October / November 2010

We are a very competitive society. Even as individuals we can be aggressively competitive. From sports to getting the parking space. From a "friendly" board game to being "right".
Yet, when it comes to our faith in Jesus Christ, are we as quick and aggressive to contend for it? In the face of a culture that is godless and self serving, are we rising to the occasion and consistently striving as in a contest for The faith?
In the face of difficulties and leis against the faith, are we maintaining and asserting the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
In the book of Jude, he is writing to the followers of Christ with a desire to celebrate the salvation they share in Christ, but was compelled to write instead to urge them to contend for the faith.

It concerns me that we too often take the message and the faith of Jesus Christ and what He has done on the cross for us much too lightly. There is only one letter different between "contend" and "content".
Yet the meaning is almost opposite.
Content is defined as: "to appease the desires of, 
freedom from cars and discomfort".
Contend is defined as: "to strive or vie in contest of 
rivalry against difficulties, to struggle for".

WOW! What a contrast. Jude did not say,
"content for the faith", but contend!

And in the book of Jude he is saying this in the midst of a generation who were godless sinful men. In a time when there was a lot going against their faith. Those who were slipping in among the followers of Christ to undermine who Jesus was. Most of this short book is spent on the ungodly condition of the day, BUT, the discourse ends with a powerful statement of encouragement and assurance to those who are Christ's.
"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more!
Amen.
We serve a God who is able to keep us in the midst of difficult circumstances. Holiness for followers of Christ is still the standard. It has not changed! Be careful of those who are slipping in among us and making Jesus Christ less than He promised to be for us!
Remember these words of Jude, "To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy."

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Update on the ministry

As the cooler seasons settle in, I am having the opportunity to have more personal ministry contacts with different individuals. It was a busy summer, but I am looking forward to investing more time in ministry this fall and winter. A few loose ends are being finished up concerning the final filings for Haven of Hope, and we are praying about the future possibilities of God providing a place to carry out the ministry in a more concrete way.
Possible housing and counseling center for those who need it.
This will be a big step of faith when the time comes, and we need your prayers as we move towards this God-size vision.

And a big THANK YOU to all who believe and are behind this ministry.

Please continue to pray for this ministry and your part in it.

Rick Messer / Pastor of a church without walls