Faith Walk

Interim—a temporary or provisional arrangement.

We as a church family are in an interim period or temporary arrangement. We can find times in the bible where the formation of the early church had times for going apart, for withdrawal, rest, renewal, regrouping and then beginning again. The Christian concept of death and resurrection speaks powerfully to periods in our lives when, individually or collectively, we need to say “good-bye” to the old and “welcome” to the new (in all phases of our life). The interim period is a time of grieving and letting go of what has been and then renewing our faith, beginning to open ourselves to a new future.

Life is full of choices and here we have two. We can move forward in faith or just mill about in a confused state.

Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Proverbs 24:27.  This speaks of forethought, thinking ahead.

I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34 This shows us laziness, lack of understanding and what those will eventually bring, also spiritual receptivity and teachableness.

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Hebrews 6:7-8 This teaches that productivity from God’s blessings brings forth fruitfulness and unfruitfulness brings destruction.

To move forward in faith, we must put our feelings aside. Faith and hope are not our feelings, faith and hope overcome our feelings. I realize that grieving is a process and can take some time, however the sooner we bring our gaze from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane, the quicker we can get back to being what we were created to be.

We can not lose sight of our purpose on earth; to bring praise and glory to God in all that we think, do, and say. And to bring the good news to a fallen world.

Moving forward in faith is acknowledging and accepting that we are in an interim period and that this process of finding a new pastor will take some time (God’s timing). In the mean time, we are to be about where God has always called us to be even before Pastor Brad stepped down. Growing……in Christ. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 ~ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thinks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

Whatever we face in the coming days, we face together in unity, bathed in prayer, overflowing in thankfulness. For He is in control, and we are here for His purpose to fulfill His plan for Northwest Bible Church. Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again; Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

During this temporary time without a pastor, let us look forward in anticipation to what the Lord is going to do at NWBC while we continue live by His precepts and move forward in faith — Vertical focus, not horizontal.