A Better Country

in

Suspended between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Saturday is a good metaphor for how we live in the now and the not yet of our faith. The good news is that we live with the assurance that Jesus has prepared for us a city.

That is Megan's promise as she serves in a difficult country.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. There God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16

Steve and Teri Pardue take heart that God is a God of all grace, even in suffering.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. I Peter 5:10

Fasting before Feasting

in

In some church traditions, Good Friday is a day of fasting and confession. It's a quiet, reflective day before the glorious abundance of Resurrection Sunday.

Today, reflect on these truths from God's Word . .  . and Easter is coming.

From Steve and Karis Rigby, who serve in Kenya, where terrorists killed close to 150 students and police at a university in the north east part of the country.

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says, "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust in your strength. Isaiah 30:15a

From Josh and Kristi--the greatest truth of all.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

Give Peace a Chance

in

The pace intensifies as Jesus enters the last few days of his life on earth. He eats his last Passover meal with his disciples and announces both a betrayal and a denial. The disciples' anxiety levels had probably reached an all-time high.

And then Jesus declares, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." (John 14:1) and promises to give them his peace, not the world's peace.

Jesus gives this same promise of peace today to troubled hearts and a troubled world.

A promise of perfect peace for Judy Frey
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:3-4

A promise of strong support for Jim and Lynette Hatcher
. . . the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely his. 2 Chronicles 16:9a
 

 

Midway through Holy Week

in

Angry, distressed, troubled, sorrowful . . . sounds like us, doesn't it?

It also sounds like Jesus as he cleansed the temple, stayed awake all night in the garden and prayed, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me." (Mark 14:36) But Jesus submitted to the Father's will and entrusted himself to the one who does not grow tired or weary.

Luke and Shannon have followed God to a hard place for ministry, but they take heart in the promise of the everlasting God, Creator of the ends of the earth.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Isaiah 40:28)

For His Sake

in

Jesus had to go to the cross alone. But as the writer of Hebrews said, Jesus, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Our gospel sacrifice for his sake will be worth it . . . now--and then.

Eric and Sara Channing have been willing to follow Jesus at all costs.
Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not fail to receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:29-30

Instructions Included

in

As we try to make sense of unsettling global events, take heart this Holy Week and walk with confidence because God counsels you with his very eye upon you.

A promise for instruction (Phil and Ann Baur, Anita Deyneka)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

A promise for wisdom (Janet Blomberg)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

Sheep Who Follow

in

Tim and Carol were part of the China Study Team, and now they are following Jesus for the long haul. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, renew your commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28