3-13-2016

Good Morning All!!                 

    Hebrews 13:21; “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

    The Boy Scouts have the motto of “Be Prepared.”  That can serve as a good motto for most of us but are we prepared for most of life?  It is amazing how many different ways you can use a screwdriver.  It can serve as a pry bar, as a chisel, as a punch, it will even turn screws in and out.  There are lots of things that can serve as a hammer; a rock or even you shoe will work in a pinch.  Yet, if you want to attempt any Do-it-yourself, fix-it type projects; you really should have the basic tools.

     You will probably need a hammer, a couple of screwdrivers, maybe a cordless drill with assorted drivers and bits, a level, a pair of pliers, and a tape measure.  That would be a good start. With those tools you could do many small fix-it projects.  The important thing is to be equipped for the project that you undertake.  If you are really prepared; you can deal with the contingencies of life.

    The same is true of our spiritual life.  We need to be equipped with the basic tool box.  God sends His Spirit to us and, through his grace, gives us the necessary tools to live our life.  He gives us the tools to fight the devil by staying close to our Heavenly Father.  He gives us his Word to hear his words of forgiveness.  He gives us his body and blood in the bread and the wine so that we can taste and savor his forgiveness.  He gives us prayer to speak to him with our worries and fears.  He gives us his Spirit to comfort us and he gives us our fellow redeemed brothers and sister to give us consolation.  He gives us the worship services where we can join together with our brothers and sisters to share in these gifts as one body.

   When we stay close to God, by using the tools he gives us, it is more difficult for the devil to win.  He will still attack and we will still have bouts of self-condemnation but these bouts do not have to control our lives.  God’s grace will pull us through; we need to trust this.  This is how God helps us and guides us through the challenges of this life.

   So be sure to keep your spiritual toolbox ready at all times.  Be sure and use it often.  Pray daily, at all times and in all situations.  If you make prayer your habit, it will be the first thing you rely on in trouble.  Read and commit God’s Words to your memory; that way when troubles occur the Spirit can remind you of those words.  Stay connected to your fellow redeemed brothers and sisters.  Do this in worship, in communion, in your daily life; they are who God will use when you need his consolation.  Keep your toolbox handy; you never know when you will need it.

Gracious Lord, you provide for our daily needs.  You give us what we need to support this life.  Teach us to use it and to rely on it.  Be with those who are in need of your grace at this time.  Strengthen them with your mercy.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret