February 26-28, 2010

Mark 13
Pastor Jon Wehner

Mark 13:26
“At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”

There’s a lot going on in Mark 13! Jesus prophesied about the destruction of the Temple, the dispersion of the Jews and His ultimate return.

If you’re like me, you have the tendency to get so focused on your daily routine that you may fail to realize the hope of Jesus’ return. We all face the difficult challenges of life but - in our lifetime - we could possibly witness the triumphant return of Jesus!

I am reminded of an encouraging phrase that one local preacher uses at the close of his Sunday evening services, “I’ll see you on Wednesday, unless Jesus comes. And in that case, I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

Jesus said it this way, as recorded in Mark 13:33, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”

Prior to accepting his call into full-time ministry, Jon Wehner worked in the motor racing industry.

February 25, 2010

Mark 12
Pastor Paul Turbedsky

Mark 12:43-44
“…I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”

These are Jesus’ words after observing people putting their offerings into the temple treasury. He gives us a lesson on how God evaluates our giving.

The weight or significance of a person’s gift is not determined by the amount, but by the measure of generosity and sacrifice. Many give only a token out of abundant wealth that does not involve sacrifice or generosity. Their giving may be out of duty, shame or some false sense of obligation.

While the widow described in Mark 12 gave a very small amount, it was “all she had to live on.” Her giving represented her immense, heartfelt generosity and love of the Lord. Jesus saw that her amount was very little in terms of a hard money count, but noted that it was more than what anyone else gave in terms of sacrifice and generosity.

Christ evaluates our lives by the quality of our love – not by the quantity of it (i.e. productivity, quotas, outward success). It is about His love for us and our love for Him, our faith in Him, and the giving of ourselves to Him through service and devotion.

Let love and generosity be the measures of your giving. Do not give out of your scarcity, but be a joyful giver out of your generosity. May the motive behind our giving come from our hearts, in gratitude for all of God’s blessings and as an expression of our love for Him.

Paul Turbedsky served in administration and sports medicine before responding to God’s full-time ministry call and joining the Grace Covenant pastoral staff.

February 24, 2010

Mark 11
Pastor Stan Wilson

Have you ever had one of those days? You know…the edgy kind where everything is affected by your mood. If so, you already know that those edgy days cause a ripple of negative effects.

Recently I had one of those days, and there was only one way to describe it: I was in a “funk.” Sadly, there were casualties along the way. Just ask my wife. While most often seen as a gentle giant, my behavior that day made the statement of a “man of war.” Obviously, I needed a course correction.

In Mark 11, we read about Jesus beginning his journey to the cross. Considering the pending circumstances of death, I believe that Jesus had every reason to feel a bit edgy or, in a funk. Yet, his approach into Jerusalem as Messiah and King proved quite the opposite. Unlike the victory statements of previous warrior kings, parading into the city on stallions, Jesus rode gently into the city on a young colt. This was the purposeful statement of a Peacemaker.

What kind of statement are you making as you approach the situations of your day? Are your moods having a negative effect on others? If so - like me - you need a course correction. It’s time to make a new statement.

Choose, like Jesus, to embrace your day as a peacemaker rather than a man or woman of war.

This is Stan Wilson’s second time to serve on Grace Covenant’s pastoral staff, preceded by ministry assignments as a senior pastor and executive pastor in California, as well as assistant to the president of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

February 23, 2010

Mark 10
Pastor Luke Lang

It probably comes as no surprise that I love amusement parks. I love roller coasters and thrill rides. I love the shows and the attractions. I love it all…except those signs that have height requirements. You know what I’m talking about….”you must be THIS TALL to ride.” There are still some rides that I can’t ride!!

It turns out that heaven has a sign like that, but thankfully it has nothing to do with height. Heaven’s sign, just like everything else in the kingdom of God, is backward: “I (Jesus) tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15)

We have to become like a child in order to get into heaven. Does that mean that we should throw fits when we don’t get our way or spill something at every meal? I don’t think so. I think it has to do with approaching our Father with awe, wonder and an expectant heart. I think it’s about admitting our dependence and walking out a simple faith that really believes that “everything is possible with God.”

So my advice to you today…don’t act your age!

Before joining the Grace Covenant pastoral staff, Luke Lang’s ministry with teenagers has spanned more than 20 years as a pastor, frequent camp/retreat speaker, author of two books and cartoonist.

February 22, 2010

Mark 9
Pastor Jeff Allen

In the midst of a miracle

Marilee and I have been married for almost 11 years. About a year after our wedding, I went through nearly a full year of unemployment. While it was difficult with our financial situation, it was just as (if not more) difficult from an emotional mindset.

As the “man of the house,” I wanted to provide for my bride and be her “knight in shining armor.” I wanted to sweep her away to my “castle” and provide for every need. It was very humbling not being able to do that. Although God took care of every need - and has ever since - I remember murmuring a lot and making assumptions about the future.

In Mark chapter 9:14-29, we read about a boy possessed by an evil spirit. In a moment of desperation reported in verse 22, the boy’s father said to Jesus, “…if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” Jesus’ reply: “If you (I) can? Everything is possible for him who believes.”

After Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave, the boy lay there lifeless. The crowd began to murmur and believe that he was dead. Yet many of those in the crowd misunderstood what Jesus was doing, assuming that they knew the outcome.

In the midst of a miracle, how do you respond to something God does that you don’t understand? Do you assume that you know the future, or continue to trust God? Do you murmur to others, or keep a careful eye on Christ?

Jesus reached down, took the boy by the hand and helped him up. Be encouraged today that Jesus can!

Believe, keep your eye on Him and you just might witness the miraculous.

Jeff Allen served as a staff pastor before coming to Grace Covenant, most recently in Colorado with oversight of children’s ministry, the worship/music team and management of a 144-acre kid’s camp.

February 19-21, 2010

Mark 8
Pastor Michelle Hoverson

Sometimes the disciples were spiritually dull, and that’s what happens to you and me when we allow a little “leaven” into our faith.

When you add leaven (yeast) to any corner of a lump of dough, the effect will permeate the entire lump. In the scriptures, leaven (yeast) is used as a picture of sin.

Jesus warned His disciples (and us) to guard against sin associated with the Pharisees and Herod:

• Despite their status as religious leaders, the Pharisees were constantly attempting to sow doubt in people’s hearts that Jesus was who He said - the Divine Messiah of Israel and the Son of God. As present-day disciples, we must also be vigilant - not allowing the power of religious philosophies and false doctrines to be sown subtly into our faith. Admitting one false teaching into our hearts begins departure from the truth.


• Herod, an unprincipled political leader, was focused on power, prestige and popularity. As Christ-followers, we must be on-guard that materialism, fame or pleasing people do not become points of personal sin. If a person’s opinion ever becomes more important than honoring God, the “leaven effect” takes place and it will have a disastrous impact on our fellowship with the Lord.
  
  

Since our Lord didn't say “beware” a lot in His ministry, we would be smart to tune into the message when he does! Let’s pray that we would be spiritually watchful, not allowing the “leaven” of current “Pharisees” and “Herods” into our lives.

Before joining the Grace Covenant pastoral staff, Michelle Hoverson served in various communications roles within the government and private sector, as well as full-time ministry in church and district administrative office settings.

February 18, 2010

Mark 7
Pastor Paul Glenn

While washing hands before eating is important, Jesus focused on the more important topic of clean hearts. In Mark 7:20, He said, “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean’.” Jesus then lists the evil in men’s hearts.

Too often I have read the first four or five items on the list and thought “these don’t apply to me” before skipping impatiently over the rest of the items. However, I would like for you to contemplate the entire list with me. There are some evils that may not seem as “big” – for example, deceit, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. However, Jesus said that any of these evils hiding in our hearts will show up in our speech. They defile us.

Let’s take a prayerful look at our hearts by listening to the way we speak to others. Ask the Lord to reveal any hidden content that needs to be cleaned out.

Before joining the Grace Covenant pastoral staff, Paul Glenn served as a public accountant, financial analyst, small business consultant and controller/CFO of an international textile firm.

February 17, 2010

Mark 6
Mike Schwiebert

I never go shopping on black Friday because I don’t like the crowds. The rudeness and running around - all to save a buck - is not my style.

Perhaps that’s a good word picture of the swarming crowd that we find in Mark 6. If you read carefully the story of feeding the 5,000, you will see that Jesus led the disciples away for some rest. The crowds found out where He was going and ran ahead (vs. 33). They didn’t plan or pack. They saw Jesus moving, and ran!

Later, after Jesus crossed the lake again and walked on the water, it’s reported that people ran throughout the region to bring the sick to Him (vs. 55).

Such intensity. Such chaos. People running, and Jesus in the middle of it all. The disciples never did get a chance to rest.

I prefer tidy to chaos…organized to inefficient…planned to spontaneous. However, that’s usually not the way ministry happens. It can be messy, imposing and inconvenient. People running to Jesus often demand something when you are tired or would rather be doing something else.

Yet there are two truths from this chapter that resonate with me:

• The heart of Jesus toward the crowd is always compassion.


• The command of Jesus still applies today: “You give them something to eat.”

Only fools would think that they could handle that by themselves.

Before becoming Grace Covenant’s Media Director, Mike Schwiebert worked in Christian television, managing video and audio production teams.

February 16, 2010

Mark 5
Pastor Jason Yon

The situations reported in Mark 5:22-43 were desperate. They could have appeared hopeless from a human’s point of view. Yet the two persons that experienced miraculous healing provide examples for our lives, because each demonstrated faith and patience.

The lady introduced in verse 25 had been to all of the best doctors and spent every penny she had, yet still believed that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would receive healing power.

The synagogue ruler who asked Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter had to wait on the Lord to stop and heal someone else, then get through large crowds of people. Personally as a father, the life and health of my daughter is very important to me. I can relate to how this man must have desperately wanted Jesus to push everyone else aside so that he could come and heal his daughter. Yet even after waiting on the Lord and hearing the news of his daughter’s death, the man still had faith to believe that Jesus could do a miracle.

In times of sickness or infirmity, we need to have faith and patience. The Lord certainly has the power to heal, but He always has the best and perfect plan for us. We must have faith and be patient in waiting on the Lord, trusting that He knows what is best for our lives and the lives of those around us.

Jason Yon came to Grace Covenant initially as a ministry intern, then returned as a staff pastor after finalizing his ministry degree at Southeastern College.

February 15, 2010

Mark 4
Pastor JoAn Blackmon

My kids have often brought their friends’ theological questions to me. We’ll have a good conversation about the topic and then they’ll say something like “Thanks, Mom! I knew you’d know what to say.” I’m aware that I don’t always know the best answer, but the teacher in me can float on Cloud 9 for the rest of the day for the sheer joy of being asked!

I thought of that as I read today’s chapter and came across this verse:

With many such parables He spoke the Word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to His own disciples, He explained everything.” Mark 4:33, 34 ESV

Jesus was a teacher, but His message was not always easily understandable. A follower had to want to learn more. And Jesus’ disciples did just that. They responded much like you do after your own Bible reading occasionally. “Jesus, what does this really mean?”

Did you know those are golden words to a real teacher? A teacher LOVES to be asked to explain something. In fact, there is nothing more rewarding to a teacher than a student who wants to learn.

I encourage you to bring your questions to Jesus. Let the God who invites you to “learn of Him,” come and “teach you all things.” (Matthew 11:29 and John 14:26.) It is, after all, what the Teacher loves to do!

