A Word from Pastor Matt...

Am I Really Saved?

Have you ever worried if you're really saved or not? I think about it from time to time. I mean honestly...given the continuing occurrence of sin, failure and doubt in my life, what assurance do I have that I'm actually forgiven? That it's not all a big mistake? How do I know I'm really OK? How do I know I actually "did it" right? Whenever I get really motivated to dwell on this topic, I end up losing sleep 'til I remember the answer.

Fortunately there's a solution. What I'm seeking is what the old Puritans used to call "assurance". Assurance is the confident and certain awareness of salvation, and it's what every believer longs for. The good news is that it's available to all who trust in His name. Where does that put us? The first thing to remember is that the Lord is actually in charge of this, not us.

Scripture assures us that God Himself has chosen us, called us, justified us, even pre-glorified us, to be members of His Kingdom (Rom 8:29-30). Further, not only is our faith His gift to us (Heb 12:2), He has promised to complete the work He has begun within us (Phil 1:6). Indeed if He loved us even when we were His enemies, how much more does He love us now that we actually want to love and be with Him (Rom 5:8-10)? Remembering especially that He does not desire that any should perish (2 Pet 3:9), we can rest in His promise that He will never leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5).

SO...the Lord has tipped the scales in our favor. Any who WANT to be saved CAN be saved...by believing in Jesus, by trusting in HIS ability to GET THIS DONE!!!! You are saved by your faith in Jesus because HE SAYS YOU ARE!!!!    Starting to get the picture? If our salvation depended on us "doing it right" (even a tiny bit), we'd be toast. It's not our faith that saves us, but WHO our faith is in! That's why faith as small as a mustard seed is enough (Matt 17:20)...because it's in Jesus and JESUS is the one that guarantees it!

Still not convinced? Still troubled by anxiety? Don't you realize that your anxiety is a sign that the Holy Spirit is inside you working His will? If He were not, you wouldn't give a hoot about your sin or your relationship with Jesus. Are you concerned that you still struggle in surrendering all the issues in your life to His control? Well...welcome to the club. Our true and complete surrender to Christ is the work of a lifetime. Even our conversion is not the instant change that modern Christians are taught to expect...the old Puritans believed it was a process that actually took years to complete.

But whether your regeneration in the Spirit is a change that happened in seconds or in years (my own took about a month as I remember), the fundamental reality is that the Lord is the One who brings it about in response to you changing your mind about who you are and Who He is. As a believer grows in Christ, sin ceases to be the thrill it once was and becomes increasingly painful to tolerate. That's because the disciple is becoming more like Jesus. It may feel terrible as we wrestle with "besetting sins" and old habitual behaviors...but the battle itself is a sign of the victory already won!

Don't be afraid Christian. You don't have to win. He's already done that for you. All you have to do is remember who you trust and believe in. Work hard by all means to heed the Spirit and press deep into the change that is happening (Phil 2:12-13). But don't worry about the result. Do you want Jesus? Well, He wants you....more than you could possibly know...and He knows how to heal you. Rest assured that He won't fail...and you won't be sorry.

Bless you,  

Pastor Matt

Mexico Mission Outreach Update 

Evening of Praise

Join your church family for an hour of worship, Communion and praise this Sunday, February 1 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Child care is provided. 

Bring your sweetheart to a romantic dinner Saturday, February 14 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Register by February 8 using an Event Envelope at the Information Counter or pay online at www.trail.org. Cost is $25 per couple. Please indicate child care needs (kid's dinner included). Space is limited! For more info contact: Ben and Theresa Wewerka: 541.826.7489

CPR/Basic First Aid Class

for TCF Volunteers

Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Youth Center. Please sign up at the Information Counter using an Event Envelope, enclose $25. Bring a sack lunch, no child care. Class size is limited. Questions? Contact Debbie Conley: 878.3501 or debbie@trail.org 

Great Commission Festival, February 27 - March 1.  

Join us for dinner Friday, February 27 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. followed by presentations from several of our cross cultural partners from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. with a dessert break. On Saturday, February 28, Z and T's care team will be hosting an update on North Africa in the Fireside room from 10:00-11:30 a.m. The GO Board will be hosting a light lunch which will be followed by a presentation on B4T (business for transformation). Our guest will share about the many ways a business can be used to transform people's lives and thinking about the Kingdom both here and abroad. On Sunday, March 1, our partners will be available in the foyer before and after service to share about what the Lord is doing in and through them. Please sign up for the dinner and the lunch at the Information Counter so we have enough food and seating for all our guests. Check there for full details. Questions? Call Kelly 541-878-3501 or outreach@trail.org 

Toddler 2 Teen Conference

Local professionals will provide helpful tips and input on marriage, parenting, drug abuse, special needs, legal issues and more.  Pastor Bill Gallagher will hold a personality workshop. Join us Saturday, February 28, 12:30-5:30 p.m. at Cascade Christian High School. Childcare for kiddos age 4-10. Go to: www.FamilyToolsForLife.org for more information and to register.   

Questions? Debbie Conley: 261-2605

Dear TCF Family:  During this cold and flu season when we are often locked indoors much of the time, illnesses are spreading like wildfires. If you or your child is coughing, have a sore throat, a runny nose or a fever; for the sake of all others please remain home until your symptoms have passed. If you have questions, comments or concerns please feel free to call me.

In His Care, Debbie Conley

Director of Children's Ministry  

541-261-2605

If you want to be included in the next TCF phone directory, pick up a Directory form at the Information Counter, fill it out and drop it in the offering bag, at the Information Counter or the Church Office. You may also download the form at www.trail.org (click on the Directory slide on the front page). Previous years entries are not carried over. It takes a few months to compile this information, you can expect the new Directory to be available this summer. Questions? contact Jacki at jacki@trail.org or 541.878.3501