What are Some Thoughtful Ways I can Serve People Right Now?

Unique times in our country call for unique ways to serve others. Had this been written last year at this time, I probably would have approached the issue from an entirely different viewpoint; but times have changed in the last few weeks. America looks different today and probably will continue to look somewhat different for the next few months. How can we thoughtfully serve others in a time of quarantine?  

My mind keeps racing back to the myriad of proverbs reminding believers of the importance of encouraging words.

Proverbs 12:25 - “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”  
Proverbs 12:18b - “…the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 16:24 - “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 25:11 - “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

Here, my friends, is our solution. It lies in our words. Our words can transcend all of the current boundaries put in place and can even heal some of the frustration and hurt the boundaries have caused. The best part is that in 2020 we have more ways than ever to get our words of encouragement, blessing, hope, and help to those who need them.  

Phone calls - The easiest way to share words of encouragement comes from a good, old fashion phone call (or modern FaceTime). Make a plan to call at least one person a day and check up on them. Think of those who the Lord has placed in your sphere of friendship or influence. Reach out to them, check on them, and graciously share words of truth with them. 

Text messages - For anyone born after 1990 the text message may receive a reply before any phone call gets answered. Texts are a great way to send a quick reminder of care, Bible verse, or word of appreciation or encouragement. In just a few minutes you can easily encourage a handful of people.

Social media comments - Different forms of social media now span vast age ranges of people. A kind comment on Facebook, Instagram, or a half dozen evolving social media platforms may resonate as loudly as a phone call.  

Letter - Remember the postal service? It seems like nowadays the only thing we find in our mailboxes are bills or political junk mail. In days gone by people use to actually take the time to write and fold letters, put a stamp on them, and take them to the Post Office. Just like antiques are loved and appreciated for their age, sending an actual letter can be more rewarding than many of its modern equivalents.  

The means of encouragement is never as important as the act itself. Find ways and reach out. Reflect Christ’s love to others. You may never know the struggle another person is facing until you use words to remind them of the goodness of God. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Pastor Ken Kistler

What Might it Look like to begin Praying with my Family?

I was sitting with my brother in the back seat of our 1987 silver Nissan van. My mom was behind the wheel, taking us to the public pool on a balmy summer day in Northern California. As we came into town, we heard a siren in the distance approaching us. My mom quickly pulled over to the side of the road and allowed an ambulance to race by. She parked and turned to us and said, “Someone’s in trouble. Let’s pray.” Growing up in a small town near the Oregon border, we didn’t hear many sirens but when we did, my parents were faithful to stop what they were doing and pray for His blessing for those who were in trouble. Our time in prayer as a family was not just centered around emergencies.  We would pray at specific times of the day together and as things came up. God gave me the great blessing of growing up in a house of prayer, a discipline that is vital to our walks as believers abiding in Jesus. 

Perhaps your family hasn’t begun this life-giving journey of daily communing with God in prayer together. Maybe you and your family rarely pray together or only on special occasions. Let me encourage you, this is the perfect time to start. Below are a few thoughts that I hope you will find helpful as you begin to develop a prayer life with your family. 

Planned Prayer

If you’re wanting to have more prayer in your home but you don’t have a plan for it, it will never happen. Think about when your family is naturally together. Maybe this is a specific mealtime or before bed. Every family is different but if there is a time that you are all together, that would be the best place to start.  

· Start small and work your way up. A house of prayer is not built in a day. The point is to be consistent in it. 

· There are many ways to form your prayers but the method that has worked well for me over the years is ACTS: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. 

Adoration: Exalt God for who He is. Praise Him for His attributes. 
Confession: Let Him know where you have sinned, where you have chosen to serve yourself rather than serve Him. Then repent and ask for forgiveness. 
Thanksgiving: Thank Him for what He has done.
Supplication: Bring your requests before Him. Our loving Father knows what we need, and He wants to bless us. 

Now, my wife Lauren and I have two energetic toddlers at home. Therefore, our times of family prayer with our boys are very short; honestly probably 1-3 min. We pray at meals (usually thanking God for lovingly providing this yummy Mac & cheese and asking Him to help us share our toys with our brother) and then again before bed. It is at bedtime prayer that we go through the ACTS method. We talk about the day, what we’re thankful for, where we needed to ask Jesus for forgiveness, and our prayer requests. Then we pray. During these sweet times, our little family grows in our dependence on the Lord and we get to hear what is on each other’s hearts.  

Spontaneous Prayer

Praying in a moment of need or confusion is another vital part of cultivating a house of prayer. When someone is sick, go to prayer with your family. When someone got a good grade on a test, go to prayer with your family. When you can’t find your car keys, go to prayer with your family. When the stranger in front of you in the Starbucks drive through pays for your drinks, go to prayer with your family. Often when we have run out of options we turn to prayer. Prayer should be our first thought as God is the only One with any true power, provision, or wisdom. 

A few weeks ago, my 3-year-old son was whining during a mealtime. He wanted something on the table that was out of his reach and chose to cry about it rather than ask me for it. I came over to his booster seat, got down to his eye level and said to him, “Buddy, you need to stop whining. Does daddy love you? Does daddy want you to have good things? Yeah. Daddy has all the good things and wants to give them to you. All you have to do is ask daddy for them.” As the words came out of my mouth, I suddenly felt ashamed. My Heavenly Father was saying the same thing to me. How often I exhaust my list of doing things in my own strength, to no avail, before I get wise and go to the Father, recognizing who He is, and humbly presenting my request. 

Praying with our families shows our submission to God, it shows that He is the head of the home, it humbles us, and prayer invites the Lord to change our home for His glory. Let’s pray!

Greg Clark, Worship Pastor

God’s Abundant Pursuit: Provision & Promise- April 29, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 23:5-6

5 You prepare a table before me    

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;    

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me   

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord    

forever.

Points to Ponder

Do you have a hard time feeling God’s presence in times of hardship?  Do life’s difficulties cause you to question God’s love for you?  What assurances does God give you as you suffer on earth?

Navigation

Psalm 23 speaks to the person experiencing extreme distress.  Recited at more funerals than any other passage of Scripture, Psalm 23 is associated with incredible sorrow.  Yet, in the midst of great sorrow, David lifts your eyes to see God’s ever-present care.  Psalm 23 speaks of intense love in the midst of hardships and permanent joy of the life to come.

In the final verses of Psalm 23, David switches his analogy of God as a shepherd to God as a generous host.  These two verses show us the generosity of God’s provision in hardship (v. 5) and the assurance of God’s love for us always (v. 6).

Abundant Provision from a Generous Host

5 You prepare a table before me    

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;    

my cup overflows.

This verse points out God’s care and provision in the middle of difficult times.

The verse literally reads: In the sight of my enemies… abundance.

God is with you in the middle of the storm.  He’s prepared a table for you—He will provide all you need.  You will not go without, for the LORD gives according to His infinite nature—in abundance.  The LORD provides richly and supports His people fully.

How do you access God’s abundant provision while facing crippling circumstances?

The abundance of a life lived with the LORD must crushingly eclipse the overwhelming nature of the trial before you.

In other words: Trust God—He is bigger than your trial and will guide you through. 

An Incredible Promise from the Preeminent God

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me    

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord   

forever.

In the final verse of Psalm 23, we are reminded that God never stops pursuing His children!  This verse is a promise of God’s relentless love for you and a guarantee that God will bring you home to be in the joy of His presence forever!

As one commentator pointed out: The ultimate expression of goodness and mercy awaits us in heaven.  At that point, God’s people will be with the LORD—who cared for them every step of the way while on earth.  And they shall never be separated from Him.

Commission

Does your trust in God overshadow the trials you face?  Do you trust God to provide and care for you each step of the way—as He has promised to do?  Does your perspective on life change when you remember God’s relentless love for you and the forever home He has prepared for you?  How can you better trust God today?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

God’s Presence in Trials: Fearing God in the Dark Valleys- April 27, 2020

God’s Presence in Trials: Fearing God in the Dark Valleys 

 Scripture: Psalm 23:4

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

Points to Ponder

Do the dark times of life leave you incapacitated?  Do you question whether or not God is with you or will see you through?  Where does your heart go when the darkest moments of life hit?

Navigation

Life on earth isn’t just roses and button noses.  And as David continues the shepherd analogy of Psalm 23, he turns his attention to the most difficult of human experience.

In our last post, we saw that God has a purpose in trials—to grow us in Jesus and to shine Jesus in the world.  However, we don’t walk through these trials alone—in isolation.

Psalm 23:4 assures us that God shepherds His people in the midst of life’s most difficult moments.

Valley of Shadow of Death

Life on earth is a crazy mix of life and death—both highs and lows—and Jesus assured His followers that they would experience hardships on earth (John 16:33).  Jesus also prayed to God the Father, specifically saying He did not ask that we would be removed from the difficulties of life (John 17:15).  

How crazy is that?!

It’s not an issue of safety or well-being.  Jesus seems to think that regardless of how difficult your situation is, you are safe and secure.  Jesus also believes that what is best for you is not to avoid difficulty—but to trust Him, press into Him and look to Him during times of difficulty.

Suffering, hardships and crippling difficulties are a common human experience—it’s what you do in those dark moments that matters.

David walked through dark valleys and he learned this lesson.  He called his moments of difficulty a “path of righteousness” that God was leading Him through for his good and God’s glory (v. 3b).  

And because God is working out righteousness through the dark valleys of life (Romans 8:28-29), you can have confidence that God is with you and working in the dark and difficult moments of life (Hebrews 12:11).

Fear No Evil

That’s why David declares in Psalm 23:4a:

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

We all go through dark valleys—low points of intense pain, darkness and suffering.  

David provides 2 key points to proclaim any time you navigate a dark valley:

First, David reminds us that if you know the LORD, you do not live in the valley—you merely walk through the valley of darkness.

Second, David declares and makes the decision that the darkness doesn’t define him!

I will fear no evil,

To fear something is to be afraid, be fearful or give power to that thing.  David names the valley of the shadow of death as evil or bad—it’s not of God.  

While navigating dark valleys, David refuses to fear or give power to anything but God.  Human tendency in the valley of the shadow of death is to let your situation paralyze you—to fear your circumstance and give it power over you.

What decision and declaration do you make in the dark valleys of your life?

Whenever you are in a dark valley, you have a choice:

1.     Either the world is chaotic and your circumstance has control over you—fear the valley.

—OR—

2.     God is sovereign, good and in control of all things—fear God.

Through his experience with dark valleys, David implores us to ascribe power to God alone—to trust Him in the dark times and know that God is with us and working for us.

God’s Active and Comforting Presence

David goes on to say that the reason he fears no evil is because God is with him in the dark valley:

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

David is comforted by how God guards and guides him through the darkness:

    your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me.

Summary

Psalm 23:4 reminds us that God shepherds His people through the dark valleys of life.  God is powerful over all things and is with you in the most difficult of times—to care for you, comfort you, protect you, guard you and guide you.  

As you fear the LORD, He will lead you through dark valleys by the light of His victory.

Commission

What shadow of death do you face today?  Are your circumstances overshadowing your view of God?  How might you actively trust God in dark times in order to take comfort in His presence and shepherding power in your life?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

God’s Purpose in Trials: Right Paths for His Name’s Sake- April 24, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 23:3b

3b   He leads me in paths of righteousness   

for his name's sake.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever questioned God’s purpose in the trials you face?  Have you wondered what good can come of the hardships in your life?  Does God have a plan in the midst of pain?

Navigation

In Psalm 23, David draws an analogy for God and His people—that God treats His people as a shepherd treats his sheep.  Because of its association with sorrow, Psalm 23 is quoted at more funerals than any other Scripture.  Yet, in the midst of the sorrow Psalm 23 speaks to the way God shepherds and leads His people through suffering.

While our mind turns to questions during life’s difficulties, God has a plan for the pain and a purpose He wants to produce in you.  

Psalm 23:3b reveals that God leads His people through suffering to produce Jesus in them and further His purposes in the world.

Avoiding Pain

God never promised that we would avoid hardships in this life. 

Jesus warned His followers that in this world we would face troubles—but victory over this world is found in Him (John 16:33).  Jesus also prayed that God wouldn’t remove His followers from the world—but keep them from the enemy and grow us in holiness so that we could shine Jesus in this world (John 17:15-17).

Glory Through Suffering

The path to glory is through suffering.

If that sounds funny, just look to Jesus (Philippians 2:8-11).  Jesus walked the path of suffering long before us (Isaiah 53).  When you suffer in this life, you identify with Christ and follow the well-worn steps of your Savior (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 2:21).

A Change of Perspective

God wants to shift your perspective on suffering.  

Suffering, devoid of trust in God, crushes the spirit and leads to loss.  

—On the Other Hand—

Suffering, in the hands of God, is an instrument of righteousness—it’s an opportunity for God to fortify you and produce Christ in you (James 1:2-4, 12).

Right Paths for His Name’s Sake

God has a purpose in pain.  And Psalm 23:3b assures us that God leads you through suffering in order to produce something great in you and reveal God’s glory through you:

3b      He leads me in paths of righteousness

     for his name's sake.

Difficulties in life are ‘paths of righteousness’ (or lit. ‘right paths’) that God leads you down—paths that God has designed for you in order to produce Christ’s righteousness in you.  

As you trust God to lead you through right paths, God will fortify you in Christ and bring you to greater levels of joy and maturity in Him.  And as you grow in Jesus, your life shines God’s glory and puts Him on beautiful display.

Suffering creates opportunity to grow in Jesus and to shine Jesus in the world.

Commission

Are you facing hardship in your life?  Do you trust God to lead you through it?  Do you believe that God, in His love, will use this trial as a right path to make you stronger for His glory? 

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

Increasing Your Love for God

How Have you Grown in Thinking about God’s Love so it Increases your Love for Him?

As I begin to think of God’s love for me, I can’t help but first go to what His Word says about me. Paul makes the following statements in his letter to the Roman church.

·      “None is righteous, no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (3:10)

·      “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (3:23)

·      “…death spread to all men because all sinned” (5:12)

·      “For the wages of sin is death…” (6:23)

Praise be to God that He made a way through Christ for us to be made right with God.  

“For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)

While it is an amazing and awesome truth that God saved us from who we are without Him, I also find joy inexpressible in what and who He has saved us to. He made a way for us to be reconciled to God, have eternal life, get victory over sin, become the righteousness of God, have union with Christ, find security in Him, be loved with the love of Christ, and partner with Jesus in His ministry.

·      Reconciliation – We have been reconciled to God through Christ. “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the father except through me.” (John 14:6)

·      Eternal Life – He made a way for us to live with Him forever. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

·      Victory – We can have victory over sin. “But thanks be to God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

·      Righteousness – We have become His righteousness through faith. “For our sake he made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

·      Union – We are no longer alone to rely on our flesh but can take up our cross that Christ might live in and through us. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

·      Security – We can live without fear as we have a refuge and a present help in time of trouble.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear…” (Psalm 46:1-2a)

·      Love – We can love others with the love of Christ and be recipients of that same love from His bride. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

·      Participation – He allows us to be a part of building His kingdom. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20)

So, as I think of who I am without Christ, and then think of who He is and what He has done for me, I can’t help but think of Paul’s words in Philippians. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)

Beloved, He loves you more than you can possibly imagine. More than anyone else ever could.  He is the King of kings and Lord of lords and if you are in Christ, He has chosen you to be with Him for eternity. That alone should cause us to love Him with all of our heart and with all of our soul and with all of our mind and with all of our strength.

Kevin Rumsey, Men’s Ministry Coordinator 

God Revives You: Rest, Rejuvenation, Restoration- April 22, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 23:2-3a

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters. 

3 He restores my soul.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever been so tapped out and spent you didn’t know how to face another day?  What source do you turn to in times of burn out?  What provision does God give to replenish your supply?  How does God care for the wellbeing of your soul?

Navigation

In our last post—on Psalm 23:1—we saw that because of God’s shepherding care, His people are never without.  In Psalm 23:2-3a, David continues the analogy of God shepherding His people while showing us the life and vitality God provides His people when their own resources have depleted.

It’s Nap Time

Isn’t it interesting that parents know what their children need more than their kids do.  When our oldest son gets cranky and upset, we make him take his daily nap.  He doesn’t want to take a nap—but his nap is exactly what he needs.  And after he wakes from his nap, he is refreshed and ready to cause more chaos. 

The same is true with God and us.  God knows what we need even more than we do.  Psalm 23:2-3a show us that God—as He lovingly shepherds us—brings us to a place of rest, rejuvenation and restoration.

Rest 

In Psalm 23:2a, David says that God—as his shepherd—makes him lie down in green pastures:

2a He makes me lie down in green pastures.

Pasturing a flock is central to the job of shepherding.  The idea of “pasture” is closely connected to the idea of home—pastures are the abode of shepherds and flocks.  So, in one sense, when David says that the LORD makes him lie down in green pastures, he’s saying that God gives him a home—a green pasture to take rest in.

And the sheep don’t just lie down anywhere, but in green pastures.  The shepherd provides the best pasture for the sheep.  There, the sheep can eat freely and lie down fully satisfied surrounded by even more uneaten, freshly sprouted grass.

Did you also spot the restlessness in this verse?  The sheep is standing and doesn’t know what is best for it.  In this case, the shepherd makes the sheep lie down to cause it to rest.  

Sometimes a season of idle restlessness is the very place the LORD wants to sprout up fresh pastures for you to take rest in.  As we stand frustrated in idle restlessness, God wants to provide rest and a home.

Perhaps we would do well to recognize restlessness in our own lives as an invitation from the Lord to take rest in Him.

Rejuvenation

As David continues, in Psalm 23:2b, he says the LORD leads him beside still waters:

2b He leads me beside still waters.

Like all creatures, sheep need water to live.  However, they are incapable of finding good water to drink and will not drink from a rushing stream that frightens them.  So, it’s a shepherd’s job to lead his sheep to still water—so they can receive the drink they need.

In the same way, God leads His people to a place where they can receive and be replenished.

Restoration

In verse 3, David steps out of the sheep analogy to make a declaration about his own condition—that the LORD restores his soul:

3 He restores my soul.

Through God’s shepherding acts, He brings us back to a place of life and vitality.

Summary

As the shepherd leads and guides his sheep to green pastures and still waters, the sheep receive what they need—food, water and rest.  Fully satisfied by the shepherd’s provision, the sheep find rest… in green pastures.

In the same way, God leads us to rest, receive what we need and be restored… surrounded by His abundant provision.

Psalm 23:2-3a shows that God gives His people rest, rejuvenation and restoration.

Commission

Are you in a season of restlessness?  Have your own efforts and energies left you empty and depleted?  Have you considered God’s invitation to receive from Him?  Sit in God’s presence and allow Him to be your shepherd—to fill you, satisfy you, be what you need, give you rest and restore your soul.

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

God Shepherds You: Provision in Need- April 20, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 23:1

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever wondered how it was all going to work out?  Has worry or fear gripped you to the point of paralysis or discouragement?   Are you anxious that you won’t have enough—that you’ll be lacking and in need?

David, the Shepherd King

Psalm 23 is an amazing Psalm.  The words were penned by David, a shepherd boy turned king.  

As a shepherd, David spent all of his time with sheep.  He observed their behaviors, he knew their tendencies.  He watched over them and cared for them.  He protected them—killing bears and lions whenever they threatened his sheep.  While watching the sheep David crafted his skill with a sling, he played music, sang songs and communed with the Lord.

The LORD is Your Shepherd

As David writes Psalm 23—a song he wrote to the LORD—he draws an analogy from the life he knew all too well… shepherding sheep.  Specifically, David says that the way a shepherd cares for his sheep is the same way the LORD cares for His children.

And, in Psalm 23:1, David identifies the LORD as his shepherd,

1 The Lord is my shepherd

If you know and love Jesus, you can confidently echo David’s words and shout with victory, “The LORD is my shepherd!”

What Good is a Shepherd?

But what does a shepherd do for his sheep?

If you’re going to understand the significance of the LORD being your shepherd, you must first understand what a shepherd does for his sheep.

First off, the statement—the LORD is my shepherd—is comprised of a subject (lit. “YHWH” or the LORD) and an active verb (“shepherd”).  

This tells us that whatever shepherding is, God is actively doing that to you.

After some research, here is what I found out about shepherding:

• Definition of Shepherding: To care for any need of a small flock of mammals and so act.

• Shepherding in General: As a herdsman, to focus on providing grazing pastures and moving the flocks around the pastures.

• What a Shepherd Does: A shepherd cares for and tends his sheep—also rules and has authority over the flock.

• Shepherding as a Figure of Speech: To rule or have authority over a people and so govern them, usually with a focus on care and concern—figuratively, as a shepherd to his sheep.

• Activities of a Shepherd: To feed, graze, drive out to pasture; to protect as a shepherd; to pasture; to revive and nourish.

God Shepherds You

As David pondered his relationship with God, it struck him that God cares for us much in the same way that a shepherd cares for his sheep.

Just as a shepherd cares for, tends, protects, guides and provides for his sheep—so also God cares for, tends, protects, guides and provides for you.

With that understanding of God’s care for him, David completes his thought in verse 1:

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

If God truly is David’s shepherd and is shepherding him—in all the ways that a shepherd shepherds—then David has no need to worry or be anxious.  He is covered, protected, cared for and loved—all his needs are met in God’s loving care for him.  He will not suffer want or lack any good thing.  God is shepherding him.

The same is true for you.  If God is your shepherd, you have no need for worry or anxiety.  All of your needs are met in God’s loving care.  The LORD is shepherding you; He will provide for all of your needs—you shall not suffer want.

Summary

Psalm 23:1 reminds us that the LORD cares for His people just as a shepherd cares for his sheep.  God is with you and promises to govern you with His loving care.  God will guard, guide, provide and protect you.  Under the loving rule of our great shepherd, there is no lack.

Commission

Has worry or anxiousness filled your heart?  Have you spent time thinking of the way God cares for you?  How might God’s promise to shepherd you transform areas of fear to trust?  Lastly, praise God for the way He is actively shepherding you.

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

A Trusting Response: Your Life Speaks- April 17, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 102:16-18

16 For the Lord builds up Zion;    

he appears in his glory;

17 he regards the prayer of the destitute    

and does not despise their prayer.

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,    

so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord

Points to Ponder

In times of darkness, how does your heart respond?  What does your response say of who God is?  How does your response to difficult times impact others?  What is God’s invitation to you in the midst of hardship?  

God’s Promise to You

In the difficulties of this life, God has made promises to you.  Psalm 102:16-17 lays out three promises that God gives His people in times of difficulty:

1.     The LORD builds you up (v. 16a): God offers strong support to those whose hearts are fully His (2 Chronicles 16:9).  In all seasons, God works to equip, build up, grow and mature His people (Ephesians 5:26-27; James 1:2-4).

2.     The LORD appears in his glory (v. 16b): As God works in the life of His people, His glory is made manifest—in and through them (Philippians 2:13-15).  God will never abandon you—He is always there for you (Deuteronomy 31:6).  God promises to be with His people forever (Matthew 28:20; Revelation 21:3-4).

3.     The LORD listens to your prayers (v. 17): God wants to hear from you, He invites you to talk with Him (Jeremiah 29:12-13; Matthew 7:7-11).  Out of the abundance of His care, He is always actively listening to His people (Psalm 34:15; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 66:19-20). 

In light of God’s promises to you, how will you choose to respond to hardship?

Your Trusting Response

Your response during difficult times speaks to others.  Whether good or bad, your response tells others who you are and Whose you are.  It tells them what you believe about God.  

What story are you telling?

God’s invitation to you during hard times is to trust God—to press into Him and believe in His promises.

Verse 18 tells us that a trusting response in hard times—one that rests in God’s promises—has a lasting impact.  It causes generations to come to praise God:

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come,    

so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord

How will our children and grandchildren speak of God due to our actions and attitudes during coronavirus?

May it be said of us, that during coronavirus, our trust was in the LORD.  That He saw us through—and that God is faithful.  May that be the story our lives tell.  

May our trusting response during COVID-19 empower generations to come to trust and praise the LORD!  The LORD is faithful!

Commission

What is your response to hardship during COVID-19?  How does it speak of who God is?  What story are you telling?  What legacy are you leaving?  How might you trust God and His promises today so that others might praise God for years to come?

How do I Stop Thinking Bad Thoughts?

“Help me stop, Pastor,” he pleaded through tears. “I don’t want these thoughts and I never asked for these thoughts!  Why can’t I get control of my thoughts?” Have you ever been there? Have you ever had a friend plead to you in tearful exclamation or have you yourself suffered from an inability to take control over your thoughts?  

2 Corinthians 10:5 gives us the mandate to “take every thought captive” but how often do we suffer from being “taken captive by every thought” instead? Maybe it is a deeply embedded root of bitterness from a spoiled friendship. Maybe it is a lustful thought that seems to never go away. Maybe it is a certain negative outlook on life that controls your every action and word. Maybe it is an overwhelming anxiety and panic that replays in your mind, keeping you captive with its lies. The battlefield is in the mind, is it not? The answers are found in God's Word. Let's go there together.

Examine Yourself

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart, try me and see my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Self-awareness is such a valuable and fleeting skill in our culture. The Christian walk is a self-honest one. Where are you struggling in this battle of the mind? Passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:4, Job 31:1 and Matthew 5:28 all speak of lust and the believers need to know themselves and their struggles well.  

Submit Yourself  

Great. You know yourself, and you're probably disgusted with yourself. That’s good—that’s the point. Accepting and walking in the Gospel with fear and reverence is the goal (Colossians 2:6) because it causes a deep dependence on God. The Lord loves desperation in our voice. The sort of desperation that leads us to passages like John 15 where Jesus calls us panic-laden, lust-filled or fear-controlled people right back to Himself. “Abide in me”, Jesus calls, “for apart from me you can do nothing” (v5). In times of intrusive thoughts of panic, a losing battle to lust or a worst-case scenario replay, we must admit - “I may feel out of control right now, but I know the one who controls everything.” It is to His strength I run (Proverbs 18:10) and it is in His strength that I continue (Philippians 3:12-14).  

Prepare Yourself    

“Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:13). What an incredible verse right? It is not a matter of “if”, but “when” we might fail, forget or flounder in our thought life. So, when we do, we put our minds back on Jesus and focus on Him, because when you focus on His return it is difficult to replay fears and stay in the bondage of negativity - We’re going home! In light of the joy that awaits us, we look at our imperfect mind in the process of sanctification, and we commit ourselves afresh daily to the Lord. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - THINK about such things” (Philippians 4:8, emphasis added).  

Simple? Yes. Easy? No. Annoying in its oversimplification that knows nothing of your current struggle? Maybe. Comforting in its simplicity that basks in the glory and grace of the Gospel? Yep! The same power of Christ that first opened your mind to see your sin and accept the grace of the Savior is the same power that is continuing to refine you, shape you, and use you. So, hang in there. You are doing better than you think. You are more loved than you know!

Pastor Ed Boness

God’s Benefits: Count the Ways- April 15, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,    

and all that is within me,    

bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,    

and forget not all his benefits,

3 who forgives all your iniquity,    

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit,    

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good    

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Points to Ponder

In the midst of COVID-19, it’s easy to lose perspective.  Our focus can be skewed.  Our eyes can fix on the problems.  We can easily become entangled with all that’s “not right” in the world.  However, God has a better plan for His children.  

In Psalm 103, King David writes a song that shifts our perspective.  It takes our eyes off of self and onto God’s ever-loving hand that is always upon us.

Bless the LORD

Three times in the opening of Psalm 103, David calls us to bless the LORD and His holy name:

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,    

and all that is within me,    

bless his holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

Perhaps, the shepherd King knows how dense sheep are—that we need to hear it three times.  

Perhaps, David mentions it three times because he knows how much competition we have for our attention—that our focus for self is so strong, we need to remember our primary preoccupation.  If we’re not making the choice to bless the LORD first and foremost, our efforts and energies are pointed elsewhere—and that leads to a life of loss.  But God has a better plan for His people—a life of abundance that is only found in a heart that sings for the LORD.

God’s people are called to bless the LORD three times because it’s that important.  

As David writes this Psalm, he is calling himself to bless the LORD and he invites you to join him in blessing the LORD together!

This is an invitation and a call to every child of God… with every fiber of your being—as David says, “all that is within me”—to join David in the great song of praise to God.

As the troubles of this world persist, our praise for God increases.

God’s Benefits

If our troubles are causing us to forget God’s goodness, David implores us to remember God’s loving work in our lives:

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,    

and forget not all his benefits,

And in case your heart is having trouble praising God, David primes the pump by listing 6 ways the Lord has benefited your life—6 reasons to give praise to the LORD (vv. 3-5):

1.     God forgives all your iniquity

2.     God heals all your diseases

3.     God redeems your life from the pit

4.     God crowns you with steadfast love and mercy (there’s victory in His “hesed”—steadfast love)

5.     God satisfies you with good

6.     God renews your youth like the eagle’s

Count the Ways

And here’s the beautiful part—even though David only listed 6 of God’s benefits, this list isn’t exhaustive!  God’s mercies are new every morning! 

As Lamentations 3:22-24 reminds us,

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;     

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;    

great is your faithfulness.

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,    

“therefore I will hope in him.”

How does God love me?  Let me count the ways!

Summary

Psalm 103 invites us to join David in praising God with every fiber of our being—as we remember all of the ways God has richly blessed us in how He lovingly deals with us.  As our hearts are tuned to sing God’s praise, we live into the fullness of life in Him.

Commission

Is there something competing for your attention and stealing your praise of God?  How has God blessed you?  Stop and take a moment to recount God’s activity in your life.  How might remembering God’s benefits change your praise and perspective today?

Pastor Bret Martin, Know Pastor

God is On Your Side: More Than Conquerors- April 13, 2020

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;    

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever wondered if God has dropped you?  Have the obstacles you face ever been so overwhelming that you question God’s love for you?  

Who Can Be Against Us? (v. 31)

Do you remember dividing into teams while playing games as a kid?  There was always that one kid, that if you had them on your side, you were confident your team would win. 

As the Apostle Paul speaks of the obstacles we face in a trouble-filled world, he wants you to know that God is on your side (8:31-39).

And it’s not like the confidence you were given with that one kid who might help your team win—but might not.  No, it’s certainty that the only Eternal, Almighty God is on your side.  In whatever circumstance you face, God is with you and for you—and God plus 1 is a majority.  God always wins.  And since God is on your side, you are victorious and have nothing to fear.

As Paul says in Romans 8:31:

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

God is on Your Side…

Paul wants you to know that God is on your side.  Let’s check out some of the points he makes to show just how “for you” God is:

1. God’s Love for You in Jesus (v. 32)

The fact that God gave His own Son to die for us shows that He will give us all things—there’s nothing He’s holding back.

2. God’s Opinion Matters Most (v. 33)

If God sent Jesus to die so that you might have new life, you are God’s precious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18).  No earthly circumstance or human opinion can change your status or value—God has spoken His love over you and God’s word wins.

3. The Victorious King Supports You (v. 34)

Jesus raised from the dead, conquered all enemies, and reigns supreme at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus—the resurrected, victorious King—is in full support of you and is praying for you to live in the victory He has won for you!

4. Jesus’ Victory is Your Victory (vv. 35-37)

There is no obstacle, hardship, hindrance or enemy you will ever face that Jesus is not victorious over.  Jesus loves you; His victory is your victory and—by Jesus’ divine edict—you are sent out to represent the rule and reign of the risen King in this world.  

5. God’s Unchangeable Love for You (vv. 38-39)

The scope of God’s love for you is greater than anything that is competing for your attention—nothing is greater than the power of God’s love. Though circumstances in life change (sometimes momently!), God’s love for you does not.

God will keep His promises to you and keep you in His steadfast love (Romans 8:31, 35-39)—His steadfast love (i.e. God’s active love and protection) is always upon you.

Summary

Romans 8:31-39 is a great reminder that God is on our side.  We are God’s and He is ours.  He’s not withheld anything from us, but has given His Son to make us His own.  Jesus supports us and His victory is ours.  Nothing can separate us from God’s love for us—it is present, it is real, and it is incredible.

Commission

How big is God compared to your circumstances?  Does the fact that God is on your side give you confidence with the obstacles you face?  How might you better live out Jesus’ victory in your life?  How does God’s incredible, steadfast love for you impact the way you view hardships?

 Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

How Do I Battle My Selfishness and Learn to Serve Others Better?

How Do I Battle My Selfishness and Learn to Serve Others Better?

Selfish (def.): Lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.

Unlike plants that need water and sunshine to grow, selfishness needs no nourishment to thrive. In fact, it is a weed. If you are familiar with weeds, you can attest that it is a battle to keep them from sprouting up. Action is needed! 

Since there is no vaccine to eradicate it in our lives, let’s look at three tools that can help you identify and battle against it: Magnifying glasses, Presents, and Commas. What do these three things have in common with the topic of selfishness? I’m glad you asked!

Magnifying Glasses

Magnifying glasses allow us to see things that were not visible before. When was the last time you used one? The Holy Spirit is, for us, like a magnifying glass—He is one of the greatest leadership resources we have who works in us to honestly assess where our hearts are when it comes to the topic of selfishness. Consider Psalm 139:23-24 - “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” We cannot battle selfishness on our own. We need the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to open our eyes and reveal the selfishness in our lives, empowering us in the battle against it.

Presents 

Regarding gifts, I am a little embarrassed to admit that receiving them is one of my “love languages.”  I heard this quote the other day: “Being in the presence of God is necessary for me to be a present for others.” How does this quote resonate with you? When I saw this quote, I loved the simplicity of its truth. It is only our time with God in His Word that transforms us. This then gives us what we need to serve others, to be a present, a gift to them. The kind of servant leader you are is shaped by who you are. God cares about the heart action of our serving, not the doing.

Commas 

So, what do commas do? They are there to make you pause, to add a space between thoughts, making us slow down just a bit before we pick up and continue on. Many of us are living our lives like one long run-on sentence without needed pauses. We need to make space and add some margin around our lives for interruptions; otherwise, selfishness looks to protect our plan and our agenda. We have packed our days so full, that when even the smallest of interruptions come, we look to send this uninvited guest on its way as quickly as possible so we can get back to our plan. 

What if we saw these interruptions as God-ordained divine appointments? Richard Fryling proposes this thought in his book, The Leadership Ellipse: 

“When we are aware of the work of God in ordinary circumstances and people, we then pay closer attention to those people and to the promptings of God . . . We pay attention to others because in doing so we are paying attention to the work of God in their lives” (p. 173). 

Magnifying glasses, presents, and commas. Do you see the similarity now? All three are handy in the battle against selfishness, helping us pay attention to God’s work and better equipping us to serve others. How is God using Covid-19 as a pause in your life? Pay close attention to the people around you and to the Lord’s promptings so that you are better able to effectively serve others. 

Laureen Mgrdichian, Women's Ministry Director

God’s Provision: Help in Weakness- April 8, 2020

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever felt too weak to face the obstacles in your life?  Have you wondered how God offers help in these times?  What comfort and resources does God give us to face the obstacles in our lives?

The Gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26a)

God knew the troubles we would face in a broken world—and He did not leave us alone.  He has given the Holy Spirit to walk with you and help you.  If you know and love Jesus, your heart is the Holy Spirit’s home (John 14:15-17).

Romans 8:26-30 lists 3 ways the Holy Spirit specifically helps us in our weakness:

1. Prayer (Romans 8:26b-27)

In the midst of our weakness and suffering, God invites us to talk with Him.  Prayer is powerful, intimate connection with our Heavenly Father. 

In God’s incredible care for us, we are not held to the limitation of our words in prayer.  

Sometimes the struggles we face are so overwhelming, we don’t know what to say and all we can do is cry out.  God understands those cries.  He understands our unintelligible utterances—because the Holy Spirit takes those pleas and intercedes on our behalf with groanings too deep for words.  In other words, when our minds fail to bring a cogent thought, the Holy Spirit translates our hearts to God.  

We are fully known and fully covered by God.  He made us, He knows us and He doesn’t hold us to our limitations—He comes through with power to meet our needs and help us in weakness.

2. Purpose (Romans 8:28-29)

In times of weakness—when we might be tempted to question God—the Holy Spirit reminds us of a fundamental truth: God is sovereign, He is in control—and He has a purpose.  

As Romans 8:28 says, God works His purpose in all things… for His glory and the good of His people.  

The phrase “all things” ought to be of great comfort—it speaks to the scope of God’s reach and activity.  It means that there is no area, circumstance or hardship outside of God’s loving control and purpose.  

It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to remind you of this truth: You can trust your hardships to God’s loving and capable hands—because God specializes in turning ashes to beauty, tragedy to triumph and mourning to joy (Isaiah 61:1-3; Psalm 30:11-12).

Furthermore, Romans 8:29 tells us that God uses the circumstances in our lives to produce Jesus in us.  God works His purpose in our lives as we trust Him in trials—making us more like Jesus… with His joy, maturity, peace and fortitude.

3. Promise (Romans 8:30)

The last verse in this passage reveals a powerful promise that God has made to His children. 

30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

This is an incredible promise that the Holy Spirit wants to remind you of in times of weakness! 

God will not drop you or abandon you.  He will see you through to completion and you will be with Him forever in glory.

In fact, Paul is so certain of this promise that he uses the past tense for your future state of glorification with God (glorified! …not “will glorify”).  Even though he’s speaking into your present situation—that you are living in a world fraught with trouble—he speaks of your future in God’s presence as if it’s already happened!  It’s a done deal.  God will keep you.  He promises to be with you at peace forever (Revelation 21:1-5).

Summary

Romans 8:26-30 reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.  Our weakness is opportunity for God’s strength to shine.  As we press in to God’s provision in times of trouble we are met by a God that listens to us, is working all things for our good and His glory, and has secured our place with Him forever.

Commission

Have you sought God in your weakness?  Have you spent time before Him in prayer?  How might believing that God is using the circumstances in your life change your perspective?  Does remembering God’s promise to bring you to future glory change the way you live today?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

Waiting Patiently: Hope in God’s Plan- April 6, 2020

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Points to Ponder

Does the suffering and pain of this world weigh you down?  Have you ever looked at the world and felt it’s not the way it’s supposed to be?  Why doesn’t God do something about it?   How do we view suffering in light of God’s plan?  What posture does God want to grow in us in times of hardship?

Not as it Was

This is not the world as God created it.  God created in peace and called His creation very good (Genesis 1:31).

Suffering and disease (including COVID-19) was not part of God’s original creation, but came about and is a direct result of the Fall of Genesis 3.  The whole of God’s creation was brought under a curse when the pinnacle of God’s creation—humans made in His image—rebelled against God’s loving rule and chose their own way over His.  As a result, all of creation groans together to be released from the curse and set free from the bondage of corruption brought about by human rebellion against God (Romans 8:20-22).

Not as it Will Be

The good news is that even though this is not the world as God created it … it’s not the world that will be.  God is on a rescue plan to restore and reconcile the world.

Romans 8:18 makes it clear that the current sufferings of the present world are nothing in comparison to the future glory that God will bring about through his Son, Jesus Christ.

The current suffering of the world is not outside of God’s loving control.  Through Jesus Christ, God is redeeming creation and making all things new (2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Revelation 21:5).

A New Chapter

As you look at the sufferings of this world, remember that this is not the final chapter.  God has a plan to restore, redeem and bring about a new creation—and He is actively bringing that about through Jesus Christ!

If you are in Christ, God has made you His own and the Holy Spirit resides in you!  Romans 8:23 reminds us that the Holy Spirit in our lives is evidence that God is at work… and that He will continue that work to full fruition!  Just as the Holy Spirit made you alive in Christ and began a new creation in you, God will bring about a new creation in glory which you will be part of!

In other words, at the same time the curse holds all of creation captive—God is making a new creation by liberating human hearts in Jesus Christ.  Those made new in Jesus have the Spirit in them as firstfruits—a guarantee that the rest of the crop will come in.  The Holy Spirit in our lives is God’s promise that He will make all things new in Jesus Christ and bring about a new creation… a new heaven and earth where all enemies will be destroyed (sin, death, Satan) and there will be no more pain, suffering or tears (Revelation 21:4-5)—and we will live with Him at peace… forever.

Redeeming Agents

Since we know this is God’s plan and this is where things are heading, Paul exhorts us—in the midst of the pains of this world—to join creation in wait.  God’s people are not called to fear, but to patient endurance—waiting for God to carry out His plan and fulfill His promises (Romans 8:23-25).

At the same time, we’re invited to join God in His work.  Just as God is redeeming all things in Christ, God’s people are called to be redeeming agents.  Waiting on Christ, creating beauty and pointing people to Jesus for peace and restoration.

Commission

Do you trust in God’s plan?  Do you trust that God will redeem and make new?  Are you willing to wait with patience?  Do you believe God has a better plan than you do?  How might you be a redeeming agent in your world?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

God Will Keep You: Source & Supply- April 3, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.    

From where does my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord,    

who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;    

he who keeps you will not slumber.

4 Behold, he who keeps Israel    

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;    

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

6 The sun shall not strike you by day,    

nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;    

he will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep    

your going out and your coming in    

from this time forth and forevermore.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever questioned where God is in the midst of your troubles?  Does God care?  Does He offer real help?  Do I have to battle my obstacles in my own strength and resources?

A Story from the Psalms

Each year, the people of God would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate various feasts together.  Travelers would climb some 3,000 feet in elevation in roughly 15 miles.  Along the way, they would sing songs to prepare their hearts to worship the LORD together.  We have a collection of the songs they sung in Psalm 120-134, they are called Psalms of Ascent (as God’s people ascended to Jerusalem and prepared their hearts for worship).  

Psalm 121 is one of the songs God’s people sung as they climbed the mountains towards Jerusalem.

In the opening verse, the psalmist asks a question: “Where does my help come from?”  

Have you ever asked this question?  

As the psalmist asks this question, he is looking to the mountains.  It’s almost as if he’s surveying all of the resources in the created realm in order to find a solution for the problem he faces—and he’s come up empty.  The mountains provide a poor source of deliverance—he must look to the Creator of the mountains (v. 2).

As God’s people ascended the mountains to Jerusalem, they reminded themselves that even though they hadn’t arrived at their destination—God is with them and protecting them in the midst of the journey.  In other words, God is just as present in the middle of the journey as He is in the final destination.  God cares for us and He is there.

As we travel the road of life, it’s good to know that we are never outside of God’s protection, love and care.  He never sleeps, He never rests, He always keeps those who are His.

Source & Supply

The question is: What source do you turn to when you face overwhelming obstacles?  

As we face trials in life, our first response is often to search for a solution within our own strength and supply: What skills do I have to face this obstacle?  What resources are at my disposal?  Who do I know that can help?  How can I plan to weather this storm?  

The problem is that our human source and supply is limited.  We’re looking to created things for a solution instead of relying on the Creator of all things.

Even as I write this devotional, my computer’s battery up and died.   It was a stark reminder that source and supply matters (and the source of my computer’s supply had reached its end!).  Human resources are limited, but we have infinite supply in the eternal God.

Summary

Psalm 121 underlines God’s amazing, active care for us and teaches us that obstacles to us are not obstacles to God.  In reality, the obstacles we face are opportunities to trust God in His unwavering and steadfast lovingkindness.    

As Psalm 121:8 says:

“The Lord will keep                                    >> God’s care for you

your going out and your coming in      >> in ALL situations

from this time forth                                    >> at ALL times

and forevermore.”                                      >> for ALL eternity.

Commission

What source do you turn to when you face overwhelming obstacles?  Have you reached the end of your resources?  How might you trust God and His care in your life today?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor  

Prayer During COVID-19

What should I be praying for God to do in my heart during this time of Covid-19?

Just twenty-five days ago our economy was at its all-time high. We had the lowest unemployment rate in over 40 years and yes, the stock market was breaking records on a daily basis. However, in one short month our country is in a lock-down to an enemy we cannot see—COVID-19 virus. 

Adversity at times is hard to endure and can be even harder to understand. A question that many have is - Where is God in all this? The truth is: He is sitting on His throne! So, our primary response should be, “I will trust God” during these uncharted times. 

Scripture reminds us that God’s people are not immune to suffering and adversity. In fact, He tells us we will experience suffering and adversity in our present time, but it does not compare with the glory to be revealed at a later time (Romans 8:18). The honor and glory of God should be our main concern. So, how do we honor God through our prayers during this time? 

Prayer Enables Us to Always Give Thanks 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 

(1 Thes 5:18)

In this verse, Paul says to “give thanks in all circumstances.” We are to be thankful in good times and in bad times. As children of God we are to pray and give thanks for all things which demonstrates our dependency on God. The aim in giving thanks during difficult times is to learn more about God’s sovereignty, love and wisdom.

Paul encourages his readers in Philippians 4:6 with an exhortation, “do not be anxious about anything” because God is in control. But then immediately follows that with, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” God is in control, so there is no need to worry. At the same time, we are exhorted to pray in all circumstances by always giving thanks no matter what we are facing. 

Prayer Embraces the Sovereignty of God 

If God is not sovereign, we have no assurance that He is able to answer our prayers. But that is not the case! Our prayers to God honor and glorify Him as we learn to trust in Him. God teaches us through adversity to rely on him instead of ourselves, our jobs, or even the government. Like Paul, we are to always give thanks to God in all circumstances. 

“If we trust Him to work in all circumstances – including COVID-19 - for our good, then we should also give Him thanks in all circumstances”

Are you trusting God?

Are you thanking God in all circumstances? 

May you pray with these things in mind!

Pastor Jeff Tritt

Navigating Trials: God’s Promise to Deliver- April 1, 2020

Scripture Verses: 

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. –Hebrews 13:8

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. –2 Timothy 4:18

Points to Ponder

Have you ever considered God’s character and promises in the face of your trials?

Too often, God’s people go through trials in a frantic frenzy.  It’s as if we forget who He is and what He’s promised us.

Response vs. Reaction

In the face of trials God’s people are called to respond, not react.  We respond according to who God is, what He’s done and what He’s promised.  That is what dictates our response, He is our anchor.  We don’t offer knee-jerk reactions and frantic frenzies … we rest in God’s person and promises.

Past vs. Present

We rightly and easily look back to praise God for the victories He has won in our past.  Yet, we can also look at our present unresolved circumstances as future victories.  We do this first, by remembering God’s past love and faithfulness in our lives; and second, by trusting God with our future.  

Victorious Living

For God’s children, there are only victories in Christ or future victories in Christ.  

With this in mind, we can look confidently to our future knowing it is secure in God’s person (Hebrews 13:8) and promises (Romans 8:28).

God’s people are called to trust God and praise Him ahead of time for how He will care for us and deliver us in each fresh situation (2 Timothy 4:18).

Commission

What trials do you currently face?  Have you considered God’s character (love, power, goodness, etc.) in the midst of your trials?  How is God calling you to faithfully respond to your trials?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

A Stone of Help: Sharing Stories of God’s Activity- March 30, 2020

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:7-13

7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.

12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

Points to Ponder

Have you ever faced overwhelming odds?  The circumstances and odds we face are common to humanity: health concerns, financial strain, relational issues, etc.  What are the obstacles you face today?  Do you believe that God is sufficient to help in your point of need?

A Story from Israel

In 1 Samuel 7:7-13 the children of God faced an overwhelming obstacle in the Philistines.  The Philistines had defeated them several times before, killed thousands of them in battle and were seemingly coming to finish the job.  Humanly speaking, Israel did not see a way out or a way around defeat.  It was at this time that Israel placed their trust in the Lord and cried out to Him.  God answered their prayers and miraculously delivered them from the Philistines!  

Building an Ebenezer: A Stone of Help

Immediately following, Israel set up an Ebenezer (literally, “a stone of help”) to remind them of God’s faithfulness and the victory He won for them against the Philistines.  An Ebenezer is a reminder of God’s faithful love and activity in the lives of His children.

God calls His children to remember His faithfulness, anticipate His faithful activity and share this hope with others.  As we share stories of God’s loving activity in our lives we create verbal Ebenezers that declare God’s glory, His activity in the world and His love for humanity.

Telling the Story [RISC: Reflect. Identify. Share. Celebrate]

• REFLECT: How is God at work in your life?

Key—Where are the points of tension (either relief or stress)?

• IDENTIFY: “I see God moving or working here” (even if unresolved).

• SHARE: Tell others how God is at work (both those in Christ and not-yet in Christ).

• CELEBRATE: Worship God for His faithfulness!

Sharing stories of God’s faithful activity in your life is powerful Individually, Corporately, and Evangelistically:

•  Individually it reminds God’s child of His faithful love while giving courage to press on and praise Him in all seasons and circumstances.

•   Corporately it forms a community of people who remember God’s love, anxiously anticipate His activity and actively show His love to others.

•  Evangelistically these stories point people to Jesus Christ as the source of life-giving transformation.

Commission

What obstacles are you currently facing?  Have you stopped to remember God’s faithful love and activity in your life?  How can you share the hope of Jesus with others as you trust God in the midst of your trials?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor

With Us & For Us: Triumph in Turbulence- March 27, 2020

Scripture: Psalm 46:6-7, 10-11

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;    

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;    

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.   

I will be exalted among the nations,    

I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;    

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Points to Ponder

What comfort does God give in the midst of crisis?  How can a season of restlessness on earth be used for God’s purposes?  Can God use a trusting response for His glory and our good?

Stability in the Midst of Instability

Imagine a child learning to ride a bike.  As the bicycle moves along, the youngster is wide-eyed and all worked up in a tizzy.  Meanwhile, dad holds the back of the seat solidly in his hand.

This image pops into my mind as I consider how God might view the people of earth.

Psalm 46 tells us the nations rage and the kingdoms totter (v. 6a).  Yet, while the people of earth are caught up in crisis, God is at rest.  He utters His voice and the earth melts (v. 6b).  God is in complete, sovereign control over His creation.  His hand is on the back of the seat.

With Us and For Us

Twice in Psalm 46, the psalmist reminds us, “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”  In the midst of world-wide crisis, these are the foundational words the psalmist fixes our eyes on.

What comfort do you have in the midst of crisis?  God is with you and God is for you.

The psalmist wants you to know that the LORD of hosts is with His people.

“LORD of hosts” is a term that underlines God’s position and power.  Meaning, that all angelic armies are under His command.  Moreover, God is ruler over every power under heaven and earth—showcasing God’s complete sovereign rule and reign over all.

In addition, by using the term “God of Jacob,” the psalmist wants to remind you that this powerful God (who is with you!) has made irrevocable promises that are a fortress of protection to His people. 

No matter what chaotic climate we find ourselves in, we are reminded that God is on the throne: He is in control, He reigns supreme and He is our fortress.

Worship Response to God’s Person and Promise

In light of God’s person (LORD of hosts) and promise (God of Jacob), the psalmist gives us a command in verse 10: Be still, and know that I am God.

When the world gets worked up in a tizzy, God’s people remain calm in crisis—resting in the person and promises of God.  As the world spins in anxious toil, God’s people tell a different story—rest in the midst of restlessness, peace in midst of peril.

The Result of Trusting God

As God’s people obediently rest in the fortress of the Almighty God (v. 10a), His love and power are put on powerful display in the world (v. 10b).  God is exalted in the nations and exalted in all the earth as His people on earth rest in His powerful name.

As Oswald Chambers wrote, “God expects His children to be so confident in Him that in any crisis they are the reliable ones.” 

The covenant making and keeping God is with His people and for His people—and their confidence in Him shines His glory in all the earth.

Commission

What does your response to crisis say who God is?  Has anxiousness clouded your perspective?  In what areas might you need to rest in God’s person and promises?  How can your response shine God’s glory in crisis?

Pastor Bret Martin, KNOW Pastor