Matters of the Heart

Tintern Abbey was built in 1131 AD. During England's Henry VIII’s reign, he abolished the monasteries, leaving Tintern in ruins. Tintern is now a tourist attraction. The Abbey is without its roof or interior. However, its foundations and cathedral structure still stand where natural sunlight shines amongst the arch windows and columns, beautifully spraying prisms of light.

In the 1920s, as an atheist, CS Lewis finally intellectually arrived at a point where he was open to the Christian faith, but his heart was not there yet.

Lewis visited Tintern Abbey, and while he was standing under its arches, the sunlight shone through the arches onto the beautiful landscaped green grass. Then, suddenly, an inexpressible joy surged into his heart. Lewis finally got it. His heart was finally enlightened, and He discovered the essence of all of creation in Jesus Christ. Lewis became a believer.

In Ephesians 1:18-19, Paul prays about this very enlightenment and wisdom of the heart and imagination Lewis experienced: I pray that your hearts (one translation ‘the imagination’) will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

To understand the divine realities in our life, we cannot rely on intellect alone but also on the heart's affections. God's revelation through the Holy Spirit provides believers a deep, spiritual knowledge and wisdom that is not gained solely through knowledge and intellect. This revealed spiritual wisdom and knowledge open our hearts to God's divine power, His works of grace, and the movements of the soul we inherit as believers in Jesus Christ. This power raised Christ from the dead, and He now sits on the right hand in the heavenly realms placing all of creation, including the Church, under Him. [verses. 20-23]

Why is this revealed spiritual insight important regarding the matter of our hearts?

The term 'Heart' has many uses in Scripture, but its essential meaning refers to the person's deepest core — the deepest organizing center of one's life and what you rely on and lean on. The heart is a fundamental yet sometimes hidden foundation at the deepest recesses and absolute center of a person from which springs forth genuine, real feelings, authentic thoughts, values, and taking on life. The heart is the most profound aspect of one's soul and inner self.1

In The Abolition of Man, CS Lewis famously termed "Men Without Chests," meaning instead of ignoring the matters of the heart, we are to feel what is good and true with our hearts and apprehend it with our minds as logical and reasonable.

Our soul uses both our mind and our heart's deepest intuition. Thus Paul's timeless counsel that God’s peace will “guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7

With our hearts anchored in this spiritual wisdom, power, and divine insight, we should not be dazzled by the human and material experiences, all temporary but the illuminated and eternal hope of the transcendent glory that awaits those who are believers in Jesus Christ. Where our heart possesses "a presence that disturbs me with the joy of elevated thoughts."2

-Dan Nickel

1 Paraphrase of JP Moreland’s thoughts in Finding Quiet

2 William Wordsworth’s poem “Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey.” Wordsworth wrote the poem upon seeing Tintern Abby.

Thankful For Your Faith

A few Sundays ago, I had the opportunity to serve communion to my Bridge Church Family.

I was excited to be part of the experience and thought to myself, “I’ve got this!” All I had to do was stand before you and pass out bread, right?

But as the service started, I began to feel hopelessness. I was thinking about my friends and family as they struggle with health, loss, grief, and debts. I began to deeply question suffering and the purpose of it all.  

Feeling dismayed, I prayed to God that I would see life, hope and joy in times of such suffering. “God help me stand before the Church in communion with you and help me with my brokenness.” Just as I finished my prayer it was time to go down for Communion.

I stood, a little shaky inside, pushing my pain aside with my brightest smile and preparing myself to offer the bread of Christ’s broken body to my church family. As each of you walked forward, I felt God lean in and say, “This Nikki, this is why. “

As each of you stepped forward to communion with Christ Jesus, my heart overflowed with something. It was something I, of many words, could not put words to.  My tears overflowed and I saw you, and I loved you for the love you have for Christ. For your faith in the Lord Jesus, I am thankful. Your faith reminded me though my heart breaks, that there is joy in this life. There is a purpose, and that purpose is to believe and have faith in Jesus; to love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves.

Thank you, my Bridge Church Family, for allowing me to serve you and showing me what faith in Christ is and all the love that goes with it. I pray on the days when the sorrow cuts deep we remember the sweet communion we share and the beautiful love of Christ Jesus!  

-Nikki Fiedler

The Guarantee of our Inheritance

What do you plan to inherit in this life?  Who would it be from that you would inherit such things?  An inheritance is a provision that some have the privilege to look forward to in this life.  It is usually a sign of a special familial position to the one who provides the inheritance.  The provision of an inheritance and plan to receive it can offer a measure of hope long before it is fully acquired.   

Our text this week speaks of the inheritance we have with God in Christ Jesus.  The Bible tells us that those who trust in Jesus as their Redeemer are co-heirs with Him.  This inheritance is greater than anything we could ever imagine from a worldly point of view.  It’s a sign of the fact that God created us to with Him as part of His family.  Jesus gave His life on a cross so that His followers could be benefactors in God’s glorious plan for His family. 

Through faith in Jesus as the Christ, we receive a seal for this promised inheritance from God to come.  The seal we are given is His Holy Spirit in us.  The Holy Spirit of God in us is our assurance that we are part of His family and partakers in the inheritance He promises to those that belong to Him.  All of this is so that God will be greatly praised for His amazing love and steadfast care!  This truth is a call to worship God today for all He has done IN CHRIST. 

May we find an anchor for our souls in the living hope we have through His Holy Spirit in us today and evermore.  May we look forward to the greater things to come in Christ and the inheritance He has prepared for His people.  May these things bring good news for today that will sustain our souls amid suffering and temptation and lead us to trust in Jesus more.  Let us be always ready and primed to share this good news of eternal life in Christ Jesus that is available to whoever believes IN HIM! 

Grateful and hopeful in Christ,   

Jon 

Do You Need a Pick-Me-Up?

Do you need a "pick-me-up"?  Read Ephesians 1:7-10. These verses are so rich, so encouraging and full of everything we need: redemption, forgiveness and grace. Short on time? Read the following: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us,” (Ephesians 1:7-8a ESV). 

I have memory leaks. I always remember that Jesus died on the cross for me, that His blood was shed for me, that he paid the price for my sins. But, sometimes I’ll forget the extent, the fullness of His grace. I decided to do some research on the word lavished. According to the Oxford dictionary, lavished means “bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities”. Interestingly, one of the origins of the word lavish comes from the French word “laver” which means to wash. I continued my research by checking the synonyms for lavish: openhanded, unsparing, bountiful and heap (www.Thesaurus.com).  My research provided me with multiple ways to think about and hopefully remember Paul’s words: 

• Jesus is waiting, open handed to wash us clean every day!

• We are unsparingly, heaped with His grace!

• Grace is not dispensed in small doses. Redemption and grace are continually being repeated, occurring again and again.

Our passage this week should be read, reflected upon and shared. When you or a loved one needs a little "pick-me-up" read Ephesians 1:7-10.

-Brenda Wooff

Given, Not Earned

This week’s four verses are light in length but heavy in message. Paul uses phrases like “blessed us”, “chose us”, “in love”, and “freely given” to describe how God views and loves us. While God certainly loves us today, Paul emphasizes how He’s loved us always, long before the world was created!

In this love though, there is a desire by God for how we live our lives, “to be holy and blameless.” Thankfully, next Paul writes how we are adopted through Jesus Christ, no doubt knowing on any given day we’re neither holy or blameless on our own, but only through Jesus’ shed blood on the cross.

A reminder in these verses is that God's salvation is given, not earned, and we should not have pride in our salvation. It was freely given to all through Jesus, as humans we must acknowledge and accept this gift. Because of this grace, Paul urges us to praise God and if we can continually have that praising mindset and soft heart, how we live our lives will more align with God’s desires.

-Alex Pfister

Heavenly Blessings for Faithful Sojourners

Paul wrote Ephesians, likely a circular letter (routed to other churches) to the church of Ephesus, while in a Rome prison awaiting trial. He wrote the letter around AD 60, towards the end of Paul’s life

Ephesus was a leading center in the Roman Empire with major trade routes and home to one of the Wonders of Ancient Civilization — the Temple of the Greek goddess Artemis that towered over the bay entry for ships. Against a cultural environment rife with paganism, perversion, sorcerers, and precious metal idol makers, Paul emphasizes the universal church of Jews and Gentiles by salvation through Jesus Christ in the letter’s first three verses.

Paul expresses his wish for grace —God's unmerited favor — and peace from God and our Lord Jesus Christ while also showing an equal relational state between God and Christ. The peace Paul refers to for the believers is not a sense of quiet like a home with a TV turned off, social media devices put away or sitting in the woods reading a book. The peace Paul meant is a depth of contentment — a settled soul.

