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(Sermon Notes by John Mitchell)

SPS
We grew up in a “safe” society--with no real fears. But with events that came to a head on Sept. 11, 2001, the “safe” society we knew is no longer “safe”!! The “opportunity” that in America you could work hard, play by the rules of a civilized society, and you would prosper above our forefathers was real. The “opportunity” of America is no more!! Our generation is the last to prosper as the Gov’t. takes over every aspect of our lives & leads us down the path of the loss of our freedoms to the destruction of all we hold DEAR to our lives!! EXPOUND-Money-Career-Job-Own a Business-Own a Home-Leave an Inheritance-Have a Conscience!! That is OVER!! And the most frightening of all--LOSS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM!!! EXPOUND!!!!! Regardless of these changes in the world around us, the truth is that these changes can result in major upheaval in our lives!
We too, may be tempted to believe that there is no solid place where we can stand secure while all around us life is being turned upside down, no absolutes and that truths once firmly anchored have been cast away in a sea of Political Correctness-Financial Greed & Government Dictatorship!! Today, I want to REMIND, REINFORCE, ENCOURAGE each of us that as Alan Wegat sang 3 weeks ago---THE ANCHOR HOLDS!!

BODY

PSALM 46:1-11--Today, we can affirm with David that there IS a place where we can stand secure and gives us confidence to stand firm while all about us there is vast and unrelenting change! Verses 1-3--Although the changes that are occurring around us may seem to be overwhelming in reality they cannot be compared with change referred to in this Psalm. How can anything we have yet encountered compare to the changing of the earth itself (Earthquakes)(Okinawa) , to the shaking and trembling of the mountains (Volcano’s), or the destructive roaring of the seas(Sunamis)? Personally-we may have experienced a sudden change in the direction of our life, loss of a loved one, loss of job, loss of home, or any multitude of upheavals that stress us to no end. BUT, in each case the earth itself has stood firm under us, the oceans have stayed within their shores, and the mountains have not been violently shaken to the point of disappearing. David shows US in Verses 4-11-that GOD is certainly able to hold us during personal and national disaster and that GOD ALONE is worthy of our faith and REMAINS as the only sure place to stand!!

But what of EVIL, even though it may not physically change the earth, the evil that is done in the world has tremendous power to affect us when we come fact to face with it. We see se much evil in this world do we get to the point were we feel that there is no point to our struggle for good, that the victory is unsure, the KOG is too far off, to be of any motivation for us to take part in this battle to endure unto the end!!!
I SAMUEL: CHAPTERS 21&22-- EXPOUND FROM BIBLE MARGINS!!
And Then---Yet-David is not shaken by this Satanic Aggression, David does not back down, David does not lose faith!!
PSALMS 52:1-9--READ & EXPOUND--David’s confidence is not in himself, or in the Godly actions of others. His confidence is in the unfailing faithfulness of God. David is secure that in the eternal perspective his position is more secure than the position of Saul’s murdering servant. David KNOWS he will live in the house of God no matter how secure evil people seem in their security that is temporary and their end is sure at God’s hand!!
WHY is David so confident in his GOD, How can WE be so certain of the ability of God to protect our lives? THE FANTASTIC TRIP--I personally believe it is because GOD is good and HIS faithfulness is clearly seen in everything that exists.

ROMANS 1:19-20--Paul is saying here that the undisputed TRUTH that all that is important to know about GOD can be known through what HE has made. The universe in which we live proclaim the power and glory of our GREAT GOD!! (JESUS CHRIST)!!
PSALMS 33:1-22--David connects our ability to TRUST GOD directly to GOD’S own goodness and faithfulness. David asks- Where is your HOPE? And directly ties it to the question WHY? We too must ask these questions for our lives--When everything around you is falling apart & it seems you ( A True Christian ) are the target of forces beyond your control -EXPOUND-What is the foundation & anchor of your faith & Why is it there? For David the answer is GOD-for US the answer is GOD!!!!!
ACTS 14:17-- Paul affirms that GOD maintains both the world and his people, sending abundant crops (San Jauquain Valley), fruitful harvests (Florida) and joyful hearts(Us).
JAMES 1:16-17--James says that all that is good in the world finds its source in GOD; the good we see around us is evident of the grace and mercy of GOD upon both the Godly and un un-Godly. If GOD is good to sustain even those who have NO faith in him, how much MORE will HE sustain those of us who love and obey Him looking for that glorious kingdom to shortly come!!
ROMANS 5:10-- How great is the magnitude of GOD’S gift of salvation US??
LOOK WHAT WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TOO!!!!!!!

CONCLUSION
2 PETER 3:10--READ--Perhaps David had this in mind when he wrote:
PSALM 46-1-3--Regardless of the tremendous changes that faced him, his faith was in GOD. He trusted his life to the knowledge that GOD would hold him secure through ALL the trials of this life as well as the trials that would be with him until the end of his life. HE KNEW HIS REWARD!!
WE too can trust our lives to the knowledge that GOD will hold US secure through ALL
The trials of our lives and be with US until the end of OUR lives!! WE ALSO KNOW OUR REWARD!! We have seen GOD’S goodness to us in the days behind us--we can rest assured HE will carry US in the days ahead!!!!!! When we reach the end-our ship may be battered--our sails may be torn--but as Alan so beautifully sang--one thing is sure-

