home (Deut 6:4-9; 11:8-19; Ps 78:1-7). As they learn the importance of biblical parenting, this will allow more opportunity of parents to teach their children to worship, elicit faith, and to obey God.

Parents of young children oftentimes are attracted by a nursery ministry that is inviting, safe, friendly, and that is filled with warmth. As they hand their children to me, I want to establish and maintain trust with the parents!

I must admit, I’m pretty beat by the time the last child is picked up. The ladies in the room are so tired that we often burst out in laughter in sheer excitement that we get to go home and take a 2-hour nap! But I’m truly thankful for the opportunity to serve in this way, knowing that the seeds of His Word are planted in their hearts, and that God is faithful to save them according to His Will. What a privilege it is for me to know that despite all my shortcomings and weaknesses, God continues to grow me and use me in this local church that I love so much.

Loving Your Church

by Pastor John Kim

The hymn, “I Love Thy Kingdom Lord” by Timothy Dwight is one that I recall singing often when I attended Grace Community Church in my youth. I really loved going to church on Sundays. It was pretty much an all day affair – it really was the Lord’s Day, not the Lord’s hour and a half. I started attending in the summer before 9th grade and would go the main service, then the Sunday school service, then spend the afternoon with my small group, and then return to church for the evening service. I spent most of my high school years doing the same and then joined the junior high staff my first couple of years in college. So every Sunday was pretty full and I loved it. Sure, there were times when I was tired and sometimes there was some drama and challenges and even conflicts but it never crossed my mind to minimize being at church on Sundays.

Then I became a pastor. I quickly found out that many people didn’t share my enthusiasm to be at church. In fact, attending even just one service was enough for most people and if the sermon was too long or if the song selection was boring or if the snacks were stale, there was always a reason to complain or be critical and people would drop off in their attendance or just disappear.

I understand that many people have had disappointing and difficult church experiences. Believe me, I have had my share and I completely understand why some people would rather have nothing to do with the hypocrites, the legalistic Pharisees, the scammers, the creepers, and the host of other problematic people that make church not too attractive. Sadly, there are some churches that are devoid of the presence of God and that is the reason why it is not a good place to be.

But even in the best of churches where there is a commitment to worship God, a high view of Scripture, a mission to make disciples, a vision to plant churches, and a conviction to love God and people, why is it that there are still many who struggle in even regularly attending church and getting involved in the lives of the members?

Could it be that there is a simple and fundamental lack of love for the church? I think we all understand that there is no perfect church, that we are all sinners, and that we will have to face the reality of all the weaknesses and shortcomings and failures that any church would share. It is often surprising and even shocking at how indifferent and apathetic many professing Christians are toward the church. The mean-spirited and the hard-hearted emerge to crush and destroy people, all in the name of Christ. The refusal to forgive and reconcile, while dividing and fracturing the fellowship of believers instead, reaches epidemic levels at many churches; it is no surprise we see the departures of many not only from the church but even some from the faith.
I would like to encourage those who might be quick to point the finger at others and take a long hard look in the mirror and answer a few questions:

  1. Are you loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-40)?
  2. Does the love of Christ control you (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)?
  3. Are you kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving in the way Christ has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:31)?
  4. Are you patient and kind in a way that bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things, and endures all things (1 Corinthian 13:4-7)?
  5. Do you go to church with the deliberate and purposeful intention of stimulating others to love and good deeds and to encourage (Hebrews 10:24-25)?
  6. Do you remember that Christ is the ultimate head of the church and that your heart attitude and conduct must first and foremost consider His glory?

Everyone will have reasons to find it difficult to love your church and yet we must consider how much we are either contributing to the difficulty or seeking to address the lack of love by choosing to love first before waiting to be loved by others. We are already loved (1 John 4:19) and so we are able to love. The stakes are high – we cannot say that we love God and hate our brother (1 John 4) and so we must all consider the accountability we have before God and His Word to carry out what is most basic and foundational to the Christian life. It also affects our testimony to the world as loving one another shows that we belong to Christ (John 13:34-35).

Do you love your church? I pray that you would indeed love your church with the love of Christ to His glory.

Weekly Links (9/6/2016)

by Stephen Rodgers

Since it’s the start of a new month, here’s a few free resources for your consideration, along with their respective marketing blurbs.

The Boy Born Dead (Audio Book)

In 1953, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a baby boy was born–dead. The attending physician set his little body aside and tended to his mother for eighteen minutes. Now, more than sixty years later, that boy leads an internationally known ministry that encourages hundreds of thousands every year. The Boy Born Dead tells his incredible story from the perspective of his best friend, David Wideman. Full of hope, this moving story illustrates how friendship and love triumph over adversity. Anyone who faces tough times will treasure this story of hope and courage. This is a 2016 Audie Award winner.

What Is a Healthy Church Member? (Logos Resource)

What Is a Healthy Church Member? biblically and practically instructs church members in ways they can labor for the health of their church. Following the theme of Mark Dever’s book What Is a Healthy Church?, pastor Thabiti Anyabwile attempts to answer the next natural question: “What does a healthy church member look like in the light of Scripture?”

The Church (Tabletalk)

The September issue of Tabletalk looks at the doctrine of the church. Ecclesiology is often neglected by many Christians. Even when the church is discussed, it is framed in traditional or pragmatic terms more than in biblical categories. What is often missed is the relationship between the church and Christ. The doctrine of the church is inseparable from the work of Christ for His people. As a result, Christians cannot afford to discount the Bible’s teaching on the church, because to reject the bride is to dishonor the Groom. This issue draws together pastors and theologians from around the world to help Christians discover the importance of the doctrine of the church by considering how it reflects the beauty and glory of God in Christ.

What Is Thy Servant…?

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2 Samuel 9:8

If Mephibosheth was thus humbled by David’s kindness, what shall we be in the presence of our gracious Lord? The more grace we have, the less we shall think of ourselves, for grace, like light, reveals our impurity. Eminent saints have scarcely known to what to compare themselves, their sense of unworthiness has been so clear and keen. ‘I am,’ says holy Rutherford, ‘a dry and withered branch, a piece of dead carcass, dry bones, and not able to step over a straw.’ In another place he writes, ‘Except as to open outbreakings, I want nothing of what Judas and Cain had.’

The meanest objects in nature appear to the humbled mind to have a preference above itself, because they have never contracted sin: a dog may be greedy, fierce, or filthy, but it has no conscience to violate, no Holy Spirit to resist. A dog may be a worthless animal, and yet by a little kindness it is soon won to love its master, and is faithful unto death; but we forget the goodness of the Lord, and follow not at His call. The term ‘dead dog’ is the most expressive of all terms of contempt, but it is none too strong to express the self-abhorrence of instructed believers. They do not affect mock modesty, they mean what they say, they have weighed themselves in the balances of the sanctuary, and found out the vanity of their nature. At best, we are but clay, animated dust, mere walking hillocks; but viewed as sinners, we are monsters indeed.

Let it be published in heaven as a wonder, that the Lord Jesus should set His heart’s love upon such as we are. Dust and ashes though we be, we must and will ‘magnify the exceeding greatness of His grace.’ Could not His heart find rest in heaven? Must He needs come to these tents of Kedar for a spouse, and choose a bride upon whom the sun had looked? O heavens and earth, break forth into a song, and give all glory to our sweet Lord Jesus.

5.27p

Passing It On

by Pastor Patrick Cho

One of the great privileges of being a parent is the responsibility and joy of helping our children see what a wonderful and amazing God we worship and live for. We get to pass on the greatness of God to the next generation. They get to see through our lives and example, joys and disappointments, blessings and trials, how faith plays a role in every decision and situation. Through family worship, they can witness our devotion to God and participate in ascribing to Him the glory due His name. By recounting for them the amazing grace of God in the gospel, they can come to know the love of God, which was demonstrated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

This example of faith and demonstration of the greatness of God is founded upon a healthy and vibrant spiritual walk with Christ. It is assumed and obvious that if you want your children to learn to love Jesus through your example, that He must be everything to you and the chief desire of your heart. This is why it is so vital that parents not allow excuses and distractions to justify time apart from the Word and prayer. Even with the busyness of life, it is even more imperative that parents cultivate a deep devotion to the Lord and maintain a healthy relationship with Christ. Of course, no parent is going to do this perfectly, but it involves confessing personal sin, asking forgiveness of God, preaching the gospel to ourselves, seeking the Lord in His Word, and demonstrating faith and dependence on God through prayer. There is little hope that our children will see the greatness of God in our lives if we do not treat Him as great through our worship and obedience. In other words, it is going to take more than verbal lessons; they need to see it in our lives. Consider the commitment of Ezra, who devoted himself to study the Law of God, to live it out, and then to teach it (Ezra 7:10). This is a pattern for teaching to which all parents should commit themselves.

As our children grow, it will not be enough to be carried by the faith of their parents. It must be a faith of their own, but it can be built upon a faith that has been demonstrated. I will never forget a conversation I had with a friend who I admired tremendously because of his seemingly tireless work for the Lord. When I asked him how he could have such faith, his response stuck with me. He said, “When you see your mom each morning at the breakfast table weeping over the pages of Scripture, it is easy to grow up loving the Lord and living for Him.”

