3-23-2014

      Good Morning All,

       Acts 11:24; “for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”

     It is the measure of a wonderful meal in many households.  Probably greatest at Thanksgiving then a birthday then Christmas and then Easter.  A time when often the tables are covered with food.  You would think that the cooks were expecting three times the number of people who actually showed up.  The table is full, often times there is a side table or a counter that is full as well.  After the meal is shared, at least one of the attendees who dined until sated, will loosen their belt and declare that they have never been this full in their entire life.  “One more morsel and I will burst.”  There is nothing like being full after a good meal.

    We like to be full; maybe not too full, but we like to be full.  We like it when our house is full of joy, we like our children full of life, we like job that is fulfilling.  We enjoy the sensation of the fullness of life and joy.  Yet we know that often times our life is empty.  We are empty of joy, we are void of peace and we are at a loss with contentment.  This is a life that is full of sadness, darkness and empty of joy and purpose.

    Into this darkness, Jesus came to bring light.  He came to bring life and he came to give it to us in all fullness.  He gives us life beyond the point of full; he gives us life to the point we need to loosen our belt.  He gives us life to the point that we see the light; we need not fear tomorrow for it will bring nothing that is greater than what God can deal with.  Since we rest in the comfort of his loving arms, we can live a life full of the Spirit and full of faith.  We can live a life sated in his peace and completely full to the point of overflowing with his love.  God offers to us a life that is filled with contentment.

    This life may look empty or void to a sinful world that values what is empty and void.  We can often be led to believe that this life seems to be the one we want; yet its emptiness becomes apparent when we look at God’s promise of salvation and the eternal peace that this offers.  God offers us the life that can be one of hope and contentment if we trust in His Word.

    So we can have a life full of contentment and full of God’s peace.  We can enjoy this life and share this life with those around us.  In this world we may face trials beyond our human understanding but we always have God’s grace and his promise that we will always have his love and the promise of salvation and life eternal with him in glory and complete joy.  This is what awaits us by hid wondrous mercy. 

Father of all mercy, you give us a life that is full of your Spirit.  With this fullness we can find peace.  We can find peace in a world that offers no peace.  Bring those who are struggling and in battle at this time with the world.  Fill their emptiness and enlighten their darkness.  Guard them with your Spirit and bring them back to your loving arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.   

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret