Christmas is more than what many of us think it is.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Christmas is the beginning of the end of the war on Satan and evil. If the war between good and evil were a boxing match, Christmas is when the champ stepped into the ring. The cross of Christ was the knockout punch that landed on the chin of Satan. Jesus said on the cross “It is finished.” And when Jesus rose from the dead, it’s like Satan fell to the canvas in the middle of the boxing ring. He’s down for the count right now.

But even though the war has been won, the battle rages on. Each day we seek God’s grace to fight against sin and temptation. Until one day, when victory is fully and finally realized, in the 2nd coming of Christ. In the meantime we know that because of the finished work of Christ who came at Christmas, died on Good Friday, and Resurrected on Easter Sunday, that sin has lost it’s power, and death has lost it’s sting.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting? …thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1Cor 15:54-58

“What set of values drives the schedule of our family?”

The Biggest Challenge Facing the Church Today | Paul David Tripp from Austin Stone Counseling Center on Vimeo.

This past summer my wife and I hiked a mountain trail on a beautiful sunny day in Whittier Alaska. The trail was steep, but was said to provide a breathtaking view. As with many hikes, the further we walked and the higher we climbed, the more we begin to question whether or not we REALLY wanted to ascend all the way to the top.

As we walked, we came upon another couple on their way back down the mountain, who’d already been to the top. As they quickly approached, short of breath, I asked “Is it worth it?” They were almost all the way passed us when the man joyfully replied, “Everything is worth it! It just depends on your perspective!”

I can’t remember anything about what the man looks like, but his words immediately struck me. I was expecting to hear a yes or no, not a philosophy lesson! As we continued, I pondered his words and pretty quickly concluded, he’s right! Whatever it is, no matter how hard it is, it’s worth it…IF you have the right perspective.

Our perspective is our attitude, our point of view. Perspective includes the WHY behind what we do.

So what is our perspective to be? The Westminster Catechism poses the question, “What is the chief end of man?” and answers, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Christianity teaches that the greatest motivation, the highest good, for every human being, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” That’s the Christian perspective! Everything we do is for God.

So the question, “Is it worth it?” really boils down to the question, “Is God worth it?” And the answer is a resounding YES. Life can be quite a climb, BUT—whatever we do, we do for God, and God is worth it…Everything is worth it, if THAT is our perspective.

God’s worth it because He loves us so much that He died on a cross so that we could be forgiven and have a relationship with Him.

He’s worth it because He gives us eternal life.

He’s worth it because He gives us a purpose. He not only saves us but also uses us to further His mission.

He’s worth it because His character and work are perfect.

He’s worth it because He’s stronger, more loving, and more satisfying than the world’s best thing.

He’s worth it because He’s empowered us to battle sin that destroys us.

He’s worth it because He’s faithful to change, what needs to be changed in us.

He’s worth it because he’ll never leave us or give up on us.

Because of these, and a million other reasons, HE’S WORTH IT.

Btw, the view from the top of that mountain in Alaska was STUNNING! I’m so glad we didn’t turn back. Don’t ever turn back. Keep looking up. Keep living for His glory. He’s more than worth it.

#LookUp

Link to a short video recapping our church’s recent short term mission trip to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico:

Grace Bible, Navajo Reservation 2018

“Written by a slave whose name we’ll never know.” Y’all check this out. The story behind ‘He’s Got The World In His Hands’

https://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/entry/4358/hes-got-the-whole-world-in-his-hands

Thankful for the great privilege we have to live in a country where we are able to vote!!! Thankful for so many who have served and currently serve to preserve our freedoms.

Also, I cast my ballot with my ultimate trust in King Jesus, the God of the universe, the giver of all good things. He alone is sovereign, powerful, merciful, and good in every way!

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call. Psalm 20:7-9

Before you settle in to beating yourself over your failures and shortcomings, be reminded of this:

…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

We serve a God of grace, and He’s not done with you, or any of us, yet! It’s good to admit when we’re wrong, confess it to God, ask forgiveness, and change direction. But beyond that, don’t trip over what is behind you, friend! Be encouraged!

#LookUp

Maybe a good proverb to encourage us to finish the rest if this week strong…

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

Like the ant, and by His grace, we keep working, keep building, keep sowing. Be encouraged, friends! Don’t let up!

#LookUp

Hey GBF Fam!

Yesterday we announced that we’re adding a second Sunday worship service beginning 10/21. We’ll now have services at 9am and 10:45am. Other than the times, the only difference between the two is that the 9am service will not have Grace Kids (K through 4th grade Children’s church). Both services will have childcare for nursery and pre-school.

In addition to making room for more people to come and worship, we also hope to make a way for folks who serve in Grace Kids, nursery, or preschool to be able to attend a “big church” worship service on Sundays as well.

Please join us in praying that God would continue to use our church family and this new service to glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ. Pray that God would grow us, not only numerically, but also deeper in our relationships with Him and our desire to love others.

If you would, let us know which service you feel like would work best for you by following the links in our newsletter.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory… Psalm 115:1

I often find myself asking God “Why?” And the longer I live the more I ask. Most of the time He doesn’t give me an immediate answer. Some may think pastors have all the answers, we don’t. Or at least this one doesn’t. Not even close. Something that’s helped me a lot—I’ve found that there are some important things I KNOW about God, that help me get through circumstances that I DON’T UNDERSTAND. For instance, I know that God is real. I know He’s powerful enough to do anything. I know that in Jesus I’ve found love and forgiveness that’s available to all. I know that He has a plan. I know one day He is going to fix all of this. And I know that I am not going to understand everything right now, but one day I will. When I can’t make sense of things, I have to ask myself if I’m willing to deny what I know because something I temporarily don’t understand? The answer is no. I won’t deny what I know to be true. I’ll trust the God I know, though the hard times I don’t understand, and wait for a day when He makes sense of it all.

There’s a newer take on an old hymn called ‘Farther Along’ that I absolutely love, by a super gifted artist named Josh Garrels. (Although I must admit, my favorite person to hear sing and play it is my son, Q Layman!) I seldom hear this song that I don’t tear up. It brings to mind the loss of loved ones, my own failures, the hatred and heartache that I see in the world—all of the things that I wish weren’t so, and that I don’t understand and don’t have answers for. Check out these lyrics:

“Tempted and tried, I wondered why

The good man died, the bad man thrives

And Jesus cries because he loves em’ both

We’re all cast-aways in need of ropes

Hangin’ on by the last threads of our hope

In a house of mirrors full of smoke

Confusing illusions I’ve seen

Where did I go wrong, I sang along

To every chorus of the song

That the devil wrote like a piper at the gates

Leading mice and men down to their fates…”

But this song also makes me smile and encourages me, because it also brings to mind so many awesome things I know to be true, even in the midst of darkness and difficulty:

“Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown

More glory than the world has known

Keeps me ramblin’ on

Skipping like a calf loosed from it’s stall

I’m free to love once and for all

And even when I fall I’ll get back up

For the joy that overflows my cup

Heaven filled me with more than enough

Broke down my levee and my bluff

Let the flood wash me

And one day when the sky rolls back on us

Some rejoice and the others fuss

Cause every knee must bow and tongue confess

That the son of god is forever blessed

His is the kingdom, we’re the guests

So put your voice up to the test

Sing Lord, come soon”

And then, the song gives me an anthem to live by as I trust God with what I don’t understand. The chorus of the song gives me strength, encouragement, and perspective:

“Farther along we’ll know all about it

Farther along we’ll understand why

Cheer up my brothers, live in the sunshine

We’ll understand this, all by and by”

One of my favorite passages in the Bible tells of a man born blind, healed by Jesus. When the man was pressed about how he regained his sight happened he said “…I do not know. One thing I do know, I was blind and now I see.” (John 9:25) Man, I can relate to that so much!!! I don’t have the answers to all the “why” questions, but I’m comforted by what I DO KNOW. And, farther along we’ll know all about it. We’ll understand this, all by and by.

This was a long one for a fb post 🙂 Sorry of the typos and bad grammar. Thanks for reading, roy