Your Days Are Numbered

15,088. I’ve lived 15,088 days. For many of those days there has been at least a moment where I anxiously pondered what day would be my last (or the last for someone I love). I’ve lived with fear about what I could not control. Psalm 139 more than any other passage of scripture feels like the song of my heart. These are the things I need to be reminded of, both to fear God as I should and to fear everything else less than I do.

There is a God. He is not distant or unknown. He is sovereign, and the One who forms and fashions human beings. He is eternal and He has all power and dominion and authority, which I believe is an eloquent way of saying He is in control of all of the things that matter, in every way that matters. This God knows me better than I know myself. He knows the depths of my heart, and what I will say before it is said. There is no where I can go where He will not be present with me. I will never walk through any trial or loss alone. In my pit of despair, He is there.

But the verse I remind myself of when I am afraid of death? “In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

My days are numbered.

Our days are numbered!

Our God did not knit us together in our mother’s wombs arbitrarily. He created us for good works- to know Him and make Him known- and He designed each of us uniquely and gifted us in such a way that we would be able to accomplish His will for our lives, and before that...before we took our first breath, God numbered our days and gave us the exact number we would need to complete the good works He has ordained for us. No more, and no less.

Psalm 139 is a song that calls us to live boldly, as we are reminded of how fully we are known, intentionally pursued, deeply loved, and securely held by One who is altogether greater than us. None of us know if we have tomorrow, or fifteen thousand more tomorrows, but God does. Our lives are in His hands. May we live boldly for His glory alone, until the day He leads us home.

-Natalie Runyon

HELP comes from the LORD

Dear Church Family,

2020 has been a challenging, strange, difficult, unusual, unpredictable year.  Psalm 121 is one of my all time favorite Psalms.  We are reminded in this Psalm that the LORD helps us, keeps us, guards us and works for us. 

As we ask the Lord to prepare our hearts for the corporate gathering this Sunday I want to encourage you to click on the link below and take 5 minutes to meditate on our great God who works for us when we need help and we always need His help.

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-works-for-you

May the LORD who helps us and guards us bring you peace!  May we be those who look past the hills to the One who made the hills!  He will not let our foot slip.

In Christ,
Steven Helfrich

This is Where the Healing Begins

Every one of us has things about us, things that we keep hidden and would rather no one else knew. We have fears, that if people really knew some of the things we’ve said, done and thought they would look down on us. It’s human nature. No one wants to be rejected or feel like they don’t belong. So we walk around often hiding from this stuff...repressing it, denying it, whatever gets us through the day or the situation. All the while it eats us up inside, even causes us to have mental and physical health problems.

There is a better way. What if we choose to be honest, honest with ourselves, honest before God, even honest with a few trusted other people in our lives? Most of the time, in our honesty we find...others have stuff too, stuff they feel shame and guilt about. We realize we are not alone and that in confession we can be healed. Everything must come to the light.

That’s what I see in Psalm 51. David’s sin is known, he has been confronted by the prophet Nathan and now he realizes that he can no longer pretend it doesn’t exist. So he pours it all out to God and even records the words for us to be able to read as well. What a blessed relief it must have been to get it all out.

There is something deeply therapeutic about writing out our shame and guilt. Even if we don’t share it with anyone else, just putting the words on paper is a good thing. Sometimes people do this and then burn the paper as a type of ceremony. Whatever works for you is good.

David is pouring all of this out to God and we can do the same. But it also might be helpful to talk with someone face to face in the process of confession. We know our sin. We know our shame. We know what we are trying to hide and run away from. Maybe if we can just stop running long enough, trying to hide it, we can speak it, write it, or pray it and realize healing is waiting.

God knows us. He knows our human condition. He knows we are made of dust and that we are prone to wander. God loves us and doesn’t delight in heaping shame on our heads. He wants us to be free.

As I was studying Psalm 51 today I was thinking about how God might have responded to David’s confession.  I couldn’t help but wonder what came directly after these words poured out of David. What did he feel? What message did He hear from God? I never knew this before, but today as I was reading from various commentaries, I discovered that Psalm 32 is regarded as God’s response to David’s Confession in Psalm 51.

Let these words wash over you from Psalm 32 (The Message translation):

Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be-you get a fresh start, your slate is wiped clean.

Count yourself lucky-God holds nothing against you 

and you’re holding nothing back from him.

When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans.

The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up.

Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone, my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.

These things add up. 

Every one of us needs to pray; 

when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts we’ll be on high ground, untouched.

God’s my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, 

throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

Let me give you some good advice; 

I’m looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight;

“Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to stay on track.”

God-defiers are always in trouble; 

God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around.

Celebrate God. Sing together-everyone! 

All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

That’s blessed relief right there. I pray all of us will search our hearts and experience the healing that can only come when we stop hiding and running and instead bring our whole selves into the open, into the light. This is where the healing begins.

You are not alone,

Ruth

Forgiven

“The past can be like sidewalk chalk if you will dance and pray for rain.” Caedmon’s Call

                What will make you happy?  What will give you joy?  Freedom?  Popularity?  Wealth?  David says forgiveness is the key ingredient in the recipe for happiness.  (See Psalm 32:1-2)

                Forgiveness is described as “removing a burden.”  If forgiveness removes the burden sin and guilt create the burden.  I remember as a child feeling the guilt of doing something wrong.  It was a heavy burden.  Trying to sleep at night was nearly impossible.  I would toss and turn and eventually I would emerge from my bedroom into the living room and ask my mom if I could talk to her.  I could no longer keep silent.  I had to “come clean.”

                Often my confession was about getting in trouble with a teacher at school or losing my temper with a friend.  What I did not know at ten that I now know is when I felt the burden of sin and guilt the Lord’s “hand was heavy upon me.”  He was proving His love for me.  As Spurgeon said, “God does not permit His children to sin successfully.”

                What made me wait so long before confessing my sin?  Fear.  Fear that I would be rejected, abandoned, shamed.  But the more I tried to lift that “heavy burden” the more I realized it was too heavy.  I needed someone else to lift it off my back.  When I was ten that was my mom.  She listened to my confessions and she hugged me.  The hug became a “hiding place.”  It was a “covering.”  The hug was a tangible reality of forgiveness.  I remember the trips back to my bedroom.  I was “lighter.”  I was “walking on air.”  Experiential forgiveness brought genuine happiness.

               I am not ten anymore, but the heavy burden of sin still weighs me down.  It is still too heavy for me to lift alone.  Thankfully, I still toss and turn and eventually “come clean.”  I say along with David, “I will confess my transgression to the LORD” and as I do I feel the hug…the covering.  The only One strong enough to lift my heavy burden comes to my rescue.  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

                What about you?  Are you carrying a heavy burden?  Pay attention to your “tossing and turning.”  Emerge from your hiding and run to the God who will hide you in the covering of Christ.

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)

Forgiven,

Steven 

He Gives His Beloved Sleep

“God, you give your beloved sleep. Please give me sleep. Help me to rest. Help me to trust that even though I don’t know the future, You do, and that’s enough.  Please calm my anxious fears. I know You are good, and that You are sovereign over all Your creation. Give me faith to trust that You will work good from this. You are good, all Your ways are good and You care for me! You ransomed me with the blood of Your Son and made me Your own. You won’t abandon me. God, please help me rest. Please help me sleep. Take my thoughts captive. I need You. I trust You.”

I cannot count the number of nights I have lain awake in my bed, heart racing, mind going a million miles a minute, begging the Lord to give me sleep. There have been nights I stayed up late toiling in vain, fewer mornings I rose early, but so very many sleepless nights when anxiety and fear gripped me and I couldn’t shake myself free of their grasp.

I could tell you that ten years of pregnancy and nursing babies will contribute to sleeplessness, miscarriages and adoptions that didn’t come to fruition, unemployment, depression, illness, loss of loved ones, kids who wander from the Lord, and in a way that would be true. There is a world of fear/grief in all of these things, and sorrow can take us to the point of too little sleep or too much. All of these things also reminded me of my powerlessness, my ultimate lack of control.

Lack of control causes me tremendous anxiety.

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, reminds us that apart from God, everything we do is ultimately in vain. We can build nothing, protect nothing, create nothing unless He allows it. We may build apart from Him, but to what avail? What building stands forever? What nation is not eventually conquered? And if we spend our youth toiling to make a name for ourselves, and sacrifice our family on that altar, what good is it?

I recently made a Spotify playlist. I added my favorite worship songs and then listened while I drove. Half a dozen songs in, I noticed a theme. The songs I love most are those that rehearse the faithfulness of the Lord. They are a reminder that even in my humanity, my inability, my life is held by a God who is forever faithful. And He has been so faithful to me! I can sleep, because whatever He calls me to build, and whatever the outcome, those matters are in His hands.

Psalm 127 shows us two things; the foolishness of thinking we have control of anything apart from God, and the foolishness of being afraid to go where He leads.

What are you “building” in vain?

What is He calling you to do for His glory and the sake of His name and kingdom?

He is faithful! Will you trust Him?

-Natalie Runyon

Delight in Jesus

As a young adult, there was a certain time that I was struggling with the cares of the world and was quite disenfranchised from church life.  My life and marriage would’ve been the envy of most our age as our lives seemed to be prospering from an outward material perspective.  The problem for me was that I felt empty.  That was a come to Jesus moment in my life when I cried out to Him for help.  Shortly after that cry for help, I reached out to my dad asking him if he could point me to some scripture that might help me find my spiritual roots.  The first passage that he led me to read and discuss was Psalm 1.  That Psalm was an invitation in that moment to walk with God. 

Not long after, Kim and I were back regularly with the church and sitting under the teaching of God’s Word.  We found friendships that were spiritually nurturing to our life and marriage.  We were invited to plug in and partner with the church to minister to others through their children’s ministry.  I was finding spiritual sustenance from God’s word and His church.  And, as a result, I felt like I had something rich to give back to others as well.  Spiritual blessings were real for me as God’s instructions were taking root in my life once again. 

The invitation of Psalm 1 wasn’t over for me then and still isn’t.  A spiritual battle still looms in me over trusting in Jesus or my own pride.  Yet that experience was one of those proving ground seasons of my life where God demonstrated His gracious character to me and there have been so many others that I can’t help but turn to Him now again because of His deep commitment to me as His adopted son through the covenant work of Christ Jesus.

Psalm 1 is a contrast between the lives of one that trusts in sin versus one who trusts in the instruction of God.  “Chaff” describes the one who walks in sin.  Sin is rejecting or resisting God’s instruction.  “Tree” is used to describe the one that walks with God.  Walking with God is heeding and enjoying God’s instruction or law.  These are excellent descriptions of how I’ve felt in various seasons of my life as I choose to accept or reject the invitation to walk with God rather than against Him.  “Chaff” is light and easily blows away – relates very much to the spiritually empty feeling I just shared.  But the “tree” is also such a profound metaphor of the spiritual life for one who walks with God.  In walking with Him we find spiritual sustenance and the blessings of real spiritual fruit that also become a boon to those around us and under our influence. 

This Psalm is valuable for meditating upon but be sure to recognize that a tree is nothing without its roots.  While the Psalmist here does not mention roots, they are implied.  I believe Jesus, the root of Jesse, is now the one we need for a secure and life-giving foundation with God.  Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s law and covenant with His people.  Without Him, we have nothing.  But with Jesus, we have EVERYTHING we need to know God and be led by His Spirit.  Through Jesus, the LORD watches over the way of His people and sustains us with His spiritual blessings!  I thank God that I’ve experienced this reality in my life and still today!  He invites you right now to trust in Him and His instruction personified through Jesus.

May we as a church find our roots in Christ alone.  May we delight in the covenant of God fulfilled through Jesus alone.  May our lives be like a tree that bears fruit and with leaves that do not wither because we walk in His power and not our own.  And may His spiritual blessings in us serve as refreshment to the hurting world around us for His glory and fame!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

LOVE > FEAR

This summer, as I’ve walked around my neighborhood, I’ve noticed my neighbors putting messages in chalk on their driveways and sidewalks. I love words, so I notice the messages right away and am always curious to see what people choose to write. I even started putting chalk messages in my driveway too. I’ve said things like “Choose Joy,” and “Be Kind”. Just short messages to try and encourage those who walk by my house each day. Today I wrote out the equation “LOVE > FEAR”.

There is a whole truck load of fear in our world today. No matter what your views are on all of the hot button subjects...fear abounds. The worst decisions are made when we base them on fear. I’m reminded of how often Jesus/God says the words “Do not fear…”. Obviously our human condition is prone to live in fear.

The cure...the way out of that life, and the anxiety and stress it causes, is through love. Perfect love casts out fear. You can apply that truth to any situation you face, personally, as a community, nationally, and even globally. There is a better way. It’s the way of love.

When I read Psalm 23, the verse that jumps out at me right now is verse 4, which says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” There are certain verses and songs that often get repeated at our times of greatest loss. Psalm 23 is one of those chapters. It’s the perfect picture of the presence of Jesus in our darkest moments and how simply knowing He is there, is enough to get us through.

When my husband, Mark Jackson, passed away back in 2007 I chose a song along with my daughters to play at his funeral along with a slideshow of pictures we had made. The song I chose was a Mark Schultz song titled, “He Will Carry Me”. 

The lyrics of the chorus are:

“And even though I'm walking

Through the valley of the shadow

I will hold tight to the hand of Him

Whose love will comfort me

And when my hope is gone

And I've been wounded in the battle

He is all the strength that I will ever need

He will carry me”

I have no idea right now what all is going on in your corner of the world...but I know the reality of the presence of Jesus and His love in your life is enough, and will always be enough. You can count on Him. He never leaves or forsakes. Through pandemics and elections and economic problems and childcare issues and whatever else might be going on in your world...Jesus love is greater...always.

I hope that’s a comfort to your heart and soul like it is to mine.

Ruth

Jesus' Continual Prayer for His Sheep

The Savior who lives to Pray

"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."                                                                                                          Hebrews 7:25

What do you live for?  

Many people live for their family, their career, a hobby, a sport, a car, even a bicycle. 

What does Jesus live for?

Hebrews 7:25 says "He always lives to pray for those who draw near to God through Him." Jesus lives to cover us in prayer.

I started this email last night and I knew I needed more time to meditate on it.  This morning I went on a 29 mile bike ride and my plan was to meditate on this verse as I rode my bike.  At about mile 15 my left shoulder started really hurting.  Immediately I thought...my shoulder hurts because I don't have my carbon frame bike yet.  If I had a new carbon bike THEN my shoulder would feel wonderful.  If I had a new carbon bike I bet my legs wouldn't even hurt.  At that moment God intervened.  I love it when God intervenes.  I didn't hear Him audibly, but in my heart I knew it was Him.  His words were simple.  "Really Steven?  A carbon bike will make your ride that much better?"

It was at that moment I began to think about things I ignore regarding cycling.  Things like good diet, stretching, technique, working on core strength.  The truth is I want to ride fast, but I'd prefer to ride fast without doing the work.  Riding fast while eating junk food, not sleeping well, not stretching and ignoring good technique.  I want all the perks, but I am slow to put in the work.  After all, the carbon frame bike will put in all the work.

You may be wondering...what does this have to do with Jesus living to intercede for us?  Just like a carbon frame bike won't matter much if I don't put in the work there are things that dull our ears to hearing Jesus pray for us.  The one who draws near hears Jesus pray for him.  There are so many exhortations in the Bible that help us hear Jesus' prayers for us.  Set your hearts on things above (Col. 3:1), set your affections on things above (Col. 3:2).  It is difficult to eat junk food and ignore God's Word and prayer and hear Jesus' pray for you.

This might be best illustrated by the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  His "carbon frame bicycle" was his share of the inheritance.  He was sure it would deliver happiness, but all things apart from God over promise and under deliver.  What's amazing in this parable is that the Father never stopped praying for the lost son.  There was just a season when the prodigal chose to be deaf to it.  And then there was an awakening.  Jesus' prayers are effectual - no matter how long you have been ignoring Him eventually He will breakthrough.  When the son's money runs out he remembers his Father.  He "comes to himself," he "returns to his right mind" and he draws near to the Father - he heads Home.

I don't know where you find yourself today.  Perhaps you believe a certain formula or way of living will cause your life to be worry free and pain free.  Perhaps you think if you do ABC God will do XYZ.  Life doesn't work that way, but there is one thing we can count on.  Jesus lives to pray for us.  He will never stop.  He doesn't only pray when we are drawing near to Him.  He doesn't only pray when we are faithful.  He ALWAYS PRAYS because HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL.  And the evidence of His prayers on our behalf is when we "return to our right mind" and return Home.

Jesus lives to pray for us.  May we live lives of drawing near to Him.  There are eternal pleasures at His right hand (Psalm 16:11).

Gripped by grace,

Steven

Jesus' final prayer from the Cross

Finishing Well

In Luke 23:44-49 we see the final hours of Jesus’ life. He’s hanging on the cross...falsely accused and judged, but innocent. There are no surprises to Jesus, throughout this whole process really. He is completely in control, even when it might appear at times that religious leaders, government leaders and even the crowd are calling the shots, we know...Jesus is in control of His destiny.

Darkness covers the land from noon to three o’clock. I remember the huge response to the eclipse a couple of years ago, so I can imagine that this darkness, which would be far greater than any eclipse could ever be, must have been really shocking.

The curtain in the Temple is torn into two pieces. How quickly did this news spread? We have no idea, but it’s clearly connected to this moment in time. Symbolizing there is no longer a divide between connection with God and the common man...we all have access.

What stands out to me most though, is the fact that Jesus in His final words cries out loudly. Luke specifically tells us the volume of His voice. It’s of note. This is not the final whisper, it’s a finish that is all out, and clearly tells us, that even in the final moments, Jesus is still in control.

I’ve run quite a few races over the past few years, several 5k’s, a few 10k’s, a couple half marathons and even a full marathon one time. There have been moments, especially in the full marathon, when I walked or at least slowed down my running, my mantra was to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and not stop. I trusted that continued forward movement would get me to the finish. I knew I wouldn’t medal or have any record time, I just ran with the goal of finishing. No matter the distance or location, I have always ran across the finish line. Once the finish line was in sight, I realized that I had more in the tank and wanted to finish strong and confident.

That’s the impression of Jesus I get, here on the cross in His final moments. He has run the race set out before Him. It’s clear that the end is in sight and rather than crawl across the line quietly...it’s as if He raises His arms in victory and loudly commits the final energy He has to complete it.

It’s so remarkable that the people witnessing His death respond immediately. The Roman Centurion is clear in his declaration “I know this was a good man!”. The people gathered, watch and immediately feel deep grief and sorrow at what they’ve just been a part of. Jesus' close friends were in shock, they watched from a distance, probably trying to understand what in the world had just happened.

Today, we have the luxury of knowing what happens three days later. But just imagine if you were there and didn’t know what was going to happen. What do you think you would’ve felt witnessing this moment?

Knowing what we know in the present day, clearly this is a moment of victory...Jesus has completed the mission, the race set out before Him. And so we celebrate, rightly so.

May all of us finish the race well,

Ruth Spencer

Jesus prays Father Forgive them

“We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” I wrote this quote from Madeleine L’Engle in the front of a notebook where I record questions I want to ask my kids to help them grow up in their faith.

“Is God good”? This is one of the first questions in my notebook. “For many, a distrust in the goodness of God, often because of deep pain or great loss, has led them to conclude that God is not good. What about you? Do you believe God is good? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for a Christian to be convinced of the goodness of God? How well can we trust someone if we are unsure of their intentions?”

In Luke 23, we read the narrative of the final agonizing hours of Jesus’ life. Nailed to a cross, while lots were cast for His clothes, the rulers scoffed at Him while the Roman soldiers mocked Him. “And Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Hung between two criminals, one jeered, while the other asked for mercy. Jesus assured him, “today you will be with me in paradise.” Finally, He would breathe His last breath and die.

These are the historical facts of what transpired that day, but what occurred behind the scenes is the “light so lovely” L’Engle referred to. No one could read this gospel account, and walk away assured that God is truly good, without delving into the rest of the Bible. We must read all of the story to begin to understand how God’s goodness to us is fully displayed at the cross. A transaction was made at Christ’s expense. What transpired at the cross is our assurance that God IS good. He is for us!

What happened behind the scenes that would cause us to think an event so awful was good? At the cross, Jesus absorbed the wrath of God. He showed the wealth of God’s love and grace for sinners and His own love for us. He cancelled the legal demands of the law against us. He became a ransom for many. He secured the forgiveness of our sins. He provided the basis for our justification. He completed the obedience that became our righteousness. He took away our condemnation, gave us a clear conscience, reconciled us to God, made us perfect, blameless and holy in God’s sight, freed us from the slavery of sin, and secured our resurrection from the dead.*

Jesus died to show that the worst evil is meant by God for good. Do you believe it? Is God really good? Then let’s go show the world a light so lovely that they will want with all of their hearts to know the source of it.

*This list was developed from John Piper’s Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die. You can read the book free online: https://www.desiringgod.org/books/fifty-reasons-why-jesus-came-to-die 

-Natalie Runyon

Jesus prays on Mount of Olives

What Jesus Knew

As a firefighter, I spend long periods of time away from my family.  It has a sobering effect on me each time I get ready to report to work knowing that there is a very real possibility that I might not be able to return home for whatever reason.  That notion hit me hardest when my children were young.  Back then, I would spend a little extra time each night before my shifts at their bedsides sharing stories, songs and prayers together.  Sometimes, and probably quite often, I would give them some life lesson that was heavy pressed on my mind.  Primarily, I was concerned that they keep their eyes on Jesus and trust in Him as their foundation for faith.  We talked a lot about Him and the never-ending love that I had experienced.  I wanted to pour everything I could into helping them become whole in pursuing God’s glory above all else.  I’m sure there were plenty of times that they wondered why I was so intense or longwinded in what I had to say.  Looking back, I hope they will remember the sense of urgency that inspired such efforts to instruct them.  As their dad, I knew how easy it could be to get spiritually staggered by struggles and wanted them to find a sure footing in Jesus.

In our passage this week, we see Jesus prior to His betrayal and arrest.  He has spoken many things to His disciples before this moment.  Everyone is physically tired and emotionally fatigued over all that has happened and been said by Jesus.  He knows His time with His friends is short and He also knows how agonizing it will be to face the moment before Him.  So what does Jesus do – He asks His disciples to pray that they will not be tempted.  Why?  Jesus knew how this would be the defining moment for the redemption of all people including these there with Him.  He did not want anything to stand in the way for them to experience it and become witnesses to the greatest event in the history of the world.  There had been a moment not long ago when Jesus had rebuked Peter for being concerned with human things over the things of God.  Jesus’ greatest passion is for God’s glory to be revealed.  Even He would be tempted to step back from the will of the Father.  But His prayer and His actions reveal that His will is aligned with His Father’s will.  And that’s how He wants His followers to pray in the moment – putting the Father’s will above their own while trusting in the character and promises of Almighty God.

