Daily Devotion

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.

Starting with a great birthday on Sunday and ending up with emergency surgery on Monday, it’s been quite a ride. Yet through it all God is so gracious and working in both my life and the lives of those He puts in my path. 

So what happened? Okay, the Readers Digest version is best. Monday Suzanne and I were taking on a long put off landscape project and went out in the mountains to gather some colorful rocks. On our second trip, I tripped. I was carrying two large rock up a very steep hill when my feet slipped and the rocks went flying. Well, one of them landed on my right index finger which broke in several places. We rushed home changed vehicles and went to the emergency room. Four hours later I was having surgery. Dr. Robertson did a great job putting pins in my finger and we hope it will heal completely over the next few months. 

So… I have a cast on my right arm (yes I’m typing left handed) but more than any pain or inconvenience I want to blog about the goodness of God. 

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

When trials come be they because of my own clumsiness or be they from the had of another, or even from God. I can take that trial as from the Lord. James teaches us to look beyond the outward manifestations of the trial and look to what God is doing in my life by the trial.  

What great comfort I have knowing that God knows and knew about this long before it happened. What great anticipation I can have knowing God loves me so much that he wants me to learn perseverance and grow my faith by this trial 

Thank to all for your prayers, support and love – keep it up.

Grace To You all.

Pastor Rich <><

 Psalm 121:1-3 “I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber.

Saturday 11 hearty hikers ascended Markleeville peak. What a great time, at the top Bob Stulac shared from this Psalm. There something about being near 10,000 feet elevation and viewing all of God’s wonderful creation as you hear the Word of God spoken. What an awesome time!

I really like that Psalm, in a day when people look to nature for peace, the Psalmist reminds us that “help comes from the Lord.” God is the one who watches over his children, not mother nature, its “Father Nature” “The Maker of heaven and earth.”

 High Sierra has another hike planned this one a little more family oriented. Lake Margarete near Kirkwood will be the destination on August 21^st. Hope you can make it.

 Grace  Pastor Rich <><

Fathers day in the Minden park was awesome. We worshiped in the open air, had a teaching from Hebrews about “Father Abraham”, a Barbecue, and a concert. What a great day.

Although Abraham is called the father of all who believe, he is mostly our example of faith. By faith when spoken to by a God he did not know, he left his father’s home and went where God showed him. By faith he lived as a nomad, a stranger in the land God had shown him. By faith, he believed the promise of a son, and Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. By faith he offered his son on the altar as God tested Abraham and he passed the test with flying colors.

That last thing is often hard for us to understand; Why would God have Abraham offer his son? Yet I think that is the sign of a great father. One that will take his children and offer them back to the Lord as a sacrifice, not with a knife and fire but by trusting God with them and raising them as strangers in the world.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers , do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

The Apostle Paul gives us that great wisdom, it’s God’s word for the believing man, to raise their children / grandchildren in the ways of the Lord, not push them to the point of discouragement, and not punish them too harshly – but “train them”. Training of course involves interaction and involvement. Fathers are to be involved with their kids, involved with their lives, their personalities, and their education. They need to have interaction with their children’s schooling, with their children’s manners, and raising them to become productive citizens of our nation and for our God.

Father’s day has been around since the early 1900s but fathers have been both good and bad examples to their children since the creation. As believers in Christ, we are commanded to live like Abraham, strangers in the world, a huge piece of that is to raise our kids and grandkids in the was of God. Let’s take Paul’s word to the church in Ephesus to heart, and “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Grace to you;

Pastor Rich <><

On Sunday mornings we have been studying the book of Hebrews at High Sierra Fellowship. It has been a deep and wonderful journey so far. Over the past couple weeks and for a couple of more weeks in the middle chapters of Hebrews we will see a lot of mention of the “LAW OF GOD”. And how Jesus is a better High Priest who brings in the better covenant of Grace. With some of your comments I have a little matrix below that gives a few highlights and scripture references to the Law of God and how it applies to the Christian.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS — THE LAW

EXODUS 20 

1. No other Gods     (Vertical 1st: Man’s relationship with God)
2. Lord’s name  
3. No images
4. Sabbath  
5. Honor Parents.   (Horizontal 2nd: Man’s relationship with man)
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit Adultery 
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie
10. Do not Covet             (Attitude of the heart. (Romans 7:7))

 ALL ABOUT THE LAW

Law is Perfect                               Psalm 19:7

Law is a Schoolmaster                Galatians 3:23-25

Law written on the heart              Psalm 40:8 / Romans 1:18-20

 JESUS ON THE LAW.

Law fulfilled but still stands           Matthew 5:17

Law is spiritual                              Matthew 5:21-28 

LAW IS FOR JUDGMENT.

Judgment apart from law              Romans 2:12

Keep all the law or none               Galatians 5:3 / James 2:10

Law not burdensome                    1 John 5:3 

LAW CAN NOT MAKE YOU RIGHTEOUS.

Righteous by faith not law.            Romans 10:5-13/ Galatians 3:11-13

 CHRISTIANS STILL KEEP THE LAW.

Live (Holy) like the law applies      Romans 6:13-16/ Romans 7:12-13/ James 2:12-13

 LAW VERSE GRACE

1. The law prohibits – Grace gives.

2. The law condemns the sinner – Grace redeems the sinner.

3. The law says Do – Grace says “Done”.

4. The law says perform – Grace says “It is finished”

5. The law curses – Grace blesses.

6. The law shuts every mouth before God – Grace opens the mouth to praise God.

7. The law condemns the best man – Grace saves the worst man.

8. The law brings knowledge of sin – Grace brings redemption from sin.

9. The law came by Moses – Grace and truth by Jesus Christ.

10.The law demands obedience – Grace brings a desire to obey.

11. The law was written on stone – Grace is written on the tablet of the heart.

May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

Pastor Rich   <><

1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you.”

Holy Week is what we call this past week that leads up to Easter. This year was amazing, because the Holiness and Love of God was manifest at High Sierra Fellowship in so many ways.

On Wednesday evening we considered Psalm 22. An amazing part of Scripture that vividly shows us the atonement, and describes the crucifixion more then 1000 years before Jesus went to the cross.

By Thursday we had more then 60 people involved in the final days of working thought the drama “My Deliverer” . Thursday night was tough with all the technical issues, but God is so good, and with the hard work of Bill Bylthe and Rick Baker, we worked out all those very complex issues.

Friday began with Good Friday in the Minden Park and in spite of the cold windy weather a great crowed came out to remember the atonement. We considered Exodus 15, and how the bitter waters that Israel faced at Marah, are a wonderful picture of the bitterness of sin and life and the sweetness of the cross. As Moses put the wood into the bitter waters, so Jesus took the wood of the cross to carry the bitterness of all who would believe.

To say the least the three performances of My Deliverer were amazing. We had over 600 people come and be part of our outreach with about 9 people giving their life to the Lord. That is what it is all about – but even more, so many heard the gospel and we know that God’s word never goes out empty but always accomplishes the purpose that it is intended. Even beyond those who wittinesses the performances, we saw a great excitement from all our members who worked so hard on this outreach. I truly believe we will see an amazing ongoing harvest because of all your efforts.

There are way to may people to thank for their hard work, of course Tim Hartman, Denise Axelson, Bill and Jennifer Blythe, and Leslie Williamson certainly poured their hearts into this for months. Not that they would get big headed but Bill and Rick did an outstanding job not only with the outreach but Easter Sunday as well. I know that so many others worked so hard and helped so much giving their time and talents. Thank you all – the Lord knows how much you gave, and there will be much fruit in your lives and the fellowship because of your hard work.

Our Resurrection day services were packed out, the second service we actually needed more chairs but our ushers did a great job and everyone was not only seated but served communion in a timely manner. Most of all the Lord was exalted in all we did. We worshiped with praise, (with the choir) communion and an important message of the “Power of the Resurrection.”

The text from 1 Peter says it all, “Praise be to God.” I think of the great hymn.

To God be the glory great things he has done, so loved he the world that he gave us his son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord – Praise the Lord – let the earth hear his voice. Praise the Lord – Praise the Lord – let the people rejoice, oh come to the Father through Jesus the Son – and give Him the Glory great things he has done.

Grace,

Pastor Rich <><

In 1 Kings 12, Rehoboam is a young man who becomes king of Israel. His father Solomon had placed a heavy yoke upon the people in forced labor and high taxes. So the people came to the young king and told him to reduce the taxes and they would follow him. Rehoboam did a good thing, he consulted the Elders of Israel who told him.

1 Kings 12:7 They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”

“Be a servant to the people and they will follow you!” Sound advice but Rehoboam was young and inexperienced so he talked to his contemporaries about the situation. These young men were royalty, and spoiled wealthy guys who had little real life experience. Their advice to Rehoboam was not sound at all, rather it was poor counsel that would lead to his downfall.

1 Kings 12:10-11 The young men who had grown up with him replied, “Tell these people who have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter’-tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

That was the advice Rehoboam followed – he set in place new laws and new taxes to make things even harder on the people. Well to say the least that did not go over well.

1 Kings 12:15 “So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the LORD…”

God had spoken through his prophet that this would happen, the end result was the death of the kings right hand man, and Rehoboam hiding out in Jerusalem with rebellion against the government for the rest of the years of the kings of Israel.

1 Kings 12:19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

Recent events in our nation we find the representatives from our states following advice that is against the people’s wishes. Higher taxes, more bureaucracy and rebellion among many people. Was our leadership ill advised? Is this the end of harmony in our government. Just like in the days of Rehoboam, I find great comfort in verse 15.

1 Kings 12:15 “So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the LORD…”

God is in control. So many are upset about the health care bill, so many are calling for a fight. Some Christians are acting like this is the “abomination that causes desolation.” From my perspective, this is not the first bad legislation we have seen in America nor will this be the last flawed advice that one of our presidents will follow.

What should we as believers do?

1. Pray!

The bible encourages us to pray for our leaders, recognizing that God has granted them their authority, and hoping they will come to see how they will be accountable to God for the use or misuse of that authority.

2. Submit to the law of the land.

A bad heath care bill is not the end of freedom, if it contains parts that are against our faith (Abortion, Euthanasia etc.) then we must obey God instead of man. (Acts 5:29)

3. Use your rights as citizens of the United States of America.

We have a dual citizenship, heaven is our homeland, but God ordained us to be born in “such at time as this”. We have the right to vote, use it, and be active in the political process. We have the right to petition and file lawsuits over bad policy. We have the right to recall officials, who like Rehoboam, are out of touch with the people.

4. Remember our calling.

This is the main thing I want to say, ours is not a calling to fix the government. As much as I would like to do that and as passionate as I want to be about that, my first goal is to fulfill the law of Christ. To live out the great commission and to bring others to this great salvation we have. When we are focused on our main goal the issues of this world do not upset me, and do not worry me. Jesus Christ is in control, he will return and redeem his children to himself.

2 Peter 3:11-13 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Grace to you,

Pastor Rich <><

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Those words were written by the Apostle Paul during his last days before he was martyred for the Lord.  I love that text because Paul reminds us that the crown is for “All who long for his appearing.”  Our dear Brother Al Goheen has been longing for that day and now the confidence of that text is fully understood by him.

Let me take you back to a day I will never forget, Sunday December 26^th 1976.   Suzanne and I were young long haired hippy types when we had been invited to a little Pentecostal church.   As we drove in that day, we were a little on the late side and had a bit of an argument about not going.   Still my stubbornness and the fact that the Lord had been dealing with me for about a year, we barged into the song service that had already started.

There in that little church was a room full of people, one couple we knew was Al and Kathy Goheen with their (at the time youngest) daughter Hollie.    Suzanne and I had known Kathy and Hollie for several years as Kathy worked at A&H – the only convenience store in town.

That Sunday suddenly there we were with them and dozens of others worshiping and hearing about Jesus.   Well, the Lord touched our hearts that day and salvation came to the Lammay household.   That began a wonderful journey of faith which has had the Goheen’s being part of our life and family for much of that journey.  

Fond memories for me of Al are: Working on a Carson Valley Days float in the 1970s.   A car Al painted for me. Painting and working around a couple of different church buildings.  A couple of weddings (Hollie and Bill / Tracy and Arron), some funerals and a lot of worship and praise together.

For Al these past couple of years have been a real journey of faith and trials with his health.   Yet I have seen Al go back to the fire of Jesus that we shared in those early days at the church on Tillman.

There’s a great old song that always reminds me of those days, and speaks to me of what the Lord is doing currently at High Sierra Fellowship.

“LITTLE COUNTRY CHURCH”

©1971 MARANATHA! Music (Love song) Words and music Chuck Girard

Little country church on the edge of town
Doo-do- do-dn-do-do-do
People comin’ everyday from miles around
For meetin’s and for Sunday school
And it’s very plain to see
It’s not the way it used to be

Preacher isn’t talkin’ ’bout religion no more
He just wants to praise the Lord
People aren’t as stuffy as they were before
They just want to praise the Lord
And it’s very plain to see
It’s not the way it used to be

They’re talkin’ ’bout revival and the need for love
That little church has come alive
Workin’ with each other for the common good
Puttin’ all the past aside
Long hair, short hair, some coats and ties
People finally comin’ around
Lookin’ past the hair and straight into the eyes
People finally comin’ around
And it’s very plain to see
It’s not the way it used to be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZkWrn9SXwo

This is for you Al – We’ll see you soon – Maranatha! come Lord Jesus.

Zephaniah 3:5  “The LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.”  

The Lord spoke to the nation Israel via the prophet, when the city was rebellious against God, he spoke to them about this faithfulness. Today as we live in a world of uncertainty, with violence, crime, corruption and division in our culture, what great comfort these words of Zephaniah give.

 He reminds us that within the world of evil is a God who is righteous, the Lord who does no wrong. Zephaniah’s message is so timely so important to our generation. Because every day, “morning by morning” he is just, he love and mercy do not fail.

As we enter a new year and a new decade I am so excited about what the Lord is doing not only in our church and community but around the globe. As nations divide over global warming, as conflicts happen around the globe, as people in our nation separate over political ideologies, what comfort there is to know that Jesus Christ did not leave the church without hope.

John 16:13-14 “But when he, the Spirit of truth , comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.”

The Holy Spirit has been guiding believers for millennium and will continue to be with us bringing glory to Jesus by taking from what is his and revealing it to the church. How does he do that? By your life lived as a “living sacrifice” to the Lord. When the church walks in / lives by the Spirit they will bring glory to Jesus in everything we do. Glory to him by the fruit of our lives. After all that is what Jesus said is going to make all mankind know we follow him.

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Lets take up the sword of the Spirit and walk in the truth as we see then new year approaching. New Year resolutions will fail but a heart focused on Jesus, a life relying on the Spirit will represent him well. It is only our connection to Jesus Christ that we can do anything. It is the Holy Spirit that brings glory to Jesus, but the Spirit is promised to the Church not to the world (John 14:17). It is as the church lives after the Spirit we will not gratify the flesh and we will represent him(Gal 5:16).

Personally I am very excited about 2010 all that the Lord has for his church. Personally I am anticipating what he has for me as a follower of him, and what he has for us at HSF as small part of his body that desires to bring glory to him.

Grace and peace, 

Pastor Rich <><

“What books are you currently reading Pastor Rich?”  That question comes to me more often then most other personal questions.   So, here’s the last few and what I am currently reading. 

The End of Reason – Ravi Zacharias.   A Response to the New Atheists  great defense and proof that our faith is reasonable and can be intellectual.   GREAT BOOK! 

Vintage Jesus – Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears.   Timeless answers to timely questions, a fresh look at doctrinal truths in modern street lingo.  HALF FINISHED–EXCELLENT BOOK!  

Old Testament Theology – Walter Brueggemann.    Essays on Structure Theme, and Text.  Textbook for school, very hard read, not very readable.  WOULDN’T RECOMMEND IT. 

 Proverbs – Solomon (most likely) Awesome wisdom from God!  HIGHLY RECOMMEND

 1 Timothy – Apostle Paul.  Pastoral Epistle wisdom for the church and believer from the Holy Spirit.    HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Well there’s a few of my current and recent reads, hope God speaks to you from his word and by his Spirit.   

Grace,

Pastor Rich <><