Tag Archives: Courage

The ability to believe and trust in our faith when doubt is asailing us.

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 24, 2016
Tags: Courage,   

Do Not Be Discouraged — Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 24, 2016

“Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

As this year continues, and we experiences the various ups and downs that life presents us, we soon discover we need more than a hopeful greeting from the people around us. Happy New Year – this greeting rings hallow the further we get into January. Happy New Year soon becomes “welcome to the same old year” in many aspects. So the words that G-d told Joshua in the text above, words G-d delivered almost 3,400 years ago, words to Joshua as he was about to lead the people into the promised land, they are words that will carry us through the entire year. “Do no be discouraged, for I will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua had a lot on his mind. Moses had just died – standing on the precipice of the new land G-d had promised so long ago. He was aware of the risk, the reward, and the expectations. It was an enormous responsibility. And so he was welcome to hearing words of encouragement from G-d. The creator of all things comes to Joshua to say “Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged.”

What happens in this coming year is still left for all of us to experience. We have no idea what may happen or where we might end up. But in all of the indeterminacy, we need to remember that G-d is in charge, and G-d promises to stay close: “The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Many years later, the Lord Jesus made the same promise when he said, “I am with you always to the end of the ages.” (Matthew 28:20). That’s the reason we can wish each other a “Happy New Year!” all year long.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 21, 2016
Tags: Courage,   

Clearing Out Space — Rev. David J. Schreffler

January 21, 2016

Getting involved in reading the bible in this New Year includes giving something or some “things” up for the coming year, and it also involves taking something on that is new. It almost sounds like the season of Lent where we either give up something or take something on as a devotional exercise as we prepare for Holy Week and the death and resurrection of Jesus. To include something new into your lifestyle and into your schedule may require you giving something up. You are almost a month into your process of reading the bible every day, and I hope you have taken this challenge seriously. What is it you have found that needed to go as you have taken on this new devotional exercise?

Each one of us has a problem we need to overcome or something about how we live our daily lives that needs to change or needs to go so we can get our lives more centered on Jesus Christ and the words of eternal life he is teaching us.

I relate it to my office at the church. I have a wonderful office here that, over the last two years, has turned into a dumping ground for all kinds of things. I have received tables and chairs, books of all kinds, various other nick-knacks and I have been trying to build a puppet theater, the process of which ended about 15 months ago because I lost my creativity. Between Christmas and New Years Day I determined to throw things out and try to find my desk again. After three days and several bags of garbage, I have found what I had lost so long ago – an office in which I am not embarrassed to invite strangers and members. It was hard letting go of some of the items, but they needed to go, because they were impeding with my movement into the future.

If you are finding it difficult to keep to your reading because other things are cluttering your mind and your schedule, determine what it is that needs to go, or to change, and get rid of them. Make the time and make the room for Jesus, the Word made flesh. You will find that you have not lost stuff as much as you have gained much needed space and room for a future with the Word of G-d.

Pastor Dave