New Every Morning

4.22.2020 – Gary Hallquist, Pastor of Care Ministry Good Morning Church. I am Gary Hallquist, Pastor of Care Ministry. You know, up until a few months ago, no one had ever even heard the phrase social distancing, but now, it’s not only a household term, it’s our new reality. The all-knowing Dr. Google says that everyone needs four hugs a day, just to survive. Based on that I’d say that most of us are not doing very well. God’s Word reminds us that social distancing doesn’t apply to Him. His desire is that we draw near. Listen to the words of Hebrews four, sixteen (Hebrews 4:16):

Hebrews 4:16 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. God wants us to draw near to Him, and we do that through prayer. I am excited to tell you about a new Prayer Guide that Colonial’s Care Ministry has put together, for this time of crisis. Its available on our website colonial.org and it encourages us to pray for the sick, the caregivers, their families, those on the frontlines, the church, the government, our schools, our economy, and our media. Our hope is that this guide will be helpful to you as you spend time drawing near to God. Speaking of praying, let’s do that right now: Father help us to ever remember, that You are the God, who is near. You are Emmanuel; God with us, and for that we are grateful. Lord be especially near to those who are serving on the frontlines this day. Keep them safe, help them to have great wisdom as they care for those that are in need. We ask this now in Jesus’ name. Amen 4.21.2020 – Tim Sigler, Provost and Dean, STS Good Morning Colonial. Getting together to catch with friends, encourage one another in the trials of life, and share of God’s kind graces in our lives, is something most of us are doing at a distance these days. I thank the Lord for the blessings of technology so we can check in with a call or message. Today, Shepherds Seminary has the privilege of welcoming nearly a hundred area pastors to a special time of fellowship, to encourage their ministries remotely via Zoom. We want to recognize their labor of love, encourage them in their gospel work, and thank them for their faithfulness. Friends, I’m grateful for pastors, and many others, who have poured God’s gospel of grace into my life over the years. And that gratefulness makes me strive for greater gospel faithfulness myself, to follow through in my commitments to the Lord, and be consistent in my walk, so that their labors are not in vain. I want the truth of the gospel to have its effect on me, in my most private thoughts, in my home, and in the workplace. I want to allow the ministry of others in my life to count. First Thessalonians five, eleven to fifteen (1Thessalonians 5:11-15) instructs:

1Thessalonians 5:11-15

11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Let’s pray together, Father, help us to pursue what is good, both for ourselves and for others. Enable us to be good investments of your gospel work in our lives. In the name of the One who gave His life for us, we pray. Amen 4.20.2020 – Wayne Knowles, Elder Well Good Morning Colonial family. As we enter a new week, questions abound. When will our life go back to normal? Well our God knows. The sovereignty of God is what we trust in as believers. The Puritans used to call the sovereignty of God, providence, the providence of God, and a young nineteenth century, preaching sensation in England, by the name of Charles Spurgeon, came to know much of the providence of God. This young man could draw crowds of ten, fifteen, twenty thousand people at a time, to hear him preach, and oh, by the way, many, many Englishmen came to faith in Christ, because of his gospel saturated messages. Well, one thing not well known about Spurgeon, is the pain that he suffered in his life. Now, there was physical pain, seasons of gout; there was depression, mental pain that he had, but he learned to trust in the providence of God. He once said, “I am certain that I never did grow in grace one half so much anywhere, as I have upon the bed of pain.” In Psalm thirty-three, (Psalm 33) which we will use as our prayer, let’s read:

Psalm 33: 20-22 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.

21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.

22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.

By the way if you’d like a copy of Spurgeon’s message on God’s Providence, email, asktheelders@colonial.org Have a great week!

4.17.2020 – Stephen Davey, Senior Pastor Well if you had one wish this morning, I wonder what it would be? Maybe it would be the ability to go back to work, or get out of the house for a while, or go to a store, maybe to find those paper towels, after being without them for so long, I don’t know. Here’s a good goal that’s serious, and for the serious-minded believer today.

David writes in Psalm fifty-seven, (Psalms 57), about all of the trouble that he’s facing. He talks about his soul being in the midst of lions. He says, “I am lying down amid fiery beasts.” He says, “the children of man (other human beings) are teeth, are spears and arrows, their tongues are sharp words.” (Psalm 57:4). In other words, he’s facing tremendous persecution and trouble, and then he says, “Be exalted, Oh God, above the heavens, let your glory be above all the earth.”

