by Rev. Roger Smets
“Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross”. (Heb. 12:2b)
When one considers the horrible and excrusiating pain that Jesus endured on the cross, the question cannot help but surface, “How could He do it?” How could He bear such pain in His body? The answer is in Hebrews 12:2b. What was that “joy” that was “set before Him”, the joy that He managed to keep His focus on as He was being sacrificed like an animal on the tree? It was the joy of knowing that He was, through His blood, providing redemption, a way that all of mankind could be forgiven of sin and made right with God. It was an “inner joy” that only Jesus would ever know. Praise God for this “joy” that was “set before” Jesus that enabled Him to “endure the cross.
Truly, Jesus looked beyond the cross and saw you and me, in need of a Savior to forgive us and cleanse us from all our sin. As the hymn so eloquently said it, “Oh what a Savior”!
Last month I attended the Memorial Service for my friend and mentor, Dick Mills. Dick was known widely throughout the world as a man with a “Word from the Lord”. He memorized several hundred Scripture Promises that he ministered to others. In 1978 Dick spoke a Word over me that I would become a “carrier” of the Word and likewise would memorize Scripture promises to minister to those in need of a “Word from the Lord”. Six pastors, including Jack Hayford, Bill Jonhson, Jim Tolle and others honored Dick’s unwavering dedication to the Word of God. It was said that he was always ready to give a “Word from the Lord” to anyone wherever he went. I was challenged afresh to memorize more of God’s Word and to always be happy to give an encouraging Word to someone in need.
A phrase that is usually spoken with the assumption that no one really cares is this one, “Who Cares?” It is a comment born out of the frustration that comes when circumstances have turned against us and we have grown weary of the fight. It is then when doubts of God’s love and care begin to surface and we find ourselves asking this question, “Who Cares?” Amid the troubles that life sometimes will bring, it is without doubt a valid question, one for which God has an assuring answer.
Circumstances do not dictate the Love & Care of God:The Gospels tell the story about Jesus sleeping on board a ship with the disciples, when a great storm rose up threatening their lives. As they awakened Jesus, one of the disciples said, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38) Their hearts were filled with fear. They wondered how Jesus could sleep at a time like this and thus assumed that He didn’t care about them and what may happen. Unfortunately, they mistakenly allowed the crisis of the storm to dictate their understanding of the love and care of God. We likewise, must be careful not to do the same. We must not allow the hardships of life to be the measuring stick of God’s care. The bottom line is that no matter what happens or doesn’t happen, God cares for us. How do we know? He says so in His Word! I Peter 5:7 affirms it, “Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you!” In the midst of every crisis or tribulation, His love and care for us remains absolute, unaltered, unadjusted and unchanged. Thus, when the storms of life assault us and the question surfaces in our hearts, “Who Cares”?, may we, with boldness of heart, declare, “God cares”, He always has and He always will according to the promise of His holy Word.
We released a cd set entitled, “Hope An Anchor For Your Soul”. So many people today need new hope. The Bible says that God has given us hope, as an anchor for our soul. (He. 6:19) The three messages in this new cd are: “A Steadfast Hope”, “A Lively Hope” and “A Compelling Hope”. If you would like to order this series of teaching go to our STORE to complete your order. Already many have said this series of ministry was not only encouraging, but life-saving.
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In recent days the Lord has shown me that He is calling for a “Fresh Surender” of our hearts toward His will and ways in our lives. While it is so that we can all point back to a place and time when we “totally surrendered” our hearts to God, that “surrender” needs to be renewed and refreshed again. The reason we need to make a “Fresh Surrender” to the Lord is because we are facing new challenges, new trials and new choices. The temptation to take control of our lives again is strong. Thus, we need to keep our surrender to God “fresh” by continually making Jesus Lord over every decision we make and direction we take. May God help us to renew our surrender to Him on a regular basis, keeping it “fresh”. Amen!
While many would like to believe that there are many different ways to heaven, the fact remains that there is but ONE WAY. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” and that “no man can come to the Father, but by me.” (Jn. 14:6) The reason Jesus is the only Way, is because no one else paid the penalty for our sins, but Christ. It wasn’t Buddha who took the nails to his hands and feet. It wasn’t Mohamed who took the crown of thorns to his brow. It wasn’t Confucius who took the Roman spear to his side, no it was Jesus! It was only Jesus, who upon considering the sacrifice of His life on the cross, prayed, “Father, if there be any other way, let this cup pass from me, but, not my will, but thine be done.” (Mt. 26:39). If anyone could be made right with God without Jesus’s sacrificial death for their sin, then Jesus died in vain and his death would be considered as not needed or unnecessary. But the fact is that there was no other way. The fact that there is but “ONE WAY” to heaven is the core crux of the Gospel. It is the foundational truth that underscores our need for a savior, the truth that will drive us to Christ as our only hope for heaven.
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Gwen and I spent this past week visiting our children and grand-daughter in So. California. Our son, Duane is doing well serving as Sr. Pastor to a church he and his wife, Amy, pioneered 7 years ago with only a hand full of people. Now his church, “The Resolved” is attended every week by more than 100 people. He loves pastoring and God has honored his faithfulness. Duane and my daughter-in-law, Amy are especially excited because Amy is right now pregnant with baby #2. Baby #1, Adina is turning 3 years old on November 9th. She is our only grandchild (for the time being that is). Adina is such a blessing to be with. We love baby-sitting her. She is very bright and already is memorizing Bible verses. Also, in just a few days, Duane, Amy and Adina will be moving into their first home of their own. What an exciting season this is for their family. Our daughter, Heather is doing well and is working for a law firm as a ”Case Representative” for four different attorneys. Heather attends Newport Church, a charismatic spirit-filled church connected with Hillsong Church in Australia. Heather loves this church and has been growing much in the Lord over these past several months.
We praise the Lord that our children love the Lord and are serving Him with all of their hearts. Truly, “God is Good”!
“Train up your children in the ways of the Lord and when they are old, they shall not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6)
HEARTFELT HYMNS – by Gwen Smets
Three years ago Gwen released her first piano CD entitled, “Heartfelt Hymns”, recorded in Chicago, IL with the accompaniment of professional violinist, Beth Novak. Hymns like, “Amazing Grace”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “The Old Rugged Cross” and “He’s Coming Soon”, plus many more are included. Since it’s release we have sold nearly 1000 copies all over the U.S. and Canada. As someone once said, the message of the old hymns is timeless. Their melodies are beautiful, but their real strength is in the unchanging doctrine that epouses the music.
Gwen has been playing the piano for more than 50 years. She accompanies the prophetic ministry of the Scriptures to individuals in our services. Her background at the keyboard provides a beautiful backdrop to the prayer time at the altar. If you would like a copy of her CD, just click on “Store” on this website, www.rogersmets.com.
This past Sunday, I had the priviledge of ministering at Hope Foursquare Church in Snohomish, WA, the church that my dear friend, Dr. Tom Ferguson was actively serving as Senior Pastor until his passing four months ago. I felt honored to have been invited to stand in the place where he stood and to declare the Word of God to his people. Needless to say, it was a sobering moment, realizing that Tom is gone and will not be returning. There were many tears in the house. They say in life you can count on one hand the number of people who have made a signifant impact on your life. Well for me, Pastor Tom was one of those five. He was always a great encouragement to Gwen and I in our ministry as evangelists. I miss the frequent phone calls that always ended with a prayer and a Bible Promise for the day. I miss his distinctive voice that always carried a tone of hope. Perhaps his greatest asset was that he was a man who undeniably loved Jesus!
This coming Sunday, Pastor Tom’s son, Andrew Ferguson and wife, Megan will be officially installed as the new Senior Pastors of Hope Foursquare by Northwest District Supervisor, David Veech. This past Sunday, I had the priviledge of praying a strong personal prophetic Word over Andrew and Megan as they now assume this added responsibility of leadership for the church.
Next Sunday: Next Sunday I will be ministering at Family Life Center Foursquare Church in Exeter, CA, where Tom and Ronda Ferguson served as Youth Pastors in their early ministry many years ago. Thanks for your prayers as I minister to people who need Words of Life and Words of Hope from God’s Word.
I was just thinking about heaven. What will it be like? Will we be old or young in heaven? Will other believers recognize us? The questions go on and on as we ponder on the glory of our eternal home. Someone once said that “Heaven will be heaven, not because of the pearlly gates or the streets of gold or the Crystal Sea. No, heaven will be heaven because that is where Jesus will be.” We will behold Him face to face and see first hand the scars in His hands and His feet, confirming Him as the Son of God who gave His life for our sin. I jut can’t image what that moment will be like. Perhaps the songwritter came close when he wrote,
“What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see
When I look upon his face,
The One who saved my by His grace
Then, He’ll take me by the hand
And lead me through the promise land
What a day, glorious day that will be”
I’m looking forward to that day. Are you? Regardless what trials or tribulations or heartache or pain we had to go through in this life, “It will be worth it all, when we see Christ”.
