October 29, 2025
Is It Really That Simple?
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3
The title for this morning’s devotional encapsulates my thoughts about this verse from Proverbs. The author of this verse, thought to have been King Solomon, states that if one commits their actions to the Lord, they will succeed. How simple! Why did not I think of that? So, if I plan on driving down Route 28 today between Higgins Crowell and Neptune Lane, and I commit to the Lord fully, I will not drive into a ditch or get arrested, right? Well, maybe not!
Perhaps it is I who is being too simplistic. It seems there need to be several factors that must be in place for this Proverb to achieve a full meaning for us. First is the idea of committing to the Lord. Exactly how does one fully commit to the Lord? Does the success of the plan we have benefit anyone except ourselves? Yes, it would be convenient for me to be able to drive, unfettered, down Route 28, but how does my desire for convenience trump the need of the workers to accomplish their tasks?
A possible answer to this question about committing to the Lord can be found in the Lord committing to us. If our plan is aimed at benefitting others beyond ourselves, the Lord is probably more likely to be equally committed. Also, we need to take into account that the result generated by the commitment of the Lord may not always mirror our desired outcome.
In the end, perhaps this Proverb really is that simple. If our plans are the benefit of the greater good, not just for us or our friends, they have a better chance of being fruitful. They may not always be successful exactly as we envisioned, but perhaps the outcome will be greater than what we imagined. At the base of all of this is our need to commit all our efforts to the Lord as much as we can. Once that is done, all that we must do is trust in the Lord, and we will have fulfilled our duties as a member of the Body of Christ!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
October 28, 2025
Is Everything Temporary?
“For, “all men are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:24-25
This morning’s devotional verse is a quote of a quote. The author of 1Peter, is quoting (partially) from Isaiah 40:6-8. There is a bit of editing thrown in there, but the point is still clear, human endeavors are fleeting, but the Lord’s work endures forever. That might seem like a fairly obvious conclusion, but it can also be a bit humbling. We can work our tails off, strive to accomplish great things, only to realize that our greatest works will someday be like withered grass.
We may look around and contemplate some of humanity’s greatest achievements that have endured for centuries. Consider the ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico, or the Coliseum in Rome, or the reruns of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E network. But we are forced to acknowledge that one day, even these great examples of human ingenuity will someday disappear.
My point in this musing is that, while we might wish to be remembered for our accomplishments in life, in the long run those things will fade into the distance. If we accept the idea that our impact on the world is limited, then we can begin to understand the importance of each day. If we can bring that thought into focus, we can also recognize that our greatest mark on the world is seen in how we relate to others.
In a world that seems to become more divided each day, our Lord would expect us to build spiritual bridges that would bring us together. It is not realistic to expect that we will agree with everyone on every issue. But instead of centering our thoughts on our differences, may we do our best to highlight and build upon our points of agreement. May we do our best to demonstrate our faith by seeking to live out Word of the Lord that calls us to serve each other every day!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
October 23, 2025
The Finish Line!
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:6-7
As evidenced by the words in our devotional verses found above, the apostle Paul was understanding that he was nearing the end of his life. He states that he is being, “...poured out like a drink offering.” Biblical scholar William Barclay notes that this statement refers to the Roman tradition of pouring out a cup of wine and the end of a meal as a sacrifice. Paul envisions his life, at this point, as being a sacrifice to God. He is now in prison, chained in a dungeon, with his execution being possible at any time. It is easy to understand that he now sees the finish line of his earthly journey looming ahead.
In my vocation I have had many experiences with people as they contemplated their mortality. As you might expect, everyone’s experience varies as they face the consummation of their earthly journey. Some are fearful, anxious about what comes next. Some, like Paul, have made themselves comfortable with the outcome, knowing that they have done their best to live a life that glorifies the Lord. How might we react when our moment of realization occurs?
