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“The church” is not a building…it’s the people!!! We have seen this displayed over the last months due to church buildings being closed…and ministry being done…off campus…. one person at a time.

1 Thessalonians 5:11…Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Here is what a letter written by God to “the church” might sound like:

Dear Christians:  This is My commission to you – in fact, you might even call it a great commission. You are to go to all people everywhere and call them to become My disciples. You are to baptize them and teach them to obey all that I have commanded you. Don’t forget. I will be with you always to help you, even to the end of the world. I will never leave you nor forsake you, because I love you. Please don’t forsake Me.

With all My love,

Jesus Christ

Unfortunately…this might be the response written back by many churches:

Dear Jesus Christ:

We acknowledge the receipt of Your recent communication.

Although your proposal is both interesting and challenging; however, due to a shortage of personnel, as well as several other financial and personal considerations, we do not feel that we can give proper emphasis to Your challenge at this time. A committee has been appointed to study the feasibility of the plan. We do appreciate Your offer to serve as a resource person, and should we decide to undertake this project at some point in the future, we’ll get back to You.

Cordially,

The Christians

Well, Matthew 28 is your letter from God commissioning…YOU.. to…–GO and make disciples of all nations… and to teach them about God’s love and plan and purpose in their lives.  And know that to GO means leaving your comfort zones!

I want to talk about building bridges to unbelievers. The word bridge brings many images to mind from a piece of wood across a creek to the bridge over Niagara Falls. A bridge is a structure that provides a way across an obstacle, hazard, or peril – to safely cross from one side to the other.

Today, I want to focus on 2 specific bridges.

First, the cross of Jesus is our bridge to salvation…. from the peril of our separation from God due to our sinful nature …to eternal life and salvation

There is an old, familiar story (I’m sure you have heard…but powerful) about a man who worked as the operator of the drawbridge in a small town. A train track ran across the bridge, and the operator’s job was to keep the bridge up when no train was coming so that the boats could pass underneath. When a train approached, he was to blow the whistle and let down the bridge. One sunny Saturday morning, the man brought his seven-year-old son to work with him. The boy could play along the river, skip rocks on the water, chase butterflies, or try to catch a fish. Shortly before noon, a passenger train was due to come through the area. The man began to make preparations to let the bridge down so that the train could pass safely across the river. As he examined the bridge, he noticed that someone – a small child – had somehow climbed over the guardrail next to the bridge, and was playing on the very spot where the bridge would come down. As he looked closer, he realized with horror that the child was his son. In desperation, he yelled out his son’s name, but the sound of the approaching train drowned out his screams. He knew he had to make a quick decision. If he lowered the bridge down, his son would die.

If he didn’t, all the people on the train would die as the train plunged into the river. As he screamed in agony, the man thrust forward the lever to lower the bridge just as the train arrived. His son died instantly. And as the train passed by, the people just smiled and waved as they passed by the man in the control booth, with his head bowed low, oblivious to what had just taken place.

Isn’t that what God did for us – the cross of Jesus is our bridge to salvation, but it cost us His Son’s life. Don’t be like those on that train. (oblivious to what had happened)

Do you know what Jesus did for you? Who told you? Have you thanked them?

Second, we will look at ways we can become bridges that lead others to the cross of Jesus. Mark 16:15… He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. For some strange reason, God’s plan for salvation uses people like you and me to be bridges that lead others to the bridge of the cross.

A legend recounts the return of Jesus to heaven after His time on earth. He returned bearing the marks of His earthly pilgrimage with its cruel cross and shameful death. The angel Gabriel approached Him and said, “Master, You must have suffered terribly for people down there.” “I did,” said Jesus.

“And,” continued Gabriel, “do they now know all about how You loved them and what You did for them?” “Oh, no,” said Jesus. “Not yet. Right now, only a handful of people in Palestine know.”

Gabriel was perplexed. “Then what have You done,” he asked, “to let all people know about Your love for them?”

“Well, I’ve asked Peter, James, John, and a few others to tell people about Me. Those who are told will in turn tell others, and the Gospel will be spread to the farthest reaches of the globe. Ultimately, all of humankind will hear about Me and what I have done on their behalf.” Gabriel frowned and looked skeptical. He knew that people weren’t dependable. “Yes,” he said, “but what if Peter and James and John grow weary? What if the people who come after them forget? And what if, way down in the twenty-first century, people get too busy to bother to tell others about You? Haven’t You made any other plans?” “No, I’ve made no other plans, Gabriel,” Jesus answered. “I’m counting on them.”

Of course, the Holy Spirit works through God’s Word…and I’m sure some will say that’s the Pastor’s job…and it is! – but God has placed you right where you are! He has placed you in the path of non-believers…and folks facing the storms of life. It’s up to you to take Jesus seriously and to go and preach the Gospel to the people in your circle of influence….with words as well as actions.

Now, we know that a bridge provides a way across a peril or hazard. Who can you be a bridge to?….so they can cross over the perils of sin…death…the devil … maybe…Family members? Co-workers? Fellow students? Neighbors? Business associates?

And what perils are they facing …..what chasm to cross over?….perhaps:

• Valleys of grief
• Low spots of despair
• Pits of spiritual battles
• Rivers of anger and hatred
• Floods of anxiety and depression
• Rapids of lifestyle choices

1 Peter 5:15… But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

These storms, tough times, and life changes are great times to share Christ! We need to be sensitive to these times of transition in those around us. This season of COVID 19 and it’s collateral damage is a great time to reach out to others.

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.

You see, you may not think your witness for Christ does any good, but it does. Obviously, your ultimate hope is that your friends will come to know the Lord; however, that’s not the only result that can come from being a witness. You never know how God will use what you do for him. Even when you can’t see the results of your obedience, you can trust that God will take what you do and use it to bear fruit.

So…Make a list of those that you have in your circle of influence that do not know Jesus as Lord. What ways are you modeling your faith to them? Can you share how Jesus has impacted your life?

Who do you know that knows the Lord, but they are living an unhealthy lifestyle? Can you reach out to them (gently)…using “I” sentences? Can you ask them if you can pray for them?

Who do you know that is facing financial, emotional, relational, spiritual storms? Can you offer to help them in some way…or just be there to listen to them?

A flock of wild ducks were flying in formation, heading South for the Winter. It formed a beautiful V in the sky and was admired by everyone who saw them from below. One day Wally, one of the wild ducks in the formation, spotted something on the ground that caught his eye. It was a barnyard with a flock of tame ducks who lived on the farm. They were waddling around on the ground, clacking merrily, and eating corn that was thrown on the ground for them every day. Wally liked what he saw. “It sure would be nice to have some of that corn” he thought to himself… and all this flying is very tiring. “I’d like to just Waddle around for a while!” So, after thinking it over for a while, Wally left the formation of wild ducks, made a sharp dive to the left, and headed for the barnyard. He landed among the tame ducks and began to waddle around and quack merrily. He also started eating corn. The formation of wild ducks continued their journey South, but Wally didn’t care. “I’ll rejoin them when they come back North in a few months” he said to himself. Several months went by and sure enough Wally looked up and spotted the flock of wild ducks in formation heading North. They looked beautiful up there…And Wally was tired of the barnyard. It was muddy, and everywhere he waddled, nothing but duck doo. “It’s time to leave” said Wally. So, Wally flapped his wings furiously and tried to get airborne. But he had gained some weight from all his corn eating, and he hadn’t exercised his wings much either. He finally got off the ground, but he was flying so low that he slammed into the side of the barn. He fell to the ground with a thud and said to himself “Oh well, I’ll just wait until they fly South in a few months. Then I’ll rejoin them and become a wild duck again.” But when the flock flew overhead once more, Wally again tried to lift himself out of the barnyard. He simply didn’t have the strength. Every Winter and every Spring, he saw his wild duck friends flying overhead and they would call out to him. But his attempts to leave were all in vain. Eventually, Wally no longer paid any attention to the wild ducks flying overhead. He hardly even noticed them. He had, after all, become a barnyard duck.

Sometimes we get tired of being “wild ducks”…. in other words followers and Jesus Christ. It’s not always easy to be obedient to God and to discipline ourselves to hang in there for the long haul. When we’re feeling that way, that’s when Satan tempts us to fall out of formation and to join the barnyard ducks of the world. And yet, look what happened to Wally. He thought he would just “check it out” for a while…and then leave when he wanted to. But he couldn’t do it. And sin is just like that! Sin is a trap! Sin has a way of changing us into people we don’t even want to become. Eventually we lose touch with who really are. We… (YOU and I) are in fact… the sons and daughters of the Most High!

Let’s take a look at this illustration…and a look at Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). We will then apply this to our lives:

• caught his eye…Wally was intrigued by something new…that someone else had, that looked good. In the same way…Eve was intrigued by something that was not for her, that looked good. “the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye.”
• liked what he saw…Wally liked what he saw. Eve liked the idea of being like God. “and also desirable for gaining wisdom”
• started eating corn…Wally was hooked once he ate the corn. In the same way, Eve gave into the temptation. “she took some and ate it.” And life was never the same.
• slammed into the side of the barn…Wally had to face the consequences of his actions. Eve (and Adam) now knew evil and sin. ^““Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” They now had to face the stark reality and consequences of sin!
• i’ll just wait…Wally became comfortable in his new identity as he became a barnyard duck. He no longer lived in the freedom of the air. Eve became a sinner. No longer able to live in the garden. “So the Lord God banished him (and her) from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.”

So…let’s get personal…and maybe a little uncomfortable! Read Genesis 3 slowly.

• What secret things have you let catch your eye? You convince yourself that a little look, a little touch, will be ok!
• What have you not only just glanced at but now like what you see? Perhaps you spend more time with and have started to fantasize about what it would be like.
• The more time you spend in this place the more likely you will start eating corn. At first you justify why it’s ok…”it’s just a little….I can stop anytime I want…no one will know…everyone else is doing it”…and then you slam into the side of the barn so to speak….You face the reality and guilt of your actions.

Wow…this got heavy didn’t it? But, we can deny it, but it is true!!! ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”We are all sinners and we all have fallen short. We are all like Wally. But the good news is that “we are all justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ.”

Here is what I want you to do…..Read Genesis 3 and ask yourself:

• Do I know what God’s Word says…Will I know right from wrong? Do I know what His will is for me? (why not start reading His Word in the Bible or read a devotional every morning).
• Do I let culture try to trick me as to what is right and wrong…Do I let culture define what is good and bad…acceptable and forbidden?
• Who do I spend time with that is leading me astray… to bad thoughts, values, and behaviors?
• In what areas am I in a “slow fade” to sinful behavior?
• Who needs me to nudge them back on track?
• Spend time right now in prayer…ask God to reveal areas that He wants to clean up.

I want to begin with a bizarre ancient Jewish parable about 2 farmers.

Years ago, Bert was careless and knocked down the fence between their property and some horses got out. He said he was sorry, but Hal would not forgive him. He held a bitter grudge for years. One night, Hal was awakened by an angel of the Lord who said “God will bless you with 3 wishes but there’s one condition, your neighbor will get a double portion of whatever you get”

Well, Hal woke up his wife up and told her about their good fortune. They thought about what to ask for. Right away he asked to break out of poverty by getting a 1000 head of cattle. No sooner than he asked when they had heard the sounds of a 1000 cattle on the farm. He praised God and began to make provisions for his new cattle.

A few days later he was in the back 40 when he looked over at his neighbor’s property. He was reminded that his neighbor got 2000 cattle. His joy disappeared. He would never forgive Burt…and the thought of him prospering sent Hal into a rage. His joy was gone. He couldn’t eat or sleep.

Well a few days later he remembered that he had 2 more wishes. The old joy returned. They always wanted descendants. So, they asked the Lord to give them a son. Short time later his wife announced she was pregnant. They were overjoyed when their son was born. They took him to the synagogue to share their good fortune with those who had gathered.

But they had hardly sat down when their neighbor Bert stood up to say.” God has been good to our community, last night my wife and I had twin boys.”

Upon hearing this Hal was enraged… all he could think of was revenge.

He went home and asked for his 3rd wish. “Lord please blind me in one of my eyes. I can’t stand to see my neighbor who once hurt me prosper. I would gladly sacrifice half my vision for the satisfaction of knowing he will never be able to see what you have blessed him with.”

 No sooner had he said these words, when the angel who started the whole process came again. “Why son of Abraham have you turned to such dark desires. Can’t you see what your unforgiving heart has done to you. I will not Grant your final wish. For you will never see joy in your life due to your bitterness and unforgiving heart. I was not going to tell you this the angel said. But it was Burt who I offered to give 3 wishes to in the 1st place. He wished that I would give his 3 wishes to you instead!

WOW…I bet you didn’t see that one coming! Hatred, Jealousy, and revenge are like a cancer that spreads and can destroy all of our Joy!

It reminds me of the story of Joseph (not Mary’s husband…the other Joseph):

Joseph’s brothers were angry with him. Part of it was his own fault since he told them about dreams that he had of them bowing down to him…. And part of it was that his father loved him more than the other sons. And he showed it. Look at the great robe of many colors he gave him. Well jealousy caused his brothers to sell him into slavery. But despite all that happened…we saw that “the Lord was with Joseph.” He rose in the ranks and Potiphar put him in charge of everything. But round 2 of the battle comes when Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce him. He resists, acts with integrity, but she lies, and he finds himself in prison…but “the Lord was still with him.” It seems that everyone including the cup bearer…and it even seemed like God had forgotten about him. But a few years later God brings good out of the mess that Joseph went through. He interprets pharaoh’s dreams. They store grain during 7 good years of crops. So, they’re ready for the 7 years of famine. Joseph becomes the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt. And as irony would have it…many years after being sold into slavery his brothers come looking to buy some grain. They don’t recognize Joseph, but he recognizes them.

So…what would you have done if you were Joseph?

Throw them in prison…Torture them…Kill them…Laugh in their face…at least send them home with no food! Well…Joseph did not seek revenge for his brother’s actions, but instead he offers them complete forgiveness, and welcomes them back into his life!

Genesis 50:19-21…But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

How could he forgive them?

Well….He followed Jesus’ example! Jesus was totally undeserving of the suffering, He went through for you and I….and yet we read.

Luke 23:32-34…..When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Forgive those that are crucifying Him? Well…It is even better news for us! Jesus paid your price…and God forgives everyone who sins against Him. (and that includes you)!

Acts 10:43……All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

Yah…but that was Jesus…what about us? Well, Peter asked about forgiveness… Matt 18:21-22…. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Not long before she died in 1988, in a moment of surprising candor in television, Marghanita Laski, one of our best-known secular humanists and novelists, said, “What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; I have nobody to forgive me.”

The best part of forgiving others who have hurt us… is that it heals us as well.

There are six powerful words following the tearful scene when Joseph and his brothers are hugging and kissing: Genesis 45:15…Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Life could never be the same again.  I wonder whether they had ever really talked with each other before this day…but now they talked!

Please don’t cheat yourself out of some precious relationships just because somebody somewhere along the way had a falling out.Forgive one another as God has forgiven you…and afterwards…START TALKING.  Reconcile!  Rebuild those relationships!

At weddings I love to use a verse that gives us all direction in life:

Col 3:12-14…Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

In Joseph’s case, it is clear that this is no longer the boastful, pride-filled dreamer of his youth, but the journey the Lord has led him down has led to being a servant leader.And as a servant leader, he is ready to forgive his brothers and to let the Lord heal this broken relationship.

So now what? Do you say, “nice devotion” and go on your way unchanged? Or do you apply it to your life? Do you make amends? Who have you been withholding forgiveness from? What will you do about it? Forgiving is hard! But necessary to please God…and to be healthy and Joy filled. I read a devotion by a guy named Roy Smith.

Take this weekend to ponder and apply each of these 8 steps:

1) Begin by assuring yourself that compared to Christ’s suffering you haven’t been seriously wronged at all.
2) Recall the many kind deeds that have been shown to you, perhaps even by the person who has harmed you.
3) List the benefits you have received from the Lord.
4) Thank Him for blessing you with His love and forgiveness each day.
5) Make an honest effort to pray for the one who has injured you.
6) Go even further by looking for an opportunity to help them.
7) If the offense is especially hard to forget, try to erase the pain by thinking gracious and generous thoughts. (Give the pain over to God)
8) Finally, before you fall asleep at night, repeat slowly and thoughtfully that phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

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My next devotion will be Monday. Worship with us online at royred.org starting Saturday at 5:30. A lot of other resources to be found there as well. Onsite worship will start June 28th. To attend, please reserve a spot online at www.royred.org or call the church starting each Monday at noon.

MATTHEW 7:24-27…“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He was constantly advertising for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that rage along the Atlantic coastline, wreaking havoc on buildings and crops!

Finally, a short, thin, middle aged man applied for a job. “Are you a good farmhand?” the farmer asked.

“Well, I can sleep when the wind blows” answered the little man. Although puzzled by the answer, the farmer desperate for help, hired the man.

The little man worked hard around the farm, busy from dusk till dawn, and the farmer was satisfied with his work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed his lantern and rushed next door to the farmhands sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled “get up, a storm is coming, tie things down before they blow away!”

The little man rolled over in his bed and said firmly “no sir, I told you I can sleep when the winds blow”

Enraged at the farmhand’s response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot, but instead he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.

To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarps, cows were in the barn, chickens in the coop, shutters tightly secured, and everything was tied down.

The farmer then understood what the hired hand meant…and he also returned to bed to sleep while the wind blew!

In short…the foundation was set to withstand the upcoming storm! So, how about you? When life’s storms come around (and you know they do) is your foundation secure in Jesus Christ…can you sleep when the winds of life blow?

The Message translation of the above verse (with emphasis) puts it this way…“These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter (a wise man) who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.  “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter (a foolish man) who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.

So, Are you building your life on a foundation of Jesus…or the world?

By the way…The foolish man probably thought he beat the system! No foundation…moved right in…sitting by the fireplace…in his lazy boy…feet up…watching tv. He was probably laughing at the neighbor digging a foundation. But who was laughing in the end?

Interesting to note that both houses may have looked the same on the outside!

We can be the same way…we want a foundation built on a relationship with Jesus…but we look for the easy, one hour on Sunday method. We may not be willing to invest the time to build a solid foundation on God and His Word.

Many times, we get so wrapped up in “life” that we fail to connect with our God who gives us that life!

Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber camp. The pay was good and so were the working conditions. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he would work. The first day, the woodcutter felled 18 trees. “Congratulations,” the boss said. “Great job!” Motivated by the boss’ words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring down 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder yet, but he could only manage 10 trees. Day after day, he finished with fewer trees. “I must be losing my strength,” the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?,” the boss asked. “Sharpen? I’ve had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been so busy trying to cut trees…. 

Pretty profound! Are you too busy to “sharpen your axe” so to speak? Too busy to build a strong foundation on Jesus as your Lord. If you are too busy for the Lord, then you are just plain too busy!

Is your foundation strong when the storms come…because they will come? And remember that the storms will come whether your foundation is strong or not!

In our bible story the house faced 3 types of storms…Rain on the roof…wind against the structure…flood on the foundation. They all came at the same time.

We get hit with many types of storms…and maybe many at once.

I knew a woman whose husband died (emotional storm)…she went to his funeral visitation and fell down the steps and broke her leg (physical storm)…got it air casted, came back and got locked in the bathroom stall (situational storm)…and then a snow storm came at the cemetery. Life can be tough (we are not in the garden of Eden!)

• Maybe you have a physical storm! (health issues…maybe coronavirus…or the “C” word)
• Maybe you have a financial storm! (lost work and or benefits due to a job loss…or maybe poor stewarding)
• Maybe you have an emotional storm! (loss of job, death of a loved one, loneliness, depression)
• Maybe you have a spiritual storm! (Life has been tough, and you wonder if God cares…or you don’t feel like He hears your prayers)

Regardless of the storm… Psalm 46:1… God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The storm will come but Jesus can be your solid ground to stand on, and to hold an umbrella over you.

I encourage you to assess the condition of your foundation…

• Is it based on God’s Word? Upon the fact that God hand made you, that you are a sinner, and yet you are precious to Him. The fact that Jesus paid for your sins…that He loves you unconditionally?
• If you have a foundation of sand (worldly values) ask Jesus to be your sure foundation. Seek His will and purpose for your life… through bible reading and prayer. (Talk to me about next steps)
• Remember that a foundation is there to build upon…not to be a vacant lot. Our baptism starts the building…but what does God want to build on you?

Have you felt or even said things like: ”I’m useless”…“I wish I looked like so and so”…“I have no talent”…“I would serve the Lord but I have no gifts and abilities”…“I’m not a good speaker or singer”? Do you ever focus on your weaknesses and not how God can use those same weaknesses to glorify Him?

This is a great story that I loved to share with the confirmation class.

A water bearer in India had two large pots hanging at the ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. The other pot had a crack in it, and by the time it reached its destination, it was only half full. Every day for two years the water bearer delivered only one and one-half pots of water to the master’s house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments-perfect to the end for which it was made. The poor little cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfections and miserable that it could accomplish only half of what it had been designed to do. After two years of what the imperfect pot perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer and said, “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer, “What are you ashamed of?”

“Well, for these past two years, I have been able to deliver only half a load of water each day because this crack in my side allows water to leak out all the way back to the master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all this work without getting the full value of your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion, he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot noticed the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because half of its load had leaked out once again.

Then the bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path and not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I’ve always known about your flaw and took advantage of it by planting flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day as we walked back from the stream, you watered those seeds, and for two years I have picked these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just what you are, he would not have had this beauty to grace his house.”

As I said this was a great illustration for the 7/8 graders because, as you know many young people feel awkward and have a low self-esteem….afraid to try for fear of failure (actually we tend to carry those thoughts right into adulthood.) Life can be all about comparing yourself to the media version of “normal”.

Have you ever felt like that cracked pot? (note…I’m not calling you a crackpot…which is an eccentric, foolish person). But do you ever feel imperfect and ashamed?

Let me remind you that YOU were HAND MADE BY GOD!

Psalm 139:13-16(msg)… Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.

Let me remind you that YOU are a MASTERPIECE! Ephesians 2:10…For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I really want you to focus on a section of God’s Word found in Ephesians 2. Ephesians 2:8-9… For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. God loves you exactly the way you are…but loves you too much to have you stay that way!!!! God loves you in spite of you! God has an eternal plan for you!

God created YOU to be who you are…to accomplish what only you can accomplish!!! Ephesians 2:10 (msg) puts it this way… He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

YOU are unique…YOU have a unique shape (I’m not talking about your figure!)

• Spiritual gifts…. How has God “gifted’ you?
• Heart…What are you passionate about?
• Abilities…What do you do well?
• Personality traits…How are you wired?
• Experiences…What are your life experiences and or ministry experiences?

There is only one you…and God, knowing you intimately, has a plan for you…cracks and all! 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.

So…I have given you a lot to think about.

• Re-read the verses that I have given in this devotion…. how do they apply to you personally?
• Pray for clarity as to God’s plan for you…. daily small plans, as well as, big picture plans.
• Boldly step forward to fulfill that plan. God can use you “warts, cracks, weaknesses” and all.
• Our new member class (Life With God) uses the SHAPE profile to identify potential ways to use your SHAPE to God’s glory. You can contact Bennie at blevy@royred.org for information on taking this profile test.

A young lady named Sally and her mother had a violent shouting match about the dent she put in her mother’s car. After the confrontation, the father tried to console her. “What did your mother say about the dent in the car?” he asked. “Dad, do you want me to leave out the swear words?” “Please,” he replied. Sally said, “Then she didn’t say anything.”

That mother failed to realize that words also can leave “dents” in people–but more than that they can poison the soil of a relationship. Dents can be hammered out of a car–they are much more difficult in human beings.

Let’s play a game of “I SPY”….I SPY a two-ounce slab of mucous membrane enclosing a complex array of muscles and nerves that enable our bodies to chew, taste, and swallow. And Equally significant, it is the major organ of communication that enables us to articulate distinct sounds so we can understand each other.

What am I ? (A TONGUE)

Have you ever told someone to “hold their tongue?” Try it! Really…hold your tongue and say… “JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO”.

Or , have you ever had someone tell you to “bite your tongue?”Gently bite your tongue and say…“JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO”.

We know that your tongue helps you speak, taste your food, and even show your “not so Christ-Like” side. James says that relatively small items (Like a bit in a horse’s mouth, a rudder on a large ship, a spark in a dry forest…and your tongue) can have a big impact POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.

James 3:3-6…When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Have you ever said something and immediately wished you could take it back? Join the club!

But you can’t….It’s like the water crashing over Niagara Falls.

Have you ever spoken with rage and anger…and then saw the damage it did?

Or on the flip side…Ever spoken a kind word and saw the look on the face of the person you lifted up with your words?

Or maybe you shared the Gospel with someone who was overwhelmed with guilt?

It’s odd to realize that all of our words pass over that same tongue…the good and the bad….the sweet and the sour…words that build up and words that tear down!

Do you remember as a child going to the doctor with a sore throat or with allergies.

The first thing the doctor would say: “Let me see your tongue.” Then the doctor would take a tongue depressor, which always tasted terrible, and nearly choke you to death…peering into your mouth.

The doctor would always say, “It was important to examine the tongue.” The tongue is a great help to determine our physical health.

A BAROMETER OF WHAT’S GOING ON INSIDE YOUR BODY!

Does it seem like a contradiction to you? I mean curses and blessings come out of the same mouth!

James 3:9-10… With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.

It’s funny that we can’t wait for a baby to say their first words…we smile if its “mommy” or “daddy” and then we can’t get them to stop talking! I read that the average man speaks 7,000 words per day! The average woman 20,000 words per day!! (I’M SURE THERE IS A MESSAGE THERE…BUT I’M NOT TOUCHING IT) But, that’s 7.3 million words spoken per year!!! If you live to be 70…..511 million words!!! So…the question to ponder is…What percentage of your words were used to glorify the Lord?

So…Simply put: we all talk a lot…..Now you can see why God is concerned about it–and desires us to GLORIFY HIM WITH EACH OF OUR WORDS.

And yet if we are honest, we see that many times we use our tongue to do harm:…To verbally abuse a spouse, child, co-worker, or that person who sees life differently than we do, a fellow student. We use our words to put down a person because of their race…or social status…or political view.

But we also use that same tongue to build up:

• To tell a spouse–I love you.
• To tell a child–I am proud of you.
• To ask a coworker–Can I help you?
• To hold a fellow Christian’s hand—and ask….Can we pray together?
• To knock on a neighbor’s door and say Welcome to our neighborhood.

James 3:7-10(msg)… This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don’t bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don’t bear apples, do they? You’re not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?

Why is this so? Well, the truth is that our words come from our heart! The tongue is a tattletale that tells on the heart and disclose the real person.

Ever look at a bumper sticker and wonder who is driving the car? “YOUR KID MAY BE AN HONOR STUDENT, BUT YOU ARE STILL AN IDIOT”. They got one chance to share a thought with the world…and that’s it? Or who is driving these cars? “LEARN FROM YOUR PARENTS MISTAKES…USE BIRTH CONTROL”, “I LOVE CATS…THEY TASTE LIKE CHICKEN”, “FORGET THE JONESES…I KEEP UP WITH THE SIMPSONS”, “HARD WORK PAYS OFF IN THE FUTURE…BUT LAZINESS PAYS OFF RIGHT NOW”, “BE KIND TO YOUR KIDS…THEY’LL CHOOSE YOUR NURSING HOME”. 

Don’t get me wrong…some are funny…but it is a reflection of the person who owns the car. The words on the outside of the car are often a reflection of who is on the inside! Well…..The words that come out of your mouth…are an indicator of who you are on the inside! The same is true for us. What you fill yourself with will eventually come spewing out! We are called to choose and use our words wisely!!!!

SO THE QUESTION FOR YOU TO PONDER IS:

• What’s the condition of you heart?
• What “rolls off your tongue” that would not please God? (gossip, cursing, arguing, lying)
• What can you do to fix this problem?
• It starts by cleaning your heart!
• How do you clean your heart? It is simple!
• Fill it with good and noble things…. Godly things.

Philippians 4:8…Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Make yourself more Christ-like on the inside will make your words pure and sweet…uplifting and wholesome…. a blessing to those who hear them.

• Who needs you to speak words that lift up and encourage?
• Who have you torn down and you need to make amends with?
• Who is watching you…and learning from what you say…and how you say it?
• Who needs to hear the Gospel? Who needs to be told that Jesus Loves them…died for them…and wants to transform them?

A few final thoughts:

• KEEP YOUR WORDS SOFT AND SWEET…YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL HAVE TO EAT THEM!
• PROFANITY IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT OF YOUR STUPIDITY!
• A LIE IS A COWARDS WAY OF GETTING OUT OF TROUBLE!
• THE TRUTH IS AS CLEAR AS A BELL…BUT IT ISN’T ALWAYS TOLLED!

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 which 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 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 places that were dark.

We are called to reflect the Son’s light into places that are dark! 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 is the light and 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 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 Sun’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 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 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 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.

*Note:* (this devotion for today is a little longer… but the topic of loneliness is timely and in some way touches us all.)

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 into 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 one’s 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 be alone), but 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 dreams of getting a babysitter…. So that she can go to a park….and simply be alone…. No kids…. no demands….and 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!!!” (I did not want to be alone)

Now being alone can be a good 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 also find it interesting that in our prison system today the punishment for breaking the prison rules is isolation…. 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. May be 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 is 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 feel 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…causes feelings of: Not thinking anyone thinks you are important. 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 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. We Get our food from a drive-through window or home delivery. We work from home. We do our banking at money machines.

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 the embraces he felt terribly 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 community to love us and to recognize us!

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 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 sing it….but don’t really follow through with what it says:

• I mean if He really 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 we want to read his letters to us….thru daily Bible reading…I bet you read your email throughout the day…why not read his word just as often?
• And wouldn’t we worship him regularly…with other believers. (We are planning onsite worship starting June 28^th. Find details on royred.org/reentry)
• 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 in the midst of loneliness!

