Walking the Walk - Living by FaitH “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 Live by faith. It sounds so easy. At least it’s easy to say. But what does it really look like to truly live by faith?
Does it mean not doing anything and let God take care of everything? How else can we show we trust God? If we try to do things on our own doesn’t it mean, we are not trusting God? St. Paul was not a believer in Jesus at first. In fact, he was a devout Jewish man who was determined to single-handedly put a stop to “those people called Christians”. He believed that they were actually hurting Israel. This is who he was until God met him along the road and Paul was transformed. To read this story, check out Acts 9:1-19. From that day on he was a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. He spent the rest of his life sharing and living out his faith. He wrote approximately 2/3 of the New Testament and led several missionary journeys establishing churches all over Asia and into Europe. In the first chapter of his letter to the Romans, Paul shares his qualifications as a teacher of faith. In the verses above he teaches us that in the Gospel we are saved and live by faith. We are transformed by the Gospel to share it with others. Paul lived by faith all the remainder of his life. He did not sit back. He went out in humility to share why he loves Jesus to all he met. He models for us how to live by faith. He trusted God in all circumstances. His life was not exactly easy. He was imprisoned several times, shipwrecked, ridiculed, arrested. Yet, through it all he knew God was in control and trusted Him. In our lives we do not always know what is right around the corner. But we do know that God is with us as He was always with Paul. We need not sit in fear and not act. Nor do we ignore things and act as if everything is completely normal. We are to take life day by day for what it is. We are to sit in God’s Hands assured that He is in control. We are to act in faith, trusting and listening to the Holy Spirit. We are to continue to pursue humility as we seek to do God’s Will. We are to lay aside our personal agendas to be obedient to God alone. So do not fear if you are not sure you have this “live by faith” thing all down perfectly. Be assured that Jesus is right beside you teaching you each day to trust Him. With humility learn from Him each day how to live by faith. For those times you need encouragement, read some of Paul’s writings in the Bible and see how he kept trusting God in all circumstances. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. He lived it out in his life. He was so in love with God that he could not help but share his story with others. Follow his example, share why you love Jesus with someone. Before you know it, you will see how you are walking the walk and living by faith. `~Pastor Vicki Epper
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The Creator God Shows Us Courage Through the Cross This Lenten season we studied the 7 places Jesus bled while on the cross to cleanse us from all our sins. Each place, His head, His hands, His side, His back and His feet are demonstrations of God’s great love for us. Each one repaired the chasm between humanity and God once and for all. Since Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden the Creator God set into motion His plan of salvation. He knew how the chasm between the Triune God and humanity would be repaired. This Holy Week we follow Jesus along His journey to the Cross. A journey He takes willingly. One He must take alone. His courage is on display as He hangs on the Cross. On this night of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday Jesus gave His disciples, and to us today, a commandment - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 Jesus demonstrated love for us when He willingly sacrificed His life to save us from sin, and from ourselves. He gave the full measure of love. He courageously showed love in each of the seven places He bled on the Cross. If you have turned your back to God, see the blood from His back cleansing you as you turn back towards Him. If you have done things you are ashamed of, see His nail pierced hands washing you clean. If you have walked away from God, believing you didn’t need Him, see His feet with nails in them walking to meet you, wherever you are. If you have thoughts you are ashamed of, or words spoken from anger, pain or pride; know the crown of thorns cleanses you, so you can fix your thoughts on Him. If your heart has strayed from Him, know that the wound in His side brings our hearts in right relationship with Him and the Creator God. Seven wounds. Seven displays of courage. Our response to His command - to love one another as He loves us. No, we are not being asked to give up our lives. But we are told to set aside judgments so we may courageously love one another. To see each other as God sees, beloved children of His. It is not always easy. It does require trust in God and humility to learn from the Holy Spirit. Courage is given to us by the Creator God. This holy night hear Jesus say “I love you”. See His courage by His wounds. It is by His wounds that you are healed. Go now with courage loving one another. Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers. Love without condition, without judgment. Be courageous, in humility, just as Jesus showed all of us through His courage on the Cross. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” ~John 13:13-15 ~Pastor Vicki Epper Have you ever walked away from someone in the midst of an argument? Walking away often feels right. Emotions are high. It just seems easier. You don’t have to talk through difficult topics of conversations, instead you can walk away, avoid the issue and pretend everything will work itself out. In our final week examining together the 7 places Jesus bled for us while on the cross, we are exploring how the wounds in His feet cleanse us from the times we walk away from God. We can try to go far away, but we can never be too far away from Him. Let’s learn from Jacob in the book of Genesis how we can return home after walking away. Jacob, one could say, was a swindler. He had developed a lifelong reputation of conning people if it meant he could get ahead. When he was young, he swindled his brother out of his part of the inheritance for a bowl of food. A little bit later, with the help of his mother, he convinced his old and blind father to give him the blessing of the eldest child even though he was the second born child. You could say he needed to run far away to protect himself from those he conned. Many years passed and Jacob heard from God that it was time to return to his homeland. Despite his fears he obeyed and packed up his belongings and moved his family to his homeland. As he journeyed, he worried how his older brother Esau would receive him. To read the full story, read Genesis 32-33. Jacob’s unease was deserved, but he hoped for peace with Esau. He returned home prepared to protect himself, ready for a fight, but was surprised when Esau welcomed him home warmly. There was much rejoicing between the reunited brothers. We learn from Jacob that despite hurting others and walking away, we can be reconciled to Jesus and to one another. Fears will arise at the unknown reception, but we can rest assured that God welcomes us back warmly. It is because of the wounds in Jesus’ feet that we are healed. Despite how far or how long you think your feet have taken you away from Jesus you are welcomed back warmly as soon as you turn back. God forgives you. God celebrates your return on a grander scale then Jacob and Esau. As you look upon the Cross this Holy Week, see the 7 places Jesus bled for you. See the wounds He bore for you. See the wounds that bring healing to your life. Find healing in His wounds. Be comforted knowing He did it all for you. He hung on that cross to bring you back to God alone. May you walk step in step with Jesus now in a renewed relationship with Him. Go where He leads and learn as He teaches you. Remain assured of His unconditional love for you as you see His wounds on the Cross. ~Pastor Vicki Epper Hospitality Is Blessing One Another-Serving During A Quarantine Hospitality is seen in the ways we bless fellow children of God. By first listening to learn & then serving one another as we are gifted by the Holy Spirit, we are showing hospitality to one another. During this time of self-quarantining, caring for one another looks different. It doesn’t stop happening. It merely changes how it happens.
Blessing happens when we check-in with one another via text, phone, group chats and video calls. Simply listening to one another’s joys and sorrows, and praying virtually over one another for God’s peace can be a profound blessing in someone’s day. We are still able to speak these words of blessing over one another: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ~Numbers 6:24-25 Blessing also occurs in those moments we support local small businesses by purchasing goods & services for delivery or as gift cards to use at a future date. Blessing is seen in making protective gear for those on the front lines caring for patients in our healthcare system. Blessing is partaking in Discover Delivers by delivering groceries to households in high risk demographics who cannot go themselves or providing rides to needed appointments. Serving in the name of Jesus does not stop during a time of social distancing & quarantine. It simply shifts to present itself in new and various ways. As followers of Jesus Christ we are called by God to serve all people, in all ways, ALWAYS. With the gifts of the internet, social networks, delivery options, phones and group messaging we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to serve each other in the midst of this crisis. Share on your social media how God is leading you to serve during this time. Post a picture with Flat Jesus as you serve & share the story of God’s grace going forth into the world. (Don’t forget to use the hashtags #flatjesusdcbplc, #discoverchurhserves, #discoverb3 so we can rejoice with you.) |
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As we begin to navigate a more distanced society and find new ways to connect virtually, it is our hope as a staff that one way we can bless our community is through a Discover Church blog filled with encouragement and ways to reflect on His goodness and faithfulness as we all walk this path into the unknown. Categories
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