Good morning!

​Have you ever had your day or week hijacked by unexpected circumstances? How did you handle things? Did it generate fear or anxiety? Did it impact the rest of the day – in a negative way? In a positive way?
 
Or did it give you a chance to see God at work, feel the presence of Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit? A chance to just trust God?
 
Some scripture that you might find relates to how we ask God into those situations:

• Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

God shares so much here about himself and his love for us. When things are not going the way we planned, he brings us comfort in His promises to us, His pleas to us to trust him – do not fear, do not be dismayed – however much something has gone off the track He reminds us – “I am with you, I am your God”. Then he shares why we should trust Him – He will provide us strength (in our weakness), He will help us, He will uphold us!

• Psalm 86:11 “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth [some translations…’I will walk in your faithfulness’]; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”

I pray this almost every morning – I feel like I need to be a lifelong (on this side of eternity) learner of who Jesus is, how He is speaking to me AND most important how does knowing Jesus change how I live each moment. This applies to my questions above because knowing Jesus should inform how I handle the unplanned derailing my plans. Do I look to my relationship with Jesus and His way? Or do I push forward in understanding of my own making?

• Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

This proverb jumps out at me and causes me to ask myself how often am I making my own plans versus looking to understand what is God’s plan. Sound familiar to you? One of the lessons (see above…teach me your way, O Lord…) here is that if plans unravel, I need to look to what are the steps God is directing me to follow. Pausing to pray, to consider God’s Word, before acting would be prudent. I love that God is slowing me down these days when my plans go off track, to take a breath and to look to Him.

• Isaiah 25:1 “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”

This verse reminds us of God’s ultimate sovereignty. This is assuring and comforting – His plans formed of old – before creation. Surely that should be reason for us to trust in Him.

• Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

When I think I have it all figured out, that is the time when I need to step back and remember this verse from Isaiah. So a couple of thoughts here – 1) when things go sideways, it seems right to double check my thinking – and looking to Jesus for direction; 2) when I do not understand something that is happening in my life or in regards to plans falling apart, I need to remember God’s ways and thoughts are greater than mine and even if I do not understand, I should look to trust God.

• Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken”

I had to add this one at the last minute – ran across this on Twitter. It rings so true – setting Jesus before us makes it possible to be unshaken when things go awry. What a place in life to be at – one where we are not shaken – because we have our glorious Lord, Jesus Christ out in front of us!
 
It is funny as I read this, that so often it comes back to trusting God – in all circumstances. So despite the day yesterday going off the rails, it is or can be a good day because of our God.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that when things do not go according to plan, that each of us can place our trust in God and look to Him and You, His Son, for our comfort! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

We are on the other side of celebrating Resurrection Sunday, the empty tomb. For many this represents joy, excitement and hope. For others there is still doubt. This reminds me of the two men walking on the road to Emmaus in Luke (see the full text below). 

Maybe it is not doubt but rather a lack of understanding. Of course a lack of understanding can create doubt. 

Anyway, my question to you today is do you have doubt, doubt about Jesus, His work, His call on your life? If yes, how are you pursuing overcoming that doubt? How are you seeking an understanding - and maybe more importantly - a relationship with the only one who secure your future?

Luke 23:13-35
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

After reading this account, my recommendation, for me and you, is that we spend time in God's Word and allow Lord Jesus to open up our understanding and to deepen our relationship with the only one who can truly answer our doubts, giving us the strength to overcome our man-made insecurities. 

Trust in Lord Jesus and the fullness of His work. For those that believe and those who will soon come to know Him as well, Jesus and His work will be sufficient.

Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we remember that You answer our doubt with Your work and open our eyes to see You and the Hope you bring to those who believe. I pray we take and share You, Your Hope with those we run into as we walk as Your ambassadors on our own journeys - our own roads to Emmaus ! Amen!

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

As I write this, it is Maundy Thursday. A special day if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. I am looking at a piece of scripture I wrote down a few weeks ago when I was in a spiritual battle over some personal sin in my life. This scripture reminded when I wrote it and now of the significance of what we as Christians celebrate during this Holy Week. These words Peter shared in his first letter -

• 1 Peter 2:24 - "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."

Powerful words - helping me remember that it was my Lord's blood that now allows me to live to righteousness - not my own, but His.

The apostle Paul recognized Jesus as the "last Adam" providing us a comparison to the first Adam the source of mankind's sinful nature when Adam and Eve rebelled against their Creator by choosing what the serpent offered over what God offered. And Jesus, by His work alone, through God's mercy and grace undoes all the damage initiated by the first Adam.

I found a comparison similar to Paul's in a podcast I listened to and read this morning by John Stonestreet. I find this comparison valuable to being able to embrace the significance of what Jesus did for us 2000 years ago which gives us the Hope (Jesus and His work) we have.  Here is that comparison - quoting from the podcast transcript:

"The parallels between Jesus and Adam are deep. The ways in which Jesus is like, and yet better than, Adam, are numerous.

• Though the one failed and brought death on all His descendants, Jesus was faithful and obedient, and brought life and restoration through His death and resurrection. 
• The first Adam yielded to temptation in a garden. The Last Adam beat temptation in a garden.
• ​The first man, Adam, sought to become like God. The Last Adam was God who became a man.
• The first Adam was naked and received clothes. The Last Adam had clothes but was stripped.
• The first Adam tasted death from a tree. The Last Adam tasted death on a tree.
• The first Adam hid from the face of God, while the Last Adam begged God not to hide His face. 
• The first Adam blamed his bride, while the Last Adam took the blame for His bride.
• The first Adam earned thorns. The Last Adam wore thorns.
• The first Adam gained a wife when God opened man’s side, but the Last Adam gained a wife when man opened God’s side.
• The first Adam brought a curse. The Last Adam became a curse.
• While the first Adam fell by listening when the Serpent said, “take and eat,” the Last Adam told His followers, “Take and eat, this is my body.”

On Maundy Thursday we remember that meal Jesus shared with His Disciples, and His new command that we “love one another.” This meal is now given to all Christians, as is the command. Through His body and blood, the Last Adam restores to us what the Forbidden Fruit destroyed."

There is much about this day (Maundy Thursday) as Jesus is prepared His apostles, but also Good Friday (yes it is good, despite Jesus flogging and crucifixion) because death is conquered and the curtain is ripped top to bottom giving us access again to a direct relationship with God. And then all doubt is removed for the apostles (and for us as believers) on Resurrection Sunday...for this is the foundation of our true Hope...

HE IS RISEN...           HE IS RISEN INDEED!

I pray you have this Hope - if you don't I would love to share more with you. If you do have this Hope, I shout and Praise God for His steadfast love!

This brings me back to 1 Peter 2:24. In those few words, Peter conveys to us the immensity of what Jesus did for us...he conveys to me what Jesus did for me. And I sit stunned by this fact.

Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we remember the full and complete work you have done that anchors and secures our salvation. By Your work alone Lord Jesus, our future has been anchor in, by and through You! Amen!

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!
 
Thoughts in preparation of celebrating Holy Week and finally Resurrection Sunday.  How do you connect to what, how and why Christ walked through the suffering leading up to his crucifixion? Have you been  pondering the perfect sacrifice that was given us through Jesus?
 
Here are some of my thoughts from the past and present as we approach Resurrection Sunday:
 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “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.”
Psalm 62:7, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
 
For me, the time leading up to Resurrection Sunday is a reflective time of year. I look forward to this time. This morning, as is often the case during this time of year, I even turn off the music and talk radio – mostly for me found on KTIS and MyFaith Radio. Even when being on a Christian station like KTIS, this still represents, in some ways, the noise of life. Shutting that input off provides me quiet time, reflection time, really most important time with God, with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Prayer time.
 
I fill this time with thoughts of two journeys – one a subset of the other – the first journey is that of Jesus Christ and His three year ministry starting with His 40 days in the desert (see Matthew 4:1-11) and temptation by Satan. The second journey starts in my reflection with Jesus sitting down with the apostles for the last supper (see John 13) – so many little things shine the light of God’s beauty (and complexity) when considered.
 
During His ministry and during the last day before He was crucified, we see many of these moments of light, all bringing a taste of God’s love to us – which we should embrace. Have you experienced those moments at this time of year? As you reflect on how much God loves us, is there anything that stands out for you personally? The verses above key into some of the qualities of God’s love that the apostles experienced during the long journey and during that last day before Christ was crucified…

• Father of compassion
• God of all comfort
• With us in all our troubles
• His comfort enabling us to comfort others in their trouble
• Our salvation is provided through Jesus Christ
• Our mighty rock
• Our refuge

All of this was present through Jesus Christ during His time on earth and especially when he spent that last day with the apostles – compassion and comfort, washing of their feet, with them as they struggled to understand what Jesus was sharing with them about His need to be obedient to the Father and lay down His life for them – they were troubled - His promise to them of a Helper, Advocate, the Holy Spirit – providing them a foundation, a rock, a refuge.
 
So today, for each of us, through Jesus Christ, and the presence in us of the Holy Spirit, we have the same assurances from God and the same love from God. And because of this, we have been prepared to share God’s love in our living both - in the work we do and outside of the work we do – to pour out the same love we receive from God to others. As shared in 2 Corinthians 1:4b “…, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
 
We learn to comfort others in their troubles as God comforts us in our trouble. We learn to love as God loves us so we can share that love with others.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us going into this weekend is that each of us can find time to reflect on all the beauty that You, Lord God provide during this special time of year. Because despite the painfulness of this part of the Good News, You, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit, share in Your love in amazing ways and we can see those ways if we just pause, take time to reflect. Please, go, pick up a Bible and read some of the journey of Jesus Christ – God’s love will shine! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning all!
 
I am certain I have rambled on about this upcoming topic before…but here I go again… This morning I find myself pondering the word “trust” - as this applies to trusting God.
 
A God who you can trust would be a God who is faithful in all ways…Recently, I have included this verse from Isaiah in my daily prayer…
 
 Isaiah 41:10  “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
 
This is God sharing with us that we can trust Him…so much hope wrapped in these words from God – to live without fear, to know that God is with us, that he takes our weakness and strengthens us, that he will hold us up – make us right.
 
As I have prayed this from some Psalms lately, it has been in many ways, with many words. Here is one way I pray some of the words you find in the Psalms, as a way of expressing trust of our God.

• I desire to walk without fear knowing that God is with me so I pray to walk each day without fear.
• I desire to be positive in all circumstances, so in prayer I lean on God sharing with Him that my joy is in Him through my Savior Jesus Christ despite the challenges I expect to face that day, let me not be downcast.
• I have many weaknesses that challenge me in doing the work God has on my plate, so I desire strength and in prayer I affirm to God that I know he will bring His strength to bear where my human weakness might stop me from moving forward, knowing He, as it aligned with His will, will help.
• I desire to walk righteously (not self-righteously), without sin each day, yet of course fail as I still walk in the flesh so I pray to God that I know He has, is and will up hold me with His righteous right hand BECAUSE my Savior, Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of the Father, has made me righteous with His blood. In that I am upheld today, tomorrow and for eternity.

 
So those are some of thoughts about trust in God. Here are some additional verses of encouragement to you today that God has shared in His word around trusting in Him:

• Matthew 6:31-33 “31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
• Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
• Psalm 31:14-15a, “But I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands …”
• Galatians 3:26, “For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 4:6-7 “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
• Psalm 29:11, “The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.”
• Psalm 46:1-2, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”
• Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 4:8b, 9b “Whatever is true … think about such things … And the God of peace will be with you”
• Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you; but will rejoice over you with singing”
• Ephesians 3:17b, 18 “I pray that you … may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”
• 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”
• Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’”
• Psalm 36:5, “Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”
• Psalm 48:9, “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.”

 
You can find so many verses in God’s word sharing that He is faithful and therefore trust worthy, but for us to benefit from this faithfulness, we need to turn in trust to our God everyday. Seeing these verses should lift your heart up in hope, allowing you to discard the mantle of doubt that you may carry. I love this verse – had it in my pocket a few years ago for over a year – had to rewrite it out every few months as it frayed…
 
Psalm 46:10a He says, “Be still, and know that I am God”
 
Yes, You, Lord, are my God!
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that each of us set aside all doubt and start opening each day in prayers of trust in You Lord Jesus and the work you have done for us, You who are ever faithful to us. Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing and walking with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!
 
So I am pondering the heart, specifically my heart today. Actually, I have been pondering my heart often over the years since Jesus Christ called me.
 
Where is your heart today? We know ultimately, we will be judged by what is in our hearts. There is so much in scripture around our hearts (over 800 references).
 
Here is just a little bit of the scripture around the heart:

• Matthew 5:7-9, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
• Matthew 6:19-23, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
• Matthew 12:34, “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
• Proverbs 4:23, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

 
Reading these verse, leaves me asking myself where is my heart at? Often, sitting in reflection, more often than not after some interaction where I am questioning my side of the interaction, the focus is on what is going on in my heart. Do you ever look inside and ask that question.
 
Are there specific circumstances that cause you to pause and take inventory of your heart? I believe I need to do this more frequently than I do – maybe this should be a daily assessment looking to God to speak to me about the state of my heart...
 
For me, it seems that when my heart is in the right place, centered in the love of Christ, there is more peace, more productivity and more positive interactions, even in the most difficult of situations.
 
These scripture versus speak directly to this idea –

• Seeing God, our Creator, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, becomes possible with a pure heart. (A pure heart might be defined like this - Philippians 4:8 - 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.)
• Our hearts are seen in what we value, hold close and treasure. It is so worth stepping back and reflecting on what things or people mean the most to us. We might find we hold something or someone in this life in a higher position than Jesus Christ our Lord.
• When our hearts are right in Christ, “abundance” comes from our mouth – abundance of appreciation, abundance of support for others, abundance of wisdom through the Holy Spirit, abundance of love as shown to us through Christ…and…if we are conscious and intentional (vigilant) in keeping our hearts focused on and in Christ.
• Proverbs says that the springs of life will flow from our heart…springs – I am not sure about the word springs but would suggest two meanings are worth consideration – spring as in the time of year – time for new birth, new growth, new relationships, new gifts, new generosity, new love or… springs of water – as Christ promised the eternal water of life, again the abundance of growth, gifts and generous acts..

 
Our hearts then it seems are part of or the source of Christ’s life in our lives, the light that others might see. Harkening back to my days at Feed My Starving Children, the light of hearts is that of hearts focused in Christ to feed His children - and was seen clearly every day in the work each and every employee did (does) – from their hearts!
 
Where is heart today? Is your heart emanating Christ’s Light?
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer is that we each go into this weekend taking time to ask God to recharge, refill and ready our hearts for His work, in whatever work or activities that we do – so from abundant hearts God has given us through You, Jesus, that we are shining Your light glorifying God to those around us. Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning,

I am teaching a class on worldview at church for a group of young adults. One of the sections we are covering is on four relationships - upward (with God), inward (with self), outward (with others) and downward (with creation).

These relationships were "right" when God created us (Gen 1:31 - And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.)

When we sinned and fell (see Gen 3). All of these relationships were broken. 

When Jesus Christ went to the Cross for us and was resurrected from the dead he opened the door to redemption. Jesus now redeems those who answer His call, receive Him, now believe, repent and proclaim His Lordship. 

This perfect sacrifice by Lord Jesus started the process of restoration of these relationships. The most important relationship being our upward relationship with God.

I was pondering redemption of the upward relationship this morning. God put the following passage on my heart:

Matthew 27:50-54 - 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son[i] of God!”

Why is this important? Originally, before mankind broke it's relationship with the Creator, we were able to walk with Him, be in His presence. After mankind's fall, that upward relationship was damaged and for most of mankind, except for a few exceptions we see in the Old Testament, we needed an intercessor to go to God on our behalf, to seek forgiveness of our sins.

The curtain referenced above represented the barrier in the Temple that prevented normal people access to the "Most Holy Place" - where God would receive sacrifices from the High Priest (intercessor for the people). 

This curtain was actually a very thick barrier (Josephus, a secular Jewish historian, tells us that the veil was four inches thick and that horses tied to each side could not pull the veil apart.). 

So the significance of this curtain being ripped top to bottom is that it represents the initiation of both the redemptive work of Jesus Christ but also that Jesus initiated the restoration process (Rev 21:5 -And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”).

We now have direct access to God through Jesus Christ - the "Most Holy Place" is no longer off limits for you and I because Jesus is renewing our relationship with God. 

So our most important relationship is our relationship with God. Without that relationship being right (and it is made right by Jesus Christ) no other relationship can be made right.

So even though this passage in Matthew is about the death on the Cross of our Savior, it is the beginning of the Good News for us and all who get a chance to hear and respond to it. 

As we move through these days leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, let us treasure the work of our Lord Jesus by leaning in to live out the redeeming and restorative work of a renewed relationship with our God.

Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that we seek the fruit of Your work, Lord Jesus in our having access to a redeemed relationship with God! Amen!

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!
 
Have you ever spent time trying to understand how the Holy Spirit is moving in your life? These are some of my thoughts in this area. Last night during prayer I had the following come to mind:
 
Our Lord Jesus not only made himself low to serve us, He also made Himself low to suffer for us – and – He made Himself low knowing we would abuse Him – ultimately sending Him to the Cross.
 
I get goose bumps in awe of how completely Jesus gave of Himself for our benefit…our ultimate salvation.
 
Because of deep gratitude (fruit of the Holy Spirit) for the work of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I am driven to live my life different than the world would have me live it…so even now with all that is going on…I press forward leaning into / on Jesus Christ…do I always live my life differently, no, but a spark that has turned into an ember, and maybe now a flame is present – hopefully someday, I will be a light, a bright light to this world…rightly reflecting all Jesus Christ is and did for us
 
Holy week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday are a few weeks away and will be here before we know it…and Resurrection Day, the day victory was won by God when His Son was resurrected from the grave. Our lives have been purchased with His blood.
 
That should be something that creates a spark in you…for that becomes the reason to strain forward as Paul shares in this Philippians passage:
 
Philippians 3:12-14 – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers (and sisters), I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
 
As Resurrection Day approaches, a quickening grasps hold of my heart…a growing desire to know, really know my Savior, my Lord, Jesus Christ…
 
How about you?
 
After I finished writing this, these words from a Jeremy Camp song came my way – about lifting up God’s faithfulness (you can see video here). They remind me of why I want to know my Lord:
Whatever I face
Whatever the fear
whatever the cost
You always draw near
 
Whatever the pain
Whatever may come
Whatever may fall
Your love overcomes
 
I will call
I will call upon you
Whatever I face you are with me
I will fall I will fall on my knees
For every heartbreak you will hold me
 
Every wall will break
All the darkness shake
All the joy will be renewed
 
So every knee let’s bow
And raise a victory shout
For the king will make things new
 
Every mountain moved
Every lie be loosed
For your banner we’re lifting high
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend is that each of us continues to find peace in You, Lord Jesus Christ. And as Resurrection Day comes near this year, that we look with anticipation and quickening desire to deeply know the one who’s blood gives us that peace, You, our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!
 
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning,

How rich are you? Do you think about richness in terms of money? In terms of blessings here on earth? Material things? The following scripture references point to richness that comes through Jesus Christ.

• Ephesians 2:6-7 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

• Ephesians 2:4-5, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.”

• Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

• Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”

• Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

  
I know Kathy and I express gratitude to God for His blessings here on earth. Our children and grandchildren, a roof over our heads, health and healthcare, transportation, meaningful opportunities to contribute in retirement, service opportunities that allow us to serve God, loving communities that we belong to and more…

I know Kathy and I sometimes struggle when we experience painful situations, difficulties and loss. Maybe we should acknowledge God as the source of all of this…what we call “good” and “bad”. It is all shaping who we are in Christ. Praise Him in good circumstances – and in bad? 
 
Yes! Count our riches, not as the world counts riches…but as God counts riches.
 
All that we have here, experience here, if we remain centered on Christ in our lives, in how we live with each other, this really leads to true richness in heaven when we meet our Creator. We even experience part of that richness here on earth when we receive God’s mercy and grace in giving our lives to Christ, through rebirth.
 
So what are some of God’s riches provided to us? These riches we receive now and/or in eternity include:
 

• God raised us up with Christ – our salvation
• Gave us riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Jesus Christ
• God – who greatly loves us, is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ
• Provided forgiveness of sin – us dead in transgressions --by grace we have been saved
• God blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ
• Peace with God – a personal relationship
• God will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus

 
These verses shared today just struck a note in thinking about how the world can twist the idea of what being rich means. We - each of us in Christ - we are rich – now – and eternally – in the riches only God can provide – the only riches that matter.
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we enter this weekend is that we live according to your words in Matthew 6:19-20 - 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Amen!

​Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick

Good morning!

Next week the season of Lent starts for many.  This time of year, regardless of whether your Christian denomination celebrates Lent or not, is a worthy time to consider the journey Jesus took to the Cross for us as we prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday in April this year.

Consider these passages - 
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “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.”

Psalm 62:7, “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
 
For me, this is reflective time of year. I look forward to lent, at least for the last five or ten years. This morning, as is often the case during this time of year, I turn off the radio. The radio, even when being on KTIS, represents in some ways the noise of life. Turning off the radio provides me quiet time, reflection time, really most important time with God, with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Prayer time.
 
I fill this time with thoughts of two journeys – one a subset of the other – the first journey is that of Jesus Christ and His three year ministry starting with His 40 days in the desert and temptation by Satan. The second journey starts in my reflection with Jesus sitting down with the apostles for the last supper – so many little things shine the light of God’s beauty (and complexity) when considered.
 
During His ministry and during the last day before He was crucified, we see many of these moments of light, all bringing a taste of God’s love to us – which we should embrace. Have you experienced those moments at this time of year? As you reflect on how much God loves us, is there anything that stands out for you personally? The verses above key into some of the qualities of God’s love that the apostles experienced during the long journey and during that last day before Christ was crucified…

• Father of compassion
• God of all comfort
• With us in all our troubles
• Our salvation is provided through Jesus Christ
• Our mighty rock
• Our refuge

All of this was present through Jesus Christ during His time on earth and especially when he spent that last day with the apostles – compassion and comfort, washing of their feet, with them as they struggled to understand what Jesus was sharing with them about His need to be obedient to the Father and lay down His life for them – they were troubled - His promise to them of a Helper, Advocate, the Holy Spirit – providing them a foundation, a rock, a refuge.
 
So today, for each of us, through Jesus Christ, and the presence in us of the Holy Spirit, we have the same assurances from God and the same love from God. And because of this, we have been prepared to share God’s love in the work we do – to pour out the same love we receive from God to others. As shared in 2 Corinthians 1:4b “…, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
 
We learn to comfort others in their troubles as God comforts us in our trouble. We learn to love as God loves us so we can share that love with others.

​What journey has Jesus Christ walked with you on and what is He teaching you so that you might be a light to others?
 
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us going into this weekend is that each of us can find time to reflect on all the beauty that God provides during this special time of year. Because despite the painfulness of this part of the Good News, God through You, Jesus Christ and the Holy spirit, shares in His love in amazing ways and we can see those ways if we just pause, take time to reflect. Amen!

If you are reading this, go, pick up a Bible and read some of the journey of Jesus Christ – God’s love will shine.

Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
 
Patrick