This One shall be their peace 

Micah 5:5

The Lord Our Peace (Jehovah Shalom—Judges 6:4) is come and will come again.  The God of Peace be with you (Rom 15:33, 16:20; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 13:20
 

Hurried and harried, Christmas can leave us blurried, flurried, and be-frazzled.  Be still and meditate on this: on “Cease striving and know that I Am God.”

Christmas can stir up things from the past and present.  Let the peace of God rule in your hearts as the guardian of your minds.

When rest and peace will not come, we come to Christ.
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith Jehovah; and I will heal him.  But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it cannot rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.  There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.  Isa 57:19-21 ASV

Christ bore the “dis-ease” of all our sins.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  Isa 53:5-6 ASV

Speak the truth in love with one another: Eph 4, Col: 3
Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed.  Ps 85:10 NKJV

Be thankful:  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Col 3:15

Meditate in Christ:  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isa 26:3 NKJV

Meditate to keep His commands:  Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.  Psalms 119:165 NIV

Angels we have heard: 

He shall come with heaven’s Angels

The most angel activity recorded in history is around the birth of Christ.  Eight angel messages: to old and young, to Jew and Gentile.  In addition to other recorded events, we read that the Holy Spirit caused the baby John to leap in Elizabeth’s womb, in response to Mary’s greeting (Lk 1:41-44).  Then the Holy Spirit directed Simeon and Anna to the temple to see the newborn    Messiah (Luke 2:26-35, 36-38).  Finally, we have the miraculous star guiding wise men from afar (Matt 2:1-2).

In past revivals and current visitations, there have been reports of angel activity, along with dreams, visions, and miraculous signs.  In Muslim and native villages, appearances of Jesus and angels open peoples’ hearts to believe and obey.  The Bible says we are in the last days (Acts 2:17), even the last hour (I John 2:18).  People are excited about angels and revelations, but not necessarily about obedience.

you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.  3 First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?”  RSV 2 Peter 3:2-4

The issue for us is not whether we see angels or special signs, but that we prepare ourselves for his return, through the obedience of faith.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  45 ”Who then is the   faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?  46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.  NIV Matt 24:44-46

 Read these angels’ appearances and be encouraged that Christ is coming again, with all the angels of heaven (Matt 13 and 2 Thess 2:17)

Lk 1:11-21 Gabriel to Zacharias, that he and Elizabeth would have a son who would be the forerunner of Messiah.

Lk 1:26-38 Gabriel to Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin, announcing she would be the mother of Jesus.

Mt 1:20-24 an angel of the Lord to Joseph, saying to fear not to marry Mary, “for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Lk 2:9-15 an angel of the Lord to the shepherds, announcing Jesus’ birth

Mt 2:12 God warns the three wise men not to return to Herod.

Mt 2:13 an angel of the Lord warns Joseph to flee from Herod to Egypt.

Mt 2:19 an angel of the Lord tells Joseph in a dream, “return to Israel.”

Mt 2:22 God tells Joseph again in a dream, turn aside to Galilee instead of Judea God still speaks today.  Angels watch and help wise men hear, worship and obey (Heb 1:7 and Psalm 104:4).






-PD

Old Testament Prophecies of Messiah
and their Fulfillment in the New Testament

This fulfilled the prophet’s prediction… Matt 2:15

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem…  Gal 4:4 NIV

    Each day this week I encourage you to read aloud from prophecies below, along with their fulfillment.  No other religion has the miracle of God’s Word.  Only the One, True, God of Gods, revealed His purposes through prophesy, then perfectly fulfilled them.  Faith comes by hearing the word.  Your faith will grow this Advent, as you believe, obey and fulfill the purposes of Messiah in your life.  In this way, we prepare for His second coming.  Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done.  Come, Lord Jesus.

Who:  Emmanuel, God with us—Is 7:14 & Lk 2:21
     Branch of Jesse: Gen 49:11; Is 11:1-2; Jer 23:15; Jn 15:1-2
     (Branch also means Nazarene, fulfilled in Matt 2:23)
     of the tribe of David: Ps 89:35; Lk 1:69, 2:11; Rev 22:16
     Lion of Judah, root of David: Gen 49:10 & Rev 5:5

Why:  He would come: Savior—Matt 1:21; Heb 2:9-17; 
     and Lord, bringing the kingdom of God Dan 7:13-14; Ps 110; Mt 4:17; Mt 28:18; Rev 5:10
     He would reign as Priest who saves: Zech 6:11-13;
     Heb 9:28; as Prophet bringing the Word of God: Deut 18:15; Matt 24; 
     and King of Kings, Prince of Peace: 2 Sam 7:12; Is 9:6-7; Mt 2:2; Heb 7:15-17

What He would do: To fulfill the covenant: Gen 3:15, 12:3, 17:7; Jer 31:31-34; 
     Heb 8:12-13, 9:14-15
     “It is written of me in the Book”: Ps 40:6-7; Heb 10:7
   
Where from:  Bethlehem: Micah 5:2-4; Luke 2:4
    Egypt: Hosea 11:1; Mt 2:15
    Nazareth: Is 11:1; Mt 2:23

How born:  Is 7:14-16; Lk 1:26-35; Jn 1:14

When: John: Is 40:3-5; Lk 3:1-6; Simeon: Lk 2:25-30

With what signs: In sky: Zech 9:9; Num 24:17; Mt 2:2
    In manger: Is 7:14; Lk 2:12; in terror: Jer 31:15; Mt 3:18


-PD

First Sunday of Advent

The Forerunner

He will turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the disobedient, the incredulous, and unpersuadable to the knowledge and holy love of the will of God, to make ready a people for the Lord [perfectly] prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state].
(Mal 4:5-6, Is 40:3 and Luke 1:17 AMP)
 
This week read how John came preparing the way of the Lord.  Pray the fulfillment of this amazing promise above—the turning of hearts of fathers and children and unbelieving, in preparation for His second coming.  WOW!  What a prayer to pray!

Who do you need to speak that promise over?  Does your heart need turned toward your children or toward your parents?  Are you praying for a prodigal?  Look how John fulfilled the prophecies about him, and let your faith and hope be encouraged this week!

Who:  Elijah must come first.  Mal 4:5-6 & Lk 1:17, 76-79

About his birth:  filled with the Spirit in the womb.  Lk 1:15 & 41

What will he be like:
    - A hairy man with leather belt:  2 Kings 1:8 & Matt 3:4
   
    - Eating locusts:  Lev 11:22 & Mt 3:4

    - Where from:  the wilderness.  Is 40:3 & Lk 1:80 & 3:2

What message:  Repent for the kingdom of God is coming. Lk 3:7-14; 7:27

Messiah will purify with fire:  Mal 3:1-2, 4:1-2; & Lk 3:16-17

So that:  the glory of the Lord be revealed.  Is 40:5 & Jn 1:14

The end of the old and the coming of the kingdom:  “No prophet greater than John but the least in the kingdom is greater than him”  Luke 7:28

From Rebecca Petrie's Journal

God of Covenant, we ask for greater awareness of the daily grace you 

bring to us—especially in suffering and in the mysteries of daily life.

From Rebecca Petrie’s journal on the tenth anniversary of 

her accident becoming a paraplegic, Oct 6, 2001

In Paul's own weakness he cried out to the Lord, the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient... My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). I wonder if I have allowed His strength to be made perfect in me. I don't really think so, but I leave that with Father. I don't think I really know what it means. At times I get a glimmer and then it fades. I do understand though that His grace is the under-girding of His Person enabling me when there is nothing I have to give. 

In my Bible, the commentary on chapter 12:9 says this, "God's grace becomes His enablement or empowerment to achieve His plan, endure hardship, or access Him".  

In our need "God gives us grace, the supernatural ability or miraculous facility to sustain, endure, or maintain our call. If there is strength out of this weakness it is surely a work of His grace.      

Father, I pray that today You would enable me to access Your grace to allow You to be Yourself in me, and love through me. 

I can respond to grace    

Are you aware today of weakness, are you in pain, are you lonely? Run to Him, oh, run to Him! Sometimes we are tempted to be angry with the very One who loves  us and will turn our pain and weakness into His strength and purpose.

This week is Thanksgiving. Give thanks and pray for our   nation—for a great awakening resulting in us rising up in courage and love and God’s power as REFORMERS.

Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent (the four weeks of reverent worship of Jesus, The Word made flesh to dwell among us.

God reveals himself and restores us through covenant:

T       Worship God who is Transcendent (above all)
H      Follow Christ and his representative-Heirarchy
E       Build fellowship-Ethics-love one another  
O      Be good stewards-Oaths-agree with God’s consequences
S       Join him in Co-Mission-Succession for the future


-PD

God Is (T.H.E.O.S)... 

I Am (W.D.F.S.M.)...

 

 
Last Sunday I reviewed five values I believe in and we teach from God’s Word. Today I match them with the five aspects of living the covenant life, from chapter 4 in the Reformers Creed book.

    

T             God is transcendent (other, beyond, above like the top of the capital letter “T” -I am

                   a  worshipper  whom God  seeks.      (Jn 4:23-24)

H           God is re-presented delegated hierarchy. I am Christ's disciple so I can be 

                  discipled by another person and disciple others (Jn 8:31-32).

E            God shows his love giving us ethics  - I am  growing in love and the fellowship of

                  covenant relationships  by my obedience to God (Acts 2:42-46 and 1 Cor 13 “Love) 

O           God gives us his solemn oath of blessing and curses in covenant and I agree to His

                   terms-I am stewarding all I am and all I have been given for Christ (1Pet4:11).

S             God continues relationship and builds His kingdom through succession of

                   generational transfer, winning the lost and making discisples.  I am on co-mission  

                   with Christ for his kingdom and for the gospel (Mt28:18-19).

 

There is a progression from W   -->   D   -->   F   -->    S   -->    M  ...

Seeing God as He is, how could I not believe and worship? 

Seeing and believing and worshipping God, how could I not take up my own cross and follow him to be his disciple? 

Seeing, believing, worshipping and following God, how could I not love others, seeking their good and desiring fellowship and covenant with them?

Seeing, believing, worshipping, following and fellowshipping God with you, how could I not serve and minister to and with you (stewardship) using everything He has given to Me for His glory and joy? 

Seeing, believing, worshipping, following, fellowshipping and stewarding for God, how could we not go on co-mission with Him? How could we not want others to know Him and the good news of his kingdom? How could we not pray for them by name and nation, and invite them and befriend them and believe for them to belong and become re-formed with us and together participate With Christ in the re-forming of the earth in his image?

-PD

Creating a Culture of Honor Requires
the Touch Of The Master's Hand

You may know the story of the auctioneer who could not get a bid on an old violin until an elderly man interrupted the bidding, picked it up and began to play it beautifully. Immediately the value of the bids jumped—all because of the "touch of the Master's hand."

Today we desire to say "Thank You" to friends and neighbors who serve our community. Your "touch" on a child's life, your integrity in business, your help for a person in need, your protection, etc... You represent the grace of God who keeps watch over our city. We honor you today. May you feel the touch of the Master's hand in your life and through you to others.

This is week six in our study of God as the Creator of the form, man the bearer of God's form and creation reflecting the good form of God's image. In the second section of our book Reformers Creed, we look at God the Just Judge of the distorted form, man bearing that distortion, and the effect on creation.  Because  man aligned himself with the likeness of a distorted form (the Usurper-Liar-Accuser called Satan) God provided a means to restore us to His own image, and through us Re-form the earth.

Questions we might ask ourselves include the  following:

What is my image of God? How do I think of Him? Do I think about God? What do I feel about God's thoughts toward me? If God is good and loves me and places worth and value on me enough to send His only Son whom He loves to restore me to Himself,  does this affect how I view others and treat them? Do I value   myself and honor others as created in the image and likeness of God?

How do I show value for what God made? Am I a good representative in how I tend and guard and release  potential in people and things and the earth itself? What kind of house or rearing place am I making for God?

Finally, how do I show value for God's Word? Reading, meditating, studying and applying God's word brings blessing:  God created by His Word, holds things together by His Word, judges creation by his Word, and Jesus is the Word made flesh among us. How I value God's Word reflects how much I value Christ himself.  

Our hope is that we will grow in the knowledge of God and his word to us. We will bear his image in the earth. And by His grace we will create a culture of honor, affirmation, appreciation for others. The touch of the Master's Hand reveals the true value and image of God. Let Him choose you, lift you up in His presence, tune you and use you as his worship, releasing creativity, beauty, courage and hope.   -PD

First Church of Post Eden OR

Covenant Love and Life

No surprise that Adam and Eve did not go to church. They didn’t have “devotions” or praise and worship services and never had to sit through a sermon or read a book. WOW-does that sound like paradise?

What did they have? HMM, let’s see… they walked in close proximity with God each evening—face to face as it were. Their  devotion was to keep and tend the garden of God. Their worship was to obey. Their knowledge of God was to  fill the earth by bearing fruit in what they did. God blessed them. They didn’t have a Bible study but they experienced the “GOOD” which God had created and they participated in the re-creation and re-formation of the earth.

Until they fell. They sinned when they believed the lie that they were supposed to be like God and could be like God on their own, instead of trusting and obeying God. They trusted themselves to satisfy themselves and please God and others, or else control them. From then on they had to hide and pretend and blame and control and put on “religion.”

I imagine they could have “formed” something like the “First church of Eden.” They could have made up a liturgy using trees and fruit. They might have made up songs like “I’ll fly away to the garden of Someday,” or, “Hold the fort ‘til the Super Seed comes to replant us in heavenly Glory.”

Covenant—God’s form of relationship, worship and life

God, the Judge of the distorted Form, gave them a form of worship which would shape them for redemption (to be bought back, brought back, re-formed). He gave them a tabernacle and system of sacrifices to prepare them for the Ultimate Sacrifice, the Son of God. He gave them a way to cover their guilt and heal their distorted souls.

