EVENTS & NEWS

From the desk of Pastor Rev. William "Bill" Dandridge

2020 | Cost of Discipleship

From the Desk of the Pastor

In person worship Services continue to be temporarily cancelled as we abide by the policies of the State and local authorities. The county order has been extended and we will need to monitor for updates. Please continue to listen to the health officials that are providing information.

On Friday the president stated that the church was essential and in person worship should begin on this Sunday. I appreciate the President declaring correctly that the church is essential but unfortunately his declaration was based on a political agenda. I look forward to our beginning to return to in person worship. However Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 26:41 as he knew the time was coming for his assignment at Calvary. Jesus told his disciples “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak”. Pastors and leaders must make decisions after watching and then praying, The scripture does not say watch or pray.

As we watch we see the pandemic is a serious health situation and specifically in our community the percentages of cases and deaths are greater in our community. We watch to see that those who have current health conditions are most vulnerable and those over 65 are most vulnerable. We watch and listen to the health care professionals and consider strongly their advice. After watching then we as Christians pray. We pray because in Luke 18:1, Men ought always to pray and not faint. I Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

The President doesn’t realize that the church is not a building. Yes we shouldn’t forsake the assembling of ourselves, Hebrews 10:25 but we the ecclesia (the called out ones) can still lift him up in our homes, in our cars and in our families.

We look forward to meeting again but until we will continue to watch and see what our Governor and mayor lay out for churches this week and we as a local house of worship will make our plans accordingly

Please note that on theHoly 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 and June. Video weekly Messages are available on the church website.

The message from Shiloh in March 2020 for Pastor Armstrong’s anniversary is also on the website.

Please keep Catherine Byrdsong and family up in prayer. Her husband Deacon Martin Byrdsong was funeralized this week. They were faithful members of our church for many years. Also keep our own Deacon Alex Spears, Green & Sister Geneva and Sister Bertha Roper in your prayers.

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 05/24/2020)

Counting the Cost of Discipleship Luke 9:57-62

So far in the ministry of Jesus on earth things have gone pretty well. He has travelled and healed, worked miracles, and been able to teach and preach the message of the Kingdom of God. The Bible tells us that He was limited in where He could go because the crowd was always there, always wanting more. The crowd and His disciples followed Him wherever He went.

Jesus also knows that the tide is about to turn. From here on out being a follower is going to require an unprecedented amount of loyalty and sacrifice. Being a disciple will have an extreme amount of cost for the would-be follower. Jesus has never painted a rosy picture for His disciples but has told them the truth about their commitment to Him. He continues, in this text, to share with them what they are about to get into. He’s not trying to discourage them from following, but He does want them to know up front what the cost will be. He wants everyone on the same page as far as requirements of discipleship. He isn’t trying to make following Him sound like a walk in the park. Do you know what the cost is? Have you considered the cost? We live in a day when Christianity is often viewed as something that will make you feel better about yourself. It’s as if its some sort of therapy for your self-esteem. Many people want to go to church so they feel better about themselves. We also live in a day when the church is to open its doors to any and everybody. In today’s world we are to be seeker friendly and water down the gospel so as not to be offensive. Pastors and church leaders will come up with various schemes to try and make the church more appealing to lost people so that the lost will want to come and enjoy themselves with everyone else…is this loving? Is it loving to manipulate and sell someone something? Is it loving to sugar coat sin and the requirements of Christ so that they will be easier to swallow? Jesus didn’t. I think it’s time the church started acting like the Lord in terms of being the true church and not some social club. It’s time we start examining the Scriptures to see even what we are to be about and to do. It’s time pastors and church leaders stop trying to sell people a bill of goods simply to stroke their own egos. It’s time we start looking at Christianity not as the title to a social group but the name of followers of Christ. Jesus gives us a reality check here in this passage. Here again are His terms of discipleship. In our text today, we are going to see some misunderstandings concerning following Christ.

1. Being a Christian Requires Switching Kingdoms (9:57-58)

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Our text begins with a man who approaches Jesus with a statement about being one of His followers…I will follow you wherever you go.

This man’s desire is admiral. This desire exceeds the trivial ideas of being a follower of Christ today. This man had some level of commitment and interest in being a disciple.

Jesus does not want anyone to come to Him and be a disciple under false pretenses. Jesus is truthful and wants everyone to understand what they’re getting into before they sign up.

So He tells this man that following Him will require significant commitment and struggle. Jesus says that the wild animals in the woods have dens and nests. He on the other hand doesn’t have a home or even a place to lay His head. Jesus’ point to this man is that if you want to follow Me, don’t think your physical life is going to improve. Don’t think comfort is awaiting you.

He wasn’t discouraging this man, but telling him the truth. Jesus was causing this man to consider the fact that following Him would require commitment and cost.

Lk 18:18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Lk 18:19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Lk 18:20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'”

Lk 18:21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

Lk 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack.

Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Lk 18:23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

This ruler’s stuff was more important to him. The rulers stuff and possessions had him. than Jesus having him, so he was denied permission to inherit eternal life.

Understand that following Christ as a disciple will cost you some of your material goods. Jesus probably will not ask us to sell our homes, or give all our possessions away. He will ask us to give away some. Are you willing to be a Christian under these circumstances?

2. Being a Christian Requires Switching Loyalties (9:59-62)

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Next, we read about two individuals that were asked by Jesus to follow Him. Remember when Jesus called His original disciples? He looked and Peter, James, John and the others and said, come follow Me. The Bible tells us that immediately they dropped everything and became followers. Their loyalties were different. Their loyalties were still being conformed to Christ along the way.

Here we see two people who have conditions on following Christ. They are not going to chase hard after Jesus but are going to on their timetables and in their way…so they think.

Both would-be followers on the surface seem to have a good reason to delay their discipleship. Jesus shows them and us that He must take priority over all things…even things that are good.

Now to bury one’s father seems like a legitimate reason to delay following Jesus. scholars say, his father wasn’t dead but elderly and what his request really was about was to go home and care for his father until he died and was buried and then he would follow Jesus.

As far as the second person is concerned, it was a seemingly understandable request to desire to go home and say your goodbyes

Why did Jesus deny these requests?

I believe these were real requests. I believe the man desired to go and care for his father and the other desired to go and say goodbye.

I think we’re told why their discipleship could not be delayed…

Lk 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Notice, the days were drawing near for the crucifixion. This would be after the resurrection when Jesus would go back to heaven. Jesus had a divine schedule to keep. He had to be in Jerusalem at a certain time because in God’s plan the events were decreed from before the foundation of the earth. When the Bible says, he set his face to go to Jerusalem, there was nothing even Satan and his army could not stop the him from keeping His promise to be the Savior.

The reason that Jesus denied these requests was because He had to leave and leave immediately to keep His destiny with the cross.

His call was to follow immediately, just as He had required of His original followers.

The other part of the call was to follow, not only immediately but without conditions.

The call today for us is the same. Jesus may not call us to leave family and friends behind but He very well could. Would we follow?

3. Our Cost of Discipleship

The disciple of Jesus is a person who is being continually conformed to the image of his Master (Rom. 8:29). He is the one who is constantly changing, growing, knowing. He has not yet “arrived,” but he is continually striving for the goals set by the Master (Phil. 3:13). He is a serious and responsible person in his relation to others. The disciple has a mission to the world. He knows who he is, what he is to do, and how he is to do it

We don’t know what became of the three in our text today. Once the first man heard that Jesus had no home and if he was to follow, he wouldn’t either, did he turn back or did he drop everything and follow. Did the second man let the responsibility of burial fall on those who were not followers of Christ? Did the third person realize the cost of following Jesus and like Christ, set his face to go to Jerusalem? We’re not told. Luke leaves this open-ended. Perhaps he does so because we are those in the story. Perhaps he doesn’t tell us what they did because we are to hear and obey the same call.

Is Jesus calling us to follow Him? I believe He is. We are called to be Christians, We are called to model our lives after His. Sometimes there is a huge cost, sometimes the cost isn’t as big, but there is always a cost.

The call to follow Christ is ringing out, will you follow unconditionally or is there something else you feel you need to do first?

Mt 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

2020 | Waiting on The Lord 5-16-20

From the Desk of the Pastor

We will begin to look at the sanctuary and begin to consider measure for distancing once the church can be opened for in person services again. There is a webinar this week on church reopening in which I will participate in. 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. Video Messages are available on the church website. The message from Shiloh in March 2020 for Pastor Armstrong’s anniversary is also on the website. > Visit Shiloh Baptist Church

Anyone who has not received an online stimulus deposit from the IRS can go to the following sitewww.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-paymentand check for eligibility. On the site you can give bank information to get a direct deposit.

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 05/17/2020)

Isaiah 40:28-31 Waiting on God’s Timing

This passage, and especially verse 31, has been a favorite of the Lord’s people for thousands of years. All of these verses are a blessing because they speak to us about Who God is and about that He does for His people. In verse 28a Isaiah writes about the Names of God:

Everlasting God - This is the name “Elohim Olam.” This name identifies God as the “eternal God.” There has never been a time when He wasn’t, and there will never be a time when He isn’t. He existed when there was nothing but Him, and He will always exist.
Lord - This is the name “Jehovah.” This name identifies the Lords as “the Self-Existent One.” Every other being in the universe depends upon some other being for its existence. God depends upon no one. He exists within Himself, by Himself and for Himself.

He said to Moses that he was I am who I am – I will be what I will be.

Creator - This name identifies Him as the One Who made everything out of nothing. The God Who has the power to create worlds with just His Word. That is the God we serve! That is our Father! That is the God Who takes our part through all the tumultuous ways of life.

In verses 28b-29 Isaiah writes about the Nature of God:

He does not faint - God never becomes fatigues, despite the fact that He is “upholding all things by the word of his power,” Heb. 1:3.
He does not grow weary - He never grows tired from His labors. We do not have to worry about our Lord ever reaching the end of His strength. “3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand,” Psa. 121:3-5.
He Possesses all knowledge

What He knows is limited only by His Own limitations, which are limitless. He knowledge is beyond our human comprehension.

He Sees Everything

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good,” Pro. 15:3.
“For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings,” Job 34:21.

He shares His power, strength and help will all those who depend on Him! What an encouragement that should be to the people of God today!

Verse 30reminds us that even the strongest of humans is prone to weakness and failure. We all have the potential to experience times of physical, emotional and spiritual weakness. Regardless of how well you may have handled situations in the past, there is always the possibility that you will grow weak under a situation or a crisis.

Those that Wait on the Lord

However, verse 31a makes it clear that those who “wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.” The word “wait” has the idea of “looking to, or hoping in.” In other words, those who do not look to their own power, but who rest in His unfailing strength will have their own strength renewed our of His abundant, unending recourses.

The strength the Lord’s people enjoy as they move through the various changing vistas of life is an amazing provision from the Lord. Just as the grass appears upon the earth in the spring as if by magic, turning the brown, dreary landscape into a carpet of brilliant green, so the vitality of the believer is renewed from the vast supplies of the Lord. His gracious provision of strength for all the days of our lives, promises us that there will be grace regardless of where the path of life might lead us.

Patience works in all circumstances.

Fred Hammond "They That Wait on the Lord" featuring John P. Kee

Soaring - Sprinting - Strolling

I. Patience to Help You Soar

He promises here to help you “mount up with wings as eagles.” The words “mount up” mean “to ascend.” When an eagle flaps its wings and heads into the sky, it is a wonderful thing to behold. This great bird, held to the ground by the same gravity that binds us to the earth, stretches out those massive wings and with on great flap, it is airborne. It quickly rises, breaking the grip of gravity, rising higher until it is able to soar high above this world with its dangers, its strife and its problems.

Those who learn to “hope in the Lord” find that same kind of liberty in Him. He has a way of helping us break free from the things that bind us. He has a way of helping us to get above our problems, other people, sins, valleys, emotions, etc. He has a way of allowing us to soar above the difficulties of this life.

When an eagle in the sky encounters a storm, it does not have to land. It does not have to fly through that storm. The eagle turns its eyes toward the heavens and it rises above the approaching storm. While the storm lashes the earth beneath with its wind and rain, the mighty eagle flies above the clouds with its face toward the sun. That is possible for us as well. The Lord here promises to give you the strength you need to be able to surmount your storms and fly high above them through His grace.

He did this for the disciples. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples were divided, discouraged and defeated. They were ready to quit. They believed that all their efforts to serve God had been wasted, and that their faith in Jesus Christ had been misplaced. Through the power of the Holy Spirit they were able to soar.

