The Battle is Won!

 

There was a leader in the early Church named Marcion.   One of the things I  remember about him is that he dismissed the importance of the Old Testament for Christians.   Though Marcion lived and died over 1800 years ago, he has a lot of  heirs.  There are a lot of followers of Jesus around who, like Marcion, dismiss the importance of the Bible they used:  our Old Testament.  

While I openly admit that I am more knowledgeable about the New Testament than the Old Testament, I try to read and study the Old Testament regularly.   I came across a passage some time ago that I had never really noticed before in II Chronicles that spoke to me.   In II Chronicles 20: 14-15 we read:  

¹⁴ Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.  ¹⁵ He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Did you read those words:   “the battle is not yours, but God’s”.    I am guilty as perhaps you are of  sometimes living like the battles I face in life are all mine and that I have to be equal to the task  before me.   While I regularly pray, I have been guilty at times of praying for the result I HAVE DECIDED TO DO in stead of PRAYING FIRST for God to lead me on what to do and turning the results over to God.  

What battle are you facing in these days of your life?   Is the battle in your family with your spouse, parents, or children?  Is the battle in your heart and soul as you struggle with an addiction or sin that clings so closely?   Is the battle in your church or workplace?   Whatever you are facing, seek first the kingdom of God.   Remember that if you are in God’s will that the battle is always Gods and not yours.  Have a joy-filled week and God bless-  Pastor Randy Wall 

PRAYER

            O God,  forgive  us for the times we call you Lord and yet do not allow you to be the Lord of all we face in life.   Help me to always first turn to you and seek your guidance and then turn the results over to you knowing that you give us the victory in Christ Jesus;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen. 

Hey! That's MY Parking Space!

 

            I was  in the hospital waiting room several years ago, waiting with a family for a surgery.  The place is filled many people and sounds.  Hospital visitors make their way to visit someone they care about and hospital staff and volunteers make their way to their duties.  There is the sound of the automatic doors opening and closing… the bell of the elevator as it arrives at this floor… and the voices of people in this waiting area chatting to pass the time. 

            I overheard a woman talking as she waited for the elevator say,  “someone tried to get MY parking place”.     I do not know where that woman parked, but if she parked near the hospital that parking space was not really hers.   If you want to be technical or legal about it, that parking space probably belonged to the hospital.  Yet, she was talking like it actually belonged to her.

            The mis-statement of that woman is an important lesson for me.  So many times, most of us act like the things we use regularly are our personal possession whether we are talking about the pew where we sit in the church sanctuary or the lane where we drive on our way to work.  Most of the time, the thing we claim is our own is owned by another.  Psalm 24:1 tells us who is the rightful owner of all things when it says,  “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it;  the world, and all who live in it;”   Oh, for the grace to live like that.  Have a joy-filled week.-   Pastor Randy Wall     

 

PRAYER

            O God,  you are the creator of all things and the giver of all good gifts.  Thank you for the blessings I know in this day and in this life.  Thank you for your provision for me.  Lord, help me to not only see what you provide, but help me to live knowing it all comes from you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Post- Christmas Immigrants

 

            One of the things that many people do  around the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years is to travel to see family or friends, or to take some time to relax at a special vacation spot.  Ann and I were among the holiday travellers as we travelled to and from Texas to visit family.   Have you ever thought of  how travel has been a part of the Christmas story since the days when Jesus was born?   A young Mary travels to see her relative, Elizabeth, who is pregnant with a child that would be known as John the Baptist.   Angels from on high travel to a shepherds field outside of Bethlehem to share the glad tidings that Christ is born.   Wise men from the East follow a star to Bethlehem to worship at the feet of the Christ child and to bring him gifts.   Finally, we hear in the gospel of Matthew that Joseph and Mary follow an angels instructions to travel to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod in his “slaughter of the innocents” as he sought to kill young males in his fear of a child King.     Anotherwords,   Jesus and his family not  only travelled in those days after the first Christmas, but they were immigrants.

            Immigration is a difficult subject for people to talk about in these days here in the United States.   Some folks speak strongly against immigration sharing stories of immigrants who did deplorable and criminal acts.    I have spoken directly to people in Texas who lived near the Mexican border and heard  them describe  some of the issues there.   While it is not the purpose of this blog to tackle political and social issues, I will state this biblical truth:   Jesus was an immigrant.     Furthermore,   let me state that the Bible is clear that we should welcome the alien and stranger among us.  

            Finally, let me state that while I do not know or am not acquainted with every immigrant that has entered the United States, I can say with honesty and truth that I have been blessed by my relationship with immigrants from other places.   I have been inspired by their stories about their journey to the United States and their perspective on the blessings of being a United States citizen.   I find myself admiring their industriousness and am grateful of how  they have touched my life.       I do not have the answer to the immigration issues before us.  However,   I know this:   Jesus was an immigrant in his earthly life and I have seen Christ in immigrants I have known.    Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

        

PRAYER-  

            God, thank you for coming into the world in the Word incarnate, Christ Jesus.   Grant that I may more fully welcome him into my heart.   Give us eyes to see you in others even those who look or talk different than myself;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.