From Pastor Dan Shinabarger .... Let's start praying these Scriptures for our world today.

I have been reading a book called City of Prayer (Transform Your Community Through Praying Churches) by Trey Kent and Kie Bowman. Here are 7 major prayer focuses for church, city, county, state, and nation:
1. Pray for Unbelievers to Be Saved. (Matthew 9:37-38)
2. Pray for a National Spiritual Awakening. (II Chronicles 7:14)
3. Pray for Unity between Pastors and Churches. (John 17:20-23)
4. Pray for Families, that Jesus will heal, restore, and strengthen every marriage and family. (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:22-33, 6:1-4)
5. Pray for Racial Reconciliation. (Romans 10:12-13; Galatians 3:28)
6. Pray for Life to be Valued and Protected. (Psalm 139:13-16)
7. Pray for Local and National Government Leaders. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

I've also been reading Prayer, Peace, and the Presence of God by David Butts. Here are some verses on peace that we can pray for our people who are asking for prayer.

"In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord,make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." (Romans 16:20)

"The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." (Psalm 29:11)

"For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." (I Cor. 14:33, ESV)

"He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. (Eph. 2:17)

A Call to Relentlessly Pursue Unity Amid Racial Tensions

Dear FMC Family,

Grace and peace to you in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

We, your Board of Bishops, are coming to you today amid the grief, sorrow, disbelief, and increasing rage that has gripped our nation following the wrongful death of George Floyd. To our African American sisters and brothers, we mourn with you and share in your present suffering. We see you.

Though we have addressed you many times in recent days for a variety of reasons, the sincerity of today's message cannot be overstated. We recognize the diversity of viewpoints, experiences and emotions among our family, but, though we may be vastly different, today we are asking you, our collective FMC family, to be of one mind - the mind of Christ.

We could remind you that we as a denomination affirm the dignity and worth of all persons and pledge ourselves to combat the evil of racism. We declare that the wrongful death of George Floyd was an act of evil that vividly portrays the presence and perpetuation of systemic racism in our nation. We also acknowledge that the present crisis is not simply the result of one man's death, but a cumulative pattern that must be named.

Several of our own African American leaders have posted eloquently, wisely and personally on social media and to the conferences they lead. Listen to them. Their voices must be heard in our denominational family, now more than ever.

We could also direct you to educational resources and ask you to join us as we strive to increase our knowledge of the subject. We value knowledge, and we must all refuse to remain ignorant regarding racism.

In the church, however, we are to relentlessly pursue unity. Jesus reminded us that a "house divided against itself cannot stand" (Matthew 12:29). He also prayed in His final moments on earth, "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me" (John 17:21, NLT). The hallmark of the church is oneness - unity - unbreakable bonds as we share in one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.

In this critical moment of unrest, we call the people known as Free Methodist to love one another, carry one another's burdens and lavish the fruit of the Spirit on one another. We join Jesus in praying, "and lead us not into temptation" regarding all shades of hurt and harm as we speak to one another at this time.

Next, we ask you to bow before the Lord with humble heart and offer yourself to Him to be part of the solution. Now is a time for corporate intercession for our land. Like Jehoshaphat we make this our prayer, "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" (2 Chronicles 20:12b). We ask that, in prayer we all confess our inability to know exactly what to do at this moment, but fix our eyes upon Jesus and open our ears toward heaven. Let us consecrate ourselves to the Lord for this moment.

Let us be reminded of Paul's words to the Ephesians: "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavnly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NLT). The battle in this world is raging, but we, the holy people of God, engage battle differently. We display our love for one another, we intercede in prayer and take authority in the Name of Jesus. We honor and dignify all people. We prophetically declare the truth of God to confront the lies of the enemy. We refuse to hate and relentlessly pursue unity.

Friends, let us work toward true and pervasive racial unity in our church, that the world will know that Jesus is our Lord. In the past eight months, we have begun this critical process at the denominational level through two task forces that are examining our current reality in the FMCUSA and proposing steps toward true diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our family. Pray that real and lasting progress is made.

We call the whole church to the difficult work of true reconciliation. We call those among us who have closed their ears to the conversation, to open them anew and hear the lament of the black community. We call the church to set aside corrective language aimed at one another and exchange it for a unified voice of prayer with one another.

As we see the anguish being played out on the streets of our cities, we ask for peace. We ache for God's shalom. We pray for an end to the violence and also an end to the divisions and injustices that have given rise to this painful eruption in our land. We lament the loss of life. We join our voices as one in crying for God's kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Linda Adams, Keith Cowart and Matt Whitehead,
The Board of Bishops of the Free Methodist Church, USA

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:15-17

How peace-filled are you today? Do you desire a peace-filled life? What is preventing you from experiencing this kind of peace? The peace that Paul is talking about, the peace that he includes in this conversation of putting on a new nature, comes from Christ. It is to rule in our hearts and provides us with the ability to live in peace with others.

Living in peace, that sounds awesome! But is it really possible? As I think about broken relationships and the divisiveness that pervades our society, I wonder just how possible is this peace. While things may appear challenging, we should not think this is unattainable. God does not dangle in front of us expectations he will not provide the means for us to meet. God is willing and waiting to give this gift, “for we are called to live in peace.”

This peace first of all comes from Christ. Not a peace that we can will or manufacture. It comes from knowing Him, not just knowing about Him. He desires a relationship with me, he wants to be with me and he calls me to be someone who represents Him to those around me. Peace comes from belonging to the Father and trusting the Father’s heart.

This peace is to rule in our hearts. It is the governing directive of my heart and I willing submit to the oversight of peace. When I want my way, I consider the needs of others. When I demand to be heard, I learn to listen to others first. When others are hurtful, I seek to understand where the hurt comes from. Peace is not the way most of the world works, but is the way God intends us to live.

When I live under this rule, I can live at peace with others. I don’t have to demand my own way, prove a point or retaliate against those who hurt me. I know that I belong to God, that I am cherished by Him and that His heart is ultimately for good. My responsibility is to represent Him, to “put on my new nature”, to “be attractive”, so that others may know Him and experience his love and live in peace.

17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

Do you possess the peace that comes from Christ? Are you allowing it to rule your heart? Are you living at peace with others, as far as it depends on you? (Romans 12:18)

Talk to God about your desire for or your resistance to living in peace. Where do you need to learn to live in peace? With yourself? With others?

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:13-14

In Colossians 3:10 & 12 (Blog post last week, What Are You Wearing?) Paul describes the attire of a Jesus follower. Using the analogy of how we clothe ourselves, Paul suggests that in the same way we are intentional about covering our bodies appropriately we should be as intentional about putting on attitudes that will drive our behaviors as we encounter one another. He begins with these five: mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. When we look at that combination of qualities, it is really quite an attractive outfit, don’t you think?

But he doesn’t stop there. In addition we are to overlook the quirky, petty little annoyances in others that drive us crazy. The silly habits and nuisance kinds of behaviors that we grab onto and can’t seem to let go of. Like the way someone overuses “um” when they speak or the person who frequently interrupts or that person who is always late. Not sinful, just annoying. Can we make allowance? Can we offer grace? When you think about it, that’s kind of attractive too, isn’t it?

And forgiveness. It’s interesting how quickly Paul moves from a relatively easy adjustment of making allowances for quirkiness to forgiveness. It seems like kind of a big jump. But not for Paul. It is all equally as important and continues the idea of our intentional “putting on” a presence that is noticeable and attractive. Forgiveness is not just an act or a decision it is an attitude, a perspective. I heard someone say once that forgiveness is not a one-time decision you make, it’s an address where you live. Like the previous qualities, we need to dress ourselves everyday so they are continuous qualities we exhibit. And above all, the most obvious and pervasive should be love.

Paul’s instruction to us is to put on a new nature, to clothe ourselves differently than those around us. In this way we will be attractive and draw attention, not because of outward appearances but because of how we treat people. It matters. People take notice. This attractiveness is not for our benefit but to draw attention to the One who chose us and loves us and calls us to draw attention to him and his love for all.

For the next 24 hours, intentionally put on mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Overlook the quirks in others, put on forgiveness as your new method of operation and overall, love.

After 24 hours – what (or who) was most challenging? Why?
As a result of what you noticed over the past 24 hours, what will you do tomorrow to be more attractive?

10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator.12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:10 & 12

In Colossians chapter 3, Paul encourages believers to make the changes needed to fully live the life God intended. He gives guidance to things we need to stop doing and the things we need to do, including what we should “wear.”

So, after two months under shelter in place – how are we doing? Are we continuing to put on our new nature of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? I know there have been some days that I have forgotten to put on at least a couple of those – how about you?

Paul tells us, as God’s people, we are called to be holy and there is intentionality in how we live. He goes on to suggest that putting on our new nature is like putting on clothes. Just like getting dressed in the morning, and yes, we should all be getting dressed, even while sheltering in place (insert smiley face). We need to put on or choose to wear qualities of holiness, reflecting the character of God. What do those clothes look like? Paul tells us.

Mercy – not giving someone what they deserve. Has someone offended you or hurt you? Do they “deserve” your anger or revenge? Tenderhearted (sympathetic) mercy.  Hurting people hurt people. They probably need this gift of mercy more than they need what you would humanly like to give them.

Do you run into people or are you living with people, children or adults, who are selfish, hurting, preoccupied, on edge, frustrated? Kindness creates an environment more conducive to encounters that are respectful and pleasant.

Put on humility, being modest about who we are, positions us to be open to learning from others, valuing everyone we meet. Who doesn’t want to feel valued when you interact with someone?

Gentleness. When I speak. When I act. When I answer someone.

And then, patience. That elusive quality we want but don’t want to pay the price to get. Waiting. It’s so hard. We can get almost anything we want immediately. Why do we have to wait for patience?

Patience is a gift from God and from us to others. Patience allows us to see God at work in our lives and the lives of others. Give someone the gift of patience today. It’s ok to wait. Ask God to meet you in the waiting.

So when you get up, as you put on your clothes remember to also intentionally put on tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. At the end of the day think back over your day. How did it go? How did these qualities affect your day and the people you encountered? Is there one that is easier for you to live out than the other? Talk to God about your experience. What’s your prayer for tomorrow?

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

It has been a long stay at home season for me.  I made some decisions of what I would do and wouldn’t do.

One decision I made was to walk each day.  I think I have only missed 2 days.  I have been walking between 2 ½ - 3 miles a day.  It clears my mind and refreshes my spirit.

When we make choices to do a certain thing, we must make a decision to not do something else.  This last week I read a story of a young violinist, the youngest to ever play at Carnegie Hall.  She rocked it, got a standing ovation, and was led giddy from the stage to the pressroom.

“How did you get so good on the violin at such a young age?” the Reporter asked.

“Selective neglect”, said the young girl, “I neglected everything else, except the violin.”

Anyone who is good at something gets there through selective neglect.  They assign worth to the thing they do and neglect everything else.  We each do the same thing.  We neglect friends, sports, family and free time.  We neglect spouses, hobbies, exercise, sleep, kids, just to name a few.  The irony is that what’s selectively neglected is often more valuable than what’s worshipped.  It doesn’t matter how good you are; there’ll always be someone better.

Jesus said this:  “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  Matthew 16:26

Our soul is our personality – our unique life on this earth.  If your life is a dollar, what are you spending it on?  Is it worth It?  In the end, it is all about intentionality.

Time seems to be flying during this season we are in. So what are we choosing to value and what are we neglecting during the “Covid19” time frame?  We can’t do everything.  Lord, help us to be selective…to be doing the things that will honor you.

So if you choose to be committed to what God’s best is, what are you going to stay focused on?  Who or what will you leave behind?  There is wisdom in having a “not to do” list.  Make one and be intentional in your selective neglect.  During this time evaluate what really matters, what will stand the test of time, or what is of eternal treasure to lay at the feet of Jesus.  Then you will have a healthy, well nourished, refreshed soul along the way.

Closing thought/question:  Are you selectively neglecting the right things?  Are you selectively prioritizing the things that will matter forever?

Pastor Dan Shinabarger
Connections Pastor

6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:6-8

Paul writes in Ephesians chapter 1 that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing.

Blessed. Chosen. Loved.

These are the words Paul uses to describe God’s view of us!

But that’s not all. Paul continues…

Grace. Freedom. Kindness.

God has poured out his grace, purchased our freedom and showered us with kindness.

Grace means I receive God’s blessings even though I have done nothing to earn it, nor do I deserve it. Yet God has poured out his grace on us. What does that mean? Poured out represents an abundance, more than enough. God doesn’t skimp on grace. He knows how much we need and he wants us to know that there is more than enough, for me and you.

Our freedom is purchased. We’re fortunate to live in a place where we experience many freedoms that others do not. We don’t realize it at the time, but without receiving what God has done for us we are trapped in our own selfishness, trying to meet our desires in our way, living in ways God didn’t design us to live – he knows, he created us. The Bible identifies us as slaves, unable to free ourselves. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

Our freedom is purchased, our debt is paid, our sins are forgiven.

Showered in kindness. Have you ever hurt someone? Treated someone poorly? But regardless of how you treated them, they are still kind to you? In fact, more kind to you than you deserve? God has showered us with a greater kindness. His kindness. The language here again demonstrates abundance, there’s more than enough. God knows how much we need and he has provided it.

3 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. Ephesians 1:3

Let this be a day of praise to God for the amazing blessings he has given to us.

Continue praying today, imagining how God looks upon you, with great joy and gratitude. Imagine God’s long, loving gaze upon you… And with that image…begin your prayer.

How will you respond to God today as you consider his many blessings and the abundance of blessings he has made available? How can you bless someone else?

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church
lindaw@churchon75.com

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:4

As we continue to look at the opening verses of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he continues to describe the immense blessings we have in Christ.

Loved. Chosen. Words of value and worth. Words that express intention, desire and pursuit. God looked down through history before he created the world and determined to love us. To love you and me. He looked through time and saw our missteps and mishaps and flat out rebellion against his creative design of our world and our lives and he set his sights to love us. He chose us, through the amazing mission of Jesus, that we should be holy and without fault. Not because of anything we do or don’t do, but because of what he knew the Son would do for us. The great desire of God is captured in these words.

Adopted. He knew in advance that he wanted you and me to be in his family. He wanted us close so he could pour out his love and blessings. He wanted us in His family to contribute and add value to his family. He wanted to. No one made him. No ulterior motives. He wanted us to belong. And it gave him great pleasure. To give us a family. To provide a sense of belonging. God is pleased to expand his family to include you.

Begin your prayer time today imagining how God looks upon you, with great joy and gratitude. Imagine God’s long, loving gaze upon you…

And with that image…begin your prayer.

If you struggle with God looking at you this way – tell him, and ask him to meet you in that struggle. God’s desire is that you fully grasp how much he loves you.

Pastor Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor | New Covenant Church

3 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. Ephesians 1:3

We are often encouraged to count our blessings, to be thankful for what we do have rather than focusing on what we don’t have, but desire. This is a good spiritual practice and fosters a grateful spirit. Paul begins this letter to the believers in Ephesus reminding them that because of what Jesus has done we are blessed with every spiritual blessing. It is good and right that we should be thankful for all the tangible, temporal things we have, like our home, job, family, friends, etc. Now how about adding to those the immeasurable spiritual blessings accessible to us because we are united in Christ?

Paul begins this letter telling us we have access to every spiritual blessing. How many blessings are there? I don’t know. But as I look at God’s economy in creation – the number of planets and stars, the number and diversity of plants and animals – I’m thinking there are probably a whole lot of “spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms” – what do you think? What are some of your favorite blessings? We’ll look at some of those Paul mentions in the next few verses in the coming days, but in the meantime, what are some of the spiritual blessings that come to your mind? What spiritual blessings are you thankful for? Spend some alone time with God and thank him for these and others that come to your mind. Here are a few to get you started:

• Forgiveness
• Unconditional Love
• The Holy Spirit
• Fruit of the Spirit
• Freedom in Christ
  

Because we are “united with Christ” we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms”! An amazing truth, worthy of great praise to our Lord! Ask God to continue to reveal this truth to you. Consider carving out some extended time in worship as a response to his many blessings!

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

Palm 27:13-14 (NLT)
Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Waiting. We are all put into a position of waiting at one time or another. Waiting in line, waiting for an answer, waiting for a friend, a call, a breakthrough, an end to one season, the beginning of another. The list goes on.

As followers of Jesus often we find ourselves waiting on God – to answer a prayer, to change a circumstance, to intervene, to do the work that only he can do. Our timing and His rarely seem in sync. And so we wait.

Waiting is one thing – but patiently? Did the Psalmist really need to add that word? Are we really to endure the waiting with patience? Patience implies that I am calm, that I have an inner peace, that I am trusting in the waiting. In the midst of a crisis, when things are not going well, when the potential outcomes produce anxiety or simply in the face of the unknown the Psalmist’s instruction is patience. There are times when this seems beyond my grasp.

The next phrase has always intrigued me, “Be brave and courageous.” Yes, it is difficult to wait patiently, but does waiting patiently really require one to be brave and courageous? Isn’t that a little extreme? Maybe not. Fear is often the companion that shows up in the waiting. We fear what could be, the what if and then Fear moves in and becomes a constant companion, an unwelcome guest. Sometimes an annoying presence keeping us in a state of unrest and other times larger than life, assaulting us in the most offensive way, creating complete upheaval. Feeding on doubt and discouragement Fear settles in for the duration.

The Psalmist understands the challenges of waiting and so gives the admonition to be brave and courageous. Fear will always be close by, but Bravery and Courage can be the companions that prevent the residing presence of Fear. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important.” What’s more important than our fears? Verse 13, “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness…” Our confidence is in the goodness of God, His unconditional love for us and his promise to always be with us.

Waiting on the LORD is not passive. Waiting is full of activity - of trusting, of drawing close, to let go of whatever attachments are keeping us from walking in the way he calls us. Waiting requires us to be brave, full of courage, our eyes fixed on him, yielding ourselves to him so that in the moment, when the waiting is over, we see his goodness, even in the unexpected ways.

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Eph. 1:4 We are loved and chosen and we can trust in the goodness of God.

What are some of your favorite verses affirming your trust in God? Pray these passages to God as a declaration of your confidence Him. Be brave and courageous and we will see God’s goodness.

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

Matthew 22:34-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 13:33-35
33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What is the Greatest Commandment? For the entirety of my life, I'd have told you “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’' And pretty much everyone else familiar with Christian life and Biblical literacy would have said the same thing. This is partially due to the fact that the title for the Matthew 22 verses is "The Greatest Commandment."

However...When you look at tradition, cultural relevance, social norms, and parties involved in the conversations being had in the Matthew passage and the John verse, you may rethink your answer. It has surely influenced me to rethink my own.

In Matthew, Jesus is asked by a Pharisee who as a group were trying to trap Him into saying something that would contradict Jewish Law thus being labeled a heretic. Their mission was to silence Jesus. Jesus' response here is complete truth, no doubt about it. It was also truth to satisfy the Jewish Law. Jesus was giving them an answer that was true, but had an outlier attached to it. This is not good, nor bad...just an observation.

Then we look at John's written account of what happened at the last supper when Jesus gave HIS FOLLOWERS, not Pharisees or opposition to His ministry, but HIS followers a NEW command. Love one another ... as I have loved you, so you must love one another.

This command changes everything...and they knew it.

This command changed all their expectations, all their understanding of Jewish Law, all the ways they viewed each other and the people around them. Even the people who weren't "them." And it changed HOW they were to love GOD. This command raised the stakes to much more than I think any of them thought it would. Can you imagine the questions they must have had?

Love each other like Jesus has loved me? How? The example of love Jesus as modeled is so high, how can I ever love like that? He loves me like only a God could and now I'M supposed to love like THAT?

AND HE HADN'T EVEN DIED FOR THEM YET!

Jesus even reinforces this to Peter after the resurrection in John 21 when He asks Peter 3 times, "Do you love me?" Each time Peter responding "Yes" each one more enthusiastic than the last. Jesus replies, "Feed my sheep."

Jesus seems to turn all the love we should have for Him based on His response to the Pharisees and points it back to us. If you love me, show it by how you love one another. He combines the two into one. One Great Commandment.

Love one another as I have loved you.

Pastor Mark Dusseau | Worship Arts Pastor

Matthew 10:39 NLT
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

Panic. Terror. The slow advance of dread across my soul--these were three of the sensations that gripped my second grade heart when Mom said, "It's time to go to swimming lessons." 

Mom picked her battles wisely, contending with her fearful son for his own benefit. The fruit of her labor speaks for itself; I'm not sure I'd know how to play the piano or drive or order my own food at a restaurant had it not been for her resolve. At six years old, I had already begun to understand this resolve, whether or not I appreciated it. I trudged toward the car, quaking in my trunks.

The problem with second grade swimming lessons as opposed to first grade ones was that second graders were expected to swim. First grade lessons had "taught" me how to blow bubbles and splash around the waist-high water of the shallow end. One short year later, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably in the arms of a hapless teenage instructor, legs flailing and stretching to make contact with the rough cement pool floor. The foot or so between that floor and my outstretched toes may as well have been a mile. Knuckles white, I clenched my "teacher's" shoulders even harder. Hers were the last words I heard before succumbing to the chlorinated flood, "I'm letting go of you in three...two...one…"

I did not learn to swim that day. 

In a way, I'm still learning to swim. I'm not talking about the breaststroke, sidestroke, or back crawl, which I eventually conquered (thanks to Mom). 

I'm learning that physical and spiritual buoyancy have something in common. Those who let go, stay still, and trust will find themselves floating, supported by the laws that govern the world God made. Those who panic and thrash against these laws, frantically reaching for something to cling to, will sink. 

We are in open water now. There is nothing to cling to out here. Jobs are unstable, governments are in turmoil, even our physical health is threatened. Families are separated. The future is shrouded in fog. But somehow, we can be okay. Not necessarily happy, but okay. Not exactly prosperous, but okay. We may not be covering much ground or advancing very far, but we could float if only we would let go, be still, trust. 

I think that's part of what Jesus meant by this challenging instruction. "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." Maybe the life you find on the other side of trust will be lighter. What if it's better to be held by our Father than to cling to our kids? What if there's more reward in stillness than in a savings account? What if it's okay to just be okay for today? 

What if losers find more? 

Brad Moss 
Student Ministries Pastor | New Covenant Church

John 1:10-12; 14, 16-17
10He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
14So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
John 14:34,35
34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have love you, you should love each other. 35Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Jesus came to his own people…and they rejected him. But even in the midst of that rejection “he was full of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.” Jesus was the representation of God, all loving and faithful.
Rejected by most, betrayed by one, abandoned by all, Jesus remained faithful to God to fulfill his purpose on earth, for us, the ones who rejected him. He was full of unfailing love as he walked this earth – teaching those who didn’t understand, calming the fears of those who were afraid, healing the outcast and unclean, the grateful and the ungrateful, valuing the unseen, and those who misunderstood why he had come.

God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came to earth, came to us in the person of Jesus Christ, who loved faithfully, unconditionally, and sacrificially. And now he calls us to the same. “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Filled with God’s unfailing love we are to faithfully love one another. Those we like and get along with AND those who hurt us, reject us, betray us, abandon us, those who don’t understand, those who just want something, those who don’t love us back…. I’m sure there are others you could add to the list. Yes, even those.

“Your love [our love] for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” Jesus showed us how, he provided the Spirit to empower us, now it’s our turn, with God’s unfailing love available to us to, we are to faithfully love one another.

Who has God placed in your life to love? To demonstrate who God is and how he loves? Who or what type of person is most difficult for you to love? (It’s ok to be honest. In our honesty is where God continues to transform our hearts). God’s unfailing love is bigger than our obstacles and biases. With the tomb empty and Jesus returned to the Father, we now are the ones who will carry God’s unfailing love and faithfulness to our hurting world.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” Eph 3:16

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.

Jesus was dead. They crucified him. What a horrific weekend. And now, the tomb where he was buried is empty. They took him. There is nothing left accept to return home, the long 2-3 hour walk home. Two of Jesus’ followers are walking home, talking about all that happened over the past few days. Jesus coming into Jerusalem – what a grand celebration! It was full of hope and expectation. Then there were ugly confrontations with religious leaders, and the word of his arrest and finally they crucified him. Hope is gone, expectations shattered, but as they walked and talked, there were still moments of recollecting his style of teaching, they had never heard anything like it. And his miracles, the way he touched people and healed them, and the people he touched. Nobody accepted everyone the way Jesus did. We thought, surely he’s the one…

15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him

Without even noticing, a man begins walking with them, inquiring what they are talking about, leading them to believe he didn’t know what had just happened in Jerusalem. So they filled him in. The fellow traveler listened quietly and patiently. When they finish telling the sad story, the traveler calls them out – didn’t they know that all this was predicted in the Scriptures! How foolish! They come to a fork in the road. Maybe the conversation had come to an awkward pause, the couple confused in their grief and intrigued by the traveler’s perspective. After all, this man obviously wasn’t a follower of Jesus. The traveler acts as if he will continue on, but the couple invite him into their home, it’s the end of the day.

28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

It wasn’t his appearance, it wasn’t the conversation, it wasn’t even the explanation of Scripture, but in the breaking of the bread and giving it to them that their eyes were opened. In an instant they recognize him and before they could catch their breath he is gone! Jesus! Jesus walked with them! Jesus was in their home! Jesus gave them bread! Jesus is alive!

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem.

They began their walk home disappointed, disillusioned, discouraged. They talked about what had happened and shared the walk with a stranger, but in an instant, one quick glimpse of Jesus and it all made sense. It is the end of the day, getting dark, yet within the hour these disciples are back on the road, another 2-3 hour journey back to Jerusalem – why? To share the good news that their rabbi is alive, just as he said!

Rome is still in control. The religious leaders are still angry about Jesus although satisfied that they got rid of Jesus, but silently concerned behind closed doors that his body is missing. The disciples are afraid, knowing that the religious leaders could come after them next. So much has not changed and at the same time so much has.

If you were this couple and Jesus didn’t instantly disappear when you recognized him, what would you want to say to Jesus? What do you think Jesus might want to say to you?
 
What difference does the resurrection of Jesus make in your normal everyday life? While your life situation may be the same, what has changed? Who are you compelled to tell?

Excerpts taken from Luke 24:13-42 NLT

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

Matthew 26:14-25 New Living Translation (NLT)
14 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. 16 From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” 18 “As you go into the city,” he told them, “you will see a certain man. Tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My time has come, and I will eat the Passover meal with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus told them and prepared the Passover meal there.

20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. 21 While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”22 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?”23 He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. 24 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”And Jesus told him, “You have said it.”

With all that’s happening in our world and community and with all the changes and adjustments that we have made over the past 3 weeks or so, it’s easy to allow our current situation to overshadow this beautiful season and especially these days we acknowledge as Holy Week. At least I know that has been true for me. As I read this passage, I was reminded of the realities the disciples were facing during this week. They too were living in challenging times, wondering what was going to happen next.

I think sometimes we read scripture, knowing how the story ends and forget how unsettling and anxious this time may have been for the disciples. Earlier, when Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick and he told them they would go see him the disciples reminded Jesus that just a few days earlier people were trying to stone him. Going to see Lazarus (near Jerusalem) was a dangerous decision. And they were all very aware.

Now in Jerusalem for Passover, this passage begins with Judas laying the groundwork for the betrayal of Jesus. He sold out the man he followed, lived with, watched perform miracles and heard him teach for three years. The tension between Jesus and the religious establishment was at a critical point and Judas decided on which side he wanted to land. This decision would disrupt everything and set into motion a horrific weekend.

The disciples gather in a borrowed room for Passover. They have witnessed the amazing public reception of Jesus into the city which was energizing while at the same time being aware of the danger they are in from the religious leaders. The political climate is tense at best between Rome, the Jewish people and Jesus and the city is crowded with people from all over the region for this annual celebration. What will Jesus do? How will the religious leaders respond?

I imagine the disciples were excited and apprehensive to be in Jerusalem. They were thrilled with Jesus’ reception when he entered, anticipating what might happen, sensing the situation was culminating, but no idea what that might look like. They may have been sensing an underlying feeling that things were going to change, but uncertainty about what that change may look like, puzzled by Jesus behavior, washing their feet, changing the Passover ritual with talk of his body and blood and then the clear announcement that someone among them would betray him. This announcement brings to light the underlying tension that was probably felt but not spoken.

An unsettled, anxious group with mixed feelings of hope and belief in who Jesus is along with a measure of confusion, sat around the table with Jesus. And yet they trusted him and followed him to the garden where the situation quickly unfolded into the worse-case scenario. Life would never be the same.

And yet none of this surprised Jesus. He faced the Father and embraced the will of God. Jesus gave his life and provided the way of salvation for all. As we strive to imitate Jesus in times of challenge and uncertainty, we are to face the Father, turn to Him, recognize all that is beyond our understanding and control and then embrace the will of God, both the general will of God, to love others as Jesus loved us, and to God’s specific purpose for me.

What is God asking me to say yes to? What might God have for me to accomplish with my yes?

Take some time to express your gratitude to God for Jesus’ yes. Offer your unconditional yes to Him in response to His sacrifice.

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

Isaiah 40:25-31
25 “To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One. 26 Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. 27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights? 28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

What beautiful imagery! God calls for the stars like calling forth an army, row after row, cluster after cluster until they completely fill the sky. And he calls them each by name - he knows them. Because of his great power and strength not one of them is missing, none are lost in the vast expanse of space. He summons them all and their presence in our sky is a testimony to his greatness! While in California for a summer I went white water rafting in the mountains. Cocooned in sleeping bags we slept in the open. The sky was illuminated with more stars than I have ever seen in my life. Maybe you’ve seen the Northern Lights or other wondrous display in a starry night sky. Beautiful and truly awesome to experience. Almost impossible to describe.

He never grows weak or weary. He is tireless. To say that he understands is one of the greatest understatements ever made. God understands both the world he created and the ones he created in his image. And, don’t miss this, he gives his limitless power away to the weak and powerless. We will grow weak and tired. We will experience exhaustion. He does not, but he does understand.

And so, we trust in the Lord, the one who knows every star by name, (as well as each of our names!) the one whose understanding we can’t fathom, the one who gives power and strength. We trust in him.
When we trust him we will find new strength
When we trust him we will soar high like eagles
When we trust him we can run and not grow weary
When we trust him we will walk and not faint.

Take a moment to declare your trust in God today. Offer to him the ways you feel weak, tired or even exhausted. Receive is strength today.

Go for a walk, ask God to remind you of his presence. Call a friend and remind them that they are not alone.

Pastor Linda Waldo, Spiritual Formation Pastor

Author Henri Nouwen writes: “We have to trust that our stories deserve to be told. We may discover that the better we tell our stories the better we will want to live them.”

Someday we will have a story to tell about the Covid-19 Pandemic. What do we want our story to be? What will we tell our children and grandchildren about the way we lived during this unprecedented season?

We have the opportunity to create that narrative by how we live each day - whether we are essential workers carrying out our responsibilities to care for the sick or our job helps support those on the front lines or if we are actively helping by staying home, sheltering in place, caring for our families, and living out our faith as we trust God in all things.

The apostle Paul writes to the Philippian believers: “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.  Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life;” Philippians 2:12-16

Yes! God is working in us! This work enables us to trust him and to live out our faith. And he gives us the power to do what pleases him. Awesome! I need his power. I can’t do it on my own. How easy it would be to not work hard to show what God has done in our lives. How easy it would be to complain in this time and find something to argue about. However, it’s in this time we can access the desire and power given to us to demonstrate God’s love for all those we encounter, virtually and in person, living in close proximity at home or those we work with. He gives us the desire and power “to do what pleases him.” We get to “shine like bright lights” in a dark situation. Paul reminds us it’s not easy. It requires hard work. Today we are creating the story we will tell. What story do you want to tell? And will you do the hard work required to be able to tell that story?

Write down one or two things you want to be able to tell others in five years, about how you lived for God during this time. Ask God how you can participate with him to make this part of your story.

Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I have always found it interesting that in the middle of a list of monumental things that might have the potential to separate us from God - like angels, demons, hell, etc. - Paul lists “neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow.” Does that strike anyone else as odd that our fears and worries would appear in a list with angels and demons as possibly separating us from God’s love? But we know, there are times, when our fears and worries may tend to carry our mind and heart away from God rather than toward him. Paul is telling us even then, we are not separated from his love. May you know this amazing love!

My prayer is for you to be overwhelmed with victory in Christ today knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love, even times of fear and worry. Take some time to express your gratitude to God and then, share with someone how you are staying encouraged. Contact someone through text, phone call, facebook, instagram or conversation across the backyard fence.
 
Linda Waldo
Spiritual Formation Pastor| New Covenant Church

 
Isaiah 41:10, 13
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

13 For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

The hand of God, and especially the right hand, is understood as a place of salvation, refuge, and protection.
Think about this for a moment – “He holds my hand”
HE holds my hand
Holy God, Father, Son, and Spirit, Creator of the universe – HE holds my hand. Why would God want to do that? Because He loves me, cares for me, and wants me to be aware of His presence. His hand represents salvation, refuge and protection.
He HOLDS my hand
When someone holds my hand - a parent, a friend, a loved one - I feel connected, cared for, loved, secure. How much more true is this when I know that God Himself holds my hand.
He holds MY hand
My hand…. me… Who am I to have HIM hold my hand? And yet He does. His word affirms this truth many times in Scripture. He wants to be with me. He cares about me.
He holds my HAND
His hand in mine, mine in His. When I feel disconnected, afraid, unsure – He holds my hand. There’s a connection, hand to hand, which usually suggests shoulder to shoulder, His is with me and I am with Him.

Listen to the song or read the words
Stand in Your Love, Josh Baldwin Bethel Music

~ Pastor Linda Waldo

Psalm 62:1-2; 5-8  For Jeduthun, the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God for my hope is in him”
For some of us we are surrounded by quiet, and yet the quiet can easily be filled with anxiety, loneliness or disappointment. For others, quiet is not an option because the current situation is placing higher demands on us, either work or family or both. But when we take time to carve out these periodic moments of quiet, waiting and resting in God, He will provide the hope and strength we need to meet the demands of the day – whether a day filled with a flurry of activity or a day of isolation and loneliness. It may be only a brief moment or maybe it’s an extended time with God, either way God knows our reality and will gladly meet us in it.

Our God is our rock, our fortress and in Him I will not be shaken. We can trust Him, we can pour our heart out to Him - the anxious thoughts, the discouragement, the disappointment, the frustration, the concern for ourselves and others. He is our refuge, a place of shelter, protection, and safety.

Take a moment to sing or play your favorite worship song, thank Him for being your rock and fortress and that He is with us each and every moment. Then share a word of encouragement with someone.

~ Pastor Linda Waldo

Hey! Thanks for tuning in on Sunday morning! It was fun to engage in a unique way through technology! What a crazy time we're living in. We want to keep connected with you, so here are a few ways to keep in touch over the next few weeks.

Due to COVID-19, our offices and facility are closed. Please reach out to us in the following ways:

To submit a prayer request to our prayer team: PRAYER NEEDS
To let us know of needs: please email needs@churchon75.com
To volunteer to help with community care: email LizD@churchon75.com
To request congregational care: email DanS@churchon75.com
Only for emergencies: please call 810.640.5011

Thank you for your understanding and support during this time.

As a reminder, we are suspending all in person worship services. Join us at 11:15 on Sundays for our Live Stream. And stay tuned to our Family Ministries facebook pages to keep your kids engaged in God's bigger story. As a reminder, there are 3 ways to give during this time: on your app under the GIVE tab, on the website: www.churchon75.com/give or mail your check to 13176 N Linden Rd Clio 48420 Thank you for your continued financial support.

We're praying for you.