Monday, October 30, 2017

TIMELESS WORDS OF JESUS

        Ever since God gave mankind life on this earth, words have formed the basis of communication. Whether by mouth or sign, people have expressed ideas, information and influence as best they could.
        While speech in itself is remarkable, some people are very good at it. Consider what this man says, and whether or not you’ve heard or read similar words:
        1) “Freedom is the possession of those who have the courage to defend it.”
        2)  “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
        3) “Wealth is to be properly used, not just something to boast about.”
        4) “Time is the wisest counselor of all.”
        5) “What you leave behind is not what is engraven on monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

        Pericles, the man who uttered these profound words, lived 2500 years ago. He was one of the most prominent and influential of Greek statesmen during its Golden Age, and his ideals turned Athens into an empire. Besides being an outstanding General, Pericles promoted the arts and literature, helping Athens become the educational and cultural center of the ancient Greek world. A champion of democracy, his projects on the Acropolis included the majestic Parthenon.
        Pericles spoke many more such brilliant concepts that have endured through the ages, and yet his words compare little to the words of a carpenter from Nazareth. The reason is simple: Jesus’ words go past this life and into eternity. Earthly life can be amazing to experience, but eternal life in the presence of God offers hope and joy we cannot find this side of eternity.
        1 Peter 1:24-25 says, “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
        History has heard some remarkable thoughts from people such as Pericles, but his words cannot compare in significance to those of Jesus.

Don't you wish someone today could speak so eloquently?
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 23, 2017

WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE?

        One never knows how much one’s life can be influenced when God puts a special person in your life, someone you really need to know.
        This past October 3, heaven opened its doors to a dedicated and caring servant of God who helped change my life. Rev. Leland Wendland departed this life after serving as pastor nearly 60 years. He was my internship supervisor at St. Mark’s, Minot, ND, 1969-70, and his guidance turned my life around.
        After a bumpy six years of college and seminary training, Vicarage (internship) assignment was at hand and I didn’t want to go. My wife urged me to find a Lutheran teaching position, but despite several promising interviews it was too late to be called, and I lacked key training as a teacher. 
        I can still recall that St. Louis spring day when we first met Pastor Wendland with his bright smile and positive attitude that put us at ease. As he told us what to expect from life and work in North Dakota, our fears quickly melted. Later when we met his gentle, sweet wife and their young family of seven, we knew God had led us to the right place and especially to the right person. 
        Working with Lee was never dull. He gave me independence and responsibility that helped overcome my uncertainties. He showed me true Christian service and how God wanted to use my abilities. I became a pastor because he believed I could do it, and he helped me to believe in myself. I thank God that He brought us together that year. 
        Lee was a powerful preacher of the Gospel of Jesus. He once told me a pastor’s job was to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”  He didn’t invent that concept, but he lived it in his ministry and urged others to do the same. I thank God for His faithful servants who have helped me, whoever and wherever they are. In our last conversation, a few days before he died, I told Lee how much he had helped me. 
        Is there someone special in your past whom God gave to help you? If he or she is still alive, maybe you should give them a call. Let them know the difference they made in your life and don’t forget to tell them thanks. 

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:7)

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 16, 2017

WHAT NEXT?

        Sometimes when bad things happen, especially multiple things, we are tempted to ask, “Why?” Or, “What next?” Last Friday’s news carried such a story.
        A California woman narrowly escaped death during the Las Vegas shootings last month while attending a concert where nearly five dozen people were killed and five hundred injured. A thousand bullets rained down, injuring people next to her and killing one. But she had not even a scratch. A few days after returning home, however, she was forced to evacuate her Santa Rosa house due to a wildfire that eventually burned 4,000 homes and killed nearly 40 residents. While many nearby neighbors lost their homes, the woman expressed gratitude that her home was spared, 
        What would you say if you were her? “Why?” “What next?” “Thank God I’m still alive!” I’ll guess it would be the latter. If tragedy strikes all around and we’re still alive when it’s over, giving thanks to the Good Lord is surely the first thing to do.
        A farm wife suffers immense injuries in a machinery accident, confining her to a nursing home for the rest of her life. A young pastor’s wife is widowed when he is murdered while making an evening pastoral visit in Chicago. An middle-aged farmer who lost both legs in an machinery accident, loses his wife to a heart attack. A violent auto accident claims the life of a young wife, while her husband has no injuries. 
        Do we say, “Why?” “What next?” Or, “Thank God I’m still alive!” Sometimes maybe all three. Thanking God must be both said and felt, no matter what follows. As hard as it is to understand, Job the Old Testament prophet had it right when he said, “The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” It isn’t that we feel glad God is no longer playing tricks on us, but that He gives us any time of life to live at all.
        A 94 year-old WWII veteran told me of his experience in the Battle of the Bulge, and he repeatedly said,“Only by God’s grace am I alive.” He then quoted a poem his mother had sent him during the war, a hymn verse by Jesse B. Pounds he has kept with him always:
"Any where with Jesus I can safely go, 
Any where He leads me in this world below,
Any where without Him dearest joys would fade, 
Any where He leads me I am not afraid."
        “Thank God I’m still alive!” I’ve said that so often since our auto accident in 1984. I’ve never thought of it as luck, but a genuine goodness from God that He has allowed me to see my sons grow, and marry fine wives and be blessed with good children. And He also has allowed me to experience the love of a second good woman. 

It’s part of a gratitude that helps us say, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”


Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 9, 2017

WHY DID JESUS COME TO EARTH?

        Why did Jesus come to earth? What was His purpose in being here? Ever since His birth at Bethlehem, mankind has struggled with what to do about Jesus. While many have tried making Him a great teacher, or a rebel, a peacemaker, a genius or even a charlatan, only His Holy Word tells us who He truly is, the Son of God and Savior of the world. 
        Dr. Donald A. Carson, in his book, Praying With Paul, wrote some remarkable words about Jesus’ purpose. In a quote often attributed to others (usually Max Lucado), Carson helps us zero in on the nature and purpose of Jesus. He wrote:
        “If God had perceived our greatest need was economic, He would have sent an economist. If He had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, He would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, He would have sent us a politician. If He had perceived that our greatest need was health, He would have sent us a doctor. But He perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from Him, our profound rebellion, and our eventual death. So He sent us a Savior.”
        We cannot understand Jesus unless we see what He considered was our greatest problem, that sin has caused rebellion against God and tainted our entire world. Recent mass murders have again resulted in people asking why they happened and what can be done about them. Who has not heard, “If there is a God, why does He allow this to happen?”
        All manner of reasons and solutions may be given, but rarely do analysts consider the real problem Jesus came to solve, to forgive sinful people of this rebellion and help them to live better by power of the Holy Spirit. He didn’t come to stop sin, but to forgive its consequences. He didn’t come to create robots, but people who see themselves for who they are, sin-weakened sons and daughters who desperately need their Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus.
        Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The plain truth is that the tragedies we see in the world will remain with us until Christ returns again in a new heaven and earth. 

We must not cease trying to stop evil, but we must admit its true cause. 

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

Monday, October 2, 2017

COULD YOU BE A HUMAN MOLE?

        Hit by two powerful quakes in less than two weeks, Mexico City once again has reeled from the disasters that claimed hundreds of lives, demolished scores of buildings and left thousands homeless.
        Amid all the disaster, one special group of rescue workers has given their services to locate survivors. They go where they are needed and freely give of their time and safety. Who are they?
        Founded in 1986, the “Tlatelolco Moles” is a volunteer search and rescue group formed by a group of youths who pulled victims from the rubble of Mexico’s 1985 quake which killed over 5,000. These volunteers now tackle dangerous rescue operations, filling in the gaps when a government needs them. Hector Mende, one of the group's original founders, says they will go in and under debris where no one else will.
        Assisting in at least 22 countries so far, including the 2001 World Trade Center attacks and the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami, they have travelled to disasters in Haiti, Nepal and the Philippines. Some of the team had only just returned from relief efforts after Hurricane Irma when the recent earthquakes hit their homeland.
        They are unpaid workers doing life-threatening work. Why do they do it? One member said it was for the joy of finding someone alive. Initially having no formal training, the Moles are now instructed in rescue strategies, collapsed structures and risk management. With the help of the Civil Protection Agency of Mexico, the Moles now train others locally and participate in international disaster training.
        They locate and triage victims, clear rubble, find bodies and even help develop long-term recovery plans. From the safety of their own homes, they go into the dangerous rubble. Knowing they may not come out, they go in anyway.
        Our Lord Jesus did this on a worldwide scale in eternal fashion. He left His heavenly home voluntarily to find and rescue people from the rubble of sin in the world, in order that He might rescue us from eternal death. Jesus went into the world, knowing He would have to give up His own life in this rescue. 
        He was crucified for us, buried and returned to life, that all who trust Him might be saved from the crushing weight of their sins. He is now with us every day in this troubled world with its dangers and ongoing need for rescue.

”And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com