Psalms 57:5 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Then he goes right back into, “They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dig a pit in my way…”, (Psalm 57: 6a). In other words, I’m surrounded by trouble, but here’s my goal; oh God, that you would be exalted, and that your glory would be known around the earth. Let’s make that our prayer today. Pray with me, Father, we do pray that in the midst of the trouble we’re facing, our region, our state, our country, our world, really what we would love to see more than anything, is not just a return to normalcy, but for your glory to be exalted among mankind, on earth. Would you use this time Father, to draw unbelievers to Yourself, would you use this as a time to draw believers closer to You, that we might sense and see how glorious You are, in the heavens. We pray it in Jesus’ name. Amen 4.16.2020 – Caleb Cruse, Pastor of Student Ministry Good morning Church family. In Philippians chapter four, Paul writes:

Philippians 4:11b-13 11 … for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know

how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Here, Paul speaks about his attitude. He’s been thru seasons of abundance, and seasons of need. Yet through all of that, he has learned to be content, to be at peace. The circumstances around him changed, but the attitude inside remained the same. It reminds me of a quote that I have hanging in my office at the church by Chuck Swindoll. He writes on the subject of attitude: “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company...a church....a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes.” Let’s pray together this morning, Lord, help us make up our mind today, that we’re going to think like you have called us to think. We’re going to be Christ conscious, living in the power of our resurrected Lord. We thank you for this wonderful new day, this new life we have, in Jesus, and it’s in His name we pray.

4.15.2020 – Jimmy Carter, Pastor of Community Life Well, Good Morning Colonial, my name is Jimmy Carter. I serve here as the Pastor of Community Life. You know, if you are anything like me, this weekend was a huge encouragement. Just a time to gather together, to hear the preaching of God’s Word, to remember the Resurrection. And then, the good reminder Monday morning from Kevin Welch, of the reality that Christ is always with us, though we may feel isolated in this time, but we’re never alone. Well, I thought today might be a good occasion to remind us, that as we reflect on the Gospel, as we reflect on the Resurrection, the Hope we have in the afterlife, that ought to motivate us to encourage one another. In fact, 1st Thessalonians chapter five, verses nine through eleven, (1Thes. 5:9-11), read like this:

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who

died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you were also doing.

Well, today as you reflect on your day, and you plan out what the rest of the day is going to be like, I want to encourage you to take time to reach out to someone, to encourage them, to love on them, to remind them of the hope of the Gospel in this season, and in every season of life. Because Christ lives, we can face tomorrow, and because Christ lives, we can encourage one another to remain steadfast in the Lord. Let’s pray, Lord, thank you for today, Lord, thank you for the Resurrection, thank you for the hope we have in You. Let our prayer be, that we will be salt and light today, within our families, in our friendships, in every circle You have given us. Lord, we pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen 4.14.2020 – Scott Wylie, Family Minister Pastor Good Morning Church. I hope you are safe and healthy on this Tuesday. Late last week, some dear friends, members of the Church, surprised us, by bringing by a beautiful potted plant and a card, just to encourage us, and thank us, and express their love for us. It reminded me of what the apostle Paul said in the first part of Philippians one, nine, (Phil 1:9), where he said it was his prayer for that church, that their love would abound more and more.

Philippians 1:9a 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,

I think in times like this, when we are unable to gather face to face, that finding ways to express love as a Church is harder, but I want to encourage you today to look for ways of doing that. How is it that you and your family, can show love to another family, today? Let’s pray, Father, we are thankful for Your love for us. We’re grateful, that Jesus Christ, who made it possible, that we could enter into a relationship with You, and we’re thankful, for Your love for us. And Father, it’s our desire as a congregation, even though we’re scattered, or, as Stephen has been referring to it, we’re in this dispersion,

it’s our desire to continue to do the things that the Church does, including love one another. Help us to find creative and good ways of doing that today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Have a great day Church! 4.13.2020 - Kevin Welch, Chief Administrative Officer Hello Colonial Family. I’m Kevin Welch, Chief Administrative Officer. It’s great to be with you on this Monday morning, after Resurrection Sunday, as we continue to bask, in the glory of our Risen Savior. You know, one of the most challenging aspects of our current environment is separation. We were created as relational beings, and we seek community. In Hebrews chapter ten, (Heb. 10) we are called to meet together and to encourage one another. Right now, as responsible citizens and loving neighbors, we remain separated, from extended family, from our friends, from our church body. But friends, as believers, we are not and never will be separated from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Romans chapter eight, starting in verse thirty-five, (Romans 8:35), we read this, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No! In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So, in this time of separation, may we find comfort in these words. That our Lord is with us.

Romans 8: 35, 37-39 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or

nakedness, or danger, or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that

neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus

our Lord. Let us pray, Father, thank you for your Word. May we find peace in your promises, trusting that you are with us, and may we rest in your Sovereignty. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen 4.10.2020 – Scott Wilson, Pastor of Senior Adults Good Morning. Today we celebrate freedom on this Good Friday. For believers, this is an exciting time, because we celebrate freedom by way of, Christ on the cross. Over two thousand years ago, Christ died on the cross for you, for me, for the whole world. During this time, that a deadly disease is the focus of our world, our focus is on God’s victory over the deadly disease of sin. As doctors and medical experts scramble to find a vaccine for the Corona virus, God the Father knew, before creation, the antidote to man’s rebellion. God had a plan, to win victory over Satan, and to atone for man’s sin. God provided a way, through the sacrifice of Christ, for mankind to be reconciled to Him. It is through Christ’s death on the cross, that our sins are forgiven and that we experience abundant life. Colossians chapter two, verse fourteen, (Col.2:14) Paul says, “He, (meaning Christ), erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations that was against us, and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way, by nailing it to the cross.”

Colossians 2:14

14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the cross.

Father, we thank you, for Christ’s victory on the Cross, and for the victory that is ours through Christ, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen 4.09.2020 – Steve Stadtmiller, Pastor of Mobilization Good Morning Church. I’m Steve Stadtmiller, Pastor of Mobilization. It was on this day, during the Passion Week, that our Lord took his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. We read in Mark 14, verses 32 to 34; “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And He took with him Peter and James and John and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death.”

Mark 14: 32-34a 32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.

34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death…” Years earlier Isaiah had described, what the Lord would go on to bear, just hours after he left the Garden of Gethsemane. That garden was anything but a place of peace and tranquility. Isaiah writes in chapter fifty-

three, that “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, upon Him was the

chastisement that brought us peace and with His wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53: 5 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed. Let’s pray, Father we realize that Gethsemane, was a sorrowful place for our Lord. For the very next day, He would bear Your wrath because of our sins. Isaiah tells us that He bore the chastisement that brought us peace, but today, we have joy that we can have peace with You because of our Savior’s suffering, and we can enjoy Your peace each day, even in the midst of a pandemic. We thank you for our Savior Jesus Christ, for Your love expressed to us through Him. Father help us this day to live in that peace that passes all understanding. May we trust Your sovereign and loving hand. I pray in Christ’s name. Amen.

4.08.2020 – Joseph Scarfone, Pastor of Children and Family Ministry Good Morning Colonial Family. I am Joseph Scarfone, Pastor of Children and Family Ministry. I remember when I was a child, hearing the phrase, “it wasn’t like that when I was a kid”. And as we look back over this last year, last month, or even yesterday, we can see that things are rapidly changing. We are in uncertain times and face adversity, and as the people of God, when we come upon times that are difficult, we turn to the Word of God.

I want to encourage you from Isaiah twenty-six, verses three and four, (Isaiah 26:3-4), which says, “You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an everlasting rock.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever,

for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

We can have a peace that transcends all understanding, because we trust in God. We know that He will never change, that He is trustworthy, and we can always count on Him. I love the imagery that is used here to describe God, as an everlasting rock. A sure foundation. Something that we can always count on, even in times of uncertainty. We can trust in God. Pray with me, Father, we are grateful that You never change. We thank you that You are trustworthy. Help us to have our confidence in You, to gain a peace that transcends all understanding, for You Lord, are our everlasting rock. Let us live for You this day, and may You bless us in the matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 4.7.2020 – Robb, Director of Mobilization Good Morning everyone. This is Robb from Mobilization. The apostle Paul, in 1st Timothy, chapter two, urges of first importance, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all people, for kings and those in high positions.

1 Timothy 2: 1-2a 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all

people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions You see, our God desires for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Behind me is our state capital, and Governor Cooper’s office. Allow me to lead us in prayer, this morning, for him, and our state officials. Let’s pray, We bow before you Heavenly Father, this day, and ask that you would show mercy to us, undeserving sinners. You’re shaking this state, this nation, this world, like we’ve never experienced. We ask Oh God, that you would lead us to repent, you would hear our prayers, and heal our land. Our Father, we pray for the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, we pray for all those around them, that you would grant them your grace and peace at this time. The pressure they are under is enormous, we pray that you would guide them in doing your will, to preserve life, to make wise decisions, grant them your grace we pray. And Lord, as this is supposed to be a very difficult week in our nation, we ask for your mercy, we ask for your peace. Help us as your people Lord, to be ambassadors of your Hope, at this time. Use us we pray. Oh God, glorify Yourself, glorify Yourself even through our Governor and his people, glorify Yourself through this great crisis, Oh God. Draw many men and women to Yourself. We pray, in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen 4.06.2020 – Stephen Pritchett, Pastor of Care Ministry

Good Morning Colonial Family. It’s good to be able to spend a couple of minutes with you at the beginning of a week. I’m Stephen Pritchett, Pastor of Care Ministry. You know, airplane pilots flying in a storm or cloud bank, quickly become disoriented and deceived by their senses. They say that when they are flying without visibility, they can be flying in a tight circle, while their senses are assuring them that they are flying straight ahead. To keep flying safely, they must rely on the instruments in their plane. And those instruments will tell them what is actually and absolutely true. You know, you and I may be feeling a bit disoriented these days, and we need to be reminded we have an instrument panel of sorts in God’s Word. Psalm 131 helps us reorient our thinking during these times of uncertainty. Charles Spurgeon said of this psalm that it is, “one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn”. It says this:

Psalms 131:1-2 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;

my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things

too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.

May we remember today, that when we are feeling a bit disoriented, that God is here with us, helping us, and reminding us, that His Truth stands, even in the midst of these days. Let’s pray together, Dear Heavenly Father, we’re so thankful for this, this new day, to be reminded that You are our great provider, that You are our peace giver, and help us to rest in You today. Help us to meditate on these words from the psalmist in Psalm 131, and we pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen 4.03.2020 - Al Potter, Pastor of Ministry and Leadership Development Good Morning. The apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy, in chapter three, verse one, (2Timothy 3:1) said, “we are in the last days”. He called them the last period of critical change, and in these days, he said, “there would be seasons of difficulty”. Well, we are certainly in a season of difficulty. To encourage Timothy in time like this, he stated earlier in 2 Timothy, in chapter one and verse seven, (2Timothy 1:7), “that our God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. As Believers or as Christians, we don’t live in fear. Fear is not that which controls or becomes a byproduct of our life each day, instead, we have power – the ability to accomplish the task in spite of the circumstances. We have love, which carries all the dimensions that are necessary to care for each other, and we have sound mindedness – the ability to think through even fearful times. This is the admonition we need for today. No, we do not need to face this difficult period of time, it’s only seasonal, but we do not need to face it with fear - but with power, with love, and a sound mindedness. To all our church family, let us carry that testimony, because, we bear it in front of our neighbors, and our friends, and our family, so they might see in us stability, and through it, come to the Christ, who’s made the difference in each and every one of our lives. Let’s pray together,

Father thank you for our church, pray you’ll bless, use, guide, and direct us. Keep us safe through all this time. I pray in the name of Jesus, and for His sake. Amen 4.02.2020 - Paul Lofquist, Pastor of College Ministry Good Morning Colonial Family. I am Paul Lofquist, and I serve as Pastor for our College Ministry. You know, one of the sweetest blessings in this season of quarantine, has been the chance to be able to spend more time out here in God’s creation. In settings like these, my mind can’t help but wander to God, and I find myself meditating on the poetry of scripture. One such poem I would encourage you all with today, comes from Psalm 63.

Psalm 63 1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth;

10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.

11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped

In verse 3, David writes, “Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.” It’s a beautiful reminder no doubt on its own, but even more so, when you realize the situation that David found himself in when he penned these words. He was a refugee, driven out from the life he was used to and stuck in the desert of Judah. And yet, even in this barren wasteland, David was still able to praise God. How? Well he says so; he says, “because of the steadfast love of the Lord”. David knew that God is a promise keeping God, and that even in times of suffering, God is faithful, and He is loving. I know many of you might feel right now like you are in the same wilderness with David, and I want to encourage you. God is still faithful! and He is still loving! and because of those encouraging truths, my prayer is that you are still able to praise Him. Let’s pray, God, we thank you that your steadfast love is indeed better than life. We thank you that You are faithful, we thank you that You are loving, and God, I ask that you would stir up each one of us today to be able to praise you, because of these truths. In Jesus’ name, Amen. God Bless you all. Have a great day!

4.01.2020 - Les Lofquist, Pastor of Church Relations Good Morning Colonial. I am Pastor Les Lofquist, and in Pastor Davey’s absence on the last Sunday of 2019, I preached a sermon on Psalm 46. The title was, ‘Our Foundation for 2020’. Little did I realize how important Psalm 46 would become, just a few months later, here in this Corona pandemic.

Psalm 46 1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Verse one reads, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” The emphasis there is on the security of God. He’s our refuge, a place we can go and hide in times of trouble, He’s our strength. While we hide, He gives us strength to endure, but He is also present with us in our troubles. “A very present help in time of trouble”. He won’t abandon us; He’s right there with us. The whole rest of the Psalm we see the emphasis on the authority of God; verse 4; ʾĒl ʿElyōn, the Hebrew name of God, the Most High, verses 7 and 11; ‘Yahweh Sabaoth’ the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Armies of Heaven. Our response, what should it be? We see in verse 10, to; “Be still and know that I am God…”. Hebrew word means there; ‘let your hands fall down, stop fighting, and submit to God’. These words in Psalm 46 are so important for us, here in these days. Let’s pray, Father I pray, that you’ll give our church family real perspective based on Psalm 46, and then I pray, that you will please, heal our land, our nation, both physically and spiritually. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 03.31.2020 - Dave Burggraff, Executive Pastor Good Morning, this is Dave Burggraff, Executive Pastor at Colonial. Last week grocery shelves were empty. This week we are under a ‘stay at home’ order. It’s all quite unsettling as you and I seem to be riding on a roller coaster of emotions we haven’t faced before. New worries, stresses, anxieties, fears, when shelves are

empty, and we are huddled at home for who knows how long. God’s Word is filled with promises that tell us that He knows our needs, He knows our concerns, He is in full control and He takes care of us. One such passage is Matthew 6 verses 25 through 34. Reading just a few verses, Jesus said:

Matthew 6:25-26, 31 Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Look at the birds of the sky, they don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father

feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? And further he says: So, don’t worry…Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of such things.

When it comes to fear, Paul reminds us as children of God that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). So, if you find yourself anxious or worried today, remember what Peter says; that we ought to cast our cares upon Him for he cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7) So, let’s do that in prayer. Our Father, we pray that you would arrest the spread of this virus and guide in the development of a cure and vaccine. Protect our church family at this time, and keep each of our homes and families safe, and help us with anxieties, worries and concerns, as we cast our cares upon you. We pray in Jesus’ name. God Bless 03.30.2020 - Aaron Kilian, Pastor of Music Ministry Good Morning Church Family. My name is Aaron Kilian, Pastor of Music Ministry, and it’s great to connect with you, on this new day, the beginning of this new week. Let’s reflect together on the Lord’s goodness from His Word. Reading from Psalms 103 verses 1 thru 5, David says:

Psalms 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and

forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth

is renewed like the eagle’s. Would you sing with me: Bless the Lord Oh My Soul

Bless the Lord oh my soul Oh my soul Worship His Holy name Sing like never before Oh my soul I'll worship Your Holy name Worship Your Holy name Lord I worship your Holy name

Let’s pray: Father, thank you for your goodness. Help us to live out this command. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen 3.27.2020 - Gary Hallquist, Pastor of Care Ministry Good morning, Colonial family. I am Pastor Gary Hallquist of Care Ministry. I remember years ago on my way to work on Friday mornings, and I would listen to Paul Harvey. He always started his broadcast on Fridays, saying, "Good morning, Americas it's Friday."

You know, regardless of what day of the week it might be, and these days it is a little hard to remember which one we are on. But the Lord tells us in-

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

You know Jesus reminded us when He said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b) The apostle Paul said, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice." (Philippians 4:4) James also wrote that we should, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials." (James 1:2) You know rejoicing is a choice that we have to make every day. We get up, and we say, "Lord, you’re in control of this world, you are in control of this universe, and you are in control of my life. In that, I will rejoice and be glad." Would you pray with me- Father help us to make that choice to rejoice today. To lift up your name, to exalt Jesus, to remember you are on your throne, that you do all things well and that my life is in a good place in your hands. Help me to live out of that truth today. I pray in the name of Jesus, amen. Thank you and have a blessed day. 3.26.2020 - Stephen Davey, Senior Pastor I received an email a couple of days ago from a man in our church who serves with Gideons International. The email listed headlines from 1899. Some of them read--

Spanish-American War Ends and Philippine-American War Begins Montana Records Lowest Temperature Ever at 61 Degrees Below Zero

Tornado Kills 300 People Near Cooktown Fire in Windsor Hotel in New York City Kills 92

Brazos River in Texas Floods for 12 Miles Costing Millions of Dollars

The same year, two salesmen in Wisconsin started the Gideon ministry, which has since given out 2.3 billion copies of God's word. The email ends by asking the question…I wonder what good will this year bring from God. It is a great question. Let's stay alert even in troubling times like these. God has opportunities in His divine purposes as we deliver the Gospel to our world. Isaiah writes it this way-

Isaiah 43:11-12 I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior…

and you are my witnesses, declares the Lord, for I am God. Let's pray together. Father, thank you for the promise that you are not only in control; you have plans. Help us to be alert to those plans as we deliver the Gospel in any way possible to our world, we pray. In Jesus' name, amen. 3.25.2020 - Caleb Cruse, Pastor Student Ministry Good morning church family. My name is Caleb Cruse, and I am the Student Ministry Pastor here at Colonial. I am sure you have had a week full of adjustments, so I would like to encourage you this morning by reading a passage of scripture.

Isaiah 26:3-4 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

In 1944 a lady by the name of Ruth Jones became distressed as she picked up the morning newspaper and began to read the latest headlines of World War II. The number of casualties had increased, and the allies had made little progress across the boot of Italy. It was in that moment that she picked up a small notepad from her apron pocket and began to pen the words to the famous hymn.

In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor;

Be very sure, be very sure, Your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock!

That was true in 1944 and is still true today, this morning in 2020. Let's pray. Lord, we know you are trying to get our attention. Help us not to waste this invitation to sit at your table, to rest in your goodness, and to feast on your bread. Lord, may our diet today consist of your promises. In the midst of discouragement and distractions, help us to fix our minds on you, the solid rock. Lord, we thank you today, and we praise you. In Jesus' name, amen. 3.24.2020 - Jimmy Carter, Pastor of Community Life Good morning church, my name is Jimmy Carter, and I serve as the Pastor of Community Life. I want to thank you for joining us this morning. As we settle into these new times, as a church and individual believers, there are questions. When will life return to normal? Who will get sick? When will they have eggs and toilet paper at Food Lion? I want to take this opportunity to remind you that God has not changed. He is still sovereign. He is still in control, and because of that, our opportunity remains the same as we trust him and praise him. As we face these challenging times...the great unknown…I want to encourage us that just like Habakkuk, no matter what may come our God has not changed, and we can rejoice in our salvation.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig trees should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines,

though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will exalt in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. Lord, I thank you for this day. Lord, as we are, as a country and as a church, in new times, uncharted times, that feels scary. My heart feels anxious at times. I pray that we would remember that you are still in control. You are sovereign. And Lord, as we reflect the reality that you have not changed, that our hearts would rest in you and rejoice in you. We pray these things in Jesus' name, amen. 3.23.2020 - Scott Wylie, Pastor of Family Ministry It is a real delight to be with you this morning as we begin this day in corporate prayer. We are going to be gathering every weekday at 9 a.m. A different pastor is going to lead us in corporate prayer each day. We are calling this New Every Morning. It comes from the book of Lamentations. The prophet Jeremiah wanted the nation of Israel to remember that God's love for them was unceasing and that every morning when they woke up God supplied grace and mercy for them was new.

Lamentations 30:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end,

they are new every morning great is your faithfulness.

Father, we thank you so much for this new day, for the breath in our lungs, and for the opportunity to live this day for you. And thank you, Lord, as we woke up this morning that your supply of grace and mercy was abundant, fresh, and unending. Help us to rely on that today as we face these troubling and difficult times. In Jesus' name, amen.