Consider Paul, He was an enemy of the church and of the Gospel. But, after he was saved by grace, he was empowered to soar high for the glory of God. God took Paul and transformed him into a dynamic missionary for Christ. Ill.Phil. 3:13-14, “13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” When Paul penned those words, he was in a Roman prison. But, that was merely his physical location. Spiritually, Paul was flying high in Jesus Christ, making a difference in his world.

II. Patience to Help You Sprint

The word “run” means, “to dart, or to move swiftly.”

Paul saw his own life as a race

1 Cor. 9:26-27, “26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

2 Tim. 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Phil. 3:13-14, “13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

Where did Paul get this strength? He got it from looking to the Lord. He got it from waiting before the Lord. He got it from the only dependable, reliable, unfailing source. He got it from the Lord. Paul tells us that his strength was renewed day by day. Ill. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day,”2 Cor. 4:16. Paul was able to tap into this vast resource of spiritual strength because he was a man of prayer, he was a man of the Word, and he was a man of faith.

He will not fail you either. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that our life is also a race, Ill.Heb. 12:1-2, “1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The secret to successfully running this race day by day is inverse 2. We must always be “looking unto Jesus.” When we look to Him in prayer, in His Word, in waiting before Him for guidance and help, He will enable us to run our race without growing weary.

I can’t speak for you, but I want to finish well. I do not want to drop out along the way. I do not want to become weary and drop out of the race. I would like to keep my eyes on Jesus Christ, and sprint to the finish for His glory. It is possible, but only as long as I lean on Him.

III. There is Grace to Help You Stroll

I think this last gear of life describes most of life. Not every day of our lives is filled with excitement and adventure. Most of the time, our day to day lives are just spent walking with the Lord.

There are days when you are flying high and it seems like blessings are coming up all around. Then, there are days spent in a run, sprinting from one thing to the other. Those kind of days are exciting, but they are only a small part of our existence. Most of the days we live will just be spent strolling along with the Lord.

That was how Adam spent his days. According to Gen. 3:8-9, the Lord showed up in the Garden of Eden, walking in the cool of the day, looking for Adam.

Micah 6:8 says, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

1 John 2:6 says, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

There is something to be said for a consistent daily walk that never varies. There is something special about the saint of God who is steady. There is something special about that believer who is just always walking with the Lord. If you meet them today, they are still walking with Him like they were last year. If you meet them next year, they will still be the same. That is just an indication that they are spending time with the Lord day by day.

He gives grace to those who are just walking through the mundane events of their daily existence. We think that we are only serving the Lord when something big is happening in us and through us. The fact is, there is nothing bigger than a Christian who simply walks with the Lord day by day. There is something to be said for finding yourself in His Word every day. There is something to be said for spending time with Him in prayer every day. There is something to be said for simply walking with Him every day. There is grace for that!

When the Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…,”2 Cor. 12:9, He was saying, “Paul, I am going to give you the support you need to make it through this day and all the days that lie ahead.” We have that same promise! He is with us to help us be faithful day in and day out. Here is His promise: “16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,”John 14:16-18.

As we faithfully walk with God day by day, with His help and His grace, we are ready when those times of sprinting and soaring come. Our success in those special times always comes from our faithfulness to stroll with the Lord every day.

Ill. David - There can be little doubt that day blended into day as David went about the monotony of keeping his Father’s sheep. Countless days, endless routines, the same things day in and day out. This is what marked the life of David.

Yet, it was in the monotonous routines of his life that David learned to be a man of God. It was there, alone on those mountains, doing the same things day after day that David learned the priceless lessons of faithfulness.

David applied himself to the task of giving his best during the mundane times of life. Then, when God promoted him, he did not have to learn to be faithful; he already knew how. He did not have to learn responsibility; he had already learned that lesson. God used the unending monotony of the routine to shape David for greater things.

When it came time for David to face Goliath, he was ready to run, because he had been faithful in his walk. When it came time for David to be the king of Israel, he was ready to fly, because he had been faithful in his walk.

In His time, He will bless you and reward you for being faithful during the routine times of life. And, when He does, you will be ready to soar or sprint, because you have been faithful in your daily stroll!

If He has spoken to you about your own walk with Him, and you need to seek His face for grace for your race, well, there’s grace for that too!

The word “renew” in verse 31 carries the idea of “exchange.” When we trust in Him, we exchange our weakness, for His strength. We exchange our inability for His ability. We exchange our shortcomings for His completeness.

2020 | Mother's Day

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.