Author: Pastor Doug

Friends, I will be out of touch beginning tomorrow through March 10 as Celeste and I take a retirement trip. Please stay safe and healthy, God bless you all, and I’ll be back online then.

Our scripture this morning is Revelation 4:11 (NIV).

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

This passage from Revelation states a very obvious but often ignored fact: Only the Lord God is worthy of our praise and worship because He is the Creator of all things. Everything else that exists was created by His Word and we cannot worship any created thing.

This relates back to Jesus teaching us about the Greatest Commandment, to love God with everything we have and are, and our neighbor as ourselves. This is the starting point for all our relationships, the most important being with Him. If we are honest with ourselves, we see that without Him we are literally nothing.

We learn in Genesis that God created all things through His Word, speaking everything into existence. Human beings are the last of His creation, formed in His image for a special purpose. We are charged with the stewardship of everything else, responsible to the Father for sharing His gifts wisely. In all of this we declare “You are worthy, our Lord and God!”

Gracious God, we owe You everything. Thank You for all You have given us and the love behind each gift. Bless us to go in Your name to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 59:16-17 (NIV).

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

David composed this psalm while on the run from King Saul, whom he had been anointed to replace, and who was also his father-in-law. He laments the evil raised against him, but even during this difficult time, he sings praise to the Lord for His love and protection.

David knew the power of prayer and was in contact with God morning and night. This pattern of thanking God when we get up and when we lie down can help us begin and end in peace, no matter what we have encountered during our day.

Below is an anonymous morning prayer I came across. It echoes David’s bold confidence in the Lord and reminds us that we can call on Him in every situation. May we all wake with joy and sleep in peace through His love and protection.

I sing as I arise today! I call on my Creator’s might: The will of God to be my guide, the eye of God to be my sight. The word of God to be my speech, the hand of God to be my stay, the shield of God to be my strength, the path of God to be my way. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Proverbs 19:17 (NIV).

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

God commanded us to care for the poor, saying “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart” (Deuteronomy 15:10). This proverb compares it to “lending to the Lord”, that those who benefit from our giving have no means to repay, nor should we expect it. It is our duty as His people to care for all of creation, but especially those who suffer.

Paul writes: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Our giving is between us and the Lord; it is not to make us look good in the eyes of others.

In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus shares His teaching about the Widow’s Mite, who gave out of her own poverty. Mother Theresa of Calcutta cared for the poorest among us and even though she had no wealth of her own, she shared her love and encouraged others to join her efforts. Our capability to give is not based on how much we have, but rather a response to the love God has shown us. We go in His name to minister to the needs of all.

Loving Lord, in order to care for each other we must see and hear each other. Help us listen and learn, and to care for the physical and spiritual needs of all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:13-15 (NIV).

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Losing our unity leads to destruction. We have seen this time again throughout history. We seem to forget the love we are commanded to show to one another. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Christian author Mark Norton writes “If we fail to use love as our guide for action, the inevitable result is conflict among believers.” This is what Paul meant when he told us “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” How we treat each other is how we can expect to be treated.

Notice none of this is about how we are treated, only about how we treat others. Poor treatment does not allow us to respond in kind. That is the human reaction! Jesus shows us a better way to live and love, as He first loved us. 

Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us. Help us to see the blessing of Your love poured out for us and offer the same blessing of love to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 14:25-27 (NIV).

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.”

Jesus comforts His disciples with the assurance that even though He will no longer be with them physically, God’s presence will always be with them. The Holy Spirit is a gift from Him that we might never be alone. In this way we can always know the Father’s love, no matter where we are or what we do.

Christian Author Kellye Fabian writes “Only with the help of the Holy Spirit do we have any chance of loving like Jesus.” The Holy Spirit provides us constant access to God’s word and His love. Through Christ’s sacrifice for us and the Holy Spirit’s presence in us, we are connected to God as Jesus is.

This connection is the guidance and the energy we need to carry the Good News to the world. We are blessed and refreshed by the Holy Spirit as we go and encouraged by the fellowship of brothers and sisters in the faith. Jesus called us to make disciples of all people and when we accept His forgiveness, we accept His Great Commission to us as well.

Loving Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Son, sent to save us from ourselves. Bless us to be the disciples of today, bringing Your love to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 34:12-14 (NIV).

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Peace, harmony and order are the hallmarks of God’s original creation. We fractured this beauty when we listened to the lie of evil and chose our own way, instead of believing the truth of God. However, in His love for us, God made a way for us to be reconciled and saved.

Earlier in this Psalm passage we read “oh taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8), inviting us to enjoy the blessings of a connection with Him. In order to do that we must “turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:10-12 quotes this directly, telling followers of Jesus that this is still the way.

Jesus warned that we would face opposition when we share God’s love, but that the way to salvation is through His peace. We must be active peacemakers, taking Christ’s message to everyone. God is at work in the world through us!

Loving Lord, we are sorry when we hurt others with our words and actions. Make us aware of the needs You would have us fulfill and send us in Your love to spread the Good News. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Paul writes to the Philippians with guidance and reassurance about their situation. He reminds them (and us) to “present your requests to God.” By remaining in contact with Him “by prayer and petition”, we can have His peace, regardless of worldly opposition.

In Isaiah 26:3 we read “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” From the beginning God has offered us His love and peace, but it is up to us to accept this gift. The world is a chaotic place that challenges God’s good order.  We are called to help bring order and peace by sharing God’s love.

Jesus said “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” (John 14:27). We will face resistance from the selfish ways of the world, but we are assured of His presence through the Holy Spirit. Our task is to patiently love the world until Jesus returns to restore order to all things.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for the mess we have made of Your beautiful creation. Forgive us and send us to show Your love to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is John 16:31-33 (NLT).

Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

This passage is part of what theologians term the Farewell Discourse. It is the last lesson Jesus will share with His disciples, preparing them for what is to come – His Crucifixion, death, and Resurrection. By telling them this ahead of time, it will help them to see it as the fulfillment of prophecy when it occurs and rely on what Jesus taught.

Jesus says that even though we face persecution in the world, we must remain faithful, that He has overcome the world through His sacrifice for us. He tells us “I am not alone because the Father is with me” and we can rely on His promise to send the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) so that we are never alone.

He asks each one of us, as He did His disciples “do you finally believe?” Our faith is what allows us to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and the guidance it provides. Through this connection we are made whole and sent to share God’s love with the world.

Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the the gift of Your mercy, and the saving work of Your Son. Forgive us for our selfish thoughts and actions. Still us and fill us, mend us and send us to bring the Good News to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Psalms 46:10-11 (NLT).

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

In this praise psalm the Lord Himself calls us to stop, still our voices and minds, and know that He is God. It is the essence of Sabbath, to pause what we are usually doing and join in worship and connection with our Creator. He is a place of refuge for all His children. When He says “I will be honored throughout the world” it is a statement of fact, not a boast.

Martin Luther paraphrased this psalm for his hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God. It reminds us that He is in control, and “He must win the battle”, regardless of what we see here. Our temporary existence on earth will give way to living in our eternal home.

In this passage we hear “the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us.” Since the very beginning God has promised to be with us and guide us through the work of His Son and His Holy Spirit. We are never alone, and we can trust that He will do as He has said.

Gracious God, we offer You our thanks and praise. Bless us to be eager disciples, anxious to share Your love with all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT).

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Saul the Pharisee came from a place of power. He was given authority to arrest Christians and bring them to Jerusalem to face trial for their faith in Jesus. On the way to Damascus he encountered the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-19) and was forever changed. Now as the apostle Paul, he shares the Good News over a huge territory.

Relying on our own power comes from pride, in ourselves or our organization. Paul came face to face with real power – the love of Jesus poured out for us. In this passage God tells him “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Being outside our comfort zone can make us uneasy, but it allows us to rely on God and not ourselves.  

Christian author John Ortberg wrote a book entitled If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat. It teaches about our need to let go of what we think makes us strong and trust what God has for us. Like Paul, we need a reminder of our human weakness that will keep us humble and focused on the power and love God has for every one of us.

Gracious God, You blessed us with Your Son who came in love to save us from ourselves. Help us to know that Your power is all we need to share that love with all the world. Amen.