12-18-2020

 Good Morning All, 

        Matthew 18:21; “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”

     “Mom, Tommy hit me!”  The mother replies, “Tommy, tell your sister that you are sorry.”  Tommy, “I’m sorry.”  It may or may not be heartfelt.  This usually ends the parental lesson for the day, but it should not.  How come the mother never tells Tommy’s sister to forgive him?  This is an important part of the event.

    In our verse, Peter is being generous.  It was the custom to forgive someone three times; after that you no longer were expected to forgive.  So, Peter was more than doubling the requirement.  He was being twice as generous as needed.  It would be like giving 20% of your income rather than the expected 10%.  It was doing what was required but the problem with doing what was required was that you often had to “keep track” in order to do what is required.  In this fashion, forgiveness is an act of the law and not an act of love.

    So, Jesus told Peter, “not seven times but seventy-seven (or seven times seventy, depending on the translation) times.”  Either of these are a bit of hyperbole as to show that you cannot keep track and that is the point.  Forgiveness is about letting go of the past.  Forgiveness is about the future.

    What occurred in the past cannot be undone.  We cannot undue any action we did yesterday.  We cannot “unhit” our brother or sister, we cannot take back the insults to our spouse, we cannot take back the cruel remarks to our children or co-workers or the gal in the checkout line.  We can apologize for them, but we cannot take them back.  The person who received those actions or comments cannot “unexperience” them.  There is only one option; you must forgive yesterday and move on to today.  You must forgive, no matter how many times, if you plan on moving forward.  Failing to forgive will only hold you down and only hold you back.

    One way to view this is that forgiveness is about looking out the windshield rather than looking out the rearview mirror.  We need to look out the windshield looking forward rather than looking in the rearview mirror where we only see what was.  It is far better to look ahead and look forward to the wonders and the grace that God has in store for us.  If we look back, too often, we focus on the pain and the sorrow.   If we look ahead, we can look ahead in hope of God’s mercy. 

    Our future is in God’s loving hands.  We should savor that and look forward to that eagerly.  By failing to forgive, we hold ourselves back by keeping the hurt within our heart.  Forgiveness is about letting go of the pain.  It is about ending someone else controlling our happiness.  By forgiving others, our happiness depends solely on God’s grace and not on our sinful desires.  Forgive and look forward.

Father, help us to see that by forgiving others, we heal our hearts.  Help us to see that forgiveness relieves the sinner and those who are sinned against.  Be with those who are struggling to forgive and to look forward to your continued love.  In the name precious of Jesus, our risen Savior, Amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret     

12-17-2020

 Good Morning All, 

         1 Corinthians 13:8a; “Love never ends”

      “And they all lived happily ever after, the end.”  Boy that line always sends shivers down my spine.  It is one of the first things we talk about in the pre-marital counseling sessions I do.  I look into the eyes of these young ones, all starry eyed about getting married, and I almost feel guilty when I crush this statement, almost.  This statement, or at least the belief in this statement, causes troubles in all relationships, especially marriages.

     The problem with this line is that it leaves out the truth.  Think of a couple of the classics, like “Snow White” or “Cinderella”.  In both of these stories, the young ladies are in tough positions; they are struggling to get along.  They struggle against difficult situations and difficult odds.  Then along comes the man of their dreams, sweeps them off their feet, marries them and all their problems and struggles are over.  It works for Disney but rarely in the real world.  In the real world, this is where the work begins.

    Relationships are work, it is that simple.  There are times when “happily ever after” applies but there are times when it doesn’t; then what?  The problem is that relationships do not solve our problems or heal our wounds or fulfill our dreams because they are not intended to.  Sometimes, the opposite occurs.  When two flawed sinners are locked into a relationship together, sometimes it can get rough and then it takes work.

    True relationships, especially marriages, are work because they involve choices.  You must choose intimacy over being selfish, you must choose peace over “being right”, you must choose respect over dominance, and you must choose love over control.  There are times of “happily ever after” but there are times when the struggle of two sinners struggling show up as well.

    True relationships do not make us happy; they are the result of true love; a love that never ends.  A love that we receive from God in Jesus.  A love that caused him to spread his arms for you and to hang on a cross for you.  True love is not the end of the relationship; it is only the beginning.  God has plans for our love, but they generate from him and work only when our love conforms to his will.  The relationships are God’s gift to us, especially marriage.  Relationships bring us companionship, friendship, and love but we receive these from God as part of the gift.  We need to use them and, ultimately, give them to those around us.

Father of all love, guide us by your Spirit.  Lead us to love as you have loved us.  Show us that to love is to give and not to take.  Lead us to battle for the relationships that you give to us.  Help us to overcome the demons which seek to destroy us.  Be with those who are especially struggling at this time.  Protect them by your mighty arm.  Defend them from the devil that they may live in the love and the marriages as you have given to them.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

12-16-2020

 Good Morning All, 

        Matthew 6:34; ““Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

     Most of us tend to worry about tomorrow.  We worry about the grades we get in school.  We worry about how to pay for school, will we get a job after school, what about a spouse and a family; we worry a lot.  Then the worries really begin; now that we have a family that is depending on us.  Will my job be there tomorrow?  Will the farm give us enough to live on?  Will my children live long and happy lives?  All this worry can cause stress in our lives and even have physical effects on us.  So how do we deal with stress?

    One of the factors of stress in our lives is that we often add to it by overwhelming our self with extraneous commitments.  These extra pressures can really add to our worries and our fears.  So, we need to really pay close attention to our commitments.  Are they really important and necessary or are they window dressings for the neighbors?  Do they build our relationship with God and our family or do they distract from them?

    The next part of our stress is our belief that our life can be divided into two parts.  We think we live in a secular world or that we live in a sacred world.  We think that we can separate our faith from our everyday life and it just does not work.  This causes us to see that there are portions of our life that God is not a part of.  We think that there are areas where God either does not care or, maybe, does not need to know about.

    The real danger is that too often, when doing the calculations of our life; we leave God out of the formula.  Too often, we plan our future, looking for what we believe to be the best for us then worry when it does not seem to go that way.  Yet God tells us, repeatedly, that he will care for us.  He “has plans to prosper us”, He “cares for you”, He “provides our daily bread” and many other verses tells us that we are his children and that he provides for our needs.  Often, our worries begin where our “needs” end and our “wants” take over.  It is when we are content with what God provides that many of our worries end.

    So, do not be anxious about tomorrow.  God will provide for our needs.  The “wants” may have to wait but our needs will be met.  So, do not be anxious about tomorrow; trust God’s promise to you.  Trust in his amazing love to carry you through the trials of today.  Trust in his grace to give you those things which are needed today.  God has made this bold promise to you so do not be anxious about tomorrow; live in God’s mercy today.

Father, all is in your hands.  Give me the strength to hold onto this truth.  Give me the wisdom to know that your love will never fail me.  Give me the power to follow where you lead.  Be with those who are especially anxious this day.  Give them peace that their hearts may find rest.  Guard them with your Spirit and bring them home.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret 

12-15-2020

 Good Morning All, 

              2 Timothy 4:6; “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”

      It was about ten to twelve years ago that the country singer Tim McGraw sang a song entitled “Live like You were Dying”.  The song was about a young man (I was in my early forties, with a lot of life before me) who suddenly found out he had cancer.  This event changed his outlook on life (all of a sudden goin’ fishin’ wasn’t such an imposition).  That is always one of those conversations that many find difficult.  How would you respond if you were told that you only had a short time to live, maybe six months or so?

     Many might be tempted to try the “Bucket List” but that would probably get old soon.  It would be tiring, expensive and it could take you away from your family and friends.  Some may just close themselves off and die quietly and lonely.  It is a difficult to try and calculate exactly what one would do.  My wife and I watched a movie where a mother of a young girl died of cancer.  She had written a series of letters to this young girl for different birthdays, Christmases, and future big events.  The little girl looked forward to each letter as did the father.  So, what would you do?

    The thing that Paul did was to sit down and write a very loving and personal letter to his young protégé Timothy.  In this letter, Paul encourages his young student to continue on in his faith.  He encourages him to remain strong and true no matter what comes at him.  He does this in a way that speaks of the love that Paul has for this young pastor.  So, Paul’s last days are spent continuing to support this young man.  It is a noble thing that Paul did, but could you?

    I do not know what I would do in this situation.  I would like to think I would write letters to my grandchildren offering encouragement.  I would like to think I would write my sons and express my pride and happiness in them.  I would like to think I would write my wife and thank her for her love through the years.  That is what I would like to think I would do but I might not be that strong.

    I do know that the most important thing to do is to reconcile where you need to, thank where you can, encourage as you have the opportunity and be sure that those around you know that you love them.  This is far more important than “things” or “stuff.”  This is a far better list than skydiving or sailing the horn of Africa.  What the knowledge of your impending death should do is point out that it is the relationships of our lives that matter here in this life.  What you should know is that you are dying, we all are.  So, do not miss a chance to love your family and your friends.  Live like you were dying; love like it you will live forever, for you will.

Father of all mercy, you give us life.  Even though we may die, we will live forever with you.  Help us to see that the greatest joys in this life are our family and friends.  Through the forgiveness of sins, you make us your children.  By your grace, we have eternal life.  Strengthen us by your Spirit and make us confident of our eternal life.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

12-14-2020

 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.”

    We are living in a time that, for many of us, is the most stress filled days we have ever experienced.  We often struggle with what is happening and we dread what will “happen next.”  This involves our health, our finances, our civic structure and how all of these are going to play out over the next couple of years and then what.  Many people are struggling in all aspects of their lives and the strain is showing.

    We all live with stress and strain.  The interesting thing to me is that as we go through life, the style and the form of the stress may change, and the intensity may fluctuate but stress always exists.  Part of this is because we live in a broken creation so there is a level of random “bumps” that can occur.  The freak storm which knocks out your electricity and phone service just when you need them the most can cause stress.  The car battery that dies can cause some stress.  These are random events which can cause us stress.

     Yet the greatest cause of stress is completely internal.  We tend to focus on the pain and the problems in life especially when these stresses tend to pile up on us.  One or two stresses can be handled but pile four or five together and then it can get a little more intolerable.  With stress comes anxiety and anxiety is the devil’s friend.

     It is important to remember that at times of stress; it seems that the level of temptation goes up with the level of stress in our life.  The more anxiety you experience; it seems the more the devil wants to “talk” to you.  It is times of stress when the devil attempts to bring more doubt into our life.  It is at these times when the devil attempts to separate us from God.  So, it can be very helpful to know that as you are stressed; be prepared for the devil’s onslaught.

    So, if you are stresses, take time to pray.  Especially in times of stress you should pray to God and ask for peace.  Ask God to relieve your stress and to give you peace and rest.  It seems that peace, contentment, rest and these types of emotions and experiences really thwart the devil in his temptations.  We seem more susceptible to the devil when we are flustered or haggard or worried about the events around us.

    So, pray for peace and then look for the peace that God gives you.  It is a peace that goes beyond our understanding.  It helps us to weather the storms.  God’s peace may not end the storm or avoid it, but God’s peace gives us the ability to ride it out and to see the rainbow on the other side.

Gracious Lord, send us your peace.  By your grace defend us from the devil’s attacks.  Guard us the trials of life add up.  Be with those who are especially stressed at this time.  Send them your Spirit and give them the comfort that they need and give to them your peace.  In the name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,  

Pastor Bret  

12-13-2020

 Good Morning All, 

            Matthew 5:39; “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

      One of the hardest things we ever do is to sit and honestly look at our lives as Christians and look at our own faults, weaknesses, and temptations.  Look at your life and honestly say, “This is where I am the weakest”.  We all have at least one most of us have a few.  There are those events or actions which trigger our “Old Adam” quicker than it should.  For some it is pride.  They look at what they have been given by God and then almost hurt their shoulder patting themselves on the back.  Some are tempted by lust.  They seem to think every person of the opposite sex is there for their pleasure.  Some are greedy; they seek money no matter what the cost.  For others it is vanity, for some it is gossip for some it is a highly judgmental attitude.  Everyone has one of those places where we are so easily tempted; it is easy to slide into the trap that the devil sets.  What is yours?

    Mine is our verse; I do not turn the other cheek well.  This is not in a physical sense.  I have never thrown a punch or had one thrown at me.  Mine is the verbal assault.  When someone makes a caustic remark, or just an inane one, I have to bite so hard on my tongue that it can draw blood.  I am also sorry to say; I do not always bite hard enough.  The thing about this temptation is that it is so easy.  Sometimes, as I listen to what the other person is saying, I think, “this is too easy of a target to let go of.”  Or, if the other person has been curt or cutting in their remark, well, all bets are off, and he will hear what I really think.  I have no fear and I am quick, and it usually only serves the purpose of the devil.

    There are a number of reasons that I mention this.  First, we all have some trigger that is more easily pulled than other ones.  Second, for me, as I look at this in my life; it makes me more compassionate as others share their short falls.  I am not better than anyone else, probably worse because I know better.  Yet I fall short, far more than I like.  Maybe you do as well.

    This is why it is important to confess your sins to God.  If you confess the same sin over and over, then maybe you need to ask God to help you find ways to deal with those issues.  One of the best ways to avoid sin is to avoid the situations where it is easily triggered.  If you are tempted by gossip, try, and avoid the coffee klatches.  If you are tempted by lust, be careful what you read or look at.  For me, I try to wait a few seconds before I answer.  At least if I think, the Spirit has a chance to say “shush, you don’t really want to say that.” 

     We are all sinners.  Most of us are not the murderers or blatant adulterers that are often thought of.  Most of us are garden variety sinners, kind of like Adam and Eve.  It was not much but it broke the relationship they had with God and it took the Son of God dying to fix it; just like we need him to fix us as well.

Father, when I look hard at my life, I see the holes that sin leaves.  Forgive me in my weaknesses and help me to combat those lures that the devil leaves for me to find.  Protect me this day that I may live as a witness to your glory.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret       

12-12-2020

 Good Morning All, 

        John 10:14; “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me”

     I go through this often.  I will see someone and think, “I know that person”.  Yet I cannot think of why I know that person.  It is worse when they have a name tag or badge on that just gives the first name.  I know their first name it is the last name that throws me.  But I am not certain if it is really who I think it is.  The one man’s name was Kevin.  Well, how many “Kevins” can there be?  The one woman was Karen.  I was pretty sure she was who I thought she was but not definite.  These two I was pretty sure of who they were and where I knew them from; but sometimes...

     I had a gentleman come up to me the other day.  He called me by name; we talked for 30 minutes.  He told me about his family and how things were going for him; I have no clue who he was.  He was friendly and interesting, but I have no clue who he was.  The worst part was he did not give me any clues like where he lived or his wife’s name or his children’s names.  He did not relate some past incident story for me to calculate who he was.  So, I was left not knowing, at all, who he was.

    Forgetting names can be a source of humor, it can also be a source of pain.  As I minister to some of our older members, the loss of memory can be very severe.  Some have forms of dementia and some have Alzheimer’s.  It can be difficult to go from visiting with them and talking about almost any subject and then in a couple of years, they do not even know who I am.  It is even harder on the family.  This is one time when this verse means so much.

    Jesus is the good shepherd, and he knows his own.  He knows who the redeemed children are, and he does not forget them.  Jesus does not forget anyone.  He knows the pain that you feel.  He knows the pain that many families feel when their loved ones seem absent most of the time.  Even if you are not in this specific situation, Jesus knows you and he knows what you need to be healed.  He knows you and he does not forget you even if you forget him; he will remember you.

    No matter what happens to you, whether some disease or some form of self-inflicted pain causes you to think that God has forgotten you; he has not.  God holds you tenderly in his arms and seeks to comfort you and to give you hope.  Nothing can ever separate you from God.  There is no disease, no action you take, no events that occur that can separate you from God; he will never forget you.  So, as we battle through life’s, sometimes difficult, journey; always take comfort in the fact that God always knows you and loves you and will never forsake you.

Father, even when I know no one, you know me. Even when this world attacks me and destroys me, you know me and protect me.  Through your grace, I am saved.  Keep me safe in your loving arms.  Be with those who especially feel lost or alone.  Be with those who are adrift in this pain filled world.  Give them your Spirit and comfort that they may know your love and experience your peace.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret