July 2020 - Pastor's Newsletter Article - Psalm 13

Pastor's Ponderings – July 2020

Psalm 13 New International Version (NIV) 
“A Psalm of David”
 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?
 3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
 5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

How long, Lord?

How long indeed... we have now come to July of 2020. The world has shifted on its axis multiple times since the calendar flipped into this new year (figuratively speaking, let's hope my use of this metaphor doesn't indicate a prophecy of such...). None of us expected any of this and sadly I wish I could tell you that it's nearly to the end and that life will be normal very soon... I really wish I could type those words...

But we don't know “how long” the Lord will allow all of this insanity to reign. It indeed seems as David laments that the Lord has hidden His face from us and the worst part is of course the 'wrestling with our thoughts'. We don't know what lies ahead so as humans we tend to imagine the worst possible scenario. Repeatedly we see uncontrolled and seemingly uncontrollable mobs destroying so much and those that destroy and loot seem to be getting away with the destruction of so many good people's lives and livelihoods. We're greeted when we turn on the news that the numbers of infections for Covid 19 are continuing to grow... and grow, and we join David in his lament...

These are indeed trying times in which we live but we must remember that others have endured equally trying times. There has and will be social unrest, it's a part of the human condition which I fear will be with us always. In the past, our ancestors too suffered during pandemics and strange and baffling diseases. Ultimately, just like them, we will survive and the sun will shine on a 'normal' day once again.

How did those ancestors of ours manage? Well, for most of us here in Iowa our ancestors clung to their faith in God... their faith in the same God that David clings to in Psalm 13.

When the day seems dark and the world seems to be filled with uncertainty, you can rely on the God of David.

 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

God has not abandoned us, He is here with us always... we just have to have faith in His 'unfailing love'.

Before I sign off I want to let you know that I'm considering making a change in the Thursday Night Service as we move into July. There will still be a broadcast at 7 pm each Thursday night but it may well be 'different'... keep your eyes open and see. Scott, Kim, Kathryn, and I are discussing this possible change, tune in July 2nd.

God bless & be a blessing to someone today! Pastor Roy 

Matthew 9:1-13; Sunday, June 23, 2020 - "Matthew's Sacrifice"

In this sermon, I took a different angle and looked at the 'sacrifice' of Matthew.  I don't recall anyone really talking about just what Matthew gave up to follow Christ. Of course, we believe that he gained far, far more than he deserted, but, he did turn his back on basically all he had left in life.

Take a listen and consider the sacrifice of Matthew... have we given anything up to follow Jesus?

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Matthew 9:1-13 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9 1 And after getting into a boat he crossed the sea and came to his own town.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic
2 And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 Then some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your bed and go to your home.” 7 And he stood up and went to his home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.

The Call of Matthew
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.

10 And as he sat at dinner[a] in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting[b] with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”

Footnotes:
a) Matthew 9:10 Gk reclined
b) Matthew 9:10 Gk were reclining

Psalm 88 - "A Very Psalmy Sermon" - June 14, 2020 - a sermon over the most depressing Psalm of all...

The sermon from this past Sunday was a deviation from the Lectionary.  I chose to instead speak from the message found in the 88th Psalm.  This Psalm is often called 'The Most Depressing Psalm'.  In this sermon I take a slant that I have never heard or seen taken... and that is that it isn't a depressing Psalm at all.  My point is that this long bemoaned Psalm is actually one filled with hope and the promise of delivery and grace.

Please take a listen, I hope it may bless you in some small way.

Thank you and as always... "be a blessing to someone today"!

In Christ,
Roy

Psalm 88 New Century Version (NCV)
A Sad Complaint
A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the director of music. By the mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
88 Lord, you are the God who saves me.
    I cry out to you day and night.
2 Receive my prayer,
    and listen to my cry.

3 My life is full of troubles,
    and I am nearly dead.
4 They think I am on the way to my grave.
    I am like a man with no strength.
5 I have been left as dead,
    like a body lying in a grave
whom you don’t remember anymore,
    cut off from your care.
6 You have brought me close to death;
    I am almost in the dark place of the dead.
7 You have been very angry with me;
    all your waves crush me. Selah
8 You have taken my friends away from me
    and have made them hate me.
I am trapped and cannot escape.
9 My eyes are weak from crying.
Lord, I have prayed to you every day;
    I have lifted my hands in prayer to you.

10 Do you show your miracles for the dead?
    Do their spirits rise up and praise you? Selah

11 Will your love be told in the grave?
    Will your loyalty be told in the place of death?
12 Will your miracles be known in the dark grave?
    Will your goodness be known in the land of forgetfulness?

13 But, Lord, I have called out to you for help;
    every morning I pray to you.
14 Lord, why do you reject me?
    Why do you hide from me?
15 I have been weak and dying since I was young.
    I suffer from your terrors, and I am helpless.
16 You have been angry with me,
    and your terrors have destroyed me.
17 They surround me daily like a flood;
    they are all around me.
18 You have taken away my loved ones and friends.
    Darkness is my only friend.

Psalm 139 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Inescapable God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
139 O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me!
2 Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up;
    thou discernest my thoughts from afar.
3 Thou searchest out my path and my lying down,
    and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue,
    lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou dost beset me behind and before,
    and layest thy hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    it is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
    Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, thou art there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, thou art there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there thy hand shall lead me,
    and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Let only darkness cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to thee,
    the night is bright as the day;
    for darkness is as light with thee.

13 For thou didst form my inward parts,
    thou didst knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise thee, for thou art fearful and wonderful.[a]
    Wonderful are thy works!
Thou knowest me right well;
15     my frame was not hidden from thee,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
16 Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance;
    in thy book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious to me are thy thoughts, O God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
    When I awake, I am still with thee.[b]

19 O that thou wouldst slay the wicked, O God,
    and that men of blood would depart from me,
20 men who maliciously defy thee,
    who lift themselves up against thee for evil![c]
21 Do I not hate them that hate thee, O Lord?
    And do I not loathe them that rise up against thee?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
24 And see if there be any wicked[d] way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting![e]

Footnotes:
a) Psalm 139:14 Cn Compare Gk Syr Jerome: Heb fearful things I am wonderful
b) Psalm 139:18 Or were I to come to the end I would still be with thee
c) Psalm 139:20 Cn: Heb uncertain
d) Psalm 139:24 Heb hurtful
e) Psalm 139:24 Or the ancient way. Compare Jer 6.16

Psalm 40 New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 40[a]
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened[c]—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.[e]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.

Footnotes:
a) Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
b) Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
c) Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
d) Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
e) Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

Psalm 29 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
The Voice of God in a Great Storm
A Psalm of David.
29 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,[a]
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;
    worship the Lord in holy array.

3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, upon many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful,
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sir′ion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness,
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the oaks to whirl,[b]
    and strips the forests bare;
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Footnotes:
a) Psalm 29:1 Heb sons of gods
b) Psalm 29:9 Or makes the hinds to calve


Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.


6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Daily Devotions - June 1, 2020 through June 15, 2020

Below please find the 'Daily Devotions' recorded from June 1, 2020, through June 15, 2020.

May they bless you in some small way, and as always...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Grace,
Roy 

Romans 1:8-17 - Thursday Night Service - June 11, 2020

A look at the history of the Church in Rome and the beginning of Paul's letter to this church.  Paul wanted to visit the church in order to strengthen them and to be strengthened by them.

We, Pastors, need our congregations to strengthen us as much or perhaps more than the congregation needs to be strengthened by us.  This reassuring, guiding, and growing is a two-way street of blessing.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Romans 1:8-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel[a] of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10 asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish 15 —hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

The Power of the Gospel
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”[c]

Footnotes:
a) Romans 1:9 Gk my spirit in the gospel
b) Romans 1:13 Gk brothers
c) Romans 1:17 Or The one who is righteous through faith will live

Sunday, June 7, 2020 - Matthew 28:16-20 - Trinity Sunday Sermon

Sunday, June 7th, 2020, was "Trinity Sunday".  This year I chose to preach over the verses found in Matthew's Gospel and to focus upon the great Commission of the 'eleven'.

I consider what is meant by 'some doubted'...

Please take a listen, it's a short message.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,

Roy

Matthew 28:16-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Commissioning of the Disciples

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[a]

Footnotes:

a) Matthew 28:20 Other ancient authorities add Amen

Thursday Night Sermon - June 4, 2020 - 2nd Corinthians 13:11-13

The night that I couldn't think of the word 'doctrine'... made me crazy that I just couldn't think of it.  Early dementia is something to be concerned about...

This sermon touched upon the concept (doctrine) of the Holy Trinity.  The area within which we most easily can venture into the region of heresy.  I honestly suspect that most modern Christians would have been considered heretics in the early centuries of the Church.

With that, I need to keep moving so here is the sermon for those who wish to listen.  Thank you for dropping by!

Be a blessing to someone today...

In His Grace,
Roy

2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (NRSV)
Final Greetings and Benediction
11 Finally, brothers and sisters,[a] farewell.[b] Put things in order, listen to my appeal,[c] agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of[d] the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

Footnotes:
a) 2 Corinthians 13:11 Gk brothers
b) 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or rejoice
c) 2 Corinthians 13:11 Or encourage one another
d) 2 Corinthians 13:13 Or and the sharing in

Pentecost - May 31, 2020 - Acts 2:1-21

This past Sunday was, of course, Pentecost Sunday.  Here we are brought again and again to the story which is often called the 'beginning of the Church'.  It's the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit and it's a Sunday when we typically sport the trappings of 'red' either in our clothing or almost certainly adorning the Sanctuary.

It's a day that we all simply want to hear once again the old story about the 'tongues of fire' and the talking in 'tongues'.  We want to hear the old story and feel comforted in our worship.  So, this year... I chose to preach over the 'old story' and address this desire for comfort.  Then... I turned directions... because unfortunately... these are not comfortable times.

We need to come together, we need to stop dividing ourselves... we need to stop telling lies and misrepresenting each other.  There are anterior motives at work within the Church and the fact of the matter is the only motive that we should be promoting is the motive of God.  His motive is that we love Him and that we love one another.  Can't we just do that?

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Acts 2:1-21 NRSV
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
    and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
    and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
    in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
        and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show portents in the heaven above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood,
        before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Thursday Night Worship - May 28, 2020 - John 20:19-23 NRSV

Below please find the sermon from Thursday, May 28, 2020, this was a sermon over 'peace' or more accurately the 'wholeness' of God.

Please take a listen.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

John 20:19-23  New Revised Standard Version
Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Daily Devotions - May 16 to May 30, 2020

Below please find the videos from the 'Daily Devotions' (Mon-Sat) for the period from May 16th through May 30th.

I pray that these reflections might bless you or someone you know in some small way.

Thank you for stopping by!

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy