From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ."
God does not keep a ledger, nor should we. Forgive. Yet, too often, forgiveness does not come easy.
I recently received an email from a person whose mother passed away more than two years ago. She wanted to let me know that she felt the church had let her mother down.
In this Lenten season, and always, let us go about forgiving who and what we can every day and every night. Our lives on this earth are much too short to harbor resentment. Christ calls us to freedom, but we cannot follow until we forgive what we are leaving behind.
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Pastor
San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ www.slzchurch.org www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com
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From Rev Dr Tom Nibbe
Please keep our brothers and sisters in Ukraine in your prayers. Scriptures
"The Lord is my light and my salvation--- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--- of whom shall I be afraid." (Psalm 27:5)
"...not that I've already obtained all this or have already been made perfect...but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...I don't consider myself yet to have taken hold of it...but one thing I do...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus..." (Philippians 3:12-14) "...O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I've longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing..." ([Jesus] Luke 13:31-35)
Prayer
Gracious Lord, This day we commend our selves into your tender care and keeping. Why should we ever be fearful of this life, or its challenges, as long as we walk with you? Today, speak to us about placing our trust in you and stepping into the world we live in. Speak to us. Remain with us.
And, Lord, forgive us all our sins. Cleanse us and renew us, and make us ready for the journey. We praise your loving regard for us as you call on us to proceed without fear knowing we can make a difference in the place you have planted us. We love you, Lord.
In Jesus' name, Amen. The Message Today, I can't help but focus in upon Paul's letter to the Philippians. I find myself scratching my head at the third chapter, with special interest in the 16th verse. It fascinates me... "...let us live up to what we've already attained..." Now what could that possibly mean? How do we live up to something we've already attained? I can't help but think it has something to do with performance...perhaps consistency in performance. The important thing to grasp is that we are covered by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection on the third day. We are approved of by God through Christ. Yet, therefore, we don't just go ahead and act out in any old way we choose, knowing that our righteousness is granted to us through His sacrifice.
How does that work out spiritually with people?
I keep thinking about Paul's commentary on his conduct in the broader perspective. To do so, I turn to Paul's letter to the Romans 7:15ff: "...I do not understand what I do...for what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do..." "...I know that nothing good lives within me, that is, in my sinful nature...for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out... for what I do is not the good I want to do---No, the evil I don't want to do---this I keep doing..."
Paul comes to a conclusion about himself, and, about the human condition we all experience, in verse 22: "...for in my inner being I delight in God's law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work in my members..."
"...what a wretched man I am..."
Paul would probably say something like this: We are who we are, but thank God, we are that in Christ Jesus...
I am reminded of what the Rev. Billy Graham had said to our group of pastors in Hartford, CT: "The normal Christian walk is two steps forward and one back---two steps forward, and one back." We really have to commend Paul for his humility and insight. Much more so, we need to recognize how important his commitment to transparency. We can afford, under God, to have that personal transparency, because our salvation (as well as the way other people perceive us) is based upon being covered by the blood of Christ, the great sacrifice of Jesus for the benefit of imperfect people, like you and me. So, that insight must be the one I was trying to take hold of with words. Through Christ, we've attained the forgiveness of sins and the assurance of everlasting life. Yet, we're human beings. Even like Saint Paul, we fall short of our own expectation of being that imagined compassionate, moral human being. Don't let the notion get you down and discouraged. Keep on doing the best you can. Our Heavenly Father, through Jesus, provided a perfect plan for imperfect, but faithful, people. Paul's encouragement to the Philippians, and to us today, is to be the best we can be, as often as we can be, knowing that the Lord will never forsake us, but uphold us, because we are covered by Jesus. Being a good person, is not to prove to God that we're good enough to earn our way to heaven, but rather, being the best representative of Christ's love and mercy we can be. What worked for Abram in our Old Testament lesson for this morning---believing in God and being made righteous---is still working for you and I today. May your day be filled with joy and inner peace. Cordially, Tom
From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough
Scripture: Mark 9:24-25 "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 'Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!'”
This is a prayer of a father who wants only that his child be healed. He is responding to Jesus' statement that "All things can be done for the one who believes." This worried father desperately wants to be counted in that camp. Yet, he knows that at times his faith wavers. He recognizes that his faith is not perfect. He is afraid and pleads for help. And yes, Jesus heals his son. I think in this process the father's unbelief is healed as well.
Here we are reassured that our faith does not have to be perfect. Jesus does not ask perfection from us. However, he does ask that we reach out, and that we are honest.
Yes, my worries eventually return. So, I pray again. The good news is that we cannot pray too much, and we are never turned away. This is how Jesus helps our unbelief. He helps us to hold it, and to let it go.
Prayer Lord, help our unbelief. Help us when we despair of what is happening in our hearts, in our families and communities, and in our world. We confess our fears. We then turn to you and find the comfort of being reminded that with you all things are possible. We can then believe and have courage once more.In gratitude for this moment, and in all our moments of believing and unbelieving, we give you thanks and pray, Amen -- Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ www.slzchurch.org www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com
"...because he loves me...I will rescue him..." Psalm 91:1 (what has happened to all the obligations of religiosity)
"...so the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders..." (Deuteronomy 26:8) "'...because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him...I will protect him, because he acknowledges my name...He will call upon me, and I will answer him...I will be with him in trouble...I will deliver him and honor him...with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation...' " (Psalm 91:14-15) "...if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved...for it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved..." (Romans 10:9-10) "...Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.." (Luke 4:1-13) PRAYER FOR LENT Dear Lord God, It's Lent. On this occasion we take a breathe of fresh air and, with fullness of heart, submit to your Lordship. It's because you are worthy, and our utmost trust is in you, your beloved Son, and the Spirit. We want to become more like your beloved Son. We want to develop the resolution, vision, and strength Jesus had. In the process, we need to be ourselves, not lose track of our unique identity, and come on as authentic persons---yet redeemed. It's Lent. We readily submit! In fact, we surrender. We withhold nothing from you, dear Lord! Totally forgive us all our sins. Renew and cleanse us inside and out. Make us ready as prayer warriors to do sacred battle with the Evil One, and yet, not lose track of being in the world, and yet, not of the world. Lord, take possession of our total being. In upcoming days, incline our hearts to your indwelling presence, speaking to the deepest part of who we are...and who we can be. Help us to slow down sufficiently to be able to clearly hear your voice...to take full advantage of the very reason we---intellect, heart and soul---can fully honor you, while we focus in on your gentle means to draw us near. As we like to be treated, help us to treat others likewise... We promise to set aside things we normally would put first---to reflect upon your divine nature and our human condition---and allow you access to our inmost being. We need transformation. What is it, Lord, you have been trying to communicate with us? Thank you, Lord, for loving us and inviting us to share in your great salvation, yes, your call to our lives that we may be agents of divine compassion. We ready ourselves for the journey. In Jesus' name, Amen. THE MESSAGE Remarkable! It's right there in plain sight...right there in Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans... chapter 10 and verse 9...if you confess with your mouth..."Jesus is Lord"...and believe in your heart that God the Father raised Him from the dead...you will be saved.
We get it, Lord. We want to be saved and we need to be saved. We are grateful for blessed "security" provided us by the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a perfect, sufficient sacrifice to save us all from our sins...yes, many...
Lord, we accept your kind offer. We acknowledge our sin, and God the Father will take it all from us for the sake of His Son. Jesus died for what we should have been punished for. We need not suffer any longer for the pain, many times, we have caused to others and to ourselves. A good, powerful confession along the way clears the deck for us...smooth sailing for a brilliant, eventful future... We can start anew. The horizon is bright for us because of Jesus and what He did for us, what He can still do for us...daily...for eternity... Our response will be no "dry" acceptance. We truly love you for accomplishing what we could not accomplish by or for ourselves... the salvation of our souls...a worthwhile life... a comfortable dwelling place in everlasting life... Obviously there are only two conditions to recognize in getting right with God and receiving the assurance of eternal life:
As Lord Yahweh through Moses brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt... As Ezra and Nehemiah brought the Jews out of bondage in Babylon to Jerusalem... the Lord brings us out of our bondage to possessions, addiction, selfishness, fame, greed, foolishness, self-centeredness, food, endless entertainment---whatever---into a life of service to humanity, precious relationships with other believers, loving relationships with non-believers, and the blessed assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
I can do nothing but praise God for the powerful comments of Saint Paul in that tenth chapter of his letter to the Romans. It has been a saving grace for me and for millions over the centuries. May the peace of the Lord touch your heart. Cordially, Tom
From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough
Last Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, so we have now embarked on our journey through Lent. Some Christians ignore Lent altogether, but I am finding that Lent is becoming more and more important to me as I age. Last night as I led an Ash Wednesday service, I heard and said these words, "You are from dust and to dust you shall return," I felt them in my bones. No, not as a dire warning, but rather as an encouragement to take more seriously my legacy in this world. I am not talking about money, but rather, my life. What do I want to do with my life now? Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, MN sends out an ecumenical newsletter - Thin Places - that I always enjoy reading, partly because it actually comes in the mail. Electronic newsletters serve their purpose, but it is nice to have something I can hold in my hand.
Prayer
Holy One, may we always remember that we travel with you. We thank you for the good guides you have given us. Help us to take to heart the teachings of Jesus and his message that your love is for all. May we remember that all creatures, including humanity, are part of your good creation. May we have the courage to love, even in the face of serious news that seems to tell us that there is little to love. Yet, even in these times, and maybe especially in these times, we are guided to love. In gratitude we live, pray, and love, Amen -- Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, Associate Pastor San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ www.slzchurch.org www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com |
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