Ministries

Chain of Lakes Videos

Select a link below to view recent past videos of worship services. For all past worship services go to https://vimeo.com/chainoflakes/videos Don’t forget to also check out Pastor Paul’s blog

November 17, 2024
“Listening to God in a World Full of Noise”

November 10, 2024 – unavailable

November 3, 2024
“Growing With Purpose” part 2

October 27, 2024
“Growing With Purpose”

October 20, 2024
“Talking Faithfully about the Dreaded Word PO#%*ICS” – The Golden Rule

October 13, 2024
“Talking Faithfully about the Dreaded Word PO#%*ICS” – Why is it so hard?

October 6, 2024
“Talking Faithfully About the Dreaded Word PO#%*ICS” – Was Jesus Political?

September 29, 2024
T. Mychael Rambo Guest Preacher

September 22, 2024
“Welcoming Spiritual Refugees” part 2

September 15, 2024
“Welcoming Spiritual Refugees”

September 8, 2024
“Spirit” – Guest preacher Charlie Clark

September 1, 2024
“Spiritual Ancestors” – Mr. Rogers

August 25, 2024
“Spiritual Ancestors” – Mother Teresa

August 18, 2024
“Spiritual Ancestors” – John Calvin

August 11, 2024
“Spiritual Ancestors” – Francis of Assisi

Daily Devotions

Comments about the devotion can be emailed to pastor@colpres.org

Daily Devotions November 18 - 23, 2024

Monday, November 18
Genesis 1:1-5
Six Days of Creation and the Sabbath
When God began to create the heavens and the earth,the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Yesterday Pastor Paul started a new sermon series called, “Listening to God’s voice in a world full of noise.” Everyone present were given tools for listening to God’s voice.
This is the first story in the Bible where God shared the divine voice. “Let there be light,” God said. (Genesis 1:3)
In the story this light was physical. The light was good and was separated from the darkness.
We can also think of this light as a metaphor for all that is good and lovely and right.
We might not have ever heard God’s voice—though this doesn’t mean we cannot listen to God’s voice. Most people have never heard the actual voice of God—though some people do claim to have heard the divine voice. The voice of God is not just something that a person can hear. The voice of God might be an impression or clarity within a situation. It might be the peace that passes all understanding that the Apostle Paul wrote about in Philippians.
And it can be discovering light in a situation.
One prayer that can be helpful is, “Creator God, help me discover your light in this situation.”
Would you commit to praying this prayer this week? What difference do you think this prayer could make for your own life? Please share.

Tuesday, November 19
Psalm 37:1-7
Exhortation to Patience and Trust
Of David.
Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers,for they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light and the justice of your cause like the noonday.Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.
Sometimes our focus can be on other people. We might wonder why another person is successful or why another person might be so awful.
One message from these verses is to focus on God and not on another person.
“Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, … Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. … Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. (Psalm 37:1a, 5, 7)
The writer of this Psalm was saying that each of us need not focus on the exploits of another person. In this Psalm the actions of another person made the person, “wicked.” Instead of focusing on the wicked person, the writer of this Psalm wanted people to focus on God. Trust and listen to God; seek out his own voice.
We need not be disturbed by others. Instead commit to seeking out God’s voice.
This is an important message that can help many after the divisive election that took place. Some are happy about the results of the election; some are very upset. Whatever our response, the point is to let our emotions go and focus on listening to God’s voice. This voice can give us comfort
Seeking God can help us find security.
If you’ve experienced times of struggle after the election, what have you done to let go of these struggles. Without being political, please share.

Wednesday, November 20
Matthew 3:16-17
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him.And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
This is a well-known and still amazing passage. After Jesus came out of the water, a dove descended from heaven AND a voice spoke from heaven.
The voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
It wasn’t hard for the people who were present at the baptism to hear God’s voice. They could in real-time hear the voice of God.
What do you think that voice sounded like? Do you think it was thunderous? Do you think it was gentle? Do you think it sounded like a male voice or a female voice or was the voice genderless?
Please share your thoughts about the sound of the voice.
Thursday, November 21
1 Kings 19:11-18
Elijah Meets God at Horeb
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake,and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”He answered, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.”Then the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram.Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill, and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
The word of the Lord told Elijah to stand on the mountain before the Lord and to listen for God’s voice.
A great wind passed by—but even though the wind made noise, the voice of God was not present.
An earthquake took place—but even though the earthquake made noise, the voice of God was not present.
A fire took place—but even though the fire made noise, the voice of God was not present.
After the fire was the sound of sheer silence.
We might be familiar with the “sound of silence” from a song by Simon and Garfunkel. Long before this song, Elijah heard the sound of silence on a mountain. We are not told what the sound of silence sounded like. But we are told of the result—Elijah went and stood at the entrance of a cave. Then a voice spoke to Elijah.
Have you ever had an experience where you heard the direction or even the voice of God during silence? Please share.

Friday, November 22
Deuteronomy 5:28-33
“The Lord heard your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you; they are right in all that they have spoken.If only they had such a mind as this, to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever! Go say to them, “Return to your tents.” But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, the statutes and the ordinances, that you shall teach them, so that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.’ You must therefore be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn to the right or to the left.You must follow exactly the path that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land that you are to possess.
The voice of God was clear to Moses in this story. To listen to God meant to keep all of God’s commandments in the new land that the Israelites would soon possess.
Some of us might think that faith would be so much easier if we heard the actual voice of God. But hearing the voice of God doesn’t mean that God’s intentions are lived out. In the very first story of the Bible, Adam and Eve were given paradise and were told not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They ignored God’s voice and did what had been forbidden.
The Israelites were promised that they would enter the Promised Land, but their trek through the wilderness was overwhelming. Many times they complained to God.
Jesus taught people to love God and to love their neighbor as they love themselves. But the people still killed Jesus.
Just hearing God’s voice does not ensure that people will follow God’s voice.
What are some strategies you use to follow God’s voice. Please share.

Saturday, November 23
Luke 9:28-36
The Transfiguration
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah,” not realizing what he was saying.While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35)
Peter, John and James could hear the voice of God. They were told to listen to the voice of Jesus as Jesus was God’s son.
What a privilege it had to be for Peter, John, and James to hear the voice of God.
We might not ever hear the voice of God, but we can still follow this voice. We follow the voice on how well we love God, and our neighbor as ourselves.

Daily Devotions November 11 - 16, 2024

Monday, November 11
Genesis 1:20-23
And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
This week we will have the opportunity to look at the idea of a blessing. As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to share blessings with others.
The word “blessing” is used hundreds of times in the Bible. So much so that it wouldn’t be out of line to think of the Bible as a book of blessings. The Old Testament could be renamed the “first blessing;” the New Testament could be renamed the “second blessing.”
One way of thinking about a blessing is “invoking favor on the person.” When we bless someone or something we are asking that God provide favor with the person. As we’ll learn this week in the Bible blessings are often paired with curses to show the difference between the two.
Blessings are not only meant for humans. In this Scripture we see that God blessed living creatures (animals) and the birds and the great sea monsters. God wanted to invoke favor on these animals.
We might have attended an event called, “The blessing of the animals.” Chain of Lakes has shared this event. This blessing of the animals has biblical roots—right here in the first chapter of the Bible.
Each of us might find a pet or another animal to be a blessing to us. We might want to invoke favor on an animal that is important to us. Do you have a story of a pet that was a significant part of your life at one time? Please share.

Tuesday, November 12
Numbers 6:22-27
The Priestly Benediction
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.“So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
This blessing is called the Aaronic benediction or blessing. Aaron was the brother of Moses. Aaron performed priestly duties for the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness to the Promised Land.
God asked Moses to give the words in verses 24-26 to Aaron to share with the people. We can see that this benediction or blessing truly invokes divine favor on the people. The prayer lifts up the hope that the people would have the Lord’s face shine upon them, that they would experience the graciousness of God and ultimately experience peace.
We might remember a pastor sharing this blessing with people at the end of worship. Pastor Paul has shared these words many times as part of his benediction.
Look over these words of the Aaronic benediction. What do they mean to you? What can we learn about God in these verses? Please share.

Wednesday, November 13
Psalm 1
The Two Ways
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous,for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
We read the NRSV translation of this Psalm that starts out with the word, “Happy.” The Hebrew word is translated as “blessed” in other places in the Old Testament.
This Psalm was one of the two Scriptures from Sunday. The writer of the Psalm contrasted people who are blessed and people who are not.
Verse three is worth memorizing. “[The blessed person] is like a tree planted by streams of water which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.”
In his sermon on Sunday Pastor Paul imagined eight trees planted near the cross on the south edge of the Chian of Lakes property. Each tree represents a Core Value of Chain of Lakes. Living out these Core Values in our life is like living out verse three.
Prosperity in this verse is not financial prosperity. It’s the reality that even when life turns bad or hard that through God we can land in a better place. We can learn and grow and become more of the person that God desires for us to be through these hard times.
Have you ever prospered because of a hard experience? Please share.

Thursday, November 14
Matthew 5:1-11
The Beatitudes
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²And he began to speak and taught them, saying:“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.“Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
These verses from Matthew are some of the most important verses in the Bible. They deserve our undivided attention and study. Some call these verses the beatitudes.
Matthew shares situations when people are blessed or receive divine favor. These blessings are far from an insurance policy against bad or challenging life events.
One way to read this passage is to replace the word, “blessed” with divine favor. We could paraphrase each blessing with these words.
Read these verses with the words “divine favor” in place of blessing.
The first two verses would be: “Divine favor is with the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Divine favor is with those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
How does replacing the word “blessing” with the words, “divine favor” open up these verses meaning for you? Please share.
Friday, November 15
Luke 1:68
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
A blessing can be something that we give to God. This might seem at first hard to understand. We might wonder, “does God need our blessing? Do we have the capacity to bless God?”
The response to the first question is “no,” and the response to the second question is “yes.”
These verses started out with Zechariah describing that the Lord God of Israel is blessed.
A synonym for “blessed” in this passage is “praise.” Praise is extolling God for a quality of God. We see right away one reason for Zechariah’s praise. God had looked favorably on the people and redeemed them. This deserved praise.
A healthy exercise is to list the qualities of God that you believe deserve our praise. How many qualities of God can you identify that are worthy of praise? Ten, fifty, a hundred?
Once you have a list of qualities, then use them for Praise. We can say, “I praise you for a quality of God.
Sharing prayers of praise is uplifting to our own spirits. Try this form of prayer. Have you had moments in your prayer life when you focused on praise? Please share.

Saturday, November 16
Revelation 22:14-17
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
Just as the first chapter of the Bible had an example of blessing, the last chapter of the Bible does also. The entire Bible is bookmarked by blessing.
Like in other places blessing is contrasted with the opposite of blessing. In this chapter the opposite are people who are sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehoods.
It is important to remember that Jesus had a special love for people on this list. He was willing to share blessings or divine favor with them.
What have you learned this week about blessing? Please share.

Events

Church Calendar

Please note that the Google calendar is not showing up on iPhones, but will show up on Android devices and all desktop computers (including iMac). Your patience is appreciated while we troubleshoot this issue!

Community Gardens

Chain of Lakes Church is excited to offer a Community Garden Ministry next to the new church building at 2650 125th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55449. It’s just east of Malmborg’s Garden Center on 125th Ave NE in Blaine or .8 miles east of Radisson Rd on 125th Ave NE, Blaine.