Dear Friends,

Here’s a loaded QUESTION…How is your investment portfolio doing these days? Are you receiving a positive return on it; are you protected from inflation or recession; does it provide encouragement, comfort, security, and stability to face the daily challenges of life? I think I know your answer. And if you follow the news, there is very little that is causing your portfolio to grow - the international climate is devastating with ongoing conflict, crisis, and division; the national climate is devastating with ongoing conflict, crisis, and division; and even our local climate, besides the higher temperature, is with conflict, crisis, and division. I recommend that you make an investment transfer to the Source that will assist you with any and all conflict, any and all crises, and any and all divisions that come your way. There’s a story in the Gospel of John that took place eight days after Jesus arose from the dead, John 20:26-29. For the first time, Thomas was face-to-face with the resurrected Jesus, and it changed everything. From that moment on, Thomas made Jesus the focus of his investment portfolio. An investment that brought Thomas protection against inflation and recession; gave him daily encouragement, comfort, security, and stability; and carried him throughout the rest of his earthly life and then into the life beyond the grave. His investment was in the living Lord and His written Word.

• The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him, Nahum 1:7.
• We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.
• Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand, Isaiah 41:10.
• I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength, Philippians 4:13.
• Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation, Isaiah 12:2.

Join me this Sunday as we learn more about our investment - Our Lord and God, Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God. This will be a special Sunday as we live stream both the 8:30 and 11:00 AM services. The 8:30 service will be a continuation in our Resurrection Series and the 11:00 service will be a celebration of our high school graduates. EXPERIENCE A DOUBLE BLESSING AND BE A PART OF BOTH. 

We as a church, have joined the half-million mobilization prayer journey, with the general Church of the Nazarene, which began May 1st and will continue to Pentecost Sunday, June 5th. We have chosen to set aside a time to pray daily at 12:00 noon. We invite you to join us praying for God’s hand of healing upon each of us, personally, upon our congregation, corporately, and praying for the needs of our community, nation, and world. There are so many great needs, yet we have a God who is greater than our needs. I also invite you to send us your personal prayer requests so we can put them on the prayer wall in the Worship Center.

This is from DAY 20 in our prayer journey, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, Romans 12:12.

Scripture Insights

Scripture optimistically calls us to be the best in the middle of difficult circumstances: Hope is great, but joy in hope is greater; surviving affliction is great, but patience in affliction is greater; occasional prayer is helpful, but faithfulness in prayer is greater. Qualifiers make the difference: joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. I wonder, is Paul saying that prayer elevated to steadfast, faithful prayer reaps a better harvest? Oswald Chambers surely thought this when he wrote, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works—[faithful] prayer is the greater work.” So, I ask, “Could it be that even (especially?) when we need hope in the throes of affliction, our faithfulness in prayer produces joyful hope along with life-changing patience?” We may prefer Scripture to say, “Faithfully pray and all your troubles will disappear,” but thankfully Scripture possesses a deeper insight: circumstances need not limit our joy or define our patience. Thanks be to God!

Today’s Prayer

Almighty God, every day Your optimistic Gospel calls me to a higher standard. Stretch me, Lord, into goodness, wholeness, and Your holy ways. Help me not to settle for less, grumble through difficulties, or obey randomly when it suits me best.

Prayer Journal Reflections

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today about the Lord’s protection, direction, and revelation for your life and the life of the church?