Shepastor: "Don't Come Down!"

1When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— 2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villagesa on the plain of Ono.”
But they were scheming to harm me; 3so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” 4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Nehemiah 6: 1-4

Over the last several, years, months, weeks and days, we’ve seen many and varied examples of what it takes to rebuild. We’ve seen our Nation struggle to rebuild a sense of community after the tumultuous 50’s and 60’s where African American, White, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, Indian and other peoples stood together to fight against the evils of Jim Crow, lynching and racist ideologies to declare all people are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights… a fight that we are still struggling to navigate through today. We’ve experienced our Nation’s struggle to regain a sense of normalcy after the 911 attacks, attempting to process through the impact terrorism has had upon our everyday lives. We've endured senseless mass shootings of innocent people in churches, mosques, synagogues and other public places. We wrestle to grasp the nature of rebuilding...

Rebuilding is not easy. Rebuilding is a challenge. Rebuilding takes perseverance and determination. Rebuilding takes focus. Rebuilding takes courage.

In our text for today, Israelites are being confronted with several challenges as they seek to rebuild.

They had to have the courage to resist the enemies of the rebuilding process.

The enemies of the Israelites came to them pretending to want to help them rebuild, but their leaders discerned that their intentions were not honorable. This fact is borne out as we read further and see that after the Israelite leaders rejected their proposed help, the enemies went about seeking to discourage, block, frustrate and ultimately destroy their efforts to rebuild.

Nehemiah discerned that they were scheming to destroy their efforts. He knew that he was carrying on a great work and refused to come down.

We too must have the courage and the discernment to see when wolves in sheep’s clothing offer to help us rebuild. There are some aspects of your life that others can’t rebuild – only you and God. Sometimes people secretly resent you and see that you are headed for higher heights. Outwardly they appear to want to help you, but secretly they are hoping to see you fall. In relationships, you can’t tell everyone about your struggles. You can’t tell every girlfriend that you and your husband are having a fight over thus and so. Some friends aren’t true friends but are wolves in sheep’s clothing, secretly desiring to have what you have and be what you are!

There are those who don’t want to see you succeed. There are those who will do everything in their power to dissuade you, discourage you, make you afraid, try to make you think that your endeavors are an exercise in futility. But you have to have the courage, the discipline and the determination to push past all of that and keep on climbing, keep on moving, keep on building. Misery loves company and sometimes people want you to stay defeated and down because they are defeated and down.

But God is calling you to higher ground. Sometimes defeat-filled and discouraging words will come from unexpected places. Sometimes folks right in your family will speak discouraging words to hold you back. “Are you sure that you can do that? Don’t you think you ought to do something less demanding? You’ve already tried to do that once, why don’t you just give that up. Maybe it’s not God’s will for you.” Sometimes people are afraid to be left behind and yet they have little or no motivation to join the moving forward or rebuilding process, so instead of truly trying to help you move up, they are working to keep you down with them. But God is calling you to rebuild and move on up.

God is calling the church to rebuild. Mainline Protestant churches all across America are dwindling because of an unwillingness to rebuild. Fighting over structure, fighting over the constitution, fighting over the kind of music we sing, fighting over what we wear, just fighting. And while we fight to hold onto “forms of godliness,” those churches that have made the leap of faith to rebuild, to regroup and to move into the present, laying the foundation for the future, preaching the word and ministering in fresh and relevant ways are thriving. Rebuilding takes courage.

Finally, Rebuilding takes perseverance. Sometimes the enemies of rebuilding are not external. Sometimes the enemies of rebuilding are internal. Sometimes because of past failures or fears or doubts, you stop yourself from rebuilding – rebuilding after dreams have fallen apart, rebuilding after a broken relationship, rebuilding after financial devastation, rebuilding after sickness has ravaged your body, rebuilding after trying and trying and discovering that maybe you were going in the wrong direction.

Sometimes the voices in our own head and heart keep us from rebuilding.
Sometimes we have been imprisoned for so long that we are afraid to even attempt to rebuild. The Israelites had been prisoners for hundreds of years. Therefore, when freedom came, they also had to face the internal questions of if they had what it took to make it. They’d been stripped, they’d been beaten, they’d been abused – they had been prisoners. Even though they started out with great enthusiasm, when the voices of doubt and discouragement began to rail against them, they wilted.

When we have been imprisoned, either physically or mentally, we have to fight against the internal and external voices that tell us the rebuilding process is impossible. Sometimes the formerly imprisoned start out with such high hopes, only to meet with a multitude of naysayers and doubters and negative commentators who throw cold water if you will on the power of new found freedom.

