You will go out in joy...

 Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision for the mission of Greenhouse Christian Co-School. During the month of June, we invite you to pray through a section of Isaiah 55 with us.

Let us prayerfully reflect on these encouraging lines as Greenhouse Builders, asking God for safety, growth, joy, fruit, and hope as we head into summer.  We have divided this passage into two parts. The first part invites you to pray for the Greenhouse community that God may accomplish His purposes through His word in our lives.  The second part is a blessing to pray over our community for these summer months ahead.  As you pray these prayers throughout the month, we encourage you to take a few minutes to read, ponder, and pray all of Isaiah 55. 

Isaiah 55: 10-12

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands.”

To bring Good News...

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision for the mission of Greenhouse Christian Co-School. This month we invite you to pray through Luke 4:14-22 with us. Bear in mind that this passage relates the start of Jesus’ public ministry.

As you read and pray, ask God for His heart, vision, and compassion for those who are suffering in our world even as we experience the life, hope, and light of spring. We have highlighted some of the passage in bold and italics.

When you pray the bolded declarations of Jesus in the passage, we invite you to pray for the vision and mission of the Greenhouse. Pray particularly for the students completing 8th or 12th grade; and pray over the 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 20-22. Consider identifying with the self-declared mission of Jesus by personally espousing the “me” in these statements as you pray.

When you pray through the italicized declarations, we invite you to intercede for the Greenhouse community. Speak these words of truth over our students, teachers, administrators, staff, board, families, parents, alumni, and community, asking the Lord to empower us to act on these admonitions now and in the years to come. Using a Greenhouse directory, you might want to insert various individual names for each day of the month.

This invitation to re-frame these verses is intended to help us take ownership of our individual and collective calling as followers, co-laborers and imitators of Christ (1 Cor 3:9, Eph 5:1-2).

Luke 4:14-22

“And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.

[The Spirit of the Lord is upon ________________, Because He anointed ________________ to preach the gospel to the poor.]

He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

[He has sent ________________ to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”]

And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips…”

For He rescued us...

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision for the mission of Greenhouse Christian Co-School. We invite you to pray through Colossians 1:9-20 during the month of April.

Reflecting on these beautiful lines as Greenhouse Builders, ask God for His spiritual wisdom and understanding as we celebrate Easter and experience the unveiling of spring.  As you pray through these two paragraphs, you are invited to think of the first paragraph as a prayer for the Greenhouse community, particularly the students this spring. We have highlighted a few words and phrases for deeper contemplation. How often do we pray for these sorts of things?

 “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

Now as you pray through the second paragraph, you are invited to reflect on how the truth in these verses make the first paragraph possible. This was true not only when Paul originally penned them, but also and while we are reading them two millennia later. Bless the Lord!

 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”

 As Greenhouse Builders, may we learn to pray for what truly matters in the Lord.

You are the light of the world.

Thank you, Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision for the mission of Greenhouse. This month, we invite you to pray through Matthew 5:1-15. 

Prayerfully reflecting on these potent lines as Greenhouse Builders, let’s ask God for His help, His heart, and His vision as spring approaches. Lord, what does it means to be salt and light in our world today? How would you have me build into Your Kingdom and into the Greenhouse community as salt and light? Ask Jesus to help you faithfully embody the beautiful attitudes of His Kingdom. Consider what ways can you let your light shine and what good works you can do this month – particularly as a Greenhouse Builder – that will give “glory to our Father in Heaven.” 

Matthew 5:1-15

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then 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 righteousness' sake, 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. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."  

The passage has been subtly separated into seven sections to help you focus on one each day of the week throughout the month, if you would like to do so. May the Spirit of God enrich your prayers.

Let us keep in step with the Spirit

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision for the mission of Greenhouse Christian Co-School. During this second month of 2022 we invite you to pray through Galatians 5:22-26.

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.”

Invite God’s help and guidance in asking how you can build into His Kingdom and into the Greenhouse community during this winter season. As you listen for His voice, reflect on John 15:8 “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”  Ask the Holy Spirit to help produce fruit that brings glory to the Father. Which part of the fruit of the Spirit comes to mind as you pray?  In what ways do you believe the Spirit leading you to bear fruit for God’s glory?

What does it mean to “keep in Step with the Spirit” as a Greenhouse Builder?  Throughout February, ask God to help you walk in step with His Spirit. How can you lovingly invite others to walk in step with the Spirit alongside you this month? What might that look like?

As you ponder how to “not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other,” consider specifically what we can do instead. (1 Corinthians 13 has some great suggestions!) As we collectively keep in step with the Spirit of God, Greenhouse will indeed become a community marked by integrity, humility and love.

The Lord our God is the one and only Lord!

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion, and provision on behalf of our mission. As we start the new year, we invite you to pray through Mark 12:28-31 with us.

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ (Deut. 6:4-5) The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Lev. 19:18) No other commandment is greater than these.”

Praying these verses, seek God’s help and guidance. As you listen and reflect, ask how you can build into His Kingdom and into the Greenhouse community in 2022.

May we fully trust this timeless truth: “The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.” Ask God to help you make this statement the foundation of your year.  Pray that the Greenhouse would continue to do the same. (Consider reading 1 Peter 3:8-22. Contemplate verse 15 especially.)

May we love the Lord with whole heart, soul, mind. and strength. Ask yourself what love for God looks like.  Then ask Him what that love looks like. Reflect on the four aspects of you mentioned in the verse; and ask God to help to you love Him with your whole being.  (Consider reading and reflecting on John 15.)

May we receive the love of God for us. Using Scripture and your own testimony, list the ways that God has conveyed and displayed His great love for you. Let those truths saturate your being. (Consider pondering on Zephaniah 3:17.)

May we love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and as God loves them. As a Greenhouse Builder, who can you love and honor today in the Greenhouse community? Remember “they will know we are Christ followers by our love!”  (Consider reading and meditating on Romans 12.)

Magnify the Lord!

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your prayer, promotion and provision for the mission of Greenhouse Christian Co-School. This month we invite you to pray through Luke 1:46-50.

 As you pray, consider Mary, who at the time was presumably the age of some of our Greenhouse students. Consider what she teaches us about how to respond to the unexpected coming of Christ. What did it mean to be a follower of God at this point of the Incarnation? How do we react when God breaks into our lives in surprising ways?

 Let’s pray each couple of lines as Greenhouse Builders, praising God for what He is doing with the children at Greenhouse. How is it that we are blessed through carrying on the legacy of the humble “yes” of Mary?  We can praise God for the privilege of being a small humble part of building a co-school that honors the name and mission of Jesus.  As you listen and reflect, ask God how you can continue to build into His Kingdom and into the Greenhouse community as Christmas approaches. Consider what your “Yes” might be this season.

 Luke 1:46-50

And Mary said,

 “My soul magnifies the Lord, (How can your soul magnify the Lord?)

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

(Pause and reflect in silence…)

 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

(What does it mean to be a “lowly servant”)

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

(Pause and reflect in silence….)

 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, (for us, for Greenhouse)

and holy is his name.

(Pause and reflect in silence….)

 His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

(Ponder the generations of children that will be influenced by Greenhouse, as you pause, reflect and praise the Lord.)

Building Love

Thank you, Greenhouse Builders, for your support, prayer, and advocacy for the Kingdom mission of Greenhouse. This month we invite you to pray through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

As you prayerfully contemplate this remarkable portrait of charity, may God’s love transform you, flavor your conversations, and foster Kingdom fellowship in your home.  Consider how you can live out Christ’s new command to love others (John 13:34-35) in the Greenhouse community and events. Why is growing in love important for a learning environment, but particularly at home and at Greenhouse? What does such love look like in a homeschool setting and at Greenhouse? How can I show specific features of love during the Thanksgiving celebration in which I will participate?   

We invite you to pray through each aspect of biblical love during the month of November. Welcome the comfort, conviction, and encouragement of the Holy Spirit.  Ask Him to empower you to love as God loves. The following exercise may prove fruitful as you pray.

Using the words from the passage, begin with questions and end with declarations.  When you ask these questions, listen for the Lord’s answers; beware of the accuser’s voice, and past shame. Then move to declaration. You can declare what is true even if you do not feel it, don't see evidence of it, or struggle to believe it as true. By declaring it as true, you partner with the truth of God’s Word and what God says about Himself: He is love.  You also partner with the truth about who you are in Christ as a new creation and who you are becoming in Christ as you journey with Him from "glory to glory" (2 Cor. 5:17 & 3:18).

ASK: Holy Spirit…

Am I patient? Am I kind? Am I not envious? Am I not boastful? Am I not proud? Do I honor others; am I not rude? Am I not self-seeking? Am I not easily angered? Do I keep no record of wrongs; am I forgiving? Do I not delight in evil? Do I rejoice in the truth? Am I protecting? Am I trusting? Am I hopeful? Am I persevering?

DECLARE: I believe that…

God is patient. God is kind. God is not envious. God is not boastful. God is not proud. God does not dis-honor others; God is not rude. God is not self-seeking. God is not easily angered. God keeps no record of wrongs; God is forgiving. God does not delight in evil. God rejoices in the truth. God protects. God is trustworthy. God is my hope. God perseveres.

ALSO DECLARE: In the power of Christ, and through His Spirit…

I am patient. I am kind. I am not envious. I am not boastful. I am not proud. I honor others; I am not rude. I am not self-seeking. I am not easily angered. I keep no record of wrongs; I am forgiving. I do not delight in evil. I rejoice in the truth. I am protecting. I am trusting. I am hopeful. I am persevering. 

May it be so, dear Lord!

Glory to God

Since last spring we have invited Greenhouse Builders to pray aspects of the Lord’s Prayer over the Greenhouse community. Now we come to the final exclamation…

FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN!

Where do we see God’s kingdom reflected in the Greenhouse community and beyond? Where do I need to joyfully submit and entrust myself to His kingship?

Do I celebrate the power of God to accomplish His purposes…in my life, in Greenhouse, and in the world at-large?

How can I give God ALL of the glory today in the Greenhouse community for what he has done, is doing, and will do? 

We thank you Father for being the True Builder of the Greenhouse!

Thwarting our Enemy

As we continue to pray through facets of the Lord’s Prayer as a community, we rejoice that the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. And so we pray…

DELIVER US FROM EVIL

The enemy comes to “steal, kill, and destroy” from the Greenhouse community. But Jesus comes to give the Greenhouse “life and life abundantly.” How can I, through the power of Jesus Christ, not partner with the enemy’s plans to steal from or bring destruction into the Greenhouse community? How can I partner with Jesus to nurture abundant life within the Greenhouse family and legacy? How might Jesus Christ empower me to compassionately and with wisdom break off any influence of the enemy’s schemes and lies in the Greenhouse community?  Father, thank you for delivering the Greenhouse community from evil.

The Way of Escape

Living out the Lord’s Prayer together in community reminds us of our own frailty. We are all prone to temptation; and so we pray…

BRING US THROUGH TEMPTATION

In Jesus, victory is available to each of us. He has given us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).  Do I exhibit behaviors and entertain thoughts which do not honor God, others or myself?  Through the power of Christ, I can say “no” to these behaviors and thoughts today and tomorrow and every day.  Lord, help me trust you to provide victory in my trials today. How can I build the Greenhouse community by testifying to His faithfulness to me?  How can I encourage someone else in doing the same today?  Father, thank you for your faithfulness to me and our Greenhouse community, moderating the severity, nature, and timing of every trial so that we can bear it and providing a way of escape that will allow us to declare your victory. (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The Path Forward

As we continue to live the Lord’s Prayer together, the next phrase becomes all the more powerful in a year marked by cultural fragmentation. 

FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND HELP US TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US

Have I received forgiveness? From others in my life? From God Himself?  As I contemplate that, are there those from whom I am withholding forgiveness? Has unforgiveness built a barrier between me and a brother or sister particularly at Greenhouse? 

Father, please help me to take all the steps I need to build the Greenhouse family through forgiveness.  Father, thank you for Your forgiveness made possible through Christ and lavished on me and the whole Greenhouse family.  By your grace, may we offer each other the same forgiveness.

The Source of All We Need

As we journey together through the Lord’s Prayer, Christ next points us to God as the source of all we need each day.

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

I have been blessed, and we have been blessed as a community. The Father has provided richly for the Greenhouse family and will continue to do so.  As our heavenly Father, he has blessed us so that we can bless others. How might I be a builder through blessing the Greenhouse community today? For what do I need to trust God today? What does Jesus want me to share today? Who needs spiritual bread?  Who needs emotional bread?  Who needs physical bread?  Who needs relational bread?  Father, may I have eyes to see Your provisions and a heart to receive and share them with thankfulness.  Together, may we be a generous and grateful family.

Building in God's Kingdom!

This month let’s continue patterning our prayers after the Lord’s prayer. As you pray, and take action in response, you will help build Greenhouse within God’s Kingdom. 

THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9) How is the kingdom of God reflected at Greenhouse? What is in heaven that I can invite, build, or declare at Greenhouse?  How can I foster the Kingdom vision and worldview that Jesus has for this community?  What does it look like, sound like, feel like when Greenhouse manifests God’s realm?  What has God revealed of His will for His children at Greenhouse?  Father, may Your will be done at the Greenhouse as it is in heaven.

We invite you on a journey in prayer

Dear Greenhouse Builder, we invite you to join us on a journey through prayer over the next several months. The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer map that Jesus gave to His original disciples in building the Kingdom with Him.  It is one of the first tools He provided.  As Greenhouse Builders, who intentionally say “yes” to co-laboring in His Kingdom, we can use the same tool here and now.  Perhaps we could refer to it as The Kingdom Builders’ Prayer.

In each email we will invite you to approach this familiar prayer phrase-by-phrase with fresh eyes and a renewed heart. As you pray and act upon these prayers, you will help build Greenhouse within God’s Kingdom.

OUR FATHER, WHO IS IN HEAVEN, HOLY IS YOUR NAME

As you pray, honor God as holy; there is none who compares with Him. His ways are infinitely higher than our own. Spend time adoring Him in His holiness. Let Him increase, as you decrease.

As you call God your Father, recognize that you are a member of a family.  Pray over the family of Greenhouse, as well as the families of Greenhouse. Prayerfully ask: “How can I help build the family of Greenhouse, cultivating stronger connections and abiding in the Greenhouse community?  How can I nurture love and honor for all of our family members?” 

 Pray this over the Greenhouse community: “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, ‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!’” Revelation 7:9-10