Seeking

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Colossians 3:1-4 ESV
[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

What you seek, see, hear, and talk about affects your whole being.

I see a lot of political posts on social media and I find myself getting drawn in and thus worked up over the inflated or false images and rhetoric I see and read, and I do not like what it does to my being. I do not like it because none of it brings me the peace, only anxiety and discord with others.

But I want more.

Therefore, I need to redirect my seeking and not allow the world to drawn me into despair and disunity. I need and want to seek that which is from above, Jesus, and not the things that are on the earth. For that which is from the world, is sin-filled and will never last, and therefore it will never give lasting peace. Politics, that which is of the earth, will never bring unity or peace, only Jesus will. And so, just give me Jesus.

Just give me Jesus.

Treasure

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Matthew 6:21 ESV
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A treasure is something that has value. No, not dollar sign value, but importance in your life and for your life. For some, and sadly, their treasurer has a dollar sign, but dollar sign values shift and thus will never last. A true treasure is something that has lasting value, and when I say “lasting” I mean something that cannot be measured. Jesus is the only treasure that fits the bill (and no, that is not a reference to a monetary bill). He is the only Son of God, who died and rose and now lives forever, and because he lives, through faith in him, so will you. That is lasting value and therefore Jesus is the only true treasure.

Feeding

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But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” [Matthew 14:16 ESV]

The disciples thought it would be easier to send the people away to find something to eat and, in part, they were right. It would have been easier, for them (the disciples), but what about the people who were hungry? So Jesus says, “…you give them something to eat.” Obviously they themselves were incapable of feeding the people but they knew the one who could. In the same way I could sit here, “sending you away”, telling you to go to church or read your Bible or come to Bible study, and be fed. But if I know the one who can feed you now (and I do), why would I send you on a holy scavenger hunt to find the Bread of Life for yourself? Jesus gave himself to people immediately and so, here it is:

YOU are a sinner, but,

JESUS died for the forgiveness of your sins and rose from the dead to give you New Life.

JESUS is the bread of life that will never run out.

JESUS is Lord and Savior. And,

JESUS will return to bring you home.

Chew on that and enjoy, now 😊

Purpose

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Esther 4:14 ESV
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

A Jewish girl drafted into the king’s harem with the chance of becoming queen, Esther was thrust to the forefront of God’s plans. Esther did not choose this nor would she have sought to be included, but Esther soon learned that what was happening had a holy purpose.

When I think of the book of Esther, this is the verse that comes to mind. It is a verse that, contextually, speaks volumes to what God was doing to bring glory to His name. It is also a verse that speaks volumes to mine (and I also know your) life as well. For you see, as with Esther, God doesn’t ask for your opinion or seek your consent. God simply acts and calls for you to trust Him.

Have you considered that God has brought you to your station in life for a holy purpose? Has a Mordecai come into your life and suggested a course of action? Have you felt a holy nudging to serve in your church? Have you wondered why certain events in your life are turning out the way they are? Child of God, …who knows whether you have not come to the (God’s) kingdom for such a time as this?” Who knows whether God is acting in your life for His glory. I will tell you who knows, God knows.

So listen…

The Author

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The ache in my body was not a welcome prologue to my day, but the story would soon change with the flip of my Kindle’s cover.

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foe rejoice over me.“
(Psalm 30:1)

There are many mornings that are difficult because of the pain. It is of no help. Actually, it is a hinderance to me as I try to get out of bed. It is a stumbling block. It is the foe that strives to keep me down and down on myself. And sometimes I just want to give in and give up, wallowing in self-pity. The pain becomes an unwelcome companion who tries to write my story.

But somewhere deep within, I recognize the lie, the deception. Through the darkness, I see a faint glimmer of hope, a glimmer that becomes a steady beam and, eventually, a blazing light. It is a light that reveals the lie that was written into my prologue. And the Light is what flips my script and reveals the Author of my true story.

Yes, my prologue is one of pain and suffering, brought on by my own rebellion and thus justly deserved. The lie is that there is no hope, but the story that has been written draws me up from the pit. It is one that brings healing to my pain. It is a story that can not and would not be written by any other author for no other author loves me like the Author.

My foe tries to rejoice over me through my pain, but he can not erase or even alter my story in the least, for the story belongs to my Father in heaven, the Author. And so, I will extol Him for I am lost without my Savior, the one who raises me up from my painful prologue and places me in His everlasting story.

His Voice

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The cool of the morning surrounds and envelops me under the bright, blue canopy, as the sun’s rays peak over the horizon and caress my face. Its warmth mingles with the coolness on my arms in an intricate dance, and I long to soak in everything sensation. And during this dance, the hummingbirds chatter, whether to one another or to me, it does not matter. I listen intentively anyway to their beautiful song.

All is relaxing.
All is peaceful,
and I thank God.

But there are other noises around me, sounds of man and machine, but there is
No rhythm,
No music,
No beauty.
Just noise that grates one’s heart and shreds it like cheese. And there are times when that is all I hear and feel, but not now. This morning, it is just background noise from which I quickly and resolutely turn away. This morning, I choose to listen to the beautiful voice of Power and Peace. No shredded heart here, just one that is full and spilling over. So, I simply and peacefully sit here and thank God, as I silently and prayerfully,

Listen
Feel
Enjoy

This is the moment, but it’s not something confined to a place or a time. It’s something contained in the One, the One whose voice is power and life, peace and love. It’s the Voice, not the noise.

And I thank God.

Nehemiah Prayer

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“Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting…”

Let us pray…

“…Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.”
[Nehemiah 9:5-6]
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen!

Acceptable

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“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
Amen

It is a presumptuous thing for a sinner, on their own, to think they can speak to a holy God in an acceptable way. The Jews believed this, so much so, that not even the name of God dared to pass their lips, lest they risk offending or angering God.

Even now, we do not give the praise and worship God is due, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And since that is the case, you and I need help. But do you want to know something – God is pleased to help; at least those who WANT to give acceptable worship and praise. You see, God wants the glory and so He will see to it that His children give Him the glory He desires. You just need to want and then ask for help.

So let Psalm 19:14 be your prayer as you seek to worship God. Let it be your prayer as you seek to sing His praises. Let it be your prayer as you seek to make God known. God is the Rock and Redeemer, so let us seek to give Him what is acceptable in His sight.

The Foe

/ The Pastor

Fighting a foe that I can not see,
One that is closer than I am to me.
It’s cunning and strong and tears me apart,
Striking with a lance that’s straight to the heart.
And I try and try, and try even more,
But the more that I try the more it’s a chore.
But Jesus has died and fought that big foe,
He died and he rose for New Life I may know.
Now I have Life and that foe has been smashed,
The Life I now live shall never be dashed.
But now as for me, I’ll fight the good fight,
For Jesus is Lord, my only delight.

Breathing

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What is your prayer life like? You get to be honest here because there is no one to hear your words or see your reaction. But do be honest because who are you fooling? God? Certainly not. But also, this is not an article to make you feel guilty but rather to call to your attention that which is essential to the life of a Christian. Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” I think that says it all. So really the question is: Are you alive?

I admit it, I struggle with a regular, vibrant prayer life. I go through my ups and downs. Sure, I pray during worship and at meetings. I pray at mealtimes and with my kids before they go to sleep. But as a regular activity, such as breathing? Well, that can be more sporadic than regular. I once heard a quote that said that when you do not feel like praying, that is the precise moment when you need to pray all the more, because it is an indication that Satan is at work on you. And the last thing I want is for Satan to work on me.

And so, I have been working on my prayer life and trying to develop some routines and healthy habits. Some are new and some are beginning to become habits. And so, I want to share with you a couple ways to jump start your prayer life and hopefully begin a new, godly habit to rejuvenate your relationship with God.

(1) Wake up in the morning and thank God first thing (even before you have your coffee).
(2) Instead of your normal, memorized meal prayer, mix things up and pray a prayer from the heart.
(3) Keep a prayer journal and note how and when God addresses your prayers. I like to use my phone because I know I always have that with me.
(4) Instead of saying to someone, “I will pray for you”, actually pray for them or at the very least, take the time to write it down so you will not forget later (watching you write it down shows that you are serious about them).
(5) Send a message to 3 people each week, asking how you can pray for them. You might be surprised at how responsive people are. And then follow up with them later.
(6) Pick a handful of people from the congregation and send them a message to let them know that you are praying for them.
(7) If you have to drive for a while, turn off the radio and cell phone and pray out loud. No one will hear you except God.

But whatever you do, pray, pray and pray some more. It is the breath of a Christian and the lifeline to our awesome God. But always remember, no prayer is too small or insignificant for God. He is never too busy for your prayers. And on the flip side, remember how big God is so never be afraid to pray boldly. But in the end, it is thy will be done. Let God change you and put you more in line with His glorious and perfect will. Amen.