Scripture

It’s Coming

/ The Pastor

image

The YouVersion Bible app now has an option to make these cool scripture images. So upon installing the update this verse came immediately to mind after a long and trying day. The only problem with this picture is that the image is not nearly glorious enough. The only appropriate picture would be too blinding to look at, but hopefully you get the point.

May God bless your night and whatever “sufferings” are plaguing you right now, give them to God and wait; your glory through faith in Jesus Christ is coming.

Good night.

The Pastor -|—

Silence

/ The Pastor

Not a creature is stirring, not even the church bats.

For many, the silence here could be deafening but for me it is welcomed.  Release time, confirmation and Wednesday Night Live are done for the year.  My secretary doesn’t work on Wednesdays.  My cell phone is on vibrate.  The lights are off (except for the light shining through my office window). And the only potential noise is the church phone or a surprise visitor (both of which may startle me if they happen).  So for the time being I am enjoying the silence (I just wish I could fix this squeaky desk chair then all would be good).

I do have things to accomplish today (and they will get done) but this pastor needs some silence for a while:

[11] And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. [12] And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.  (1 Kings 19:11-12 ESV)

[10] “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10 ESV)

Hmmm…God encourages silence, day dreaming and just being still.  I like that. You don’t need to be moving all the time to be doing the work of the Lord.  You don’t need to be talking all the time to be communing with God.  You don’t need to be with people all the time to be productive.  Sometimes it is just about you and God; alone, together and in silence.

But don’t take my word for it, read your Bible.

So…

Silence your phone.
Lock your door.
Hide from the world.
Resist the blinking notification lights on your phone or tablet.
Don’t respond to that text message you just got.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

You have God’s permission.

The pastor -|—

Crossing over

/ The Pastor

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
[2 Timothy 3:12-15]

It seems to me that this verse is becoming more and more true now than ever before.  Sometimes it feels like I am fighting an up hill battle in this world.  When you watch the news and TV shows one can quickly see the downward slide.  Gone are the wholesome family shows like The Cosby Show or The Brady Bunch.  Now we have shows that highlight alternative families, violence, vampires, evil, etc.  The “dark side of the force” is being promoted as glamorous with more and more people crossing over.  This pastor’s heart is aching at what it is seeing.

Wow…how I miss the good ole days.
[Sigh…]

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed…”

I need to remember, though, that God is sovereign and I am not.
I need to continue in the faith I was raised in.
I need to continue to drink from the living waters of Jesus Christ.
I need to stay close to Christ in prayer and scripture.
I need to maintain Christian fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I need to stay hopeful ~ diligent ~ prayerful ~ persistent.

The pastor’s heart may be aching in this world but Christ brings healing through the cross.  In the mean time we need to keep up the fight and not cross over to the dark side.  Let the good in you shine forth to the glory of God our Father.  Remain hopeful, for Christ is returning to bring balance to the force 🙂

[Sorry for all the Star Wars references]

Praise be to God!

edh -|—

Smart knowledge and wisdom

/ The Pastor
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2     turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3     and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4     and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5     then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
6     For the Lord gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7     He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8     for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
[Proverbs 2:1-8]
Technology has made it possible to access knowledge, facts, trivia and data in the blink of an eye.  Simply ask Siri (iPhone) or go to Google and they will tell you what you need to know.  If my wife and I are out and about and we come up against a question we don’t have an answer for my wife says to me, “quick, poke your phone“; like I am the keeper of all knowledge and information. Sometimes I get a big head about this until I realize that I am really not that smart…just my phone is.
But even though I may not be the keeper of all knowledge and information I do have access to it.  No…not my trustworthy smart phone but rather scripture (which I happen to have on my smart phone).  Anyway….the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Granted…the Bible is not going to tell me how much the world weighs or how much plankton a whale eats (like I really need to know that), but the Bible will tell me what I truly need to know:
The Bible tells me I am a sinner and how God has redeemed me through Jesus.
The Bible tells me how I am forgiven when I confess my sins.
The Bible tells me how I am to treat others.
The Bible tells me that I can have hope in the midst of trials.
The Bible tells me…
If we are not seeking God for information and wisdom we are missing the boat.  Knowledge and wisdom gained through this world is fleeting but that which comes from God is eternal.  That’s why I love going through the Proverbs often.  There is so much in there that is very practical; advice that is timeless.  One would think that some wise sage from this time and place wrote them., but that is not the case.  This is wisdom that comes from God.
“Poke your phone” if you need some information but go to God for true wisdom and knowledge.  Be fed through scripture and prayer.  Be nourished by the Gospel.  Find life through Jesus.
Seek the Lord and live!
edh -|—

666

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

There’s that number ~ 666.

In this particular context, though, it represents how many posts I have published on this blog.  For many people it is the number of the beast from Revelation 13:18.  Maybe this number makes you a little nervous when you see it or maybe you just make a passing observation when it shows up and then brush it away.

Me…

…I don’t get nervous or put a lot of stock in that number but I thought I would still post something in “retaliation”, so to speak, since this is post #666.  So in “retaliation” I decided to go to the Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ELW) book; to hymn #666 which is “What Wondrous Love Is This” 🙂  Just soak in these lyrics for a moment:

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What
wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this
that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my
soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul?

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, when
I was sinking down, sinking down, when I was sinking down
beneath God’s righteous frown, Christ laid aside his crown for my
soul, for my soul, Christ laid aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing; to
God and to the Lamb I will sing; to God and to the Lamb,
who is the great I Am, while millions join the theme I will
sing, I will sing, while millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on; and
when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on; and when from death I’m free,
I’ll sing God’s love for me, and through eternity I’ll sing
on, I’ll sing on; and through eternity I’ll sing on. 

Isn’t that beautiful?

I just love it because in the end it is all about the wondrous love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  The number 666 is just a number.  “The Beast” has been defeated.

GOD is the one who should be feared (because of His awesome holiness).
GOD is the one who should be praised and glorified.
GOD is the one who reigns on high.

So because of that…let’s sing on…and praise the LORD 🙂

edh -|—

Cravings

/ The Pastor

“It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

I am trying to drop a few pounds and get ready for a triathlon that is coming up in about a month here in Jackson.  The training is going fine but it is the eating I am struggling with.

You see…I like food.  A lot 🙂 

When I get hungry I eat.
When I get bored I eat.
When I watch TV I eat.
When I…and you get the point.

I need to crave healthier foods in order to be…well…healthy.
I need to control my cravings.

My scripture reading this morning really hit home.  Food is important.  Maintaining a healthy diet is important.  Exercise is important.  But be careful not to crave those things alone…for “bread alone” is not good enough but we need “every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  For no amount of healthy eating and exercise will cause us to live forever…only God can do that for us through Jesus Christ.  I have to remind myself that Jesus healed many people in scripture but in the end they all died (I mean…you don’t see them walking around today…do you?).

What brings life is forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.  And I get that daily reminder through God’s Word.

So live healthy AND crave God’s Word…for that is the ideal diet.

edh -|—

Destruction and rewards

/ The Pastor

I came across this verse in my morning Bible reading today and it caught my attention:

“Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.“
(Proverbs 13:13, ESV)

One can never go wrong by maintaining a discipline of daily Bible reading and prayer.  I have been thoroughly blessed by God through reading God’s Word each and every day.  But don’t get me wrong:
–It doesn’t keep me from pain and suffering.
–It hasn’t shown me the secret location of a pot of gold.
–It hasn’t increased my territory.
–It doesn’t give me special protection.
–It hasn’t straightened out my checkbook.
–It hasn’t done the things that the world wants to happen.

But rather…what does God’s Word do (at least for me):
–Gives me a peace like the world can not give.
–Reminds me of what God continues to do for me.
–Show me stories of God’s amazing faithfulness despite our sin.
–I feel a joy that goes beyond happiness.
–I have felt more bold in my witness.
–I have hope within this messed up world.
–It gives me guidance in my roles as pastor, husband, friend, leader, etc.

I have indeed felt rewarded…not because of MY effort in maintaining this discipline but because GOD is faithful.  This is God’s doing, not mine.  I don’t celebrate my effort.

The temptation is to think that if you are more faithful in your spiritual disciplines that God will bless you because you’re being more faithful, but it just doesn’t work that way.  We are “rewarded” because it is the nature of God’s Word.  You aren’t rewarded because of YOUR strict discipline of eating fruits and vegetables but because that is just what they do…it’s their nature to be good for you despite the kind of person you are.

The “reward” of God’s Word is there, you just need to open your eyes to what God has done FOR YOU through Jesus Christ.

The “destruction” that comes into play when we stray from God’s Word is:
–Focus on our strength ~ which is never strong enough.
–Looking to the world for happiness ~ which is always fleeting.
–Our outlook on life extends only as far as THIS life will bring you ~ death.
–Hopelessness when times get tough.

So go to God’s Word for GOD is faithful!  Seek God and He WILL be found.  Dwell in God’s presence for that is pure joy.

Hallelujah and Amen!

edh -|—

Amazing compassion

/ The Pastor

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am will,” Jesus said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. (Mark 1:40-42)

Wow…is anyone else blown any by this?  It can’t be just me.  I mean…this is awesome.  This is amazing.  This is incredible.  Wow!

I never tire of reading these stories of Jesus “crossing the line” to show a love like no other.  I mean ~ this man had leprosy; he was an outcast; he was unclean; he wasn’t even supposed to approach Jesus.

 

The law dictated that this man announce his presence “Unclean! Unclean!”
…but nothing.

The law dictated that Jesus not associate with him or touch him
…but he did.

The law was clear
…but…well…it’s Jesus.

“Filled with compassion” ~ that right there says it all.  Jesus was filled with compassion at how this man was separated from society.  Jesus could feel his pain.  And Jesus was willing to “cross the line” in order to restore him.

This story is more than just Jesus giving this man new flesh.  This is a story of restoration, renewal and new life.  It actually is a precursor to what Jesus is going to do for all of humanity.

Because of Jesus’ amazing love, grace and compassion for us, he went to the cross.

Suffered
Humiliated
Died

…and then three days later rose from the gave…

FOR YOU!

For you see, we too were outcasts; unclean; alienated from God because of sin.  But through Jesus’ compassion; his death and resurrection, we are restored to community through faith.  We are restored to life. But more importantly we are reconciled to God.  That is pretty awesome 🙂

So I guess that’s why I never tire of these leprosy stories for in them I am reminded of Jesus restoring this sinful man (me) to new life.

Wow…now that’s amazing! Praise be to God!

edh -|—

Authority of Jesus

/ The Pastor

Do you want to know what never, ever gets old with me?

What never gets old with me is the fact that when Jesus says something…IT HAPPENS.  No if, and or buts about it.  When Jesus speaks, people (and demons) listen.  I guess that is also why I enjoy preaching on texts, like what we have for Sunday ~ Mark 1:21-28 ~ the authority of Jesus/casting out evil spirits.

Jesus teaches with authority (not like that of the scribes).  The scribes, when they taught, would rely on the authority of the great teachers that came before them.  Their teaching would be full of phrases such as:

[So and so] said [this] about [this] Commandment and therefore according to [so and so] you should live in [this way].

This got old for the people.  The scribes never taught with their own authority.  They didn’t make their own judgments.

But Jesus did…and the people loved it.

You see…Jesus’ authority wasn’t just in the manner he spoke.  It wasn’t just in his voice inflection. It wasn’t just in his facial expressions and body language.  Jesus’ authority was much different…and powerful.  Jesus’ authority was his own’s and he didn’t need teachers who came before him.  Actually…no one came before him because he was God for crying out loud.  You don’t get any more authoritative than that.

And Jesus displayed that authority through his powerful words when he commanded those evil spirits to leave that man…and the evil spirits listened (kicking and screaming on the way out).  But that shouldn’t surprise you because…
…when Jesus speaks people listen.

…when Jesus speaks his words do something
[“Lazarus, come out”, “Take your mat and walk”]

…when Jesus speaks he means exactly what he says.
[“Your sins are forgiven”]

Wow…that is authority.  That is awesome.  That is powerful.

We are God’s children because He says so.
We are forgiven because God says so.
We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ because God says so.

Next time you are in worship and hear the pastor announce forgiveness, know that the pastor does that with the authority of God and therefore the words being spoken are from God himself…AND therefore…you can trust that the words will do what they actually mean:  YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.

Thank you, God, for calling me your child, forgiving me when I stray and embracing me when I return.  May you be praised always and forever. Amen!

edh -|—

Just shut up and follow

/ The Pastor

I have been doing some pondering this week about what it means to be called.  The Gospel text for this Sunday (Jan 22) is Mark 1:14-20.  Here Jesus is walking along; encounters some guys and simply says “Come, follow me”.  And these rabbi school rejects drop everything to follow Jesus.

They leave behind a somewhat stable income.
They leave behind a place to live.
They leave behind family and friends.
They leave behind their careers.
They leave behind their comfort zones.

Just like that they go and follow Jesus.  No argument. No negotiating.  They go and follow Jesus.  At least some of those characters in Old Testament tried to object:

I’m too young. (Jeremiah)
I’m a man of unclean lips. (Isaiah)
I don’t speak so well. (Moses)
We’re too old. (Abraham and Sarah)

That sounds more like me.

But God has a response for those excuses and so they follow…and God is faithful…and God accomplishes what God set out to do through them.  As if there should have been any doubt.  God is awesome and God knows what he is doing.

If that be the case (and it is) why do I think I can offer up an excuse for why I can’t or shouldn’t follow?  Do I really believe I can convince God that He made the wrong choice?  Do I really think I can talk God out of what God has in mind for me?  Do I really think that God doesn’t know me better than I know myself?

Silly man!

So whatever excuse you have used to not follow God…throw them out the window.  They’re no good.  When God says “Follow” simply recall to mind Psalm 23 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me” .

Think also of Jesus’ promise from Matthew 28 “…and lo, I am with you even to the very end of the age.”

When God commands you to follow, God is not going to leave you stranded.
When God commands you to follow, God will not leave you orphaned.
When God commands you to follow, God WILL do amazing things through you.

So just follow.
Stop the arguing.
Repent and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ died and risen FOR YOU.
And then…watch the fireworks…praising God always and forever.

Amen!

edh -|—