8-13-2022

Good Morning!    

    John 3:17; “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

    In an earlier phase of my life, I raised pigs and like many pig farmers, we experienced a fire that destroyed our barns. It was a traumatic event. But we had good neighbors who came and helped us clean up and they all offered encouraging words. “You have insurance, that will help.” So, we turned in the claim on a Monday and the next morning our insurance agent told us that the insurance company wanted the fire marshal to check it out. I was terrified!! The fire marshal was going to come, find something I did wrong and poof! There goes the insurance money. He was scheduled to come on Friday, and I did not sleep a wink, in total fear.

    He showed up on time, bright red car with the flashing light bar on top, full uniform with everything looking and being official. I was terrified. He asked me how I was, was anyone hurt, did we need anything, how was my family doing? I answered in short one-word responses worried about what I said. We walked to what was left of the barn and he asked about where did it start. I showed him the general area and the waited as he looked. Suddenly, he pointed, said, “AH HA!” and bent down to pick something up. I thought my heart would stop, I thought, “this is it.” He reached down and picked up a piece of metal with another piece stuck in it. It was what was left of an electrical outlet with something plugged into it.  He said, “this is what we want, if we are going to say it was an electrical fire, we needed to find something plugged in, the insurance company has to pay you now, if they don’t, call me and I will deal with them.” With that, He shook my hand, wished me well and left. It was as he left, I realized, he was there to help me, he was on my side the whole time!

    For many of us as Christians, we look to God in complete fear, fear that he will find out who I am and what I did when in truth, He comes to forgive and to restore, to heal and to give hope. He comes to comfort and give to me safety. He comes to forgive and not condemn. We should be joyous that we can come to him, yet the devil leads us to believe we should hide, fear, lose sleep and live in anxiety. God invites us to be healed and know His peace.

    So, we can come to God and confess all our sins. He already knows our sins; keeping us from he already knows what we fear and lose sleep over. Bring them to him and leave them with Him, at the cross where God wants them left. He does not want us carrying the burden of sin which separates us from Him. He comes to save, not condemn. Find your comfort in that blessing.

Heavenly Father, your mercies are new to us every morning. Guard us and draw us to you that we may know of your peace. Keep us safe in your arms that we may know of the wonder of your love. Defend us from the devil’s lies and distortions. Keep us in your peace. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret