Tag Archives: Holy Spirit

The third person of the Trinity and the work of G*d in this world – it is the Holy Spirit that builds faith

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on July 2, 2015
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Always Present — Rev. David J. Schreffler

July 2, 2015

“Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10

When I was in high school, my mother worked in the High School Office – she was a secretary. As such, since my high school was very, very small (I knew everyone from 5th grade to 12th grade) it was difficult to hide if I was in trouble or caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to be doing. Even the few times that I was in trouble, it seemed my mother knew in an instant. There was no escaping her presence.

This is the kind of G*d that we have — we have a G*d who is always present — we can not escape this G*d of ours. When G*d promises to be in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, we know that G*d is there. When G*d promises to be in the waters of our Baptism, we know that G*d is there. And when G*d promises to be in the word preached and read, in the presence of the Holy Spirit wherever two or three have gathered in the name of Jesus, well, G*d is there. And what is surprising about this G*d we have is that the Spirit blows into our lives and out again — and we have no idea when or where that Spirit will move. We just need to remember that G*d promises to be there — G*d promises to be present — no matter where we go, no matter where we flee, no matter where we find ourselves — G*d will be there.

How do you look for G*d’s presence in your life each and every day?

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on June 25, 2015
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G*d is Good All the Time — Rev. David J. Schreffler

June 25, 2015

“A ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but G*d alone.” Luke 18:18-19

“All right, Christianity will you do good–a great deal more good than you ever wanted or expected. And the first bit of good it will do you is to hammer into your head (you won’t enjoy that!) the fact that what you have hitherto called “good”–all that about “leading a decent life” and “being kind”–isn’t quite the magnificent and all-important affair you supposed. It will teach you that in fact you can’t be “good” (not for twenty-four hours) on your own moral efforts. Mere morality is not the end of life. You were made for something quite different from that.” C. S. Lewis (1898 – 1963) G*d in the Dock “For All The Saints”, volume II (p. 133)

In my congregation we begin the service with the words “G*d is good all the time — and all the time G*d is good”. It is a reminder that G*d is always good — nothing will ever change in the character of G*d. G*d is always good. And then, we must assume, that if G*d is good, we are not, can not be, nor will ever be “good” — or as “good” as G*d. But if we are made in the likeness of G*d, then there must be some hope for us — some goodness that can come forth. And there is — once we realize that when Christ truly enters into our very being, then we are transformed into the likeness of Christ — and then goodness comes forth — we are not “good” — Christ’s goodness comes forth in the Christ-like life.

Do some good today — in the name of Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit guide you into the “Christ-like” life and let goodness flow. You can’t do it alone — but Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will lead you into all goodness.

Pastor Dave