November 26, 2016 – 28 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. One day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the eldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said,“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell on the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:1, 13, 18-22

Well, this looks like the end of Santa – though we inherently know that Santa cannot be taken out by any other flying craft. Grandma may have been run over by a reindeer, but her story pales in comparison to this ugly scene. This is just a temporary setback for our jolly man in a red suit – he may be down, but he is not out. I like how the man standing on the tarmac is scratching his head like he is trying to figure out how Santa ended up on the front of a 737. Or, perhaps he thinks this is where the gift he didn’t get for Christmas ended up.

There once was a man named Job – he was blameless and upright and feared G-d and turned away from evil. He was wealthy, and blessed with many possessions. One day it all fell apart for Job – nothing was left of his possessions and his family. The true nature of the loss can be compared to many of the families in our country and the world who have lost everything through floods, fire earthquakes and other natural disasters. Job’s response even surprises his wife – “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” There is a tendency in our world today to want to associate only good happenings and good luck with G-d’s blessings – which means that when we experience the opposite, then G-d must have left and forsaken us. It is clear in the story of Job that G-d has neither left Job nor forsaken him, which is why we are surprised by his response. Even when trouble strikes, Job is clear that G-d is good and to be blessed in all circumstances.

The wisdom of Job’s stance to the tragedy that has befallen him is to recognize the presence of G-d even in the most desolate of experiences. Job Blesses G-d in the midst of his tragedy. In his devotion to G-d, Job truly understands that everything that he has is a result of the radical Grace of G-d. His possessions, his family, his property have not been earned, or merited – he only has what he has because G-d has blessed him without merit. So when it is taken from him, he does not feel forsaken. Instead, he still blesses G-d – because G-d is bigger than possessions, family, property and life. G-d is all in all – G-d is in, under and through all things – G-d is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

When life gets you down and when things aren’t going the way you think they should, perhaps you need to take a lesson from Job and take time to contemplate how you understand the blessings you have from G-d? The lessons we learn from our friend Job can be lessons that will give us hope through all of the tragedies of life.

Pastor Dave

November 25, 2016 – 29 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Ephesians 6:11-14

The title for this ornament, I kid you not, is: “Joyful Flying Tutu Wearing Ballerina Pig Ornament”. See, I don’t have to make this stuff up – it just lands in my lap – just so the pig doesn’t land in my lap. If so, I would have to refer you back to the devotion for November 21st. Yes, I do need therapy.

“Put on the full armor of God”

Life reminds us over and over again that living life in the 21st century is a struggle – sometimes a battle of good and evil, right and wrong – other times just a battle to get by. But we were never promised a rose garden in this life, and yet that should not destroy our hopes for some rosy outcomes. The explanation of this struggle lies deeper than we ordinarily think. The common view of our struggle in life has been that we are engaged in conflict against other people, against other flawed men and women. But Paul says the battle lies deeper than that. The basic problem is that this is a battle between the kingdom of G-d and the kingdom of Satan – and we are the battlefield. This is why we need to put on the whole armor of G-d, so that we can not only withstand the attacks from our visible enemies but also fight against the inner tensions and fears of our individual lives including work, home, family and church struggles.

How do we do this? Scripture gives us the answer: “Stand… and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.” The belt of truth is the word of G-d, and if you do not study and read the word of G-d on a regular basis, how can you know the truth? And, the breastplate of righteousness is the person of Jesus Christ. There is a saying that goes something like: “I will believe it when pigs fly”. Well, here you have the ornament to give you hope – the pig is flying, wearing a tutu and filled with joy. Underneath that tutu and fancy hat is a pig wearing the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness that gives her the joy of Christ. We need to live into this joy each and every day.

Pastor Dave