Tag Archives: Trust

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 8, 2015
Tags: , , Trust   

I’m Calling Yooooooouuuuuu — Rev. David J. Schreffler

 

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August 8, 2015

This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said,
“See, I am setting a plumb line
in the midst of my people Israel;
I will never again pass them by;
the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate,
and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste,
and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.”

Then Amos answered… “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’”
Amos 7:7-9, 14-15

Many…individuals played a significant part in (G*d’s) plan to save the Israelites, to warn the Israelites, and to tell them they were in trouble. For example, G*d provided Gideon with 300 men, valiant heroes all, to win the battle — G*d provided Amos, a farmer and dresser of Sycamore trees to prophecy to the people. We are not always told their names, but the bible is filled with examples of obedience.

Today, G*d is still calling ordinary people to do G*d’s work and assuring us that He will be with us as we do. G*d does not only call “Pastor’s Kids” to the ministry, G*d calls all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds, with all kinds of perceived barriers along the way. But it is bigger than just calling people to the ministry. G*d calls ordinary people every day to lead ministries, to serve as volunteers, to attend bible study groups, and to visit the lonely, sick and imprisoned. Because we are ordinary people being used by God, it should be obvious to you and me that the power comes from God, and not from us. And when we realize that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can persevere in these ministries, then we will be able to give G*d the glory for all we can achieve.

Pastor Dave

Unknown's avatar Rev. David J. Schreffler 4:44 am on August 7, 2015
Tags: , , Trust   

Trusting the Spirit — Rev. David J. Schreffler

imageAugust 7, 2015

“Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in their belts – and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. If a place will not welcome you or listen to you, as you go out from there, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Mark 6:7-11

“I’m a planner. Even on vacation I like to have a very detailed itinerary. And if it’s not too much, God, I would greatly appreciate a detailed outline of the next ten years. When I was ten years old I went on a vacation with my friend and her family. I came home disappointed about the trip because nothing happened the way I had planned it. So to be sent out with nothing and guided only by the Holy Spirit—terrifying! Let’s get practical. No one should leave home without their smart phone and a credit card. Right? At least give the disciples a map with friendly homes circled! Yet, there was a purpose and blessing behind sending the disciples out with nothing but the Holy Spirit. And today there is still purpose and blessing in putting down our smartphones and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us.” (Luther Seminary website devotions, Jennifer Beil, July 3, 2015)

Trust….it is a funny thing. We like to think we live with trust in our hearts, but only living life and true experiences will tell the tale of our trust. How willing are we to venture out without the things that we use as crutches in our lives — cell phones, credit cards, GPS devices, items of comfort and luxury that we are told constantly that we cannot live without? When we have exhausted all of the other devices that trick us into thinking we can trust them, hoping and trusting they will give us direction, we may finally learn that the Holy Spirit is the most difficult to use, but gives us the clearest direction — but it takes time and trust.

The Holy Spirit is easy to tap into, but requires time, focus, and determination to understand where it is leading us. When you got your first GPS device, it took time to understand how to use it. The same is true with the Holy Spirit, however, you can use the Holy Spirit anywhere, anytime, any way you discern. But it takes time, and trust.

Pastor Dave