Are We Ready?
 
April 8, 2024 could be just a normal    Monday. I could get up and go to work; put away my Sunday worship materials and start on the next Sunday’s sermon and service; attend choir rehearsal and two evening meetings; and at the end of the day, go back to bed. Seems like a pretty standard Monday, but this one will be a bit different. With the great eclipse of 2024, people are saying we need to get ready and prepare for an unusual day. 

Because of the distance of the moon from Earth, this eclipse will be longer and   darker than the last eclipse in 2017. The next eclipse in the United States will be 2044 (according to NASA). This will be an exciting day. I am hoping I will be able to see this momentous event in the        heavens. I suspect it will feel a bit eerie – like the darkness before a threatening storm or when the power goes out on a snowy winter night.

Between buying solar eclipse glasses,  paying for travel, and lodging, arranging for extra security, and spending extra for specialized advertising, individuals, cities, and businesses are shelling out thousands of dollars to ensure they are prepared for this day. I am in awe of what our society is willing to invest in a natural event and the hope of  benefiting from this day.

This eclipse is certainly rare, and it will be exciting to see, but the exhilaration that an eclipse creates is not new. Through the prophet Joel, God said that there will be a day when the sun will go dark and the moon will appear red like blood. This will happen before the great day of the LORD. But do not worry, God says he will save those who call on him (Joel 2:31-32). Jesus then quotes this passage in Matthew 24:29 when   speaking to his disciples about the signs of the end times. He lets them know that these things must happen and even when heaven and earth pass away, he – God’s Word – will never cease to exist. When I think of an eclipse and the      unnatural midday darkness, it brings me back to Jesus on the cross. Matthew 27:45 tells us that a darkness fell at about three in the afternoon, just as  Jesus was dying. I can hardly imagine what those around the cross felt in that moment.

I have heard theories and explanations about how some people believe this eclipse is a sign of the end times or God’s punishment on the US. Because of the anomalies of the coming eclipse on April 8, some believe it will surely bring in the rapture – the return of Christ Jesus and the raising of the church to heaven. I, however, cannot say that is the case. The same chapter of Matthew, noted above, says that nobody knows when the last day will take place. Although I find this fascinating, I tend to watch natural events unfold with great interest and anticipation for the glory and power of God to be revealed. Psalm 19:1 expresses that God’s glory sings from the heavens and God’s works are announced in the sky.

The talk about the eclipse, the preparations, the time, energy, and expense being invested, and the connection people are making to the end times just makes me wonder. What if we saw the glory of God in each day? What if we saw God’s handiwork in each worm and spider? What if we listened to God’s warnings now instead of fearing the punishment? What if we then used our resources to prepare for our eternal home? What if we reminded our friends and neighbors about Jesus as much as we are making sure they have their special glasses? What if we were focusing this same amount of attention on storing up our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20)? The ultimate question is: Will we be as ready for our final day on earth as we are for the eclipse?

Pastor Jenni Piatt
 

Looking for Spring

We are once again in that time of year where we are tired of being cold. We are worn out from the snow, shoveling, extra layers of clothes, high heating bills, and the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. We become weary and weak from the lack of sunshine, fresh air, and exercise.

It is interesting to me that sin has the same effect on us as the harsh winter. Our bodies become weak and our minds only seem to focus on finding relief. We get tired and weary from carrying the burden of our sin and our hearts become hard like the frozen ground.

There is a song that I have known since I was young, called “Bring Back the Springtime.” The chorus says, “Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime. Take away the cold and dark of sin. O return to me sweet Holy Spirit. May I warm and tender be again.”

As we move through the end of winter and into spring, let us remember that God promises to forgive our sin and take them away so that they will never be remembered. As we dream of green leaves on the trees and warm sunshine on our face, let us look to the Son of God (Jesus) to warm and soften our hearts. Just as the month of March moves us from cold and frozen to new life, let us use the time of Lent to move from sinful hearts of stone to soft hearts filled with the Love of God.
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Pastor Jenni Piatt
 

The Privilege of Prayer

Prayer is the first and best place to start.  So, in the spirit of that, let’s pray: “Lord, guide me as I write about prayer. Give fresh insight to those who read this. May we all take amazing strides forward in prayer as a result. Teach us to pray. In the matchless name of   Jesus. Amen.”

The Call to Prayer: Colossians 4:2 tells us, “Devote yourselves to prayer…”

 I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying.”  Isn’t that enough?  Let us declare 2024 is a year of prayer!

