GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

        Yesterday I had the privilege to proclaim the Gospel in the pulpit at Grace Lutheran Church, Parker, CO, where Carol and I hold membership. I spoke the message based on Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him.” 

        My sermon was recorded on video there, and with the miracle of today’s technology, you can also watch and hear it. I based it on a verse that might help us better understand what’s going on today. If you’d like to see and hear this message, you can go to this link online:

https://youtu.be/qdrBz6hCTZs

          My message is titled, “Do ALL Things Work Out For Our Good?” You and I may find today’s world confusing, but we can still be blessed to know God has a hand and a purpose in what is happening.
        Romans 8:28 is a beloved Bible passage that can help us. It’s given to us by God the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul. Rather than talk more about this verse here, I invite you to watch the video above. I pray you will find its message helpful. 

Thank you and God bless you all, 

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

PASSING JUDGMENT

        Jesus once said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
        This passage is often misused and misunderstood. Jesus here is not saying we cannot pass judgment on anyone for anything. Rather, He is telling us not to pass judgment when we don’t know all the facts.
        If we see a robbery in progress, it is not being judgmental to shout for help or call the police. But if we see something happening that appears wrong, we must make sure what it is before pronouncing judgment. We must ask ourselves if there is some reason we find an act to be wrong. Only when we know the facts can we pass judgment wisely.
        There is a difference between passing judgment and being judgmental. Passing judgment is calling a wrong act wrong. Being judgmental is looking to find something wrong in order to make us feel right.
        It’s tempting to be judgmental. If we believe we are living right and we see others who are not, we may feel a sense of superiority. Self-righteousness is a sinful attitude that puts us above others. We rarely see self-righteousness in ourselves, so it is one of the most difficult sinful attitudes to overcome.
        Jesus reminds us if we want to be judgmental towards others, then we must be willing to live by those same standards. But if an act is wrong or harmful, we must have courage to call it what it really is.
        We do not live in a morally neutral world. There is a higher standard God has given us to measure actions. There is a “right” and a “wrong.” It may not always be clear, but it usually is. When we see the need for passing judgment, we must ask ourselves whether we are doing it for the good of others or only to make ourselves look good.

Lord, Jesus, make clear to me today what is right and wrong, and help me to do it. Amen

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

WHY BE AFRAID OF PEOPLE?

        In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” What if that would actually start to happen? What would life be like if we actually did God’s will just like it is done in heaven?

        In 1991, a bloodless rebellion took place in the streets of Moscow. Russians who had grown up in totalitarianism suddenly declared, “We may be captive to the state, but we will act as if we are free.” So they took to the streets, stared down the threat of death by guns, and acted and spoke as if they were truly free. The result was the leaders cowering inside, fearing the masses outside who were shaking off their chains in freedom. 

        Christian author Philip Yancey wrote of that time, “Watching the newsreels from Red Square, I came up with a new definition of FAITH: It’s paranoia in reverse. A truly paranoid person organizes his or her life around a common perspective of FEAR. Anything that happens feeds that fear.

        “FAITH works in reverse. A faithful person organizes his or her life around a common perspective of TRUST, not fear. Despite the chaos of the moment, God does reign. Regardless of how I may feel, I truly do matter to a God who loves me.”

        We live at a time in history where paranoia is rampant. We fear being condemned publicly for what we say or do. We’re afraid to speak up for what we believe lest someone ridicule or slander us. We believe God is with us and we trust Him, but we fear we’ll be shamed for saying so. 

        Abraham Lincoln had it right when he said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

        Friends, God IS with those who follow His will. He promises us, “I am with you always, to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) Apostle John said, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) Jesus also said, “Never be afraid of those who can kill the body but are powerless to kill the soul! Far better to stand in awe of the one who has the power to destroy body and soul.” (Matthew 10:28) We’re not afraid of God, because He loves us. So why should we fear people?

        What if we really started living God’s will now, here on earth, just as it is being done in heaven? Let’s shed our fears about what’s going on today. Let’s give them to our Savior Jesus who will help us live by FAITH, not by fear. 

Fear destroys, but FAITH gives life.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com 

LOST IN A JUNGLE?

Dear friends,

            A man was on a safari deep in the jungle. The days were hot as the guide and others with him chopped the undergrowth to make a path. Sweating and frustrated, the man said, “Where are we? Where is this path we’re supposed to be on?” The guide said, “It’s not important for you to know the exact place on a map, but it is necessary for you to stick with me and do your part. Follow me and keep chopping.”

            After awhile the man became angry. “But I want to know! Where is this path and where is it taking us?” The guide turned and said, “Mister, it’s enough for you to know that I know the path and where we’re going. Now stick with me and do your part.”

            We often ask the same questions of God, don’t we? “Where are You taking us, God? Why are we here? Where are we going?” But He doesn’t tell us all the answers we want to hear. We want to know the time, location and method, but God says, “It’s enough for you to know I know the path. Just trust me to get you there.”

            During the past months, we’ve all been wondering where the medical, social, economic and political troubles in the world are leading us. The answers to our questions seem impossible to find. We want more specifics, a timetable and a list of expectations. We want God to clear a path for us, so we won’t feel lost. “God, why can’t You get us out of this jungle? Can’t you take away the danger? How about some answers to our questions?”

Let’s remember that God’s Word says He knows our path, and that He will help us through this life to life if we have faith and stick with Him. John 17 says, “This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

            Few of us know what tomorrow will bring or where the road will lead. We all need to have faith that Jesus will direct us on the right way and will one day bring us to eternal life. Life now may seem like jungle, a dense tangle of danger and confusion that blinds us to the path. But we may be very near the gentle meadow of peace and joy we all long for. We must trust Jesus.

            Whatever life may feel like right now, trust Jesus He’s with us on the road. He walks with us and shows us the path. He knows the way and what it will take to get out of the jungle. He knows the way, because He is the Way. He says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus won’t leave us, so let’s trust Him on our Journey!

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

THANK YOU, PRES. DONALD TRUMP!

Dear Readers,
        I am 75 years old, an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church and have voted in every election since the Nixon-Humphrey matchup in 1968. Over the years I have heard every possible political promise made by those seeking election, and seen most of them broken or unfulfilled. I am pleased to report that the president who has fulfilled more useful and needed campaign promises during my lifetime than any other is President Donald Trump.
        He has worked to honor our nation publicly and without regret or backtracking, and has worked harder than any president I've ever seen to help various groups of people and our relationships with other nations. He has worked continually to keep America safer from external and internal enemies and has honored our nation's founders, our military and especially God and our religious churches and other such organizations like no other president in recent history.
        And all this, despite the continuing hatred, malicious lies and the constant enmity of the Media, Hollywood and the leadership of the Democrat party. How Pres. Trump has been able to deal with such negativity is amazing. And I hope and pray he will be elected again this fall in the 2020 election, because Joe Biden and his running mate will do everything possible to turn this country upside down with their destructive and unworkable liberal socialist ideals and plans.
        Our nation is becoming more and more intolerant of free speech, and racism is blamed for everything even though the word is misunderstood and a mere shell of what it truly was in past decades. Disrespect for Police and our past heroes is shameful to see. Elected politicians flaunting the laws and marching with rioters is shameful. Black Lives Matter and similar organizations do not wish to bring peace or respect to people. They exist only to wreck the American model of a democratic republic given to us in the U. S. Constitution. If it weren't for how Pres. Trump has stood steadfastly against lawlessness and disorder, the forces working to destroy America as we have known it would succeed.
        Our most precious freedoms in the Bill of Rights, especially Freedom of Speech and religious expression, are in grave danger. This brief written summary about my country will be read by almost no one, but if it were placed in the hands of the wrong people, I would be publicly shamed and even threatened. I give thanks every day that we have Freedom of Speech. It is far more important than our feelings. I pray it will never be lost, for any reason. And I pray God will somehow continue to bless America, despite the evil people bent on destroying it.

        Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in Your mercy protect our nation and our president, Donald Trump. May we Americans never lose the freedoms You so graciously gave us through our Founding Fathers. Protect all lives and preserve our nation. In Jesus' name, amen!

Rev. Robert L. Tasler 
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, ordained 1971

SIX PRINCIPLES FOR LIFE

        Billy Graham was one of history’s greatest evangelists. It’s impossible to know how many people were brought to Jesus by his efforts during his 7 decades of bringing the Gospel of Jesus to people all over the world. In his book, The Journey, Rev. Graham shared six personal principles for living which he expounded in 2007. I’d like to share those with you today.

        1.   MAKE IT YOUR GOAL TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH OTHERS. It’s impossible to do this with everyone in our lives. We can’t change their attitudes that must come from them. The key is to ask God if we are at fault, and if so, to confess it and seek His forgiveness. We’re not here very long on earth, so let’s not waste time arguing so much.

        2.  AVOID REVENGE. Why be a captive of the past? If someone has harmed us by breaking the law, we have the right to bring that person to justice, for our own good and the good of society. But hurting someone only because they have hurt us is destructive. We can’t change the past, but we can seek God’s forgiveness for whatever wrongs we have done. 

        3.  GUARD YOUR TONGUE. Use it for good instead of evil. Far too many relationships have been torn apart due to deceit or undue criticism. The tongue can and should be used for good, so let’s make that our goal. Don’t let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful to build others up.

        4.  NEVER REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL. Evil acts or speech are sin that is like a cancer in our souls. Evil comes from Satan who is opposed to God. Why some people repeatedly choose evil instead of good is a puzzle, but God can replace evil and sin with love and kindness if we ask Him.

        5.  TREAT OTHERS AS YOU’D WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU. That’s the principle behind the Golden Rule. How different lives would be in we actually practiced such a simple idea. the Bible says, “With humility comes wisdom.” we all need God’s wisdom in our speech and dealings with others.

        6.  PRACTICE THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS. God’s Word tells us to hate the sin but love the sinner. This is the way God sees us. When we sin, we shake our fist in God’s face, telling Him we know better than He does how to live. But God still loves us and that’s why He sent Jesus to forgive us.

May the Good Lord bless and keep you this day.

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com

OVERCOMING EVIL IN THE WORLD

        If you woke up this morning expecting things to be better, you’re in for a shock. Authorities tell us CoViD19 is still killing people, so we’d better do as they say. The riots have lessened, but the resentment and hatred are still with us. The stock market may be going up, but only because we’re going farther into debt. If you expected the world to be a better place today, you’ll be disappointed because the causes are all still there.
        Things might seem better if we were more realistic in our expectations. Riots will not lower the amount of hatred in our world. “Have-nots” still hate the “haves”, the Left still hates the Right and non-Christians still hate Christians. We could soften our terms, replacing hatred with resentment or discontent, but the feelings are still the same. Hatred is with us because there is evil within us. It’s been that way since sin first came into the world.
        People today hate to hear about sin. “It’s so negative!” they say, but happy feelings won’t make sad truths disappear. Indignation won’t change facts.
        Modern progress has hoodwinked us, saying if we just do the right deeds, say the correct words and adopt their attitudes, we can make the world into the kind of world it’s meant to be. “Social justice” is what the secular world believes we need. “Social Justice” will order the world correctly, and then humanity can make this planet a very good place, maybe even a perfect one.
        Someone once said, “You mean you can't eat that fruit? No, no, you won’t die. You’ll become like God.” That’s what humanism wants for us, to think we can be like God. But all we get is proof of sin - violence, riots, theft, looting and even murder. “Oh stop! You’re being negative again!”
        A few days before His crucifixion, Jesus was in Jerusalem telling His disciples what to expect. They saw big buildings, wealth and accomplishments. They were dazzled by the big city, but Jesus told them: “Don’t expect a wonderful life just because you follow me. Rather, expect tribulation and trouble.” 
        Apostle John recorded Jesus’ Good News:  “In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Men or women, great or small, young or old - we're all mistaken if we expect to make the world perfect or even a really good place. Because of sin, that won’t happen! Evil will always rear its ugly head.
        Satan hates the goodness of God and wants to destroy His efforts. Satan wants to kill us all and defeat God. But it won’t happen - we have God’s promise of that! John wrote to early Christians, “The one who is in you [Jesus] is greater than the one who is in the world [satan].” (1 John 4:4). That’s Good News! We’re not in this confusing world alone. God is with us and will deliver us!
        May we all be encouraged today because the Savior who lives in us is greater than the Evil One in the world. All people will die, but all who trust Jesus will not die forever. We will be raised again to eternal life. Praise God for His mercies new every morning!
Life is good! Praise Jesus who makes it so by faith.
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com