Wednesday, February 28, 2024

God Never Grows Tired Of Hearing From You


 

God never grows tired of hearing from you

Author John Fischer writes: I have a bad habit.  When my children tell me something they've learned for the first time, I often act as if I knew that.

When my wife hears something "new" from the kids, her mouth drops open and her eyes widen.  It's as if she had never heard this kind of thing before.  The kids' faces brighten, and they feel as if they have actually enlightened their mother.

I used to think my wife wasn't just acting and sooner or later the kids would find out and feel lied to. Then I realized it isn't an act at all.  Though she may already have experienced what they are trying to tell her, she's never experienced it through them.  Their personal "revelations" are entirely new.

It's the same with God.  As all-knowing as He is, I'm sure He's still eager to hear our prayers because He has never heard it quite the way we say it.  We are all unique.  We have our own signature attached to all we do and say.  Our lives, our experiences, and our faith expressed to Him are never old.

We've all had a time or two in our lives when we've prayed and prayed to God about a problem with which we're struggling.  In fact, we've prayed so often that we're convinced that God has heard just about enough from us on the subject.

Not so! Instead, we have this promise from the Psalms: "I call on the Lord in my distress, and He answers me."  (Psalm 120:1)  So pray, my friends.  It doesn't matter if you've offered a particular prayer petition 50 times.  Pray it again.  Tell God your troubles.  He never grows tired of hearing from you!

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Every Good Thing

Here's a Bible verse for you to chew on today: I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.  Philemon, verse six.

It has been said that the six hardest words to say are: "I was wrong.  Please forgive me."

Many find it difficult to say these four words in return: "Yes, I forgive you."

One of the lessons the little letter of Philemon can teach us is the importance of practicing forgiveness.

I call it "practicing" because a forgiving nature doesn't come easily.

We can be hurt by the wrongs committed against us.  We might suffer loss.  We might feel pain.  We can be abandoned.  Our reputation might take an unjust hit.

The person inflicting such damage may come to their senses.  With sincerity of heart they approach you to seek reconciliation.  They speak to you the six hardest words to say.  They ask for forgiveness. How do you respond?

One thing you can do is to remember "every good thing (you) have in Christ."  You remember the humiliation of Christ: His immaculate conception and humble birth; His unjust suffering and His cruel death and burial.  You think of the price your Savior God paid so that you might receive forgiveness for the wrongs you've committed against the Holy God.  You remember the grace of God in your own life.  You think on how the resurrected Christ reached out to those who failed Him during His passion.  Then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you extend grace to the person who seeks forgiveness from you.

Reconciliation takes place between you and a friend, just as it did between Philemon and Onesimus.

Grab some time today and read Paul's letter to Philemon.  Check it out and let the forgiving love of your Savior heal your hurts and give you strength to extend God's grace to others.

Monday, February 26, 2024

I'm back!

 Back by popular demand (Ok, it was just a few people), I've decided to resume blogging.  Check back to find posts on just about anything that captures my attention, tickles my fancy, or any other cliche you might think of.

Have a blessed day!

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

My New Year's Resolution

Which is to being the blog to a close.

I've been doing this for years.  It's been enjoyable and have appreciated the feedback that I've gotten from you kind readers.

But I retired from parish ministry a couple of years ago and have been busy with other activities.  

Thanks for taking the time to check out the blog.

Have a blessed new year!

Saturday, December 23, 2023

In the City of David a Savior has been Born

Even though I am no longer in full-time ministry, I've found myself pretty busy this Advent season.  I have the privilege of preaching and leading worship every Sunday at Christ the Redeemer in Phoenix.  I also make calls as needed.  And each Thursday I teach a morning Bible class at Church of the Master in Phoenix.  So, I'm actually looking forward to a short break at Christmas.

Until then, you're invited to join us at Christ the Redeemer tomorrow for worship at 9 am for what we are calling the 4th Sunday in Advent.  Then at 6 pm we will hold our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 6 pm,  There will be several Christmas videos, special music, a word from God's Word, communion and plenty of Christmas hymns and songs.  If you haven't a place to celebrate the birth of the Christ child consider joining us tomorrow evening at 6 pm.

Also, I'm going to take a break from the blog for a week or so.  I'll be back after the first of the year.  I noticed recently that since I started this blog I've have over 250,000 people visit.  That's amazing! So, thank for checking it out.

To you and yours, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
 

Friday, December 22, 2023

It Happened!

From a Christmas sermon from Norman Nagel (1975)

The angel's message is simply what happened - a birth - and the identification of the one born - "a Savior who is Christ the Lord."  Impossible? No, it has happened.  God did not have to wait for clearance from us whether it is possible or not.  It happened.  A Savior born, Christ the Lord. 

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Gloria in excelsis Deo!

 Gloria in excelsis Deo


Et in terra pax
     hominbus bonae voluntaris

Laudamus te

Benedictimus te

Adoramus te

Glorificamus te

Which is...

Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth, good will to men.

We praise Thee; we bless Thee; we worship Thee; we glorify Thee!