9-7-2014

Good Morning All,

         John 16:13; “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

      This past summer we took a couple of trips where we depended on the GPS that we had.  On one trip, we went to Minneapolis to watch a baseball game.  Now I am more comfortable with one or two cars at a time on the road with me so the 5-6 lanes full of cars all going 70+ and weaving in and out of traffic is a step up.  Yet I drove and my wife watched the GPS and we went right to where we wanted to go on the first try.  The GPS worked

    Our other trip was a little different.  We went to the Black Hills and stayed in a cabin somewhat off the beaten path.  We plugged in the location in the GPS and began our journey.  I don’t know if the mountains and the trees blocked the signal of the satellite or the coordinates just didn’t make sense to a computer but as we journeyed, we paid homage to Robert Burns and took a road less travelled.  The GPS didn’t work quite as well.

    Fortunately, we have a guidance system that is far more reliable than even the best GPS; we have the Holy Spirit to guide us by reminding us of God’s blessings, promises and his wonderful words of grace.  He brings to mind all of God’s graciousness and steadfast love for us.  “Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” “Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you” “Christ came into the world to save the world not condemn it” “Be still and know that I am God” these are but a few there are many more for you to hold onto at the various times of your life and the journey you are on.

    The challenge in our life is much like the GPS; do you trust it?  While the GPS has been known to lead us astray once in a while, God’s Spirit never has.  So we need to trust in God’s grace for our life.  We need to always keep in mind that God’s desire is for you to live as his redeemed child.  God’s desire is to have you live with him in eternal joy.  We need to keep this in mind.  There may be some bumps along the way, there will be times when the path isn’t clearly visible to us but God is always there for us to protect us, to guide us, to heal us, to give us life. 

    Jesus came into this world to give you life.  He came to give you hope.  He returned to heaven to rule and to intercede on our behalf.  He promised that the Holy Spirit would come to guide us and to lead us home.  This is the promise that God makes to you.  Trust his Word to see you through.

Father, as we face the struggles of this life, we sometimes are lost.  You send your Spirit to guide and comfort us. Give us the strength to trust your Spirit when we feel lost and beaten.  Be with those who especially battling life’s challenges.  Give them the courage to rely on you, in the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret