Words of Inspiration and Encouragement
11-11-21
There are plenty of love songs out there. It's estimated that over 100 millions love songs have been recorded. Love songs cross all genres of music from heavy metal to pop to opera. But not all love songs are are happy. There is a playlist on Spotify titled, "Sad Love Songs for Crying Yourself to Sleep" - it had over 35,000 followers as of February 2021.
If you have lived you have experienced pain and suffering. And often the deepest pain and suffering comes from love gone wrong.
The rock band Nazareth has a song called "Love Hurts". The song starts off like this:
"Love hurts, love scars
Love wounds and marks any heart
Not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud
Holds a lot of rain
Love hurts
Ooh, ooh, love hurts"
Another well known song on love is called "What is Love" by Haddaway.
"What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more"
So what is love? Does it hurt and scar us like the two songs above say? We are called in 1 John 3:11 to love one another. But fortunately John doesn't stop there because he knows we misunderstand what love is and that we aren't able to perfectly love. John is very clear about what love is. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth." - 1 John 3:16-18
In some ways the words of Nazareth, "Love hurts, love scars" are true. Jesus laid down his life for us and died. He has scars on his hands and feet because of his love for us. But that's not the end of the story. Love frees us and love gives us eternal life.
As you close out your week find opportunities to show love to those who are around you.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7
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There are plenty of love songs out there. It's estimated that over 100 millions love songs have been recorded. Love songs cross all genres of music from heavy metal to pop to opera. But not all love songs are are happy. There is a playlist on Spotify titled, "Sad Love Songs for Crying Yourself to Sleep" - it had over 35,000 followers as of February 2021.
If you have lived you have experienced pain and suffering. And often the deepest pain and suffering comes from love gone wrong.
The rock band Nazareth has a song called "Love Hurts". The song starts off like this:
"Love hurts, love scars
Love wounds and marks any heart
Not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud
Holds a lot of rain
Love hurts
Ooh, ooh, love hurts"
Another well known song on love is called "What is Love" by Haddaway.
"What is love?
Oh baby, don't hurt me
Don't hurt me
No more"
So what is love? Does it hurt and scar us like the two songs above say? We are called in 1 John 3:11 to love one another. But fortunately John doesn't stop there because he knows we misunderstand what love is and that we aren't able to perfectly love. John is very clear about what love is. "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth." - 1 John 3:16-18
In some ways the words of Nazareth, "Love hurts, love scars" are true. Jesus laid down his life for us and died. He has scars on his hands and feet because of his love for us. But that's not the end of the story. Love frees us and love gives us eternal life.
As you close out your week find opportunities to show love to those who are around you.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7
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11-5-21
The very first emotion that I see in the Bible is shame or rather the lack of shame.
Genesis 2:25 - The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
One psychologist defines shame as an unpleasant self-conscious emotion typically associated with a negative evaluation of the self; withdrawal motivations; and feelings of distress, exposure, mistrust, powerlessness, and worthlessness.
Adam and Eve before they sinned felt no shame. After they sinned against God they were afraid and felt shame. They knew that they were unworthy because of what they've done.
I have sinned and felt shame. It is a common emotion because I sin a lot. And my guess is that you've also felt shame.
So what do we do with our shame? Do we wallow in it? Do we beat ourselves up agonizing over what we have done and promise to do better next time? Do we listen to Satan whisper (or shout) in our ears that God can't possibly love us because what we've done?
Now initially I would say that shame isn't a bad thing. Shame is the recognition of our sin and unworthiness. That recognition and acknowledgment of our sin allows us to repent and turn away from our sin. It's what we do with our shame that's important.
Pastor Burk Parsons says, "However, as Christians, we have a place to go with our shame—the foot of the cross." As children of God we have been forgiven and have been made pure and holy. 1 John 2:28 says "And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming".
As you go into the weekend remember that Jesus has taken your sins to the cross and your shame along with them.
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The very first emotion that I see in the Bible is shame or rather the lack of shame.
Genesis 2:25 - The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
One psychologist defines shame as an unpleasant self-conscious emotion typically associated with a negative evaluation of the self; withdrawal motivations; and feelings of distress, exposure, mistrust, powerlessness, and worthlessness.
Adam and Eve before they sinned felt no shame. After they sinned against God they were afraid and felt shame. They knew that they were unworthy because of what they've done.
I have sinned and felt shame. It is a common emotion because I sin a lot. And my guess is that you've also felt shame.
So what do we do with our shame? Do we wallow in it? Do we beat ourselves up agonizing over what we have done and promise to do better next time? Do we listen to Satan whisper (or shout) in our ears that God can't possibly love us because what we've done?
