“Risk”

By Pastor Lynn Holmes 

Worship from God’s Word: 

Each week in this series we have been given a memory verse.  The one for this week is from Habakkuk 2:3 (LB):  “These things I plan won’t happen right away.  Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass.  Just be patient!  They will not be overdue a single day!”

Pastor Lynn and his wife, Robin, took us on a twenty year journey last Sunday.  We were told about their personal experiences and how they learned to trust God even when taking risks. 

When it seemed humanly impossible to take another step, they laid everything on the line and trusted God.  Miraculously God stood with them through intense personal crises, and each victory was a time of enrichment and spiritual growth.   

Being relatively new to my church, to be able to learn the history of Calvary Church was a blessing!  So many wonderful, godly people made sacrifices of prayer and thanksgiving to see this church grow.  Praise the Lord! 

Lessons from the “twenty years of ministry” sermon, included a multitude of promises from God’s Word, such as:  “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.  Play it safe and end up holding the bag.”  Luke 19:26 (MSG) Pastor Lynn reminded us last Sunday that (1) where God Guides, He provides. 

His promise to supply our needs enriches our journey and gives us a faith which encourages us to take risks if needed.  Also, (2) When God Delays, He knows best.  Sometimes God says no, sometimes he says yes, but the most frustrating answer I get from Him is to wait!  Yet it is in the waiting that I learn wisdom and patience. 

There are two other truths which our pastor shared with us on Sunday:   (3) What God has given, He multiplies, and (4) what God starts He finishes.  As a church family we saw the hand of God in the gift of a half million dollars worth of dirt; we saw Him protect the workers in a terrible construction accident;  and when the bank threatened to pull the financing out from under us, we prayer for boldness, and God heard our prayers. 

Robin shared a personal word…”When you feel you’ve reached the end of your rope, just let go and let God catch you.  There is no way to do better than God’s way.”  Amen and amen.