“There’s Always Time for God Stuff Later”

Wise king Solomon searched far and wide, everywhere under the sun, trying to find what to live for. He experienced it all, everything we human beings think will bring us happiness. His ongoing response was the monotonous refrain: “Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!” Solomon came to the realization there just wasn’t anymore pleasure to feel, no more power or money to gain, no more wisdom to achieve. What was this man’s conclusion to his search for meaning apart from God? In the last verse of his book on the subject he writes:

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13

These words are a good reminder to those who put God off thinking that if they get serious about Him now, they’ll miss out on the good things in life. Jesus Christ said it is just the opposite.

“I came so they can have real and eternal life,
more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
(John 10:10 - Message Bible)

If you have this nagging, vague notion that God is an important part of your life, but have fallen into the habit of thinking, “There’s always time for God stuff later,” join us for one of our weekend services. You might change your mind.

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

The Problems We’re Forced to Face

There are some things we cannot avoid in life, try as we might. Regardless of how smart, efficient, honest and hard-working we are, at some point we are going to have to deal with injustice, a sense of confusion about the direction our lives are taking and finally death. All three cause considerable pain and suffering. All three are neither easily nor quickly resolved. All three can destroy our lives. What are we human beings to do?

Solomon, the supposed “man of wisdom” discusses these three problems we’re forced to face in his thesis on the meaning of life apart from God – the Old Testament book of the Bible we call Ecclesiastes. His conclusions, in and of themselves, are rather gloomy. But that is not where the study ends. Solomon had become bitter, almost jaded in his thinking over the years. It seems that while he recognized the activity of the living God in the world of humanity, he did not appreciate the overwhelming optimism it brings to those who embrace His working in their lives.

For New Testament believers, Jesus Christ radically transforms our understanding of God’s commitment to people, even in the face of injustice, confusion and death. His crucifixion and resurrection provide us with the right responses to the real-world problems which confront us all.
Whether you are facing these challenges right now or are wondering what your reaction will be when it is your turn to meet them head on, the biblical teachings we’re going to study this weekend are too important to leave for another time.

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

Money – The Two Sides of the Coin

Money – hundreds of millions of people have lost their lives trying to get it. Countless relationships have disintegrated over the subject of money. On the other hand, ask anyone how to solve the critical problems of our world and money will be at the top of the list of solutions.

There are few things which produce such powerful human reactions as money. That’s why it’s a topic Jesus talked about so much. One time he said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” It was a warning to be on guard against money becoming most important in our lives.

Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, talked about money too. However, he fell into the trap of letting it control him instead of the other way around. His conclusions are both well known and sobering. Above all, they continue to be extremely relevant 3,000 years after they were written.

Money is like a scalpel; it can hurt or heal. What is it doing in your life? If you aren’t sure, join us for one of our weekend worship services.

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am

Change and Timing

Learning to adapt to change and finding the right timing are both significant challenges for most of us. We often become comfortable with our routines in life and even something as small as placing the toothpaste in a different section of the medicine cabinet can be reason for personal trauma. On the other hand, we are mystified why sometimes what we do works out well when other times we’ll do or say the exact same thing and it will blow up in our faces. The old saying is, “Timing is everything,” but who knows what the right time is?

The man who wrote the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes struggled with change and timing like the rest of us. In his search for the answers to life’s greatest questions, Solomon wrestled with these two also. His conclusions aren’t the most positive. But then he did most of his research apart from God.

Change may be inevitable, and timing may always be complicated, but God is in control. No matter how out of control your life may seem at this moment, our all powerful God’s rule over everything is the one great assurance that in the end, things will work out.

If you’re having trouble dealing with change in a certain area of your life or can’t seem to figure out this whole “timing” thing, join us for one of our weekend services. Solomon asks the right questions and we get the right answers from Jesus Christ.

Saturday evening worship: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning worship: 10:00 am