Pastor David G. Ward

Pilgrim Bible Church

361 W Pine St., Cedar Springs

Have you ever tried to tweak an old family recipe by adding or omitting some ingredient only to end up with a disappointing result? The only way to get reliable results is to follow the recipe.

Israel changed from being a tribe to a nation when God gave the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses all were God’s men; but at the giving of the Law, Israel became a nation. It is specifically to that nation that Psalm 33:12 (KJV) refers: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” 

The closer Israel walked to God and His Law, the more they experienced His blessings. The period of the Judges is marked by cycles where Israel forgot God’s Law and fell into trouble, and then remembered, repented and were restored to blessing.

It is not uncommon for nations, like the United States, to try to appropriate this verse for themselves. A look back at our history and founding documents reveal an attempt to build a nation and society built on principles largely drawn from Scriptural teachings. The closer we lived to those lofty principles, the better we have done as a nation.

This is not to say that our relationship with God is based on how closely we conform to His instructions. Righteousness should flow out of a relationship and not the other way around. But, a person, or a nation, who is truly in a right relationship with God should want to do the things which please Him.

Reliably following God’s Law leads us to a path of blessing. II Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) tells us, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 

In times of crisis, this passage instructs us to pray and ask God for healing. With our praying we must give attention to our ways. If we’re not following God’s recipe we probably won’t like the results. It is when we come to God in humility, choosing repentance and obedience, that we are put back on the path to blessing.

This truth is not just for nations but for you as a person. How are you doing in your walk with God? In the busyness and struggles of life, it may be easy to add or omit ingredients. However, we do well to remember that we get the best results when we read the instructions and follow the recipe.

Pastor David Ward

Pilgrim Bible Church

We are not alone. God is with us.

In times of uncertainty, it is easy to wonder if God really cares about what we are going through.

We wonder what it will take to capture His attention and secure His favor. In Iran, the pandemic was made significantly worse by worshippers flocking to the same locations, touching and kissing revered objects, all in an attempt to bring about divine intervention. Like so many in our world, they misunderstood the biblical truth that God does not have to be enticed to be with us in our times of trouble. God is always there, reaching out to hurting people.

John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” To put that another way, “God so loved us that He sent His Son to where we are.” Such was the promise of God through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel,” which means God with us. (Isaiah 7:14 KJV)

God stepped into our world so He could empathize with us when we walk through life’s darkest days. When we go to God in prayer, He is able to say, “I’ve been where you are and understand what you are going through.”

The message of this Easter season is that God steps into our world to help us overcome our greatest battles and needs. Because there was no other person who could conquer the fight with and pay the price of the disease of sin, Jesus willingly chose to embrace the Father’s plan of salvation by taking our place on the cross. His death brings us the way to have our sins forgiven while His resurrection gives us the ultimate hope for healing and abundant, eternal life.

Jesus was willing to step into our world, suffer death and take our sins upon Himself so we could find spiritual healing.

If God loved us enough to do all of this, He is more than willing to be with us in our challenges today. In your isolation, He is with you. In your times of uncertainty, He is with you. When you face the specter of disease and financial devastation, He is with you. If He was more than enough to provide a path and walk with us through the awful infection of sin and its consequences, He is more than enough to see us through this latest challenge.

Now is not the time to despair of God’s hearing and helping. Rather, it is a time to embrace and hold to all the promises of His Word and His Grace. Know He is with you, cares about what you are facing and is more than able to help you to get through today’s uncertainty.

Know that God is with you and embrace His hope in your heart and life.

Pastor David Ward | Pilgrim Bible Church | 361 Pine Street, Cedar Springs

What does love look like? According to pictures at your local jewelry store, love features white sand beaches, happy faces and, of course, a big shiny diamond! Reality programming suggests loves comes in limited sizes and shapes. However, such thinking has yielded more terms like “photoshopped” and “catfishing” than actual enduring relationships. Too many people are left feeling rejected, isolated and alone.

A healthy relationship starts with a healthy self-image. The Bible teaches us that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He knows our name and developed a plan for us before we were ever born (Psalm 139:16). Regardless of whether anyone else knows or notices us, in spite of the circumstances that preceded this moment, God knows us and values us individually. How could and how much does God love us? John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to rescue us from the curse of sin’s punishment and make a way for us to share eternity, together with Him.

God demonstrated that a quality relationship is based on giving rather than on getting. True love flows out of voluntary service rather than abusive demands. Spouses are taught to submit to each other, to look out for each other’s needs (Ephesians 5) because love is patient and kind, not demanding its own way (1 Corinthian 13:4). A truer picture of genuine love is the elderly couple leaning on each other after a lifetime together. Their age and ailments amplify, rather than diminish their love. 

The best way to find such a love for your life is to start with loving God first. Jesus told us, if we put our relationship with God first, the rest would follow (Matthew 6:33). As we learn to love Him, we learn how to love others, what healthy love looks like. As we are confident in God’s love, we are less susceptible to unhealthy distortions that surround us.

The country songwriter warned of “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Too many have felt the sting of unrealized dreams and expectations, the pain of broken hearts and homes. The good news is that God is a God of second chances. He specializes in taking the wreckage of broken and battered hearts and rebuilding them into something beautiful. May I challenge you to rediscover God’s love for you? It’s there you will find the real love you for which you are searching!

Darrell D. Joslin, age 52, of Cedar Springs, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Darrell was born April 19, 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Elwyn and Goldie (Sicard) Joslin. He was an insurance agent and district sales coordinator for AFLAC. Darrell suffered a traumatic brain injury from an auto accident in 1990. He had enjoyed working with wood as a handyman. He was a devout Michigan fan and enjoyed football, hunting and his family. Surviving are his wife, Sherry; parents, Elwyn and Goldie Joslin; siblings, Dennis (Connie) Joslin, Denise (Tom) Raisch, Darla (Jim) Stroup, Daniel (Tammie) Joslin, DeWayne (Renee) Joslin, Danella Joslin; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy and Mamie Sicard and Clifford and LaVona Joslin; mother-in-law, Anna Walker; nephew, Nathaniel Joslin (Darrell’s buddy); and several aunts and uncles. The family greeted friends Wednesday, September 19 at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will take place Thursday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Bible Church with viewing at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Knox Bullock officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Pilgrim Bible Church.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

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Dorothy A. Quist 84 of Cedar Springs went to be with her Lord on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Green Acres of Cedar Springs. Mrs. Quist was born October 4, 1933 in Arlene, MI the daughter of Adrian and Bertha (Visscher) Fryling. She graduated from Manton High School in 1950, had a Master’s degree from Michigan State University and taught reading and music in Cedar Springs for 20 years retiring in 1993. She attended Pilgrim Bible Church. Music was her life, playing in church, as a worship leader, giving lessons, playing at weddings and for plays with the Cedar Springs Community Players. Surviving are her husband of 65 years, Chester; daughter, Jackie (Dave) Mourer; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Quist; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Patricia (Ray) Bigelow; sister-in-law, Patricia Fryling. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Kevin; 5 sisters; 2 brothers; 16 brothers and sisters-in-law. The family will greet friends Thursday, August 2 from 12:00 pm until time of service at 1:00 pm at Pilgrim Bible Church, 361 Pine St. Cedar Springs. Pastor Mike Shiery officiating. Private interment Solon Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.

Pastor Mike Shiery

Pilgrim bible church

West Pine Street • Cedar Springs

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’” (Luke 22:31-32) (NKJV)

It was a somber moment. Jesus and His disciples had been celebrating the Jewish Passover with a meal that we now commonly call “The Last Supper.” Most of the men gathered there that night did not fully comprehend the momentous events which were soon to follow. Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, tortured, and executed. Those dark moments of seeming disaster would be followed by one of the most glorious days in all of human history, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. 

Against that background, Jesus took the time to specifically speak into the life of one of His best and most flawed followers. He knew that in the next few hours, Peter would deny and forsake Him, cursing and turning His back on the Man he had traveled with and worked with for the last three years. 

Peter was bold, braggadocious, zealous, hardworking, loving, impetuous, and inherently flawed. At the core of his nature was a shameful hidden secret. Beneath all his bragging and bluster, Peter had a cowardly streak. The man who once vowed to die for Jesus would in reality deny his best friend in order to save his own skin.

Knowing all of this, it is heartening to see that Jesus did not lash out in anger and revenge. Instead He spoke words of encouragement and love to Peter. Jesus knew that after the passion of the moment passed, Peter would be eaten alive with remorse and sorrow. So Jesus basically told Peter that when he was feeling most alone and worthless (as a result of his own stupid decisions), to remember that Jesus had prayed for him and would be willing to restore him.

It would do us well to remember that when we have failed and see only a trail of disaster behind us, that Jesus still loves us and is praying for us. He is the God of mercy and desires to bring restoration to your life. When the world looks at you and says, “It’s over,” God looks at you and says, “I’m not done with you!” No matter how dark your circumstances, remember that with God working in your life, there is always hope! Never resist His love.

Pastor Rev. Mike Shiery

Pilgrim Bible Church

West Pine street, Cedar Springs

In Luke 24: 13-35 we find an interesting story. The Crucifixion of Jesus is finally over. The pain and suffering of the Savior have ended. His disciples and friends are reeling over this turn of events, still trying to wrap their mind and emotions around what has transpired, when yet another astonishing event grabs their attention.

Some of the women arranged to go to His burial spot to work to try to help preserve Jesus’ body and dignify His grave as best they could. However, they returned from this errand in a high state of excitement, telling everyone who would listen of an encounter with angels who announced that Jesus had risen from the dead. And to back up the story, the stone covering the tomb was rolled away and there was no sign of Jesus. 

Later on that day, two other followers of Jesus, were walking to the village of Emmaus, when Jesus joined them on the journey. For quite some time they were unaware of His identity as they told Him of their sorrow, disillusionment, and confusion. Jesus responded by pointing out Scriptures that spoke of His death and resurrection, and finally at the end of the conversation, they recognized Him.

There are a couple of thoughts that encourage us as we look at this story. First, Jesus will meet you even if you are going the wrong way. These followers of Jesus were in the midst of trying to sort out everything that had happened. For whatever reason, in the process of doing so, they were leaving Jerusalem and heading toward the village of Emmaus. They were heading away from the other disciples, from their support system, and from the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet, in the midst of their confusion, even as they were leaving behind their network of friends, Jesus came to meet them.

Sometimes we experience life circumstances that cause us to want to walk away from all the things we know and the people who could help us. It is easy to allow ourselves, as a result of disappointment and sorrow, to isolate ourselves from family, friends, church, and God at a time when we need them the most. Thankfully, God moves to meet us even when we are trying to run away. 

Secondly, when God does meet us it is not with anger and condemnation, but rather with hope and grace. Yes, Jesus did gently chide His friends for their lack of faith, but then He went on to encourage them and strengthen them in their faith.

Friends, remember that we have a friend in Jesus, who understands our emotions, our ups and downs, and comes at our darkest moments to restore hope and joy in to our lives. As the songwriter once said, “Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus.”

By: Rev. Mike Shiery

Pilgrim Bible Church

One of the most beautiful promises found in God’s Word comes late in the Bible. In Revelation 21:5 God says, “Behold, I make all things new.” Obviously He is speaking of a coming time in Heaven when the curse of sin is abolished and all the imperfections of time are replaced by the perfections of eternity in God’s Presence. And certainly, to every believer, that is a glorious promise. There will be no more sin, sorrow, or suffering. Pain and problems will be replaced joy and jubilation. 

But in the meantime, we are still ensconced in a world of woe. There are many things which trouble and confound us which are out of our control. Old age and death are an inevitable challenge which lurk in the future mists of our life. Other troubling concepts loom over us which we would like to avoid, but are powerless to change.

However, at this time of the year when many people are taking stock of their lives and finding themselves dissatisfied, there is hope for change in at least one area.

God does not have to wait for Heaven to make a new person out of us. The message of the Gospel is that Christ came to give us abundant life and that starts in the here and now. He came down to our level in order to lift us up to His. Ephesians chapter 2 says that God has raised believers up together in Christ. And all of those believers were one time sinners in need of a Savior. This act of salvation is not achieved in our own strength but rather in Jesus. 

Perhaps someone reading these words is taking inventory of their spiritual life and feeling hopeless. Allow me to point you to Jesus. He can step into your life and fix the things that are broken. This can be the moment when you become a new person in Christ. After all, he specializes in things thought impossible, and that includes fixing the mess we’ve made out of our lives.

As Gloria Gaither wrote years ago: 

Something beautiful, something good —

All my confusion He understood; 

All I had to offer Him

Was brokenness and strife, 

But He made something beautiful of my life.

Patrick Brecken died in a crash on Northland Drive on Thursday, Nov. 9.
Photo from tribute at
pedersonfuneralhome.com.

Police believe that alcohol and poor road conditions contributed to a fatal crash last week on Northland Drive, north of 18 Mile Rd, in Nelson Township.

According to the Kent County Sheriff Department, Patrick Todd Brecken, 21, of Sand Lake, was headed south on Northland Drive, about 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, when his 1999 Ford Mustang left the roadway and rolled several times before landing in the ditch on the northbound side of the road. Brecken was ejected from the car and suffered fatal injuries.

The two teenage passengers in the vehicle, Jonathan Michael Brecken, 15, of Grand Haven, and Trey Brian Street, 17, of Cedar Springs, suffered minor injuries and were transported to Butterworth Hospital by Rockford Ambulance.

The Cedar Springs Fire Department assisted at the scene.

The family is planning to have a benefit to raise money to help with Patrick’s funeral costs on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 1-5 p.m. at the Gun Tavern, located at 18 North Main Street, Cedar Springs. All proceeds will go to help with funeral expenses. The funeral for Patrick was scheduled for Thursday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Bible Church.

Pastor Mike Shiery

Pilgrim Bible Church

West Pine Street | Cedar Springs

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) (NKJV)

A few weeks ago our family was privileged to spend a few days in the Niagara Falls area. It was a much needed time of rest and relaxation and we happily let ourselves get caught up in some of the tourist trap offerings that go with that area. Of course one of the major highlights of the trip was the time spent right at the Falls itself. We walked around, viewed the Falls from both the American and Canadian sides, took pictures, enjoyed watching the color display at night, and we will always remember the awesome experience of riding the Maid of the Mist as close to the Falls as you can get by water.

That morning, after we disembarked from the boat, we walked over to the edge of the American side and followed the path along the side of the Falls, My wife and children went further up the path, but I stayed toward the bottom of the path and was enjoying the view from that angle. As I stood there, watching the magnificent sight of thousands of gallons of water spilling over the precipice and crashing with a mighty roar onto the boulders below, I was struck by the sight of something that seemed a little strange. Just a few feet away from that awesome cascade of water, was another tiny rivulet of water trickling down a small rut of rocks on the dry land bordering the Falls.

Compared to the beauty and power of the Falls just a few feet away, it seemed a bit ludicrous and insignificant. The scope of its size and strength was dwarfed by the Falls until in comparison it seemed like a grasshopper standing next to an elephant. But I watched as that little stream of water quietly made its way down the slope and slipped into the Niagara River, while the furious torrent of the Falls did the same just a few feet away. Then united, they ran downstream until that river spilled out into Lake Ontario just a few miles away.

There is a truth here that speaks to our lives. Paul, in our text, spoke of the fact that as believers we are all one body in Christ. In the following verses he pointed out that every part of the body is important and plays a vital role. For a human body to function perfectly as designed we need all our parts. Eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, fingers, toes, and internal organs work together to accomplish the miracle of life. It is possible for the human body to function without certain parts, but it certainly makes life much more challenging.

In a spiritual sense, every member of the body of Christ is important. The book of Acts repeatedly shows us that if you are a believer, you are the church in action. It is true that some people, because of their abilities or position, seem to garner more attention. They are the Falls cascading onto the rocks with excitement and power and everyone seems to ooh and aah about what they do.

But there are many more people who are the quiet rivulets silently slipping into the river who are just as important. They are not as noticeable, seemingly not as exciting, but they play a vital role in filling their place in the Kingdom of God. They may not stand up in church and speak or sing, but they are the ones doing the small but significant jobs that impact the church and the community around them. They clean the sanctuary, mow the grass, run the bus routes, and connect with their neighbor over a cup of coffee. They help grieving families, take a plate of cookies to the new people moving into the area, fix a meal for a shut-in, and volunteer their time and energy at Alpha Women’s Center, North Kent Connect, and many other worthy charities. And they do it all, willingly and cheerfully, simply because they love God and love people.

So find your spot in the family, in the body of Christ. Whether it’s big or small, your help is needed to move the Kingdom forward and make the world around you a better place.

Rev. Michael Shiery

Pilgrim Bible Church

West Pine Street • Cedar Springs

“Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. So that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)(NKJV)

Of all the words contained in the dictionary, perhaps non is so beautiful as “grace.” Although it can heave several meanings, in a spiritual context it simply means “the free and unmerited favor of God.”

Grace is gift that Christians are privileged to enjoy and that is freely offered to everyone from the hand of a loving God. There is not a single individual who deserves this grace and yet there has not been nor will there ever be a single person to whom this grace is not offered.

You see, we are all born with a corrupt nature that naturally leads us to the paths of sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (NKJV). Sin has tragic consequences. It causes hurt and pain for those who have been sinned against, and it has fateful and fatal spiritual results of the one who has committed the sin.

James 1:15 tells us “…Sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (NJKV). If we refuse to repent of our sin and continue to follow the path of wickedness, we will find at the end of life’s road memories of regret and eternity in Hell separated from Christ. This is what we had to look forward to, a lifetime of rebellion followed be an eternity of ruin.

Enter grace. Perhaps the Apostle Paul summed it up best when he wrote in Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NJKV).

Please understand that sin conquered the human race, but because of Christ’s selfless sacrifice on the Cross the dynamics of the situation are forever changed. The chains of sin have been broken by the power of grace, and you do not have to live a life of shame and regrets. Jesus died on the Cross and then rose from the dead to give us not just life, but abundant life, and all who desire a stainless conscience, a pure heart, and a clean slate can obtain them through His matchless and gracious gift!

Regardless of where you have been or what you have done, regardless of foolish choices and marred memories of regret, life can be different from this point onward, if you will simply accept the gift of God’s grace, repent of your sins, and ask Christ to forgive you. That’s what the good news of the Gospel is all about.

As one songwriter put it:

Grace will always be greater than sin,

Calvary’s proven it time and again.

Whatever you’ve done, wherever you’ve been,

God’s grace will always be greater than sin.

Kevin C. Quist 56 of Cedar Springs, died Monday, December 5, 2016 at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus. Kevin was born April 5, 1960 in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Chester and Dorothy (Fryling) Quist. He had worked for Amway Corp. since 1994 as a fabricator and welder. He enjoyed being an artist welder as a hobby. Surviving are his wife, Kimberly, whom he married on August 7, 1982; children, Jason Kohn, Korey Kohn and her fiancé, Philip Borrelli, Kevin M. Quist; parents, Chet and Dorothy Quist; sister, Jackie Mourer; cousins, nieces and nephews. Kevin had many special friends at Amway who have been very good to him during his illness. He recently connected with some friends from high school, and Dave Nester who helped him meet Kim years ago. The family will greet friends and celebrate his life on Saturday, December 10th from 11 – 2 p.m. at Pilgrim Bible Church, 361 Pine St., Cedar Springs with a short memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Wayne Cash officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.

Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs.