Stover, Roger 4

Scripture: Genesis 1:1 (NIV) – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Message: Reflecting back on God’s creations, what was His greatest? Was it His first creation – light – that would rescue Him from wandering in darkness or despair? Was it the atmosphere that we can’t readily see which often slips our attention – a mistake that is foreboding to our future existence on this planet? Was it dry land and plants that fell into the next place in the divine order? These would prove their worth when the future seas and lakes came into existence. Was it the plants and trees that were thrown into the mix for man’s consumption and shelter? Surely the next creations – the sun, the moon and the stars – would top the list of God’s mighty works. The sun throws down nine billion years of warmth and the aforementioned light. The moon would be in charge of tides, cleansing the oceans’ shorelines and keeping currents circulating. The stars would give us navigation and a sense of wonderment and awe. Sustenance was God’s next creation. Food for man’s future came in the form of birds, land animals, and my favorite – sea creatures to catch, net and eat. The beasts of burden were included in this category to provide meat, milk and for plowing and fertilizing the land. Finally, God created man and woman to keep Him company and enjoy all that had been designed for them by the Almighty. Then on the seventh day God rested. So, what is God’s greatest creation?

God’s work was not really done. God’s plan from the beginning was to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. God is omniscient; He knows everything. Before He laid the foundation of the world, He already knew than man would sin and perish without His help. Therefore, He had already prepared a plan of salvation, a way for us to be redeemed with God through His Son, Jesus Christ, our only Savior. This was God’s Greatest Creation for mankind.

Prayer: Almighty God, we can’t ever know the actual pain You felt sending Your Son Jesus to the cross to wipe away our sins and ensure us eternal life. Thank You Jesus for the known agony and suffering You endured on the cross for us. In Your Holy name we pray. Amen.

Roger Stover

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Scripture: Psalm 91:9-10 (TLB) – “For Jehovah is my refuge! I choose the God above all gods to shelter me. How then can evil overtake me or any plague come near?”

Message: Sometimes what keeps us apart, actually brings us together. Take heart that love is all we need and when the time comes we will all come back stronger than ever.

While we believe this statement, we also believe that this crisis we are in will bring attention to some of the major insufficiencies we have in this country. Problems up until now have not been thought of, or have been ignored by the powers that be. One of the major problems is the food disparity we have; plenty of food rotting and going to waste in one part of our country while other people wait in long lines for food in another part. Medical readiness, both knowledge and supply wise will certainly stand out as being majorly deficient in this prolonged crisis.

However, we should all bend a knee for our medical staff (doctors, nurses, therapists, caregivers, cleaners and all other ancillary staff) that have sacrificed so much to save so many.

Some of us have never lived through a World War, but this seems to be close to being as crippling to our nation as one could be. One of the few good things that may come out of this disaster is people seem to be mentally coming closer together, and showing an outpouring of neighboring kindness, even with social distancing. Many that have so much seem to be sharing with those that have so little. Compassion has to be part of a great society. We think that with God’s help through prayer and his army of Guardian Angels we will come through this with the changes that need to be made to our Nation.

Prayer: As Pastor Mike prayed with us at a recent service, “Gracious Father, we can’t. You can. Please do.” Amen.

Roger Stover

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Scripture: Luke 2:16 (NIV) - "So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."

Message: We have seen for months now that the holiday season is upon us. Notice that I used the term "holiday" season not "Christmas" season. We have seen the fake Christmas trees and rows of plastic ornaments in the big box stores, even before the Halloween decorations are in the stores. With all the shopping, parties and gift wrapping, we run the risk of replacing all of the joy of Christmas with hurried, stress filled headaches! We are so busy with the "stuff' and the "materialism" of Christmas, that we crowd out the spiritual significance of the season.

Was hurriedness present the night Jesus was born? The Bible verse tells us that when the host of angels told the shepherds of Jesus' birth, they hurried off to find him lying in a manger.

So, let us do the same today. Put the holiday hustle and bustle on hold and quietly regain the significance of the season in the presence of the Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord, remind us always that You are THE REASON FOR THE SEASON and not the "stuff", the "materialism" and the parties. Let us hurry to You this Christmas. Amen.

Roger Stover

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Scripture: Matthew 25:35-37, 40 (NIV) - “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. ‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’” The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (italics added for emphasis)

Message: You saw them in Jesus' time, and you see them in our time: the homeless, the hungry, and the destitute. You find them in parking lots, at intersections, and along sidewalks. Some have their hands out, some have made signs expressing their plight, and some just stand or sit in silent desperation. Some may be professional beggars seeing an opportunity to gain from this worldwide homeless epidemic. Most are truly in need of our help. How do we know? We can’t afford to take a chance.

For years, my wife and I have carried small bags containing food, drink, and a short Scripture card in our cars for these people. When we hand them the bag and see the gratitude on their faces, the feeling is indescribable. For those who have so much to share with those who have so little, it is truly well with our souls.

This Advent, consider participating in an outreach mission that allows you and your family to minister to “the least of these”. Who knows? You may discover you’re serving a King.

Prayer: Gracious God, show us, who have so much, what we can do to help those who have so little. Bless the efforts of all those who work to overcome poverty and hunger, that sufficient food may be found for all, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Roger Stover

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