From the Desk of the Pastor
Services continue to be temporarily cancelled as we abide by the policies of the State and local authorities Stay at Home Order to not congregate with more than 10 people now extended through May 15th Update on Worship Services: I took part in a conference call with other faith leaders with the Governor of California’s office. The Directors mentioned that California is working through a four phase process for opening up. It was stated that “In Person Religious Services are part of Phase 3 for opening and at the current time is months away. There will be information coming shortly from the Governor on how we should proceed.
There are also Sunday Live Stream services at Atherton Baptist Church (8am) & Christ Second Baptist Long Beach (9:30am). This an opportunity to view local services on the computer.
Please note that on the Holy Light MBC Facebook account there is a recording of the services and we plan to record services and have facebook live services at approximately 9:00am each Sunday in May. The plan is to have each message available on the church website early in the week.
Anyone who has not received an online stimulus deposit from the IRS can go to the following site www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-paymentand check for eligibility. On the site you can give bank information to get a direct deposit
"Also want to thank members who have been faithful in giving during the temporary closure. Please Note that we have added another method of giving."
We have added ZELLE has a method of giving along with credit card on line & mail in or drop off. You can use ZELLE through your bank online or the App to transfer funds through a checking or savings account. Watch the video below to learn more about ZELLE.
Finally what can we do as a body of Christ during this time that we are experiencing this physical distancing from each other.
Continue Reaching Out to One Another – Calls, Emails, texting messages
Continue praying for one another
Certainly an Opportune Time to Read Scripture and Christian literature
Feel free to reach out to me: (323) 493-2066 or at holylightmbc@gmail.com
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!! BE SAFE! BE WELL!
Watch This Week's Sermon
(Recorded on 05/10/2020)
What To Do When Trouble Comes! - Psalms 46: 1-5
46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
Please note that this message Title is What to DO when Trouble Comes Not IF Trouble Comes.
We have all heard the expression just keep on living. Every human being needs to be aware that real trouble will come one day. There is no way that while living in a troubled world in troubled times. We need to be prepared for troubled times. We are not immune from trouble. The abundant life is not trouble free.
Matthew 5: 45. The sun shines on the evil and the good. It rains on the just and the unjust.
As I preach from this text we are certainly living in troubled times. Some may be stressed out and wondering where do I go to deal with my situation.
Pastor John MacArthur the noted theologian in his book Our Sufficiency of Christ talked about a counseling case where his church was sued. A number of so called “Christian experts” said at the trial that the Bible alone does not contain sufficient help to meet people’s needs. They were saying that God’s word alone is not an adequate resource. Christian psychology says that the Bible is just one means of going when you are in trouble.
I believe and stand on the sufficiency of God’s word.
Let’s look at Psalms 46. I believe that this is a prescription for handling troubling situations.
This Psalm refers to a historical incident in 2 Kings 18:13 – 19:37 (read this to get more background)
King Hezekiah of Judah was surrounded by the army of Sennacherib – 200,000 have already been taken captive along with their personal resources. 185,000 troops are surrounding Judah. Now that is some real trouble. This Psalm was written in real adversity. The best love songs are most times written by someone with a broken heart.
What do You Do When You are In Trouble? I believe that God’s word has our answer.
There are three main things we must follow in troubled times.
The first thing that we must know is that:
1. God is our Refuge
Meaning of Refuge is a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble.
It means that God is a safe place. In the in the Book of Numbers it talked about the Cities of Refuge. These were cities within the nation. These were cities were mercy would be granted if someone had been killed accidentally and would give protection from the law. If you could get there, open the door, drag yourself in, and get them to slam the city gates behind you, you were safe! You spent the rest of your days there, but at least you had a “City of Refuge” (Numbers 35). Meaning of Refuge is a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble. Let’s take a look at this as picture of God. He is available to us as a refuge.
In verse 2 it talks about the earth being removed. This sounds like an earthquake. Then the mountains being carried into the sea. Perhaps a flood or a hurricane. We can’t stop the earthquake or the hurricane or the storm. We can’t argue with them ,we can’t debate them. Just as true you can’t handle Satan on your own. You can’t cope with Satan on your own. You need to admit when you are beaten and seek refuge.
We have to realize where our strength comes from. Matthew 11:28 – Come to me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Not only is God available but he is thoroughly adequate and finally accessible as well. The reason the Cities of refuge worked is not just that they were available but that the gates were adequate for protection. He’s not only a refuge but he is our strength. Whatever the trouble is its not to great for God that enabled you to survive it. We must know that God has a permissive will as well as a directive will.
Trouble will come but how will you react to the trouble. It’s like the sun. For some people the sun will harden them like clay but for others it will melt them like wax. It just depends on what you are made of and how you respond when the heat hits you head on.
Trouble not only comes when we expect it but also when we least expect it. Yes it comes many times without warning. Just like a n earthquake without warning or a hurricane with a warning.
2. God is Resident Among His People
Go back to verse number 1. He is a very present help. Remember that the tabernacle was configured and built in the times of Moses but what made the tabernacle useful was that the presence of God was within the tabernacle. As the Hebrews were in the wilderness God’s presence was with them on a daily basis.
Exodus 13:21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.
In trouble you 1) You realize that God is your own refuge and 2) that he is resident and alive in the fellowship and support of his people. He is very much alive here on earth. How is he alive today? Through the Holy Spirit! In the child of God he is resident in this body of mine, this cracking foundation of mine his Spirit is with us.
Under all this pressure he is with me. The songwriter says He walks with me and He talks with me and he says that I am his own. That’s good news!!
Look at Verse 11- the final verse – The Lord of God is with Us. He’s in this sanctuary today. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them
When trouble comes remember that he’s in the midst, the Lord of hosts is with us. He is still on the throne. That helps get my trouble in perspective.
You might say I’m not all that and why would he be with me. Well he with Jacob through all lifes twist and turns and what he did for Jacob he can certainly do for you. He wrestled and battled with God but God was with hime through his trials and tribulations. He can change you from twisted and warped and get you straightened out. Finally God is
3. River to His People
Look at verse 4 – There is a river. This is not a normal river but a river for spiritual blessings.
He is now talking about a river that makes glad after in verse 1 talking about a time of trouble. God is the one who sends the river of blessing to his people. This river is the activity of the Spirit of God.
Let’s see what Jesus says about this river. John 7:37-39 If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink, He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of flowing water. But this he spake he of the Spirit.
So today if you are in trouble, if you are thirsty you now see where the river of blessing comes from. It’s the spirit not only resident in us but flowing through us.
The river is the activity of the Spirit of God. If you are in trouble today there is a glorious river that is nothing less than the flow of the Spirit of God straight from the throne of God that brings refreshment and makes glad the people of God.
Well how is that accomplished? The activity of the Spirit of God through the Word of God makes glad the people of God through the love of God because of the truth of God in your heart.
Its through here Spirit that you are made strong to cope with the times of trouble.
God is a refuge so fear is not logical.
God is a resident so we will not be moved.
So what should we do in trouble? Relax!!
Look at verse 10 – Be Still and Know That I am God!
After you realize the three things above to stay out of trouble then you can relax for you are trusting in God for what he intends to do. I will wait abd see what he does.
Be still is not physical stillness but a heart stillness. You relax because of your relationship to him that there is victory in trouble. You relax because of the benefits in knowing he is our refuge, he is resident with us and there is that river flowing in us.
Be Blessed!! Be Safe!! Be Encouraged!!
GIVING
In this time of crisis, please continue to give online or by sending checks to the church address: 1404 West 96th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 We are still faithful that more members will give more faithfully in 2020 so we can accomplish more in building the body of Christ in 2020.
The Bible teaches that giving financially to the work of the Lord is a vital part of being a follower of Christ. Holy Light Missionary Baptist Church offers online giving to help you with your regular, Tithes and Offerings to Holy Light Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA.
(Ask us for our information to send your donation via ZELLE.)
Answers from Sunday School lesson last week
