1 / 12 / 2026

Good Morning Cedar Grove!

"Fear is not my future, You are"

What a beautiful truth we sang in unison yesterday as we gathered in Jesus name. I don't know where this lands with you, but allow me to encourage you this morning. Whatever you have going on. Whatever decision is before you. Whatever changes you are making in order to get closer to God. Do not fear.

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), 2 Ti 1:7.

Fear, doubt, and discouragement all serve to keep a believer where they are. We know that God desires us to grow in our faith. He desires us to thrive in His goodness. He desires that we live in victory. This kind of life requires us to continue to move forward. Last night at lifegroups, we talked about how the people of Israel had a task ahead of them. They were to rebuild and restore the temple. Seems simple enough right? Of course, we know that opposition appeared quickly. The Samaritans became their adversary. They were so effective in their attacks, that the world stopped for almost 17 years. 17 years the people were stagnant. 17 years they lived in fear. 17 years they did not live in the effectiveness and victory God called them to. Church, we don't have that kind of time!

So, what happened? King Darius made a decree that funded and authorized the work. Think about that... a king who did not serve the Lord is what caused God's people to work again. May it not be so for us. Yes, God provided and the people were thankful. However, may we keep working for the Lord under the provisions we already have. He has provided us power, love and a sound mind. This is all we need to keep building.

What is our goal? To have as many people as possible worship Jesus as Lord and Savior. Anything else fades in priority. So, my encouragement to you personally is to not allow opposition you face to cause you to fear the work of the Lord. Corporately, let's continue to push forward.

12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Php 3:12–14.

I love you Cedar Grove. I am anticipating a big year of building upon the foundation that has been set. Let's do this together! Happy in the Lord, amen. Buh-bye.

Pastor Jacob