Five Minutes With God
Over the past several weeks, I have been preaching a sermon series at Franklin Hill called “Hidden in Plain Sight.” We have been looking at people, events, details, and even moments of humor in Scripture that many of us have read right past.
As I have prepared for these messages, God has continued to place something else on my heart.
We spend a lot of time asking God to do great things in our lives. We ask Him to heal. We ask Him to provide. We ask Him to protect our families. We ask for direction when we do not know what to do. We ask Him to help our children and grandchildren. We ask Him to fix situations that seem impossible.
Yet sometimes we will not give God five minutes of our day.
Think about that for a moment.
Could you imagine having a child, grandchild, spouse, or close friend who only called you when they needed something?
Every time their name appeared on your phone, you would already know how the conversation was going to begin.
“I need a favor.”
“Can you help me?”
“I have a problem.”
Eventually, you might find yourself looking at their name on the screen and thinking, “What do they want now?”
Thankfully, God is far more patient than we are. His love does not disappear because we have neglected Him. His mercy does not run out because we have been too busy to pray.
But God does desire a relationship with us.
In fact, you could describe the entire story of the Bible that way. From Genesis 3 forward, Scripture reveals God’s work to restore the relationship between Himself and humanity that sin destroyed in the Garden of Eden.
God called Abraham.
God delivered Israel.
God gave His Law.
God sent the prophets.
God promised a Savior.
And ultimately, God sent His Son.
John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus did not go to the cross so that Christianity could become another item on our weekly schedule. He died and rose again so sinful people could be reconciled to a holy God.
That leads to a question each of us should ask ourselves.
Am I actually building a relationship with God?
Most relationships require communication in both directions. Prayer is one of the ways we speak to God. Scripture is one of the primary ways God speaks to us.
Yet many Christians will say, “I wish God would speak to me,” while their Bible remains closed.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Maybe you do not know where to begin. Maybe you have tried reading the Bible before and became overwhelmed. Maybe you started in Genesis, made it through Exodus, reached Leviticus, and quietly gave up.
So this month, I want to challenge our entire church to something simple.
Give God five minutes a day for the next 30 days.
You do not need a theology degree. You do not need an hour of uninterrupted time. You do not need to understand everything you read.
Take five minutes.
Read the passage.
Ask yourself, “What is God showing me?”
Then talk to Him about it.
Five minutes may seem insignificant, but relationships grow through consistent time together.
And perhaps instead of beginning our prayers with, “God, here is what I need,” we should sometimes begin with:
“Lord, I am here. What do You want me to hear today?”
Pastor Jeremy
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The Franklin Hill 30-Day Bible Challenge
Use this simple pattern each day: Read the passage. Think about one thing it teaches you about God. Ask how it applies to your life. Spend a minute talking to God about what you read.
Week 1: Getting to Know God
Day 1: Genesis 1:1-5
Who created everything? What does that tell you about God’s power?
Day 2: Genesis 1:26-31
What does this passage tell you about your value to God?
Day 3: Genesis 3:1-9
What happened to humanity’s relationship with God?
Day 4: Genesis 3:14-15
Look for the first hint that God already had a plan for redemption.
Day 5: Exodus 3:1-6
How did God get Moses’ attention?
Day 6: Psalm 23
What does it mean for the Lord to be your Shepherd?
Day 7: Psalm 46:1-3, 10
What would it look like for you to “be still” before God?
Week 2: Meeting Jesus
Day 8: John 1:1-5
Who does John say Jesus is?
Day 9: John 1:10-14
What does it mean that the Word became flesh?
Day 10: John 3:16-17
Why did God send Jesus?
Day 11: Matthew 11:28-30
What does Jesus invite tired and burdened people to do?
Day 12: Luke 15:1-7
What does this teach you about God’s concern for one lost person?
Day 13: John 10:7-11
What does Jesus mean when He calls Himself the Good Shepherd?
Day 14: John 14:1-6
What does Jesus say about the way to the Father?
Week 3: Understanding Salvation
Day 15: Romans 3:22-24
Who has sinned, and how can we be made right with God?
Day 16: Romans 5:6-8
What does the cross tell you about God’s love?
Day 17: Romans 6:23
Compare what sin earns with what God gives.
Day 18: Ephesians 2:8-10
Can you earn salvation?
Day 19: 1 John 1:8-9
What should you do when you sin?
Day 20: 2 Corinthians 5:17
What happens when someone belongs to Christ?
Day 21: Romans 10:9-13
According to this passage, how does someone respond to the Gospel?
Week 4: Learning to Follow Jesus
Day 22: Matthew 4:18-22
What did Jesus ask His first disciples to do?
Day 23: Matthew 6:31-34
What worries are you carrying that you need to give to God?
Day 24: Matthew 22:34-40
What does Jesus say matters most?
Day 25: John 13:34-35
How should people recognize followers of Jesus?
Day 26: John 15:1-5
What happens when we remain connected to Christ?
Day 27: Philippians 4:4-7
What should you do with anxiety and worry?
Day 28: Galatians 5:22-25
Which fruit of the Spirit do you most need God to develop in you?
Finishing the Challenge
Day 29: Matthew 28:18-20
What mission has Jesus given His followers?
Day 30: Revelation 21:1-5
Where is the story of redemption ultimately going?
Thirty days from now, you may not understand the entire Bible. That is not the goal. My hope is that you will know God a little better than you do today. And when the 30 days are finished, do not stop. Open the Bible again on day 31. Your Heavenly Father wants more than a five-minute appointment with you. But five minutes is a wonderful place to begin. Pastor Jeremy
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Celebrate Labor Day
Labor Day, first celebrated in 1882, provides a day of rest for working Americans, showing their importance to the country’s well-being.
Christians see work as a gift and command from God. Adam was put in the Garden to “till it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15, NRSV). Even Jesus chose workers to help carry out his mission.
Rest is just as significant as work. God commanded us to rest one day each week (Exodus 20:10). The Sabbath is a time for worship, family activities, renewal and recuperation.
Labor Day is a reminder to be grateful for the creativity, ingenuity, minds and muscle power of countless workers — all gifts of God. That’s worth setting aside a day to appreciate.
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It Only Takes A Spark
Love is the spark that kindles the fire of compassion. Compassion is the fire that flames the candle of service. Service is the candle that ignites the torch of hope. Hope is the torch that lights the beacon of faith. Faith is the beacon that reflects the power of God. God is the power that creates the miracle of love. —William Arthur Ward
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Prayer of Remembrance for Patriots Day
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter through every storm, and our eternal home:We come before You remembering the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Though many years have passed, the sorrow of that day still lingers in the hearts of families, friends and a grieving nation.Lord, comfort those who continue to carry loss. Grant peace to the brokenhearted, strength to the weary and light to those walking through seasons of grief. Let Your presence bring hope where memories still ache. Teach us to care for one another with compassion and courage. Help us to be a people who offer kindness to the hurting, encouragement to the discouraged and justice to those who suffer. Stir our hearts to live with mercy, humility and love for our neighbors.Forgive us when our words are greater than our actions. May we strive each day to reflect the values of faith, unity and grace that honor You and strengthen our communities. Thank You, Lord, for Your constant care and unfailing mercy. Even in tragedy, You remain our refuge and our hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You may reach Pastor Jeremy at jeremyrlewis@gmail.com or 570-604-7537. Office hours by appointment. Pastor Jeremy is available for hospital visits, shut-in visits and nursing home visits.
Adult Sunday School – Every Sunday 8:30am to 9:30am
Adult Exercise Class – Every Monday 10:00am to 11:00am
Choir Practice – Every Thursday at 1pm
E-Mail Carolyn White with any praises, joys, or prayer requests (whisperpines@frontiernet.net) throughout the week.
Thank you to all who donated to our August Mission for Interfaith Back to School Program – We collected $750.00.
Monday, September 7th – Labor Day!
Thursday, September 10th – Presbyterian Women meeting – 11am Choir Practice – 1pm Session Meeting – 6pm
Friday, September 11th – Patriot Day
Sunday, September 13th – Grandparent’s Day
Monday, September 14th – Exercise Class – 10am to 11am Wednesday, September 16th – Men's breakfast – 8am Tuesday, September 22 – First Day of Autumn Saturday, September 26th – Potluck Dinner – 6pm Tuesday, September 29th – Newsletter Deadline