9-15-2022

Good Morning All,

    John 21:4; “Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.”

    Are you expecting Jesus?  The disciples in our verse weren’t expecting him.  Our story begins with seven of the disciples (probably the fishermen of the group) were at the Sea of Galilee and Peter announces to the rest that he is going fishing.  The rest agree to go with him.  We aren’t told why Peter made this statement.  Perhaps he thought it was time to get back to work; it was time to earn a living again.  Perhaps he wanted to use the time of fishing to think and try and figure out all that has happened in the last few days.  Perhaps he was nervous and just needed something to do to keep his mind occupied.  These or other reasons might be why Peter decided to go fishing; we are never told.

    Yet as they had been out all night and were unsuccessful; they were coming back to shore.  A guy on the beach asked them if they caught anything and they answered “no.”  This guy on the beach told them to drop their nets on the right side and they would catch some fish.   Soon they had so many they could barely pull in the net.  One of the other disciples recognized Jesus but it was Peter who jumped in the water and made his way to shore.  The disciples recognized that it was Jesus who spoke to them and was now standing in their presence making breakfast for them.

    The disciples were not expecting Jesus to be standing on the shore as they came in from their evening of work, but he was there.  Do you expect to meet Jesus when you are working?  Do you even think about him at work?  Or are you a “suit coat Christian”?  A few years ago, when men always wore suits to church; most would put the suit coat on as they left for church and took it off as soon as they were home and didn’t put it back on until the next Sunday.  Some of us do that with our faith.  We put it on as we go to church, but we take it off and leave it in the closet the rest of the week.  Our faith doesn’t seem to have much impact on our “real” life and that is unfortunate.  For there are many times when expressing our faith could impact someone we are working with, someone who is hurting or lost and in need of God’s mercy in their life.

    God wants us to live our faith every day.  First, so that we may always know and remember the comfort and the security of his love and grace that he has for us.  This is to give us the certainty of our salvation through Jesus.  Secondly, it is to keep us aware of those around us who are in need.  They may need an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on or they may need a word of encouragement; whatever the need, when we keep our faith on at all times, we can be ready.  We can be ready to meet Jesus standing on our shore as we finish our daily work.

Gracious Lord, give me the wisdom to always wear my faith.  Keep me close to you so that I will always know your grace.  Give me the courage to speak your truth to those around me.  Lead me to be merciful to the ones who are in pain or are suffering that I may share your grace with them this day.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret   

9-14-2022

Good Morning All,

                      Psalm 51: 8(KJV); “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”

    It might be an age thing; it seems that noise bothers me more than it used to and that more and more things are considered noise.  More and more there seems to be a constant rattle or chatter.  It seems that sometimes the goal is to see how loud and distracting the music can be.  There are many places where it is difficult to even hear yourself think let alone try to speak or listen to the person sitting beside you.  It is almost as if silence is something to be avoided. 

    It is the constant bombardment by noise from every angle and facet of life that is really becoming annoying.  There is noise coming from every direction; some of it is music played too loud, or the incessant phone calls trying to sell me this or that or asking my opinion about someone or something.  It is the ads on TV that seem to be played louder than the rest of the show.  It is the talking heads on the radio or TV that yell and carry on and say absolutely nothing.  It is the ridiculous automated ads on the internet that start playing when you are trying to read an article.  It is everywhere.  I remember the days of my youth when I helped my dad farm, and the tractor didn’t have a radio and cell phones were only a futuristic nightmare.  There were actually times when you didn’t have to listen to the noise. 

    The worst noise we hear is the noise that the devil plays in our ears.  The noise that tells us we have no value or worth; the noise that speaks to our flaws and fears, to our weaknesses and our pain.  There is the noise that keeps us from resting peacefully at night, as we toss and turn because of the noise in our head and in our heart.  There is a lot of noise out there and it makes everything difficult.  It makes it hard to listen and to speak and it makes it almost impossible to not feel some sort of pain.

    This why the psalmist wrote our verse; “Make me hear joy and gladness.”  When we read the word make, don’t think in terms of a requirement or a law but rather a request to “change the station.”  Instead of hearing the pain and the sadness, make it so I hear only your joy and your gladness.  Drive the pain away, take the sorrow away; leave me with the peaceful sounds of your voice in my head and heart.  We do this best by staying in God’s Word, by reading it and meditating on it for a few minutes a day at least.  We do this best by staying in prayerful conversation with God.  We speak to him and open our hearts to his loving healing touch.  By focusing on God’s Word and by hearing the sweet sounds of his love and grace being poured out upon us, we can best drown out the noise of the world.

Father, send us the beautiful sound of your mercy.  Let the symphony of your grace enliven our hearts and lift our souls.  Keep our focus always on you.  Keep us always in your loving arms.  Be with those who are only hearing the pain of the world.  Heal those who know only suffering and sorrow.  Defend them from the devil’s attacks and give them the peaceful, heavenly rest that only you can give.  In the precious name of Jesus, our risen Savior and King we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

9-13-2022

Good Morning All,

          Exodus 20:4; “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

    They have many names; talismans, house gods, fertility gods, graven images, totems and many more.  We often just call them idols.  The simplest definition of an idol is to call it a “false god.”  It is often times a carved representation of a creature, either real or imagined, that is believed to have powers that can affect the lives of humans.  In many cultures, the blood of lions, or bears, or eagles, or whales, or other powerful creatures was considered to have magical or mystical powers.  Even plants were given special places of reverence.  There was a time when every living thing was believed to be a spirit capable of influencing and affecting human life.  People would watch and study the animals to see if they acted in a specific manner.  These actions were interpreted to mean good or ill was on the way.

    As humans grew in knowledge and understanding, they changed their view somewhat.  They still watched and studied animals but more as predictors or indicators of events.  When the geese fly south, winter is on the way.  Fish spawn in the spring and the like. 

     Most of us read this with a smile and a nodding indifference to idols.  After all, we don’t line our windows with carved cows, dogs, or bears.  We don’t have a totem in the backyard.  We don’t have idols and if we do, they are things out there that are acceptable to want unless you go too far.  It is ok to desire money, to want to be popular, to view others as highly successful and thus ones to emulate; just don’t overdo it.  Who doesn’t want to be like a great baseball, football, basketball, volleyball star?  Who wouldn’t want the life of a movie star or a billionaire?  These “idols,” though problematic, are “out there” and can be dealt with and isolated.

    Yet for all of us, the greatest idol we battle is not “out there” but “in here.”  Our greatest idol is our own heart.  It is our selfish, sinful heart that leads to our destruction.  It is our sinful heart that leads us to turn from our neighbor in need and from our God in majesty.  It is our heart that we worship the most.  It is our own selfishness that leads us to worship our biggest idol and that is our own self.

    So, as we consider this commandment of God, let us consider that our biggest challenge is not idolatry that is “out there,” but it is the idolatry that is “in here” in my heart.  We are all susceptible to it; we are all hurt by it, but we are all forgiven.  We are forgiven by the true God whose love for us gives us the strength to see past our selfishness and to see the love which he has for us; a love that never ends.

Father of all mercy, too often I fail to see the true idol in my life.  Give me the strength to stand up to the lies I tell myself and to change my heart.  Help me to see that living in your kingdom provides for me all that I need and truly want.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

9-12-2022

Good Morning All,

                Ecclesiastes 12:13; “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”

     What to do?  When given a choice; how do you choose one way over another?  When your spouse asks you what you want for supper; how do you decide?  What factors weigh in?  Perhaps what you had for supper the last few days matters.  Perhaps what you have in the pantry or freezer plays a role in what you ask for.  Perhaps what time you are asked matters; if you get asked 30 minutes before supper; it is not much good to ask for a meal that takes all day to make.  Perhaps how you feel plays in; if you are not very hungry or if you feel famished can impact what you want for supper.  We make many choices through the day.  Choose one way to go or pay the consequences of your choice.

    Our verse takes a look at what is or should be important in our life.  The writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes looks at all that was accomplished in his life and wondered about it.  He wondered what good it did to earn lots of money.  He wondered what happened when you worked hard to earn that money and then, upon your death, the one who inherits the money simply fritters it away.  What was the value of earning all that money?

    Some will tell you that you should only worry about yourself and in doing what gives you pleasure or enjoyment.  Do what feels good to you and that is how you enjoy life; yet we know what happens if we follow this course; we end up needing more and more in order to achieve this empty happiness and soon we are never happy.

    The writer has a lot to say but, in the end, he tells us that life apart from God is a waste of time and of a life.  He is telling us that our contentment, our sense of balance within our life, our sense of what is good and right, our sense of well-being comes from fulfilling our basic life purpose and that is to serve God by loving one another and taking care of creation.  This is where we find our true contentment and joy not because God makes us do this like some robot but because that is our true nature.  It is when we follow our true nature that we find true contentment.

    This is why so many struggle with their life; they are not seeking to live as God has designed us to liv but rather they are seeking the sinful path which is selfishness and is empty and void of value.  At the end of this life is usually someone who is disappointed and depressed at the hollowness of the life they lived. 

    So, God shows us that true contentment in this lifetime comes from obeying his commandments.  If your life feels out of balance; look to see if you are living according to God’s will or your own.  This will usually tell you what the resolution to the struggles that we face.

Father, all good things come from you.  Lead us to see that our joy and contentment comes from your hand and from following your will.  Lead me in your paths. Show me your salvation.  In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret         

9-11-2022

Good Morning All,

      Philippians 4:8; “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” 

    It has been a running statement by many people. “The country is going in the wrong direction.” “Everything is going haywire.” “The best is behind us; it is all downhill now.” There seems to be a tremendous sense of pessimism among a huge share of the US population, perhaps, the entire world. Why is this? While some would argue that it is truly worse, I am not sure it is really any worse now than other times in history. To quote a phrase, there have been “wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation” forever. So why so much angst and hand wringing today.

    One factor is that we are completely inundated with information today. We are almost at sensory overload. There are dozens of news programs and dozens of pseudo-news programs on television and radio and then an almost innumerable number of voices on the internet. Many, want you to see “hidden, sinister enemies” “evil everywhere” and “people out to get you” at every turn. There may be reasons for the unbeliever to be despondent or depressed but we as believers should not be depressed, despondent or worried. We have Jesus winning for us.

    In the early history of the Church, believers struggled. They were small in number, had no political, societal, or economic power base. It was easy to be discouraged and see only the negative, sad, and painful. The Apostle Paul offered the Philippians some advice that would serve us today. Think about good things. Focus on the blessings that God showers on us all the time. Look up and see the joy of our loving Savior. The devil wants you to look down and see the dirt and the gloom and the darkness. Jesus invites us to see the light, to see the truth of our salvation with Him and the joy we can find in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world. It will not defeat us or destroy us. Even when it looks like evil is winning, when it appears that all is lost, the victory of Christ is still ours. The victory won on Calvary and revealed to the world with the empty tomb, cannot be undone. The victory is ours, never lose sight of this wondrous truth. God’s love for you is always good. The loving hand of a fellow believer is always commendable. The coming of faith is always honorable. These are all worthy to be thought of, sought after, and held close to our heart. These are the gifts and tools God gives to his beloved people to remain contented and hopeful. Focus on God’s good gifts and lift your eyes, your heart, and your spirit to see God’s love poured out upon you.

Father of all grace, you are the source of good gifts. Guide us by your Spirit to always see your grace poured out upon us. Help us to look up and see your mercy upon us. Lift our hearts and spirits, refresh us with your Word and sacrament that we may see you as our hope in these days, like all days, are empty and dreary without You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

9-10-2022

Good Morning All,

      John 16:33; “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

    We like to know what is going on so we can be prepared for the event.  We write up schedules, so we know what is coming, what to expect.  We like to know what is waiting, what we have to be prepared for.  We look at the weather forecast and decide if we need a coat or an umbrella or gloves and a hat.  We like to be prepared for what is ahead.  This is part of the reason why Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have tribulation.”  There will be problems; expect them to happen to you.

    We will have two kinds of troubles.  The first kind is the result of a broken sinful world.  We will still get sicknesses, diseases, experience financial troubles, relationship troubles; all the same things that every other human being experiences.  We are still in the world and trouble abounds.  The second kind of trouble we will experience is the result of being a Christian.  When you confessed Jesus as Lord; you painted a bullseye on your back and the devil will take potshots at you throughout your entire life.  The world will ridicule, mock, denigrate, chide, malign, abuse and attempt to debase you because of your faith.  We will have problems, but this verse tells us something that we have that is greater; we have peace.

    Jesus overcame the world.  He has defeated the devil and we have peace.  We have peace because we know that no matter what the world throws at us, we are assured the victory of eternal life in Jesus and the world can never take that away.  We have that guaranteed to us and we can cling to that truth and rest completely confident that we are the victors.  We can look at the world and know that nothing can separate us from God’s love.  We can have peace because we are reconciled to God and through him, we have power.

    Jesus overcame the world so that you and I could have peace.  We can take comfort and consolation in the simple truth that Jesus won the victory for us on Calvary and declared this victory to us and the entire sum of creation by walking out of the tomb as the champion.  He overcame sin, death, and the power of the devil.  Jesus defeated these enemies and gave the victory to us in his unfathomable love for us.

    There will be problems but more importantly there is victory for us.  We know it; we know how this story ends.  Jesus wins and takes us with Him.  We can cling to this no matter what happens; we have the victory.  We can rest in his loving arms and live in peace, knowing that our life is secure.

Gracious Father, at times my problems look so big, but it is only when I look at them and not at you.  You are my hope and my security.  You are my peace in a world that knows only unrest.  Be with those who struggle today.  Strengthen them by your Spirit that they may cling to you and know the victory that you give them.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret

9-9-2022

Good Morning All,

               Zechariah 13:1; “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.”

      I sat and listened as the speaker was telling about his journey of faith.  It had been a rocky journey.  He had divorced his wife of 15 years and abandoned his children.  He left a good paying job and wasn’t working at the time.  He had turned to alcohol to dull some of his pain and was living on hand outs.  This was the shape he was in when he began to talk to one of the volunteers at the shelter he was staying at.  The volunteer steered him to a pastor who steered him to a counselor who began the process of healing this man. 

     Two years before the man’s divorce, he was in a car accident.  He wasn’t seriously hurt but a child in the other vehicle died.  The investigation claimed it wasn’t his fault, but he could not shake the guilt.  It kept him awake at night; it caused him to lose concentration at work so his performance suffered.  He withdrew from his wife, his children, and his family.  He quit his job; he quit his marriage and he wanted to quit life.  He told his counselor that he was just a dirty person.  The stain of his actions could not be washed away.  He felt he deserved to wander alone for what he had done.  The counselor opened his Bible and started looking at verses like the one we use today.  God opens a fountain to cleanse his people.  John speaks of God cleansing us from all unrighteousness.  Eventually, the Spirit worked in this man’s heart, and he began to heal.  He was healed because he was cleansed by the blood of Jesus. 

     There are many of us who always feel dirty.  We look at our life and some of the things we have done, and we wonder if we could ever be clean.  Maybe we were a little too wild and carefree.  Perhaps you caused pain to someone.  Perhaps you stole from your parents, or another loved one.  Maybe you were the class bully; maybe you have something in your past that is just painful to remember, and the guilt remains, so the stain remains, and you feel dirty and full of uncleanness.    

     Yet we are cleansed.  We are cleansed because God saw our uncleanness and sent Jesus into this brokenness to heal us.  He uses Baptism to remind us that we are clean.  We are washed and purified.  In Baptism we die to sin; our sins are drowned, and we are raised to new life in the resurrection of Jesus.  In the resurrection, we look forward to our new life in Christ, forever forgiven and cleansed from all our unrighteousness.  We are cleansed of the stain of sin.  We are named, claimed, washed, and redeemed by his love.  In his mercy, we are cleansed.

Father of all cleansing, when I feel dirty and unclean, you send your Spirit to go forth in the washing of my Baptism and I remember your words; I remember you claimed me as your own.  Help me to see your love, help me to cling to your truth.  Help me to cling to the certainty of your love.  Move the hearts of those who feel so dirty and unloved.  Bring your healing and your peace into their life.  Guard your children this day.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret