July 19, 2020

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Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is withing me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits – who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good as long as you live… Psalm 103

This Psalm of thanksgiving for God’s goodness is one of my favorites.  On days when I don’t think I can keep going, on days, when I am discouraged, this psalm has always brought me comfort.

The encouragement we find in knowing that our souls bless the Lord, is knowing that our love for God is reciprocated.  It helps us to remember and to see that God is offering us blessing after blessing each and every day. I’ll confess, that sometimes I don’t see those blessings, some days seem dark and gloomy in the soul, but if we are willing to search, God is still there. As we recite or read through the words of this psalm, I hope we notice how God’s eternal mercy and grace are ever present with us. God’s eternal majesty is known from everlasting to everlasting.

We are called to live a life in his steadfast love because of its renewing effect on us. We understand that we are only dust, but out of dust we have life, and the joy of being like little children the arms of a loving, heavenly, father.

I don’t know about you, but when life gets overwhelming, and things are not going as anticipated, it is wonderful to know that the Lord is still in control.  On this day of worship, let us sit back and enjoy the blessings of the lord, and let our hearts sing: “bless the Lord, o my soul…”

Grace & Peace,
Sam

July 18, 2020

How happy those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered!  How happy the man whom the Lord will never charge with sin! - Romans 4:7-8 (cf. Psalm 32:1-2)

Forgiveness is a wonderful thing! Forgiveness is the one thing that none of us deserve, yet everyone who asks receives, especially when we think of the enteral forgiveness of sin because of Christ. God’s Forgiveness allows even the guiltiest of person to be at peace and have happiness (blessedness) because they can be forgiven of all wrong doings. 

Forgiveness allows us to reclaim the image of God in which we were created. We know that we are created in the image of God, and that we have fallen short of that image, but eternal forgiveness, I believe, is what helps us reclaim that image, the image that is built on love. This love, found in forgiveness, unifies us with both God and one another, as we both offer and receive forgiveness. 

However, how is that we can receive forgiveness from all sin, yet still feel full of guilt?  Sometimes we allow guilt to keep us from understanding what our faith is trying to get us to truly believe; that we have been forgiven, and that God no longer remembers our sin. Psalm 103 claims, “he has removed our transgressions as far as east is from west.”

In our hearts, we should have peace because we have invited the Holy Spirit to cleanse us of all wrong. Yet, sometimes in our minds we harbor doubt which keeps us from the knowledge of the peace that is in our hearts.  Since we live in an age where we follow the knowledge of our minds rather than the passion of our hearts, we have a hard time believing that our heats are telling us the truth; that we are forgiven. 

The doubt in our minds can be our worst enemy as we strive to draw closer to God.  This doubt leads us to fear God in such a way that we are afraid of judgment, rather than a reverent fear that leads us to worship.  The way we combat such doubt is to constantly renew our minds (Rm. 12:2) by reading the Word, meditating in prayer, and helping our hearts once again be the center of our whole understanding. 

Just like a sail boat can be powerfully moved by the wind in the sails, it is the small rudder that keeps the boat on course.  In the same way, our minds are a powerful muscles that allow us to process, think, reason, and understand the world and the things beyond; yet, we should give control over to our hearts, the place where the Holy Spirit resides. In giving that control to the heart, we may truly have the peace of forgiveness, and understand how happy we can be when we are no longer charged with sin, we are free.

The next step, then, is to give as we have received.  Then we will truly know how happy is the heart that knows forgiveness.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

July 17, 2020

All you who wait for the LORD, be strong and let your heart take courage. - Psalm 31:24

Waiting seems like all we do anymore. Waiting to see if things will get better or worse.  Waiting to know when we can go out next, or if we can send our kids to school. If you have ever been in a waiting room, anxiously desperate to hear from a doctor about a loved one, you know how difficult it can be to wait. 

Waiting is not something that we want to do with our time, but it is how we spend most of it.  We probably we spend more time waiting than we care to admit.  So what should we do about all this waiting around?  Honestly, I believe it depends on what we’re waiting for. 

When we are waiting to reach a certain age to do something, or waiting till there is enough money for something than our wait may not be worth what we are waiting for. There are new adventures in life popping up all the time and if we wait we might miss something.  Young couples always seem to say they are waiting till the right time to have children when there will be enough money, or stability in jobs – if that is the case, the “right” time might never come.

There are joys that wait for us, however, if we simply start living, and stop waiting, sure there will be struggles, and right now things we cannot do. However, hope helps us mange beyond the struggles to find the true joy. The joy in the things that we can do. Joy in the little things of life, the simple blessings that have not disappeared even as things are closed temporarily.

What brings us to the other side of waiting?  When waiting becomes the necessary, such times are never easy; yet we can wait and pray, and find the joy of God’s presence in our waiting.  It is for this reason the psalmist tells us to be strong and let our hearts take courage.  For when we wait with such great anticipation and hope, we are waiting on the miracle of the Lord’s presence with us. 

God promises to always be by our side, and that when we pray with a grateful heart, God hears our prayers and answers us. His answer may come in His time, yet we trust in Him, even in the waiting.  We are God’s people, and wait for His answers, His love, and His presence.  When we seek the Lord, we sometimes have to wait, and in our waiting, it can seem like dark and trying times, but just as mourning turns to dancing, when the morning star arrives, we are at peace, and all our worries and fears can cease.  Pray without ceasing, so the bible says, but never forget to stop, and listen, and wait for the presence of God with you.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 16, 2020

…”Do all that is on your heart, for God is with you.” - 1 Chronicles 12:17

Encouragement is perhaps the most underrated gift a person can ever receive or give.  We all need encouragement.  These past months have made that need especially evident. Being encouraged gives us a hope that we didn’t know we needed.  Encouragement helps us to get through tough times, and reminds us that we are not in this life alone.

I know that I have underestimated encouragement from time-to-time.  Growing up in an encouraging home, I never had to worry about much of anything as long as I tried and gave my all in everything I did.  The love and encouragement I received from my parents kept me motivated to always do well, and to take on every challenge that was in front of me.  Although, I do have to admit there were (and still are) times that I feared not giving my best and disappointing others.

All in all we need to remember to be encouraged; to live our heart’s desire.  I do realize that my heart can sometimes lead me in many different directions as once, and I find myself perplexed at what is the most important.  In these times I have to stop, pray, and allow God’s Holy Spirit to take over my heart, and lead me in the path God ordains.  Psalm 37:4 proclaims that God will grant the desires of our hearts; yet, there is much more to receiving these desires than simply desiring them. 

God has called us to take delight in Him, and to serve, love, and obey Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Essentially, the idea is that our whole heart’s desire, and the encouragement of those desires should lead us to follow God’s ways more closely.  Some might think this as unfair, because if God only grants what I desire, when I desire Him alone, then God sounds pretty selfish. 

Even if we feel that way, it is our own hearts getting in the way.  God is a jealous God, desiring for His people to love Him above all else.  Yet, God is also a generous God, giving all that we need to live abundantly joyful lives, even when we are not following Him completely; for even sinners are given air to breathe, food to eat, shelter to live.  God does not discriminate with His generosity; yet, we find that some people live this life with abundant joy, while others are miserable all the time.  So, what is the difference? 

The difference is found in those who do not give back to God; who forget to turn blessing into praise.  Those who are miserable don’t give thanks for what they have been given, they don’t allow God’s love to lead and direct their lives, and they live quite selfishly themselves.  We sometimes lack the encouragement to do what is upright in the Lord’s sight, and find ourselves doing everything on our own.  We cannot make it in this world on our own.  We need God’s love, grace, and encouragement. When we offer our best back to Him, He can and will do so much more with it than we could ever imagine.  God is the greatest encourager of all, and when we seek Him first all things that bring true joy are given to us, and our heart’s desire is filled by His amazing presence.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager - July 15, 2020

Daily Encourager - July 15, 2020

But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  - 2 Timothy 4:17-18

Faith is a wonderful, powerful thing for those how possess it. Faith helps us in our discouraged times, it uplifts us in our difficult times. Faith moves us every closer to the one in whom we have faith, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul had a faith that the Lord would stand by his side, give him strength, and see that the message he was given to proclaim would indeed be proclaimed. In the past, I’ve wonder what it would take to have a faith like that of Paul?  To be so in love, so devoted, and so sure of God that we believed that nothing that came against us could ever hurt us.  Paul did so much more than believe that God was by his side, he knew God was by his side.  Paul knew exactly what his calling was, and he didn’t stray from that mission, even against opposition. God continued to motivate his faith to proclaim the message of abundant and eternal life to the Gentiles (or nations). 

If only our calling was so simple, that we didn’t have to pick and choose what God was calling us to do, but simply to have the faith to go out and do that simple task.  Wait!  That is our calling…

Like the great cloud of witnesses that has gone before us, we have been called to go and do something about our faith, something simply, to share it. We do not have to wait until we fully understand, but once we realize that we are on a journey that goes with Christ, that we are in this Christian walk we walk with others, and invite them to join us on a journey to living in a better kingdom. Not once in scripture are we told that the faith that we have is for us alone, but that it should be shared with all those whom we come in contact with; faith is communal. 

The problem is we are afraid.  We are afraid that we will offend someone, or make them angry because of the message we share.  We are afraid of being in community right now, and are cautions with those whom we congregate.  However, we who have faith recognize we are still connected in this journey.  We still have a message to share, love, compassion and grace to offer.

We can play it safe, but we still have this message of our faith, this relationship with God to share. Our faith is not something to be kept secret. Our relationship with God is not just for secret alone prayer; our relationship with God is something to be shared.  God is not a secret and we should not be secretive about the kingdom God is offering in faith.  If we want to have the faith of Paul, we have to be encouraged to have the boldness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The Lord will rescue us in our greatest times of need.  God will deliver us safe, and we can live without fear knowing that we will be taken into His presence in the heavenly kingdom.  It may be difficult in our current circumstances, but I have faith to believe we will get through.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 14, 2020

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.- Psalm 27:5

It would be nice is there were no pain. It would be nice to never experience suffering.  It would be wonderful if life was always good.  Some have found that positive thinking is the way to trick ourselves into making it through tough times by trying to keep our mind on the “bright side” of things.  Others have abused substances to become numb to the feelings of pain.  And others, still, have found ways to suppress the pain and trouble of life.

I’ve heard stories of people who had faith leaders tell them that if they really believe in God, then they wouldn’t experience trouble, and that life would be okay, even during trails. Yet, even as a person of faith, I’ve experienced my fair share of trouble, hardship, and difficulty.  I don’t think it means that I lacked faith during those times, and I don’t think I needed pray harder, or believe strong. In those times when we are in the middle of something troubling in our lives, we are not okay, and we need to hear the words that even if we are not okay, that is okay. 

No one can tell us how we feel enduring our current circumstances, the feelings we have in that moment are validated, we are allowed to be scared, angry, upset, frantic, any number of feeling. We are allowed to feel. I fully believe, and even more having studied the scriptures that every feeling imaginable is represented.  In fact, many of feeling we have in the middle of times of trouble are expressed beautifully in one book, the psalms.

In the psalms we see the emotions of fear and anger, as well as relief and elation. The psalmists remind us that people of faith are real people. Real people who live in a real world, and face trouble that, from a psychological standpoint, elicit a response similar to our own.  What I’m most drawn to, however, is the reality that these songs express to God those feelings, and knowingly expect God to do something about it.

They psalmist confess that they have done wrong, but we don’t hear them whine that God should have treated them better, or that they deserve to be in their position. No, what we read in the psalms are the words of people who know that God will save them, even as they have done wrong. Because they know, in faith, they are still God’s people.  It’s not an entitlement either. Their response is one that believe, completely, in a faithful God, a God in whom they place absolute trust. 

But how can they trust this God? What has this God done for them? They trust God because of personal experience, and/or the testimony of someone they trust. It’s why the apostle Paul writes: “if God is for us, who can stand against us?” (Romans 8:31).  He, like people of faith have always known, and even now know, God meets us in our times of trouble.  We may not be free from trouble, but God’s presence like a tent, or like a high rock will lift us up in the midst of trouble.

May God lift us higher and higher for he is the rock of highest magnitude.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 13, 2020

Whoever is thirsty should come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, just as the scriptures said, rivers of living water will flow out from within them. - John 7:38 

One of the things I lose sight of in the Christian walk is the need to rely on the ever-flowing stream of God’s love. A stream that moves in and out of my soul, and the soul of every christian.  Sometimes our focus simply looks at what we have at that moment, and we make the determination that I can’t give any more, there is no way I can commit to one more thing, I’m stretched too thin.  We forget that even in our weakness, God is still all powerful. We forget that if it is Him who is calling us to such a task then He will provide the time, energy, resources to make it happen.  That is why Jesus tells his disciples that if they would believe in him, they would have the rivers of living water flow into and out of them.  It is not an idea that this living water comes from a finite reservoir and once we use up our portion that’s it, or there is a limited supply.  Instead, this is the living water of God’s love that is never ending, which never runs dry, it cannot be explained or understood, it simply comes.  The more we rely on that never ending stream the more we find that we do not work out of what we have been given, but out of what God has that He keeps sending our way.  We simply need to just go with it, and not question whether the stream in good enough, but simply rely on God to use us in such a wonderful way. 

One of the ways God uses us is to influence others with this living water, I find the words of Oswald Chambers enlightening on this aspect of influence this is what he says:

Who are the people who have influenced us most? Certainly not the ones who thought they did, but those who did not have even the slightest idea that they were influencing us. In the Christian life, godly influence is never conscious of itself. If we are conscious of our influence, it ceases to have the genuine loveliness which is characteristic of the touch of Jesus. We always know when Jesus is at work because He produces in the commonplace something that is inspiring.

I hope our lives might become the inspiration others need in order to receive Jesus and let the living waters flow into them. I hope our lives reflect the love of God to others in such a way that we are instruments of God’s mercy and peace. I hope even as we are again apart, we can continue to be lifted up and filled up by the never ceasing waters of God’s love.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 12, 2020

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 “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:8-9

One of the greatest promises I find throughout scripture is the promise that God is with us. We relive that promise in our faith celebrating Emanuel at Christmas, the living God through the resurrection at Easter, and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives at Pentecost.  All of the major celebrations of our faith point us to an ever-present God.

The presence of God in our lives calls us, as believers, as Christians, to be present with one another. We call that incarnational ministry.  It is the ministry of being present. As God is present with us, we are present with one another. We share in life’s ups and downs, joys and concerns. Knowing that we have one another by our side, helps us to know the God that is with us, and is on our side.  We need to know that presence of God as we navigate, especially, through the trails that this world throws our way.

The world in which we now live, with the realities of a deadly, harmful virus has disrupted that presence greatly. Now, we no longer feel safe being around one another. We are experiencing another spike in cases, and because of that, we are again closed to being together in worship.  The last message I received from our district superintendent, Jason Gattis stated: “Bishop Taylor has decided to close in-person services (indoor, outdoor, drive-in) for churches in Knox and Sevier Counties.  The closure will be through July and the conference COVID Task Force will reassess on July 28th.” We are not the only counties that received notice like this, I’ve heard from ministry colleges all over the conference who received similar messages from the superintendents.  We, again, find ourselves apart, for several weeks, and we do not yet know when we can be together, again.

Now, more than ever before, the familiar words from the apostle Paul come to mind. Long a part of evangelists have called the “romans road to salvation,” we hear how salvation is as close as the words on our lips and the belief in our hearts.  However, I want to take us a little deeper in our understanding.

Just previous to this verse, Paul is talking about the salvation of Israel. He is speaking as one who has been a religious leader, a pharisee among the Jews. However, he states that their zeal for God is misguided because it is not based on knowledge which he now has. He looks at the old ways of belief, that from Moses righteousness comes from following the law. That is, if you live the perfect interpretation of the law of God, you will be saved.  But faith says the law is flawed, and the only perfect perfection is Christ. So do we ascend up to Christ, or descend to bring Christ up, because he is dead therefor in the ground, or in heaven?

The best response to this is, “neither.” Christ is in heaven, but Christ is God, and the best knowledge is that God is with us, therefore, Christ is with us.  Christ is calling us together, binding us in perfect love, in perfect community, and does so even when we are unaware.

We continue to be told by those in power that we should not be together, that we need to keep our distance from one another, and that out of care for one another, the church building needs to remain closed.  We can become very disheartened by this news.  However, the other way to look at it is this.  We are apart because we care for one another in community.  We are apart, yet God is continuing to pull us together in spirit, by His Holy Spirit.  We are apart, but the gospel is still alive in us.  We are apart, but ministry is still happening because of us.  We are apart, yet we are living out our salvation in love because we know our God and our community is a close as a word on our lips, as close as a heartbeat.  Their love for us, and our love for one another does not end at the doorsteps to the church.  Instead the church of Jesus Christ is alive and doing well inside each of us. 

Friends, I know how hard it is for us not to join together in the sanctuary, but our true sanctuary is open, our hearts are open to worship the living God no matter where we are. May our lives bring praise to the one who is always present with us.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 11, 2020

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.  Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.  - Psalm 116:1-2

In our darkest times, when the whole world seems to be caving in around us, it no longer matters how close of a relationship we actually have with Christ; we will cry out to God.  Even people who barley believe God exists, in times of true desperation, will call out. Desperation puts us all on the same playing field, where we need help, and the only one that can help us is someone greater than us. 

I believe the scriptures, when they say, God hears the cries of those in need, God listens and anticipates our cries that we need Him, and God is faithful to answer.  We don’t always receive the help or answer we expect, but God does answer our cries of desperation, and for that reason alone, we have reason to give thanks.

God’s faithfulness to answer us makes Him dependable, and that’s what we often seek most; someone whom we can always depend on, no matter the situation.  Even if it’s someone we simply what to listen to us as we whine about our current situation, we can count on God to listen, and His promises through Jesus Christ say that he will always be with us, never leaving or forsaking us.  I believe this to be true, and know that God is lavishing his love on us in our times of need as well as our times fullness and joy. 

I am reminded of the song Your Love is Everything, by Chris McClarney. I hope these words speak to us as a prayer, today:

“When I’m dry and thirsty Lord, and I’m crying out for more I know I can trust in Your love.  In the darkness in the night, when I’m starving for the light I know I can trust in Your love.  You keep no record of my sin, You don’t remember all my shame.  Your love heals every disease, Your love fulfills my every need, Your love is everything to me, Your love is everything.”

God’s love and presence is with you now and forever, cry out!  He is listening.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 10, 2020

I will bless the Lord who advises me; even at night I am instructed in the depths of my mind.
- Psalm 16:7

Listening is an interesting action, because it is an engaged form of hearing.  We usually hear things all the time, our ears are made to hear, it keeps us safe from danger and lets us recognize people by the sound they make.  However, even though we may hear things, listening is a little bit different.  When we listen we are engaging our ears to hear and our minds to comprehend.  When we listen we are expecting something, or processing something.  Listening requires action on our part to understand what we hear.

I often talk about engaged listening when I talk to couples who are preparing to get married. My hope it is a skill that they will put into practice in their relationship with one another, but it is also an opportunity to them to understand that engaged listening is a skill we should practice in all relationships.  With our children, it was always fun to see them starting to listening to people, and comprehends some things that are being said.  Usually they begin to understand phrases like “are you ready to go to bed, or night-night?” which they usually shake their heads “no.”  Obviously they understand what bed is, and aren’t ready to go there.

How much does each of us comprehend what we hear?  Sure we hear many things throughout the day, we hear the radio, the television, our co-workers, our neighbors, our family.  We hear what is going on in the world, but are we listening for God? Do we hear when God speaks to us?

The psalmist remarks: “I will bless the Lord who advises me…”  That is, I will listen to the one who matters most, I will search the depths of my heart and mind, where God’s Holy Spirit has been welcomed in, hear, listen, and obey what God has planned for me, or says to me.  The psalmist goes on to mention that even in the night, in the depths of the mind, God is there speaking and instructing.  God is there in the midst of everything we do. God is there in our busyness as well as our stillness.  God has instruction for all of us.  God is not done with us yet, for His will is still being done in all of us who listen and obey.

I hope you will listen deeply, today, hear what God is speaking in your heart and mind, and know you are on his.  Be among the blessed who bless the Lord, and live each day in His presence.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 9, 2020

For who is God except the Lord? And who is a rock besides our God? – Psalm 18:31

The eighteenth psalm is poetry attributed to David, and as recorded in Scripture, this poem is sung or told on the day that God delivers David from the hand of Saul. If you have a moment, today, take some time to read through the psalm in its entirety, but allow me to pause on the verse above.

One of the symbols for God’s presence utilized throughout scripture is the Rock. We know that God gives water from the split rock, that God is a rock and a refuge, a mighty rock that cannot be shaken, we even see the imagery of Zion being a mighty mountain, of which we know all mountains are made out of rock.  Throughout the ages if someone wanted to build something that would last, or be considered impervious, they would build it out of rock.  We see rock as something that is essentially eternal.

In ancient times, the only thing that would change the shape of rock, naturally, was water; which also was a symbol for God. Essentially meaning that the only thing that can change God is God. We do not have the ability to change God.

However, overtime we have found discovered the ability to manipulate and transform rock. Most people put a nice polished rock on top of their cabinets, and call it a counter top (granite). People have learned to carve into rock, and shape images into rock, we have even decided that if rock is in the way of the roads we make, we will remove it (tunnels).  The same could be said for humans manipulation of water.

However, God is still unchanging. No matter how much we decided we can manipulate the ancient symbols of God, no matter how we reshape and twist things to fit into what we desire, the nature of God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This nature of God is that which we see in the person of Jesus Christ, who showed us a more perfect way to love, who taught us how to accept one another in forgiveness and grace, who gave himself that the world might be saved.

God still lifts up the broken, God still hears the call of those in distress, God is still the deliver. David proclaims that Lord is loyal to the loyal, pure to the pure, and lifts up the humble. The Lord is still the light in the darkness, and perfect in His ways. Let us not think that the God has changed, and as his people in the world today, let us remain firm in the foundation of the Rock that is higher than I, the rock of our salvation that calls us to have a fullness of love for God, and for neighbor, as we await the kingdom that is to come.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 8, 2020

Better a little with fear of the LORD than a great treasure with turmoil. - Proverbs 15:16

It could be argued that Solomon was one of the richest persons to have ever lived on the earth.  He lived off the spoils of the vast kingdom his father, David, had built. Plus, during his own reign, had acquired for himself a vast wealth by having peace with the nations around him.  Solomon built the Temple of the LORD as well as a temple for him and his family, he acquired great wisdom from God, and was a man who could have anything he desired.  Yet, as he is teaching his son lessons of life, Solomon speaks many times of having less, of desiring little.   I suppose when a person can have everything their heart desires, the heart begins to desire less.  Makes sense, honestly, many of us desire those thing we cannot have; however, the few things that we really desire, we are willing to work hard and strive after. There is a great amount of wisdom in the desire for less; perhaps the desire for simplicity.

We could probably think of many of the greatest teachers, philosophers, and preachers throughout history, and we would find that very few of them had much when it came to physical wealth.  Instead, these persons desired knowledge and wisdom above all else, and looked for ways to teach in every moment.  At some point, however, society changed, or perhaps it never did, but only the words of the wise remained. Seemingly, society no longer has persons who are philosophers; we have people who teach philosophy, who teach theology, but rarely do we come across those who live what they teach, or are leading the world into something new that is beneficial for humankind. 

As a disciple, a true follower of Christ, the purest, truest desire is to be like Christ; to have the same love, same compassion, and same mind as Christ.  If like Christ, then we should look little like the world, even though, we must still live in the world.  Thus, we should live in a world of materialism, but lack a desire for material. 

It’s difficult to grasp at first, and I myself, have not fully been able to get around it, because there are so many things in which seem worth our attention. The truth is, however, that desire for what the world offers is the opposite of desiring Christ; for Christ did not desire the things of this world, but the will of God the Father. 

Jesus lived a poor sojourner who gave all that he had to those who had need.  He even told the rich to sell all they had, give to the poor, then come follow him. 

I don’t believe this part of Jesus message is easy, nor is it obsolete, but we should think about those things we truly need, the necessities that we must have, and consider everything else as folly; for where we spend our time and money is where our heart is.  Our desire for the mission of the church is evident in our dedication to Christ’s call to make disciples. Right now, the world needs disciples. The world needs workers for the kingdom of heaven, who seek the love of God found in Christ above all else, for the world and its desire for more have lead us to great turmoil.

Where can we all do a little more? How can we all encourage each other to build the treasure of heaven in others? What can each of us do to show the desire for Christ’s presence in every aspect of our lives, that we are the ones bringing about the kingdom of God?  Christ as called you, equipped you, and now is waiting on you.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 7, 2020

Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for me. - Psalm 66:16

We all have a story to tell.  A story of how we have been impacted by faith, by God. We all have a story to tell of the goodness we have known in our faith community, and how God has give un hope and a future. Our story, like all stories has its beginning.  From there, we could tell a tale of adventure, whether known or unknown to us at the time, it is the adventure called life.  Life, with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, we probably lost a few characters along the way, but even they and their stories helped our as we lived out our own.  Our story is not yet over, it has more chapters yet to be written, more adventure yet to live.  More opportunities in which to share.  However we don’t ever know how many more chapters there are ahead. Some of us have many more chapters to go while others only a few.  The end, however, only God knows. Yet, for those who trust in God, even as the story seems to close on earth, we know it continues forever in the joy of heaven.

God has given us the great greatest story ever told.  His story, the story of how he gave his one and only Son to be Salvation for the world.  That anyone who would call upon the name of Jesus might have eternal life; a story where hope is always alive, a story that has an impact on everyone who hears it.  To live forever in the presence of the almighty, to become one with Christ, co-heirs to the kingdom of heaven. What a great ending to a story; and we wonder, how do we weave this story into our own?

We live a life of love, generosity, simplicity, and most importantly, we live a life of faith and reverent fear of God. 

When we each began our story we had no idea where it would go, we had no idea the mistakes we were going to make along the way.  We didn’t know what new characters would come and go from our story.  Then, it was only the beginning, and we simply lived day by day.  We still live day by day, even now, but for some, there is a difference. Now, we know where we’ve been, and perhaps we can see where we are going.  We have realized that our faith has given this story new direction. We have found that in our story the most important character is the one called Christ Jesus, the Son of God.  He is important because he gave our story a different purpose.

Though we may not know yet, what the future holds, we know that we have a hope of all that the Son has done for us, and we believe He will lead us to a restoration of life here on earth, and our eternal home.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 6, 2020

But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do.  - James 1:25

I, like many of us, had heard and learned that, “practice makes perfect.” This phrase is especially true any time I needed to get better at something.  Didn’t matter if it were for a sports team, or musical instrument, always I heard “practice, practice, practice, because practice makes perfect.”  That is until my freshman year of high school.  Just before classes began I arrived on campus for band camp; a chance to get some early hazing, yet also a change to make new friends. Camp was also a chance to practice for the upcoming marching season.  As I was looking around the band room, up on the wall was a quote by Larry Gelwix.  “practice does not make perfect, practice makes permanent.”  To add further insult or inspiration (depending on how you took it) the quote continued, “perfect practice makes perfect.”

I think it is safe to say that when it comes to living, we are a little less than perfect in our practice.  Though we live under redemption, and have been raised to new life in Christ, rarely do we get it perfect, we stumble and fall, and walk all over the place as we learn to be in step with Christ.  However, there is one thing that I believe we do well, and that is to not forget the grace of God.  We should never forget the freedom that we have been given in Christ, to live with hope and joy even in the midst of mistakes. Yes, we do need to ask forgiveness, we do need to make amends, yet we need to remember we are free from the burden of sin and death through Christ.  We also cannot forget the joy that Christ gives us as we forgive others.  God has blessed us indeed with the opportunities to worship, to learn, and to love in His perfect laws, let us not take those for granted, but in perfect practice move ever closer in devotion and worship.

I find that even though I am far from perfect in the way live, I am thankful for the people who have encouraged me along the way, made it possible for me to continue to practice, and to do so more perfectly.  Even as imperfect people, we thank God that we believed in the law of freedom that we may live under that law, and practice that freedom each and every day.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager - July 5, 2020

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Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. – Psalm 111:1

Today is the first Sunday we are offering in-person worship since the beginning of this global pandemic. For the first time, some will gather together in the sanctuary, with the congregation to worship God together.

I know that many of you will not be with us in person, and I truly understand, respect your decision, and love you where you are. For those who will join us, please help us to keep each other safe, check in, and wear your mask.

I am grateful that God’s wonderful works will be among us no matter where we are, today. I know that God is meeting us with blessings anew, and our hearts will be uplifted with praise because it is another day that we are alive and have the opportunity to let God’s blessings overflow with joy. My hope is that we can spread that joy. I think we all could use a little joy- spreading around the world right now. Like many, I have a hard time keeping a positive outlook, I get worried about what is happening in our nation, I forget that a positive attitude can be simply changing perspective, and I have my bad days like anyone else. Those days have certainly been hard this year, and they seem to have been closer together than in other years. Sometimes, we might wonder if it will ever get better, but then I have this glimmer of hope.

That hope might be in a tight hug around my neck from my daughter, it might come in seeing my son’s learn a new skill, it might come from reading, or simply feeling God’s presence in the midst of prayer.  There are so many things that are in this life in which we can still find joy. There are so many things in which we can still give God praise.  We may be praising him in the midst of hurricane type storm, but God still deserves the praise.

The psalmist reminds us that the wonderful works of God are never ceasing, and even if we might not see them in our lives at the moment, when the congregation gathers we shall know, because someone will have a blessing in which to share.  So, to help share joy today, find a way to share a blessing with others, make a phone call, smile, wave, send a text or an email. Let someone know that they are blessing today, and even if you aren’t physically present in the congregation, let them know we are all still present with God’s congregation in this world below, looking forward to join the one above, to ever sing in His Awesome Presence.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 4, 2020

Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts. - James 3:18

As we celebrate our independence day, I know it will not be like so many before.  We almost seem in a constant state of disbelief this year, as all of the celebrations we have become accustomed are celebrated a little differently this year.  Still, I hope you have a fun and safe fourth of July.

I want to reflect on historically what must have been the most peaceful time in American History.  After the end of the Revolutionary war, people went to work building a nation, building homes and towns, helping one another, and creating one of the greatest nations the world had ever seen.  One built on the principles of peace and justice, with freedom to worship God however one saw fit, with freedoms of speech, assembly, basic human rights for all people.  In this time of peace I can imagine neighbor helping neighbor, and people sharing what they had as each one had need.  I imagine each community was a lot like the first century church and that it was thriving on this new found peace.  However, in a world that is lost to sin, peace never seems to the last very long.  It was not long before peace was threatened and people began, again to be against one another.  It seems that we don’t know, on this side of heaven how to remain at peace.

Truthfully, I don’t understand why we as the human race cannot be at peace with one another.  We constantly find reasons to be in conflict; over poverty, injustice, skin color, wearing masks, and these are just examples that list could go on forever. Even for those of us who are peaceful at heart, the peacemakers of the world; there always seems to be conflicts that arise, and places where peace simply cannot remain.  I suppose this is why we all look onward to heaven, for God’s perfect peace to be revealed; a place where no more tears are shed and no more conflicts arise; a place where love is the common thread and no more wars are fought. 

In this future place of peace, people will be together forever in the presence of our God, and the seed of justice and righteousness will have grown into the perfect tree of shade coving all. We should pay attention to those words, covering all.  Even those who cannot find peace with one another in this life, should realize that in faith, we will be together in perfect community. I’m reminded of Dallas Willard’s remarks about the kingdom of heaven being more about what we do on this side of death, being more important. 

When we have these moments of calm and clarity, we should realize that we are sowers of the seeds of peace. We are called to go into the world and spread the peace that surpasses our own understanding; that when we get to heaven we will join the great cloud of witnesses who are at peace, the peace that God has called us to work towards even as we are here upon the earth.  God’s peace is for you today, that you would find peace within, and though conflicts may come our way, this peace will help us find justice and true righteousness under that banner of love, the banner of Christ. May we bring peace to others each and every day, as we have the freedom to do so.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 3, 2020

…As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus… - Luke 23:26

Ever been asked to do something you didn’t really want to do? 

I’m sure, at one point or another we all have been given an assignment that we did not want to do, yet we knew it was required of us.  I think in every job I’ve ever had I’ve had something laid in my lap, some project or report that has been dumped on me, and at a moment’s notice, I was expected to drop everything and work on that one thing.

Most of the time, we know those types of things come with the territory (so to speak) of what is expected of an employer. But what about those times when it was someone else asking you to do something, expecting you to do what was asked? Those tasks may be foreign to us, or at least not asked of us often.

Now, imagine, you are traveling into the city and all of a sudden a crowd is coming out of the city, prisoners carrying crosses, their own execution instruments, and you see one of those prisoners drop that cross.  All of a sudden, one of the guards grabs you, an innocent by- standard, someone who hasn’t done anything wrong. You are now asked to pick up his cross and carry it on your back.  You haven’t done anything wrong, you are not a criminal, but now you are walking death row with those whom have been prosecuted by the state, and deemed unfit to remain a part of society. This imagery is difficult, especially when I think about Jesus own words to his disciples; “if you are to be my disciples, deny yourself, pick up your own cross, and follow me.” Simon of Cyrene, to our knowledge, was not present when Jesus spoke those words, yet he was forced by the governmental authorities to carry a burden, to do a job that was not his own, and walk death row, carrying an instrument of death.

The burdens that we bear as Christians today, pale in comparison to those of the early Christians church. Because of faithfulness, and the burden that others have carried for us, we have a the freedom to worship as we see fit, and rarely are asked to do anything difficult for our faith. However, there are times when the difficulty of faith are a little more know, when we want to care for others, but don’t know how. Or sometimes we have our own deep needs and don’t know what to do. For us the promise is that Jesus will help carry our burden, though sometimes we also need to help carry the burden for others.

