Following Jesus Together - August 19, 2021
Dear Friends,
It’s been an emotional week, watching the horrific scenes happening in Afghanistan. I happened to be reading Psalm 10 on the day the Taliban took over. I commend it to you as you pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering and scared. (Hebrews 13:3) Here’s a few lines from the Psalm, which gives us words to speak to God when we do not know what to say:
“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
He sits in ambush in the villages; in hiding places he murders the innocent. His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless; he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket; he lurks that he may seize the poor;
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net. The helpless are crushed, sink down, and fall by his might. He says in his heart, “God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.
The Lord is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; You will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”
Perhaps a good question to ask our neighbors – How are you processing the evil happening in Afghanistan? Why are you so angry? Perhaps your desire for justice is a sign of being made in the image of God – a God-given longing for the true King, Jesus, to come and mend all that is broken in this world. Imagine a day when terror never strikes again because Jesus has made the entire cosmos safe, subduing every enemy under his feet (Psalm 110:1-3) Maybe invite them to read Psalm 10?
May the Lord be with you as ambassadors of Jesus, God making his appeal through us. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
Community Fun Day
Come out Saturday from 1:00-4:00pm to volunteer, as we seek to meet our neighbors and let them know we are here. Pray for good conversations and perhaps future friendships being forged through this event! Many thanks to Melanie and others who are coordinating and serving on Saturday!
Sunday – 10:00am
Another Sunday is coming. Pastor/Author Jared Wilson writes a brief helpful article one why regular church attendance is the God-ordained way to deeper faith and Christ-like maturity. Enjoy:
We are continuing to look at the life of David – God’s presence and power evoke two radically different responses in 1 Samuel 18. Jonathan knits his very soul to David, while Saul rages with murderous envy. The text shows us how God provides friends for David. He does the same for us in Jesus.
“even David had his Jonathan and Jesus, His John.”
Come and see Jesus with us on Sunday! He changes everything!
Grace and peace,
Nate Thompson