We Believe: Response and Eternal Destiny

Pastor Todd began by noting that it is tempting to water down the doctrine of the final judgment. It is worth pondering before the Lord, why? Why am I tempted to blur black and white into inoffensive gray? Are my convictions weak? Am I not fully convinced that the day of the Lord will come? After all, everything goes on as it always has, or so it seems. Am I confused, unable to answer the question, “How could a loving God send people to hell?” for myself, let alone in response to an unbeliever? Is the whole topic so distressing that I’d rather not think about it? Maybe I’m OK with “people” in the abstract being cast into the lake of fire, but people whose names and faces I know, people I love? Let’s confront the “why” question in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate the reasons we neglect or soft-pedal the truth that the Lord Jesus will judge the world at the end of the age.

The logic is irrefutable: If I believe that a person who refuses to repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ will be raised bodily, judged, and assigned to condemnation and eternal conscious punishment, and if a person I know and care for, at least a little, falls into that category, then I will do everything in my power to communicate the gospel good news to that person. I share God’s compassion for that person; I don’t want him (or her) to perish; I want eternal blessedness and joy for him instead. Ask the Lord to strengthen all of us to share the full gospel with people in our lives, with boldness and with love. As an aside, I found Todd’s comment that the first nine articles of our statement of faith encapsulate the gospel most helpful. Reviewing what I believe on a regular basis can help equip me to share it well.

My small group is currently studying a section of 1 Thessalonians about the tumultuous day of the Lord. Twice Paul tells his readers, “Therefore encourage one another.” If you know someone facing tragedy in their personal life or someone weighed down by the ugliness of a fallen world, perhaps you could encourage them by praying with them: Lord, this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. This isn’t the way You created the world in the “very good” beginning. You will certainly right every wrong and make all things new, in your time.

Calvary Family

Winter Camp for our high school students is next weekend in Big Bear. Twenty-three students and their seven adult leaders will focus on misconceptions about sin, from “If I work hard enough, I can make myself perfect” to “It’s no big deal if I sin cuz I’m forgiven.” Our students will not be part of a larger camp; youth director Austin Tebay is responsible for all of the retreat content. Ask the Lord to help him teach with authority and effectiveness. Pray also that the Lord will impact each student in a way that reaches well past a weekend in the mountains.

Calvary’s Fostering Hope ministry is hosting an outreach event on Saturday morning for 22 local foster families bringing 73 children and teens (foster, adopted, and biological). Families will enjoy a pancake breakfast followed by a Valentine’s craft, cookie decorating, games, and several activities specifically for teens. One activity station will feature a gospel presentation, and Bibles have been donated to distribute to kids who express an interest. Families will leave with a goody bag containing a gift card to a local restaurant as well as information about our church. Pray that everything we do and say on Saturday morning will communicate God’s love for foster kids and the families who care for them. Pray that the Calvary volunteers will be blessed with a better understanding of the world of foster care.
In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

P.S. No prayer blog next week! I have family visiting from out of town next weekend.

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