He Came!

He Came! He comes! And he’s coming back again!

The season of Advent is here. If you’re like me, you may not be very familiar with that word, Advent. You might have a vague notion that it is connected to Christmas—that people eat chocolate out of cardboard calendars or light candles or something like that. But what does it really mean?

Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus which means “arrival, appearance, ripening, or invasion”. In our context, it refers to the incarnation of Christ. Our creator God came to earth and became a human. John captured this in his gospel when he wrote this about Jesus:

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

So Advent is a time to remember that Jesus came. We remember his birth, his life, and ultimately his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. We remember that three days after he died, he rose again.

Advent is also a time for Christians to kindle their faith and hope in the return of Jesus. He’s coming again—the second “arrival.” The apostle Paul talks about this in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. He ends the passage by reminding us that at this return of Christ “we will be with the Lord forever.” And he asks us to “encourage one another with these words.”

We remember the first arrival of Jesus at his birth. We look forward to his second arrival when he returns for us. But did you know there is another arrival sandwiched between? A university professor named Pfatteicher writes, "Since the time of Bernard of Clairvaux (died 1153), Christians have spoken of the three comings of Christ: in the flesh in Bethlehem, in our hearts daily, and in glory at the end of time."

It is this third arrival I encourage you to embrace today, this Advent season, and every day of your life. Jesus came! Jesus will come back again! Very true. But equally true is this—today is the day that he wants to show up in your life. I encourage you not to put your head in the sand and wait for his return. Look up, look around, come toward him, and find his “appearance” in your life today.

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
– Jesus

Run to the Throne of Grace

I don’t know about you, but when life gets hard, stressful, or even just busy, I’ve found I have a tendency to get consumed with whatever it is in front of me that I need to tackle. The deadline for a big work project coming up? I’m gonna constantly think about it. Gotta have a hard conversation with someone important to me? You know I’m gonna go over what I’m planning to say 100 times and STILL feel like I don’t know what I’ll say. The thing is, when I start to focus on things in this way and get consumed by stress, I tend to push other priorities in my life out of the way: things like going to bed on time, eating healthy food, or spending time with community.

However, I’ve found there’s a priority that we as Christians can at times unknowingly push away when the going gets tough, and frankly it’s the one priority that should never be pushed away: intimacy and time with God.

Somehow we get it into our heads that closeness with God is something that’s more like an elective activity rather than an essential one, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Relationship with our Creator isn’t one of the items on our priority list. It’s more like the air you’re breathing while you write the list. We are designed for relationship with Him to be the foundation on which we approach our lives, not just an activity we do when we have time.

The tricky thing is that as we start to prioritize and focus on things without Him, we can fall prey to the deception that He starts to distance Himself from us, and that in order to get back into closeness with Him again, we need to make it up to Him and somehow earn it.

My friends, do not listen to this lie. Our God is not full of bitterness or resentment for us when we stray from Him, but rather is full of radical grace and outstanding mercy. He is EAGER to welcome you back and brush off any loneliness or shame you may have. All you need to do is turn around and welcome Him back into His rightful place in your life.

Hebrews 12 exhorts this truth beautifully: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 12:15-16, ESV).

I pray you and God are able to have an intimacy like never before this holiday season: that He will be your constant foundation, no matter what heights or depths face you.

Sailing with the Holy Spirit

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

I am learning how to sail and I love it! I have a sunfish, which is a small sailboat meant for 1-2 people with only one sail. The very first thing you learn is that you must know the direction the wind is blowing. And just as important, you can never sail directly into the wind. If you do that, you will get “stuck in irons” — which means you won’t go anywhere except possibly backwards. While keeping this in mind, you must also control the sail and the rudder.

With limited knowledge and those instructions, I set out sailing on my own after one lesson. Trying to navigate the sail and the rudder while keeping the boat from going directly into the wind is challenging when you first start out.

On my third solo sail, I kept trying to pull the sail in while the wind was at my back. I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. Fortunately, a nearby sailor informed me to let the sail out at a 90-degree angle from the boat. This propels you forward in what they call “running.” When I did this, It felt as though I wasn’t moving. The same sailor let me know to look back at the rudder to see that I was actually moving quite fast. When you sail with the wind at your back, it actually requires little work from you. Additionally, I learned that this is actually the fastest you can go.

Oh, how similar is our relationship with the Holy Spirit! We cannot control the wind any more than we can control our God. If we fight against Him, we will go nowhere or possibly go backwards. But working with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide us, we can move in our spiritual life. And running with Him at our back, we can fly! What does running look like? Resting in Him. Allowing Him time to speak to our hearts, to guide and direct us. We actually grow more quickly when we work from a place of rest.

Thank You!

When you read this, the New Day team and I will be in Japan, celebrating the 30th anniversary of planting the church pastored by the Sagers. Whenever I travel to a foreign country, there are a few words I prioritize learning. Thank you is #1. In Japanese it is ありがとう Arigatō. In Russian it is Спасибо, Spasibo. Spanish is easy—Gracias. Saying “Thank you” is like magic. It changes the atmosphere and opens hearts.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the USA this week, we need to realize that gratitude is integral to being a Christ-follower. One of the verses that speaks to this is 1 Thess. 5:18: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV). I prefer it in another translation, though: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT).

God doesn’t command us to be thankful “for” everything but rather “in” everything. This is a monumental difference. I am deeply grateful to be in Japan. I am thankful for modern transportation that enables me to travel around the world in one day. But I really do not like the experience of being in a tin can at 45,000 feet for 14 hours. Nevertheless, even on the airplane I can give thanks.

There are many circumstances in life that it would not be appropriate to give thanks for, but it is always appropriate in them to give thanks. I am never thankful for sickness or suffering in my life or the lives of others. But I can give thanks that I know my Father in heaven cares infinitely more than I do. And I can give thanks that there will be a day when “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever" (Rev. 21:4, NLT).

In any area or circumstance you are tempted to complain, translate it to thankfulness. Every complaint is an opportunity to step into supernatural gratitude. Find something in everything to give thanks, even if it is that eventually “This too shall pass.” Allow the knowledge of the goodness of God and His incredible generosity to change your spirit, your attitude, your emotions, your thoughts, from the negativity of a bad circumstance into the positivity of being a thankful son or daughter accepting a gift from your heavenly Father.

This pivot in perspective has the power to transform every minute of your life, the lives of those around you, and even our society. It is integral as ambassadors of Christ to communicate gratitude in every circumstance. Let’s begin today and never stop!

The Love of the Father

This Sunday, the preaching team kicks off a new series called The Lord is One, beginning with sharing about God as our father. The word “father”, without a doubt, means a very different thing to each person, depending on what their natural father was like. As a parent myself, I constantly recognize my own limitations. But the beauty of God the Father is that he has no limitations. I’d like to share a hymn with you that I adore, and I hope it speaks to you about how unlimited and unconditional the love of our heavenly Father is:

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Oh love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure,
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When mortal time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

—Frederick M. Lehman

Let’s open our hearts to receive this week’s message and ask God to remove any blinders we still may have that limit our view of our heavenly father.

The Love of God | Reawaken Hymns | Official Music Video

Change is Hard

God had somewhere new to take his people. It would be an amazing place, full of abundance and freedom. It would be so different from their current place, full of slavery and hardship.

God’s people cried out to God for help. He responded to their cries for deliverance from their slave masters. In God’s compassion and perfect timing He rescued them through His servant, Moses.

The Lord said to Moses, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land… So now, go. I am sending you…” (Exodus 3:7-10)

On the journey to their new land, they were faced with some big changes. Most of God’s people struggled with these changes. They forgot they could trust God when they faced new things. Those people ended up missing out on living in the glorious new land God had for them.

Let us all acknowledge for a moment how difficult change can be. But whatever difficulty change presents, it should never matter more than getting to the marvelous new place God has prepared. After all, a big aspect of our Christian walk is about change. We experience new birth upon salvation, we are given a new heart and spirit, and we walk out a new life in Jesus.

In fact, the Bible repeatedly teaches us that God likes to do new things and take us to new places. All the while, His character remains consistent. Another huge change for the Israelite people was their time in exile. Here God talks about how He will bring them back home:

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way… (Isaiah 43:19)

How is it going as you navigate the changes that are part of the new place God is taking you? Likely you are not crying out to God to deliver you from slavery, but you probably have been crying out to Him about something. We can take a lesson from the Isrealites—despite the reality that change is hard, it’s not worth causing us to miss out on the glorious destination. I can’t wait to see where God will take you and take our church collectively. The best is yet to come!

Faith Renovation

People often renovate their homes. We have a myriad of television shows dedicated to the subject! The most amazing transformations occur in homes that begin in the roughest shape. The truth be told, every home needs renovations, even when well-maintained. Isn’t it true that our faith works in much the same way?

Our personal sense of the Christian faith can easily fall into disrepair through brokenness or neglect. Sometimes doubts drip in our minds like a leaky faucet. Even a well-maintained faith needs ongoing renovations. With the right perspective and some good tools, our faith can be transformed into (and maintained as) something solid, enduring, and beautiful.

Thomas served as one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. He ran into a major renovation moment in John chapter 20. All the other disciples saw Jesus after his resurrection, but Thomas wasn’t there when it happened. He waited a week in need of renovation until Jesus appeared again. Think about the incredible patience and compassion of Jesus in the scene that unfolds next. When he returned, he offered Thomas his nail-scarred hands and spear-pierced side. Then Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

Just like Thomas, we can find Jesus in the place of doubt, disillusionment, and disbelief and join him on the other side with a faith-filled response: “My Lord and my God!” A perspective focused on Jesus makes for a healthy, successful faith renovation. He comes close, full of compassion, and offers help as he calls us, saying: “Come, follow me.”

Faithful renovations bring questions, doubts, feelings, and personal experiences humbly to the Lord and to orthodox interpretations of the Bible. In so doing, one draws closer to God and more into alignment with the truth. Problems arise not when we ask questions, but when we look in the wrong place for answers.

Many faithful renovations go astray by building on unworthy standards of truth. Our moral intuition, feelings, and cultural atmosphere do not provide a firm foundation to build upon. These shifting standards creep into faith renovations under the guise of a noble pursuit of truth, but they actually elevate themselves (and ourselves) above God, looking down to judge the actions and character of our Creator.

Faith renovations based on our moral intuition, feelings, or cultural influences become something other than Christianity. That’s the sneaky deception at work. Christ sits at the center of Christianity, not ourselves. To put our own experience at the center of the search for truth leaves Christ behind in exchange for a religion of our own making.

I want to encourage you to seek Jesus: the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He suffered and died for you. He loves you so much. He’s waiting for you in the places where your heart feels troubled and doubts his goodness. Find him there. Reach for his nail-scarred hand. Cozy up to his spear-pierced side.

The Marks of the True Christian, Romans 12

In Romans 12, Paul has wrapped up much of the theological explaining & contextualizing he’s been giving to the church in Rome for the past 11 chapters, and moves on to tell them what it means to be a Christian in everyday life. How does he do this? A list, laying out the values & traits that Christians ought to abide by. And while a list may seem dull, as I was reading through it this week I have to say it became anything but.

You see, Paul isn’t just simply listing traits here, he’s showing us a whole approach to life that is counter to the approach of the world. Yes he lists specifics, but in the whole of these things we see the mindset he is charging us to live with: a mindset less concerned with vain human grievances as it is with overcoming the conflict of sin & division in our everyday lives. A “Kingdom” mindset, if you will.

I’m going to leave you with a portion of these verses, Romans 12:9-21, where personally I feel Paul really goes to town. This is a portion titled “The Marks of the True Christian” (what a title!), and is where he begins his list. As you read through this, take your time with each verse, sit with them & pause when you must. This is not simply a list, this is a holy charge to live a life set apart from the numbing & divisive flow of the world.

I pray you will encounter God in these verses & see a glimpse of the incredible life He’s called you to.

The Marks of the True Christian, Romans 12:

“9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Stewarding Legacy

There are two definitions of the word legacy. One is a monetary gift of money or property bequeathed in a will. The other is a long-lasting impact of a person’s life. In both definitions, legacy is something of value and worth that is passed on for the benefit of another person.

This coming Sunday, we have the privilege of hosting Pastors Dennis and Kaku Sager from Japan. They will be sharing with us what God has been doing through their ministry in Japan, and we get to enjoy their company—the honor of which we’ve enjoyed for decades now. These faithful Christ-followers have sown their entire lives into furthering the kingdom of God in Japan. They have trusted God in the big things and in the small things, and they have been a beautiful example to me for years and years.

Some of you may not know that Dennis was the youth pastor at our church back in the 1980s, and I was one of the youth he served! He was instrumental in teaching me that I was not too young to have a genuine relationship with Jesus, and he led our group through an impactful teaching on the Lord’s Prayer that set me up for a strong foundational understanding of how to pray. That teaching served me well for many, many years. He gave me a legacy.

Fast forward 20 years, and I had the wonderful opportunity to mentor Dennis’ daughter Adrienne and son Daniel when they were young people, teaching them both how to be effective, Spirit-led worship leaders. I did everything I could to give all that I had to them. Another legacy! And soon after that, Adrienne was serving as a youth leader with her husband Aaron, and my daughter was in their youth group. Third-generation legacy!

In the family of God, you have something of worth and value to pass on to the people around you. Your legacy has a lasting impact, so much so that you may never know the fullness of it on this side of heaven. Have you thought about what gift you have residing in you that can be of lasting impact to someone around you? Or do you have a monetary gift to sow into a ministry that may seem small, but could have a meaningful effect? You have something to bequeath in the Kingdom.

I Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Okay – Hallelujah!

"’OK’ is one of the most frequently used and recognised words in the world” (https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-12503686).  This interesting and somewhat odd fact I heard years ago, and I’ve verified it in my experience traveling worldwide. Another interesting fact I can’t verify is that “Hallelujah” is also nearly as well-recognized worldwide. I once read a missionary's account that stated they found help more than once in a foreign land simply by saying or singing “Hallelujah” aloud. Shortly afterwards, even in the most non-Christian nation, a Christ-follower or someone familiar with the term would respond.  

“Hallelujah” is a very significant word and it aligns well with our current sermon series on Psalms. The word is a combination of the Hebrew:  הלל - hâlal, which is the most common word for “praise” in the Bible. And יהּ - yâhh or Jah or Jeh, as in “YHWH,” or “Jehovah.” Whenever someone says “Hallelujah” they are saying in Hebrew “Praise God.” But not a generic god – this is the personal name of God given to Moses and embedded into the Hebrew language.  So this word is as holy as it can get – as in the third commandment holy: Deuteronomy 5:11: “You shall not take the name of the LORD (יהוה - Jehovah) your God in vain, for the LORD (יהוה - Jehovah) will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” 

As we’ve studied the Psalms, we’ve learned that there are many categories but nearly all of them have some element of praise. The fact that Hallelujah is so ingrained into the language of humanity reflects the truth that we are created to praise God! A few examples of this word in various languages are: Alhamdulillah ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ ‎(Arabic); Hālìlùyà 哈利路亚 (Chinese); Alléluia (French); Aleluya (Quechua); Haleluya (Indonesian).

We are created to praise God and our words are powerful instruments of worship. In any and every setting, we can invoke the name of God and rightly offer up praise simply by saying or singing this word “Hallelujah.” In doing so, we join with a chorus of believers from around the world and throughout time worshiping the one true God!

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Certainly this one word, “Hallelujah,” can release life when used as it is intended to worship Jehovah. I encourage you to use this word often and with reverence.

Kids Too

On the first Sunday of each month, we incorporate the kids into the main worship service for singing and communion. We promote freedom in the Holy Spirit as well as safety and order. This blog shares why and how we go about it.

While the kids experience God during class, it’s valuable for them to be part of how God moves in the corporate setting. The children are learning how to engage with the Holy Spirit while expressing their freedom in an orderly way, submitted to the Word of God. The dynamic is described in 1 Corinthians, where we are encouraged to “excel in gifts that build up the church” because “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:12, 33).

An example would be: listening and responding to the direction being given from the microphone. When kids take notice of the tone of the song, or of what’s being shared, they can learn to fit with what is going on, whether lively and loud or calm and reflective.

Have you noticed that children's worship often looks like playing? This truly blesses Jesus’ heart! While encouraging childlikeness, we teach the kids that they aren't having a private playdate separate from what's going on in the room. Kids learn how to appropriately be part of a group.

