11-30-2015

 Good Morning All!!     

       Deuteronomy 31:6; “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

     I can remember when I was very young watching a television show called Romper Room.  I only recall two things about the show.  The first thing was at the end of the show the hostess held up a thing that was supposed to be a magic mirror.  She would say some type of spell or incantation and then hold it to her face and “see” all the boys and girls in televisionland and then call them by name. (That used to freak me out).  The other was the two big bees that would show up.  In an attempt to teach manners, like saying please and thank you, we were to be like the “Do Bees” and always be polite and to never be like the “Don’t Bees” who were crude and impolite.  She would always sing a little ditty that went “Do be a Do Bee; don’t be a Don’t Bee.”

   In our verse we are to be “Do Bees.”  We are to be strong and courageous.  We are to stand firm.  We are not to fear or be in dread; don’t be afraid.  This may sound like easy advice but in truth it is how we can live our life in comfort, contentment and peace.  We are to be strong and courageous, not because of how tough we are but because of how great our God is.  For God has promised to never leave us.  He is always with us.  We draw our strength and our courage from Him; but how?

   First and foremost we must remain in a prayerful relationship with him.  We need to read and study his Word and hear his words of comfort and his promise of hope and salvation.  Secondly, it is beneficial if other Christians encourage you, pray for you and support you. We receive comfort and support from each other as we experience the unique aspect of faith and that is that faith joined together gives strength to all involved.  This is part of the reason why God encourages us to join with others in worship and prayer.  This is part of the reason that Paul tells us that we are part of a greater body.  This allows us to build on the faith around us.  We draw from each other.  This is all part of the fellowship that we have with each other through faith in Jesus.

   So do be a Do Bee, be strong and courageous because with Jesus as your rock and your strength; you can conquer all things.  Holding onto Jesus as our only hope, we have nothing to fear.  Trust in God’s everlasting and unchanging love, it has never failed.

Gracious Father, you know our hearts.  You know what is hidden in our lives and that which we fear the most.  Send your Spirit to give us courage.  Give us the power to stand.  Keep us from being discouraged.  Lift us up with your love.  Give strength to our spirits that we may ever know your wonderful peace.  Be with those who are discouraged.  Direct their fellow believers to them to encourage them and to give them hope.  Lead us by your Spirit.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret   

11-29-2015

Good Morning All!!     

       Proverbs 27:1; "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring".

    Are you the type of person who has planned for all your work to begin tomorrow?  Will you begin to exercise more and eat less, tomorrow?  Are you going to get up early and read the Bible, tomorrow?  Are you going to show more patience to your children or love for your spouse, tomorrow?  Are you going to visit a lonely neighbor, tomorrow?  We put a lot on our plate; we plan a full day as long as it is tomorrow.  Sometimes, we actually do plan to do it tomorrow but something comes up; an activity or event that was unplanned suddenly changes everything.  I may plan to take the kids to the park tomorrow but if it rains, then what?  Well there is the next tomorrow.  I may plan to visit my sick, elderly aunt tomorrow but if the Lord calls her home tonight, then what?  There is no tomorrow.  Tomorrow is gone and all my boasting about tomorrow is lost.

   We live in a time when business and commerce go on 24 hours a day; there is no tomorrow only today.  We need to share God's love with those around us in the same fashion.  Remember that there is a time and a place for love; it is at any time and in any place.  God's love for us is overwhelming and is an everyday occurrence.  We should show this same love to those around us especially those whom God has given to us as family, friends, neighbors and fellow church members.  We are God's children; He has plans for us, a purpose for our lives.  We should live our lives on purpose, not just by accident.  Time is a gift we never get back and should never waste so you it to the fullest, show God's love to others as freely as He has showed it to you.

    When Jesus left his disciples and ascended into heaven, the last thing he told them was “to be my witnesses.”  We have a purpose; we have a reason to be here, today.  We are to be the living hands of Jesus until he returns.  We are to comfort those in pain, offer hope to all those who are hurting and in need of the balm of Jesus in their life.  We are to do this with our words and our actions.  We are to do this today.  Someone near you is hurting today.  Someone near you needs God’s comfort today.   You are the only hope for someone who is suffering today.  There is no tomorrow.

    God has promised His Spirit to always be with you.  God’s Spirit goes with you today.  God’s grace is poured out upon you today.  You and I are redeemed and loved by God today.  So offer this comfort to all those around you today.  Serve the Lord with gladness today.   

 Father in heaven, give us the wisdom and courage to share your love with those around us today.  Let us speak the kind word, let us be the friendly face to those who may be in need.  Lead us to the hurting and the sorrowful.  Lead us to those who suffer and need your peace.  Guide us to offer hope to those who need it the most.  Move us to love as if it is our last day here on this earth.  Move us to show Your compassion on all.  In Jesus' Precious Name we pray, Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

11-28-2015

        Good Morning All!!     

        Exodus 24:17: “Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.”

    Why don’t we see this anymore?  Why don’t we see this miraculous display of God’s majesty?  When we think of the story that surrounds the plagues of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the leading through the wilderness with the pillar of cloud and fire; when we think of the awe and majesty of God’s very presence at Mount Sinai we think, “now that is what God should be like.”  “I could believe in a God like that real easy.  I would never leave a God like that.”  “Just give me a God with thunderbolts and lightening and make Him very, very frightening to all my (His) enemies.”

   You would think that wouldn’t you?  It must have been so easy for those early Israelites to believe in God; they saw Him and the mighty works that He did.  Yet a mere 8 chapters later in Exodus, in chapter 32, while they are still camped at the bottom of Mt. Sinai, they fall away and worship a golden calf.  Too often, our pleas for God to do something, is really a call for God to do what I want, when I want and to whom I want it done.  Ultimately we don’t want God to show His power so we can have faith; we want God to show His power so we can try and control God to do our will.  We are trying to trade places with God and place ourselves on His holy throne and rule all.  That is too often the “proof “we seek.

     Fortunately, God knows better than all of us.  He acts in ways that are designed to reconcile back to Him with love and not total fear.  He doesn’t try to scare us into faith; rather He leads us back to Him with “a still, quiet voice” a voice that offers hope and comfort.  God’s majesty is all around; all we need to do is look.  God’s love is revealed to us in the empty tomb of Christ.  We should then respond to the world with love, as God did to us, and leave the “thunderbolts and lightening” to old rock songs.

    So as we approach this coming Advent season, we do so looking forward to when Jesus will return in power and glory to complete the healing and the restoration that He began with his ministry here on earth.  We look forward to his mighty hand to bring about the end of suffering, the end of death.  We look to him with the hope and security that we so desire and need.  Yet until he does return, we wait.  We wait with confidence that the victory is ours through Jesus.  As we wait, we are to be part of the healing; we are to be part of the restoration.   We can, confidently, share Jesus’ Gospel message of salvation and hope until he returns.    

Lord of power and might, we give you thanks for your great power but we especially give you thanks for your great love.  Move us to share that love with one person today and each day until you return.  Guide us by your Spirit to bring hope and healing to this broken world.  In your precious Name we pray, Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

11-27-2015

Good Morning All!!     

         Exodus 6:5; “Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant.”

    We were at a high school basketball game.  My wife was sitting with another mother of one of the basketball players.  It was halftime and I came over to see if they wanted me to get them a bag of popcorn.  I was standing with my back to the floor waiting for an answer.  All of a sudden my wife’s eyes got huge.  The woman with her pointed to the floor and said, “Did you see that?”  So I began to turn as I said, “see what?”  Both women said, “Don’t turn, you shouldn’t see that!”  That was over 10 years ago; I still don’t know what I didn’t see.  Of course, being real observant has never been a strong point of mine.

    It seemed like I was forever being asked, “did you notice…?”  It might be a new dress someone wore or a new hair style or the way someone talked to someone else.  I never noticed, not once.  I don’t get asked much anymore; I guess everyone has noticed that I seldom notice whatever it is but I am trying to get better.  I try to notice when my grandchildren do something for the first time.  I try to notice when my wife cooks something new or gets a haircut.  I am trying to get better because when I notice it tends to make the other person smile.   

    People like to be noticed.  We like it when people realize that we have changed in some way.  It might be a new hair style; it might be a new outfit.  Maybe you lost some weight or have a new job.  We like to be noticed.  Sometimes, we need to be noticed.  When we are in pain or suffering, we need to be noticed. 

    In our verse, we notice something very important.  God notices.  God notices when the Children of Israel were groaning from the burden of slavery.  He was listening; he was with them the whole time.  Nothing was missed by God.  He saw their pain, he heard their cry and he answered them.

    God notices you.  He knows your struggles; he knows the battles in which you face interminable challenges.  God knows your pain; God hears your cry.  He will answer.  He will deliver you from your pain and sorrow.  God will not leave you to anguish in your sorrow and pain.  It might not be as quick as you or I like but it will be in God’s time and it will be done for us because God loves us.  He sent Jesus to die for us and to deliver us from sin.  He will never forget this promise.  His love for us never ends.  He walks with us with his Spirit and guides us as we go on the path of our life.  You are never alone; you never go unheard.  God notices you every day and views you as the beloved child that you are.

Father, of all mercy, when I feel lost and hurt; when I think my cries go unnoticed; you are there for me.  You hear my cry and answer my prayer.  Keep me patient as I wait your answer.  Give me the strength of hope to know that you will answer me and keep me strong in your loving arms.  Guide me by your Spirit.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret    

11-26-2015

Good Morning All!!     

   Psalm 69:30; “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

    Happy Thanksgiving!!  It is something that most people tend to think was invented in the United States.  We like to think it starts with the Pilgrims and reinforced by Franklin Roosevelt as being on the fourth Thursday in November.  Prior to this event, it varied state to state.  We like to think we invented Thanksgiving but Thanksgiving is far older than any of us. 

    Thanksgiving is as old as the Bible is.  In Genesis we have Cain and Abel making thank offerings to God.  Later in Exodus, we have God explaining how the thank offerings are to be offered.  God commanded the Children of Israel to give thank offering at various times and in various manners.  God commands that we offer thanks.  Did you ever wonder why?  Why does God command that we give Him thanks?  Is God on an ego trip?  Does he demand in order that he can feel good?  I think we know the answer to that; God does not need anything from any of us; so why? 

    We need to remember that when God commands us to do things, it is for our benefit.  It is for our good.  God commands us to give thanks because it causes us to look at our life and to see the things, the people and the events in which we see God’s benevolent hand at work.  God commands us to give thanks so that we will always remember what God has done for us.  We look back, even to events and actions prior to our birth.  We look back at the events in the Bible and we see God blessing us.  We see our salvation through Jesus.  We see the promise of the Holy Spirit to guide us through this life.  We see the promise that this world will not overcome us.  We see the promise of God to prosper us.  These are just a few of God’s promises that he has kept to you, so far.

    So as we give thanks, we remember, we remember what God has done for us.  We remember that God has made these promises and will keep these promises forever.  So as we remember what God has done and what he will do.  He will always be there for you.  He will always guard you and protect you; he will never leave you alone.  Remembering these truths can give us comfort when we face challenges that seem almost insurmountable.  When we look around and wonder how we can solve these issues, we know that God has already resolved them.

    So give thanks to the Lord.  Remember what God has done for you.  Remember that all that he has one for you in the past; he will do even more in the future.  We can rest in peace knowing that God has us in his loving arms.  We are God’s children, always remember that.  His mercy endures forever.

Father of mercy, in you we have all the answers.  Lead me to know your love and mercy and to never forget your promises.  Give me the wisdom to trust in your grace.  Guide me to share this truth with those who are hurting and lost.  We give thanks to you for all your mercies.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret