June 18, 2014

Galatians 6:14-16 “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. … What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. ¹⁶ May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.” 

This last weekend was the first week of our teaching on the Cross.  There is much to be said about the Cross event, but at its heart, it is as simple as the Son of the living God making the choice that we may live through His death.  This is why Paul could write these words about boasting.  For him…he could not get over the Cross.  It was too fantastic to him to ever move on past it. Church, have we?

Seriously, have we chosen to move past the Cross?  When we do, it is certain we will begin to take it for granted and its impact on our life is diminished.  The Cross is the key event that satisfied the justice of God in regards to my sin and opens the door for relationship with the Father and also destroys the enemy's power. Today, right now…are we moving past the Cross or are we boasting in it?  It is my choice and yours.

This coming Sunday we have Dr. John Jackson, president of William Jessup University speaking to us.  He is always a favorite for us here at Bayside.  This would be a great week to bring a friend! Also, I wanted to give you a heads up regarding July 6.  We are going to have a very special guest with us by the name Jeff Manion. He is a pastor on  the east coast at Ada Bible Church where he has seen his congregation grow to over 8000 people.  You are going to enjoy him and his wife.  Please think of bringing a friend and give him a warm welcome.

We love you and can hardly wait to see you again as we gather weekly to celebrate the goodness of God, catch up with friends and respond to Gods Word.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog

June 4, 2014

Troubles, troubles and more troubles were what David was feeling on the day before he wrote Psalm 3.  He was feeling desperate, cornered by people and life!  If we’re honest we’ll admit that this is how we feel at times also.  I have been there and will be again, and so will you.  The good news is that David woke up the next day feeling something very different.  He wrote about it in Psalm 3…

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. ⁴ I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.

⁵ I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. ⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.” (Psalm 3:3-6)

Listen to the words of his heart: “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.”

He recognized he wasn't really desperate—God was on his side the whole time.  When God is on our side we are not desperate and without help, no matter what we feel.  God would be David’s glory, meaning that when people speak of David’s greatness they could not separate God’s visible presence from David’s success…they go together.  David was successful and saved from his enemies because God’s presence was strong with him.  David also recognized the protection or ”shield” of God surrounding him.  When he was unable, incapable and powerless to defend himself…God did it.  God was his encouragement; God was his safety.

Which day are you living in right now?  Take courage from these scriptures and call out to God not in desperation but to thank Him for being your “shield”, your “safety” and “watching over” you.  It’s about perspective and faith…my faith is in God.  I will not understand all there is in this life, but I have put my faith in Christ, my Lord and Savior.

For this Sunday we are in week two of our new summer series “We Believe.”  Last week we began looking at the Bible—where it comes from and why we can trust it in its entirety.  This week we are going to wrap up this topic and I know based on responses, you will enjoy this next one as well.  It is my strong desire to equip you with the facts.  We have no need to run from these questions, the facts are on our side.

Please be thinking of a friend or family member you want to invite to church this summer, maybe this coming weekend as we gather to celebrate the goodness of God, catch up with friends and find ourselves challenged by the Words of God.

We love you and look forward to seeing you.

Pastor Craig, Becky, Seth, Hannah and Riley the dog