CREDIT: Tedd Oravec

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I like gifts. In the old days I’d go to the Sears catalog a month or so before my birthday or Christmas and mark the things I wanted. Today we do the same thing with our online buying services when we create our “wish lists.” We pass along our “wish list” to tell others what we’d like, in hope that we receive them. We don’t have these “objects of our hope” yet, but we can imagine what life might be like when we receive them. 

In Romans 8:18-27, St. Paul writes of how our Father in Heaven is even better at giving us things we really need in life, better than the newest toys, tools, or gadgets. In Genesis, Adam thought he knew what he needed. He thought he needed to be like God, the one who created him. So, he ate from the tree of knowledge despite God telling him not to. As a result, all of creation, not just mankind, began to endure sufferings, decay and corruption caused by our desire for things we think we really need instead of what our Creator knows we need.

Fortunately, God loves us and knows exactly what we need. Even though we might not know, Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit helps us to ask for things from God that we really need saying, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings to deep for words.” (Romans 8:26) So, even though we may hope for a “train set,” the Holy Spirit helps us ask our Father for that which we don’t even know we really need. Then, even though we may be hoping for a “train set,” as adopted children of God we put our trust in God our Father as we wait in hope for the promised new creation still to come ... free of decay and corruption in the eternal glory of a new creation.

In the Love of Christ,

Pastor Jim

CREDIT: Simona K on FLICKR

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When it rains, we can see it come down. But we rarely see the immediate results of its work. After soaking the ground; weeks, months later, we see produce emerge. The time between rain and produce can make us forget that the rain was working even as it disappears from our view.

God’s Word is often imagined as rain. The prophet Isaiah is one of those who uses the metaphor of rain to describe God’s Word saying, “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth … so shall my word be that does out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

God’s Word comes down into our lives and the lives of others around us. Some of us receive it on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. Some receive it daily in their devotions. It enters our ears and makes its way into the soil of our hearts and minds. There, it produces fruit of various kinds and quantities. 

Unfortunately, some in the world never receive the rain of God’s Word. Their hearts and minds live in a desert wilderness. Some by choice … some by circumstance. And that’s where we come in. God has abundantly rained His Word upon us so we can become the means He uses to rain down His Word on those living in spiritual desert wildernesses. He’s called us to water those parched hearts and minds by showering God’s love to them with our acts of love and kindness, grace and mercy. As the rock-hard ground of their souls is softened, eventually, through the Holy Spirit’s power, they’ll be ready to also be watered by God’s Word from us … or others in their lives. God’s Word rained down in both actions and words does not return to God empty. It will achieve its purpose. So let it rain!

                                                                                                In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                                Pastor Jim

Dear Believers in Christ,

It’s 2026. For 250 years we, as a nation, have celebrated our independence from the tyranny of another nation’s kings. However, true independence is more than just saying so on paper, it must also be earned, most often through sacrificial action.

It’s good to celebrate independence of course. But this earthly independence we have, while long lasting in the case of our nation, will not be eternal. There will come a day when it ends. In fact, I argue it has already ended when we get right down to foundational first principles found in the firm foundation that is God’s Word. “Rejoice greatly … Shout aloud … your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) These words were fulfilled 550 years later when Jesus road into Jerusalem on a donkey as He made His way to the cross to free us from the waterless pit of Hell through the blood of His new covenant. (Zechariah 9:11)

As a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead, you and I through faith in Jesus have been freed from our enslavement to sin, Satan, and death. While freed, we are and never will be independent. We are entirely dependent on the one true God for all we have and ever will have. God our Father – we’re dependent on Him for the gift of the breath of life. God the Son, Jesus our Savior – we’re dependent on Him for the gift of forgiveness and eternal life. God the Holy Spirit – we’re dependent on Him to sustain our gift of faith through the troubles of life in this world so we come to realize our dependence on the One True God for all things … to include the blessing we have of living in this time and this place.

So let us celebrate our independence from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death through our dependence on God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

                                                                                                In Jesus’ Love,

                                                                                                Pastor Jim

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Dear Followers of Jesus,

When things keep going badly, change seems impossible! Then, along comes someone who seems to say all the right things. Who makes the bad seem to go away … or about to. Their words seem perfect! “The war will end soon,” “The cure will be here soon,” “This little flyer will help you ace your impossible test,” and so on. We react with blind optimism; only to be disappointed by the hollow promises.

False hope provided by empty words isn’t a new thing. It’s been around forever. For example, Israel was in exile in Babylon because they continually listened to those who said what they wanted to hear … instead of listening to God and His prophets. Jeremiah heard one of these guys – Hananiah – tell Israel, “Don’t worry! The exile will be over in two years. Everything will be fine!” Jeremiah responded, “I hope you’re right, but” he added, “for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” (Jeremiah 28:9) He said this because He knew what God said, even if it wasn’t what Israel wanted to hear. God’s Word is God’s Word. It’s the truth and it won’t be changed – even if we don’t like what it says sometimes.

Jesus had some tough things to say to His disciples that seem to say He’s all about destroying families. (Matthew 10:34-39) However, it’s a warning that proclaiming God’s Word – the easy and the hard to hear – will create animosity and division; even between those closest to us. It’s hard teaching, but it’s for our own good. Because trying to modify God’s Word to make it sound better or easier leads to eternal division from God – eternal death. God sent Jesus, not to sugarcoat God’s Word, but to help us see how to live our lives in this world – even when it might cause trouble for us – so we can receive our reward, eternal life with Him. Let’s listen to Him and live.

                                                                                                In Jesus’ Love,

                                                                                                Pastor Jim

Dear Sinners and Saints,

Have you ever bought yourself a gift? I remember several Christmas seasons ago. I went to the electronics store, bought the thing I wanted, wrapped it, and put it under the tree. When I opened it, I said, “Wow! Just what I always wanted!!!”  But, was that really a gift? No. It wasn’t. I bought it with money I set aside. It wasn’t given to me – it was given by me. I bring that up because, one of Paul’s most recognized passages hits on this idea.

Many have heard and recognize Paul’s passage in Romans describing the difference between purchase and gift. He writes, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)” A wage is something we earn. I worked to earn the money I set aside for that Christmas “gift”. I earned it. Paul also writes, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)” So, we’ve all earned the wages of sin – death. But, God, in His infinite mercy, despite what we’ve earned, gives each of us a true gift – the opposite of death! He gives us eternal life. Free of cost to us. It’s there for the taking. All we need to do is pick it up, open it, take it, and use it. Forgiveness.

Actually, this gift might be free to us; but there’s, “No such thing as a free lunch.” Somebody paid for our gift. Jesus Christ, paid the price for the gift of our forgiveness and eternal life by dying on the Cross. Free to us – yes. But, not free. God, in His love, gives this gift to all who believe in Jesus. 

And He desires for us to pick this gift up and use it. He desires that we forgive as we’ve been forgiven. Showing the love of God for us to others, so they might also accept the gift purchased for us by Jesus’ precious blood and join us in eternal life.

                                                                                        Your Fellow Sinner and Saint,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim

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Dear Children of God,

When I’m injured, I often believe, “Time heals all things.” Time and some Tylenol. Eventually, I’ve had enough. I go to the doctor. They diagnose my stupidity, “I can heal you but …” It’s that “but” that I hate. However, in the end, the doctor gives me the treatment – a procedure, therapy, hard work. It would’ve been easier if I would’ve just gone to get my “medicine” earlier, before time made it worse.

Hosea was God’s messenger to Israel – long after the glory days of King David – when God’s people felt pretty crummy. Why? Injuries caused by their sin. They thought “time” and their efforts would heal themselves. Bad choice! Hosea reveals they are “Torn … struck down.” (Hosea 6:1) They think bringing God offerings will get Him to heal them, to bind them up. But God can see through their attempts to buy His mercy saying, “I desire steadfast love not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)

God tells Israel what they need to do to be healed through words from His mouth to His prophet’s ears. (Hosea 6:5) But Israel won’t hear it. They want their injuries to go away, but they aren’t willing to address the cause – their sin! They think the “Tylenol” of their sacrifices is enough. What they need is surgery … surgery they ignore hoping time and their own efforts will bring healing.

The pain our sin causes comes about because of our choices, not God’s. He clearly warns us of the consequences of sin. However, He also holds the cure out to us – faith in the healing power found in His Word, His mercy, His steadfast love for us. As the Spirit leads us to the knowledge of God’s love and mercy through the words of His mouth, God stands ready to heal us and bind us up. Let’s take His forgiveness! Then, healed by His Word, respond by steadfastly loving Him and our neighbors as He calls us to do. That’s how we return to the Lord.

                                                                                                In God’s Steadfast Love,

                                                                                                Pastor  Jim 

Dear Children of God,

Words matter! How many times a day do you hear the word “God” thrown around? It gets used a lot. For most, unfortunately, it’s lost its meaning. Because “God” should never be used lightly. After all, how would you like it if your name were used as a routine exclamation, “Oh my Jim, that cake was amazing!”

For many the word “God” symbolizes a “divine” they believe in. But even then, “God” gets used lightly. We swear to “God,” pray to “God,” and believe in “God.” And that sounds good, but what do we really mean when we use the word “God?” The answer has eternal impacts.

God wants us to use it properly. So, He tells us, “The Lord is one;” (Deuteronomy 6:4); “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3); “(Baptize) them in the name of the Father … the Son … the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19); and Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3,14 also tell us the Father, Son (the Word made flesh), and Spirit were present at creation. Digging into God’s Word, God tells us He is one God and He is three persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

So, when someone says, “I believe in God,” ask, “What do you mean by ‘God’?” If they answer, “The Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” they might understand who God really is. But, if they deny Jesus … or the Holy Spirit … or the Father … is God, they aren’t talking about the true God found in Holy Scriptures. Or, if they deny the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three separate persons of God indicating God was first the Father, then appeared as the Son, and finally returned as the Spirit they aren’t talking about the one true God either. 

The one true God is three persons and one God – the Holy Trinity – confessed in the Creeds. It’s an unexplainable mystery. All other “god’s” are idols created by people who fail to ask the right question or understand the answer. Words matter!

                                                                                        In the Triune God’s Name,

                                                                                        Pastor Jim