Prayer Requests for Schraders' Peterborough, Ontario Trip

In January of this year, Jeff Smelser, who preaches in Pennsylvania, sent out an email requesting preaching assistance on behalf of a small group of Christians meeting in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The group does not have a full or part-time preacher, nor do they have elders. The email request was passed along to Jason Schrader, and so the journey began.

On July 2, Lord willing, Jason, Lisa and their kids will drive north heading to Niagara Falls, then to Buffalo, and hope to arrive in Peterborough on July 5 to begin a month-long work with the 20-25 members of the church in this moderate sized community of about 145,000 Canadians. Veterans Parkway is providing Jason with some financial support as he engages in this work. Jason has already had several communications with Joseph and Cecilia Li, members who are serving as his primary point of contact.

During the month of July, the Schraders plan to do as much work as can be arranged with the saints there, including the 10 Sunday and Wednesday night regular services. Jason has lessons planned to cover 1 John, topical lessons on Bible Archeology, and lessons on how to prepare and present Lord Supper talks. As time and arrangements permit, Jason also may present lessons on the Minor Prophets, one of his favorite OT subjects.

There are several other possible times, topics and opportunities to teach and edify this small group up north as well as for the Schraders to enjoy the fellowship of saints they’ve never met. This is also a great opportunity for the saints at VP to have fellowship in the preaching of the gospel and the building up of fellow Christians in another country. 

Prior to their departure and while they are in Canada, updates may be shared in the News & Notes about their journey plans, the trip itself and progress made during their mission work. Please keep this good work and the Schraders in your prayers, both for safe travels and for good fruit from their endeavors.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2-3

Jehovah got it out there first, clearly and without exception. This is WHO I AM, and this is WHAT I EXPECT. The first message, I am the Lord your God who brought you out…wasn’t theological, philosophical, or mystical speculation. Only a few months prior the entire nation of Israel had witnessed not only the power of God but that his power was used for the specific purpose of freeing them from Egyptian slavery. There was no denying it. It was a nationally shared firsthand experience. This was the epistemological basis for the Egyptians and for Israel to know who God was.

“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”Exodus 7:5.

The second, “stake-in-the-ground” Jehovah planted firmly “You shall have no other gods before me!” Exodus 20:3

But why is this so important?

Because what you, what we worship changes us. What we consider god in any form changes not only a belief system, a set of values, it changes our behaviors. 

A short version of this paradigm is to ask the question, “What does what we worship allow us to do and compel us to do?” The constraints and the permissions given and granted by what we idolize and worship. This makes all the difference for an individual and for a culture.

Later in the Exodus story as Moses is being drawn deeper into the leadership role for the nation of Israel, he asks to know who God is. “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight” Exodus 33:13 and “And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Exodus 33:18-20
God’s glory and power is His goodness. It is Right, Good and Beautiful. And it had just been manifested in His deliverance from Egypt. He had kept, delivered on the promise He made to Abraham.

What then does God, allow us [His people] to do and what does He compel us to do?

The first law, the one God gave after delivering His people contains the “shall” and the “shall nots” The “shalls” are further elaborated in the word and concepts of His “commands”. “Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;”Deuteronomy 7:9

What God “allows” us to do is defined by His constraints not by global permissions. It is the “thou shalt nots”. These are the “unspotted”, “undefiled” and “blameless” commands and explanations.

What God “compels” us to do is defined by His “thou shall” commands, examples, and expectations. The examples of both, the limit of permissions and the expectations of compelled are found in teachings such as: The definition and limits of greatness:

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” Matthew 20:26

The Golden Rule​ “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Loving Your Neighbor​‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Pure Religion. ​Before God…you know the “religion” that God accepts is this: “to visit the fatherless and the widow (the compelled part) and “to keep oneself unspotted from the world”. Caring for the fatherless is a perfect example of grace, goodness, and justice. Being moved with compassion.

The one that challenges me: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

There are two ways to find ourselves “spotted by the world” To do what we “SHALL NOT” and to not do what we “SHALL”.

I can’t help but come to the conclusion that God’s people (collectively in one way or another) are compelled to care for the fatherless. And to help when needed those who bring these children into their homes.

I'd like you to take a moment to reflect on the individuals who have profoundly shaped your spiritual journey. Perhaps it was a parent, a grandparent, a Bible class teacher, an elder, a preacher, or a dear friend whose faith shone brightly and guided your steps. Their wisdom, encouragement, and very presence often served as a steadying force in our lives. But what happens when that powerful spiritual influence is removed? Do we maintain the same course, holding fast to the truths they instilled, or do we risk straying into the wilderness of our own desires? When those who helped us navigate toward our heavenly home are gone, what will keep us from losing sight of the destination? A scene in the life of David, particularly after the death of the prophet Samuel, offers a compelling look at this very crossroads.

1. David Before Samuel’s Death | 1 Sam 24

a. Saul mercilessly sought to kill David. | vv. 1-3; cf. 1 Sam 18:10-11, 29; 19:11; 20:30-33 

b. But David graciously spared Saul’s life. | vv. 4-7

c. He pleaded with Saul to end his pursuit. | vv. 8-22

d. Psalms 57 and 142 reflect David’s God-trusting mood during this time. 

2. Samuel’s Death | 1 Sam 25:1a

a. For Israel, he was a prophet, judge, and the anointer of kings. | 1 Sam 3:20; 7:15-17; 10:1-27

b. But for David, he was a mentor and spiritual influencer. | 1 Sam 16:12-13; 19:18-24

c. His death represented a significant loss for the nation and David alike. | v. 1a 

3. David After Samuel’s Death | 1 Sam 25:1b-42

a. David exiled himself in the wilderness of Paran. | v. 1b; cf. Num 12:16-14:45

b. Nabal, a man David helped during this time, disrespected him and his men. | vv. 2-11

c. So, David impulsively sought to kill Nabal and all his men. | vv. 12-13; contrast: Psa 57:2-3

d. But Abigail wisely restrained David from seeking his own vengeance. | vv. 14-42

e. With his moral compass reoriented, David will spare Nabal and Saul’s lives. | 1 Sam 26:1-25

4. When the strong spiritual voices that have guided us fall silent, we may find ourselves more easily swayed by our weaknesses and risk losing our way on the path they have helped us see.

5. Preparing for Spiritual Transition:

a. Stay alert to the temptations that arise following the loss of a spiritual mentor. | Act 20:28-32

b. Follow their faithful example to share in their reward. | 2 Tim 3:10-4:8

c. Teach spiritual self-sufficiency over spiritual dependency. | 2 Pet 1:3-15

We often find ourselves reflecting on what those we’ve lost would have wanted for us. We might think, “Oh, they would have loved this,” or “They would have wanted that.” While such sentiments are nice, if we could hear their voices from the other side of eternity, I believe their deepest desire would echo the profound wisdom of Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: “Let us hear the end of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” From David, we saw how easily one can stray when a strong spiritual influence is removed. Those who have gone before us wouldn’t want us to falter in our faith or lose our way. So, let’s honor the memory by living a life that truly matters for eternity until we join them in God’s everlasting presence.