Daily Devotion

Luke 12:48 “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

That’s how Jesus ended a Parable of a wise and faithful manager (steward).  Stewardship is the accountability we have to God for what He has entrusted to us.  In that parable Jesus speaks of the one who is “faithful and wise” as the one who is responsible with what the master has put them in charge of.   Every believer is responsible to use wisely whatever God has entrusted to you, be that your time, your talents or your money. 

At HSF we do not take an offering because we believe “where God guides, God provides” but we do believe in the blessings of stewardship and tithing.  How those who give little will be rewarded with little but those who give much, will be rewarded in like manner.   (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

With the advent of online banking and many of us no longer using checks to conduct our financial business, HSF is now providing a way to give online through our website (www.hsfellowship.org) .  Beginning May, 2012 you can find a giving link under the “About Us” link on our home page (later this will be moved to the Home page as a direct link).

Please do not think that this new way of tithing is a plea for money or a challenge to give more, it is merely an opportunity to continue to support the work of the Lord in a more convenient manner.  

With online giving comes great responsibility to be a good steward.  A good steward will not give what they do not have.  I am asking anyone using online giving not to use credit to give.  I know many of us manage credit cards very well, paying them off each month, but I know others do not – so:  If you are using a debit card or credit card to give, follow what the bible says: 

2 Corinthians  9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

But if you are tempted to use credit that you can not pay off and you will have to pay interest on it – PLEASE DO NOT GIVE IN THAT WAY.  

Stewardship is above even a heartfelt desire to support the work of the church. 

One last thought – If you use our new online giving, please provide feedback on the system via email to Steve Stockwell at admin@hsfellowship.org

Grace and love,

Pastor Rich   <><

I love this past week when the Church recognizes the cross, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   It’s the whole deal, for without the resurrection of Jesus we are to be pitied among all peoples. 

1 Corinthians  15:12-14  But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

We began with Good Friday service in the Minden Park.  The weather was good and the worship was sweet.  On Saturday we had open time of “Prayers around the Cross” where people came and went and left their “Burdens” at the Cross (thanks to Pann Baltz for overseeing it”   On Sunday we were so blessed at High Sierra Fellowship to be able to worship in one venue.  The Douglas High Commons was filled to capacity and the Holy Spirit truly touched many lives. 

We enjoyed an awesome time of worship with a large group to lead us in praise to the King.   Then we participated in Communion, the Lord’s table, where we remember all that Christ has done, and that he is coming again.  

After worship some youth put on an amazing drama, “The Redeemer” truly communicates the Gospel without words and I know many  were touched by that awesome skit.  I was blown away how the Lord used those young people to minister to the entire body.

Ted Nagel blessed us with a special song and after the preaching of the Word of God, we saw about 15 people give their lives to Christ or re-dedicated their lives to him. 

Awesome week – now we continue with the work God has called us to in the Carson Valley.  

               Our vision at HSF has remained unchanged since we began in 1990. 

• To be a church body where people of all ages can worship and learn of Jesus Christ in a non-threatening environment.

• To maintain a strong emphasis on the Word of God, sound doctrine and balanced worship.  To abide by biblical standards in every part of ministry. 

OUR PURPOSE IS:

1. To worship God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
2. To build up the Church of Jesus Christ through the teaching of the Word and the ministry of the Spirit:
3. To persuade men and women to repent and confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

From these directives all our activities and services should take their direction.

GRACE TO YOU

PASTOR RICH <><

I love Easter, its brings together all the events that God had planed for the redemption of man.   First the triumphal entry or Palm Sunday where Jesus received worship and proclaimed himself to be the Messiah.   Next there was the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the ordinance of Communion, so believers in every generation can know that his sacrifice was complete and he is coming again. 

Next there was Christ’s prayer in the Garden where we see his humanity and know that he is more focused on Salvation for the Lost then even the pain that awaits him.   That brings us to Good Friday, where the Lord atoned for sin (once for all) where his pain brings us peace with God.  Finally the highlight of it all Easter Sunday, the day of the empty tomb, the Resurrection.  It’s the whole deal and what separates Christians from the rest of the world.  Only Jesus rose from the dead and only Jesus promised a resurrection for those who believe in him. 

Lets consider what happened that first Easter morning.

Matthew 28:5-10  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen , just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” 

The first Easter was an amazing event, first angel’s message of “no fear”, and a reminder of the promise of the resurrection.  Just in case these godly women could not believe it he even shows them the empty tomb.  All that is great but there’s something even better, Jesus has prepared to meet them in Galilee. 

Although they are not quite sure about it all, the women leave the tomb still processing it all with a feeling of underlying joy because they remember the words of Jesus – how he would rise on the third day.   But wait there’s even more!   Jesus doesn’t make them wait until they travel all the way to Galilee, he appears to them right there at the tomb.   And what do they do?  They do what anyone would do who has an encounter with the risen Lord of Glory they fall down in worship.

Easter the celebration of the Resurrection is all about worship.  Today we worship because the Resurrection speaks to the believer of the hope of eternal life.  The Apostle Paul gives us the importance of the Resurrection to the Believer.

1 Corinthians 15:13-17  And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised , then Christ has not been raised either.

Faith must be based in truth, the truth of who Christ is – the promised Messiah, truth in the promises of God – that He would atone for sin.  Truth in who Christ is – the fulfillment of the very Word of God.   Paul says, if you do not hold to the Resurrection, you’re still lost and your faith is worthless.  Wow, the Resurrection is the whole deal, if Jesus Christ did not raise from the dead, then you have no hope for your future. 

Did Mary and the other ladies understand all that on that first Easter?  I don’t think so, but they went to the tomb in faith and they left with even more faith.  They went to the tomb to anoint a dead body while they were there they worshiped the living King.  They went to the tomb with a big problem, “who was going to roll away the stone”, they left with a big faith, for they encountered the living Lord and their lives would never be the same. 

The Apostles would have trouble believing them, so what does Jesus do?   He appears to them as well.  In fact over the next forty days he will appear to more than 500 people.  The Resurrection is well documented and it is the foundation of the Christian faith.  Without the Resurrection you might as well just follow a motivational speaker. 

But Christ is raised and believers have eternal life because he is raised.   The cry of the Orthodox church is a great cry of victory and speaks to all who follow Jesus.   THE LORD IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED.

Happy Easter, we are looking forward to one Service this Easter, Join us at 10:00am at the Douglas High School. 

Grace,    Pastor Rich   <><

With a new year upon us its always a great time to reflect on the passing year and be resolved to make some changes for the coming year.   Still, how long do New Years Resolutions really last?  They say that gym memberships are at a yearly high in January only to fall to a low by June.   Diet books fly off the shelf now only to collect dust later.   But when it comes to reflecting on your faith, and resolving to grow in God’s grace, you really don’t need to wait for a New Year. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 – Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.   They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

 Jeremiah the prophet wrote those words around 590BC.  Jeremiah was a great preacher to Israel, one who, although called by God only a few people listened to his message of repentance.  He was persecuted and rejected by his own people even as he spoke the truth to them.   Still as he reflects on his life and perhaps the year gone by, Jeremiah comes up with a great conclusion:  God’s mercy is new every morning and he is always faithful.

 For us in the twenty first century, we can come to that same conclusion.   You don’t have to wait for a New Year to turn to God or return to your faith.  The mercy of the Lord is still new every day.

 Perhaps this past year was hard for you.  Maybe it was just a weird year, or maybe you had a great year.  No matter what 2011 was like, God is still calling people to himself.   When sin separates people from a relationship with God, Jesus came to bridge the gap between man and God. 

 John 10:10  (Jesus said) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Life and the devil want to rob you of a relationship with God, but Jesus says, I am here to bring you to a right relationship with God.  By trusting in him, by believing that he came to justify those who are far from God, by turning away from things that are not pleasing to God – you are born of God’s Spirit and the mercies of God are yours.

 This coming year could be a great year or maybe the Mayan calendar is right and it will be the end.  Be that as it may, whenever a man or a woman turns to the Lord in sincerity of heart, his mercies are new.  Christ came to usher in forgiveness that mankind can be right with God.  He came to give abundant life now as you can live in relationship with God, and he came to give eternal life to all who trust in him.    God’s mercy is there for all who receive his gift.   

 I hope 2012 is a great year for you all, we are praying about some direction for the fellowship, and excited about the new things that God is doing.   Mostly I pray many will come to the mercy of God and say with Jeremiah “Great is His faithfulness!”

God’s Grace to you all

Pastor Rich <>< 

Marie Glasgow March 31,1926 - October 27,2011

 Ecclesiastes 3:1-4  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”  

When King Solomon wrote those words he was on a personal quest to find fulfillment and meaning in life.  In some ways he went down the wrong path, he begins to become cynical as he finds life meaningless.  He sees the merry-go-round of life.  He considers, birth, work, partying, raising a family, pursuing wealth, sensual pleasures, all as unsatisfying toil that end in death.   He sees the cycle of life as a drudgery that man can do nothing about. 

In the end the wise king comes to a deep understanding that fulfillment and satisfaction will only come from a relationship with God. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty ] of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

That’s exactly what Jesus told us, that life can and will bring worry and stress, life can be a drudgery but there is a fulfillment in your relationship with God. 

 Matthhew 6:33-34  “…Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you… Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The old rock song says it well, Steve Miller wrote:   Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ – Into the future Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ – Into the future. 

Life can bring drudgery and even pain as time just passes away but when you have your relationship with God, although there is sorrow and pain, there is purpose and meaning in the cycles of life.

 With this post my mother, Marie has suddenly passed away.  Within two weeks she went from going out to dinner with family to being in eternity.   She was a very intelligent woman who had her trials in life and although she had little formal education she succeeded in everything she did.   She leave behind a sister, four children, 10 Grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many who love her deeply.

 Suzanne and I want to thank you all for your prayers, love and support during a very tough season of life.  More then the death of my mother, we have faced trials from every side.  Some of those trials we are facing with some of you, some on our own.  But God… God is good all the time.  It is times like this that we all are reminded of the words of our Lord. 

John 16:33 “…In me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 Grace to all,

Pastor Rich   <><  

Today there’s a lot of talk about debt. We have the national debt that’s out of control.  We have personal debt, which most Americans have way too much.   We have corporate debt and the housing crisis all because our culture has borrowed our way to prosperity.
 
The Bible speaks volumes about prosperity but mostly about a prosperity that comes to the soul that’s right with God.  The bible also speaks much about debt and the bondage financial debt brings to a person.  Like prosperity the Bible also speaks about another side of debt, the debt that everyone owes God.  The debt you can not repay, the debt of Christ dying for your sin. 
 
Then there is one more debt that the Bible brings to light.  The debt Christians owe their neighbor.
 
Romans 13:8-10 “ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”   Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
 
Jesus gave one commandment, to love like he loves us (John 13:34-35).  He said that by keeping his command people will know that you’re his follower.  The Apostle Paul writes, “You are indebted to love” – and that’s a debt worth keeping.  When financial debt brings bondage and stress the debt of love brings freedom. 
 
Our text says:  “When you live in love, you fulfill all the commands.”  When the 10 commandments stand as a picture of God’s perfection and a lofty goal for believers to live by, the harsh reality is that nobody has ever been able to keep God’s law.  But the law of love is different, when you live by divine love (Agape), you are keeping the commandments.
 
Wow, that’s exciting, because it reminds me that it’s not by legalistic ritual that anyone is made right with God.  It’s only by following the Holy Spirit that anyone has the capability to love that way.  Who can love like Jesus?  Humans are full of greed, envy, jealousy and suspicions but God’s love is perfect.  How can you love with divine love?   How can a man / a woman live in this debt of love?  It’s only by surrender to Christ and a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit.
 
Galatians  5:22-23 “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
 
First surrender to Christ as Lord, then follow the Holy Spirit, the result is love and all the virtues that love brings.   
 
In a day when debt is on the minds of many, I believe its time to get back to the understanding that we are indebted to God and should be indebted to love others with the love that God has given to us.  (1John 4:7-8)

Grace & Love in Christ;     Pastor Rich   <><  

James 5:16 “…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

As many of you know our Brother and HSF Elder Dave Buffo had major brain surgery today.  We are in SF with him and the family, and all went well. 

Suzanne and I were able to see and talk with Dave after the surgery (amazing he was very cognizant and aware of everything) and I was very encourage by how we interacted.    The next few day will be tough the Doctor said that there will be brain swelling and he will take some steps backward for a couple of days before things get better.  

 Please continue to pray for Dave and Elaine as there will be months of follow up, Chemotherapy and Radiation.  

God has given wisdom to mankind and at UCSF medical center they are on the cutting edge of technology and were able to perform a surgery that was unheard of just a few years ago.  So – God gets the glory and we continue to pray for complete recovery and healing.

As James reminds us the prayer of a person who is right before God is powerful and effective.  James continues to give us a great human example of powerful prayer. 

James 5:17-18 “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”

 Elijah was just a regular guy but when he prayed things happened.  God hears the prayers of his people not because of what we are but because of who he is and because our prayer are given in the Name of our Lord and Sovereign, Jesus Christ.  

The Apostle Paul simply reminds us.

 Ephesians  6:18  “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

When Jesus sent his men out to minister he gave them specific instructions, one of those instructions was to leave a place that they were not welcome. 

Mark 6:11  “And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”

High Sierra Fellowship is moving locations – in part because we are not welcome in our current facility.  During the past three years on Industrial Way, we have seen tremendous growth in both numbers and depth with the Lord.  As a congregation we have grown to where we will be adding a third weekend worship service and it’s been awesome to see what God has been doing.  Yet even more exciting is the depth of work that we have witnessed among our members.  We have seen salvations, dozens of baptisms and we have witnessed folks returning to the Lord leaving sinful lives and going deeper in their relationship with Jesus.   That’s what we are all about!

At the same time we are witnessing the Lord work, we have been challenged in some relationships with our neighbors in the building.  Those challenges have come to an impasse where the landlord has decided it is easer for her to not deal with the few requirements we have for worship times.   We have asked for a few quiet hours on Sunday’s and Wednesday evenings. 

As the majority renters and good stewards of God’s money, we felt that was reasonable, yet the other party is not only not willing to work with us they are not willing to speak with us.   So, like Jesus, when he was not welcome he left that place, we too will be moving to new facilities. 

Our new home was built as a church, it has no co-renters in the building, but will present a few challenges.   1701 Lucerne Street Minden is the address, we are currently working in the building to make it work better for our needs.   Some of the challenges are the size is somewhat smaller then our current facilities and the parking is limited so we have secured off site parking.  Finally, there is not enough room for a comprehensive youth facility, so we are looking at an off site building for the youth.  

While God has blessed us in our current location, as he has wherever we have met, I have no doubt that he will continue to work in our new location.   There is excitement in the midst of the work to be done.  Over the next few weeks we will be doing some minor construction, lots of painting, and having new carpets installed.  With  those changes come opportunities to help.  If you can volunteer for anything from painting to packing, from moving or coordination of efforts.  Please call the church office 782-7486 and we will get back with you.  

Our target date is April 3^rd. it’s an aggressive schedule but together we can make it happen, if the Lord wills.   So – “Here we Grow”.   I use that term because through this move we will continue to do what we do best.

1. Teach God’s word.
2. Worship in Spirit and Truth.
3. Minister by the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:42  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord and your support of the ministry of High Sierra Fellowship.   Please plan to attend our Business Meeting on March 13^th @ 1:00pm for some more details and future vision for the fellowship.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Rich    <><

Psalm 100   “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the LORD is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

 The bible speaks volumes about Thanksgiving and when it does, it is always expressed toward God.  So as we celebrate this wonderful holiday, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I too enter the gates of the Lord with Thanksgiving and praise.

 This year we are in Texas for the holiday and having a wonderful time with our children, their spouses and our six grandchildren.  We had a wonderful meal and fellowship with their Pastor here in San Antonio, we have relaxed, gone on school outings, hikes, worked on cars, worked on a swimming pool, enjoyed warm weather, and watched a little football – all things to be thankful for.   Yet real thankfulness is not for things or blessings, but gratitude for the Grace of God.   

 As the Psalm says, we enter into the presence of the Lord with our thanksgiving.  Its an understanding that all we have, the blessings of family, the joys of life and the benefits of faith are from the Grace and hand of the Lord. 

 When God knew the depraved state of mankind, he did something about it.  He sent the Savior Jesus Christ as the Atoning Sacrifice for sin, once for all, Jesus died for our sins, the just for the unjust.   If you know this to be true, then you really have something to be thankful for.

 How you express that thankfulness is seen in our Psalm, with shouts of joy, worship and praise, and keeping in view his loving kindness, and his faithfulness, that is the heart of Thanksgiving for those who believe.  

 What are you Thankful for?   Maybe things are hard, but remember the Lord is Good, and HIS Faithfulness is seen in all generations. 

GRACE TO YOU

PASTOR RICH <><

Fellowship

Prayer

Worship

Teaching

The number 40 is a very biblical number. Forty days of flood and Noah’s ark, forty years Moses was in the wilderness and on the mountain. King Saul ruled for forty years and of course Jesus fasted forty days and nights. Forty, the number of brave Men from High Sierra Fellowship who participated in our “Living Sacrifices” Retreat. Men form their late teens to mid sixties all gave up a weekend for the one purpose of knowing God better. 

Pastor Jay McCarl (Calvary Chapel Cool CA) led most of our teaching giving us amazing insights into what a living sacrifice is and what it looks like in a twenty first century man. Garritt Fauria challenged us with an awesome devotion and EdAddeo kept us laughing as he challenged us with being bold and not timid.

Our men broke into small groups where we watched the Lord move and work in guys lives and hearts. Two men came to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and I think all of us were moved to draw closer to God.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 It is the consistent view of God’s mercy that challenges us to offer our lives back to him. Living different then the world, not conforming to the culture and being transformed in our thinking is what allows the believer to know, test and approve of God’s will in their lives.

Continue to pray for all forty of us that the work that God did this weekend will continue to grow as we become great men and leaders for God.