Luke 13:10-17

¹⁰Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. ¹¹And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. ¹²When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” ¹³When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. ¹⁴But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” ¹⁵But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? ¹⁶And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” ¹⁷When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Here is an example of compassion versus following the rules.  The Sabbath rest is important, especially when we accept it as the gift it is meant to be, not the restriction it became.  Jesus chooses to heal this woman out of compassion, not an act of defiance against Sabbath.  Yet he is criticized by the leader of the Synagogue. 

Sometimes we need to do the right thing, even if it breaks customs (notice, I’m not calling for lawbreaking here).  Sometimes we baptize someone who may not come to worship regularly.  Sometimes we offer the Lord’s Supper to someone who is questionable about their faith.  Mercy goes a long way and who among us doesn’t need mercy from time to time?

Peace,

Pastor Bill

²⁴When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” ²⁵He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?” ²⁶When Peter said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. ²⁷However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.”  Matthew 17:24-27

This is one of those unusual stories in the gospel and yet there is an important message.  While I do not expect God to pay my taxes, we can depend on Jesus to meet our needs.  Deep down, people have a desire to be loved and accepted.  Jesus meets this need.  Read the gospels and you will see how time and again Jesus meets the needs of those around him, whether it’s physical healing, spiritual healing, acceptance or love.

Do you have a need?  Take it to the Lord.  Do you know someone who might need some healing or acceptance?  Be Jesus for them.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹⁰Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: ¹¹it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”  Matthew 15:10-11

In a lively discussion with the Pharisees about customs and traditions, Jesus answers them with this passage from Matthew.  While His words are talking about the traditions and following the law, we can look at it from our perspective as well.  We can “do” all the right things, go to worship, pray, live a morally clean life and all the rest, but if we say nasty things to people, if our speech is unwholesome, the rest doesn’t matter.

Words are important. Telling those we love that we love them is important.  Finding a good thing to say to someone is important.  Sharing a compliment is far more important than an unwelcome critique. 

As you travel through this week, pay attention to your words (and the thoughts before the words).  Share the good, ignore the rest.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; ⁴⁶on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.  Matthew 13:44-45

What is the Kingdom of Heaven like for you?  Have you thought about it?  Is it the trope of people with angels’ wings hanging out on clouds playing harps?  How about a beautiful garden?  What about the image of God before you?

Jesus tells us about the Kingdom of Heaven and it often sounds like the earth – although a much better version.  The Kingdom is filled with people seeking righteousness and justice, peace and love.

With that thought, what is your image of the Kingdom?  Is it worth selling all you have to achieve?  Is it worth everything to have?

The Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God is worth far more than anything we could possess.  And the good news is this – it will not cost you anything you have, rather the Kingdom has already been purchase for you. 

As you travel through this week, seek the Kingdom, ask for the Kingdom, see the Kingdom.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Today is Memorial Day, a day we set aside to remember and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.  In your celebrations, in your chores, in all you do today, take a moment and give thanks.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

¹I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:1-6

It is hard to live a life with humility and gentleness, especially when the world seems so bent on cruelty and anger.  Yet Paul calls us to live that life because we are Spirit Filled Jesus followers.

Can you imagine what the world would look like if at least all the Christians lived this way?  Can you imagine what your Monday would look like if you and I lived this way?  Shall we try?

Today, give someone a break, even if they were not nice to you.  Do not be mad at the bad driver, maybe they are having a rough day.  Give extra grace to the grumpy guy in the office.  Be kind and make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  Just for today.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

1 Timothy 2:1-2

¹First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ²for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity

It’s no secret that the world is a mess right now.  The war in Ukraine has been going on over two years, and truthfully, the recent conflict started ten years ago.

The battle in Gaza has been ongoing since October, yet we all know the tension in the Middle East are many decades old.

There are ongoing conflicts and tensions in Haiti, Somalia, Libya, Myanmar, and shall I go on?  There are wars and rumors of wars.  Some we follow on a regular basis, others we never hear about (because there is “relatively little impact to the United States”), and yet we should do something.

Few of us are able to manage these conflicts, but we can all pray.  Pray for the various governments of the world, pray for world leaders that they are guided by wisdom from above, and that they seek out justice and peace for all people.  Who knows, God can always guide them towards the way of peace.

Take a moment today and pray for the areas of conflict in the world. 

Peace,

Pastor Bill

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

So it is Monday morning and let me guess; everyone got up, dressed, had breakfast and got out the door with plenty of time to get to work and school.  What?  I’m wrong?  Really?

Truth is many face struggles in the morning (which seems to come earlier and earlier each day).  For our students, there is the start of a new school week and perhaps there was not enough time to finish homework and study over the weekend.  Maybe there is a test this morning.

Many in an office face a pile of emails (and thanks for reading this post), to do lists, projects and the such.  Those working in factories have equipment issues, delays in supplies and more.  I could go on but the point is this:  Even on a bad morning we can turn to God to find peace.  Jesus offers a peace that goes beyond the chaos of your day.  If this Monday morning is one of “Those” Monday mornings, take a moment away from the chaos, do some deep breathing and pray.

One of my favorite prayers for days like this comes from Teresa of Lisieux;

Just for today,

what does it matter, O Lord, if the future is dark?

To pray now for tomorrow I am not able.

Keep my heart only for today,

grant me your light—

just for today.  Amen

²⁶“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. ²⁷You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:26-27

This is one of Jesus’ promises of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus calls the Spirit “the Advocate”, sometimes translated as “Helper.    In the Greek it is Paraclete, the One who Come Alongside. 

Being an advocate for someone means you come alongside them, you fight for them, look out for them, guide them and care for them.  This is part of what the Holy Spirit does for us. 

Isn’t this great?  God the Father loves us beyond belief.  God the Son promises to be with us forever.  God the Holy Spirit walks alongside of us, giving us guidance and care.

As you enter into this new week, take a moment to feel God’s presence all around.  Go out into the world without fear, for God is with you.  Go out into the world with peace, for God is with you.  Go out into the world with love, for God is with you.

Peace,

Pastor Bill