Tag: faith

The Holy Spirit Series

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Good afternoon! Pastor Jed just finished up a wonderful series on the Holy Spirit. All six of the messages are included in this post. To listen to a message, simply click play on the audio player for that part of the series. Also included are Pastor Jed’s study sheets (although, due to a minor clerical error, I didn’t have a sheet for part 2 – I did my best to get the verses Jed referenced and other important info down for you), as well as links to Bible Gateway for Scriptures he references. Praying you are blessed!

The Holy Spirit, pt. 1 – The Holy Spirit Throughout the Bible

Review: Romans 8:14-17 and Galatians 4:4-7    

The history of the Person, role, and work of the Holy Spirit (HS) in God’s plan is revealed throughout the Bible, from Genesis 1:1-2 where the HS was at the very beginning as the “active agent” of creation to Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’”  In between, the HS is noted EVERYWHERE in the Bible.  

Matthew 28:18-20 and Matthew 3:16-17 are two accounts that show the Trinity.  

  • God is the Triune God, the “Trinity” who is revealed and seen throughout the Bible. There are three Persons of the “Godhead”: 3 in 1 and 1 in 3. A mystery!  
  • Not “separate” or “many” gods but One God Who is comprised of 3 equal, different Persons who have different roles and different levels of authority, but are all the same Lord. All are Life, Light, and Love. All are God! 
  • All 3 Persons of the Trinity are spiritual beings (Jesus became a man and now has a glorified body). II Corinthians 3:17-18 
  • All 3 are eternal, worthy, holy, loving, omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing), and omnipresent (present everywhere).  
  • The Father is Spirit and is the One in authority, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Director and Administrator Who sits on the throne of heaven.  
  • Jesus is the Son existed at the beginning as a spiritual being who became took on the form of man, was crucified as our sin-bearer, and is now the risen, glorified, and exalted Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Forgiver and Shepherd.  
  • A gift to us from the Father and the Son, the HS indwells us and gives us grace, power, and guidance to live the Christian life. He is the active agent of God in our lives but is often ignored or relegated to the “back burner.”  

The Holy Spirit, pt. 2 – The Power of the Holy Spirit

To watch the video of Mr. Rogers’ testimony before the Senate Subcommittee hearing, click here.

  • The Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at the baptism of Jesus, and the Father spoke – the Triune God (Matthew 3:13-17).
  • All three persons of the Trinity are:
    • eternal
    • worthy
    • holy
    • omnipotent (all-powerful)
    • omniscient (all-knowing)
    • omnipresent (everywhere all at once)
  • The Holy Spirit is a Person, not a “thing.” He is the “work horse” who is the Creator. The HS has the Executive function in the Trinity, i.e., He executes (conducts or carries out) the will and works of God. Like the Father and the Son, the HS wants to be known/wants you to know Him, that is, having a daily, intimate, experiential knowledge of the HS versus just knowing about Him. 
  • Matthew 9:17 – Wine in the Bible is a type or symbol of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). When Jesus says you can’t pour new wine into old wineskins, He is explaining why the HS could not be poured into people in the OT: because of man’s sin and unrighteousness. A new wineskin must be created (a born-again, worthy vessel) first before it can be filled with the fine wine of the Spirit.
    • Believers are now that new wineskin, that tabernacle, that temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) of the Holy Spirit.
  • Other symbols of the person and the work of the HS in the OT:
    • oil
    • water
    • fire
    • wind
    • clouds
  • The Holy Spirit played a vital role in the birth of Jesus (Luke 1:35).
  • The Holy Spirit led Jesus out to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1).
  • Luke 4:16-21: Jesus’ public ministry began with a declaration that the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him.
  • If it was important for Jesus to have the Holy Spirit while He ministered on earth, how much more important is it for us to have, know, walk with, be led and guided by the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, pt. 3 – The Holy Spirit in John’s Gospel

The 4 Gospels are full of the Holy Spirit (HS). However, there seems to be more of a concentration of Jesus’s words regarding the HS in the Gospel of John.  

John 3:5-8 – Being born of the Spirit: Spirit gives birth to spirit (spiritual rebirth). 

John 3:34 – The Father gave the Spirit to Jesus without measure, without limit.                                                                                   

John 4:23-24 – Woman at the well – “the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, God is spirit, his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”                                                                          

John 6:63, 68 – The Spirit gives life; God’s word is full of the Spirit and life.  

John 7:37-39 – An open invitation to receive the HS (drink freely)                

John 14:15-18 – Jesus asked the Father to give us this gift of the HS. He is the: (a) Paraclete (one called alongside to help), (b) Advocate (def.: one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal, one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group, one who pleads the cause of another). (c) The Spirit of Truth and (d) will be with you and in you. Keeps the presence of Jesus in our lives.  

John 14:25-27 – The Father sent this Advocate in Jesus’ Name. The HS will (a) teach us all things, (b) remind us of the God’s Word, and (c) bring peace (Galatians 5:22 – the fruit of the spirit is peace).   

John 15:26-27 – The HS actually goes out (proceeds forth) from the Father. He will testify of Jesus Christ and helps us to testify of the Lord. Acts 4:27-31, II Tim 1:7  

John 16:7-10 – Jesus had to return to the Father so that the HS could be sent to us. The HS will convict or prove the world to be in the wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 

John 16:13-15 – The Spirit of Truth (a) comes to guide us into all the truth. (b) He only will speak only what he hears the Father and Jesus speaking. “The Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (c) The Spirit always agrees with the Father, the Son and the Word of God. He will never do anything contrary to God or His Word. “He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” and (d) will tell you what is yet to come.

The Holy Spirit, pt. 4 – The Holy Spirit in Acts

John 16:7-10 Jesus had to return to the Father so that the Holy Spirit (HS) could be sent to us. The HS convicts (or proves) the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. AND 16:13-15. The Spirit of Truth comes to guide us into all the truth. He only will speak only what he hears the Father and Jesus speaking. The Spirit always agrees with the Father, the Son, and the Word of God. He will never do anything contrary to God or His Word. The HS will tell you what is yet to come.                

Luke 24:45-49 Jesus stated that he was going to send what the Father has promised. Wait for Him. When He comes, He will “clothe” with power from on high. The word power in the Greek “dunamis,” like the English word dynamite.  

Acts 1:6-9 Jesus did not answer the disciples’ question. “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Acts 2:1-4 The day of Pentecost when the HS was poured out as never before. THIS was bringing the presence and the kingdom of God to the earth.  

Acts 2:14-21 Peter filled with the HS (same man who denied Jesus X3) preached to them, quoting from the book of Joel. Then he cited the HS in verse 33. The HS testified through them to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Acts of the Apostles? No! This book is an account of the Acts of the HS through the Apostles.  

“We don’t need the HS. He came to give birth to the church and help establish it.”  

  • The Father is the same yesterday, today, and forever. James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  
  • Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:5 
  • The HS is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

“You are focusing too much on the Holy Spirit.” No! In church history. He has largely been ignored and underutilized. We need Him now more than ever! 

The Holy Spirit, p. 5 – Essential Points

  1. The Holy Spirit (HS) is God’s seal of ownership in our lives.  

The fact that the HS lives in us (1) makes us “sanctified” which refers to the process by which believers are “set apart” by God for His holy purposes. Romans 15:16; I Peter 1:2; Romans 1:2-4. (2)  is God’s seal of ownership of believers and a guarantee of what is to come. II Corinthians 1:22; II Corinthians 5:4-5. (3) is the sign of and testifies to the fact that we have been adopted by God into sonship. By the HS, we can now relate to God as our Father. Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-7.  

  1. He is the POWER of God to witness to and live our lives for Christ.  

Luke 24:45-49 and Acts 1:7-9. The Greek word for power is “dunamis which means ability, power,  and strength; it also means inherent, miraculous, or moral power.  Zechariah 4:6; II Timothy 1:7; Romans 15:13; I John 4:4.  Power to:  

  • Truly live the abundant life in Jesus Christ. John 10:10 
  • To overcome sin and to successfully live the Christian life. Romans 8  
  • To live in victory above sin (Romans 8), the world, the flesh, the devil, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the (boastful) pride of life. I John 2:16  
  • Help us be witnesses and to testify of Jesus Christ and the Father God.  

John 4:23-24, 15:26-27, 16:13-15; I Corinthians 12:3; I John 4:2-3.  

  • To experience God’s resurrection power in our mortal bodies. Romans 8:11 
  1. The HS helps us to know the Father and the Son. HS gives us wisdom and knowledge through the Word and by direct leading and guidance.  

Ephesians 1:17 – “to know Him better.” The Holy Spirit allows us to intimately know the Father and the Son. Ephesians 3:14-19; Colossians 1:9-11. The HS is the Spirit of Truth. John 14:16; 26, 16:13-15. He receives from the Father and the Son what He is to make known to us, revealing God’s ways, things, and thoughts so we can know/understand what God has freely given us. I Corinthians 2:6-16.

The Holy Spirit, pt. 6 – The Holy Spirit in Us

The Holy Spirit now LIVES WITH and IN US! Like JC, the HS has come to forever make his home in us as His tabernacle or temple, that is a place of habitation (where someone lives). John 14:16-18  V. 17  “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” 

  • Jesus dwells in each of us individually by the HS.  

I Corinthians 6:18-20  – “your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God.” See Romans 8:11; II Corinthians 4:7; I Corinthians 6:18-20, Galatians 2:20, I John 4:4. 

CONSIDER HOW YOU WOULD TREAT A PERSON WITH YOU! 

The HS is God’s seal of ownership in our lives. We are “sanctified” by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:16, I Peter 1:2.  He is called “the Spirit of Holiness.” Romans 1:2-4. Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for a holy purpose. It is a position before God as well as a growth process.   

II Corinthians 1:22 “He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”                                                 

II Corinthians 5:4-5 “Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”                                                                                   

Go one step further: The HS guarantees our position before God: we are the children of God. II Corinthians 6:18. This status comes with privileges. I John 3:1-2; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:4-7. 

Covenant Names of God Series

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Pastor Jed has taken us through a terrific series looking at the names of God. Each of the messages can be found below with the audio and Jed’s study sheets. I’ve also included links to Scripture that Jed references on his study sheets. Those links will take you to the corresponding verse(s) at Bible Gateway. Praying this series blesses you as much as it has blessed us here in Colona.

Covenant Names of God, pt. 1

Hebrews 11:3, Hebrews 1:3. He sustains all things by his powerful word. See also Philippians 2 – The Name of “Jesus.” 

A name “identifies” someone; it carries significance. meaning, and history. A name reflects personal identity, familial connections, and cultural heritage. Parents often choose their children’s names for their meanings. God chose names in the OT: Adam, Eve, Abram/Abraham, Sarai/Sarah, Isaac. Also, the Names/titles of Jesus.  

Why does God have so many names? It is His means of revelation: revealing Himself, His character, His attributes, His will, His works, etc. so that we might know Him, acknowledge Him, and worship Him. His names reflect God’s relationship with humanity. His names are a PLEDGE of Himself to humanity! 

Genesis 1:1 – El – Hebrew for “God” which occurs over 248 times in the OT. El is the root word for Elohim which is the very first name/title of God in the Bible. It  describes God’s greatness and glory and reveals His power and authority. The second part “ohim” points to His creativity/creative power. Shown in Genesis 1-3.  

He is the God who makes covenants with those He has created. A covenant involves a binding agreement between two persons. God spoke His covenants.  

  1. Genesis 5: 23-24, 27 – Methuselah means “Man of the dart” or “His death shall mean judgment.” He lived for 969 years and then came the flood, God’s judgment upon mankind. After the flood, the rainbow was a promise of His covenant with Noah to never destroy the earth again with water.  
  1. Genesis 13:14-17 – Elohim made a covenant with Abraham. Psalm 105:8-10  
  1. Isaiah 42: 1-2, 6-7 – The New and Better Covenant through Jesus Christ. Elohim made this covenant with all humanity through His Son who was also a perfect man. Jesus is the Mediator of this new covenant. Hebrews 8:6 and 9:15. It was a covenant sealed with blood, with His life. Last Supper: “This is the cup of the New Covenant in my blood.” (Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20 and I Corinthians 11:25).  

Other references: Psalm 91:2-4, Jeremiah 32: 38-40, I Kings 8:23, Psalm 57:1-3 

Covenant Names of God, pt. 2

God has many Names. This is one of the ways that God REVEALS Himself, His character, attributes, will, works, etc. so that we might know Him more fully. His names are also a PLEDGE and a PROMISE of Himself to humankind.  

El – is Hebrew for “God, the One True God of Israel.” 

Elohim – Sovereign, Mighty Creator, Covenant Maker Genesis 1:1

Elohe-Israel – The Personal God of Israel Genesis 32:28

Elohay – The LORD MY God Isaiah 43:1-3a

Eloheenu – The LORD OUR God Exodus 33:13

Elyon  – The LORD Most High  Psalm 47:2 

EL SHADDAI – the All Sufficient One. Derived from (a) field which produces crops in abundance. (b) breast, i.e., the Many-breasted One meaning abundant provision, nourishment, and productiveness. God shows His all-sufficiency by turning nature around and providing miracles that are contrary to natural events.   

ADONAI – The Master, Owner, LORD who owns His people, His servants, and protects, provides for, and directs them. This name signifies ownership and reflects our responsibilities to Him as His servants who are owned by God. We must allow Him the room to control our lives, and we then submit to, obey, and serve Him.   

Exodus 21:1-6 – a “bond servant,” a freely voluntary servant for life. Adonai is the God who totally owns His people and whose servants have chosen to serve Him because they love Him. He protects, provides for and directs them. Beautiful illustration of the Father-Son relationship between God the Father and the Son.  

Philippians 2: 6-8. Consider Jesus’ struggle in the garden of Gethsemane. 

Romans 10:9-10 – Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer but must also be our Adonai. Other scriptures related to Adonai: Psalm 123:1-2; John 13:13-16; I Corinthians 3:5-6; Colossians 1:24-25; Matthew 10:38; and Luke 9:23-24.

Covenant Names of God, pt. 3

Exodus 3:10-15   Yahweh (Hebrew) which was the common form of the name of God used by the Jews. Verse 14 – Derived from the Hebrew chavah which means to live, to be, or being. Translated “I AM THAT I AM,” or “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.” This name brings Him forth (a) in the present tense, the God of the Now, and (b) in a personal way: Who He is – the One True God who is self-existent, unchangeable (James 1:17, Psalm 102:27), and eternal. He is the intimate God Who is ever revealing Himself through His Names, Word, and Spirit. 

Jehovah is the Latin derivation of the Hebrew name Yahweh which precedes other Names of God that reveal His role. I AM eternally exists to be our ____________.   

  • Jehovah Rapha/Rophe – I AM the LORD your HEALER.                

Exodus 15:26  – Revealed Himself as Jehovah Rapha and Numbers 21:4-8 – the snake on the standard is a symbol of Jesus on the cross because He became a curse for us. This Name finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. See Acts 10:38; Isaiah 53:4-5; Galatians 3:13-14.  

  • Jehovah Shalom – I AM the LORD your PEACE. I am your Peace.  

Judges 6:22-24  –  Revealed Himself as Peace is a Person and He is Peace. He is called the God of Peace as seen in Romans 15:13, 33; 16:20; II Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Thessalonians 3:16; and Hebrews 13:20). He is Peace, He gives us peace (John 14:27), and He gave Jesus to be our peace with God (Romans 5:1) and our peace with one another (Ephesians 2:14-15, 17).   

  • Jehovah Tsidkenu  –   I AM the LORD your RIGHTEOUSNESS.            

Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:15-16 – Revealed Himself as Jehovah Tsidkenu.  

Romans 3:10-18, 21-24 – We are all unrighteous and fall short of the glory of God. We cannot earn His righteousness through ourselves or our own good works. Jehovah Tsidkenu made it possible for us to be righteous in His sight through faith in Christ Jesus (See also Matthew 6:33; I Corinthians 1:30; II Corinthians 5:21).

Covenant Names of God, pt. 4

John 3:16 – Imagine Yahweh/Jehovah, the Great “I AM THAT I AM” had a One and Only Beloved Son and that He freely gave His Son to us and for us. John 3:16 and Matthew 3:17  

Colossians 1:15-20 and Ephesians 1:19-23 describe this Son in His fullness, His glory, His power, His position of authority – all of Who He is and what He has. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” and “raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”  

Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” 

John 1:14, 16 – The Great I am Jehovah summed up everything that He that He has revealed through His many Covenant Names and put Himself in the “package” or form of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Name “Jesus Christ” itself embodies and encompasses the entire scope, significance, and power of God’s Names.  

Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which mean “Jehovah is Salvation” or “Jehovah Saves.” Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean “Anointed One.” In John 18: 1-3, Jesus declared “I AM” – Yahweh/Jehovah. 

Seven times Jesus said “I AM” in the New Testament: 

  • John 6:35 – “I am the Bread of Life.”   
  • John 8:12 – “I am the Light of the World.”  
  • John 10:7 – “I am the Gate for the Sheep.”  
  • John 10:14 – “I am the Good Shepherd.”  
  • John 10:25 – “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”  
  • John 14:6 – “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”  
  • John 15:7 – “I am the True Vine.”  

Covenant Names of God, pt. 5

Jesus Christ is the Name that is above every name in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:19-23; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 28:18).    The Name of Jesus is a “covenant name.” i.e., “Jehovah is Salvation.”  

Acts 2:33-39 and Acts 4:12 – The Greek noun for salvation is sozo.

His Name encompasses and sums up every Covenant Name of God and includes salvation from everything that sin plagued us and provides love, grace, mercy, promise, health, power, authority, dominion over the devil, etc.  

II Peter 1:2-4 – Reassures the believer that they are not missing anything essential for living a life that pleases God. As a part of our inheritance in Christ, the Father has given us access to and use of His Name: Jesus Christ.  

The Name of Jesus Christ:  

Covenant Names of God, pt. 6

  • John 1:18 – Jesus Christ was Himself God, was at God’s side, and is in closest relationship with the Father.   
  • John 10:30, 38 – He was One with the Father.  – “I and the Father are one” and “the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.” 
  • John 3:16-17 – The Father gave Him to/for humanity.   
  • John 1:14 – He came from the Father.   
  • In the Gospels, Jesus introduced and spoke of Almighty God as His “Father” which was often offensive to religious Jews.  
  • Matthew 6:7-9 – He taught His disciples to pray “Our Father” and to relate to God as their Father.  
  • John 20:17 – After His death and resurrection, He said, “I am returning to my Father and your Father.”   

Jesus discusses His relationship to the Father in John 14:6-12, When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we become “born again” because God the Father gives us a second spiritual birth (John 3:3-8, II Corinthians 5:17) by His Holy Spirit. God literally becomes our “Heavenly Father”, and we become His very children (Ephesians 3:14-15; I John 3:1). Unlike many earthly fathers, our Heavenly Father is now a perfect, accessible, close, loving, kind, forgiving, trustworthy “Parent” who is intimately acquainted with us, helps us, answers our prayers and wants us to know Him. (Matthew 7:7-11, John 17:3, Eph. 1:17).  

II Corinthians 1:19-22 – The Father gives us the Holy Spirit to show His seal of ownership of us and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, as a guarantee of what is to come.  

Romans 8:14-18, Galatians 4:6-7 – God sent the “Spirit of Sonship” into our hearts to dwell there. The Holy Spirit causes us to cry “Abba” to our Father which is a very tender, intimate name to address God, like “Daddy” or “Papa.” 

Covenant Names of God, pt. 7

REVIEW: John 1:18 – Part of the ministry of Jesus Christ was to make known God as our Father.  John 17:3 – Knowing the Father and the Son is eternal life. Ephesians 1: 17 – The Father has given us the Holy Spirit to know Him better.  

Who is the Father? He is the Great Elohim, El Shaddai, Adonai, Yahweh/Jehovah, the God of all creation, of heaven and earth who wants to be our spiritual “Parent” and be intimately acquainted with us, help us, answer our prayers, and wants us to know Him. In fact, His nature is LOVE and He is LOVE Himself (1 John 4:8,16).  He has poured out His own love abundantly upon us (Romans 5:5; I John 3:1-2).   

He is depicted most accurately in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-24. “But while he (the son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” V. 20. The Father clothed him in a robe. put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet, killed the fatted calf, and feasted and celebrated because “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found”  V. 24. 

II Corinthians 1:21-22 – The Father loves us so much that in His Son Christ Jesus, “He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us (“Adonai”), and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”                                                 

Romans 8:14-18 and Galatians 4:6-7 – To mark His parentage of us (i.e., His “adoption papers”), the Father poured the “Spirit of Sonship” into our hearts to dwell there. The Holy Spirit allows us to cry “Abba” to our Father which is a very tender, intimate name to address God, like “Daddy” or “Papa.”  As the children of God, we also can led by the Spirit of God (See Romans 8).   

Our Father has given us an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God. With Jesus death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the Father, this inheritance has been enacted and passed onto us (Matthew 25:34; Acts 20:32; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 1:3-6, 13-14; Colossians 1:12-13; Hebrews 9:15; and I Peter 1:3-5).  

Advent Series

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Hi all! I know it would have been much more timely to post these during Advent, but maybe I’ll be more on the ball next year (God willing!). Until then, here is Pastor Jed’s lovely series on Advent. He brought us five messages, one for each of the candles (including the Christ candle) in the Advent wreath. Praying you enjoy and maybe even re-listen to them for Advent next year.

INTRODUCTION:  

Advent is a Christian tradition of observance, expectation, and hope which is celebrated 4 weeks prior to Christmas. It has been a part of the public worship of many Christian denominations for centuries. “Advent” means “arrival” (Latin) or “coming” and it prompts us to pause each day in December and remember why Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago.  

The observance of Advent dates back to the 4th–5th centuries. Early Advent wasn’t about celebrating the birth of Jesus. In the 5th and 6th centuries, the season focused almost entirely on preparing for Christ’s Second Coming and “final judgment” through a period of prayer and fasting. The season was marked by a penitential attitude, in contrast to contemporary expressions of cheer. Advent’s connection to the Nativity only emerged centuries later during the Middle Ages in Christian communities in Western Europe when varying regional differences converged into a standard tradition, which is more closely linked Advent to the Christmas story. Today, Advent is observed as part of the both the religious and the secular holiday calendar. Modern-day Advent is often celebrated with families in the home or in church (my Catholicism). 

Modern day traditions vary by country, but common ways of commemorating Jesus’ birth are through Advent calendars (often mass-marketed), wreaths, and candles. Today, the advent wreath and candles provide beautiful symbolism for each week of advent as we wait for Christmas to arrive. 

The Advent Wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839. A Lutheran minister working at a mission for children created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. Later it evolved into a wreath of evergreens symbolizing everlasting life in the midst of winter and death as the evergreen is continuously green. Evergreens also symbolize eternal life and God’s unending love. 

Advent Candles. Each of the four Sundays before Christmas, a new candle is lit; typically three purple and one rose (though colors may vary). Each symbolizes a different aspect of Advent; sometimes a fifth white candle, the Christ candle, is added and lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The candles are associated with spiritual virtues like hope, peace, and joy, traditions established by Lutherans in 19th-century Germany. 4 candles = 4 Gospels. 

Candles are often nestled in the evergreen wreath. The light of the flickering candle flames reminds us who Jesus is: He came as the Light of the World.  John 1:4-5 “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Verse 9 says, “The light that gave true light to the world was coming into the world.”  

There is also an element of Advent that is linked to the Second Coming of Christ. Early forms of observance—especially in Gaul and parts of Spain—focused on both the Incarnation (or birth of Christ) and the Second Coming of Christ.  It also helps us to give attention, observance, expectation, and hope for His 2nd Coming.

Advent, week one: Hope

On the first week of Advent, as we light the Hope Candle, also known as the “Prophecy Candle” or the “Prophet’s Candle.” This candle symbolizes the hope and anticipation of the coming Messiah, promised throughout the Old Testament. The Old Testament prophets, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. We are reminded to prepare our hearts for the foretold birth of Jesus, and now for the Second Coming of Christ. The purple color symbolizes royalty, repentance, and fasting.

READINGS:

  • Genesis 3:14-15 
  • Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting will call him Immanuel.” 
  • Isaiah 9:2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”  
  • Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born, to us a Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” 
  • Isaiah 40:3-5 
  • John 1:1-18

Advent, week two: Peace

On the 2nd week of Advent, we light (a) the Peace Candle which symbolizes the peace that Jesus brings to our hearts and the world. (b) aka the Bethlehem Candle. Micah 5:2 foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (the birthplace of King David). This candle reminds us of the preparations made in Bethlehem for the arrival of the Savior, as well as the humble and quiet circumstances of His birth. The purple candle symbolizes preparation for the coming King. 

READINGS:

Advent, week three: Joy

Today we light the Joy Candle (aka the Shepherd’s Candle) which reminds us of the joy that filled the shepherds’ hearts when the angels announced Jesus’s birth, declaring “good news of great joy for all people.” This candle is often pink or rose which signifies joy. The shift from purple to a pink candler symbolizes a shift from the somberness of repentance to the joyfulness and rejoicing of the coming Savior.  

The world’s definition of “Joy” is (1) an emotion or feeling of great happiness or pleasure (delight) or a state of great happiness, euphoria, or bliss. (b) the expression or exhibition of this emotion/feeling.  

True Joy is a quality of the character of God. It is a part of Who He is – He is Joy! True joy comes from God to us. Jesus was often joyful (Luke 10:21) and Joy motivated Jesus to endure the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2).  

John 15:9-11. The Lord freely offers us His joy. See Psalm 94:19, 16:7-11. 

Biblical Joy goes deeper than and transcends happiness or other feelings which are rooted in external circumstances. Joy is a deeper sense of pleasure, contentment, fulfillment, and peace that is rooted in our relationship with God and in knowing God (John 17:3). It is based on Who Jesus is rather than who we are or what is happening around us.  

Joy is a “fruit” of the spirit by the Holy Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). It comes by abiding in the presence of God (Psalm 16: 11), hoping in His Word, and is sustained by trust in God’s promises and the work that He accomplishes in us. Joy involves a choice to respond to life’s challenges with this “force” of joy within us which is greater than the world and its circumstances.  See Habakkuk 3:17-18, I Peter 1:8, James 1:2-3. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10  

Final Blessing: Psalm 30:11-12 and Romans 15:13

Advent, week four: Love

John 3:16-17. God’s motivation for our salvation and redemption is His LOVE. See also Romans 5:8.  

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the Love Candle. Christmas is ultimately a celebration of God’s love for each of us which God demonstrated in sending His Son to the world to accomplish the work of redemption and salvation. Advent is a time to reflect on and be grateful for His great, unconditional, and sacrificial love.  

The scriptures teach us that God is Spirit (John 4:24), God is Life (John 14:6, 17:3, I John 5:11), God is Light (I John 1:5), and God is Love (I John 4:8, 16). We have His love because He Who is Love has given Himself to us.  

The book of Psalms repeatedly describes God’s love as great, unfailing, wonderful, priceless, better than life, enduring (endures forever), everlasting, often coupled with faithfulness. Psalm 103: 11-13; Psalm 136.

4 Types of Love: Eros, Storge, Phileo, and Agape (which is God’s love)   

We as Christians are called to (a) Love God. Matthew 22:37–38 and (b) Love others. Matthew 22:39 and John 13:34.  

What does love “look” like? Love is described in I Corinthians 13 and summed up in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 

1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” Love is more than a feeling. It is an action word:  Ephesians 5:25 – “Husbands, Love your wives.”  Love your children. Love your family. Love your neighbor. Love the people in the world.  

Romans 5:5 – “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”   

Blessing: Lamentations 3: 19-23

Advent, week five: Jesus Christ, the Glory of the Lord

Isaiah 9: 6-7 

Through Advent, we lit four candles which represent the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Christmas. On Christmas Eve (traditionally Christmas), we lit the Christ Candle, the 5th candle which is typically white and sits in the center of the Advent wreath. This candle represents Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. It also represents His Light and Purity. The Christ Candle reminds us that all the hope, peace, joy, and love symbolized by the other Advent candles are embodied in and find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. 

Who is Jesus Christ?  

John 1:1-5 – He WAS God, was present at the time of creation (see Colossians 1:16, and He was life and light and offered His life and light to us.  

John 1:14, 18 – When He became incarnate, He became the Son of God and the Son of Man.  

A name is often given to express who that person is and what that person does. (a) “Jesus” – Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua meaning “Jehovah Saves” or “Jehovah is Salvation” (Matthew 1:21). (b) The Messiah (Hebrew) and the Christ (Greek) which mean “Anointed One.” (c) Immanuel which means “God with us.”  

I John 4:17 – “in this world we are like Him.”  He is often pictured as He WAS in the Gospels. We need to be more concerned with Who He IS…NOW!  

Revelation 1: 9-17    

Other scriptures that describe Who He IS: Ephesians 1: 10, 17-22; Ephesians 4:14-19; Philippians 2:5-11; and Colossians 1:15-20, 2:2-3, 2:9-10, 3:1-4. Notice how often the word “fullness” is used.

Follow Me to Thanksgiving

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Here we go again with me trying to get caught up. Now that the holidays and all their busy-ness have passed, I’m going to try to do just that. Pastor Jed finished his series called “Follow Me” before Thanksgiving. The last two messages are below. He followed that with a message about Thanksgiving. And I’ll be posting his wonderful Advent series as soon as I can. Thank you for your longsuffering with my delays in posting.

Follow Me, pt. 4

Review:

  • Three aspects of Following the Lord are:
    • (1) Know Him
    • (2) Learn from Him
    • (3) Behave and become like Him.  
  • John 17:3 –Eternal Life is knowing the Father and Jesus. He wants to be known and wants to know us!  and allowing Him to know us.   
  • John 1:18 – Jesus came to make the Father known  
  • Philippians 3:7-10 –Paul’s core motivation was to know Jesus   
  • John 14:15-17 – we know the Holy Spirit because He lives with us and in us 
  • TODAY: As we get to know Him, we LEARN FROM HIM. 
  • Matthew 11:28-30   “Take my ‘yoke’ upon you and learn from Me.” The Holy Spirit is the “Yoke.”  He is the main subject in the accounts in John 3 and John 4.  
  • Consider these two examples: Nicodemus in John 3 and the Samaritan woman in John 4.  
  • John 3:1-10; 14-18 – “You are Israel’s teacher.” V. 10. In 21 verses, the entire plan of God for man’s redemption is revealed.  
  • John 4:4-26, 28, 39-42 – The Samaritan Woman at the Well   
    • Differences between the two: 
      • Nicodemus
      • Woman at the Well  
    • Who had the more profound encounter with Jesus? 

Follow Me, pt. 5

Review of this series to date:

  • Three aspects of Following the Lord:
    • (1) Knowing Him
    • (2) Learning from Him
    • (3) Becoming and acting like Him.  
  • John 17:3 –Eternal Life is knowing the Father and Jesus Christ.  
  • Teaching – John 3 (Nicodemus – “You are Israel’s teacher“) and John 4 (Samaritan Woman at the well had a more direct, personal and transformative interaction with Jesus). 
  • Matthew 11:28-30 – the Yoke is the Holy Spirit 
  • He teaches us through His Holy Spirit  
    • Differences between John 3 and 4.
      • One similarity is the Spirit – John 3 (“Born again of water and the Spirit”) and John 4 Woman at the Well – (“God is Spirit” and we must “worship Him in Spirit and in truth”).   
    • The Holy Spirit (HS) is a Person, one of the Trinity, and He and His role is throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. HS is at work in the Old Testament, the Gospels (the ministry of Jesus), the Book of Acts, and the Epistles (Paul and John). He is also the active agent in the life of a Christian believer.  
      • John 14:15-18 – we know the HS because He lives with us and in us. 
      • John 14:25-26 – The Father sent the HS in Jesus’ Name and He will teach us. 
      • John 15:26-27 – The HS is the Spirit of truth, and He will testify of Jesus.  
      • John 16:13-15 – The HS receives from Jesus and makes it known to us. 
      • 1 John 2:27 – the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit

Thanksgiving As Worship

  • To “Give Thanks” means to express gratitude or appreciation towards someone or for something. This expression can be done verbally, through actions, or even symbolically like through prayer or writing (like thank you cards or texts). Giving thanks often implies a sense of humility and acknowledgement of the efforts or help received from others.  
  • Ephesians 5:18-20 and Colossians 3:15-17  
  • When we give thanks to God, it is more than a polite exercise. Giving thanks to God acknowledges Him as our Source for everything and that HE is the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).  
  • In essence, giving thanks is an ________________________________. 
  • The Bible often talks about “I will thank you.” “I give thanks.” “I come with thanksgiving.” “I offer thanksgiving.”  Giving thanks is an act __________________ to worship Him.  It is something that we must ______!  (See Psalm 17:7, 28:7, 30:12, 35:18, 95:2, 100:4, 118:28, 132:1-3) 
  • 1 Cor. 10:31 – “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Of course, this does not include the things of sin, the flesh, the world, or temptations of the devil.  
  • 1 Thess. 5:16-18 – “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

Palm Sunday

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Alan spoke last Sunday on Palm Sunday and two important questions we must ask ourselves. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes and links to Scripture he references.

Palm Sunday / Triumphal Entry Sunday / The Beginning of Holy Week

  • There are two important questions we should ask ourselves:
    • Who is Jesus?
    • What kind of Jesus do we really want in life?
      • the crowd in Jerusalem began the week shouting, “Hosanna!” and ended it shouting, “Crucify Him!” – Jesus wasn’t the Messiah they were expecting.
  • Matthew 21:1-17
    • The people were expecting a Messiah who would save them from Roman oppression – a conquering king on a white horse, rather than a prophet from Nazareth on a donkey (the suffering servant)
      • He brought a kingdom, not of military might, but a kingdom of:
        • peace
        • forgiveness
        • love
        • justice
        • righteousness
    • They shouted “Hosanna!”
      • a mix of two words
        • yasha (defend, deliver, help, preserve, rescue)
        • na (I beseech, I pray)
      • “Deliver us” – from Roman oppression
      • Jesus came for a bigger issue – sin
        • deliverance from the penalty of sin
        • by the cross & the resurrection
      • Jesus gives us so much more!
        • do you ever feel oppressed, tangled up?
        • YHWH – breath
          • the idea in the OT was that salvation was the loosening of things that bind you so that you can breathe more easily.
      • They wanted a kingdom of earthly power.
        • Jesus brought a kingdom of heavenly power
        • the Beatitudes teach us how to live a kingdom life
      • Jesus showed the ultimate humility
  • The God we, as Christians, worship:
    • He is a God of love.
    • He is also a God of wrath.
    • He is a triune God:
      • Father
      • Son (subject to the Father)
      • Holy Spirit (subject to the Son)
    • Jesus is a keeper of His Father’s temple (Matthew 21:13)
      • He and the Father are one.
      • John 17 – to know what Jesus wants for you in this life
  • Hebrews 1:1-9
    • Jesus is a deliverer, a king of a heavenly kingdom
      • Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
        • Why do you sometimes feel oppressed/depressed?
          • You’re looking at the world more than at Jesus.
    • v. 1 – God (the triune God)
      • 1 in essence; 3 in personality
      • We tend to make God in our image, rather than realizing He made us in His image.
      • God spoke the Word – Jesus is God the Father speaking to us.
        • the final Word
        • Jesus represented God the Father exactly as God the Father was
        • Romans 3:23
          • in our thoughts and actions, we all miss the mark
          • Jesus never missed the mark!
    • v. 2 – Appointed heir & creator of all things
      • In Greek, this is in the aorist tense, meaning once and for all time.
        • heir of ALL things
        • we are heirs & co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)
          • must be a son or daughter to be an heir
          • those who believe in Him have the right to become children of God (John 1:12)
          • we are born children of Adam, but through Christ we are adopted by God
      • Jesus is the blueprint of all that has ever happened
        • “worlds” in vs. 2 is better translated as “ages”
    • v. 3 – Sustainer
      • everything is sustained by the Word
      • John 1:14 – we beheld His glory
        • we only reflect His glory
        • Jesus IS the glory of God
      • Upholds
        • Jesus is the one who keeps everything going
        • Colossians 1:17
        • If He holds the universe together, can you trust Him to hold your life together?
      • Redeemer
        • He purged our sins
    • v. 4 – Ascended
      • at the right hand of the Father in majesty
      • intercedes on our behalf
      • He is our High Priest (Hebrews 8:1-2)
  • He is Alive!
    • Who is He? He is…
      • Creator
      • Revealer
      • Sustainer
      • Redeemer
      • Intercessor
      • King
      • the Prince of Peace
      • the Humble Servant
      • Everything

Communion & Our Purpose

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Alan is back and began his spring/summer teaching by giving a message on Communion and Our Purpose. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included some notes and link to Scripture he references.

Communion & Our Purpose

  • Intro: The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a tradition that was to be used by fathers to teach their children the important parts of the faith. It can still help us understand our purpose today.
    • What is the chief end of mankind?
      • to glorify God & to enjoy Him forever
        • we glorify Him by enjoying Him
        • what & who do we love most in life?
        • to glorify God is to love Him/to enjoy Him more than anything else in life
  • John 21
    • Peter had denied the Lord 3x; this story is now post-resurrection
    • v. 10-17
      • v. 15 – what are “these”
        • maybe the other men
        • maybe more than the other men do
        • maybe the fish (Peter’s profession/career)
        • Peter says that he has phileo (brotherly affection) for Jesus
      • How does Jesus ask Peter to show love?
        • Feed the sheep – serve
        • Peter served by becoming the leader of the Roman Church
    • v. 18 -25
      • serve, follow, sacrifice
        • how we glorify God
      • how much will you sacrifice for Him?
  • How do we glorify God & enjoy Him?
    • serve, follow, sacrifice
    • can’t do it of our own accord
      • doing it on our own is outward show – Pharisaical
      • empowerment through Christ living in you is the only way you can function in the image in which you were created
        • like a glove – without a hand in it, it has no purpose
  • When we take communion, we say we are taking in Christ.
    • The only one who ever lived as mankind was intended to live is Jesus.
    • Christ in us is the only way to live as God intended us to live.
    • common – union / communion teaches us that Jesus is the hand in the glove that leads us to function as we are supposed to function
      • the cup
        • Matthew 26:36-46
          • prayed 3x
          • what is the cup?
          • Jesus took the cup of God’s wrath upon Himself
            • spiritual death is separation from God
            • Jesus was separated from God so we could be reunited with Him
        • Luke 22:20
          • the New Covenant in My blood
          • the Old Covenant (Mosaic Covenant) – the Law
            • sacrifices to temporarily atone for sin
            • Jesus was the once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10)
              • we don’t have to sacrifice animals or do penance
              • repentance (new covenant)
              • the law is written on your heart (Jeremiah 31:31-40)
  • John 17:3 – Eternal Life is to know Jesus and the Father who sent Him
    • what is to know Him?
      • not just knowing about Him
      • communing with Him
  • John 6:53-65 – the visual of communion
    • Our purpose in life is to love Him above all else but we can’t do that without having Him in us – that is the point of communion.

The Faith-Rest Life

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

We had a few weeks of mission reports and a special musical service before Pastor Alan began a short series on the Faith-Rest Life. Unfortunately, the first message (“Living the Sabbath Principle”) did not get recorded, but I’ve included Alan’s outline with a few notes below. The second and third messages, with their recordings, are below that, each with its outline. Praying these messages bless you.

Living the Sabbath Principle (The Faith-Rest Life)

  1. Introduction
    • Genesis 1:27-2:3
      • Adam & Eve were created on the 6th day; God rested on the 7th day.
      • Adam & Eve entered into God’s rest; sin took them out of that rest.
  2. Sabbath Principle – what is it?
  3. Four passages of scripture with Sabbath implications.
    • Exodus 17:1-6
      • God had just delivered the Israelites from Egypt, and they grumbled. He has delivered us from so much more, and yet we still grumble.
      • Key truth: God puts us in testing circumstances, the “no water” places. Will we respond in faith or fear? To not respond in faith is to in effect believe God isn’t present.
    • Numbers 20:1-13
      • This is God’s grace. He gives us living water, even when we don’t deserve it.
      • Key truth: We often will blame others, or God, and want to escape a testing circumstance. We will miss God’s blessing if we don’t follow his instruction.
    • Hebrews 3:7-13
      • Key truth: What we hear can determine how we respond to life’s tests. Do we hear God’s promises and act in faith or do we hear all kinds of other voices? If we don’t hear, we will never rest, and it’s hard to hear if we aren’t still.
      • What keeps us from being able to be at peace in life’s stormy tests? This passage says there are 5 things:
        1. An evil heart of unbelief
        2. Departing (standing off) from God
        3. Deceitfulness of sin
        4. Wandering hearts
        5. Ignorance of God’s ways
    • Hebrews 4:1-16 (Next Sunday)
  4. Conclusion
    • We can live in Sabbath rest or circumstantial chaos. There’s a choice to be made.

Sabbath Rest (The Faith-Rest Life)

Hebrews 4:1-12

  1. The dynamics of living the Sabbath rest (Faith-Rest Life)
    • God’s rest is a standing promise to stand upon. vs 1
    • God’s rest must be entered into by faith. vs 1
    • God’s rest can be missed. vs 2, vs 5
    • God’s rest if rejected angers God. vs 3a
    • God’s rest is based on His resting. vs 3b-4a
    • God’s rest, if rejected is an act of disobedience. vs 6
    • God’s rest is a time sensitive offer. vs 7-8
    • God’s rest is a rest from work as we know work. vs 10
    • God’s rest involves an effort. vs 11
    • God’s rest involves God’s word as a revealing source. vs 12
  2. Conclusion: Living the faith-rest life is available through actively resting on God’s promises. The time to start living is now.

Great Necessities for Sabbath Rest
Hebrews 4:12-16, Isaiah 40

  1. Introduction: Sabbath is not a day of rest; it is resting on the promises of God. Faith-rest is not based on our feelings, but on His promises. You’re never going to be able to say, “It is well with my soul,” if you carry around the baggage of the past.
  2. The necessity of evaluating life by God’s word.
    • Men do what is right in their own eyes.
      • This leads to unrest, anxiety, and fear.
    • The only way we know if we are obeying in faith or disobeying in unbelief, is by the evaluating power of God’s word.
    • Hebrews 4:12-13
    • God’s word has evaluating power because it is:
      1. Alive
      2. Powerful
      3. Cutting
      4. Penetrating
      5. Judging
  3. The necessity of holding to one’s profession of faith by holding on to our high priest, Jesus.
    • Hebrews 4:14-15
    • There are trials and temptations that test our faith. We can look at how Jesus responded.
      • He used the Sword of the Spirit to battle temptation
        • Three ways Satan tempts (1 John 2:26):
          1. lust of the eyes
          2. lust of the flesh
          3. pride of life
  4. The necessity of prayer.
    • Oh, what needless pain we bear…
    • We often look at prayer as a last resort.
    • Hebrews 4:16
      1. Pray with confidence (James 1:2-8)
      2. Pray for grace and mercy (Luke 18:13)
      3. Acknowledge your need!
  5. The necessity of waiting on God in dependent trust.
    • Isaiah 40:28-31
    • The idea of waiting on God has many aspects in the Hebrew language.
      • It means to believe God is reliable and can be leaned on. The Hebrew word “amen” carries this aspect.
      • It means you can throw your cares on God.
      • It can mean taking refuge in God by fleeing to Him.
      • It can mean trusting God for deliverance from pain.
    • All of these things can be involved in waiting for God. The outcome of waiting on God is we exchange the limited resources of our strength for His divine power.
  6. The necessity of trusting in God instead of idols of our own making.
    • Isaiah 40:18-20
    • How many things in our life do we put our trust in that will just topple over?
    • What makes you think you can run with the horses? (Jeremiah 12:5)
  7. Conclusion: The faith-rest life is still offered; will we enter in?

Confidence

by Laurin, posted in Church Information, Devotion

A message from Pastor Steve:

As we endeavor to meet the challenges of these days in America, it becomes increasingly clear that our peace and confidence are found only in one place: Jesus Christ. Our success in overcoming the trials and adversity is not dependent on the ways of the world around us, but comes by focusing on our faith, our belief, and our trust in the Son who was willing to suffer more than we ever will.

Why would He ever choose to give up so much honor and glory for those that still reject His free gift of salvation? It’s because of love. A love that is so deep, strong, and powerful that, once we have it, there isn’t anything on earth or in the universe that can take it away from us (Romans 8:35-39).

As we accept the challenges of these times, it becomes especially critical to properly dress yourself each day for the spiritual battles ahead. If you put on the “belt of truth” you won’t be persuaded by the lies of this world around us. Your “shield of faith” becomes your defense against the fiery darts of Satan, which he uses to cause doubt and disobedience in your affairs. And it is your “helmet of salvation” that will remind you, in this season, that by God’s grace, through faith in the atoning sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have nothing to fear (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Perhaps we should not be asking “why” is this happening, but “what” is it that God wants me to learn from this. “What” is in it that will cause me to grow closer to Jesus through this time?

By God’s grace and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, we can be confident and secure when we employ the Spiritual Armor of God.

be still

Comfort in the Chaos

by Laurin, posted in Devotion

I’m going to confess something: I’m a bit of a worrier. I worry about my parents getting older and needing more specialized care, about my brother traveling for his photography business, about the lack of moisture and the consequent fire danger, about answering the phone because my introvert nature makes it a scary proposition, about all sorts of things! And absolutely none of them are actually within my control.

Last fall my mom had complications with a back operation that put her at serious risk and in the hospital and a physical rehab unit for nearly two months. I found myself spending way more time worrying and crying than I did reading the Word and praying. Driving to the hospital one day, I remember God pressing on me that if I have enough time to worry about the situation, then I also have enough time to pray about it. If I can devote time to being concerned, I can devote time to reading His Word.

The Bible never says that we should worry more or stress out or try to do everything on our own. It actually says the exact opposite: Philippians 4:6 tells us not to be anxious about anything, but to pray and give thanks about everything. Worrying will not change anything, but trusting in God can change everything!

And Jesus Himself told us not to worry. His words remind us that since we see God cares for even the birds and the grass, we should know that He will take care of us. And after all, worrying will not add a single hour to your life or make anything better in the long run (Matthew 6:25-34). These reminders, among so many others in the Word, are the only thing that can keep me from spending too much time worrying.

When we worry, it is an attempt to take control over situations that can never be in our control. We turn from faith in God to fear of the unknown. We worship the problem instead of the Problem-Solver.

But every time we pick up the Word or turn to the Lord in prayer, He takes our burdens upon Himself. His words can give us peace in the midst of the chaos, comfort in our trials. What a tremendous blessing He gives us, when we turn to Him!

 

Refined in the Fire

by Laurin, posted in Devotion

The silversmith  must pay very close attention when he is melting down silver to create his lovely pieces. He can’t simply toss chunks of silver into a bowl and place it in the fire, checking back on it in a few hours to see how it’s melting. No, he must sit right beside the crucible, constantly watching and caring for the silver. Should he look away for even a moment, the silver can scorch. So he sits and he stirs, ever mindful of the moment when the silver is finally ready to be taken from the fire. And how does he know when that moment has arrived? When he can see his reflection mirrored perfectly in the surface of the melted silver.

And so it is in our own lives. God is our silversmith, placing us in the fire to refine us through trials and tests of our faith. But He never leaves us alone in the fire. He doesn’t take a break to grab a snack or watch the Super Bowl or walk the dog. No, He is always right there beside us during those difficult times, caring for us, ensuring we don’t scorch in the flames. And when He can see Himself more clearly reflected in us, that’s when He knows that the refining has been complete and He removes us from the fire.

Know that when times are tough, God is right there beside you, watching you transform — and if you are trusting in Him, you will be refined into something more beautiful than you can even imagine: a reflection of God Himself.

 

  • I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. Zechariah 13:9
  • For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. Psalm 66:10
  • Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: “See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?” Jeremiah 9:7
  • Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. Daniel 11:35
  • He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Malachi 3:3

 

Praying that you have a blessed week!