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“Thus Far, The Lord Has Helped Us” Pastor Rick & Wendy’s January, 2012 Message Can you believe it? Another year is past. Now we have to get used to writing 2012 on everything. We stand at the beginning of a new year not knowing what God has in store for us. This comes as no surprise. It’s the way each year begins. In fact, it’s the way each day begins. A year can seem so long and the possibilities so many. For some that can be exciting and for others it can be worrisome. Turning to scripture we find words that will lead us into the New Year. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” In a very real way these words are central to the Good News and are an example of how the Bible ministers to the community of believers. Pastor Wendy refers to the Bible as a “window through which we see God”. It’s Israel’s account of how God was faithful throughout their history. Time and time again the writers of the Bible recall the process of creation and the faithfulness of God while in the wilderness. They know God as the promise maker and the promise keeper. The Israelites acknowledged that they did not always honor the covenant relationship that God established and they understood the misfortune in their life as God’s response of anger. They also reminded themselves that God never remained angry. They experienced God as one who was always willing to receive them back. After all was done, they knew where they had come from and who it was that led them day by day. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” These words also served to clarify their identity. No matter where they happened to be, no matter what social pressures were present to lure them away from the true God, they knew who they were and whose they were. The choice they made each day were based on their knowledge of who they were in relationship to God and on their gratitude for what God did for them. This quote is not just a nostalgic look back at the good old days. It is the very foundation for their present day experiences. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” If these words had no connection with the present or the future there would be no purpose for speaking them. God has been faithful in the past. Certainly God will continue to be faithful in the future. These are words of encouragement for the weary and the faint hearted. These are the words we need to remember when we wonder if we’ll make it through another day or if we are concerned about the decisions we are faced with. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” As you stand at the threshold of a new year take time to remember where you came from and how God was present in your life. Give thanks for the faith you now have, for the grace you have received and go forward into each day knowing that God is at your side. In Christ’s Service Pastors Rick & Wendy Beck |
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A Protestant Church of the Moravian denomination serving North-West Calgary |
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We are a multi-generation congregation that serves the young, the elderly, and those in between. Our family of God is made up of families of many types and sizes. Our music includes a mix of hymns and choruses.
We offer a practical, down-to-earth approach to life that emphasizes Christian faith, hope, and love with an open-minded encouragement to build a rich, full life in faith. Simply:
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love
Our denomination has a rich tradition that traces its roots many centuries back to John Hus, Czech priest, philosopher, reformer, and martyr (1369-1415). Moravia is a region in Central Europe, in the Easter part of the Czech Republic. |
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Welcome to Good Shepherd Church |
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Sunday Worship 10:00am Our Address: Church Admin, Rentals |
