Women Were Doing

On Saturday, the women were doing.  Joseph had already asked for Jesus’ body, wrapped it,  and had laid it in his new tomb—but the body hadn’t been prepared with spices.  The women had gotten together that day to combine what spices  they had and to mix them. They were preparing and doing.  

The women weren’t hiding.  They may have been fearful, but their love for Jesus was bigger than their fear.  Roman guards weren’t standing in their way in their minds.  They were consumed with purpose.  

And..we know Jesus honored and rewarded that.  These women saw him first.  

That Hopeless Friday

That Hopeless Friday

by Becky Dietz

Jesus was dead.  And the disciples had shut themselves in to the upper room.  They were fearful.  If the Romans had killed Jesus...who was to say they wouldn’t come after his followers?  And they were disillusioned.  Hadn’t God promised them a Messiah, a Deliverer, who would reign on David’s throne?   They kept anticipating that Jesus would become king, the next great political leader.  Of course, Jesus had tried to tell them his kingdom was different, but they just didn’t get it.  They kept expecting Jesus to overthrow the horrible Roman government.  

And now here they were with a dead leader.  He didn’t even fight his death—it’s like he just submitted to it.  And they had no idea what to do next.  Their hearts were full of fear and doubt.  It’s like one scene after another of their days with Jesus was rolling through their minds.  What had they missed?  Hadn’t he told them that if they would seek his kingdom first, everything would be given to them?   Then why were they here—hopeless, helpless, fearful, and with no plan?

There was no government who would deliver them now.  They were hunted men.  Guards were everywhere—expecting and preventing these disciples from creating a great deception. They had no one.  And Jesus had left them with no plan.  His last words were to tell John to take care of his mother and then...”It is finished.”   Finished?  Had it even started??

That Friday was full of fear and hopelessness.  

Passover & the Plague of the CoronaVirus

Passover begins tomorrow.  I believe Passover is more significant to us than it’s ever been.  Exodus 11-12 tells the story of the original Passover.  Here it is in a nutshell:

1. Israel had been slaves to Egypt (the world) for 430 years to the day of their deliverance. 

2. God had a plan of redemption through one man, Moses (picture of Jesus). 

3. There was a series of 10 plagues to loosen Pharaoh’s grip to be willing to let God’s people go.  The last plague was what became known as Passover. 

4. Israelites were to ask Egypt for their gold and silver—a great transfer of wealth. 

5. Israelites were to kill a lamb and put the blood on the doorframe of their homes (picture of Jesus, the lamb of God, shedding his blood to save us from our sin).   If there was blood on the doorposts (in the shape of a cross), the death angel would “pass over” that house.  

6. God’s people were to eat the lamb and unleavened bread (leaven is a picture of sin) and wear clothes ready to travel and follow Him out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.  

7.  People without blood on their door posts experienced the death of their firstborn child and animals.  (People who never receive the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins experience eternal death). 

What if the “plague” of CoronaVirus...before and during Passover...is to get our attention?  Is God telling us it’s time to come out of Egypt—the world? Have we held on to the world too tightly?   Have we allowed other gods in our lives?  Have we been contaminated with leaven (sin)?  We MUST have the blood on the doorposts of our hearts for eternal deliverance. But then He also tells us to purify our hearts and come out from among them (the world).  It’s time to follow hard after God with ALL of our hearts!  

Passover begins tomorrow.  We have a beautiful opportunity to examine our hearts—and to encourage everyone we know to do the same!

Listen & Obey

Listen & Obey

by Becky Dietz

Isn’t this the most basic thing we tried to teach our children?   To listen and obey.  And isn’t it the hardest thing for them to learn?   And we KNOW how important it is for them—in fact, it could save their lives!   When our kids were little, we demanded instant obedience.  We wanted to be able to yell their name and know they’d stop if a car was backing out of a driveway or racing down the street!

God’s been showing me that my obedience could save my life, too.  I need to be listening to His voice and obeying him.  He knows everything and His plan for me is good—and lifesaving.  But He also uses authorities in my life who know more than I do.  What if the president knows about a new toxin in the air and asks me to stay inside my house?  (I’m not saying this is true...but what if?)   Am I willing to listen and obey?   Or do I have a rebellious spirit and demand to do things my way?   It’s imperative that we listen and obey.

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1-2

A Pastor’s Wife is Essential

A Pastor’s Wife is Essential

by Becky Dietz

Our world has shifted with CoronaVirus.  What we once took for granted, we now see as a privilege.  Those things we glibly threw in our shopping carts before are now nowhere to be found.  

At first, it was almost like a vacation.  People were posting funny memes, hysterical photos of their kids being homeschooled, and maybe moaning a little over the inconveniences.  But I’ve felt a subtle shift this week.  It’s no longer fun being cooped up.  There’s less joviality.  And CoronaVirus is touching more people.  

That’s where you come in.  Mothers are needing a voice of calm, encouragement, and spiritual input.  YOU are going to be able to reach and minister to the women around you better than your husband.  Most of you have been there with small children and know the challenges.   Remember that time your three children got chicken pox one after the other??  Some of you have homeschooled—or are teachers—and can offer advice.  Many of you are nurses, P.A.’s or doctors and can be a calm voice of help.  But mostly...you know Jesus and can teach others how to follow him, hear his voice, and receive his comfort.   

You are not a shadow of your husband, the pastor.  God created you with unique gifts and a unique calling!!  Use those gifts—NOW!  You obviously know how to use the internet—call younger women or Skype them or FaceTime them and encourage them.  Share a Bible verse with them.  If you’re artistic, send it in calligraphy form.  Our young moms need us more than ever.  Take advantage of this catastrophic moment in history and do your part.  YOU, my friend, are essential.  And God may have you right where you are “for such a time as this!”

The Toppling of gods

The Toppling of gods

by Becky Dietz

Could the shaking going on in our world right now be a result of the one True God toppling the gods of this world?   It’s happened before.  

In I Samuel 5, the Philistines stole the ark of the covenant (which represents the presence of God) and put it in their temple where they worshiped Dagon.   The next morning, they found their boy, Dagon, on his face before the ark.   They put him back...but then the next morning, he’d fallen again and his head and hands (symbol of leadership and power) were broken off.  There was a series of destruction, disease, and defeat until the ark was returned to God’s people.  

It also happened in the New Testament.  Jesus, carrying the presence of God, toppled gods every time he healed, delivered people from demons, or raised the dead to life.  The enemy feared his presence!   Of course, the ultimate defeat came at the cross when Jesus took the sins of the whole world and covered them with his sacrifice of blood.  He was victorious over sin and death.  Every god was toppled.  

We also carry the presence of God.  But have the gods of this world crept into our lives?   It’s time to cleanse and purify our hearts.  We need to repent of every wicked way—and turn around and give our complete submission to our King.  God is our source of life and truth...and it’s time for us to carry the presence of God like Jesus did and topple the gods of this world! We are an army that should strike fear in Satan’s heart!  

“ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Why Do Pastors Need a Sabbatical?

Why Do Pastors Need a Sabbatical?

by Becky Dietz

The very basis of the word “sabbatical“ is from the Hebrew word “shabbath“ which means intermission or sabbath rest.  God set up the sabbath for the purpose of rest—and we were to keep it holy or set apart.  Every seven days we were to rest.  

A sabbatical is for the same purpose—to rest and to be renewed. Many universities give tenured professors a paid sabbatical after they’ve been there seven years.  The sabbatical is usually for a year—but could be anywhere from a month up to two years.  The idea is that the professor will travel, study, and rest and then come back renewed and energized to continue teaching the students.  Many companies are now seeing the value in giving their leading employees a sabbatical for personal enrichment and professional development.  

Why don’t more churches give their pastors a paid sabbatical?   I believe most churches don’t realize the need or value it would bring.  And, more realistically, they probably don’t think they can afford it.  Not only would they be supporting their pastor during that break, but they’d also need to fill the pulpit while he’s gone. And then there’s the philosophy that if the layman doesn’t get that kind of privilege, the pastor doesn’t deserve it either.    

Why DOES a pastor need a sabbatical?  Very few professions minister to body, soul, and spirit.  A pastor does. he spends time each week studying to prepare a sermon (or three), visiting and praying over the sick, doing weddings and funerals, doing civic and community outreach, ministering to people—even those who are not members of his church, counseling, helping, teaching, evangelizing, dealing with the finances or governing of a church, and doing many mundane physical jobs. The pressure a pastor feels is heavy.  The smaller the church, the more he may be required to do.  The larger the church, the more intense issues may be.  In short...a pastor gives and gives and seldom receives ministry. He gets very little real rest.  His mind is constantly planning and thinking of others and their needs.  His vacations are almost always interrupted by the needs of his church.  In fact, many times a pastor has to return home early from a vacation for that reason.  He seldom is able to give attention to his family that they need.  

A 2015 LifeWay Research survey of 1,500 pastors of evangelical churches revealed 84 percent said they are “on call” 24 hours a day. The survey showed 54 percent found the pastor’s role frequently overwhelming, and 48 percent said they often felt the demands of their job to be more than they could handle. And only 29 percent of churches have even considered having a sabbatical plan in place.  My guess is even fewer implement a plan.  

If a pastor is loved, (and by pastor, I’m referring to all pastors—youth, children’s, music, evangelism, missions, etc.) the best way you can show your appreciation for a job well-done is to give him an extended, continual time of paid leave.  A time other than vacation.  You have no idea how a pastor needs to lay down his responsibilities for a time so he can rest and be renewed. He needs to be in a position of receiving ministry.  Genesis tells us that God worked six days and rested on the seventh.  He set the example for us.  

If I could offer every church one piece of advice concerning their pastor, it would be this:  If your pastor has been in your church for five to seven years, give them a sabbatical and insist they take it!   And if you really want to bless them, give them a large financial gift and a vacation home so they can afford to get away! Most pastors are selfless and will work until they drop—it’s just hard for them to turn everything off. You may have to insist they get away. I can promise most pastors would have more longevity in their churches, a more positive outlook, and more energy and focus if they were being sent on sabbaticals every seven years. 

This is the PERFECT gift for Pastor Appreciation Month!