Tag Archives: Strength

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 11, 2016
Tags: Strength   

New Beginnings Must defeat Old Habits — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

January 11, 2016

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering … Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it … God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1-2 says, The Message)

Remember I wrote about translations of the bible, and in that devotion I mentioned “The Message” as one of the translations that I like. The above reading is a good example, because it puts into understandable words, what Paul was trying to get across to us: take what is most comfortable, most ordinary, all of your habits, new and old, and place them before G-d – and then be ready for some change.

What is the main reason we give up on New Habits? I would say it is because our old habits are so comfortable, so well known to us – and we are so easily drawn to that which is most comfortable. Recently I received some gifts – Christmas gifts – a pack of underwear and some socks. Not to get too personal here, but new socks are nice, but there is something that is so comforting about the old pairs. They fit “just right”. And that gives me some sense of comfort. The old is comfortable. But the old can also get smelly and stale. You have to want something better — something new – if you are to follow a new path, or try something new.

Don’t be afraid of the new, the new here being hearing the word of G-d in new ways. The new brings the unexpected and maybe even the uncomfortable, but it also can wake us up from a long, comfortable slumber. And when you find that the new makes you uncomfortable, take it and place it before G-d, who will take it and bring the best out of you.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 10, 2016
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Humble Beginnings — Rev. David J. Schreffler

                               January 10, 2016

One of the most powerful and astounding things to me about the Christmas story is the incredible humility of Mary and Joseph. Not only the humility they demonstrated, but the trust they put in G-d. This humility is confirmed and continued by the life of their baby, Jesus. Jesus never fought for position or fame. Rather, He continually baffled His followers by laying down His right to be lauded and honored. The story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus fleeing to Egypt simply confirms their trust, and their humility.

In addition to being a wonderful reminder of God’s amazing gift to us, the Christmas story also points to the kind of self-surrender and humility we are called to walk in as Christ’s followers. If the 1st century version of the “first family” is willing to leave everything as directed by G-d, is willing to listen and discern all that G-d puts in front of them, then shouldn’t we be willing to walk the same path? And how will we know what G-d calls us to do if we do not know what G-d directs through       G-d’s word? This culture constantly pushes us to fight for our rights, demand respect, know who you are and be confident in your identity. If then we call ourselves Christians, we better know what Christ says if we are to live our lives “In Christ”, which is counter to what our society demands. Instead of striving to be noticed and appreciated, we are to take an entirely different posture into every area of our lives, one of humility and self-denial. Whether we are recognized and applauded or disregarded and overlooked, it should make no difference to us. If we want to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we will need to know how he lived, and how he calls us to live.

Paul reminds us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. . . . Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God . . . made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. . . (Phil. 2:3-8). In other words, we do not read the bible so we can prove to others we know more, but so that we can prove to ourselves that we are aware of what it means to live “In Christ”.

In 2016, we are embarking on a quest of knowledge – to better understand G-d’s will for your life and for mine. Instead of fighting for your own recognition, chose the lowest place – the place of a humble servant – a humble servant who desires to know the word of G-d both on paper, and through the life of the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave