Month: August 2023

Paul Preaching Jesus

Theme Week: Review of Paul – Acts 26

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes Intro (below)

Poetry: Psalm 49

            In the Movie, Forrest Gump, the titular character, Forrest Gump, met three different Presidents in the Oval office.  First, he met President Kennedy while a member of the All-American football team. He later met President Johnson to receive the Medal of Honor. Finally, he met President Nixon to receive an award for player of the year while on the national Table Tennis team.  Of course this was all fiction, but wouldn’t it be kind of cool to actually be invited to meet the president?

            As we review Paul this week, today we read in Acts 26 that Paul was given a chance to meet, not the president, but the King.  Paul appears before King Agrippa.  The back story is interesting and you can read about it in Acts 21-26.  Here’s the Cliff Notes version:  Paul came back to Jerusalem after his third missionary tour, he was accompanied by several people including some Gentile believers in Jesus.  Paul went to the Temple to offer a sacrifice of purification (he was still Jewish and did not want to be offensive to his fellow Jews).  The Jews who opposed Paul for being a Christian used this event as a chance to try to get rid of Paul and falsely accused him of bringing a Gentile into the temple.  Paul was arrested and given multiple trials in several different locations.  This gave him a chance to keep giving his testimony and preaching Jesus Christ in all kinds of high places including before the Jewish ruling court, the Roman Governor, the King of Israel and Paul hoped to ultimately be sent to Rome where he could preach the good news of Jesus Christ to Caesar. 

In today’s reading Paul is on trial before King Agrippa, but he’s using this as an opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to the King.  It’s no small irony that in trying to silence Paul and prevent him from preaching Jesus Christ, his enemies actually gave him a huge platform to preach Jesus Christ.

This reading is helpful in that it shows us an example of how Paul preached Jesus Christ.  He begins by drawing a point of connection between himself and his audience.  He begins by talking about those points that he and King Agrippa both have in common.  He shows respect to Agrippa.  I think this is so important, especially in today’s world where people are so divided and confrontational.  The person of God who seeks to share Christ should treat others with respect.  The only difference between you and an unbeliever is faith.  You may be the first one who is proclaiming Jesus Christ to another.  Don’t demean or put down your audience.  Show them respect.  Honor what truth they already have, even if it isn’t all the truth that you have.  Try to find areas where you can connect with them.  Attempt to build a bridge and not a wall.

Paul talks about his credentials as a faithful Jew who followed the Torah all his life.  He claims his past and who he was, and then he shares how God has brought something new into his life through faith in Jesus Christ.

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. What key points can be learned from Paul about how to preach Jesus Christ? Of those you list which is an area you you could use some experience or refinement?
  2. How well do you show respect to unbelievers? Why is it important? What happens when we don’t?
  3. How are your bridge-building skills? Think of a specific unbeliever you would like to have a conversation with about Jesus. How can you show them respect? What do you have in common already? What pieces of truth might they have that you can acknowledge? Why do they need Jesus? Why do they need you to tell them?
  4. Where has God placed you to share about His Son?

Ecclesiastes Introduction

Solomon (the teacher), the son of David wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to probe the meaning of life.  Solomon attempted to find fulfillment in every pleasure he could imagine – only to find that everything was meaningless.  He then pursued accomplishments, and found that they were meaningless as well.  In fact, without God, everything is utterly meaningless.

Most of the book is pretty depressing until we get to chapter 12, where Solomon finally revealed his insights in verses 13 and 14, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.   For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

-Steve Mattison

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Saying Goodbye

Theme Week: Paul in Review: Acts 20

Old Testament: Job 40-42

Poetry: Psalm 48

            Goodbyes are hard.  This week I gathered with a lot of people that I love.  First at General Conference in Oregon, IL.  I was gathered for 3 days with people that I love.  Some are my biological family- My Mother, sisters, brother-in-law, uncle, cousins, sons and daughters, and sons and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. My wife was also there, while not biologically related she is my family and the one I love most in this world.  Then there were friends, fellow members of the Church, pastors, and other. Colleagues, people I’ve met through years of ministry.  Some I’ve known for over 40 years and they are part of my extended Church family that I love as brothers and sisters.  At the end of our conference, it was time to say goodbye.  I hope to see all of them again, but realistically, some of them I may never see again in this age and that makes me sad.

            Right after the conference we had another gathering, a family gathering to celebrate my mother’s 90th birthday.  We had family come from across the US and across the world including my daughter from Germany and niece from New Zealand.  I saw cousins I had not seen in over 40 years and met their grandchildren.  We had a wonderful celebration.  But then we had to say goodbye as we all left to return to our various homes.  It will be months and years and possibly for some we will never see each other again in this age, and that makes me sad.

            What if you knew you would never see a group of people that you love again?  What would you be thinking about and wanting to say as you said goodbye to them?

            In Acts 20 the Apostle Paul is saying goodbye to a group of leaders from a Church he helped build in Ephesus.  He had spent three years of his life teaching, baptizing, training, encouraging, and correcting these people.  He loved them as brothers and sisters.  God had revealed to Paul that he would never see these people again in this age, and that made him sad.  As he said goodbye to them he gives us some insight into what things were important to him and how he had lived when he was with them and encouraged them to continue in the faith.

            Paul reminded them, and us, how he served the Lord.  Paul had been religious all of his life.  He was an observant Jew who faithfully abided by all ceremonial and purification rituals of the Jewish faith.  He was a descendant of Abraham through Jacob and a meticulous observer of the Torah, which is the Old Testament Covenant Practices.  Yet all those things didn’t get him to where he truly wanted and needed to be.  Something was missing.  That something, as it turned out, was a relationship with God as His father that was given as a gift of grace through entering into a covenant with God by faith in Jesus Christ.  Out of that new relationship with God through grace by faith in Jesus Christ came Paul’s understanding of himself and his mission.  Everything he did was in service to the Lord.

            Paul served with humility.  He knew that his call and commissioning did not originate with him and was not based on his merit but on God’s grace.  While he was not shy about claiming and using his authority as one sent by God (an apostle) Paul used that authority humbly.

            Paul did not serve God at a distance.  He was down in the front lines of battle where the true spiritual warfare was taking place.  Paul was often harmed both emotionally and physically.  He reminds his hearers that he served them with tears and trials.

            Paul discipled them by teaching a total way of life in Jesus Christ.  His teaching was not detached and theoretical, but practical.  Paul says that he taught anything profitable (vs. 20 ESV). Paul taught the whole counsel of God (vs.27). He didn’t just talk about a few narrow subjects that were most important to him.  For Paul following Jesus Christ impacts every area of your life.  There is no sacred vs. secular, religious vs. non-religious.  Jesus Christ is just as much a part of your schooling, your job, your friendships,  your marriage, your family, and your sex life as he is part of what you do at 11:00 on Sunday Mornings.

            Paul carried out his service for Christ in both public and personal spaces.  Whether he was in a large, organized group or in someone’s private home with one or two persons, Paul was about his mission.  In those spaces Paul emphasized the importance of repentance (turning away from sin and turning toward Jesus Christ as Lord), Paul emphasized faith as a way to access Jesus Christ.

            Paul placed his whole person into his service.  He was passionate in offering admonishment (correction) with tears. (Vs. 31).  Training others in following Jesus Christ includes a lot of encouragement and positive reinforcement, but it also includes the hard work of correcting both incorrect beliefs and behaviors.  Paul elsewhere talks about “speaking the truth in love.”  There is a loving way to speak even hard and corrective truth, but it is hard work and Paul did not shy away from hard work.  Paul reminded them of the many ways that he worked hard among them.

            Paul concludes his parting words by showing the value of working hard to help the weak.  The Christian’s job is not to shame the weak or guilt the weak, it’s not to judge the weak or berate the weak, but to help the weak.  This requires a great deal of altruistic love and willingness to patiently and sacrificially give.  Paul concludes with a reminder of Jesus’ own words on the value of giving over receiving. (Vs. 35).

            At the end of this passionate reminder of his life and teaching among them, they are all in tears as Paul gets down on his knees with them and prays.

