 Reaching Out In Faith!
Are you reaching out in faith today for a miracle? One day, as a large crowd of followers surrounded Jesus, a distressed father named Jairus pushed his way through the crowd and fell at His feet. He then pleaded with Jesus to come to his home and heal his daughter, who was dying. Our always accessible Savior, full of compassion, immediately went with him. While on the way, a woman with a chronic disease "came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment" (Mark 5:27). Recognizing her touch of faith, Jesus stopped to heal her. At that very moment, Jairus received the news that his daughter had died. Sensing his deep disappointment, Jesus says to the desperate father, "Do not fear, only believe" (Mark 5:36). In our trials of faith, we can expect occasional disappointment and despair. At times, it may appear useless to keep believing when things look impossible. In those moments, we often feel the need to take things into our own hands. We wonder, what's the use of believing any longer? It's at that point that we are often defeated, yet that is also the time when victory is at the threshold. Never forget we have an available, accessible Savor that we can call upon, when things seem impossible. So, if you are discouraged today and ready to give up? Remember these words I once heard from a wise old man many years ago, "Son, don't give up before the miracle happens!" Friends, Jesus is still in the miracle business, so keep reaching out in faith and keep believing! Jesus is still stopping the bleeding, curing the incurable, and raising the dead to eternal life. Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+ For my full sermon on this passage visit the link below https://anchor.fm/saint-barnabas-church/episodes/6-20-21---Fourth-Sunday-After-Pentecost-The-Rev--Greg-McBrayer-e1372hs
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Do you wrestle with anxiety? Many people do! Anxiety is defined, as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. We must be careful not to confuse concern with anxiety. It is normal for us to be concerned from time to time. Concern can motivate us to intercede and take godly action; it's positive, constructive, and makes us look ahead. Anxiety is the opposite; it's negative, counterproductive, and will often keep us looking back. Concern motivates us to take action, and anxiety paralyzes us. Concern should prompt us to trust in God and to seek His purpose and plan. Friends, it's not God's desire for us to be controlled by our worries. God may allow difficult situations to deepen our faith, stimulate spiritual growth and change bad habits or attitudes, but He doesn't want us to be anxious. The choice is always ours! We will occasionally be blind-sided by unsettling events, and emotional reactions are normal. But as God's children, we should not remain in that condition for long. Instead of falling into a downward spiral of anxiety, the healthier response is to pray. "Dear Lord, I lay my problems at Your feet, for You alone have the power to change my circumstances, and I know that You love me. Lord God, show me how to respond! In faith, I look forward to seeing how You will reveal Your love, wisdom, and power." Dear brothers and sisters, prayer and petition are the way to find peace and freedom from paralyzing anxiety. Prayer may not always change the situation, but prayer and petition will change us. So, if you want to know the peace that passes all understanding, let go and let God! Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+  Show Me the Way!
Our journey in this life is not always straight or serene. At times life can seem like a complicated maze of sharp turns, sudden stops, and quick drops. Navigating this earthly journey to eternal glory is by no means an easy task. But we are blessed to have a loving God who is personally interested in each of us and is always willing to give us divine direction. We must, however, be willing to seek Him, trust Him and then obey those directions. Our loving God is not only willing and able to redeem us when we ask Him, but He is also willing to guide us, guard us and give us guidance for the journey if we allow Him. David said to the Lord, "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths." He didn't seek direction and say, "Lord, if You promise me an easy path, I'll follow it and cooperate with You." David went to the Lord before he started his journey, just like we go to our GPS today. But then David said, "Show me and teach me," and I will make my next move. Friends, when David asked God to show him His way, he wanted more than directions. He wanted God to be his teacher and personal guide through life. Let's face it; it's easy to ask God to show us where to go and what to do. It's another thing to open our hearts and minds and allow the Lord to teach us His ways. What a perfect picture of "letting go and letting God!" Friends, if you need directions today, pray for the Lord to fill you with an attitude of humility, and then trust Him as your personal leader, teacher, and GPS when you need direction on life's journey. Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+  Free Indeed!
Independence Day is a day for many Americans to watch fireworks, barbeque, and have fun with family and friends. While there is nothing wrong with those timeless traditions, it is also important to remember why we celebrate Independence Day. Independence Day to the early American colonists meant true freedom to chart their course as a God-fearing people seeking "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." So, what does true freedom look like for Jesus' followers 246 years after that first Independence Day? The Bible tells us true freedom looks the same as it did over 2000 years ago for us. Our true freedom can only be experienced today, as then, through the blood of Jesus. Only by His precious blood can any of us be "free indeed," not just politically free, but free from the bondage of sin. Friends, today, God wants you to experience true freedom. Freedom from sin, freedom from fear and worry, freedom from burdens and anxiety, freedom from addiction, guilt, and shame. You will never find true freedom in a relationship, a job, or a political philosophy, nor will it come by making more money or building bigger barns. True freedom comes when we place our trust in Jesus Christ. Only then are we no longer a "slave to sin." So, don't let sin keep you in bondage! Make this your Independence Day! Make this the day you confess and repent of your sins, and the "Son" will set you "free indeed!" Then you will be able to celebrate Independence Day every day! Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+  Seeking Perfect Peace! What is robbing your life of peace today? Stress and anxiety seem to have become the norm following two years of lockdown. Whether in your work, relationships, politics, or a combination of many things, it seems everyone is struggling under constant tension and duress. As Christians, we are not promised a life free of strife and worry or assured smooth paths and calm waters. But God does assure us that if we will keep our minds focused on Him and His Holy Word, we can know perfect peace even amid the growing stress that fills our lives. The prophet Isaiah, while praising the Lord, said, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You!” Friends, this is a priceless promise for believers! This verse promises God will provide His perfect peace if we trust Him, obey Him, and stay focused on Him. God’s perfect peace passes all understanding! It exceeds all human wisdom and knowledge found in the work of today’s self-help experts and doctors. Friends. If you follow Isaiah’s advice, you too can experience perfect peace from God in this stressful world. Ask the Holy Spirit to refocus your mind when you need help centering your focus on God. The Holy Spirit will redirect your attention or quiet your mind. So, trust in the Lord, keep your eyes focused on Jesus our Prince of Peace, and allow his perfect peace to wash over your heart, mind, and soul! Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+  Welcome to the Family!
As human beings, we have a longing for belonging. Our need to belong and fellowship with others has probably never been as recognized as it was during two years of social separation. Being disconnected from our biological or church families took a heavy toll on many. A person can have many acquaintances and be involved in numerous activities, but that's not the same as the feeling of belonging. Long ago, Jesus redefined God's new family plan when He said, "Anyone who does God's will is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:35)." Later the Apostle Paul assured the early Christians that being "in Christ" through faith made them part of the family of God and His household. Today, God's household is the church. Everyone who is a follower of Jesus needs a church family with other faithful believers. That is not always easy to find! There may be times when you feel isolated, like a foreigner or stranger. Perhaps the church you are attending has not been as welcoming as you would have liked. Maybe you are even tempted to give up on it. If so, don't; there is no perfect church because there are no perfect people! But to be among God's family is His will and gift to us. Being an active part of a church family is crucial to your discipleship. Once you do find your place in God's family, you too must become an ambassador of Christ to welcome others. The benefit of belonging to God's family is a two-way street. So, welcome to the family; the secret to keeping the gift is learning to share it with others. Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+  Onward and Upward!
What goal or prize are you working toward today? What obstacles are before you? Most of us would agree that nothing worth having in this life comes easy or without challenge. I once heard it said, “If it doesn’t challenge me, it doesn’t change me.” Scripture makes it very clear that we can all expect challenges and hardship. The question is, will we let our challenges crush or change us for the better? How will we handle them? Will we give up and give in, or will we persevere and press on. Like Saint Paul, we must remain focused on Jesus and press on in our faith! Friends, amid all the challenges that confront us in this world today, we must stay focused and pray for the Holy Spirit to stir up His gifts inside of us and watch God reveal Himself in new, encouraging ways. Paul did not wallow in despair as he penned this letter from a cold Roman prison, nor did he look back and allow his past to weigh him down with guilt or shame. Through numerous challenges, Paul persevered by always focusing his eyes on Jesus. He pressed on toward the goal of becoming more conformed to Christ-likeness daily. We can all find comfort knowing that we are not alone in these challenging days; our loving God is with us! And like Paul, despite our past failures or successes or even the current challenges before us, we must keep pressing on toward the ultimate goal of becoming more Christ-like with each passing day. As Paul tells us, we are not racing for an earthly prize but the ultimate reward of eternity with our savior. So, remain faithful and focused, brothers and sisters, and keep pressing onward and upward! Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+  Our Constant Companion
Most of us don’t like being alone for extended periods of time. The truth is, we were not designed to live in isolation. At the dawn of creation, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). But sometimes, situations in life leave us isolated from others. Or perhaps we simply feel lonely, even though we are not. Whatever your situation may be, if you are a believer, you are never alone. Jesus, knowing that His followers would feel abandoned and alone after His crucifixion and ascension, promised to send an Advocate who would never leave them, the Spirit of truth. The same advocate who came to them on Pentecost still abides with every believer today. He was sent to walk with us as our Comforter and constant companion. Unlike any human companion, the indwelling Holy Spirit is adequate to meet our every need. Since He knows us intimately, He can comfort us in pain and loss when no one else can. When we find ourselves perplexed, He knows exactly what we should do. And since the future is visible to His eyes, He is aware of all the details. Our companion has also promised to guide us every step of the way, calming our fears and helping us overcome our inadequacies. Since we were created for God, it is only through His Spirit that we are made complete. He is the believer’s answer to aloneness: He’s always available and will never leave or forsake us. When others let you down, the Comforter, our constant companion, is always present to lift us up with a quick reminder that we are never alone. Grace and Peace, Fr. Greg+  Lest We Forget!
Memorial Day marks the start of summer, sunny days, warm evenings, picnics, and vacations for many Americans. Unfortunately, many fail to stop and reflect on the deeper meaning of this day. The willingness of men and women to answer our nation’s highest call, knowing the risks they face, yet willing to give their lives to protect and defend this nation we love. What extraordinary examples of service over self! Jesus spoke of such service and sacrifice in John 15:12–13: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” On this solemn day that we call Memorial Day, we remember all the men and women lost defending our freedom. Their heroic sacrifices have guaranteed the religious and civil liberties we all enjoy today. Many in our nation take those priceless freedoms for granted. It’s hard to fathom what our fallen heroes endured in the darkest moments of battle with their brothers at their side. Friends, as Christians, we know we are all battling the world, the flesh, and the devil who has come to kill, steal and destroy. But we are not in this fight alone! We must fight in the Lord because the battle is His. We must never forget that even though Jesus has defeated darkness, we dare not fight without the armor needed to be victorious. And like our military, we must never leave fellow believers behind in the battle. We must always stand up, support, and encourage them! As Christians, let us never forget the brave men and women who fought and died for us. We must remember them with thankful and reverent hearts, “Lest we Forget.” And let us never forget or take for granted the most significant sacrifice ever made at Calvary by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who provides us our eternal victory! Grace and Peace! Fr. Greg+  The Fullness of Time!
Do you ever get impatient or frustrated with God? If so, you are not alone! We see a great cloud of witnesses petitioning and questioning God's timing throughout the pages of scripture. The scriptures also tell us there is an appointed time for everything under the sun. How do we know when the time is right as God's children? God demonstrated that He knows the right time for every purpose. He sent Jesus into this world at just the right time. He also has a perfect plan for each of us in this current season, and He will not act too soon or too late but in the "fullness of time." God always acts in this world and our lives when His preparations are complete and ready. We must not be impatient or lose hope! Instead, we must be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Rom.12:12) and always trust in the Lord. Friends, never forget; that God answers prayers and provides for our needs in "the fullness of time!" Only He knows the perfect time to fulfill His divine purpose for our lives. We must also remember there is a time for us to act! When God opens the doors for us, seize those moments. When He provides the opportunity, we should sow seeds of hope from the time, talent, and treasure we have been provided to bring Him glory. "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up" (Gal. 6:9). Friends, our loving God always fulfills His promises in the fullness of time! Onward and Upward! Fr. Greg+ |