One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4)

The Bible has a beautiful balance. The older generation is valued for its wisdom and life experience. The younger generation is valued as those to whom the torch will be passed. Think of Proverbs, the words of a father to a son. Think of our current study of 2 Timothy, the words of Paul to young Timothy. The common theme is a majestic, covenant-keeping God, who loves his people and acts on their behalf.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)

The call to love one another seems to permeate the letters of the New Testament, and this call reminds us of the words of Jesus: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) The beauty of the church is that it gathers so many different types of people. In Colossians, people came from all kinds of religious and socio-economic backgrounds. The cross levels all that, and offers the chance to start afresh, in gospel community. The more we see ourselves as beloved by God in Christ, and forgiven, the more we have the incentive and power to offer that love to others in the new community.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4-5)

Someone once said that in the Old Testament, God had a temple for his people. In the New Testament God has a people for his temple. In Ephesians 2:21 we learn that we are growing into a holy temple in the Lord. As we gather for worship, even in a school auditorium, we are a dwelling place for God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). And there is gospel in the 1 Peter passage above! Our worship is "acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." God is holy and majestic, and yet, with all our flaws and humanness, we are beloved of God as we offer our worship.

Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

This passage is part of a letter written by Jeremiah to God's people who were in exile in Babylon. The people were hearing many voices about how to handle their exile. Some said the exile would end soon, in two years. There was the temptation to be isolated from the city. And there was the temptation to compromise and to become like the city. But Jeremiah urged a better way. Establish a presence in the city, building houses and raising families. Pray for the peace of the city, and seek its welfare.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

It's Monday, and we begin a fresh week in our prayer journey! One of the benefits of extended
time in prayer is that we get to focus our minds and affections on Christ. But there are many distractions! Christians can be accused of being "too heavenly minded and no earthly good." This passage tells us something better. We must be heavenly minded before we can be any earthly good! So press on, even if distracted. Even if the richness of our life with Christ seems hidden for now. We walk and pray by faith now, with the hope that one day he will appear, and we will appear with him. For these moments, let's ask God to renew our hearts for the days of prayer ahead.

For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 3:13)

Jesus Christ himself set the pattern for serving when he said in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Though all of us are called to serve one another, our deacons hold a serving office, mobilizing the congregation for deeds of mercy and service. In writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul must have been mindful of the rigors of serving, over time. One deacon recently told me of a recent time of going through some difficult challenges. Yet he sensed the Lord's call this summer to offer help and ministry on behalf of others. Such a deacon gains "good standing" and "confidence in the faith."

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, the ends of the earth your possession. (Psalm 2:8)

This verse is a promise that God the Father is making to God the Son. The reign of Christ will extend to the nations. After his resurrection, Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18). 

Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it--the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:2-3)

Our theme for the August Prayer Initiative is "Call to Me." Call to God because he made the earth. Call to God because of the power of his name. Call to God because he said, "I will answer you." As we pray for the work of Lake Baldwin Church in anticipation of the fall, we acknowledge our dependence on God.