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

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11

It is pretty simple.  No matter what you think about Jesus, no matter how you may define Jesus, you need to stop and listen to Jesus’ words.  If you keep my commands, you will abide in my love… 

Are we truly keeping His commands?  Are we abiding in His love?

As you journey through this week, ask yourself this question.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. ²In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴And you know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:1-7

Do you want to know God?  Study Jesus.  Read the gospels.  Listen to the words of the Son of Man and put them into action. 

As a preacher, my role is to lift up the body of Christ, to know Jesus and to help all follow Him.  Yet today’s society keeps reinventing Jesus in our own image, often to support our beliefs (including political).  This has happened before and will again. 

So go back to the source.  Read the gospels.  Put Jesus at the center of all scripture.  Do not just ask “What would Jesus do?” rather find out and live like Him.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. ² So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. ³ Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  John 12:1-3

There is more to this story, mostly about Judas’ response, but for today let’s look at this extravagant gift.  Mary takes this expensive ointment and uses it to anoint Jesus.  She takes something of value to her and uses it to bless Jesus.

During this Holy Week, what do you use to bless Jesus?  What great gift of yours are you willing to give to the Lord?  How will you bless His name?

Peace,

Pastor Bill