6-14-2024

Good Morning All,

         Genesis 3:9; “But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

      When our oldest grandson was just a toddler, Grandma and I would babysit once in a while.  Grandma and I did a tag team; she watched him in the morning while I took the afternoon shift.  After a while, we played hide and go seek.  If he had enough time, he would get behind a chair or behind a bed and hide fairly well.  He wasn’t the quietest but not too terrible.  But if you were to quick count him and yell, “Ready or not; here I come!” before he was ready; he would panic.  He would either put a blanket or a pillow over his face or, if nothing was available, he would put his hands over his face and close his eyes. A couple of times, he would try and blend in with a door and press up against it as tightly as he could.

    Sometimes I wonder if we do that with God; do we stand in the middle of the living room with our hands over our eyes.  We think we are hiding from God.  Why do you think about hiding?  Do you have some past events which you feel a lot of guilt about?  Do you have current events that you wish were not occurring?  Maybe you let the conversation go a little to the gossip side of the discussion and now can’t figure out how to stop it.  Maybe you are speaking and then you felt like trying to grab those words back, but it won’t happen.  We all have those things in our life that we regret and usually repent when we see the pain that it is causing.

    But what if you are standing in the living room and you don’t feel like anyone sees you?  What if you don’t want to hide but it feels like no one sees you?  You might even feel like jumping up and down.  The effects of life have you spinning around.  Instead of you doing things, things are done to you.  Maybe your spouse had some harsh words or worse has just shut down and turns the other way.  Maybe your boss has made some comments about your skill or that he thinks he can replace you with a cheaper worker.  Maybe that persistent cough has become more.  Maybe mom or dad is really struggling with living alone and you are the only one around.  What happens when it feels like you are hiding, and you want to be seen? 

    First know that God is searching for you.  He seeks you out every minute of every day.  One of our greatest struggles in life is that we focus on the struggle.  We need to remember God’s promise to us.  We need to remember that struggles in this life don’t last forever and even if we feel like we are hidden from God, we are seen by God in plain sight.  We are not hidden, not even a little hidden from God.  His eye is upon us, and his love is poured out on us.  He never leaves us.  His love embraces us and gives us hope, even when the battles of this life seem so daunting; God’s mercy holds us up.

Father of love, you see me even if the world wants to hide me.  You see my pain and give me hope.  You see my fears and send your Spirit of comfort.  You see my sorrow and give me the certainty of your mercy.  Lift my eyes to see your incredible love.  Keep me safe in your arms.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret         

6-13-2024

Good Morning All,

                    Romans 6:22; “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”

      In January of 1941, Franklin Roosevelt gave a speech before Congress in which he began to lay out his vision, and the country’s vision for the kind of life that all men should be able to live.  It was entitled the “Four Freedoms.”  Norman Rockwell went on to paint a series of pictures reflecting what they meant to him.  These freedoms are:  The first is freedom of speech and expression -- everywhere in the world.  The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way -- everywhere in the world.  The third is freedom from want -- which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants -- everywhere in the world.  The fourth is freedom from fear -- which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-- anywhere in the world.

    Freedom is something that we value.  We seek it and we yearn for it.  We are even willing to die in order to achieve it or maintain it.  Yet one of the great ironies is that so many are not really free.  They are held captive by the devil and sin.  They are held captive by the guilt and shame which the devil inflicts upon them.  They suffer from the pain of feeling inadequate and out of control.  They suffer from the anxiety that living in slavery to the devil gives them.

    Yet God has truly given us the freedom to live free from the devil’s attacks.  Through his grace, we no longer have to fear the devil or live with guilt from the sins which we have committed.  God faithfully forgives them and relieves us from the guilt of sin when we confess our sins to him.  We are empowered by God to use this freedom to live a life that is free from the anxiety and fear that the devil would have us live.  We know this because of the promise that God makes to us in our Baptism.  As we live in his baptismal grace, we can live secure in the certainty of that grace.

    So how do we deal with the times of anxiety or stress?  One way is to remember this grace by repeating it.   Try repeating it like this.  “My name is ________.  I am a redeemed, baptized child of God and God has given me the power to be free from the devil.  I am in control because of his mercy.”  This is one way to help you remember the one thing the devil wants you to forget, and that is that God loves you and will never abandon you.  You are free so live as one who is free.

Merciful Father, through Jesus we are free from the bondage of the devil.  We are free to live the life that you have given us.  You desire us to be your people living in peace and hope.  Strengthen us that we may live in your grace and in service to you.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret 

6-12-2024

Good Morning All,

           Hebrews 4:15; “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

    Jesus was tempted.  This is one of the more frustrating sections of Scripture.  Many of us have trouble with Jesus being tempted.  We seem to struggle with the idea that the devil tempted Jesus with ideas like greed, lust, selfishness, arrogance, etc.  We don’t really like to think of Jesus being tempted; we can be very uncomfortable with it.  We like to think that he was more God so that somehow, he was immune to the devil’s attacks.  We like to think that, in many ways, our struggles are greater.  It is harder for me to not look with lust at someone other than my spouse.  It is a weakness for me.  My desire for money is something that I must be genetically predisposed to. (sounds good anyway)

    We like to think that it is somehow more difficult for me.  This is why God should be more patient with me.  The temptations are harder for me.  The struggle is tougher for me; my battle is greater than anyone else’s.  That is why I “slip” so easily.  It is why I can’t walk away from gossip; it is why I always give the “holy stare” when someone I don’t know comes into “my” church.  It is why I can think of everyone who should be listening to this sermon (besides me).  It is why I like to stare at the beautiful people.  It is why I think my parents, teachers, bosses are clueless idiots.  My temptations must be worse.

    Yet Scriptures tells us something different.  Jesus was tempted in every way as we are except, he did not sin.  As you read that statement or the verse for today.  It can be a statement of indictment or a source of comfort.  When we realize that our temptations are not unique or tougher on us than on someone else (even Jesus), our attempts to explain away or make excuses for our sins begin to look and sound very hollow.  Hopefully, it will also lead to a true repentance for those sins and the joy that we can truly experience when we hear God’s words of forgiveness.

    This verse can truly be a source of comfort because Jesus does know how hard it is.  Jesus knows how hard the devil tries, how the devil knows our weaknesses whether it is wine, greed, anger or lust and he launches attack after attack at them.  No amount of strength on our part, no amount of personal drive will ever prevail.  We need to turn to the only one to win; we need to turn to Jesus.  We do this best by staying in his Word, reading the Bible daily and joining that with prayer.  We do this best by seeking his mercy.  Our next best way is to avoid the places or people that “lead us into temptation.”  Go to God and away from sin.  Trust in God to mercifully provide for us a way out.

Dearest Jesus, you know what I go through.  You know how difficult it is for me to avoid temptation and when I try to battle on my own; I lose.  Lead me to rely on you and you alone.  Keep me safe in the shadow of your wings.  To you alone is the glory, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

6-11-2024

Good Morning All,

                  Haggai 2:9; “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.”

    We all want it; what the Eagles called “that peaceful easy feeling.”  The only problem is that we often don’t get it.  Most of us probably feel that there is little peace in our life and in our world.  We may desire peace, we may truly want peace, but we seldom have peace.  We seldom have peace in our family; we seldom have peace in our job; we seldom have peace in our own mind and heart.  Peace is elusive and difficult to find.

    The problem is that the world tries to tell us what peace is, and we listen to it.  Much like the way the mythical mermaids would lead the sailors to crash on the rocks, so the world’s sweet and deceptive sound can lead us astray.  It can lead us to crash on the rocks.  We see possessions as being our peace; yet the more we have the more we want.  Just as an addict can never get enough; we can never feed our greed.  The world tells you that peace is found on your terms.  If someone is weaker or does not “aid” in the benefit of your welfare, then get rid of them or push them out of the way.  If someone is stronger than you, than figure out how to use them to better yourself.  Peace is often defined as victory; as being stronger, richer, and more popular than your neighbor.

    The real answer is that peace is found in God alone.  The world does not offer peace; it only offers strife and weariness.  We only have true peace when we live in God’s grace and recognize that our peace is from Him and comes to us when we see that, as our sins are forgiven so we must forgive the sins of others against us.  We will never have peace if we are seeking revenge or living in pain form past hurts.  Real peace only exists when we hear God’s Word and live according to his will.  True peace comes when we know and trust that all things work to the good of those who love God.  God has promised us salvation and comfort.  He has promised to hold us in his hand and to lead us safely home to him.

    So, in order to have peace, seek it each day.  Begin each day asking God for his peace.  Invite and invoke the Holy Spirit to give you peace in this world.  We will have this peace, not because of the world, but in spite of it.  We will have this peace because we find our hope and our true security in God’s mercy.  We will have God’s peace when we seek the mercy that he gives us and grabs hold of it knowing that his love will always sustain us.

God of all peace, into your hands we lay our hope.  Into your hands we place our desire for peace.  Because of Jesus, you give us the peace that passes all of our understanding.  We don’t know why or how, but you give us peace when we seek your love and mercy.  It is your wonderful grace that gives us what the world does not give the peace with you.  Give us the strength of faith that we may be at peace with all those around us.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret            

6-10-2024

Good Morning All,

        Deuteronomy 2:7; “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness… You have lacked nothing.”

     I find it fascinating when I read and look at the way GPS has completely changed our lives.  You can take out your GPS unit or your smartphone and know where you are to within a few inches depending on how much you are willing to pay.  So, a fisherman out in the middle of a lake can mark the spot where he is fishing on his phone and come back tomorrow to the exact same spot.  The spray plane applicator doesn’t have to throw toilet paper out the window to mark his spot in the field. 

    I think the thing that fascinates me the most is that you can put a GPS on your phone or your spouse’s phone or your child’s smartphone and track their movement.  So, you can “see” where they are at any time.  So, you can call your children and ask them why they are where they are instead of where they are supposed to be.  If you and your spouse are wandering a mall, or a park or a forest and you are separated; you can find each other easily.  If you are lost and in need of help, your location can be pinpointed with amazing accuracy and speed and help will be on the way.

    Yet long before GPS was even thought of, God’s children had a GPS; we had God looking out for us.  Not only does God know where you are; he knows where you are going, how it will be when you get there and what the outcome of your journey will be.  God knows the entire story of your life; the who, what, where, when, why, and how.  But the God of all love and mercy is so much more than just knowing what is going on.

    God’s mercy places him in your life.  He not only knows what you are going through but he is experiencing it as well.  He knows your fears, your needs, your hopes, and your dreams.  He knows and experiences your heartache when a relationship is strained and breaking.  He knows and experiences the pain you feel as you worry about the health of a loved one.  He knows and experiences your fear as you wonder about your own health or finances.  He knows the wilderness that you are in because he is there with you every step of the way.  You never travel alone.

    Each step along the way, God has been with you providing you with what you needed.  You may have lacked your wants, but your needs have been filled at all times as God walks with you in the wilderness of your life.  Trust in his promise of never leaving you; trust in his mercy to supply you; trust in his promise of peace and hope.  He will never leave you in the wilderness alone.

Father of all mercy, you supply all my needs.  Keep me in the knowledge of your loving grace.  Keep me content in the supply that you give me.  Keep me in your loving arms that I may always know the comfort of your peace.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret          

6-9-2024

Good Morning All,

2 Kings 6:17; “Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

    Our verse for today is part of the story of the prophet Elisha.  One day, when the king of Syria was at war with Israel, the king sought to destroy Elisha.  It seems he didn’t like this pesky man of God interfering in his plans.  The king asked his counsel how many were on Elisha’s side and the counsel said that no one was.  So, the king sent an army to surround the city that Elisha was staying in.

   In the morning, Elisha’s servant looked out and saw all the enemy soldiers and was terrified.  He saw the incredible might of the Syrian army waiting outside the city gates and he was terrified.  “Alas, my master, what shall we do?”  He could only see the enemy.  So, Elisha prayed the prayer that is our verse for today.  “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”  As Elisha finished this prayer, the young man looked around and saw the mountain was full of horses.  There were chariots of fire all around Elisha.  God was protecting Elisha and the young servant from harm.

    We can see a great truth here for us.  Our fear results when we focus on the enemy and not on God’s supply.  Our fear results when we see only with our physical eyes and not with our eyes of faith.  It is through the eyes of faith that we see the mountain full of horses and chariots to protect us.  God has promised to never let us face our enemies alone.   Even in the darkest of hours, we are not alone.  No matter what the enemy is; it might be health worries, job insecurities, perhaps you and your spouse are at the end of your rope, and you are not sure if there is any ‘getting better’ left in you.  Perhaps you are sitting all alone in a waiting room somewhere and that is exactly how you feel; all alone.  Take heart, you are not alone.

    God invites you; he desires that you, he deeply wants you to look up and to focus on Him.  Look up and see the great army of God.  Even when our physical eyes see no hope, no possibility, no good thing in sight; we need to look up and see God’s protective arm.  He embraces us with his loving kindness and seeks to protect us.  God’s love is so much stronger than any enemy that we face.  God encourages you to look up with faith and to remember as the psalmist says, “My help comes in the Name of the Lord!”

Gracious God and Lord, open my eyes that I may see your army protecting me.  Open my eyes to the wonder of your mercy.  Open my eyes to the majesty of your grace that is so active in my life.  When my enemies attack, protect me and open my eyes.  Be with those who are most in need of your protective mercies.  Send your mighty angels to guard over them.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret    

6-8-2024

Good Morning All,

                  Acts 14:20; “But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.”

“When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.”

     So goes the opening verse to Carole King’s “You’ve got a Friend.”  This ballad speaks of a kinship that goes beyond being close by to each other.  It involves the promise that you can always count on me to come to your aid or rescue.

    Our verse is part of a story where the Apostle Paul was dragged from the city of Lystra by the Jews and stoned.  He is left for dead.  But soon the disciples gathered around him, and he rose up and then entered the city.  The next day he went to Derbe, a different city.  An amazing story as it tells of the wonderful power which God gives to us when we gather together to aid a brother or sister in Christ.  We gather to pray, to uplift one another, to console one another, to offer the words of God’s comfort and hope.

    This is one of the blessings of God’s church here on earth; we are here to aid one another, to bear one another’s burdens.  This gives us two ways to view this.  First, we are our brother’s keeper.  We are to look after one another.  If we see our brother fading or being knocked down by the world and the devil, we need to gather around them, pray for them, strengthen them with God’s Word so that they can get back up and face the world all over again.  We are to be sure that no one faces the battles of this world by themselves.  We are there for aid, comfort, and support.

    We also can know that when the attacks are on us and these attacks will occur, that we will not have to face them alone.  We face them with God’s Spirit and the love and support of all the brothers and sisters in Christ.  The battles are not your alone or mine alone; they are ours together, because God’s Spirit is strengthened in us when we hold onto one, we seek out one another to receive the consolation that we seek.  God is with us all the time and we, as the church, like the disciples that surrounded Paul, are to be there for one another as well.

Gracious Father, you lift us up by the willingness of our brothers and sisters to come to our aid and comfort.  Lead us by your Spirit to lift up those around us who are in need.  Strengthen the brothers and sisters to stand up to the many struggles in this life.  Give us your mercy to live in peace.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret