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None of us needs another excuse to skip our church’s prayer meeting. We have more than enough: we’re busy, it’s difficult to wrangle the kids, it’s dark and we don’t feel like going out again, we’ve got an early appointment the next day, or we’re scared of being asked to pray in front of others.

What we need instead are a few reasons for going. I’ve listed five below. I hope they motivate you to get out the door, go to the prayer meeting, and get on your knees with God’s people.

1. Prayer makes God smile.

Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual for every decision we face. We spend most of our time navigating the nebulous gray, relying on wisdom from above. But isn’t it satisfying when we can know for certain that what we’re doing pleases God and meets with his approval? First Peter 3:12 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” In a week filled with choices we may look back on and question, we need not doubt whether God is pleased with the time we spend in prayer with his people. He loves to hear our prayers and praises.

2. Prayer strengthens our faith.

Hearing others pray can inspire us and bolster our trust in God’s promises. In his book Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of a man. . . . The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother’s is sure.”

On more than one occasion, I’ve been disinterested in prayer at a prayer meeting. But God often does a wonderful thing: he works through the imperfect petitions of another dear saint to wake me out of my spiritual slumber and fill me again with confidence in his good sovereignty. Left to ourselves, we may doubt God’s ability or grow discouraged in our faith, but to see faith alive in the prayer of another reminds us we believe no fantasy. God is real, powerful, and good, and that makes us want to pray.

3. Prayer is more caught than taught.

The prayer meeting is one of the best places to go if you want to learn how to pray. If Steven Spielberg wasn’t always at the movies as a young kid, would he have grown up to be an iconic, Oscar-winning filmmaker? Composers go to concerts. Authors read books. Athletes play pickup games at the Y. When we want to get better at something, we surround ourselves with others who know what they’re doing. The same is true for prayer. The church’s prayer meeting provides an invaluable opportunity for us to learn how to speak to God from other godly saints. When we see how they weave Scripture into their praises, or how they wrestle honestly with their petitions, we’ll come to do the same.

4. Prayer fuels the church.

Paul was aware of his need and wasn’t shy in making it known to the church. He fully expected they’d keep him uplifted before the Lord in earnest petition (Eph. 6:19; 1 Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1). Paul was confident the prayers of God’s people would sustain him through the rigors of ministry and the trials of life. Why should we presume to find success apart from that same kind of intercession from the saints? Charles Spurgeon understood this well. When some ministers visited his thriving Metropolitan Tabernacle, they asked about his secret to success. In response, he took them to the basement “boiler” room where a small group had gathered in prayer. Spurgeon said the secret was simple: “My people pray for me.”

5. Prayer works.

Most importantly, let’s remember prayer isn’t an empty exercise in religious ritual. When we come to God in faith, it’s as though we tap into his cosmic power (1 John 5:14–15)—God is pleased to work out his eternal will as an answer to the prayers of people like you and me (James 5:17). What a marvel! God may use our prayers to grant healing, encouragement, comfort, victory over sin, growth in spiritual virtues, and success in ministry. If for no other reason, prayer is worth it because it works.

These reasons mean attending your church’s prayer meeting is never a waste of time.

Jonathan Cruse

It is good to have a “life verse.” It can be a Biblical source of comfort, security, and strength as you walk the Christian life.  We usually choose a verse that highlights the compassion or victory of Jesus; of his blessing and presence.  “I will never leave you or forsake you,” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” or “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Let me give you a life verse that is more real, raw, and honest – Psalm 66:10-12. “For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”  I know of a family friend who lost his battle with cancer at 61, and this past week a PCA lost his 9 year old daughter to an active shooter. Life is hard and death is sure.

The Christian life is not easy. There are many obstacles, setbacks, and very confusing events along the way.  The way home is a jagged, craggy path up and down the mountains, into some sad and dark valleys of bitter experience.  Jesus never promised you a Rose Garden without any thorns. He did promise to make you more like Jesus.  He did not promise happiness, but holiness.

Jesus is present, and working powerfully in the valleys, after the stumbles, and through the disappointments.  The burdens of this life are the chisel in God’s hands to make us and others fit for the glory to come. This life is a preparation, it is not the final destination.

In Psalm 66, God tests us, brings us into the net, lays crushing burdens on our backs, allows evil men to place injustice on our backs.  God does these things! “There is none beside me.I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil:I the Lord do all these things” (Isaiah 45:6–7, KJV).  And God brings something precious out of the chaos and confusion.  “Yet you have brought us out to a place of  abundance.”

The road home is filled with difficulties.  We often judge the quality of the trip before we even reach the destination. Hindsight is 20/20, but we are not yet home, in heaven, to enjoy that hindsight.  For now, on the trip home, we trust our navigator. He does have answers for us, morally sufficient and satisfying answers, but we are not home yet.  Therefore we continue to ask, like the 5 year old siblings in the back of the car, “Are we there yet?” “How much longer?” “Are we close now?” The answer that we receive, “Almost; we are almost home.” “It will be so good when we get there – it will be heaven, and well worth the trip.”

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to thy God to order and provide;

in ev’ry change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heav’nly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”

– Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel

“United to one another in love the saints have fellowship in each other’s gifts and grace and are obliged to perform those public and private duties which nourish their mutual good, both spiritually and physically.” Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 26, Article 1.

When Christ claims us as his own, he also welcomes us into a family – a large, gifted family.  And we begin to benefit from the wisdom, love and experience of others.  We belong to each other, and mutually support one another.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

We really do need each other as Christians. We do not stand alone. We are to love one another, forgive one another, encourage on another. This is why private, stand-off-ish, Lone Ranger Christianity is so prone to doubt and discouragement – they deprive themselves of the blessing, support and defense of their brothers and sisters.

True, interpersonal fellowship is vital to the health of a Christian and the church.  We need to know one another in order to help one another.

This fellowship or communion of the saints exists in every true church. So, enter in, benefit from knowing and being known by the family of God.  “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Invite a friend or neighbor to church.  Why?

The lost world around us, and especially the younger generation, have a gnawing hunger for at least three things.

1) Authenticity, 2) Community, 3) Transcendent Truth.

Authenticity – They can spot a fake. The smile of the used car-salesman, the empty promises of a marketing strategy, the insincere hypocrite.  They are looking for something real, solid, genuine.  People who both know and live what they believe.  Unapologetic consistency.  This is what I believe, and I practice what I preach.

Community – This fallen world is driving us apart.  We are divided into us and them. We shrink into narrow, individual categories of identity – and it is lonely.  They are seeking for authentic community.  They hunger for a place to belong. They want to be part of a movement that is larger than themselves; an important, world changing movement. They long for a community that matters, that makes a difference in this world.

Transcendent Truth – They have seen enough of life and of entertainment to know that much of it is empty, vain, and pointless. They are looking for truth; truth that comes from beyond this world. They are looking for the source of life, of truth, of meaning – they are looking for God.

They are searching for a group of people who know God and are living with him in sincerity.

They are only an invitation away from finding it. They need Jesus, the creator and redeemer, whose word is truth, and who is building a Temple with living stones.

So, invite them to church- the pillar and ground of the truth. Welcome them into our fellowship and community. Allow them to see your sincere and authentic faith. And pray that God would make them brothers and sisters in Christ as we build the kingdom of God together.

Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

The Christian puts God first, others second, and himself last. We honor others above ourselves.  That conviction has changed the world.

We love God above all – that is the first part of the Ten Commandments, and our neighbor as ourselves – that is the second part. We can demonstrate our love for God by loving others.

Jerome, a 4th century theologian,  tells a story about the Apostle John. 

John was old and frail, unable to walk, so his disciples would carry him into the gathering of believers on the Lord’s Day. Every week these were his words to the congregation: “Little children, love one another.”

This went on week after week, until at last, more than a little weary of these repeated words, his disciples asked him, “Master, why do you always say this?”

“Because,” John replied, “it is the Lord’s command, and if this only is done, it is enough.”

The secret strength of the Christian comes from spending time alone with God.  Sacrificially loving others is the demonstration of that strength.  

So, worship God, and love his children. That is the Christian life; and that is a blessing to others and that will change the world.

1 John 3: 18, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.”

All active Session members were present along with guest Sharon Kuhn and new missions team leader Gene Striker.  A new members class taught by our pastor is ongoing with a number of potential new members.   Ross and Nancy Schlosbon were recently approved for church membership.  Please welcome them and get to know them better!  The Trellis team reported that our December giving exceeded our spending by $16,000, allowing us to close December with a $11,000 surplus.  Thank you for your generous giving.  The Trellis team subcommittee on facilities rental, has developed a plan for how to adapt and charge for the use of our facilities if another like-mined organization is interested in sharing a portion of our buildings for Sunday use.  This is a missions oriented outreach that can positively impact our community and help us financially.  If you know of a group that is looking for a church home please see Pastor Mark.  If you have an interest in helping with our sanctuary audio and camera systems, helpers are still needed.  New ministry team members are also needed for the church growth, creative, and worship teams.  Sign up on the large poster in the narthex to help pray for the many missionaries we support throughout the world.  Sharon Kuhn will be traveling to Thailand in early March to support a woman’s missionary conference.  The every other Wednesday night “Your questions, God’s answers” meeting and fellowship meal is starting some new curriculum.  Come and enjoy these thought-provoking topics and discussions.  The Diaconate is working on the new fiscal year budget starting April 1.   Please plan to be available on March 26^th for the election of officers, and the presentation of the budget.  A new digital sign will soon be placed out near Wheeler Road thanks to anonymous donations. Our next Session meeting is scheduled for February 27th.  If you are visiting Westminster today, thank you for being here and please join us for our visitors luncheon.  

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How do I know that I am saved, and that I am going heaven when I die?

A full assurance of faith is a precious, fortifying and comforting truth.  But not every Christian has it. Why?

Our battle with sin calls into question the outcome of the war. Will I ever overcome these sins?  The promises of God astonishing, and we fail to rest in them. We know that we could be better Christians, so we wonder if we are Christians at all.

How can we build a well grounded, confident faith?

The Westminster Confession says,

An infallible assurance of faith [is] founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, [and] the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God (18.2).

The primarily foundation of faith “is the divine truth of the promises of salvation.” We believe the gospel, trust it, rest in it. We believe God and his testimony to the good news. 

Secondly, “the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made.”  First, we believe the gospel of God and then secondly we walk with God.  Saving faith is demonstrated by good works. We can look at the work of God in our lives after we believe the gospel.  We can see evidence of the change that God has worked in our souls, our minds, our actions.

Last, “the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God.”  As we believe the gospel and walk in trusting obedience to God, the Holy Spirit points it out to us by way of encouragement. 

Some call this the reflex act of faith, faith looking back on itself.  The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that are children of God.

You can’t see the wind, but you can see what the winds does to the trees.  If you branches are shivering, the wind of the Spirit is blowing.

So, look outside yourself to the fullness of Christ and the truth of his gospel for assurance. Then, look to the evidence of faith in your own life and the Spirit will encourage you to rest in the knowledge that you are a child of God. Rest assured.

After Adam and Eve sinned… “they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8

When Moses met God at the burning bush, God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

When Isaiah met God in the Temple he said, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’ Isaiah 6:5

When Paul met the Lord on the road to Damascus, he was struck blind.  “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me.” Acts 9:4

Have we domesticated God? Have we pulled his teeth and removed his claws? Is our God a tame, small, controllable God?

When prophets saw angels, God’s messengers, they dropped to their knees and fell on their faces intending to worship.  And those angels veil their faces and cover their feet in the presence of God.

God is greater than we can conceive; he is holy, holy, holy. And he is worthy of our astonished reverence, and heartfelt adoration in worship.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” Revelation 5:12

And this awesome and majestic God is now our savior and friend. 

Think on that when you come to worship.

Hebrews 12:28-29  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Too often I have twisted the key in my car’s ignition only to hear the familiar grind of a dead battery. It usually happens on a busy Monday. The battery may be revived. It simply needs to be recharged. But a battery that is unable to start the car is a dead battery.

Faith is dead when it does not work. It is a dead faith. “… faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” James 2:17.  The example used in James 2 is extending mercy to a fellow Christian in need – giving them needed food and clothing. A true and maturing faith expresses itself in practical love to others in the family of God. In the church fellowship, faith finds expression in mutual acts of genuine kindness that multiply exponentially. The love of God in Christ, flowing through our veins, produces sincere love for the brethren that is noticeable. That is the tangible work of faith.

These works of love take many forms. In general, they mean scratching where others itch. Some people need encouragement, others prayer. Some sisters need advice, others a shoulder to cry on. Some brothers need money, others need rebuke. Some need help, others simply a smile. Everyone needs to be known, noticed, and nurtured in some way. Yes, but, how can I tell what others really need?  You must know them. You need to invest in them, talk to them, have them over for lunch. You take a real interest in them. You enter into their lives and begin to actively love them.  

Faith so settles and stabilizes us that we can give ourselves away in the works of love- the true expression of faith. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). The love that comes to us from God in Christ also percolates through us and is poured into the lives of others.

True Christianity makes us great lovers of all mankind. Having received everything freely and fully in Christ, we can give ourselves away in love to all mankind, especially to the household of faith (“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” Galatians 6:10).  That is the true Christian expression of a living faith – it works in love.

At times, our battery of faith can lose its power to serve. We can burn out in service, or we can be burned in acts of kindness. The battery of faith needs to be recharged. How does that happen? You plug yourself into the fellowship of those who have living faith. You re-engage in communion of the saints. You worship, you speak to God’s people, you are renewed in the presence of others with living faith. So, ladies and gentleman – start your engines!!

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I received a note from a friend from seminary this week.  “There is no hope for us now.”  I responded, “The Word and Promises of Christ never fail. Therefore hope never dies. Courage brother, the best it yet to come.” He replied, “Amen! ‘Though the wrong seems oft so strong, HE is the ruler yet!.  “Sing it brother! Then believe and rest in it. I am trying to myself.

I have another friend from seminary who was recently diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.  She has a Caring Bridge site and she writes frequently and honestly in it.  Here is a sample, “Having a rare form of nasty cancer, knowing what’s coming in some ways and living also with the mysterious unknown future….or not…has radically changed how I think.”

“While being terrified of that unknown, I keep coming back to what really matters in life. Love. Love is what matters. Not being “right.” I’ve had to drop my own weapons that I had toward a few people that have hurt and harmed me. I’ve needed to see people better in light of their sufferings….my paraphrase of a Bonhoeffer quote….and forgive generously.”

“At the end of my life (whenever that is), when it’s all said and done, what do I want to be most known/remembered about me? I want for people to be able to look at my life and say “Hey that Jesus guy seems pretty great. I’d like to know more about him.””

It is such and encouragement to me to see my brothers and sisters fighting depression and despair in a fallen world with faith. Knowing Christ, and resting in the gospel at the most difficult times it possible.  

No matter what life throws at us, we can overcome through the love of God in Christ.

Are you tempted to despair? Are you tottering on depression? Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us.”  Men, women, to arms!! Victory is assured.