CREDIT: The Sporting News 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I’m a bit of a sports fan. Often, my teams try to get better by adding players to the roster. However, sometimes they try “addition by subtraction.” When a player, regardless of how good they are, doesn’t fit in, the team gets better by subtracting them. By improving team chemistry, the team adds by subtraction.

Jesus has many nicknames, including “Prince of Peace.” It’s odd to hear Him say, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51) Then He describes whole families divided against each other - parents and kids, kids-in-law and parents-in-law. How can a “Prince of Peace” cause so much division? Well, it’s a little like “addition by subtraction.”

For many, peace is a lack of conflict. If you’re not fighting, you’re at peace. To many this often looks like living as one wants, satisfying their own needs and desires - and others letting them do so. “I’m not going to make waves. So long as nobody gets hurt, that’s fine.” Even followers of Jesus, Christians, don’t want to make waves so they let others do things counter to God’s word without lovingly calling them to repentance for their sin - all in the name of “peace” … a lack of conflict. 

Unfortunately, when “peace” between people exists in this way, peace between God and man doesn’t. Sin is conflict between us and God as we disobey His will for us. In calling for division, Jesus calls on us to call sin what it is - SIN! Even if it creates division in the world’s eyes. He desires people to know their sin and then repent of it to receive God’s forgiveness - the peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace that leads to eternal life in the kingdom of God. It's only by dividing people against their sinful nature and the world’s sin-filled ways - even if causes conflict this side of heaven - that true peace, unity in Christ, is possible. Peace by division.

                                                                                    In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                    Pastor Jim

Photo by Jonathan Forage on Unsplash 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

There’s an ad for an all-electric vehicle (EV) that points to the absurdity of today’s gross commercialism. Several people are “camping” having brought most of their homes along. They’ve plugged the comforts of home - TVs, phones, and heaters - into their “EV”. Then someone says, “We’re out of pesto.” So, a guy, after unplugging everything from the car, runs to the store. As he gets to town he asks, “Everybody comfy?” They yell, “NO!” because, without electricity, all they brought is now worthless.

Today’s world makes us think that if we have our stuff with us, we’ll be happy - until we run out of pesto or something. Bottomline, no amount of worldly goods will bring satisfaction. Whether it’s toiling after wisdom, wealth, or the material goods wealth buys, the writer of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher, says, “All is vanity and striving after the wind …” (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

“Vanity” means “worthless, valueless, pointless.” That isn’t to say “things” are bad. In fact, the Preacher mentions, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should … find enjoyment in his toil ...” (Ecclesiastes 2:24) But the problem arises in the failure to recognize where “all the stuff” comes from - and what it’s to be used for. All we toil after, including our minds, bodies, and abilities - “is from the hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24) It is God who gives us wisdom, knowledge, and joy - not us. Once we realize this, we see things’ true value.

These “things” are gifts from God, not to make us happy or content, but to help us show His love in the world by using them to serve others. Paul tells us, “If then you have been raised with Christ … set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are of the earth.” Clinging to Christ, we pursue the only thing that’s truly valuable - “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4) - eternal life in His kingdom.

                                                                                    In Christ,

                                                                                    Pastor Jim

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Many have experienced “going under the knife” - removing something causing pain or worse. As a redhead, I’ve had several skin cancers cut from my face. Now they’re gone. However, if I want to keep them away, I need to change some of my behavior - like putting on sunscreen.

In God’s Word, we hear about divine surgery God does to His people. “Circumcision” wasn’t done to remove a harmful growth … rather God commanded it to mark His chosen people as His own. But, like surgery, the circumcision, a visible reminder of God’s grace, also led to action to remain God’s child. Being circumcised wasn’t an end … rather, it was the beginning of a lifelong commitment to living in thanks to God for His grace, as a child of God, by fearing, loving, and trusting Him in all things … over and above all things.

Paul tells us, “In (Christ) also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.” (Colossians 2:11) Today, we’re still circumcised, however, it’s not a visible, physical circumcision. Rather, we’re spiritually circumcised in our baptisms. The deadly disease called “sin” is rendered helpless against us through faith in Christ. We are “dead in our sins” but through Jesus’ sacrifice we’re made alive again, “having forgiven us all our sins.” (Colossians 2:13)

This spiritual circumcision gives us more than faith in Jesus and forgiveness of sin. Like a surgeon removes deadly cancer, God performs divine surgery, through the Holy Spirit, to cleanse us from sin and its effects. Then, compelled by the Spirit, we begin to allow God’s Word to guide and direct us more completely in His will … while our desire to sin shrinks. Through this process, called “sanctification,” the Spirit gradually makes us more holy children of God. The cancer of sin is removed through divine surgery and new life takes hold allowing us to use our time, talent, and treasure - gifts from God - just as He intended.

                                                                                    In Christ,

                                                                                    Pastor Jim

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have something very important to … SQUIRREL! Now, where was I? Oh yeah, something really important … which escapes my mind right now. SQUIRREL! Hey, we all get distracted. Whether it’s squirrels, shiny objects, or something else. We’re easily distracted from the important things we need to stay focused on by things that draw our attention in other directions.

People can even be distracted from someone as important as Jesus by “shiny things”! If you don’t believe it, look at Martha, Lazarus’ sister. Jesus was traveling through the land, focused on His return to Jerusalem when Martha invited Him to her house. However, despite the honor of Jesus’ presence, she became distracted by other things while Jesus sat down to teach. Her sister Mary was riveted to Jesus though. She sat at Jesus’ feet absorbing everything He said. Martha wasn’t happy with Mary’s focus complaining, “Jesus, shouldn’t my sister be helping me out!?” Jesus responded, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

While Martha was certainly doing a good thing, caring for Jesus; Mary was doing a better thing, paying attention to Jesus. There would be time after His teaching to take care of other things. But first things first, listen to Jesus - then, based on His word, act.

It’s an important lesson for all of us. I know I get distracted while trying to focus on Jesus in my devotions and prayers - bills to pay, people to talk to, things to do. These “shiny objects” vie for my attention as I try to spend time at Jesus’ feet each day. Thankfully the Holy Spirit draws me back to Jesus who’s waiting patiently for my return. He calms my anxiety, eases my troubles, enables me to regain my focus. That’s what I wanted to say - it’s important we spend time with Jesus to receive His guidance before facing the world’s distractions.

                                                                                                        In Christ’s Peace,

                                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Photo by Alysha Rosly on Unsplash 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Are you confident? If so, what are you confident in and why? Confidence is important, but what you’re confident in and why are also important. Confidence leads to the ability to get things done. Our God-given skills or knowledge makes us confident we can achieve things. Maybe you’ve studied hard for a test – you’re confident you’ll ace it. Maybe you’ve analyzed a problem from all the angles – you’re confident you’ll solve it. It’s good, in most cases, to be confident.

St. Paul was confident too. And for a long time, he thought his confidence in himself was a good thing. He was confident he was on the right side of God because of who he was and things he’d done – being born into the right family; followed the law; had the right jobs; and worked hard at doing what he thought was right (Philippians 3:4-6). And to his friends and co-workers, Paul probably looked to be in good shape. Unfortunately, his confidence was misplaced. Meeting Jesus, Paul realized he was wrong. While his abilities were, in fact, excellent gifts from God, they weren’t things that could save him from death or gain him eternal life. While God could use Paul’s many gifts to help others come to faith in Christ, as Paul now had, they couldn’t save him from his sins. Paul gave up his confidence in himself and placed all of it in Jesus. It is only through confident faith in Jesus, the power of His resurrection that Paul or anyone of us can have the gift of forgiveness and eternal life with God (Philippians 3:9-11).

God has indeed given all of us gifts – whether we’re good with our hands, minds, voices, or artistic abilities. Whether we’re patient, compassionate, or helpful. Our confidence in these can’t save us from sin, death, and the devil. But, placing our confidence in Christ alone, we use these gifts in faith to serve God in response to His love for us so all may come to faith in God and His promises.

                                                                                                        In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Dear Servants of Christ,

Aside from going to the grocery store or farmers market, if you want a tomato, what do you do? You sow tomato seeds … do a lot of other stuff … and pray. You get a tomato. Want peppers? Plant pepper seeds. You want Romaine lettuce, you plant … you get the idea. You get what you plant. If you plant marigolds, you won’t get watermelons. You reap what you sow!

God tells us the same principle applies to our lives, “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) The reaping here isn’t of food items or flowers though. The reaping is either “φθοράν (phi-tho-rahn)” – which means, literally, “complete destruction” or “ζωὴν αἰώνιον (zo-een i-own-ee-on)” – literally, “live happily, joyfully, completely forever.” The impact of our sowing is dramatic, and it is eternal (Galatians 6:8). 

Earlier in Galatians, Paul describes “fleshly sowing” and “Spiritual sowing” in pretty clear terms. The works of the flesh are those things that cause “complete destruction” when left unchecked – anger, strife, jealousy, sexual immorality of all kinds, envy, and substance abuse. These things knock down, stomp on, and destroy; blowing those who sow them into smithereens and eternal judgment (Galatians 5:19-21). But, on the other side of the field is the picture Paul paints of the fruits of the Spirit richly harvested when “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, (and) self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) are sown.

We harvest from what we sow in faith, remembering the One who makes it possible. It’s not our ability and expertise. It is only through Jesus’ work on His cross, crucified for our sins of the flesh that the fruits of the Spirit grow in us so we can receive eternal life (Galatians 6:14).

Bottomline, we don’t plant thorns and expect to reap basketsful of grapes. We will reap what we sow. Let us continually sow seeds from the Spirit, water patiently with God’s nourishing word, and one day, we will receive the harvest of eternal life in His new creation (Galatians 6:9).

                                                                                                        In His Service,

                                                                                                        Pastor Jim

Dear Servants of Christ,

“Freedom from” or “freedom for” are two different freedoms. This time of year, many celebrate “freedom from.” Freedom from … school as we start our summer break … work as we take that needed vacation … tyranny as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day. “Freedom from” is how we often think of “freedom.” 

Why is “freedom from” so cherished? In part it’s about perspective. We’re freed from something curbing our ability to live as we would prefer. It’s this kind of freedom that enables us to live the lives we want. But if you think about it, that can lead to self-centered approaches for using the gift of freedom?

St. Paul says, “For you were called to freedom … Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) Paul speaks of not only “freedom from” – slavery to sin, death, and the devil; but also about “freedom for” – a purpose. God has freed us FOR serving and loving others with the many gifts He’s given us – time, talent, and treasure. We’re freed FOR using them freely while also trusting God to replenish them, so we’ll never run short. No need to worry that we’ll not have time to do something, talent to complete it, or money to pay for it.

When we live this way, the anger, enmity, and strife caused by frustration that things aren’t going our way begins to vanish. The rivalry, envy, and division caused by comparing our apparent shortages with others’ abundance starts to fade. The need to drown our feelings in abusive behaviors, like drunkenness, goes away. Our new freedom, founded on trust in God, leads to lives filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:23). Why? Because we’re FREED FROM thinking about “what if, what might be, what could’ve been” and FREED FOR thinking about the possibilities God has enabled through Jesus Christ and our faith in Him and His promises of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

                                                                                                        In His Service,

                                                                                                        Pastor Jim