January 30, 2025
Dear Radiant,
Sometimes I am afraid to pray.
There’s real vulnerability in making requests of God.
First, when I ask God for help or to do something, it is an acknowledgment that I am unable to do this thing (whatever it is) on my own.
I like to think of myself as self-sufficient, capable, strong. Prayer means that I am dependent and weak.
Secondly, when I make requests of God, I open myself up to possible disappointment with God. That is, God’s response may be a no or a not yet. Because of the deeper questions about God’s goodness and responsiveness this might raise, I may not dare even open this can of worms through a vulnerable request.
So prayer has the potential of exposing my pride and my fear.
But while I may fear asking, Jesus’ teaching to his disciples about prayer dares to make the ask prayer’s center point.
He says (in John 14:14), “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
He tells his disciples to be like a persistent, pestering widow demanding justice from a judge.
While I do not have the time or space (or ability?) in this post to unfold the mystery of answered and unanswered prayer, it is clear that if I am to be a praying man, I must dare to ask.
Chiefly, the reason is this: we are to ask Him because He asks us to.
He longs for a relationship, and this is impossible without asking. Asking replaces our pride with humility before God and challenges our fears with trust.
So this Sunday, with our personal pain and the world’s pain in plain view, we will examine the disciple’s lifestyle of asking—making requests of God.
And “rivers of living water will flow from within you.”
See you this Sunday at 10 AM.
RADIANT EVENTS CALENDAR
Ongoing: Home Church!
2/1 – Radiant Youth Night – 5:47PM
2/4 – Women’s Gathering 6-7AM at ELC
2/8 – Super Second Sunday – Food and Football after service.
2/12 – Financial Peace University Course begins
2/19 – Hope After Divorce Bible Study for women begins
2/28 – Sergio and Samantha baby shower 2-4PM at ELC
IF YOU MISSED LAST SUNDAY: MEMBERSHIP CLASS INFO
It was great being together to talk about membership. Here are some resources on membership on our linktree — take a look including the membership application. Additionally, we’ve posted the slides from last week too.
SUPER SECOND SUNDAY FEB. 8– FOOD AND FOOTBALL
CHRISTIAN STATEMENT ON REFUGEES
Friends, these continue to be difficult times for many in our local community and nation, particular for immigrants and refugees. Often it is difficult to know how exactly we are to respond or engage in love in a meaningful way because of the speed of the news cycle and the fraught nature of the political discourse. But this is biblical bedrock for us: we believe that all people are made in God’s image and deserve to be treated justly, humanely, and with dignity.
As a church, we have partnered extensively with World Relief and their work with refugees locally. I deeply value their biblical posture in this current climate and their thoughtful political advocacy. I was drawn to sign this statement of support towards refugees and encourage those interested to read this statement, reflect, respond, and pray as God leads you.
HOME CHURCH RESTART 
Our Home Churches are kicking back up this up. If you are interested in joining a Home Church feel free to reach out to one of the leads listed above.
RADCOV KIDS SCHEDULE
There are some opportunities to serve in children’s ministry in 2026. Please contact Crystal Nicholson if God is leading you to explore serving in this area: (408) 802-7061
RADIANT YOUTH
COMMUNITY NOTES:
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY IS COMING TO RADIANT….
Financial Peace University is a nine-week class that’s helped nearly 10 million people learn step by step how to pay off debt, invest wisely for their future, give with outrageous generosity. This nine week course will begin on Thursday, Feb. 12th and meet from 6:30-8:30pm at ELC. Sign up here. Questions? Contact Rob Shank (209) 610-5459.
HOPE AFTER DIVORCE BIBLE STUDY FOR WOMEN
Begins February 19th ends April 2nd. If you have been through a divorce, are going through divorce, or are simply wondering how God views divorce you are welcome to join this group. We will be using Kay Arthur’s Bible Study guide: “Finding Hope After Divorce.” This group is for women only and will go for seven weeks. If interested or have questions contact Kristy Asire, [email protected], (209)261-4229. Dinner will be provided!
SAMANTHA AND SERGIO BABY SHOWER
This is co-ed on February 28th @ ELC 2-4PM
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
PRAYER
Join us for preservice every Sunday at 9am at MJC near the children’s ministry rooms.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
