LIFE BUILT ON A ROCK

       In Matthew 8:11-12, Jesus said, “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness.” 
        Jesus often injects sobering reality into our lives. Here He says not every believer will remain faithful and gain eternal life. Jesus had just seen great faith in a pagan Roman officer, faith He had rarely seen among His own people. He pointed to that soldier’s faith as an example to follow.
        The soldier had a sick servant and Jesus said He’d come and heal him. The soldier said, “You don’t need to come to my house, Jesus. Just say the word and I trust You will get the job done.” Can we say that to Jesus? Do we have that kind of faith? I know I don’t. I want to see results, and I want  them now! I can get actually get physically sick if I don’t see the results I want. I don't know about you, but I need to be healed from this!
        Jesus must see a disappointing lack of faith among His people today. Instead of placing our faith in Him, we trust our money, or our philosophy of life, or our cleverness, or our ability to follow rules. Many in the Christian Church do this. We don’t reject Jesus, but we make faith a matter of pride in how well we keep the rules.
        Trusting Jesus is not following a set of rules. The Gospel is not what we do, but what God has done for us in Jesus. The Ten Commandments may help us get along better, but they offer no hope for heaven. Those Laws reveal our sins and mirror how phony we really are.
        Jesus Christ brings us hope for a new life through forgiveness. If we look into the mirror of the Ten Commandments, we will see how sinful we are. When we trust in Jesus, who kept all those rules for us, the person looking back at us in the mirror can know - and rejoice - that he or she has been set free from sin.
        Trusting Jesus, you and I will not be tossed into “outer darkness.” Because of what He did for us, we can live forever with Him because He is the real Healer. Today, let us give thanks that God has given us a Savior, the One who has done it all - for us!

Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving our sins and healing us. Amen

LIFE BUILT ON A ROCK

        My wife and I once owned several acres on a Colorado mountain. The land sat atop decomposing granite, a rock that gradually crumbles into topsoil. Decomposing granite is safe to build on because it is the top layer of more solid granite below. I tried once to dig some postholes up there, but the rock below the topsoil stopped my project cold.

        Years after we sold that land, we returned to find a lovely home on it, securely constructed on a place with a nice view of the valley below. But we saw evidence that it took heavy equipment to chisel through the layer of rock so the house could be built strong on a level place.

        In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” His Word tells us to build our lives on something strong, and faith that Jesus is our Savior from sin is the greatest strength there is. 

        If we do our best to follow God’s Word in the Bible, our life will not be perfect, but it will be stronger and better than if we build it on something else. Storms will surely come with their wind, hail and slashing rain, but the life built on Jesus the Rock is better able to withstand those storms.

        It’d be nice if faith in Jesus made the storms and troubles go away, but the reverse can seem to be true. Some Christians have said it almost felt like their troubles increased. But they knew their ship of life had a safe harbor during those storms. Our Lord Jesus has promised to be with us always, guiding us, lending us His strength, and leading us into the calm light of His grace. 

        Jesus’ strength is the best there is. With all the financial and political instability in our world, and despite God’s Word coming under constant fire, it’s good to know there is the solid ground of faith in Jesus Christ for us to stand on.

Thank You, Jesus, for being our safe haven in the storms of life. Amen

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

FATHER IS WITH US ALWAYS

(I missed writing last week due to a family funeral. Today's Message comes from one of my daily devotionals, Day By Day With Jesus.)         I read the newspaper almost every day and look forward to reading the comics. Perhaps you also get a daily paper, starting first with your favorite section. It’s a daily ritual for us to read the headline articles, the comics and then do the puzzles. We tried awhile going without a print copy, but we always come back to having a newspaper delivered.         In a recent “Family Circus” comic strip by Bil Keane, the father is reminding his growing little boy that he needs to know things will change. “You never know for sure what’s going to happen, Jeffy,” he tells him. Little Jeffy responds, “That’s okay, Dad, as long as YOU do.” Artist Bil Keane during his lifetime was a Christian and his artwork showed it.         Each day we are alive, we know there will be some kind of insecurity, perhaps a painful injury, a bump on the road of life, or even a major incident. We never know for sure what’s going to happen, but that’s okay because our Heavenly Father does.         God reminds us of this fact in His Word. Examples: “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” (2 Peter 2:9) Or, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15) On my computer monitor I have these words, “Be strong and courageous. do not be frightened, or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)         We’re in the season of Lent now, recalling the troubles Jesus had with the authorities and other enemies. This year, this week, maybe even this day, something will happen to remind you of the unexpected. But whatever happens, it will be okay, because God is with us. Little Jeffy’s words can be our prayer: “That’s okay, Father God, as long as YOU do.” Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

THINGS THAT SCARE US

        Things can happen that might tempt us mistrust God’s mercy and grace. We see and hear and do things and want to run away. But we forget God never leaves our side. 

        A man and his son were camping in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho where there were bears. Late one night, his son yelled and leaped out of his sleeping bag. The father grabbed his flashlight and turned it toward his son, expecting the worst. There, sitting in the corner of the tent was a small field mouse, maybe 4 inches long, trying to drag away the boy’s cap. It looked so ridiculous, they both started laughing and the little mouse scampered out a hole in the tent. 

        Satan is like that rodent. Every day he scares us, grabs at us and tries to frighten us, but against God’s people he is no danger at all. As Apostle John wrote, “The One who is with us is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

        God gives us us hope for living through His Son Jesus. He never sinned, but did what was needed to forgive us. He gave his life on Calvary to pay for what we have done wrong. He heard the Good Friday people cry, “Guilty!” for the things they themselves had done. He died to set us free, and He rose again to bring us to Himself in eternity. He showed His power over temptation in saying “No” to the Tempter and “Yes” to God.  

        When we’re tempted, let’s not forget that Satan has been defeated. Jesus beat him with the Truth of God’s Word, and Satan doesn’t have the power he tries to convince us he has. He just makes a lot of noise. Satan is a rattlesnake with his head cut off, jaws snapping, tail rattling and scaring people, yet being no danger to anyone. Jesus overcome the Tempter, and so can we - with God’s Word and faith in His presence with us in life.

Eeek! A mouse!!

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

FINDING WHAT WE'VE LOST

        Among common events that happen to us all are losing things. We thought that item was in that place, but it’s no longer there. Or we just saw or used that thing, but now we can’t find it. Or we formerly could do a certain things, but now we’ve lost the ability. Whenever there’s a loss, a part of life seems gone and we fear we’ll never get it back. 

        This morning I opened a small notebook and set it down. But when I straightened up my desk, I couldn’t find it. In just a couple of hours, it is nowhere to be found! Carol and I have looked everywhere in our small house - inside things, under and behind things, in garbage and behind drawers, in all the expected and unexpected places, but so far it is nowhere to be found. We can replace the notebook, but not all the information inside. I’m sure I will find it, but where? What happened to it?

        Some losses happen so quickly we are shocked. A widow said recently, “How can he be gone? He was hardly sick a day in his life and he just fell over.“ She knew what she’d lost and why, but now life would be so different. How could she adjust to her loss?

        Jesus tells us stories about losing and finding. A shepherd lost a lamb and a woman lost a coin. Both did what they could - he searched for the lamb until he found it, or she cleaned house until the coin was found. He also told of a son who left his father for loose living and almost starved to death. That son finally returned home, hungry but wiser. In all these stories, the lost was found, and the finding brought great joy. 

        Luke 15, the shepherd told his friends, “Rejoice with me for I have found my lost sheep.” and the woman told her friends, “Rejoice with me for I have found my lost coin.” Jesus also says, “So also there is rejoicing in heaven among the angels when one sinner repents of sin and returns to God.” (Luke 15:10)

        God knows His people and our needs. He grieves when we stray and is alarmed when we live dangerously and get lost. He never stops looking for us, and seeks our return, joyfully holding us close. But God will not force us to stay with Him. We gives us choices and He lets them be ours to make. 

        May we all learn from our losing and ever hold fast to the way that leads to eternal life.

Today I’ll just keep on looking for my notebook.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

DOING OUR DUTY

        What are your duties in life? Have you ever been acknowledged or thanked for doing them? Were you expecting to be thanked?

        Last weekend Carol and I saw “1917”, a memorable film about a WWI British soldier given the task of delivering a message that would save a regiment from ambush and in battle. The soldier dutifully walked, ran, rode, swam, climbed and fought 24 hours through unimaginable suffering and death, finally handing the message to the commander who ordered his troops to stand down, thereby saving hundreds of lives, including the soldier’s own brother. 

        As we left the theater, Carol said, “That was so intense I had to remind myself to breathe. But that soldier did his duty.” That’s what most soldiers would say, “I only did my duty.”

        Jesus once told his disciples a story about faithful servant and ended it, saying, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’.” (Luke 17:10)

        Jesus is not saying it's unnecessary to thank people for what they do. He is saying we shouldn’t expect to be thanked for doing what we ought. When a football player makes a great throw, run or catch, the coach does not run out onto the field and thank him. That’s what the player is there to do - his duty. 

        Jesus came into the world to do His eternal duty, to give His life on the cross that we might be saved from eternal death. We shall never fully realize all that He did for us until we see Him in glory and are blessed in His presence.

        That young soldier did get a compliment (“Good job, son.”) from an officer. Saying “thank you” is always good to do, but we mustn’t expect it every time we do our duty. Our Lord can thank us if He chooses. On Resurrection Day, God will tell His faithful people, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21). 

        Meanwhile, we can - and should - serve the Lord and His people here and now. When we do, we are giving Him the gratitude He deserves.

It was fun watching the Chiefs win the Super Bowl yesterday, wasn’t it?

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

THE CHOICE TO FORGIVE

        Today, January 27, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Since 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the liberations of the Nazi camps and the end of WWII, many stories will be told about the horrible murder of Jews, as well as heroic deeds of those who risked life and fortune to save some. We give thanks for all who did what they could to help victims of the Holocaust.

        A dear friend once told me, “People can hate you, hurt you and try to destroy you, but they can never make you hate them. That is your choice.” Human beings are endowed by God to make choices. Everything may be taken from us - health, possessions, loved ones, even life. But one thing ever remains ours: the freedom to choose how we respond. God has given us that freedom through our attitudes and actions.

        Jesus speaks of this in John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 

         Eva Kor and her twin sister Miriam were subjected to unspeakable experiments at the hands of Dr. Joseph Mengele in Auschwitz. Although the rest of her family died there, the twins miraculously survived and left to deal with their trauma which resulted in future miscarriages, cancer and tuberculosis. At a conference in 1995, Eva met a former Nazi doctor who told of the things he had done. He agreed to go with her to Auschwitz and sign a declaration of his deeds.

        When she returned home to Indiana, she decided to send him a thank-you card for going. “But how do you thank a Nazi?” she asked herself. She decided she would write him - and other Nazis - a letter of forgiveness. “I discovered I had one power left in life; I could forgive the Nazis for what they did to me.” Although it took her four months to write that first letter, “I felt such freedom, for I was no longer a tragic prisoner.” she said. “I was free of Auschwitz and Mengele.” Others, however, have criticized her for doing so.

        Even if we have endured horrors at the hands of others, God wants us to forgive. His Son Jesus of Nazareth came to earth to take our hateful thoughts, words and deeds and dispose of them on Calvary that we might be forgiven and be given the strength to forgive others, even those most hateful. One act of love is more powerful than a thousand acts of vengeance and hatred.

“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” (Matthew 6:12)

Rev. Bob Tasler www.bobtasler.com