In Ephesians 1:3, Paul writes, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”

It reminds us that while we live in the fleshy/material world where the emphasis is a horizontal vision, our spiritual blessings that captivate and settle our soul are vertical, whose genesis is the heavenly realms. Why? Because as believers, we are united in Jesus Christ. In other words, while living an earthy life, we are to live with an upward heavenly vision where every spiritual enrichment provided to believers rests in Jesus Christ. This visionary and spiritual awareness should dictate our paths in life on this earth.

During our early morning walk, Cindy mentioned it was getting lighter each morning, making it easier for us to see what had been walking in the dark for months. I was mulling over this devotion and the emphasis on spiritual blessings and a vertical vision sourced from the heavenly realms when Cindy’s mention of light led me to search for a Leo Tolstoy reflection in his book A Confession. The famous Russian writer wrote it while he struggled with his current path in life, depression, and a search for God.

Tolstoy wrote, “Live to seek God, and life will not be without Him. And stronger than ever rose up life within and around me, and the light that then shone never left me again.” 1

A vision of eternal light Dante also saw when he poetically arrives in Paradise — the Heavenly Realms:

O grace abounding, by which I have dared

To fix my eyes through the eternal Light

Within that Light a person is so changed

It is impossible to give consent

Ever to turn from it to other sight 2

Paul had this eternal Light of Christ in mind, which lit his heart and flooded his soul with blessings and contentment writing his greetings of encouragement while reflecting on his dangerous and riotous but miraculous times in Ephesus. Encouraging words Paul knew believers would read while living in a pagan culture under the shadow of a Temple to a venerated Greek goddess who didn't bestow spiritual blessings. They are words of encouragement for us too as a reminder to give praise for our spiritual blessings and not abandon being united in Christ when faced with living in a culture increasingly agnostic to the Christian faith.

-Dan Nickel

1 Leo Tolstoy, A Confession [London: Walter Scott, 1887], Kindle 834-837. 2 Dante, Paradiso (Canto 33, Lines 97-102

Bought and Paid For

When I started out my college career in Radio Broadcasting, I wanted to be an investigative reporter. My goal was to dig until I uncovered the true story. A sure path that will lead you to the truth beneath any story is to “follow the money”. When I read any news headline I tend to look for where the money is coming from, who is paying for the messages while asking the who, what, when, where, why and how questions.   

While reading Matthew 28, it was no surprise to me verses 11-15 stood out. Jesus’ disciples stole his body was a paid for story in attempts to bury the other story being told that day. A monetary transaction between chief priests and some guards that were posted at Jesus’ tomb.

Just before the chief priests handed over money to the soldiers, there was another transaction made. It was not an exchange of money but a life that was given so all debts could be paid in full, with no condemnation made to the debtor.  The sum of money paid to the soldiers in attempts to squash the enormity of Jesus, was futile.

The Son of God gave his life willingly, so that the many sins of this world would be forgiven, and a great multitude of many nations will be waving palm branches in their hands crying out salvation. That story could not be buried in a tomb or buried with money. For Jesus has authority over life and death.

Two transactions, one made to hide the first. Which is greater?

Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

He Lives- Alfred H. Ackley

Verse 1
I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy,
I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near

Chorus
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives:
He lives within my heart.

Verse 2
In all the world around me,
I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary
I never will despair;
I know that He is leading
thru all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing
will come at last

Chorus

Verse 3
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to
Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving,
So good and kind.

Chorus

-Nikki Fielder

The Faith of Children

"And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Matthew 21: 14-16

I asked some of our Bridge kids what they loved about Jesus. Here are their responses.

“He is amazing!”

-Brooklyn, 8

“Jesus is always nice and He loves us, and He died on the cross for our sins!”

-Emilia, 7

“I love Jesus because he’s the true God.”-

Sophie, 10

“I love that Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins, and I’m thankful to God for my whole family.”

-Theo, 5

“What Theo said.”

-Vincent, 3

“Because he loves everybody...even my Moose and Blankie.

-Henry, 6

“He made stuffed animals.”

-Grace, 7- (who loves animals, but is allergic to them, and is thankful God made a substitute for her.)

“He died for us, and he came down for us. I’m thankful he made everything for us, like my Mimi, my friends, my family, my room….everything.”

-Avery, 5

“I am thankful to God for my parents, my family, my friends, my teachers. I love that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.”

-Alex, 7

“He gave me Mom and Dad.”

-Boston, 5

“I’m thankful to God for letting Jesus die on the cross for our sins. “- Billie, 9

“He gives me clothes and he gives me strength (flexes muscles). I am grateful for my mommy. “

-Willow, 3

“He died for our sins. I’m thankful to God that I’m alive.”

- Wren, 7

“He died on the cross for us."