When I read Paul’s words, I am drawn to the fact that he believes that he has done his level best to, “keep the faith’ as it were. The image of finishing the race does not mean that his contest is over, perhaps it is just this stage of the contest has concluded. It may have been hugely challenging but he has endured. The reward for completing the race may be admission into another, less strenuous journey. So, I guess the question Paul might ask us might be about what we have done during our race. Have we run it to the best of our ability? Should we take another route, or are we doing our best? No matter what our vision of our mortality is, it is what we do during the race that is the most important factor. May we, like Paul, do our best to keep the faith!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
October 22, 2025
Sharing!
“A generous person will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Proverbs 22:9
If you are of a certain age group (specifically my age group) you may remember a commercial for Cracker Jack from many years ago. A man is sitting in his easy chair enjoying his favorite snack, Cracker Jack. His young son arrives home from school and the man tries to hide the box so he does not have to share. To distract his son the man asks what did he learn at school that day. The boy, on to his father’s chicanery, states in a sweet voice, “sharing.” The jig is up! Dad pulls out the treasured box of Cracker Jack and they both enjoy a mouthful. What we do not see is the emergency trip to the dentist that follows.
Since we were children, we have been taught that sharing is a valuable character trait. It appears that the ability to share with others was valued in ancient Israel as well. Our verse from Proverbs today assures that, by being generous and sharing our food with the poor, a person will be blessed. The specifics of the manner of the blessings are not found here, but that is not the point. The simple act of sharing with others will bring about a gift of grace from the Lord.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “you will always have the poor among you…” (John 12:8a) Jesus did not say this to show indifference to the poor. Instead, this is evidence that Jesus understood that poverty was a symptom of deeper disease in the human condition. The only way to hold back the tide of poverty is for people to share out of their abundance. That lesson is as true today as it was in Solomon’s time. This does not mean that we give up and turn from obligations. We should always seek to support the hungry, both the physically famished and the spiritually starved as well. If we continue this work, without seeking recognition we will be blessed by the Lord!
Peace,
Pastor Chuck
October 16, 2025
Sour Grapes
“In those days the people will no longer say, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
Jeremiah 31:29
In our modern lexicon the term, “sour grapes” generally applies to complaints uttered by a person who wants something but cannot get it or achieve it. Thus, to cover their disappointment they belittle the importance of what they failed to achieve. An example would be applying for a job, and when you fail to get hired, declaring you really did not want that position in the first place. If you have ever watched the reality show, “Survivor” you would have witnessed sour grapes being spouted by many of the contestants who were voted off the island.
The reference to sour grapes in our reading from Jeremiah for Sunday has a different connotation. For a better understanding we need to refer to the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus. In telling the people to not make any idols the Lord explains what the punishment would be for this offense. “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hates me…” (Exodus 20:5) Now, just so you do not thank the Lord too severe, the Lord does also offer love to a thousand generations of those who keep the commandments.
With that in mind, let us return to the matter of sour grapes. This was a euphemism to describe sinful behavior and the consequences of such actions. So, our above verse would mean that the Lord is making a new covenant in which the children will not be punished for the sins of their fathers. Sour grapes (sin) that the fathers ate, will no longer leave a bad taste in the mouths for generations to come. This is part of a longer revelation by Jeremiah that describes a more personal relationship between the Lord and the people of Isreal.
Modern Christianity, especially that of the Protestant variety, offers a viewpoint that a believer’s relationship with the Lord is personal, there is no need for an intercessor. Thus, our prayers are a manner of communicating directly with the Lord. Protestant clergy do not fill the role of intercessor in the connection between God and humanity, but are more of a facilitator, helping to nurture the people’s bond with the Lord and with each other. Rather than following a strict, and sometimes dogmatic, doctrine, we must be more subtle, seeking to understand each person’s personal theology and needs. This nurturing is not just the work of the Pastor, but instead requires the participation of the people as well. May we all find ways in which we can help each other build a deeper relationship with the Lord and our fellow believers.
Peace,
Pastor Chuck