GUIDED REFLECTION: Psalm 46:10

Before beginning this guided reflection activity, we recommend that you read Psalm 46:10 in your Bible at home or by clicking here. Once you have read the passage, you can begin the activity. Be sure to pause, breathe, and think as you read this activity slowly and reflect closely on what God is telling you through his scriptures.

Guided Reflection of Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Be still and know that I am God.

Be Still

Not “act” still, actually “be” still
Let stillness be your identity.
Not what you do, but who you are.
Has stillness been an action that you are doing? Then is it really stillness?

Be Still

Stop moving, cease striving, be calm, rest
Be quiet, hush, unruffled, undisturbed, stable minded

Be still.

Surrender, let go, relent, abdicate
You don’t have to be the one to make it happen.
Does inaction scare you?

Read Mark 4:35-41

Be still and know

Truly know.
To have an idea of, to have an experience of

Know

Beyond a shadow of a doubt
Comprehend, fathom, grasp
To notice, to recognize
To be acquainted with, to know intimately
What is keeping you from truly knowing?

Be still and know that I...am...God.

You aren’t. He is.
Who are you asking people to worship?
Think of the people in your life:
Your kids, your boss, your siblings, your grandkids, your neighbors, your parents, your coworkers, your spouse.
Who are you asking them to worship?

Be still and know that I am God.

I am. I was, I will be, I am currently.
I haven’t ceased being God.
I am acting, I am moving, I am responding.
I was not merely in the past.
I am not relegated to the future.
I am present. I am now. Right now.

Be still and know that I am God

I am powerful, I am kind, I am good, 
I am all knowing, I am vast,
I am untamable, I am patient, I am love,
I am beyond comprehension
But I make myself known

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

-Pastor Tyler Lemen
Associate Pastor of Family Ministries at Friends Community Church

Communicating Change

This post first appeared as a devotional in Barclay Press in 2012.

In my neighborhood a big box book store recently went out of business. Many people were upset that this was a sign of the times: “No one is reading books anymore.” In the Health Food Store I manage we reduced the size of our book section only to receive similar grumblings. Some newspapers are stopping the presses forever. School and public libraries are closing everyday. When was the last time you bought an encyclopedia set?

Is it all doom and gloom for the next generation?

The world is changing. It seems the world is moving and changing faster than ever before. More books are being published than ever before, many in the form of e-books. My Kindle has a book case worth of books on it. Information can be found at our fingertips. More people are sharing, writing and contributing than ever before.

I have a shelf of Bibles, in various translations, in my study but I mostly use the one digitally loaded onto my phone. I search Wikipedia frequently for information. I even get medical advice from the Internet. The message hasn’t changed, we receive it differently.

Have you ever considered how many different ways God has delivered his messages to us? God has used angels and prophets to deliver His messages. Once He even used a donkey.

And one night, many years ago, angels announced to a group of lowly shepherds that the Savior of the world had been born. And ever since that birth, wise men and women still seek Him.

Two prayer thoughts: How is God communicating to you? How are you communicating God’s message?

Bible Reading: Luke 2:8-20

-Pastor Rick Ellis
Pastor at Friends Community Church

Reaping the Harvest

Today’s post includes an excerpt from a book called My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (initially published in 1924). You can read this devotional as well as other devotionals by Oswald Chambers and find out more by clicking here.

Once you read the devotional, you can reflect on what you read by going through the Reflection Questions at the bottom written by Pastor Tyler Lemen.

The Key to the Master’s Orders

“Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

— Matthew 9:38 (NKJV)

The key to the missionary’s difficult task is in the hand of God, and that key is prayer, not work— that is, not work as the word is commonly used today, which often results in the shifting of our focus away from God. The key to the missionary’s difficult task is also not the key of common sense, nor is it the key of medicine, civilization, education, or even evangelization. The key is in following the Master’s orders— the key is prayer. “Pray the Lord of the harvest….” In the natural realm, prayer is not practical but absurd. We have to realize that prayer is foolish from the commonsense point of view.

From Jesus Christ’s perspective, there are no nations, but only the world. How many of us pray without regard to the persons, but with regard to only one Person— Jesus Christ? He owns the harvest that is produced through distress and through conviction of sin. This is the harvest for which we have to pray that laborers be sent out to reap. We stay busy at work, while people all around us are ripe and ready to be harvested; we do not reap even one of them, but simply waste our Lord’s time in over-energized activities and programs. Suppose a crisis were to come into your father’s or your brother’s life— are you there as a laborer to reap the harvest for Jesus Christ? Is your response, “Oh, but I have a special work to do!” No Christian has a special work to do. A Christian is called to be Jesus Christ’s own, “a servant [who] is not greater than his master” (John 13:16), and someone who does not dictate to Jesus Christ what he intends to do. Our Lord calls us to no special work— He calls us to Himself. “Pray the Lord of the harvest,” and He will engineer your circumstances to send you out as His laborer.

Reflection Questions:

1) What are your initial reactions/emotions toward what the author is saying?

2) After sitting with those emotions for a moment, what do you feel God is speaking to you in reaction to those reactions?

3) Read the surrounding context of Matthew 9:38 (Particularly Matthew 9:27-10:42)

4) What lessons is Matthew highlighting in these verses?

5) What fields has God placed you in? Which one seems the most ripe? The least ripe?

6) Which line from the above devotional stood out to you the most? Why?

7) Does anything need to change in your prayer life after reading this?

-Pastor Tyler Lemen
Associate Pastor of Family Ministries at Friends Community Church

PRAYER: Human Doers vs. Human Beings

“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a LIVING BEING.”

— Genesis 2:7

One of my consistent prayers for FCC leadership has been to have strong abiding relationships with the Lord individually, in order to make an impact corporately.

Photo by Lani Darden

It is evident in the light of these circumstances that we are a Church of not just “human doers,” but “ human beings." We can all “do” a lot to help others in need and that is impactful, but when we are “being” who God creates us to be in our souls, then what we “do” is more than just a physical impact... it is eternal!

Thank you for being a Church that is being a living sacrifice, finding your strength and power in him, that you may serve from his strength and not your own. There is much soil being cultivated right now, and I am excited and anticipate much fruit in the days to come! Blessings to all!

-Lani Darden
Office Staff-Member at FCC

GUIDED REFLECTION: Psalm 19

Before beginning this guided reflection activity, we recommend that you read Psalm 19 in your Bible at home or by clicking here. Once you have read the passage, you can begin the activity. Be sure to pause, breathe, and think as you read this activity slowly and reflect closely on what God is telling you through his scriptures.

Guided Reflection of Psalm 19

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.

How is your soul? The culmination of all the parts that makes you, you.
Is it tired? Spent? Crushed? Holding its breath? Burdened? Confused?
Do you desire for it to be revived? Refreshed? Able to exhale and breathe?
The law of the Lord is perfect. Blameless. Flawless. Matchless.
It brings life to that which is dead. Tombs open at the voice of the Lord.
It will renew your soul.

The statutes of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.

What decision is before you? What uncertainty lies ahead?
Are you standing at a trailhead with signs pointing in all directions?
Do you desire clarity? Insight? The ability to stand confidently.
The statutes of the Lord are sure. Trustworthy. Accurate. Dependable.
They hold under the weight of your trust. They are truer than any compass.
They will counsel your steps.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.

Where do you find your joy? A completed checklist? A good diagnosis? A filled checking account?
Has your heart become downcast? Discouraged? Anxious? Has a dark night veiled your affections?
Do you desire delight? Elation? To have your heart raptured by gladness.
The precepts of the Lord are right. Good. Fitting. Sufficient.
They are well timed drops of light into the deepest sorrow or hurt.
They will incline your heart to exultation.

More to be desired are they than gold.
What is it you desire? What is it you can not live without? What would you stay up late for? Wake up early to do?
What do you crave? Want? Long for? Yearn for? What do you need?
The words of God are more desirable.
More than gold. More than sleep. More than respect. More than acceptance.
More than the perfect house. More than knowing that we’re needed. More than the hug of a dear friend.
The soul craves their reviving perfection.
The mind yearns for their insightful sureness.
The heart pines for their joyful goodness.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.
The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold.
Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned.
In keeping them there is great reward.

Pray

-Pastor Tyler Lemen
Associate Pastor of Family Ministries at Friends Community Church