Why Pray? There are several practical reasons why we should pray. The Holy Scriptures are full of reasons why we should pray. Here are just of few: Genesis 18:20-33 lets us know that prayer     sometimes changes God’s mind. Here Abraham is praying for the people of  Sodom, asking God to change His mind about bringing down destruction. God did change His mind, but then Abraham stopped short of going all the way with his request. Therefore, Sodom was     destroyed.    Prayer changes attitudes and events. The people of Israel were rebellious.  God was angry and was going to destroy them. Moses interceded on their behalf.  God’s      attitude changed toward the people and He spared them. Nehemiah 1:5-11 demonstrates that prayer clarifies      purpose and direction.  Jesus makes it clear in Luke 10:2 that if the Kingdom of God and His Church on earth is going to grow, we must pray!  You may recall   Jesus told the disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the    harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Prayer brings us into a closer relationship with God (Psalm 5:         1-3). There is much more I could bring to you. In short, prayer puts us in touch with God and with ourselves. Prayer   results in the power of God being revealed. Prayer changes things!

When to Pray: We already noted I Thessalonians 5:17, “Never stop praying.”  But there are other times to pray. Pray when you’re anxious (Philippians 4:6). Pray when you have significant decisions to make (Luke 6:12, Jesus was preparing to select his disciples).  Pray when you are tempted (Matthew 26:40-41). Pray when you or someone else needs healing or help (James 5:13-15). Again, there are many more examples to be found in Scripture.

How to Pray: I think the most well-known model for prayer that we find in the Bible comes from Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. We know it as “The Lord’s Prayer.” Again, I think Jesus gave this as a model, rather than a rote prayer.  Learning it by rote, though, gives us the basis for freely expressing our hearts to God.  Another less familiar and longer model of prayer is found in Acts 4:24-30. Another simple model for prayer that I have used often is A.C.T.S. of prayer:

· Adoration is the pinnacle of worship. In  adoration we are focused on God and all He is, i.e., holy, righteous, loving, just, gracious, worthy, all-powerful, all-knowing, etc.      Romans 12:1  reminds us, “Brothers and  sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I  encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,    dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you.”

· Confession is a necessary part of effective prayer. It is agreeing with God about our actions / inactions. James (5:16) writes, “So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed.    Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective.”

· Thanksgiving is given to God for who He is, what He has done for us, etc. Paul writes (Colossians 2:7), “Sink your roots in him and build on him. Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught, and overflow with thanksgiving.”

· Supplication is asking for God’s help. It    requires humility on our part. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and     request (supplication) there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request (supplication) for all of God’s people.”

Now Pray!
1. Pray for personal renewal, hunger for God and His Word.
2. Pray for a new openness to the Holy  Spirit, signs and wonders.
3. Pray for a missional heart, longing to see others come to Christ.
4. Pray for a willingness to act, to be a part of what God is doing!
5. Pray, pray, pray!
 
God’s mercy and grace be extended to and through you!
Pastor Jenni Piatt
 

​Times Marches On!

I heard a friend comment about listening to the tick of the clock in an otherwise  silent house one night. He told me that each tick said, “You’re older, You’re older, You’re older!” The more he thought about this, the more depressed he became.    Finally, he removed the batteries and peace entered the home again.

As we celebrate the coming of the new year, it comes with mixed feelings. Even though we are excited about the coming year, we realize that we are another year older and we have no idea what is in store for the next 365 days. We can never go back to the good behind us and we do not know how many days we have ahead or the circumstances of the days that are  before us.

For many, the New Year symbolizes new hopes, dreams, and opportunities. Why then do many of us fall back into the same old ruts and patterns of the previous year? This year, let us say, with the Apostle Paul, “Since we have been raised with Christ, let us set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-2)”    Instead of setting resolutions about what we will do and will not do, let’s resolve to set our minds to things of God. In 2024, let us consider what God has done for us through Jesus Christ and change our thinking rather than just our doing.

“Be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).” Once our minds are transformed, our actions will follow. In this New Year, instead of filling our heads with things that we cannot fix (like getting older), things we cannot change (by worry), are not helpful (critical or negative thoughts), and are not healthy (violent or offensive images and ideas). Let us think about things that are good, true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. If anything is   excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things (Philippians 4:8).

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Pastor Jenni Piatt