1-12-2019

Good Morning All,

         Luke 1:37; “But nothing is impossible for God.”

    So as we enter day 22 or 32 or 42 or whatever of the government shutdown, I am reminded of a couple of sport quotes that always seem to be dancing in the back of my mind.  One is from the baseball legend Casey Stengel who once commented on the lackluster play of the Mets, the team he was managing, with, “can’t anyone play this game?”  The other is a politically incorrect statement by John McKay.  He was the coach for the newly formed Tampa Buccaneers.  They began with 18 straight losses, some of them by very embarrassing margins.  When a reporter asked him about the execution of his team he responded, “I’d be in favor of that.”  It feels like we have politicians and gamesmen but not a statesman in sight.  It feels like it will be impossible for this issue to get resolved.

    As I look at the world and even many of my life’s events, things look impossible.  I get asked fairly frequently, “do you think you can help this person?” or “do you think they can figure it out?”  “Will they ever get straightened out?”  It is becoming more and more evident that the answer is “no”.  No, I cannot help them.  No, they won’t figure it out? No, I cannot straighten them out.  I cannot do anything but I know someone who can.  I know Jesus and that is what I give.

    If we distill true faith down to its most elemental meaning it is knowing that “God can”.  God can heal me, God can fix me, Gad can rescue me, God can make it all better.  That is why we pray, because God and only God can make it better; I cannot and you cannot.  So we go to the only being that can fix what is broken.  We look to God because there is no place else to go.  With God, everything is possible.

    Yet faith requires us to take that next step; God can do all things yet he acts according to his will.  A will that is unsearchable to us.  So we trust in His Word that he loves us and his plans are to prosper us.  We pray, “Father please heal this person but not my will but your will be done.”  We can boldly ask God for whatever we need or want, trusting in his mercy to give us what we need, according to his holy will.  Do I understand God’s will?  No, but I know what He has revealed to us in His Word; I know what He has shown us about His love for us.  He sent his only son to die in my place for sins I committed so that I may be free from the bondage of eternal death.

    So we look, not to the world or the government or even ourselves but we look to God for help.  We look to God for our answers; we look to God our peace.  With God, all things are possible.  Trust in His mercy to carry you through.

Father, we look to you and you give us meat in due season.  Guide us by your wonderful mercy to seek only you.  Guide us to keep our eyes focused on you and you alone for the hope of tomorrow.  Be with all those who battle and struggle with life and live in despair and sorrow.  Lift them up that they may see your loving kindness and healing in your touch.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret