Note from Jed's Desk (#4)
Harbor,
In the upcoming weeks there are several opportunities for you to become more connected with our community or to take a next step in your faith in Jesus.
- Baptism Celebration and Lunch – On February 7th & 8th, we will celebrate with individuals who are publicly confessing their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism. If you haven’t been baptized to acknowledge your need for Jesus and love for Him, consider being a part of the celebration. This Sunday, following the 10:30 worship gathering, we will be offering a baptism lunch for those who are interested in being baptized or want to learn more about baptism. To join us, simply RSVP to .
- Volunteer – Two of our weekend ministries have some very specific needs for volunteers right now. Harbor’s Fair Trade Café and communion prep teams have opportunities available on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings for you to participate in. If you’ve been looking for a way to partner with our community in ministry, go to www.harborofhope.org/volunteer or email Christine at the address above.
- Blanket the Valley – We’re partnering with the Wish Project to help provide warm blankets and coats to our neighbors in the Merrimack Valley. If you have new or gently used items to share, bring them with you this weekend and next. A simple way for us to bless others through generosity.
Finally, I want to share one last promise that I’ve discovered through the prophet Haggai and encourage you to prayerfully apply it to your life. In Haggai 2, we see that God is not only the Lord of our Mess and Lord of our Mission.
He is the Lord of Provision!
“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Haggai 2:6-8
When I read Haggai’s words several months ago, they came crashing down on the spirit-crushing doubt and fear I had been holding on to. Several nights spent lying awake wondering how God was going to provide for the ongoing needs of Harbor’s ministry, and how He would supply resources for the mission He’s called us to.
I saw that Israel’s situation was desperate. They had just returned from captivity. Their confidence in God’s promises had been shaken. Their wealth stripped away. God’s temple, the place of their social and spiritual identity, lay in ruins.
And right in the midst of their despondency and poverty, God called them to rebuild His temple.
Get this! Without God’s intervention and supernatural provision, they could never accomplish their mission.
Harbor, we’re fooling ourselves if we believe we are any less desperate for God to continually intervene in our circumstances! Without his providential provision, we will never accomplish the mission He has called us to!
You see...I was worrying because all too often I believe that provision depends on people. Wrong! My worry and fear was a sin, and I openly confess to you that I, your pastor, am a sin-filled mess apart from the mercy of Jesus.
Through Haggai, I’ve come to see that people aren’t the true source of provision! Our God is the Lord of provision! While he sometimes chooses to provide through people, he doesn’t need us to fund his mission.
Read Haggai’s words one more time.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” 2:8
Everywhere we look in Scripture, we find that when God calls his people to a mission, the vision always exceeds their resources. This will freak us out unless we come to see that the God of the Mission is also the Lord of Provision!
For 15 years, God has called us to Help People Find Their Way Back to Him. With all of our resources, energy, passion, and opportunities, we will pursue this mission. We should expect that He will always call us beyond our comfort and means. But if we will follow Him, we will come to know Him as the Lord of Provision.
Are you resting in the Lord of Provision today?
Is there peace or worry in your life when it comes to financial provision?
Are you grateful for what you have or stressing about what you don’t have?
Are you living a life of Jesus-honoring generosity? Are you cautious and calculating in your giving, or do your financial investments reflect a heart of trust in the Lord of Provision?
Harbor...let’s live as if we believe that our King owns all of the silver and gold. And let’s give like we believe that our King will supply our every need!
I’m proud of you! I love being a part of God’s mission with you. Thank you for being patient with my weaknesses. I eagerly anticipate the many ways God will show himself to be the Lord of Provision this year.
As you prepare to attend a worship gathering this weekend, if possible please consider attending Saturday evening at 5pm or Sunday at 9am. We are committed to providing an open seat for every guest who walks through our doors and this is one simple way for you to say someone, “We care about you!”
I’ll see you this weekend.