Berea Update for February 7, 2025
Welcome to the "Super Bowl Edition" of the Berea update. I have to be honest, and I really hope this doesn't offend anyone because I know we have some Chiefs and Eagles fans in the church family, but I really don't care a whole lot about the game on Sunday. I'm guessing that I'm not alone in that. For some, it's because your favorite team isn't in the big game, for others, it's because you don't have much of an interest in football, and others don't care much for sports in general. Despite my lack of excitement about the game, each time there's a big sporting event like the Super Bowl, or the World Series, or the Olympics, I think about the training and sacrifice the athletes who participate in those events go through in order to compete at the high level they do. Did you know that Scripture has something to say about training? Paul writes in 1 Timothy 4:7-8: "...train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." As impressive as the Chiefs and Eagles' training program might be, if you really stop and think about it, in the grand eternal plan of our Lord, it only has limited value. The truth is in another 100 years, no one is going to remember who won this year's Super Bowl, nor will they really care. The eternal worth just isn't there.
I'm not trying to be a downer on athletics because I love sports, but what I am challenging each of us to consider (myself included) is the value that we place on earthly things compared to the value we place on eternal things. Paul's emphasis here is that training for godliness is of eternal worth. That type of training goes with us when we enter eternity. Now some will argue--those athletes, or musicians, or actors have millions who are praising them for their work and cheering on their pursuits. That may be true, but we should not be training for godliness for the praise of millions of men, but rather we should be training for an audience of One--the One who has the power to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
So as you consider all of this, think about what it means to train for godliness. Training takes discipline, and much wiser individuals than I have pondered these same things and have developed a list of spiritual disciplines that we should all be doing regularly, which are the earthly training, which results in eternal reward. I've included these below in the devotions for the week. Consider these this week, and if you struggle to regularly practice them, ask God for strength to do them, and just start. Be encouraged, He promises to use His Spirit to lead you closer to Him.
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday, Pastor Miller will continue his sermon series in Ephesians with a message called "Pearl of Wisdom," using Ephesians 1:15-23. We'll be praying for Pastor Miller and Jeannette, and also will be praying over the Elder and Deacon board as a part of this week's service.
2. Also on Sunday, we will be hosting a Soup-er Bowl party here at the church from 5:30 until halftime of the game. Last year, we did a chili cookoff, but this year, we've decided to expand it to allow for any soup to be entered into the fierce competition! We'll also have the game on the big screens, games available, and hopefully a whole lot of fun together! It's not too late to register! The church will be providing side dishes, so it is important that you register if you plan to come. Registration is available online here:
Soup-er Bowl Sunday Information/Registration
3. Because of the Soup-er Bowl Party, there are some changes for Pastor Miller's small group, which meets on Sundays. His small group will meet at his house today (Friday), February 7 at 6:00 PM. This upcoming week, because Pastor Miller will be on his trip to the Philippines, his small group will be meeting at the church on Sunday, February 16 at 6:00 PM.
4. Attention parents of young children! The youth want to give you a "kid-free" evening! Drop off your kids of any age at the church next Saturday, February 15 from 4:00-8:00 PM while you have a night out! The youth group will be providing dinner, games, and more! Donations will go to the youth mission trip to Cleveland in July. A sign up sheet will be available at the Welcome Center this Sunday. It is the last day to sign up.
5. JOY Club will be attending the play "The Radium Girls" at the Cedarville University Theater next Saturday, February 15th, at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $20 each. Step back to 1926, a time when radium was hailed as a miracle cure, Madame Curie was a global icon, and glowing watches were all the rage-until the workers painting them began to fall mysteriously ill. Based on a true story, "Radium Girls" follows Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she courageously takes on her former employer in a legal battle. This fast-paced ensemble drama, filled with warmth and humor, tells a compelling story of justice, corporate intrigue, and the peculiar American obsessions of the era. Critics have praised it as a "powerful" and "engrossing" exploration of health, wealth, and the commercialization of science. If you'd like to join us, please sign up with Pastor Tom directly.
6. There will be a Operation Christmas Child meeting after church on Sunday if you are interested in helping with collection of items, sewing, crocheting, or workdays ahead!
Youth Winter Retreat Recap
The youth group had a great time together at Skyview Ranch for "Winter Blast 2025" last weekend. Around 230 teens from around Ohio came together for a weekend of worship, games, food, and fellowship. The teens participated in three chapel services, with Cedarville University's "Heartsong" leading worship for each of those services. They were also challenged by visiting pastor Austin McCann to consider what the "good life" really means by working through the book of Jonah. After chapel, our group had time together to discuss each message, and apply the Bible to our own lives. On top of that, our youth group had a variety of fun activities to choose from during the weekend: Broomball, horseback riding, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, paintball, GaGa ball, and more! Thank you for your support of the youth! Not only did the group grow closer to one another, but they also grew closer to the Lord!
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday), a handful of individuals will be going through the New Members class, as they consider making Berea their "official" church home. Pray that the time together with this group is glorifying to the Lord, and may each person sense the Spirit's lead in the decision to unite with us in membership.
2. Pray for Pastor Miller and Jeannette, who will be leaving for the Philippines this upcoming week. While away, Pastor Miller will be teaching the books of Ephesians and Philippians at Word of Life Bible Institute to students representing seven different countries. They will also be traveling to other areas to visit others ministering for the Lord.
3. There are many in our church family who are ill or recovery from surgery right now. Pray for God's hand to be on them we know God is the Great Physician.
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Spiritual Disciplines (Taken From: https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/spiritual-disciplines)
1. Solitude
Solitude is the most fundamental of the disciplines in that it moves us away, for a time, from the lures and aspirations of the world into the presence of the Father. In solitude, we remove ourselves from the influence of our peers and society and find the solace of anonymity. In this, we discover a place of strength, dependence, reflection, and renewal, and we confront inner patterns and forces that are alien to the life of Christ within us.
2. Silence
Silence is a catalyst of solitude; it prepares the way for inner seclusion and enables us to listen to the quiet voice of the Spirit. Few of us have experienced silence, and most people find it to be uncomfortable at first. Silence is at odds with our culture and the popular addiction to noise and hubbub. This discipline relates not only to finding places of silence in our surroundings but also to times of restricted speech in the presence of others.
3. Prayer
Prayer is personal communion and dialogue with the living God. Seen from a Biblical perspective, prayer is an opportunity and a privilege rather than a burden or a duty. It is the meeting place where we draw near to God to receive his grace, to release our burdens and fears, and to be honest with the Lord. Prayer should not be limited to structured times but should also become an ongoing dialogue with God as we practice his presence in the context of our daily activities.
4. Journaling
Many people have found that keeping a spiritual diary heightens their understanding of the process of spiritual formation through which God has been taking them. By recording our insights, feelings, and the stream of our experiences, we clarify the progress of our spiritual journey. This discipline relates closely to those of prayer, meditation, and study; journaling enhances personal reflection, encourages us to record perspectives we have received from Scripture, and serves as another form of prayer.
5. Study
The discipline of study is central to the process of renewing the mind in such a way that we can respond appropriately to the truths of God’s Word. Study of Scripture involves not only reading but also active involvement in observation, interpretation, and application of its contents. This discipline also includes devotional reflection on the beauties and intricacies of nature as well as exposure to gifted writers and teachers in the past and in the present.
6. Meditation
Meditation is a close relative of the disciplines of prayer and study, and it also depends on the disciplines of solitude and silence. Meditation has become such a lost art in the West that we typically associate it with Eastern religions. Far from emptying the mind, however, Christian meditation focuses the mind on the nuances of revealed truth. To meditate on the Word is to take the time to ponder a verse or a passage from Scripture so that its truth can sink deeply into our being.
7. Fasting
The spiritual discipline of fasting is abstention from physical nourishment for the purpose of spiritual sustenance. This difficult discipline requires practice before it can be effective, since it is not natural for us to pursue self-denial. There are different methods and degrees of fasting, but all of them promote self-control and reveal the degree to which we are ruled by our bodily appetites. Fasting can also consist of abstention from other things that can control us, such as television and other forms of entertainment.
8. Chastity
The discipline of chastity is relevant to all believers, whether they are single or married. This discipline encourages us to resist the painful consequences of improper feelings, fantasies, obsessions, and relations that are so frequently reinforced in our culture. Chastity elevates loving concern for the good of others above personal gratification.
9. Secrecy
The practice of secrecy is dependence on God alone for what should and should not be noticed by others. Secrecy is the opposite of grasping and self-promotion, since it teaches us to love anonymity and frees us from the bondage of the opinions of others. Secrecy is not a false humility but a heartfelt desire to seek the praise and approval of God regardless of what people may think.
10. Confession
This discipline sets us free from the burden of hidden sin, but it requires transparency and vulnerability in the presence of one or more people whom we implicitly trust. When we uncover and name our secrets, failures, and weaknesses, they lose their dominion by virtue of being exposed. We are generally more concerned about the disapproval of people, whom we can see, than we are about the disapproval of God, whom we cannot see, and this makes repentance and confession before others difficult.
11. Fellowship
For some people, enjoying community is not a discipline but a delight. But in our individualistic culture many people are more inclined toward autonomy and independence than to body life. For them, a willingness to seek mutual encouragement and edification is a discipline that will eventually pay dividends through regular exposure to a diversity of natural and spiritual gifts. There we will see that our experience with God is mediated through the body of Christ and that koinonia (communion, fellowship, close relationship, association) with other believers plays an essential role in our spiritual formation. This dynamic of fellowship should not be trivialized by reducing it to punch and cookies or potluck suppers. It’s also important in today’s society not to allow our fellowship to be mediated, at least not exclusively or even primarily, by technology. Relationships are analog, not digital; while mobile technology can serve as a helpful tool in relationship building, there’s no substitute for actual, in-person presence.
12. Submission
The discipline of voluntary submission to others as an expression of our submission to Christ is based on the biblical mandate for us to seek the good of others rather than our rights. Mutual subordination and servanthood free us from having to be in control and to have things go our way. By imitating Christ in this discipline of self-denial, we become increasingly concerned with the needs of others.
13. Guidance
The discipline of guidance involves the recovery of spiritual direction. In recent years, the evangelical community has become aware of the need for seeking spiritual guidance; this comes through accountability to mentors whose credibility is established by experience and maturity. Guidance is also a corporate discipline in which a body of believers seeks a Spirit-directed unity.
14. Simplicity
These disciplines reinforce each other, since they relate to our attitude and use of the resources that have been placed at our disposal. The discipline of simplicity or frugality refers to a willingness to abstain from using these resources for our own gratification and aggrandizement. A mindset of simplicity helps us resist the cultural endorsement of extravagance and consumption that entices us away from gratitude, trust, and dependence on the Lord. This discipline frees us from the multiplicity of fleshly desires and anxiety over trivial things, and it helps to deliver us from the bondage of financial debt.
15. Stewardship
The related discipline of stewardship encourages us to reflect on our lives as managers of the assets of Another. In addition to the usual trilogy of time, talent, and treasure, I include the stewardship of the truth we have received as well as the relationships with which we have been entrusted. In this discipline, we periodically review the ways we have been investing these assets.
16. Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a more radical discipline than simplicity in that it involves the occasional risk of giving up something we would use to meet our needs rather than our wants. This is a faith-building exercise that commits us to entrust ourselves to God’s care.
17. Worship
To worship is to be fully occupied with the attributes of God—the majesty, beauty, and goodness of his person, powers, and perfections. For the individual, worship often involves devotional reflection on the person and work of Jesus Christ as our mediator to the Father. In a corporate setting, believers are united in heart and mind to honor and extol the infinite and personal God. The discipline of worship expands our concept of who God is and what he has done.
18. Celebration
Celebration focuses on all that God has done on our behalf. It is the discipline of choosing gratitude rather than grumbling and remembrance rather than indifference. When we celebrate, we review and relive the history of God’s blessings, and this stimulates a renewed sense of devotion. Celebration, whether individual or corporate, is taking pleasure, amazement, and joy in how good God has been to us in specific ways and times. To revel in God’s goodness is to gain a new sense of perspective.
19. Service
The discipline of service does not call attention to itself but concentrates instead on the needs and concerns of others. True service does not look for recognition but is born out of love for Jesus and a desire to follow him in washing the feet of the saints. In this discipline, we take on roles that are passed over and that do not call attention to ourselves; we steadfastly refuse to live for appearance and recognition, choosing instead to show kindness, courtesy, sensitivity, and concern for people who are often overlooked.
20. Witness
The reason many believers are not involved in evangelism is that they do not see it as a discipline that requires a corresponding lifestyle. To witness is to choose to go beyond our circle of believing friends and to walk dependently in the power of the Spirit as we invest in relationships with those who have not yet met Christ. The discipline of witness takes seriously the biblical mandate of bearing witness to Jesus by building nonmanipulative relationships with eternity in view.
Kids (and Kids At Heart) Korner
Q: When someone needed a boat made, what did the people in town say?
A: "We Noah guy."
Let us know if there is something we can pray for you about! Have a good week!
Take care,
Mark