It’s still the same for us today.   Jesus calls on His followers to trust in Him and the Father’s will for our lives.  We still need to pray that we will not “fall” into temptation because only in Jesus will we find the solid ground we need to stand on.  The eternal and unshakeable Kingdom of God is greater than any other human thing that might tempt us as a temporary fix in the moment. 

Let us look to Jesus for how to pray.  We can see that He fell to His knees in order to stand for the will of His Father in the face of betrayal, shame, pain and death.  May we remember that God will strengthen us as our flesh is weak.  Let us seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness knowing that we can trust in God’s promises to protect and provide for us.  May we find our ultimate assurance in prayer with Jesus as the Rescuer of our soul and Ruler of our will.  And may we be a church that gives witness of Him in the world to the praise of His glory!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

Jesus prays for all believers

Jesus Sticks Up For Us.

In John 17:20-26, the portion of scripture for this week’s sermon, we notice a definite shift from Jesus informing the disciples about what is to come, his death and resurrection, to Jesus actually interceding for the disciples on their behalf, as they listen on. It’s a prayer between Jesus and His Father...with the disciples almost eavesdropping on the conversation.

How do you feel when others pray for you? I think each of us probably feels differently based upon our unique personality and previous life experiences. For some of us, it feels comforting to hear someone praying out loud specifically for us. For others, it might feel uncomfortable, awkward, vulnerable, and not really even desired.

If I could sit with you individually and talk about this scripture, I would ask you...how do you feel when someone prays out loud for you? Does it matter who the person is and what your relationship is with them? Why do you think it makes you feel the way you do, whether that’s a good or bad reaction? It would be worth thinking about.

In this scripture, Jesus is praying for the disciples and for all those who will come after them too. 

Romans 8:31-34

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? (The Message)

I don’t always feel real comfortable when others pray for me publicly, but the fact of Jesus praying for me, sticking up for me...wow! I wish I could eavesdrop on those conversations. It’s deeply comforting to me to know He’s got me covered all the days of my life.

Ruth Spencer

Jesus prays for His disciples

On the night He was betrayed...

He broke the bread and washed the disciple’s feet. He warned that Peter would deny Him, and one would hand Him over to death. He promised the Holy Spirit and gave His disciples words that were meant to sustain them as they witnessed His death; words that would transform them into men of courage and boldness. He prayed.

He prayed for you.

Before Genesis 1:1, He knew you.

He knew you would be alive in 2020, living through this season of division and uncertainty. He knew every longing of your heart before your heart began to beat. He knew the grief you would face in this life. He knew what would bring a smile to your face and every weakness you would try to hide. He knew that sometimes you would be so passionate for His glory that you felt you had to tell the world, and that more often than not you would be distracted and passive. He knew you, and called you, and planned the kingdom work He wanted you to do, and the gifts He would give you to fully equip you to walk out His plan and purpose for your life.

Before the foundations of the earth were laid or stars were hung, when the earth was formless and without void and there was only darkness, Jesus knew you would need to be saved. And so He came- for you. That night of His betrayal, he prayed- for you. He said “I am not praying for the world”. His prayer was particular.

He prayed for the Father to keep you.

He prayed that you would experience true unity with other believers.

He prayed that His joy would be fulfilled in you.

He prayed that you would be kept safe from the evil one.

He prayed that you would be sanctified in truth through His words.

Jesus Christ, your great high priest, prayed for you just before his death. Now risen and seated at the right hand of the Father, He lives to intercede for you.

May you be held by the Father, unified with the church, filled with the joy of Christ, kept safe from the enemy of your soul and made more and more holy as you meditate on His Word, sustained by His prayers until He comes again. Amen.

-Natalie Runyon

Jesus prays for Himself

Desperate Times and Rejoicing Prayers

Reflecting on the passage this week, the LORD reminded me of many occasions that I’ve stretched my gaze toward the sky and cried aloud for God to help me.  As I think about those prayers, they seem often to be done in moments of desperation.  Yet there are plenty of joyous occasions that I’ve acted in this same way to celebrate with God. 

In the beginning of the 17th chapter of John’s Gospel, we see Jesus demonstrating a posture that is fitting for the hour that has come upon Him.  The time is near for Him to be crucified and placed on a cross for the sins of the world.  In the distress of this moment, Jesus yearns to pray with His Father and His posture reveals His desperation.  Yet there is also a sense of joy in His prayer as He looks forward to what will be accomplished. 

Jesus was not surprised by His persecution.  He was not fooled by the cross.  Instead, He looked forward to the eternal joy set before Him as our Intercessor and King.  He looked forward to His glorification as the Treasure of Heaven.  The hour had come and he would need to go through the pain of crucifixion to achieve the glory of His resurrection and ascension.  He was determined to face the temporal risks to his physical comfort and safety in order to secure the eternal glory of His Father’s will.  Jesus had recently taught His disciples about the ways they would suffer for God’s service and now He is about to perform the greatest act of sacrificial love and service that the world has ever seen.

I read an article a few days ago that described how marriage is hard but worth the endeavor because of the benefits to a couple.  It said that many today are neglecting marriage for personal freedom or even delaying it to avoid struggling through young life issues. In my own experience, marrying as a young man, I can testify to the great joy I’ve experienced while growing together as a couple through hardships.  The glory of my marriage far outweighs any suffering I’ve incurred.  I see a similar phenomenon in the Triune God and the prayer of Jesus to His Heavenly Father.  He yearns for the Glory of Heaven to be seen in His life, death, and resurrection.  He asks the Father to use His extreme physical suffering to bring eternal life to the world.  Yet He rejoices in the fruit that it will bear and looks ahead to the relationships that will blossom between His followers and the One True God. 

Jesus’ greatest passion in life is for the glory of God to be on full display!  As I write this reflection, I’ve been listening to Hillsong’s “King of Kings” and I can’t help but be caught up in the glory of God that is on display in those lyrics.  I’d encourage you to take a listen for yourself and rejoice in Jesus Christ – the Hope of Glory!  He demonstrated that we should pray in desperate times to experience the joy that comes from knowing God and His glory.  Let us call upon our Heavenly Father in our time of need.  Let us find our confidence in Jesus, who promises greater joy than any temporary struggle or earthly dilemma.  May Jesus be glorified in His church today as we seek to love and serve His world in the same manner that He has loved and served us!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

Prayer before teaching the Lord's Prayer

An Invitation to Trust

By the time we get to the teaching of the Lord’s Prayer in the book of Luke, the disciples have already witnessed Jesus cast out demons, heal the sick, calm storms and feed huge crowds with a few loaves and fishes. They realize they are walking around with someone who has unusual, supernatural, miraculous ways. They’ve also watched Jesus retreat in moments of solitude for times of prayer.

So, when they ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, I don’t think it’s because they haven’t been around prayer, they surely have seen others pray and get the idea. Instead, maybe they ask because they can easily see firsthand that when Jesus prays, things happen, the blind see, the lame walk, the demon possessed are freed, the storms calm, thousands are fed. They must wonder what’s so different about Jesus’ prayers that makes the difference.

When I read the story in Luke 11, I can’t help but put myself in their shoes, I can’t guarantee that they felt the way I probably would’ve, but we tend to share the human experience even over time and space. I wonder if they were looking for some magical type of formula. Some way to speak into existence the miracles they see happening...certain words, frequency, or other secret ways.

Jesus radically explains to them that prayer is an invitation into a trusting father/child relationship. He explains how even an earthly father would attend to his children, as imperfect as he is, so how much more will God attend to His children. He calls them to trust.

In the Matthew account, from chapter 6 he goes on to tell the disciples to “find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.” (The Message)

It’s easy to get distracted by the ask, seek, knock portion of this passage of scripture, because we all have stories when we’ve done that and the results didn’t happen. We all know that struggle and feeling of disillusionment. But, when I instead approach the idea of prayer as a place where I rest in the arms of God, as a Father holds his child, it feels different to me.

Recently, I was having a bad day at home, I was just feeling discouraged about some things in my life and a feeling of sadness came over me. I was tired. My husband, Dane, was listening to me as he so often does and was trying to encourage me. I told him that I thought I probably just needed to take a nap. He asked if it was ok for him to join me. I said yes and we went and laid down and he simply held me and let me nap for 1-2 hours in the warmth of his presence and love. When I woke up, I felt better. He told me...he had never fallen asleep during that time, but just tried to lay still holding me so that I could rest. I can’t really fully explain how loved I felt in that moment. Dane didn’t fix anything for me. He couldn’t. Instead, while I slept, he kept watch and sheltered me in his loving arms.

That is the picture of prayer I see Jesus painting in this section of scripture. It’s a beautiful thing to know God never slumbers or sleeps. He holds each one of us, every day, and just asks us to rest and trust in Him. He heals our sadness, our broken heartedness, and gives the weary the rest they need. The Creator of the Universe is not so busy that He doesn’t have time to lovingly hold us and carry our burdens for us.

Prayer is accessible to every single person on the face of the earth. Every race. Every gender. Every socioeconomic level. Every age.

Jesus teaching the disciples to pray wasn’t about magic. It wasn’t about repeating certain words, although we do often repeat the Lord’s Prayer. It was about understanding the access we have to God as our Father. It was about an invitation to trust, to rest in Him.

May we all feel the loving arms of God around us every day, His love can heal and soothe us in ways that no amount of fixing can do.

Ruth Spencer

Prayer and The Transfiguration

"And as he was praying the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white...

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!"                                 (Luke 9:29 and 9:35 italics mine)

Listen to him!  This is the only command in this section of Scripture.  Lots of description, but only one command.

A miraculous transfiguration.  

Two Old Testament saints who had not walked the earth for over 1,000 years appear.  

A cloud comes and overshadows them.

These are all amazing events loaded with meaning, but at the end of the day we hear the Voice saying, 

"This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!"

I have a feeling Peter and James and John never forgot this experience.  It left an indelible mark on their hearts and changed the trajectory of their lives.  Years later Peter writes these words shortly before he prepares for his own "departure":

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.  And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.                                                           2 Peter 1:16-19

In other words, Peter is saying, "we didn't make this up.  We saw Jesus transfigured before our eyes in all of His glory.  We heard the Voice from Heaven.  We believe."  Do you believe?

There are a lot of voices competing for our attention today.  There is a lot of noise.  There is only one Truth - Jesus Christ.  The more we look to Him and listen to Him the more "we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."  2 Corinthians 3:18

Look to Him and live!

Listen to Him and be transformed!

Hope in Him and never be put to shame!

Steven

Prayer before Peter's Confession

Who do you say I am?

Recently, my family and I have started a book club based on the book, “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear. On the cover it promises ‘tiny changes, remarkable results’. We are finding that from age 21-73, it  applies to all 5 of us.

The chapter this week in our family book club is all about identity. How your habits shape your identity and vice versa.

Some quotes to ponder:

“The ultimate form of intrinsic motivation is when a habit becomes part of your identity. It’s one thing to say I’m the type of person who wants this. It’s something very different to say I’m the type of person who is this.”

“True behavior change is identity change. You might start a habit because of motivation, but the only reason you’ll stick with one is that it becomes part of your identity.”

“Your habits shape your identity, and your identity shapes your habits. It’s a two-way street.”

Ok, so how does this apply to the scripture passage for this week? In Luke 9, Matthew 16 and Mark 8, three different places where this conversation is recorded, the question arises from Jesus, “who do you say I am?”. First, they have a conversation about what the crowds are saying...John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet, etc. Then, Jesus puts the question to the disciples…“who do you say I am?”. Peter declares “You are the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.

I found myself wondering why Jesus asks the question. I could see myself asking this question to those closest to me...but out of insecurity and wanting to people please. Jesus isn’t insecure. I think more likely, He is trying to make sure they are "getting it". In so many of the stories recorded in the gospels, it’s questionable, if they are or not. The disciples often seem confused, lacking faith and utterly disappointing to Jesus in their responses and understanding. But in this direct question, He must have blessed relief to see they are getting it after all.

Ironically enough, the very next passage He is telling Peter to “get behind him” because once again Peter is showing He doesn’t understand the way God works, but at least in the scripture passage for today, there is a glimmer of hope.

The disciples understanding Jesus’ identity is crucial. They have been around his habits and behaviors for awhile now and hopefully Jesus’ identity has come through crystal clear. That’s how it works. If we examine our habits...we get a pretty clear picture of who we are and what we really believe.

The most beautiful part of this scripture to me is in Matthew. I’m not sure why it’s only recorded there, but I love it when Jesus turns around after Peter says “You are the Christ,” and  gives Simon who becomes Peter a new identity and tells him he is ‘the rock’ on which He will build His church.” Wow!

Do you think that new identity changed everything for Peter? I think it did.

If Jesus came to me today and asked “who do you say I am?” What would be my response? I think it would be a measure of how aware of Him I really am. Do I really know Jesus and understand what matters to Him, and live in a steady awareness of His presence? The only way I could truly understand His identity is if I am aware of His ways.

And I wonder...who would Jesus say that I am? What is my God given identity? Each one of us has a unique God shaped and created identity to live out.

What you believe about who Jesus is and who He says you are changes everything about your day to day life. Every thought...every action...every decision...every habit...everything.

Ruth Spencer

Prayer before selecting disciples

Naming Apostles & Ministering to a Multitude

Twenty years ago, I was ordained into pastoral ministry.  The first book my dad gave me for that occasion was called, Power through Prayer.  It’s an insightful look at prayer in the lives of Biblical characters.  For me, the gift itself showed me the high priority of prayer in my dad’s life and ministry and how much I should value it in my path forward.  

In the passage for this week, Luke recounts Jesus praying on the side of a mountain and says it was a common practice of His for that time.   Luke points out that Jesus spends the whole night praying in that place.  What was so important to Jesus that He would spend the whole night praying?  Could it be that Jesus found ultimate rest in communing with His Father?  Could it be that Jesus was praying for His spiritual children – His disciples that He was about to send off on their own among the multitudes to minister in His name?  Could it be that Jesus was demonstrating to His disciples the high priority of prayer in order for them to experience the power of God in their lives?  Luke then reports that the next day Jesus chose 12 apostles from among his many disciples.  Apostle means “sent one.”  Jesus has always been preparing His followers for the sending.  Jesus wants these men to make Him known by bearing witness to all that they’ve seen and heard of Him.  On that same day when they come down from the mountain with Jesus, those apostles witness the power of God revealed through Jesus to heal and bless the gathering multitudes through signs and wonders.

My youngest just turned 16 on Sunday and I got to pray for him before we ate supper that night.  I don’t know if I’ve ever been more earnest in my prayer to thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to know my son for the last 16 years and walk alongside him.  I prayed earnestly that God would be glorified by his life going forward, that my son would be filled with the Holy Spirit and bear much fruit to honor Jesus and His Kingdom.  Psalm 127:4 came to mind. I thank God that my son has seen me pray earnestly and often in Jesus name.  This young man is on his way in life and I’ve given my all to disciple him well and prepare him for the send-off by continually pointing him to Jesus as the ULTIMATE.  

I am amazed at the way Jesus works.  Jesus still sends us to bear witness of Him to the multitudes that need to hear from Him and be healed.  But He does not send anyone out without first inviting them into fellowship with Him.  The beautiful thing about earnest prayer is that it is communing with God and knowing His heart.  Gospel ministry and prayer are cyclical.  The more we go out on mission for Jesus, the more we need to pray and experience His power.  

I thank God for the example of a praying pastor and dad in my life.  I thank God that Jesus still invites me to pray. I thank God for a praying church family and the signs and wonders we have witnessed from God in prayer.  May we continue to be a praying church that finds our greatest refreshment in the powerful presence and indelible grace of Jesus.  

Grateful and hopeful in Christ,

Jon

Prayer at Jesus' Baptism

"Fold your hands, bow your heads, close your eyes and let us pray."

I can't remember when I first heard those words, but I remember hearing them often in my childhood.  Maybe you do too?  Even as a small boy I instinctively knew there was something special, something sacred about prayer.  Prayer continues to be mysterious, but each time I pray...really pray (not going through the motions, not merely speaking words) I receive peace and strength and I am assured that I am loved by God.

What are your earliest memories of prayer?  

Can you recall a time you prayed and it brought you peace and strength and hope?

Jesus is found praying in the Gospels often and each time He prays we get a glimpse of the Kingdom.

The past few months many have wrestled with anxiety and fear.  We are heartbroken and outraged and shocked about injustice.  We are more clearly aware of the fact that the world is not as it should be, but God has not left us on our own.  He has given us a great gift called prayer.  Many may see prayer as a duty, but what if we saw it as a gift?  Many see prayer as a command, but what if we saw it as an invitation to a party or a coffee date or a walk with a good friend?  Jesus loved and still loves to pray and He loves to hear us pray and speak to us through prayer.  As we enter into this next sermon series it is my prayer that we all may receive the gift of prayer and accept the invitation to pray.  Through prayer we come to know the heart of the Father and His heart is GOOD and PURE and KIND.  

At His baptism

Jesus prays and the heavens are opened!

Jesus prays and the Holy Spirit descends on him in bodily form like a dove.

Jesus prays and a voice from Heaven says,

You are my beloved Son;

with you I am well pleased

What if when we pray heaven is opened?

What if when we pray the Holy Spirit touches us?

What if when we pray we hear our Father tell us...we are loved and He is pleased?

All of a sudden...I want to pray.  May God awaken us to pray with joy and hope and expectation this summer!

Thanking God for all of you,

Steven

Jesus and a Grieving Sister

The conversation with Jesus this coming week is from John 11. I’ll be honest, it’s a story that feels gut wrenching to me on a variety of levels.

• The timing of Jesus.

• Mary and Martha send word to Jesus, “Master, the one you love so very much is sick.”

  1. Jesus gets the message and says, “This sickness is not fatal…” and “oddly” (it actually says this in The Message translation) chooses to stay where He is for two more days. 

  2. Jesus “finally” (yes, this is actually the word that is used), gets there and finds that Lazarus has been dead for 4 days.

• Martha’s grief.

  • “Master, if you’d been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you.”

  • Jesus says: “Your brother will be raised up.”

  • Martha replies: “I know he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time.

  • Jesus says: “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am the Resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. Do you believe this?

  • Martha says: Yes, Master. All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”  

  • It’s as if they are not talking about the same things...Jesus knows that He is going to raise Lazarus from the dead... TODAY. Martha has no idea what He is talking about but confirms her belief that He is the Messiah. Hmmm…

• Mary’s grief.

  • “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

  • Jesus wants to know where did you put Lazarus? The sobbing of Mary and the Jews is highlighted, and a deep anger wells up within Jesus.

  • Time out...Jesus is angry? And then He weeps...

OK, at this point, I must tell you, it is really hard for me to get my mind and heart around what all has taken place here. I know the feeling of experiencing this kind of loss, where I had the faith that if Jesus just said the word all would be well. I know the feeling of that word not being spoken. I know the trite sayings that tend to come from well-meaning but shallow thinking Christians during these types of times. It’s painful. I’m trying to read this story without inserting my own life story or every other person’s life story who has experienced the pain of disappointment when things don’t work out the way you hope, but it’s difficult.

Jesus is clearly in control the whole time. He knew from the first moment what He was going to do and calmly states it several times throughout the whole exchange, but I can clearly see the sisters don’t understand. They are just grieving and broken-hearted.

Ultimately...Lazarus is raised and lives to see another day. But...all of us know this is the exception not the rule in these types of scenarios in real life. So... what do we do with that?

A couple of observations stand out to me.

God’s timing is past, present, and future, overarching everything. I fit into God’s timing and not the other way around. There are moments when God’s timing does fall into place with mine and the ‘stars align’, the job comes through, the opportunity opens up, the pregnancy happens, the sickness goes away...but much of life is spent the other way around, where God’s timing and mine probably are not in sync the way I would like them to be. It’s very easy to become disillusioned and disappointed in these moments. As humans we are far more self-absorbed than we realize and would like the world and even God to revolve around us and our needs. It doesn’t.

When we are grieving and broken hearted, Jesus doesn’t make light of it. He doesn’t condemn us or shame us or tell us not to feel the pain. He doesn’t say trite things or give bumper sticker slogans. He acknowledges our pain. He knows we are human. He was human himself. What He does instead is - He gives us a better glimpse or reminds us of who He is. If you look through the Bible and even in your own life story you will notice that every time you experience the pain of loss, struggle and grief, there is an opportunity to experience parts of Jesus that you might not have been aware of before. I see this in Hagar’s story when she realizes in her desperate time that “He is the God who sees”. I see it in Abraham and Isaac’s story when He sees that God is the “God who provides,” before almost sacrificing his son. I see it in Moses’ story at the burning bush when he sees that God is the great “I am”.  And on and on...God reveals himself to us when we are at our greatest points of need.

For me...in 2007, when my husband passed away. I can tell you God became My Redeemer in a personal way and the Lover of my Soul. I knew Him as my Friend and Father, but when my husband died...I felt Him as My beloved and husband too. Need...calls our attention to who Jesus is. But we must tune in and listen.

Finally, Jesus wept. Shortest verse in the bible and one that I now think is often misunderstood. Jesus can’t be weeping just for Martha and Mary...why would He do that when He knows what’s about to happen? He’s about to give them the biggest gift ever...He’s not going to waste time sitting and crying. No, there is anger in these tears. Sorrow mixed with anger. This event of raising Lazarus from the dead is the pivotal moment when Jesus is walking very deliberately into His own death and resurrection. This miracle is far greater than just healing a sick person, the people take notice and the Pharisees begin to plot to kill Jesus immediately. This is the moment when everything changes.

I’ve come to see Jesus weeping in this story as being about more than just the two or three people in this chapter, but instead as part of a much bigger story. This is not the way things were supposed to be. Sin...death is the result of sin and Jesus weeping here lets us know that He was human and broken-hearted for all of us who live and die here, because He knows that all of us have or will suffer because of what Satan has done all the way back in the garden of Eden. This is the sorrow and anger...righteous anger that knows this is not the way things were supposed to be, and not what God intended for us when He created us.

This story shows us that Jesus has power even over death.

But it also shows us that Jesus knows what it feels like to live in a broken world and to care about people in a broken world. For everyone who has experienced loss and not the miracle here on this earth...Jesus doesn’t make light of it. He makes it clear that he ‘gets’ it. There are no bumper sticker awkward comments here...just a Savior who sits and feels the whole gamut of emotion over what was lost for all of us when sin entered the world. This...makes all the difference when you’re grieving. We all need to know Jesus ‘gets’ our pain, doesn’t make light of it and grieves with us over the stuff that happens that should’ve never happened.

You can probably tell...this story and this picture of Jesus speaks to me deeply...I have a feeling you might connect with it too.

Ruth Spencer