THE ANCHOR HOLDS
AND OUR ANCHOR IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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IN THE FACE OF CHANGE
(Sermon Notes by John Mitchell) SPS We grew up in a “safe” society--with no real fears. But with events that came to a head on Sept. 11, 2001, the “safe” society we knew is no longer “safe”!! The “opportunity” that in America you could work hard, play by the rules of a civilized society, and you would prosper above our forefathers was real. The “opportunity” of America is no more!! Our generation is the last to prosper as the Gov’t. takes over every aspect of our lives & leads us down the path of the loss of our freedoms to the destruction of all we hold DEAR to our lives!! EXPOUND-Money-Career-Job-Own a Business-Own a Home-Leave an Inheritance-Have a Conscience!! That is OVER!! And the most frightening of all--LOSS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM!!! EXPOUND!!!!! Regardless of these changes in the world around us, the truth is that these changes can result in major upheaval in our lives! We too, may be tempted to believe that there is no solid place where we can stand secure while all around us life is being turned upside down, no absolutes and that truths once firmly anchored have been cast away in a sea of Political Correctness-Financial Greed & Government Dictatorship!! Today, I want to REMIND, REINFORCE, ENCOURAGE each of us that as Alan Wegat sang 3 weeks ago---THE ANCHOR HOLDS!! BODY PSALM 46:1-11--Today, we can affirm with David that there IS a place where we can stand secure and gives us confidence to stand firm while all about us there is vast and unrelenting change! Verses 1-3--Although the changes that are occurring around us may seem to be overwhelming in reality they cannot be compared with change referred to in this Psalm. How can anything we have yet encountered compare to the changing of the earth itself (Earthquakes)(Okinawa) , to the shaking and trembling of the mountains (Volcano’s), or the destructive roaring of the seas(Sunamis)? Personally-we may have experienced a sudden change in the direction of our life, loss of a loved one, loss of job, loss of home, or any multitude of upheavals that stress us to no end. BUT, in each case the earth itself has stood firm under us, the oceans have stayed within their shores, and the mountains have not been violently shaken to the point of disappearing. David shows US in Verses 4-11-that GOD is certainly able to hold us during personal and national disaster and that GOD ALONE is worthy of our faith and REMAINS as the only sure place to stand!! But what of EVIL, even though it may not physically change the earth, the evil that is done in the world has tremendous power to affect us when we come fact to face with it. We see se much evil in this world do we get to the point were we feel that there is no point to our struggle for good, that the victory is unsure, the KOG is too far off, to be of any motivation for us to take part in this battle to endure unto the end!!! I SAMUEL: CHAPTERS 21&22-- EXPOUND FROM BIBLE MARGINS!! And Then---Yet-David is not shaken by this Satanic Aggression, David does not back down, David does not lose faith!! PSALMS 52:1-9--READ & EXPOUND--David’s confidence is not in himself, or in the Godly actions of others. His confidence is in the unfailing faithfulness of God. David is secure that in the eternal perspective his position is more secure than the position of Saul’s murdering servant. David KNOWS he will live in the house of God no matter how secure evil people seem in their security that is temporary and their end is sure at God’s hand!! WHY is David so confident in his GOD, How can WE be so certain of the ability of God to protect our lives? THE FANTASTIC TRIP--I personally believe it is because GOD is good and HIS faithfulness is clearly seen in everything that exists. ROMANS 1:19-20--Paul is saying here that the undisputed TRUTH that all that is important to know about GOD can be known through what HE has made. The universe in which we live proclaim the power and glory of our GREAT GOD!! (JESUS CHRIST)!! PSALMS 33:1-22--David connects our ability to TRUST GOD directly to GOD’S own goodness and faithfulness. David asks- Where is your HOPE? And directly ties it to the question WHY? We too must ask these questions for our lives--When everything around you is falling apart & it seems you ( A True Christian ) are the target of forces beyond your control -EXPOUND-What is the foundation & anchor of your faith & Why is it there? For David the answer is GOD-for US the answer is GOD!!!!! ACTS 14:17-- Paul affirms that GOD maintains both the world and his people, sending abundant crops (San Jauquain Valley), fruitful harvests (Florida) and joyful hearts(Us). JAMES 1:16-17--James says that all that is good in the world finds its source in GOD; the good we see around us is evident of the grace and mercy of GOD upon both the Godly and un un-Godly. If GOD is good to sustain even those who have NO faith in him, how much MORE will HE sustain those of us who love and obey Him looking for that glorious kingdom to shortly come!! ROMANS 5:10-- How great is the magnitude of GOD’S gift of salvation US?? LOOK WHAT WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TOO!!!!!!! CONCLUSION 2 PETER 3:10--READ--Perhaps David had this in mind when he wrote: PSALM 46-1-3--Regardless of the tremendous changes that faced him, his faith was in GOD. He trusted his life to the knowledge that GOD would hold him secure through ALL the trials of this life as well as the trials that would be with him until the end of his life. HE KNEW HIS REWARD!! WE too can trust our lives to the knowledge that GOD will hold US secure through ALL The trials of our lives and be with US until the end of OUR lives!! WE ALSO KNOW OUR REWARD!! We have seen GOD’S goodness to us in the days behind us--we can rest assured HE will carry US in the days ahead!!!!!! When we reach the end-our ship may be battered--our sails may be torn--but as Alan so beautifully sang--one thing is sure- THE ANCHOR HOLDS AND OUR ANCHOR IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN THE FACE OF CHANGE