Well the much awaited Granny Smack Down is over and the “smack down” was not on the Grannies!  I was a little concerned going into this game that we might (would) lose, after all the Grannies play together twice a week and our staff has played basketball together once (last Tuesday’s practice) in the 3 years that I have been with Lighthouse.  However, our primary mission was not to beat the Grannies… our primary mission was to raise funds for our youth’s Challenge trip and to provide great (if not humiliating) entertainment for our audience.  That being said, the mission was accomplished.  We had a great turn out and raised a large amount of money to help fund the Challenge trip, and we enjoyed watching the antics of Pastor Craig (a wannabe Granny) and Loree (fight to the finish) Veith!  Thanks to everyone who came out to support us and to those of you who donated to the cause.  It really was a great event!

-Kristan

Have you ever been at a place in life where you just needed to be reminded of God’s promises? This past Sunday I preached a message entitled “Manna from Heaven.” In Exodus chapter 16 we find the Israelites at yet another one of their stopping places along their journey to the Promise Land. They had just witnessed God split the Red Sea wide open for them to cross, and now they found themselves where else but the desert. They went from a miracle party to a pity party almost overnight. They were in desperate need and then in Exodus 16:4, God says to his people… “I will rain down bread (manna) from heaven for you.” It was God’s way of reminding His people that He would take care of them and that He had not forgotten about them. I am not sure there are any words that are more comforting than when God says, “I will.”

Keep in mind that God is fully aware of your road. And He is certainly aware when your road leads you into the desert, because it was His choice to take you there. Always remember… Everything in your life is either caused or allowed by God for your good and for His glory! God has not forgotten about you. God is fully aware of you and your situation. When there seems to be no way, God makes a way and with God all things are possible.

God’s promises in scripture are the anchors and rocks you and I need to cling to.

• He promises to never leave us or forget about us: Psalm 33:13-15 > From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth — he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.
• He promises to meet all of our needs – Philippians 4:19 > And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
• God promises to give strength and rest to the weary: Matthew 11:28 >    "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
• God promises that His grace is enough:    2 Corinthians 12:9-10 > But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
• God has promised that all things work together for good:    Romans 8:28 > And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• God has promised the forgiveness of sin and eternal life:  Acts 2:21 > And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Thank you God for your promises and for your faithfulness!

Pastor Andy Veith

I have just finished counting the offering, we are thousands short of our weekly need, and this has been a regular occurrence this year.  The difference is that now I no longer worry about it.  The reason is that during this time we have always had just the amount of money needed to pay each and every bill when due without fail.  This I have come to trust and count on, God does provide.  I have learned that I cannot analyze or trend God’s gifts.  In other words I have found little correlation with the number in attendance and the offering; we have received the most with the fewest in attendance, and received the least with the most in attendance. The only thing I can now predict is that when we have an obligation God provides us with just the amount of money we need to pay it.

A song we teach to kids says “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

The Bible also tells us not to worry and that God will provide, see Matthew 6:25 – 34.  There are many things I believe because the Bible tells me so, but have not seen.  I am thankful and blessed that I get to see God’s hand at work with our finances.

A prayer I included on the financial summary report last year as the LCC financial prayer is from Proverbs 30:8-9 and says, “Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’  “Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

God has certainly answered this prayer for us this year.  He has given us neither poverty nor riches but has given us only our daily bread.  Thank you Father. 

-Bill Banghart