Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:1-3 (ESV).

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) contains Jesus’ teachings on virtually every aspect of life with God and each other. In each lesson we get a picture of how things are different in the Kingdom of God than what we have allowed to happen on earth. He wants us to realize we have choices beyond the things we see here.

He begins with a statement about how those who know they need God are blessed. Too often we trust in the three P’s – power, position and possessions. Jesus tells us that none of these can save us from our sin because these are temporary, human created things. Only by recognizing our need for Him and asking His forgiveness can we enter God’s Kingdom.

Jesus has much more to teach us about how we interact with God and each other, and in almost every case it is the exact opposite of what we find in the world. This upside-down kingdom confuses those who put their trust in things, but for those who believe in Christ’s power and love, it is salvation. We trust His promise of an eternal place for us with Him.

Loving Lord, we are ashamed of our failure to love one another as You taught us. Forgive us and send us to all who need to hear the Good News of Your Kingdom. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NLT).

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Humbling ourselves is not something we seem to do naturally or easily. Our pride often prevents us from doing the right thing even though we know it’s the right thing. God made us in His image and gave us free will to choose, but He also gave us His love to lead us back to Him.

Paul reminds us of Christ’s teaching before the Last Supper, that “whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave” (Matthew 20:27). Loving others through our service is the best way to be like Jesus. We need to understand that humbling ourselves is not demeaning but honest and loving.

This passage concludes with the guidance to “give all your worries and cares to God”, another example of humble worship. Our pride says we have to deal with things ourselves; our faith tells us to give it up to the One who cares most for us. We are never alone and God wants to be part of everything we do.

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we allow our pride to rule our actions. Send us to serve our brothers and sisters with Your love and share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 77:11-12 (NLT).

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

The psalmist lists a variety of issues causing pain and sorrow and wonders why God hasn’t intervened. However, God’s “wonderful deeds of long ago” and His saving grace given to His people are remembered, and the psalmist once again thinks of God’s love. Even when things seem to be at their worst, God is there for us.

We tend to call on God when we are in need, but forget His care for us when things are good. Deuteronomy 8:14 warns us “Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.” God wants us to be connected always, not just when we need His help.

Putting our trust in Him is both an everyday and all our lives task. We have a choice to make – live according to the world’s ways or follow the path of faith we have been shown. It is up to us, but God is always there, ready to enfold us in His love.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have forsaken the relationship You offer us. Forgive us and send us to show the joy we find in You with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Acts 20:24 (NLT).

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Paul knows that “jail and suffering” await him on his coming journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:23) but as Jesus did, he continues in faith. He tells us “my life is worth nothing unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.” While there is earthly opposition to the spread of the Gospel, it is what we are called to accomplish.

Jesus told us that as His disciples we would face persecution and hate in the world. He also said “But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In Matthew 28:19 He commanded us “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” This is the assignment Paul mentions here.

We are called to follow the path of Jesus just as Paul was. We may never travel to faraway places to share the Gospel (but we might!), and there are plenty of opportunities to represent Jesus right where we are. All we have to do is accept the forgiveness He offers and share that blessing with those around us.

Loving Lord, You sent Your Son to save us from ourselves. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Send us to tell the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture today is 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NLT).

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul writes earlier in this chapter “So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man” (1 Corinthians 15:21). This lesson on sin, death and resurrection continues through today’s verse. Jesus is the answer the world needs.

While Jesus came to save us (and did!) it is up to us to accept this blessing and live by His example. His victory over sin and death has been accomplished but we must say yes to the invitation He offers. Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5) but through Him we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).

Becoming an active member of God’s family obligates us to pass this blessing along through sharing the Good News with everyone. We don’t need to be skilled orators or religious scholars, just honest people who love the Lord and want others to know that joy. Jesus has called us all to be part of His saving work.

Heavenly Father, we are ashamed of the mess we make here, but amazed that Your love and mercy are always there for us. Forgive us and send us in Your name to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Hebrews 5:7 (NLT).

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God.

Jesus most definitely knew the power of prayer, and if Jesus thought it was necessary for Himself, how much more important for us to be in contact with our Father through prayer? While this verse likely describes His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus showed us the blessing of a regular connection to God. Mark 1:35 tells us “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray”, demonstrating how important it is to begin the day with God.

Jesus gave His disciples (and us) the model prayer we still say to honor Him. The Lord’s Prayer is an example for us of how conversation with God should go. Try writing or saying it in your own words, adding your thanks and expressing your needs. A connection to God is personal, even when we pray together.

While God always answers prayer, it may not be exactly what we asked for. Jesus said in Luke 22:41-42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” God’s plan is perfect and we need to make our lives fit that plan, not the other way around.

Loving Lord, we are grateful for the gift of prayer to be in touch with You. Help us to share Your love and blessing with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT).

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Jesus promises we won’t be alone after He returns to the Father. In John 14:16 He says “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” Advocate can also mean Helper or Comforter, as it is rendered in other bible versions. All of these indicate God’s presence with us to guard and guide us.

Paul wants the Corinthians (and us) to understand how God’s love flows to us through His Spirit. With the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the disciples are empowered to speak in the name of Jesus, sharing the Good News just as He did. We are now His representatives, called to spread the Gospel everywhere.

More than just a comfort to us, His Spirit with us allows us to share that love with the world. Paul writes “When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” This is the pattern Jesus taught: repent and reconnect with God, accept the blessing of His presence, and pass that love to everyone.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Your presence with us always. Bless us to speak Your word with love to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT).

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

While Paul tells Timothy not to “let anyone think less of you because you are young”, the guidance applies to us all. What anyone else thinks of us and our discipleship is not our issue, but theirs. Our call is to go in His name regardless of what opinion the world holds of us.

Psychiatrist Carl Jung said “the world will ask you who you are and if you don’t know, the world will tell you.” We need to know who we are in Christ and that should always be our answer. Paul says the way we live in His love is our best response.

Jesus gave us the Great Commission to make disciples of all the world. This is a charge and a blessing, a call to action and an expression of His love and trust in us. Jesus wants us all to join Him in the eternal home He has prepared for us, and we get to help others find the way there.

Loving Lord, Your mercy amazes us and we are humbled to be part of Your work. May we go to share the Gospel with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 8:28-29 (NLT).

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

It’s hard to read this passage sometimes when we see the state of our world. Do we believe that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God” with everything that goes on here? Let’s not forget that while God is and always has been in control, He left us in charge here.

Christian author Mark Norton writes “Note that God is not working to make us happy, but to fulfill His purpose for us – to make us like Christ” and he refers to 1 John 3:2: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” We need to see beyond ourselves if we want to understand God’s plan for us.

Paul is telling us that God can use even the bad circumstances we cause ourselves to teach us and lead us to a closer relationship with Him and each other. As Paul puts it, God wants us to be like Jesus “so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” God wants all His children back, and He calls us to go to them in love.

Gracious God, we are amazed and grateful that You want us to be part of Your work. May we go in Your name to share the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is (Proverbs 29:25-26 NLT).

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord.

These two Proverbs are related, telling us the Lord is our ultimate protector and judge. It warns against the human security the world offers because it is changeable and temporary. God is permanent and eternal.

Human justice is often unjust because we can be unfairly influenced by appearances or what we believe are other people’s motives. God judges us fairly, but offers His mercy to those who choose repentance and reconnection with Him. He is the only ruler whose favor we should seek.

The trap this speaks of is allowing the world to frighten us into changing our behavior. Jesus tells us “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that” (Luke 12:4). God’s love for us is everlasting and when we trust Him, we can be part of what He is doing in the world.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we haven’t listened to Your call: “Do not be afraid!” Help us to share Your love with confidence, telling the Good News to everyone. Amen.