Surprised

Week of March 29, 2024

“19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20:19-20

The time this scripture is referencing was a disappointing time for the disciples. This was after the resurrection before the disciples had seen the resurrected Lord and they were discouraged. The Lord’s timing was perfect for their need. They were surprised. Surprised that’s a great word for the Christian. Have you ever been surprised

 by what the Lord had done for you in a time of darkness? Maybe we need to come to the place in our Christian walk where we see discouraging moments as a prelude to the “new thing” God is about to do.

Jesus Surprised the disciples in the Upper Room. They looked at their present condition from a human point of view. They were discouraged. They had no idea that at any moment Christ would invade their gloom with hope. But He did and they were surprised. John 20:20 says again, “20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”

To see the Lord that’s our great need. Not in magnificent manifestations but in His still small voice in our life during unanticipated circumstances, in answers to questions that haunt us, in resolutions to problems which someone has told us are unsolvable. He still comes and we are glad and we feel hope arises in our hearts. As the hymn writes, I Stand Arranged In His Presence!

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Be Kind

Week of March 1, 2024

 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

This verse describes the character that should characterize Christians as we relate to one another. This verse teaches that our actions should demonstrate kindness. What is kindness? It’s love expressed in practical ways, we put the needs of others over our own. We are aware and sensitive to the needs of others. When someone else is experiencing sorrow we grieve also. When someone else experiences a victory we don't envy them but we rejoice with them. 

When showing forgiveness is needed we forgive because we too have offended and have needed forgiveness. What happens when someone else fails us? Maybe you feel betrayed, maybe you feel anger. At that time we need to look closely at the cross and remember the forgiveness and grace that has been shown to us. We must set aside the attitude that leads to impatience and even criticism of others.

How did Jesus say that the world would know us? Not by miracles or our Bible knowledge, but by the love we show one another. Ask God to give you kindness and a forgiving spirit. I recently saw a plack that said this: “In a world where you can be anything - Be Kind.”

God Bless, Pastor Rick

Are You Delighting In The Lord?

Week of February 23, 2024

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37: 4-5

I think we possibly have misunderstood this scripture. It does not mean that God will give us all the things we desire in exchange for delighting in Him. The emphasis in these two verses in delighting in the Lord and committing your way to the Lord. I believe when we do these things God changes what we desire.

That which we delight in shapes the nature of our desires. So if we delight in more and bigger possessions we won’t stop until we have enough to satisfy which is probably never enough. If we delight in God, if we abide in Him then our interactions with Him shape our hearts and we end up desiring and delighting in what he desires and delights in. In other words, you are satisfied with His will and plan.

We end up making choices to follow His lead, we take steps to follow through with those things He has directed us to do. Will you choose to focus on God so that your desires delight God? Ask this question, what do your joys and hopes say about your desires? Can you truly say that you are delighting in the Lord?

God Bless, Pastor Rick