Faith – BradRiley.Org

September 13, 2016

The Voice in the Thunder

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy array. 3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Psalm 29:2-4

I don’t remember being afraid of thunderstorms as a boy. In fact, I actually liked them. I can remember thinking what an awesome display they were of God’s power. Now, as an adult I have to confess to a secret desire to be a storm watcher, but I’m quite sure my wife would not be happy if I were out chasing tornados and measuring hail stones while the family sat at home worrying about my safety.

Sadly, we do have someone in our house who is afraid of storms, our little dog Gibby. Not all dogs are afraid of storms but many are. Veterinarians believe dogs can feel storms approaching by changes in the barometric pressure, and that there are painful frequencies in the atmosphere during storms that only they can hear.

In Psalm 29 we read that David was not afraid of storms. In fact, I think he was a storm-watcher. Can’t you see him looking out at the thunderclouds, seeing the glory of the Creator in them. He hears the voice of the LORD in the thunder and sees Him reigning over the flood waters. St. Paul tells us that nature reveals the creator God to those who have eyes to see (Romans 1:20). Seeing the power of God displayed though nature brought a feeling of strength and peace to David. He knew the LORD was in control.

What are the things that shake your faith? The Word of God teaches us nothing should shake our faith in the LORD. As the Prophet Isaiah said…

“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.” Isaiah 54:10 ESV

When the storms come, someone in the family always picks up little Gibby and soothes his fears. Know the faithful love of God is always with you no matter how the storms of life may rage. He is there to pick you up and soothe you. Next time the winds blow and the rains fall, look for Him in the thunder clouds of your life.

Shalom,

Pastor Brad

image credit: http://www.sibyllogy.com/thunderclouds/

June 13, 2016

Invincible?

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God

Ephesians 2:8

Do you ever feel completely helpless? I hope so, it keeps us humble. A healthy developed self confidence wants to accomplish things on its own, and if the person is a man, he really doesn’t want to ask for help; it’s a guy thing. However, if we become too self confident we may start to feel invincible – a dangerous place to be.

People who think they’re invincible tend not to believe in God. They see faith in God as a sign of weakness. But, the real weakness in thinking they can do anything without the mercy of God. Life in and of itself is a gift from God, and it’s because of His daily waves of mercy that we accomplish anything at all. St. James tells us not to be deceived; it is God who gives us birth and that every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:16-18).

Our birth is a gift from God, and our re-birth into faith in Him is also a gift. We can’t come into this world but by the mercy of God, and we wont go out of it and into Heaven without that same mercy. In His great mercy God has given grace to all who will see it; the grace to believe in Jesus Christ.

Do you see His grace? Is your faith in the one who made you, or the deceptive thinking believing you can somehow be good enough to earn Heaven? Sure goodness counts, but only when we seek His goodness within us through faith. We can’t make our selves into His likeness, but by faith through grace, He can make us like Him. All it takes is a faith-filled surrender, and a remembrance that we’re not invincible.

Grace and Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Lord of Mercy and Grace, forgive my foolishness of thinking I can do anything by myself. Help me to see all of life is your grace helping me to become more like you. Amen.

Image credit: http://dorkshelf.com/2013/01/28/fan-shelf-invincible-100/

April 10, 2016

Work, Work, Work

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

^{Philippians 2:12-13}

My dad used to say, “If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for”. He would often say those words to me when I would talk about the things I wish I had when I was a boy. Back then, I thought it was a convenient excuse for why he wasn’t going to spend the money to get me what I wanted. But now, I see the wisdom in the “working”.

What my dad was trying to teach me was, if I had everything I wanted given to me, I would not only not appreciate the items, I wouldn’t appreciate what it took to get them. Part of the reward of a job well done is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve accomplished something. Sometimes, that reward is to obtain something you’ve always wanted, knowing now you can now afford it.

Salvation, is the greatest gift anyone can receive. God gives salvation generously to all who ask, but do we appreciate it? St. Paul didn’t teach the Philippians they had to “work” for their salvation…but, he did teach them they had to work to keep it. And, not only that, but to work it out with, “fear and trembling”. If we don’t do something with this great gift, we won’t appreciate what it took God to give it to us – the death of His son.

What are you doing with your salvation? Have you sat it on a shelf like a trophy…maybe even dust it off once in a while? I hope not. But, just how do we work out our own salvation? By serving God as a “Thank You”, and serving each other as a proof that it’s real. Real salvation is a working thing; it proves itself. We obtain it through faith, but keep it through good works. St. James said it like this, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (Jas. 2:17)

Paul wants us to know that, we too must work to keep our faith alive. And, we work out our faith with fear and trembling because we respect what it took for God to give it to us. But, notice it’s God’s will at work in us through which we actually accomplish this great work. To do the will of God takes resurrection power, so even in our working we can say, “to God be the glory!”

So, what do you want? Then go work for it. But remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, I help me to realize your resurrection power at work within me, and help me to work for your will to be accomplished in my life. Let me do only what you would have me do. Let your thoughts be my thoughts, and your work my work. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/Science-of-Learning-Blog/2015/02/Work-Life-Fusion

March 16, 2016

Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 33

^“15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15

Read Mark 10:1-16

It’s All About Jesus

There are very few things at which we adults do our best when acting like a child. In fact, it’s really quite annoying when you see a grown up behaving in a child like manner. St. Paul said, When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” (1 Cor. 11:13). I think we all know what Paul meant by that. But, there is this one thing in life in which we must think like a child – our faith.

I’m a real theology and history nut. I love to study different theologies. I like to understand why different Christians believe as they do, and learn how they got to those beliefs. One thing I’ve observed about almost all church theologies; they’ve made things more complicated than necessary. Jesus said our faith must be a “childlike” one. But, what is a childlike faith?

I think a childlike faith can best be described as the opposite of the Jewish faith. The Old Testament faith of the Jewish people was a faith steeped in complicated laws and traditions. Certainly not all laws and traditions are bad, but the New Testament believer in Jesus Christ doesn’t need to learn all those complicated laws and rituals. In Jesus all those laws are fulfilled, and Jesus simplified it for all of us when he gave the Great Commandment recorded in Matthew 22; that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love others the same.

The Simplicity of Faith

Notice how simple that is? John 3:16 isn’t too complicated either; “…whoever believes in Him shall not perish.” We might also consider that the early church grew at an amazing rate the first few decades, as the simple gospel message was spread throughout the Roman world. In fact, there weren’t even any books or letters written, that we would know as a part of scripture, for almost two decades after Jesus’ death. And, it took over 300 years before there was an official New Testament at all.

How did the church spread so quickly and so powerfully so as to transform the known world at the time? Because the message was simple – Jesus is God, the Messiah, savior of the world. Over two thousand years, various church groups have complicated things with defining the faith in more detail, and some of that was necessary as many false teachings arose leading people astray. However, we do best to remember, whatever church or denomination we belong to, that the essence of the Christian faith is simple; we must believe like a child and just accept it – believe in God, and that Jesus is God come into our world to save us from our sins.

Our Lenten season is moving quickly toward Holy Week, when we will remember the last week of Jesus’ life leading to the cross. Won’t you spend some time the remainder of this week thinking about your faith? Have you allowed it to become too complicated? If so, spend some time meditating on the Holy name of Jesus, the name by which all are saved. It’s all about Jesus. He’s the one who will raise us from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

March 15, 2016

Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 32

^“7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.”

2 Cor. 4:7

2 Cor. 4:1-12

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

Jars of Clay

Have you ever wondered why there are some things in life you just can’t seem to do, no matter how hard you try? Many people try to take on life all by themselves. No matter how hard things get, they never ask for help. It’s as if asking for help were some kind of sign of weakness to them. But, the truth is we humans have an inherent weakness – sooner or later, we break.

It doesn’t matter how strong you think you are some day you will come up against something too hard to do. At that point, one of two things happen; Either you fall down on your knees and realize that all the struggles of your life have been there so that you would learn to call upon the Lord, the one who made you… or you sink into despair, seeing no hope. I pray the first is what happens to you; it will if you begin to see the answers in Christ now.

No matter how tough we think we are, we’re all made of clay, and jars of clay break. St. Paul told the Corinthians that their struggles, yes even the death of their loved ones, were all there to show the great power of God. He knew that if they kept their faith, no matter what happened, even death, God would see them through. No matter how beat up or knocked down they felt, they were not destroyed, they were not forsaken (vs. 8-9).

It’s Still True Today

This great truth is for each of us today also. No matter what happens in this life, nothing can take away our life in Christ. Even if our jar of clay breaks, God has promised to raise it up again. On the last day, He will again give life to these mortal bodies. But, in the mean time, we always carry around with us the death of Jesus (Vs. 11). Carrying his death in us means that we know nothing can ultimately destroy us, just as nothing Satan and the world tried to do to Jesus could destroy Him.

What are you facing that feels like it’s about to break you? I can’t promise that your jar of clay won’t break, but I can promise you that with faith in Jesus, He will make it all right in the end. Until then, it is enough for us to know that since God is for us, nothing can come against us. Nothing can separate us from His love, not even death (Rom. 8:38-39). For when death comes, as it does to all eventually, we have His promise to raise us from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

March 12, 2016

Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 29

²³And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” ²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Mark 9:23-24

Read Mark 9:14-29

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

If!

“If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can’t I paint you.” Those of you who are hopeless romantics like me will recognize that as the opening line of the song, “IF”, by the 70’s group Bread. I love that song. I know David Gates didn’t write it as a love song to God, but I think it works. The lyrics express the human longing to know why we can’t seem to do the great things we want to do, but acknowledges we still love. And, it says that love is so strong it will be the only thing that lasts in the end of time.

Big things really do come in small packages, don’t they? Take the word, “if”. Such a small word can mean the difference in everything we believe. It did for the father of the epileptic boy Jesus healed, and it does in our life as well.

God’s Will Is Always Done

Too often, we approach Jesus in our time of need just like the father of the boy in Mark 9. We believe, but do we really believe? Have you ever approached God with a great need, only to say, “Please Lord, if you will…” I know I have. It feels polite to say “if”. As beloved children of our Father, we need to know we can come boldly before his throne, with all reverence and humility, and ask for anything, knowing whatever we receive will be God’s will. We must pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done…”

Do we believe God wants to give good gifts to His children? I hope so. Jesus said so in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Everything God does is good.

In verse 22, the boy’s father said to Jesus, “but if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus repeated the father’s words with exclamation; “…if you can!” The father came to Jesus and his disciples because he’d heard of his miracle working ministry. He too hoped for a miracle. But, Jesus wants us to know, as He did the boy’s father, that we need not doubt. Only ask in faith believing. Jesus can do ALL things, because He is God.

Of course, just like from our earthly parents, we don’t get from God everything we want just because we ask nicely, even so, we can trust that whatever we receive from God is the best for us; faith will reveal so in the end.

So, no matter what you may be feeling, and no matter how much you think God isn’t listening – He is. And, He promises to give good things to His children…to always raise them from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

March 8, 2016

Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 25

²“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat;

Mark 8:2

Read Mark 8:1-10

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

Fast Until You’re Full

How goes your fast? We are 25 days into Lent, and some of you are fasting, I’m sure. Fasting is an often misunderstood discipline. If you are attempting to fast during these 40 days, always remember that, like He did on the four thousand people in the desert with him, Jesus has compassion on you.

Biblical fasting is always a fast from food for a period of time. Several in the Bible (Moses and Elijah), including Jesus, fasted forty days without food at all. That, is a supernatural fast and not what is meant by fasting as a spiritual discipline. However, a partial fast during a period of 40 days has always been a part of Christian practice. (If you can’t fast a meal for medical reasons, God knows your heart. Fast something else of significance to you)

The Real Purpose of Fasting

Fasting from food by giving up a meal at specific times or days, is probably the only time I recommend we set ourselves up for temptation. Whenever we try to deny ourselves something we are used to, Satan will tempt us with it; you can count on it. But, the whole purpose of fasting is to learn to resist our fleshly desires, and in exchange, connect more with what truly satisfies – the Bread of Life. No matter how tough it gets, don’t give up; fast until you’re full…full of Jesus.

Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6), and as He said, “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matt. 4:4). John also tells us Jesus is the “Word” of God. Jesus, is the very substance we must have to truly live life as it is meant to be lived.

The four thousand who followed Jesus those three days, without regard to food, were fasting from earthly bread, and living in communion with the very Bread of Life. But, Jesus knew they would soon need earthly food to sustain their physical strength, and so He had compassion on them; they received a miraculous feeding. And, He has compassion for you too. Don’t give up on your Lenten fast.

What miracles do you need? Are you tired of your fast? During Lent I find it helpful to re-focus my self on my purpose for fasting; to spend time with the Living Bread. Please know, Jesus has compassion on you too. He is waiting to bless and feed you with his presence. All you need to do is re-focus and draw new water from His well. His well never runs dry. And, no matter how dry you get, no matter how tired or used up you feel, He is always faithful to raise you from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

March 1, 2016

Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 19

^“5And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And he marveled because of their unbelief…”

Mark 6:5-6

Read Mark 1-13

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

Shazam Faith?

Marvel, what an intriguing word. It seems we seldom use it anymore except when talking about super heroes, comic books and movies. When I was a kid, one of my favorite super heroes was Captain Marvel, aka “Shazam”. He was the altar ego of a boy named Billy Batson. All Billy had to do was say the magic word “Shazam”, and he would turn in to Captain Marvel, a man of super human strength, speed and ability. Sometimes, we live out our faith with a “Shazam” Prayer life. We think we can just say a magic word and, “Shazam”, Jesus will do what we need.

Many of us are guilty, (me included) of having a “Shazam” faith at some point in our lives. Sometimes, we think because we know God loves us and wants to do what’s best for us, we can just ask and receive. In fact, sadly there are churches that teach such a name it, claim it, “word of faith ability”. But, that is not a faith at which Jesus ‘marvels’. In fact, that’s a very shallow faith.

There are two times in the New Testament that it says Jesus “marveled” at someone’s faith. One was the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8. He was a foreigner and a pagan, but he saw the divine in Jesus, and placed his faith in Him for the healing of his servant. Jesus marveled at his faith, a stronger faith than He’d seen in all Israel. The second, is in today’s gospel. But, instead of at faith, Jesus marvels at the disbelief of those who’d known Him all His life.

Faith Is Always a Partnership

Faith is always a partnership with God. He doesn’t do for us, what we can do for ourselves. In his book, Beginning To Pray, Anthony Bloom, of blessed memory (Click Here to order the book-a must for every believer!), makes a statement every Christian needs to understand if they are to mature to a faith at which Jesus can marvel. He said, “It is absolutely pointless to ask God for something which we ourselves are not prepared to do” (p. 64). Jesus is much more interested in making a miracle out of our lives, than in doing the miracle for us. He would rather give us the power to overcome our temptations, than to just take them away.

Many years, as Lent begins, it seems I begin the process of learning to become a miracle all over again. Over the rest of the year I fall down in many ways. I sometimes slip back into old habits in my prayers, just wanting God to do something for me…something I know He wants to do. But, I need to remember He wants to do it in and through me, not just for me.

What about you? Do you have a “Shazam” faith, or a faith at which Jesus marvels? When we allow God to make us the miracle, not just ask for the miracle, He marvels at our faith. Then…we are raised from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

February 29, 2016

Raised from the Ashes: Lent – Day 18

“But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth.”

Mark 5:33

Read Mark 5:21-43

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

The Whole Truth

When we take the witness stand in a courtroom, we put our left hand on the Bible (or at least we used to), raise our right hand and say we swear to, “tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God”. The truth is of utmost importance in a court case. A judge and jury determine a person’s future. What a tragedy if the decision is based on lies.

When I was a little boy and my mother thought I had been doing something wrong (my face gave it a way every time), she would ask me to tell her the truth. I can remember her saying things like, “don’t lie to me” and “is that everything?”, as if I were holding back some of the details. Now, I did have an incentive to be completely truthful. I knew what the punishment was for lying. The “Father’s wrath”, was not just a biblical phrase in our house. The truth really did set me free – several times.

During Lent we are hopefully learning to be completely truthful with Jesus. We never have to fear pouring out all the details to Him; He already knows them. There is healing in our telling Jesus the details of life. In fact, that’s a good definition of confession, “telling it all to Jesus”.

Real Healing Is in the Details

We don’t know all the details in the life of the woman with the issue of blood. We do know that she worked up the courage to reach out and touch Jesus. As, Jesus turned to ask who touched Him, scripture tells us she fell down before Him and, “…told him the whole truth.” She had received a healing touch from Jesus the moment she touched him, but that was just about the medical issue she faced. When she told Jesus the “whole truth” about herself, He pronounced her well and imparted his peace to her (Vs. 34).

The Greek language of scripture speaks of being “made well”, as a wholeness, not just healed of an affliction. Peace comes to our soul not in the absence of disease, but in being whole in Christ as we are meant to be, and that only comes when we tell Jesus, “the whole truth”. The hardships of life can leave us feeling burned and defeated, but when we are truthful with Jesus, He faithfully, raises us from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

February 17, 2016

Raised From the Ashes: Lent – Day 7

Lent – Wednesday, Day 7

^“And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed”

Mark 1:35

Read Mark 1:29-45

Lonely Places

Generally speaking, loneliness is not good for us humans. However, we can acknowledge that there are times when we need “lonely places”. Lent is certainly one of those times. Today we are seven days into our Lenten journey. The gospel today from St. Mark speaks to us of the ministry of Jesus to heal and restore, as well as of His need for lonely places.

During Lent, we often make the mistake of thinking the journey is about us; how we can grow stronger through more prayer, fasting and reflection. Indeed, we hope to grow stronger in our faith through observing a holy Lent, but may I submit to you today that that is a blessed consequence and not the goal of our journey

Our Lenten Goal

The goal of observing the Lenten season by dedicating more time to the spiritual disciplines is quite simply – union with Christ. It can be said that if we are followers of Jesus, the goal of all our earthly life is union with Christ, a union which consummates fully in Heaven. And, along the way we find great moments of “commUNION” with our Lord when we concentrate on practicing the disciplines of our faith as we do in Lent.

Jesus is our model for such practice of faith. While on earth, He found great strength and peace from times of concentrated prayer and communion with the Father, such as we read about in today’s gospel. But, we must also notice that those times were often found in lonely places like the wilderness and gardens where scripture tells us it what his habit to be alone in prayer (Luke 5:16).

The longer I live, the more I value times of quiet and aloneness, not to be alone with myself, but rather to be alone with God. Yes, I actually seek out lonely places. Today, I rose to write this devotional the morning after my father’s passing from this earth. Beginning with my father’s passing yesterday around noon, I have found myself in a particularly lonely place, even though surrounded by family. Yet in that aloneness, I realize my heavenly Father is with me. I am not alone.

Are You in a Lonely Place?

The psalmist says, “ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me” We are truly never alone, whether we realize it or not. God is always with his children. What a comfort it is to know in my loneliness without my father, I know my dad is with his heavenly Father, and will never feel alone again.

What are you going through on your journey? Are you in the valley of the shadow of death? Are you feeling alone in a crowded world? This Lent, my prayer for you is that you may realize that even in lonely places…you are never alone.

There’s a line from an old gospel song that I need to hear today. Perhaps you do too?

In the very thought of Jesus His presence can be found
He’s as close as the mention of His name
There is never any distance between my Lord and me
He’s as close as the mention of His name

You can listen to the song here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6i-Ry1wSgA

As you read and listen today, let the Father raise you from the ashes.

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6