Inside WACC
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Hope On The Horizon
Welcome to this special Lenten devotional guide.
Click on a message below and think about your life in Christ as you read the messages.
Introduction - By Dr. William Carl Ankerberg, Senior Pastor
Welcome to this special Lenten devotional guide. This season of life is influenced by 2,000 years of church history. God’s people come to Him in special days of spiritual focus. We don’t stress fasting from meat on Friday, but we do stress a time of special focus on our spiritual life. I invite you to join us each day and to think about your life in Christ.
Each day will feature thoughts by a member of our pastoral staff. This will be a good way for you to get to know us better and to see how we think about our faith. If you have any questions, or would like to pursue a line of thinking, please e-mail us to share a dialogue together. We are here to shepherd the church that God has entrusted to our care. As Paul said so beautifully, we are “Your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Our studies begin in the last few chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. We will look at what Jesus said about the end of human history and the trauma of his last days in Jerusalem. This will lead us to chapter 28, which will be our focus during Easter this year. May God bless you as you join us in this journey with Jesus!
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Tearing Down Walls - Colleen Marks, Community Pastor
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ, and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."
Matthew 24:1-2
Does it seem to you that there are a growing number of tragedies in the world? The earthquakes in Haiti, the tsunami in Asia, the drought in Africa are evidence of the birth pangs that Jesus referenced. We live in a hard world, and as Paul wrote, “All creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22)
There are times when I hear of fighting and killing in another part of the world and recall theses words of Jesus, “You will hear of wars.” The history of humanity is a story of struggle and hostility. At the core of human life is a sense of nationalism and pride in your country. (When you watched the Winter Olympics, you once again saw this reality-we love our country.) The skirmishing and killing will never end.
Yet Jesus tells us that we should not be alarmed by these things.
My natural inclination is to be very upset by these things. I was watching a movie a few weeks ago which showed children suffering with an incurable disease. I almost had to walk out of the movie; I can’t stand to watch the kids suffer. In a world like this, I need the stability and strength that Jesus brings, because these difficulties will continue until the end. I’m so glad that God is with us in these struggles of life. May His peace rule in our lives.
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Fear - Dr. William Carl Ankerberg, Senior Pastor
As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
Matthew 24:4-8
We’ve all heard the phrase, “It’s not what’s on the outside that counts, it’s what’s on the inside that really matters.” Jesus is not impressed with the façade. He cares about the heart. The temple was renowned for its beauty and Israel had initially viewed the temple as indestructible. But Jesus forewarns His disciples that the very thing they thought was once invincible will be torn apart. Things are not always as they seem. We live in a day and age where things that once looked beautiful are broken. Jobs that seemed ideal are lost, relationships that looked good on the
outside are a mess and for some of us, like the temple, we feel like the walls of our lives are falling down. God doesn’t want our masks, He wants what’s on the inside. He wants all of us. God, help us to be a people that don’t follow You with facades, but with our hearts, soul, mind and strength. Change us to be more like You from the inside out.
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Warning Signs - John Riley, Lead Pastor of Student Ministries
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:10-13
Whether it is a day at the beach, a dip in a Jacuzzi, or a platter of nachos, some things in life just lose their appeal as they get cold. If you’ve ever mistakenly gagged on a lukewarm cup of coffee, you know that all too well. And yet, how often do we remember that Jesus says one of the most dangerous things that we can let cool down is our love. Jesus warned us that the love of many in our world will grow increasingly cold in time. The love of our communities, families, marriages, and lives will be extinguished.
So how do counteract this entropy of love? It is by choosing today to bask in the warmth of the Light of the World: Jesus. Stop today to be with the one who said: “Let there be light in the darkness.” And this light and power will then shine within you, so that everyone can see that this glorious power is from God and is not your own. Stop and ask Jesus to bring light to the cold areas of your life today. As you reconnect with Him, perhaps you will say what those on the road to Emmaus did: “Didn’t our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us?”
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Righting Your Path - Denny Ford, Financial Pastor
But those who endure to the end will be saved. And the good news about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all the nations will hear it; and then, finally the end will come.
Matthew 24:13-14
When bad news is followed by even worse news, it’s hard to stay positive and hopeful. For Jesus’ disciples, the news about their beloved Messiah and Israel’s future would be devastating. Jesus would be crucified and all of Jerusalem would be destroyed. Not only that, some of them would experience arrest, persecution and death; others, betrayal by their fellow disciples; and some would abandon their faith altogether.
Like all of the first disciples, we may not live to see Jesus’ return, but we, too, can follow Jesus’ example of faithfulness in the face of suffering and trials. Are you prepared to face bad news, or worse? Take a moment to reflect on your faithfulness under pressure. Is there evidence you are truly following Jesus in the way you think, and in how you treat others? Do you act out of your own self-interest, or
sacrificially, as Jesus would in your place? God designed each of us to be part of his plan to remake and restore the world. Are you ready to join him to the very end?
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God's Love - Dr. Sherry Mortenson, Lead Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Prayer
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:6-8
Pray and ask God to speak to you through His word today. So often we think we need to “get our act together” or “clean up our lives” before God will love us or forgive us. Many of us have not experienced unconditional love and grace in our relationship with others. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.”
We can’t comprehend a God who truly loves us when we have blown it or are not perfect. The truth is that no one is perfect. We are all broken people in desperate need of God’s grace and love. Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The radical truth of Christianity and God’s love is that when we were powerless, at our worst moments of sin, despair, secrets, and shame -That is when Christ died for us. God’s love isn’t conditional and dependent on what we have done or not done. His unconditional love is a gift of grace that we don’t deserve and could never earn through working hard or looking good.
May you experience the truth and reality of God’s unconditional love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness today.
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Suffering - Hal Lentz, Pastor of Development & New Horizons Ministry
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Matthew 27:45-46
Often we feel alone when pain and suffering visit us. On the cross, in his suffering, Jesus felt the same. Alone. Deserted. In his most painful time, when it hurt the most, his disciples left him. His family was far away.
Three hours seems like a long time when we are hurting. Know this: God is close when we hurt. In the words of the Psalmist, “He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you-- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.” In our pain He surrounds us with his love and shadows us with his care.
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Obedience - Dr. Don Mortenson, Pastor of Congregational Care
Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee… where Jesus had said they would find him... but some of them weren’t sure it really was Jesus! Jesus said to his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go...”
Matthew 28:16-19a
Oswald Chambers says, “The Son’s (Jesus’) obedience was as Redeemer, because
He was Son, not in order to be Son.” Our obedience to Jesus is a reflection of our relationship with Him. Like some of the disciples, are we really sure who Jesus is?
If we believe in Jesus down to our very core, we will obey because we are his
children. Therefore go…
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Faith - Chad Miller, Pastor of College/Young Adult Ministry
At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect…
Matthew 24:23-24
There is a lot to be said about faith. Spend 5 minutes in a church service, you’ll get the message that it is important. But what is it? I mean, we think we know. But upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that faith can mean the religion I belong to or it can be a vague reference to the absence of moral wrongdoing. We can all agree that faith seems to have a central importance, but are we clear about what it actually is?
Hebrews 11 is considered, among other things, Faith’s Hall of Fame. The people honored in Hebrews 11 were not people of a certain religion and they were not the ones who were the least likely to cheat on their taxes, but rather they were the people in the Bible who were able to:
- Recognize that God has called them to do something.
- Endured difficulty in following that call.
- Managed to follow anyway.
I would hope that these three things would shape and solidify what we believe about faith. God has called each one of us to follow him. This calling at times has specific meaning (like going on a mission trip, or moving to take a job), but more often it’s a general call to become a student of Jesus in order to become more like him. This calling is difficult, and each one of us will endure difficulty and opposition. But when we follow the call, despite the difficulty, we are living by faith.
Faith is more than a word used frequently in church. It is a way to live in relation to something God has asked of you. Consider reading Hebrews 11. Think of each person’s call. Think about what it took, despite adversity, to follow that call. It is not easy, but Hebrews 11 exists to remind us that when we do what God asks, even if it is hard, there will be a way to do it. What are you called to do? What makes it difficult to follow that call? Are you close to giving up, or can you continue on
despite adversity? May you prayerfully meditate over Hebrews 11 and find the strength to continue on in faith.
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Lost In Darkness - Rondalyn Roach, Pastor of Children’s Ministries
Immediately after the distress of those days “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”
Matthew 24:29
An Afghan woman named Nasifaz, explained to Liz Sly, a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, the reason some Afghan women continue to wear burqas (the full-body coverings mandated by the Taliban) even though they don’t like them and are no longer forced to wear them: “We have lived in darkness for so long that now we are afraid of the light.”
We encounter people every day who are afraid of the light. They have lived in
darkness for so long they know no other way. They are comfortable there. They see no need for change. The fact is, even as Christians we have places in our own lives that remain hidden and dark in spite of our commitment to Christ. We too are afraid to let the light shine in these comfortable pockets of disobedience and sin. We’re afraid of change and exposure, much as the Afghan women.
Jesus conquered the darkness of the grave and death. He burst forth, resurrected in life and light. During this season of Lent, ask God to point out pockets of darkness in your life. Allow His conquering light to lead you to the hope, peace and freedom offered in His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Embrace the change that can happen only through His gift of the Holy Spirit. Abandon the darkness!
“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12
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Hope - Kelly Warner, Pastor of Sports/Recreation Ministry
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew 24:35
As a kid I would sometimes hide under my blankets in the middle of the night when I had trouble sleeping or was awakened by a loud noise. I was sure the noise was made by the boogey man, or from the bandit who was robbing us blind just outside my bedroom door, or a stranger just outside my window walking through the yard.
As I grew older, I came to realize that the noises that kept me awake at night
actually came from the shifting and settling of our old house. The bandit was the heater kicking on and the noises outside were from the neighbor’s cat walking through my yard. Nevertheless, these were sincere fears of the unknown like
waiting for important test results from the doctor’s office, or waiting for that phone call from a loved one who worked at the World Trade Center, or the fear of the unknown the families in Haiti feel while frantically searching to find their loved ones.
The only remedy for my fear while paralyzed under the sheets in my room was to pray to Jesus and ask Him to comfort and stay with me. Even though it seemed as if everything around me could crumble at any moment; I had hope. Because of my faith in His love, I had hope. To this day, no one can ever take this away from me.
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Finding Abundance- Jared Powell, Pastor of Junior High Ministry
For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. Matthew 25:29
I see kids all the time comparing themselves to one another. “I can skateboard
better than you.” “My hair is prettier than her hair.” “That guy is an awesome
musician.”
I suppose as we grow up, this never really changes. We look around and evaluate
our situation by checking out how other people are doing. This is easy to do. It is also very easy to find someone with what seems like a better situation than the
one you are currently in. If only I had what they had, I would be so much better off. Then I could give and do more.
Do you ever wonder why you are you? Not to get weird about it or too
philosophical, but have you ever wondered why God made you and why he gave
you the features you have? Why you were born to the family you were born with? Why God had you be the particular nationality you are?
God seems to be ok with what you were given. God seems to be ok with giving someone else what seems like more. Maybe you could put it like Jesus. There are some people with 10 talents, and some people with 2 talents. So what if you got what seems like the 10 talents or the 2 talents The number of talents is not the point to Jesus. For Jesus, it is all about what is done with the talents you were given.
I don’t care who you are. Our generous God has given you something. And not only did God give you something, but He would like you to use your gifts in His plan. Don’t ever think you don’t have anything to offer or give. Remember that what you have to give is unique to you. So use your gifts for God. When you do, you will find abundance.
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Service To Others - Jacob Kenagy, Pastor, Audio/Visual Ministry
They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or
needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” He will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Matthew 25:44-45
For those of you who are following this scripture, keep up the good work! For the rest of us who are struggle with this scripture, I pose these questions:
Where are the strangers in your life? Are they on the other side of town, or across your fence, or in front of your face? Who in your life is hungry, thirsty, unclothed, sick, in prison? What excuses do you make for not helping them? How can you reflect Christ’s love to them? What will you do with the precious time you’ve been given on this earth? When will you see that the missed opportunities of service to your brothers and sisters have a steep price? Do you believe that our Savior desires for us all to live a life worthy of His example?
Today, take a minute and find someone to help.
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Sheep or Goat? - Todd Molter, Pastor of Men’s & Family Ministries
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Matthew 25:31-33
Sheep have fleece, and goats have hair. Sheep are grazers, and goats are browsers. Sheep are stupid, and goats are smart. While these differences might not be apparent to you and me, shepherds, on the other hand, can always tell their livestock apart!
In Matthew 25 we get a brief snapshot of the end of the age. Jesus, the good
shepherd separates the herd. To the sheep on His right He gives an eternal blessing, while to the goats on His left, an eternal curse. What determines the right from the left? The bible seems clear. The answer is a life of intentional love for others, which is tangibly expressed through acts of compassionate servanthood.
When speaking of the very poorest in Calcutta, Mother Teresa said, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.” My friends, may we never forget that when we welcome, feed, and clothe “the least of these,” we welcome, feed, and clothe Jesus.
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Looking for Light - Rondalyn Roach, Pastor of Children’s Ministries
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
Matthew 24:30-31
Yellow has never been one of my favorite colors, but after reading the story of
Vincent van Gogh, I’ve decided that if Easter was a color, it would be yellow!
Van Gogh was raised in a Christian home. As an adult, he sank into depression and destruction abandoning his faith. One of the best-kept secrets of his life is how his masterpieces map his spiritual growth. He gradually increases his use of the color yellow in his paintings. Yellow evoked (for him) the hope and warmth of the truth of God’s love.
In one of his depressive periods, seen in his famous painting, The Starry Night,
the sun and swirling stars are yellow, because he believed truth was present only in nature. Sadly, the church is about the only image in the painting with no trace of yellow. Later in life, he began to embrace the truth he’d been taught as a child and painted The Raising of Lazarus. The entire picture is blindingly bathed in yellow. He painted his face on Lazarus to express his own hope in the Resurrection.
Life can begin all over again because of the hope and warmth of the truth of God’s love. Each of us, whether with actual yellows or metaphorical yellows, can begin to paint our lives with the fresh hope of a new beginning. That’s what Easter is all about! We can choose to paint each day yellow!
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Helping The Least of These - Sherry Coats, Lead Pastor of Global & Contextual Ministries
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:36-40
Who are the “least of these”? The homeless, the hungry, the refugee, the victims of loss, and the needy children. According to UNICEF, 26,500 to 30,000 children die
every day due to poverty related issues. One website lists 48 countries considered the “least of these.” Statistics burden our souls! So WACC faithfully addresses these pressing needs for nearly 20% of those countries; Bangladesh, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, and Senegal.
When you go as a short-termer, give resources, and support our global partners living among them, you are serving the least of these. Jesus said that those who will be considered worthy to enter His eternal kingdom will be those who have proven their love for Him by their love for the “least of these” among His brethren (see Matthew 25:31-46).
Thank you, Jesus, for this church body that seriously puts passion into action!
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Sharing Your Faith - Hal Lentz, Pastor of Development & New Horizons Ministry
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”
Matthew 28:19
Jesus told his disciples “. . . go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”
Never has such a small word said so much. Go. The word summarizes his life and punctuates our purpose.
When Jesus told them to go, he was saying this is what I have created you for. You know who I am. Your past is forgiven. Your calling is clear. Go. The commission transcends generations, cultures, language and geography. It is one that all Christ Followers share. When we make disciples and baptize in the name of Jesus, God’s will is done. GO.
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Prayer - Bryan Guthrie, Lead Pastor of Creative Ministries
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Matthew 26:39
I call myself a follower of God, but if I take an honest look at the way I talk to God, I’d have to say that I’m much more interested in God following me than I am in
following Him.
Most of my time in prayer is focused on trying to get God’s attention as if He’s not noticing me. Asking that He would show up and change whatever circumstances I’m facing to meet my desires. But the reality of our faith is that God is already here, knows what we face in every moment and is working in us through His Spirit. I don’t need to try and get His attention because I’ve already got it. What I need is to be attentive to Him.
Ben Patterson says, “Prayer is not about communication, it’s about communion.” Our Heavenly Father wants us to talk to him, to “cast all our cares on Him” but more than that, He wants us to be with Him.
As we follow God and His purpose for our lives, may we learn to trust our Savior, rest in His grace and echo His words, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”
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Distress - Dr. William Carl Ankerberg, Senior Pastor
For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Matthew 24:21-22
It is hard to hear the words of Jesus at times. When He speaks about the end of
human history, he repeatedly warns us that there will be tough times. I would rather not hear that; I would prefer optimism about the future. At the beginning of the 20th century, people were saying that in every way things were getting better and better. Then World War I and II came along.
Jesus always brings us back to reality, and He doesn’t tell us what we want to hear, He tells us the truth. Yet even in the tough days, God shows his mercy in the shortening of the days. God knows what we can take, and while He often pushes us so that we will grow, He also shortens the days of struggle.
My wife’s pastor told a story from his days as an ambulance driver. As he drove a victim from a house fire in their small town for an hour to a large trauma center
he heard the man in the back repeat a hundred times, “My God, my God; can’t someone do something for the pain.” Her pastor said his passion to share Christ was based on this event. The thought of a Christ-less eternity in hell is so traumatic, so we call people to come to Christ today. If God cares for our eternity, we can surely trust him for today and tomorrow-whatever happens.
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Covenant - Chad Miller, Pastor of College/Young Adult Ministry
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 26:28
Our Father Abraham was a nomad who was most likely wandering with his tribe in a region of the Middle East when, without warning, the One True God told him to leave his family and go to a place that God would show him. Despite his old age and the inability of his wife to have children, he was told that his family would be made into a great nation that would bless every other family on earth. The implications of the Covenant were clear: creation would somehow be restored through Abraham’s
family. From that point on, Abraham’s participation with God in his Covenant
explained everything he did. So, considering that we, through the work of Christ
are Abraham’s family, does God’s Covenant to restore creation still explain
everything we do?
To answer that question, I’d like us to ask ourselves another: Could the church still
function if the smaller issues that unite us were removed? If we could not worship
God with singing and music, could we still exist as a community of Christ followers?
I admit that much would be lost, but the church would still go on. What about
preaching? If it were gone, we would have to find other ways to study God’s word and to encourage each other? But could the church exist without God’s Covenant to Abraham to restore creation through us, His family?
I take great comfort in the reality that the creation-restoring Covenant God gave to Abraham is the same creation-restoring Covenant he extends to us through the work of Christ. The word “Covenant” appears in the Bible over 300 times and thematically appears on almost every page. God has been faithful to this Covenant throughout history, and invites us to be faithful to it as well. God’s Covenant is old but it’s still full of hope and power. Praise God that despite all of our wandering,
He has not wavered in His commitment to restore all of creation through our participation in His Covenant.
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Denial - Dr. Don Mortenson, Lead Pastor of Congregational Care
On the night that Jesus was betrayed he said to his disciples, “tonight you will desert me.” Peter declared, “If everyone else deserts you, I won’t” Then Jesus says to Peter, “the truth is that this very night, before the cock crows at dawn, you will deny me three times!” Peter gives an indignant response, “I would die first,” and all the other disciples said the same thing.
Matthew 26:31-35
The dictionary’s definition of deny is “to refuse to recognize, or acknowledge.”
Later that evening, when Peter was not with Jesus, he refused to recognize or
acknowledge that he knew him.
Do we acknowledge Jesus differently when it feels like we are with Him, than we do when it feels like we are not? How do I act when with other Christians in church, or in a small group Bible Study? How about when I am with family and friends who don’t know Jesus? Silence may be my form of denial.
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Worldly Shackles - Dr. William Carl Ankerberg, Senior Pastor
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Matthew 26:6-9
Unclean beauty. That’s what I thought about the contrast between the leper, Simon, and the woman’s great sacrifice of love. What a strange contrast. Have you ever been criticized for your devotion to Christ? A famous conductor dislocated his shoulder conducting music with great passion. Have you ever “overdone it” in your love for Jesus?
He defended the woman who anointed him with expensive perfume: “Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” And Mary Magdalene, she of the seven demons, he honored as the very first witness of the Resurrection. He will honor you as well if you give Him the place of honor in your life.
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Betrayal - Todd Molter, Pastor of Men’s & Family Ministries
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
Matthew 27:3-4
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? Let down by someone you trusted? Has a loved one broken your heart? Or was it a business partner who stole the profits while leaving you with nothing but debt? Betrayal seems to be a part of the human condition.
Jesus knew betrayal. He was deserted by His closest friends, and sold to those who hated Him for a mere thirty pieces of silver. He was an innocent man who faced death alone. And even God the Father, though not through betrayal, turned His back on His son in order that all humanity might be saved.
