Sunday’s Blessing – 05/04/2025 – The Sabbath

Sunday’s Blessing – 05/04/2025 – The Sabbath

I’ve begun a study looking into the sabbath. It has been very enlightening, and I feel I’ve just scratched the surface. Consider the first mention of the actual sabbath. It came as part of the giving of the Law of Moses, represented by the ten commandments listed in Exodus. You are probably familiar with them, but let’s take a fresh look:

And God spoke all these words, saying,

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s. Exodus 20:1-17 (ESV) 

Look at them again. Do you notice anything about #4? It’s the longest one given. God spends more time describing the Sabbath than He does about murder!! Does that not seem odd to you? Yet, if you asked 100 people I would venture to say that 99 of them would think murder was much worse than not keeping the Sabbath. But that’s not the end of the story. Later in the book of Exodus, God approaches Moses with this exhortation:

And the Lord said to Moses, “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’” Exodus 31:12-17 (ESV)

Did you see that? “Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths.”

Then, after spending 40 years in the wilderness, and after an entire generation had died, Moses gave the Law to Israel again. The word Deuteronomy means, “Second Law.” Here in the last book of the Pentateuch, Moses has this to say:

Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (ESV)

He spends even more time describing the 4th Law. He says all of this about the Sabbath, then continues with, “Do not steal. Do not commit adultery. Do not murder. …” Clearly, God has a message for His people about the Sabbath. I hope you read this blog for the next few weeks as we explore why the sabbath is so important.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May the Lord of the Sabbath grant you peace and rest

So you may find strength for tomorrow

In order to be a testimony of God’s grace and mercy 

By your ability to rest in your trust of the Father

May you learn from the Lord to work when it’s time and rest when it’s time

So you may complete the necessary things in your life

And find the courage to rest, even in the midst of turmoil or chaos

Until you are confident that God’s rest is the best place to live

May you receive a sabbath mindset which will become your path in pursuit of God

Because God is a God of process, set in motion by Himself

When He created the world and everything in it in six days, then He rested

Showing you how to establish things in the beginning and not fear the outcome 

And Rest

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/27/2025 – The Rest of God

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/27/2025 – The Rest of God

During this past Easter season I became familiar with a song by Andrew Peterson called, “God Rested.” In this song, the composer drew a parallel between God in the Creation, described in Genesis 1-2, and the Crucifixion of Christ. After creation, God said:

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3 (ESV) 

When God finished His work of creation, He rested! His last creation was The Sabbath. God had set things in motion for eternity. Even though everything had not yet taken place, God had finished creation … and rested!

When Jesus was on the cross, He said:

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30 (ESV)

“Knowing that all was now finished …” Jesus gave up His life. Even though everything had not yet become manifest, He placed everything in motion which would be completed after His death. Jesus went to the tomb … and rested! After He died, Jesus was taken down off the cross, His body prepared for burial, was placed in the tomb of a stranger, then was resurrected from the dead. Jesus then ascended to heaven where He sat down at the right hand of the Father. He then sent the Holy Spirit (as He had promised) to fill the Believers and to empower them to carry out the work of the ministry of reconciling all people back to full fellowship with the Father. Through salvation, mankind can now “rest” with Christ, seated with Him at the right hand of the Father. (Ephesians 1-2)

Now for today’s blessing:

May you come to experience the rest of God

As you become identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension

Now take your rest as you are seated with Him in heavenly places

Far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion in this world and the one to come

May you find in living from this place of rest abundant peace

A peace beyond anything you can imagine ever being possible

A peace which keeps our hearts and mind as we focus on our fellowship with the Father

Full of grace and mercy because of all Jesus finished in His life, death, and eternal rule with God

Crucifixion (not Convenience) - an excerpt from The Call to Worship - The Life of Every Believer by Dudley M. Harris

The Call to Worship

Crucifixion – to destroy the power of the flesh – sacrifice

Convenience – something conducive to comfort – selfish

Chapter 3 – Crucifixion (not Convenience)

I believe we have things backwards in the American church. We make becoming a Christian convenient, but then crucify those in the Church for wrong behavior. “Getting saved” has been reduced to a handshake and a card rather than being identified with Christ in His crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of Father, then the infilling of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sent to help us. While it is true that we do not have to die physically to atone for our sins (we would not be an acceptable sacrifice anyway) we are called to be “crucified with Christ.”

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Salvation is more than a prayer. It is an exchange; my life for that of Jesus. It is a surrender of my will. We take on His Call. There is pain and suffering in our soul as we go to war with the person we have been up to the point of our encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Being “born again” is instantaneous. Our spirit is recreated by the Holy Spirit. We become a new creation, what the Greek word κτίσις  describes as “a species of being that has never existed before.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (κτίσις). The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

Everything from that point forward is “the saving of our soul”, the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. The writer of Hebrews (whom I believe to be Paul) put it like this.

Hebrews 10:36-39 (ESV) 

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. 

The saving of one’s soul is not convenient. It requires a complete change of priorities, plans, and pursuits; or at the very least, a change in motives for all of these. Becoming a Christian does not mean a change of occupation, spouse, or geography. What does change is the requirement that we now represent Christ in all of these. In our work we no longer cheat our employer, employees, or our clients. In our marriage we now love our spouse with the love of God, unselfishly giving them our affection. We sacrifice our will for that of the Holy Spirit, who now leads us by His still, small voice.

Lest you draw the wrong conclusion, please know that there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. You cannot be good enough. You cannot purchase this salvation. You cannot rely on the family name. The only way into this New Covenant relationship with your Creator is by the provision made through Christ.

There is only one way to receive the New Life that is available in Christ. You must be born again.

John 3:3-6 (ESV) 

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

The moment we are willing to admit that we cannot save ourselves is the beginning of salvation. When we ask God to save us we must be willing to identify with Christ is every way: His death (we must die to self), His burial (old things pass away), His resurrection (new things come), His ascension (we begin the process of renewing our mind to His ways which are higher than ours), His seating at the right hand of Father (we take on the authority we have in the Kingdom of God), and His sending the Holy Spirit (we receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit).

It’s not convenient to become a Christian. As I mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, the American church seems to have reversed the process. Instead of judging the new Christian we should pray for them, disciple them, encourage them, celebrate life with them, and worship our Savior and our Lord with them. We seem ready to extend grace to the lost, but require law-keeping of the Christian. How we must frustrate our Lord. Grace is for the lost, but it is even more so for the Believer. Let’s find a way to do better than this. If we are truly crucified with Christ then we need to respond to others, inside and outside the Church, with the love of God. Let’s answer The Call to worship and be crucified with Him.

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/20/2025 – Resurrection Sunday – I AM the Resurrection and the Life

Many liturgical churches who observe Lent redecorate their buildings to reflect the time of fasting. They replace the cross of gold with one of wood, the brass collection plates with wicker baskets, and the beautiful flowers normally adorning the pulpit with some leafless tree branches. All of this serves as a visual reminder that they are in a time fasting, awaiting the resurrection of the Savior.

Then, on Easter Sunday, also called Resurrection Sunday, all of the usual beautiful and ornate décor are returned to their rightful place. Everything is shouting, “He is alive!” Jesus declared to those who would listen that He would rise again. The final I AM we will consider is found in John 11:25:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (ESV)

This was spoken outside the tomb of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus who had died had been buried for days. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, was lamenting to Jesus, saying, “If only you had been here he would not have died.” She had faith to see her brother healed, but did not realize the power operating in Jesus was not only strong enough to heal the sick, but could also bring them back from the dead. That’s when He declared, “I AM the Resurrection.” It was something He did, but it was also part of who He was.

Jesus then demonstrated this by commanding Lazarus, who was dead, to come out of the tomb. And he did! I will not take time to cover all of it here, but this is when the religious leaders decided to kill Jesus; not with their hands, but with the blessing of Roman government who ruled over them. They could discount the healings, but who could argue with a dead man who came back to life?

This is still what Jesus does today. As Paul stated in Romans 5:8, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (ESV). We were dead, not physically like Lazarus, but spiritually dead, separated from the Father. Jesus comes and gives us life, resurrecting our dead spirit so we can be born again, back into fellowship with our Creator.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you experience a complete resurrection through Christ, the Risen Savior

So you can walk in the life He purchased for you with His own death

So in turn, you can lay down your life for others

Being poured out as a sacrifice of praise to the glory of God

May you comprehend the lengths God went through to bring you back to life

From the Garden when man sinned and became separated from God

Then passed on that spiritual death to everyone after Adam

But ended when Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice to redeem you from death

May you be refreshed by the depths of God’s love

Demonstrated by Christ who became an example for us

Lead by the Holy Spirit and empowered to do only what the Father commanded

You now live a life full of the blessings of God

May the resurrection of Jesus be evident in your life

By reflecting the glory of God in the earth

Speaking the good news of salvation, redemption, and restoration

Turning others back to the Father, full of grace and truth

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/13/2025 – Palm Sunday – I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/13/2025 – Palm Sunday – I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life

This Sixth Week of Lent, also known as Palm Sunday, brings us to I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So far, Jesus has revealed Himself to be the Bread, the Light, the Door, the Good Shepherd, and the Vine. Some might say that “the Door” and “the Way” are basically the same thing. I disagree. The Door is simply an ingress/egress; a means of getting into or out of something. In some sense of the word, “the Way” could also indicate a means of entry or exit. However, I believe Jesus was speaking of something much more broad and deep. The other words coupled with “the Way” give us insight as to what Jesus was trying to communicate. “The Way” speaks our entire life. Christianity has been referred to as “The Way” throughout history. Jesus was saying that He was the pattern by which we are to order our life. When you add “the Truth” and “the Life”, you see the quality of that life.

Truth is liberating. When you are operating in Truth, you are exhibiting the ultimate freedom. There is no guilt or regret. There is no need for remorse. Truth needs no excuse. With “the Life”, Jesus was explaining that the zoe (God kind of life) is what He brings to everyone who will believe.

The sixth I AM to consider is found in John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV)

In order to get to God the Father you have to be “in” Christ. We become a part of Him when we are saved, born again, or whatever you call the process of regeneration. It’s the moment the Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ. As Paul described in Ephesians 1 and 2, we are identified with the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating of Jesus. This was a great demonstration of love and power shown by the Father when the Son was given as a sacrificial lamb to pay the debt for our sin, then raised Him up again, defeating death, hell, and the grave. The Father literally moved heaven and earth to make a way for us to be reconciled back to Himself.

Palm Sunday was the beginning of the end for Jesus. He entered Jerusalem that day and would not leave again until He was resurrected!  

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you experience the joy of welcoming Messiah with shouts of Hosanna

Which means, “Save now”, knowing that He hears and responds

So that you may walk out your destiny with assurance that God is with you

Just as He was with Jesus

May you rejoice as Jesus enters your life, bringing hope and peace

So you may live each day in fellowship with the Father

Living in unfettered relationship with Him

As you walk with Him, and commune face to face as friend with friend

May you keep the reality of God’s presence in your consciousness

Always aware that He’s closer than the air you breathe

And more real than the ground upon which you stand

And your future is sealed in Him

May you find ways to include others in your journey

Sharing with them the hope you have found in Christ

Allowing them to see the Kingdom of God in you

And bringing them into the Kingdom with you

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/06/2025 – 5th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Vine

Sunday’s Blessing – 04/06/2025 – 5th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Vine

This Fifth Week of Lent brings us to I AM the Vine. A predominant theme in the teachings of Jesus is that of “sabbath”. Jesus proclaimed Himself to be Lord of the Sabbath. If you remember the Ten Commandments, you recall one said, “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8 ESV) In giving Moses the Law, God commanded His people to set aside one day a week and do no work. It was for the purpose of remembering that God provides everything for them. The Sabbath (the 7th day, or Saturday) was to be considered holy (sacred, set apart).

Jesus came along in the New Testament with a totally new look at this very old tradition.

“And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.’” (Mark 2:27-28 ESV)

This shocked the religious leaders of the day. It was considered blasphemy. But what was Jesus trying to communicate? Was He going against the Law of God? No. Keep in mind Jesus was “The Word made flesh.” (John 1) He WAS the Law of God. Jesus was presenting Himself as not only the incarnate Word, but the fulfillment of all God was, is, and will be. God created the sabbath for man so he could learn to rest. Jesus declared that He IS the sabbath.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 ESV

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Hebrews 4:11 ESV

The only “work” we are to do is to find the way into the Rest provided by God, which is in Jesus Christ. So, why are we spending time looking at “rest” when the topic of the day is “vine”? Let’s look at this now.

The fifth I AM to consider is found in John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (ESV)

Picture a grape vine. If you’ve never seen one in person, Google it. The vine is the part planted in the ground, which is the source of nourishment and life for the whole vine. The branches are where the fruit is grown. The cluster of grapes do not labor draw nourishment from the soil. They simply rest, firmly attached to the vine, receiving all they have need of to produce their fruit.

This is the image Jesus uses to describe more fully the relationship He desires to have with us. “I AM the Vine. You are the branch.” Our complete identity is found in being part of The Vine. Apart from the Vine, we are nothing. Attached to the Vine, we are fruit-yielding parts of God’s Kingdom in the earth. The more fully we receive what Jesus has to offer us, the more fruitful we will be, allowing others to feast on our fruit so they may live. Simply stated, the Vine is Rest.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you find complete rest, wholy relying on Jesus to sustain you

As He brings life from the Father through Himself, the Vine

To provide water (the Word) and nutrients (the Spirit)

While basking in the Sonlight of God’s love

May you allow the Master Vinedresser, the Holy Spirit

To prune you of anything which will prevent a bounteous harvest

Making you bear much fruit for the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth

A blessing to all those you encounter

May the sweetness of the fruit of your life draw others

And the fragrant aroma of Jesus’ reflection in your life

Be a living testimony of the Rest of God

As you remain content in The Vine

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/30/2025 – 4th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Good Shepherd

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/30/2025 – 4th Sunday of Lent – I AM the Good Shepherd

This Fourth Week of Lent brings us to I AM the Good Shepherd. Jesus used this linguistic mechanism of “I AM” to very clearly describe His purpose in being with them. His hearers, being Jews, knew exactly who “I AM” was. It was used in the Old Testament by God Himself to explain who He was to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14) and again in the re-giving of the law (Deuteronomy 32:39). Now Jesus was using this same phrase to describe Himself.

The fourth I AM to consider is found in John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

(ESV)

Jesus added some additional descriptors so they would understand that God had finally come near to them. In the Old Testament He was thunder and lightning on the mountain seen from afar. Now, He was truly Emmanuel, God with us, wrapped in human skin so they could touch Him, hear Him speak, and speak with Him – face to face – just like in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve walked with God.

The first few I AMs describe God’s function in being with them – The Bread to bring life, The Light to guide them through life, and The Door to provide entrance back into fellowship with the Father. Now, He is moving into His character. This week we see Him as The Good Shepherd. He was not just a shepherd. It was a common occupation in that day. Shepherds were not upper class, but they were critical to life in caring for the livestock of others. You had to trust someone hired to tend your flocks. Jesus assured them He was a Good Shepherd. He would not only be faithful in His duties of keeping the sheep, but He would make sure they came back better than they left. He would lead them into green pastures, by still waters, and secure places of rest. He would fight off any attackers and tend to their wounds. He does the same for us today. Scripture defines this as zoe life: the kind of life God brings. He makes us whole – spirit, soul, and body.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you find peace, joy, and love from the Good Shepherd

By allowing Him to provide nourishment, replenishment, and security

Learning submission to His care, which brings complete rest

Letting us see what life at the right hand of the Father looks like

May you learn the art of shepherding well

So you may lead your friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances

Into the same care which you have received from the Good Shepherd

Allowing them to exist in a painfully cruel world, yet with joy and peace

May you always find ways to keep yourself in remembrance

By utilizing prescribed times like Lent, Passover, or the Lord’s Table

Or other ways which fit your temperament like reading, journaling, etc.

Praying always, which is our communion with Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/23/2025 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Door

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/23/2025 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Door

During the weeks of Lent we are looking at the Seven I AMs of Jesus. So far we have considered Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Light of the World. This week we are looking at “I AM the Door”.

The third I AM to consider is found in John 10:9

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. (ESV)

Jesus came to provide mankind a way back to the Father. Man and woman were created in the Garden to have fellowship with their Creator. After the fall and subsequent expulsion from the Garden, mankind began to draft their own means of getting into good standing with God. Some developed works-based legalism as a means of earning salvation. Others decided they were simply born into the right lineage or could elevate their social status to the point of being allowed entry into Heaven.

Jesus addressed these religious leaders to debunk their ideas as rubbish, then boldly declared, “I AM the Door!!” This infuriated the religious community so much that they began to plot ways of putting him down. He didn’t add His name to the list of ways to God, but instead proclaimed, “I AM the only way back to God.” Paul later affirmed this in his letter to the Church at Ephesus by saying, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5 ESV) “The” is a singular article. If Jesus had said “a door” things would have been vastly different. The choice is yours. He either is, or is not.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you enter The Door into the Kingdom by proclaiming Jesus is Lord

By identifying yourself as one crucified with Christ, buried with Him

Then raised together with Him, ascended to Heaven with Him

And then seated at the right hand of the Father

From this place of authority as a joint heir with Christ

May you live as one who is far above all rule and authority

Taking every thought captive and authority over every name that is named

Until you have transformed your thinking into that of Christ Himself

As you live from this elevated position in Christ

Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you into lives whom you can touch with love

That you can encourage and teach from The Word with Whom you fellowship

And provoke others to become disciples in the Kingdom of Christ

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/16/2025 – 2nd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Light of the World

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/16/2025 – 2nd Sunday of Lent – I AM the Light of the World

We are now in the second week of Lent. Last week we looked at Jesus as the Bread of Life. There is always fresh Bread available for the Church. When we observe certain liturgical events like Lent, we are reminded of all God has done since creation to bring us close to Him. When Israel was at its lowest point, The Father sent the Messiah to satisfy their spiritual hunger, bringing them back to life. He then provided means for them to find their way back to fellowship with The Father.

The second I AM to consider is found in John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (ESV)

The 400 years between the Old and New Testaments found in the Bible were some of the darkest in history, because there was no word from God recorded during this span. In that void, mankind filled the silence by making up their own ideas of how to live a life pleasing to God. They wrote more laws then appointed themselves the judge and jury to enforce the keeping of these new laws. Mankind was in need of a Savior/Messiah, but in order to even see that need, they first needed light to find their way back to God.

That Light was born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was the Word made flesh, sent to dispel the drivel man had created to guide them spiritually. His message was clear, just as the light which shown from His very existence. All people were drawn to that Light, exposing their need for God. He led them back to a place of fellowship with The Father.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May the Light of Heaven be your beacon for navigating daily living

Illuminating your path as you follow the Father

Guiding each footstep you take in walking out your purpose

As you bring the Light to your world

May this Light keep you warm like the Pillar of Fire did for Israel

So even if you find yourself in a wilderness you will never feel lost

Following the Light until He leads you back to the place He prepared

Which will be a place of safety and healing, celebration and care

May the brilliance of the Light polish you like fine silver

So you may reflect the Glory of God as you find your way through life

Showing your world the truth about the Father

Bringing them back into fellowship with Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/09/2025 – 1st Sunday of Lent – I AM the Bread of Life

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/09/2025 – 1st Sunday of Lent – I AM the Bread of Life

The observance of Lent began on Wednesday, March 5. Many in the non-liturgical church do not understand the purpose of the Lenten season. It is a time set aside to consider one’s relationship with Jesus using concentrated prayer and fasting to explore repentance and self-sacrifice more deeply. The concise definition is a 40 day period for the purpose of fasting, almsgiving, prayer, and repentance. It’s 40 days long patterned after the time Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by satan.

For 7 weeks, culminating on Easter Sunday, the Church is encouraged to participate in some level of fasting. Each Sunday of Lent, a topic will be presented to help the Christian grow in their relationship to God.

One Episcopal church is using the 7 “I AMs” of Jesus found in scripture. I plan to use these same themes in the 7 Sunday Blessing installments. I hope you follow along.

The first I AM to consider is found in John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (ESV)

Bread is considered a staple in the diet of most cultures. Jesus compared Himself to one of the basic essentials for life – food; not food for the body, but nourishment for the soul. When we feast on the Bread of Heaven, which is also described as The Word, which is Jesus, we will not hunger.

One of the first and foremost aspect of Lent is fasting. This is to remind us of the need we have for the Bread from God.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you find your sustenance in the true Bread of Life as you spend time fasting

So you may learn to recognize the smell of Bread from Heaven

And be filled with the nourishment obtained through the Words of Life

Until you are sober and strong in the Spirit as He leads you

May you find all that pursuing Christ brings into your life

Which is, first of all, an abundant life (zoe – the God kind of life)

And includes every aspect of your existence

Spirit, Soul, and Body – all overflowing with God’s goodness

May you realize the purpose of Jesus being the Bread of Life

So you, being made in His image, might become a source of nourishment

Helping others find their way back to the Father

By feasting on the life-giving Truth found in you

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/02/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/02/2025

More on God’s overshadowing.

I mentioned the correlation in my mind of what is referred to as overshadowing of God and the baptism into Christ. Here are a few more thoughts.

It is written in scripture that God “overshadowed” Mary when she conceived Jesus. I do not believe that was the end of His involvement. I believe it was a beginning. God remained with her to see her through the pregnancy, delivery, and care for the Son of God born to her. In the Old Testament it is said the Holy Spirit would “come on” people when God used them in miraculous ways. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit “filled” those present in the upper room, and continues to do that until this day. Jesus promised to send “another Comforter” when He ascended to Heaven. Pentecost was the keeping of that promise. The Holy Spirit has never left.

Even thought Mary’s encounter occurred before Pentecost, I believe the “overwhelming” of God on the day Gabriel came and brought the request from God to bear His Son was a precursor to Pentecost. I believe Mary was filled that day, just as John the Baptist was “filled with the Spirit” when Elizabeth greeted Mary. This was a type, or sign, of what was coming to those who would receive the Son. The Holy Spirit comes and indwells you and becomes the “seal” of our salvation, just as He is described elsewhere in scripture.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30 (ESV)

When are made “new creations in Christ”, the Holy Spirit takes on the role of the Overshadower and Baptizer when He takes up residence in our recreated spirit, now made alive, again, unto God.

Now for this week’s blessing:

May you come to know the amazing power exerted by God when He saved you

“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21 (ESV)

And may you become fully aware that this same power is what brought you into the Kingdom

“And when you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1 (ESV)

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:4-6 (ESV)

So that you would be fully equipped to be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God

And be a mirror to shine the perfect love of Christ into your world

May you hear the same words of the Father He declared over Jesus

As He speaks them to you today, “This is my beloved son/daughter”

And He adds, “In whom I am well pleased.”

Because He has made you acceptable in His sight

May you never feel the urge to back up from the strength God has given

So you may be as bold as a lion, declaring the goodness of God

But also maintain the humility of the lamb

By loving with the love of the Father, the compassion of Christ, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/23/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/23/2025

Baptism is a very curious word which has been interpreted to mean a vast array of things by those studying the Bible. Most associate the word with an act of being sprinkle by water, pouring water over someone, or immersing them in water. All of these are practiced by various Christian denominations/sects. While this is certainly the most prolific use of the word, it has other significant uses in scripture. There are multiple “baptisms” mentioned in the Bible: the baptism of John, the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, baptism into death, baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, baptism with water, baptism into Moses, baptism of Jesus, baptism into Christ, etc.

The Greek word which is interpreted “baptism” has a very simple meaning. It means “to whelm.” English adds “over” as a prefix which gives us the word overwhelm. The meaning does not include water. That is added based on the context where it’s found, like “they both went into the water, and John baptized Jesus.” This instance would certainly be a description of “water baptism”. But what about the Baptism of the Spirit? No water is mentioned there. And then there is the Baptism of Moses.

There is another word in the Bible, found in both the Old and New testaments, which describes time of God’s overwhelming presence. It’s called “overshadowing”. This word is used when the Holy Spirit encountered Mary when Jesus was conceived. This word describes the encounter with the Spirit on the Mount of Transfiguration. Personally, I think this is a more accurate description of baptism. There is a baptism which saves us, but it is not one involving water. Instead, it is the process of the Spirit of God overshadowing us when we become identified with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right had of the Father (see Ephesians 1-2). This is the Baptism of the Spirit, where the Holy Spirit baptizes (whelms) us into Christ.

And now for this week’s blessing:

May you experience the overshadowing of God

So you may receive all He has to place in your heart

Which includes purposes, plans, and pursuits

Resulting in a life well-lived, enjoying the peace and joy He brings

May you be overwhelmed by the presence of God

So you will be transfigured (made to be what God intended)

To be witnesses of God’s love, grace, and mercy

To your world – your family, friends, and neighbors

May you willingly submit to the Spirit’s baptism

Which results in our reconciliation to God

So we may live as sons/daughters

Enjoying life fully alive to Him

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/16/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/16/2025

I love reading blessings which have been written by church fathers through the years. I’m more familiar with those of St. Patrick, but many others are so inspirational. They are not considered “inspired”, but I feel they bring insight from a Believer which can certainly be used of God to help us in a particular moment when we find ourselves facing some of the same things as the ones writing the blessings.

That is certainly my hope. I do not expect to be remembered the way those, like St. Patrick, are viewed. I simply enjoy forming words to express what I feel in my heart and hope that others, like yourself, can find something in them to help.

And now for today’s blessing:

May you find a way to give voice to that which God has placed in you

So you may be someone else’s “present help in times of trouble”

For nothing you have experienced has been for naught

And the Spirit’s direction to you can be a lighthouse for others

May you remember, like God commanded of Israel, all that He has done in you

By rehearsing them regularly as you share your testimony (this word is so misunderstood)

Not from a pulpit, but in real conversations with family, friends, and acquaintances

And in doing so, spare them much heartache and grief by giving them hope

May you never underestimate the impact you have on others

For they watch when you are not aware of their view in the midst of your crisis

And they see/hear the actions/words you speak in the midst of pressure

Which God can use as “harvest reaped in due season” in their life

Be thankful for God’s grace and mercy for your own life

Which will keep you from hardening your heart

So your tenderness toward the Spirit’s voice

Will keep His words from going unnoticed

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/09/2025 – Valentine’s Week

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/09/2025 – Valentine’s Week

More is said about “love” during the next few days than just about the rest of the year combined. Mostly, it is for marketing all the gifts of chocolate, roses, jewelry, and lingerie, candlelight dinners, romantic getaways, and heart-shaped everythings. In the proper context, there is no problem with any of these things, but none of it represents what love should be about.

The issue is with our language. We use “love” for everything. We love our car. We love our house. We love our sports team. We love to take walks in the park. We love our children. We love our spouse. We love our friends. English makes us very lazy in expressing emotion. “Love” is an easy out. After expressing our feelings for just about everything by saying we “love it,” it leaves us at a loss when we truly want to tell someone we deeply care for them.

Other languages make this much easier. Greek, for instance, has eight distinct words which English interprets as love. They are eros (erotic, romantic, passionate), philia (friendship), ludus (carefree, playful), philautia (self-love), pragma (long-term, committed, compassionate), storge (deep, pure, long-term – familial), mania (obsessive), and agape (selfless, unconditional). It's easy to identify how the English word for love has been so widely applied. That’s why there is so much confusion introduced when someone says, “I love you.”

This Valentine’s Day, choose other words besides “I love you” to convey how you feel toward others. It can make all the difference.

Now, for today’s blessing.

May you experience the pure love of the Father (agape – selfless, unconditional)

So you may in turn show it to others

Because you are His workmanship, created for good works

Sent to manifest God’s love in your world

May you find language to express your feelings properly to others

So they may understand how much you care for them

Sparking in them a reciprocity which can grow into something beautiful

Be it a friendship or lifetime relationship

May you draw strength from and increase your capacity for true love

By pressing into your relationship with the Father

Drawing His love-life into yours to overwhelm and wash away any hurts

So that only your healed, made-whole self remains

May you begin to reap a harvest of true love

As you allow relational seeds to be planted in this new heart

Created by the softening of grace and forgiveness

So that you become a flourishing life-giving fragrant bouquet of love

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/02/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/02/2025

February was named for a Christian feast (Candlemas) which occurs during the month; specifically, today, February 2. It is set aside as a time of “expiation” or purification. It is a celebration of Jesus, when Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple to be dedicated (circumcised) in order to follow the Law.

February is also considered the last month of Winter, since Spring begins in March. February 2 marks (approximately) the middle of winter; ironically, when the earth is closest to the sun.

This time of purification (February) precedes resurrection (Spring). I liken it to the process Paul encouraged before celebrating the Lord’s Table (communion) which is described in 1 Corithians 11. “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (vs. 28-29 ESV) I do not believe Paul is saying we will be “cursed” if we partake of the Lord’s Supper with sin in our life, as many teach.

The focus of Paul’s words speak to THE Body, the Church of Jesus. “Discerning the body” speaks to understanding our place in the Kingdom of God. In taking the wine and bread we recognize that Jesus paid for our redemption, reconciling us back to the Father. Just as Jesus was submitted for the rite of circumcision (representing the removal of the flesh from the heart), we in like fashion submit ourselves to the New Testament version of circumcision, which is allowing the Holy Spirit to baptize us into the Body of Christ (salvation).

This February, let us be mindful of the purification completed in us when God made us righteousness through the blood of Christ, washing us clean, making us pure – justified. Then when Spring arrives, we can embrace the new beginning of resurrection, once again walking with the Father as we live out our purpose empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Now, for today’s blessing:

May you receive the full measure of grace provided by the sacrifice of our Savior

So that you can approach the Father without shame or fear

Because you have been made a son or daughter in the Kingdom of God

Which also makes you a king and a priest of the Most High God

May you have eyes to see the position from which you now live

As a joint-heir with Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father

Empowered by the Holy Spirit sent by Messiah after He ascended

Now an ambassador from Another Kingdom sent to your world

On this Candlemas, may you prepare your heart for the coming resurrection

Both: the one when Messiah returns, but also the one which comes each morning

Living each day as the most important one you have ever lived

Thankful for the grace and mercy given with each sunrise, because the Son has risen

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/26/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/26/2025

May you find or renew hope in whatever situation you find yourself

So you can face each day with expectation of a good end

Knowing your trust is in the God of more than enough

Giving thanks for the peace you find in Him

May you keep hope alive by dreaming of possibilities

Until it quells the fear of the not yet

So you can see the unseen

Until it becomes the evidence of faith

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/19/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/19/2025

May the Lord warm your heart this Winter with His mercy

And cover you with His blanket of grace

So you will understand that Winter is not wasted time

But instead a time of rest for the earth, and for it’s inhabitants

May you find a way to keep His wonder before your eyes

Through the magnificent images of snow and ice

Or the colorful birds against the drab of dried leaves and empty limbs

So you will remember that springtime – resurrection – is coming soon

May you learn to hear the Lord’s gentle voice in the winds when they come

While you sit in the doldrums, considering all He has done

And never forget His faithfulness of filling your sail with His purpose for you

So you may be the blessing to your world to which you have been sent

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/12/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/12/2025

May the grace of God cover you as the snow covers the ground

So that all you see is the pure white where there was once the unsightly

So you may live free of the guilt and shame removed by His mercy

So that you can beam with the bright reflected sunlight of God’s glory

May you wonder at the wonderful God brings into your life

The red berries which become visible when all else is snow-covered

The peaceful vistas of the snow-covered shrubs and trees

The warmth of home where you can find rest

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/05/2025

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/05/2025

May the Lord meet you at your point of decision

So you may realize that regardless of the choice, He is with you

Right or wrong, He will be by your side

To help redeem the wrong and propel the right

May the Spirit of God illuminate your path

To clearly show you where your feet will land

Giving you every opportunity to choose wisely

And step with confidence without fear or trepidation

May purpose guide you in your journey through life

Where choices become obvious, consistent with calling

And direction becomes deliberate, detailed by diligence

So you flourish in both form and function