Reflections at the Summit: A Summit of Promise

 

Reflections at the Summit

Week One

A Summit of Promise

Focus Text: Genesis six-nine

Bible Reading: Philippians 2-Colossians 4

      A few years ago my family and I traveled to the Midwest for a family reunion.  This was my first time ever meeting my wife's 'midwest' family and it was also my first time traveling to the Midwest.  One of the most shocking things was the change of terrain.  I had lived my entire life surrounded by the gentle rolling mountains of the tri-state area, needless to say the Midwest is absent of mountains.  The landscape was eerily flat.  Cornfields went on and on and on without one tiny hill.  I could see a stop sign on the horizon that would literally take MINUTES to get to.  The change of scenery strangely made me feel uncomfortable.  The absence of mountains unnerved me.  The mountains bring about the fondest of memories of home and hearth.

      Some of the most powerful moments in the Bible have taken place at mountains.  We are going to start a new set of reflections looking at the important spiritual truths that are permanently tied to a mountain range.  Our first mountain range is Ararat.  This mountain is first mentioned in Genesis chapters 6-9.  The Bible makes it clear that spiritual darkness hung over humanity at the time.  Scripture shares that every thought and intent of man's heart was only evil continually.  The heart of man is always prone to sin because of our broken nature, but that particular time period seems to have been unique in it's bend to evil.  This mass wickedness broke the heart of God.  God, who is just, determined that He would wipe clean the face of the earth.  But one man found grace in the eyes of God, that man was named Noah.  Noah and his family were tasked with a seemingly impossible job, building an ark.  The ark would be a vessel for humanities salvation, if they choose to enter.  For 120 years Noah built and preached.  For 120 years man continued their downward spiral.  Finally God called Noah and his family to enter an ark filled with animals.  God shut the door and the clouds began to burst forth rain, the earth cracked springing forth more water.  It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.  The water covered the highest peak and wiped out all life.  As the water receded the ark rested on a mountain named Ararat.  Noah and his families journey on the ark lasted over a year!  

      Shortly after exiting the ark God made a promise with Noah.  We call this promise the Noahic covenant.  It is found in Genesis 9:12-17.  At the base of Ararat God promises Noah (and us) that He will never destroy the earth with a flood of water.  He guarantees His promise with the rainbow that is set in the sky.  God has kept that promise through the ages and will continue to keep that promise.  This promise to Noah is not the only one that God makes with mankind.  The Bible contains countless thousands of promises from the Lord, each of them geared toward us.  God's promises are abundant in number but they are also unbreakable in their nature.  They are sealed and bound by God's own Word.  God cannot break His Word and thus cannot break His promise.  His promises are unfailing and unending.  We have a God who is not just a promise maker but a great promise keeper.  When God says something we can believe it and claim it.  We have no reason to doubt Him, for He has never once failed.

Reflections on the Road:

Anxiety and stress lay at each corner of life.  It seems like it greets us as soon as we open our eyes.  This week allow God's promises to calm the anxiety of your heart.  Turn that anxiety to assurance, that worry to worship, that doubt to determination.  Rest in His unfailing promises to you.

Churches in Missions: April Update

 

Churches In Missions  P.O. Box 1559 Sanford, NC 27331

“Mobilizing the Church Through Short-term Missions”

Our faithful friends,

      Happy belated Easter friends!  I pray that your hearts were filled with celebration as you worshipped a Risen Savior.  This Easter was very memorable.  Matt had six different speaking occasions during the week of Easter.  One service was at Grace Bible Church in Greencastle PA.  Matt shared on how Christ was delivered into the hands of a sovereign God, to deliver us as sinners, so in turn we would share the message of deliverance with others. During Easter we usually ask the question ‘are we saved’, but for the believers we need to ask, ‘what have we done for Jesus’.  In dark days we need to take advantage of every opportunity to redeem the time.

     The last few months of mission’s work have been so incredible.  Matt has continued teaching two evangelism classes each week and meeting with many pastors.  Many of these pastors are struggling through various different issues, namely discouragement.  These godly men want to see their sheep return back to the church and need someone to help shoulder the burden of ministry.  Matt has had the joy of loving these men as they traverse some very difficult days. He also remains in transitional leadership at Hagerstown Bible Church as they continue to seek for a new senior pastor.  We ask that you would keep praying that God would send a pastor not only to this church, but for countless other churches who are patiently waiting for the right man to arrive.

      One of the highlights of our month was traveling to Paw Paw Bible Church to present the mission.  Matt helped lead a team there in 2017.  This small church has a big heart for missions.  They are deeply burdened to see others come to know Christ.  After church our family shared a meal with the pastor’s family.  It was a multiple hour lunch filled with prayer, laughter, and encouragement.  Earlier in March we ministered at Hilltop Christian Fellowship in Clear Spring.  This church is also looking for a pastor.  Fellow missionaries with CiM will be serving as transitional leaders.  Our CiM staff will help fill their calendar with quality speaking and leadership along with leading a trip to Kentucky in August.

       Our biggest praise has been your outpouring of support for the work in Kentucky.  We have received A LOT of supplies and financial donations.  We are planning on traveling down April 22nd to drop off the first load.  THANK YOU SO MUCH for being the hands and feet of Jesus. Pray for safety as we travel and that we would develop good Gospel connections in Kentucky. 

       We also wanted to share with you some really EXCITING news.  We are SO close to our support level in order to start leading teams and drawing salary!!!  In the last few weeks we have had two churches join us.  God has literally added nearly 20% since the start of the year!  We would love to have you join our team as we climb over the last few hurdles.  Keep those prayers coming as our ministry calendar remains full for the next few months.  We will be sharing with Genesis Fellowship, Hilltop Christian Fellowship, and prepping for an extremely busy summer.  

 

Gifts sent to:  P.O. Box 51519 Durham, NC 27717

Or give online via www.churchesinmissions.org      

Designate for Matt & Tiffanie Robinson

Hilltop Christian Fellowship

Paw Paw Bible Church

Some food donated for Kentucky

Maggie and Noah with their speech meet ribbons

Reflections on the Beach: The Lifeguard

 

Reflections on the Beach

Week Ten

The Lifeguard

Focus Text: Matthew 14:22-33

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2-Philippians 1

      There are certain mainstays that are at every beach.  Most beaches have the boardwalk, quaint shops, more pizza places than you can count, sand and surf, boats roaring in the water, seashells littering the shoreline, etc.  There is one constant at the beach that we take for granted until we hear them blow a loud shrill from their whistle.  The mainstay is the lifeguard.  We have seen lifeguards before sitting in their tall white chairs, overseeing the scene before them.  Typically they are clad in some kind of red swimwear.  The lifeguards at the beach are considered the best trained.  They see and experience situations that other lifeguards will never endure.  Usually, the lifeguard doesn't have to do much more than just watch.  But I'm sure that there has been a time when we were visiting the beach when the lifeguard sprang to action, diving into the ocean making all efforts to rescue someone.

      Traditionally my family and I visit the beach in the off-season because it's cheaper.  One of the downsides of visiting the beach during that time is that there typically isn't a lifeguard on duty.  They will have a sign that says 'swim at your own risk.'  There is a certain danger to diving into the water when the lifeguard's eyes are not there.  As a Christian, we have a lifeguard, a rescuer.  A lifeguard who never knows an off-season, a savior who never takes His eyes off our lives.  His name is Jesus Christ.  Jesus entered into this sin-cursed world and threw Himself headfirst into the currents of an evil world.  He fought against the strong currents of sin and temptation and came forth victorious.  His victory did not come at a discount price, it cost Him His very own life.  Imagine for a moment if a lifeguard enters the water to save someone from danger and dies in the act of rescue.  He would be lauded, praised, and memorialized.  Jesus did so much more for us.  He entered the current of sin, laid down His life as a sacrifice, and rose victoriously from the grave granting us salvation and hope.  Our lifeguard is not overcome by the waves of sin....remember our lifeguard walks on water.  He isn't just a lifeguard, He is a life Saver.  

Reflections on the Road:

This week take time to recount again your salvation story.  Remember when you were tossed about with the waves of sin and despair.  Remember your hopeless estate.  But also rejoice knowing that in the face of your doom a lifeguard named Jesus plunged in to rescue you.  May your reflection this week be filled with abundant praise and celebration.