By Pastor Travis Lauterbach
This column will be my last for the Mesquite Local News, because I have accepted a position as pastor of a congregation in Minnesota.
I have really enjoyed writing newspaper columns during my time here in Mesquite. I will especially cherish every time I’ve met somebody and they commented on how they like to read my columns. It really has been a big encouragement to hear that this column either brought comfort or offered something to think about.
So, I want to say thank you to the entire Virgin Valley for being home the past six years.
My major goal in writing has been to encourage and comfort the reader with the promises of God. Paul gives a reminder that “all the promises of God in [Jesus Christ] are yea” (2 Corinthians 1:20, KJV).
Is anybody seeking rest? Jesus promises it. Is anybody seeking forgiveness? Jesus promises it. Is anybody seeking new life, eternal life? Jesus promises it. Is anybody seeking healing? Jesus promises it – if not in this life, then certainly in the life to come. Is anybody seeking peace? Jesus promises it. God has made so many promises, and they are fulfilled in Jesus.
Paul shared the impact Christ had on his own life: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” (Philippians 4:11-12, KJV).
Paul experienced both opposites of abundance and suffering. Through these, God taught him something, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13, KJV).
He doesn’t mean that as long as Jesus strengthened him, he could do anything he set his mind to, but he means that Jesus would strengthen him to endure good times and bad. For that reason, he focused his eyes, spiritually speaking, on Jesus.
God has made tremendous promises through Jesus. It is good to focus one’s eyes on Him.