Sometimes we allow those voices to hold us back for years. The Israelites allowed their enemies to discourage them and it took the reign of two more kings before they actually began the rebuilding of the Temple. The rebuilding process is sometimes a long process. It may take months and even years to rebuild what has been torn down. If you allow internal or external enemies to fill you with discouragement, you will not rebuild but will give up. Sometimes the rebuilding process takes longer than it has to take because we stop and listen to the wrong voices. If you want to rebuild, you must remain focused on the task at hand.

What are you allowing to stop your rebuilding process? Naysayers will always stand on the sidelines and tell you what you can’t and shouldn’t do. But we have to take our marching orders from the LORD! We have to be discerning and open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We have to ask the Lord to lead us in whose help we will accept and have the courage to trust Him, moving ahead even if it appears impossible. God is with you. Rebuild by faith.

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “Yep, It’s a Weed!!!”

But if you fail to drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, their survivors will become irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, to prick your sides and afflict you in the very land in which you'll be living. Numbers 33:55, NIV

Today as I walked past the shrubbery in our yard, I noticed lovely, leafy, broad stemmed greenery. Indeed, it looked beautiful among the shrubs and other flowers. However, from previous experience, I knew that it was a weed, masquerading as a flower! While observing this deceitful, pesky invader, my mind wandered toward the tactics of the enemy.

Numbers 33:55 is a verse of scripture couched within the promised land journey. As the children of Israel were nearing the entrance into the land they’d prayed for, for generations, the stark warning they received remains relevant today…

But if you fail to drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, their survivors will become irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, to prick your sides and afflict you in the very land in which you'll be living. Numbers 33:55, NIV

Just like weeds, there are things that appear beautiful, innocent, pleasing, fulfilling that if left unchecked will destroy us in days to come. If the enemy were to come to us in “true fashion” we would quickly reject him. Weeds illustrate this point. Unlike the smooth, beautiful broad leaves on the one foliage, another weed bush was prickly and ugly.

I immediately recognized that it was a weed. But for past experiences, I would have been fooled by the other. Though beautiful, their stems are hollow. They have nothing good to offer. Their root systems will destroy the healthy bushes and flowers in our garden. They must be pulled up from the root.

As you prepare to enter the place God has promised and prepared for you, maybe for generations, uproot those things that appear innocent, pleasing, beautiful, but in actuality are deadly. Uproot bad habits. Uproot those secret sins (that are not so secret – God sees you!) Uproot unhealthy relationships. Uproot anything that will hinder you for the true beauty God has for you in the land where you are going. Remember, it’s a weed!

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “It Will Come Out in the Wash…”

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28, KJV

“Things” happen in life. We experience good days and bad, ups and downs, excitement and the “dull-drums,” hope and some days despair. In my personal life, I have experienced seasons when doors were slammed shut in my face, hope for a particular situation or circumstance was dashed, disappointment and frustration were stifling and shoulders to cry upon were few. Can I get a witness?

During those difficult and painful times, hearing Romans 8:28 did not immediately cause feelings of sorrow to dissipate. Quite honestly, while in the throes of tribulation, hearing “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” was down-right annoying! However, retrospectively, I have learned the power, healing and truth that God’s Word in this passage provides.

As life unfolds, the disappointments, trials, tragedies, unjust situations, twists and turns position us to have, see, receive and give things that would have never been possible without them. No one in their right mind wants struggle, trial and pain. Although not coveted, the gifts they provide are invaluable. Our human experiences uniquely prepare us to help, heal and lift others. We also learn that God’s timing, God’s plans, and God’s special directives for our lives are so much greater than anything we could have imagined for ourselves.

One door closes but another door with greater blessings open. Relationships end and God brings the right ones, the best ones into our lives. Losses occur, but new life in amazing ways spring forth. The valley prepares us for the mountain.

If you are in the midst of a trial filled season, by faith, stand upon the promise of Romans 8:28. No matter what you face, you will win. No matter what the disappointment, God will turn it towards favor in your life. No matter the pain and sorrow, God will give you beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…God WILL take everything in your life and make it work for your good.

We don’t understand today, but in days to come, “it will come out in the wash.” In some instances, we will gain clarity of why things happened the way they happened. In other instances, we will not get the answers until we see Jesus. Trust God. Stand upon God’s promises. Know that you are in His heart always. Allow God’s peace to calm you. Lift your head and your hands in praise. God will give you the victory!

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “Will You Trust God’s Timing?”

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-10, NIV

It’s hard to operate on somebody else’s time. Independence can be a wonderful thing. I remember I could not wait to get my driver’s license because I was tired of having to wait until somebody picked me up and then having to wait for them to take me home. When I turned 16, I thought the world would stop spinning on its axis if I did not get my driver’s license.

I remember my daddy taking me out to the old Rubber Bowl in Akron, putting up sticks to mimic the cones to teach me how to maneuver, how to parallel park etc. I thought I had it down pat until it came time to take the test. Two times I failed because I either touched or knocked over the cones. I received a letter that informed me that if by the third time I did not pass the test, I would have to wait six months. You should have seen me cyring and praying out to the Lord, “Lord, PLEASE help me to pass this test. Praise God, I did!

I didn’t like it, but I had to wait. Waiting is no fun. The scriptures have given us many examples of the agony of waiting. Abraham and Sarah had to wait until they were well into their golden years before the promise of a son was fulfilled. Hannah had to wait to see if God would grant her petition for a son, all the while enduring the cruel taunting of her husband’s other wife, Penninah, mocking her and calling her barren.

Moses had to wait and wander in the wilderness with the rebellious Israelites, who, no matter how much God did for them, still managed to argue, fight and complain themselves into losing what God had in store for them. Moses had to wait to finally see the promised land. Simeon had to wait as he ministered in the Temple, asking God to allow him to see the glory of the coming of the Lord, the child Jesus. Mary and Martha had to wait, wait for Jesus to come after they sent an urgent message that their brother Lazarus had died. They had to wait and watch and wonder.

And sometimes, we have to wait, and watch and wonder. Waiting like Job for our “change” to come. Waiting like Sarah or Hannah for something to be birthed in us, waiting like Moses to just get a peek at what God has in store maybe not for our generation, but that which is to come. And sometimes we have to wait for the Lord to come and resurrect that which has died and seems to have no hope.

It’s not easy to wait. Waiting can be hard. Waiting can be discouraging. Waiting can be debilitating. We gain peace, however, when we learn that we can trust God’s timing.

We see the short view. God sees the long view. We see today. God sees eternity past, present and future. God sees. God knows. God will make everything to fall into place according to God’s perfect timing.

Can you trust God to make everything beautiful in His time for your life?

Your peace, your life depends upon it. Remain in God’s timing for your life. Resist the temptation to chart your own path.

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “God Sees All and Will Answer…”

Do not move an ancient boundary stone
or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Defender is strong;
he will take up their case against you.
Proverbs 23: 10-11, NIV

Something unjust, ugly and painful is happening in the pharmaceutical industry. Somewhere along the way, medicine manufacturers made a decision to place revenue above human life. Medicines designed to control life threatening allergic reactions, epileptic seizures, diabetes, cancer, post-partem depression, post-surgical pain etc., have become proverbial lottery tickets…the winnings going to the pharmaceutical industry. This is a social justice issue. God is not pleased.

Recently a journalist whose son suffers from a rare disease was a victim of this vicious tactic, raising the price of a vile of medicine 97,000%, literally. Today, Shepastor highlights this treachery and encourages readers to prayerfully consider ways that we can address this unethical practice.

Voting season is just around the corner. May we do all that we can to raise our voices at the ballot box, become an informed electorate and prayerfully stem the tide of greed driven “health care” practices.

Read more at https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/30/health/mallinckrodt-whistleblower-lawsuit-acthar/index.html

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “The Unfolding of God’s Plans”

Genesis 50: 15-20 (Bible in Basic English)

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all of the evil which we did to him." 16 They sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father commanded before he died, saying, 17 'You shall tell Joseph, "Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you."' Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.

The sons of Jacob, 12 in all, born to different mothers but the same father, had sad, difficult and deadly attitudes toward one another. Some of these attitudes were prompted by dysfunctional structures set in place before they were born. But in the midst of the mess, God still unfolded His plans. Two mothers, Rachel and Leah were placed in a dysfunctional situation. Jacob, desiring to marry Rachel, made a deal with her father Laban to work 7 years at the end of which, he’d be given the privilege of marrying his daughter. That was the plan. However, Laban, had another plan – a trick. Long story short, Laban would get Jacob to “eat, drink and be merry” so much so that he married Leah that night, thinking it was Rachel.

Therefore, Leah was an unloved bride. Her children were born out of trickery. She was in a house filled with resentment. Rachel was devastated because her father took away her beloved husband. Jacob eventually did marry Rachel, but she was unable to bear children, so she “gave” her servant girl to him to have children for her. Rachel’s plan was to have children through her slave girl. The slave girl had no choice, she had no say. She was simply given to Jacob to “breed” some sons. Same father, a different mother. Leah also ended up giving her slave girl as well to bear children – another mother, same father – another plan. Summary, 12 children, 4 mothers, one father – great dysfunction. Fast forward – Rachel finally had a son – Joseph. He became Jacob’s favorite son. Differences made between the children, jealousy, hatred and resentment set in – great dysfunction.

Jacob gives his son Joseph a gift – a coat of many colors. He evidently didn’t give his other sons anything – just Joseph, causing greater jealousy, resentment and anger against Joseph – great dysfunction. Joseph has a dream one night that the sun, moon and stars bow down to him – he shares the dream with his brothers and they say, “come, let us kill this dreamer…” Cain and Able being repeated all over again. – Great dysfunction.

Long story short they threw him down into a deep well and sold him into slavery and told their father he was dead. But God had another plan. Go back and read this story in total. You’ll see God moving in miraculous ways, taking Joseph from the lowest point of prison, false accusation and sure death to becoming the highest official in the land, next to the Pharaoh. God gave Joseph the grace to give this response to his brothers, (verses 18-20 from the Bible in Basic English)

18 His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, "Behold, we are your servants."
19 Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid, for am I in the place of God?
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.

The poet William Cowper declared,

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

William Cowper

Even in the midst of great dysfunction, God has another plan. Even when it looks like all the odds are against you, God has another plan. Even when it looks like boobie traps have been laid all around you, doors seeming to close before you, enemies seem to be gathering together against you and it looks like you’ve played your last best card – God has another plan. While all of these unfortunate things were happening, God was making Joseph. God was molding Joseph. God was preparing Joseph to be a great and mighty Leader who would not only end up saving his brothers that hated him and sold him into slavery, but God would use Joseph to save the nation of Israel.

When you are faithful, when you are committed to do things God’s way even in the face of hatred and resentment from others, even in the face of pain and disappointment, even in the face of lies and false accusations – God is looking, God is watching, God is moving on your behalf. Joseph provides for us a great example. He didn’t try to fix things on his own. He didn’t try to repay evil for evil. Joseph just kept trusting, obeying and believing. Therefore, God exalted him to a place of honor and great responsibility.

In an article in the Cleveland news paper The Plain Dealer a few years ago, a minister shared this story…
“Blooming in the Mud”

“I saw some beautiful flowers at Euclid Creek. They were growing in mud and bird droppings and broken branches.. What most of us notice are the flowers. We tend to see what we like and ignore what makes things happen. We may see the things that support us as disgusting or unpleasant, but the things you dislike are basically what wake you up to the truth…Mud and bird droppings make the flower bloom and you are the flower.”

Proverbial mud and bird droppings produce the flowers in our lives…There are times in our lives, seasons in our lives when it looks like everything is going wrong and everything is going against you. But God is working and moving in ways that you are not able to see, in ways that you are not aware of, in ways that seem impossible. In each situation where Joseph was treated unfairly, treated harshly, denied a chance to “tell his side of the story,” God was working on his deliverance.

Even when people forget the good you’ve done to help them, God is not going to forget your labor of love. Even when those you’ve done the most for turn their face in a different direction when you need help, God will help you. Even when it looks like there is no one to walk with you as you go through the difficulties and struggles of your life, God will stand by you.

Here’s a great lesson from Joseph. When God delivers you, don’t try to repay your enemies. Don’t try to rub their misfortune in their faces, but if he or she is hungry, feed them. If they are in need of clothing, give them something to wear, if they are in trouble and call upon you, help them any way you can and God will continue to exalt you and He will cause them to repent and turn from their wicked ways.

I heard a story the other day about two women who lived in the country. For the purposes of this story I’ll call them Mary and Sue. Mary had a nice little home. It wasn’t fabulous, but it was her home and she had raised her family along with her husband there for many years. But Sue, her neighbor hated Mary for some unknown reason. Sue had a chicken coup near the edge of Mary’s property. And every time Sue would clean her chicken coup, she would dump the mess from her coup into Sue’s back yard.

But Mary never retaliated. She just kept tending to her garden on her property. She kept speaking to Sue whenever she came out of her house. She kept teaching her children to be respectful of Miss Sue, even though she was mean and disrespectful to their mother. Well, in the process of time, Sue became ill. She could no longer tend to her yard. She became bed ridden. But something wonderful began to happen in Mary’s yard.

The mess that Sue had flung into Mary’s yard, fell on the garden and caused the flowers in her garden to blossom and bloom. The flowers were so beautiful that Mary decided to pluck some and prepare a bouquet to take to Sue. When Mary went into see Sue, she gave her the beautiful flowers. Ashamed of how she’d treated Mary all these years, she asked for forgiveness and asked her, where in the world did she get such beautiful flowers, and Mary replied, “all that mess you flung over into my garden from your chicken coup helped to fertilize my garden and now I have these beautiful flowers.”

Take the mess that is flung into your life and fertilize your garden. Learn all you can from the mess and let God fertilize your life. Take the bitter and give it to God and let Him make it sweet. Remember, in the midst of it all, God is unfolding His plans in your life. Beauty is unfolding for you in due season! Won’t you trust him today?

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “Are We Missing It?”

41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Luke 19: 41-44, NIV

This week we solemnly remember Jesus’ prayer of surrender given in the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal with a kiss, the denial of affiliation, the horrible beating, cruel mocking and scourging, whipping and taunting, humiliation and degradation and ultimately crucifixion all of which Jesus endured on “Good Friday.” It is Holy Week.

As Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, He, it would appear, tuned out the cheering crowd, tuned out the loud Hosannas, tuned out the apparent voices of favor and proclaimed

Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.'

In the work entitled, In Search of Heroes: Tragedy to Triumph, the story is told of how famed deaf, blind and mute Helen Keller was born a bright and lively infant, but at the age of 19 months tragically developed a fever which left her blind and deaf and for a time, mute. Her parents, obviously devastated sought out the best help possible for their daughter. They heard of Perkins School for the Blind in Boston and there found a brilliant, compassionate young teacher named Anne Sullivan. Upon graduation from the school, Anne came to live with the Kellers. Working tirelessly with Helen, Anne frequently met with failure and frustration, but undaunted, continued to work with her until one day she had a break through. Helen would go from learning how to say “water” to gaining a command of the English language, as well as other languages. She ultimately went on to become a great writer.

Once when asked to give her thoughts on growing old, this is what Helen had to say:

All my life I have tried to avoid ruts, such as doing things my ancestors did before me, or leaning on the crutches of other people's opinion, or losing my childhood sense of wonderment. I am glad to say I still have a vivid curiosity about the world I live in...it is as natural for me to believe that the richest harvest of happiness comes with age as to believe that true sight and hearing are within, not without.... --Helen Keller, on being asked about growing older (In, In Search of Heroes: Tragedy to Triumph – Helen Keller)

“True sight and hearing are within, not without…”

What a tragedy to have physical eyes to see, yet remain blind. How sad to have the physical ability to hear, but lack the keen awareness of God’s Holy Spirit to be able to hear what God is speaking.

Are we missing the things that make for peace? Is Jesus weeping over our lives because we are missing it? Are we blind and deaf to the moving of God’s Holy Spirit? This week we mourn the tragedy of denial, betrayal and crucifixion. Next week we celebrate the triumph of victory over death, hell and the grave. But in between this week and next week, we again have an opportunity to prayerfully conduct a deep introspection into our own hearts, our own, souls, our own lives and ask the question, “Is Jesus weeping over my life because I am missing the things that make for peace…” We need to ask ourselves are we missing opportunities to reach out and help somebody, heal somebody, tell somebody about the good news that Jesus died for our sins and that we can be saved by grace through faith.

Are we missing the things that make for peace? Are we arguing about things that don’t really matter in the larger scheme of life? Are we carrying around grudges that we should have given over to the throne a long time ago… are we doggedly holding to our own opinions and perceptions about things without hearing another person out? Are we so wrapped up in our own lives that we cannot see someone who needs a word of encouragement, a lift up out of despair… Are we missing the things that make for peace?

Our triumph is wrapped up in our willingness to see Jesus for who He is and to let him rule and reign in our lives.

Our triumph is wrapped up in our willingness to let the Lord have his way in our hearts, in our homes, in our families, in our church, in our communities. Our triumph is wrapped up in our willingness to move as the Spirit says move to work while it is day, to move in prayer, to seek the Lord while He may be found.

Our answers to life’s dilemmas are wrapped up in our willingness to surrender our will to the Master…to let go of some things that we have guarded like gold. We must surrender our hearts, our souls, our minds to Jesus, allowing him to purge us, to redirect our thinking, to reshape and remold us like the potter does the clay.

Jesus invites us to open our eyes, our ears, our minds, our hearts to “see” all that He has for us…the blessings of hope, healing, forgiveness, redemption, deliverance, love and peace.

During this season, may you see the things that the Lord has given for your peace...

Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org