Now initially I would say that shame isn't a bad thing. Shame is the recognition of our sin and unworthiness. That recognition and acknowledgment of our sin allows us to repent and turn away from our sin. It's what we do with our shame that's important.
Pastor Burk Parsons says, "However, as Christians, we have a place to go with our shame—the foot of the cross." As children of God we have been forgiven and have been made pure and holy. 1 John 2:28 says "And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming".
As you go into the weekend remember that Jesus has taken your sins to the cross and your shame along with them.
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10-29-21
As we come up on October 31st I'm sure that many of you are getting ready for Halloween. Just yesterday I went and bought another bag of candy in case we need it for the Trunk or Treat on Sunday night. And if I don't give away all the candy I'm sure my kids will be happy.
This Sunday isn't just Halloween, but it is also Reformation Day. This is the day in 1517 when Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the door on the church in Wittenberg. Luther was writing against the practice of Indulgences - basically the practice where people were paying money to have sins forgiven.
We no longer have indulgences, but there is a belief among many people that forgiveness is something that needs to be bought. After Warren Buffet pledged to give $1.5 billion a year to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation he said "There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great one". While most of us don't have billions to give away the attitude that we can buy our way to heaven is certainly prevalent in our society. In 2011 the Guardian posted an article titled "Forgiveness must be earned".
Reformation Sunday is well over 500 years in the past, but the principles set forth there are very relevant to us today. Luther insisted that we are not forgiven because of anything we do - including the buying of Indulgences or doing enough good work. Instead, we are forgiven because of who God is. Our forgiveness is based in the love and mercy of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
As we come up on October 31st I'm sure that many of you are getting ready for Halloween. Just yesterday I went and bought another bag of candy in case we need it for the Trunk or Treat on Sunday night. And if I don't give away all the candy I'm sure my kids will be happy.
This Sunday isn't just Halloween, but it is also Reformation Day. This is the day in 1517 when Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the door on the church in Wittenberg. Luther was writing against the practice of Indulgences - basically the practice where people were paying money to have sins forgiven.
We no longer have indulgences, but there is a belief among many people that forgiveness is something that needs to be bought. After Warren Buffet pledged to give $1.5 billion a year to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation he said "There is more than one way to get to heaven, but this is a great one". While most of us don't have billions to give away the attitude that we can buy our way to heaven is certainly prevalent in our society. In 2011 the Guardian posted an article titled "Forgiveness must be earned".
Reformation Sunday is well over 500 years in the past, but the principles set forth there are very relevant to us today. Luther insisted that we are not forgiven because of anything we do - including the buying of Indulgences or doing enough good work. Instead, we are forgiven because of who God is. Our forgiveness is based in the love and mercy of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
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10-22-21
"Why would Pharoah listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips"?
- Exodus 6:12b, 30
"I am the LORD."
Exodus 6:2, 6, 7, 8, 29
God had called Moses to be His servant and to go to Pharaoh to be God's spokesperson. But Moses hesitated and came up with all kinds of excuses even after God promised Moses that He would be with him. Even after God showed Moses His power. Moses was discouraged. And throughout the life of Moses there are many instances where Moses becomes discouraged or frustrated to the point where he wanted to give up.
While we might not have asked the question, "Why would Pharoah listen to me?" I'm sure that we've wondered why someone might listen to us. Where we feel that we aren't equipped to do the job that God has asked us to do.
When I was reading through Exodus chapter 6 I was initially struck by Moses' reluctance to speak and could identify with that. But when I read through the chapter a second time I was struck by how many times God said, "I am the LORD". Moses was scared. He didn't feel up to the job. I believe that God said "I am the LORD" to remind Moses again and again that he wasn't relying on his own power and strength, but rather he had the power of God Himself to rely upon. So when we are filled with hesitation and doubt we need to be reminded that God is the LORD and when we are in His will then He is behind us. Remember that God is the LORD.
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"Why would Pharoah listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips"?
- Exodus 6:12b, 30
"I am the LORD."
Exodus 6:2, 6, 7, 8, 29
God had called Moses to be His servant and to go to Pharaoh to be God's spokesperson. But Moses hesitated and came up with all kinds of excuses even after God promised Moses that He would be with him. Even after God showed Moses His power. Moses was discouraged. And throughout the life of Moses there are many instances where Moses becomes discouraged or frustrated to the point where he wanted to give up.
While we might not have asked the question, "Why would Pharoah listen to me?" I'm sure that we've wondered why someone might listen to us. Where we feel that we aren't equipped to do the job that God has asked us to do.
When I was reading through Exodus chapter 6 I was initially struck by Moses' reluctance to speak and could identify with that. But when I read through the chapter a second time I was struck by how many times God said, "I am the LORD". Moses was scared. He didn't feel up to the job. I believe that God said "I am the LORD" to remind Moses again and again that he wasn't relying on his own power and strength, but rather he had the power of God Himself to rely upon. So when we are filled with hesitation and doubt we need to be reminded that God is the LORD and when we are in His will then He is behind us. Remember that God is the LORD.
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10-13-21
Since moving to town I've been trying to connect with people. Last week I met with a local pastor for lunch. A few minutes before the appointment meeting time he told me what color shirt he was wearing and approximately where in the restaurant he was sitting. This information was very important since we had never met in person before. There have been times in the past where I was meeting someone new in a public place and we spent a lot of unnecessary time waiting for one another because we didn't know what the other person looked like (and we were sitting near each other).
The book of 1 John was written during a period of time when there were a lot of false teachings going around. In chapter 2 John gives a warning about antichrists. Basically the antichrists that he's talking about in 1 John 2 are false teachers who are disguised as teachers of the gospel. John wants the readers to be able to recognize these false teachers or antichrists and he tells his readers how to do this.
I believe this is a very relevant passage to us today as well because we also live in a time where there are many false teachers who say that they are proclaiming the truth, but in reality their messages are lies (or sometimes lies mixed in with truth).
So what's the key? How do we recognize these false teachers? John says that we need to see what they are doing with Jesus Christ. Who do they say He is?
1 John 2:22-23 (ESV) - Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
This is the basic litmus test for determining whether the message is true or not. What does the teacher/teaching say about Jesus Christ? Of course there are many nuances and fine points to recognizing false teachings, but the very first thing that we need to do with any teachings is to test them against what the Bible teaches about Jesus.
On Sunday we'll get into some specific false teachings that are prevalent in the church today.
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Since moving to town I've been trying to connect with people. Last week I met with a local pastor for lunch. A few minutes before the appointment meeting time he told me what color shirt he was wearing and approximately where in the restaurant he was sitting. This information was very important since we had never met in person before. There have been times in the past where I was meeting someone new in a public place and we spent a lot of unnecessary time waiting for one another because we didn't know what the other person looked like (and we were sitting near each other).
The book of 1 John was written during a period of time when there were a lot of false teachings going around. In chapter 2 John gives a warning about antichrists. Basically the antichrists that he's talking about in 1 John 2 are false teachers who are disguised as teachers of the gospel. John wants the readers to be able to recognize these false teachers or antichrists and he tells his readers how to do this.
I believe this is a very relevant passage to us today as well because we also live in a time where there are many false teachers who say that they are proclaiming the truth, but in reality their messages are lies (or sometimes lies mixed in with truth).
So what's the key? How do we recognize these false teachers? John says that we need to see what they are doing with Jesus Christ. Who do they say He is?
1 John 2:22-23 (ESV) - Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
This is the basic litmus test for determining whether the message is true or not. What does the teacher/teaching say about Jesus Christ? Of course there are many nuances and fine points to recognizing false teachings, but the very first thing that we need to do with any teachings is to test them against what the Bible teaches about Jesus.
On Sunday we'll get into some specific false teachings that are prevalent in the church today.
____________________________________________________________
10-8-21
Every day I am reminded that I am living in a period of transition. I've been surrounded by boxes and suitcases since May and it doesn't look like the situation will be changing anytime soon. In many ways it's impossible to really settle down or get comfortable until we are able to unpack and be in a permanent place. But even in the midst of this situation I'm reminded of the fact that I'm just a stranger passing through this world and that my citizenship is in heaven. I like the way that the New Living Translation paraphrases Hebrews 13:14 - For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Every time I see a box I should be reminded that this world isn't my permanent home. God has something far better in store for me. All of those "things" that are in the boxes and suitcases are temporary. They will not last and one day (perhaps sooner than later) they will end up in a landfill.
1 John 2:15-17:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
In this time whether you are living amongst boxes or whether everything is placed away neatly in a closet or drawer remember that this isn't our home. Our true home is in heaven with God our Father.
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Every day I am reminded that I am living in a period of transition. I've been surrounded by boxes and suitcases since May and it doesn't look like the situation will be changing anytime soon. In many ways it's impossible to really settle down or get comfortable until we are able to unpack and be in a permanent place. But even in the midst of this situation I'm reminded of the fact that I'm just a stranger passing through this world and that my citizenship is in heaven. I like the way that the New Living Translation paraphrases Hebrews 13:14 - For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Every time I see a box I should be reminded that this world isn't my permanent home. God has something far better in store for me. All of those "things" that are in the boxes and suitcases are temporary. They will not last and one day (perhaps sooner than later) they will end up in a landfill.
1 John 2:15-17:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
In this time whether you are living amongst boxes or whether everything is placed away neatly in a closet or drawer remember that this isn't our home. Our true home is in heaven with God our Father.
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10-1-21
My family and I have been in Alexandria for 3 weeks now. We are in the process of making this our home. Part of that process is getting to know people. Our kids have played with a few other kids at Lake Brophy County Park, but we really don’t know anyone. In order to get to know someone we need to know more than just their name and that they live in Alexandria. Getting to know someone is a process. It involves spending time with people and having shared experiences. It means that we ask questions of them and listen.
On Sunday we’ll be looking at 1 John 2. As I was reading it this morning verses 3-4 seemed particularly relevant.
“And by this we know that we have come to know him (God), if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John 2:3-4 (ESV)
How often do I claim to know God, but my actions don’t show it? It’s like I have amnesia where I forget everything that I know about God and forget about what He has done for me. In order to have a thriving and vibrant relationship with God I need to know Him. I need to be reminded constantly of who God is and what He has done for me.
To truly know God it is a continual process. I need to spend time with Him. Time reading the Bible, time spent in prayer, time spent my neighbors as myself, and time worshiping God with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I hope to see you on Sunday. We’ll be celebrating Holy Communion together this week.
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My family and I have been in Alexandria for 3 weeks now. We are in the process of making this our home. Part of that process is getting to know people. Our kids have played with a few other kids at Lake Brophy County Park, but we really don’t know anyone. In order to get to know someone we need to know more than just their name and that they live in Alexandria. Getting to know someone is a process. It involves spending time with people and having shared experiences. It means that we ask questions of them and listen.
On Sunday we’ll be looking at 1 John 2. As I was reading it this morning verses 3-4 seemed particularly relevant.
“And by this we know that we have come to know him (God), if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1 John 2:3-4 (ESV)
How often do I claim to know God, but my actions don’t show it? It’s like I have amnesia where I forget everything that I know about God and forget about what He has done for me. In order to have a thriving and vibrant relationship with God I need to know Him. I need to be reminded constantly of who God is and what He has done for me.
To truly know God it is a continual process. I need to spend time with Him. Time reading the Bible, time spent in prayer, time spent my neighbors as myself, and time worshiping God with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I hope to see you on Sunday. We’ll be celebrating Holy Communion together this week.
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9-24-21
There are some of you that I haven't met yet. My name is John Olson and I'm the new pastor at Berea. I wanted to say "hello" and give you a short devotional for today.
Confession is something that we typically don't think of in Lutheran Brethren churches. My first impression is that confession is something that is reserved for Catholics or people who have committed a crime. However, "confession" should be an important part of every Christian's life. The passage that we'll be taking a look at for Sunday is 1 John 1:1-10. 1 John 1:9 is a well known verse from this section:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". 1 John 1 :9 (ESV)
What does it really mean to confess? The Greek word that John uses here is "homologeo" which means "to say the same word". It means that we are agreeing with someone. In this case we are agreeing with God that we have sinned against him. (Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). But we don't just stop with agreeing with God that we are sinful; the wonderful thing is that God knows this and the verse goes on to talk about how God is faithful, how we are forgiven, and how we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. God knows that we are sinful. That's why Jesus came down to this earth and died on the cross. God knows our human condition of sin and has paid the price necessary for us to be forgiven. So when we think about a confession it is not merely an acknowledgement of guilt, but as we confess to God we also can look forward to and rejoice in the forgiveness that is there as well.
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There are some of you that I haven't met yet. My name is John Olson and I'm the new pastor at Berea. I wanted to say "hello" and give you a short devotional for today.
Confession is something that we typically don't think of in Lutheran Brethren churches. My first impression is that confession is something that is reserved for Catholics or people who have committed a crime. However, "confession" should be an important part of every Christian's life. The passage that we'll be taking a look at for Sunday is 1 John 1:1-10. 1 John 1:9 is a well known verse from this section:
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". 1 John 1 :9 (ESV)
What does it really mean to confess? The Greek word that John uses here is "homologeo" which means "to say the same word". It means that we are agreeing with someone. In this case we are agreeing with God that we have sinned against him. (Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). But we don't just stop with agreeing with God that we are sinful; the wonderful thing is that God knows this and the verse goes on to talk about how God is faithful, how we are forgiven, and how we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. God knows that we are sinful. That's why Jesus came down to this earth and died on the cross. God knows our human condition of sin and has paid the price necessary for us to be forgiven. So when we think about a confession it is not merely an acknowledgement of guilt, but as we confess to God we also can look forward to and rejoice in the forgiveness that is there as well.
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