Church Family,

I am so grateful for the last few weeks and how the Lord has used the first two chapters of Genesis to encourage us all.  There are few controversial issues we are enduring right now within society that Genesis does not address.  It offers tremendous insight into humanity and lays before us God’s good design in gender.  This past Sunday, we unpacked the intimate details of God, creating both male and female.  Gender is God’s good design that we should celebrate, not eliminate.  Male and Female are given to us by God and should be seen as good; therefore, we must diligently pursue an understanding of gender from scripture and willing to trust His wisdom over ours.

Let Us Pray

This is just a quick reminder that there will be no in-person prayer gathering this week.  I want to encourage you to still spend time in prayer, either individually or with those in your household.  Fill free to use our Prayer Guide.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

Church Family,

I hope you have been able to rest well (physically and spiritually) in the last few days.  Sunday, we reminded ourselves that rest is ultimately found in the finished work of God the Son who provides for us, like God the Father in creation, all we need (Hebrews 4:1-13).  This side of heaven will be filled with uncertainty, unrest, difficulty, and the like, but that does not mean we cannot experience rest!  Day Seven of the creation account forces us to pause and consider all that God is and has done.  He did not rest for fatigue; he rested because it was finished and full of all that creation needed to be sustained.  Today, stop, yes, stop and consider all that God is in Himself and all He has done, is doing, and will do.

God in Fullness

This Wednesday, we have the privilege to hear from missionary Bobby Lane in our next lecture on the attributes of God.  Boddy is a faithful and passionate communicator of God’s word and a dear friend and brother.  Make plans to join us on zoom (link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81999328776) at 6:30 pm to hear him address God’s love.  For your information, we are recording all the lectures, so if you have missed any of them and want to listen, click here or subscribe to our podcast on spotify or itunes by searching “Light in the Desert Church Sermons and Podcast.”

Church Family,

I’ve already thoroughly enjoyed our time in the book of Genesis.  Each week it becomes more and more apparent just how crucial the first few pages of our bibles are to understand the world and humanity.  We simply cannot function nor thrive as humans without understanding these beautiful words found in Genesis 1:26, “Image of God.”  The image of God satisfactorily answers the question, “What is man?”  It also gives us clear direction on how we should see and treat others.  There is no theory that comprehensively deals with humankind more adequately then Genesis one and two.  To be fully human is to be directed towards God, each other, and rightly relating to God’s creation.  This is turn, drives us to the greater image-bearer of God, Jesus (Col 1:15), who through his person and work, is renewing that very image in us (Col 3:9-11).  Human flourishing is directly connected to our union with Jesus Christ.

Let Us Pray

Don’t forget to make plans this Wednesday at 6:30 pm to gather with us in prayer either in-person or online.  Here is the zoom link (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89211053668)

Reading the Bible

Here at Light in the Desert Church, we love the bible.  As a matter of fact, one of our distinctive is Bible-Believing, and we are deeply convicted of making it a regular part of our day.  With that said, consistently reading the Bible is not as easy as we would like it to be, especially during this weird season of pandemic and social unrest.  Unfortunately, studies also show that the less one attends church, the less likely they will read their bibles.  So as a recent article I read stated, “When people engage less with the local church, they engage less with their Bibles…With church gatherings prohibited or limited, hospitality curtailed, and prayer meetings and small groups moved to Zoom, we’ve missed out on some aspects of church life. Many of us have also missed out on opening our Bibles.”  So dust off your bible and dig in!  Also, let me encourage you to read the article I referenced here.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

Church Family,

There is hardly a day that goes by that we are not faced with the implications of our beginnings.  All humans are struggling in a variety of ways this year.  The way we grapple and make sense of our troubles will reflect our view of existence, our worldview about creation.  “Why is all this here?  Why do I exist?  What purpose do my surroundings have in this life?” are just a few questions that Genesis chapter one unpacks for us, for all the human race.  It’s essential for us, God’s people, to not forget our origins and to live in such a way we bring attention to God, our creator.  As we said Sunday, we must marvel at and surrender to God the Creator.

God in Fullness

This Wednesday will be our second lecture in the God in Fullness series on the attributes of God.  This will take place in zoom only; there is no in-person option.  Zoom allows us to have other godly people present lectures who we would otherwise not be able to hear.  The God in Fullness topic this week is the immutability of God presented by Jared Whitehurst.  See you at 6:30 pm!  Click this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86771191259

Church Family,

I hope you have enjoyed the past several weeks of looking at Romans eight.  I would strongly encourage you to make it a regular habit to read Romans eight frequently and remind yourself of the greater realities we have in Christ.  We have endured a lot and will endure a lot before 2020 is over, so it would be wise for us to revisit what the Godhead has done and is doing in our life.  This past Sunday, we were reminded of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession.  That in Him, we are no longer condemned, and ultimately no charge can be brought against those who stand under the shed blood and broken body of Christ, who has been raised and now sits at the right hand of God interceding for us.  Good news, indeed!

God in Fullness

This week on Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30 pm, we will have our first lecture in our series God in Fullness.  This series will explore different attributes of God to stir our affections for Him and give us stability in such uncertain times.  The lectures will take place on zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89672108549) and have time for questions and answers at the end.  The lectures will be broadcast on Facebook Live, but to participate in the Q and A, you will have to use zoom.  Click here for the schedule of lectures.

Church Family,

The Lord has been gracious to us over the last several weeks through the encouragement He has provided in Romans eight.  This past Sunday, as we began the final section of this glorious chapter, we likened it to a crescendo.  Paul moves sound theology towards a magnificent culmination of realities we have in Christ.  We felt the weight of our adoption in understanding that God continues to give graciously as our Father.  The conclusion, “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Rom 8:31).  How can we say that, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom 8:32).  Brothers and Sisters, take adequate time this week to reflect deeply on these truths!

Let Us Pray!

This Wednesday (Aug 26th) at 6:30 pm will be our first in-person prayer gathering for the fall.  These gatherings will take place every other week with our lecture series God in Fullness on the off-weeks.  If you are unable to join us in person, here is the zoom link for you to participate (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88698579623).

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

Church Family,

This past Sunday was a time of deep encouragement as we looked at how The Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26-27).  He intercedes with us and for us in our broken and incoherent prayers.  He brings them to God in accordance with God’s will.  The late J. I. Packer commenting on this verse put it in the simplest of terms, “The Spirit fixes our prayers on the way up.”[1]  He, God the Spirit, knows God the Father and God the Father knows The Spirit well!  There is no miscommunication between them, so when The Spirit helps by interceding, he takes our prayers and brings them into accordance with God’s good and sovereign will (Romans 8:28-30).  We are not alone in our present troubles and we can trust that the Godhead will carry us all the way home because of His sovereignty (Romans 8:28).

Fall Ministry Efforts

• God in Fullness:  This will be a series of lectures discussing the attributes of God.  These lectures will aim to define and show from Scripture the attribute being discussed, unpack the difficulties and misunderstandings, make general implications with specific applications to our current uncertainty, and lastly have time for questions and answers.  They will take place every other Wednesday starting on September 2nd at 6:30 pm.  These lectures will utilize Zoom.
• Let us Pray:  On the off-weeks of God in Fullness, we will have in-person prayer gatherings.  These prayer gatherings will begin on August 26th at 6:30 pm.  This time of prayer will be focused and guided by praying for church-related issues, and community and global gospel work.  If there are prayer requests you have please email us beforehand so we can compile a list of the requests we feel most urgent.

[1]  Derek W. H. Thomas, How The Gospel Brings Us All The Way Home, (Sanford, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2011), p. 87

Church Family,

I do hope you all are well and enjoying God as your greatest source of comfort.  Sunday was a timely look at Romans 8:18-25 and provided truths that help sustain us during these uncertain times.  Unfortunate circumstances that bring suffering in various degrees we should expect, but those difficulties we are not to embrace as our ultimate reality.  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18).  We should and must remain hopeful because we are children of God patiently waiting for the fullness of our union with Christ.  The already suffering serves as a potent reminder there is more to come and ultimately enjoy in the not yet glories.

Disciple-Makers

We began a two-semester course called Disciple-Makers in the fall of 2019 that we intended to have each fall.  As the fall approaches and there are still more concerns about the long-term effects of COVID-19 and uncertainty of what is most helpful to avoid spreading it, we are adjusting the schedule.  I will give more details this coming Sunday but mark your calendars to begin Disciple-Makers August 26th.  I’m excited about the fall, though it’s not what we had initially planned. I am praying, and confident the Lord will use our efforts to stir our affections for Him and strengthen our connections with each other.

Jefferson Elementary Donations

Many of you have already dropped off some supplies, but if you have not, don’t worry, we will continue collecting for the next few weeks.  Below is a list of the supplies needed.

We have tried to create more content for you to enjoy during these weird times to help stay connected, and more importantly, to hopefully continue to engage God’s Word.  Beyond the Sermon Podcast was created to continue the conversation about Sunday’s Sermon and help to push it into your week.  So much happens on a Sunday, and we don’t want to lose the convictions, truths, or fresh reminders uncovered by the preaching of God’s Word.  Click here to check out all the episodes.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

Church Family,

I pray and hope the last two weeks have been profoundly encouraging to you all as we have been exploring Romans eight.  It has been described this way, “We are not dealing here with mere theology. As Paul wrote, his pen gave evidence that he was caught up in an experience of profound worship and spiritual adoration.”[1]  Others have said that it is “profound in theology, soaring in eloquence, and thrilling in impact.”[2]  It is a great and encouraging word for us in these times that we live.  Last Sunday, we were reminded that our debt is not to the flesh/sin, but Christ, not to repay, but to enjoy all the benefits of His work on the cross.  We are ones who must battle sin, stay hopeful, enjoy God, pour ourselves out, disciple others, and a host of other joys; because we can!

Jefferson Elementary School

As many of you know, we have established a long-term partnership with Jefferson Elementary to help in any way.  We’ve asked what they need in light of the unusual beginning to the school year.  They indicated that school supplies would be best because teachers are making up bags to give to the students.  So starting this Sunday, we will be collecting supplies in the foyer.  See the list below:

• crayons
• pencils
• pencil sharpeners
• spiral notebooks
• highlighters
• erasers
• colored pencils

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Bryan

[1]  Robert H. Mounce, Romans (vol. 27; The New American Commentary; Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995), 174.

[2] From the forward by Sinclair Ferguson for Derek  W. H. Thomas, How The Gospel Brings Us All The Way Home, (Sanford, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2011), xi.