Before joining the Grace Covenant pastoral staff, JoAn Blackmon served in various churches as Worship Pastor, Women’s Ministry Director and assisted in a church plant.

February 12-14, 2010

Mark 3
Pastor Farrell Lemings

Religious rituals and traditions can stifle and restrict God’s work in our lives - and the Church too. If we are not careful, we can miss a new thing that God may desire because we’re so committed to what or how we “used to do church.”

The religious leaders described in Mark 3 were so hung up on their traditions that they missed Jesus. The Son of God - the Messiah - was in their presence, yet they could not embrace Him. Jesus was doing miracles, bringing hope for the broken and helping the needy, but they could not accept it. They were so wrapped up in their religion that they could not see that the promised Messiah had come.

We read this now and wonder how they could not see that Jesus was the Son of God! It seems so ridiculous, yet we can fall prey to the same challenge.

• What religious tradition or ritual in your life may be blinding you to the new thing God might want to do?


• What structure from your past might limit what God can do within and through you?

Always remember that structure, rituals and religious tradition were created to bring us to God not keep us from Him. I would encourage you to be open to the fresh ways that God might want to reveal Himself to you.

Crabtree, Arkansas native Farrell Lemings is in his 15th year as Grace Covenant’s Lead Pastor.

February 11, 2010

Mark 2
Lynell McCrary

I love the story of the four friends that lowered their paralytic friend - through the roof - and into the presence of Jesus. As I picture the scene, I realize that it could not have been even one less than all four friends, working together as a team. With only one, two or three of them, the man would have slid off of the stretcher as he was lowered through the roof. It took four!

The Bible doesn’t give us a history behind relationships that were built over the years among that group of friends. Yet when the time was at hand, the friends were ready to act and there for one another.

Who are my “stretcher friends” that would lower me through the roof, because of their faith? Who are yours? Take time to thank your “stretcher friends.” I am reminded to build into the relationships that I have, because I never know when life’s path may take me to a place where I need to rely on the faith of my friends.

California native Lynell McCrary began serving on the Grace Covenant Connections staff three years ago and became the ministry’s director last June.

February 10, 2010

Mark 1
Pastor Derek Floyd

I’ve made up my mind. I’ve chosen to believe that God has a great and marvelous plan for my life. I don’t need all the answers or see the big picture. It’s enough to know that there simply IS a big picture.

How can I be so sure? In Isaiah 40:5, God’s last words were, “For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” About what had He spoken? He said that He would send a forerunner to prepare the way for the Messiah, the glory of the Lord would be revealed and all mankind together would see it.

In our reading of Mark 1, we witness the ministry of John the Baptist and see the Spirit descending upon Jesus like a dove. Our hearts are lifted as Jesus proclaims the good news, setting the captives free and healing those who were sick. God spoke, and it came to pass.

What has God said about you? Psalm 33:11 tells you and me that “…the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Make up your mind today and choose to believe. God has a great and marvelous plan for your life.

A native of Dayton, Ohio, Derek Floyd is in his fourth year on the Grace Covenant pastoral staff.

February 9, 2010

Matthew 28
Pastor John Edwards

Do not be afraid.

It’s such a familiar phrase in Scripture that the potential impact on our lives could be overlooked. The enemy of our souls would like that.

Yet you and I can’t be reminded often enough that – regardless of circumstances or situations – our natural fears can crumble in light of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. The key is how we respond to the knowledge that He is alive.

“Do not be afraid” appears various times in God’s Word, i.e. to Abraham (Genesis 15), Isaac (Genesis 26), Moses (Numbers 21) and Joshua (Joshua 8, 10, 11). Announcing our Savior’s birth (Luke 2), an angel told the shepherds the same thing. It’s recorded again in Matthew 28:5-7 when two women - apprehensive and filled with grief over the death and entombment of Jesus Christ – were met by an angelic messenger speaking directly to their pain and fear: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead…”

It was upon receiving this information that the women had a choice – not unlike what Henry Blackaby described in Experiencing God: “When you face a crisis of belief, what you do next reveals what you really believe about God.” They had the “crisis of belief” option to disbelieve with fear, disobey, run away and tell no one. Yet they chose to receive the truth, obey by faith, go and tell.

Often it seems that we’re presented with similar options – a path with two opposite directions:

• Give in to fear of the unknown…ignore that Jesus is Who He said He is…handle the situation our own way...cover up a testimony to His power and provision

or…

• Believe Him…acknowledge His presence and power…“come and see” Him through prayer and His Word….go and tell “…that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

It’s a conscious choice…a choice of faith.

Do not be afraid.

A native Charlottean, John Edwards has served as a Grace Covenant staff pastor for nearly five years.

February 8, 2010

Matthew 27
Pastor Wil Mouer

Living Free from Guilt

Imagine the horrible guilt that Judas must have felt after betraying Jesus. We know that he was guilt-stricken because of what we read in Matthew 27:3; “When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.”

I have always had a lot of questions about Judas. Why didn’t he just go find Jesus and ask for forgiveness? Did he not know when he betrayed him that Jesus would actually be killed? He was obviously very distraught by what he had done, and was trying to reverse time. Of course, we know the tragic end to Judas’ life, when he committed suicide by hanging himself.

What do we do with the burden of guilt? Some people try to cover it up, which never works. Others live in misery and self-hatred.

Yet Jesus came to free us of our wrongs, a free gift of grace that we receive by faith alone. This can seem like we are not doing enough to pay for what we’ve done. Yet we should live with an understanding that the feeling of guilt is not from God. The Holy Spirit brings conviction so that we can come back to the Lord and confess our sins. This practice puts us in position to receive God’s unending grace and mercy.

Aren’t you glad that you don’t have to continue living under a burden of guilt?

Moline, Illinois native Wil Mouer is in his fourth year on the Grace Covenant pastoral staff.

February 5-7, 2010

Matthew 26
Pastor Jon Wehner

Matthew 26:27-28
“Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’.”

At this point, Jesus had spent the last 3 years living out earthly ministry with His disciples. His purpose was finally revealed to them during a Passover meal.

You see, it was here – just days before His death, burial and resurrection - that He introduced the New Testament meaning for the word “covenant”. He revealed that He was the New Covenant, a new way through which man could have relationship with God. Although the disciples may not have comprehended the enormity of the revelation, they were witnesses to the perfection of God’s ultimate sacrifice – man’s redemption through Jesus Christ.

Take some time to reflect on the privilege that we have to experience God’s eternal blessing continually - through the shedding of Christ’s blood - for the forgiveness of our sins.

A native of Eastpointe, Michigan, Jon Wehner has served on the Grace Covenant pastoral staff for the last 2½ years.

February 4, 2010

Matthew 25
Pastor Paul Turbedsky

In Matthew 25, three parables bring separate lessons that everyone needs to receive in order to spend eternity in heaven.

The first tells about 10 virgins – five prepared for the long wait of the bridegroom and five not. When the bridegroom arrived, the five that were prepared were given access to the wedding banquet. The others were shut out.

Lesson: Be prepared for the coming of Christ. If you haven’t accepted Him as Savior – wait no more. If you have - persevere, stay faithful and be watchful for His return. Be disciplined in prayer, reading and serving.

The second parable tells about a master giving each of three servants a measure of talents before leaving on a journey. Two servants were good stewards of the gifts and multiplied them – later hearing the words “well done, good and faithful servant …” The third servant was afraid to use the gift and returned only with the original amount. This servant was dismissed, while the others were praised and given more responsibility and reward.

Lesson: In large part, our place in heaven will be determined by how well we live our lives here. Use well what you have been given (i.e. talents, abilities, time, resources, opportunities) to be a blessing to others and glorify God.

The third parable relates to sheep and goats – or the righteous and the wicked. Those who accept Christ as Savior will be admitted into heaven’s eternal glory. Those who don’t will be rejected to the eternal damnation of hell. On our day of judgment, we will be held accountable for whether we accepted or rejected Jesus, and what we did with the gifts He gave us.

Lesson: If it’s Heaven that you want, prepare now. Accept Jesus Christ as Savior and demonstrate your salvation by serving others and giving God the glory.

A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Paul Turbedsky has served on the Grace Covenant pastoral staff since 2004.

February 3, 2010

Matthew 24
Pastor Stan Wilson

Recently I received an email from a fellow pastor with closing words that intrigued me greatly: “Stay faithful. I don’t think we have long.” This isn’t a message that we hear often. It was a wonderful reminder for me to stay ready for His return.

In Matthew 24, Jesus intrigued His disciples when He indicated that there would be an end to life as they knew it. Curiously, they asked Jesus when they could expect this “end”. His response was simply, “No one knows…Only the Father.” This became a teachable moment as He said, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” I’m sure that these words caught their attention, and they should mean no less to us today. Not only should we anticipate His coming, but we should ready ourselves continually for His return. How? By living lives that are surrendered fully to Him.

Are there areas of your life that you need to surrender to Him? Why not do it right now?

Wilson, North Carolina native Stan Wilson just began his second year as a Grace Covenant staff pastor.

February 2, 2010

Matthew 23
Pastor Luke Lang

A buddy of mine is trying to break into show business, and it’s not easy. A while back, he got to play a dead person on a crime drama (not a super challenging role!). He has been an understudy in a few off-Broadway shows. Nobody wants to be an understudy. Everybody wants top billing. They want to be a star!

Matthew 23 is not a real warm and fuzzy chapter. It’s probably not going to inspire a lot of bumper sticker slogans. Instead, it’s a stinging indictment issued by Jesus against a bunch of religious leaders more interested in play-acting and their position than people. These leaders were all about self-promotion, intent on being the stars of their own self-produced production. They were the self-appointed enforcers of the law and cosmic party poopers.

Snuggled within the passage is the upside-down thought that if we want to stand out, we have to step down! The only way to really shine is to humble yourself and be content with who (and Whose) you are. Don’t pretend, promote or position yourself. Take the back seat and be content to be the understudy. There is only one star, Jesus, and it is an honor for our name to be associated with His!

Let’s give Him top billing in our lives.

Owasso, Oklahoma native Luke Lang joined the Grace Covenant pastoral staff last August.

February 1, 2010

Matthew 22
Pastor Jeff Allen

• I am a pastor’s son.


• I am a husband.


• I am a father.


• I am a U.S. citizen.


• I am a pastor at Grace Covenant Church.

At some point, all of this will have been in the past, and will be no longer.

However, one thing that I am now will remain in the future. I am a son of the Almighty God - an heir to His throne.

In Matthew 22, it is recorded that Pharisees and Sadducees tried to corner Jesus into saying something unwise. They tried to find fault in His teaching and ultimately create a reason to put Him to death. One of the questions had to do with people being resurrected after death. The Sadducees didn’t believe in it and tried to expose flaws in Jesus’ teaching. However, their attempt failed when Jesus responded, “Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God…long after Abraham, Isaac and Jacob died, God said, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.’ So, he is the God of the living and the dead.”

I invite you to look back at this passage (from verses 29-32) and realize that God spoke in the present tense. The same God - the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - is the One with Whom you have relationship today. It’s a relationship that will continue eternally after you die, if you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior.

In our present lives, we all have several titles. We can easily go through a list of statements beginning with “I am…” Yet only one title will last throughout eternity: “I am a child of God.”

Take a moment to say that out loud - “I am a child of God.” Go ahead. It’s truth that lasts forever.

A native of Olean, New York, Jeff Allen has served on the Grace Covenant pastoral staff for nearly 2½ years.