Terra Incognita

In getting ready for Wednesday evening service, Isaiah says to His people (forgive my Precious Moments Version): …with this Message from God, your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel: “I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.”

The last part, where God will show us what to do and where to go, comforts me with so much intensity.  I mean, in light of what’s happening economically in the national scene, and now that it’s reaching and creeping ever so slowly within the banks of our own waters, I (we!) need to trust the Lord more than ever before since the inception of Calvary Chapel Montebello in July 1992.

Without a doubt, prayer, fellowship, and biblical guidance are the mainstays of our resolute commitment and perseverance unto the Lord. As we have read not only the biblical accounts of the Church, its hardships in the Book of Acts, and throughout history, the Church of Christ has ever so endured and resumed its mission even after many attempts against her to annihilate the pillars and foundations of this sacred institution. “…but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”  1 Tim. 3:15

Though there is a cacophony of many a Washington lawmakers offering elusive hope, imperceptible change, and over a trillion dollar resolution, inciting dread and trepidation to its citizens, our Lord Christ (His words, His promises, His assurances, even with His prophetic utterances of the end times [times of uncertainty and times of great turbulence, civil unrest, global economic and fiscal meltdowns, and famines, earthquakes, pestilences]) speaks and comforts to His own citizens: “Watch out for many will deceive you; many false prophets will arise and deceive MANY…because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold; Again, false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See I have told you beforehand.” So what are we exactly to do? No doubt today we’re facing some challenging, frightening times. Well, let’s go back to Jesus words: “ Watch and pray.” Watch. That’s the favorite catchword that the Master uses most… it means to be ever so vigilant, alert, on guard. Not to freak out, like so many people today.

God has given us His wisdom. If you’ve been attending CCM Sunday morning services, you know already about God’s wisdom, as described so aptly and powerful by James, the Lord’s brother, “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” And again, “He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; when wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul” Proverbs 2:6-7; 2:10  

Please continue to pray for me and our pastoral and church staff for the next two months. Once again, we're entering a threshold of terra incognita. CCM must accept the reality of out times and place them side-by-side to God’s Word.