An aspect of orderliness in worshiping God has to do with movement and safety. Dancing, waving flags, and other exuberant expressions are things we encourage. However, if kids are moving in a way that could easily injure another person or themselves, we want to redirect that behavior. An example is running. It is simply too dangerous. Children are welcome to skip, hop, and do all sorts of creative movements, but running has to be off limits. I know from experience that running can lead to issues. My daughter fell while running at church and severely cut her lip on the edge of the lower stage. Nobody wants to take their child to the ER after church. We will gently remind a child if they forget that there is no running in the building before, during, or after service.

Please utilize the back of the sanctuary as a space for kids (and adults!) to move around. The Children’s Station has activities for kids to use at any time. Bear in mind that sounds from the back are easily heard throughout the whole room.

New Day is a family-friendly church, so we are not annoyed by kid noise. We expect it and view children as a blessing. If children make loud, ongoing noises, their caregiver may need to step out with them. The foyer and Mother’s Room each have a TV playing the service live for situations like this. The early years can be tough for parents. Hang in there, moms and dads! Spiritual formation occurs even at a young age, and the New Day family is here to support you!

Together we can flow in the Spirit while being grounded in the Word, so our free, yet orderly service is a blessing to the Lord and to the whole congregation – kids too!

The Hope That Is In Me

God has been speaking to me for years about being open with people to share my testimony and the gospel. I've often been told that I have a gift of wisdom and that I have something to offer people through words and encouragement. But, I've let fear and past hurts shut me down. I've said "no" to God when what I really want is to say "yes". I see others who are saying yes every day and having an impact. I want that too.

I never thought that I would go on a mission trip. I'm not a traveler, and the thought of going to a foreign country where I don't speak the language is daunting and sometimes overwhelming. But again, I would see others who were profoundly impacted by their experiences. Then I heard these words come out of my mouth: "Maybe I could go on a domestic mission trip". Barely a month later, I had a choice whether to actually go on one. I wanted to say no; I was tempted to let the same fears hold me back. But ultimately, deep in my heart, I want to say yes to God and trust Him to take care of me in every situation. So I said yes, and waited for the fear and anxiety to come. It never did.

On the trip, I was afraid of feeling trapped and overwhelmed. I was afraid that I would be expected to do more than I could handle. Instead I felt like a valuable part of the team. I had freedom to make choices—to engage or to hold back. We were coached about the best way to engage with people, share God with them, and bless them. It even seemed simple. I didn't have to try to be someone else—I have my own stories of God's love and faithfulness from my life. I sincerely want others to experience the love, acceptance, forgiveness, and new identity that I have experienced through being in relationship with God. I have something to uniquely offer that no one else can.

Back home after the missions trip, I see my neighbors that God has been talking to me about for months, my elderly mom that I know doesn't believe in God, a car salesman that has a skin condition, a waitress that may or may not know Jesus—how can I not offer them this hope, this truth, this relationship that I've experienced with Jesus? I don't have to have just the right words. I just need to use my own words to show I care, by talking about the hope I have and how I genuinely want them to have it. Now—unlike before, when it was easier to say no because fear was driving me—I can say yes because I know I have something valuable to offer, and that it pleases God to give it to them.

1 Peter 3:13-15: “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”

The Heavens Declare

The goodness of God shines on you every day! Literally! God created a world full of His glory and goodness. His sun shines on you, His rain waters the earth around you, and His flowers bloom before your eyes. The beauty of creation points to the love and beauty of the Creator.

Psalm 19 delivers this message: “The heavens declare the glory of God (vs. 1)” and “God has pitched a tent for the sun… nothing is deprived of its warmth (vs. 4,6).” David, who wrote this psalm, sees the glory and goodness of God in the created world. God’s goodness leads to trust in His word. David says “the statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,” “more precious than gold,” and “sweeter than honey” (vs. 7, 10).

The goodness of God leads to trusting His word. Trusting God’s word leads to living His way:

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (vs. 14).

Don’t get it flipped! It’s so easy to turn Christianity into a list of duties. Instead of slogging through a list of religious chores, get reconnected with the love and goodness of God. Everything else will follow naturally.

Look up at the sun and clouds. Pause and see the majesty of a starry sky. Notice the intricacy of a flower in bloom. Unburden your soul for a moment and still yourself to see: creation declares that God is real, He is good, and you can trust Him. He demonstrates His love for you in the created world, and most of all, in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

People can experience this same message for themselves on the New Day Nature Trails. Peace, beauty, and the glory of God rest on this land. Walk the trails. Experience God. Pray that others would see Him as they walk the trails. Warmly greet any neighbors you meet. Share the good news. Pray for someone. Doing this is a direct expression of making the meditation of our hearts and the words of our mouths pleasing in the sight of God. Why? Because we see His glory, goodness, and love for us. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Where's Your Focus?

As we’re quickly approaching fall & have already begun the transition into school, work, and a new season in many senses of the word, I’ve found myself thinking of leadership. It’s easy to think of leadership as something just for folks taking charge of an organization, but truthfully it can be found in every aspect of life. From friend groups to families, or even simply how you go about personally leading your everyday life, all of us have some capacity as leaders.

Which raises the question: how do you lead well?

While I’m not going to pretend I’ve figured out the “Secret to Leadership” or that I have better information than the countless books & teachings widely available on the topic, I do want to share one lesson I’ve learned from my time in ministry that’s been impactful to me personally & informed how I lead, whatever the capacity.

Back in the fall of 2020, I had the incredible opportunity to be a leader at a ministry school in Toronto, Canada. I had a plethora of responsibilities, but boiled down, I was one of the on-the-floor leaders for activities regarding the teachings & ministry associated with the school plus I led a weekly small group of 5 students. Truly an amazing opportunity & one I’m grateful for!

However, with that being said, I also have to say it was some of the most challenging months of my life. You see, as I entered this position, I found myself unconsciously trying to operate from what I figured should be done, rather than leading from the overflow of my relationship with God. In other words, My ultimate focus was on my position, not on God, and as you could imagine, after a few months of this I was pretty burnt out.

One day, as I was preparing to lead a time of ministry for the students, I was at my wit’s end. In that moment, I stopped, took a breath, and asked God what I should do. His response was profound & didn’t only speak to my situation in the moment, but also the broader situation of my focus; “Lewis, focus on Me. You’ve placed being a leader above leading with Me. Turn it around.”

In 2 Corinthians 12, we see Paul in a similar situation. For him, he’s been struggling with what is referred to as a “thorn in his flesh,” and repeatedly He’s cried out to God to deliver him from it. But God doesn’t do that, instead, He speaks to Paul’s focus, repeatedly telling him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV)

In both my & Paul’s experience, God's solution is to look to Him in the midst of the struggle, rather than getting caught up in a situation with our own strength. Powerful.

After that day, I examined where in my life I had slipped my focus away from Him, and as I slowly restored my perspective, I cannot overstate how much changed. God met me in the areas in which I had once struggled, & in fact filled me up in situations that used to drain me.

So, as we head into this new season, consider where your focus lies. Are you leading with God as your focus, or do you need to readjust? He’d love to join you, but it’s up to you.

Psalm 40 & River Sunday

Psalm 40 is a testimony from David, wherein he shares his struggles, declares God’s faithfulness and then prays to the Lord for continued help.

“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.”
(Psalm 40:1-3)

There is a cause and effect demonstrated here. David shares his new song of praise to God that came out of his struggle (the cause), and then many see and fear the Lord, and put their trust in him (the effect).

When we gather together for a River Sunday, the congregation has the opportunity for the entire service to testify about the Lord’s work in their life, and this testimony produces an invitation from the Holy Spirit to participate in praising God for his works and thereby increases our ability to see him, fear him and put our trust in him. The psalmist continues with this:

“I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.”
(verses 9-10)

“But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
‘The Lord is great!’”
(verse 16)

In this psalm, David keeps interchanging declarations of hope and praise with more prayers and requests for help. I invite you to bring your testimonies of God’s work in your lives this week, so we can rejoice with you and continue with you in prayer for more help, all declaring together “The Lord is great!”

One Body with Many Members

Community Groups are vital to the health of the local church. Weekend services are the primary public meeting, but small groups form the internal living structure of a congregation. Community Groups are like the ligaments and tendons of the Body of Christ: connecting and holding together the various parts and members.

Without healthy ligaments and tendons, motion and action are impossible. If you've ever torn or pulled a ligament or tendon, you know how the pain of a wounded connection can hinder your life. When the interpersonal relationships within a congregation are not maintained and healthy, the entire body is severely limited in its ability to do what Christ has commissioned us to do and be.

Ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissue are the hidden, unsung heroes of the body. Without them we would literally fall apart. The same is true of the community group ministry in a church. Participating in a Community Group ensures that our spiritual connective tissue is healthy, flexible, strong, and resilient. This in turn enables the church to move forward in fulfilling our great commission and ministering to our community.

Two primary ways this is hindered are avoidance and malformation. Avoidance is when an individual doesn’t participate regularly in a Community Group. Every individual is a vital part of the body that depends upon healthy connection to the rest of the body. 1 Corinthians 12 makes this very clear. It is the unseen and uncelebrated parts that are most vital. When a person doesn’t join or fully participate, they limit the amount they receive and more importantly, the amount they can contribute to the spiritual health of others. This then hinders the whole body by making the church limp, rather than run.

Spiritually malformed groups become ingrown, infected, or stunted, due to any number of factors from remaining too shallow relationally or spiritually, to becoming a “holier than thou” club. Like malformation in our physical body, spiritual malformation must be addressed by applying the proper treatment. Getting the group to do something differently is compared to physical therapy that moves joints and muscles in ways that promote healing. Correction and instruction would be compared to treatment with medicine. In severe cases, surgery might be required, which would be done by restructuring a group or having a group stop meeting and integrating the members into groups that are functioning in healthier ways.

Community Groups are one of the best evangelistic tools of a church if used correctly. They are not intended to be only for those already in the church. The more a person interacts with members of a church BEFORE they attend a public service, the more likely that person is to join and become actively involved. Every group should find ways to make guests feel comfortable and welcome. Every member should regularly seek to invite new people. People think it would be awkward for someone to sit in with a group that discusses their spiritual growth, but when done correctly it is an extremely effective way to introduce people to Christianity. Jesus did this with His disciples. Their first experience was joining with the rest of the Twelve in doing life together with Him. As a group grows, it is intended to reproduce. Every Community Group should have launching, or assisting in launching, a new group as one of its goals.

I NEED YOU!

That is a bold statement for sure; however, it is true. On the surface I can think, I don’t need anyone. I’m just fine on my own, but God says something different. “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (Romans 12:4-5). If we are to function as the body of Christ, which Jesus died for, we need one another. Ok, we need each other, but there is more.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25). How can we follow this instruction when we don’t know one another?

This is what the early church did: “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47)

We should worship together, take communion together, and share meals together in our own homes! This is how we get to know one another and are able to encourage one another.

Community groups are a great way to accomplish this. Last year during my group, I saw new friendships form and relationships deepen. There were numerous testimonies of emotional healings and answered prayers.

Life is busy. It is for all of us, which is why we need to surround ourselves with others in the church that can encourage us on our paths closer to God and one another. I would encourage you to make joining a community group this year a priority. In so doing, we can fulfill Paul’s encouragement in 2 Cor. 13:11: “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Read more about Community Groups at New Day and sign up at our website.

Devoted to Prayer

In a letter Paul wrote to the Colossian believers, he prayed that they would be a people devoted to prayer. I felt a pang of conviction when I read that verse one morning recently. I had been awake for less than an hour, yet if I had to sum up what I had been devoted to so far, it would not have been prayer. I had woken up mulling over concerns that still had my mind’s attention. I had been devoted to dwelling on things that were irritating me, not prayer.

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (Colossians 4:2-4)

Paul was imprisoned in Rome, for goodness’ sake! He could have easily been devoted to thinking about how uncomfortable his chains were or complaining about his lack of freedom being constantly under guard. Yet we find him being devoted to prayer and instructing the readers of his letter to do the same. Instead of focusing on life’s irritations, he asked the believers to pray that he would clearly proclaim the mystery of the gospel. Wow, what a dynamic we can learn from.

What fills your mind when you wake up in the morning? I am deeply impacted by what Paul was devoted to and what he instructs believers to be devoted to. So whether it is during your personal times of prayer, with your family or others at a prayer meeting, or out on our Nature Trails, may Paul be an example to us of what to focus on and what we can be praying for.

New Day, I look forward to continuing to grow in prayer together. May it be said of us that we are a people who are devoted to prayer, a people who are watchful and thankful, and a people who pray that we all may proclaim the mystery of Christ to those who have yet to experience the joy of salvation through Christ Jesus.

There’s No Better Hope Coming

“Just got to make it to January.” Years ago, money was tight, and we were holding on until the next big paycheck, six weeks away. “Don’t spend any money” was our daily mantra. The money was set to come in, and until then, we had determined to go without until that time came around.

It was awful. We were second-guessing every decision. Every day was stressful. It felt like we were white-knuckling our life, fearing an unexpected expense would send us off the edge.

There’s a similar moment in scripture when the Jewish people are waiting for their Messiah. They endure invasion, occupation, exile, persecution and tyranny, white-knuckling it until their Savior King comes. The atmosphere is tense. Factions break out. There’s fighting between Jews. Everybody’s stressed.

One day, Jesus of Nazareth shows up in Jeruselem proclaiming to be the one sent from God to rescue, cleanse, and satisfy. Many believe in Him, but some question. In John 7, people ask: “How can He be the Messiah if we know where he grew up?” “How can the Messiah come from Galilee?” “Isn’t the Messiah supposed to come from Bethlehem?”

But among all the questions, this one spreads among the crowd: “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more signs than this man?” Basically, if Jesus isn’t the Messiah, how could the next guy hope to outshine Him? Out-miracle Him? Out-teach Him? Out-love Him?

And in the midst of this, Jesus stands up and says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus is saying “I am the satisfaction Your soul longs for. There’s no one better coming. ”

And when I read that, in the midst of my earthly lack, the Holy Spirit convicted me of waiting on another satisfier. Another savior. I wasn’t just waiting on the paycheck to come in to pay my bills. I was waiting for it to satisfy my soul. I was enduring two hardships at once, waiting to drink from that earthly well, in hopes that it would quench both my spiritual thirst and the dryness of my bank account.

The truth is, our soul can be satisfied by God even when our worldly situations aren’t going well. Our inward life can be lush and healthy, even if our outward circumstances are crumbling. We don’t have to wait. We can take a drink today!

After many believed in Jesus, their situation got worse. Jerusalem was set on fire. The Temple was destroyed. Christians were beaten and killed. But the living water that Jesus filled them with inspired one Christian to write this before he was martyred:

“We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day“ (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Semi-Annual Report

It’s been one year since Marilee and I took over as lead pastors of New Day…WOW, what a year! We are also over halfway through 2023. It’s a great time to reflect on what the Lord has done in our church and look forward to a strong finish to 2023.

New Day is healthy, strong, and growing! We have valued Spirit & Word, reading our Bibles with intention and listening to the lead of the Holy Spirit. We have cultivated family in Community Groups, sharing meals, and welcoming new members. We have done outreach with the good news about Jesus to our individual circles of influence, to our neighbors through the New Day Nature Trails project, and to greater Kalamazoo, Detroit, Appalachia, Mexico, Peru, and Japan. We have sought the Lord in prayer & fasting for the first 21 days of the year, through weekly prayer times, in preparation for mission trips, and in day-to-day life.

We have grown in number, with average attendance increasing by 16% compared to 2022. You can feel it in the room when we worship. There’s energy, life, and momentum in our Sunday morning gatherings.

We have seen the Lord answer prayers with miraculous healing! Arterial blockages have disintegrated! Lungs have cleared up! Knees have been freed from pain! Celiac was defeated! God is so good!

We have been faithful to share the good news! People prayed to receive salvation in Jesus: at Jesus Loves Kalamazoo, in Mexico, and on our nature trail! We received training and a challenge to share the gospel—and as we have answered the call, the Lord has used it powerfully!

Giving toward missions doubled in the first half of 2023 compared to the last six months of 2022. At the same time, regular tithes and offerings declined by 12.5%. Giving a tithe (10% of your income) to your local church is one of the ways the Bible teaches us to worship God. God then designates that 10% toward the care of the house of worship and those who serve in it. If this is your home church, you’re invited to continue the New Day legacy of generosity as we worship the Lord together.

What’s the plan for the rest of 2023? STEADY ON! We will keep loving the Lord with all our heart and following His lead. Father in heaven, may your kingdom come and your will be done, at New Day as it is in heaven. Amen!