God offered them & us relationship with Him through covenant.  He made the rules, gave them priests and prophets, apostles and pastors, spelled out the consequences of their disobedience, then satisfied the demands of the law and paid for our sins (see Abraham in Gen 15). When we receive Christ, are born into his kingdom and enter into his covenant, He involves us in his great joy of co-mission with him to heal and re-from the earth. Together in Christ we can live Covenant life.     

-PD

Report from our KMI conference 

 

We (Covenant Life) are members of a spiritual family of leaders and congregations worldwide called Kingdom Ministries International.    

  

This week Steven White and Pastor Dwight attended out annual gathering with the theme of Koinonia: that we would hear with new ears and connect with new hearts to God and one another, and the fellowship of sharing life would be for His purpose, not just about us. We want to reflect God's likeness of covenant and community to the world, especially now so that in the continued shaking of all things, people will know God is present and powerful in his people, and they can come and become united with Christ and experience his love and life in spiritual family.

This year was our largest and most inspiring time yet as we heard testimonies and met leaders and pastors from the nations: a pastor from India who oversees 500 churches; one from France who is responsible for nearly fifty churches and ministries in six nations; our host this year Pastor Randy Howard brought pastors from Central America that he leads representing hundreds of churches there and in Africa.

A highlight was hearing our founder Dennis Peacocke speak, having just recovered enough from his life-threatening illness, then cancer on his vocal chords and just resuming ministry. His book on economic principles we need to know now is  at the publishers, and he spoke with prophetic clarity about the current world conditions.

Of course we bring greetings from pastors and leaders who have ministered here and also have sent us Masters Commission students or received ministry from us, like David Shay. David and Emily are going to have a baby — due on the exact anniversary of the fire that destroyed all their possessions. His report and words of thanks from others who have passed through times of suffering made us more aware and appreciative of the Koinonia (covenant community and love) we share in KMI.

    He has given marvelous comrades to me-
the faithful who dwell in the land.…
my inheritance is delightful to me.
Psalm 16

“So what?”

Reformers: We’ve learned that God has some traits we can’t have and other traits He imparts to us. This week our focus is “What should we be like?”
Another week we learn what should the world should like (God’s form to reflect His image).

Wednesday night, after watching a video of Patti Amsden teach chapter 1 from her book, I asked the youth and young adult Reformers Group this question: “So what?” OK, so there are things we cannot share with God but also traits He desires us to share with him in order to bear his likeness and image. What difference does that make to me? They shared the following:

“I can praise Him more.” “I can better represent him to others.” “I'm overwhelmed with Him and don't know how to express how I feel.” “I just want to swallow, digest, receive more of Him.” “It makes me know I'm never alone. No one is alone because God is always present.” “Everything is inter-related like “the butterfly effect” (a butterfly’s wings affects wind currents far away especially as combined with other effects). So I realized that everything matters and everything has a purpose. Therefore I will see and treat others differently because they matter.” “I can trust him. He never changes. He's always good and I can have more faith in God because his word is true.”

A Good Worldview begins with good thoughts about God - theology Matters! Once we answer questions like how things began and why we here we can apply a good theology to what we should be like and do. Then we apply good “God-thoughts” to what the world should be like. The result will be a clearer idea of what went wrong and what God wants us to do about it—be reformers!

God is not willing that any should perish. 2 Pet 3:9. God wants all men to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4. The shepherd sought lost sheep; the woman sought the lost coin; the Father welcomed his lost son (Luke 15) all shared in great JOY. Those who go forth bearing precious seed shall come again rejoicing bringing their sheaves with them. (Ps 126)

-PD

Reformers Series of Messages

Last week-How are we not like God? (His unshared traits)
Next week-How are we God’s image and likeness? (form)
This week-How can we can be like God? (godliness-traits God imparts to us—shares)

A swan is not a duck is not a goose

There is a children’s tale of a baby swan separated from it’s mother at birth. The swan tries to fit in with all kinds of other birds and animals but is quite ugly and never finds it’s image or identity, until finally it is maturing into a beautiful white swan then finds another swan and realizes who it was created to be. All this time it has been “becoming who it already was” but did not know the “form or likeness” it was meant to have. How is our spiritual life like the baby swan?

Reformation is from inside out-begins with me in His image
Peter describes this process of getting to know God better, then He shares Himself with us.
2 Peter 1:2-8

Share (koinos - fellowship and in common) in Divine Nature by grace knowing Him (NT:1922 epignosis—implies progressive experience producing change.
(note God’s part in this and our part-what we do)

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement [add to] your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To grow in grace and Godly love keep the five challenges: 1. read/meditate in God’s Word, 2. daily prayer/enjoy God’s presence, 3. fellowship and relationships in small group, 4. serve Christ’s body as member 5. co-mission with Christ in world.

2011 Year of Tending: focus, faithfulness, fruit

Gal. 6:9 “Let us not lose heart (be weary) of doing good, for in due time (kairos) we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” Chronos is chronological and general time which can lead us into an opportune or strategic time (kairos). This season of your life may be tedious-a time of plowing, standing, believing and persistent praying. If you press on, doing what is necessary in these general times the process will shift into a kairos season of reaping.

Excerpt from The Sacrament of This Present Moment
By Jean-Pierre de Caussade
Published in 1741

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
Mt 5:8

A conversation with my heart made pure, free and full of Christ:

‘Grant me a pure heart!’, O pure heart, how blessed you are! You find God in the strength of your own faith, see him in all things, at all times, in and around you. You are his subject and his instrument. He guides and brings you to your destination. Often you do not think; but he is thinking for you. Whatever happens to you is ordained by him. All he asks is your willingness.

Ah! How simple you are! Don’t you realize what a simple heart means? It is none other than a heart where God is.

He knows, too, that you don’t know what is for your good and makes it his business to provide it, little caring whether you like it or not. You are going East, he will turn you to the West. You are set fair on a course, he turns the rudder and steers you back to harbour...if pirates cross your path an unexpected gust of wind blows them off their course.

What enchantment, what delight, to rest there in his arms, playing innocently, rejoicing in divine wisdom, continuing the voyage uninterrupted over reefs, past pirates and through continual storms without anxiety about reaching a destination.

Love is that ardent desire, continually nourished by devout hope, which inspires the constant practice of goodness in the expectation of the divine presence. Its enjoyment will make the happiness of all faithful souls, today and for ever more.

Can Ordinary Time Shift To God’s
Time of Change For Me?

In God’s Timing For Your Life Dutch Sheets explained the difference between daily ordinary time (chronos) and a divine “SUDDENLY” or change in seasons (kairos). In Gal. 6:9 we read, “Let us not lose heart (be weary) of doing good, for in due time (kairos) we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” Chronos is chronological and general time which can lead us into an opportune or strategic time (kairos).

This season of your life may be tedious—a time of plowing, standing, believing and persistent praying. You must understand that all of that is part of a bigger picture. The chronos season, however frustrating, is not unimportant. If you press on, doing what is necessary in these general times, the process will shift into a kairos season of reaping.

The Christian Calendar year is made up mostly of “Ordinary Time” (from Pentecost through Advent). Other special times are Epiphany (Manifestation of Christ to the nations), and Lent (preparation for Christ’s week of passion) But the Jewish Lunar Calendar marks important fall feast days which we would also be wise to remember:

Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) — Wed-Thurs, Sept 28 -29. Also called Day of Remembrance and Shofar blowing. Jews believe that God as King opens the books and judges people’s works (giving them ten days (until Yom Kippur) to repent, make reconciliation and do good deeds.

Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur — Fri-Sat, Oct 7-8, is the most important of Holy Days. Fasting and repentance cleanse the soul of sins toward God and reconciliation must be sought for sins against one another. The high priest entered the Holiest of Holiest by the blood of the lamb to atone for Israel’s sins.

On this day God sent the angel Gabriel to Zechariah as he offered the incense and prayers, telling him that he and Elizabeth would have a son who would prepare the way for Messiah. They were simply being faithful to do the regular times (chronos) of worship and God interrupted them declaring a “kairos moment” or strategic window of time was opening signaling a change in seasons (in this case the birth of Messiah was at hand to usher in the New Covenant.

Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, Sukkot Sat, Oct 15 , 6:30 pm. This joyous festival lasted seven days, reminding Jews that they lived in tents in the wilderness. It is around the last harvest time or gathering and is a call for all nations to worship God. It includes things like the blowing of the trumpets, the procession of the lights and the water pouring as in John 7:36 when Jesus foretold of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

(each year our friends Rosh Pinah Messianic Jewish Congregation invite us to join them for a joyful Sukkot)

During ordinary times whether difficult or not, we stay grounded by continuing in spiritual disciplines, like Zechariah was doing. That’s why we have the five challenges: 1. reading and meditating in God’s Word, 2. daily prayer and enjoying God’s presence, 3. fellowship and relationships of a small group, 4. serving in the church and 5. in mission in the world.

Our attitudes and actions in chronos times determine whether and when God can shift us into kairos times. Gen 18:10 after 24 years of chromos God told Abraham in a year the promised son would be born.

-PD

“We’re living the Covenant life”

Following Tim’s word last Sunday morning, John Clark declared this over us, that we can live life in an entirely different way than the broken individuality of the world and we can experience God’s presence and blessing together.

Covenant Life Church—what does that mean? (excerpt from Timothy Cunkle’s comments last Sunday AM.)

1.) Covenant life is the tangible increase in spirit and quality of life that exists when covenant is being walked in.

2.) Examples of blessing of corporate covenant life in our own body: taking meals to each other, the needs and seeds ministry, hospitality, taking care of much of our own building maintenance, and involvement in our neighborhood and community through Streets of Shalom Whiz Kids, the neighborhood food drive we did last year, being a voting site, etc.

3.) Examples of blessing of our covenant with God: prophetic art/worship/dance, healing, a multi-generational congregation, prophetic voices, etc.

4.) Even our vision statement, “Restoring individuals, generations, and nations and the earth itself, in the image and love of God,” is a covenantal statement. It directly responds to what God has asked of us, and seeks to envelop all of creation into the blessing and beauty of covenant.

5.) We probably walk in covenant relationship more than we realize unknowingly. We have declared and written upon our doorposts that we are a body of covenant life. [Pastor adds that we can choose to walk in the grace of covenant relationships more easily as we honor those who have led us and been examples to us. They opened heaven for us by making an altar to God specifically sacrificing their own wills and resources to establish covenant and to seek His Kingdom and build covenant community.]

What does it (living the covenant life) produce?

1.) Increased covenant with God leads to increased covenant with one another, and more of the outpouring of His presence and Spirit; the gifts of the Spirit, supernatural works, God’s favor, etc... become increasingly more evident in our lives.

2.) The corporate nature of covenant (covenant relationships with one another) leads to deeper friendships and community, and even greater sharing of wealth both physical and spiritual. Even this would push us closer to God and help us to receive more of his grace and blessings through one another.

The Five Challenges of Self-Sacrifice

I want to love God with all my mind, soul and strength and love others as myself. I want to have a personal daily altar to God. I want to replace the perverse altars and idolatry of ideas that enable evil to influence our lives and those around us.

The five challenges of self-sacrifice from two weeks ago can be generally linked with worldview statements as follows:

1. An atheist doesn’t pray (even in a foxhole) because the naturalistic or secular humanist worldview holds no hope in God.

2. A “cosmic humanist” doesn’t read the Bible as the Word of God to direct their belief and practice.

3. A Satanist does not submit to Jesus Christ as King therefore will not submit to authority of the Scripture nor to God’s authority in the church as a disciple of Christ in a small group.

4. A strict existentialist does not commit to regular small group relationships nor order their life to serve others in the body of Christ at all because life is about their own experience not a shared membership in covenant with others.

5. A moral relativist embraces the worldly ideal of poly-theism and reasons to himself that there is equal plurality of all beliefs. Since there “absolutely are no absolutes” he can not be held accountable for any belief or action. This leaves him open to hedonism or complete self-indulgence the same as a Satanist.

Since I am not an atheist, humanist, existentialist, Satanist nor a moral relativist I will commit to self-denial and sacrifice to hear and obey God. In order to learn God’s ways I will include the following in my daily life:

1. I will pray with the mind and pray with the spirit.
1 Cor 14:15; John 4:23-24; Rom 8:26-27; Jude 20 .

2. I will present my body, remove negativity and receive God’s Word to renew my mind.
Deut 6; Joshua 1:6; Psalm 1; Psalm 19; John 15; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:1.

3. I will be in committed relationships for discipleship and fellowship.
Acts 2:42-46.

4. Through love I will serve others as a covenant relationships.
Gal 5:13; Eph 4:11-16.

5. I will get out of my comfort zone and be on mission because we as Christ’s Body are “God’s net.” (all four Gospels and Acts include Christ’s command and commission).

(The last two also include the sacrifice of regular and generous giving.)

~PD

Revival comes as I Repent, Renew and Re-form

We can identify where God is blessing and tend those altars in our lives. We can release God’s power and presence from heaven into the earth. God will run interference in demonic activity around us which is coming from idols and perversion in the culture.

Where is God’s blessing of “open heaven” for me/us? Like Isaac, I can re-dig old wells of blessing from our spiritual fathers. As I repent and receive God’s word my mind is renewed and I bring God’s kingdom to re-form the earth.

The five challenges of self-sacrifice Pastor Dwight asked us to write down for accountability last Sunday are:


1. Will I pray daily?
(I will pray with the mind and pray with the spirit) 1 Cor 14:15.

2. Will I read/meditate daily in the Bible?
(I will present my body, remove negativity and receive God’s Word to renew my mind) Rom 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:1.

3. Will I be part of a small group or team at least 2x a month?
(I will be in committed relationships for discipleship and fellowship) Acts 2:42-46.

4. Will I serve in a specific ministry in the church?
(Through love I will serve others) Gal 5:13.

5. Will I get involved with people in need outside church?
(I will get out of my comfort zone and be on mission because we are “God’s net”)
(The last two also include the sacrifice of regular and generous giving.)

Steven White wrote these confessions to daily build faith and renew his mind.
1. I will walk with Christ by my side, for Christ's Kingdom and Glory, and toward Christ's purpose for me!
2. I will see the Lord, I will fear the Lord, and I will put my trust in the Lord. from (from Ps. 40:3).
3. I will put my hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (from Ps. 42:11).
4. I will fear God and keep his commandments, this is my duty! (from Eccl 12:13)
5. I will walk before him faithfully & be blameless! (Gen 17:1)

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Word of faith is in your mouth (Romans 10:7-10) You can write your own confessions of faith and meditation to renew your mind like Steven.

Update from Men’s Emergency Preparedness meetings
We are a proactive community of men of the Spirit, who seek God together, and who can give gracious answers to those who observe us when they see the hope that is within us.

We’ve had three good times of discussion and prayer and are ready to form an Emergency preparedness Council. Speak with Richard Lineberry about participating or ask for a copy of the policy he has written so far.

Financial Update
As we begin the new season of fall we give thanks for God’s blessing in and through you. As of August 31 our expenses have exceeded our income by about $1,800.

Last year at this time we were down $4,000. This year we were in the plus until the last two months when we had over 3,000 of air conditioning repairs and gave honorariums that exceeded our offerings for those who ministered (we believe sowing seed is essential part of good stewardship).
God grace you with food to eat and seed to sow, as you cheerfully give as God moves your heart.

-PD

Planting and Tending under
an Open Heaven (Portal)

Reading Portals, Releasing the Power and Presence of God Into the Earth, by Patti Amsden, I recognize altars of sacrifice and consecration which my parents made then tended, and which in turn created a portal for me and our children to experience the blessing of an open heaven: specifically in the areas of worship, the arts and service in the church. As a junior in H.S., I remember kneeling down in my dad's sanctuary before I would practice piano, organ or voice and simply saying, "I offer myself to you. Help me do my best." Sometimes I believe I added "for your glory." Later I often added that after I knew Jesus as my Lord and was filled with Holy Spirit. I did not realize that although they were far from perfect, they made an open heaven for me to grow in worship and ministry. And God has continued to bless that in Barbara’s and my children as well.

As a teenager, my father separated himself to God to become a pastor. With some degree of purity, he and mom consecrated and sacrificed themselves generously for the Christ and His Body, the church. I grew up watching them practice hospitality and care for others, as they invested in music lessons for us, and as they made worship, church and caring about others a focal point in our lives. I didn’t value a lot of that, but looking back I can see God’s favor on them and therefore on us kids as we grew up. I can still hear them saying, “We go to church to give, not to get.” Now I have better understanding.

Mom was an artist and dad a musician. Barbara also is musical, so it was natural for our children to cultivate these gifts. They benefited from an open heaven to grow in worship and the arts but they had to choose to offer themselves to God and to serve others.

If you are a first generation Christian in your family, you are building and tending altars for others in the future. We all have the benefit of the sacrifice and consecration of those who have created an open heaven in this spiritual family called Covenant Life, e.g. Richard McAfee’s “Hearing Heart” model.

Ask yourself or others where the blessing of God seems evident. Where do you feel God’s enabling grace? In business, education, craftsmanship, education, in the medical field, etc…? When do you feel God’s power and presence? Where do you feel God’s blessing and presence may be hindered?

Is your life dedicated to God or is it about what you want to do? Probably there is mixture in all of us, but what specific altar of sacrifice are you making or tending? Our nation is experiencing judgment for cleansing. Let’s repent, plant and tend for an open heaven of God’s blessing through us. Grace and peace.

-PD

THE KEY TO DIRECTION
By Richard Lineberry

"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from ?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2

No one in their right mind should seriously think they are not in need of help. You don't have to be very old to learn how insufficient we are. Things are hard. Learning is hard, relationships are hard (even with people who are trying to love us), work is hard. Life can be pretty sure and puzzling at the same time. About the time we think we know enough to handle things, that familiar insufficiency creeps back in. Old knowledge is not sufficient for the present. What used to work well, is obsolete.

The psalmist here is speaking something he's learned. Help of all kinds, even though he doesn't specify his present dilemma, comes from God. His phrase "I lift my eyes to the hills" belongs to primitive thinking that God is up there somewhere. Well, yes He is. He is also the God of the valleys. He's in our highs and lows, times of suffering and times of victory.

As Christian believers, God is up high, down low, in between and, above all, in our hearts and minds. We say He is personal yet we often need to be reminded how personal. He knows our thoughts before we think them and has answers ready for our future questions. Blessings are abundant with the God who controls all things and owns all of the wealth of the universe. His knowledge is inexhaustible. The directions we need to follow to experience this resurrection life, He gives out freely. Our problem is not His reluctance to give but rather our desire to receive His guidance and help.

When we think of having a "relationship" with God or anyone else, we must remember that time must be spent in the presence of the one we want to know deeply. Time spent in His Word acquaints us with Him. There we learn what God has done in the past and even what He is doing now and in the future. But to learn, we must spend the time needed to learn. But the present word of direction comes when our hearts are fully sacrificed to His will. Though our present moment my be difficult or pleasant, God always knows the best next step.

My encouragement for us today is to practice listening to the voice of the Spirit of God inside. He has more to say than we usually take time to hear. Know that He will direct us differently than the voices of this world as well as our own good ideas but always knows the best way. Our key to getting His direction is always a humble approach which recognizes His greatness, ears that are willing to hear and a heart willing to follow His lead.

Affirmation, Gratitude, Esteem create
a Godly Culture of Honor

Intern Melissa Camenisch’s thank you to CLC on Graduation Sunday August 7, 2011

There are so many things I could say to you about these last two years, but I felt like the Lord wanted me to thank you and affirm you all for what you have done for me this year. One because I am just so grateful for you and two because of what PD was talking about last week, creating a culture of honor. He said “when we honor one another God is honored, the atmosphere around us changes and His Kingdom comes.”

I want to thank you all for making me feel so loved and welcomed. I remember when I first moved here two years ago being very skeptical and unsure of what it would be like to attend a different church than the one I had been in my whole life. And I remember those first few months here I was really moved and touched with the openness and love you had for me as an individual; however, not only for me but for each other and the community around you.

I have learned so much while being here with you all. You all have taught me a lot about how important it is for us as the church to get outside of the building and reach out to the people around us. Thank you all for helping me be able to go to a whole different level of learning what it means to be a sister, daughter and granddaughter because you all treated me as such.

You loved me and fed me. You prayed for me and encouraged me. You hugged me and cared for me. You teased me and laughed with me (and you know how much I love to laugh). I enjoyed every minute of it.

I am so happy and excited to be going home, but you must know that I am not going back the way I came and a lot of the reason is because of you all. You are some of the most loving and precious people I know. I will miss you all. And I will never forget your kindness to me, and your Christ like example to me-the way you give and give and don’t expect anything in return. You lay your lives down daily for others. I know this because I myself am a recipient of your lives.

Melissa is a member of Covenant Church in Winchester, KY. Her parents attended our church school many years ago and sometimes came over to Richard McAfee’s parents’ house to clean it for them – the very same house which Melissa often helped clean during the past two years while living with us.

Going home can feel different

8.3.2010

I remember walking out on a frozen pond that though familiar felt unsure – each footfall needed assurance as I moved; assurance that I could put my weight down because again, although it was familiar it felt different.

Another difference in returning home is that things feel “smaller.” Because my perspective and experience have widened things like rooms or a school and sometimes even people seem to have shrunk somehow. Because my life and thoughts have broadened, and because more people and memories have found places in my heart, it seems less space is devoted to former things. Though no less precious compared to the new they yet feel as if they occupy a smaller part of my thinking and feeling.

A third difference is more painful - that some people may not accept that I have changed. They may “want the old me” or “liked old me” better. I am not controlled by their expectations though I love them. They may choose to grow with me just as I may have to choose to “catch up” with some others. But in reality I am not the same and I can not go back the same way I came out.

Walking on ice, accepting things as being smaller to me without comparing negatively to my new experiences and perspective, the fact that I need to cope with the possibility of me not being accepted and my own need to get to know people all over again can make “going home” re-entry confusing.

All of this is part of growing up and becoming more emotionally whole as an adult. I learn to relate to others as adult to adult instead of child to parent or acting parental or condescending, and perhaps most importantly—no more whining.

Rather than expect them to pick back up old places and roles: Listen to their story—all of their story—respond in a way that shows you value them and their journey-ask how you can become part of the new chapters.

Hopefully I can find a hearing-heart-someone who will walk through these uncertainties and more especially the sorrow places in my heart, being a good listener—not just a teller. Hopefully I can have a hearing heart to others as well. We will tell our stories and listen to those who want to tell us theirs without feeling the need to fix or change what obviously has changed. Good friends remember that things can never be exactly as they used to be because we are changing.

Remember that we will all benefit through the shared pain and rediscovered joys of why we loved a particular place, people and experiences.

We still love the “old” even more dearly though things may feel “smaller.”

And we love those who have been “large” in our hearts, and are now far away. Love is like that—familiarity diminishes love but absence does make the heart grow fonder. So our shared love and memories go with us, the same way our families and “hometown” came with us into this season.

In going home we find that both we and home have changed. What has not changed is that all the shared moments of faith, hope and love are not lost or over. They are eternally gathered and shared in the heart of God. And we will meet there again and always. For He is our true heart’s home.

PD