4-13-2019

Good Morning All,

              James 1:22; “Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.”

    I am rapidly approaching that stage of life.  I turn 60 in a few weeks and I have decided that is when I can be a full blown official curmudgeon.  I hold my tongue, as best I can as often as I can, but I think there will be a little more direct honesty in the future.  I pray it will work out; we will see.

    For example, we had a Bible study for a group of High school kids who are going to the national youth gathering.  A group of students came in about 10 minutes late and sat in a corner by themselves whispering and talking to each other and never once added anything to the Bible study.  This lack of participation took over the rest of the group.  Soon, there was no interaction, no discussion; nothing.  We got done about 10 minutes early, when no one talks things can go fast.  So, as I was chatting with a couple of the other kids, I mentioned that we were done.  One of the late comers asked if they could leave.  I told him yes but what I wanted to say to him was, “leave? Son, you were never here.”

    The truth is I see this often.  People come to church or even a Bible Study but that is all they do, they come and then they leave.  They are thinking about the ballgame or dinner or a nap or getting home to get some work done.  They are present but they aren’t there.  This is a real danger for us; just being there isn’t enough.  Christianity requires participation; it is not a spectator sport.  You have to get in and get dirty.  You have to get involved.  Faith comes by hearing not just being present while something is read.  A tree is known by the fruit it produces not that it was near a nice garden.  In other words, do what God’s Word says.

    The Word of God in the hearts of men changes lives.  It engenders a desire to help someone who has need.  Not because we seek fame or fortune or some other form of validation but because that someone needed help.  It engenders a desire to hear God’s Word and to listen closely as it speaks to our lives.  It fills us with hope and gives to us peace and comfort.  It is not shallow or occasional.  True faith leads to the desire to trust God’s will for us and to follow God’s will.

    Genuine faith leads to genuine change.  So, if you think there is something missing in your worship or your Bible Study; maybe it is you.  Perhaps, a need to repent, honestly, and to seek God’s grace is a start.  Listening closely to what is said during those times needs to be practiced.  God speaks to comfort and encourage his people.  His love is poured upon us.  Yet if we do not grasp them by faith; we miss the point.  We miss the blessing and we fool ourselves.

Father, your mercies are new to me each morning and yet I often ignore them or fail to see them.  Forgive my failures.  Renew in me your Spirit and encourage me to walk more closely with you.  Defend me from the devil, especially when he tries to draw me from your Word.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret