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What is God Saying to me?
10
Apr '20
Empty Tomb – Easter Reflections
10
Apr '20
 When I think of the empty tomb, I think of a God who is faithful, a God who is powerful, who is willing and who is present.
I’ve taken the changes caused by COVID-19 in stride. I looked at the extra family time as a blessing and I’ve fully enjoyed having my kids home. I felt confident that God was going to use this time to strengthen our family, our church and our community. We’ve been good… Until recently. Over the weekend I felt irritated and anxious. I couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy and the unknown seemed to loom over me. I pushed through and stayed busy. By Wednesday I felt like I hit a brick wall. My heart felt extremely heavy for those suffering, for those who were living in fear. I felt helpless, overwhelmed and depleted. I thought of Easter, always a special and sacred holiday for our family, and a wave of guilt washed over me. I didn’t feel ready or excited, I felt numb to it all. This isn’t the first time I felt this way. I knew what to do. It’s the only thing I know to do that always shines light on the deepest, darkest parts of my heart. I worshiped. I thanked Him for who He was and I held my hands out in surrender, knowing He was there in the middle of the chaos and darkness just waiting for me to acknowledge His presence.
The tomb is empty. He is faithful, He is powerful, He is willing and He is present.
Just a couple hours later I was asked to write a blog post. Just some thoughts on Easter. Ha. I smiled as I responded because isn’t that just like God? Isn’t it like God to want to use us at our weakest. He is a good God who is always reminding me to look up and to enter into His presence where I’ll find peace and abundant life. He is willing to intervene on our behalf but are we willing to let Him? Are we willing to surrender our worry, our pride, our selfishness, our laziness and replace it with praise and thankfulness? Are we willing to give Him our time, our effort, our fears? He’s willing to meet us. He’s so willing and so faithful. He never gives up on us. He is always working and I’m always learning. When I let go, He steps in.
The tomb is empty. He is faithful, He is powerful, He is willing and He is present.
For many reasons, this Easter will be like no other. I suddenly feel an urgency to celebrate who God is and all that He has done for me. I’m expectant and my heart feels ready. This Easter already feels special and sacred. I’m thankful for a God who calls us deeper- He calls us out- He draws us close. And He continues to remind us that-
The tomb is empty! He is faithful, He is powerful, He is willing and He is present.
May God bless you all this Easter season. Wendy Meleshchuk |
09
Apr '20
He is still working – Easter Reflections
09
Apr '20
He is still working“Look among the nations and watch—
Be utterly astounded!
For I will work a work in your days
Which you would not believe, though it were told you.”1
This reply from the Lord to the prophet Habakkuk was a word of comfort. Scripture tells us that Habakkuk was burdened by what he was seeing happen to his people. Scholars are unsure the exact timing of when this book was written but believe it was written near the siege and fall of Jerusalem, 588 BC, when the people of Judah became captive under Babylon rule.
In the same way that the prophet Habakkuk may have felt surrounded by the enemy as they pillaged the walls of Jerusalem and overtook the city, we may also feel that we are surrounded by worries & concerns due to the effect of the coronavirus. While we may not understand why a loving God would permit for a virus to spread across nations, inflict pain and suffering, we can rest assured that God is still at work among us. His kindness and goodness behoove us to remain confident that He will use everything for good and to fulfill His intended purpose.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 2
My prayer for each of you this Easter season is to be filled in a new & special way in the strength and wisdom of God.
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” 3
In the strength and wisdom received from His hand, may we learn how to respond with the patient love of Christ to those around us in this difficult time. With the power of the Holy Spirit may we have the opportunity to lead others to a greater knowledge of God and the wonderful plans He has for them.
“For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.” 4
Heavenly Father as we approach this Easter season may we be reminded, in a new way, of your redemptive work on the cross and the promise found within the empty tomb. Through the obedient sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ, we can experience forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with the Father, and the gift of eternal life. Allow us to experience a restful peace that encourages us to be witnesses of your love. May we joy in the God of our salvation 5. In your precious name we pray, Amen.
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1 Habakkuk 1:5 NKJV
2 Romans 8:28 NKJV
3 II Thessalonians 3:5 NKJV
4 Habakkuk 2:14 NKJV
5 Habakkuk 3:18b NKJV
In Christ, Shawn Moshier
08
Apr '20
Worship – Easter Reflections
08
Apr '20
Worship –
I know that worship does not happen only under the perfect set of circumstances – namely in a church building, with a set of musicians, with the perfect set of songs. I know that. But, do I live as though I know that? Now that the “perfect” set of circumstances has been taken away from me have I found that I have set aside worship? To be picked up when we can once again worship together as a church family? For a minute I think I did.
Can you relate?
But…In His faithfulness God will not let me (or you) stay there. I feel Him stirring in my heart that there is more to learn here. There is something powerful and true to be learned about worship individually , in isolation.
Can we go on this individual journey together? God has linked us together as a body – a church family made up of precious individuals walking together in the same direction. Each voice to be developed and honed intimately in the secret place. Then, brought together powerfully and corporately to break the strongholds of darkness.
First things first… Where are my eyes? Where am I oriented?
God brought me to 2 Chronicles 20 this morning. The story of King Jehoshaphat, a man intent on God’s commands and endeavoring to lead his people in the truth of the Word. A great army – greater than any the people of Judah could withstand – was marching against them. When word came to the King he “resolved to inquire of the Lord”. He gathered the kingdom together in fasting, stood up in the assembly and began to pray. His prayer is an example of proper orientation:
First, he proclaimed Who God is “Power and might are in Your hand, no one can withstand You” Second, he proclaimed what God had done “You drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and gave it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend”.
Third, he brought his request to the Lord “now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Sier… coming to drive us out of the possession YOU gave us as inheritance.
Finally – He said “Our God , will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
God brings about a great victory – through no effort on their part. ( If you get a chance read this chapter)
The key was where they placed their eyes (their hopes, their answer, their deliverance).
Right now, perhaps more than ever, there are loud competing voices to capture your eyes, to turn your heart toward fear and isolation. The key to worshiping is to first and foremost stay oriented on the Creator and Lover of your soul. He has the answers and alone holds the victory. As we everyday orient our hearts on Who He is and What He has done, bring our requests and then keep our eyes on Him we will find that place of worship.
Set your heart on Him and Who He is and worship will naturally flow from your heart.
Let’s endeavor to do this together in the coming weeks. Let God hone your heart as He reveals more and more of Who He is… as your eyes stay on Him. Here is a song that was shared with me. I pray it helps you to be still and and know – to focus your eyes on the One.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d-BlfWp280
In Love….. Eliza Zehr
19
Apr '19
Confident in Him
19
Apr '19
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalms 27:14 NKJV“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalms 31:24 NKJV
The Psalmist, David, penned these verses while on the run from the efforts of King Saul to kill him. David relied on the inherent belief underpinning his life that God was good and that there was a future hope in relationship with Him.
For those that live on the other side of the river (e.g., New Bremen, Beaver Falls, Croghan, Belfort) regions of Lewis County we have recently had a wrench tossed into our normal travel plans if we seek to go to Lowville or points further south in the county. The NYS Department of Transportation has recently closed State Route 812 near Dadville due a culvert that requires replacement. I believe this came as a surprise to many residents—at least to me it was—as it appeared to be a sudden announcement and corresponding road closure. However, we can have confidence in the engineers from the state that examined the culvert and made the assessment that it is no longer safe for vehicles to pass over that section of road. The state has lost confidence in the existing structure to keep the road safe for passing motorists and will replace the culvert and rebuild the road. In a few short months we will be able to travel with confidence over that portion of road once again.
Pastor Matt presented in a recent message on March 17th entitled, “Committed to Goodness, Part 2” the seven traits that define the goodness of God. These seven traits are listed below:
Mercy Gracious Long-suffering (Patient) Abounds in goodness & truth (Love) Faithful (keeps mercy for thousands) Forgiveness Justice (Holy)
These traits are referenced in Exodus 34:5-8.
David knew that he could rest assured and wait on the Lord because of His prior faithfulness to rescue Him in times of trouble. When David shepherded His families’ flock of sheep He was able to fend off lion and bear with the strength of the Lord on His side. The demonstrations of God’s past faithfulness provided David confidence to face his current situations and have courage for the present day and a hope for tomorrow.
So, it should be with us today we may be facing or have recently faced a trial or tribulation that has diminished our strength, confidence, and hope. May we be recharged in the promise that Christ reigned triumphant over death and reigns today. He has gone before us, but is also with us, by our side, in our present situation. We may struggle with the outcome of a particular life event, and the human emotions correlated; and in the midst of the struggle question how a good Father can allow a specific outcome. In spite of the struggle His goodness overpowers. We can remain confident that His ways and His plans are so much higher than we can fathom and trust in His perfect discretion.
In II Timothy 2:11-13 we have the following Scripture, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
As we approach the Easter season this year we have the opportunity to reflect upon the ultimate example of courage and the long obedience in the same direction that the Son, Jesus Christ, exemplified. He was obedient to the plans of the Father, even unto death on a cross. This discipline of obedience and love for the sake of the world paved the only way to salvation and reconciliation with the Father. The Father glorified this obedience and raised His son from death to life so that He could overcome death and complete the circuit back to the Father where He now sits at the right hand of the Father.
My prayer as we celebrate and commemorate this Easter is that we, individually and corporately, experience renewed confidence through the salvation work of the Son and the overwhelming goodness of God to empower us with courage for today and hope for tomorrow. While we wait, the miracle is in motion. In closing, please see below for the lyrics from the song ‘Confident’ by Stephanie Gretzinger
You’re always moving in the unseen
The breath You exhale sustaining me
Before I call, You know my need
You’re always going before me
I’m confident Your faithfulness will see me through
My soul can rest, my righteousness is found in You
With every moment left, in every borrowed breath, let this be true
That all my heart, for all my life, belongs to You
Your laughter scatters my enemies
You give me joy for my mourning
You lift my head so I can see
All of heaven surrounding me
I’m confident Your faithfulness will see me through
My soul can rest, my righteousness is found in You
With every moment left, in every borrowed breath, let this be true
That all my heart, for all my life, belongs to You
I won’t win this battle with the strength in my own hands
You’re the mountain-mover and only You can
I won’t build my life on sinking sand
You’re my hope forever, the rock where I stand
I won’t win this battle with the strength in my own hands
You’re the mountain-mover and only You can
I won’t build my life on sinking sand
You’re my hope forever, the rock where I stand!
The rock where I stand!
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
I’m confident Your faithfulness will see me through
My soul can rest, my righteousness is found in You
With every moment left, in every borrowed breath, let this be true
That all my heart, for all my life, belongs to You