Monthly Archives: June 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 2, 2015
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Political Prayers – or – Prayers for Politicos — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 2, 2015

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, G*dly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of G*d our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (p.51) volume II

“The author employs four partially equivalent Greek words for prayer, each of which conveys a different nuance: the term deesis indicates an appeal for a particular need; proseuche is a general word for prayer that frequently occurs in petitions; enteuxis captures an urgent and bold request; finally, eucharistia denotes an expressions of gratitude. Similar lists of prayers requests occur in other Pauline and Deutero-Pauline letters, for example in Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6, and 1 Timothy 5:5.

Thus, the author of First Timothy solicits all imaginable forms of prayer. They are to be spoken “for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions” (2:1-2). Why are the latter specifically mentioned here? The immediate reason might be the hope that Christians “may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” In the first century CE as today, much of that was determined by religious tolerance and political stability guaranteed by those in leadership positions.” Commentary on 1 Timothy, Christian A. Eberhart at the “Working Preacher” website, September 22, 2013

We have many government officials who are responsible for leadership, passing laws, and seeking the good of all people they serve. Many of those elected to office are good, hard-working people who really are interested in seeking the best for the people in their district, state, etc. And there are those who are completely self-serving — only interested in power, prestige, and influence. No matter why they are in office, we need to be in constant prayer for them and their compassion. Before every session of the State House of Representatives and the Senate, at least in Pennsylvania, each session opens in prayer. I have prayed at several of those openings. It may seem like a conflict which some would argue goes against “separation of Church and State”, but if any group needs prayer, it is those who serve the people. What disappointed me in praying for a session was the lack of attendance of Senators and Representatives for the opening prayer. None-the-less, we need to pray for all in elected office, appointed office, and who volunteer for an office. No matter what office they serve, we need to pray for their compassion, equality, sense of justice and peace.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 1, 2015
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Filling the Emptiness of Our Lives — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 1, 2015

“Then Naomi said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your G*d my G*d.” Ruth 1:15-16

“Here in chapter 1, of course, is the most famous passage in Ruth: “Do not press me to leave you or to turn back from following you! Where you go, I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (1:16). The bitterness of Naomi is not the whole of the story. Ruth’s loyalty, Ruth’s love for her mother-in-law holds the promise of something more, as does the final verse of this chapter: “They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest” (1:22). Naomi is empty (1:21), but faithful Ruth is right beside her, and the harvest is coming.” Commentary on Ruth 1:1–4:22 from the Working Preacher website, by Kathryn Schifferdecker, August 10, 2014

Naomi is empty. I think this is a wonderful way to talk about the situation in which Naomi finds herself. She has lost her husband, and lost her two sons, who would have been the only source of security she could depend upon. Her plea to her daughter-in-laws Ruth and Orpah is for their sake — not for hers. If the daughters had any chance to live without much of a struggle, they could return to their homeland and find husbands who would be their security. If they go with Naomi, they travel to a foreign land where their hope for survival would be minimal at best. So, even in the empty situation that Naomi finds herself, she is ministering to her daughter-in-laws – out of her emptiness she is trying to fill their lives.

Orpah goes home. Ruth on the other hand seeks to help fill Naomi’s life — and possibly her own — trusting in a G*d with whom she now trusts her life: “your people shall be my people, and your G*d my G*d.” The rest of the story is played out in Naomi’s home. Ruth’s trust is rewarded — G*d provides.

G*d is ready to fill the emptiness of our lives — all of us. We come to Jesus with open hearts, and he will fill them to where we will be over-flowing with love, grace and mercy.

Pastor Dave