Another Step Forward
This year has been incredibly exciting here at Cascade CRC! I am honestly amazed at everything God has been doing in our midst. We are experiencing encouraging growth and seeing a wonderful sense of positive energy and momentum building within our church family. People are stepping up to serve, and there's a tangible feeling that God is inviting us into a deeper walk with Him and a greater impact for His kingdom. To put it simply, God is truly at work here!
As we look ahead, it's easy to get caught up in the necessary details of church life – budgets, planning, organizing ministries. These things are important, but they can be so much more than just tasks to check off a list. They represent opportunities for us to align ourselves with God's work and move forward together in the current of His grace.
God is actively working in us and around us right now. Our goal, if we desire to be centered in God’s will, is to discover what He is doing and then join Him wholeheartedly. That’s how Jesus lived His life. He said in John 5:19, "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." This tells us that Jesus didn’t just initiate what He thought was needed and hope for God’s blessing. Instead, He watched the Father and followed His lead. Jesus looked to see what God was blessing, and He invested Himself there!
We have the same opportunity at Cascade CRC. We can look prayerfully at the life of our church, see where God is clearly moving and blessing, and then commit ourselves – our energy, our resources, our prayers – to joining Him right at the center of His will. The crucial question for us, then, is: WHAT IS GOD BLESSING AT CASCADE CRC?
That’s a vital question. Finding the answer requires us to diligently study God’s Word to understand His priorities for His church. It also requires an honest look at our church family – our attitudes, actions, plans, and programs – to see if we align with His revealed will. We also need wisdom to discern God's providence, looking at our circumstances and the events unfolding around us as potential signs of His leading.
As I pray and observe, I see several areas where I believe God is working powerfully in the life of Cascade CRC, inviting us to join Him:
God Is Drawing Us Closer to the Lord Jesus Christ
Our fundamental mission will always be centered on knowing Christ and making Him known. God is inviting Cascade CRC to experience this mission with fresh vibrancy. Throughout our church, people are deepening their understanding that the core of the Christian life is a love relationship with Jesus. Duty and fear are giving way to love, grace, and a passionate pursuit of Him. Let's pray that the Spirit continues to soften all our hearts, leading us deeper into Christ’s love, His Word, and earnest prayer.
God Is Developing Genuine Dependence and Humility in Us
Throughout our journey as a church, we have always sought to grow in our dependence on the Lord as we worship, serve, and love Him. Today, perhaps more than ever, God calls us to examine our hearts honestly. We have a wonderful history of service, but we cannot rely solely on past blessings. We must trust God for new life and fresh energy to reach our community and the world for Him today. This requires humility – recognizing our need for Him in everything. It means ministering not from a place of self-sufficiency, but from a place of dependence on His grace, allowing His strength to be perfected in our weakness. Let's each commit to clearing away any debris in our hearts and asking God to fill us afresh with His Spirit, readying us for the work He has prepared.
God is Leading Us Toward Maturity and Discipleship in Christ
While reaching out is vital, equally important is our commitment to the spiritual growth and discipleship of everyone who calls Cascade CRC home. Paul prayed in Ephesians 3:16-17, "that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love..." [NIV]. I see a growing hunger for this kind of deep-rooted maturity within our congregation! We can accept God’s invitation by actively engaging with His Word, participating in small groups, gathering faithfully for worship, and seeking opportunities for deeper learning. He is opening doors that lead to maturity and grace. May we respond with diligence and passion!
God is Empowering Our Worship
Through all our mission, ministry, and pursuit of maturity, Cascade CRC is and always must be a community dedicated to the authentic worship of God. There’s a powerful movement of God's Spirit emphasizing worship that is genuine, heartfelt, and Christ-centered. This is stirring within Cascade CRC. I've heard from people of all ages who are longing to praise God more fully, seeking worship that connects with their hearts and voices their prayers authentically. This is a clear sign that God is inviting us to worship Him "in Spirit and in truth." Remember, John 4 tells us the Father seeks such worshipers. His Spirit is moving to empower our praise. Let us all respond with enthusiastic song, openness to His leading, and commitment to Christian unity in our worship.
God is Deepening Our Heart for Others
We must never lose sight of a primary reason God has placed us here: to reflect His love and share the hope of Jesus with those around us – our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Pleasing and serving Him involves bringing His light into the lives we touch. Without a genuine heart for those who don't yet know Christ, our ministry lacks its full vibrancy. The exciting thing is seeing how God is providing energy and opportunities for us to reach out. He often works through simple acts of faithfulness and bold prayers. God’s desire is for Cascade CRC to be a beacon of hope. I pray that we will respond to His invitation with fervent prayer and loving action!
God’s invitation stands open before Cascade CRC. There is no need to RSVP; the way to enter the arena of His grace is to respond with faith-filled action. Let us commit together to respond to His great invitation. Ask God to give us all hearts devoted to prayer. Pray for every member of Cascade CRC. Pray for your leadership. Pray that we will all be faithful workers in the harvest that God has prepared, moving forward together with positive energy and a shared desire for spiritual growth.
With You;
Pastor Tim
