Monthly Archives: October 2015

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 27, 2015
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Only the Good Will Stick — Rev. David J. Schreffler

image    October 27, 2015

“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18-21

“What a powerful, concise exhortation this is! In just a few words, Paul sums up the mission of Christian living. First, be not overcome of evil! There are a thousand different ways in which Satan seeks to tear down our Christian testimony. It may be a temptation to sexual sin, or a tendency toward despair, or a disposition toward anger, or a longing for personal advancement or recognition. But for all the temptations that may come our way, the remedy is the same, simple command: do not allow evil to overcome you. Stand fast in the Lord and in the power of his strength. Do not give in; do not be puffed up; do not allow your pride or lust or pain to overwhelm you. And, second, overcome evil with good. The Christian’s posture is not a defensive one. We are to be over comers, not merely survivors. Not only are we not to give up in fighting sin, we are to counteract the sin in the world by our good lives and conduct. We are to overcome evil.

How can we do that? Not by fighting fire with fire, but rather by overcoming evil with good. There is no other way to successfully battle evil in the world. The goodness of our Savior must be reflected in the good words and works of his people. The more his goodness is displayed, the more sin loses its strength and subtlety. Don’t be overcome by sin; rather, overcome sin with the goodness of God.” (Facing Temptation, BBH devotions, September 22, 2015)

Overcome evil with good. I have faced evil in my day. I have looked into the face of someone who seemed possessed by something evil, and I have found that the only thing that holds back evil is good. We are so quick sometimes to react to evil with evil — but that only gives evil the upper hand — because evil now has you in its grips. But evil does not know what to do with good. Evil hates good. And I have seen it in action. When confronted with good, evil people just seem to implode. But they will come back to strike when they get the chance to regroup.

The question on your mind of course is “How?” What I have found is that when you keep your eyes on the good, the good inside you that emanates from Jesus, then you will find the strength to let the evil words that they throw your way just glance off. All of the accusations, the vitriol, the hate will not stick. And this is what allows you to maintain your cool and not fall into an exchange of evil for evil. Fight the evil with good – and evil will not know what to do. No, it may not happen immediately, but stand firm in the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit lead you – and the Lord will give you the words.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on October 26, 2015
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Wrestling With G*d — Rev. David J. Schreffler

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October 26, 2015

“The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at. Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the Lord became very angry, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,’ to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let see my misery”. Numbers 11:4-6, 10-15

There is a painful hunger among the people for meat and fish – a hunger among the rabble, those who have joined the wanderings . There was a craving for the old diet. They were tired of the manna. In fact they were so despondent that they “craved” their slavery in Egypt — freedom has brought them a “bland” diet. And, incredibly, Moses agrees. And Moses is harsh with G*d: “Did I conceive these people? Did I give birth to them?” Moses is trying to remind G*d that they are G*d’s responsibility. G*d must be a part of the caring for these people.

First it was Moses who wrestled with G*d when he was called to lead the people out of Egypt. Then it was the people who were wrestling with G*d: “We have no water. We have no meat to eat.” Now it is Moses again wrestling with G*d over these people who cannot make up their minds. They try to commit completely to G*d, but fear holds them back. Is it fear now that drives Moses to confront G*d?

G*d wants to remind Moses that it is G*d who has given he and the people their gifts. And when G*d gives you more, G*d may demand more. Have you ever thought about that? When G*d has heaped upon you blessing after blessing, does it not make sense that G*d has the right to demand more from you? In fact it is in Luke 12:48 where it reads “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.”

Moses says “If I have found favor in your sight, put me to death now and do not let me see my misery.” It appears that Moses is trying to own the responsibility, and yet he feels helpless, and so is seeking any way through – even death. And so G*d arranges for Moses to get help from the people – 70 elders, men of authority.

There will be times in our lives where we feel helpless and where complaining or even death seems to be the only recourse. And then there are times where we feel helpless and realize that we cannot bear the burdens all on our own. G*d is always there to help us bear our burdens, and there will be others placed into our midst to whom we can reach out for assistance. It is our responsibility to ask G*d for help, and our responsibility to realize that G*d may ask more from us. Either way, we need only trust G*d to help us through.

Pastor Dave