Trust

What is Your “All Things?”

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

My dad was a quiet, yet amazing guy. I learned lessons from my him about finances, faithfulness and keeping a humorous humility about ourselves in the face of difficult circumstances. But what I remember most of all the things he taught me was how to trust in the strength of the Lord.

Dad with our firstborn

In the last week of his life as he lay in the ICU unit, dad didn’t complain much. Instead he seemed most concerned that I understand how to handle the affairs of his home and if I was getting enough rest at night. During that time he often asked to hear the New Testament or Psalms read aloud, and most of all he loved quoting the verse, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He did not repeat those words with desperation through gritted teeth but with a calm confidence that his Good Shepherd had come to lead him on the last mile of his pathway on earth.

In fact, this verse is a favorite of many of us as we face challenges. Maybe we are starting a new job, wondering where the money will come from to pay the bills or are about to take a final exam. Interestingly, the Apostle Paul gives us these words, not as a skill he was good at, but as a lesson he had learned after experiencing a laundry list of crazy circumstances. He looked back and remembered his successes as well as failures. He talked about his hunger pains from when the cupboard was bare, as well as the wonderful home cooked meals at the homes of friends. But more than any one kind of challenge Paul faced, he shows us that trusting in Christ is something he learned to do and that we can too.

The key is remembering that overcoming whatever we face is in Christ. Got temptations? Then we need to remember that we are crucified with Christ. It’s not about us anymore. It’s about Him. Are we in the middle of confusion, and the pressure of unrelenting demands? Then we must bring to mind that we are buried with him in baptism. Nobody bothered Christ once the stone was rolled over the face of the tomb. He rested in perfect peace – though not for long! Are we crossing a storm tossed sea that is about to sink our boat? Then we can joyfully recall that just as we are crucified and buried with Jesus, so we are also raised with Him. Going forward is no longer just about our power – it’s about His. What are the “All things” that you face today? God’s got this! He’s not just in control on the outside of our situations, He is at work on the inside of us as well and will help us finish the job He gave us to do. Then we will be able to say with my dad,” It really is true! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Complaint Department Upstairs

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 ESV

I have a small confession to make – there are some days that I love to complain! I complain about the weather, my church, my kids and even my wife. Some nights as I lay my head on the pillow and replay the whiny remarks which I made, I wonder how I could have been so unkind and wish I had kept my lips sealed. Jesus on the other hand had no shortage of things to complain about. Think about it; on the worst day of his life, Jesus encouraged a thief; made sure His mother was taken care, forgave His enemies, and with his last breath trusted his life into the Father’s hands. How did He do that? What was His secret?

Some years ago, I was bringing a truckload of branches to our local landfill. As I pulled up to the entrance of the one-story weigh-in station I noticed a small sign by the side of the operator’s window that had an arrow pointed up stating, “Complaint department upstairs!”

But how can we be patient like Jesus when others mistreat or abuse us physically or verbally? The answer is in knowing where the complaint department is located. Telling our neighbors, our family or our enemies the way we feel doesn’t help. Remember those WWJD bracelets we used to wear in Sunday school? They asked the question; “What would Jesus do?” Well today’s verse reminds us of what Jesus did – He gave His life trusting God would work all things together for good. So maybe, just maybe if we stopped looking for the complaint department and started looking to invest in God’s trust fund, we might be amazed at what He could do today!

Milk – Eggs and Worry

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

That is why I say to you; don’t worry about living—wondering what you are going to eat or drink, or what you are going to wear. Surely life is more important than food, and the body more important than the clothes you wear. Look at the birds in the sky. They never sow nor reap nor store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Matthew 6:25-26 Phillips

As a native New Englander I confess that we do brag a lot about our toughness when it comes to winter. We laugh uproariously at stories of school districts in the South shutting down because of a couple of inches of snow. But no matter how many winters we have lived through our response to snow falling on our own street stays the same. “Honey, can you run to the store and pick up some milk and eggs?” Despite the logical conclusion that hens will keep on laying and cows will continue to give milk, we go into panic mode! No matter how tough we pretend to be, Jesus knows us all the way to the core of our fearful hearts. He sees that no matter how many times He has provided daily bread and protected us through long cold nights that at the first sign of a storm we act as if God might not take care of us this time around.

But if we watch the birds as Jesus tells us to do, we’ll notice that none of them stay up late at night looking for seeds to pluck from the bushes or worms to pull from the ground. They simply fold their wings, tuck their heads and drift off to sleep.

They somehow know that tomorrow will always dawn with all they need to get by. So whether you are wondering if there will be milk and eggs at the store when the snow melts or panic buying toilet paper in the pandemic, what counts is not on how tough we are, but who we are looking to for help. If we look to Jesus we will be amazed to discover once again, that the same God who is an expert on feeding birds, knows exactly what we need today!