Author: Believers Church

December 11, 2021 Believers Church

Christmas can be an overwhelming time. Cultural and familial pressures all around us tend to push and pull us in all directions at once. Messages are screamed at us about what to buy, where to go, and who to be with. The cultural pressure presents unrealistic expectations to please everyone and give a picture-perfect image during this season. It can lead people to feel frazzled and frantic. This feeling of being overwhelmed by these things is entirely unnecessary. There is no reason for Christians to allow our culture to push and pull us as it does, but that is not the point I want to make.

I believe that Christmas is intended by God to be overwhelming. He wants us to stand still in awe of the season. Not because we tend to give in to every whim of our culture, but because of the incredible work of our God. As Christians, we know that God in all of His glory was pleased to come to this earth as a man. We also know that He did this for us.

Easily Forgotten

The sad reality is that we all too often become numb to this truth. It isn’t that we don’t know it or believe it, but it is just that we are apathetic to it. The reality of the gospel should be overwhelming. It should leave us in awe and wonder. Being reminded of the fact that our God left the perfection and majesty of heaven to come to this fallen earth for us fallen creatures is astonishing.

Equally astonishing is that those of us who know it to be fact can let life pass us by as though it doesn’t matter. This time of year, we are far too easily overwhelmed by the necessity of the perfectly made Christmas cookie, all the while unmoved and unaffected by the gospel. Christmas is a reminder that Christ did come. If He hadn’t, we would be left with no savior and no hope for salvation. There would be no real peace and no real joy. Christ accomplished much in His coming to this world. Here are just a few such accomplishments found in the account of His birth found in the Gospel of Luke.

Peace – “To guide our feet into the way of peace” Luke 1:79

Colossians 1:20 tells us that Jesus brings us peace with God through the blood of His cross. Apart from Jesus, it is impossible for us to have peace with God. Our sins cause us to be at enmity with God. This leaves us in a constant state of turmoil between Him and us that we could never repair on our own. Jesus left heaven to mend that turmoil.

Joy – “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy” Luke 2:10

At times it seems like this world gives us very little reason to be joyful. God through Christ gives us every reason. John 15 tells us that we can be friends with Christ. Good friends make you happy. The best of friends brings real joy. Jesus says that He brings us real and abundant life. He also gives us a purpose to live for. Our Lord has come and because of that, we can have joy.  

Light – “To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,” Luke 1:79

If Jesus is the light of the world as He claimed to be, that means that apart from him the entire world is living in darkness. Your options are either Christ or darkness, there is no third alternative. The light of Christ illuminates and exposes the darkness of sin, and also shines on the goodness of God. We take a light into a room to dispel the darkness. Likewise, the light of Jesus Christ had to come into this darkness of our sin to illuminate and deal with that darkness.

Salvation – “To give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins” Luke 1:77-78

The natural state of mankind is broken, fallen, dying, and headed for destruction. The only possible way to alter that trajectory is Jesus. On the first Christmas, “unto us a savior was born” which is good news for us because we were in desperate need of one. Jesus did not come for the healthy. He didn’t come to give us some moral lessons, or simply to live an example of the “good life”. He came to save souls.

Being overwhelmed is typically not a good thing. But the facts of Christ should leave us overwhelmed and in awe. The creator of the universe came to you and me. God dwelt among us, and He did it because of a love for us. Just this once, let yourself be overwhelmed.

December 1, 2021 Believers Church

The Struggle

One of the biggest struggles we face as Christians is ourselves… our flesh… our carnal nature.  We often see the world as our oyster.  We buy food, to feed our flesh.  We shop for clothes, to adorn our flesh.  We set up our homes, to comfort our flesh. We put together albums and videos, to commemorate our flesh.  We work jobs and earn money, to secure our flesh.  We engage in sex, to satisfy our flesh.  We have children, to propagate our flesh.  Let’s face it, the very bodies we live in are made of flesh.  Carnality is our default.  Combating Carnality seems hopeless.

If you find yourself in this struggle, you are not alone.  Paul highlights the struggle with his flesh concluding “that in me (that is, in my flesh), dwelleth no good thing”.  Shortly after he exclaims “O wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death” (Romans 7:18, 24)?  Concerning our carnal attachment to this world, John warns, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away…” (1 John 2:15-17).

Often we combat carnality with a worldly mindset. We establish rules, boundaries, budgets, and diets. None of these things are bad. In fact, some are quite beneficial.  But none of these things have the power to transport us out of our flesh and into the spirit… None of these things can lift us out of the muck of this world and into a heavenly land (Colossians 2:23).

The Escape

How do we get out of our flesh?  How do we escape our earthly carnality?  We need some sort of portal… something that can transport us out of our flesh in this world… into the spirit in another world…  God gave us access to such a portal.  He gave us something that is made of earthly material (i.e., leather, paper, ink), which can be accessed by our flesh (i.e., our eyes, our mind), that can supernaturally transport us into another land, a spiritual world, a heavenly kingdom.  He gave us our bible… the word of God. 

