Read:
Ephesians 6:12

I love peonies. It’s my favorite flower, and they’re in full bloom right now. These flowers smell great, but whenever I clip them they are covered in ants that get in my house. Ugh! These little pests are an enemy to my beautiful flowers. That is what I thought. Then I planted these beloved flowers in a new area of my yard. The next spring when they came up there were buds, but they weren’t opening. Time went on, but the buds stayed closed and started to die. I realized there were hardly any ants in this new bed. I researched it, and the ants are needed to eat a sticky covering that’s on the buds, enabling them to open. I then worked to make the conditions favorable to those ants.

I did not understand who my enemy was.

Right now we are experiencing protests, riots, and marches spurred on by racial injustices. Many have an opinion who the enemy is, but Ephesians 6:12 tells us who it is.

I share this so we know who the enemy is, and to understand that he comes to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10a NIV). By understanding the enemy, we can pray against his schemes. We can also pray for God’s will to be done. We can pray the enemy does not get the upper hand to distract from the good that God wants to happen.

Question:
Will you pray that the good God wants at this time will be done, and that the plans of the enemy will not be allowed to triumph?

Edie Hardin
Coordinator – Missions

Read:
Ephesians 5:15-16

As an introvert, the last few months have been amusing. As if in a dystopian novel, one day we simply shut it all down, with most working from home, and we are told orders and information through the TV. Personally, I had a secret dream to work and school from home, and not have all the things that keep us busy, keeping us busy. Then it happened.

No matter how you feel about the quarantine, we all have the common background now of being through something that generations before us hadn’t. That should unite us.

Despite the things we now have in common, many Christ followers have held stronger and become more vocal about the things which divide us. In a time when we need each other more, many have used social media to speak in ways that inflict pain and degrade others. We have had the time to work on redeeming our lives for him, and instead, the opposite spills out of us in the public sphere.

In Ephesians 5, Paul deals with the wisdom of how Christ followers should live. Even in the 1st century, he tells us “the days are evil.” I would suggest that 2020, with “murder hornets,” global pandemic, no sports, political friction, racial division, earthquakes, volcanos, and bushfire… the days are indeed evil.

Should we as Christ followers then be working harder to be even more wise, even more slow to speak, and more cautiously weighing our words?

Question:
What guardrails, standards, or personal policies can you put into place as God is working on you, so that you “live wiser?” Who is one person you may not see eye to eye with that you can edify and encourage by calling, texting, or messaging them today?

Ben Eash
Director of Communication

Read:
John 5:1-14

Miracles

When I hear the word miracle, I instantly think of the classic pop song lyrics “miracles happen, once in a while,” from Princess Diaries. 

I shift my focus, after I relive my youth, to consider, yes miracles matter, but why? Do I get to see the reality of miracles today? I can read about Jesus’ ministry and the miracles he performed, but in this chaotic world today, are they real? 

It has been super hard to focus and sit with that idea of “do miracles happen today?” Because if they do, then my pleading for a miracle to come and shift the climate of the world is with a good cause, then my pleading for friends and family to not feel the wrath of disease is with good cause. 

But miracles are not for my gain, for my glory. They are small pictures of God’s glory and Jesus’ mission of salvation. They were relevant back then, and they’re relevant today. Because they allow us to put our hope and faith in situations that would otherwise leave us hopeless. Like this man at the pool, 38 years he was waiting, hopeless. But the miracles of salvation and forgiveness shifted the perspective from just needing to be physically healed, to our need for spiritual healing, something, that without Jesus’ life and death on a cross, would leave us hopeless for answers. 

So, I will still plead and cry out for this world, because if not, I am left hopeless and without answers. 

Question:
What miracles are you pleading to God for? 

Maggie Hite
Middle School Director

Read:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Winning races or setting personal records requires discipline and hard work. Goals must be set, and a grueling training schedule must be followed. In addition, another important trait is patience, as athletes do not reach the top overnight. What some make look easy was actually only achieved after years of hard work with many setbacks along the way.

Our Christian walk is similar. In order to grow in our faith and get closer to God, we must be disciplined and work hard by getting into the word, denying self, prayer, and worship. Along this path, we will also encounter setbacks, but with God’s help, we will overcome.

Coach Jim Tressel in his book “The Winners Manual” talks about God’s fundamentals:

1.  Know him
2.  Love him
3.  Serve him

He also quotes a poem by Edward Hale –

I am only one. But I am one.
I can’t do everything, but I can do something.
And that I can do, I ought to do.
And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I shall do.

In these challenging times, it is important to keep our focus on Jesus and to keep training and running our race toward our heavenly reward!

Question:
What is one thing I can do today to help someone?

Dave Lehman
Elder

Read:
1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 and 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

A definition of the word “encourage” is to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence, to develop.

When someone comes to mind, do you reach out, maybe write a note, text a prayer or give them a call offering words of encouragement, love, and support? Certain people just have that gift and when I am on the receiving end of that gift, I feel loved and want to pass that love on. The apostle Paul, one of my favorite encouragers, writes “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”  

The Thessalonian Christians faced struggles and an uncertain future. Paul wrote to encourage them, reminding them of their faith and love and hope in Christ, all of which prepared them to be ready for the Lord’s return. And with these assurances they could keep encouraging one another and building each other up. God knows his people are in need of grace-filled reminders, which Is why he calls us to encourage each other every day.  

Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.“

Take time to recall the people who’ve been encouragers in your life. Write a note, send a text, or make a phone call expressing your thankfulness for their part in your life.

Question:
When was the last time you encouraged someone?

Lori Scholten
Care, Journey, Life Group  Support

Read:
Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT)

I have been heartbroken and outraged by recent events. My anxiety level has been at an all-time high so much lately. I have reflected, prayed, and relied on the words of Paul to the Philippians many times each day.

How can I make a difference? How can one person like me or you do to make a change in a very broken world? Facebook and Instagram are full of ideas…where to give money, where to protest, and what to say to give emotional support. I feel overwhelmed.

In those moments my heart and mind find peace and hope in these verses. When my anxiety is trying to get the best of me, reading these words, praying and telling Jesus that I need more of him, the world needs more of him, thanking him, trusting him, I truly do feel a peace that can’t be explained.

I pray for a day that racial tension, protests, riots, and looting are no longer necessary for change to happen. I pray for a day that black lives matter, that ALL lives matter…lives trapped in human trafficking matter, unborn babies lives matter, abused lives matter, impoverished lives matter, homeless lives matter … to Jesus ALL LIVES MATTER!

Question:
How can you fix your thoughts (vs 8) and put into practice (vs 9) what you have learned to bring about peace to you and others?

Debbi Roberts
Executive Administrator  – Andy Sieberhagen, Connections, Men & Music Arts

Read:
Isaiah 43:19

For the past 3 months, it feels like our world has been turned upside down. After the initial shock wore off, I began to notice a change in some of my daily habits. The routine of life that I can sometimes go through robotically had been turned sideways, and I had naturally begun to do things differently. I found I had time to just sit on my front porch and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. I had an extra moment to read and reflect on morning devotions when I would normally be rushing around to get the kids to school and me off to work. Just this week, I challenged my daughter to a card game when we would normally have been running from one activity to the next. Despite the challenges we have experienced in the past couple of months, there has been some good habits that have come from it.

As we begin to return to some sort of normal life, we have an opportunity to do so in a way that will create a new routine. I have been reflecting a lot on the habits I have created during this season that God wants me to keep. Ways I can take the good and keep it going.

Questions:
What are some good changes you have made to your life during this season that you think God wants you to keep doing? What new routine can God use to help you grow in the coming weeks and months?

Phil Washburn
Elder

Read:
Psalms 127:1

As many of you know, construction recently began on Heritage’s exterior. The new siding will not only enhance and update the look of our building, but will also provide greater protection against weather and deterioration. Thanks to the generosity of our church family, we are able to complete this project using cash. The faithfulness of those fulfilling FIXIT! pledges is amazing….we have nearly received all pledged funds! 

I think about the first part of today’s verse as the church building is being prepared and sided with more durable and longer lasting materials. “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” If you’ve been around Heritage any length of time, you know how God has shown himself many, many times throughout our church history. This current project is no different. Just like each of us, our exterior can be shiny, new, and stunning in our eyes and others, but if our heart and soul isn’t of God, our labor is in vain. Following Jesus requires our heart, mind, soul, and spirit to be “all in.” What’s exposed on the outside doesn’t matter all that much, Jesus is all about our interior.

While we are called to care for and treasure ALL that God has so generously given to us, we are commanded to continually work on our own interior, not just what others see on the outside. God sees our heart and longs for our entire being to love him and love others.

Question:
What can you do today to bring Jesus into the daily construction project of building your “house,” not just a physical structure, but including your heart, mind, soul, and spirit?

Miriam Angerer
Finance Director

Read:
Romans 8:26-27

It feels like the list of tragic events keeps piling up this year. Fires, floods and earthquakes around the world causing people to lose their homes and loved ones. Locust swarms affecting the food security of 25 million people. Overt and covert racism still rampant in our country, whether it makes the news or not. All the while we are affected daily by the virus we aren’t sure how to fight. 

I long for God’s provision and righteous hand to fix the mess 2020 feels like. I want to cry out to him in prayer, but I can’t find the words. 

“…The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27 NIV)

Wordless groans… sometimes that’s all there is. But God hears the Holy Spirit groaning, crying out for reconciliation and love, wisdom and strength. God and the spirit are so tight, so close-knit, that eloquent words aren’t necessary for intercession. Because we have the spirit inside of us, he intercedes for us in the perfect manner for the father to understand.

Question:
Have you sensed the Holy Spirit interceding for you in this season when you haven’t had the words to pray?  

Amber Scheidler
Coordinator – Women’s, Journey 50+, Children’s, 20 Somethings

Read:
Acts 2: 14-41

We as humans long to live a life of significance. We want our lives to count. We desire favor and blessing, for ourselves and for those who come after us. I believe that is one reason why so many people identify with the song “The Blessing” that recently swept the Christian world by storm. Powerful, anointed words that align with our deepest desires:

May his favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
And your family and your children
And their children, and their children

Great favor fell upon the early church. We read about its beginnings in Acts chapter 2 when Peter addresses the crowd after the Holy Spirit came. He recounted Israel’s history, how the prophets foretold the significance of that day, how Christ died on their behalf. His anointed words stirred the hearts of 3,000 souls that day to repentance and baptism.

The spirit of God still stirs hearts and brings his favor today. Peter’s words, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off,” are for you and me and those we love. When we stay connected to Christ, our words and actions will impact those around us. Our prayers will be powerful and effective. Our impact will be significant, not only today, but for the generations to come.

May his favor be upon you!

Question:
Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of a time you made a difference in someone’s life. Allow that memory to spur you on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).

Linda Buchan
Coordinator – Volunteers, Marriage & Family, THG