wednesday

Having just completed my third funeral since I have been here, I am reminded that life on this earth is short and that one needs to depend on the promises that we can hold to for eternal life. This Sunday I will be preaching, "Are you ready?" from Luke 12:32-40. The gospel reminds us that we need to remember that God wants to give us the kingdom. It is ours and with that knowledge we need not worry or be afraid to do what would be pleasing to God. Treasure that which is eternal and not what is temporal. We need to remain faithful and alert living our lives is such a way that Jesus has shown us.
We believe that Jesus will return to earth and that we do not know the time when he will do so. But rather than worry and fret, allow the promises of the kingdom be in your heart, mind, and soul. Every day no matter what we experience, know that the spirit is within each of us and that spirit gives us the ability to have confidence, patience, and strength to endure anything. Today in the funeral the key scripture came from 2 Corinthians 5:1-9. The key verses are 5-8a. This is the NRSV translation.

"He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident: even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not be sight. Yes we do have confidence."

When we talk about the Spirit and when we may feel discouraged remember that both in Hebrew and Greek (ruah or pneuma)means not only spirit but breath and wind. So to help remind us of the guarantee take time to take a deep breath, go outside and feel the wind upon your body. Realize that the Spirit of the Lord has descended upon you.
God bless.