Midweek Message: This is The Way

Isaiah 30:21   Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

I love this verse from Isaiah. It was written at a crucial time in the history of the Jewish people. They were in the midst of political upheaval, and their leaders were guilty of causing the nation to morally stray. God felt disappointed by the people’s ambivalence and laid out the consequences of their rebellious ways. However, God also provided them with grace and urged them to hear God’s voice. If they did this, they would know the right direction to take, the course correction that they needed, as well as the godly instruction they required.

I think this verse encapsulates what we all need in our lives each day. We each go through times of trouble and anxiety, confusion and fear. We can find ourselves vulnerable and our confidence can be broken, leaving us spiritually and emotionally lost, as well as physically and mentally drained. We sometimes don’t know what to do or where to go for help, guidance, or support.

I believe this is why we should turn to the scriptures for counsel and advice. Although the words were written long ago, they can still build up our faith and give us inside knowledge about God’s words and ways. I think when we use the Bible for guidance, we are given a divine GPS – God’s Poignant Scriptures – that will often help us to overcome our fears, show us what to do, and help us fulfill our plans. If we make and take time to daily read and study the Bible, then I firmly believe that during critical times we will hear God’s voice in our hearts, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for Your Holy Book which has inspired and directed our people for many generations. Give us a heart for learning about Your ways and works. Enable us to embrace and be guided by Your sacred words. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

May God be with and bless you all.

Pastor John

 

Midweek Message: Local Pilot

Midweek Devotion – Local Pilots

Psalm 77:19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. (NIV)

Dear Friends,

                             One of the most fascinating things about being on a cruise ship was watching the passenger liner come into a new harbor. Just before this happened, a small speed boat would suddenly appear beside the ship in order to let the local pilot come aboard. The pilot’s knowledge of the water depth, harbor walls, and submerged rocks ensured the ship’s safety as we proceeded to dock or undock. Without the pilot, the ship’s captain would not dare to enter or leave the harbor. However, with the pilot’s presence, the ship docked safely each time.

                             This process reminded me of my role here at First Presbyterian. It has been almost two years since you invited me to be your part-time interim. My purpose has been to keep you on the right course as a congregation and thankfully we have managed this together. Hopefully, we are soon coming to a point on our journey where my work as your pastoral pilot will be completed, and you will have a new skipper to lead you to better and brighter things.

                             The presence of the local pilots on the cruise ship also reminded me that every one of us has Christ as our individual pilot to lead us safely through turbulent times and troubled waters. In today’s world, we can all be overwhelmed by the chaos and corruption, callousness and conceit that have damaged us as a people, or even personally as individuals. As Thomas Paine once remarked, “these are times that try men’s souls,” so the stress and sorrow that we have for the world can adversely affect our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits. This is why we look to Christ to pilot us through these rough seas; this is why we need Him to guide us safely ashore.

May God bring you and your loved ones peace, hope, and faith to endure and overcome these troubled times.

Pastor John

Midweek Message: The Gift of Music

Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (NIV)

                             One of the most enjoyable aspects of worshiping on Sundays is the inclusion of music. Whether it is played on the organ or piano, is sung by the choir or the congregation, or even played on instruments by adults or children, music is a centerpiece of how we cheerfully and sincerely praise God. The lyrics we sing and the harmonies we create, bring us together as a family of faith and connect us to Christian communities across the Earth, as well as with the angels who are forever singing before the throne of God. Without the inclusion of music, our worship would be empty and dull; with the gift of music, our worship becomes inspirational and meaningful.

                             I like today’s highlighted verse from Colossians. It reminds us that we have been singing God’s praises for thousands of years. The Apostle Paul emphasized the singing of hymns and psalms as a special and holy means to teach the Christian faith to the young church at Colossae. The words and music helped his people draw closer to God in both cheerful and sorrowful times. Similarly, throughout the centuries, many Christian communities have sung sacred songs to strengthen their resolve and overcome their problems. For example, the hymns and spirituals of the nineteenth century enabled enslaved people to persevere; the protest songs and community choruses of the 1960s inspired churches to fight for civil rights.

                             I hope that you enjoy the music on Sundays, too, and understand how important and precious the gift of music is for everyone in our congregation. As we sing our hymns, listen to the anthems, and reflect on the special music, may we all experience the presence of God’s Spirit and deepen our relationship with the Lord, as well as with one another.

                             May God bless you and all your loved ones.

Pastor John

Midweek Message: The Other Good Samaritan

Luke 17:15-16 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. (NIV)

            In many years of ministry, I have seen people who were truly thankful to God for help and healing. Their lives were changed in a single moment, so they devoted themselves to worshiping and serving God for the rest of their days. I, also, am one of them because when God heard my cry for help about my alcoholism, He graciously answered my anxious prayer by restoring me physically, mentally, and above all, spiritually. I was made into a new person and decided to follow Jesus for the rest of my life.

            The other Good Samaritan in the Bible passage from Luke 17:11-19 does the same. He is one of ten lepers who is miraculously healed by Jesus. He is sent to get this confirmed by a local priest so that he can rejoin his family and community. But as soon as he realizes that he has been healed of that terrible painful, disfiguring disease, he stops running away from Christ and returns to give Him thanks. He knows the source of his cure, so rather than going immediately to his priest and family, he humbly thanks Jesus by falling on his knees before Him, glorifying and praising God loudly.

            Jesus appreciates this act of gratitude, but He is also perplexed. The other nine are nowhere to be seen, even though they are all His own people. Only this Samaritan is grateful for what has occurred; only this outsider recognizes what Christ has miraculously done for al ten lepers.

            I have also seen people who have been restored physically, whose prayers for healing have been answered perfectly, whose worries and anxieties, issues and illnesses have been positively dealt with by God and yet they remain thankless. Instead of returning to Christ and worshiping Him, they take their cure for granted and get on with their lives, focusing on themselves first and ignoring any notion of recognizing what God has mercifully done in them. It’s sad to see and very disappointing, but Christ also experienced this many times throughout His life.

            Wherever we are and however we feel today, let’s not forget what Christ has done in each of our lives. Let’s be thankful that we exist even for another day and make time to be grateful to God for all that He has graciously, and perhaps even miraculously, done for us.

Point to ponder: How has God positively changed my life? How do I show Him my gratitude?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are many times that You have helped us throughout our lives. You have listened to our prayers and enabled us to overcome illnesses and issues that have seriously troubled us. May we never take Your compassion and grace for granted. May we also seek to worship and glorify You for the rest of our days. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Midweek Devotion: Breakfast Buddies - John 21:12

 Here's today's short Midweek video devotion called "Breakfast Buddies," which is based on John 21 v 12. The text is below the video box. :)

John 21:12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. (NIV)

 One of the things that I miss dearly at the church is our monthly Men’s breakfast. About a dozen of us guys get together to sit down to a delicious breakfast which two of the group carefully prepare. We typically eat well and laugh well – sometimes at the pastor’s expense – and it is a great support group for all of us. Once this pandemic is over, I’ll be looking forward to be sharing breakfast with those guys in the church fellowship hall.

 I guess that’s why I like this post-resurrection story of Jesus having breakfast with the disciples. I can imagine that after their initial shock and surprise, they would share some laughter and light-hearted ribbing – probably at Peter’s expense – in order to rebuild their ties of friendship and faith. It seemed to be important to Jesus to share this moment with His friends. I think all of us will be happy to do something similar when we get through this present crisis.

 So, instead of dwelling on our current predicament, let’s look forward to those food and faith-sharing times when we will re-experience the laughter and love of friends in church together.

 Prayer: Lord God, You know how much we miss our church sisters and brothers and that we yearn to be in fellowship together. Please keep us safe throughout this pandemic and bring us to a time when we can thankfully be with one another gain. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Mid-Week Devotion: Way to Go - Psalm 32:8

God is willing to help and guide us through this unsettling time.
A short devotion based on Psalm 32 v 8.