⁸Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10

Peter, Paul, John, James and even the author of Hebrews echoes Jesus’ words about servant love.  Our commandment is to love one another (all one another’s, by the way).  Our command is to love our neighbors and as Jesus teaches, everyone is our neighbor.

The law of love is so important yet we so often miss the mark.  We want vengeance on our enemies (and should we really have enemies if we love?).  We love those in our families and friend-groups, but what about the outcasts among us?  What about the people across the border (geographical, political, theological and all other “borders” we create)?

Jesus, Peter, Paul, John, James and the author of Hebrews call us to love.  It is biblical, it is a commandment from God, it is imperative.

As we journey through this week, let us love one another.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”” Isaiah 41:13

In Sunday’s sermon (Found Here), I mentioned a wildflower growing up in the crack of the sidewalk.  It is a daily reminder for me of God’s love, of God’s overflowing seeds of grace spread out everywhere.

As Isaiah said, God is the one who helps us, and that help is often through little signs such as “my” wildflower, or the butterflies, or a sunset or the smile of a stranger. 

So often all we need in any given day is a little reminder that we are loved.  As you journey through this week, keep your eyes open, for God is there and will show you a sign.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

It was hot and that is an understatement.  You could see the heat rising up from the rails, you felt the burning sun upon your skin, and every drop of water you drank sweat out; but you waited anyway.

All of a sudden, you could feel the ground rumble – as the excitement grew around you, you heard it.  The whistle.  Not just any train horn, not just a trope “woo woo” but a deep bellow that can only be made by the world’s largest, most powerful steam locomotive…the Big Boy.

At the sound of the whistle, the crowd cheered and then it rounded the corner.  After a long wait (for some of us many, many hours), Big Boy arrived.  The whistle blew and we cheered.  As the entire train came to a stop, everyone began to move up and see the engine.  The engineer waved, we shouted “USA USA” and the crowd went wild.

This had nothing to do with politics, political parties or anything like that.  We all gathered to see this marvel of US engineering, designed to transport freight across the mountainous West and rebuilt as a project of love.  The community gathered (and did so all around the route of the train from the west to Philadelphia), and we celebrated.  We enjoyed.  We became friends.

This brings me to an important thought.  Why can we all gather together beyond the problems, beyond the issues and beyond the rhetoric, to celebrate something so special, yet we cannot do so among the ordinary? 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

When I arrived at the train station, I met a man who was there earlier, then another man came.  We started talking and bonded over this event.  Soon more came.  During our time, one man witnessed with what God had done in his life, I spoke about our church and we lifted each other up in many ways (including physical with water and shade from the sun).  As more came, we shared the umbrella, chair and water we had.  We made sure others had what they needed, and got help when appropriate.  Altogether, we built each other up.

This is the call for the church, to help each other out, to share what we have, and then to explain our faith – we cannot just start “evangelizing” people without a connection, rather we need to build each other up and connect first.

As you travel through this week, see how you can share in the excitement around you, connect with others, create bonds and then talk about your faith.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Matthew 14:13-16

We all know the rest of the story, the disciples gather up a couple of loaves of bread and some dried fish, then Jesus performs a miracle.

But did you notice where I stopped the reading?  The disciples see the issue, it is getting late and the people need to go home and eat.  They go to Jesus with the problem and Jesus says “you feed them; You handle this.”  Then when the disciples respond with the meager meal, Jesus multiplies it to feed the crowd.

Often we see the need and go to God in prayer – which is great, but then we wait for God to respond.  Sometimes the response is for us to do something, or at least begin the process and allow God to add the blessings.

The disciples gathered the loaves and fishes and knowing that this was not enough to feed the people, they went to Jesus anyway.  We are to gather what we have; to bring our meager gifts, ideas and willingness to Jesus and allow Him to multiply them so we can meet the ministry need.

As you journey through this week, see the need, take the need to God in prayer, listen for God’s response and then faithfully do what you can, knowing that God will bless and multiply your actions.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!  Psalm 105:1–2

On Sunday night I sat in the chapel at Princeton Theological Seminary.  The music director led a sanctuary filled with preachers through some songs, most very well-known and traditional.  No matter what we sung, it sounded great.  There is something about a room filled with pastors singing together that warms my heart and moves my spirit. 

Through the service we prayed for our week, for the work we will do, and for our congregations – for all of you who benefit from hearing the word of God preached.  It is important and holy work.

I appreciate your prayers for this week and I pray for all of you as I nurture the preaching within me.

Keep singing, sing praises!

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. Psalm 57:1

We ask God for help during life’s most difficult storms.  Yet here the psalmist is asking for mercy.  As I pondered this, I began to ask myself a question:

Why should God respond how I want God to respond?  Why should I expect the

Creator/Redeemer and Sustainer of the universe to help me?  Am I so much better than others that God should help me?  Or is my situation so much worse that God should help me?

Then I thought about it a little more.  God’s help is merciful.  However God responds, whenever God intervenes, it is through God’s mercy.  Often, we do not deserve a blessing, but the Merciful God grants it.  Sometime we really need something, and a Merciful God bestows it.

When we ask for God to do something, to heal someone, to intervene in a situation, we are actually asking for God’s mercy.  And when someone around us has a need, we should show the same mercy to them, no matter if they “deserve” it or not.  Our response does not need to be capitulation on their request, but it should be filled with mercy.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19

Do you know?  Do you truly know how much you are loved? 

Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus and reminds them of this love.  Paul’s words, however, are universal.  God’s love is not limited to a church in Ephesus, or a church in Spring City.  It is not limited by time and space, rather it is out there for us all, no matter who we are or what we have done.  God loves each of us.

So, do you know?  Do you really know how much God loves you? 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…1 Peter 3:15a

In yesterday’s sermon, we talked about an evangelist who works in remote African villages.  His style of evangelism is to listen to people and when possible, connect their beliefs with the Christian message.  He does not berate, condemn or slander people; rather he spends time with them, develops a relationship and connects the dots of his faith, his life and theirs – and he does this with gentleness and respect.

Why do you believe?  If someone were to ask you this question, would you consider it an attack on your faith or an opportunity to give the reason for the hope you have?

I love listening to people’s journeys.  Often by listening, we will get the opportunity to tell our stories and when we do, we can share those reasons for hope.

As you journey through this week, listen to the stories around you, and be prepared.  You might be the one to tell them about your hope.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matth 6:19-21

What do you treasure?  Normally the question is “where is your treasure” but this morning I ask what it is that you treasure.

Many try to live more ascetic lives with the bare minimum.  Others live comfortably without going overboard, some live ostentatious lives and, unfortunately, far too many are in need.

Yet is that really what Jesus is referring to?  What if we look at treasure in a different way?

What (and who) do you treasure?  Who are those people in your lives that you serve, care for and love?  Is your love based upon servant love (Agape)?  If your love is contingent on what others do for you than your treasure is stored on earth.  If your love is self-less and serving than your treasure is stored in heaven.

As you journey through this week, pay attention to your treasures, show gratitude to God and serve like Christ.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

³⁰The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³²And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Mark 6:30-32

Sometimes you need a break.  Sometimes you need to get away from everything and just find rest.  Fortunately God understands this – so much that Jesus took breaks from ministry, He took breaks from healing, preaching and teaching.  Jesus went to quiet places to be alone.

This is important.  On a regular basis, we all need to take a break – not when we are burnt out, but during the routine.  We need to take a moment of peace, of break so that we can be ready for the next phase of our mission.

During this week, take those breaks, take time to pause and be rejuvenated so that you can serve God better.

Peace,

Pastor Bill