January 18, 2024 — “The Mountain Top”

“Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.” Luke 9:28-36

Have you stood on a mountain top and wondered about life, the universe and all things possible? When you stand on the top of a mountain, it seems nothing can surpass that picture, that view, that feeling. And you are right – nothing can top the top of the mountain. But, unless we are moving into a monastery somewhere in the Alps, we cannot live on top of a mountain. Oh, yes, some people try – but eventually they need to come down for provisions, for possessions, and for people. Jesus goes to the mountain top for the moment of his Transfiguration – and it is there where he speaks to Moses and Elijah. It was good for him to be there – it was good for the three disciples to see this experience. But they were not going to stay atop the mountain. In fact, Jesus comes down so that he can be with the people, to gather more provisions, and to preach against the hoarding of possessions to more people.

Mountain top experiences are nice, but the place where real action happens is down in the valley. Why? Because everything that goes up, must come down. Even Jesus did not just stay on the mountain – he came down to make things happen. Life cannot just be about mountain tops – because there is only so much room on the top. Enjoy the mountain-top experiences G-d may give to you, but do not count this as the ordinary, usual thing – especially when we compare them to our everyday, Christian life.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, mountain top experiences are nice, but I live within the ordinary, practical side of life. Help me to enjoy the toil of the ordinary life – and to learn to find the beauty in the common things of life – for you are not only found on the top of mountains, but you meet me in the valleys of my life too. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 17, 2024 — “In Christ, There is Always Hope”

  “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.” Ephesians 1:15-19

I am sure you have heard someone say “All hope is lost”. People make such a statement when it appears the odds against them are so great, there is nothing that will change the course of their journey. I once saw this quote: “When you have lost hope, you have lost everything. And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope.” (Pittacus Lore).

There is nothing more insidious than despair – than the loss of hope. We must always carry hope inside our very being because this world can take so much away from us — but it can never take away our hope that comes through Jesus Christ. After all, without hope, what do we have left? When it comes to Jesus Christ, we should never, never utter the words “All hope is lost.”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, help me to live by the words of Philippians 3:8: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Amen.

Pastor Dave