Pastor’s Note 05/05/22
The National Day of Prayer is on Thursday, May 5 and there are plenty of things to pray about for our nation and for the world. There are also a number of situations that people connected to our church are going through, situations that are really, really hard. When I consider the list of things to pray for that runs through my mind, I get a bit overwhelmed. It is hard to process it all.
But Jesus calls us to pray. In the midst of the trouble that we face, we are to pray. We ask God for healing. We ask God for wisdom. We ask God for peace. In the midst of the desperate circumstances, we cry out. We need Christ.
Our faith gives us an opportunity, even in the midst of the worst of times, to remember that in Christ, we can have victory. Jesus said in John 16:33 that “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The story of Easter is that Jesus has conquered it all! What seemed like the worst of all situations was overcome by Jesus. That is what motivates us to pray. In the midst of all of the bad news, the good news of the gospel propels us to pray.
Pastor’s Note 04/21/22
“1-4 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him.
His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.
5-6 The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as He said. Come and look at the place where He was placed.
7 “Now, get on your way quickly and tell His disciples,
‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see Him there.’ That’s the message.”
8-10 The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” He said. They fell to their knees, embraced His feet, and worshiped Him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell My brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”
(Matthew 28:1-10) Eugene Peterson, The Message
Easter changes everything! What seemed like the end became a beginning. What was a death became a new life!
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead means that there is no reason to despair. There is hope. There is always hope.
You and I will hear about bad news. We may experience times where we are frightened and confused but in Christ, there is always hope.
Christ’s resurrection gives us hope in any situation. It reminds us that even in death, there is hope because He is alive.
I liked what our MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) Mission Partner, Linda Ringenberg wrote in her recent blog post. (You can read her blog here: https://lindaringenberg.com/2022/04/21/never-alone/) She was reminded that we are never alone. In all of life’s circumstances, in situations where we feel like there is no hope, Christ’s resurrection reminds us that we are never alone. He is risen from the dead. He is alive. He is with us.
Know that I am praying for you.