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