Jan 09

A Voice Crying Out

We meet John the Baptist in Luke 3:1-17; 22-23.  He is a voice.  A voice that calls for the crocked things to be made straight, and the obstacles that are placed in the way of human thriving to be removed.  His voice called for repentance that gets down to the foundations of how people choose to live.  And his voice calls for those with power to stop grabbing for the things that belong to others, to stop using false accusations to extort the poor, and to be content with what they produce by the honest work of their own hands.

John’s voice cries in the wilderness, the place of desolation, and calls for everyone to change, to get ready of the coming of God.  Yes, he had an effective voice, but each of us have a voice.  A voice to call out injustice, abuse, unfairness, and manipulation.  We do not have to go to the wilderness to use our voice, we do not have to get in a river to use our voice, but we do have our own area of influence to use our voice.

John’s voice was not only a voice that pointed out sin, it was also a voice that gave instruction for the right way to live.  That is how we must see how we use our voices, not simply tearing down what is wrong, but encouraging what is right.  To instruct others in the ways of the Lord.

How are you using the voice that God has given you?  Who are you encouraging to do the right thing?

Pastor Greg

Jan 02

My times are in your hand;Psalm 31:15

Every year at this time Psalm 31:15 comes into my thinking.  It is a Psalm of Lament, lamenting on the enemies that surround the speaker, the arrogance of the enemies, the viciousness of the enemies, the arrogance of the enemies are all concerns for the Psalmist.  Yet even in the face of these enemies, he trusts in the Lord, “You are my God!”  he declares in the face of this opposition.

The use of “time/times” in this sense is more than a remark on the passage of time. Underlying the psalmist’s surrender is an understanding of life as made up of a series of decisive moments in which a person can take either appropriate or inappropriate direction, depending on how he or she responds to the circumstances.  One response is to seek to control and manipulate the situation to one’s advantage.  That is clearly what the psalmist’s opponents are doing.  The other way is to surrender one’s personal will to the power and authority of God.

This is no simplistic fatalism in which the psalmist, confronted by life-threatening circumstances, simply shrugs and says, “Whatever!”  Rather, it is a call to the righteous to become people who “understand the times” to be perceptive observers of life and sensitive to the character and purpose of God, and to respond appropriately in each “time.” The psalmist’s confidence that the Lord remains powerful over all the discordant activities of the enemies permits him to eschew frantic attempts to shore up personal interest, and instead to take up residence in the secure stronghold God provides. (NIV Application Commentary)

This psalm contains a familiar phrase in v. 5, “Into your hand I commit my spirit.”  Trust in God does not bring us deliverance from our troubles, but keeps us in our trials.  So as we enter 2025, let us renew our trust in our God, and realize the promise, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you,” no matter what enemies come upon us.

Pastor Greg

Dec 26

Between Christmas and New Year’s

This week is a “between week.”  Maybe a time for a breath, or to enjoy the leftover turkey sandwich, or return that sweater that just doesn’t fit.  However this week comes to you, it is a week that usually is a break from the rush up to the holidays.  Let me suggest that we also take some quiet time with God.  Consider your relationship with God, and look to the New Year with spiritual resolutions that will develop our love and devotion to our Savior. 

Because this is a “between week”, our service Sunday will be built around a Hymn Sing, where we can get that chance to hear our favorite carols in this Christmas season, and maybe slip in an “old favorite or two.” 

However you get to spend your week, I pray that it is refreshing for you all.

Pastor Greg

Peanuts and Goal Setting

Charlie Brown is at bat. Strike Three!  He has struck out again and slumps over to the bench.    “Rats! I’ll never be a big-league player.  I just don’t have it!  All my life I’ve dreamed of playing in the big leagues, but I know I’ll never make it.”

Lucy turns to console him. “Charlie Brown, you’re thinking too far ahead.  What you need to do is set yourself more immediate goals.”  He looks up.  “Immediate goals?”  Lucy says, “Yes. Start with this next inning when you go out to pitch.  See if you can walk out on the mound without falling down!”

Take one thing at a time and work on that. —William Powell Tuck

Dec 20

Advent 4: Why Is Love So Important to Christmas?

As noted above, the Bible states that God sent Jesus into the world as an act of love. Jesus came into a world that desperately needed help because it was in the grips of sin. King Herod’s slaughter of the innocents captured this truth in a graphic way: Jesus had entered a world where greed and ruthless self-protection reigned.

Jewish prophets had said centuries earlier that someone would come that would bring an end to this strife. This Messiah, from the family line of King David (Ezekiel 37:24), would be born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and be a great ruler (Isaiah 11:12). Gabriel affirmed these prophecies when he told Mary that her son would sit on David’s throne, reigning forever (Luke 1:32-33). The Messiah would bring an end to strife not by being a conventional ruler but by dying for people’s transgressions (Isaiah 53:5). People would be healed by the Messiah’s sacrifice, bringing freedom at last.

Thus, Jesus’ birth was proof that God had not abandoned or forgotten the world. His gift of love had come, to bring freedom for captives and heal the hurting (Luke 4:18). Jesus was the perfect gift. (G. Connor Salter)

A Prayer for Advent Week 4

Lord Jesus, thank you for your gift of love. We know that we were dead in our sins, and did not deserve anything but death. Thank you that in spite of our many sins, you still loved us and came to save us. You came and showed us how to love. Teach us what it is to love, and how to practice it each day. Remind us that love is paradoxical, sacrificial, and only found in you. Give us the wisdom we need to love well, the mercy to forgive ourselves when we neglect to love well, and the hunger to always learn more about love. We ask for all these things in your name, Amen.