Notes of Faith July 5, 2022

We’re not sure what you’ve been told, but the weary and the wounded are always welcome at the feet of Jesus.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. — Matthew 11:28–30

We often avoid dealing with the wounds that come from lies. Here are few reasons we might avoid tackling these wounds:

We’re afraid of confronting the lie.

We might believe it’s easier to ignore the lie.

We’ve lived so long believing the lie that we no longer recognize that we’ve fallen victim to it.

Choosing to avoid these wounds will only deepen our pain and tighten the grasp they have on us. Who better to trust with the contents of your heart than the One who created it?! The wound you refuse to address likely holds the healing your soul desperately needs to access. Bring your pain to Jesus, friend.

It’s never easy or enjoyable to talk about the lies we believe and the wounds we carry, but to promote healing we must first find where we need to be healed. We know that believing a lie for years and years can continue to deepen wounds that we have. Sometimes when we don’t even realize it, those wounds can alter the way we perceive ourselves, others, and situations in our lives.

Imagine having a large cut on your right arm. This cut has bruising around it. It’s bleeding and infected, and it hurts your entire arm. You obviously aren’t going to use that arm because it’s incapable of being used. You’re also most likely going to move very gingerly with it and make sure not to bump it because you could hurt it worse.

Like a physical wound, an emotional wound can incapacitate us. For instance, if someone you’ve put all your trust and loyalty in betrays you in some grand way, you’re probably going to have a hard time trusting people. And when the next person comes along, you might keep your guard up because of what happened to you before. You’re going to be very guarded with your heart to make sure you don’t get hurt again.

Let's not allow the lies of the enemy carry more weight than what God has said

One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

It’s easy to give in to the temptation to assign our worth and value to external things. Do you remember what Jesus said about how to distinguish true prophets from counterfeit prophets?

You’ll know them by their... fancy houses and cars? No.

You’ll know them by their... Instagram followers? No.

You’ll know them by their... impressive jobs? No.

You’ll know them by their... nice bodies? No.

You’ll know them by their fruit? Yes. (Matthew 7:15–20)

We’re the first to admit counterfeits are appealing. Who doesn’t like the way it feels to have what the world considers success and happiness? The trouble with this concept is that the world and the Word are often at odds with each other. Wait, wait, wait. Are we saying that worldly success is evil? No, of course not. But we are saying that striving to achieve what the world consid­ers success is a fruitless ambition.

Have that side hustle, but have it in a healthy way.

Producing good fruit in our lives requires discipline and a lifelong commitment. The Enemy knows this and likes to draw us in with quick fixes and half­-truths. Jesus warns us,

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. — Matthew 7:13–14

Sometimes when we take on a counterfeit identity, it’s not always as apparent as we think. That’s why it’s so important to saturate ourselves in the Word of God — so we can use His Word to measure our hearts and see where we need His transforming love to come and clean house.

In our attempt to find our worth, we attach it to things that don’t promise us eternal freedom. A counterfeit identity might look good for all the world to see, but it will never set you free.

I (Britt) have known people in my life who had all the things the world considers markers of value and worth, but, at the end of the day, they still didn’t know who they were. It is possible to have all the things but at the cost of true freedom. Because just when you think you have it all, there will always be more things you need to shore up your value.

Having all the things, having the best body, the best car, the best house, the best clothes, the best job, the most success — none of it can compare to the true freedom found in Christ. It’s an endless pursuit to try to find validation in anything but Christ.

It’s like having a bowl of fake fruit on your table. When you have guests come in, they see the shiny fruit, but it’s only to see, not to consume. Artificial fruit looks good enough to eat but it’s plastic to the core. You can’t offer any real sustenance with the fake fruit.

Speaking of fruit, we love what Jesus taught about how to distinguish the real thing from the counterfeit.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn­ bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

— Matthew 7:15–20

Jesus’ point was that not everything is as it seems. To distinguish the sheep from the wolves in our lives, we need to look beyond appearances to the fruit — to what is produced. Although we may not routinely need to distinguish between true and false prophets in our everyday lives, we do need to distinguish between the true and false messages we consume — especially when those messages influence our identity. We need to ask questions like these:

Who am I listening to?

What do they value?

What are they teaching me?

What is the fruit of their life or message?

Is this person or message creating good fruit or bad fruit in my life?

These are important questions to consider when examining the voices you allow to speak into your life. False messages are everywhere, and they sow seeds of discontentment and discord wherever they go.

Consuming fake fruit will always leave us starving for real sustenance. Our experiences and feelings are not our identity. Why do we let someone or something other than Jesus determine who we are?

Let’s not allow the lies of the Enemy and the messages of a misguided culture carry more weight than what God has said about our identity, value, and purpose.

Refuse the plastic, shiny fruit, and pursue Jesus. Refuse the counterfeits, sister.

Excerpted from Her True Worth by Brittany Maher & Cassandra Speer, copyright Brittany Maher and Cassandra Speer.

A great picture of one’s worth in the eyes of God comes from Psalm 139. You are very special, one of a kind. But to get the full counsel of God you need to read the entire Bible and meditate on the words God speaks to you to hear truth and know how to live, act, obey, in a world of false prophets seeking to take you away from the ONE true God. Trust and obey what you know to be true from your youth and you will stand firm against the slings and arrows of the evil one.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith July 4, 2022

Notes of Faith July 4, 2022

Stuttering Stephen, American Patriot

While we have much to admire, and love, and be thankful for in being able to call America our home, our nation is rapidly drifting from its biblical foundations. Our freedom to serve God and to promote the Gospel in our land is disintegrating. We are engaging in a great spiritual battle that threatens our country, our families, and our lives. Only God’s intervention will return America to solid footing and restore a moral nation that righteousness will exalt. – NKJV American Patriot’s Bible

It is far too easy for us to sit back and develop reasons why we cannot be the ones to represent the Gospel. For this reason, we should find inspiration and strength from the story of “Stuttering Stephen”, as shared in the American Patriot’s Bible.

As the American Frontier opened up between 1776 and 1850, American colonists first expanded out as far west as Appalachia, then pushed the frontier to the Mississippi River. By 1850, American pioneers pushed the edge of settlement to Texas, the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest, seeking cheap land and inspired by the belief that they had a “manifest destiny” to stretch across the continent.

Following the migration west from the Appalachian cabins to settlements along the Oregon Trail, the American Sunday School Union (ASSU) undertook a great campaign to establish a Sunday school in every new community on the western Frontier and sent out a large number of Sunday school missionaries. Thousands of churches eventually sprang up from these Sunday schools. One example of the tremendous influence the Sunday school movement had in American frontier life was the Mississippi Valley Enterprise (MVE), which was a missionary enterprise of the ASSU to “establish a Sunday school in every destitute place where is practicable throughout the Valley of the Mississippi.” The MVE established over 61,000 Sunday schools and enrolled 2,650,000 pupils in fifty years. Remarkably, one missionary, Stephen Paxson, who was born with a speech impediment and later nicknamed “Stuttering Stephen,” started 1,314 Sunday schools with 83,000 students during his twenty years of service with the mission. – NKJV American Patriot’s Bible

For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. – Philippians 2:13

Excerpted from The American Patriot’s Bible by Dr. Richard Lee, copyright Thomas Nelson.

Let us do our part, worshipping, giving thanks, and serving the King of kings. He placed us where we live to spread His kingdom!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith July 3, 2022

God's Love Heals

To you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. — Malachi 4:2

It makes total sense that the God who created us can also heal us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Our Creator God is our Great Physician as well.

We should thank God for His restorative power and never hesitate to ask Him for His healing touch whenever we are hurting. Whatever the source and whatever the site of our pain, whether we are physically ill, brokenhearted by a relationship, or overwhelmed by the demands of life, we can experience the Lord as our great Comforter. He knows our every tear (Psalm 56:8).

Our God is Jehovah, the great and mighty Healer. His love for us is everlasting, and when we cry out to Him in fear or distress, He comes to us “with healing in His wings.”

Lord, You are Comforter, Physician, Redeemer — I rest in the healing of Your unconditional love.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise. — Jeremiah 17:14

It can be argued that the best place to begin any battle is on your knees — whether it’s a battle for your health, your family, your home, or your soul. When you draw near to God in prayer, you will find healing for your spirit, body, and life. Listen, meditate, and wait for His direction and guidance.

God wants the best for you, and the best is to walk closely with Him, trusting Him in every situation and relationship. James 4:7 says,

Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

God is asking you to take the first step. The Great Physician stands waiting with open arms to make you whole. Do not hesitate. Run to Him for everything you need today.

Father God, You are the Great Physician. Heal me. Make me whole and wholly Yours.

Excerpted from God’s Promises Every Day by God’s Promises Every Day, copyright Jack Countryman

Ultimately, believers in Jesus will be perfectly and completely healed as originally created, without sin and designed for eternal life. This we already have received through faith, by His grace and should live this life knowing what we have been given. Knowing God is not a one moment, come to faith experience. It is a walk of life that is eternal. We will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ forever.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith July 2, 2022

Being Unoffendable: The Ridiculous Idea

Okay. So this may sound like the dumbest thing you’ve ever read, but here goes:

You can choose to be “unoffendable.”

I actually heard a guy say this at a business meeting. That is striking to me for a few reasons: (1) I’d never, ever thought about that before; (2) I remember something from a business meeting; and (3) I was actually invited to a business meeting.

I remember the guy saying it’s a choice we can make, to just choose not to be offended.

Sure. Right, man. Choose to be unoffendable. Just — you know — choose, as if it’s really just up to us.

I found this offensive.

By the way, I just looked up the definition of offended, and all the dictionaries say something about anger and resentment. When I’m writing about the word here, then, that’s what I mean.

There’s another definition, about having your senses affronted, or offended, but that’s not the definition we’re dealing with here. We just made some homemade barbecue sauce the other day, and we unanimously and immediately agreed, right then and there, that it was highly offensive. That happens.

It’s the taking of offense, and the very presumption that I’m somehow entitled to be angry with someone, that I’m talking about. Surely there’s got to be a place for “righteous anger” against someone, right? Surely there are times we are justified in our anger…

But what that guy said at the business meeting did get me thinking, because he was so obviously wrong.

• And besides, since I call myself a Christian person, wasn’t I supposed to be angry at people for certain things? Isn’t being offended part of being a Christian?

So I did what any rational, fair-minded, spiritually mature person would do: I scoured the Bible for verses I could pull out to destroy his argument, logically pummel him into submission, and — you know — win.

Problem: I now think he’s right. Not only can we choose to be unoffendable; we should choose that.

We should forfeit our right to be offended. That means forfeiting our right to hold on to anger. When we do this, we’ll be making a sacrifice that’s very pleasing to God. It strikes at our very pride. It forces us not only to think about humility, but to actually be humble.

• I used to think it was incumbent upon a Christian to take offense. I now think we should be the most refreshingly unoffendable people on a planet that seems to spin on an axis of offense.

Forfeiting our right to anger makes us deny ourselves, and makes us others-centered. When we start living this way, it changes everything.

Actually, it’s not even “forfeiting” a right, because the right doesn’t exist. We’re told to forgive, and that means anger has to go, whether we’ve decided our own anger is “righteous” or not.

I sense a lot of people think this idea is stupid, and they don’t agree with me on this. And I sense this because lots of people say, “That idea is stupid, and I don’t agree with you on this.”

I’ve got antennae for subtlety like that. I pick up on things.

Plus, lots of the Christian literature out there says I’m wrong.

Typical: This entry from an online devotional, dealing with anger. The writer gives what I think is the reigning understanding: anger’s often just what we need!

There is also a positive, even essential, side to anger. I doubt that we ever accomplish anything fruitful when anger isn’t part of our motivation, on a certain level at least.1

We don’t ever accomplish anything fruitful without anger? Including, say, writing devotionals?

Here’s another example of how we retrofit actual scripture with our current embrace of anger-culture:

Ephesians 4:26 NCV — When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day.

Ephesians 4:26 MSG — Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry — but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge…

Did you catch that? I love Eugene Peterson — the guy who wrote The Message — but sheesh! “You do well to be angry”? That’s not in the original, folks. That’s an updated version. Hope you like it better.

It’s remarkable that Peterson does this, considering that just a couple of sentences later, Paul wrote,

Do not be bitter or angry or mad. — Ephesians 4:31 NCV

And somehow, from this, we get “You do well to be angry”?

Honest question: Why do we decide to read the Bible that way when it comes to this issue?

And another question: Why, when I talk about anger on my radio show, do so many believers instantly go to the scripture about “In your anger, do not sin,” and then skip the rest of the paragraph? Why ignore the context? Do not be bitter or angry.

• Paul was saying, clearly, that, yes, we will get angry; that happens; we’re human. But then we have to get rid of it. So deal with it. Now. We have no right to it.

Another fair question, and one you’re likely asking: But isn’t God allowed to hold on to His anger? Doesn’t Jesus get angry?

My well-read, thoughtful, theologically nuanced response to this is, “Well, yeah, of course.”

God is “allowed” anger, yes. And other things, too, that we’re not, like, say — for starters — vengeance. That’s His, and it makes sense, too, that we’re not allowed vengeance. Here’s one reason why:

• We stand as guilty as whoever is the target of our anger. But God? He doesn’t.

For that matter, God is allowed to judge too. You’re not. We can trust Him with judgment, because He is very different from us. He is perfect. We can trust Him with anger. His character allows this. Ours doesn’t.

God loves you and thinks you’re special, but no… you’re not God.

We won’t often admit this, but we like being angry. We don’t like what caused the anger, to be sure; we just like thinking we’ve “got” something on someone. So-and-so did something wrong, sometimes horribly wrong, and anger offers us a sense of moral superiority.

That’s why we call it “righteous anger,” after all. It’s moral and good, we want to think.

Problem is, “righteous anger” directed at someone is pretty tricky. It turns out that I tend to find Brant Hansen’s anger more righteous than others’ anger. This is because I’m so darn right.

I’m me. I tend to side with me. My arguments are amazingly convincing to me.

But inconveniently, there’s this proverb that says,

You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord will judge your reasons. — Proverbs 16:2 NCV

So it’s not just me. We all, apparently, find ourselves pretty darn convincing. Of course my anger is righteous. It’s righteous because, clearly, I’m right, and they’re wrong. My ways seem pure to me. Always.

In the moment, everyone’s anger always seems righteous. Anger is a feeling, after all, and it sweeps over us and tells us we’re being denied something we should have. It provides its own justification. But an emotion is just an emotion. It’s not critical thinking. Anger doesn’t pause. We have to stop, and we have to question it.

We humans are experts at casting ourselves as victims and rewriting narratives that put us in the center of injustices. (More on this in a bit.) And we can repaint our anger or hatred of someone — say, anyone who threatens us — into a righteous-looking work of art. And yet, remarkably, in Jesus’ teaching, there is no allowance for “Okay, well, if someone really is a jerk, then yeah — you need to be offended.” We’re flat-out told to forgive, even — especially! — the very stuff that’s understandably maddening and legitimately offensive.

That’s the whole point:

The thing that you think makes your anger “righteous” is the very thing you are called to forgive.

Grace isn’t for the deserving. Forgiving means surrendering your claim to resentment and letting go of anger.

Anger is extraordinarily easy. It’s our default setting. Love is very difficult. Love is a miracle. Today I read an article in Inc. magazine about anger and Martin Luther King Jr. The author quoted King’s autobiography, where he wrote, “You must not harbor anger.” But that’s not all. Even when attacked, wrote King, we should love our enemies.2

The author did the usual thing, and spun King’s statement into something of an endorsement of anger, saying we should just make sure we use anger constructively. Fair enough, but I disagree with the author. A couple of things are remarkable about this article, one being that the author purports to agree with Martin Luther King Jr., while saying something nearly the opposite! At a minimum, it’s much less radical, and far less poetic.

King says, “I must not harbor anger,” and the author says, “I agree; let’s use our anger constructively!”

I think we do this with Jesus all the time. We take something like “Love your enemies,” and “Pray for those who persecute you,” and tack on, “But, really, holding on to anger is justified.”

We do it with the apostle James, who, in the Bible, said point-blank that anger does not produce the kind of righteousness God wants in us:

The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. — James 1:20 ESV

We do it with Paul, when we read one of his many lists of sins, like Colossians 3:8:

But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk. — NCV

We don’t like the “anger” part. We think that when he said to put anger “out of your life,” he really meant “except when it’s constructive.” I’ve yet to hear us apply that logic to the rest of his teaching in that verse: Get rid of your evil words — except when it makes sense,” or “Rid yourself of evil words — except when they really had it coming.”

Let’s admit it: we like anger — our own anger, that is — at some level. We’re just so… justified.

Upon hearing my ideas on anger, a radio listener told me, “I don’t get it. Shouldn’t we be angry at those guys in the news who beat up homeless people?”

Here’s what I think, given that we’re to “get rid of all anger”: Anger will happen; we’re human. But we can’t keep it. Like the Reverend King, we can recognize injustice, grieve it, and act against it — but without rage, without malice, and without anger. We have enough motivation, I hope, to defend the defenseless and protect the vulnerable, without needing anger.

• Seek justice; love mercy. You don’t have to be angry to do that.

People say we have to get angry to fight injustice, but I’ve noticed that the best police officers don’t do their jobs in anger. The best soldiers don’t function out of anger.

Anger does not enhance judgment.

Yes, God is quite capable of being both just and angry, but if I’m on trial in front of a human judge, I’m sure hoping his reasoning is anger-free.

Some people think I’m nuts when I talk about this, when I say we’re not entitled to our anger. And maybe I am. At first, I hated this idea too. The thing is, now I’m hoping I’m right, because life has become so much better this way, and I think I can understand Jesus more.

1. Blaine Smith, “Is Anger a Sin?” Nehemiah Notes, November 15, 2012, http://www.nehemiahministries.com/isangerasin.htm.

2. Hitendra Wadhwa, “The Wrath of a Great Leader,” , January 21, 2013, http://www.inc.com/hitendra-wadhwa/great-leadership-how -martin-luther-king-jr-wrestled-with-anger.html.

Excerpted from Unoffendable by Brant Hansen, copyright Brant Hansen.

Ask yourself if you got angry just reading this. I did. Oops. Maybe the Holy Spirit really is talking to me about an issue I need to deal with. Maybe you do too? Just sayin’.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith July 1, 2022

Be the Branch

Today's inspiration comes from:

Praying the Scriptures for Your Life

by Jodie Berndt

Editor's Note: Are you committing to 31 Days of Prayer this July? More than 15,000 readers have signed up to begin praying the Scriptures this month and there's still time to join us! No matter what season of life you’re in right now, facing your troubles by turning to God in prayer is always the best first course of action. Get your free calendar of daily Scripture prayer prompts from beloved author Jodie Berndt and follow along! Here's the Day 1 devotion from the companion book, Praying the Scriptures for Your Life...

I am the vine; you are the branches. — John 15:5

People used to say my father and I favored each other.

They said I had my dad’s smile (which made me happy), as well as his nose (which made me less happy). We shared many of the same interests and skill sets, including the ability to play only mediocre tennis but get a varsity-level suntan if we parked ourselves in a beach chair for an hour. Dad loved comparing forearms at the end of the day to see who was darker — a contest that he always won.

For better or for worse, children are image bearers, a connection that reflects our relationship with our heavenly Father. Remember what God said when He was creating the world?

Let Us make mankind in Our image, in Our likeness.

And then, having created Adam and Eve, God gave them a job:

Be fruitful, He said, and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.1

I can’t help but think that Jesus had the creation story in mind as He issued a similar charge to His disciples.

I am the vine; you are the branches, He said. I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last.2

Just as we bear the image of the Creator, so a branch bears the image of the vine. And just as God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful, so Jesus says we’ve been chosen — appointed — to bear fruit.

I don’t know about you, but I find these twin fruit-bearing assignments, one from Genesis and the other from John, as intimidating as they are inspiring. I love the grand vision — the idea that we are in a living relationship with the Creator who intends for us to impact the earth — but I wonder how we are supposed to go about doing the job. What role can I play? What role can you? Can we really be difference makers in the world?

Thank goodness for Andrew Murray, who explains how the vine-branch union works in the fruit-bearing process.

“Without the vine,” Murray writes, “the branch can do nothing.”

As branches, we get that. We know we need the vine to nourish us and equip us to produce fruit.

• We know we need God.

But there’s a flip side, Murray says, to the fruit-bearing process: “Without the branch the vine can also do nothing.” He goes on:

A vine without branches can bear no fruit. No less indispensable than the vine to the branch, is the branch to the vine. Such is the wonderful condescension of the grace of Jesus, that just as His people are dependent on Him, He has made Himself dependent on them. Without His disciples He cannot dispense His blessing to the world.3

It’s okay. I’ll wait while you read that one again. (I had to.)

What Murray is saying, in a nutshell, is this:

Without the disciples — without us — God cannot provide good things for people.

That’s... astounding.

God could have chosen to work around us (or even in spite of us), but He didn’t. He chose to work in us and through us to bless other people. God chose us — His image bearers — to reflect His love and be the channel through which His power is unleashed in our world. And the way this works — the way we open the chute for God’s power and provision — is through our prayers.

We see the link between prayer and provision played out over and over again in the Bible. God gave the barren Hannah a son, provided rain for Elijah, opened Peter’s prison doors, and added fifteen years to King Hezekiah’s life.4

• God moves when His people pray.

And when Jesus tells us to “ask,” it’s not just an invitation. It’s a command:

Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit.5

When we pray, we bring glory to God. He wants us to plow the field with our prayers so that He can provide an incredible harvest.

And all I can think, as I consider how a mighty God could entrust us with such a high calling, is that it is because of how much He loves us. Not because we are clever or well-behaved or (thank goodness!) athletic, but simply because He is our Father — the Father who loves us and longs, as Jesus reminds us, to “give good gifts to those who ask Him.”6

My earthly father died, way too young, from brain cancer. As I look back on his legacy — on all the ways his life left an imprint on mine — the gift I cherish the most is the introduction he gave me to Jesus. Dad came home one day when I was just eight years old and confessed that he’d had it all wrong. He had spent his life trying to earn God’s approval (teaching Sunday school, working hard at his job, playing second-rate tennis with a big grin on his face) until someone told him it wasn’t about being a “good guy.” Being a Christian was about realizing you were not good, after all, and that you needed a Savior.

All of which made complete sense to me. Even as a child, I knew I was a sinner. The idea that God’s grace could cover my failings came then, as it does now, as a major relief — and I was only too glad to (as John 1:12 puts it) receive Jesus, believe in His name, and receive the right to become a child of God.

And today, as I slip my hand into my heavenly Father’s and consider the fruit He has already produced and the harvest yet to come, I am reminded of the blessing, and the privilege, that comes with being an image bearer.

I am reminded of the blessing, and the privilege, of prayer.

1. Genesis 1:26, 28.

2. John 15:5, 16.

3. Andrew Murray, Abide in Christ (1888; repr., Apollo, PA: Ichthus, 2014), 25, http://ccbiblestudy.net/Topics/74Union/74Union-E/740101%E3%80%8AAbide%20in%20Christ%E3%80%8B(Andrew%20Murray).pdf.

4. See 1 Samuel 1:10–20; James 5:17–18; Acts 12:1–19; 2 Kings 20:1–7.

5. John 15:7–8.

6. Matthew 7:11.

Excerpted with permission from Praying the Scriptures for Your Life by Jodie Berndt, copyright Jodie Berndt.

I love books! Most of you know that. Almost all of the daily devotions I use come from books. I am not necessarily recommending you purchase all of these, nor do I have all of them. But I do read extensively some of these authors. If you do purchase any of them, please pass on your recommendations. And make sure the first book that you read each day is the Word of God. May you be blessed in the Lord today and every day as you fervently seek Him!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 30, 2022

Notes of Faith June 30, 2022

You Know You’ve Drifted When…

You Stop Gathering and You Start Isolating

There is a difference between solitude and isolation. One is connected and one isn’t. Solitude replenishes, isolation diminishes. ~ Henry Cloud

*

The Community of the Church

Everything I grew up thinking about church changed for me when I was twenty-two. A friend I met while volunteering at a local community youth center for at-risk kids invited me to his church. I remember him being so passionate that I had to go and find out how anyone could be so excited about something I had found utterly boring. When I walked in, I discovered something I had never known — people who were gathering because they wanted to. Because they couldn’t wait to worship and learn and grow and share the love of Christ. Because they were willing to be scattered afterward and go find people like me — someone who needed to know that Jesus loved them, died for them, and rose again from the dead so that they could have forgiveness for their past, a fresh start here on earth, and an eternal hope for the future.

{In church,} I discovered people who truly understood the value of gathering — the gathering helped to strengthen and equip them for their scattering.

From that day forward, my understanding began to grow. Over time, church became family for me, and like every family, it has not been perfect, but it has been a haven and home. In church I started to deal with the pain of my broken past, and over time, I found healing and wholeness. I began building lifelong friendships, met and married my husband, Nick, and dedicated and raised our daughters in the same local church. There I fell in love with the Word of God and learned how to truly worship. I discovered my gifting and calling. I was discipled, loved, corrected, challenged, and released into ministry. In church I learned to love the lost, reach the lost, become active in the fight for justice and peace, advocate for the poor and the marginalized, and strengthen and empower women. I learned to appreciate and care for the planet God has given us.

Through the years, I have struggled, laughed, cried, grieved, prayed, hoped, dreamed, despaired, suffered, rejoiced, and praised, all with my church family at my side — and at other times, I’ve had the privilege of being there to run alongside my church family when they were experiencing the same things.

The connection to my church family helped me stay anchored to Jesus — and not drift far from His purpose for my life.

At the same time, I am not naive enough to think that my church experience is everyone’s experience. I am well aware that for some people, the very word church causes them to recoil and pull back. You may even be one of these people and want to put this book down now because of your negative church experience. I get it, but please keep reading. You were on my heart as I was writing.

There is no doubt that for some, the church has been a poor witness of the love and grace of Jesus, for one reason or another. Maybe a leader they looked up to let them down. Maybe a position they held dear was given to someone else. Maybe someone in the children’s ministry excluded their child. Maybe when their marriage dissolved, the people they thought would walk alongside them walked alongside their ex instead. Maybe it was something far worse.

I’ve had plenty of conversations with people who have been deeply wounded by other people in the church. Some have even asked me why I would spend my life building the very thing that has caused them such great pain. It’s a valid question. Some have pointed out the flaws of the church throughout the ages as proof of its inherent faults.

It is true that many injustices have been done in the name of Christianity. History can’t hide what has come to light throughout the centuries — the Dark Ages, the Crusades, the times the church didn’t live up to its own standards. When it was plagued with corruption. When atrocities like war and famine and genocide occurred, and it looked the other way. Even in recent generations, the church has continued to grapple with so many issues, though none of them new — racism, sexism, abuse, materialism, greed, idolatry, nationalism, misogyny, legalism, judgmentalism. It is little wonder that some of you might feel done with the whole thing, not even wanting to darken the doors of a church. I get it. I really do.

I can’t possibly know what each one of you may have gone through personally, or exactly how you feel, but I do know that

though we are often hurt in community, we also heal in community

This includes the community of church.

With all its flaws, quirks, challenges, and issues, the church is God’s idea.

And because the church is made up of people — and all of us on this side of eternity are flawed, imperfect people — there is no church that’s not flawed.

Though we are often hurt in community, we also heal in community

You Have Something to Give

Sometimes, the reason we stop gathering is far simpler. Perhaps you went on vacation, missed a few Sundays, and gradually just got out of the habit of going. Maybe you started a new job, and your schedule included working on Sundays. Maybe you moved and struggled to find a new church home. Maybe you started having to travel farther and more often for your kids’ sports leagues. Maybe you feel like you don’t get out of it what you once did. Or you prefer to watch online — something that’s great when we can’t get there in person. I’ll never forget when watching online became our only option, when the pandemic hit and we had to shelter in place. I feel sure you remember it too. We were forced to isolate for our safety and protection — and for everyone else’s. Perhaps, after that, you just never went back.

I feel sure there are more reasons than I could ever list, but it seems that some are more common than others. I cannot recollect how many times I have been asked, “Can I be a Christian and not go to church?” I always answer honestly: yes, of course. Nowhere in the Bible does it say you have to attend church to be a Christian. But of course, being a very passionate Greek woman, I want to hear the reason behind their question and then tell them about my own experience — with lots of humor, hand motions, and serious volume! I just can’t help myself!

What I hope they eventually discover for themselves is that when we stop gathering, we start isolating, and when we start isolating, we become more susceptible to drifting—something that naturally leads to distance and distance to disconnection.1

Aren’t you glad the writer of Hebrews gave us the antidote?

Do not neglect to gather. — Hebrews 10:25

When we gather, it helps us to stay connected. To stay anchored. What’s more, when we fail to gather, we miss not only all the blessings that come from gathering but also being a blessing to everyone else who has come to gather. We are one body with many parts, and we all have gifts to give. Have you ever wondered who might miss something because you were not there to give it? I know every time my daughters are not at the dinner table, I miss them! I miss what they add to the conversation — their witty observations, serious introspections, and fresh perspectives. I miss their off-the-wall humor. (I have no idea where they got that from!) For sure, I much prefer dinner with them than without them.

So it is with church. Church is about far more than just what we get out of it. It’s about being in the body of Christ doing body life — together. When one of us is missing, it affects us all. What one of us does — or doesn’t do — makes a difference. Paul wrote of this very idea in his letter to the church in Rome:

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. — Romans 12:6-8 NIV

God wants us fulfilling our individual roles in the body. Participating. Contributing. Sometimes, I think we forget that going to church isn’t just for us, but it’s also for all the other people we will see there. It’s not just about what we can get out of it, but what we can give while we’re there.

*

One Who Is Always Waiting

All of us have been in the position where we have been looking forward to a family member or friend coming to visit. I can think of many times when I have looked forward to a loved one coming and how I celebrated Greek-style when they arrived — meaning loud and with lots of food. I can also think of times when things didn’t work out as planned, and I was left missing the one who I had prepared for and hoped would visit.

When it comes to us gathering together, I am convinced that no one looks forward to it more than God Himself. While it is true that, through faith in Jesus Christ, every believer is indwelt by God’s Spirit and has direct access to God, something else is also true:

In Him [Jesus Christ] you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. — Ephesians 2:22 ESV

The “you” in this verse is plural, not singular. You together are a dwelling place for God. Remember, Jesus said,

For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.

— Matthews 18:20 NIV

The truth is this: There is a special grace when we gather. There is a special way that God takes residence in our midst when we gather. Our gathering together does not just happen in God’s name, but also in God’s presence. And God is not the guest at His gatherings — we are.

The letters to the churches in the book of Revelation reveal that God is not only aware of but also cares deeply about each and every gathering around the globe. The ones in Qatar. The ones in Texas. The ones in cities. The ones in villages. The ones that are well known. The ones that aren’t. The ones that meet freely. The ones that are forced underground. The one where you might be going every week. Each one is filled with people Jesus gave His life to save. And each one is a place God chooses to make His home. Each one helps us to stay tethered to Jesus. Each one helps us to keep from drifting.

Are you connected to a local gathering? If you are, then keep going and plant your roots even deeper! If you aren’t, then I want to encourage you to consider going to one. I know it might not be easy for you, but it could be the missing link in your chain that will help connect you more deeply to your anchor, Jesus. God is looking, longing, and waiting for your arrival, and so are others — others you need and others who need you.

Dan Reiland, “5 Reasons People Drift from Church and How to Respond,” Outreach Magazine, June 20, 2019, https://outreach magazine.com/features/leadership/43753-5-reasons-people-drift -from-church-and-how-to-respond.html.

Excerpted from How Did I Get Here? by Christine Caine, copyright Caso Writing, LLC.

Heb 10:23-25

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

ESV

Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 29, 2022

Notes of Faith June 29, 2022

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. — 1 Corinthians 16:13

The core virtue of a coward is niceness. You must lick the boot that kicks you. ~ Tim Dunn1

Thomas Cranmer was a coward and a traitor to Jesus Christ, but I wonder if I’m anywhere near the man that he was.

My daughter, Ashton, and I stood in Christ Church, a medieval cathedral in Oxford, England. I’d taken Ashton to Paris, Copenhagen, and Prague on a business trip because, at twelve, she was already a prolific reader and budding intellectual. I’d read her The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit when she was little, so she’d convinced me to add London and Oxford to the trip so she could walk in the footsteps of G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien.

In the cathedral was a notch in a stone pillar. Above the notch was a sign that this was where they had built the altar where Cranmer was to kneel, recanting his teaching about the grace of Jesus. I knew the story. It was a foregone conclusion — Cranmer, the coward who watched his two friends burned at the stake, had never missed an opportunity to be weak. But Cranmer wasn’t going to be weak this time; he wouldn’t need the altar. Instead he was going to shock the world.

Thomas Cranmer had made several bold reforms under King Edward. He was a stalwart for the reformation of the church and wrote many bold policies against the established Catholic Church while serving as the archbishop of Canterbury. His boldness had come while there was a monarch on the throne who agreed with him. Then an inconvenient thing happened: Edward died, and Bloody Mary came to the throne. Mary got her name because of the slaughter she instigated against those who were perceived as enemies of the Catholic Church, and Cranmer was at the top of her list. Cranmer was put on trial with two other Reformers, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley. Following the trial, Latimer and Ridley were immediately burned alive while Cranmer was forced to watch.

Latimer died almost immediately from the smoke. Ridley died slowly. The wood around him wouldn’t ignite well and he burned for a long time before dying. He cried out for someone to put more wood under him to hasten his death. Cranmer, horrified by watching their murders, couldn’t seem to write enough letters recanting everything he’d stood for to avoid the same fate. Cranmer was given the opportunity to publicly refute everything he had preached about the grace of Christ, and he took it.

As Cranmer entered the cathedral that Ashton and I stood in 450 years later, he began to preach the sermon everyone expected. But when he was supposed to recant his teachings, he instead affirmed them, denying everything he’d written in trying to save himself and condemning the hand that had written such things.

Cranmer was ripped from the pulpit and rushed past the altar where he was to kneel as a coward and out to where his friends were murdered six months earlier. As the flames raged, Cranmer placed his right hand into them so that the instrument he’d used to deny the truth of Christ would burn first.

What gives a man such boldness?

How does a person move from a history of opportunism and cowardice to such immense bravery? It’s appropriate for us to ask ourselves whether we could bear up under such circumstances as Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley. Would we stand strong? As the flames raged, would we climb onto the stake and be burned to avoid compromising the truth of Christ?

Revelation 21:8 gives us a list of those whose “share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.” Revelation 20 has already assured us that only those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will be condemned to the lake of fire, so the list in 21:8 is a warning to all who have lived a life typified by certain actions that testify they aren’t truly believers. There is an entire chapter devoted to this near the end of this book, but it’s helpful to discuss a brief part of it here.

Courage is obeying God's commands despite fear

Here is the list of actions. I’ve blanked one out; let’s see if you can guess what it is.

But the _______, unbelievers, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire.

Since salvation is a gift based on God’s grace and comes to us only through belief and through no merit of our own, the list above is clearly stating that anyone whose life is typified by such actions doesn’t truly believe in Jesus.

So what is the one action I blanked out? Is it being a thief? A greedy person? An addict? No, none of those. The person who starts the list of those who the Bible says will go to the lake of fire for eternity, who are not saved, is the coward.

Cowards? Really?

When was the last time you heard a sermon on not being a coward?

Yet the Bible lists it as one of the eight sins for which, if you are typified by them, you are guaranteed to be condemned. It isn’t just on the list; it starts the list.

Notice that everything on the list, except for cowardice, is a definable thing. Lying is telling something that is not the truth. A murderer takes another’s life without justification. But what defines cowardice? Cowardice is disobeying God’s commands because of fear. For instance, if a person refuses to stand up against abortion because they’re worried about losing their job or being unpopular — that’s cowardice. It doesn’t necessarily make one a coward if it doesn’t typify one’s life, but if fear for one’s reputation keeps them from standing up for helpless babies in the womb, that person might want to take a serious assessment of their life and wonder if they’re a coward.

I remember committing a cowardly act while preaching to a large crowd in Asia many years ago. It was in a poor, high-crime area, and several thousand people came to hear the message on salvation. We had a great altar call, and many people came forward to publicly place their faith in Christ. As I was down in the crowd praying for people, an older woman came hob- bling toward me, supported by a teenage girl. “Preacher,” the girl said, “my grandma is crippled, and she wants you to ask God to heal her.”

I wasn’t “that kind” of preacher. I had no idea what to do. The old woman, who clearly didn’t speak English, just stood there, smiling hopefully. The young girl politely stood several yards away while I got on my knees to pray.

My heart went out to the woman and her granddaughter who’d come to hear the gospel, but I was really at a loss of what to do. “Lord,” I prayed, “You and I both know I don’t have any idea what to do right now. But if You don’t heal this lady, You and I are really going to look stupid. Would You heal her despite my inadequacy? Don’t withhold a miracle from her because of my unworthiness.” (That’s exactly what I prayed.)

The woman got healed.

She leaped away from me and started screaming and praising God. She started bouncing and dancing, far more than anyone her age should have been able to. It attracted a crowd — and I got away from there. I hopped onstage and walked into the back where no one else could ask for a miracle.

I ran away and hid.

Even though the Lord had shown He would do something amazing despite my inadequacy, my faith failed. Days later, I realized that He may have been ready to pour out His Spirit in an unbelievable way. We may have seen miracles beyond imagination — I’ll never know, because I walked away. I kept thinking of that hopeful look on her face and was relieved that she hadn’t been disappointed, but I was unwilling to risk it again. My faith was too little and pride too much, such that I didn’t realize the obvious, which was that someone’s healing was completely up to Him. All He was asking was that I obey and act as His vessel — and I walked away.

It was an act of cowardice, and many people may have been robbed of a blessing because of me. Am I a coward? No. But I definitely needed to repent of cowardice and pray for those who may have lost out on a blessing because of my inaction.

Courage is the opposite of cowardice and similarly vague. Courage is obeying God’s commands despite fear.

Courage is valuing obedience to God’s Word more than whatever the consequences from the world might be. In fact, the more fear one has, yet obeys anyway, the more courage one displays.

When I was serving on the Los Angeles Police Department, I noticed that character separated the good police officers from the bad ones. But it was courage that separated the good officers from the great ones. We had a saying on the LAPD about cowardly officers: they were first in line to eat and last in line to die.

The most repeated command in the Bible is to not fear. It’s a command, not a suggestion. But can we actually control whether we are fearful? Yes. God doesn’t command something that is impossible to obey. Controlling fear comes through exercising courage.

The more one obeys God’s Word, despite fear, the less control fear has.

Soon a mature believer finds that the things that once seemed intimidating are now invigorating. It can be scary to share the good news of Jesus to a stranger, but after one does it several times, fear turns to excitement. Sharing your faith turns from a chore to a delight.

Tim Dunn, conversation with author, September 10, 2021.

Excerpted from A Daring Faith in a Cowardly World by Ken Harrison, copyright Ken Harrison.

I am not one the believes God uses people for healing in the same way that He did with His Apostles, but, God can do anything, and performs miracles even today, all the time. This man asked God to heal this woman. I have prayed that kind of prayer many, many times. I did not touch or say be healed…simply prayed for God to do a miracle. Sometimes it has been answered according to my heart’s desire and other times it has not been the will of God. Obedience should never depend on what God does. Do what we are told, believing, trusting that God who loves us is eternally providing what is best.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 28, 2022

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. — Ephesians 6:14-17

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. — 2 Thessalonians 3:3

When Carlos and I started dating, I wasn’t bulimic. But I’d still get triggered. It didn’t need to be something huge... More often it would be this tiny little whisper from the enemy: "Feeling bloated right now? Go ahead and throw up…”

Truly, that voice is sinister. I’d wake up in the morning and decide, “I’m not gonna throw up today. I’ll eat something healthy, like a salad, and keep it down.”

But by late afternoon, the lie had invaded my brain, and I would have thrown up. I didn’t understand why I did what I did. The vicious cycle had me in its clutches...

What made it worse was that I was keeping it from Carlos. I knew how damaging secrets could be, and I didn’t want anything to threaten what we had. Our relationship was so good, it felt unreal. So which was worse? The secret or him finding out about the secret?

I decided to stick with the secret. And yet because I was diving into God’s Word and growing in my faith, I became more and more uncomfortable with my own duplicity.

I still can’t completely understand what transpired inside me at that time, but I can tell you what happened.

I’d always begged God to take away my urges, but daily they’d continue to get the best of me.

As I became spiritually stronger, something happened that I’d never experienced before.

But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

One morning as I opened my eyes, I had a deep knowing that my eating disorder was gone. I just knew. If my eating disorder was a person, I knew that he’d moved out of the house. As I walked down the stairs toward the kitchen, I marveled, “Oh my gosh, it’s gone.”

It sounds crazy, right? But I just knew. This chain that had kept me bound for seven years was just gone. It had been chopped off and thrown into the pit of hell.

It felt surreal walking into the kitchen without it.

As I poured myself a tall glass of water and cooked some yummy egg whites, the constant feeling that I usually wasn’t even aware of was gone.

While I’d love to tell you that I was so full of faith that I knew for certain it wouldn’t come back, I wasn’t. I couldn’t risk that hope. And so I waited.

After a healthy lunch on set that day, I waited to be gripped by the daily, unavoidable urge to binge. But it didn’t come. At four o’clock I was still waiting. No urge. I went out with friends from the cast to grab a bite when we finished for the day, expecting that later in the evening I’d be leaning over the toilet.

It never happened.

I wasn’t about to trust that having one successful day meant much at all. The following day I waited, with anticipation, for the wily menace that had plagued me for seven years to return.

It didn’t.

Even though this was the thing for which I’d prayed for years, begging God to deliver me from, I still couldn’t believe that God had done it. And I really believe that the gamechanger was that I’d established a regular rhythm of diving into God’s Word. I’m not saying that I did it. In fact, quite the opposite! In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul tells the believers about the armor of God that they can wear: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:14–17). Notice that last one: the sword of the Spirit. That’s talking about God’s Word. And when I was in my eating disorder, I had no weapon to fight with. I was vulnerable, without any way to defend myself. But being in God’s Word and praying God’s Word was the protection I needed to finally defeat the enemy that had been killing me. It was my sword.

If you’re skeptical that it was God who released me from that prison, I get it. But I am certain that God was my helper because I’d been unable to do it on my own for so long. If it had been a matter of willpower, believe me: I would have freed myself years earlier. And yet in God’s timing, that I don’t pretend to understand, He set me free.

For a few weeks I had this feeling like someone — my eating disorder — was going to jump out from behind a building and yell, “Surprise! I’m still here!”

It never happened.

Although I’d been reticent to share my struggle with Carlos, I couldn’t not share with him my deliverance... He’d had no idea at all that I’d been plagued with this deep shame. He was so supportive, as I knew he would be, and continued to check in to make sure I was okay.

If you or someone you love is battling an eating disorder, the very best thing you can do is to tell someone who loves you about it. Believe me, I know it feels like death. When I was clutched in the grips of my disordered eating, I was terrified about anyone finding out. And that’s exactly how the disorder retains its power. It doesn’t want you to tell anyone! It knows that when you do, its power begins to dissipate. If you’re being bossed around by that sneaky demon today, the best thing you can do is to share your secret with someone who cares. Promise me you will.

~ Alexa PenaVega

Excerpted from What If Love Is the Point? by Carlos & Alexa PenaVega, copyright Carlos & Alexa PenaVega

Many of us have hidden battles that could be more easily won if we would just tell someone . . . to help us in the battle. We don’t realize how God made us for community, the family, the church, our work, our friends, neighbors, and life in society in general. This community is our place of refuge and help from a human standpoint. Of course we take our battles to God and read His Word, but God uses those in our community to help us in time of need. Those of you receiving this email have a great Community of Grace to trust and share those battles.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 27, 2022

Many decades ago, one of my college friends gave me a small picture that has meant a great deal to me. There is nothing remarkable about it from an artistic standpoint, but it has given me great comfort during some important times nonetheless. In fact, not long ago, I asked the Lord for direction about a difficult situation. I felt very alone. Confused and unable to discuss my difficulties with others, I got down on my knees in a quiet room and cried out to God to help me, strengthen me, and change the situation that was causing me pain. I asked, “Father, please don’t leave me like this. Show me what to do.”

As I was praying, I looked up, and there was that picture. In it, the Lord Jesus is standing behind a young man, pointing out the right course for the fellow to take. The Master’s hand is on his shoulder, as if saying,

I am with you always. — Matthew 28:20

and

This is the way, walk in it. — Isaiah 30:21

In that instant, God showed me that He was in complete control of the situation and that He would help me get to the destination He planned for me. Like the young man in the picture, I needed to stay focused on the path that the Master was pointing me to. And if I would obey Him — even when the road seemed dark — He would certainly bless my faith in Him.

I tell you this because, inevitably, there will be times in your life when you just don’t know what to do. You may feel overwhelmed by the questions that plague you and shut down — becoming paralyzed and unable to move forward. Or perhaps you lie awake at night, consumed by the details of your circumstances and rehearsing them repeatedly in the hope of making some sense of them. Either way, you feel trapped, because you have no idea how to proceed.

You will feel as if your anxiety is tearing you apart. And that is what fear does — it scatters your thoughts, pulling you in different directions with all the “what ifs.” But this stands in direct opposition to what the Father desires for you.

Jesus said,

I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. — John 16:33

Peace. It is a word that in the Greek means “joined or bound together.” For example, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, we can have peace — or be united — with Him and be fully reconciled to the Father (Colossians 1:20).

However, peace also means an internal sense of harmony and tranquility. Everything within us is calm — confident “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). It is Jesus’ goal that we would possess the inward composure that comes from having a personal relationship with Him and enjoying His provision. And He has given us the gift of prayer for this purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 promises,

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7

The word there for guard means to “garrison you about, hem you in, and protect by a military sentinel.” As you exercise the gift of prayer and walk with God, He encompasses you as your Protector and Provider — and no one can break through His defenses. The Father encircles you with His own matchless presence, and the only way anything can get to you is if He Himself opens the door and allows it. That is the greatest security you and I could ever ask for.

I am with you always

Do you need peace in some area? Are you facing a situation that is confusing — that is tearing you apart? Do you lack a clear course of action?

Jesus knows exactly what you really need and how to provide it in the most loving and edifying way possible. He is committed to seeing you become all He created you to be.

Jesus’ hand is on your shoulder, and He’s pointing you in the right direction — the right path for your life. Are you listening to Him and submitting to His guidance? Or are you living your life the way you want to — in your wisdom rather than His?

All of us need a reliable guide to instruct us, and none is more trustworthy than the Savior who laid down His life on our behalf. But perhaps you are unsure — can you truly trust the Lord with the situation that is currently causing you so much stress and anxiety? Here are two reasons why I am confident you can and should.

The first reason trusting Jesus to guide you will bring you peace is because you know He will never lead you astray. As I said previously, His character is above reproach. His comprehension of all things past, present, and future is beyond compare. He not only has the wisdom to counsel you, but He loves you and always has your best interest at heart. Deuteronomy 31:8 promises,

The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

God will never mislead or abandon you, no matter what decision you must make. He will direct you in the best path possible if you will follow Him. If that doesn’t give you peace, I don’t know what will!

Second, trusting Jesus to guide you will bring you peace because He is leading you on a road that is unique to you. This world offers many one-size-fits-all solutions to our problems, and often they do not work or cause even more damage. But Jesus’ knowledge of you is perfect — He understands your personality, strengths, weaknesses, joys, sorrows, needs, temptations, desires, and concerns. Also, He created you for a distinctive purpose. Ephesians 2:10 explains,

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

When the Lord formed you, there were special assignments He planned for you to accomplish, which are tailor-made for your giftedness and temperament. Your being is satisfied, finds meaning, and is fulfilled in knowing Him and achieving those purposes.

This all means that the road you are to take must be specially crafted for you — specific to your makeup and to the reasons you were created as you were. This is why it is so important for God to set your course — because only your Lord and Savior knows your true potential, how to overcome the dangers ahead, and how to arrive at your destination in the safest and most effective way possible. And this is why His leadership should give you peace — He knows exactly what you really need and how to provide it in the most loving and edifying way possible. He is invested in you and is committed to seeing you become all He created you to be.

In Psalm 32:8, He promises,

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Will you trust Him to do so? I hope you will. He knows exactly where you are, what you need to do in the situation you’re facing, and how to get you to the wonderful destination He’s planned for you. He is your Protector and Provider and has everything necessary to get you to the goal even when the path seems impossible. Only the Lord can meet those high standards that can ensure your peace.

Pray to Him and trust Him to be your leader in every situation, because surely He will bless you with His peace that transcends understanding as you follow Him.

Lord God, thank You so much for always being with me — for never leaving or abandoning me. I am so grateful that You are leading me through this great gift of prayer. Like a loving Father or a gentle Shepherd, You direct me on the path I need to take — to drive out sin, heal my wounds, develop my gifts, build my character, and teach me more about You. Thank You, Lord.

You encompass me as my perfect Protector and Provider — and no one can break through Your defenses. You guide me with Your hand on my shoulder and encircle me with Your own matchless presence. I thank You that the only way anything can get to me is if You allow it for my ultimate edification and benefit. What great tranquility that gives my heart — that all things will work together for my good!

You keep me secure in Your steadfast, unending, unshakable love. Thank You, Lord! There is no peace like the peace You give, Lord Jesus! In Your matchless name I pray. Amen.

Excerpted from The Gift of Prayer by Charles F. Stanley, copyright Charles F. Stanley.

As a believer, you are the temple of God.  You carry Him with you wherever you go.  He is always with you, and will never leave or forsake you.

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith June 26, 2022

What Was Meant for Evil, God Uses for Good

Joseph, Son of Jacob, Graduate with honors from the University of Hard Knocks, Director of Global Effort to Save Humanity, Succeeded

How? How did he flourish in the midst of tragedy? We don’t have to speculate. Some twenty years later the roles were reversed, Joseph as the strong one and his brothers the weak ones. They came to him in dread. They feared he would settle the score and throw them into a pit of his own making. But Joseph didn’t. And in his explanation we find his inspiration.

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. — Genesis 50:20 NASB

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. — Genesis 50:20 NIV

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. — Genesis 50:20 NKJV

In God's hands intended evil becomes eventual good.

Joseph tied himself to the pillar of this promise and held on for dear life. Nothing in his story glosses over the presence of evil. Quite the contrary. Bloodstains, tear stains are everywhere. Joseph’s heart was rubbed raw against the rocks of disloyalty and miscarried justice. Yet time and time again God redeemed the pain. The torn robe became a royal one. The pit became a palace. The broken family grew old together. The very acts intended to destroy God’s servant turned out to strengthen him.

“You meant evil against me,”

Joseph told his brothers, using a Hebrew verb that traces its meaning to “weave” or “plait.”

“You wove evil,” he was saying, “but God rewove it together for good.”

God, the Master Weaver. He stretches the yarn and intertwines the colors, the ragged twine with the velvet strings, the pains with the pleasures. Nothing escapes His reach. Every king, despot, weather pattern, and molecule are at His command. He passes the shuttle back and forth across the generations, and as He does, a design emerges. Satan weaves; God reweaves.

Excerpted from You’ll Get Through This by Max Lucado, copyright Thomas Nelson.

The plan woven by God started before the first word of creation.  His plan will come to completion.  The attacks, the weaving of evil will not accomplish its desired end, for God is still in control of His creation.  Be encouraged!  In Christ you cannot lose!  You, who once were dead, have been given life, and that eternal, through faith in Christ and His death and resurrection.  What was meant for evil – Satan’s attempt to separate us from God, brought Jesus from the glory of heaven to earth.  He gave His life, that you and I might truly live, as children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus, forevermore!

What Satan meant for evil, God rewove for good! Amen!

Pastor Dale