DOUBTS? I'VE HAD A FEW!

 

November 15, 2024

Mark 9:23-24

“Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Growing up I believed, what many people believe, that doubt is something that harms one’s faith in God. I thought of doubt as something that should be avoided, faith and doubt just did not go together. The messaging I often heard was that if a follower of Jesus were to find themself doubting God the solution was to simply replace the doubt with faith. So Doubt, in my experience was brushed off with short answers that misunderstood what was really going on. "You shouldn’t doubt." "You can’t question that.” "You know what the Bible says is true."

But it’s not that simple. If you have ever experienced doubt in your faith walk, you know that. What I didn’t realize when I was younger is that almost every believer experiences some kind of doubt at some point in their faith journey. Despite the commonness of doubt in our spiritual walks, we rarely talk about or acknowledge its role in faith development.

Well you can imagine my delight when I discovered that the Bible views doubt in the opposite way from what I had learned growing up. The Bible highlights the doubters. “It seems God has more of a tolerance for doubt than most churches do.” (Jeff Poor) We should not deny or fear our doubt but express it. One definition of theology, which means “words about God,” is that it is “Faith Seeking Understanding.”

Theologian Paul Tillich put it this way, Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light breaks through. In other words, doubt is not the enemy and not something that needs to be fought. It needs to be understood, expressed, and used.

Let’s look at how the Bible highlights the doubters.

• Abraham and Sarah doubted God’s promise of a child; actually they laughed at it. (Genesis 16-18)
• Asaph doubted because the wicked prospered and he doubted the value of serving God. (1 Chronicles 16:4-7, Psalm 73)
• Job doubted God’s goodness. (Job)
• Moses doubted God could use him to lead Israel out of Egypt. (Numbers 11:21-22)
• Gideon doubted God could use him to turn the tide against Israel’s oppressors. (Judges 6-8)
• The Nation of Israel seemed to be in a constant state of doubt.
• Thomas, Jesus’ disciple, doubted Jesus rose from the dead. (John 20:24-29)

I could go on, but the point is the Bible is full of people that doubted. And not just people, but some of the main characters.

Doubt and disbelief are two separate issues. God doesn’t condemn us for asking questions. Jesus didn’t condemn Thomas for wanting to see the holes in his hands. Moses wasn’t reprimanded asking why him. And Abraham and Sarah still received God’s promise despite laughing in doubt.

Let's always remember hat God is interested in our hearts, not some artificial relationship. Sometimes what’s going on inside of us is doubt!! We cannot hide it from God, and that’s not what God wants. We shouldn’t be afraid to bring our doubts to God. God is not wanting to condemn us for our lack of faith. Rather, God wants to restore and strengthen us. I believe that can only happen when we honestly open our hearts to him. Jesus said in our verse, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” I take that to mean that God can use our doubts to produce in us a richer faith.

In Mark, chapter 9, a father approaches Jesus with the desire to see his son healed of an impure spirit. The man says to Jesus, “if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us”. Jesus replies, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes”. Jesus can see that the man doubts Jesus’ ability to heal his son. The man then recognizes his doubt and immediately says, “I do believe; help me with my unbelief”.

This man is clearly wrestling with doubts. He has trouble believing that Jesus is really powerful enough to heal his son, but instead of giving up, he asks Jesus for help with his disbelief. Looking at this story, we can take note of how the man handles and confronts his doubt. Just as Tim Keller wrote, “we ought to acknowledge the areas of our faith that are confusing or hard to trust to begin to make our relationship with Jesus our very own.” Notice, the man in Mark 9 didn’t just believe in Jesus because of the faith of those around him, rather, He asked Jesus himself to help with his confusion.

I’ve learned to embrace the doubt in my faith. It makes it richer in a way. My doubts have actually pushed me closer to God. If you are facing doubt in your faith I would encourage you to do the same. Don’t push your doubt aside. Embrace it. Sit with it.

 Turn to God and ask Him to help build your faith and give you a stronger foundation. Let your doubt lead you closer to Jesus.
Amen.

 

 

LATER YOU WILL UNDERSTAND

 

November 14, 2024

John 13:7

“Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

 

In our devotion yesterday, we said that remembering that we are praying to a living and active God, fills us with great trust and confidence. The living God that we worship is the God, we said, who created us (Genesis 1:27), who forgives us (Ephesians 4:32), who saved us (Ephesians 2:8), who promises to protect us (Isaiah 41:10), who has a purposeful plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and whose words and action demonstrate he loves us intensely (1 John 4:9-10). When we think about who God is and what God has done, we are overwhelmed by his love and grace.

We know these truths, we know the Bible teaches us these truths, right? However, there are times when we forget His truth and disregard God’s ways. I have not known anyone who in their walk with God has not at some point lost focus and forgotten God’s truth and promises.

At times along the way, we get too caught up in our lives and focus on ourselves, and when this occurs, we forget that God already has things taken care of. This sets the stage for worry. If you have had this experience, you know that when we are in the space of worry, we worry about every little thing in our life, whether it is what we are going to eat for supper, what other people think of us, or some other dread we have. Isn’t it true that we can spend so much time and energy worrying over things that we begin to catastrophize or overemphasize a situation, until we feel out of control.

In those moments, we need to take to heart the words of the bible, “say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, He will come to save you.” (Isaiah 35:4)

When we feel life is out of control, we take matters into out hands, trying to get our lives “back on track”. We all have a vision for our lives to turn out a certain way. We all have our own plans, and we try to control situations to make our wants and plans a reality. Yet, we “know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) There are times when our plans may not line up with what God has planned. God may want something different for our life and His plan, at least this is what I have found, is always so much better than we could ever imagine for ourselves.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Ultimately, God has a vision and plan for his people “to give us a future and a hope” (Jer 29:11) God brings the right people into our lives at the exact moment that we need them, he brings us opportunities when we are in need of them at the right time. Everything happens in his timing. This is in part, I believe, what Jesus was saying in our verse, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” In His Time, In His Time!

Can you trust God in that promise?

The only thing that we can control in our lives is our faith and our trust in God. If we trust Him and His purpose for our lives, we will see that God is able to deliver on his promises, going “exceedingly abundantly beyond anything we can ever think or imagine.” Yes, it takes patience, trust, and faith, ah, but the payoff is “abundant life.”

“Delight yourself 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 bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” (Psalm 37:4-6) 

Amen.

 

BEING INTENTIONAL

 

November 13, 2024

Matthew 21:22

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”



Do you ever find that prayer can become a duty, a requirement for each of us that call ourselves Christians? Have you experienced that prayer can become a routine task, leading to rather meaningless prayers? This can happen can't it.

If prayer as we often say is an important way to mantain a connection with God. That prayer is a relationship practice between God and ourselves, where we both speak and listen. Then perhaps we need to think about how to pray with intention. By praying with intention, we can transform our spiritual practice and witness positive changes in our lives. 

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” Matthew 21:22 teaches us. In other words it is saying believe in what you pray for. When we ask God for help or for him to bring things into our life, or the life of others, trust wholeheartedly that God will take care of things. 1 Peter 5:7 invites us to "cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” We know that our God has our best interest at heart, so in prayer we express our confidence and trust that he knows what is best for our life.

Our knowledge of God helps us. When we remember that we are praying to a living and active God, the creator of all things, who the Bible tells us is the God

 

who created us (Genesis 1:27), 

who forgives us (Ephesians 4:32), 

who saved us (Ephesians 2:8), 

who promises to protect us (Isaiah 41:10), 

who has a puposeful plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11), 

and whose words and action demonstrate the he loves us so intensely (1 John 4:9-10). 

When we consider these great truths, it does fill us with a level of trust and confidence as we pray. 

Placing our trust in God always. Offering our prayers sincerely, not on some sort of "autopilot" mode, but with intention because of who God is. Handing over to our loving creator, our concerns and our uncertainties, with the awareness of his promise to assist us and look after us, to be "for us not against us," then we will know in experience what the Psalmist declared "those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.”  Psalm 9:10

That is GOOD NEWS!!

THE MAKING OF A JOYFUL PERSON

 

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Isaiah 55:12

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”


Do you every have a song just pop into your mind, and it is on repeat for the rest of your day? 

I remember driving my children to school and singing parts of songs, like “when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, It’s Amore,” or an old Carpenter’s song “why do birds suddenly appear everytime you are near? Just like me they want to be close to you.” When I would pick them up at the end of their school day they would still be singing the song. Well I had that yesterday, a song we often close our worship services with based on our Bible Reading today.

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace,
And the mountains and the hills will break forth before you.
There'll be shouts of joy and the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands.

 At this point in the book of Isaiah, Chapter 55, God’s people have been completely disobedient, but God the Father is a God of grace and compassion, so he invites them into his lovingkindness. He is restoring them so they may glorify him once again and he is blessing his people. That is why Isaiah 55 is often given the title "the Compassion of God."

Verse 12 specifically commands the people to go out in joy and be led forth in peace. Why does God ask this? How do we, do this?

As God's people, we are called to be joyful, “Rejoice always” says 1 Thessalonians 5:16a. Which is not a natural thing for us to do as humans. However, joy becomes easier, when we begin to understand and experience God’s love and his constant amazing generous grace.

There are two reasons we are called to go out in joy in our verse today: For our own sake and for the sake of the world.

Perhaps you have found that when you choose to rejoice in your circumstances, your circumstances do not seem to loom as large, they seem to change. Have you found that life is a bit easier to tackle when we choose a positive and joyous perspective rooted in a trust for God and his promises? May the “God of hope fill you all with joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” says Romans 15:13. Many times I have found, I suspect you have experienced this too, that these words have been fulfilled in you. Abounding in hope is a great place to be.

Going out in joy benefits others. The people around us should be able to recognize our Christian experience by how we love and by the joy we have. Please do not misunderstand, this verse or teaching. It is not saying that Jesus followers always act happy and act like everything is okay – being joyful is different than being happy. Joy is trusting in what God is doing and recognizing that he has a plan. Being joyful means not letting your circumstances crush you. To choose joy is to choose hope.

The idea is that the world sees that our circumstances aren’t crushing us and asks us why. Then we can answer with the glorious news of how good our God is and the hope that we have. When we go out in joy, we allow our own spirits to grow and shine the light of Christ at the same time.

When we allow Christ to lead us and guide our steps and our hearts, we find peace. There is peace in our relationship with God. This does not mean that anxiety or fear ceases to exist though. The world is still corrupt, and still seeks to squeeze us into it’s mold. Yet, when we cling to God, trust him follow his plan in obedience, we will find his peace (Isaiah 32:17).

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

Those who truly have the peace of God, will stop needing answers for everything, will stop worrying about everything going on in the world and will simply trust in God and what is to come with hope. When we seek God’s heart, we find peace, an incomprehensible peace that will guide us through this messy life and all the hard places we will face.

Thanks be to God!!

So, lets

"go out with joy and be led forth with peace."

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

 November 11, 2024

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them.

When you go home, tell them of us, and say For your tomorrow we gave our today.

 (Words taken from the Kohima Epitaph)

Micah 4:1-5

In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 

Today we honor the memory of countless individuals, children of God , cherished by their families, whose lives were tragically ended by the conflicts of war. They were often thought of as the best of their generation, answering their country's call with courage and dedication.

On Remembrance Day each year, we honour them and are determined that they will not be forgotten. We commit to honoring the profound debt we owe them. As we recall the sacrifices made, we pursue the liberation that arises from a Peace dedicated to the welfare of everyone.

Daniel Graves in an article from November 2012 wrote, "a dear friend gave me a button. The words on the button are: “to remember is to work for peace.” I choose to wear that button alongside my poppy to help me understand and interpret what it is that we are called to remember each year, and what it is we are called to do as the result of that remembrance."

I believe that the remembrance of sacrifice should guide our daily lives, be the foundation(s) of our communities, and indeed, influence the story that is being written by our lives we lead.

On Remembrance Day, as a Christian, we reflect not only on the brave sacrifices made by men and women throughout history in the service of their nation but also on God's ultimate sacrifice. Isn't it true that for us, the story of the crucified God is the defining narrative of our lives as Jesus followers. More than anything, it is the story that forms the foundation of the Christian community, and it is this narrative that we are all a part of.

In Christ Jesus, God made the ultimate sacrifice: of giving up his divine power, walking in our midst, as a human being, feeling the pain and the suffering of our condition, and finally offering himself on the cross that we might live. There is more!

In Jesus defeat of death, we come to realize that are no longer enslaved to the devastating power of death. In his sacrifice on the cross and his victory over the grave, the proclamation “death no more has dominion over him,” means that death no more has dominion over us!! Ah, the now and the not yet of the gospel. We hold onto the hope that the ultimate vanquishing of the destructive forces aiming to ruin and corrupt God's children is yet to come.
Sometimes I wonder if this is why we still fight wars. We have tasted the goodness of God, but as human beings, we still hesitate to embrace the full extent of His goodness.

What was God's sacrifice all about? It was about reconciliation; reconciliation between human beings. It was about restoration; the restoration of humanity to God. It was about healing; healing as individuals, and healing as nations. It was about healing our bodies and healing our souls. The underlying theme connecting reconciliation, restoration, and healing is peace. Jesus's mission was to bring peace.

God is on the side of peace. The message of peace is clear in our reading from Micah. Even in the dark times when Israel faced the onslaught of Assyria's armies, Micah boldly proclaimed that this darkness would not last forever. He presented a vision where, led by God, people would choose the path of peace.

“They will beat their swords into ploughshares
And their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
Nor will they train for war any more.”

So Today we will take a time to reflect and remember people who sacrificed their youth, their love, their efforts, gave themselves up for our country, a broken country, but their sacrifice represents hope, and trusting in God. The gospel's call of giving of our whole lives to God means that the systems that are broken have a chance to be repaired.

Perhaps today we are forced to respond to questions like, 

where do we put our energy?

our finances?

our time?

our sacrifice?

our patience? 

Who do we honour?  

How do we give of ourselves so that the kingdom of God, the realm of peace, and hope, and love, has a chance? 

When we remember, it is also an opportunity to reflect on how we can do our part to make it better.

To remember is to work for peace.

F.B. MacNutt in his book A War Primer: an Anthology of War Prayers, Intercessions, and Prayers of Devotion wrote:

We arise today with the power of God to guide us,
the might of God to uphold us,
the wisdom of God to teach us,
the eye of God to watch over us,
the ear of God to hear us,
the word of God to give us speech,
the hand of God to protect us,
the way of God to direct us, and
the shield of God to shelter us. Amen

WAITING with CONFIDENCE

 

November 8, 2024

Psalm 37:13-14

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Throughout the Bible, there's a recurring theme of waiting, waiting for God's promises to unfold. The Old Testament people of God suffered through a lengthy slavery in Egypt before they esperienced freedom. Their journey continued as they roamed the desert for over four decades before reaching the Promised Land. They anticipated the Messiah's arrival for four hundred years. And after Jesus' ascension, he left them with the promise of his return, a promise that remains unfulfilled.

Many of us, after a long wait, start to question whether the promises made by God will ever become reality. It's natural to wonder if perhaps they've been forgotten, or deliberately left unfulfilled. Doubting God's role as the "Promise Keeper" is a rather normal, human reaction to uncertainty and delay.

When we look at the waiting periods in the Bible closely, we will see a different story. What we witness is God asking his people to wait, but he didn’t forget about them or revoke his promises at all. Waiting was and is an invitation to trust in God’s Faithfulness in our waiting.

In Exodus 13:21-22 we read “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

During this time, God's people had just left Egypt, experiencing the Exodus, and now have begun their wandering through the wilderness. In their waiting we read that God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so they always knew where to go and when.

This is a useful picture for our waiting process, I believe. Think about waiting times in this way: God may lead us away from a place He doesn't want us to stay, guiding us through the wilderness instead. In these moments, doubt may creep in about hearing God's voice or His plans for leading us to a better place. Yet, if we gaze intently at the sky, during the 'daytime' when the path is clear, or the 'nighttime' when the path is obscured, we can discern the truth: even amidst life's confusion and chaos, the Lord is continuously guiding us.

This is where walking by faith comes in. We won’t always see the road ahead. Sometimes, our lives are just too dark and uncertain to see the plan God is unfolding for us. However, even when we can’t see it, God is faithful, and he is guiding us and slowly walking us toward the abundant life he has planned for us.

Wandering is never a simple path. When we are called to journey the uncertainties of the wilderness, questions arise. How long shall we roam? To what destination are we bound? And how shall we discern the moment thar we arrive at our destination?

Unless the Old Testament people were alot different than most of us, they probably asked these questions, too. One of the things we see in their story is that this experience didn’t last forever. God was faithful, and God still was their guide. When their wandering concluded God still led them to the Promised Land, despite the offenses along the way, and all the questions and doubts they had. God was a promise keeper!

Think abourt some of the decisions the people made in the wilderness. First, they worshipped a golden calf when God was right up the mountain near them, talking to their leader, Moses. Then, they complained about the food God prepared for them. Then, they directly disobeyed the God’s plans for them, and the consequences of this was that they would wander for a much longer as a result. Even after all of this, God still did not remove their Covental blessings from them, nor the future he prepared for them of a land of promise. Instead, he rebuked and corrected them. Like a loving father, he showed them the correct path so they could “grow up” to be the people he wanted them to be.

What this story tells us, I believe is that we don’t need to worry or fret. Just as the God was faithful to in the wilderness long ago, he will be faithful to us as well. Understand this that God will not, no never, forsake us or strip his promises from us. What God will do is strengthen us, and even straighten our path so we can come out of our waiting period as a stronger, and more godly person. During this time, he’ll guide you with your own pillar of cloud or fire. Our wilderness response is trust in the Lord and look to him for guidance, and be faithful and we will never lose our way as we wait on the promises that God has given us..

Here is a song that I have found especially helpful in my wilderness journey, when the doubts set in. May it speak to you as well.

 

HEARING THE GENTLE WHISPER

 

November 7, 2024

1 Kings 19:11-13

“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” 

With all the voices shouting at us, social media, television, friends, family or even the messages we hear in church, how can we be sure that we are hearing God’s voice rather than our own thoughts or the trends of our culture?

At times, discerning God's voice can be challenging. We often have preconceived notions of how we expect Him to speak, and when God does not speak in this way, when our expectations are not met, it can lead us to doubt whether we have heard His voice.

Understanding God's voice may seem challenging, but through the stories of Elijah and other biblical characters, we can gain insights into recognizing His voice, learning to listen for it, and discerning when it is truly His message that we are receiving.

For some, it is a common belief that God's speaks as a loud shout, and this idea does have support throughout the Bible. God's voice is characterized as "thundering" (Job 37:5; 40:9; Rev. 4). God does speak like this at times, yet, the Bible indicates in other places that this is not the only way God communicates. Many times, his voice is a whisper into our mind or heart, where we can only hear the Creator's voice if we listen closely enough. 

In our reading today, Elijah illustrates this for us, he stood on a mountain and heard God speak to him. Elijah might have been misled by what many believed to be God's voice, a grand display of divine power, like a natural disaster or a booming voice from the sky. Yet, notice this, Elijah kept his ears open, and in the end, it was a gentle whisper that carried God's message. Had Elijah not been attentive, he could have missed it.

If God’s voice is easy to miss, how can we make sure that we can hear it? The Bible gives us some ways to hear God’s message and ensure that we are, indeed, hearing his words.

So if God speaks to us through a gentle whisper, what does this sound like? Elijah, only heard the God’s whisper by listening closely.

When we pray, let us try to listen to the Lord. Prayer is a conversation with God, so we do not do all the talking, we do some listening too. Now we may not have a mountain to stand on, like Elijah but we do have places we can go, and things we can do to be away distractions. Then, we quiet our thoughts and listen for a voice or thought that is not yours. You may find it helpful to say, “God, I’m here. Whatever you want to say, I’m listening.” Contemplating these words can serve as a sign to your mind that it is time to be receptive to God.

When God speaks, it will line up with the Bible (John 1:1-3), bring peace (Psalm 29:11, Psalm 85:8) and challenge us to grow in your faith (Matthew 6:25-34). So, do not underestimate the power of  God’s whisper, that still small voice. One thing is certain: God communicates in various ways, and His words are always in the best interest of those who follow Him, as stated in Romans 8:28.

Now, with all the voices coming at us everyday, to hear God's voice it will take some discipline to quiet our spirits, and to be still, and listen for that "gentle whisper." It will be worth it, I promise. 

Elijah heard God's gentle voice of promise and released from his fear he followed God's intructions into blessing. 

WHAT SHAPES YOU?

 November 6, 2024

 Proverbs 3:5

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding."

Our lives are shaped by numerous influences. Often without our conscious awareness, we absorb information from our surroundings and the things we observe. Over time, this information can subtly transform our actions, speech, and thought processes.

Now this isn't necessarily negative; in fact, it can be quite beneficial at times. Yet, like so many things in life, it can become hazardous when we allow the wrong influences to shape our lives, or even when we let even the positive influences hold too much sway. As followers of Jesus, the main influence in our hearts and lives is God and His word. As “Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)

We can decide what our who influences our lives. The people we surround ourselves with, the content we consume, the music we listen to, and the places we frequent all have the power to alter our viewpoints and attitudes.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” To be sure, we can try our best to keep influences that we know will distract us from our minds and our hearts. At times it may be difficult or even unavoidable if we are put into situations that we cannot control. There are a few things we can control, so we focus on them.

The Bible's guidance to us is to “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) If we spend time around people who have Godly habits and positive attitudes, we can be pushed by this influence to grow. This is the value of communit, what a gift to have individuals in our lives who by their influence can encourage our growth and development.

Second, what we watch and listen to and read also has power over our lives. In today’s world, we constantly receiving opinions and influencers messages over social media and other forms of entertainment, such as movies and music. This is not necessarily all bad. The point I wish to make is perhaps best summed up by the Apostle Paul in the following:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”  (Philippians 4:8)

The Apostle tells us to think about things that are true and good. These words in Philippians 4:8 call us to analyze the media we are consuming and its influence. Is it true and good?

Our greatest influence should always be God and His word.
Remember Jesus words? “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  (Matthew 6:33)

We honor God by surrounding ourselves with influences that encourage us to draw nearer to Him.

Our Verse today are good words for us to end on.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

6 

Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.

That is great advice and a great promise!

 

THAT SUMS IT UP NICELY

 

November 5, 2024

Matthew 7:12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The golden rule has served as a guiding principle for many of us since childhood. Its simple yet profound lesson on how to treat others remains as relevant today as it was when we were younger.

The term "golden rule" refers to a specific principle found in scripture, delivered by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. This principle is found in the Gospel of Matthew:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12, see also Luke 6:31)

The term golden rule isn't actually used in the Bible, but it's become the common way to refer to the principle of treating others as one would like to be treated. 
The golden rule is a simple yet powerful principle: treat others as you would like to be treated. It's about empathy and respect, considering others' feelings and preferences just as we value our own. This approach can guide us in various life situations, ensuring we offer the kindness and consideration everyone deserves.

The golden rule is more than a simple lesson from Sunday School or Elementary school. It's a significant piece of practical moral and ethical advice for our daily lives.

The Golden Rule expresses the spirit of the moral principles found in the Old Testament's laws, which Jesus alludes to in our verse today from Matthew 7:12. He placed 'love your neighbor as yourself' among the greatest commandments you will remember, second only to loving God with our heart, soul, mind and strength. The Golden Rule calls us in all aspects of life, to love our neighbor and to treat others as you would like to be treated. It even applies to how we should treat our enemies.

So that is the golden rule, now how do we live by it?


Well to answer this question perhaps we need, first of all, to consider the impact others have had on our lives. Think about those times when someone's kindness made a difference, they went out of their way to support you during tough times or showed patience and empathy during a disagreement. Of course thinking about the times when someone's words or deeds caused you hurt or pain can help us in shaping our own behavior towards others.

Secondly, paying closer attention to others not only helps us understand them better as individuals but also establishes greater empathy towards them. Being attentive also opens up opportunities for us to recognize when we can step toward them with acts of kindness.

Thirdly, practicing the golden rule encourages us to be thoughtful towards others, taking into account their viewpoints, emotions, and experiences. We might ask ourselves, "How can we show them compassion in a manner they would value?" or "How can we ensure fair and just treatment of others while also being kind?"


I wonder what would our communities, our country, our world be like if the golden rule were to become the norm. How might this approach to living, impact upon societal ills like food insecurity, homelessness, crime, addictions ....


Let us take the steps we need to take this week to do to others what we would have them do to us. Amen

WAKEN OUR HEARTS

 

November 4, 2024

Psalm 32:5

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. 

 

Romans 3:23-24

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t like confessing our wrongs. It’s not fun and it can be very uncomfortable. Or maybe you just don’t know how to confess your sins. The reality is many of us simply avoid this practice and in doing so we miss out of the growth and joy that God has for us.

Often, the Reformation is perceived nothing more than a period of intense theological debate. While this is true, it was a time of profound theological implications, however, it would be incorrect to say that is all it was about. The Reformation was not just about ideas; it was dedicated to the "Gospel," emphasizing a careful understanding of the gospel for the benefit of individuals and the salvation of souls.

The Reformation was a diverse movement. But at its center was a concern for the well-being of souls. Remember, its leaders were pastors at pains to lead their flock, and others from around the world, to the forgiveness that God offered, and the resulting experience of living hope, the knowledge of God’s care and presence in the real hardships of living and the promise of resurrection.

So, the practice of confession became important during this historical period because it was an important and frequent theme in the Bible. In the Bible, confession is shown in a very positive light. Confessing our sins, our negelect of others, our actions and attitudes, according the Bible's teaching should bring JOY into our life.

Perhaps the example of The Prodigal Son parable illustrates this.

A son boldly asked his father for the inheritance he could expect to receive after his father’s death. It was a deeply offensive and hurtful thing to do, especially since he abandoned the family immediately after receiving it. After wasting everything he was given, his desperate situation reminded him of the benefits of his father’s household. He knew he had relinguished his inheritance and his position as a son, so he made up his mind:

"I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:18-19)

The son’s confession revealed he understood what he had become. He knew the offense to God and the offense to his father. He also knew that he was asking for more than he deserved.

But the father, who had been hoping his son would return, surprised him: “…let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:23-24)

This story serves as a dramatic example of why you can have confidence you’ll “…receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) God’s merciful nature is the subject of this parable, and emphasizes for us the truth that 1 John declares that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8)

Remember, "All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Thanks be to God!

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Here is a Prayer of Confession that is adapted from the prayers of Martin Luther.

Let us Pray

Waken our hearts, O Lord, our God;
make them ever watchful to serve You and Your purposes.

Trouble us with the smallness of our vision and work.
Trouble us with the greatness of Your command to make disciples of all nations.
Trouble us with Your great love for sinners and our own slowness to make You our greatest love.
Trouble us with the brevity of our lives and time, talent, and treasure not invested in eternity.

Comfort us by drawing us to Yourself with the cords of Your
unfailing mercy.
Comfort us, O Lord, with the assurance of our salvation and
unending glory with You when we suffer and are afflicted.

Rekindle in us a renewed desire
for the coming of Your glorious kingdom
when all wrongs will be made right,
when everything that is broken will be made whole,
and when we will trade a cross for a crown.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

A MORNING PRAYER

November 3, 2024

Good Sunday Morning,

In my reading this last couple weeks I came across the prayer below, it was published by Martin Luther. Luther published in his "Little Catechism" an entire section of Morning Prayers for people to use as part of their daily practice. This prayer has been given the title  A Model for the Christian’s Daily Life.

“I thank you, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.”

A SUSTAINING PRESENCE

 November 2, 2024

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing.

Our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side,

the man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he.

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed

his truth to triumph through us.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also.

The body they may kill;

God’s truth abideth still.

His kingdom is forever.

 

Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

James Mays, an Old Testament scholar, asserts that Psalm 46 encourages trust not in a location, but in a divine Presence (Mays, James, Psalms: Interpretation, p. 185). It's possible that the depictions of God as a bulwark or fortress are not meant to convey a static, confined deity, but rather to arouse trust in a God who is ever-present with us through all life's changes and challenges.  Luther's presentation of Psalm 46 in his hymn, may serve as an image, a metaphor, "A Mighty Fortress is our God" providing us with the foundation to embrace reform, transformation, and trials.

Considering that God accompanies us at every stage of our life's journey, it can indeed transform our perspective on the future's potential as one of HOPE.

Knowing and trusting that despite the frequent confusion and discomfort of change; despite the times our own strength appears to falter; and despite the feeling that "this world, with devils filled might threaten to undo us," we are sustained by God's enduring and steadfast presence, we shall not fear. "We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us."

God's presence is the steadfast rock upon which we stand, the formidable fortress we call home, and the unchanging promise of God's presence endures, regardless of what happens, for this promise is grounded in "the man of God's own choosing."

Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same. 

Amen



LET US PRAY


O Mighty Fortress, bulwark of love and presence, open our eyes to the ways you travel with us. Open our hearts for the constant reforming and renewing work of your Spirit. Don’t let us grow content with what is, but give us vision for what, and who, we might become as your people and as your church. Amen.

FREE? HOW CAN IT BE?

 October 30, 2024

2 Corinthians 12:9


9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


2 Timothy 1:9

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time …”



Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.



Grace is a gift most of us do not know how to receive. I believe our society's systems of give-and-take and work-for-reward have made the concept of grace difficult for us to comprehend. Yet, the Bible demonstrates it is solely through grace that lives can be transformed. It is grace that gives us freedom. We are saved by grace alone. That is the message the Reformers recovered from the study of the scriptures. The rich, powerful, message of free grace in Jesus, or as they put it salvation “By Grace Alone.”

The concept of Grace is a recurring theme in many of our worship songs: Amazing Grace, Grace Greater than All My Sin, Your Grace is Enough, This is Amazing Grace, and many more.  What is it about Grace that captures our hearts and voices in song? Why do we ask God to 'tune our hearts to sing His grace'? I wonder if it is because Grace meets a deep need within us that nothing else can.

Take a moment to reflect on the thoughts and deeds of the human heart, observed in ourselves and others. A glance at a day's news reveals numerous accounts of misguided thoughts and actions. Isaiah 64:6 likens even our finest efforts to "filthy rags." This suggests that if salvation hinged on our actions, our good deeds, liberation from the "sins that so easily ensnare" would be unattainable. The Reformers echoed Paul's message in Ephesians, affirming that salvation is not for sale or earned by deeds; it is a gift of grace alone.

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But [God] said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” What great comfort we hear in these words of Paul. And what amazing love our heavenly Father has for us, that our God would give his all sufficient grace to each of us.

Our God approaches us, steps towards us, and sacrifices his life so that we may live through him. In his grace, he simply asks that we keep our hearts open, willing, and welcoming to his presence.


Let us remember that God's grace is completely sufficient for us. It is by living in His grace that we find our strength. As the heavenly Father says, "My power is made perfect in weakness." Through His ministry, Christ showed that His power comes alive when people recognize their need for Him. From the woman reaching out to touch His garment, to Zacchaeus the tax collector, to the paralyzed man being lowered through a roof, God performs amazing miracles in the lives of those who approach Him in their brokenness and need. It's all about grace, God's unearned favor given to us through Jesus Christ.

Yes, “… it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”



LET US PRAY

Lord, you are aware of my desire to be self-sufficient. Yet, let me always be filled with wonder and gratitude for the gift of salvation you offer, which is not earned but given freely. Amen.

GETTING the LAST WORD

 

October 29, 2024

2 Timothy 3:15-17

“. . . from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” 




In Monday's devotion, we affirmed that God's Word is sufficient and possesses the highest authority for all aspects of life. "Sola Scriptura" emphasizes that the Bible alone is the trustworthy Word of God and holds supreme authority over every area of our lives that it addresses.We read in 2 Peter 1:19, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

When it comes to the spiritual life, Sola Scriptura means that the Bible, the word of God gets the final word. As Christians, we hold that the Bible is the primary source of wisdom and provides answers to our questions, give us a "roadmap" to abundant living. The Bible tell us that "the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

The Bible gives a wide range of pictures of itself—various images to describe what God’s Word is and does.

• God’s Word is a seed that he plants.

• Scripture is rain that soaks in and nourishes,

• It is something sweet and delightful to eat, and

• God's Word gives light and understanding.

• The Bible is a sword that penetrates and makes sharp distinctions.

• God’s Word is also a fire and a hammer to deal with what is cold and hard.

Don't you find that there are moments when we need the gentleness of a soft rain. Likewise, there are moments when we require a hammer to shatter our cold, hardened spirits. 

As those who follow Jesus, we place the Word of God above our traditions, cultures, emotions, desires, and personal views. Embracing the Bible, as we do, we acknowledge its God-breathed authority with joy, dedicating ourselves to its reading, meditation, and study. This deepens our understanding of God and guides us in embodying the principles of His Kingdom.

This teaching from the Reformation period, "Sola Scriptura" is crucial, as it encourages us to return to the Scriptures over and over for wisdom and insight on life's matters. The Bible instructs us in the knowledge of God and aids in our self-understanding.(Who we Are) The Scriptures direct us in living a full life that is pleasing and glorifying to God.

Life, wisdom, and love are all encompassed within God's Word, everything from hammers to honey!!

LET US PRAY

Lord, I am grateful for your guidance. Thank you for the tools and blessings you provide through your Word. Assist me in remaining attentive, that I might embrace the abundant life you promise. Amen.

"I DID NOTHING"

 

October 28, 2024

Our Devotions this week will focus on the historical period know as the Reformation. Over the next few days we will consider together some of the key developments in thought and practice during the Reformation period. 

_________________________________

Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Today, let's reflect on the importance and worth of God's Word. The Reformation era's teachings were summed up by the phrase "By Scripture Alone." With the Bible as the central focus, being God's voice, word, and purpose, scripture was considered as the foundation for both belief and action.

Recently, I came across an article that was discussing Martin Luther, as a pivotal figure of his time, praising Luther for his influential work that led to profound changes in the Church and Christian history. What caught my attention was Luther's humble reply to the honor and recognition he received in his time. He said, "I did nothing. The WORD did everything!" He attributed all accomplishments in reform and transformation to the power of God's word.

The Contemporary Church may find a valuable lesson in the idea that our vision, mission, and structure should be established by the study of God's Word. Allow the Word to lead. Martin Luther once expressed, "The Bible is alive; it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me." May we engage with the Word of God with enthusiasm and intimacy like the "reformers", allowing God's word to be authoratative in our lives, for our own improvement and the strengthening of the world we live in.

TAKE AWAY

Read the following verse and take note of what “scripture is saying about scripture.” Write down key words or phrases or even questions that may come up for you.

2 Timothy 3:15-17

“… from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

INTO THE CLOSET

 

October 25, 2024

Matthew 6:6

when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  NIV


when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret .... KJV

Jesus frequently sought solitude and silence for prayer, distancing himself from the constant activity around him. In stepping back from the busyness of life, he could concentrate on his prayers, likely finding rest, moments for reflection, and no doubt a deeper connection with God.

Growing up, Matthew 6:6 was a verse we would sing and memorize in Sunday School: "Enter into thy closet, and  shut thy door, to communicate with the Lord" While more recent translations use "room" in place of "closet," I find "closet" to be quite meaningful. It suggests a secret, private place, free from distractions, visible only to God.

Creating a personal space away from life's distractions can be beneficial to our moments of prayer. I know, finding a place of solitude can be difficult in our hectic lives, however perhaps quietness can be found in such places as our car, or at your favorite peaceful outdoor spot, or any place where you go to be alone where silence and focus can be attained. What the Bible is saying is that we need to find a space where we can eliminate or limit interruptions, so that we can experience a deeper connection with God. Matthew 6:6 ends with the promise that praying like this will yield rewards.

Prayer is a personal conversation with God and he wants, as we noted yesterday, to listen to the true honest feelings and desires of our heart. So let us not hold back in our prayer content, let us too find that "closet" to communicate with our creator. I know we will blessed if we do.