Soldiers before God

This past Sunday was the Annual Patriotic Pageant at Wesley United Methodist Church here in Springfield. It is a special time of music and witnessing that honors the veterans among us and the service that has been given for their country. It brought to mind another pageant that I had attended when one of the soldiers who had served in the Marines during World War II was coming to the front of the fellowship hall to stand and be recognized. He looked directly at me and suddenly he stood up straight and gave a sharp salute to me. As I returned the honor a smile spread across his face and he winked his eye. Now to many people, that may not seem like much, but to me suddenly we became not only comrades in arms but comrades in heart. Since that day, we have grown spiritually and have studied the Word of God together and a wonderful walk with God continues.
Do you remember the story of the Centurion that came before Jesus and asked that Him to heal his servant? He did not need Jesus to come to his house because he knew that Jesus had only to speak the word and healing was done. He stood before Christ and with his witness not only saluted the King of Kings, but gave God’s power the necessary means to work. Jesus reply to the Centurion’s request was “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7:3-10)
I think our soldiers today have the same power. As they serve in Iraq and Afghanistan or other regions throughout the world it is true they stand in harms way, but they also offer a channel through which God’s presence comes alive for those they both serve with and live among.
Today as we recognize the birth of our nation, let us also recognize the soldiers who come before God and offer their hearts in service to God.

Mid-week Prayer

Heavenly Father, come and keep our soldiers safe this day. Let them know the honor with which they serve may not always be recognized openly by the world, but it is glorified by You. Keep them safe and give them the courage they need now and for all times. In the blessed name of Jesus Christ we pray.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. As you celebrate this great holiday, honor all “soldiers” in the Army of Jesus Christ.

DECISION MAKING

One night at sea, the ship's captain saw what looked like the lights of another ship heading toward him. He had his signalman blink to the other ship: "Change your course 10 degrees south." The reply came back: "Change your course 10 degrees north." The ship's captain answered: "I am a captain. Change your course south." To which the reply was: 'Well, I am a seaman first class. Change your course north." This infuriated the captain, so he signaled back: "Blast it, I say change your course south. I'm on a battleship!" To which the reply came back: "And I say change your course north. I'm in a lighthouse."
I wonder if we don’t try to convince God the directions of our life in much the same way. We are so sure of our desires that we do not realize that God will not change just to make our life comfortable or to prove that we can make Him move. Isn’t that great news? God remains steadfast in all His ways.

Mid-week Prayer

Loving Father, when we appear to be stubborn, calm the direction and desires of our minds and anchor us firmly in Your Word. Just as You willingly gave Your Son, let us boldly come for Your direction for our hearts. We pray this in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week for another Mid-week Epistle.

WHO REALLY KNOWS YOU?

When Christian Herter was the governor of Massachusetts, he was preparing for another campaign to return to office. .One day after a busy morning and no lunch, he arrived at a church barbecue. Herter was famished. As the governor moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put one piece on his plate and turned to the next person in line. "Excuse me," Governor Herter said, "you mind if I have another piece of chicken?"
"Sorry," said the woman, "I'm only supposed to give one piece of chicken to each person." "But I'm starved," the governor said. "Sorry, only one to a customer," said the woman. The governor was a modest man, but he was also hungry, so he decided to throw a little weight around. "Lady, do you know who I am?" he said. "I am the governor of this state." "Do you know who I am?" the woman said, "I'm the lady in charge of the chicken. Now, move along mister!"
I wonder if there are people at time that are so impressed with their worldly successes that they might be the same way if they were to encounter Jesus in their life. They would not knowingly boast of their achievements, but they would want to know for sure that He knew they were a bit successful.
But Jesus has a way of taking the things of the world and putting them in a proper perspective. He does not look at the external ways of success, but the loving way of caring that is in our hearts. He knows that the true way to care for others is to be aware that He is one of the “others” in our life.
Do you care for Him with all the love you have or just enough to impress Him with the successes of your world?

Mid-week Prayer

Loving Father, come into our lives and show us the truth of the way we live for You. Do not let us desire the accolades of others more than the love of God. Let us know the difference in the power of the words of others and the Word of God. Help us to find the difference in truly living for Your glory. We pray this in the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me again for another Mid-week Epistle.

BROKEN TO COME IN!

As I was reading the Psalms, a word caught my eye that caused me to pause: "But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." (Ps. 109:21-22) And then I thought, what could wound my heart today, and I began to realize that I needed to know that no matter what the world would tell me of that pain, God would use it to His glory.
I recall a story that is told of a rabbi who read Deuteronomy 6:6 - "And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart."
"Why is it said that way?" a pupil asked. "Why are we not told to place them IN our heart?"
The rabbi answered that it is not within man's power to place the divine teachings directly in his heart. "All that we can do is place them on the surface of the heart so that when the heart breaks they will drop in."
I pray that sometime we find the strength of God the most powerfully when our heart is broken. Then we should turn to the true source of hope for our lives.

Mid-week Prayer

Loving God, let us place Your Word carefully in our lives so when trouble comes and we despair and brokenness comes, then You will bring forth strength that can only be found in Your love. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. This coming Sunday morning I will be in the pulpit at Wesley UMC here in Springfield. Pray that God will use this servant and His Word to heal the hearts that might feel wounded as they come into God's presence. I look forward to our Mid-week Epistle this coming week.