This is not just a commitment that parents need to make for their own children, but the opening verses of Titus 2 remind us that the older men and women of the church are to model exemplary faith for the younger generation. Older folks are to be examples of faith for the younger people in the church to follow. The consequences in failing to do this are grave. It is no wonder we see in today’s youth a greater immaturity, irresponsibility, laziness, lack of dignity, and foolishness than we have in previous generations. With many of today’s youth lacking strong spiritual authority and leadership in the home, more responsibility falls on the older men and women of the church to help disciple younger men and women in the faith. This is to help them discern right from wrong, better from worse. But more importantly and ultimately, it is to help them to see past the expectations, rules, and requirements to the great and gracious God who wants His best for them. The goal of passing these things on is not only to develop a more moral and responsible generation, but a more worshipful and devoted generation.

The Bible: Do We Actually Believe What it Says?

by Pastor Mark Chin

The response to this question by any self-proclaimed conservative evangelical Christian is typically the following: “Yes! Absolutely!” However, before anyone can truly answer this question with any degree of integrity, there is another question that needs to be addressed. Have we seriously considered the claims of the Bible?

The claims of the Bible, if taken at face value, are outrageous – quite literally, incredible. The Bible claims that its words are the very words of the Creator of the universe – words breathed out by God Himself. Exodus 24:4 claims that “Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD.” 2 Timothy 3:16 claims that “All Scripture is breathed out by God …” Genesis 1 claims that the words that proceed from the mouth of God possess the power and authority to create the entire universe out of nothing in 6 literal chronological 24 hour days. Hebrews 4:12 claims that the Bible is a “living” entity. Isaiah 55:11 claims that the words of the Bible will not return to God empty but will always successfully accomplish God’s purposes for it. 2 Timothy 3:15 claims that the words of the Bible are able to make a person wise for salvation through faith in Christ. Psalm 19 claims that the words of the Bible are perfect, sure, right, and pure and that they revive the soul, make wise the simple, rejoice the heart, and enlighten the eyes. Jesus claims that His words give eternal life. The Bible claims to possess the power and authority, not merely to change, but to recreate and transform our world and our lives. Do we actually believe what the Bible says?

As a former physician, I used to regularly witness many people’s willingness to sacrificially spend exorbitant amounts of money to purchase and regularly consume medications that claimed far less than what the Bible does. I used to witness many people’s willingness to rise each morning and take that medication without fail. Compliance to a specific medical regimen was frequently tied to confidence and belief in the necessity and benefit of a given medical regimen. Few people take medication regularly that they believe is doing nothing for their lives. Few people take medication merely because they think it’s the right thing to do or because their physician told them to take it. Compliance typically requires some belief in the efficacy of a given treatment. Compliance with a given treatment says much about one’s belief in it. This of course, begs the question: What does our compliance with the Word of God say about our belief in it?

As a pastor, one of the great heartbreaks is witnessing how neglected the Word of God is in the lives of people who claim to believe it. One of the questions I frequently ask “believers” is “How is your time in the Word?” One of the frequent replies I receive to this question is “Pastor, I’ve really been busy lately.” Time in the Word is frequently an afterthought for many professing “believers” – what comes after everything else in my life has been taken care of, what comes when I have time to spare, when nothing else important is going on. When lives get busy or difficult for whatever reason – work, relationships, family, vacation, illness, sermon preparation, ministry demands – one of the first things to get kicked to the curb for many professing Christians is their time in the Word (the other thing is prayer). As a pastor, one of the great heartbreaks is witnessing, as D. Martyn Lloyd Jones pointed out in his seminal work, Spiritual Depression, how many people in the church, though professing to be “believers”, remain discouraged and joyless. But what is even more heartbreaking, as a pastor, is to see how unwilling many struggling Christians are to go to God’s Word consistently for help in their time of need. These trends suggest that we don’t quite believe what the Bible claims – at least not to the extent that we think we do. Our priorities and compliance frequently tell a different story from our profession of what we believe.

If we are honest with ourselves, we would admit that spending consistent time in the Word of God is frequently a struggle. Many believe that this is because we lack discipline. Many tell me that it is hard to do so. Some honestly share with me that their time in the Word is dry and uninspiring or that it simply no longer works for them. But if the Bible is truly what it says it is and does what it truly says it does – then the fundamental struggle is one of faith. Do we really believe what the Bible says is true? If the Bible’s claims are true, then it demands to be set apart and set above all other words or priorities in our life, even as it guarantees a life transformed into the image of Christ by those who truly receive it by faith as the living Word of God. The real secret to a transformative quiet time is not, first and foremost discipline – though discipline certainly has its place. The real secret is faith – faith that is a gift from God (Eph 2:8,9) – faith that comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ. So let’s repent of unbelief and pray for more faith – for ourselves and those who are struggling – that we might all see and experience the glory of God’s Word in Christ – that we might actually believe what the Bible says.

So Mephibosheth Dwelt In Jerusalem…

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

2 Samuel 9:13

Mephibosheth was no great ornament to a royal table, yet he had a continual place at David’s board, because the king could see in his face the features of the beloved Jonathan. Like Mephibosheth, we may cry unto the King of Glory, ‘What is Thy servant, that Thou shouldst look upon such a dead dog as I am?’ but still the Lord indulges us with most familiar intercourse with Himself, because He sees in our countenances the remembrance of His dearly-beloved Jesus.

  • The Lord’s people are dear for another’s sake. Such is the love which the Father bears to His only begotten, that for His sake He raises His lowly brethren from poverty and banishment, to courtly companionship, noble rank, and royal provision.
  • Their deformity shall not rob them of their privileges. Lameness is no bar to sonship; the cripple is as much the heir as if he could run like Asahel. Our right does not limp, though our might may. A king’s table is a noble hiding-place for lame legs, and at the gospel feast we learn to glory in infirmities, because the power of Christ resteth upon us.
  • Yet grievous disability may mar the persons of the best-loved saints. Here is one feasted by David, and yet so lame in both his feet that he could not go up with the king when he fled from the city, and was therefore maligned and injured by his servant Ziba. Saints whose faith is weak, and whose knowledge is slender, are great losers; they are exposed to many enemies, and cannot follow the king whithersoever he goeth.
  • This disease frequently arises from falls. Bad nursing in their spiritual infancy often causes converts to fall into a despondency from which they never recover, and sin in other cases brings broken bones.

Lord, help the lame to leap like an hart, and satisfy all Thy people with the bread of Thy table!

5.27a

LBCSD SPARK – August 24, 2016

by Pastor Patrick Cho

Dear LBCSD family and friends!

Our family is finally back from vacation and I am trying to get caught up with things at church. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us during our time away. It was an enjoyable time together and great chance to see a lot of old friends. It also served as a great reminder of at least one difference between us and God. When God rested on the seventh day, it was as an example to us. He was not weary and He did not need that time to recuperate. When we take the breaks that we do, it is because of our need. We grow weary and depend on Him to be our strength. Praise God that we worship one who has infinite strength. He does not sleep, and He most definitely does not depend on anyone or anything else to be His strength!

In His grace,

Pastor Patrick

Here are some opportunities for ministry that you should know about:

  1. LBI: Systematic Theology. LBI resumes tonight at 7:00 PM. Come out as we continue our series through systematic theology and pick up on our study of theology proper.
  2. Lumos Youth Ministry Back-to-School Night. This Friday August 26, we will be kicking off our Youth Ministry year with a special “Back To School Night” at church in Room 108 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM! This event is for both youth and parents. This is an opportunity to not only find out more about the Youth Ministry and staff, but also to learn about the various activities and events planned for the upcoming year. We will have a time of dinner together to start the evening, so please RSVP with Johnny Kim (jkim5555@me.com).
  3. College Life Bible Study. College Life will begin the year with a Bible study this coming Friday at 7:00 PM at the church building! We are looking forward to a great year together! If you have any questions about College Life, please contact Pastor Josh (liu.joshuac@gmail.com).
  4. Fun in the Sun Day. This coming Sunday, we will be having FITS after our morning worship! FITS stands for “Fun in the Sun,” and we’ll be heading out to a local park after service for lunch and sports together. Please bring $5/person for food (children 0-12 eat free!). Don’t forget your sunscreen and outdoor clothing!
  5. Monday Night Volleyball. Don’t forget that MNV continues each Monday at around 5:30 PM at La Jolla Shores. We meet at the north end of the grassy area for volleyball on the grass courts. We’ll keep playing until the sun goes down!
  6. Grace Life Weekend Conference. Grace Life will be having its annual Weekend Conference on September 2-4. Our speaker this year is Dr. Michael Grisanti addressing the theme: “Marriage Matters.” The cost for the weekend is only $50/person ($100/couple). Registration includes lunch and dinner on Saturday. Childcare will be provided. Please make plans to join us for the weekend and feel free to invite others. All sessions will be at the church building. Contact Pastor Patrick if you have any questions (pastorpatrick@gmail.com).
  7. Baptism Class and Service. We will be having our next baptism class on Tuesday, September 6, at 7:00 PM, in Room 108. If you have not yet been baptized as a believer in obedience to God’s Word, please make plans to come out to this class. The baptism service will be held on Sunday, September 11, at 4:00 PM, at the church building.
  8. Lighthouse Kids’ Club. If you are interested in joining LKC staff this year, please email Pastor Patrick for an application. You must be a member of LBCSD to apply. LKC will be meeting on Thursday nights, from 6:30-8:00 PM, throughout the school year.
  9. Children’s Ministry Staff Training. If you are part of our children’s ministries, we are looking to have an all-day staff training on Saturday, September 10, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. Please communicate with your ministry coordinator if you are or are not able to attend.