Grace Church

Editor’s note:
This will be the last edition of the weekly Grace Church E-news Devotional. We will consider resuming it when the Lord sends us our new senior pastor. Thank you for your faithful readership. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to editor@atgrace.com.   

Fran Bailey Grade School Director

In the Fullness of Time

God lives outside of time - always has, always will. This is beyond my comprehension. However, I do understand the phrase “in the fullness of time.” It means it’s time for God to act and it’s a concept we can trace throughout Scripture. 

“In the beginning God created. . .” At some point in time - or whatever passed for time before God created it - God realized He didn’t want to exist any longer without us. He decided to act and created a wonderful, fascinating world. For a time all was great, even perfect. Then one day a serpent entered the scene and everything changed. 

It wasn’t long before God knew He had to act again. Man had become so corrupt that God regretted creating him. He finally said, “Enough is enough. I’m not going to tolerate this any longer.” His plan was to destroy every living creature except for eight people and some animals. After He had made provision for them and had tucked them safely away, He unleashed a flood the likes of which He promised we will never see again. 

We fast forward a few generations and see that God decided it’s time to inaugurate His plan of redemption. He calls Abraham to leave his homeland for an unknown land. Abraham leaves the next day with promises of future blessings ringing in his ears. He arrives in Canaan where God tells him that his descendants will be enslaved and oppressed in a foreign land for 400 years. God would then put into motion the events surrounding the Exodus. But even before that, He had to step in and put Joseph in a place and a position where he could preserve his family and thus, the nation. 

All throughout Israel’s history, God had to step in and act. He provided judges when they’d cry and complain they couldn’t take the oppression any longer even though He knew they would soon be back to their evil ways. He sent prophets to deliver His messages of love, redemption, and judgment. Then He would use pagan nations to execute that judgment when His messages went ignored.  Eventually there came a point in time when God determined there would be 400 years of silence. 

Until, “in the fullness of time” He sent forth His Son to be born of a woman. That Son grew up and one day knew it was time to lay down His hammer and chisel and walk out of that carpentry shop probably never to return again. How did He know when it was the right time? I don’t think He just picked a day because He didn’t arbitrarily do anything. Maybe one morning in His Quiet Time God said, “Son, it’s time You’re about My business and do what I sent You to do.” 

Throughout His ministry, Jesus always knew when He had to step in and act. He knew when it was time to rescue by walking on water, getting in a boat and stopping the wind and the waves. He knew when it was time to raise from the dead. It wasn’t Mary’s time or Martha’s time, but Jesus knew the right time to call Lazarus forth from the grave. He even knew when it was time for His own death as He set His face towards Jerusalem and would not be distracted. When Thomas needed encouraging in his faith, Jesus went into that locked room, walked right up to Thomas and said so tenderly, “Thomas, look at My hands. See the nail prints. You can touch them if you need to because I want you to be not unbelieving but believing.” And He knew when to step into a situation to cause a change in direction. He appeared on the Damascus road and Saul the persecutor became Paul the proclaimer of the gospel. 

God still knows when it’s time to act. In each of us He knew the appropriate time to appear so that we would choose life instead of death and change our direction. He knows when we need to be encouraged in our faith - whether it’s with a sense of His presence or by His Word or through one of His children. And He certainly knows when we need to be rescued. Sometimes we’re aware of what He has done; sometimes we aren’t. And because He’s conforming us to the image of His Son, He knows when it’s time to apply the pressure of trials and testing.  But since He knows our frame and is mindful that we are but dust, He also knows when it’s time to relieve the pressure. 

We can be confident that God will always act at the appropriate times. He will continue to do so until the moment He turns to His Son and says, “It’s time.” Without another word being said, Jesus will rise to His feet, signal the trumpet to sound and will leave His throne and meet us in the air. That will truly be a glorious moment “in the fullness of time.” It will also usher in a series of events which at the end of them I think time will simply stop because we won’t need it any more. But even if it doesn’t, I think I will finally understand God living outside of time because so will we.

- Fran Bailey

New 40-Day Devotional Booklet—Available Now!
An all-new devotional booklet has been prepared for the 40-Day Spiritual Discovery that contains daily devotions written by Grace pastors and staff. It also provides space for you to record your spiritual discoveries each day in a special journal section. The booklet is available for purchase from the Living Grace bookstore for $6.50. It is also posted on the Grace website (http://www.atgrace.com/) if you choose not to purchase the booklet.

Family Fresh Encounter
This Sunday! • 3:00 p.m. • Choir Room
Come for this engaging, imaginative hands-on prayer experience that will teach, equip, and inspire your child to pray effectively and strategically. Together we will worship our Lord in conjunction with our 40-Day Spiritual Discovery on the names of Jesus. Plan to stay and join other Grace families for sledding immediately afterward.

GraceWorks Clothing Closet Donations
Next Sunday, March 2
We accept donations on the first Sunday of the month, before and after each service, on the Garden level (Door #4 side). Current needs: disposable diapers, spring clothing for all ages, shoes, and linens. Please do not bring other household items. We would love extra hands at our next Community Dinner & Clothing Closet evening on Thursday, March 6. To volunteer, contact Wendy at 952-368-0533 or visit www.atgrace.com/communitydinner for more info.

Maundy Thursday Service
Thursday, March 20
7:00 p.m.
Through music and the spoken word, we will meditate on Jesus’ final meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. Then we will prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday by partaking in the Lord’s Supper. Led by Pastor Jason Barthelemy with music by the Grace Church Choir and Orchestra.

Easter Celebration Services
Sunday, March 23
9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Pastor George Kenworthy and Alan Johnson will enact an Easter drama that Pastor Kenworthy wrote entitled “Doubting Thomas.” This drama is a dynamic presentation of the events that surrounded the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Plan to attend as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the grave and victory over death! Music by the Grace Church Choir and Orchestra.

Son Of God - Son Of Man
A Powerful Musical Drama About the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Three Performances Only!
• Friday, March 14 – 7:30 p.m. • Saturday, March 15 – 3:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss this dynamic live presentation!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

• Evening Tickets
  March 14 & 15—7:30 p.m.
  $20 (Main Floor reserved)
  $15 & $10 (Terrace & Balcony general admission)
• Afternoon Tickets
  March 15—3:00 p.m.
  $15 (all general admission)

Receive $5 off per ticket when purchasing 10 or more tickets—only at the Ticket Booth. Tickets available at the Ticket Booth (Sundays after both services), online at www.atgrace.com/registrations, the Living Grace bookstore (weekdays when open), and by phone at 952-224-3064.
• Authentic Costumes & Sets • Magnificent Music • Flying Angels • Cast & Choir of 140 • Live Orchestra

Volunteers Needed For Billy Graham Telephone Response Ministry
Grace Church is home base for the Billy Graham Midwest Regional Telephone Response Center. As viewers respond to the powerful testimonies and invitation from Franklin Graham, our volunteers help guide them to a new relationship in Christ. Training and supper are provided nightly.
Tuesday, March 4 & Friday, March 7
Supper: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Training: 5:45 - 7:15 p.m. Phone: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
If you can volunteer on one or more of the above evenings, call the volunteer hotline at 952-224-3131 or e-mail jmckeever@atgrace.com. For more info, go to http://www.atgrace.com/ and click “Volunteers for Billy Graham” under Featured Links.

Pray For Our Next Senior Pastor
February Prayer Requests from the Pulpit Committee:

• Pray that the Lord would empower us, as we surrender to Him, to love one another with a patient, forbearing love. 
• Pray that the Pulpit Committee is Spirit-led in all its communications with prospective candidates. 
• Pray for a hedge of protection around the Grace family and its leadership that will prevent Satan from causing division. 
• Pray for unity of Spirit as we seek God’s will for our called leader.

For the latest information regarding our pastoral search, go to www.atgrace.com/PastoralSearch

Sunday Evening Prayer
The pastors and elders invite you to a dedicated time of prayer for our next senior pastor. 
This Sunday • 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Guest Reception Room (M152) 

In Touch with Grace Church Newsletter
Be watching your mail in the coming week for the spring edition of the Grace newsletter. It will include information about the upcoming “Son of God – Son of Man” musical drama, a tribute to Mrs. Dang (the leader of a Grace sister church in Vietnam who recently went home to the Lord), powerful faith stories, and much more! Additional copies will be available around the campus beginning Sunday, March 9.

Peacemaking Ministry Training
Are you interested in helping Christians resolve conflicts and restore broken relationships in their family, church, and community? The Grace Church Peacemaking Ministry is recruiting men and women to teach biblical conflict resolution and provide conflict coaching and mediation. Prerequisites include Peacemaker Ministries’ Foundational Skills Training, which consists of a self-study program followed by a three-day training event coming to Minnesota on March 13-15. For more information, contact Michael Klemm, the Peacemaking Ministry coordinator, at 952-953-8832 or klemmm@seversonsheldon.com.

Pure Desire PART 1
“The Courageous Fight for Healthy Sexuality”
Men, are you involved in pornography or have impure thoughts? Join other men in a safe group setting to find healing and support. We meet on Monday evenings beginning February 25 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Call Bill at 952-926-1055 (billharn@aol.com) or Dave at 952-937-0644 (howes@att.net) for more information, or register online at www.atgrace.com/registrations. This group closes to new members after the third meeting.

Funshine Preschool
The Funshine Preschool is accepting applications for its 2008-2009 school year that begins this fall. For more information, go to www.atgrace.com/funshine or call Deb at 952-224-3069.

Employment Opportunity:
Children’s Ministry Assistant
Part Time (20 hrs/wk)
This position assists the Children’s Ministry Department in designing and implementing an effective Children’s Ministries program for volunteers and children. For additional information, go to www.atgrace.com/employment or contact Paula at 952-224-3106 or price@atgrace.com.

Marriage Makeover: Minor Touchups to Major Renovations
By Pastor George Kenworthy
Do you find yourself in a troubled marriage? Are you in a good marriage and want to make it better? Do you dare to believe God’s Word and trust in His Spirit? Refurbish your relationship into a thriving marriage by applying God’s principles. Pick up Pastor Kenworthy’s book this Sunday! Now available in the Living Grace bookstore.

Want Ministry Information?
For information about Grace Church Ministries, check out the “Growing With Grace” catalog near every exit, go to www.atgrace.com (or use the quick-links below), or call 952-926-1884.
Men: www.atgrace.com/men 
Women: www.atgrace.com/women 
Children: www.atgrace.com/kids 
Students: www.atgrace.com/studentlife 
Singles: www.atgrace.com/singles 
Adult Bible Fellowships: www.atgrace.com/abf 
Small Groups: www.atgrace.com/smallgroups 
Children w/Disabilities: www.atgrace.com/barnabas 
Counseling/Pastoral Care: www.atgrace.com/counseling 
Senior Adults: www.atgrace.com/seniors or 952-224-3051

Ministry Contacts

On January 30th, ninety-five people ventured north to Siren, Wisconsin to seek the Lord for three days at the 2008 Grace All-Church Prayer Summit.  Pastor Daniel Henderson joined a wide range of people including long-standing Grace Church members, new attendees, pastors, elders, ministry leaders, and visitors from other churches.  People came from as far away as California, Texas, and Virginia.  Everyone came with a different story of what God had been doing in their life.  Everyone left with a new story of what God did during those 72 hours.

No two prayer summits are alike but there’s always one consistent theme: the Lord Jesus.  From the world’s perspective that may seem insufficient but among God’s people, He is more than enough.  During the first two days, the Lord led us collectively and individually through His Word, through song, through prayer, and through fellowship. Every person had a unique and special time with the Lord.  The fellowship was simply amazing!

But something happened on Friday afternoon that was truly special. Every time I hear the words, “We’ve never done this before…” the Holy Spirit gives my heart a jolt and seems to prepare me for a completely new testimony.  That afternoon we had all 50 men gather in one large group to share God’s Word, sing to Him, and pray to Him.  Soon, the Spirit led us to the cross.  In a moment of creativity, Pastor Daniel had someone tape an outline of the cross on the floor in the middle of the room.  It simply served as a reminder as the place where Jesus paid for the church. (Acts 20:28)  What an incredible reminder!  What an incredible Savior!

What occurred next was almost a blur. Over the next 3-4 hours the Lord did something new in the lives of these men. As different men came forward to pray, I was quietly saying, “Lord, at the Cross, please let him find __________.”  The Lord filled in the “blank” with things like hope, joy, peace, restoration, release, freedom, and healing.  It was truly a “kairos” moment! 

But what was true on that Friday afternoon is true every day for God’s people.  Jesus has a great desire to meet you at the cross and to transform your life for His glory.  1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 

This same power is available to all of God’s people.  When you accepted Christ into your heart and declared Him as your Lord, the Holy Spirit came upon you and made you a new creation.  The old passed away and a new life began!  But are we to remain in our sinful ways?  No!  Christ paid it all at the cross to save us and to transform our lives.  Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  We are now His and He leads our path.

This raises some very important questions… Now that you know Christ, how have you lived?  Are you living for Him and in His power and for His glory?  Or are you pursuing the material world and struggling with its trappings?

This is not easy to think about.  This Sunday we’ll look deeply into God’s Word and seek His direction for one key question: How am I spending my life? We will do this through a special presentation of The Bema Seat drama.

Published Thursday, February 7, 2008

Sue Raia Director of Women's Ministries

Remember to KISS (Keep it short + simple)

There’s something vital about keeping things simple in times of crisis.  Without an immediate instinctive response, one can easily become frantic in determining what to do and respond inappropriately.  We teach everyone from toddlers on up to “Stop. Drop. Roll.” if your clothing is on fire. Responding immediately with that reaction saves lives. 

I personally have another simple statement that I turn to instinctively when I’m overtaken by something that is disturbing or even devastating.  “HE KNOWS.  HE CARES.  HE IS ABLE.”  No matter what I am facing, as I remind myself of these uncomplicated but profound truths, I am kept from the despair that can be overwhelming in unexpected and difficult situations.  Instead of being frantic with worry or desperate to understand all things and “fix” them, this reminder brings my focus back to the One who is over all and above all and in all.

HE KNOWS.  Nothing takes our omniscient Lord by surprise.  In fact, He has known from eternity past what each day will bring to us.  “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16).  Obviously, since He walks through each day with me (“…the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9b), He knows what I am encountering.  There is such comfort in the assurance that I face nothing alone. 

HE CARES.  He is not a god who looks down on us dispassionately, knowing what is coming our way but not caring what befalls us.  He cares deeply.  His very nature is love.  “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).  The Word tells us to “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  Recently I read a letter from a missionary in Bulgaria who gave birth to a Downs Syndrome baby.  Through the trials they have faced before and following the baby’s birth, she concluded “We do not know His ways, but we do know His love.”  We can have complete trust in a God who knows and cares beyond anything we can humanly comprehend, because His knowledge and His love are eternal.  Great reassurance comes from a line in the song “Lead Me to Calvary” -- “Lest I forget thy love for me, lead me to Calvary.”  How can we ever question His love or care as we look to the cross?

HE IS ABLE.  The very familiar Romans 8:28 comes immediately to mind:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  No matter how high the mountain, how turbulent the storm, how impossible the situation… “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).  He is in the miracle business.  How wonderful it is to trust in His provision, no matter what our need may be.  To have the blessed assurance that  “Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isaiah 59:1).

And so our ominipotent, omniscient, all-loving God allows each experience of our lives to mold us and make us more like Jesus.  We don’t have to understand; we need only to trust totally and desperately in the Father who will ultimately be glorified as we rest in the promises of His Word. 

- Sue Raia