-Jessa, 7

“He gave us animals too!"

-Emery, 8

“Jesus cares about us and he loves everyone”.

-Ian, 12

I’m thankful for Thanksgiving and my birthday party.”

-Mabel, 8

“Easter. And I have one thing to say about Jesus. He died on the cross so we could live and our sins would leave.”

- Genevieve, 5

How about you, Bridge Family? What cause do you have to praise Jesus?

I will confess, even as I asked the kids to share their answers, I felt a bit jaded. Faith can sure seem simple and sweet for children. The concerns of this world and the complexity of life sometimes make this question harder to answer as adults. But as I thought about it, my heart began to soften. I hope as we enter into this Holy Week, you will take some time to reflect on what Christ has done for you, and that as you do, your heart will be filled with the faith of a child.

“I love Jesus because he first loved me. He is gentle and kindhearted. Even when I’m not. Even when I doubt. Even when I’m angry with life, or with him. He never leaves me or forsakes me.”

-Natalie, 42

Able and Willing

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Jesus - do you see me?

Jesus - will you help me?

Have you ever echoed these words?

When we face a storm - an illness, a job loss, a divorce, the death of a loved one, mental illness, war - it is natural to be overwhelmed.  The wind and waves are too much for us.  As Christians we have been told that our God is all powerful.  Most of us believe God is able to calm the storm, but we may struggle to believe He is willing.

So when the disciples wake Jesus up and ask him, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” I think it stings the heart of our Savior.  He cares.  He cares more deeply than we could ever imagine.  And He shows the depth of His care in His words and actions.

Jesus doesn’t rebuke the disciples for their doubt initially.  Jesus directs His attention to the thing that threatens them - “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet!  Be still!”  Our Savior is still doing this today.  Can you hear His words to the things that threaten you?  Peace!  Be still!

“And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”  Not just a calm, but a great calm.  It sounds similar to a “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Then only after Jesus has proven He cares and calmed the storm does He ask His disciples, “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?”

Then they were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Who is this who cares about us?  Who is this who is not only able, but also willing to rescue and save and heal and help us?  Who is this who went to the Cross and died in our place?  Who is this who rose from the dead and promises us even death will not separate us from Him?  Who is this who even now lives to pray for us?

He is Jesus!  And when it feels like He is sleeping don’t hesitate to “wake Him up.”  He cares for you.  When He feels far away, call on Him.  He is in the “boat” of your life and He is still in the business of calming storms.

See you Sunday, 

Steven

What If?

Our journey through the book of Acts has come to an end but my head is filled with questions.  What if?

What if I were willing to forgive those who hurt me, like Stephen forgives those who were stoning him?

What if I were fearless like Philip and willing to share the Good News of Jesus with people who are foreign to me?

What if I could encourage new believers like John?

What if I were bold like Peter?

What if I could sell a valuable commodity to support the spread of the Gospel like Barnabas?

What if I were willing to sacrifice my physical safety?

I’m familiar with Matthew 19:26b that says “… with God all things are possible.” and “…everything is possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:13b NIV). But do I live, like Paul, really believing that: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”? (Philippians 4:13 NIV)? Unfortunately, no. Too often I shop at the store of the enemy, buying his lies: “You’re not good enough.” However, throughout the Bible we’ve been shown that God can use whom he chooses: men, women, children, liars, adulteresses and murderers.  I’m a non-confrontational, risk-averse introvert so it’s not likely I will be as fearless as Philip or Paul, or bold like Peter. But who knows? Who would have ever believed that a former persecutor of Christians with a strong personality would endure beatings, trials, shipwrecks, and imprisonments for the name of Jesus?  

What if we had Isaiah’s mind set: “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)?  There’s a verse I love in Matt Redman’s song “Send me Lord”  that says: “Let my life be the evidence, every breath be the evidence”. I pray that each of us can continue the wok that started in the book of Acts.

-Brenda Wooff        

A Warm Welcome

This week’s scripture reading has an emphasis on warm welcomes. On four separate occasions Paul and his crew are warmly welcomed as they advance on their trip to Rome. The different welcoming parties consist of culturally different islanders, Roman officials, and Roman Christian believers. Given the attitude many communities, often of the same background as Paul, greeted Paul with when he arrived at the edge of town, I imagine Paul’s human emotions were relieved and ecstatic at this hospitality.

Hebrews 13:2 reads “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” If opening your door to a stranger from a far off land feels overwhelming, perhaps consider inviting a neighbor or checking in with an out-of-touch friend. Given the last two years, they may even feel like a stranger.

-Alex Pfister

Impossible Odds

“This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Paul’s journey in Acts 27 from Caesarea to Rome involves two ships, many stops, and a Nor’easter.

I’ve seen enough episodes of Deadliest Catch to know how dangerous the seas can be. The fisherman onboard the ships highlighted in that documentary are equipped with technology of today, and still the rough dynamics of the weather at sea take ships and lives to a watery grave on the sea floor. Many ships and their sailors never to be found or recovered again. Not only was Paul caught in a deadliest storm, but he was also a prisoner surrounded by his captives. No high-tech navigation systems, and the stars were not seen nor was the sun for days. None aboard listening to his urgent counsel regarding safe passage in the late September voyage.

Tossed and turned by the waves, tackle and cargo cast overboard - including their small boat. Running out of food with the ship being driven by the wind and waves as it runs aground and the only way to safe land is to swim or drift in on planks. Soldiers planning to kill prisoners, so they don’t escape by jumping overboard. Yet Paul, hungry and slowly recovering from a beating his body will never fully heal from, urges the men to keep up their courage for no life will be lost, only the ship will succumb to the storm. Paul knows God will be seen in this voyage and has faith he will reach his destination - for in the storm an Angel of God stood before him telling him not to be afraid and to stand before Caesar.

Paul knew a journey to Rome from Caesarea was no easy trip when he asked to appeal to Caesar. He chose the impossible odds; he chose to stay the course of his faith even if it meant death at sea.

There will be times in our walk with Christ where the odds will be stacked against us, darkness all around us and in that moment may we stay the course of our faith. So that, in our weakness, He is made strong. So that, those who witness will say, "Only God could have saved them!" So that, they will see Jesus in our trials. May we encourage others not to lose faith, to stay the course and be steadfast in their faith. For what is freedom on earth if it ends in eternal prison?
~Nikki Fiedler

A Clear Statement On One Page

Many years ago, a friend who was a Regional Manager for a large automobile company shared a video with me of a business consultant’s speech to a large gathering of the car company’s management. In the speech, the consultant shared a story about a request by an international automobile company for him to give the car company guidance on how to gain a competitive advantage. The consultant put together a large binder with 200 pages of fine linen paper and gave it to the executive team. Every page in the binder was left blank except for one page. Page 25 of the binder contained a one-line typed message: IT IS NOT A PLEASANT BUYING EXPERIENCE.

This blank pages binder story came to mind when one verse captured my attention while reading Paul’s defense speech to King Agrippa and Festus in Acts 25:13 to 26:32. Paul summarized when he persecuted Christians thinking he understood God and His plan. Paul also related additional details about his conversion experience in Acts 9 that dramatically changed his life. Paul recounted the story of his encounter with Jesus and shared the clear Gospel statement Christ declared to Paul [26:18].

Suppose we are tasked to give a written report to explain the Gospel. Like the auto consultant’s approach, a binder that is attention-grabbing is made with blank pages. Hundreds of empty pages except for one page, which contains the clear statement about the Gospel:

TO OPEN THEIR EYES, IN ORDER TO TURN THEM FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT, AND FROM THE POWER OF SATAN TO GOD, THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND AN INHERITANCE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE SANCTIFIED[1] BY FAITH IN ME

Salvation is offered to all of humanity spoken from the mouth of Jesus Christ.

Like the story of his encounter with Jesus, Paul later recounted when his life was at risk. We are also tasked to be witnesses to the marvelous grace of Jesus Christ and what the Gospel can do each in person’s life:

1.         Darkness in Our Life is Vanquished

2.         The Power of Satan is Defeated

3.         Sins are Forgiven

4.         Our Lost Inheritance is Restored[2]

It is the promise of the Good News.

-Dan Nickel

[1] Sanctified — God transforms a person from sin to set apart for God’s use and purpose

[2]William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: A Complete Bible Commentary in One Volume [Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, Inc., 1995], 1660. Commentary on Acts 26:1

Our One Defense

“The Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense…” Acts 25:7-8a

You might know what it feels like to defend yourself against an accusation. Maybe you said something unkind, or behaved unethically or told a half truth, and you were found out. Or perhaps you were unfairly accused of something another did. Either way, our bodies have a physiological response to these moments; sweaty palms, a racing heart, nausea, and spiraling thoughts.

One day, we will face death, and after death, the judgement.

Guilty, we will stand before the God who knows all things, even our motives, and our adversary will be there- the accuser of the brethren- who accuses us day and night before the Lord. The fear and trepidation we feel defending ourselves on earth will be nothing in comparison to what we experience on that day.

We will have no argument, no defense, no hope, save One.

Jesus took the punishment we deserved, and through Him we are declared forgiven and righteous. His blood silences our accuser.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

No condemnation.

Paul stood before Festus the Governor, innocent of the charges brought against him. Ultimately, he appealed to go before Caesar in hope of a fair trial.

Our hope? It’s not in a fair trial, but in the grace and mercy of our God, in Christ Jesus. He is our Defender and Justifier, today and always.

Freedom Through Faith in Christ Jesus

“Can we talk about something serious?”

“What do you want to talk about?” 

“I’d love to talk about faith in Christ Jesus,”

“Ok, yeah.  That sounds cool.”

“To do that, we’ll have to talk about our idolatry too.”

“Oh!  On second thought, I’m kind of busy right now.  Maybe later.”

Discussing personal idolatry is not usually a popular topic for conversations.  In our text this week, we see personal idolatry holding many of the characters back from the truth about Paul, themselves and faith in Christ Jesus.  What might be holding you back from living in truth today or from redeeming faith in Jesus? 

The Bible is clear that humans love to exchange the truth of God for a lie so we can live anyway we want.  When that happens, we are sinning against God.  Sin and idolatry are one in the same.  It has often been quoted that sin will take you farther then you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.  For such a serious matter, why is it so hard to talk about?  I think it’s because in the dysfunctional cycle of loving our idols we have trouble discerning the truth from the lies and our sin enslaves our thinking.

But thanks be to God, He grants us faith in Christ that will set us free to live in the truth!  Living in the truth means admitting our idolatry early and often.  It means claiming our right standing with God is found through Christ alone.  It means trusting in the judgment of Him who sent His own Son as the once for all payment for sin.  It means living by His Word and Spirit as He leads us on His way for us.  In this gospel cycle, we are compelled to love Him because He first loves us.  In Christ, we are free to live and love as we were intended by our Creator!

So while we read through the text this week may we see there is spiritual freedom available through Jesus that most deeply effects our physical existence.  Let us confess our idols each moment so our minds will be re-directed to the Author and Perfector of our Faith!  I mean why would anyone want to hear us talk about idolatry with them when we aren’t very good at facing our own issues with it.  May we be a freed people who are free indeed and can’t help but share the news of our Messiah so that other captives may also live free!  

Grateful and hopeful in Christ, 

Jon

God at Work

I couldn’t help but think that our study in Acts 23:12-25 reads like a screenplay for a riveting historical drama:  murder plots, vows, appearance of long lost relatives, unlikely sources assisting the protagonist, military personnel soldering through the night to transport a prisoner.   I think we can agree that God is the ultimate Director, Producer, Editor of our lives, and this story in Acts is a beautiful display of His work in one man’s life.  Nowhere in our text this week does it refer to God doing a miracle, it doesn’t say God did this or God did that.  But, God is at work in this story, my story and your story. 

Twenty years ago I was flying alone from Sacramento back to St. Louis when we hit thunderstorms unlike anything I had experienced on a plane.  The ride was bumpier than any roller coaster at Six Flags and the lady behind me was calling out, “Whoa, whoa!!” as if she was riding a bucking bronco at the rodeo.  I was pretty close to tears, sweating profusely and my heart was pumping like I’d been running a marathon when a man came walking down the aisle, headed to what I assume was the restroom.  The flight attendant yelled at him to please sit down and stay buckled, so he plopped down in the row across from me (the plane was not very full, empty seats in every row).  For the next two hours this man talked to me, made me laugh and helped me get through the scariest plane ride I’ve ever had.        

My plane story is nowhere as interesting as what’s happening to Paul, it’s not even my best example of things God has done in my life or my best plane story, but that’s the point.  It’s not just health, safety, family, friends:  it’s everything!  Proverbs 16:33 tells us, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” God is at work in the details of our lives every hour, every minute, every second of the day using natural circumstances to accomplish His will.  For Paul, he brought forth a nephew we never heard of, a guard who was willing to do as Paul instructed and a commander who was willing to listen to the young nephew, and it goes on and on.  Where can you see God at work in your story today?

-Brenda Wooff

Taming the Tongue

“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!” This simple message from Philippians 4 is a command that can be hard to follow at times. I often succumb to the snowball effect of a negative thought. Regrettably, I admit these moments often happen at the beginning of a prayer, when I raise up to the Lord a concern and instead of leaving my worries with Jesus, I end up, in the middle of the prayer, dwelling on the worry that I was bringing to Him - the opposite of rejoicing.  Thankfully our Lord knows our hearts and can see through our human weakness.

And while negative thoughts are certainly problematic, negative talk also leads us and others down destructive paths. In our current culture, it can feel like there is only negative talk. While the book of Acts shows us our sins today were often prevalent back then, there is no doubt the ease to which we can shine a light or spread darkness is greater today. In our scripture reading this week, Paul provides a simple message when he says “for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people’.” Let’s simplify it further:  Do not speak evil.

James 3:5 states “Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Let us go out into the word by shining our light, being constructive, and speaking kindly to others. Those positive actions will also reduce our negative thoughts.

PS:  Eugene Cho has a newer book out titled, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics. It’s an encouraging read about how we can be civil and respectful while still engaging in the political process.

-Alex Pfister

The Human Touch

“My companions led me by the hand…”

Acts 22:10

The riots sparked by Paul’s enemies at the end of Acts 21 occurred in AD 57. In Acts 22:1-29, after order was restored by Roman troops and the crowd silenced to hear Paul, he witnessed his encounter with Jesus Christ, his healing and salvation, and his sole purpose for living.

Interestingly, Paul chose a non-confrontational approach; he told his story instead. A testimony about his personal experience with Jesus Christ and the humane treatment he received from others during his conversion and salvation. Paul used his life’s stories as a witness to a tense crowd where Paul shared the horror of his past and how devastating sin is, God’s divine invasion into his present, and his future commanded by God to share his life and the life of Christ with all people.[1]

Personal stories.

The human touch.

Man, in this weary time of masked faces and cautious encounters, we need to hold onto our once firm grasp of sharing our lives and our stories (the good and the bad) at the personal level — the human touch. And avoid slouching forward with fearful perspectives and extended isolation away from friends, family, and church community.

In the movie Australia, Hugh Jackman is a rugged cowboy from the Outback of Australia. Nicole Kidman is a widow living on an Outback ranch. She looks at Jackman and his backwoods, filthy appearance with contempt. Jackman is aware of it and says, “Most people like their land, luggage, other people. All that makes them feel secure but in the end all that can be taken away. In the end, the only thing we own is our story; I’m just trying to live a good one.”

What stories do you own and that you have lived that can be shared as a witness for your faith, Jesus Christ, and what He has done in your life? Stories advance our human touch and bridge-building to heal the wounds and weariness of this evil pandemic.

When Walt Disney started working on full-length animation, he invented storyboarding, which is now used extensively in films. It was groundbreaking. It is where the story is sketched before filming begins. If you portrayed your life on storyboards, I bet the etchings depict a kaleidoscope of the human experiences of highs and lows, the good and the bad, the smooth and the difficult. And, as Paul did in Acts 22, you can use your storyboards as opportunities to testify from your heart with the Holy Spirit’s help. Stories from the heart are desperately needed where the human touch fades and hearts harden as this pandemic and its impact lingers on.

Fast forward three years, Paul is imprisoned in Rome writing to the Christians in Ephesus. The city of Ephesus was awash in paganism and negative lifestyles influenced by worldly drifters that traveled its many Roman trade routes intersecting into the city. I can’t help but think Paul is reflecting on his encounters in such cultures and the events at the Temple in Acts 22 when he writes in Ephesians 5:14-17: “Awake, you who sleep / Arise from the dead / And Christ will give you light… So be careful how you live… Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for His purposes.” [blended translations]

Paul didn’t care whether his testimony crashed and burned. It didn’t deter him from spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation through his testimony. It didn’t stop him from sharing his personal stories. It didn’t stop him from offering a human touch during difficult and divisive times.

We, too, need to Arise and Awake and take full advantage of every day God has given us and follow Ananias’ encouragement for Paul to get baptized [v.16], which Paul shared with the crowd: “And now why are you waiting? Arise…”

Please share your personal stories as a witness for Jesus Christ. He is the light of hope and salvation for all people.  Extend a human touch.

-Dan Nickel

[1]Eugene Peterson, The Message Devotional Bible [NavPress, Colorado Springs, 2018], 1290.

Stray Rescue for Humans

Bonds and afflictions awaited me… I needed a rescue story.

I follow many stray animal rescue sites. As an animal lover, a dog person, I look out for lost dog posts and find hope in reading the rescue stories of abandoned animals. I must confess that every time I read an animal rescue story I think, why can't we love humans the way we love animals? Teams of people responding to a report of an abandoned animal. Sometimes the animal is hard to catch, biting, barking, or evading their rescuers. Yet the rescuers never give up, often joining in large groups, going out in extreme weather conditions to save the one in need. Even though the animal runs, and might get away, the rescuers go back repeatedly with all efforts to save the animal. Then once rescued, the animal is rushed to a place of safety to get food, medical care, bathed, groomed, and loved on. Never having to pay their rescuers back, never having to sign a document swearing to be a good animal. The animal is loved unconditionally by their rescuers without judgement towards their condition. The animal’s story is shared with a picture of them in their condition for all to see. Money is donated, encouraging words are written. Celebrating the rescue with follow up pictures shared with a progress report for all to see the miraculous change. Many volunteer to house the animal temporarily until they can find a forever home.

When I read one of these rescue stories I think, why can't we love humans this way? Why do we think humans can rescue themselves? Why do we blame the human for being in the streets? When that human was most likely mistreated, cast aside, abused, and left alone by those who claimed to love them. When I read these animal rescue stories, I see my own rescue story. I have seen my own bonds and afflictions casting me out, leaving me broken and alone.

In Acts 21: 27-37, crowds of people surround Paul not to rescue him but to capture and kill him. Paul had angered the Jews by speaking out to all men everywhere about the way Jesus taught the Church of Acts to love one another. Paul had been seen with an Ephesian named Trophimus - a Greek! They claimed Paul brought the Greek into the Temple thus defiling the Temple and breaking Jewish Law. It is important to state that no one saw Trophimus in the Temple, the Jews just assumed that if Trophimus was walking with Paul in the city, then he could have been in the Temple. The crowd was so angry that it took 1,000 soldiers showing up with their commander for the crowd to stop beating Paul. Interesting rescue story. Yes, at this moment Paul was still bound and had to be carried away by soldiers because the mob was so great, but he was no longer being beaten.

Paul knew bounds and afflictions awaited him, but Paul also knew Jesus awaited him, Jesus prays for him, Jesus intercedes for him and Jesus is the resurrected Son of God. Paul only hoped others could know that love, too. There are very few who rally to rescue humans the way animals are rescued. There is one who never gives up on His lost sheep. Our good shepherd, Jesus. He loves us, brings rescue, food, healing, and washes us clean. He cradles us in our dying moments. He brings us home and deals out judgement to those who inflict pain on His people. Paul wrote of his rescue story in 2 Timothy chapter 4: 17-18. “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

I want to love humans like that, search until I find them, bring them to safety, food and healing. I want to celebrate their rescue story. Love them the way Jesus loves them. Love them even more than we love our animals.

-Nikki Fiedler

Inspired, But Not Inspiring

“All of scripture is inspired, but not all of it is equally as inspiring.”- Alistair Begg

“Will we ever get through Acts,” I thought to myself as I realized I was scheduled to write two weeks in a row. When I read the passage, I felt Alistair’s words deep in my soul! Goodness. What in the world will I say?

I should know by now that every time I need to write, the Lord is going to give me something to say, and I don’t think it’s for my sake. It’s for the sake of all of you who read it.

In the Monday morning women’s Bible study earlier this week, the teacher said “we are not orphans or the fatherless digging for food from the Word. Rather we are God’s beloved children and when we read the Bible, we can expect the Lord will feed us from the Word. He has prepared the meal for us.”

Cue the conviction from the Holy Spirit! I showed up in the middle of Acts 21 begging my Father to give me something- ANYTHING- to write about. I acted like I was digging through the trash looking for a scrap, rather than feasting from the word of God.

For the past few days, I’ve dug into Acts 21 as often as possible. And what the Lord has shown me through this passage has been a treasure. I wrote a whole lot! But then I decided not to share it.

On Sunday Pastor Steven is going to preach from Acts 21:17-26. I hope you will come, eagerly expecting the Lord to speak to you through the Word. Until then, I pray you will sit down with your Father and enjoy the feast he has for you, in his Word. It’s living and active, and he has treasures there just for you.

“Hold the power of the universe in your hand
Hold the words that shaped the sky and sea and land
The King has given words to us, to tell us what he's like
Open up your ears and let his Spirit strike

It's a light and a hammer
It's a fire and a sword
It's the voice of our Father
The word of the Lord
The blade of the Spirit can cut to the soul
And God will use it to make us whole”

It’s a Light and a Hammer- Awesome Cutlery

-Natalie

P.S. You can listen to the Awesome Cutlery song on the Bridge Kids Spotify and Amazon playlists.