“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. ³ The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” ⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” ⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; ⁹ and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” ¹¹ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.” Matthew 4:1-11

Here is a joke for the new year. “After having dug to a depth of 10 meters last year, Scottish scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago. Not to be outdone by the Scots, in the weeks that followed, English scientists dug to a depth of 20 meters, and shortly after, headlines in the English newspapers read: “English archaeologists have found traces of 200-year-old copper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the Scots.” One week later, “The Kerrymen,” a southwest Irish newsletter, reported the following: “After digging as deep as 30 meters in peat bog near Tralee, Paddy O’Droll, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Paddy has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Ireland had already gone wireless.” (Richard Bonine Jr.) 

The year of our Lord 2021 will undoubtedly bring with it new challenges and new opportunities as well as dragging along all of the problems from 2020. Among the lingering challenges will be the ongoing battle against Covid 19 – fighting this disease will not cease just because we are now in 2021. And among the opportunities will be the new chances to hear the voice of G-d in our lives. People all around us are trying to begin new routines and end bad habits. Gym memberships either have been or will be purchased for Christmas along with new exercise machines, new workout clothing, and new running shoes. But how many people will look for ways to simplify their lives and try to hear the voice of G-d?  

Jesus told the devil: “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Listening to G-d, listening to the voice of G-d calling us through the cacophony of living in 21^st century America is a real challenge. This year, if you have determined to exercise your body, I encourage you to exercise your ears and your mind. Take time each day to listen for the voice of G-d and discern what G-d is saying to you. Take time each day to quiet your mind and listen for the still, small voice of G-d. Jesus – he does the body and the mind good.  

Pastor Dave 

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus ² it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.³ Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.⁴ Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:1-4

“Two hunters came across a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave to reflect upon his good fortune. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came rushing out, almost ran into the waiting bear, hesitated, and then dashed back in again. The same thing happened a second time. When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree frantically called out, “Woody, are you crazy? Stay in the cave till he leaves!” “Can’t,” panted Woody, “there’s another bear in there!”  

Ever feel like you are trapped between a rock and a hard place? The beginning of a new year can make us feel that way. When January 1^st comes, we can look behind us to see the old bear still prowling, while we stare into the new year and see the new bear staring us in the face. What will become of us in 2021? There are a lot of scary things that go on in the world, and we will be challenged if not downright scared by the happenings both in this world and in our personal lives. But G-d has not called us to live in fear. G-d has called us to stand in the confidence of the Lord, in the obedience of the Lord, and in the faith of the Lord’s Omnipotence.  

Howard Thurman, author and pastor writes: “Nothing less than a great daring in the face of overwhelming odds can achieve the inner security in which fear cannot possibly survive. It is true that a man cannot be serene unless he possesses something about which to be serene. Here we reach the high-water mark of prophetic religion, and it is of the essence of the religion of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Howard Thurman. Jesus and the Disinherited (p. 56). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.)

This new year let us determine to live without fear — and live into faith.  

Pastor Dave