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