October 10, 2016 – Words of Wisdom
Littlest is not Always Little

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” (The Lord of the Rings)

“There is the story told about a King who had a problem. The King needed someone to help solve his problem. Word spreads that the King has a problem, and the tallest, smartest, and fastest people in the kingdom think that they can solve it. But, as it turns out, none of those, the tallest person in the kingdom, the smartest person in the kingdom, and the fastest person in the kingdom cannot solve his problem. However, it turns out the problem is that his crown fell under his throne, and none of them are able to reach it. But the smallest person in the kingdom can solve the King’s problem. The King realizes that the smallest person in the kingdom can fit underneath the throne and reach it. The smallest person in the kingdom retrieves the crown, and saves the day.” (The King’s Problem)

The bible is filled with people who, though small in stature or position, do amazing things for G-d and for G-d’s people. I have talked about many of those individuals, and they are there for you to do some of your own reading – people like Zacchaeus, and David, and even Paul, who was reported to be only four feet, five inches tall. So why don’t we talk about some contemporary examples of people who were small in stature, but were bigger than life. The first person who comes to mind is Mother Teresa. Standing all of five feet tall, she was a formidable figure in her missionary work, particularly in Calcutta. She was not universally loved, but Pope Francis canonised her at a ceremony on September 4, 2016 in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Another person who comes to mind would be Mahatma Gandhi, the focus of tomorrow’s devotion. Standing a statuesque five feet, four inches, Gandhi used nonviolent civil disobedience to lead India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

If you think about your life, I am sure there are so many people you could list who have proven that you do not have to be big, to make a big difference in the lives of others. My wife’s paternal grandmother was all of four feet tall, and had lost most of the fingers on her right hand in a meat grinding accident. Yet, she was the chief cook, launderer, and bottle washer in her family. There was nothing she could not do. She was a model of strength, wisdom, and support for my wife.

Although the media and even the Marines think there should be a certain height for people to be respected and accepted (at least according to the world’s standards), this is not true for the kingdom of G-d on earth. Even if you are bent over with arthritis, are cut down by some accident or disability, or are just short, you already are big in the eyes of G-d, because G-d created you. Let the Word of G-d be your support, your platform shoes, and your soap box to stand out above the rest of the world, and “live large” the Christ-like life.

Pastor Dave

October 9, 2016
21st Sunday After Pentecost Year C

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

2 Timothy 2:8-13

“The perseverance of God’s people, v10, 13. One of the most worrying things we face as a Christian is the possibility that in the last day Jesus will say to us “I do not know you, depart from me.” We will always face the danger of having our faith undermined by false teaching. An emphasis on law-righteousness, on doing rather than receiving, can undermine a believer’s faith. Salvation is by grace through faith, not works of the law. Our unfaithfulness does not annul Christ’s faithfulness.

Sharing in the reign of Christ, v12: We can put up with hard times when we are sure of a good result. Our future is to rule with Christ in eternity. The rough and tumble of life prepares us for our rule with Christ. Once we have this perspective, it is easy to endure.” (Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.)

The words of Paul, “Our unfaithfulness does not annul Christ’s faithfulness” comes as a welcome message in a broken world. So many of us have been battling for many, many years: fighting against disease, against deterioration, against sinfulness, and against evil. These battles can take us away from our ability to live the Christ-like life simply because they wear us down. And, when we do not receive the earthly blessings that prosperity theologians like Joel Olsteen try to peddle to us, then we begin to believe that G-d has it out for us, if G-d doesn’t just downright hate us.

But G-d doesn’t hate anyone. Period. G-d hates sin, but G-d does not hate people. And, we have the Grace of G-d that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ that reminds us how much G-d loves us. So, when we are faithless, Christ is faithful; when we are broken, Christ makes us whole; when we are defeated, Christ wins the battle. And then, as Paul says: “If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him…if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” This reality helps us endure the battles of this world, so we can live with Christ in eternity.

Pastor Dave