My prayer is that the next time you feel betrayed, your thoughts might drift to the one who experienced the ultimate betrayal. Regardless of life’s challenge, may we all take comfort in the reality of a God who never expects us to endure anything that He hasn’t already endured and claimed ultimate victory!
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A Test of Patience - John Riley, Lead Pastor of Student Ministries
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the
testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge- to the great amazement of the governor. Matthew 27: 11-14
A young father in a supermarket was pushing a shopping cart with his little son, who was strapped in the front. The little boy was fussing, irritable, and crying. The other shoppers gave the pair a wide berth because the child would pull cans off the shelf and throw them out of the cart. The father seemed to be very calm; as he continued down each aisle, he murmured gently: “Easy now, William. Keep calm, William. Steady, boy. It’s all right, William.”
A mother who was passing by was greatly impressed by this young father’s
considerate attitude. She said, “You certainly know how to talk to an upset child- quietly and gently.” And then bending down to the little boy, she said, “What seems to be the trouble, William?” “Oh no,” said the father. “He’s Henry. I’m William.”
Amidst the injustice and unfairness of life, sometimes we find ourselves a lot like William. We feel like we’re barely hanging on, trying to just keep it together and not blow up at the people around us. But Jesus’ patience, in the face of the unjust cruelty, was unwavering. And scripture teaches that this patience compels us to
also be patient with the people and circumstances that frustrate us. This is only
possible as you acquaint yourself with the depths of God’s patience in Jesus. So today, please stop just for a moment and abide in Him. Tell Him the name of the frustrating person or circumstance that you are struggling with. Ask Jesus for His heart for them. Then you’ll begin to get a little taste of the unlimited patience
God has for you.
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Love - Tim Gunther, Pastor, Audio/Visual Ministry
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and
worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to
go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:9-10
Jesus was deserted by those closest to him. His disciples even denied they knew him. Now he speaks with compassion referring to them as his brothers showing us that He has forgiven them. When the disciples are afraid to go to Galilee, Jesus doesn’t wait for his disciples to arrive. Instead He meets them where they are and travels with them to Galilee. He doesn’t wait for them to come to him asking forgiveness, he reaches out to them.
There are times in our lives when we may act as though God doesn’t exist. Yet even in these times God does not desert us. God shows us the same unconditional love that Jesus showed his disciples. He reaches out to us, patiently waiting for us to open ourselves up to him. We don’t need to be perfect. He loves us as we are in the midst of our fears and imperfections.
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Compassion - Sherry Coats, Lead Pastor of Global & Contextual Ministries
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Often regarded as the greatest of all virtues, compassion means ‘to suffer together.’ Its roots go back to the English noun, patient, one who suffers, and the Greek verb,
to suffer. However you slice it, suffering is a given for mankind. We can’t escape it! We try, but it’s a reality God uses to call out compassion from us, thereby
showing His love, grace, and redemption to others.
Corinthians 2 is one place where God is spoken of as the “Father of
compassion” and the “God of all comfort.” The life of Jesus embodies the very essence of compassion. Christ’s example challenges us to forsake our own desires and to act compassionately towards those in need or distress. Jesus assures us that “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” In the Parable of the Good Samaritan he holds up the ideal of compassionate behavior. True compassion, say the Gospels, should extend to all, even to the extent of loving one’s enemies.
Father of Compassion, we ask your Spirit to teach us to respond to the suffering of others in a way that moves us to come along side those who are suffering. Please remind us to pray for our enemies, just as Jesus did.
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God is With Us - Dr. Sherry Mortenson, Lead Pastor of Spiritual Formation & Prayer
“…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
Pray and ask God to speak to you through His word today.
Meditate on Matthew 28:20.
The Gospel of Matthew records Jesus’ final words to His disciples before He
returns to the Father in heaven. We are called to “go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
This is an incredible “Great Commission” and challenge for any follower of Jesus Christ. It seems overwhelming and unreachable to most of us. We can’t do this in our own effort and strength. Our hope and assurance of accomplishing God’s plans and purposes is found in Jesus’ final words, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
As we meditate of the final promise of Jesus, we need to reflect again on the
beginning words of Matthew. We read in Matthew 1:23, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,” which means, “God with us.”
In the midst of the trials, pain, challenges, and call on our life--we are never alone. Immanuel is with us.
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Forgiving - Jared Powell, Pastor of Junior High Ministry
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:21-22
I know of three things that are certain in my life. I do know that the sun comes up in the east, when I am tired I like a nap, and in a couple days I will need to apologize for something I did. It never fails. Like clockwork I say the wrong thing or do something I shouldn’t have. By far the person I say sorry to the most is my wife. “Sorry about putting your shirt in the dryer, again.” “Yes that is my stuff on the floor, and yes I will try to not leave it there. I am sorry.”
Although I make honest attempts at being better in my relationships, I still stumble from time to time. It’s the same in my relationship with God. Although I would like to stop sinning, and it is a goal I am working on, I still sin. I am constantly falling
short of the glory of God. There is constant forgiveness I need to seek from God. Since God is the ultimate judge, it makes sense to make sure we are cool before judgment day.
Another thing I know to be true is that other people will hurt me like I have hurt them. When I am hurt by someone, I have the option of forgiving them. Forgiving is often complex and very hard to do. It even gets harder to do when you are hurt over and over again often by the same person. Like when my clothes are found on the floor over and over again, sorry again Pamela. How long are we going to have to keep forgiving? I am sure my wife would like to know.
Jesus is the one who forgives. He is the one who I would like to constantly forgive me. He thinks you should continue to forgive like He is going to continue to forgive you. If there is someone you need to forgive today and are unsure about it, forgive. When forgiving seems too hard, ask God to help. He will.
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Preparing - Kelly Warner, Pastor of Sports/Recreation Programs
My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples.
Matthew 26:18
Professional athletes spend their lives preparing themselves to compete at such a
level. Christ spent His life preparing Himself to be heard at such a level. Professional athletes can play the game on any given day, some days hitting the mark, some days
not so much. But when it comes to the BIG GAME, the Super Bowl, the World Cup,
etc., these take a whole different level of concentration, physical awareness and
“preparation.” Christ hit His mark every day, every time; yet He, too, had to prepare
like never before for His BIG DAY. His internal struggle, “My appointed time is near,” did not affect Him in hitting His mark. He was going to celebrate the Passover with his disciples. And He did. Christ spent His entire earthly life “preparing.”
Preparing is hard; it’s not an easy regimen to stick to. No pain, no gain! However if
you want to continue to grow so you are ready for your BIG DAY, you need to be
constantly preparing.
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Resurrection - Colleen Marks, Pastor of Local Outreach
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
Matthew 28:5-7
The Resurrection changes everything! It’s the key to our Christian faith. Easter doesn’t end with Christ coming out of an empty tomb. Instead, the Gospels tell us of amazing events that happened after the Resurrection as Christ appeared to His people. The women came grieving to the tomb, but left joyful, having experienced the miracle of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus promised, He rose from the dead. The angel urged the women to “Go and tell!” the good news to the other disciples. The women left walking in joyful victory, ready to share this life-changing news!
The good news about Jesus Christ is worth sharing. It’s not something to keep to ourselves. Today, who do you have the opportunity to share his love with? Who can you share this good news with? Let’s go and tell!
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Joy - Dr. William Carl Ankerberg, Senior Pastor
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:64
Mrs. Harvey Kidd tells how her young grandson, Richard, and she recently
vacationed in the Rocky Mountains. One day they had stopped to admire their
grandeur, and after a few minutes of thoughtful silence Richard broke out, “Just think- God did all this with only one hand!” She puzzled over this for a moment,
and then asked him what he meant. “Oh, you know, Grandmother,” he replied,
“the Bible says Jesus was sitting on the right hand of God.”
Jesus sits in the place of honor in Heaven. Not “on” God’s hand, but “at” God’s side. And one day, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:10-11)
Jesus reminds us that one day He will return, “On the clouds of Heaven.” What a great day that will be for believers. We often call this the “Blessed hope” that we have in Christ. We trust Him and His promises to us. He is coming again!
Phil Callaway tells about one sleepy Sunday afternoon when his son was five years old, they drove past a cemetery together. Noticing a large pile of dirt beside a newly excavated grave, he pointed and said: “Look, Dad, one got out!” One day we will be resurrected because of our relationship to Jesus. What a great day to look forward to, unending life in Heaven.
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