Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 56:3-4 (NASB1995).

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

David had reason to fear “mere man”. King Saul wanted him dead and David fled to the land of the Philistines, who still remembered the shepherd who felled their giant warrior. However, David’s faith sustained him in his fear. He sings “In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid.”

Jesus tells us this as well, saying “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). It reminds us that no matter what we face here, God is with us. Our “temporary affliction” as Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 4:17 is nothing compared to the promise of salvation and eternity with God.

God has always wanted only the best for us, but we choose our own way all too often.  He is still there for us, waiting for our repentant return and acceptance of the saving grace He sends in Jesus.

Patient God, we are grateful for Your love and mercy that makes a way for us to be saved. Help us to be the heralds of Christ, carrying the Gospel to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NASB1995).

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

The prophet Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem with a number of others during the exile, but he wrote to those in captivity in Babylon explaining the situation and how important it was for them to look to God for rescue. The words he is given recall God’s promise in Deuteronomy 30:3 “then the Lord your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you.”

God’s actions in the exile confirm His plan for His people. This is not revenge for their unfaithful behavior, but a disciplinary intervention to return their hearts to Him. As with all our desert experiences, He has something for us to learn. God takes no pleasure in this, but we risk losing our eternal connection to Him when we go our own way.

These verses remind us that while we can’t save ourselves, we can always turn to the Father in repentance and be forgiven. His words encourage us to seek Him in all we do. We must remember that God loves us no matter what, and His love is to be shared with the world.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have failed You and each other. Still us and fill us, mend us and send us to all Your children everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 2:20 (NASB1995).

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Paul is attempting to protect the Galatian believers from the perhaps well-meaning but misguided attempts of the Jerusalem church to have new believers adopt Jewish practices in order to be a Christ follower. As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul preached as Jesus did, that nothing we can do for ourselves will save us. The only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus, nothing more, nothing less.

This separation between Jews and Gentiles was an ongoing issue, even after Christ’s ascension. Jesus had compassion on all people, and He taught and healed regardless of who people were. Paul was of the same mind and was sent specifically by Jesus to spread the Gospel among those who were not of the children of Israel.

It is important to note that these were not bad practices, they had been observed by Jews for a thousand years. However, belief in Jesus Christ as our savior is the only thing we need to be saved, and that is what Paul emphasizes here: “the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” We have given up our former lives and by His Spirit we go to share His love.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for all Your children to be saved through Your Son. Forgive us and help us to bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Romans 5:1-2 (NASB1995).

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Paul explains that faith in God is the only thing that can save us. There are no actions we can accomplish for ourselves. Jesus came to be our example, sacrifice and savior and only through Him can we come to God.

In the previous chapter of Romans Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, explaining that  Abraham’s faith was “credited to him as righteousness.” When we believe that God is with us and trust in His love through what Jesus has done for us, we are saved! Then as a response to what we have been given, we go to share that love with everyone.

God invites all of us to accept His love and forgiveness, becoming part of what He is doing in creation. We each have gifts to be used to care for our brothers and sisters, telling everyone the Good News. God’s love energizes us to go in His name.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You call us to be Your representatives here. Bless us to be patient and strong in our mission to make disciples of all people. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 4:8 (NASB1995).

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi with instructions in this chapter on how to maintain the mind of Christ in ourselves when we face difficult times. They were dealing with internal disputes as well as pushback from society. Paul doesn’t pick a side but reminds all parties how they have been blessed by Christ’s teaching and sacrifice for us, and that they have all worked together to share His love.

We experience issues that divide us today, in our culture and in our churches. We need to see dissent carefully, recognizing the difference in genuine needs and concerns and evil driving a wedge between us. Too often we let the situation dictate our often hostile responses to each other, rather than what Jesus taught us.

Paul recommends a better response – focus on the good things we have been given and then use those to keep our minds set on how to solve our problems instead of just criticizing those with whom we disagree. We will always have differing opinions on the right way to approach our issues but we need to see the problem and solution as separate from the people Jesus taught us to love.

Patient God, we know You did not create us to contend with each other. Bless us to listen to each other and work to understand what divides us, keeping our minds filled with Your love and Your command to bring the Good News to all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NASB1995).

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul encourages us to look beyond what “momentary, light affliction” we experience here to the promise of what we don’t yet see. He was imprisioned, in poor health but as he said previously “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Paul teaches that even though we may face difficult things here, through Jesus we can be forgiven, made new and live with Him eternally. We trust that all Jesus taught is God’s word, and that promise, while yet unseen, is unshakeable.

We need to take Jesus seriously when He tells His disciples (and us) “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). While we can’t fathom what it will be like, we know from His lessons that it will be home.

Loving Lord, help us to see what we experience here is nothing compared to what You have prepared for us. Strengthen us in faith and send us to share Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is James 5:13 (NASB1995).

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

The Letter of James is most well known for its statement “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). However, there is much more wisdom for us to learn in this short book. This verse speaks of prayer and praise as our response to suffering and joy.

While James speaks of individuals, what is implied here is that those who suffer or rejoice don’t do so alone. This is the proper response of Christians, being with our brothers and sisters no matter what the situation. Paul gives us similar instruction in Romans 12:15, saying “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” It’s about the family of God lifting each other up.

Here we are taught that we need each other in good times and bad. Part of the wilderness experience for the children of Israel was to become a community of faith that supports each other and all people. God calls us to be aware of the needs of others and use the gifts we have been given in His name.

Gracious God, when we come to You with our burdens, You offer us rest. When we are happy, You celebrate with us. Help us to be part of sharing Your love to everyone by telling them the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 31:23-24 (NASB1995).

O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.

David has been through difficult times but his faith is not shaken. He writes “Be strong and let your heart take courage”, reminding us of God’s words through Moses from Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Our connection to God is essential to withstand the power of evil that wants to tear us away. We are tempted by what we see and hear and have, temporary happiness and things that won’t last. God promises eternal love and life with Him for those who repent and accept his forgiveness.

When we come to Him admitting our wrongdoing, we can be restored and go into the world with His blessing to share the Gospel. God wants all His beloved children to know Him and be saved, but each of us must choose Him for ourselves, and go to do the kingdom work He has given us.

Loving Lord, our hope is in You and not in any earthly thing. Help us to bring the love You send to everyone, telling the Good News with joy. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Ephesians 6:10-11 (NASB1995).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

Paul shares the “battle plan” in order to stand against evil: “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” We are called to trust in the Lord’s strength, not our own. Paul uses military imagery in this chapter to remind us of the tools we are given for spiritual protection.

Like the spiritual gifts Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 12-13, none of this is possible without love – God’s love for us and ours to Him in return. This is not just a random collection of things that might help us, but a planned and coordinated set of tools that only work as part of His plan.

Jesus embodied these gifts and showed us how we could be part of what God is doing in creation. He taught that we can be forgiven and made new, ready to share the Gospel in every part of the world.

Loving Lord, help us to use the gifts You give wisely, that all Your children may come to know the truth of Christ and choose salvation. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 14:6 (NASB1995).

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

In John 13-17 Jesus gives His disciples instructions before His crucifixion. Jesus has always told them what was to happen, but even now they find it hard to accept. Bible scholars call this the Farewell Discourse, a dry name for the loving guidance He offers them (and us!) in this teaching.

Jesus says “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”, which pretty much covers everything there is. He is the only way for us to be saved, sent by God for that specific purpose. He is the truth, described as the very Word of God who came to be with us (John 1:14). He is indeed life itself, a way to live with God and each other here, and the promise of eternal life for those who accept His saving grace.

The last phrase is extremely important – “no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus tells us God has made a way for us, but only through our faith in the Lamb of God can we saved. When we come to the Father through Jesus in repentance, we can be forgiven and live as God intends for us. 

Wise and wonderful God, in Your mercy You sent Your Son to be the path to forgiveness and salvation. May we go to Your children with the Good News that all can be saved through Jesus Christ. Amen.