July 20, 2020
Dear children of God,
Back in 1994 Patty Loveless sang a song called, You’re All I Think About These Days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx0kPNEIY1M
In the middle of the song she takes a deep breath and whispers these words to herself,
… come on Patty… get it together.
I wondering how you’re doing… if you’ve got it together?
Everybody seems so on edge these days. The simplest things set us off. I think we need to take Patty Loveless’ advice. Try to think about God all day. Try to picture Jesus Christ walking with you each day. You know, he is. Breath in anew the Holy Spirit all day!
I have had many conversations with you, and these are the things that seem to be dividing our culture and setting us off.
- Coronavirus… Is it real or fake & should we open up as normal or take precautions?
- Politics… I hear such divisions using democrat & republican language.
- Racism… black lives matter, blue lives matter, all lives matter.
In a time when the church needs to get together and talk in person calmly about theissues, we are not easily able to. But the church has a voice. It is the voice of Jesus.
We need to find ways to talk, to have conversations, and not in condemning tweets and Facebook posts! All will know we are Christ’s followers by our Love!
As Christians… as followers of Jesus Christ, there is only one real and eternal kingdom… The Kingdom of God. Jesus tells us: Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be added (Matthew 6:33). What are these things ?… everything God wants for us and our world! And whether Republican or Democrat or whatever everything under heaven has to ask the questions…
- Does it promote the Kingdom of God and its righteousness?
- Does it fulfill the words of Jesus Christ?
- Does it show our love for God and our neighbor as self?
Yesterday in the sermon I preached on the third sacrament which technically really is not a sacrament at all in any tradition… the foot washing scene where Jesus washes his friends’ feet and tells them that that was an example for how they should serve each other – in humility and servanthood. Jesus says when you’ve done it to the least of these you’ve done to me.
I think the only remedy for us to get it together is by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). It says in that passage from Hebrews that it was for the sake of the joy that was to come that Jesus endured the cross. Jesus knew that the tough time of crucifixion that he was going through was going to open up the path to salvation for humanity and that was a joyous thing.
How do you keep our eyes on Jesus in your tough times?
- How about memorizing these three scriptures?
- What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31
- By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9
- For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
- Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31
- How about doing something for somebody else or the church like assisting us on Sunday mornings setting up and breaking down for the 9 am live outdoor service? Serving brings joy!
- How about every time you watch the news you watch it through Kingdom eyes and ask yourself, does this promote the kingdom of God or does it promote the kingdom of selfishness, power, and greed?
- Join us for worship at 9:00 am live… not only is it a great way to focus our lives but it is a wonderful witness to the community, passers and drivers by, and joggers! … or 10 am virtually on Facebook Live.
Chill out! The kingdom of God is among you, Jesus says… the kingdom of God is within you, Jesus says.
Please put this on your refrigerator. Please read it over. Discuss it at home.
Please put those scriptures in your heart.
And let’s breathe, and in Jesus’ strength and power we will get it and keep it together.
Afterall, we need to not only get it together, keep it together, but be together in love and in unity!
Much, much love in Christ, and much passion for the Kingdom,
Pastor Lou
