Monthly Archives: January 2016

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 27, 2016
Tags: , Listen For G-d's Voice   

G-d Does Speak. Can You Hear G-d Now? — Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 27, 2016

“For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it.” (Job 33:14)

Now I spent the last devotion talking about how we need to listen as we read the word of G-d – how we need to use our eyes, our brains and our ears in this process. Yes, G-d does speak to us in many and various ways. But, you may be thinking that G-d has not spoken to you for some time, if ever. There are people in the bible who have felt the same way – that G-d was not speaking to them when they needed G-d most.

Let’s take a quick look at our friend Job. Job’s three friends – Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar – had done their best to comfort Job, but their words had been full of anger and accusation. Elihu comes along to remind Job of the many ways that G-d speaks to his people: “So why do you challenge God to answer you? God speaks in different ways, and we don’t always recognize his voice. Sometimes in the night, he uses terrifying dreams to give us warnings.” (Job 33:13-19). In reality, Job was only complaining about G-d’s silence in his present circumstances. In the moment of his calamity, he thinks G-d has forgotten or forsaken him – but, as many of us have come to understand, although we may not hear G-d for a time, it does not mean that G-d is far away from us.

If you are hearing only the silence of G-d, perhaps you need to look for G-d’s presence and listen for G-d’s words with more awareness. Someone may be an Elihu for you. When you know your friend feels abandoned by G-d, you may be an Elihu to him or her. Your words of comfort can remind anyone of G-d’s promises and presence in the Bible — and in their life.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 26, 2016
Tags: ,   

Bear The Burdens Of Those In Need — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

January 26, 2016

“Bear one another’s burdens.” ~ Galatians 6:2

Doing the right thing, as we all know, can be a burden. There are many situations where doing almost the right thing, or just plain doing the wrong thing is the easiest way to go. For example, taking on the challenge to reading the bible throughout the year is the right thing to do, but there will be days it feels like a burden. You will get into books or chapters of the bible where you will just want to skip on to the next – the book of Numbers and the book of Leviticus are just two examples. These two books of the bible are really a burden to work your way through. But, you will be the better for it if you persevere.

This is one of the reasons I suggest that you read with a partner or you join a bible study group. It is easy to quit if you do not have someone in your ear saying “We cannot quit”. But if you have that voice, or if you are the voice encouraging your partner to continue, again you will be the better for it. In my devotion from January 22 I mentioned that I am visiting a family who are sitting in vigil with their mother who is dying. In the process of sitting vigil, they are also bearing one another’s burdens. You see, we all do not grieve the same, and we all do not handle a crisis the same. By sitting together and sharing in the vigil, they are not only being family, they are also bearing each other’s burdens.

Of course, as you read the word of G-d, the voice in your ear you hear as you read may be the voice of G-d telling you to continue. Reading the bible involves not only reading, but listening too. We always have to approach the bible with our eyes, our ears, and our brains. Our eyes and our brains tackle the difficult part of comprehension and questioning. Our ears take the time to listen for G-d’s still, small voice speaking to us through eternity.

Keep going my friends. Continue reading and lean on your friends when needed to keep on reading.

Pastor Dave