Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV).

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Freedom is one of those words that means different things to different people. It can be as simple as the ability to go where we want when we want, and to use our resources as we please. For some it may be the absence of someone telling us what to do.

Paul tells us that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” He would know, having spent much of his ministry under arrest in one place or another. Instead of complaining about his situation, Paul used the opportunity to minister to those with whom he was jailed as well as his jailers.

When we have the Lord’s Spirit, we are truly free, no matter what our earthly situation may be. God sent us His Son, Jesus taught us the way, and the Spirit remains with us to guard and guide our lives. I hope that today, no matter what you face, you celebrate your freedom in God’s Kingdom.

Heavenly Father, You gave us freedom to choose for ourselves. Help us to see this as not only our personal gift, but a blessing for all Your children. May we use it for the good of all, sharing the Gospel and the love You first gave us. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 20:29 (ESV).

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Most of us have heard the term “Doubting Thomas”, often used in a derogatory way. This is the origin of that term. I feel Thomas gets a bad rap in this story and I don’t think that’s the lesson Jesus intended us to learn.

I believe it was important to God’s plan that those who knew Jesus as a man and knew He had been crucified see Him in His resurrected form. This enables them to give the eye witness testimony “He’s alive!” Thomas behaved and asked for only what the other disciples had felt and seen. They did not believe the womens’ report of the empty tomb initially and had to go see for themselves. They truly believed when Christ appeared to them.

Jesus explains the reason for all this: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Because of the disciples’ fervent sharing of the Gospel, all generations after theirs are blessed to believe even though we have not yet seen the risen Jesus.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the times we doubt Your love and forgiveness. Bless us to be energetic in sharing our faith and Your love with the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalm 34:8-9 (ESV).

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

The beginning of this verse reminds me of a commercial from back when that said “Try it! You’ll like it!” While that may sound a little casual for sharing our faith, I think it embodies the tone Jesus likely used to call people to a relationship with God and each other. I remember weekend retreats where we displayed a picture of Jesus laughing and that’s the Teacher I know. (I’d love to include the image but I don’t want to use someone else’s work.)

This psalm reminds us we can use our senses to observe all that the Lord has blessed us with and knowing this, draw closer to Him. Would He have created all this and put it under our stewardship if He didn’t love us? That’s what we need to remember: none of this is really ours, everything belongs to Him.

We need to be aware of the opportunities we are given to share this wonderful gift with our brothers and sisters. Instead of focusing on all the negative and the fear the world uses to control us, let us take refuge in Him. Then we can truly know the Lord is good!

Gracious God, You have given us everything to use in Your name. Forgive our selfishness and show us how to love all Your children everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:9-10 (ESV).

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Although the phrasing is slightly different, 1 John 4:9 sounds very much like John 3:16. Both verses speak of God’s love for us being so powerful He is willing to give Himself up for our redemption. The CSB Study Bible: Notes tell us “The standard of love is not what humans feel but what God has revealed in Christ’s life and death on the cross.”

This is a testimony to God’s presence with us, “so that we might live through Him.” When we let Him into our lives, everything changes. Our focus shifts from ourselves to our relationship with God and one another.

God wants us to understand that His love is given freely in the hope we will choose a connection with Him. As the grateful recipients of this gift, we are called to continue what Jesus showed us, sharing His love and making disciples of all people.

Loving Lord, we are amazed at Your love for us, demonstrated by sending us Your Son. Bless us to be bold messengers, carrying the Good News to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:10 (ESV).

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Do any of us face persecution for our faith? While most of us don’t risk physical harm, there are still places that it is dangerous to profess our Christian faith publicly. In our everyday world persecution has become more subtle – we see mocking, deriding, and ignoring of God’s Word. This is exactly what was done to Jesus before His crucifixion.

Jesus told us “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). We should expect pushback from a world that wants to retain its control over us rather than submit to God’s will. The coming of the Kingdom of God signals the end for the evil of the world.

What do we do about it? We follow the example Jesus set for us – we share God’s love and His Word with the world. That is our call. It’s not up to us to change anyone, each one must make the decision for Christ themselves. However, it is up to us that the Good News is spread everywhere.

Gracious God, strengthen us when we are persecuted for righteousness sake, and help us to continue the work You have given us, that Your Kingdom may come on earth. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:9 (ESV).

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Peacemaking is a difficult subject, in scripture and in life. It seems like we would be able to define it fairly simply, but ironically we often argue about peacemaking. I’m sure Jesus would shake His head sadly at some of our efforts.

Jesus lived during a time known as the “Pax Romana”, the peace of Rome. This “peace” was established and maintained by the Roman Army. While there may have been general order, the level of concern for one another was dismal. Jesus invites us to see how God’s peace is based on loving one another, even our enemies.

Paul calls us to experience the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:17), much more than just the absence of violence. It is based on our connection to the Father and our desire to share that joy with everyone. This is true peace for us as individuals and for humanity.

Loving Lord, we are sorry when we resort to angry words and violent acts to make a point. Remind us that peace begins with each of us every day. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:8 (ESV).

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

The CSB Study Bible Notes explain the term pure in heart as “one authentically righteous in the inner person”, someone who is not just ritually pure or using their faith  for show. It indicates a heart fully surrendered to God.

In the Old Testament people are warned against seeing God. The old hymn Holy, Holy, Holy says “Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see.” Sinful creatures such as ourselves can’t exist in His presence.

When we have returned to Him in repentance, and realize our salvation depends on accepting Christ as our Savior, we can begin to be pure in heart and expect the blessing of seeing God ourselves. We are called to share this joy with the world.

Loving Lord, we want to see You as You are, but we often fall short of Your plan for us. Strengthen our faith and send us to tell the Good News everywhere. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:7 (ESV).

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Mercy is a term we don’t hear or use much anymore. The Oxford dictionary defines it as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” Without God’s mercy given to us, we would be lost.

Our sin separates us from God. He could give us what we deserve and it would be justified, but instead He offers us mercy we don’t deserve. I remember a sculpture in a church when I was young that showed the world with a giant clenched fist labeled “Justice” being held back by an equally giant hand labeled “Mercy”.

Jesus says in order to follow Him and share in the Kingdom, we must be merciful as well. Do we have a chance to be generous instead of demanding payment or punishment? We must consider the treatment we would wish for if the situation were reversed. We are called to share the mercy God first gave us.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry that we have behaved badly and deserve Your justice. Forgive us and in Your mercy send us to tell the Good News to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Matthew 5:6 (ESV).

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Jesus speaks to us about righteousness, which many equate with justice or obeying the law. While that is part of the concept, it isn’t the whole idea. Righteousness as Jesus teaches is being in a right relationship with God and His children.

More than that, Jesus wants us to see righteousness is something as essential as food and water, something we can’t live without. In Psalm 42:2 we read “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”. We can see this in the prayer Jesus taught us when we say “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.” 

Jesus closes this verse with the promise “they shall be satisfied”, that when we return in repentance, and live with each other as God intends, we are helping to bring His Kingdom on Earth. Jesus left us with the mission to carry on His ministry, sharing God’s love that everyone may hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Gracious God, You have filled us with a longing to be connected to You and one another. Help us to share the joy and eagerness for Your Kingdom with the world. Amen.

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

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meek is an interesting word that isn’t used much in modern culture.  No one wants to be thought of as a doormat, and unfortunately that’s what we often associate with meekness. As always, translation and society often play a big part in our misunderstanding of Scripture.

Proverbs 3:5 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” We count on God’s wisdom and strength, not our own. Being meek or humble means we put our faith in His love for us rather than any human thing.

Jesus quotes Psalm 37:11 here: “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” God wants us to be strong in Him, not in our own ways. When we serve Him and each other as Jesus taught, we are preparing ourselves for His kingdom.

Gracious God, we are sorry for the times that our pride outweighs our faith. Forgive us and help us to lean on You that we may share Your love with everyone. Amen.