January 1, 2022 — Genesis  1:1 – 3:24 

“God’s Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss. God spoke: “Light!” And light appeared. God saw that light was good and separated light from dark. God named the light Day, he named the dark Night. It was evening, it was morning—Day One. God spoke: “Sky! In the middle of the waters; separate water from water!”  God made sky. He separated the water under sky from the water above sky. And there it was: he named sky the Heavens; It was evening, it was morning—Day Two.” Genesis 1:2-8 (The Message)

The bible begins with a testimony to the universal activity of G-d. G-d’s actions in the world are what remain most important and yet often most difficult for us to understand—because no matter how much we search and search, our human knowledge of what G-d has done will always pale in comparison. Human beings in all times and places have experienced G-d’s creative acts prior to and alongside of G-d’s redemptive acts. G-d is G-d and freely brings into being that which is not G-d, yet G-d is a part of everything—that is the mystery. All creatures depend on the Creator for their existence and continuing life. With the introduction of sin, we must ask the age-old questions: “What is Sin? Why is there so much Sin in the world?”  The primary sin may be best defined as mistrust of G-d and the word of G-d.

From the very beginning there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was without form and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. And then, by the Grace of G-d all things come into being. What was true for all of creation is true for you and me—for in like manner the work of G-d’s Grace in our lives makes us new creations. The Word was with G-d and the Word was G-d in the beginning – at creation. The Word, Jesus Christ, and his life saving work is our greatest gift of Grace. Without grace in our lives, we are more susceptible to disorder, confusion, sin and evil winning out in our lives.  

Let us begin the new year with re-affirming our faith and trust in G-d who can and will raise us above sin and death and give us new life.

Let us pray,

Lord, give me your Grace, your love, and the communion of your Holy Spirit this New Year, and throughout my life. Amen.

Pastor Dave

December 31, 2021 — Jeremiah 29:11-14 — “God Willing and the Creek don’t Rise”

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.  When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart,  I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

If you are like me, sometimes you ask yourself, “Am I doing what G-d wants me to do?” I struggled with deciding to go to Seminary for many years – almost ten – wondering if this was my will or the will of G-d. Maybe you wonder about whether your career is the right one for you, or if you are being called to take a break from your career to care for children or aging parents, or to follow the voice of G-d down some different professional path.

Finding G-d’s will in our lives involves seeking G-d’s wisdom to understand what to do — asking G-d to help lay out a plan to accomplish it including using our strengths willingly and gracefully. This means accepting the changes that are inherent in such a decision. Although I sometimes wondered if I had made the right decision, I learned to trust G-d that there was a greater plan and greater will moving me along on my path.

I am grateful for the path that G-d has taken me on so far, and I keep asking G-d to guide my current situation and to help me navigate the turns and twists that are coming up. And I pray for the grace and wisdom to listen.

If you are wondering what G-d’s will is for your life, perhaps you can consider first what you like most about your life right now? What do you like least? And then consider what does finding G-d’s will in your life—personally, professionally, and for your family—mean for you? It all starts with considering, praying and discerning. It takes time – but G-d will answer those prayers.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, as I come to this new year, I ask you to help me understand your will in my life. Send your spirit into my life, into my heart, and into my relationships, especially my relationship with you. Amen.

Pastor Dave