January 5, 2023 – the Twelfth day of Christmas —“Studying the Teachings of the Lord”

“So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you.You have seen for yourselves what the Lord did with regard to the Baal of Peor—how the Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, while those of you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today. See, just as the Lord my God has charged me, I now teach you statutes and ordinances for you to observe in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” Deuteronomy 4:1-6

I go through ups and downs in how I study the Bible. Sometimes I participate in a group Bible Study, and other times, I study with some pastor friends of mine, or by myself. And yes, there are times I don’t study at all. And over the 17 years that I have been a pastor I have learned that there is no “right” way to study the bible.

During the beginning of every year, many people will make a list of goals for the upcoming year. Being a list-maker by nature, I try to set goals I can accomplish by listing them out – so that I get the occasional good feeling that I have finished something.

Take time in the beginning of 2023 to set some goals for your spiritual enrichment. Look for opportunities around you to increase your daily time with G-d’s Word. Don’t let another year go by without setting some goals for your spiritual health.

Let us pray: Lord, there is so much to learn in and from the bible. Help me to keep to my commitment to read your word daily. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 4, 2023  – Christmas +10 —  “We Should Thank G-d For Our Blessings, Often”

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever…” Psalm 136:1-3

“When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence. Honour and obey your natural parents although they be poor.” (George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation; number 108; p. 30, Applewood Books”)

How good are you at thanking people? Do you thank the person at “Target” for checking you out – or the oil man for bringing you oil in the winter? We like to think we are in touch with gratitude all the time, but I believe we miss opportunities to say “thank you” every day. Often we believe that this or that person is just doing their job, so why do they deserve thanks. My belief is the more we say “thank you”, in all situations, the more grateful we will be when it really matters. We should especially be thankful for the blessings G-d has bestowed upon us. We would not have life if not for G-d. We would be quite the pitiful people without a G-d who has blessed us abundantly.

Many articles and books have been written about the physical and mental benefits of being grateful. The Bible is filled with prayers and stories that speak our thanks to G-d and lists the many reasons we have to be thankful at all times and in all circumstances. What people, places, things, or memories are you particularly grateful for? How can you look at some of the disappointments and challenges you’ve faced in the last few weeks from a grateful perspective?

Let us pray: Lord, thank you for all of my blessings. Help me share my gratitude with others daily. Amen.

Pastor Dave