FROM THE WORD

God's Compass or Mine?

It's for good reason the Bible has much to say about guidance and direction - we all need it! We all live in a very confused and troubled world that can be hard to navigate. On top of that we are all instinctively prone to lose our bearings, wander off course, and finish up at some wrong and undesirable destination. Such an outcome can be distressing enough when it only relates to driving through some unfamiliar terrain. We can all relate to such navigational blunders and even find it amusing after the fact, but it can be far from amusing when a navigational blunder affects the direction of one's personal life - one that cannot be corrected by a simple U-turn. Painful indeed can be the final outcome of such digressions from every right and secure path.

The Bible tells us that "There is a way which seems right to a man, but the ends thereof are the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12) We cannot trust our own personal sense of direction especially when mapping our course to heaven. We must stay out of the map-making business and leave all that to God. Our job is just to follow the course directions that He has laid out for us. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He Shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:6)

Every Christian that trusts God to guide them need never fear He will fail them. That said, God may occasionally permit obstacles to be encountered along the path to suggest that He is no longer leading as we originally thought. In His infinite wisdom God may permit such to test our faith and teach us how to trust Him even under the most forbidding circumstances. We must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. While such seasons can be distressing, they are also invaluable in prompting us to evaluate our walk with God; to search our hearts and determine if "course blunders" originate from the actions of our own perverse will. If such is the case, then corrective measures must be taken from our side to restore conformity to God's will. Then in good faith we can seeks God's forgiveness and ask Him to redirect our steps afresh.

If prayerful heart searching reveals that the perplexities that have arisen on our journey are through no fault of our own, then we can rest assured that we are still walking in God's will. By faith, at such a time, we can confidently declare that God is still leading us in spite of circumstances that would suggest otherwise. Many times God's purposes for us are too deep and mysterious for us to fathom. His leading might not always make such sense to us, but we are not to fret and second- guess the path He has prescribed. It still makes perfect sense to Him and that's all that matters! "How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out." (Romans 11:33) In God's good time the perplexities will vanish, leaving a plain path for our feet.

"In the darkest days, when appearances seem most forbidding, have faith in God. He is working out His will, doing all things well in behalf of His people." (The Ministry of Healing, p. 482)

"Everyone who seeks to follow the path of duty will at times be assailed by doubt and unbelief. The way will sometimes be so barred by obstacles, apparently insurmountable, as to dishearten them who yield to discouragement; but God is saying to such, go forward. Do your duty at any cost. The difficulties that seem so formidable, that fill your soul with dread, will vanish away as you move forward in the path of obedience. (Patriarch’s & Prophets, p. 437)

Mike Thompson, Associate Pastor 

CENTRAL CORNER

This Week (April 23 to 28): 

• Tuesday @ 10:00 AM – Women’s Bible Study

• Tuesday @ 7:00 PM – Prayer Meeting with Pastor Fred Dana

• Wednesday @ 7:00 PM – Spanish Prayer Meeting  

This Sabbath (April 22): @ 9:00 AM: Morning Manna with Seymour Morgan / @ 9:30 AM: Central Study Hour with Pastor Michael Butler + Children/Youth/Adult Sabbath School Classes / @ 10:50 AM: Worship Service with Pastor Mike Thompson / @ 1:00 PM: Fellowship Lunch / @ 4:00 PM: Spring Concert

Upcoming Events

The Promise. Enjoy this year’s Spring Concert by Sacramento Central entitled, The Promise, as we journey in song through the promises surrounding the cross of Christ and the many others that enable us to walk with Him. Starting at 4 PM on Sabbath, April 29, 2017. Doors open at 3:30 PM.

Ladies’ Appreciation Breakfast. Hold onto your seats ladies. The men of the church want to express their appreciation to the women of the church by hosting a breakfast on Sunday, May 7 at 8:30 AM. It will be a special time for fellowship and encouragement (and, of course, good food!), If you are 18 years or older, please RSVP to office@saccentral.org by Sunday, April 30. Only 100 seats are available, so reserve yours quickly. More information soon to follow.

Week of Prayer. ALL are welcome to join us for this year’s Week of Prayer starting Monday, May 8 at 7 PM and running through Friday night. Justin Montero will share inspiring testimonies from his life. Justin was sentenced to 21 years in jail at the age of 24, but God had other plans. Hear his story of redemption and his firm trust in God.

Upcoming International Festival on June 25 will celebrate the diversity of our church. There will be food, fun, and fellowship from Noon to 5 PM. Plan to showcase your most yummy vegetarian ethnic dish. Feel free to dress in clothing that reflects your roots. Plan to fly your national flag in our Parade of Nations. Please contact Amanda Armstrong at amandaj.pauly@gmail.com if you would like your culture represented.

Family Matters

May 6 Launch Date. It’s not long now until Operation Joash kicks off. To learn more please visit https://zqh.orf.mybluehost.me/saccentral/operation-joash/. 

Redwood Camp Maranatha Project. This is a great opportunity to join Maranatha Volunteers International. The project is June 4-11. Several tasks have been identified. Needed are people who want a mission trip experience within the Northern California Conference territory. For more information, contact https://maranatha.org/volunteer-opportunities/ 

GYC West presents its 11th annual conference, “Reflect: The Daily Experience,” June 22 to 24 at Pine Hills Academy in Auburn, California. For more information and to register, click here.

Family Matters

Belt of Truth Ministries: For resources on media, true education, parenting, and more, visit www.beltoftruthministries.org.