Due to the impact of inclement weather, Autumn Ridge Community Church will not worship on Sunday, January 12. 

As we spend a Sunday morning at home, rather than at a worship gathering, there are still opportunities to worship the Lord by reflecting on one of the marvelous gifts of His creation: snow! It is our hope that this family devotional will help all members of your household recognize the goodness of Jesus we see in winter weather.
 
Opening Questions: 
 

• Think back to Friday morning, when the snowfall had just fallen. Before we sledded, build snowmen, and threw snowballs – what did it look like? Observations probably will include the surfaces of the land being clean, smooth, and white. The white snow was bright and pure, with nothing disturbing it! 

 

• Were you able to see the green of the grass, the black of the paved roads, the brown of the dirt, or any other colors through the snow? No! The snow fell thick and made those surfaces uniformly white. 

 
Passage for reflection: Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
 
Reflection Questions:
 

• What sins are like scarlet in your life? Help each family member understand that “sin” means “to fall short” or “to miss the mark.” Sin, therefore, is anything that misses the mark of God’s designs and desires for us.

• What does the Lord promise to do with our sin in this passage? The Lord promises to make them white as snow – to cover our sin, just as the snowfall covered the ground, grass, roads, etc. 

• How can God cover our sins? (Read Romans 4:5-8, ESV):

 
Gospel Takeaway:

Our sins are covered when we believe in him who justifies – or, makes right – the ungodly!
 
Our faith in Jesus makes us righteous! Our faith in Jesus makes us fit for heaven, and acceptable to God! Jesus covers our sin through faith!

• Faith that Jesus lived a life without sin
• Faith that Jesus died on the cross to pay the wages of our sin (death)
• Faith that Jesus rose again to allow us to live forever with him

 
When the temperatures rise, the snow will melt away, and all of the colors of the surface will be visible again. But Jesus’ covering of our sins will never melt away! It lasts forever, because he who promised is faithful!
 
Family Prayer:
 
Lord – thank you for the gift of snowfall! And thank you for the ways the snow teaches us about Jesus.

We are sorry for the ways that we sin against you.

We are so thankful that you have made a way through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for the crimson stains of our sin to be covered by the righteousness of Jesus, just like snow covers up the ground.

Please let us remember these lessons, and live by them. Give us hope and peace fo the days ahead.

In Jesus’ name – AMEN!

Early in the morning hours of November 6, 2024, the Associated Press and other reporting agencies declared Donald J. Trump the rightly-elected 47th President of The United States of America.

The subsequent posts on social media presented a range of emotive responses as diverse and divided as the population of The United States of America itself.

People who were disappointed by the election of President Trump cited a host of reasons for their mental and emotional angst: worry about the potential for lost personal liberties, fear for the future of the American rule of law, disgust at the incendiary rhetoric endemic to recent campaign cycles, and more.

On the other hand, those who supported the 45th President’s re-election bid cited a number of reasons for their hope: lower costs, controlled inflation, less government over-reach, and more.

President Trump’s opposition expressed their shared sense of burden: for their personal futures, and for the future of our nation as a whole. Meanwhile, President Trump’s supporters expressed their shared sense of being “Unburdened by what has been” – an ironic re-purposing of a phrase made popular by Vice President Harris herself.

Either you fall cleanly into one of these two “camps,” or else you are presently experiencing a complex mixture of emotions related to this election cycle. Regardless of what sort of responses you are exhibiting, Jesus is likely showing you the condition of your heart.

Ask yourself this question: “How do I feel about the results of this election cycle?” Note your responses. Simply put, if you feel significantly more or less burdened on November 6th or 7th than you did 24-to-48-hours earlier, you’re likely carrying burdens that aren’t yours to carry, and looking to find relief from illegitimate sources.

Next, take time to reflect upon Matthew 11:28-30. There, Christ calls out to Trump supporters and Trump-dissidents alike. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

There are much larger burdens than those of taxation, inflation, over-regulation, and public trust in political institutions. Those are burdens of space and place, but there exist in contrast burdens of the soul: the fallenness of all Creation, the eternal weight of sin, death (the wages of sin), and the holiness of God (who metes out those judgements in righteousness). These are burdens of infinite import, and through Christ, they are burdens from which both we and our students are free. For in his incarnation, Christ bore the full burden of human fragility (Hebrews 4:15). In his suffering to the point of death, Christ bore the full burden of human sin (Romans 8:1). In his resurrection from the dead, Christ bore the full burden of human death (John 11:25). In in his present ministry at the Father’s right hand, Jesus lives to make intercession for his people (Hebrews 7:25); he bears the full weight of human anxieties.

Jesus is the only one who can release us from the weight of the burdens which truly matter. He and he alone offers hope to live an unburdened life – whether unburdened by what has been, or, unburdened by the prospect of what is yet to come.

Did the election of Donald J. Trump instill you with a sense of lightness and freedom? Take heed, lest you fall by mistaking a public servant for a functional savior.

Did the election of Donald J. Trump fill you with existential dread? Take heed, lest, in obsessing over the issues of our day and age, you neglect to grasp the weight of the burdens of your soul – and the One who has offered to share his easy yoke and light burden.
 
Lo! The Incarnate God, ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood;
Venture on Him, venture wholly;
Let no other trust intrude. 
 
-J. Hart, 1759 – “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”

(Photo Credit: unsplash.com)

Autumn Ridge Community Church Ellijay, GA would love the opportunity to share more about the hope of Jesus. If you have questions or comments, please visit us at The Victory Christian Center on a Sunday morning at 10:00am. Or, send us an email at info@autumnridgecommunitychurch.com.

Thank you for taking time to learn more about Autumn Ridge Community Church Ellijay, GA.

Visiting a church for the first time can be hard! Whether you’re new to Gilmer County and looking for a church family, or, even if you’re part of Autumn Ridge Community Church and looking for tools to help invite someone to church, we hope that this article will answer questions and help you feel more at ease.

Where do you meet?
 
We gather for worship at The Victory Christian Center in Ellijay GA. The address is 208 Victory Circle (Suite 300) Ellijay GA 30540. Park in the lot nearest to the flagpoles, and walk under the portico awning through the front doors!

What time does your worship gathering start?
 
10:00am. Feel free to arrive a few minutes early to learn more about our Ridge Kids children’s ministry opportunities, grab a cup of coffee, and mix and mingle with some of our people! We aim to be finished by 11:30am.

What should I wear?
 
One of our core values is grace. We strive not to allow trivial, non-binding matters to destroy the unity of the church on mission for King Jesus. Therefore, on any given Sunday, you can expect to find people dressed in coats and dresses as well as in jeans, shorts, and other casual attire. Please dress as you are comfortable, and trust that you’ll feel “at home.”

What style is your music?
 
Our worship music is beautiful in its simplicity. We use some combination of vocalists, acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass, and other instrumentation. We utilize a combination of ancient, classic, and modern songs and hymns.

What opportunities do you offer for children?
 
We offer nursery care for the duration of the worship gathering, designed for ages 0-Potty Training. We also have classes for older children. Children in Pre-K – 2nd Grade are dismissed from the worship gathering during a five-minute break which happens before the sermon. For children in 3rd – 12th Grade, there are discipleship opportunities which begin at 9:00am.

Learn more about Ridge Kids by following this link.

Can I listen to sermons online?
 
Yes! In addition to the sermons section of our website, you can find audio from past sermons on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.

Are you part of any denominations or networks?
 
Autumn Ridge Community Church Ellijay, GA is not affiliated with any denomination. We align with the Baptist tradition by baptizing professing believers through immersion under water, and by being elder-led and congregationally-governed. We voluntarily cooperate with The COR 3:6 Church Planting Network and Union Network.

How can I learn more about your beliefs and practices?
 
We invite you to read our Statement of Faith.

We also invite you to attend our Ridgelines Class – a four-session class which will explain our church’s beliefs about the Gospel, the Scriptures, and their implications for life. You’ll also learn about our church’s convictions for church membership, ministry, and missions. Sessions occur on a rotating basis on Sunday mornings from 9:00am – 9:45am. To RSVP, or to learn more, please email membership@autumnridgecommunitychurch.com or register here: Ridgelines Class Registration.

Finally, feel free to check out our welcome video, entitled, “Welcome to Autumn Ridge Community Church Ellijay, GA.”

What if I have other questions?
 
Please check out our website, where you can learn more about our leadership, ministries, missions partners, and more! And, feel free to reach out to us by emailing info@autumnridgecommunitychurch.com!

We look forward to welcoming you to Autumn Ridge Community Church Ellijay, GA!

Power struggles. Bureaucratic inefficiency. Favoritism and exclusion on unbiblical grounds. Chances are, you’ve heard stories of church memberships that were plagued by these realities. Maybe you’ve experienced one personally…

With examples such as these, I can certainly understand why people are nervous – even skeptical – about the concept of a formal church membership. But here’s why I am convinced that church membership is one of the greatest gifts that Christ has given to his people.

According to the Bible, church membership is the normal means through which the Lord Jesus Christ builds his church. Stated differently, church membership is the way that Jesus has chosen to make his not-yet-visible Kingdom visible and “fleshy” on Earth. We see this truth first articulated in Matthew 16:16-19.

After the Apostle Peter confesses Jesus as “The Christ” (God’s final King) and “Son of the Living God,” Jesus acknowledges that Peter’s confession is correct: “Blessed are you!” Then, Jesus raises the stakes, when he says (in Matthew 16:18-19, ESV, emphasis added): "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

After hearing his right confession of faith, Jesus says to Peter, “I am going to build my church upon you and upon people like you: people who make the right confession about me. The realm of the dead will not be able to hold back those who place saving faith in me as Lord and Savior. They will permanently cross out of death into abundant, eternal life in me.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” you might be thinking. “Jesus was only talking to Peter in Matthew 16! How can you conclude he also is speaking of people who would later make the same confession as Peter?” Because just two chapters after Peter’s confession, Jesus makes this statement in Matthew 18:15-20 (ESV, emphasis added):

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Notice that, in Matthew 18, the same authority which was initially given to Peter – the authority to bind and loose on earth as it is in heaven – is now vested in an assembled group of people: the church. What then does this “binding” and “loosing” mean? In his very helpful (and very short!) book entitled Understanding the Congregation’s Authority, Jonathan Leeman offers a helpful answer, which is summarized below.

Churches don’t make the gospel what it is, and they don’t make a person a Christian or not. But using the standard of Peter’s confession in Matthew 16, churches determine whether or not a person’s confession of faith is genuine and in-line with God’s standards in the Bible. And following the process outlined in Matthew 18, churches evaluate the authenticity of that confession: whether or not the fruit of the Spirit is present in his/her life (cf. Galatians 5:22-33).

Where an assembly of two or three (or more) agree that a person exhibits a right confession and a right lifestyle which accompanies that confession, the Father himself authorizes that church to declare to the world, “This person is a believer in Jesus Christ.”

Similarly, where an assembly of two or three (or more) is in agreement that a person’s confession is not right, or that a person’s lifestyle is inconsistent that of Jesus Christ, the Father authorizes the church to exhort that individual: “We don’t think you are a believer in Jesus – here’s why. Repent and believe in the gospel…”

At Autumn Ridge Community Church, we’ve structured our membership process to promote the “agreement” that is necessary for us to “bind” and “loose” on earth in accordance with the will of Jesus Christ. This decision is consistent with Scripture and draws upon the same wisdom that has been employed by the majority of churches throughout the ages.

In our Membership Class, we discuss, “What is the gospel?” because a right understanding of the good news of Jesus is essential for us to rightly assess whether or not a person’s confession of faith is genuine. We discuss, “What do we believe?” because the members of our church must be in agreement on what practices, lifestyles, and beliefs rightly accompany a genuine confession of faith. We discuss, “What makes us different from other churches?” because we want our members to agree on the rhythms and distinctives we will prioritize as a church family.

After the class, our leaders then sit down with potential members; we hear the particulars of their confessions of faith, we ask about whether or not there is tangible evidence of a walk with Jesus, and we discuss whether or not there are any disagreements which might threaten the long-term unity of our church. Provided that the potential members have a right confession accompanied with a lifestyle of Christ-likeness, our church body as a whole has the opportunity to affirm, “Yes – this is a genuine believer. And yes – he/she lives a lifestyle that adorns the reality of the gospel.”

Biblical church membership can come across as restrictive or manipulative – especially to someone who has been burned by a “Church Membership Gone Wild” in the past. But keep in mind the reasons Jesus originally instituted church membership.

• Biblical church membership prevents churches from playing favorites – because the standards for membership are defined by God through the Bible, not by biased men of the cloth.
• Biblical church membership offers a system of “checks and balances” against corrupt leaders, because the church as a whole is empowered – not just those who hold formal leadership positions.
• Biblical church membership strengthens and affirms a church’s members, even on those members’ worst days. “I know you’re going through a rough patch right now, but remember when we all affirmed your confession of faith and the fact that the Holy Spirit was at work in your life? Those things are still true of you!”
• And, biblical church membership is an essential tool for evangelism and disciple-making. The discipline process of Matthew 18 is not intended to stop at the exclusion of non-believers. Rather, Matthew 18:15-20 guides the church to identify who has yet to experience salvation through Christ – and to labor in the gospel towards their full inclusion into God’s family. Jesus Christ has equipped his church to go to people of all tribes, tongues, nations, and languages, and say, “It looks like you are living a life devoid of God’s grace through Christ. Come: taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8).”

For all of these reasons – and for many more – I hope you’ll commit to meaningful membership in a Bible-believing local church.

“Do we really need more churches?”

This retort came from the man who was cutting my hair – right after I had finished explaining our family’s plans for planting Autumn Ridge Community Church in Ellijay, GA. Not wanting to say or do anything that might result in an “accidental” high-and-tight, I held my peace and bit my tongue.

Besides, the question is a fair one. Isn’t the United States of America a “Christian” nation? Isn’t the slogan, “In God We Trust,” engraved on our national currency? When walking city streets or driving country highways, aren’t there plenty of church buildings dotting the landscape already? And aren’t there enough dying churches which we should first revitalize before we start planting new ones?

Do we really need new churches to be planted? The answer is an emphatic, “Yes!” Consider the following realities:

• Our nation will soon be marked by one of the largest generational mission fields in history. Thom Rainer reports that of Millennials – born between 1980 and 2000 – only 15% identify as Christians. Of nearly 80 million American Millennials, at least 70 million do not believe the gospel.
• It has been reported that less than 20% of Americans participate in the life of an orthodox Christian church during any given week. Combining current population growth projections with the research cited by Tim Keller in Center Church, America needs more than 3,000 orthodox churches need to be planted each year simply to maintain that current 20% “slice of the pie.”
• There is evangelistic hope to be found in church planting. To cite Keller once more – while churches 10-15 years old attribute 80% or more of their growth to Christians transferring from one church to another, between one-third and two-thirds of the growth of new churches can be attributed to those who were not previously attending any worshipping body. In other words, new churches are evangelized into existence!

In short, the hopes of evangelizing our nation (and the world) rest largely in the vigorous planting of new, healthy, reproducing churches.

So yes – we do need more churches. Lord, grant that thousands more would be planted in our generation (Matthew 9:37-38).

I have long clung to Acts 17:26-27 as two of the most encouraging verses in the whole Bible.
“And he [God] made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us…”

When the Apostle Paul originally preached those verses, he was addressing a group of people from the city of Athens who worshipped countless false gods. Paul was saying that – even in those circumstances – God the Father was in control. He was at work. And through the work of the Holy Spirit, he would be victorious in drawing people to worship and follow his risen Son – Jesus Christ, the savior of the world.

At first glance, modern-day Gilmer County, Georgia seems to have little in common with first-century Athens. The steeples of Christian church buildings are scattered throughout the community. One of our radio stations exclusively plays Southern Gospel music. At first glance, there seems to be little evidence of even religious pluralism – much less the widespread worship of a god other than the God of the Bible.

These realities are deceiving. Only about 17% of the Gilmer County population is regularly involved in the life of a Bible-believing local church. As odd as it may seem, this percentage is lower than the national average, which is consistently reported to be about 20%.

At first glance, these statistics paint a bleak picture. Yet I’m convinced that this dark cloud has a magnificent silver lining. Based on the conversations I have shared with a large number of local pastors, God is already at work in some special ways in this community. I am sure that there are other pastors in this community who can say the same for the churches they lead (and I look forward to hearing these stories from them in God’s good timing!)

Therefore, I take these statistics to be signs of God’s imminent evangelistic blessing. There is a reason that so many unsaved, un-churched, and de-churched people call Gilmer County home. There is a reason that this community is projected to grow by about 40% between the 2010 Census and the 2020 population estimates.

The truth of Acts 17:26-27 is just as true for Christians in Gilmer County as it was for Paul in first-century Athens. From eternity past, God has chosen people to live in this community at this time for one solidary reason: that they might seek him. Christians and churches, then, have been placed in this community at this time for one solidary reason: to glorify God by proclaiming the gospel so that people will hear and respond with saving faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:17).

God is drawing lost people to this community in order that he might save them. And he will save them as the gospel message is faithfully preached through a multitude of healthy local churches.

Gilmer County Christian – are you prepared to join God in this Acts 17 moment? Though each one of us has a unique role to play in the mission of God, here are a few truths that are universally binding on all who claim the name of Jesus:

1. Pray for the mission. As we prepare for a new wave of evangelism and disciple-making in Gilmer County, the words of Jesus from Matthew 9:37-38 are appropriate. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Pray for the Lord to equip and send a generation of faithful disciple-makers for this special time. Pray for pastors, church planters, and ministry leaders to equip their people to saturate this community with the gospel message.

 

2. Be faithful to a local church. It is the local church that the gates of hell cannot withstand (Matthew 16:18). It is the relationships between the members of the local church that have a special ability to put the opponents of the Christian faith to shame (Titus 2:1-8). It is the leaders of the local church which are uniquely called and equipped to mobilize Christians for greater effectiveness in ministry (Ephesians 4:11-16). Accordingly, every Christian needs the local church, just as much as every local church needs Christians. So faithfully attend the gatherings of your church. Ask how to pray for her ministries and her leaders (and then pray!) Give sacrificially of your time, talents, and treasures to support your local church. And ask God to plant more churches throughout the world.

 

3. Assume that everyone you encounter needs to hear the gospel (because they do). Believers and unbelievers alike need to be reminded of the gospel. So find the intersections between peoples’ stories and the gospel message! Tell them that it is God – not our feelings or our desires – that is the ultimate authority in this world (Genesis 1 & 2). Remind them that the suffering, pain, and death which often marks our lives are the products of the human race’s sinful nature and sinful choices (Genesis 3). Encourage them that it is not up to us to “find our identity” or to “work our way to God;” God has made a way for us to be adopted as his children through the virgin birth, sinless life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15). Remind them that there is coming a day in which every tear will be dried and every broken thing made new, and in which every cause of evil will be put away forever (Revelation 21).

Have you ever been in a time of spiritual need, yet felt unsure how to express your deepest thoughts and emotions before God? The Psalms are a wonderful example of how to approach God in prayer in all circumstances, but they are not the only Scripture we can use to guide our prayers. All of God's Word holds power, offers us assurance of his promises, and is filled with the truth we need. Below are three prayers rooted in Scripture for times of stress, uncertainty, and trial. Use them to guide and spur on your own prayers to the Lord as you also anchor your heart back in his Word.

Lord, the cares of my heart are many today. Troubles press in on me and I can no longer hide from the anguish I feel. In moments like these, I know I must turn to you. The promises in your Word have the power to console and cheer my soul.

My flesh and my heart are failing me today, God. I am overwhelmed with various worries and need your strength. Thank you, Lord, for welcoming me to cast these burdens on you. In exchange, you offer me a yoke that is easy and light, where I am free from the need to perform and can walk at your side, upheld by your peace.

Help me to understand the cause of my stress today. Am I concerned with other people? Remind me I am yours and man can do me no harm. Am I worried about tomorrow? Teach me to trust you today and release tomorrow into your hands. Am I fearful of making a mistake or letting you down? Train my eyes upon your perfect love that casts out all my fears.

By faith, Lord, I will obey your command to not only bring every one of my concerns to you in prayer, but to rejoice in you despite every one. You are at hand. Your presence is near. That is reason enough to praise and give thanks.

You invite me to make every request in my heart known to you, but also fill me with hope that, should you not change my circumstance, I can still trust you. You promise to take every trial and every stress I encounter and use it to train me into steadfast faith. Open my eyes to see the gift that is and count it all joy today. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness in my times of stress. Amen.

• When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19
• Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Psalm 119:143
• My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
• Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
• Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
• Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:5-6
• Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34
• There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
• Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice…The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:4-6
• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3

Heavenly Father, you are above and beyond all things, including time. You alone know the end from the beginning and have willed everything to be beautiful in its perfect time, set by your hand. It is not for me to know the times and seasons you established; it is for me to use the time you give me well.

Teach me to number my days, Lord. Give me a heart of wisdom so I may follow you. I do not wish to make futile plans apart from you, for I know it is you who establishes every one of my steps. Help me to not rush ahead of you in pride or fall behind you out of fear, but to walk with you, secure at your side.

When I grow weary, God, give me the strength I need to not give up. I trust your promise that I will reap reward for the good works you give me to do, even if I will not see some of them until eternity with you.

When trials come upon me, teach me to look to you. Open my understanding to your eternal perspective that knows these troubles are light and momentary and cannot compare to your eternal glory I will one day experience forever.

May I not forget that your patience and timing all serve a purpose - for more to be led to repentance and find salvation in you. Even as I wait for how you will work certain things out in my own life, I can make the most of every moment. As I wait, I can proclaim my hope and faith in you, pointing others to the good news of the gospel.

Above all else, may I never forget that you are exceedingly gracious and patient with me. From before the foundation of the world, you established the right time for your Son to come and die for the ungodly, including me. When I am tempted to complain over your timing, Lord, remind me of this truth. You are ever faithful and I can trust in you. Amen.

Scriptures referenced:

• He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11
• He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Acts 1:7-8
• So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
• The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9
• And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
• For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
• But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9
• For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Lord, your Word teaches there is blessing and joy found in your presence. But I must confess I am struggling to find such joy in my current circumstances. I need you every day, Lord, but especially right now. Through this prayer, help me find rest in the peace of trusting you—for I know you do not forsake those who seek you.

Remind me, God, of your faithfulness, even when I do not see or understand how you are working. I commit my way to you, God, because I know you always act in a manner worthy of my trust. You promise to use every trial I face and every difficulty I go through for my sanctification—to make me more like Christ and to strengthen my faith so I may persevere for your glory. Give me eyes to see the great reward that is.

I recognize how easy it is to overlook your past faithfulness in my life. Or to forget your character as trustworthy, steadfast, righteous, and kind. Through my prayers, Lord, help me not forget you still deserve my praise. Your saving grace is my refuge, and your presence is always at hand to guard my heart and mind.

Root me in each of these assurances today, Lord. Refresh my spirit with the overflowing waters of your Spirit. And give me joy in knowing that whatever comes to pass today, it is momentary in light of eternity—when you will wipe every tear from my eyes and I will at last gaze upon your face. Amen.

Scriptures Referenced:

• You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
  
• And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10
• Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5
  
• In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7
  
• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
  
• Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
  
• The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. Psalm 28:7-8
  
• The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5b-7
  
• Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
  
• He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4
  
• For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
  

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ…
2 Peter 1:1, ESV [emphasis added]

Gracious Jesus:

What wonderful, miraculous truth you reveal to your people in 2 Peter 1:1! How especially healing, encouraging, and refreshing these words are for folks like me.

Folks who don’t feel welcomed or included – and who feel unwanted as a result.

Folks who crave affirmation and affection – and who feel disapproved and disliked in the absence of those gifts.

Folks who carry broken hearts and bruises from being beaten-up and bullied. The pain is real, regardless of whether those bruises are physical or metaphorical.

To folks like us, Lord Jesus, you’ve given this apothecary of healing grace in 2 Peter 1:1: through the righteousness which you’ve put forth on our behalf, we have obtained a faith of equal standing to that of your Apostles – great men of faith like Simon Peter.

How can this be?

It is so, Lord Jesus, because the life you lived on Peter’s behalf was also lived on our behalf. It was no more perfectly righteous for Peter than it was for us. It was no less free of sin for us than it was for him.

It is so, Lord Jesus, because the crucifixion you endured on Peter’s behalf was also endured for the sake of folks like us. The atonement you have wrought is just as much for us as it was for him. For Peter and for us – your death could not possibly have had a greater impact on removing the guilt and condemnation of our sin.

It is so, Lord Jesus, because the tomb in which you were buried remains empty! You rose from the grave – not only for Peter, but also for us. And to both Peter and to us, the invitation to share your resurrection life could not possibly be more abundant – more miraculous – more eternal.

We have a “faith of equal standing” because the transformational gospel work you have accomplished (and are continuing) in our hearts is cut from the same cloth as the work you did in Peter’s heart. Your ministry is just as much for us as it was for him. Your perfect righteousness covers us to the same degree as it covered him.

Which means…

We could not possibly be more accepted than we already are in you. Standing in our place, you were despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3) in order that the Father’s acceptance might never depart from us.

We could not possibly be more affirmed than we already are through you. All we can offer you is the cry of the Tax Collector in Luke 18:13: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Yet like him, as we humble ourselves before you, we enjoy your acceptance and your justification of our lives.
Your affection for us could not possibly be greater than it already is. Because you are in us, and because we are in you, the same love which the Father has lavished upon you is ours forever (John 17:26).

Lord Jesus – thank you for this salvation you’ve provided to folks like us. Thank you for the “faith of equal standing” that is ours through your perfect righteousness.

Amen.

* Photo by Tony Eight Media on Unsplash  

The recent cultural climate has been rife with division, much of it long political lines. As Sen. Ben Sasse elucidates in Them: Why We Hate Each Other, and How We Can Heal, we are increasingly uniting based on who or what we’re against, rather than forming partnerships for the welfare of our neighbors. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” as the saying goes, and the church is not immune from such lines of thought. Many have begun to question whether or not her partisanship threatens her ability to be prophetic.

What hope do we have of bridging these political divides – for sanity’s sake, and for the sake of the church’s witness to the world?

We are not the first Christians to experience polarization and partisanship within the church. The words of Matthew 10:1-4 provide a list of the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus called to follow him prior to his death and resurrection. Included in the list are the names of Matthew the Tax Collector and Simon the Zealot.

Hoping for material prosperity, Matthew pledged allegiance to Rome, lining his pockets through his work as a tax collector. Longing for freedom from Roman occupation, Simon pledged allegiance to the Zealots – aggressive instigators who sought to overthrow the occupying Romans by force. Each was simply doing what was right in his own eyes – a course which inevitably pitted them against each other.

Their disunity was a product of divergent narratives of hope.

Like Matthew and Simon, in our natural state of being enslaved to the patterns of this world (Ephesians 2:1-2), we all have a tendency to yield unwavering and uncritical allegiance to political leaders who cater to our unique version of the American Dream. The hope we express may be explicitly secular (possessions, comfort, power, etc.), but it may also sound quite spiritual. “If so-and-so is elected, Christians will be persecuted! I want a leader who will have Christians’ backs!” Statements such as these can still belie the reality that our greatest fear is the loss of liberty, and that our greatest hope is for America’s elections work out in favor of Bible-believing Christians. We naturally place ultimate hope in earthly kingdoms, and in earthly kings.

As with Matthew and Simon, so too with us: one person’s narrative of hope will necessarily exclude another’s. Many of our divisions – and the demonizing, name-calling, and vitriol which characterize them – illustrate our mis-informed narratives of hope, and the false-Messiahs in which we trust.

We need a better hope – and a better King who will deliver it to us.

The gospel message reminds us that the world’s biggest problem isn’t persecution or political hardship. Rather, it is the absence of God’s shalom from the world and from our lives. Sin prevents Earth’s realities from being aligned with Heaven’s priorities (Genesis 3). Yet through Christ our Savior, we are brought of a darkness and into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). We are granted here-and-now citizenship in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:19), even as we await the ultimate redemption of all things (Romans 8:18-25).

As followers of Christ, we have a Kingdom which far surpasses that of any political platform, in which there will be no more sorrow, sickness, sin, or death (Revelation 21:1-5). And, we have a King who far exceeds the politicians of earth in grace, glory, and power. This King will reign, and his Kingdom will be established, whether through or in spite of the results of America’s elections (Daniel 2:44, Luke 1:32-33, Revelation 11:15, etc.).

While this perspective does not preclude Christians from being active in the political process, it should free Christians from being obsessed or fixated on politics as a source of transcendent hope or of existential fear. No civic hardship or political setback will prevent Jesus from establishing his Kingdom. Consequently, gospel-informed unity is possible within Christ’s church, and gospel-driven charity is necessitated towards the world which still lives in darkness.

Although the divide between Roman-approving tax collectors and Roman-hating Zealots likely exceeded that which exists between today’s “Right” and “Left,” the first fourteen verses of the Book of Acts reveal a marvelous unity between the former foes Matthew and Simon. No quibbling over politics could separate these brothers whom God himself had joined together.
How did this supernatural unity come to pass? The answer, as Pastor Garrett Kell once tweeted, is Christ-focused discipleship. As they followed King Jesus throughout the course of his ministry, “Matthew learned to love Rome less. Simon learned to love Rome more. They both learned to love Jesus most.”

Christ-focused discipleship doesn’t render politics irrelevant, nor does it resign us to an endless cycle of political subjectivism whereby we all simply “agree to disagree.” Christ-focused discipleship simply reminds us of our first love (Revelation 2:4), encouraging us not to look first to public servants to accomplish what Christ has already guaranteed to do – whether that be to eradicate disease (Revelation 22:1-3), promote racial/ethnic justice (Revelation 5:9-10), end abortion (Revelation 21:4), etc.

This perspective frees us from treating civic engagement as a work of first importance, allowing us to exert our energies where Christ has explicitly commanded us to labor – for instance, remaining ever-eager to maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” within the family of God (Ephesians 4:3). Just as we cannot unite in ways which contradict the word of God (such as through doctrinal compromise), so too does Scripture forbid us from dividing over matters that are not of eternal import (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 1 Corinthians 3). While not all political differences fall into this category, many of them do.

Even when our differences preclude authentic unity, Christ-focused discipleship reminds us that we are more similar to our opponents than we are different from them. That we have been brought under the gracious rule of King Jesus and aligned with the standards of his Scriptures is not our own doing; we have no grounds for a superiority complex (Ephesians 2:8-9). The transformation of our opponents will not happen as we demonize them, but as the Holy Spirit renews their minds and regenerates their hearts, just as he did with ours (Romans 12:1-2, Titus 3:5-6). Christ-centered discipleship equips us to interact with our opponents in charity and with a compassionate gospel witness, even as we cling to biblical convictions.

In this time of great disunity, never has it been more important for Christians to cast their eyes upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2), and for ministry leader to prioritize the proclamation of the gospel message (Romans 1:16-17). We need more of Christ’s Kingdom being manifested on earth, and his Kingdom comes through Christ-focused discipleship. Only through Christ-focused discipleship can the church enjoy Heaven’s unity in the midst of a divisive political climate. And only through Christ-focused discipleship can a lost, dying world be set free from its false, divergent narratives of fear to find the only Hope that lasts.

Helen Lemmel said it best nearly 100 years ago.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace!