happy birthday good news

good news weekly 3.1.25

this sunday we are celebrating 4 years as a church. we are grateful for everything God has done. there will be baptisms + cookies, hope to see you here, 8.30 + 9.45 + 11.15

-pastor luke + kristen

---

Recently, a group of women and I read through the New Testament in 30 days. It was challenging at times, but I totally recommend it, because it allowed us to see overarching themes in scripture that you may not see as easily if you were reading at a slower pace. One of the themes I was most surprised by was endurance. It comes up again and again as encouragement, like a pat on the back from a coach to keep going.

Dictionary.com defines endurance as ‘the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.” But, when the Bible is talking about endurance it’s not just the physical part; it covers spiritual endurance which is your mind, spirit, and body all together. Logos Bible Software defines spiritual endurance as “the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary.”

I think we can all agree we need endurance - whether it’s a season filled with trials or normal everyday stresses that tend to add up. Here’s the good news, the trials aren’t wasted and they actually build up your endurance. (Romans 5:3-4)

Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”

There are a couple things I love about this scripture in regard to endurance. One of the great blessings of knowing others in the faith is that we are to encourage others so we can journey along knowing that everyone is experiencing challenges and difficulties. Left to ourselves we can go down a rabbit trail of self pity and defeat. Second, Jesus is our example that we look to always. He endured the worst sort of treatment on our behalf knowing it would draw some of us into a relationship with him. Lastly, His suffering revealed His character to us. So often we are good at complaining, kicking and screaming, and a long list of other things in our suffering through trials. Jesus endured such brutal treatment and he continued in humility and obedience to God the Father because He was sure of His calling and purpose.

As we celebrate the 4th birthday of the church this weekend (please come celebrate with us!) I think of the endurance we’ve had to have to get us here and also the endurance I need for everyday in 2025. I heard a story yesterday of someone coming to faith recently in our church and for that all the hard stuff is worth it.

I wanted to leave you with this excerpt from a book called Endure by Daniel Ritchie. “God is not done with you. Until faith becomes sight, God desires to uphold you, love you, and use you as an instrument of his glory. The ultimate antidote to our fears and failures is that God’s presence in our lives is not dependent on present success; it is an established promise to His children. As the prophet Isaiah reminds vulnerable Israel: ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’” (Isaiah 41:9-10)

---

Last Week’s Sermon

we looked at Jesus’ assertion of his uniqueness and deity, a powerful Sunday.

---

A Prayer for Wisdom at Work

Lord, help me use my work to honor you.

When it feels pointless,
when I feel under appreciated,
when I feel overly busy
when I feel stuck and wish I
could do something else,

You use my work to provide and I want to use
my work to honor you.
Help me honor you God with my effort.
Help me honor you God with my attitude.
Help me honor you God with my execution.
And help me do it in a way that draws attention
to you, Jesus.

Lord, help me use my work to honor You.

---

Cup of Leadership

we do this weird thing in the social media age. we mainly talk to people who already agree with us and say things we know they will resonate with, but vibe like its somehow brave.

we act like its for those who disagree, but mostly it functions as a vehicle for people who already agree to high five and act a bit self-righteous.

are you speaking for plaudits or from the prophetic?

the old testament saints often brought an unpopular message to an ungodly people. they were going to be mostly rejected. God’s assignment for them wasn’t to find a niche and build a platform on it, it was to be faithful even when the truth lacked popularity.

the algorithms have created a world where no matter how unpopular our ideas or beliefs, we can find people who agree with us and act sanctimonious towards ‘them.’

is it possible your assignment is similar to those OT prophets? to say something that God wants said, even in a culture that probably won’t like it?

---

this is good news,
luke + kristen