PEACE IN CHRIST ALONE, NO MATTER THE STORM

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Fear isn't from the Lord. There are many things in life that cause us fear. It's so important to remember who I am in Christ, and any feeling of fear is not from Him.

Instead, God has given me His power! What an amazing gift we have in the Holy Spirit! His power is given to me so that I may love in all circumstances -- it's a power to love and have a self-controlled mind, to not let fear control my mind. God has given us the ability to be calm, not anxious, no matter what the storm is that's brewing outside. Confusion and panic should have no place in my mind, but rather peaceful thinking. This "sound mind" or "self-control" as the ESV puts it, is a gift to us from the Lord, and comes from His power. This is peace.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

I recently read a story about an art teacher who assigned the class to paint a picture that depicts "PEACE". He wanted them to think beyond a sunset, or a good seascape... after viewing several students' work, he was still rather frustrated. It really hadn't been anything unusual; nothing had really stood out to him, until he came to one painted by a young girl. She had painted a strong storm at sea with tiny ship in the midst of it. Everyone aboard this boat has fear in their eyes as the huge waves crashed and rocked the boat... then your eyes come to a young little boy, being held by his father. He is sound asleep in his arms. His face showed neither fear nor concern. The storm was raging all around him, but he was peaceful in his father's arms.

I gave my children this same assignment today as one of their options. One child captured it well. She painted a  shepherd holding a sheep in one hand, fighting off wolves with the staff in His other. This is the security I have when I rest in my Lord. This is peace.

"The peace that the world gives depends on blue skies, safe surroundings, freedom from fighting, disturbances and worry. But the peace that Jesus gives lasts right through the storms. Nothing can touch us nor hurt us without God having allowed it to happen for our benefit. To know and trust that He is in control whatever our situation is to know peace." Patricia St. John 

BIG HORN CALVARY FELLOWSHIP

HARDIN, MT

Update: December 2013

The Van Order Family

Acts 11:23b “… with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.”

Hungering for the Word of God… 

Luke 4:4  “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

We are so thankful and privileged to share with you all that the Lord is doing in Hardin! His faithfulness continues to amaze us and as He continues to guide; our desire is to follow in obedience to His calling here.

                      

We are so grateful for the body of Christ here in Hardin. We continue to meet on Sunday nights for church in the basement of the local Methodist church. We are thankful for the Spirit of God that continues to direct and teach us during that time. We have several faithful families and singles that attend. There is nothing sweeter than the gathering together of the brethren to worship our Lord and study His Word! Both the Sunday meeting and the Thursday evening ladies study have been blessed with many new faces this year. It is so good to see people hungering and thirsting for the teaching of the Word of God and going deeper in time of prayer.

Discipleship… 

2 Cor. 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness 

of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

One thing God continues to show us is that discipleship means living life with people. Every day there are opportunities to interact and encourage one another in daily life. Whether it be through horses, homeschool, fellowship or work, we are grateful for opportunities to disciple people and encourage one another in the Lord, as we live life together.

The men faithfully meet for breakfast every Saturday morning to encourage and edify each other in the Word of God. They often share what God has taught them through the Word that week and encourage one another as fathers and husbands.  Every week, these discussions filter down through our homes encouraging the women and children also. Most recently was a discussion from the book of Job, how God chose to reveal to Job more of His character and nature, causing Job to see God in a much deeper way than he was able to see before the trials in his life. We had many conversations surrounding Job, while taking walks, building fences and sharing meals together.

“The harvest is plentiful” and God is providing laborers!

Philippians 1:27b “that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.”

After much prayer and patiently seeking and waiting for the Lord’s perfect timing, Tandra Tewell moved to Hardin in August to help with ministry here. She has been an active part of ministry here for many years and really felt the Lord’s call on her life to move here.  It was amazing to see the Lord miraculously open doors for her, making her call here so very clear. She has been a blessing and a wonderful addition to the body in Hardin. The Lord opened the same job in Hardin that she had in the school system in Billings, and also provided a wonderful little home for her to live in – two very difficult things to obtain in Hardin!

We are also thankful for the Lord’s calling on Dwight Zerbe to lead us in worshipping the Lord, “in Spirit and in Truth”, and for the Kauffman family, who are faithfully serving here in Hardin as well, since moving from Indiana two years ago.

The Church Building… 

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”

This past July, we had the blessing of having 2 mission teams from Harvest Chapel in Lafayette, IN come again. We are so thankful for the body of Christ from all over coming together in obedience to the Lord’s calling to accomplish His will. So much work was accomplished on the church building during that time. Layers of old siding were removed. Two new furnaces and air conditioners were installed. Electrical work was accomplished. A platform was built. We are also thankful for the body in Billings who spent a workday installing new windows, cleaning up the yard, hanging sheetrock, etc. Thanks to many hands, we are making progress on the 105 year old building that God has provided us, the very first church building in Hardin. So, to those of you have labored and sweat whether physically or in prayer, THANK YOU!

God’s Continued Provision… 

Psalm 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.”

Every step of the way He has provided! We were praying about how to fix the large front window, which we uncovered after 50 years of having siding over it. It has been a great visual in this town facing a main road and many long-time residents were blessed when it was uncovered. We were uncertain, however, how to pay for its restoration when God, through a windstorm, blew the window into the building. At first we did not understand why this storm and subsequent damage had to happen, but after contacting the insurance company it became very clear. The Lord provided the resources for a complete new custom window to be built AND the money to have a contractor install it for us! He has been faithful in every detail, every step of the way. The new window is being constructed and will soon be put in place!

Also, we recently ordered the siding for the building, receiving a check the very morning Evan went to order it, which covered almost the entire expense of the materials. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to provide, and may the Lord bless those of you who faithfully have given to this ministry! THANK YOU for your obedience, and all glory to God!

Needs for the Upcoming Year… 

Luke 18:1b “…men always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

1) Prayer: Our desire is to be obedient to God’s call moment by moment, day by day. To know and be in God’s will, we must be abiding in the Lord. It starts with our own hearts being in tune with His. We must remain faithful in our own walk with Him. Please pray that our desire will always remain to know Jesus more and to become more like Him, that nothing will distract us from that! Please pray that God will protect His Word as it is planted into the hearts of people here; that Satan will not be able to snatch it away before it takes root. Pray that the thorns & thistles of the cares and worries of this world will not choke God’s Word from being fruitful and that His Word will fall on good soil, so it will bear much fruit! Pray for the lost! Pray for eyes to be open, for people to come to repentance and brokenness and see their need for a Savior!

2) Provision: Secondly, our desire is to be able to meet in our own building. While we thank God for His provision thus far, we also trust Him to complete the work He has brought us to. Please pray for continued finances and laborers to finish the building project. Also, if you are interested in helping out in any way, please let us know. We hope to have more workdays ahead!

To God be the glory, great things He has done! 

Psalm 148:1a “PRAISE the LORD!”

May all glory go to the Lord, Creator of heaven and earth! Who gives us life and every breath, Who sustains us, Who has saved us, Who is great and mighty in power! His understanding is infinite! We exalt Him as God most high and worship at His feet. To God be all the glory! PRAISE the LORD!