Eyes to See | Ears to Hear

If you worshipped with us on Celebration Sunday, you know we celebrated some of what God has been doing this past year, along with being challenged to trust Him for more spiritual fruit in the coming year. The theme from Matthew 9:35-38 was, “The Harvest is Plentiful.” The call was for His followers to really believe that Jesus has people who are needing us to point them to Himself. It could be the person we go to school with, work or live next to, see at the store or exercise with.

The text tells us, “When (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Partnering with Jesus … starts in our hearts! We need to see children, students and adults of all ages through His eyes. Broken, stressed, sad, lonely and separated from God – in need of His healing touch.

Not there yet? Begin by admitting your cold heart and need for spiritual compassion.  People are drifting, without hope and need to be reconnected with their Creator.

As we see people like He does … Jesus instruction is clear: pray! “Ask the LORD of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” v. 38. Who does that include? All Jesus-followers! This is a call for all of us to pray for ourselves and other “found people” to see … to care … and to partner with the Holy Spirit to bring lost people closer to Christ.

Imagine what could happen this summer if you and I would humbly, courageously, reach out by faith, in the power of the Spirit to one or two people He brings across our path.

“Lord – give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts of compassion for lost people. And then give us faith to tell part of our story of your amazing grace.” Amen? Let’s do it, people are waiting for us …

Easter – 30 Years Ago

EASTER SUNDAY, 30 YEARS AGO … a group of young, more agile, enthusiastic, idealistic Jesus-followers, planted a new church in Gresham. Unless you’ve been part of starting a church, you probably can’t relate to some of the unique challenges, adjustments, perseverance, friendships and joys of that kind of journey. So many things have changed over the years – like where we’ve met (8 locations in 16 years,) elder and pastoral teams, and of course, people – with all kinds of personal and spiritual backgrounds. There were constant adjustments to be made to accommodate ongoing change.

But along with a truck-load of changes – so many things have not changed. Here are just some of the truths and values that have shaped who we have become since that first Easter Sunday – to this one. They were true then – and they’re true now:

… the mysterious and marvelous work of a Sovereign God.
… Jesus’ mission of making disciples locally and globally.
… His truth being communicated and lives being changed.
… courageous leaders who stayed the course, by faith.
… committed followers who sacrificed, served and invested.
…  the amazing grace, forgiveness and faithfulness of God.
… the world-changing reality of the life, death, burial and resurrection of JESUS.
…  the never-ending certainty of life in Christ, for all who have placed their faith in Him.

Some things never change! How about you? Are you open for some spiritual change? It’s never too late to start… or begin again. Celebrate the life-changing truth of God’s unchanging good news!

Our Father in Heaven

My last Grace blog related to acknowledging the presence and power of God in prayer -preferably within the first hour of the day. It could be while still in bed … after a cup of java … or on the way to school or work. For a number of reasons, even five minutes of prayer could be the most significant minutes of your day. I also recommended praying through the Lord’s prayer as a guide to your “first five.”

Yesterday, our student ministries intern preached on this very topic … and passage, recorded in Matt. 6:5 -15. If you missed it – grab your bible and check it out on our Grace website, or pick up a C.D. at the Information Counter. If you heard it – please re-visit the text. Here are a few of my reflections and “take aways” from this great message.

> “Our Father in heaven… ” is a phrase that assumes there is a real relationship with God. If that’s not there – we can’t expect to communicate with Him until we’ve settled that issue.The good news is – He’s always ready to begin that spiritual connection. If you are blessed to have it – then get this – your Dad is the King! Talk about status, privilege, access, security, intimacy, authority and … so much more. You and I have the high honor of talking to our Divine Dad about anything, anytime, anywhere. Wow!

> One of my “take aways” from this message was because prayer is such an indispensable spiritual force – it’s so worth the effort to make it a holy habit. Not just putting in my time … or repeating words … but a regular, honest conversation with my Dad – the King. And I want to steer into keeping my mind on what I’m expressing. I want to tighten up thinking about what I’m saying. Another action point is to update my prayer list – so I’m keeping current with His kingdom work in “my world” as well as “His world.”

I invite you to join me in growing and partnering … with the heart of God … for the glory of God.

Abiding in Christ

Be Joyful, pray, give thanks

I love the simplicity of Thanksgiving, even if it is the “calm before the storm” of the Christmas season. This holiday is more about gratefulness for basic needs like food, family and friends.

But it still takes effort to actually carve out time to reflect on what we have been blessed with. So – let me encourage you in the coming week, to make a list of things you have and are grateful for. I’ve found articulating some of these verbally, fuels the mind to recall more gifts.

Some of your extended family gatherings may be more about endurance than enjoyment. We don’t have to like them to pray for them. Rather than shifting into “gripe mode,” how about asking the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see them like He does? It’s amazing how that act of faith (and worship) can shift how we think about, talk to and treat people.

The Apostle Paul challenges us in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Steer into that truth and watch your “gratitude meter” start to rise. May this find you increasingly filled with a grateful heart – as you begin this holiday season.

Dennis Friesen
Connections Pastor

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