Jer. 10-12; John 14

John 14 is such an incredible passage filled with promises. I am always brought back to a sense of simplicity about the Gospel and the ways of the Lord every time I read this. Jesus lays it all out so well. First we see that Jesus is preparing a place for us and that the ONLY way to heaven is through Him. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me….” (John 14: 1-6) The weight of verse 6 is enormous; Jesus is the ONLY way! As we read on we see the introduction of the Holy Spirit and all that He will bring. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

I can only imagine the confusion the disciples must have had at this time with Christ talking about leaving and sending the Holy Spirit. Fortunately for us we have the printed Bible to read and we can see the “BIG BICTURE”. There is a deep joy and assurance, because of the coming of the Holy Spirit. We will be kept in Jesus and as Jesus is fully in the Father, we will also know the way to the Father. While we are here in this weak body made of flesh and bones we also have the Spirit of God inside us so we should be encouraged as we are not in this fight alone!



Thank you Lord for your Love and Grace….Amen
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: Jer. 13-15; John 15

Isaiah 36,37; Psalm. 76; 1 Peter 1

So often we wander around this world being shaped by our surroundings. If we look carefully at what sort of things develop in us based on the surroundings we grow up in, one of the things so many of us see is “FEAR”, more specifically the fear of man. It is easy to be shaped by our hurts and even to see a world with so much injustice and to speculate how God can let it happen or to question if it will ever stop. Sometimes when we see things happen for an extended period of time we might ask, “Will God make things just and right? Will He step in?” These thoughts are some of the seeds that allow fear to grow in us. Thankfully, He is always faithful…..

“At Your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
Both the chariot and horse were cast into a dead sleep.
You, Yourself, are to be feared;
And who may stand in Your presence
When once You are angry?”
(Psalm 76:6-7)

When we read through Psalms 76 we see a God who fears nothing and who looks out for us. Sometimes it is just a matter of time before God steps in. Just as a father might stand by for just a moment to see how his child is going to react in the face of opposition. Our Father in Heaven is slow to anger but is still watching with a sharp eye. He will always step in and when he does everyone will know it. When we look at the “BIG PICTURE” it brings an understanding that we must trust God and recognize He has everything under control and He will deal with the good, bad, and everything in-between in His time.

I encourage us all to look to Him who is just and true while we thank Him for the grace we have been given in our lives.


Be Blessed,
Pastor Jason



NEXT READING: 2 King 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2

Pauls Farwell Letter to Timothy

Today’s Reading: Joel 1-3; 2 Timothy 1

In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul writes his last letter to his beloved son in the faith. Paul is passionately pouring out his heart before this beloved disciple of his. You can imagine Timothy as he reads this letter, knowing and expecting that Paul’s execution is at hand. He would have been encouraged by the writings of John when he rehearses the last days with Jesus as he was telling the disciples that he was going to be leaving them soon. “These things I have spoken unto you that in me you might have peace, in the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) It is amazing, the sense that one has when they know that death is at their door—especially for those who are followers of Christ. All of the haze seems to clear away and heaven becomes more in view as earth is literally fading. One’s priorities take focus and eternity is seated in its proper place. Much so now for Timothy who is receiving those last admonitions that a father would give a son. Let’s take these admonitions to heart today and put ourselves in Timothy’s place as we read through this letter. 1) Stir up the gifts, get going on what God has given you and use it for His glory, do not wait another day. 2) Don’t be afraid because fear is paralyzing. 3) Don’t be ashamed of the gospel and don’t worry about how things are turning out for me, just know God is good and faithful and you, son, keep your eyes on Jesus, He alone is the author and finisher of our faith. 4) Keep the faith, son, and daughter and do not lose the truth by being swayed as others of faith have. There is a pattern to live by, I have been faithful to live it out before you, use that to be encouraged in your walk with God. I believe the key to all of this is summed up in 2 Timothy 1:12, “…I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” So lastly, family, be persuaded of this, HE is ABLE…

In Christ,
Carol

Tomorrow’s Reading: Joel 1-4; 2 Timothy 2