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Holiest Week

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We are in the midst of the holiest week of the year for Christians and Jews.  In our belief systems, everything in creation focus on Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread and Feast of First Fruits.  Each of these festivals for the Lord are about Jesus and spending time with our God.

Passover came about when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt about 1445 BC.  The people were told to paint their doorposts and lintels with lamb’s blood from a perfect lamb. Those doors were passed over by the death angel.  Any homes and barns left unpainted suffered the loss of the firstborn male child or animal when the angel of death entered.  Only after Pharaoh lost his firstborn son did he realize that there was a God greater than himself.  At that point, he let the Israelites leave Egypt. 

Because the people were to prepare to leave, no leaven was put in the bread.  Moses instructed them to prepare and eat their meal in haste so they would be ready to go.  As they fled through Egypt they continued to eat unleavened bread.

A little over 2000 years ago, God sent Jesus into the world.  His purpose was to be the perfect lamb for Passover.  He was slain on the cross at the exact hour the last lamb was sacrificed in the Temple for Passover. This is the day we call Good Friday in the Christian faith. 

Sadly, much of this history has been lost to our modern western church and our culture in general.  In this country, most people go about the daily routine on this day.  Saturday will just be another day to sleep in, hang out and maybe do some work around home, rather than a day to contemplate Jesus lying dead in a tomb.  That day in Jerusalem, all those years ago, his disciples were “sheltering in place” as they feared for their lives and mourned their loss. 

The day we call Easter, began before dawn for Mary Magdalene as she rose and went to the tomb to anoint Jesus body with oils.  He had already risen!  Christians around the world celebrate this day with a sunrise service for Resurrection Sunday.  This is the day He carried our sins completely away to God, giving us the opportunity to live in His kingdom, eternally.  The angel of death will pass over us. 

Our communion celebration reflects His instruction as we are reminded of what it cost for us to walk free.

Because of Covid19, we are foregoing our traditional sunrise service.  We are going to begin worship at 10:55 a.m. in the parking lot of Cove Nazarene Sunday morning in drive-in style.  We will live-stream Pastor Ann’s message at 11:15 on Facebook and get it posted to our YouTube channel as soon as possible after service.  That address is:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbdVLiOE0PsZAkW_LBBQpZA

Praying that the Lord is merciful to you during this strange time and that you are looking to Him with peace and trust.

Live Service

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We want to invite you to join us LIVE in the parking lot for Easter Service. We are doing a drive-in style service, which means everyone stays in their cars. Just roll a window down. We promise Pastor Ann will be loud enough for all y’all to hear. Please don’t let fear keep you from our God! If you are able to leave your home to go to the store, know that you will be less exposed Sunday morning than at HEB or Walmart. COME AND WORSHIP!

Foreshadowing

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Foreshadowing is a writing technique that mystery writers frequently use.  It gives readers a hint of what is to come and possibly who will be involved.  What I find fascinating about this technique is that originally it didn’t apply to fiction. The bible is filled with prophesies and actual events that were designed to help people see Who was coming and how things would happen. 

The Old Testament is more than a history book.  It is more than a book of law.  It is the introduction to God’s perfect plan.  Throughout the Old Testament we are given glimpses of a King who is to come and a Kingdom that will last forever.  While Saul was still king, God turned His face from him and told Samuel to seek out a new king.  Samuel found David, who was the least of the least.  Yet God made a covenant with David, telling him that “your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16 (NASB)

When this happened, it was a hint to the people then, and to us, that David’s offspring would rule Israel and all God’s people forever.  Although traditional history tells us that didn’t happen according to earthly ways because we know that Rome conquered all that area, Jerusalem was torn down and the people dispersed over all the earth.  So, does this mean that God’s promise was broken?  NO!

David made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem when he returned the ark of the covenant.  He led the procession!  Centuries later, David’s direct descendent Jesus made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and He led the procession.

Jesus was welcomed by the people in Jerusalem and celebrated as their King!  While we all think we know the end of this story, we sometimes forget that God is faithful and He never breaks a promise. Jesus did die on the cross. 

But He rose again and now Jesus is fulfilling the covenant that God made with David, His kingdom is established forever.

Join us tomorrow morning, Sunday April 5, 2020 at 10:55 a.m.  We will be holding a live service in the parking lot at 964 W. Hwy 190 and we will be livestreaming on facebook.

Pastor Ann is going to dive deep into how Jesus fulfilled these shadow pictures and what it means for us today.

Consider

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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds . . . encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” —Hebrews 10:24-25

The concept of gathering has taken many new forms over the last few weeks as many of us around the world seek a way forward for our churches. This new reality has made me wonder: Why do you go to your church? Why do you keep going back to the same group of people in the same building? I have asked these questions for years in membership classes or leadership trainings, and I am always interested in the answers. Some common answers are: My family attends here. My friends are here. I like how I feel when I am here. I love the worship music. I love the pastor. It is my weekly connection with God. I love my small group and couldn’t make it without them.

I have rarely heard the words from Hebrew uttered when I ask these questions. In fact, I have never had someone tell me, “I go to this church simply to encourage others.” I am sure that there are some who make it their mission each week to be a catalyst for love and good deeds, but if we are not careful, we can decide to go to church for what we can get out of the gathering instead of what we can offer to the gathering. 

I believe that Hebrews 10:24-25 is asking us to consider another way.

What if Christians around the world decided that the purpose of gathering together was to encourage each other to live each day for Christ? What if, when we gathered, we understood that true worship of God is connected to a love for our brothers and sisters? What if the connection to others is enhanced through authentic worship of God?

What if this coming Sunday, we consider the true purpose of Church: worship? In a world that is focused on the self, what if the church became a gathering that was focused on God and others? There is no question that love and good deeds would abound. 

As you think of each other this week, make it your mission to truly fellowship. Move past thinking of our basic needs and, in earnest prayer, thank God for His goodness and pray for the needs of others. As Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Prayer for the week: Father, remind me that as I worship You this week, I have a responsibility to encourage others. Teach me what it means to have deep fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ and may my life encourage someone else to live for you!

Wendell Brown is the district superintendent of the North Central Ohio District, Church of the Nazarene.

The Holiness Today staff is currently participating with Christians around the world in limiting to our normal corporate worship participation due to the coronavirus. We are joyfully awaiting the resuming of normal worship schedules once the crisis has passed.

Written for Coffee Break. 

Day of Prayer & Fasting

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Today has been chosen as a day of prayer and fasting by the Nazarene leadership in our district. We are asking that everyone join in and cry out to the Lord. The following guidelines have been provided. Please read through them and join us in crying out to our Lord in this time of need and uncertainty.

Prayer Guide

“Then if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NLT)

Before praying, stop and ask the Lord to speak to you.  Let His promises speak into your life right now.

Read Psalm 34

Psalm 9:10, Psalm 16:8, Psalm 18:30, Psalm 32:6-7, Psalm 33:4, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 26:3-4, Isaiah 43:1d-3a, Lamentations 3:21-26, Luke 11:9-10

Now acknowledge to God that you are ready to seek His Purposes.

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”  Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 40:16, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 105:1-4, Proverbs 8:17, Proverbs 19:21, Jeremiah 29:13, Lamentations 3:25, Hebrews 11:6

Remind yourself of God’s Greatness

Consider His power and majesty.  Think of the good things God has done in your life.  Consider His marvelous working throughout history.

1 Chronicles 16:8-10, 1 Chronicles 29:11-13, 2 Chronicles 20:6, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 66:1-5, Psalm 77:12-14, Psalm 126:3, Isaiah 40:23-26, Ephesians 3:20-21

Confess your sins to God

“But we have sinned and done wrong.  We have rebelled against You and Your commands and regulations.”  Daniel 9:4 (NLT)

Take time here to honestly evaluate your life.  Where are you living outside of God’s will for your life?

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  This I declare about the Lord:  He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.  For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.”  Psalm 91:1-3 (NLT)

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles.  For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him.”  Psalm 34:6-7 (NLT)

Psalm 32:5, Psalm 38:18, Psalm 51:10-12, Psalm 66:18, Psalm 103: 1-5, 10-12, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 55:6-7, 1 John 1:9

Ask God to intervene and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Let’s pray that it won’t be as bad as feared, that the spread of the virus would recede and the numbers of those infected would not be as pervasive and widespread as many fear.

Joshua 1:9, Job 5:8-9, Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 17:14, Philippians 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:7

Pray for those who are infected.

Exodus 23:25, Deuteronomy 7:15, Psalm 41:3, James 5:14-16, 3 John verse 2

Pray that those who need treatment will have access to it.

Psalm 23:1, Matthew 6:8b, Matthew 7:7, Luke 12:24, Philippians 4:19

Pray for all of us in isolation.

The Psalmist said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.     Psalm 46:1

2 Chronicles 20:12c, Psalm 23:2-3a, Psalm 46:10, Isaiah 32:17, Zephaniah 3:17, 1 Peter 5:7

Pray for the health workers/caregivers/first responders who are caring for those with COVID-19.

Pray for their protection from the virus, for their stamina during long and intense work hours, and for safe protocols to be observed in their institutions in order for the maximum number of people to remain protected.

Psalm 121:7-8, Proverbs 18:10, 2 Corinthians 9:12-13, Galatians 6:9-10, Ephesians 6:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Hebrews 13:20-21

Pray for those who are grieving at the loss of loved ones/friends from this pandemic.

Pray for these that they would know the nearness and comfort of the Holy Spirit, that they would feel the compassion of friends and family members – even though we’ve been encouraged to practice social distancing – and a true sense of empathy and care.

Psalm 34:18, Psalm 119:50, John 14:1-4, 16, 26-27, Revelation 21:4

Pray for the U.S. and World Economies

For businesses that are having to shut down or will be adversely impacted by the associated economic downturn.  Please pray for those whose livelihoods are up in the air, who are waking up every morning with questions and are facing the future with a real sense of nervousness and anxiety. 

Deuteronomy 8:18, Matthew 6:31-34, Luke 12:27-31, Romans 8:31-32, 2 Corinthians 9:8-9

Pray for President Trump and the COVID-19 Task Force and all government officials and decision makers who are leading their respective countries and organizations through this crisis.

Pray that they might be used of God in their places of influence.  Pray that they would be able to mobilize resources quickly and effectively and get them to the people and places where they are most needed.

Psalm 33:12a, Proverbs 3:5-6, Joel 2:12-14a, Hebrews 13:7, 17, James 1:5

Pray for pastors and missionaries.

Pray for wisdom for each to know how best to carry out their ministry responsibilities, given the current restrictions.  Pray that God would give them the right words at the right time and the right actions for their situation.  Pray that their ministry’s effectiveness would not be compromised, but that God would carry them through this difficult time and use them for His glory. 

Deuteronomy 33:11, 2 Chronicles 1:10, Psalm 25:4-6, Psalm143:10, Isaiah30:21, Ezekiel 36:23b, Zechariah 4:6b, Romans 10:13-15, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Ephesians 6:19-20, Colossians 1:28-29, 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Pray for the church.

That she would rise up and be what the Lord calls her to be:  an entity that cares in practical and sacrificial ways for “the least of these,” that she would manifest a winsome witness that would arrest the attention and capture the imagination of a surrounding skeptical world to where people that are currently far from God would begin to seek the Lord and open up to Him in real and genuine ways. 

Proverbs 1:5, Isaiah 65:1, Habakkuk 3:2, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 9:37-38, Luke 24;45, Acts, 2:46-47, Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Thessalonians 1:5

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Unless noted, all Scriptures are from the NIV.