Right now, as we see COVID-19 cases numbers rise, our government authorities has asked us to do a simple task, wear a mask in public. Some have turned this call into a burden, made a big deal about it, however, the Christian response would be to wear one, to have enough care for others to understand and simply wear a mask. In doing so we both obey our government, and at the same time express care for one another in Christian love.

Please note, if you choose to join us in person for worship on Sunday, mask are required for everyone who enters the building. I will be wearing mine because I care for you, please remember to wear yours as a sign of your care for others. If you are concerned, or anxious about returning, online worship will still be posted at 9 am, and you are welcome to worship with us in that way. No matter what do what is safe for yourself and for those around you. God bless you, and keep you, now and always. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 2, 2020

May the Lord lead your hearts to express God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Keeping things going in life, when life is turned upside down can be difficult.  Yet, as we focus on what needs to be done, what happens is we become short-sighted (in a good way) with our goals.  We remove the distractions, and simply focus on the task in front of us.  Sometimes that task seems overwhelming, but we keep at it, knowing and believing that we will make it through. 

Our faith gets like that sometimes, I am finding that out now, feeling one-task-focused as we prepare everything for our first Sunday worship service, together. Today, I am reminded of the diligent work urged by the apostle Paul to the Thessalonian church.

The saints in this church, workers for God’s kingdom had stopped at nothing to share the gospel and organize a church among the people.  God’s plan of action to go to the ends of the earth with the message of Christ was being carried out by these people, and they were exhausted.  It is at this point of exhaustion that many just want to give up, many want to argue and grumble, and others just want to leave and sit in quite all by themselves.  However, it is in this moment, when we are battle weary and worn out that we focus more intently on the cross. Paul prays here for the people to have hearts to express God’s love and Christ’s endurance to do so. 

When they hung Christ on the cross to crucify him for nothing of his own doing, but for  our sin, He must have had amazing endurance to not stop it all, because that would have been within His power.  When they beat Him, mocked Him, lead Him to the place of the Skull, He could have decide to be done, but He endured.  Christ had the endurance even after all this, to hang on that cross for 6 hours, struggling for each breath, and taking on the full weight of the judgment of God that though Him we might be saved.

It is this endurance that Paul used to encourage the Thessalonians to keep going, and it is by this endurance that I continue to serve God.  By this same endurance I want to encourage you in the ministries in which you are a part, or the ministries in which you can help with in the coming weeks.  Perhaps you need to be reminded of the love in which you first started to serve, or perhaps you need to know that you are appreciated.  In any regard, I hope you know that God sees your good deeds, and He knows the love by which you serve your church, and He is well pleased.  Keep up the ministry folks, and know that God’s love will continue to be poured into your hearts to overflowing, and you will have the endurance to make it through all of life’s struggles through Christ who strengthens you.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

Daily Encourager – July 1, 2020

But don’t remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoing.  Remember me only according to your faithful love for the sake of your goodness, Lord. - Psalm 25:7

If I were to say we all make mistakes, I think it might be the understatement of all lifetimes.  I know it’s become the little cliché that we use to make an excuse when we mess up, or to help us realize that we are human and the essence of human nature is sin.  We are all aware of this, but what many people in our society lack is the understanding to forgive and forget.  Yes, we may half-heartedly forgive the person who cut us off in traffic, once we get to our location safely; or we might say “that’s okay” to the clerk who got our order wrong.  But what are we thinking in those moments?  Are we really forgiving? And what about the big stuff; the times when we are hurt by people we love, know, and are a part of our everyday lives?  Forgiveness is a big deal and it is the one thing that we count on for our own salvation, so shouldn’t we also forgive?

Jesus says in Luke 6:37 “…forgive and you will be forgiven.” We also pray in our Lord’s Prayer to be forgiven our trespasses (sins) as we forgive those who trespass (sin) against us.  It is in this same spirit that David cries out to the Lord to not remember his sin and his wrong doing.  It is interesting that David does not ask to be forgiven as much, but for it not to be remembered.  David, like many of us, know that sacrifice has paid the penalty of our sin, so what we need, is for God not to bring it up again, to not look on our sinful nature, but to look on the righteousness that was bestowed upon us by grace. 

If we want God to look at us in such a way, should we not (being called to righteousness by Christ) look upon others in the same way?  I believe we are forgiven simply by asking in faith, but I also believe we grow as Christians by truly forgiving those people who have wronged us in any way, and not ever giving it a second thought.  After all, once a sin is forgotten, it is no longer an accusation to cause division, but an open path that leads to restoration of mind, body, soul, and relationships.

Offering forgiveness in our world today seems to have become difficult. People seem more intent on revenge or “getting even” rather than forgiveness.  We want to make things more complex than they need to be, and sometimes, it seems like people want to be angry.  Why would we want to be angry? Those who follow this path are missing out on the peace of the Lord.

If we were to follow David’s psalm a little further what we would find is: 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

In humility, in offering forgiveness, in choosing to let it go, in finding release of anger; we find the peace of God that leads us on the paths of righteousness for His name sake.  May God offer you the peace and assurance of his love and grace now and always. Amen.

Grace & Peace,
Sam

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