The word of God pre-existed the world, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).  The word of God is eternal, “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever…” (Isaiah 40:6-8, 1 Peter 1:24-25).  The word of God transports us to another land, so we can say with Paul, “We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal…” (2 Corinthians 4:18).  The word of God is our portal out of this world… into the kingdom of heaven.

Look back at the current season of your life… the time you’ve invested, the money you’ve spent, the effort you’ve exerted. Is it primarily to satisfy your flesh, with the things of this world, and that which is transient? Or is it for that which is spiritual, the things of heaven, and that which is eternal? 

The Future

As you look to next year, how will you combat carnality?  What’s your plan?  Will you spend more or less time in God’s word?  What will your devotional life, your prayer time, your study, your meditation look like? 

What land will you be spending your time in?  Will it be an earthly kingdom or a heavenly kingdom?  Who will you become?  One who is carnal, blinded by the trappings of this world?  Or one who is spiritual, freed from the bondage to your flesh and its appetites.

It’s our choice. We have open access to both worlds… And our life will reflect which world we are in. Let us choose that land that is eternal, unfading, and full of God’s glory.

For Further Reading:

3 Things We Must Believe about God’s Word | Crossway Articles

November 24, 2021 Believers Church

Read what has been going on at Shofar Mission as we continue the mission God has given us.

Street Level Ministries

Street Level has been meeting weekly for discussions about big questions in the Christian faith: “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” “How Can I Have Faith?” and “Why and How Do I Pray?” We have one new member who got connected by seeing a Facebook ad. We’re still meeting online, but making plans for when universities start meeting face-to-face again. The WOTS writers have been working on Issue 89 and distributing Issue 88. One of the SLR DJ’s has been hosting a weekly radio show from the office. At the end of October, we hosted a phygital Halloween party. A couple members joined us at the office! In December, Pastor Jonah will lead one of our Friday discussions, and we’ll finish out the semester with a Christmas murder mystery party.

Exploring Creation Science

Students and staff continue to tune in and engage each week with online lessons. One addition has been adding experiments with basic materials that schools can do as a whole group and observe over the course of the week. We have been able to see a few students in person. Those 12-18 are allowed out and those under 12 can be out if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. At the end of October, the school and church staffs that we work with were fully vaccinated. This has allowed for a conversation about more interactions with teachers and school administration. Since everyone is fully vaccinated opportunities to teach a lesson from a school with the teacher and share a meal with school administration are in the works. Exploring Creation Science also continues to provide Daily Bible Readings and staff reading plans for students.

Shofar Youth Network

We have continued to communicate with various churches and ask how their youth ministries are going. In some cases, school administration and pastors are also the ones that lead church youth groups. Since the youth had been unable to go out of the house, we were able to recommend a few ideas to a couple of youth groups in the city. As we start the new year, we are planning to continue providing resources and sponsorships to youth groups.

Prayer Requests

  1. Please pray for students to remain firm in their faith over the holiday season and in their conversations with family.
  2. Pray that those eligible for boosters would see the importance of getting them.
  3. Please continue to pray that people would follow minimum public health standards (wearing of facemask and social distancing) and get vaccinated.
  4. Pray that we would continue to get creative with ways to see people and minister in person as the new year begins.

November 22, 2021 Believers Church

What do news broadcasters, camels, and the Christmas story have in common? They will all play a part in this year’s Christmas Program!

Christmas Program Progress

The Children’s Ministry and Homeschool Group are joining forces this year to present a Christmas Program called “The Nazareth Evening News.” Since the beginning of November, we have been using the Homeschool Group time on Thursday afternoons to practice the program.  The kids have been diligently rehearsing their lines, practicing music, all while having fun with each other. Praise God that we are able to work in close proximity to each other again and present a Christmas Program this year! The kids are all excited to share the program with their church family and friends on Wednesday evening, December 22.

Foundations Update

In other news, when the Foundations Room meets every other Sunday, we are continuing our journey through the Old Testament. After teaching about Gideon recently, I was reflecting on what a privilege it is to get to share lessons from the Bible and truths about God with the children here. And I was also marveling at how God orchestrates life situations in the lives of these kids (just as he does in ours!) that help move this information from head to heart.

This quarter the memory verse we’ve been learning is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” I have been amazed to watch God bring up opportunities in the everyday lives of these kids, challenging them to make this verse a reality in their own lives. God is so faithful! Whether getting a shot, jumping off a diving board, or spending some time apart from parents, God wants them to know that He is always with them and can help them be brave. Obeying God and trusting Him in these small things will help the kids trust God in bigger things to come. It is such an honor to help point them to Jesus!

Foundations Class

Prayer Requests

  • That all the pieces of the Christmas Program would come together, the kids would be brave in presenting it, and that the program would be a blessing to all those who attend.
  • That God would bring some new families to church if it is in His time and His will.
November 19, 2021 Believers Church

Over the past month we have been involved in the missions season which consisted of two trips to Louisiana. Because of our involvement several people have stepped up to support the ministry and fill the gaps for those travelling. Many thanks go out to those people and we are very thankful for those who have made our involvement in missions season possible.

Campus Church and Street Level

One Wednesday we met at the coffeehouse with the students to watch the Free Burma Rangers video. There was discussion and a lot of thoughtful questions. The material was difficult to process and it was a good challenge for all involved.

Matt came down from Duluth on a Wednesday evening to teach in church on Campus. We continue to have new students come to both the Monday study as well as church. As we draw closer to the end of the semester, it can often be easy to coast into the Holidays. Please pray for consistency in attendance and desire to for fellowship in the church community.

Campus Church in the Trimbelle River Room
Street Level, Monday Night

Word on the Street

Several students are showing interest in service opportunities and getting more involved in the community. This month there was a writing event for WOTS at the coffeehouse in River Falls on a Thursday night where we hosted the Menomonie crew. The WOTS team from Menomonie will continue to engage collaboratively with the students in River Falls. This is a great discipleship and fellowship opportunity for those involved.

Word on the Street Collaboration Meeting

Prayer Requests

Future planning in River Falls for the winter and spring months to come.

For students who are travelling home for the holidays that there is focus on desire to engage God and other Christians in their community.

Students as they are completing end of semester projects and exams.

Pray for a desire in the students and the rest of the church community to step up their service and commitment to things that God has planned for them.

November 13, 2021 Believers Church

Happy November from your friends in Duluth! In the spirit of the season, we have so very much to be thankful for. Our plates have been full of good teaching, outreach, fellowship, missions work, and service. Thinking back one year ago when the world was still mostly shut down, it’s been our joy to now be hard at work, taking advantage of all that God has put in our path. Here’s what we’ve been up to the past month.

FELLOWSHIP

Earlier in October, the couples were invited to join Menomonie for a camping trip at the JFB campground in Connorsville. As usual, there were lots of snacks, jokes, stories, long hikes with falling leaves, and weird noises from behind the fence.

We ended October in the spirit of Halloween with a good old-fashioned costume party. Halloween fell on a Sunday this year, so we got to hand out candy to the neighborhood kids in addition to playing games, feasting on chili, and eating (too many) tootsie rolls.

OUTREACH

Last year was the first time our Community Group brought the coffee trailer to “Boo at the Zoo” right down the road from the church. They invited us back again, and with COVID restrictions lifted, people were flooding in. We served coffee at the entrance, while another group of us gave out candy to literally thousands of people as they walked through the grounds. We spent three weekends in October at this event, and it was exciting to see so many people getting the church’s information into their hands.

Not only did we get our name out there, but there were several promising conversations and connections made with individuals who crossed our path. We’ve had billboards and bus ads for the church posted around town for a few months now with our “Live Like You Mean It” slogan, and some people were able to recognize us because of this. Please pray for fruit to come from our outreach efforts as well as for continued direction for our Community Group as we seek God’s direction for the winter months ahead.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Our pastors had a new outreach opportunity of their own that came about recently. Justin and Jesse were invited to host a mid-week Bible study at the assisted living home right across the street from the church. We’ve had a couple members of that community join us on for services on Sundays, and several more of them have been attending the study each week. Please pray for these individuals, that God would use his Word to reach them at a heart level.

Street Level has been continuing their series called Alpha. They’ve been partnering with Street Level Menomonie and River Falls over video for some of these studies. Recently, before dinner at the Garage, they have been meeting on campus to read a short excerpt from a book called, “What if Jesus was Serious?” and talk about it, devotional style. Street Level also co-hosted a pumpkin carving contest on campus at the end of October. Please pray for God to move through our campus and bless our efforts at reaching students for Him.

TEACHING

We’re continuing our study through the book of Romans on Sundays, and on Wednesday evenings, we are working thorough 1 Peter. In both books, two themes keep coming up: suffering and love. We are learning about the inevitability of suffering in our lives, how to handle it in a godly way, and how to continue loving our Church and our neighbors. Romans eight brought a refreshing and timely reminder of God’s love for us as the fuel for our love for others.

Later in October, we took a short break from Romans, and Pastor Jesse took us through a mini-series in Luke 12. It was all about setting our hearts on Christ’s mission and priorities and preparing ourselves for Jesus’ return. Jesus says that where our treasure is, there will our heart be as well. We looked at how to identify what we truly treasure in our heart and how we can direct our attention and affection to the Kingdom of God, so we don’t end up being fools in the end. We were challenged to answer the question, “Are you ready and eager for Jesus’ return? Or do you need more time?”

We hope you can thank God with us as we take time to praise Him for all He is doing and will continue to do. Thank you for praying for us; we hope to see you soon!

-Annie