Don't Forget to Say, "I Love You"

 

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment… - Hebrews 9:27

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground--because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." - Genesis 3:19

…a time to be born and a time to die… - Ecclesiastes 3:2a

“We’ll meet again. Don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again, some sunny day.” —Vera Lynn

Last October, I (Steve) had flown back to Texas to be with my family. “Pop” - my Dad - was at the end of his life, hospice had been called in, and it was time for me to say “Goodbye.”

Saturday, November 5, 2022, Pop ceased breathing in the middle of the night. His journey had ended. God had ultimately healed him from cancer. Goodbye.

I was not there with him when he passed. My Mom and brother were. But, at least I got to tell him that I loved him…that it was ok to go on and we would see him again - “some sunny day.”

Over the last couple of years we have had to say “Goodbye” to more people than we like to admit. How about you? It isn’t easy is it?

Whether it is “Goodbye” because someone gets a new job; moves away; goes to a new school; or, when someone dies, saying “Goodbye” is difficult and often painful. 

But something that we have become more and more aware of is this simple fact: everything in this life has an expiration date.

We don’t mean this to be all “gloom and doom” - it is just a fact. Everything has an expiration date. Including you and I.

All the more reason to spend ourselves tirelessly…completely obeying the command of Christ to “Love God and love our neighbor.” As John the Apostle puts it: “Let us not just love in word or speech, but in deed and truth,” (1 John 3:18).

Love one another.

A few years back - don’t ask us as it will make us feel old - Stevie Wonder had a great song titled, “I Just Called to Say, ‘I Love You.’”  Now that we are older, the power of that song means a lot more. 

We never know exactly how much time we have with those we love. We never know how much time we have to make things right with someone we have been fighting with. We never know how much time we have to make things right with someone we have hurt. We never know how much time we have to forgive someone who has hurt us. We never know how much time we have. Period. 

As I have been reflecting on saying goodbye, the scriptures above - along with a lot of others - came to mind. Now, at first glance, they appear rather gloomy and doomy. Kind of a downer, if you will. But, we should rather look at them as loving reminders of what is approaching for all of us.  Death.

And what better way to prepare for death than living today? Living. Loving.

As Pop used to joke with me: “Live everyday like it’s your last…one day you’ll be right!” 

It’s in more reflective moments such as this that I recall one of my favorite songs of all time. The group Allies (with lead singer Bob Carlisle of “Butterfly Kisses” fame) wrote a song on their “Man with a Mission” album. It was simply titled: “Heaven.”

And as we say goodbye to those we love - it is all the more reason to remember we have the God-given opportunity to see them again. In Heaven.

So, goodbye for now. Adios amigos! May the good Lord take a liking to you! Happy trails to you! And, if we don’t see you again here we pray we see you there…

Oh, and remember, “We love you.”

Heaven - Allies (HQ)

Until we meet again,

Missy and Steve

Yes, Jesus Loves Me!

Heart to Heart from the Housewrights

 

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. - John 11:1-5 (ESV)

In our morning coffee and devotions today Missy and I read one from Max Lucado that included a quote from his book The Great House of God. It says:

When a friend tells Jesus of the illness of Lazarus, he says, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” He doesn’t base his appeal on the imperfect love of the one in need, but on the perfect love of the Savior. He doesn’t say, “The one who loves you is sick.” He says, “The one you love is sick.” The power of prayer, in other words, does not depend on the one who makes the prayer, but on the one who hears the prayer…We can and must repeat the phrase in manifold ways. “The one you love is tired, sad, hungry, lonely, fearful, depressed.” The words of the prayer vary, but the response never changes. The Savior hears the prayer. He silences heaven, so he won’t miss a word. He hears the prayer.” 

- Grace for the Moment, March 21st entry.

The one You love. Those words should give us a strong assurance. Those words should bring encouragement. Those words should be life-changing and life-sustaining. The one You love.

We (the church) are always - and it’s not a bad thing - proclaiming our love for God. Our love for Jesus. Our love for his Holy Spirit. Our love for God’s people. Our love for the lost. We should love! After all, it is the supreme command of life: One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question: “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” Jesus declared, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:35-40 (BSB).

But, more than our love for God or others is the fact that God loves us. “While we were yet sinners (still sinning) Christ died for us - this proves God’s love for us,” Romans 5:8. “We love because he first loved us,” I John 4:19.

“The one You love.”

God loves you. God loves us. “For God so loved the world…”

Now, what do we do with that truth? What do you do with that truth?

Well, if you are like us, you are struggling or will struggle. We all go through moments of confusion and days of darkness. We encounter seemingly unconquerable mountains and treacherous waves. We face situations where there seems to be no escape and people who simply drain us dry. We become lonely, we hurt, we cry.

Yet, these moments are fleeting. They are temporary. They do not last - although we may think they do. But, God’s love is permanent. God’s love is forever. God’s love outlasts. God’s love overcomes. God’s love cannot be stopped.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-39 NLT)

Missy and I are facing a lot of trials right now. It seems the enemy has clocked into work and has decided to work overtime! Yet, we must always remember that, circumstances being what they may be, we have One who loves us. That, our friends, is what gives us all overcoming joy and sustaining strength.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. 

Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong.

Jesus loves me, he who died, heaven's gate to open wide.

He will wash away my sin, let his little child come in.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Look at Me! I'm Holy!

 Heart to Heart from the Housewrights

Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings; honor the LORD for his glory and strength. Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever. The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace. 

Psalm 29 (NLT)

This morning, Missy and I were reading Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. Such deep and thoughtful readings…

Today’s entry - February 21 - dealt with Mark 14:6 - “She hath wrought a good work on Me.” Speaking about Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus, Chambers takes that beautiful moment in scripture and relates it to our love for God. And, he wonders, have we ever realized or understood that our “ordinary, simple human things…give evidence to God that I am abandoned to Him? Have I ever produced in the heart of the Lord Jesus what Mary of Bethany produced?” 

He then contrasts this type of love (complete abandonment to God) with personal holiness. “(Abandonment) to God is of more value than personal holiness. Personal holiness focuses the eye on our own whiteness; we are greatly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, fearful lest we offend Him. Perfect love casts out all that when once we are abandoned to God.”

Whew. What a statement! “Personal holiness focuses the eye on our own whiteness…”

Don’t believe it? Let’s see if we agree with Chambers…

1. When you take a picture of yourself - do you take it when you first wake up or when you get made up? 

2. When you talk about yourself to others - do you talk about your failings or your accomplishments? 

3. When you’re in worship and hear the message - do you thank God it’s for the person next to you or do you take an honest assessment of yourself? 

4. When someone asks how you are doing - do you immediately reply, “Great!” or do you actually share how you are doing including where you are not living according to the commands of Christ?

Kind of makes Chamber’s assertion understandable. We worry about how we look in other people's eyes. We worry about our outward whiteness.

We are called to be holy. “Be holy as I am holy,” Leviticus 19:2.  That command we dare not/cannot refuse. God demands we live as redeemed, restored and reborn individuals. That is not up for debate.

Holiness is demanded, but personal holiness screams, “Look at me! I am holy!” 

But, love that leads to abandonment of self? That kind of love “covers a multitude of sins.” Abandoning love does not let “the right hand know what the left hand is doing.” Abandoning love is imperative. Abandoning love is sacrificial. It demands I look upon others and not myself.

Paul writes in Galatians 5:24: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” In this verse, it’s clear, self is to be abandoned.

All of us, as followers of Jesus of Nazareth, are called to be holy. But, that holiness means nothing if we are acting like a Pharisee crying out, “Look at me! I’m better than everyone else! I’m not a sinner like those people!”

On the other hand, we are also called to “love the Lord our God with all of heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength…and love your neighbor as yourself.”  Holiness and love must work together. That is true abandonment.

Maybe we all need to take a step back today, this week, and like Mary of Bethany do something beautiful for Jesus. Not focusing on ourselves or our own holiness, we will rather focus on Jesus and abandon ourselves to him. And if we do that, there will never be a more beautiful or holy moment in all of our lives.

Missy and Steve

Share Your Story

 Heart to Heart from the Housewrights

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.” - John 4:39-42 (NLT)

Some people are natural storytellers. They can make you laugh, cry, think, forget, and hope all at the same time. 

We often forget how important a story can be. For those of us who love to read - it’s because we love a good story. But, what’s involved in a good story? 

Stories may differ in one way or another, yet there are commonalities which apply in every scenario. You must have at least one character, a plot, want and need, conflict and resolution, and some sort of structure. At least that’s what we’ve been taught…

But, there is something missing from the above list. 

Subject.

In other words, what is the story about?

That really is the driving force in what we read. What is the story about?

And there are no more interesting stories than those about you.  You know, your story.

As a Christian, however, your story can truly only be told through the life of Jesus Christ. After all, he is the Subject, or the Foundation, for every one of our stories.

When we share the Good News of Jesus Christ, we are telling a story that has been told and retold hundreds of millions of times over the last two millennia.  Each of us, however, in our own unique way, makes it personal. 

When we tell the story of Jesus, we are telling how the story of Jesus affected us. What it meant to us. What it means to us. And, what it can mean for the person who hears it.

Most people (Christians) think that evangelizing is beyond them. It’s for the pastor. It’s for the missionary. It’s for those who have had training.  “It’s not for me.”

But nothing could be further from the truth. You need to tell your story. 

One word of caution, however. Don’t let your story be about you. 

“Huh?” you ask?

Simple - your story is His story. Tell the “great things he has done.”

After all, 

• 
  

• We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right,
  A story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

• We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
  A song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword.

• We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigns up above
  Has sent us His Son to save us and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love.

• We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, Who the path of sorrow has trod,
  That all of the world’s great peoples might come to the truth of God, might come to the truth of God.
  For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright;
  And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

The world is listening…watching…waiting. Will you share your story?

Advent 2022 - A Season of Hope

November 22, 2022

The LORD looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do. The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—for all its strength, it cannot save you.

But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.

He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone.

Psalm 33:13-22

Gary Thomas, wrote an article in Christianity Today many years ago. In it he described an apparently true story that involved a world famous atheist.

Former Vice President George Bush was sent to Russia as the diplomatic representative of the United States Government for the funeral of former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. While there, it seems that Bush was deeply moved by a silent protest carried out by Brezhnev's widow.

When it was near the end of the service, she stood motionless by the coffin until seconds before it was closed. Then, just as the soldiers touched the lid, Brezhnev's wife performed an act of great courage and hope; a profound gesture in the midst of everyone there - she reached down and made the sign of the cross on her husband's chest.

There, in the citadel of secular, atheistic power, where God was nowhere to be found, the wife of the man who had run it all hoped that her husband was wrong. She hoped that there was another life. She hoped Jesus was truly the Son of God and that the same Jesus might yet have mercy on her husband. (Gary Thomas, in Christianity Today, October 3, 1994, p. 26.)

She hoped.

Hope - it’s defined this way by the American Heritage Dictionary: a.) To wish for a particular event that one considers possible; b.) to have confidence or trust; c.) to desire and consider possible.

The great G.K. Chesterson put it this way: “Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all...As long as matters are really hopeful, hope is mere flattery or platitude; it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength.”

If there was ever a time of the year we desperately need hope, it is betweenThanksgiving and Christmas. With all of the colors, lights, food, festive gatherings, traditional movies to watch, and carols to sing - we find out that it is also the time of the year when depression, loneliness and sorrow strengthen their grip on humanity. It is a time of utter hopelessness for many. Maybe even you.

And, it is true, tears often accompany hopelessness.

One of our favorite contemplative authors Eugene Peterson says this: “History is lubricated by tears. Prayer may be most prayer when it is accompanied by tears. All these tears are gathered up and absorbed in the tears of Jesus.”

Or as the Psalmist writes: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (NLT - Psalms 56:8).

So, let the carols be raised. Let the lights twinkle. Let the kids get giddy. Let the coffee be stirred with a peppermint stick (the kind that melts in your mouth). Let the stockings be hung.

And, know this, it’s ok to cry. It’s ok to feel overwhelmed. It’s ok to miss your loved one. It’s ok to wish it was all done and over with and January 2, 2023 was tomorrow.

How do we know this?

Jesus wept.

And, that our friends should give us all hope. The One who will “wipe every tear from our eyes” himself wept. He knew loss. He knew pain. He knew abandonment. 

How comforting that is to those of us who struggle at times emotionally and mentally.

The Advent season is marked by “waiting; expectancy; hoping.” Jesus has indeed come. He is coming again. And the next time, he will not leave us to ourselves but will bring us with him and we will cry no more forever. That is a reason for hope.

And Advent is a not–so-gentle reminder that this is a season of hope. We wish you all a hope-filled holiday season.

Missy and Steve

We Need a Living Faith

 

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

 - Deuteronomy 15:11

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. 

- Proverbs 19:17

In a recent Christianity Today article, writer Anthony Baxter related that:

“Churches across the UK are being asked to open their doors this winter as a place of warmth and support for people struggling with the cost of living crisis. Food and energy price rises have sent household bills soaring, leaving many people worried about how they will get through the winter and facing the prospect of choosing between heating or eating. Last month Citizens' Advice forecast that 1 in 4 people will not be able to afford their new energy bills despite the recently announced price cap. Responding to the crisis, the ChurchWorks Commission has launched a new initiative asking churches and community centres to open up as a place of warmth and welcome during the winter months. The 'Warm Welcome' campaign has the support of former prime minister Gordon Brown and 1,000 churches have already signed up.

Mr Brown said, "This crisis goes far beyond politics; this is a moral issue - our responsibilities to our neighbours and in particular to those who have the least and whose needs are the greatest.”

Paul Butler, the Bishop of Durham (Church of England) and Chair of the ChurchWorks Commission said, "Over the last few years, we have seen inspiring and meaningful action from churches across the UK stepping up to help those most vulnerable. Through the Covid-19 pandemic, the Church responded quickly and creatively. Now, during another national crisis, churches and community centres need to once again step up by being places of warm welcome in their localities. As bills increase, even with government support, millions will be affected and unable to afford basics. Churches and community groups are perfectly positioned to help those who need a place of warmth and welcome, but if we are truly going to make an impact on a national level, we need hundreds of groups to pledge their space."

Churches to give a warm welcome this winter as energy prices soar (christiantoday.com)

Now, we know this article is concentrated on the UK. “Why, that’s on the other side of the pond!” you might say. But…

According to recent reports, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) estimates the average American family may pay up to $1,200 more this winter to heat their home…which is notable considering most families are already feeling financially strapped.

What’s more, the 40% of U.S. families that use natural gas to heat their homes could see their winter heating costs increase by 30%, according to NEADA.

Yeah, we are all going to have a tough winter. But, for some, it could be economically catastrophic. It’s why we should remember the words, And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased - Hebrews 13:16.

We all need to be there for one another. We need others to be there for us.

After all, today may be a good day. There may be money in the bank. Electricity in the house. Food in the refrigerator. Health in the home. Your team winning. Happiness in the heart.

But, tomorrow? Well, we don’t know about tomorrow. Neither do you. Therefore, we must remember to care for one another…to love one another. After all, Jesus said, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” - Luke 6:38.

That’s good news. I care for you. You care for me. We care for one another. It’s Christian.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 2:14-17

In our lives, Missy and I have seen a lot of Christians not act like Christ. Likewise, we’ve seen a lot of non-Christ followers act like Christ. Things that make you go, “Hmmm.”

This winter - let’s open our hearts and yes our churches to those in need. We know what is coming. We know how to help. But, knowing and doing are two different things. Knowing what Jesus said and doing what Jesus said? Yeah, there’s a difference.

So, it’s going to get cold. What can we (followers of Jesus) do about it?
    1.) Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as God speaks to you and directs your path.
    2.) Listen to others. Look at others. You will know if they need help.
    3.) If you need help, crush pride and reach out - give someone else the opportunity to care and love you.
    4.) Don’t say, “I’ll be praying about that.” Do something about that.
    5.) Encourage your religious leaders to create opportunities for the entire fellowship to do something about the physical needs of those in your community.
    6.) Don’t play the blame game for others unfortunate circumstances. You wouldn’t want people blaming you for something that is beyond your control either.

You say you love Jesus? “Go, and do likewise.” Sisters and brothers, the world needs our living faith.

Hope in a Hurricane

 

“When He thunders, the waters in the heavens are in turmoil, and He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses” - Jeremiah 10:13

 "...who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth and causes grass to grow on the hills…lightning and hail, snow and cloud, stormy wind that executes His command” 

- Psalm 147:8; 148:8

“He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth...“He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour...' The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters his lightning through them. At His direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever He commands them. He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water His earth and show His love” - Job 37:3, 6, 10-13

What do wooly worms, rings around the moon, clouds, cows, pecans, birds, persimmon seeds and aching joints have in common? These are all ways we have tried to predict the weather.

Weather is one of humanity’s greatest conversational topics. This week, however, the weather is more than a mere discussion to overcome awkward silence.

In Florida, and other parts of the East Coast (where we reside), the past few days have been wall to wall coverage of Hurricane Ian - which is just a hair below a Category 5 hurricane.

That’s bad.

Which brings to mind a very important question: does God control the weather? And, if he does, why allow something like a hurricane to develop, devastate and destroy the lives of countless people - who are created in the image of God?

Good questions.

This week is also a reminder that the weather is something people cannot control. Sure, we can “predict” it, but more or less, all we really can do is prepare and respond.

A great analysis of weather from a Christian worldview comes rom apologist, author and theologian Jerry Bridges. In his book “Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts” Bridges writes:

“But God has not walked away from the day-to-day control of His creation. Certainly He has established physical laws by which He governs the forces of nature, but those laws continuously operate according to His sovereign will. A Christian TV meteorologist has determined that there are over 1,400 references to weather terminology in the Bible. Many of these references attribute the outworking of weather directly to the hand of God.”

Even so, perhaps the proper starting point should be NOT “Why does God allow hurricanes” but rather “Why does God NOT leave us during hurricanes?”

Every other god developed via the imagination of humanity demands something from humankind and will only act when appropriately offered various items of sacred worth. Unfortunately, even Christians often act this way: “Here, let me give some extra funds to the church this week and God will help me out of this situation I am in.”

Buying God’s favor? That isn’t biblical. And, it doesn’t work.

The Good News is this: God has placed his people in every area where disasters occur so that he himself is there - his Presence is ever with us (just as Jesus promised when he stated, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age…). God does not leave us during hurricanes.

“Wherever two or more are gathered together in my Name, I will be there in the midst.”

So, why would a loving God allow such terrible things like hurricanes to happen? It is a relevant question. After all, these events cause massive destruction and even death.

Well, the answer is not so simple nor is it completely understandable by our limited human thinking. First off, we must remember that God doesn’t promise us a life free of problems. Some things just happen. There is no rhyme or reason. Perhaps they are a direct consequence of sin. Maybe not. Either way, life happens.

Secondly, we must remember that our Savior promises he’ll never leave us if we put our trust in him. After all, it was he who stated: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” - John 16:33.

Thirdly, it’s imperative that - when faced with traumatic moments in life - you hold tightly to the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven, where no suffering of any kind will be allowed to affect you. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

God’s design for humankind isn’t for you or your loved ones to suffer. Rather he loves you and wants to be there for you through the worst parts of life. Yes, there can be hope in a hurricane.

“Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow - blessings all mine, with 10,000 beside..”

Love Conquers Fear

 

There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God - Romans 3:11

For the heart of this people has become dull - with their ears they scarcely hear and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them’ - Matthew 13:15

Little Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup. But, Johnny didn't want to go. He stopped and looked straight into his mom’s eyes: "It's dark in there and I'm scared to go in there all alone," he said. She asked again, yet he still persisted that he not go in there alone. Finally she said, "It's okay, Johnny, Jesus will be in there with you."

Filled with a glimmer of courage Johnny walked hesitantly to the pantry door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside and saw it was dark. With his voice barely above a whisper, Johnny said: "Jesus, if you're in there, would you mind handing me a can of tomato soup?"

Fear. It’s not a laughing matter.

Fear is so prevalent nowadays we have had to develop new terminology to describe fear. Things like peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Aerophobia: fear of drafts. Porphyrophobia: fear of the color purple. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. Levophobia: fear of objects on the left side of the body. Dextrophobia: fear of objects on the right side of the body. Auroraphobia: fear of the northern lights. Calyprophobia: fear of obscure meanings. Thalassophobia: fear of being seated. Stabisbasiphobia: fear of standing and walking. Odontophobia: fear of teeth. Graphophobia: fear of writing in public. Phobophobia: fear of being afraid.

And of course, sermonophobia - fear of a sermon going too long…ok, we made that up.

What are you fearful of? What causes you to freeze up? What gives you the heebie jeebies?

If you read the Psalms you find that time and time again David wrestled with fear. In the Gospel of Mark you read about a young man who ran away naked out of the Garden of Gethsemane. And, of course, in the book of Acts you read about the sons of Sceva who faced off against evil and were beaten up and ran away.

Yes, fear is found throughout the Bible.

But, at the same time, fear does not have the final say. In this life or the next.

The Word of God reminds us: 

    1.) “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” - I John 4:4

    2.) “What shall we say in response to all of these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31

    3.) “...because everyone who is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith” - I John 5:4
    4.) “...the battle belongs to the LORD…” - I Chronicles 5:22
    5.) “The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can a person do to me?” - Psalms 118:6.
    6.) “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness” - Isaiah 41:10
    7.) “So do not be afraid; you are worth more than the sparrows…” - Matthew 10:31

Now, the Bible is just a collection of books, thoughts, wisdom, history, songs, prophecy, and the sayings of a homeless, wandering Rabbi - unless you apply them to your life. If you place your faith (trust) in the Bible as the word of God then they become more than words. They give life. They become life.

Unfortunately, people do not read the Bible anymore, unless they are facing a crisis. They are afraid and they have nowhere else to turn. Then, they may crack open that book covered in dust. That leads to a life of fear.

We live in a culture that is based on fear. The news, social media, political parties, businesses - they all feed on people’s fears. Give people something to be scared about and then offer them the solution. That is how they control you. That is how the world operates.

God does not operate in fear. As a matter of fact, all of the teaching, preaching and shouting about hell and damnation - is nothing more than a ploy by people who want to “scare” people into heaven or control their behavior. 

Sure, there are words in the Holy Scriptures about judgment upon sin and those who refuse grace and mercy. Judgment on sin is coming.

That said, God’s love destroying our fear is much more prevalent and powerful in bringing people into God’s kingdom.

After all, it’s why we remember Jeremiah 31:3, “...I have loved you with an everlasting love.”

It’s why we repeat the words of our Savior: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.”

It’s also why we close this week’s note out with these words:

“All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first,” - I John 4:15-19.

LOVE CONQUERS FEAR

Look at What My Kid Did!

 

I will make known the LORD's loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us--the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion - Isaiah 63:7

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace - Ephesians 1:7

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit - Titus 3:5

We wonder if you are like us. Do you have pictures on your refrigerator? By that, we mean drawings from children. You know the kind - a hand that looks like a turkey; a blob that is supposed to be dad; a hand that has seven fingers; or the loving stick figure family.

Whatever might be on your fridge - we bet it means something to you.

Speaking of children artists, Thane Hutcherson Ury, missiologist, professor, theologian, biblical scholar, pastor and premiere story-teller shares the following story that we can all understand:

There was an extremely wealthy man who was an avid collector of fine art. He gained some notoriety for accumulating an impressive collection. Sadly, his heir and only son died prematurely. The man loved him deeply, and had even placed one of his own son’s childhood drawings right between a Picasso and Rembrandt.

When the affluent man passed away, a public auction was held with all of his enviable art pieces. The invitation-only auction drew over a thousand bidders from across the world.

The auctioneer opened the occasion by first putting on the block the self-portrait that the man’s deceased son had drawn. Everyone could tell it was not a professional offering.

When the floor opened for bids, no signals came. After an embarrassing silence, a shabbily-dressed, diminutive figure walked down the aisle. The auctioneer recalled his face as one who had volunteered to load the moving trucks.

This was the servant of the wealthy man.

This servant had cared for the son for years, and wanted just one keepsake. Something to fondly remember the boy by. Feeling out of place, embarrassed, and with no sense of bidding protocol, he pulled some crumpled dollar bills from his vest pocket and asked, “Could I buy the child’s self-portrait?” Without a moment of hesitation, the auctioneer immediately slammed his gavel, saying, “Sold!”

The huge crowd shifted with excitement. Murmuring began erupting across the group. There was great anticipation that the “real” auction would now begin.

But shockingly and to the dismay of all, the auctioneer hit the gavel again and said, “The auction is done.”

Loud chatter, confusion, and anger ensued. The auctioneer finally got everyone’s attention and went on to explain. In the wealthy man’s will, he left crystal-clear instructions: his son’s self portrait was to be sold first. And then, with no other qualification, he clearly added that whoever offered to buy his son’s work would freely receive the rest of the art collection.

The master of the house had decided well in advance that whoever loved his son and accepted his work, should not only have his son’s work, but all the other works that belonged to the father.

In a very real sense, this is the same thing which happens to the person who places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ - the only Son of the Father. When we receive the work of Christ - the cross, death and resurrection - when we place our faith in him - when we freely receive his love - when we are showered in his mercy - when we are saved by his grace - we simultaneously receive the works and blessings of his Father who now becomes our Father.

As we read in John 6:32-40: Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

We don’t know about you but have you ever stopped to consider the free gift of life which God has bought and paid for? When was the last time you took time to ponder the “amazing grace” you received when “Jesus paid it all?”

The great Christian thinker Thomas A Kempis once wrote: “A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver.” Never forget - God loves you. And, that, our friends, is more valuable than any gift we could ever receive. After all, look at what his Son did!

Jesus Without Judgment

June 14, 2022

“‘’Write this letter to the angel (messenger) of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.’” - Revelation 3:1-6 (NLT)

As much as people have issues with deciphering and discerning the Revelation of Jesus Christ at the end of the New Testament there is a great deal that is spoken in plain language. You don’t need a linguist, preacher or biblical expert to understand it. When Jesus speaks to the seven churches in Asia it’s very easy to understand the point he is making.

Take the church at Sardis, for instance. Jesus states simply - “You think you’re alive but you are really dead.” It doesn't get much plainer than that.

And that, if you ask us, would more than likely be the message to the church in North America today. It thinks it is alive. It feels it is doing what is right. It believes it is doing what God wants.

Yet, all the while, the church is asleep. It is sound asleep. It has forgotten what God has said and what God requires. It is a church in name only.

Oh sure, there are some who are loud, braggadocious, and outlandish. We saw recently where a well-known religious personality from Tennessee stated, “You can’t be a Christian and vote Democrat.” Well, that’s helpful…

Another person, this one from Texas, stated from the pulpit in his sermon entitled, Why We Won’t Shut Up, that all gay men were predatory pedophiles who have either committed sex crimes against a child or just haven’t had the opportunity to do so yet. He added, “We need to put these people to death through the proper channels of the government…” and that queer people “should be lined up against the wall and shot in the back of the head.” Okay…

And, if that were not enough - and by golly, it ought to be - now we have the Southern Baptist church embroiled in a denominational wide sexual misconduct scandal that inlcudes a “minister” raping other minister’s wife. Let’s not forget the “United” Methodist who have managed to destroy an entire denomination and crush the spirits of thousands of congregants.

Needless to say, the church doesn’t need enemies - we are “enemy” enough for ourselves. The Devil isn’t killing off the church. The church is fine at killing itself.

Now, before you get depressed (any more than many of us are presently) and are wondering aloud, “Why are they writing about these things?! This is not encouraging! I need encouragement!” Well, so do we…

It’s at this point we ought to remind ourselves that Jesus said, “On this rock (our faith) I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Now those are words to live by… and that’s permanent encouragement.

In a very real sense, this was what Jesus was trying to do with the sordid lot he had at Sardis. He is trying to get their attention, get them to repent, get them restored, and get them to a living faith once again. Jesus is encouraging the people of Sardis. He tells them - if you want to live, repent and turn back to God.

Thankfully, there were some in Sardis who were living as commanded and they were an example to the rest. Bright bulbs in the darkness…

And this is where we come in.

God is calling - always calling - his people to repent. Acts 17:30 has Paul preaching, “God calls all people everywhere to repent.”

God also has his people strategically placed all over creation as examples. Again, Paul - this time in his letter to the Philippians writes: “So that no one can criticize you, live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." (2:15).

We (followers of Christ Jesus) need to be the example/the model the world follows. Rather than judging without Jesus, we need to offer Jesus without judgment. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Take An Interest In Others

 

May 24, 2022

Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful. Be sure to pray that God will make a way for us to spread his message and explain the mystery about Christ, even though I am in jail for doing this. Please pray that I will make the message as clear as possible. When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time (Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders). Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions. Colossians 4:2-6 (CEV)

Dale Carnegie wrote one of our culture’s most famous books: How to Win Friends and Influence People. You may recall one of his salient points: “Become genuinely interested in other people.”

Or, as Paul put it 2,000 years ago: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders,” (v. 5a). If there were ever a verse needed for Christians today it is that one.

Why in the world can we not treat people nice? After all, we sure are good at treating ourselves well. Pedicures. Manicures. Selfies. Buying stuff for ourselves. Manipulating others to get what we want. Self-promoting. Self-absorbed. We even have a sense of entitlement.

We love ourselves so much we have forgotten how to love one another. And, ironically, that is what the world preaches and teaches: Me! Me! Me! Love yourself!

The word of God, in direct contrast, continually reminds us: “Love one another;” “Love your neighbor as yourself;” “Love your enemies;” “The greatest of these is love.”

And that is what Paul is truly pointing at, we think, in these verses from Colossians - love. Specifically, loving those who do not believe. Which is what Jesus was speaking about when he said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?” Matthew 5:44-46).

The story is told of Gordon Maxwell, missionary to India, that when he asked a Hindu scholar to teach him the language, the Hindu replied: “No, Sahib, I will not teach you my language. You would make me a Christian.” Gordon Maxwell replied, “You misunderstand me. I am simply asking you to teach me your language.” Again the Hindu responded, “No, Sahib, I will not teach you. No person can live with you and not become a Christian.”

“No person can live with you and not become a Christian.”

Let us ask you a question: Do the people living around you know you love them? Not put clothes on their back and feed them love them. Not “go shopping or fishing with someone” love. Not “Here’s something you need” love. We are talking about loving someone in a way that reflects your desire for them to hear the Good News of Jesus. Can anyone live with you and “not become a Christian?” 

How do we express this love? How do we live with others in such a way that they will have no choice but to become a Christian?

You make the time you spend with unbelievers count.

Listen to them. Ask about them. Be interested in them. Be focused on them. Spend yourself on them. Let them know - without words - that you love them…by the way you treat them.

In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington.

In Ephrata there also lived Michael Wittman, who for whatever reason did all he could to oppose, deride and humiliate Preacher Miller. In an incredible turn of events, one day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason - a crime for which the only punishment was death.

Once he found out about the unfortunate situation, Peter Miller did the unthinkable: he traveled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the life of his enemy, the traitor.

"No, Peter," General Washington said. "I cannot grant you the life of your friend."

"My friend!?" exclaimed the old preacher. "He's the most bitter enemy I have."

"What?" cried Washington. "You've walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in a different light. Wittman, I'll grant your pardon."

Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to Ephrata--no longer an enemy but a friend.

That is being interested in someone else. That is truly loving them. Sure, most of us will never have to walk the path of Preacher Miller. However, don’t we all have people around us who we are not friends with? Don’t we all have people who refuse to have anything to do with us?

Still, shouldn’t we be interested in them? In their lives? In their eternal destination? If we love them we will…

Don't Skip to the End

 

03/01/2022

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” 

And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are faithful and true.” And He told me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life. The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death," - Revelation 21:1-8

In light of recent events we notice a subject which always arises during times of crisis. Eschatology. You know: the end-times; Daniel; the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ; prophecies. 

It's a time when some will tell you, "If you haven't already been prepping it's too late!" "Preachers” exercise their bible verse memorization skills, discovering portions of God’s word to speak to real-time events. “Prophets” spin world events into such a muddled mess that their eisegesis (look it up - it’s your homework for today) begins to somehow make sense.

It is also a moment when Christians can say some of the most off-handed and inappropriate comments.

A dear friend, Heather, shared a book with us she recently finished. Kate Bowler, an Associate Professor of the History of Christianity in America, at Duke Divinity School, is the author and it is titled: Everything Happens for a Reason - and Other Lies I Have Loved. It is an incredible read containing raw unfiltered emotions, intelligence, love, worry, fear, faith, and even joy - written with biting sarcasm and unwavering hope.

The book details how Dr. Bowler - who is living the dream - is suddenly at the age of 35 struck with the crushing news that she has stage four cancer. She then documents what people - Jesus followers and deniers alike - have to say to her in regards to her situation.

It is sobering and horrifying the words people can use. People can say the most damaging things - never realizing the destruction. One of those lines is: “Everything happens for a reason.”

Really?

Is that what we say to the family of a drunk-driving accident? Is there truly a reason for human trafficking? Can we actually explain away suicide? Or, do we simply look into our Ukrainian friend’s eyes and say, “God has a reason for all of this! Glory!”

Mmmm. No.

However, there may be an even more hurtful response. It is when we begin telling people who are struggling through incredible and unimaginable moments in life that “in the end, God wins!” Or, “Well, at least you have heaven to look forward to.” Ugh.

We love skipping past pain; jumping past hurtful situations. 

To quote a rather precocious little red head:

The sun'll come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun.

Just thinkin' about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow ‘til there's none.

When I'm stuck a with day that's gray and lonely I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh - The sun'll come out tomorrow so you gotta hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may…

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya tomorrow, You're always a day away.

Dr. Bowler, meeting with her oncologist, was reminded of a truth we must all latch onto. She writes: “We (her and her oncologist) have both, as it turns out, spent a lot of time walking up to the edges of things, and we are talking about what it means to face facts.” Her doctor responds that the “secret” is: “Don’t skip to the end,” (p. 160).

Don’t skip to the end.

We cannot just live our lives based on what may or may not happen in the future. We can only live our lives based on today. The pain of today. The frustration of today. The crying today. The laughter today. The hope for today. The love for today. And, yes, the evil and troubles of today.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today,” Matthew 6:34 (NLT). With all that is occurring on this globe - pandemic and invasions included - remember not to skip to the end. Rather, live today. Love today. Hope today. Pray today. Struggle today. Lose today. Win today. 

Perhaps Ira Stanphill understood this truth best. After all, he taught us:

I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future, for I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand.

"Ground Beef and Gas - Does God Care?"

11-09-2021

Then the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!’” So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. 

 (I Kings 17:8-16)

Many people are becoming more and more aware and worried about our economic future. There is already the unfortunate rise of “shrink-flation” where we are getting less but it is costing more. According to the Wall Street Journal: “Supermarkets say shoppers are buying more store-brand meat products and trading down from beef to less-expensive alternatives such as chicken or pork, after prices for products such as rib-eye climbed about 40% from a year ago...Some consumers are replacing boneless chicken breast with cheaper bone-in chicken, retailers said…”Everybody is trying to find something that fits within their wallet.” (Consumers Trade Rib-eye for Ground Beef as Grocery Prices Rise - Wall Street Journal Report 11/07/2021)

With all of us already dealing with the fastest price increases in decades, another major issue is just on the horizon: a widely expected increase in winter heating bills. Energy prices have soared and natural gas, used to heat almost half of U.S. households, has almost doubled in price since this time last year. That’s not to even mention fuel for our vehicles.

That’s not a lot of good news. Especially with the holidays already here. What does it all mean for the community of faith? People are going to need our help more than ever. We are going to need one another more than ever.

In our text from I Kings we read one of the more intriguing stories from the Old Testament. Here are a few things to take from it and how they apply to the current, and unfortunately, dire financial situation we find ourselves in.

One, God called Elijah...to go. God is still calling us today and He is calling us to go. None of us has been created to simply live to ourselves. We are called from focusing on ourselves and our situations to go to others and meet their needs. Go. Hear the need. See the need. Understand the need. Meet the need.

Two, God had someone in place to take care of Elijah. Elijah was released from worrying about himself as God had already prepared - in his wisdom - for the very person Elijah was to stay with to actually take care of his needs! In God’s providence and knowledge he knew how everything would play out and had prepared accordingly. Still, there was one thing necessary to set it all in motion...

Three, Elijah’s obedience. The prophet’s willingness to do exactly as God commanded is the one part of the equation that released God’s blessing. It’s simple mathematics actually: A + B = C. You take any portion of that equation away and there is no correct answer. It is impossible.

And such it is with God’s promise to his children to care for them. God promises to love us...and we, in response, should love him and one another. God cares for you. You care for us. God cares for us. We care for you. It’s that simple.

And it’s necessary. Especially in times such as these. There may be shortages of gas, heat, food, water, toilet paper, etc. But, let it never be said that there is a shortage of love. Especially among the children of God.

How completely dependent upon God we are for the common, everyday, necessary things of life! And yet we are prone to forget the truth that we need one another as well. Depend upon God and depend upon God’s people. Let us not forget that.

Were we to travel back in time and take an inventory of this poor widow's resources, how short it would be! A little meal in a barrel and a little in a bowl. Were we to walk around her cottage, we would find nothing of substance in it. There is little doubt her furniture had all been sold before her last desperate resolution was taken...eat and die.

The story of the widow of Zarephath is an illustration of the process that every day goes on in many homes: the selling of goods to the pawn shop to buy some food for the week, precious objects and heirlooms sold to pay for housing, searching for change to purchase diapers...sometimes the very necessities of life are given up by parents so their children will have clothes to keep them warm as winter inches closer.

Yes, sometimes these sad situations are the result of mindless spending, bad money decisions, or just plain rotten luck. But too often they are the sad results of generational poverty, unexpected medical emergencies, loss of income, drugs and other unforeseen family issues.

How critical it is for us to remember God desires to supply us “our daily bread.” After all - everything in the earth is his and at his disposal including “two fish and five loaves of bread.” All for the care of his children. Elijah was supplied by the ravens and a poor widow...how will God provide for us this week? How will we provide for one another?

PS - as we finish this tonight...our car broke down on Missy on the way to the Bible study she leads. It’s sitting on a side street. Tomorrow we will try to get it fixed. We trust God has already worked that out and we pray that whatever you are facing God will work that out as well. “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way...”

Missy and Steve