8-12-2024

Good Morning All,

         Romans 10:9; “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

     I had one of the most unique conversations that I have ever had a few days ago.  A lady that I have known my whole life works at a store that I do business in often.  She is there and we talk to each other and have a friendly relationship.  Normally, our conversations go through normal avenues until the other day.  We got talking about our families and she told me that they had to place her father in a nursing home as he was having health issues.  Now the town that we were talking in has 2 hospitals, 4 nursing homes and a half dozen or so different assisted living centers; so, I asked, “which one?” meaning which nursing facility.  She looked at me and with all sincerity said, “I only have one dad.”

    I must have had a really puzzled look for a few seconds because then we both started to laugh but it was interesting how such a simple conversation veered off into an almost “Twilight Zone” level of existence.  It is funny how sometimes when we try to have a conversation it can get so twisted.  Sometimes it is totally by accident, like this conversation.  Sometimes it is done on purpose so trouble will occur, and someone can cause some mayhem.

    That is what makes our faith so interesting.  It is simple.  There is not a lot of “do’s and don’t’s” just a simplistic answer.  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  There is no test or other requirements.  Faith, trusting in God’s promise, is what it takes.  Believing what God says is the key.  It is not our actions or works.  It is not our struggles or feeble attempts at life.  It is about faith; that wonderful gift from God that he gives us.  God gives us the faith to trust in his promise.  God gives us faith, the desire to trust his Word, and this desire to trust is the key event.  Trust God’s Word that your faith in God’s promise will save you.

    Believe it, with all your heart.  For when you do, that very faith changes your heart.  It changes who you are.  It changes how you look at life.  It changes how you live your life.  Faith moves us towards God.  Faith draws us to his love and grace.  We may feel the tug going the other way and straying from God but the desire to trust God is stronger than the desire to trust ourselves.  God’s mercy calls us home.  His grace brings to us new life and new existence; we are a new creation.

   This newness is what proceeds as our statement of faith; that is confessing with your mouth.  It may be with your mouth, or it may be with your actions, but your faith will show through.  God’s love will show through your life.   Faith will make it so.

Dearest Father, through the gift of faith you bring us into your grace.  Give us the strength to hold onto that faith that saves us.  Guard us by your Spirit.  Be with those who feel the pull of this sinful world and are struggling with the battles of life.  Strengthen them with your mercy.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret