jesus

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Monday Morning Meditation 1-26-26

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29

As may of you, my morning (and most of yesterday) was filled with snow blowing and shoveling.  I am exhausted and quite done with this winter (although it may not be done with us).  As I sat down at my desk and thought about this meditation, the parable of the Good Samaritan came to mind.  Who is my neighbor?

We are blessed that we purchased a snow blower from a neighbor who moved away, and I am able to clean our drive and walk efficiently.  I normally do our neighbors, and sometimes others if they are in need.  Today was the same.  I do not write this to pat myself on the back, and truthfully this parable was in the back of my head. 

The snow seems to bring out the best in us as neighbors gather together and talk and help each other with the snow removal.

Jesus answers the question “Who is my neighbor?” with one of the greatest parables, reminding us that our neighbors include everyone – even people we may not associate with – and we are to do what ever we can to help.

As you travel through this week, be on the lookout for your neighbors.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

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Monday Morning Meditation 6-23-25

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5

We live in dark days.  There are wars and rumors of wars, there are battles and violence.  Our country is in political turmoil, people are constantly afraid, angry, upset and on edge.  This does not even take into account the actual issues that need to be addressed and the injustice and evil that is present in our lives.  We live in dark days.

When you walk into a dark room, what is the first thing you do?  Turn on a light.  The old saying “why curse the darkness when you can light a candle” is very appropriate for our times.  Yes, things are bad and I am very worried about the course of the world events, but I can do things around me.  I can light a candle of hope for people near me.  I can bring my light into every situation I enter.  Will my candle change the issues in the Middle East?  No, but the funny thing about light is this – the more light you have, the less darkness.  If we all do our part and light our candles, if we all go about and spread our hope with each other and with those in greatest need of hope we can make a change, or as Jesus says “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

It only takes a spark.  In your journeys this week, be the light.

Pastor Bill

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Monday Morning Meditation 12-2-24

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

As we enter into this season of Advent, think about this passage – Paul reminding the church that we do not lack spiritual gifts, that God has blessed us with them and God is faithful. 

The season of Advent is about God’s faithfulness.  The Old Testament passages prophecy the arrival of the Anointed One, the Gospel passages remind us that the promise has been fulfilled even as we wait for the complete coming of the Kingdom of God.

This Hope is ours, God is faithful.

Have a blessed and hopeful Advent,

Pastor Bill

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Monday Morning Meditation 5-20-24

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  John 20:19-22

Yesterday was the celebration of Pentecost, that day in which the Holy Spirit is poured out to all who will receive.  Churches across the world were decked out in red paraments, pastors wore their red stoles, and the topic of the sermons were the Holy Spirt.

Now it is Monday, the color in the sanctuary goes back to White and we can put the Holy Spirit back into the box for next year…NOT.

Notice in John’s Gospel, Jesus gives the disciples the Spirit long before Pentecost, and He does so by breathing on them, just as the Father breathed the breath of life into Adam.  He also said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

On Pentecost we pray “Come, Spirit, Come”.  Today I call you to receive the Holy Spirit.  Daily we should pray for the Spirit and then we must receive the Spirit.  It’s like a football game.  A receiver cannot keep asking for the ball to be thrown his way, and not catch it.  The Holy Spirit will come on our request – we must then receive the Spirit.

As you travel through this week, pray for the Spirit and be ready to catch!

Peace,

Pastor Bill