Revelation 3:1-6
 
Jesus rebukes the church at Sardis for being dead, even though they have the reputation of being alive. What is true of a congregation begins with individuals. Do you feel like a whitewashed tomb? Do you appear to others to be doing well but feel hollow and dead inside? How can you and I become part of the “impervious few,” as Pastor Todd called them, resistant to evil and sin because they walk closely with Jesus? The Lord’s prescription includes these instructions:
 
Remember what you received; get back to the basics. New interpretations of Scripture attract because they require less of us. Sin is relabeled a valid personal choice or something outside our control. It’s not surprising that “updated” Christianity promises to make the faith more relevant and popular. That in itself is a subtle temptation as we begin to think the preservation of the church depends on us. Ask the Lord to protect us from the lure of the new and innovative, to help us cling stubbornly to the age-old doctrines of the Christian faith. Acknowledge before Him that preserving the church is His job, something He has promised to do, not our job. Commit to remembering, which means reviewing and rehearsing the truth. Pray that the word of God will not be an occasional pep pill for our souls but rather a vital daily dose, a near-constant infusion.
 
Wake up; keep watch. Todd noted that Jesus connected keeping watch with prayer. “Watch and pray,” he told Peter in Gethsemane. We can know we’ve fallen into the sleep of complacency if we have forgotten that the devil prowls around us like a devouring lion. (1 Peter 5:8)  Ask the Lord to show you practical ways to pray more regularly and more meaningfully. It might involve praying aloud with another person, writing your prayers, or devoting your daily walk or commute to prayer. Ask, listen, and then quickly obey. Ask God to turn your internal monologue into an ongoing dialogue with Him.
 
Calvary Family
 
It’s budget time! Various ministries within Calvary are preparing budget requests for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Pray that everyone involved in the budgeting process will be guided by the Holy Spirit and in-tune with God’s priorities for our church.
 
Lift up the Men’s Breakfast this Saturday, asking for good and godly fellowship among the men of Calvary. Ask the Lord to open the hearts of any guests who attend to receive spiritual nourishment along with the excellent food.
 
Pastor Tomasz Chylka reports that work began two weeks ago to add 25 seats to the sanctuary in the existing church building in Pszczyna, Poland. This is a stop-gap measure for the growing church. Pray for wisdom for church leaders as they continue to look for a larger building or land suitable for building.
 
 In Christ,
Carol Gilbert

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