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions

  1. If you were preparing to say goodbye to your brothers and sisters in Christ, what would you want to make sure they heard from you?
  2. What are you most impressed with what Paul shares with the Ephesians?
  3. What do you think Paul might say to your church if he was saying goodbye to you instead of the Ephesians?
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Equal

Old Testament: Job 38-39

Poetry: Psalm 47

*New Testament: Philemon 1


Lots of times it feels like people are just trying to find something that makes them better than others, whether it is the color of their skin, their ethnicity, their gender, etc.  You can always find someone who is trying to prove how much better they are.  They may be trying to use it as a reason for being better at their job, having better opportunities, or anything else.  But, these differences don’t matter, if you are in Christ.


Philemon 15-16 says, “For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”  Onesimus was Philemon’s slave.  Philemon could have easily held it over Onesimus as a reason why he was better than him.  But, Paul tells Philemon that he should receive Onesimus not as a slave, but as a brother.  Paul is saying that there is no reason for Philemon to try to prove he is better than Onesimus, anymore.  They should now be equals, as brothers in the family of God.


Galatians 3:26-29 says, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”  This doesn’t just apply to Philemon’s and Onesimus’ case; it applies to all of us.  Once we are baptized into Christ, there is no one better than another.  We are all part of the family of God and so are equal.


1 Corinthians 12:21-25 says, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you; or again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”  Now that we are in Christ, we cannot be arguing over who is better or more needed.  We are all equals and necessary to do God’s work.  As equals, then, work to raise each other up so that others will not feel lesser and will instead feel equal, putting them before yourself.

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you a part of the body of Christ? If so, how does that affect how you view yourself and others?
  2. Is there any part of the body that you have been viewing incorrectly – as “less than” yourself?
  3. This week, how can you demonstrate care for others in the body of Christ?
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Why We Don’t (or Don’t Need to) Fear

Old Testament: Job 35-37

*Poetry: Psalm 46

New Testament: Philemon Intro, see below


Throughout the Bible, the phrases “do not be afraid” and “do not fear” are repeated over and over.  This phrase is first used in Genesis 15:1, which says, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.’”  The last time the Bible says this is in Revelation 2:10, which says, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”


In Psalm 46, we are given the reason why we should not fear.  Verse 1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”  Psalm 46 says this is the reason we will not fear.  When God is our refuge and strength, nothing can defeat us.  As nothing is stronger than God, when our strength is God, nothing can overpower us.  Therefore, we should not fear anything.  Verses 2-3 continue to tell us that there is no reason to fear, even if the earth should change, the mountains fall into the sea, the oceans roar, and/or the mountains shake.


Further on in the psalm, it says, “The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.”  If you didn’t have enough reason to not fear from verse 1, these 3 verses give you even more reasons.  The God who is our stronghold has brought about desolations on the earth against those who have opposed Him.  He has stopped wars and defeated men and their weapons over and over again.  Therefore, there is no longer any reason to fear.  We need to trust in God as our refuge, strength, and stronghold.

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. What are your top five fears?
  2. How often does fear interfere with what you think God wants you to be doing or thinking?
  3. It’s easy to say, “Do not fear.” But harder to do. What are some practical daily steps you can take to help your brain overcome fear?
  4. How is God greater than all the things we fear?

Introduction to Philemon

The book of Philemon is Paul’s shortest letter that is included in our Bible.  Paul wrote it while in prison to his dear friend and fellow Christian, Philemon.

Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had run away, had come to Paul, and had helped Paul while he was in chains for the gospel.  While there, Onesimus became a believer.  This book is Paul’s letter to Philemon urging him to accept Onesimus back, not as a slave, but as a dear brother in Christ; asking that Philemon welcome Onesimus “as you would welcome me.”

This book shows Paul’s mastery of persuasion.  He started by praising Philemon, then laid out a logical argument for kindly accepting Onesimus back, followed by an emotional argument.  Ending with “Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.”  Not only was Paul an amazing missionary, he was a master strategist.

-Steve Mattison

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Hide and Seek

Old Testament: Job 32-34

Poetry: Psalm 45

New Testament: Titus 3

Have you ever played Hide and Seek before?  In Hide and Seek, everyone tries to hide from one person, the seeker.  These players try to choose a spot that they will be the least likely to be found in, which normally ends up being in a dark or shadowed place, where it is harder to see clearly.  The seeker goes around trying to find everyone that is hiding.  They don’t know where anybody is hiding, but they may have guesses as they hear noises, see movement, etc.  But, have you ever considered playing Hide and Seek where the seeker just always knows exactly where you hid, no matter how creative it is?  


Real life is like that many times.  People choose to commit sins and try to hide them in the dark.  Everyone has times in their lives that they try to hide in the darkness and keep their sins to themselves, hoping nobody will ever know.  But, Job tells us that there is somebody who will always know.  Job 34:21-22 says, “For His eyes are upon the ways of  man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness or deep shadow Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.”  There is no place we could ever hide our sins that God will not see.  God can see into every dark and shadowed place that you try to play Hide and Seek in.


Isaiah 29:15 says, “Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the Lord, And whose deeds are done in a dark place, And they say, ‘Who sees us?’ or ‘Who knows us?’”  Hiding what you are doing in the dark will not lead to joy.  In the end, these things will lead to destruction and despair if you do not turn away from them.  Just like you cannot stay hidden forever in Hide and Seek, these deeds you do in the dark cannot stay hidden forever.  If you are hiding your sins in the dark, turn away from them and come into the light.  If you are not hiding anything in the dark, stand firm in the light and don’t let anything draw you into the darkness.


John 3:19-21:  “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. How much light are you living in right now? How much darkness?
  2. What steps/sins are you trying to hide from God? What works better?
  3. What does it mean to you that God sees everything?
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Who Gets the Credit?

Old Testament: Job 30-31

*Poetry: Psalm 44

New Testament: Titus 2


Most people love to claim credit for themselves on any project that went well.  They may choose to neglect telling others that there was a group working on the project, and instead claim all the credit for themselves.  They may acknowledge the fact that a couple other people helped them, but downplay their contributions to the project.  Very few people are going to say that they were part of a group who did something great and emphasize the other people’s contributions to the project.


In Psalm 44, the psalmist says that they heard from their fathers what God did in the past.  Their fathers could have easily claimed that they did it all with their own skill.  They could have claimed that they drove the people out and possessed the lands by their own power.  But, they didn’t.  Their fathers could have also easily said that God helped them some, but it was still mostly by their own efforts that they did these things.  But, they didn’t.  Instead, they said to the Lord their God, “You with Your own hand drove out the nations;  Then You planted them;  You afflicted the peoples,  Then You spread them abroad.  For by their own sword they did not possess the land,  And their own arm did not save them” (vs 2,3a).  They fully acknowledged that God was the one who did all the work.  Without God, they could not have done any of these things.


God also works in our lives, like He did in the fathers’ of the psalmist.  Most of the time He’s not driving out herds of people before us or possessing lands for us, but He’s still working to do something great in us and for us.  When God does something in your life, do you acknowledge that He did it and that it was not by your own strength?  When people ask about it, do you tell them it was fully by God that these things happened, or do you briefly acknowledge it but claim you did most of it?  We need to acknowledge that God did something great and that it was not by our own power.

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. Who do you most often give the credit to when something goes right in your life?
  2. For what events of your personal past can you give God glory? What did He do? What did He save you from? How did He show His strength, power and wisdom?
  3. How can you do a better job of giving God the credit and telling others (including children) what He has done for you? How can this help others, including the next generation?
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The Great Search

Old Testament: Job 28 & 29

Poetry: Psalm 43

New Testament: Titus 1


We all consider certain things to be impossible for us, whether or not it is impossible for others.  Some may consider painting a picture that looks nice impossible.  Others may think that building a house is impossible.  But, these things are not impossible for everyone.  We know that there are people we could call to help with these things.


In Job 28:1-11, Job describes a task that may be considered impossible by some people: the search for gold and silver.  Man searches endlessly for this gold and silver, where the birds have not seen it and the lions have not walked.  It seems almost impossible for the man to ever find these treasures he seeks.  Yet, the man keeps searching after it, not giving up.  At the end of this section, we see that the man finds the hidden treasures and brings them forth into the light.  This task wasn’t impossible.  It wasn’t even the hardest task that man could seek to achieve.


In Job 28:12-28, we hear of an even more impossible task for man to try to accomplish: the search for wisdom.  Verses 13-19 show just how impossible this task is.  It is not found in the land of the living, the deep, or the sea.  It is more valuable than gold, silver, onyx, topaz, or any other valuable treasures.  Wisdom cannot be compared to any of these valuables.


If finding any of these treasures is almost impossible, as shown in verses 1-11, how hard must finding wisdom be with its value?  Where can we find wisdom?  Job 28:28 answers this question and says, “‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;  And to depart from evil is understanding.’”  This seemingly impossible task is made possible by the fear of the Lord, with which wisdom is found.


In each of our searches for wisdom, we need to do two things.  First, fear the Lord.  In multiple places throughout the Bible, it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  Second, we need to ask God for wisdom.  In James 1:5-6, it says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”  

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you find valuable? What value do you personally place on wisdom? Job says, “the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.” (Job 28:18b). What would you say the price of wisdom is beyond?
  2. Describe the relationship between God and wisdom? What might Job mean when he says, “God understands the way to it (wisdom) and he alone knows where it dwells…he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.” (Job 28:20, 27)
  3. Where is wisdom NOT found? Where specifically do you search for wisdom?
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Thirsty

Old Testament: Job 25-27

Poetry: Psalm 42

New Testament: Titus Introduction, below


“As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God;”

Psalm 42 starts off with a piece of beautiful imagery.  The writer of the Psalm compares himself to a deer who is thirsting for water.  Deer – like all living creatures – need water to survive.  However, deer may use the plants they eat as a supplement to the water they need, in order to lessen the amount of times they need to find a water source.  Most deer need to drink water daily, especially if they have been running around lots.  By the time a deer chooses to look for water, it is extremely thirsty.


In the comparison of the desire for God and a deer panting for water, we see a deep longing.  To want God as extremely as a deer wants water is incredible.  The author, by writing this, admits that he cannot live without God, just as a deer cannot live without water.  He is not saying that he would like to follow God some of the time when it is convenient, but instead is saying that he needs God every single day of his life.  Do you realize and accept that you need God every moment of your life to survive?  Are you looking for Him in your life as eagerly as a deer searching for a singular water source to get it through the day?


Further on in the Psalm, the author says, “Why are you in despair, O my soul?  And why have you become disturbed within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him  For the help of His presence.”  He explains that he thirsts for God because of the help of His presence.  The author acknowledges that hoping in God is like a deer being refreshed with a drink of water.  Are you seeking after God and hoping in Him like a deer panting for the water?

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you find yourself longing for God everyday?
  2. When you are thirsty for more of God what do you do, where do you go, what quenches your thirst?
  3. What do you do when your soul is in despair? Where do you find hope?
  4. How can you share God with someone who is thirsty?

Titus Introduction

Paul wrote the book of Titus to his mentee, Titus, Paul’s “true son in our common faith,” whom Paul had left in Crete to strengthen the new churches there and to appoint elders in every town.  Paul detailed the qualifications of an elder in Titus 1:5-9.

Paul reminded all Christians to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait for Jesus’ return (which Paul also called our blessed hope).  Paul also told Titus to remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, etc.

Finally, in Titus 3:9-11, Paul pointed out that Christians should have unity, where he said, “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.   Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time.  After that, have nothing to do with him.  You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”

-Steve Mattison

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Being Refined

Old Testament: Job 22-24

Poetry: Psalm 41

New Testament: John 21

The process of refining gold or silver is very long and tedious, as they, when mined, are found with many impurities. To get rid of these impurities, these metals are heated to the extreme temperatures of the metal’s melting point. This allows the impurities to rise to the surface of the gold or silver, as the impurities are much less dense than the actual metal. The impurities can then be removed from the metal to the best of the ability of the refiner. After doing so, this process is restarted to continue trying to get rid of even more impurities that remain within the gold or silver.


Throughout the Bible, the testing of people’s faith is constantly compared to the refinement of metals, such as gold or silver. We all face many trials within our lives as we try to live out a life of faith. In James 1:2-4, it says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James tells us all that we must take joy in knowing that our trials and testing of faith produce a good result in us. For these difficult times create endurance, and endurance creates in you perfection and completion. Note that James did not say that we were going to encounter a singular trial to produce endurance, but instead stated that we would encounter various trials to achieve the result of perfection and completion.


Job knew the same thing that James did. He knew that the trials that he was facing were going to bring him forth to be more perfect and complete from his endurance. While we do not know the exact length of time Job suffered, we do know that he must have had great endurance to face all of his trials. In Job 23:10, he said, “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job knew that he was going through a process of refinement. He was being made more perfect and complete, becoming a piece of gold with fewer impurities. Knowing that he was going through refinement didn’t make any of the trials less for Job, but it did give him hope for the end of them at which he would be a refined person, more like God.


Job is not the only human who has and will face refinement of their faith. Each and every one of us will go through trials that test our faith. In Isaiah 48:10, it says, “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Job was not put in an actual furnace of fire to be refined, and neither will we. But, we will all face the furnace of affliction in a way to refine our faith. Job was confident in the end result of his refinement by suffering. Are you as confident as Job that when the trials come you will stand in the end as a piece of refined gold?

-Kaitlyn Hamilton

Reflection Questions

  1. Is there a trial you have emerged from more “refined” than you were before? What did you gain through the difficult process? Can remembering that process and result help give you joy when you encounter the next trial?
  2. Sometimes, rather than being refined in a trial, people just melt, or the impurities seem to multiply. What makes the difference? How can you work towards using difficult times to improve and become more godly?
  3. What role does God take in your refining process?
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Restoration in God’s Time

Old Testament: Job 19-21

Poetry: Psalm 40

New Testament: John 20

There is an expression about starting a family that has passed down from one generation to the next that goes something like this: “If you wait to start having children until you’re ready, you will never have them.”  There is much truth in this.  While you can prepare for being a parent by accumulating wealth, knowledge, and supplies, no one can really be prepared to take care of a tiny, fragile human 24 hours a day without on-the-job training.  Being that my wife and I’s first experience of inexperience was with twins, we felt conservatively confident that we could manage it when we found out child three was going to be a singleton birth.  However, I wasn’t ready for what would happen prior to Violet being born.

As I mentioned in the first blog in this series, my health spiraled out of control a couple months ago, which culminated in a scary visit to the ER.  Out of all the doubts and worries that penetrated my mind, I wondered how I would be an effective father when my heart was beating rapidly and I couldn’t catch my breath putting my children in their car seats. God, why now? My Heavenly Father and I talked a lot about it, and He gave me peace in my restlessness. How I see it now.  He placed me there to deliver me.  He broke me then to prepare me for my present. He worked through the people around me to heal me for my growing family. His timing is always perfect, and I wish I always saw it this clearly.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” – Psalm 40:1,3

Throughout the course of this week, we have focused on Trusting God’s plan. He will most certainly take us where we need to go to align our steps closer to His.  It is possible we need to spend time in the desert to clearly focus on what God is calling us to. Sometimes, we need a season of mourning to remember His promise of the life to come. It could be that we need our possessions removed to see every good and perfect gift. God makes it clear He will deliver us, but He sets the schedule. He does not hang healing over our heads so we learn a lesson.  He helps us to see Him more clearly, and He uses both our struggle and restoration as a testimony to Him.  The words of Job ring true with this when he states, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. Yet in my flesh I will see God.” (Job 19:25-27)  While this speaks of a promise to come, literal restored men and women being with their God, we can also see God as He works in us in the seasons of feast and famine.

“‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’… Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!'” – John 20: 11, 16

God has promised to hear our cry, so why are we bemoaning? Why are we crying?  We don’t grieve like those who have no hope.  There is nothing that can be taken away that God cannot restore one-hundred-fold. Our Rabboni, Jesus Christ, is the firstfruits, and we will be restored like Him at the hour the Father has set.  We cannot accumulate enough wealth, knowledge, or supplies to be prepared  for every downfall or pitfall set before us, but in our dire circumstances, we can wait on the Lord for He will renew our strength in his perfect time.

-Aaron Winner

Reflection Questions

  1. As part of your personal testimony, can you tell of a time God has used both your struggle and your restoration to draw you closer to Him?
  2. What does waiting patiently on the Lord look and sound like?
  3. From God’s word and/or from your own life, what have you learned about God’s timing?
  4. What has God shown you about Himself in your Bible reading today?
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