There is a section of Romans Chapter 8 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 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 in their life!

 Now if you are facing loneliness:

• I suggest that you put little purpose in your life.
• Get involved in a church project or small group. You’ll feel good and you will make some friends.
• Or identify someone who seems to be in a worse condition than you… Be a blessing in their life… maybe call someone in a nursing home… or hospital… or send a thinking of you card.
• Bring some cheer into their life.

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 (10 or less) 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. One of life’s hardest emotions is grief!
• Webster defines grief as (an 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 really 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 I.

 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 then tells 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 ourselves 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 flows 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 will 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.

Why we welcome neighbors into a new home.

Why we do random acts of kindness… 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.

You may not have ever thought about it, but it can be complicated for a pastor to worship at a church service. Oh sure, we lead worship! But that is different from getting lost in the Lord. We value those moments when we are not “up front” leading… but instead are being led by another pastor, worship leader, musician. I was able to worship like that at FaithWalk church last week. I was blessed for many years by going to a pastor’s conference in San Diego every February. It was a great time for me to “be fed” and to recharge my spiritual batteries. I can remember being lost in the Love of God through music, prayer, messages, and the joy of worshiping with 1000 pastors and church leaders. I can remember one specific moment that touched me. It was around 2000. The worship music was led by Fernando Ortega…He led us in singing “Give Me Jesus”. I encourage you to check it out online. The words are simple and yet life changing!

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus 

And when I am alone
Oh, and when I am alone
And when I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

And when I come to die
Oh, and when I come to die
And when I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

Let’s look at these words.

• First of all, it tells of total love and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord, Savior, provider, and Redeemer. He is the only place to put your faith. You can have all this world But give me Jesus. This is counter cultural. We are taught by culture, media, and other people that it’s all about what you have. “he who dies with the most toys wins” “have it your way” “grab all the gusto you can get” “eat drink and be merry” “watch out for number one.” And yet we are warned in Romans 1:25…  They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. What do you tend to worship and value the most? Maybe your job, car, golf game? The real question is if Jesus is your Lord? Does your day planner / calendar show that to be true? Does your check book / bank account show that to be true? Would your friends know that your goal and passion is to be closer to and more like Jesus? Colossians 3:17…  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The song looks at 3 times that can enhance your relationship with Jesus:

• In the morning, when I rise…This is key to me. Make time to get off on the right foot. First thing, talk to God. Thank Him for a safe night sleep. Ask for Him to walk alongside you throughout the day…better yet, follow Him every day. Get into His Word first thing. Read a section of scripture or a devotional book. (see me if you need ideas). Have some quiet time getting a game plan for the day. Jesus did! Mark 1:35… 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.
• And when I am alone…The best part of your relationship with the Lord is that you have 24/ 7 access to Him. Thank Him when things are going well (just a short prayer of thanks). Call out to Him when life is tough. (ask Him to calm the storm, to calm your anxiety, to guide your words and actions). And then quietly “listen” for Him to speak to you…maybe in shouts…maybe in whispers. John 10:27-28… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. The best part is that He will answer you! Jeremiah 33:3… Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’
• And when I come to die…So, the stark reality is that, as sinners we will all die. Romans 6:23…the wages of sin is death. And yet death should not cause fear because of what is waiting for us (through faith in Jesus) at that time. Romans 6:23 continues But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus as Lord. Some feel that death is the end…nothing more…just rotting in the ground. Perhaps they are not singing our song above because they do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

So…now what?

• Reflect on the words of the song. Make it your prayer each day.
• Start each day saying “give me Jesus.”
• Throughout the day stop and say “give me Jesus.”
• Know that when you die…you will see Jesus.
• Who do you know that does not know Jesus? 1 Peter 3:15… But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, Imagine the joy you will find when they can sing give me Jesus along with you. Wait for the right moment, pray for God to work through you, do it gently.

*Bonus thought for the day!*

Want to live a great, meaningful, and God pleasing life? (source unknown)

TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY LIFE

1. Give something away (no strings attached)
2. Do a kindness (and forget it)
3. Spend a few minutes with the aged (their experience is a priceless guidance)
4. Look intently into the face of a baby (and marvel)
5. Laugh often (it’s life’s lubricant)
6. Give thanks (a thousand times a day is not enough)
7. Pray (or you will lose the way)
8. Work (with vim and vigor)
9. Plan as though you’ll live forever (because you will)
10. Live as though you’ll die tomorrow (because you will on some tomorrow)