“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

Charlie Brown and Linus are walking down the sidewalk and Linus asks Charlie, “Have you heard of the ‘Beat Generation’ Charlie Brown?”  Charlie replies, “Oh, Yes.”  And Charlie continues, “I’m a charter member.” Do you ever feel as if life is just beating you down? Have you ever felt like people in your life were beating you down? John 3:16 and 17 reminds us that although we might also feel like the world is beating us down, there is a G-d who loves us so much that G-d felt humanity was worth doing something completely unique – G-d became like us to save us from ourselves.  And he was lifted up on a cross so that, in seeing and believing, we have been given the gift of life – life eternal. Yes, we may be beaten by life, but we are not defeated. Christ is victorious for all of us—in his love, his mercy and Grace.

Pastor Dave

“So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But he was speaking about the temple of his body. ²² When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.²³ Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people²⁵ and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.”  John 2:18-25

“…for he himself knew what was in everyone.” G-d knows what is in our heart, what is in our mind, what is in our thoughts. In fact, G-d, the Father Son and Holy Spirit, knows all people. Is that a scary thought or a thought of overwhelming comfort? It comforts me to know that G-d knows my needs, and my desires, and my worries, of course before I even can anticipate them for myself.  Yet, how awesome is the thought that G-d knows what is in me, deep down in the very essence of who I am—all of the bad along with the good. I pray each night for the people of this congregation and the people that I know who are in need. Yet, I am strangely comforted knowing that for G-d, my prayers are simply repeating what G-d already knows.  And I continue to be comforted knowing that G-d knows me so well – for it is only through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that I can continue in ministry each and every day.

Just because G-d knows what is in each one of us does not mean we do not continue to go to G-d in prayer. Prayer keeps us in the conversation—keeps the communication open, which keeps our hearts open as well.

Pastor Dave