Shippensburg First Church Of God Blog Site: The Full Picture

Sunday is coming, and I trust it will be a good day!

During this dreary, rainy, cold January day, you know what might be relaxing? A Puzzle!

I'd love to just sit by the fire with a cup of coffee and put pieces together…

I've learned there are two schools of thought for puzzle-putter-togethering: Do you look at the Box or No? Do you let the image on the package guide you, or do you embrace the challenge and hide the box?

It definitely feels more difficult when you don't have the full picture…

Recap: We began this series and this New Year with the question—Would you rather know what the full picture of what the future holds, or is it better that we don't know what's coming?

At the heart of the matter is Trust. Do we trust that God has good intentions and plans for our lives and our world?

As we wrap up this series this weekend, we will briefly revisit some of the thoughts of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, but then we will spend "a little while" focusing in on something our Lord Jesus has to say in John 16 about the future, God's Plans & God's Timing.

Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:11,

'He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.'

In the passage we will study Sunday, Jesus evokes some similar themes, and he tells his disciples in John 16:12,

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."

Jesus knows that his disciples can't bear or fathom what God has done from beginning to end. While we also have "eternity in our hearts," we too, are incapable of comprehending the full picture of God's Plans in our mortal minds.

To borrow the words of Paul in I Corinthians 13:12 (NKJV),

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

However, notice that Jesus does not merely leave his disciples "in the dark." In the next verse, John 16:13 Jesus says,

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth."

One of the main roles of the Holy Spirit is to help the People of God understand the thoughts of God, including getting a little better glimpse of God's plans "from beginning to end."

Whether we have questions about tomorrow, or the end of time, we can trust that God's Spirit will guide us into all the truth according to his timing and his plans. Scripture shows that this insight is always revealed slowly, through a gradual process. But we can trust that if we abide in Jesus, God will make all things beautiful in their proper time!

We do not know the "full picture" about what the future holds, but in John 16:33, Jesus has told us what we can expect for certain—

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Upcoming Events

Next week is Compelled to Serve Sunday. Phil Schiavoni will be sharing an update about his ministry with Coalition for Christian Outreach, and bringing a message from the Gospel of John. Learn more here: Philip Schiavoni - CCO | Campus Ministry (ccojubilee.org) There will also be a combined Sunday School hour featuring reports from missions in the Dominican Republic by the Negley family and Paige Smith.

Next Sunday afternoon, you also have the opportunity to go to Camp YoliJwa for their annual Winter Picnic, featuring family friendly activities starting at 3:00, a meal at 4:00, a presentation about our National Parks at 5:00, and devotions led by Pastor Rodney at 6:00. The camp is providing hot dogs, and each family is asked to bring a side dish such as salads, desserts, or snacks. You can learn more at Winter Picnic — Doubling Gap Center, Home of camp YoliJwa. All are welcome!

Our next Baptism service is scheduled for February 25^th. If you or someone in your family is considering this important step of faith, please sign up in the Gathering Place or respond to this email.

"A Weekend to Remember" is coming to Hershey on February 9-11. This is a wonderful time to strengthen your marriage and experience a weekend away. Now through January 22, Family Life Today is offering a 50% discount. That is the best price they offer, but after the 22, you can still save $100 if you register as part of our Church. You can register at this link: Weekend To Remember Marriage Retreat - FamilyLife® --When registering, we ask that you use the following code: ShippensburgFirstChurchofGod (no spaces). By using this code, the church receives a free couple registration for every five couples registered, and you receive the $100 discount (if registering after the 50% off promotion ends).

Outreach Collection Opportunity

We are collecting donations for the Circle of Love ministry. They are in need of any size of these items:

shampoo
body wash
conditioner
shaving cream
ladies' deodorant
toothpaste (please note, NO TOOTHBRUSHES are needed at this time)

Collecting will continue through January and February in a container in the vestibule of the Sanctuary, closest to Cross Roads Station. Thank you for sharing with our community!

I pray that God continues to reveal to you the "full picture" of His Love for you as you seek to live for Him!

Pastor Rodney Bistline

Shippensburg First Church of God

seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org