In my article in the Annual Report I conveyed to you my prayer for us at Stavanger this year. It is my prayer that each of us will seek to know God in an increasing level of intimacy from day to day. That we might live out the desire of the psalmist, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” As Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent.” (John 17: 3)

For this is God’s desire for us. He desires to be in an intimate relationship with us. That’s why we were created. Scripture teaches us that God would come down in the cool of the evening to have fellowship with Adam and Eve. But sin broke that intimate fellowship with God. So God, in His amazing love, sent His Son into the world that we might be restored into a right relationship with God again.

That is what the cross is all about. He came to love, forgive, heal and restore us that we might become the sons and daughters of God. Jesus declared, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:27-30)

The Lenten Season

Jesus, indeed, is our All-in-All! This is what we are going to center on during our Wednesday evening Lenten services this year.

“Jesus is our Savior. ” – February 26th, Ash Wednesday

We were under bondage to sin, Satan and death. But He came into this world for us, to die for us, that we might be set free to become the people we were created to be.

“Jesus is our High Priest. ” – March 4th

Since we then have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of Cod, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:14-1 March 11th — “Jesus is our Teacher. Jesus is the Word of God incarnate, the
Word that became flesh. To listen to the voice of Jesus is to receive light and life.

“Jesus is the Good Shepherd.” – March 18th

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who Leads his flock, guiding them in the ways of righteousness. He is the Good Shepherd who protects us from all evil. By following Him, we experience “His goodness and mercy all the days of our life.

“Jesus is our Friend.” – March 25th

Like a friend He walks beside us, loving and encouraging us, day by day. And He is continually interceding for us before the Father.

“Jesus is our King.” – April 1st

Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father where ”he must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. And the day will come when “every knee will bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lent is the season when we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter. We look to Jesus, our Savior and victorious Lord. Our lives are not about us. Our lives are lived for a greater purpose. It’s about Jesus. He came to make Cod known. It’s about loving Him, Living for Him, obeying Him and serving Him.

Jesus is our All-in-All!

During this upcoming Lenten season, we invite and encourage you to come to our Wednesday evening services and to experience the presence of the One who is Light and Life.

~ Pastor Phil