Pastor Ryan wrapped up The Essentials series with the importance of being ready at all times for Jesus to return. Maybe you’ve heard the comments or have said them yourself recently… “It feels like Jesus could come back at any moment now.” Pastor Ryan unpacked the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Virgins). Most scholars drive home two major points

Pastor Ryan continued to cover essentials to the Christian faith and things we need to carry on into life as it reopens. COVID 19 sparked a renewal in prayer at Calvary and in our personal lives. Pastor Ryan said we’ve had more time to pray and more things to pray about. It doesn’t mean we all grew in our prayer life, but it definitely rose to greater importance in the church, as a whole.

Pastor Ryan shared the powerful statement that Jesus gave his disciples in a troubling time, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus was clear, the way to the Father, to God, was through faith in Him. The chaos, confusion, and uncertainty of our nation have us overwhelmed and frustrated. The certainty of Jesus in just one sentence gives us comfort, strength, and clarity in our current world.

Two weeks ago, George Floyd’s death sent shockwaves through our nation and the world. The video of Floyd’s tragic death left everyone in disturbed and angry. No one could believe what they saw occur in Minneapolis. Our nation is hurting and peaceful protests turned to riots. What has bubbled to the surface is in the past few weeks is racism, a sin that needs to be confronted head-on.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was so essential to God that Jesus promised it to his disciples. He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit before going out to be witnesses to their surrounding world. The disciples experienced hunger and thirst that caused them to obey and seek the fulfillment of this promised power for ministry.

Today, in 2020, we don’t commemorate Pentecost as if it was a historical power we can only remember. No, the Holy Spirit continues to come and fill all believers who seek this prophetic, promised power from God.

During an interesting week for the church, Pastor Ryan preached about the importance of knowing our true identity as THE Church. When Jesus started THE CHURCH he began it by building people, not a building. Pastor Ryan shared how he grieves that we are not together as the body should be since Jesus started a community of believers known as THE Church.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” This is a favorite scripture verse for pastors! I’m seeing this scripture being used quite a bit right now and for good reason, we haven’t been able to gather the way we are meant to as the fellowship of believers.

In this week’s message, Pastor Jody and Dorothy shared with us that WHOLENESS IS ESSENTIAL. When our soul is not at rest, when we are unsettled, ashamed, feeling guilt and condemned, we want to run and hide. God asks, in a loving fatherly way, “Where are you?” God wants to make us whole, complete in Him.

I love the visual of a continual feast and not just because I like food. A feast makes me think of joy, laughter, the company of family, good friends, and holidays. I also think of how a feast offers a variety of foods to indulge, just like this life offers a variety of things to enjoy.

The question Pastor Ryan posed that is key to this new series is what have we learned is essential? What were some lifestyles we lived before COVID that we would like to leave behind and new lifestyles or things we want to bring with us as we reopen?

Who do you trust? Who do you believe, anymore? This isn’t an article to get you to believe something, this is an article to get you to think. An abundance of information is coming to you faster than you can process it. Information gluttony, it’s the American way. I can barely keep up with the amount of information, opinion posts and theories being shared online. Once, I’m done with one article or video, I have another ten to watch. (Ironically, I’m writing and contributing to the buffet)

When something is broken or worn, some people throw it away as if it’s purpose and time has run out. Others can see broken or worn things in a way that they restore or repurpose it. Maybe you’re like Pastor Ryan, he can see the potential, but doesn’t have the craftsmanship to see it through. Even when we can’t see the potential in ourselves, God sees it.

Identity matters…Identity is who you are or how others know you. Your true identity comes from God, but sin stole or caused us to lose who we were truly meant to be. The only one who should have a say in who we truly are is our creator. In order to figure out who you are, you have to know whose you are. You are God’s creation and when Jesus died and rose again for you, God was paying the ransom, cleaning you up and claiming you back from sin and this world. God is calling you home to be more than His creation, but His child that He dearly loves. When our identity is resurrected so is our understanding of who we truly are, who we were always meant to be and all the blessings that come with being a child of God!

What are you watering? It may seem like a strange question, but we get what we water. My granddaughter Ava was watering a dead plant, which seemed ridiculous. However, she kept watering it, and after a few weeks, a small green sprout appeared. The plant seemed to be dead, but Ava! It's the same with God. Situations, circumstances, relationships, possibilities may seem dead or impossible, but God!