Tag Archives: Trust

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 30, 2016
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We Are The Body – Working Together – Not Attacking Each Other —- Rev. David J. Schreffler

                           January 30, 2016

“But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another.” (1 Corinthians 12:18-25)

Recently Glenn Fry, co-founder and guitarist/singer for the 70’s band The Eagles passed away at the age of 67. They stated his death came as the result of losing a long battle to rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and additional complications from pneumonia. From What I know of rheumatoid arthritis, it is a disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues. In addition to causing joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis sometimes can affect other organs of the body — such as the skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels. From what we know about the body, it is amazing to us that it might attack itself — it is counter-intuitive to think it would do this. The body usually works so well together it is like a symphony of motion, flow, and coordinated effort. In fact, Paul used the body and how it works together to describe the church: “God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another.” But, of course, as in the case of Glenn Fry, the body can turn on itself – to destroy.

And this was Paul’s concern as well – that the people of G-d, working together like a body and its individual members, would work in concert rather than against one another to destroy. Once again, this is why we read the bible, because there is so much wisdom to be found within its pages. Where else might we read in such eloquent terms how we are to live, act and treat one another with such a clear analogy – we are the body of Christ, and as such, we are to work together, not against one another. The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need for you, nor the head say the same to the feet. As the body of Christ, we are stronger together than we might ever be as individuals. And when we read these words written by someone as wise and intuitive as Paul, it gives us courage to put these words into action.

Continue reading the word of G-d found in the bible my friends. There is wisdom in its pages – true wisdom.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on January 22, 2016
Tags: Trust   

G-d Has Your Back — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

January 22, 2016

Here’s a story from one of the Guideposts devotionals titled “Encouragement For The New Year”, written by Carol Kuykendall:

“Who can think about new beginnings or inspirational goals in the midst of old concerns?” I asked my lawyer-husband Lynn as he came in the door after a quick trip to the office to complete a couple of year-end responsibilities.
“Let me show you a gift I just received,” he said, pulling an attractively wrapped package out of his briefcase. On it was a card: “To Lynn. May this gift encourage you in the coming year.” It was signed by a friend in his Bible study group.  Lynn tore off the paper and lifted out a beautifully framed message, penned by a professional calligrapher. The message read:

Lynn,
Trust Me. I have everything under control.

Jesus

He set the frame down amidst the clutter on the kitchen counter so I could see that simple message as I went about my tasks. Slowly those words began to change my frame of mind. If I needed something to help me carry my old concerns into the New Year, I’d just found it … the determination to face each day’s concerns, trusting in the words of this promise from the Source of all comfort and strength.”

I know it is hard to forge ahead into a New Year of trying to complete “old tasks” while hoping to begin some new habits. I like this devotional because it speaks to the message I have been trying to pass along these past three weeks – in the midst of change, we need to remember who is in control – who has our backs. Worrying is a profession in my family. It has been passed down for generations. Recently I have been sitting in vigil with a family who has an elderly member who has been diagnosed from an un-recoverable medical condition. As they sit vigil, the elderly relative who is dying is worrying about them – worrying about what they are talking about, worrying about what might happen to her, and to them, and worrying about, well, everything. I spent one afternoon reminding her that Jesus has her back, that G-d has everything under control.

If you need to write it down and put it in a frame, remind your self daily that G-d has everything under control.
Pastor Dave