May 13, 2016

“The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38-39

One of the things we like to do the few times my family gets to go on a vacation, one of the “traditions” we have is to post on social media pictures from different coffee shops we visit. We associate vacation with coffee. Why? Because the coffee shop, in essence, is a place where one can sit and relax, drink a favorite hot or iced beverage, and enjoy some quiet time alone with a book, or your thoughts. It is good……at least I see it as good for my well-being and sanity.

And, as is the purpose of social media, good news is hard to keep inside. However, with the advent of social media outlets like Facebook, so many people share too much of the wrong kind of good news in their lives. Just the other night I was scrolling through the posts on FB, and there was picture after picture of food, flowers and other frivolous things that had brought someone some small amount of joy. It is our human nature to feel compelled to let others know when something good has happened to us.

The nice thing about FB is that it also allows people to share their faith, from simple postings of scripture, to how their faith has helped them through a difficult time. People are not so anxious to walk up to a stranger and say how good G-d has been to them, but they will repost someone’s testimony, or post their own testimony no matter how big or small. Social media empowers them to share their experiences with this wonderful and good G-d we have. The good news of G-d’s grace, love, and mercy has been made available to all through Christ Jesus. Who then are we to keep this good news from the world? But, Facebook is only the beginning. The time is now for us who have been blessed by this loving, gracious and merciful G-d to tell others about how great G-d is, and how Jesus has freed us from our chains. Just as Jesus commanded the demon-possessed man, I encourage you to go out and tell the wonderful things that God has done for you.

Pastor Dave

May 12, 2016

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13-14

“Christ has freed us to love:
Love with all our hearts,
Love with all our might.
Love our friends and families;
Love even our enemies.
Christ has freed us to express love.
For the stranger we do not know,
Love from our hearts must always flow.
For the oppressed and the poor,
Love from our hearts must always flow.
Christ has freed us to love;
And love we must, because we are free.
Christ’s love has freed us, freed us from our chains.”
James Blay

As we journey through the coffee shop devotions, I am reminded of the allure of the “free cup of coffee”. At most coffee shops, there is some kind of a coffee card that you can have – and each time you buy a coffee drink, they will punch your card. Once you get so many punches in your card, you “earn” a “free” drink. My particular coffee place has something they call “rewards”. The more you spend, the more rewards you “earn” until you reach a magic number where you receive a “reward”.

Here is something I want to remind you of: free is not free – and earned means that it costs you something. Nothing in life is free – except maybe the freedom that Christ wins for you and for me. You see, in life, we are often shackled by metaphorical “freedoms” or “rewards” that hold us back, tie us down, or promise us false benefits. Those rewards promise us that they will make our lives better. But, in reality, all they win for us are problems that include addictions, exhaustion, family conflicts, emotional poverty, poor health. Some people will struggle their entire lives trying to find rewards that offer freedoms from our earthly problems, but they are false promises.

As Christians we have a freedom and a reward that comes to us through G-d’s abundant love and grace through the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. It is not something we earn, it does not come with a “punch card” – it is truly free. But many people find it hard to accept the freedom Christ has won for everyone. Christ frees us from the bondage of sin, death and the devil. But the freedom that we win through Christ comes with responsibility – responsibility for the last, lost, least and littlest of our communities. Our freedom comes at a great price – but liberates us to spend our time liberating others through the Gospel of Jesus.

So put your punch cards away – and don’t worry about “earning” rewards. You have been liberated, you have received the greatest reward that you could possibly want or earn — the gift of salvation G-d has for you through Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave