March 2022

Today is the second day of a devotional journey we are taking, to help us to begin living a healthier life and to deal with our hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We will invite the Lord to take us by the hand and help us to make healthy choices and to become all that He has hand crafted us to be! To find our strength, Peace, direction, and Hope in Him alone!

Yesterday, I asked you two personal questions:

• If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be? How has it impacted you over the years? How has it impacted others? Why is it still an issue?
• If you could change one thing about your present life, what would it be? How does it impact you? Does your life seem unmanageable? What would you want/need to change, if only you could?

Don’t be too quick to dismiss this question…the answer can change your life forever. I would contend that we all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups in our lives, perhaps:

• Someone has HURT you. They did something to you, said hurtful things, let you down, excluded you, abused you.
• You have a HABIT that you can’t stop, and it controls your life. Maybe addiction to gossip, pornography, eating, shopping, alcohol. It has had awful consequences on you, your family, friends, finances.
• You have a HANG-UP. You can not control things like your anger, pride, grief.

Today I want you to focus on that biggest issue, the one that makes your life the most unmanageable. Focus on that hurt, habit, hang-up. Now, wrestle with this question, “Is that really the issue or is it just a symptom of the real issue?” For instance, let’s say your answer is, My relationship with my spouse is the biggest issue in my life! I would ask “why” do you say that? You might answer:

• My spouse is always fighting with me….I would ask why?
• She says I’m lazy and can’t hold a job……why?
• My bosses don’t respect me….why?
• They say I am always late for work?….why?
• Well, I get drunk at night and have a hang-over….why?
• I have low self-esteem……why?
• And eventually, those why questions will lead to your biggest hurt, habit. or hang-up!

You can not deal with an issue until you identify it, name it, and own it. Some of the materials that I will be using in this series of devotions come from a book by John Baker called “Life’s Healing Choices.” We used this as a basis for a sermon series years ago. He uses 8 healthy steps or choices (based on the Beatitudes) to a healthier life. This first (and foundational) step is called “the reality choice”…it’s when we admit we are not God and we have an area of our life that is out of control.

Have you ever wrestled with this verse?  Romans 7:15-20 (msg)… What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God’s command is necessary.  But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

If that sounds like you….Welcome to the human race!

For some of you, you have struggled for years for others, this coronavirus world we are living in has created newer hurts, habits, hang-ups in your life. Either way, God wants you to deal with them…and His Word will lead you through the process. That’s good news because on our own we will fail.

We try to ignore the problem, deny that it’s an issue, rationalize why it’s ok. I talked with a couple whose marriage was broken due to alcohol and abuse. The wife finally called to say that she and the kids moved out. The husband came home to a note that they left… he called me to complain that she left. He said she had a lot of nerve leaving him. I asked him why she left. He said, “I don’t know.” I said try to guess. He said, “she would say I drink too much and get mean.” I asked if it were true and he said “I don’t think so, I could quit anytime and I don’t think I have a problem.” So, I asked him why she thought he did, and he said well “I drink more than anyone else.” I said how much do you drink, he said: “about 5-6 beers a night and that she and the kids don’t understand that it’s not a problem.” That is what denial is all about. He can never fix the problem if he denies it exists.

Many times, we try to play God by controlling our image, controlling other people, and controlling our pain. We will not change until the pain is greater than the fear of change. We try to control our pain. Unfortunately, we are not God! Chevy Chase would come on Saturday Night Live and say “Hi, I’m Chevy Chase, and you’re not”…Can you hear God saying to you “Hi, I’m God and you’re not.” This is foundational!!! It’s the start of healing. Matthew 5:3… “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

A tv repairman was asked about the worst kind of damage he had ever seen to a television set he said “The kind that results from people trying to fix their tv on their own!” The first step for each of us is to realize that you are not God and are powerless to fix your hurt, habit, hang-up on your own. The good news is that you don’t have to do it on your own! God’s Word, His church, and pastors like me are there to help you make healthy choices and renew your Joy!

You may be saying…” I don’t like this devotion! It sounds like work, it gets too close to home!”

 Good! These next days can change your life forever! What needs to change in your life? What hurt, habit, hang-up have you been trying but failing to ignore? Stop right now and admit to God that you are powerless to manage this (and all) area of your life. Then commit to working with me as we go through these next devotions.

I thought I would throw in a bonus today. I saw this years ago (by many authors) and thought it was some great advice to live by, they are called the 7 ups:

• WAKE UP…Begin each day with the Lord. It’s His day, rejoice in it!
• DRESS UP…Put on a smile! It improves your looks and says something about your spiritual health!
• SHUT UP…Watch what you say. Don’t gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen! Think before you speak.
• STAND UP…Take a stand for what you believe…resist evil…do good!
• LOOK UP…Open your eyes to the Lord and what He is doing. After all, He is your Savior…who loves you….wants the best for you!
• REACH UP…Spend time in prayer with adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplications to the Lord!
• LIFT UP…Lift up those in need…serving, supporting, and sharing! This is especially important in today’s situations!

Today we looked at steps to living a healthy life…to admit we are not God and our lives can be unmanageable. On Monday we will look at the second step… Looking at who is God in your life.

If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be? How has it impacted you over the years? How has it impacted others? Why is it still an issue?

If you could change one thing about your present life, what would it be? How does it impact you? Does your life seem unmanageable? What would you want/need to change, if only you could?

Sounds like some heavy questions, yet very important ones.

Psalm 139 is a great Psalm about seeking God in our lives, perhaps verses 23-24 can help… Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

About 10 years ago, I came across a program called Celebrate Recovery. The premise of it intrigued me. It was based on the fact that all of us have hurts, habits, and hang-ups in our lives….and that they make our lives seem unmanageable! We don’t seem to know how to deal with them, and so we ignore them, deny them, blame others for them…and continue to make unhealthy choices…and those choices impact us, as well as those around us. I purchased materials, planned, and started a group at RR and it fell flat on it’s face. What was I doing wrong? I started with a light dinner, a worship team leading singing, and followed the materials provided step by step. For all the hope I had…we averaged only 1 person per week for months until I canceled the program. I asked a few people that I felt should have come “why aren’t you coming?” Their answers were interesting. “I’m not celebrating anything” …or “I’m not a heroin addict” …or “I’m not in recovery!” The title Celebrate Recovery was confusing…it did not attract people who really needed it (and we all do!) to come along for the journey.

I asked myself what was I trying to accomplish, what was the message I needed to state? I changed the title to state a fact that we all know that…. LIFE HURTS GOD HEALS!

Why does LIFE HURT? SIN! God created a perfect world (”it was very good”)! Put Adam and Eve into that paradise with one choice (don’t eat the fruit of the tree of good and EVIL…it will harm you!). They sinned…you and I sin…and we are not in the Garden of Eden any longer. Romans 3:23…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and Romans 5:12…Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned. Everything is tainted with sin. People HURT us and we HURT them! We all have sinful HABITS and addictions that cause us to be out of control and cause pain! We all have and are impacted by other people’s HANG-UPS. Things like pride, anger, and grief.

How does GOD HEAL? Well, The God who created the perfect world, hand made you! He loves you in spite of your hurts, habits, and hang-ups. And yet the wage of sin is death, and God is a just God, someone must die for your sins. The good news is that He loves you so much that He cannot imagine spending eternity without you there with Him in His heavenly kingdom. John 3:16…For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. He sent His son, Jesus, to live a perfect life, die in your place, so that He can restore the relationship with you. You have eternal life thru faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. That is good enough, but Jesus goes even further by wanting to help you deal with your hurts, habits, hang-ups…to make healthy choices…to deal with those issues and the collateral damage they cause!

I changed the title of my Tuesday night (7:00) group to LIFE HURTS GOD HEALS about 8 years ago, did an 8 week sermon series on 8 healthy choices we need to make, and hundreds have worked through their hurts, habits, and hang-ups since then.

God knows about your issues and is the only way to healing. John 6:14…Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror, it was more than a thousand feet. He couldn’t hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. So, Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something. (“HELP!  HELP!  Is anyone up there?  HELP!”) He yelled for hours, but no one heard him.  He was about to give up when he heard a voice.

“Jack. Jack.  Can you hear me?”

“Yes, yes! I can hear you.  I’m down here!”

“I can see you, Jack. Are you alright?”

“Yes, but…who are you, and where are you?”

“I am the Lord, Jack. I’m everywhere.”

“The Lord? You mean, God?”

“That’s Me.”

“God, please help me! I promise – if You will get me down from here, I’ll stop sinning.  I’ll be a really good person.  I’ll serve You for the rest of my life.”

“Easy on the promises, Jack. Let’s just get you down from there; then we can talk.  Now, here is what I want you to do. Listen carefully.”

“I’ll do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do.”

“Okay. Let go of the branch.”

“What?”

“I said, let go of the branch. Just trust Me. Let go.”

There was a long silence. Finally, Jack yelled, “Help, help, is there anyone else up there?”

Have you ever felt like Jack?  We say that we want to know the will of God…. but when we find out what it is, it sounds too scary, too difficult.  We decide to look elsewhere. When He says, “Let go of the things that stand between you and Me, and trust Me with your life,” it sounds pretty scary.  But when we let go, we find freedom and safety in His hands.

So…here is my plan for us. With the help of these next devotions, we are going to go on a journey to living a healthier life…to deal with our hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We will invite the Lord to take us by the hand and help us to make healthy choices and to become all that He has hand crafted us to be!

What I want you to do is go back to the beginning of this devotion and pray for God to help you answer those first few questions. If you answer them honestly, it might seem scary at first. Don’t be afraid to answer them because we will work through the healthy steps to a Joy filled, God pleasing, Christ centered life!

9-16-2020

Pillsbury Dough Boy wanted for attempted murder

A lady named Linda went to Arkansas last week to visit her in-laws, and while there, went to a store. She parked next to a car with a woman sitting in it, her eyes closed and hands behind her head, apparently sleeping. When Linda came out a while later, she again saw the woman, her hands still behind her head but with her eyes open.

The woman looked very strange, so Linda tapped on the window and said, “Are you okay?” The woman answered, “I’ve been shot in the head, and I am holding my brains in.”

Linda didn’t know what to do, so she ran into the store, where store workers called the paramedics. They had to break into the car because the door was locked. When they got in, they found that the woman had bread dough on the back of her head and in her hands.

A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded, apparently from the heat in the car, making a loud explosion like that of a gunshot, and hit her in the head. When she reached back to find what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She passed out from fright at first, then attempted to hold her brains in.

Now that is a funny image! And yet we all face times when life is not a funny mistake. Times when we get hit with bad news, bad issues, bad seasons of life! When our minds take us to dark places. Maybe this coronavirus has you in a bad place right now.

We have been talking about prayer, now for the third day. If you missed the other 2 check them out at below!

I shared some of the prayers and the people that I pray for…Here is an important section of my daily prayers.

“Lord, be with those that are lonely and neglected, abused and intimidated, facing fear, pain, grief, distress, depression, anxiety, loneliness, facing hurts, habits, and hang-ups.”

Take some time to carefully ponder that list and identify which of those areas you may be struggling with. It’s a long list and most of us can relate to a few of these at any time in our lives. It’s all part of living in a post Garden of Eden world. Talk to the Lord about the ones that are making your life unmanageable. Turn to the Lord for direction and comfort. Call me and let’s see what a healthy next step can look like. Seek God’s peace that is beyond our human understanding.

John 14:27…Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

1 Peter 5:7…Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

 Now, go back over the list and think about those you know who are struggling with one or more of those issues. Maybe a family member, friend, or neighbor.

What would God have you do? Do you realize that you may be the answer to their prayer? God may want to work thru you into their struggles!

1 Thessalonians 5:11…Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.

I saw a devotion that caught my eye, it was about going to the beach and trying to find shells in the sand. We look for the perfect, unbroken ones…the bigger and more beautiful the better. There are countless varieties like conch, scallop, oyster…some from far away washed up on the shore. But what about the broken ones? They tend to get ignored, overlooked, and passed by, or worse yet, stepped on and broken further. No one seems to be seeking them or finding value in them.

It’s the same with people. Do the people that you have identified from my list of brokenness feel like those shells? Do people pass them by for those that seem more “whole?” Do people try to ignore and overlook their brokenness…not sure what to say or do? Maybe too busy to stop and help…thinking let someone else help them.

How about you? Will you stop to help them? What if it were Jesus? Would you offer Him help?  Matthew 25:37-40… “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

So, again I ask you, who can you reach out to? Many have suffered for a long time…while others more recently with coronavirus related issues. Who is God nudging you to call or text? Will you take the time to let them know that you care? Will you listen to their story? Will you tell them that you are praying for them? Do you pray for God to tell you how to help them? Can you refer them to someone like myself for further help? Can you send them a card…or help with a financial issue?

The greatest gift that you have…and that you can give someone is to point them to the Love of Jesus. What if you helped give those that are lonely and neglected, abused, and intimidated, facing fear, pain, grief, distress, depression, anxiety, facing hurts, habits, and hang-ups the gift that they need most?… Invite them into a relationship with the Lord who can replace those negative things with God’s gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control! (Galatians 5:22)

So that is the end of my 3-part devotion to prayer! I wanted to end it with a quote that I read: In prayer, I confess once again that I won’t ever be what I’m supposed to be and do what I’m supposed to do without the forgiving, empowering, and delivering grace of the One to whom I am praying!

Yesterday, I laid out some thoughts on prayer. If you missed it scroll down one devotion and you can find it there.

We have the great privilege and joy to be able to talk God about all things…the good and the not so good. And yet, we tend to only pray when things are imploding before our eyes. We cry out for help!

One of my favorite stories (that you may have heard me tell) about tough times is this:

There was an old man who had a beautiful horse. This horse was not only his family’s pride and joy, but it was also a means to an income for the family.

One day, the horse ran away. Fellow villagers visited the old man to give their condolences for such a stroke of bad luck, as the loss of his horse represented a staggering financial blow that would be hard to recover from .“Good luck, bad luck: Who can tell?” replied the old man. “It is as it is. My horse is gone.”

Perplexed at the man’s nonchalance towards the apparent tragedy, the villagers went about their business.

A few days later, the horse returned with a pack of 12 wild horses in tow. Again, the villagers gathered, this time to offer their congratulations at such a stroke of good luck. Now he had 12 more horses with which to make 12 times the income! What a godsend, they said. “Good luck, bad luck: Who can tell?” replied the old man again. “All I see is that 12 more horses have appeared.”

The next week, while breaking in one of the wild horses, the old man’s son fell, and both his legs were broken. What bad luck! The villagers exclaimed. Your son has broken both of his legs. That’s terrible. How will you get your work done? You are too old to do it yourself. “Good luck, bad luck: Who can tell?” was the (now predictable and equally frustrating) answer of the old man. “My son has broken his legs. That is all I know.”

Shortly thereafter, the government forcibly removed all the able-bodied men from the village, as the country had gone to war. The old man’s son, however, was spared since his legs were broken. Good luck, bad luck: Who can tell?

…and on it goes. We tend to live our own lives careening from one “good luck” occurrence to another “bad luck” event? When things are going well, we’re happy and we think God’s will is a good thing. If they are going badly, we get discouraged and think that God must have abandoned us. We end up being tossed about by our circumstances.

Maybe we could stand to take a dose of medicine from the old man in this story, simply observing the events in our lives for what they are instead of drawing grandiose conclusions about the ultimate karma or fate of what has happened to us. To seek God in the midst of the so-called bad luck. To seek God’s direction and Hope as we face those things…to trust that He will walk alongside of us and bring good out of them.

The fact is that we really don’t have to worry in our circumstances, because no matter what, we have hope in Christ.“We know that in everything, God works for the good of those who love him” Romans 8:28. That’s what His good, loving , pleasing will is all about!

So, that was a fun illustration, but what about our everyday “real” life?

I had a lady come to speak with me a number of years ago. She told me her life seemed upside down. She went into work and was told that she had been downsized out of her job. She had a great job at a large bank, head of her department, and was there for 20+ years. Two banks merged and her position went to the other person. “That would be bad enough, she said, but her husband of 23 years announced, “he did not want to be married anymore!” Needless to say, her whole identity was changing in a matter of a week! We talked, she had a great faith in God watching over her and the kids. We talked about keeping her eyes open to God in the midst of the storm. We prayed and she left my office. About a month later she came back in to see me. “God is good!” she said. She announced that she got a new job. “It is better than my old job,” she said! “I thought I had a good job, so I never looked into changing jobs. Losing my job turned out to be a blessing. This new job fits me better in all ways.” She then went on to explain that she could not have handled her husband’s situation while working at the old job but with 3 weeks off, they were able to talk and deal with the best way to end the marriage.

God did not cause her to lose her job or her marriage but as promised, He brought good out of it.

We don’t always see the results that fast and obvious, but we should always trust His Word! That is a great enough story…but in talking to this lady to get her permission to use her story in this devotion, she said the blessings are still coming. A few years later, she was nudged to go on a mission trip she met a great guy on that trip they have been dating for a year now! When you trust the Lord, hang on for the ride of your life!

So, what areas of your life seem like “good luck?” Areas that you feel close to God, can feel His presence, where God’s blessings are overflowing. Do you take time to thank the Lord for each and every one of His blessings in your life? Your physical health, relationships, financial blessings, and emotional state of mind. When all is well thank the giver of all good things! James 1:17… Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Always remember that the biggest issue that you will ever face is that of sin. The fact that left on our own we are doomed to an eternity in hell. But the good news is that Jesus took care of that problem for you…on the cross. He loves you in spite of you! Take time to thank Him right now!

So, let’s get personal, what areas of your life seem like “bad luck?” Times when you don’t feel God with you. (note that the problem is on your side: He will never leave you or forsake you.) For many of you, this coronavirus situation has caused much distress in your life! Life seems upside down, confused, and gloomy. Do you turn to the Lord for strength, guidance, Hope? Like the guy in our horse story, do you look for God in good times and the bad? Do you see this down time as a smaller part of a bigger picture? Do you seek God’s Peace in the midst of the current storm? Deuteronomy 31:6… “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

With God by your side, you will get through this time. The question is, what good will He bring and what changes does He want you to make?

How is your prayer life?

When I ask people that question, I get a wide variety of answers. Some say “Great, I pray before all of my meals.” Others say, “Pretty good, I know I can talk to God when I need Him.” Still, others say, “I don’t pray anymore because He never seems to give me what I ask for.”

I think most of us would roll our eyes at those types of answers, but again I ask you personally “how is your prayer life?”

Let’s start by asking the question. What is prayer? Luther’s catechism says that prayer is speaking to God in words and thoughts. So, what should we pray about? Again, the catechism says we should ask for anything that tends to the glory of God, and our own and our neighbor’s welfare, both spiritual and bodily blessings. We should also praise and thank God for who He is and what He has done. Seems to me, we can talk with God about anything! We can pray silently as well as out loud or even in song. We can pray a memorized prayer like the Lord’s prayer as well as just talking to your Lord. We can pray kneeling, standing, sitting, walking, driving, anywhere, and anytime. We can pray for ourselves, family, friends, people you don’t even know. We can and should pray for forgiveness and restoration. The main point is for you to PRAY OFTEN.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18…Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

An overweight man decided it was time to shed some pounds. He informed his coworkers that he was going on a diet and would no longer be bringing donuts to the office. He knew it would be hard to resist stopping at the bakery on the way to work, but he committed himself to remain strong and resisting temptation.

His coworkers were surprised one morning to see him arrive at the office with a big box of donuts. When they reminded him of his diet, he just smiled.

“These are very special donuts,” he explained. “When I left for the office this morning, I knew I was going to drive by the bakery, and I wondered if maybe the Lord might want me to have some donuts today. I wasn’t sure, so I prayed, ‘Lord, if you want me to stop and buy some donuts, let there be an open parking place directly in front of the bakery.’ As you know, parking places in front of that bakery are hard to get!”

“So, the parking place was there?” one of his coworkers asked.

“It was a miracle,” the man replied. “The eighth time around the block, there it was!”

Ouch…I don’t think that is what God is looking for in our prayers. We should not try to manipulate God into rubber stamping what we have already decided to do. Reminds me of Jesus. He did not want to have to die on the cross, so He prayed to the Father. He did not demand things go His way, instead, He prayed in Luke 22:42… “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Our prayers should always be in praise and worship…seeking God’s will for our situation and life choices. God (our loving Father) wants us to talk to Him about everything, our concerns, our Joy, our sorrow. But we need to remember that He hears the prayers of all Christians and answers in His own way and His own time.

I want to share my daily prayer life, perhaps it will help yours.

First thing in the morning, I stumble out of bed into a long hot shower (opens my sinuses). While there I talk to God. I thank Him for keeping me safe over the night, thank Him for this new day, seek His direction for the plans and tasks that I have scheduled. I then pray for my family individually by name and situation. Part of that prayer for them is: Lord / make them men and women of God / men and women of integrity / that they know You as Lord and Savior / that they live accordingly / that You bind up Satan and evil and boot him out / and replace that void with more of your Holy Spirit. Take a few minutes to process each section of this prayer…and then offer it up for your loved ones.

Really go back and pray that prayer for your family…then continue on!

After I get dressed, I then walk for 3 miles for exercise. That’s when I pray for others including many of you. I ask for physical, emotional, spiritual, financial blessings. I pray for you to be good stewards of His blessings…to get to know God a little better and to grow a little closer to Him today. I pray for my neighbors, the church, city, issues of the day type things…as well prayers of thanks for His many blessings.

I stay connected with God throughout the day. Short conversations, seeking His will, having a thankful heart for all of His blessings, and inviting Him into each of my thoughts, words, and actions.

Then right before bed, as I am winding down and brushing my teeth, I end the day in a short prayer to God. Thanking Him for the day, assessing how I did with each new opportunity, confessing any way that I have let Him down today. I then ask Him for a safe, healthy, refreshing night sleep for me and for my family.

I am not saying that my way is right for you, but perhaps it helps you make a plan for your time with the Lord. Start out slowly and add as time goes by.

Take a minute to think over what a normal day’s prayer life looks like for you. Do you connect with God regularly and often? Are there any changes He would want you to make regarding your prayer life? Do you praise Him, seek His will, confess, and seek re-direction? Do you lift up the needs of family…friend…co-workers…neighbors? Do you pray for your enemies…and those who do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior?

In this unique season of all of our lives, are you lifting up those impacted by this current pandemic? Those suffering with the coronavirus, those who have lost loved ones. Those out working in places that put them in danger. Those who are hurting financially, (workers and business owners.) Those seeking food pantry help for the first time. Those who this “stay in place” “social distancing” “isolation” has left them lonely, anxious, and depressed. Are you praying for our nation at seems so divided and angry over social concerns?

Wow….I guess I have really challenged you to adjust your prayer life! Think about it! The creator of the universe has given you a direct line to Him 24/7! You would be a fool not to use it!

You can also leave prayer requests on our connection cards at royred.org.

I spoke with a woman who is very depressed over this COVID world we live in. She is struggling in her loneliness and isolation. I asked her if she liked snow globes. She said yes! I reminded her that the globe needs to be turned upside down and shook before it gets turned back over to become better and more beautiful than before. Our world feels like it’s upside down and shaking but God promises to bring good out of bad!

Yesterday I did a devotion about a lighthouse and how Jesus invites us to use Him as our lighthouse…how He is there for us in the storms that we face. He is there to help us navigate our way safely through physical storms, emotional storms, financial storms, relational storms, and of course spiritual storms….just as He was there for us on this infamous day in 2001. As our lighthouse, He is a centering point on the horizon to keep us on the appointed route without crashing into the rocks and cliffs of life that are all around.

Today, I want to continue that image. Let’s begin with a neat little illustration. This illustration compares discovering God’s will with a sea captain’s docking procedure:

A certain harbor in Italy can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have been wrecked, and navigation is hazardous. To guide the ships safely into port, three lights have been mounted on three huge poles in the harbor. When the three lights are perfectly lined up and seen as one, the ship can safely proceed up the narrow channel. If the pilot sees two of the lights, he knows he’s off course and in danger of crashing!

An interesting analogy that can easily be applied to the choices that we make throughout our lifetime.

What are the 3 lights that you want to need to align before you make decisions?

• Maybe money, time, success?
• Maybe friends’ opinions, family response, morals?
• Maybe popularity, career move, comfort?
• Spend a few minutes answering this question for your daily choices….and then do it again for your big-ticket choices. How do you know if you are on course?

God could have created robots, programmed to act a certain way, with no choices and options. In love, He chose to give us a free will, as well as guidance as to how to make choices that will please Him and to become all that He created us to be. God has provided three beacons to guide us. The same rules of my navigation illustration apply—the three lights must be lined up before it is safe for us to proceed. If only one or two align, we may be in crash mode. I would contend that God’s three harbor lights of guidance are:

1. The Word of God! God’s Word is His gift to you to help you navigate your journey. His Word is the standard for your walk with the Lord. Your first question should be, “What does His Word say about this choice I am about to make?” Does the Bible speak about this decision…for it or against it? His Word is the foundation for our lives, everything should be built upon it. Psalm 119:105…Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. I love the way the Message translation puts it… The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don’t swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever— what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— I always have and always will.
2. Prayer! It’s always wise to talk to wise people in your life before you make any life-changing choices…but remembering that they are human as well. But God, the creator of the universe, wants you to seek His Wisdom! You can talk it over with Him. And yet, there is a problem for many people. We tend to talk AT God instead of WITH God. I encourage you to cut your talking AT God in half and then sit quietly for an equal amount of time. Listen for Him to whisper words of guidance, encouragement, or perhaps alternate plans. Philippians 4:6…Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
3. Circumstances! Each of us is wired differently, set on different paths, put in different circumstances. Our journeys are different, and we have choices and options moment by moment. Some choices like what “will I eat for lunch” have small consequences…while others like careers, marriage, finances, moral choices can have lasting consequences. God has placed you exactly where you are, uniquely created to make an impact for Him. We have all learned valuable lessons from past circumstances that can help us face new ones. Remember that life is not a spectator sport! God has a plan for you…and wants you to respond to His direction. The question is what would Jesus have you do with your life…and how would He have you respond to your circumstances. As Martin Luther would say, I pray that you are guided by the Holy Spirit in the school of experiences!

God’s Word, the morals, ethics, and priorities that He has given to you should guide you to a safe harbor. 1 Corinthians 10:31…Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  Did you notice that it said, “whatever” you do?

So…what is the “whatever” that God has in mind for you?

Take time to assess how these 3 guiding tools can help you to navigate the waters you are traveling today. Are there any storms on the horizon? Are you on the course that God has charted for you? Aligning the 3 lights will assure you that the directions you choose are from God and will lead you safely to accomplish His plans.

For example, what is God saying to you about reading daily devotions? What does He say to you about reading scripture daily? What are you hearing from God about His Word in your prayer life? You are reading this, so it sounds like you are trying to be in alignment with God’s plan to grow closer to Him daily.

How about other areas of your life? Are you in alignment with God’s 3 guiding lights? What is He guiding you to do?

How about weekly worship? On-site Sunday at 8:30 am, 10:00 am, and outdoors at 6:00 pm (weather permitting) or live stream and online worship at royred.org/onlineservices

How about participating in Servant Saturday in October?

How about signing up for a small group or bible study at royred.org. (virtual or in-person options available)

How about reaching out to others during this coronavirus situation?

How about healing some relationship issues that have been broken for far too long?

How about using this stay at home time to re-assess all areas of your life.

Try using the 3 Lights mentioned above in all of your life choices.

One of the joys of my life and my ministry is the privilege of leading a group that we call LIFE HURTS, GOD HEALS. How is that for a phrase that fits this coronavirus season as well as every other day of your life here on earth?  The premise of this group is that we all deal with hurts, habits, and hang ups in our lives. We tend to deny, ignore, blame others, but that never fixes the problem! These traits make our lives unmanageable and rob us of the Joy Jesus offers us. Well, about 6 months ago we were told we could not meet due to social distancing, so I decided to write a daily devotion for my group. I wanted them to know that they were loved and missed, that they were not alone, that they are part of a bigger group. I wanted them to embrace the fact that God loves them and that He wants us to invite Him into our lives, to help us deal with our hurts, habits, and hang ups.

I love to use illustrations and personal stories to share the Gospel. One of my favorite illustrations (not sure of the original author) can be helpful as we navigate life’s hurts, habits, hang ups.

It goes like this:

In the darkest part of the night, a ship’s captain cautiously piloted his warship through the fog-shrouded waters. With straining eyes, he scanned the hazy darkness, searching for dangers lurking just out of sight. Then His worst fears were realized when he saw a bright light straight ahead. It appeared to be a vessel on a collision course with his ship. To avert disaster, he quickly radioed the oncoming vessel. “This is Captain Jeremiah Smith,” his voice crackled over the radio. “Please alter your course 10 degrees south! Over.”
To the captain’s amazement, the foggy image did not move. Instead, he heard back on the radio, “Captain Smith. This is Private Thomas Johnson. please alter your course 10 degrees north! Over.” Appalled at the audacity of the message, the captain shouted back over the radio, “Private Johnson, this is Captain Smith, and I order you to immediately alter your course 10 degree south! Over.” A second time the oncoming light did not budge. “With all due respect Captain Smith,” came the private’s voice again, “I order you to alter your course immediately 10 degrees north! Over.” Angered and frustrated that this impudent sailor would endanger the lives of his men and crew, the captain growled back over the radio, “Private Johnson. I can have you court-martialed for this! For the last time, I command you on the authority of the United States government to alter your course 10 degrees to the South! I am a battleship!” The private’s final transmission was chilling: “Captain Smith, sir. Once again with all due respect, I command you to alter your course 10 degrees to the North! I am a lighthouse!”

I bet you didn’t see that one coming!

Many of us in today’s world operate like the battleship captain…bigger and more important than anyone else. Going through life as if rules can be changed (or should be changed) to fit our personal needs and desires. Having a “get out of my way” attitude. Commercials egg us on: “Have it your way,” “Rules are made to be broken.” “you only live once so grab all the gusto”

In reality, we can’t always have it our way. We have to conform our lives to a higher truth, a higher authority. Truth is not going to change to accommodate us. We are the ones who must change to conform our lives to what’s true.

So, the question is where in your life do you act like you are the captain of that battleship? It’s your way or the highway. You have learned to rationalize why anything you do is ok…You blame and threaten others when your plan fails….or you didn’t get your way.

Do you act like that battleship in your job, marriage, parenting, finances…or maybe in your spiritual journey? Do you expect others (and even God) to move or change their plans to accommodate yours?

Who is the lighthouse in your life’s journey…the immovable object?

God’s truth is our lighthouse. The truth found in His Word is not going to change to accommodate us. Psalm 119:105…Your Word is a lamp for my feet. A light on my path. His Truth will lead us to safe waters. We are the ones who must change to conform our lives in order to accomplish His plans for our life. Jeremiah 29:11.. ^.For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Did you notice that there is no asterisk * there that says “unless you have a better plan”…or you “really don’t like God’s plan”.

Jesus is our lighthouse. The Bible teaches that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He will always be there for us. He is dependable. We Christians must conform our lives to His will for us. If He tells us to alter our courses, it’s with faith that we confidently obey. That’s what being a disciple is all about. And the best part is that He always knows best! Lighthouses are especially important when storms appear, and we lose our way! Standing firm guiding us from perils.

And remember what the purpose of a lighthouse is…it’s to warn of hidden dangers, to center us and set as a reference point, to keep us on a safe path to accomplish our God given purpose…to get us safely to port.

God’s Word is the immovable standard by which all will be judged.

Spend some time this week meditating on these questions. What areas could represent the battleship in your life?

What (or who) should be the lighthouse in all areas of your life?

What will happen if nothing is changed/moved?

What is God calling you to change/move?

What hurt, habit, or hang-up is sending you on a collision course?

Is god calling you to change directions in some area of your life? In our Life Hurts God Heals group our goal is to look to God’s Word to help us deal with our hurts, habits, and hangups….to make healthy choices by letting God be the lighthouse…and adjusting our course accordingly.

I love to tell stories that can impact our lives. This is one of my favorite stories.

Alexander Papaderos, a Doctor of Philosophy, worked for many years trying to bring peace between the bitterly divided countries of Europe after WWII. His motivation for doing so stems from his childhood and a very odd event that took place. “When I was a small child,” he said, “during the war, we were poor and lived in a remote village. One day, on the road, I found the broken pieces of a mirror. A German motorcycle had been wrecked in that place. I kept one, the largest piece. By scratching it on a stone, I made it round. I began to play with it as a toy and became fascinated by the fact that I could reflect light into dark places where the sun would never shine – in deep holes and crevices and dark closets. It became a game for me to get light into the most inaccessible places I could find. I kept the little mirror, and as I went about my growing up, I would take it out in idle moments and continue the challenge of the game. As I became [mature], I grew to understand that this was a metaphor for what I might do with my life. I came to understand that I am not the light or the source of light. The light [or truth] is there, and it will shine in many dark places only when I reflect it.”

He concluded: “I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have, I can reflect light into the dark places of the world and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise.”

What comes to mind as you read this?

Sounds like fun as he would reflect the sun’s light into dark places.

We are called to reflect the son’s light into dark places! Biblically we see God and good as light and dark and sin as bad.

In the beginning, there was darkness and so God created light!  Genesis 1:3-4…And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

God who is the light shares that light with us! John 8:12…When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The knowledge of God produces light in our hearts! 2 Corinthians 4:6…For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

It is supposed to be contagious! We are to let our light shine for others to see Christ! Matthew 5:16…In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

What does all of this mean? 1 John 1:5-7(niv)…This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Let’s see what the message translation has to say of this verse… This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him.  If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.

We all sin (darkness)…through faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior (light) we are forgiven and called to let our light shine for all to see. Luke 8:16…“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Right about now…I imagine you are a little confused on what to do with all of this…How does it impact my life, and my purpose?

Take some time and ask…what are the “dark” areas of my life? Where and when am I the farthest from God and His plan for me? What daily choices border on darkness? Do I tend to justify why a little darkness is ok?

When you first go into a dark room, you are lost, can’t see where to go. You fumble around, uncomfortable, and afraid. And yet the longer you stay in the dark, the more at home you feel…your eyes adjust, and you navigate freely. It’s the same with the darkness of sin…the longer you spend around it the more comfortable you are with it.

Ask God to reveal His “light” to you. Be in His Word and prayer for guidance and direction.

Just like my opening story…who do you know that needs you to reflect the Son’s light upon them? Maybe they are living in a sinful season of life… in a dark place! Or maybe they do not yet know the True Light. How can you point them to the True Light (of Jesus) as you reflect His Light through your words and actions? I love the Christmas Eve candlelight service! We each get the light of Christ…and then we pass it on to others…and together we shine brightly as His Church. We then get up and leave the church building to go out and be the church…and have our light shine in our circle of influence.

Who in our Coronavirus world can you shine your light on? (pray for them, call someone who lives alone, offer to help a neighbor, drop off some cookies, help a jobless person financially or though the helping hand fund…smile, wave, or say “hi” to a stranger at the grocery store…thank a clerk, police, fire, mail carrier, medical worker, etc.)

Who in our racial unrest world can you shine your light on? Pray for God to soften hearts, unify all people, make needed changes. Use your circle of influence (social media) to bring peace, share stories, be positive. Stop fueling the fire by negative postings.

I end this devotion with a question I saw online by John Krahn. It’s a question for each of us all to ponder daily…

As you got out of bed this morning, did you feel like you belonged to a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God? And tomorrow morning, as the daily grind begins again, will you be thinking as you brush the old ivories, “What ways am I going to declare God’s wonderful deeds today?” Will any of us plot how we might upset the devil, the prince of terrorists? How many of us will let the light of Christ shine through us and be among the darkness dispellers? Will any of us seek to be the light of Christ in a darkening world? Reading the Bible, it becomes evident that Christianity is not a solo proposition. Christianity comes to us through the Christian community. Without a relation to the community or church, our individual Christianity is weakened and incomplete. The church is Christ’s body on earth today. The light of Christ shines in the world through each of us as we take seriously that we are a chosen people belonging to God.

In the popular Christmas movie called Home Alone, a family plans a European vacation during Christmastime. Relatives arrived for the big event and the youngest son feels slighted, he rebels and gets in trouble and he gets sent to his room in the attic. While he is there in the middle of a tantrum, he wishes that his family and everyone else would just go away so he could be all alone.

In a bizarre twist… The family overlooks this boy in the attic. They leave for the airport, get on a plane, All the while believing he is with them.

The boy wakes up in the morning…. And discovers no ones at home. He thinks his wishes have been granted… he is delighted…he’s home alone!

For the next few days, he lives alone…. while the mother and the rest of the family try frantically to return to him.

 At first, the boy is filled with joy. He has the run of the house. He eats all the junk food he wants, watches whatever movies he wants, Sleeps wherever he wants, doesn’t have to answer to anyone!

Well, burglars try to break into the house but he takes care of them but then he realizes that he’s now lonely and alone. It wasn’t what he thought it would be He becomes sorry that he treated them so badly desperately wants them back again.

Today I want to take a look at loneliness. This has always existed. God said “it is not good that man is alone”, but for us, this has been heightened by the stay in place, social distancing, and businesses closed world we are living in.

Now, first of all, I want to make sure we all understand the fact that there is a difference between being alone and feeling lonely.

One is a physical state and the other is a state of mind.

Being alone is simply being by one’s self. In other words, there is no one around.

Now if you think about it sometimes being alone can be a good thing. For instance: I imagine a single mother of three small children who dream of getting a babysitter so that she can go to a park and simply be alone. No kids. No demands. No to-do list! I can remember being younger with 4 children and as great as that was. There was never a quiet moment to be alone. Well, one day I came home and to my surprise For whatever reason, no one was there. I was all alone. I have to confess that I didn’t know what to do so I simply laid down on the carpet in the middle of the front room alone at last! And yet a running joke around our house is when no one wants to go somewhere with me I would get a sad face and say… “Alright, I will go ALL BY MYSELF!!!” Even though, I did not want to be alone.

Now being alone can be a good Godly thing!

In Mark 1:35…. We see that Jesus went off to be alone…. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. We all need those times in our life when we are alone, those reflective times, time to contemplate, and assess our lives.

These can be the times when we get closer to God. Years ago, I would take a day for just that purpose…I went to a friend’s house in Vermillion….no one else there…to pray and reflect.

But we also know that being alone can be a bad feeling we feel isolated left out.

I find it interesting that in our prison system today the punishment for breaking the prison rules is isolation or to be put into solitary confinement. I watched a prison documentary. A hardened criminal serving a life sentence says that “isolation should be considered cruel and unusual punishment, that you go crazy and isolation, a person needs human contact!”

And many times, in our life we find ourselves feeling alone due to circumstances. Maybe the death of a spouse, or a divorce, or maybe you’re new in town, those serving our country oversees, when we are away from loved ones, or maybe it’s an empty nest situation. There are seasons of life that we have to go through without a loved one by our side. Maybe you are or have been there?

On the other hand, Loneliness can be a state of mind…. It is to feel depressed or sad, Because of a lack of sympathetic or friendly relationships. And it doesn’t only affect people who live alone. Loneliness belongs to each one of us…. from time to time. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old…rich or poor…Christian or non-Christian. One study I saw showed that one out of four people feels lonely at any given time in the United States. There is a very good chance that sooner or later it will come knocking on everyone’s door.

Loneliness can feel like a painful awareness that we lack meaningful contact with others…. feeling that no one cares about you….. if you suddenly disappeared… no one would send out a search party…Loneliness causes feelings of not thinking anyone thinks you are important, as well as not feeling like you are part of a bigger group. Depressed.

And loneliness is not dependent on how many people are around you… It is dependent upon the level of meaningful relationships with those people.

So, why do we feel lonely in the first place? Well first off… God wired us with emotions, we aren’t robots!

And we were created to live in the community! We were created to have a relationship with God! We were created to have intimate loving relationships with other people and to have meaning and purpose!

Now loneliness takes a few different forms.

Relational loneliness… it comes from not being around people, and let’s face it, our culture reinforces it. After all:  We pay at the pump…. No human contact. We shop online…no human contact. We get our food from a drive-through window or home delivery….little human contact. We work from home. We do our banking at money machines…no human contact!

Robert Brooke told of a trip he made from England and the United States. When he arrived at the dock, he noticed that everyone had relatives standing there to send them off. In the midst of this, he felt lonely. So he called a young boy over and paid him to stand there and wave at him as the boat pulled away from the dock. As the boat pulled away. The young boy stood there waving with all his might as Brooke waved back…… we all need the community to love us and to recognize us! (That is the great value of having a church family)

Another type of loneliness is the emotional loneliness…. Technology today is great! And yet we can … e-mail, text, twitter, Facebook, use chat rooms, message boards, blogs… to stay connected with the people…. and yet those things lack a human touch. And a record number of people are reporting a sense of loneliness and disconnection from other people…. the virtual words are there but the emotions are gone! (even with emojis)

There is a third type of loneliness called spiritual loneliness. One of my favorite songs is “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. And yet, do we tend to sing it….but don’t follow through with what it says:

• I mean if He is your friend …. wouldn’t you want to talk to him often…….to call him regularly…. He’s sitting by the phone (so to speak) just waiting for a call (or prayer) from you.
• And wouldn’t you want to read his letters to you….thru daily Bible reading…I bet you read your email and texts throughout the day…why not read His Word just as often?
• And wouldn’t you want to worship Him regularly…to join together with other believers?
• Sometimes we have spiritual loneliness even though God is just waiting to hear from us!

Well… now that I have you depressed thinking about loneliness!

Back to the song (what a friend we have in Jesus) …. when all the people of this world let us down, Jesus is still there for us, ready to wipe the tears from our eyes! To celebrate when we’re happy, and to comfort us when we are sad…and to embrace you amid loneliness!

There is a section of Romans Chapter 8 that I like to read it funerals:

• Rom 8:38-39… For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Folks….it is my joy to remind you…. That if you feel lonely and everyone else in this world lets you down…. Jesus is still there…. He still loves you…. Still cares for you…. He still wants a relationship with you…. And still wants to spend eternity with you

So…now what?

If you don’t struggle with loneliness…I want you to do two things:

• First: I want you to thank God for the meaningful relationships that you have.
• Second: I want you to identify and reach out to someone who is lonely. Call them up and talk to them…let them know they’re important to you…send them a card…visit them (virtually). You will make a big impact on their life!

 Now if you are facing loneliness:

• Remind yourself that God is with you, that nothing can separate you from Him or His presence.
• I suggest that you put little purpose in your life.
• Get involved in a church project or small group (go to royred.org and sign up for one). You’ll feel good and you will make some friends!  
•  Be a blessing in someone else’s life, maybe call someone in a nursing home, or hospital, or send a thinking of you card.
• Bring some cheer into someone else’s’ life.
• Call me…we can talk. (440-237-7958 ext.118)

What is Labor Day and why do we celebrate it?

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

I once read that Christians see work as both a curse and a blessing. The mandate to toil the earth came with our expulsion from the Garden of Eden, but it also represents a high and noble calling of stewardship over God’s good creation. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God’

So enjoy the day off! But remember that you are called to work in a way that glorifies God and to be a good steward of your time, talents, treasures.

We showed a great Labor Day video in our on-site worship services yesterday. If you did not see it, watch this link: https://youtu.be/uJm0-b4-Wng?t=960

Three friends were discussing death and one of them asked: “What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?”

The first of the friends said, “I would like them to say, he was a great humanitarian, who cared about his community.”

The second said: He was a great husband and father, who was an example for many to follow.

The third friend said: I would like them to say, “Look, he’s moving!”

I hope that didn’t offend any of you, but it does fit well with today’s topic of GRIEF.

*Note* The devotions for today and tomorrow are a little longer….but the topic of grief and loneliness are timely and overarching.

I have done some recent funerals during this social distancing season we are in. I thought about how hard it must be to be grieving at a time when friends and family cannot be there to comfort them.

• The coronavirus, racism, and violence tend to leave us “dealing with our emotions” during these ever-changing times. There are many emotions but one of life’s hardest emotions is grief!
• Webster defines grief as (intense emotional suffering) (caused by loss). Any loss! It’s a sadness that comes when someone or something (that emotion has been invested into) has been taken away from us.
• The word grief comes from the Latin “gravis” meaning “heavy”.  Thus, the phrase “heavy heart”.
• It could be the loss of a loved one…. a relationship…a job…health… self-respect…faithfulness of your spouse. Our stay at home, businesses closed, upside-down world enhances our grief of losing our “normal lifestyle.”
• The Minirth-Meier book “Healthy Christian Life” tells us that ALL grief generally follows some specific stages.

First, there is the denial stage.  “There must be some mistake.”  This is not happening. Then reality sets in —  the person becomes angry.  They may be angry at many people —  or events  — or even God.  Eventually, the anger will turn inward — feelings of guilt and anger with themselves — they sometimes begin bargaining = they make vows with god = if only things can return to normal. When anger and bargaining don’t fix the problem — depression or genuine grief sets in — it’s a necessary part of the healing process — they need to have a “good cry” so to speak. The final stage — acceptance – it can be reached when promises of God’s Word produce confidence and trust in God — and joy can begin to reappear.  It’s an acceptance of Romans 8:28: “we know that in all things God works for good… (even though we cannot always understand them)…with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.”

Well, remembering all that is not important – the truth is that grief is a… normal healthy process… and that we all do it differently…and that the reality is that it can lead us to a closer relationship with God.

Did you know that even Jesus felt grief? In the story of the death of Lazarus, we see how deeply Jesus was moved by grief.

We see in John 11:5…“Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and brother Lazarus. There was a very real personal relationship… In verse 33 — 35: “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have they laid him?”  He asked.  “Come and see Lord,” they replied.  and then it says ….”Jesus wept.” 

The crowds were weeping loudly, they were wailing! And we see that Jesus wept, meaning tears. He felt grief…just like you and me.

 We also see that The Holy Spirit grieved. He grieves over our sinfulness. In Ephesians 4:31…And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you are sealed for the day of redemption.

It goes on to tell what the basis of the grief is…. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

These sinful qualities grieve the Holy Spirit. It goes on in verse 32 to give us attitudes to show others: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

In 1993, rock star Eric Clapton was filled with grief at the death of his son – somehow, the 4-year-old child fell out the window of their 53rd-floor apartment. I only bring it up because of the words he wrote in a song.  The song is filled with his grief…… and then he questions what it will be like… if…. he sees his son in heaven — which is a whole new subject about saving faith — but he gets to the heart of Revelation 21:4 when he sings that there will be “no tears in heaven”.  Our grief is replaced with joy…thru our faith in Jesus.

You see you can find comfort in your time of grief….through faith. The Bible is full of verses showing God’s compassion and mercy for us.

• 1 Peter 5:7…Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.

It says we can cast ALL our anxiety…(sometimes that anxiety is over changes in your life…..and these days, even changes in the way we gather for worship).

• Philippians 4:6-7… Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

So, whatever grief you are going through, remember.

• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5… Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

The Study Bible footnote says that “consolation and encouragement flow to believers…and equips them to comfort others who are in trouble.”

Alexander Nowell… says it this way… “God does not comfort us that we may be comfortable, but that we may be comforters.” That’s what it’s all about. Helping others through tough times …..as Christ comforts us. Are you suffering a loss…call me! Who do you know “grieving” a loss? How can you comfort them?

That’s why we go to funeral homes… to comfort those grieving.

That’s why we visit people in hospitals with a ministry of presence….pray for others facing difficult situations…welcome neighbors into a new home….we do random acts of kindness… make caring phone calls.

The things that we grieve over ultimately bring us back to the blessed assurance of our future destiny – it’s based on God’s love for us – revealed by the Holy Spirit – demonstrated by Christ’s death on the cross. It builds character – strengthens faith – equips us to comfort others and share the Gospel with them.