Why Worship?

It’s a legitimate question. Why do people worship? Some might shrug their shoulders and say, “Because that’s the way I was brought up.” Others might say, “It’s the right thing to do.” And still others may feel that if they don’t worship God, something bad will happen to them.

After David became king of Israel he decided to bring the Tabernacle and ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The Tabernacle was the mobile place of worship for the Israelites constructed by Moses some 400 years earlier. The ark of the covenant was the single most sacred item of the Tabernacle which represented God’s presence among the Jewish people. The day of the ark’s arrival was one of exuberant worship for David. He didn’t just nod his head solemnly and whisper, “Amen” as the ark made its way to the city. No, he shouted prayers of praise. He sang at the top of his lungs. Yes, he even danced.

On this particular day, worship for David, was a reflection of all that was good in his life and he recognized that every single bit of that good came from God.

Some associate worship with a dismal image of sitting in a dimly lit, drab church, singing unintelligible songs and listening to a boring sermon that has nothing to do with their day to day lives. Don’t let a distortion keep you from experiencing God and all that God intends for you. Because that, in essence, is worship.

Join us this weekend for a time of worship. Read Psalm 103 as a preparation. You’ll be glad you did!

Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am

When God Suddenly Matters

When the good times are rolling, God often becomes the object of token thanks. But when those same good times grind to a halt and we find ourselves in a mire of problems God suddenly becomes a very important option. Maybe it’s because we have come to our senses or maybe it is due to the fact we have nowhere else to turn. But, when we start to hurt, God begins to matter big time in our lives.

This Sunday we’re going to study about a phase in David’s life during which he was literally in a desert full of problems. With each passing day Saul’s insane jealousy for David along with the desire to kill him grew. David went from being the poster boy of Israel to a persona non grata. On the run with very little support, David lived in caves and desert wastelands for a period of some 7 years.

During this time he must have asked God, “Why? Why are you doing this to me when you told me I was going to be the next king? What possible good can come out of this?” God did not give David the resounding answer he was looking for, but the Lord did get him through.

Periods of pain can be God’s way of not only getting our attention, but bringing us into his family in a way pleasant times never could. Life can be hard, very hard. To deny it would be to fool ourselves. We need to be ready for when the going gets tough. David shows us how. Join us for one of our weekend services and get ready for whatever life sends your way!

Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am

Are You Looking For a Good Friend? Then Be a Good Friend!

There’s no shortage of people looking for a good friend. What’s in short supply are people willing to be a good friend. This Sunday we’re going to see what a great friendship looks like as we explore the commitment David and Jonathan had for one another. Jonathan, especially, demonstrated the unique characteristics of humility and self-sacrifice which enabled David to become king of Israel.

Too often we bring a “I want it my way” attitude towards our friendships. We feel that if our friends don’t do what we want, then they are no longer worthy of being our friends. We’ve lost the understanding that great friendships don’t just happen, they are hard earned over time with lots of commitment, trust and sacrifice.

If you feel like your friends are superficial, that they wouldn’t stand by you if you were in a tough situation, join us this Sunday and learn from the example of Jonathan. If you can be a “Jonathan” to others, there’s no doubt, you will find the kind of friends you’re looking for, people who will be there for you, in good times and bad.

Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am

Jealousy Is When You Count Someone Else’s Blessings Instead of Your Own

The Bible talks a lot about jealousy. Probably because it has such a powerfully destructive influence on our lives. It doesn’t matter how much money or power or education or talent a person has, everyone struggles with being upset over not having certain things others have.

The great tragedy is that jealousy steals any possibility of happiness. Take a look at the Bible passages below. Don’t they describe well what happens to the jealous person?

“Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.” Job 5:2

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

This coming weekend we’ll be looking at what happened to a man named Saul when envy and jealousy began to take over his life. To make a long story short, he pretty much lost everything. The irony is that the very man Saul was jealous of, David, was his most loyal supporter. Had Saul counted his own blessings and left David be, his life would have been radically different for the better.

There is no miracle cure for jealousy – nothing that we can do or say that will instantly remove it from our lives. It is something we will struggle with because it is part of our human brokenness. But that is no reason NOT to fight it now. Don’t let envy and jealousy steal the peace and contentment God wants you to have in life. Join us this Saturday evening or Sunday morning for one of our worship services and start the fight!

Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning service: 10:00 am