by George | Jan 26, 2021 | Community News
Reading someone else’s mail
“When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”
Colossians 4:16
Right before Christmas, I received a devotional magazine from a ministry based in California. A letter inside started off with “Dear George.” Right behind the letter was another letter. Same content, but it started off, “Dear Darlene.” I don’t know who Darlene is, and I wonder if she noticed that there was no letter when she opened her envelope…
A huge portion of the New Testament is composed of letters, or “Epistles.”
The Peanuts character Linus said that he was reading one of Paul’s letters but he felt guilty because he was reading someone else’s mail!
But, Paul encouraged letters to be read not only in one church, but also in others as well.
“When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea.”
Colossians 4:16
So when it comes to the letters in the new testament, it’s ok to read someone else’s mail!
Today, when the minister or lay person reads from an epistle, or other scripture out loud in church, he usually encourages people to “look at the screen” or “open your Bible to…”
In the early church, they didn’t have that luxury.
Someone read the scripture out loud, and all the people were to listen intently to what was being read.
Did you ever stop and think about who was in attendance? People from all walks of life, rich and poor, young and old, educated and illiterate.
The instruction of the apostles was read to everyone!
Adolf Schlatter said: “So, with the reading of his letter out loud, he also articulates that the church is not segregated into the immature and the privileged, but is rather an integrated whole, in which each individual is precious to the apostle and called to full knowledge of the divine will.”
Each individual is precious… and included.
May we go forth today, without partiality, proclaiming the Good News with deep love for everyone.
by George | Jan 25, 2021 | Community News
Higher
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
My thoughts this morning turned to a patient we had last year. He was about 42 years old, and he was dying of cancer.
I remember telling him that I didn’t understand why God had allowed him to suffer. Somehow it didn’t make sense that that he had a life limiting illness at such a young age.
I will never forget his response. He quoted this verse.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
The verse reminded me that my knowledge and understanding are so small. God’s knowledge and understanding is way beyond my comprehension.
I remember feeling the peace of God so strongly when I was with him.
It was truly a “sacred space.”
He didn’t waste his time trying to figure it out. Instead, he trusted God.
He was looking forward to being with the Lord. Like Abraham, he was looking for a city.
“for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Hebrews 11:10
Perhaps he felt the way Paul did:
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”
Philippians 1:21-24
Certainly he didn’t want to leave his mom, sister and the rest of his family and friends, but the reality of heaven had an appeal for him.
No more suffering or pain. He would see Jesus face to face!
He died peacefully a few weeks later. It helps me to know the hope of this verse:
“We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
II Corinthians 5:8
I’m going to stop trying to figure things out; why stuff happens. Instead, I want to draw closer to the Lord, and trust Him completely, no matter what happens. Peace be unto you as you rest in Him.
by George | Jan 23, 2021 | Community News
But God
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”
Ephesians 2:4-5
Every morning, I put on my headphones and listen to the daily Bible reading when I go walking. When the speaker got to this verse, he seemed to pause, and the inflection of his voice changed, seemingly to emphasize the importance of these two words “… But God…”
Verse 1 tells us: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,”
Then, verses 2 and 3 describe the depraved, sinful state of man. It’s so bad that Paul said we were the “children of wrath.”
Things seemed pretty hopeless! Then, a Hero appears.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…”
God is rich in mercy… Because of His great love for us.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Because of His great love for us… He loves you more than you will ever comprehend!
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17-19
Our sinful state seemed hopeless, until God stepped in.
“But God…”
The events of this year leave us with a hopeless feeling….
“But God…”
Keep praying specifically for your needs, knowing that the God of our salvation will step in for you and answer your prayers.
“But God…”
