2-29-2024

Good Morning All,

     Matthew 14:29; “He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.”

     Are you one of those people who have a set routine?  Perhaps you read the newspaper the same way every day.  You drink the same kind of coffee every day.  When you go somewhere you take the same route.  Perhaps your meals have the same combinations like hamburger and French fries but never hash browns.   We all have routines that we follow.  Some occur because it is the easiest way to accomplish our task.  Some occur because of other factors weighing in.  We may have a morning routine that meshes with our spouse and children.  Yet often times it is just the comfort of the routine and the fact that it takes some thought and some energy to change.

    So how comfortable are you with change?  A new hair style or a new restaurant, a change in our job or maybe even a whole new occupation, a new home; for many thoughts of these will keep us up at night.  We are creatures of habit and that can be both good and bad.  It can be very challenging to change but sometimes; change is what is needed.

    Often times we become so comfortable with our life that the devil uses it to make us complacent in our faith life.  We are comfortable where we are.  We might put money in the collection plate once in a while, but the amount or frequency hasn’t changed in 10 years.  We read the Bible once in a while but not regularly.  We pray, when we are desperate enough.  This has become our routine, and we are comfortable in this rut and the devil tells us we are just fine.

    Yet one of the most remarkable things that Christ does to us is to shake us from our comfortable routine.  He takes us from our complacent life in this sinful world; a life that lets us just skirt along and he changes it, and he challenges us.  He takes us as if we are broken, sinful beings and changes us into new creations.  He makes us his holy people and then gives us the power and the authority to bring his kingdom to the world.  Then he looks at us, at our complacent lives, and says, “Come, get out of the boat and come.”

    Now Peter was in a boat on a stormy lake late at night.  He got out of the boat.  The Lord called to him and he got out of the boat.  He didn’t last long, this time, but he got out of the boat.  Later in his life, Peter changed from his original routine.  At the start of the gospels, Peter is brash, hotheaded, and often speaks long before he thinks.  Yet in his later life, Peter is the apostle of love, patience, and hope.  He changed because he was changed.  He truly “got out of the boat.” 

   What about you?  Will you get out of your boat?  Will you step up and live the life that Christ has given you?  Maybe you can volunteer some time at a food bank or a homeless shelter.  Maybe you can mentor a neighbor child who is alone far too much of the time.  What about you, will you get out of your boat?

Father, make me uncomfortable at the sight of pain and brokenness around me.  Break my heart as yours breaks at the pain of your creation.  Move me to get out of my complacent life and be a force of change for you.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret 

2-28-2024

Good Morning All,

   Mark 1: 15; “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

     It is always fascinating to watch how we measure time.  Sometimes, time can move so slowly that we question if it moves at all.  Think of those times when you had to wait; like a 5-year-old waits for Christmas to arrive.  There are times in our life when time just seems to vanish.  Think of an evening with old friends.  I noticed this when we were watching a close basketball game.  The score was never more than 5 points apart. As the fans watched the game, they would look at the clock.  The team that was ahead kept wondering if they were shutting the clock off because it seemed that no time was coming off the clock.  The fans of the team which was behind couldn’t believe how quickly the time went.  They were sure that they didn’t put enough time on the clock to start with. 

    So, the Apostle Mark has Jesus telling the world that the time is fulfilled.  What does he mean?  He means that this is the exact right time for the events which are occurring to happen.  Everything is in place.  The players who are of any importance are present; the people are ready to go. The time is right.

   The kingdom of God is at hand.  Whenever you see the phrase “the kingdom of God” or “the kingdom of heaven,” don’t think in terms of a thing or a place.  The kingdom of God is an action taking place.  The kingdom of God is a verb and not a noun.  The kingdom of God is Jesus entering this world and taking back the broken and hurt creation and restoring it to its proper place.  The kingdom of God is the reconciliation of man back to God.  It is about God coming into your life and changing your life so that you now have hope for life.  The kingdom of God is about changing you into the redeemed child of God who can be confident of your salvation and live with hope for tomorrow.  The kingdom of God is alive and active in this broken world bringing peace and comfort where none exists.

   So, what do we do? The answer is “repent.”  Repent means to change or to alter.  Repent means to turn around.  So rather than look away from God and only at ourselves, we are to turn toward God and seek after him.   Repent means to grab hold of God’s reconciliation and to trust fully in him.  To repent is a response to the active work of the kingdom of God.  It is the response to God’s invitation to be free from sin.  It is the invitation, at just the right time, for you to be part of God’s holy family.  It is the response to God’s grace that gives to us the opportunity to live in his loving presence holding onto his mercy.  Repentance is having all the time to grasp God’s steadfast goodness and to cling mightily to his love.

Father of all mercy, in you we have hope.  Father, we ask that you bring about change in our lives.  Bring us to the knowledge and understanding of your great mercy.  Strengthen our faith for those times when nothing makes sense.  Cling to us Father so that we may cling back to you.  Guard and protect us and give us peace as only you can.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret          

2-27-2024

Good Morning All,

         Exodus 15: 25a; “And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.”

      “Sweet Water.”  This was one of the most important things for the settlers of the plains to find.  It meant that they, and their animals, could survive.  Some water would be poisonous but often times it would just be brackish and bitter usually because of a high alkali salt content.  This may have been what happened to the Israelites in our story.  The Israelites were in the wilderness after leaving Egypt.  They were thirsty and they came to a place they called Marah.  The name means “bitter” or “bitter water.”  The Israelites did what they would do often; they grumbled against Moses.

     It is always kind of interesting.  The Israelites had just crossed the Red Sea and saw how God had protected them from Pharaoh’s army.  They had just witnessed God’s power through the might of the plagues.  Yet in three days, they grumbled and showed a lack of faith after witnessing such incredible power.  Moses prayed to God for help and God delivered.  God made the bitter water sweet.  He delivered the Israelites, again.

    There are many times in our life when we feel like we are at a spot that is bitter water.  There are times when we experience struggles in life, sometimes they even pile on top of each other.  We may question, we may grumble, we may doubt God’s grace and favor.  It might be struggles with children or other family members.  It might just be a collection of different stresses in life.  A job that is tougher, a crop that isn’t worth as much as you need, it could be a visit to the doctor that requires you to change your lifestyle; any of these can leave a very bitter taste in our mouth and we experience Marah.

    Yet we know that God has made it sweet.  It might still be a stressful event, but we know that these events do not define us or really control us.  They twist us, they plague us, they cause us pain and discomfort, but they do not define us or our relationship with God.  We are always in God’s loving arms.  We always have his comfort and his promise of eternal salvation.  We have the sweetness of his mercy.  He took our life, bitter from sin and gave us the sweetness of his wonderful mercy for us to drink from.  We receive the refreshing, energizing drink of that sweet water that enables us to go through the pain of the day.  God is for us, making our future sweet with the hope of salvation.  God is for us, no one can be against us.

Father, in you we have the blessings of today and the hope for tomorrow.  Keep us safe from the pain of suffering in this life.  As we do, keep us strong in our faith that we may know your peace, we may know your comfort, that we may know your unending grace.  Be with those who are especially experiencing bitterness at this time.  Help them to see the sweetness that is your mercy.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret     

2-26-2024

Good Morning All,

      Psalm 30:3; “O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”

     The other day I was watching TV and I saw a commercial that made me chuckle.  It was the one about the people who had their cell phone batteries dying so they needed to find an electrical plug in so they could recharge the batteries.  The tag line was about being a “wall hugger.”  These people had to carry their power cords with them and then fight over the plug ins so that they could recharge so that had to stay close to the wall because the cords are short.  It showed one person tripping over a cord and the like.

    I giggled because I am finding myself more like this all the time.  I have recharger cords in both vehicles that I drive so I can recharge as I drive.  I have a cord by my office chair for the same purpose.  We have one in the bedroom and one in the kitchen.  I can pretty much plug in wherever I am.  The only thing I haven’t done is to plug in in a very public place like an airport or restaurant.  Of course, I don’t go to airports so that one was easy.  Yet more and more having a charged cell phone becomes more and more critical.  Checking the power level often and knowing how long you have is important.  When the battery goes dead, we are out of touch and for many that is almost debilitating.

    So, it is vital to keep the batteries charged and at full strength.  You never know when that will be important.  The same can be said of our faith life.  We need to keep our faith batteries fully charged.  You never know when it will be important.  We recharge them through God’s grace.  He provides us with the things we need to do this.  He gives us His Word to read so that we may hear his words of comfort and hope.  He gives us his body and blood in the form of bread and wine in order that we may be nourished; that the emptiness of this life may be filled with his grace.

   God continually recharges us with hid great gift of mercy.  It restores us, filling our spirit with hope and our soul with comfort.  Even in the greatest depths of despair God continues to come to you with his grace to lift you up.  In his grace he continually rejuvenates you to continue on the journey that he has laid out for us.  God mercy is there for us to strengthen and preserve us.  God’s mercy is alive and active in our lives serving to buffer us from the wind and storms of this life.  God’s mercy will charge your batteries so that you may proceed.  So, utilize his wonderful grace and mercy.  Read and listen to His Word to comfort you and to reassure you, receive his body and blood to nourish you.  Speak to him in prayer that you might know his unfailing love.  The God who loves you beyond all things is here to comfort you and to lead you home.

Father of all wondrous blessings, give us that due sense of your unfailing love.  Give us that most wonderful sense of peace that we receive only from you.  Keep us invigorated and strong.  Be especially with those who need to be recharged at this time.  Keep them in your arms and bring them to the full comfort of your grace.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret        

 

2-25-2024

Good Morning All,

       Ephesians 2: 10; “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

     So, what do you want to be when you grow up?  It is a question that we ask of our children as they grow up.  It often starts as an interesting way to play with children and to help them grow in their imagination.  As they are young, they want to be cowboys, superheroes, princesses and the like.  As they get older, we encourage them to start looking at things that they enjoy, have a passion for or an affinity to do.  As they get even older, we encourage them to look at what it takes to pursue the job or occupation that they desire.   How much schooling does it take?  Where are the jobs located?  Do you like the other parts of the job and not just the “glory” parts?  Do you have the needed skills for this job, or do you need to begin dream number 2?  All these go into the ultimate answer, what do you want to be when you grow up?

    As a Christian, what do you want to be when you grow up?  How you view Scriptures helps determine how you answer this.  Do you read the Bible and think “I am a trumpet” or do you read it, “I am a singer”?  There is a difference.  Some think that the Bible says that God has planned your entire life out; he has decided this is what you will do, so there is nothing for us to do.  When God decides you will do something; you will do it.  These people think they are trumpets.  They are simply instruments that God uses to accomplish his plan or goal.

   Or do you read the Scriptures as telling us that God gives us gifts and talents.  God gives to us the skills and he gives us the wisdom to choose, and he gives us the freedom to respond.  These people think they are singers.  God gives to them, and they respond to God.  God makes us partners in the spreading of his kingdom.  God has given to you the task of spreading the message of reconciliation throughout the world.  God has made you a light to the world and he wants you to shine in this world. 

   I would encourage you to be a singer.  God has given to us as his children so much that we should desire to give to others.  He gives us all sorts of talents which can be used in many different ways; much like a singer can sing a song in different ways.  He can sing it to different melodies, different octaves, solo or part of a group; these are just a few ways to sing a song.  God gives us the gifts so don’t be afraid to try.  Many people refuse to move because they are afraid that they can’t do it or will do it wrong.  This is the devil at his best work, keeping God’s children from acting on behalf of God in this world.

    So go out and be a singer, joyfully sharing God’s mercy and grace.  It might be as grand as going to some foreign land as a missionary or it might be telling your grandchild about Jesus.  All are God’s work, and all are part of God’s plan, the spreading of the kingdom of heaven.  Trust God to give you the skill, the desire, and the strength to go forth in the works he has laid out for you.

Gracious Father, move me by your Spirit to go boldly out into the world and to share your mercy.  Give me the courage to respond to your call and to use the gifts that you give to me to bring your salvation to those in need.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-24-2024

Good Morning All,

       Philippians 4:7; “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

      Why does “stuff” happen?  I get that a lot.  From confirmation kids to our oldest members, why does “stuff” happen?  Why do small babies have to be born sick or weak?  Why do some people, who only seem to suffer, keep on living?  Why does it seem that the bad people succeed while the good people seem to struggle?  Why do some people seem to only hate?  Why do so many seem to not care about anybody or anything?  Why does it seem that the world is falling apart?

     We have lots of questions and we seldom have any answers.  Why did this person die so young?  I really do not know.  Why does that person continue to live when it seems that they are only suffering?  I really do not know.  There is much that I do not know.  Sometimes that can be troubling but in reality, I can find a lot of comfort in this fact; I really do not know.  Many people, especially non-believers, cannot understand why or how a Christian can take comfort in not knowing everything.  It is really pretty simple.  We only need to remember one thing and always keep that in our mind.  We need to remember one of the most fundamental facts of the Bible.

    God is God and I am not.  Throughout the Bible we are reminded of this; God is God, and I am not.  God is the creator; we are the created.  In the Book of Job, God asks Job, “where were you when I laid out the foundation of the world?”  In Isaiah we are told that God’s ways are not our ways and that he is higher than us than we are over grasshoppers.  God is God and I am not.  I can take comfort in that fact.

    Since God is God and I am not, I can turn all the responsibility of keeping everything straight over to God; I don’t need to do it; even if I could, I don’t have to worry about that.  God is God and I am not.  I trust that God, who has been merciful to me and to all mankind, will continue to shower us with that mercy even if it does not make sense at the time because God is God, and I am not.  I take hold of the faith that God gives to me and cling tightly to him because he has promised to love me and to care for me and to let nothing tear me from his hand.  I trust this because God is God, and I am not.

    God gives us the peace that the world cannot give us because when we cling to him in faith, we cling to the God who is God over all and who has all things in his hands.  He has promised me mercy and salvation so no matter what is now; no matter what now looks like; I can rest assured that God has everything under control because God is God, and I am not.  That is His promise, that is his truth and that is our comfort.

Father of love, in you we have peace.  We have peace because you give us that peace that the world does not know because you give us the faith to hold onto you.  Guard us by your mercy and keep us mindful that you are the God of love who delivers us and protects us.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-23-2024

Good Morning All,

                 Romans 10:12; “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.” 

      If you have not already done so, I would suggest that you read the book entitled “The Richest Man in Town” by V. J. Smith.  The author is looking for a leader and finds a lot of truth in a humble man named Marty who works in the local Walmart and has not had the easiest life in the world.  What Marty reveals to the author is truly remarkable.  The story is summed up by seeing that riches in a person’s life are not measured in dollars and cents but in something entirely different.

    Yet how do we measure riches?  Many of us tend to see riches as what we want them to be.  If we have a large family then riches are measured in terms of how many children/ grandchildren, siblings, etc. that we have.  If we feel we are active in the community, we tend to measure riches in terms of involvement; if you are not involved then you are not rich.  Even if we do not use money as the measuring, we are still using the stick that the world wants us to use.  It is the “stick of me.”  It is the length of my value as measured by me for me.  It is still a selfish and self-centered tool.  There is a better way to measure our riches.

    We are rich because of what Christ gives to us.  We are rich because of what he has placed into our hearts.  We have his promise of salvation.  We have his promise of comfort as we need it and of consolation and companionship.  Yet above these last ones, we have the promise of his peace.  We have God’s peace in our lives as we face the struggles of our life.  We can face all of the battles, questions, and perils of this life with a peace that the world cannot understand.  We know that God is in control; that he has given to us his grace.  We know that God loves us and desires that we should love with him in eternal joy.  We are rich because God makes us that way.

    These riches are for all who call on him, that is all those who believe.  It is not dependent upon what you know, or do not know, it is entirely dependent upon God’s mercy.  We only can cling to this truth.  Everything about our salvation depends upon God.  The greatness of this is that God is completely faithful to his promises.  We only need to believe and hold onto this great promise of salvation.  We only have to rest in his loving arms secure in the certainty of his mercy.  God’s promises make us rich.  God’s promises give us the peace that is far more valuable than all the gold in the world.  God’s promises allow us to see past today and its struggles to look forward to the glory that waits.  We are truly rich beyond measure.

Father of all good things, we give you thanks for the riches that you so wonderfully give us.  We give you thanks for our salvation, for our comfort and for our hope.  Through these wondrous gifts we have peace that the world cannot understand.  Be with your dear children who are battling at this time.  Send your Spirit of peace to them.  In the precious name of Jesus, our Risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret       

2-22-2024

Good Morning All,

           Proverbs 29:25; “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

        As my sons were growing up, I used to follow sports a little more closely.  I would watch the games and listen to the other parents as the fortunes and successes of the team were discussed.  You would hear conversations like, “We’ll do fine until we play team “x;” as soon as we play them, we will lose.”  The parents were sure of this and often times told the players this as well.  So, the players would begin the game with the assumption that they would lose.

    I have always wondered how much that impacted the game.  If one team is convinced that it cannot defeat the other team; will the first team play without giving the best effort they can?  If the first team expects to lose, does it do all the pregame mental and physical preparation as intensely as it does when it expects to win or at least to compete?  Or does the team that expects to lose simply go through the motions of playing?  I really do wonder about the psychology of this.  When we think our opponent is unbeatable, how do we react?

    This is what the proverb in our verse is about.  Fear can paralyze us.  It can cause us to stop trying.  It can cause us to turn away.  It can cause us to shun the things that we desire.  It can cause us to avoid the things that we want to do.  It is usually fear, either of rejection or of ridicule that causes us to shy away from expressing our faith in the public part of our life.  It may be at our job or at the places where we do business or the times and places when we interact with friends.  We may hear the comments of the others and then shy away from what we truly believe and confess.

   God encourages us to stand strong.  We are always safe in his loving arms.  He has defeated all of our enemies.  We have no need to fear man; we only need to trust in God’s wonderful grace.  We know his truth and we know of his love for us.  We have his promise of salvation.  We have his promise of eternal life.  This can and should give us the confidence to face all the snares and fears that the world throws at us.  We are to walk by faith; faith in the risen Savior that we are redeemed and guaranteed our salvation.  We have nothing to fear; God has given us the victory that cannot be taken away.  In Him alone we have this great truth and promise.

Gracious Father, too often I walk in fear of what others think or say.  There are too many times when I hide and shirk what I am to do or say.  Forgive me when I fail and give me the strength to go forward in the confidence of your truth.  Lead me to be the voice of grace and hope in this dark and lost world.  Grant me the spirit to walk by faith in your eternal love.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret   

 

2-21-2024

Good Morning All,

       Proverbs 16:18; “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

          There is an old story about a frog who was friends with two ducks.  They lived together in a pond behind a farmer’s house.  They were friends for many years.  Yet a very bad drought struck the land.  Soon the pond was dried up except for a little mud in the middle.  The ducks were going to fly away but didn’t want to leave their friend the frog.  Soon the frog came up with the idea of holding onto a stick as the ducks held it in their mouths.  As they flew away the frog would hold on with his mouth and they would all fly to a new pond.  So, the two ducks took hold of the stick at each end and the frog took hold in the middle.  Soon they were flying high over the farmer’s house heading for the next pond.  The farmer looked up and saw the trio flying through the air.  The farmer scratched his head and said, “I wonder who thought of that?”  The frog opened his mouth and said, “I did!”

    Pride is one of our most egregious sins.  It is so slippery that we can be seduced into sin so craftily that we fall into the trap.  It begins so subtly; it begins with a whisper.  It begins with a little success.  It might be a pay raise; it might be an unexpected yield increase; it might be someone complementing you on your skills or talents.  At first, they are just that, complements.  Yet somehow the devil and our sinful nature start the whisper.  They tell us that we are that good, or special, or wonderful, or talented or whatever.  Soon we can hear the refrain that “they can’t do it without you.”  Then soon we believe it.  Our pride puffs us up and like an overfilled balloon; we will pop. 

    Pride causes us to look at ourselves and think we are great.  It is the sin of placing “me over God” and the devil enjoys slipping that one over on us.  So, it becomes the sin we always commit, placing me on the throne of God.  Yet God offers us hope.

    First, we are forgiven; God has graciously and mercifully removed our sins because of Jesus’ atonement.  He also offers us a better way.  We know that pride puffs up, but that love builds up.  Love is when we look at others and to their needs and not to our own selfish wants.  Love is the exact opposite of pride.  That is why love is the answer.  When we love others, we look to them and to their needs and concerns first.  We look to provide comfort and hope to others first.  When we do this, we can see how God is working in our life as well.  We can see his grace giving us the blessings of this life.  We see that it is truly his gifts and not our talents that are responsible for our successes and for our happiness.  God grace alone should erase all pride that we feel.  It is his mercy that blesses us.

Father, too often I look at your blessings and think that it is my doing.  Forgive me for my greed and my selfish pride.  Guide me by your Spirit to lead a life of love that puts others ahead of my wants and sees your great goodness in all of my doings.  Help me to destroy my foolish pride that I may better serve you in your kingdom.  In the precious name of Jesus, our Risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret   

2-20-2024

Good Morning All,

             Matthew 28: 20b; “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

     Even Elvis asked, “Are you lonesome tonight?”  It is one of the more interesting elements of being a human.  We are social creatures; we tend to seek out companionship.  Yet for many, it is the most elusive part of their life.  Much of the time people feel alone.  There are many “self-help” books and articles that tell you to prepare to be alone, even in a marriage. 

     We see it in pre-teens and in teenagers.  Many times, a young person will join a group, even a group they know is a bad influence and decision to be with, rather than be alone.  They seek acceptance by society, or the group; if they don’t get it from one group, they will seek it from whoever will receive them.  This can include groups that tend to misuse them and abuse them just as long as they are accepted into the groups.  They just don’t want to be alone.

     Sin brought about our sense of loneliness.  The first sin broke the relationship between man and God.  Sin separated us God’s grace and it turned us from being compassionate being into self-centered beings.  The next recorded sin proves this; it is the murder of Abel by Cain.  Jealousy, envy, greed among other emotions and desires drove Cain to kill his brother and soon this anger became loneliness.  This is what sin does; it separates us from God and from each other.  We are left lonely.

    This is part of what Jesus came to change.  He came to reconcile us back to God and back to each other.  This is why he teaches his disciples to love one another.  This is the answer to loneliness; God giving us his love and then this love flowing through us to others.  This is one of our greatest gifts; the gift of loving and of being loved.  It is the end of loneliness.

    Yet the devil does all he can to convince us that we are alone.  It is one of his greatest lies.  He wants you to feel that you are isolated and all alone.  Once he has you convinced of this, he can torment you.  This is why we so often feel all alone.  It is the devil trying to entice you to leave God’s gracious and loving arms in order that you might be his target.

    Yet Jesus knows his plans and his ways.  Jesus knows our fear and pain in loneliness.  He has promised that we will never be alone.  He has promised to be with us to do protect us from the devil.  We can live in the certainty of his unending mercy.  We live with his eternal presence in our lives giving us the peace and confidence to face the struggles of this life with courage and certainty that we do not face them alone.  We face them with the certainty of God’s mercy always being present.

Gracious Lord, you are always with me.  You guard and protect me from all that the devil throws at me.  Keep me in your loving arms.  Be with those who are especially feeling alone at this time.  Bring them to the certainty of your grace.  Give them the wondrous knowledge of your loving protection and peace.  In your name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-19-2024

Good Morning All,

              John 18:38; “Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.” 

      “What is truth?” That was the question that Pilate asked Jesus.  There are many ways to interpret that question.  It would seem that this one is somewhat rhetorical and cynical.  It reminds me of “Reality TV.”  Just where is the reality on these TV shows?  I have only watched a couple of episodes and have never met anyone who spoke or acted like these people do and yet we call it “reality TV.”

    Why do we call it that?  Do we think that there are people who believe that life is like this?  Do the makers of these shows have strange dreams and then come up with these stories?  Or do they think this is reality?  I suspect the answer is that the makers of the show see reality as whatever makes a profit.  If they can make money, they put it on and smile all the way to the bank.  It is funny how we can distort reality so that it is what they want it to be.  The makers of the show have their motives and then call it reality.

    Pilate does the same thing.  First, he asks Jesus what is truth, and then he announces that he finds no guilt in him.  Pilate knows the truth; he knows that Jesus is innocent of all the charges made against him.  Yet he has Jesus beaten and whipped; apparently being innocent had a different meaning to him.  He then allows himself to be bullied into letting Jesus be crucified.  What is truth? Apparently to Pilate it was whatever was convenient at the time.

    How often do we do the same thing?  We take the easy or convenient way out.  Everyone else is gossiping about someone else, so we join in.  Everyone around us is advocating some form of sinful action and we acquiesce.  Everyone around us espouses some form of greedy or selfish stance and we agree, even when we know it goes against our faith and our understanding of Scriptures.  What is truth? The world tells us that truth is whatever works at the time we need it.  “Truth” depends on the situation; it is relative to what is around us.  The world wants you to believe that “reality TV” is truth even when we know it is not.

    This is what Jesus is talking about when he told his followers that “the truth will set you free.”  When you have no truth, only imaginations, you are always tied up in the lies.  You have to figure out why the current “false truth” exists.  Who has the power, who has the influence, who thinks they decide what truth is.  Believers in Christ know the truth.  Jesus came as the truth.  In him, and in him alone, do we have salvation; that is the truth.  God, and God alone is truth.  He alone determines the truth.

    In Christ we have the truth of God’s love.  In Christ we have the certainty of God’s mercy in our life.  In Christ we have the truth of our salvation.  In Christ we know truth. 

Father, you sent Jesus to be our truth.  Give us the courage to cling to you and to your truth.  Be with those who are being led astray by the world’s twisting of truth.  Bring them home to your eternal truth and love.  In the precious name of Jesus, our Risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret   

2-18-2024

Good Morning All,

     Hebrews 13:6; “So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

       There used to be a sports clothing line called “No Fear.”  It made and sold t-shirts, sweat pants and tops, hats, and other sports clothing.  It even had a deal with Pepsi to sell an energy drink.  Its clothing was popular among the high school age group and with those who were into extreme sports.  It became a motto for those who were willing to do just about anything for a thrill or in order to win a competition. 

     Many coaches would use this phrase in order to motivate their young charges.  It worked some of the time but when you challenge a young man to knock over a guy that is 6 inches taller and 100 pounds heavier; well even having “no fear” is usually “no success”.  The problem is that next time, the young man has fear.  Part of that is plain old common sense.  If at first you don’t succeed, you probably won’t the next time either.   This can often cause a certain amount of trepidation and fear.  So, what does that smaller young man do?  He gets some bigger help.

    That is the real reason a 90-pound freshman can have no fear on a football team.  He has a bunch of 250-pound teammates.  Then he has nothing to fear.  Yet his strength does not come from his own size but rather from the size and strength of his teammates.  The same is true for us; we just have a stronger teammate.

     We can never face up to God’s wrath on our own.  We would wither and die in no time.  We might think we are tough but when faced with the awful truth; we would crumble into wretched fear.  We also cannot face the onslaught of the devil on our own either.  The devil has ways to taunt us, to haunt us, to cause us pain and misery all day long.  He would have us quivering in fear in no time.  We would be huddled in the corner of our life, empty and alone.

    Yet we have the greatest champion of all time on our side as our teammate.  It is Jesus who overcomes the fear of punishment and the fear of the devil’s torment.  We only stand beside as our punishment is taken and the devil’s attacks are deflected.  We can stand tall and strong; we have no fear because we have Christ as our defender and protector.  The greatness of this is that it is never our strength that we stand on and as I get older, I know my strength is waning away.  But I stand on the strength of Christ which never fails.  I stand on his righteousness alone.

    This is how I can avoid God’s wrath.  This is why the barbs that the devil throws, although they might sting, can do no harm.  We stand with Christ, and we stand in Christ and in him alone.  It is by his wonderful grace that we have nothing to fear for we are always in his loving arms.

Father, too often I am tempted to fear the devil and his ways.  Give me the courage to stand always at the side of Jesus.  Lead me to have no fear.  Be with those who struggle with all that the devil throws.  Be with those who still live in the shadow of fear of you.  Be with all those who only know fear.  Free them from this bondage and give them the certainty of your grace and peace of living in no fear.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-17-2024

Good Morning All,

     Romans 6:1; “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”

         It always makes for an interesting, and lively, discussion.  This is especially true when you are talking to sixth, seventh and eighth graders.  They always answer so enthusiastically.  It starts with the discussion about the completeness of God’s grace and the completeness of Jesus’ sacrifice.  It goes something like this. 

   Student: “So I don’t have to do anything to get into heaven?”  Me: “No, in fact, there is nothing you can do.”  Student: “So now I am free, to do what I want?”  Me: “Yes you are free to do what you want; your salvation has been given to you because of God’s love and not because of your hard work or value.”  Student: “So I can sin if I want to?”  Me: “Yes.”  This is when bedlam breaks out.  I usually take a drink of water, or tea, or coffee, or something until it settles down a little.  A few of the kids are thinking of all the things they want to do but most are trying to figure out what is coming next.  So, then I turn it around and ask them questions.

   Me: “Yes, you are free to sin but why do you want to?”  Students: “It’s fun.”  Me: “Sin is what separates us from God’s love; why do you want to do something to hurt your relationship with God?”  “God has just forgiven you all of your sins; he has freed you from the bondage of sin and the slavery to the law; why do you want to sin, why do you want to go back to that?”  Now it is a little quieter.  Me: “Since God has shown how he loves you by sending Jesus to die for you; what should be your response?”  Student: “Love him and give thanks.”  Me: “How can you do this by sinning?”  Now it gets really quiet.

    This is the jist of Paul’s rhetorical question at the start of Romans chapter 6.  We have God’s grace poured out upon us; so, if we keep sinning, we get more grace so we might as well keep on sinning.  This is the argument put forward.  Paul responds with the dramatic and forceful response that we are dead to sin.  Our desire should be toward God not toward sin.  When our sinful nature has been changed from desiring to sin to desiring to love and serve God, this is the result of forgiveness alive in our life.  Our faith is moving forward.  Why would we want to sin?  The truth is that we do not want to sin.  We may slip into sin again (and again), but we do not desire it and often feel guilty after we have committed it.  This type of sin is not what Paul means.  It is the desire of the heart that reflects what is in our heart.  Is faith in God’s forgiveness and the completeness of Christ’s sacrifice in our heart or do we deny and reject it?  If we have the Spirit living in us, we desire to do God’s will; it is about this simple.  The hard part is that we still have the sinful nature which battles against the new creation we are because of Christ.  We battle against sin; we hate sin and we do not desire to sin.  We desire God’s love and grace.

Father, lead me away from sin.  Guide me by your Spirit to desire your will.  Be with those who are especially tested and challenged at this time.  Protect them with your loving arm and keep them from falling.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret     

2-16-2024

Good Morning All,

              Psalm 25: 14-15; “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.  My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.”

    Just someone to talk to; just someone who you can share your thoughts with; just someone who you can be yourself with.  Most people want and need a friend.  They seek that special companionship that only true friendship can bring.  The main thing about true friendship is the complete honesty that you generally have.

   It is your best friend that tells you the person you are dating is not the right one.  Your best friend is the one to tell you that the clothing you have on isn’t you.  It is your best friend who you share your dreams with and who helps you keep your life grounded.  It is usually your best friend that you call first, whether it is wonderful news or the worst news.

    In many ways, we can view Jesus as our best friend.  He is the one who truly knows you better than anyone else.  He knows your fears; those things in your life that cause you to stay awake at night.  He knows those events that cause us to worry.  It might be struggles with your spouse, or other family members.  It might be struggles with your boss or a co-worker.  It might just be the struggles that can come with getting older; but the fears can make us feel very lonely.

    It is through that loneliness that Jesus leads us to hope.  It is through his love and grace that we are kept safe.  He protects us from the snares and the traps that the devil sets for us.  He protects us from the fears that can paralyze us.  He gives us the confidence of our salvation and to us the peace that only he can give.  It is through his loving kindness and patience that we receive from him the blessings of this life and the ability to face the trials and struggles with hope.  It is that hope that secures us.

    Jesus is your best friend especially in that he will never abandon you or forsake you.  Even when others do, he will always be there to comfort you and to guide you through the trials and fears.  He speaks to us those words of comfort through his Word and hears our cries.  He listens better than any best friend because he offers true healing and true hope. We can live in the certainty of his wondrous grace.  In him and in him alone we know that our salvation is secure.  It is only by his grace that we win those battles and can face those fears with the certainty of the victory promised to us by God.  Given to us at our baptism, we can hold onto that promise that absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s love.  He is our friend; he is our salvation.  He protects us from all the devil throws at us.  In him alone we have peace.

Gracious Lord, you are our hope and salvation.  In you we have the peace and comfort to face this world.  Guide us by your light of truth.  Be with those who feel lonely and without anyone to be with them.  Guard and protect them from the traps that the devil lays before them.  Keep them safe in your loving arms.  Bring them safely home.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

2-15-2024

Good Morning All,

        1Timothy 2:1; “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.”

      I am always fascinated by the looking at Facebook at what people write or think.  One thing that is interesting is that so many people place requests for prayers on the site.  People ask for prayers for themselves, for their children or other family members.  It might be prayers for health or success in a new venture or just for the Holy Spirit to give them so comfort and peace.

    Of course, the standard reply is something like “I’ll pray” or “prayers are being offered” or something like that.  I often wonder if it is meant or if it is just a comment that is made along the line of when we say, “How are you?”  We usually don’t want the person to give us a real answer.  Is the saying “I’ll pray for you” the same thing, just and answer.  I hope not.

    Prayer is one of the most beautiful gifts that God gives his people.  First, it helps to connect us to God in a family fashion.  We are told to approach God as our loving Father.  This allows us to speak honestly and frankly from our heart.  We speak, even when God already fully knows what is in our heart.  God knows what weighs heavy on our heart, what our fears are and where our struggles lie.  Yet he invites us to speak to him, in what is best thought of as the holy conversation, the reading of Scriptures (listening to God speak) and the response of prayer (speaking to God as he listens).  It is in this that we find comfort and consolation.

    Yet there are other benefits which all Christians should rejoice in.  Prayer, when offered with others and for others, tend to bring a closer relationship with those people involved.  Married couples often report a closer relationship with their spouses when they pray together and for each other.  Family members claim a closer relationship with their siblings when they grew up actively praying for each other.   Church members tend to be closer when they join in prayer for each other and with each other.  This is part of the “bearing one another’s burden” that we are encouraged to engage in with one another.  Prayer strengthens our personal relationship with God, and it strengthens our personal relationships with our fellow believers.

    It can also strengthen our compassion and empathy for those for whom we pray.  We tend to connect with their experience more intensely when we pray for them.  There also tends to be more grace offered for their lives and less judging of their actions.  Prayer, true prayer, brings us peace.

    So, if you are a “Facebooker,” and you say that you will pray for someone; mean it and do it.  Often, it is easiest to pray for someone immediately when the need is brought to your attention.  Write it down to remember it if you can but pray right away and you will keep your promises and you will hear God’s call to make supplications and intercessions for everyone.

Father, teach me to pray for others, especially those who are in great need.  Father, you teach us that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those brothers and sisters who are in the greatest need.  Lead me to make intercessions for them.  In the precious name of Jesus, our Risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret           

2-14-2024

Good Morning All,

            Matthew 16:6; “Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

        It is often called “herd mentality” or “mob mentality.”  It is a social and psychological phenomenon which describes when a group of people begin to act in a fashion that may be different than how they would act individually.  We see it most often on the school yard.  All of a sudden, a group of kids decide to pick on one child.  The group just gangs up and is merciless to one child.  Many have experienced this at one time or another.  It may have been on either side of the interaction.  You may have been the victim, or you may have been one of the perpetrators.  This event seems to grow beyond any sense of logic or reason.

    Some scientists think that when a group begins to act in this fashion, that one of the first things to go away is personal responsibility.  People tend to see their personal beliefs and actions to be overruled and controlled by the mob.  We simply go along with the crowd and as someone begins to escalate the problem, many seem to just go along, even escalating the event as it occurs.  Many scientists feel that each person can deny personal culpability; it frees the individual from personal guilt.

    When Jesus was speaking of the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” he was speaking specifically of their false teachings.  It also can speak to the way that sin, once it begins to grow, can easily consume those who are either not paying attention or are easily swayed.  So, if we are in a group and gossip begins; it becomes easy for us to join in, add to the lies and falsehoods, and perpetuate the pain.  Be sure to always remember that, sin causes pain to all those involved.  Sin is something that can and does grow easily if we let it.  It can grow until it crowds out all of our faithful actions. 

    Jesus warns us against this.  He warns us that sin, left unchecked, grows, and grows until it destroys all around it.   Sin, when viewed as harmless or “not that big of a deal” grows until it reaches the point where many are harmed.  This is why Jesus continually encourages us to be watchful; to be alert to what is going on around us, what is being said, on what is happening.  Sin can start so small and mushroom so large before we even have time to think.  Sin is stronger and faster than we are; our only hope is to avoid it.  The only way to avoid it is to cling to Christ through the faith that he gives us.

    We are never stronger than sin.  We should never think we can play with it or toy with it.  Sin is only destructive and painful.  Our only chance of avoiding the leaven of sin is to cling to the cross of Christ.

Father, lead me to cling to your wondrous grace.  Lead me to hold onto the cross of Christ.  Keep me from the enticement of sin.  Be with those who are being tempted and are weakening.  Give them the strength to stand up to the struggles of sin.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret