4-21-2025

Good Morning All,

             Psalm 136:1; “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Our speaker was talking about his daughter when she was very young.  At the age of 2 she had decided that when she grew up; she wanted to be an elephant.  Nobody is sure where that came from, but she was only 2 and she was fascinated by elephants.

   As she got a little older, she was still infatuated by elephants.  She still thought being an elephant would be neat.  She had books about elephants and had stuffed elephants in her room.  When she drew pictures, it was about elephants.  When they talked about Noah’s Ark, she only asked about the elephants.  I think you get the picture.  When she was 5 years old, the decision was made to take her to the circus.  What a great idea, unfortunately they told her a little too soon. 

   Those three days that she had to wait were almost unbearable.  She was super excited each time she would stop and think of the elephants she would squeal with delight.  They were going to go on Friday.  By Wednesday, the parents were thinking about giving her sedatives so they could sleep.  This was one excited little girl.  Finally, it was Thursday night.  They had put her to bed a couple of times when she came out for the third time.  She was about to be scolded for not going to bed when she ran to them and hugged them and said, “I want to thank you today for what you are going to do tomorrow!!”

    This little girl had total confidence in her parents that they would keep their promise.  She knew that on Friday the elephants would be real.  She knew that nothing would stop them.  We have an even better promise from God.  He promises us the blessings of forgiveness and new life.  He re-creates us every day.  He draws us to him through the redeeming and atoning by Jesus.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Whatever the world throws at us, we face with God on our side.  That is a promise we can live with.

    We can go about each day confident that God will take care of us.  This is part of why Jesus tells us, “don’t worry about tomorrow;” we do not have to; God has already taken care of it for us.  Isn’t that comforting to know that God takes care of us and not just today but tomorrow as well?  Now as we face the trials of this sinful world, we know that it really has no long-term impact on us.  There will always be a tomorrow for us because God has already taken care of it.  He will guard us and protect us and when necessary, he will comfort and console us with the gentleness of his Word and nourish us with his precious body and blood.  I thank you today for what you are going to do tomorrow.  What a gift!! (By the way she loved the elephants)

Dearest Father, I want to thank you today for what you are doing today and what you are going to do tomorrow.  Keep me in the certainty of this knowledge that I might always be in the comfort of your loving arms secured by your grace.  Be with those who struggle.  Send your Spirit of comfort and give them the certainty that all things work for good for those whom you love.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret  

4-20-2025

Good Morning All,

         1 Corinthians 15: 19-20; “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

    It is Sunday, the first day of the week. Most are getting ready for work. Except for some women, mostly friends and relatives of Mary and a few ragtag Galileans remaining in Jerusalem who are still at a loss. The women go to properly take care of the body of Jesus and they come back with this story about the tomb being empty and angels talking to them. Peter and John go to look, and they find things as the women said. And just like that, nothing would ever be the same.

    If Christ was not raised from the dead and our hope is only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied. If this were true, then our faith would be a theory or a philosophy. It would be just a moral relationship of self-discipline and self-exaltation. Yet Scriptures gives us possibly the greatest coordinating conjunction to ever be written. “BUT” in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. If thought “A” is true, then this is true BUT “A” is not true “B” is true. Christ has been raised from the dead. Everything depends on this wonderful truth. Our hope for heaven and eternal life, and our purpose for our life here on this earth. Since our faith is based on the historically accurate biblical account of the resurrection of Jesus, we can now go forward with our life story.

    With Jesus’ resurrection and his ultimate victory over death, we now can confidently live out our life, never needing to be ashamed of our faith or how it shapes who we are. We can live out our lives according to God’s will and purpose because we have nothing else to earn, win or prove. It has been won for us and that victory remains with us forever. The amazing power of “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” can never be overstated. And we are the beneficiaries.

    So, we celebrate. We celebrate to give all praise and honor and thanks to God. We celebrate to remember just how wondrous this gift is. We celebrate because we are now the victors. Now, every Sunday is a little Easter, a soul renewing and refreshing reminder of what happened so long ago on the first day of the week when some women went to a grave only to find it empty. But in fact, Christ was (and is) raised from the dead; and he lives and reigns to all eternity.

    So, celebrate! This Day and every day. Even in the midst of trials, in the midst of things we cannot understand, we can confidently look to the empty cross and the empty tomb and always see our hope. Jesus went through those doors and came out victorious. Then he turned around and gave that victory to you so you could rest in his loving and protective arms. Jesus won and you do too! Thanks be to God! A very blessed Easter to you all!

Almighty and gracious Lord and King, on this day we especially remember your great victory over sin, death, and the devil. That in this victory, you brought us home into your holy family. Help us to always see your hands at work in our lives, giving us the gracious and loving mercy and the hope that we have in your name. We pray this in your holy and wondrous name, Jesus!! Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

4-19-2025

Good Morning All,

         Matthew 28:1; “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.”

     It is now Saturday. We don’t even have a name for it. Some call it Easter Saturday. What do you do on Easter Saturday? Do you dye eggs? Do you begin preparing your Easter dinner? Do you fill your Easter baskets or finish on the flowers for decoration? How do you spend Saturday? I am very sure we spend it differently than the followers of Jesus did those long days ago.

    None of the Gospel writers tell us anything about Saturday. It would have been the Sabbath day, and all the writers end the prior chapters with Jesus’ death and hurried burial. The next chapter begins with “early on the first day of the week after the Sabbath” or some variation of that. But what happened on that Sabbath is not recorded. We can kind of speculate, most of us have been in the situation where a loved one died rather unexpectedly. There is oftentimes a sense of total emptiness. Some make idle work just to keep their hands busy. Some just start out the window as if they expect the loved one to come walking up. Some wonder around pouring a cup of coffee, taking a sip, setting it down, wandering some more then getting a different cup and repeating the routine.

    For me, my thoughts always go to Peter, what was on his mind and heart? The last interaction with Jesus was “the look” (Luke 22:61-62) after Peter’s denial of Jesus. His last interaction was one of betrayal and now he could never undo it. The women who followed Jesus are probably as active as they can be. Remember the Jewish day ends and the next begins at sunset. So, at sunset on Saturday, the women probably were out and about collecting the spices and herbs and aloes that they needed to properly prepare the body of Jesus for burial. You wonder if they slept at all that Saturday night.

    What a difference! Look at your Saturday versus theirs and see why. We know what happens; they had to experience it. We know the tomb is empty; they were about to find out. We plan everything knowing that Easter Sunday is about to bloom into our life. We anticipate while they worried and wondered. So, whether you are anticipating, or this is your first Easter, and you are filled with wonder and a little uncertainty; it all happens tomorrow! We plan the celebration of the most important day in history. We eagerly look forward to tomorrow. When the subdued nature of worship turns into full throated jubilation. It is coming and we wait with joyful hearts.

    Our Saturday against the follower’s Saturday could not be more different. But thanks be to God our Sunday will be exactly the same!

Tender Father, you graciously held those early followers in your loving arms to comfort them until the new truth was revealed to them. Hold us when we experience fear, loneliness and worry. Bring comfort to all who are hurting for our hope is always in Easter, our salvation is always the empty tomb. Keep us mindful that there is so much more to come because the tomb is empty. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

4-18-2025

Good Morning All,

         John 19:30; “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

    It is now Friday of Holy Week. It is Good Friday. There is much happening. Some will claim that Jesus’ “arrest” occurred after midnight so technically Friday. This may or may not be accurate but in saying it is, it makes Friday fraught with activity. The trials of Jesus, before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, back to Pilate. The mocking and the scourging leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. The Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows), the crying of the women, the dividing of Jesus’ clothes, the sayings on the cross, the other two criminals, the mocking by the Scribes and Pharisees, Mary at the cross, John at the cross, plus things we did not mention, there is a lot going on. Sometimes, we lose sight of the forest for the trees.

    In our exhaustive look at Friday’s events, our study of crucifixion, the debate about the placement of the nails (hands or wrists), and other items often cause us to miss the most important part, it is finished. Jesus has completed (fulfilled) all that the prophets had spoken of. Jesus has kept the Father’s will. Jesus has taken on all sin and paid its burdensome price. So, in those three words, it is finished, changes everything for us. The whole reason for Jesus coming into this world as a man is answered in those words, the bill is paid. It is somewhat telling in that the Greek word used here is “tetalestai” has a connotation of paying of a debt.

    Even the more accurate translation “it has been finished” has a deeper meaning for us. The use of the present perfect tense (has been) means that something that happened in the past still matters in the present. Jesus’ death to pay the debt still works today. Those sins which we commit today are still forgiven on that cross on that day so long ago. It has been finished so it is finished. The debt is paid, and we are freed. We are freed from the bondage of the Law and to sin. We are freed to be the creature that God created us to be. A creature that loves and worships God; a creature that loves and serves his neighbor.

    So, as we contemplate Friday, don’t lose sight of the truth. Jesus took on death, took on the devil and won. In that victory, we have salvation. Jesus won and so do you! That is our hope! The victory on that cross is our victory, given to us by a loving Savior who gave everything so that we may live. It is on this truth that our full hope is based. A hope that will never fail because it is guaranteed by God himself.

    Our observance of Good Friday is because Jesus changed everything. Our present, our future changed when “it has been finished” was proclaimed loud and clear, in a voice of the One who was and is in control. We mourn death, we solemnly remember the incredible cost of our victory; yet we celebrate the wondrous gift of love that God has for us. Jesus wins and so do you!

Gracious and loving God and Father, on this day so many years ago, you worked my salvation. Help me to always remember, with boundless joy, this wondrous act of love. Move me to respond to this love by loving others through a worshipful life towards you. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

4-17-2025

Good Morning All,

          John 11:35; “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

    It is Thursday of Holy Week and things are picking up. It is time for the Passover meal. Jesus gives John and Peter instructions on how to find a place for them to share in this meal. “Look for a man carrying a jug of water and when he enters a building, ask the master of the house if the room is ready.” He led them to a spacious hall, and it was here they ate their meal.  

    It was sundown and the time was at hand. We now begin what in the Book of John is called “the Upper Room Discourse.” John spends chapters 13-17 in this Upper Room. The whole Book of John is 21 chapters long and he spends roughly a fourth of the Book here on Thursday night. Even with His death only hours away, Jesus continues to teach, to encourage, to pray for, and to comfort his disciples. He begins to show them what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. He starts by washing their feet.

    At the time of Jesus, washing the feet of your guest was considered an honorable gesture. Given the amount of walking they did, and in sockless sandals, a person’s feet could get quite dirty. It was often the job of the lowest slave to wash the feet. Yet, in the middle of the meal, Jesus gets up and washes their feet. This was to show them, and us, to follow Jesus is an active life but a humble life; it is a life of service. Jesus tells them, “I have given you an example to follow.”

    For many Christians, this is just too hard to swallow. “If I am the victor, I am going to act that way!! I will gloat, I will hold it over them and they will see I am in charge.” Unfortunately, this is exactly how the devil wants us to respond. This attitude drives people away from Christ not towards him. Yet Jesus shows us a different way, a better way to live. Jesus shows us that the way he lived, the humble, compassionate life he lived drew people to him. He looked upon everyone, especially the hurt and the oppressed, with a special love. In his teachings, he emphasized caring for “the least of these” over and over. Not with some form of power trip but with true humble compassion. So, He instructs us with these simple words, “love one another. Love as I have loved you.”

    Jesus even gave us his special meal, his body and blood, to emphasize his love for us and to remind us of that great love whenever we gather together as his people. We see the great love that Jesus has for us, a sacrificial love that knows no limits. A love for us to strive to have for those around us. To do “church” right is to have people say, “See how they love each other.” See how they share in their burdens, they share in their compassion, they share in their needs, they share in their plenty, and they love one another. There is no need that is too large or too great that they will not carry. Love one another, even as I have loved you!

Father of mercy, defend us with your mighty arm so that we may be a people who love. Give us courage, wisdom, and a trusting faith to live our lives of love for all. Send your Spirit to lead us on the paths you would have us go that all that we do may please you and bring you glory. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

4-16-2025

Good Morning All,

     Luke 22:4; “He (Judas) went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.”

    Today is Wednesday of Holy Week. We have no specific records of Jesus’ movements or actions for Wednesday but there is much going on. Tuesday, after what may have been the most intense day of Jesus’ teachings and interactions with the Jewish leaders, Jesus withdraws to Bethany. We can speculate about Jesus. He was undoubtedly praying, comforting, and encouraging his followers.

    The Jewish Council is probably pretty active. Jesus had finally pushed them beyond their tolerance level. The plans to get rid of Jesus went from hypothetical to earnest practice. And the devil helped. Luke 22:3 says that “Satan entered Judas’ heart.” He went and offered to help them by betraying Jesus to them. So, the plot was made, the cost decided, and the game was afoot. Judas would kiss Jesus, that was the sign, and the cost was 30 pieces of silver.

    30 pieces of silver. No exactly a princely sum, in fact, it was the cost of a slave. It would represent about four months’ worth of wages for an ordinary man. A decent sum, but enough to betray Jesus? Apparently, it was enough to attract Judas, but why? That has been a question asked for ages. Why did Judas do it? Some imply simple greed and maybe retaliation for a slight from Jesus. The Gospel writers always note that Judas was the holder of the money bag, suggesting that he helped himself. It was Judas who commented that the perfume used to anoint Jesus’ feet could have been sold and given to the poor. Jesus told him to “leave her alone.” Maybe he had delusions of grandeur and was trying to force Jesus to act forcefully. We don’t know a lot about what was going on in Judas’ head, but we know what was in his heart and that was Satan.

    It is the same today. What drives people to do certain things? We can look for many causes, but the underlying truth is that Satan has entered their hearts. When Satan enters your heart, your heart (your desires) becomes selfish, arrogant, and made without love. Why did he cheat on the test? Why did she cheat on her husband? Why did they abandon their faith? Why are some people so cruel? Satan entered their heart. It began when Adam and Eve listened to Satan and not to God. It is the same today, who do you listen to, Satan or God?

    “I listen to God, until it doesn’t make sense to me.” “I listen to God until it gets too hard.” “I listen to God until it gets inconvenient.” In truth, we do not listen to God in these situations, we listen to Satan. Yet, just like Jesus knew Judas’ heart and invited him back, Jesus knows your heart and invites you to return to Him. To repent and to know his grace and mercy. To return to the Lord.

    Jesus died for us so that we would not have to pay the price of listening to Satan. Jesus paid it and we reap the benefit. So, hear God’s invitation to return to the Lord and know his peace.

Heavenly Father, you call us home through your loving grace and the mercy of Jesus. Keep us ever mindful of your great patience. Humble our hearts so that we may serve you willingly and in compassion to our fellow man. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

4-15-2025

Good Morning All,

         Romans 13:10; “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

    It is Tuesday of Holy Week. As best as we can calculate, Jesus spent a portion of the day in the Temple. He was trying, one last time, to win over at least some of the Jewish leaders. He told some parables, and he debated them on points of the Law. One of the questions asked by one of the legal experts was specifically about the Law. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?”

    Now on the surface, this seems a strange question. Yet when you realize that the rabbinic schools of thought at the time of Jesus suggested that there were at least 613 different ordinances which man had to keep.  There were 248 affirmative precepts, this corresponded with the number of body parts in a human body. There were 365 negative precepts which corresponded with the number of days in a year. The 613 also corresponded to the number of Hebrew letters in the Ten Commandments. There were some other types of mathematical wizardry that also added up to the same total, so they were confident they were right.

   Yet with 613, which one was the principle one that determined greatness? Some were lighter while some were heavier. Some dealt with the Sabbath while others dealt with sacrifices, meat and drink, fasting, fringes on their robes, phylacteries, ablutions, and much more. All are equally binding but with 613, certainly there were times when they crossed paths, so which was the greatest? How do we tell?

    Jesus, using the same 10 Commandments, directed the lawyer this way. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your hearts, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  “You shall love” ties the two together. In fact, “You shall love” ties all of a Christian’s life together. Love, the desire to do something to the benefit of our neighbor, is the true spirit that underlies all of our obedience. We obey, not out of fear, but out of genuine love for our heavenly Father because of his benevolence shown to us by Jesus on the cross for our sins. We love our neighbor, not out of selfishness or some type of transactional utilitarian want, but out of a true desire to see our neighbor live a life as God has given to him.

    So, we are to love because that is who we were created to be. We were created to be caretakers for creation to provide for the care and the proper creational growth of all things in creation. We are to be the special creature that God created, to walk with Him in eternal joy and praise. Love is always the answer to the question of greatness. Love always fulfills the Law.

Gracious and loving God, guide us by your perfect Spirit so that we make walk in true love for You and for our neighbor. Help me to see You in all the people that I meet. Lead me to have compassion on all, especially those who struggle with life. Use me to be Your hands to give them comfort in this life. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret