Lead Pastor

Pastor Chad DeWeerd

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April 1, 2011

Dear Friends,

Here in Northern Ohio, we’ve all heard the pithy sayings that seek to predict the weather and at the same time, welcome in the springtime. Slogans that suggest, “March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.” Or how about the reliability of the statement, “April showers bring May flowers.” The truth is, soon enough the evidence of a new season will present itself in full bloom with its beautiful array of color and fragrant aromas reminding us that spring has begun and new life has sprung.

“Jesus said, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. John 12:23-24 (NIV)

Looking out my office window, I daily witness the reality of this resurrection in nature and today wonder… “What if we were to adapt these “ole farmer’s tales” to better explain eternal Truths and experience the reality of new life in Christ. In fact, it was Jesus who first posed this challenge in John 12:25-26 (NIV) where He states: “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

As a conditional promise, these verses serve as a most reliable means of forecasting and predicting the coming harvest of righteousness, the bountiful blessings and the abundant life that the Father wants us to experience as a church and His children in the days ahead. What a wonderful hope we have!

IF we believe that Jesus Christ came to the cross as a Lamb, was crucified, dead and buried in the tomb and three days later went out as a Lion- risen and roaring His victory over sin, Satan and death; THEN the power of His resurrected life is ours- here, now AND forever! 
Like those flowers that burst forth from the ground when watered; our lives are to bring forth the fruit of God’s Holy Spirit when showered with His grace, mercy and love. How about you? Are your roots going deep? Are you growing up toward the SON, spreading out to offer shade and shelter to all who seek Christ? Are you bearing much fruit from that single seed of faith? If so, that’s my praise! If not, that’s my prayer!

With the resurrection, a new season has begun and SPRING HAS SPRUNG……A LEAK that is! What a great idea! That phrase paints a wonderful word picture of what it means to live our lives in the fullness of Christ. Imagine it. God filling us in such a way that our lives would abound with every good thing: pouring out blessings, spilling over in loving kindness, gushing with grace and flat out overflowing in love! But that’s not all. How about bursting forth with joy or running over with kindness, and bubbling up, over and out with gratitude.

All of these are the direct result of the compassionate Christ and conquering King who works both with and within us for our good and His glory. Paul,the Apostle put it like this, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

What an awesome privilege to partner with the living Lord to bring about godly growth and Christ-like character in our lives. Jesus emphasized this principle of connecting by faith, being faithful and bearing fruit when He said, John 15:5-9 (NIV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”

The result of keeping connected to Christ is a life that finds purpose in daily living and the power to fulfill God’s plan for us- both in heaven and on earth. In John 10:9-10 (NIV) Jesus makes it clear, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture…. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The idea of being filled daily seems to excite most believers, including me. However, to truly allow a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit tomorrow we need to make room today. How? By giving away the measure of time, talents and treasures granted us by God through the means of surrender, sacrifice and service to both Him and others as He provides opportunity. In other words, we need to invest what God has entrusted us today, so that He can satisfy all our needs tomorrow. The question is, “Can we trust Him to supply our daily bread and meet all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus?” The Bible says emphatically, “Yes!” And most of us would lend a heart-felt “Amen.” Yet the fact remains, God won’t feed us fresh provision, show us fresh perspectives or show up with His fresh presence when we insist on stashing away and serving up day old bread!

That’s why the Dead Sea is dead! There’s only intake and no outflow. And sadly, that’s why the wells of our heart and works of Christ’s Church so often appear empty, shallow, dry and void of life. That’s the warning. Now let’s commit our hearts to worship and pray together… “Lord, make me a vessel and not simply a vase. Let your blessings not only fill me, but let them flow through me so that others might see and come to know the beauty of Your One and only Son and the wonder of Your life-giving, life changing salvation! AMEN”

Friends, might it be said of you and me, just as it was of the Psalmist… “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Psalms 1:3 (NIV). Let’s be open to God’s fullness and willing to share His refreshment!

Springing A Leak For the Lord,

       Pastor Chad and Debbie DeWeerd