March 10, 2024 – Lent 4B

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” John 3:14-21

It is easy, is it not, to become jaded and whiny about the blessings we have. It is always easier to look across the fence and covet your neighbors greener lawn – or cover that car that is fancier than yours – or wish your children were as bright, or athletic, or adorable as your neighbor’s children. Truth be told, if we always detest, or envy or covet the blessings the advantages, the commodities or the consumables others have – or if we just detest our own meager fare in life – we will always be miserable. We may think we have so much to detest – but I wonder what G-d detests? I believe G-d detests miserable attitudes – G-d does not detest people – G-d detests our miserable attitudes toward one another – or our jealousness – envy, greed, and hate for one another. These are all attitudes – ways of thinking and behaving toward one another. And G-d detests them…

Where did we ever develop this attitude that we deserve things in life? I guess we could say it began in the Garden of Eden, right? With Eve’s desire to have what is not rightly hers – in her disobedience what is born are the sins of envy, coveting and narcissism. We can think of people we envy – those for whom we have some feelings of discontent because they have advantages we think we do not have. We can also think of some people for whom we covet their possessions, wealth or privilege. And with all of the envying and coveting, we can begin to develop some narcissistic tendencies. Often what is at the heart of our own disobedience is narcissism – not caring for others, not caring how our behavior might impact others – and of course that constant need to be told we are special.

It is hard to always live remembering the blessings and the gifts G-d has gifted each one of us – but in this season of Lent we can spend some time reflecting upon the cross – and the one who hangs upon the cross – the one who not only heals us, but gives us new life. Perhaps then we will not detest what G-d has given us.

Pastor Dave

March 9, 2024 – Looking For Life in All the Wrong Places

“Hear, everyone who thirsts; come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread

and your earnings for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.” Isaiah 55:1-3

“We all tend to look for life in all the wrong places. We all tend to look for life horizontally when the reality is that we will only ever find life vertically. Somehow, some way, we all tend to look to the created world to give us life. We all carry around with us our personal catalog of “if-onlys.” “If only I was married, then I’d be happy.” “If only I could snag that job, then I’d be satisfied.” “If only we could buy that house, I don’t think I’d want another thing.” “If only my marriage was better, then I’d be okay.” “If only my children would turn out right, then I’d been content. Your heart will rest only when it finds its rest in God, and God alone.” (“New Morning Mercies”, March; Paul David Tripp)

This world, with all of its sights, sounds, locations, experiences, and relationships, will never make your heart content. This physical world was designed by G-d to be part of the journey but not our eventual destination. Our heart will only find rest when it finds its rest in G-d. So Jesus says: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys” (Luke 12:33). What will you hook your heart to today in the hope that it will give you life?

Where will you look for peace and rest today if you are not seeking to find rest in the Lord? What bread will you buy today that will never fill your spiritual stomach? Why would you ask this broken world to be your sanctuary when Jesus has promised to give you all the Grace that you need?

There are many things in this life that want to entice us that they will make our lives better, easier, and more fulfilling. There is only one thing that will give us the peace and the blessings that surpass all understanding. That one thing is Jesus.

Pastor Dave