We are Captives of Empty Deceit

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8 

When the Apostle Paul wrote these lines to the Colossians, he believed they were under attack and in danger of being dragged away from their devotion to Jesus Christ by the deceitful ideas of false teachers. The meaning of “vain deceit” is re-phrased in newer translations as “high-sounding nonsense” and “empty deceit.”. The term “vain” means empty, vacuous, useless, fruitless, and devoid of significance, point, or benefit. False teachers were spreading dangerous lies and deceptive philosophies, but, to the Colossian believers, the ideas sounded appealing. Paul’s opinion was that it was all hogwash. Their greatly touted teachings were fruitless, pointless, misleading concepts that lacked any actual content. Without a solid foundation in the truth of God’s Word, Christians could quickly be captivated by the vain deceit (or high-sounding nonsense) of false religions.

Paul saw the roots of empty deception coming from two sources—“the tradition of men” and “the rudiments of the world.” God’s thoughts are certainly higher and wiser than the thoughts of humans. False teachers spew ideas spun from their own lowly mortal minds and not from the truth of God’s Word...if a person starts from a blatantly anti-spiritual standpoint, they are going to come to anti-spiritual conclusions. This reminds us that “wisdom” of fallen humans can be at odds with Christ's teachings. We must “test the spirits” to see if what they are teaching comes from God. The most effective defense against vain deceit is knowing the truth and holding fast to Scripture.

Before the Apostle Paul issued his warning against false teachers, Jesus alerted His followers to “false Christs and false prophets” who would rise up, mock the truth, and even attempt to deceive God’s believers; Paul used a Greek term that implies trickery or cheating. Christians must follow the Lord’s instruction and watch out that no one deceives us or leads us away from Christ. This challenge is overwhelmingly present in today’s world filled with vain prophets. 

Prayer: Dear Lord-Give us clarity of thought needed to critically evaluate the words we hear that intend to lead us away from a Christ-centered life. Help us sort through the cacophony of distracting events that draw us away from our principles and values. Guide us to find your path for us each day. Amen

Carol McClain

Words from Corinthians

So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 

Words from Psalm 94

When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul. Psalm 94:19 

The Road

Don’t let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I’m taking. Disciple Thomas said, “Master (Jesus), we have no idea where you’re going. How do you expect us to know the road?” John 14:1-5 The Message

Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. You’ve even seen him!” John 14:6-7 The Message

These words in the “Love” chapter of the Bible are from John 14 of the New Testament of the Bible. The Message is a version of the Bible in Contemporary Language. Jesus is telling us there is plenty of room in heaven for us with Him and God. We just need to believe in him and what he tells us.

The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, but you know him already because he has been staying with you and will even be in (Spirit) you! John 14:16:17

The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, I will love him and make myself plain to him. John 14:21

I attended two funerals this week, one for an elderly grandfather and one for a 33-year-old unmarried cowgirl. Her horse was with her in the announcement picture in the newspaper. John, Chapter 14, of the Bible tells us he is preparing a room for us in heaven. Then he tells us all we need to do is love Him and keep His commandments. As I sat there at one funeral, holding my granddaughter’s hand, I felt the Spirit that he gives us. What a future we have in heaven!

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for sending your son to suffer and die for my sin. Help me to follow your ten commandments, to love others as you do, and to live as you want me to live. Thank you for the promise of heaven with you. Thank you for the Spirit which can be with me here on this world. Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck (photo above shared by Sandra)

You Are Beloved

“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him bodily in the form of a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22

A few years ago, Eastridge did a Lenten study entitled, “Faith Seeking Understanding: Temptation in the Desert” by M. Craig Barnes. One of the chapters made a big impression on me. It was called, “The Surprise of Being Beloved.” In it, the author said, “Jesus did not receive the designation of being the beloved son with whom God is so pleased until he identified with humanity in his baptism.” He said that because this identification was so total that it applied to humanity too. We are also the beloved of God, who is very pleased with us.

He went on to say that no matter what we do, good or bad, we still remain God’s beloved. His next point blew me away: we can’t make God more pleased with us than he already is no matter how many good things we do. That’s how beloved we already are. What is your reaction to this kind of love?

Prayer: Lord, may we respond to your unconditional love with a resounding “I love you too” and commit to “living as God has called us to live—ethically, justly, compassionately.”

Nancy Brumbaugh  

When my Heart is Overwhelmed

When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2 

False Prophets Leading Us Through Wide Gates

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”  Matthew 7: 12-15

The New Testament includes several phrases that have become a common part of our colloquial language. This verse provides the idea of a wolf in sheep's clothing. In previous verses, Jesus warned his followers they must enter the narrow gate and walk the hard road that leads to eternal life. Most people choose to enter the wide gate and walk the easy path that leads to destruction. Christ, himself, is the narrow gate and the only way to salvation. The life of sincere inner righteousness is harder than the shallow, performance-based hypocrisy modeled by many.

In these verses, Jesus tells His followers to beware of false prophets; those who claim to be literal "prophets," or leaders. It also applies to those who make false claims about their religious devotion. Such people often put on the appearance of innocence, empathy, or brotherhood when in truth, they are as deceptive and dangerous as hungry wolves wearing sheep skins to conceal their true intentions. Jewish people of Jesus' era would have grown up hearing stern warnings about listening to false prophets.

In these verses, Jesus is pointedly identifying those who oppose Him—those who point people toward the wide path of destruction—as false prophets hungry to devour an easily-led people. In Jesus’ time, these were the religious leaders of Israel who eventually accuse Jesus of deceit and blasphemy. He is warning his listeners ahead of time that those men are the false prophets; they "devour" in that they rely on the continued fear-driven submission of the Jewish people to maintain their own power and position.

Prayer: Our Father, help us to have the clarity of faith to recognize and resist the influence of false prophets who try to lead us through the wide gate of easy rewards and ultimate damnation. Let us see beyond the surface and into the evil intent of power-greedy leaders. Amen.

Carol McClain

Even When It’s Hard

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.  I am the Lord.  Lev. 19:18

It was a sad day when my next-door neighbors of 30+ years moved away. I knew I would miss them as we had become good friends over those years. I knew also that their home would sell quickly as it was beautiful inside and out.

The day the new young family of 5 moved in I count as a blessing as it was the first time in my long life that I would have the opportunity to get to know people of a different background and ethnicity from my own.

Their 3 children range in age from second grade to preschool and are just adorable. When their little faces look up at me and call me, “Miss Judy,” it melts my heart. I am just beginning to love my new neighbors. 

After the Saturday night snowfall we had last month (not the predicted snowstorm), I opted to stay home from church anyway in order to prevent a fall on a slick spot and possibly reinjuring my right foot. I was just finishing up physical therapy and I didn’t want to have to start over. So I went to church that Sunday morning via YouTube.

When the service was over, I went to look out the window at the snow-white beauty in my front yard. There they were, all in a row. All 5 of my new neighbors with appropriately sized shovels in hand, scooping the snow from my sidewalk.  Because it was cold out, I stepped out onto the porch and called to the dad saying I would open my garage door and he could use my snowblower to finish up. The dad replied, “No thanks, we’re trying to teach our children that it’s okay to help your neighbor – even when it’s hard.”  I said thank you and went back inside. 

Pastor Thomas had recently preached a sermon on, “Who is Your Neighbor.” So, I had just been thinking about how to show neighborly love not about how to receive it, and here were my new neighbors graciously extending their neighborly love and teaching me that sometimes giving it needs to be done even when it’s hard to do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you for showing us not only who our neighbors are, but how to receive as well as give neighborly love. Help us to be grateful and thankful for all Your love wherever we find it in this world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Judy Welch

 

Repentance and Confession

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." Matthew 18:6 (RSV)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 (NIV)

I felt my anger boiling up once again. Someone was recounting how his father had hurt him as a child. My friend showed me the scars, told me of horrifying events from childhood, scared for his life when he was barely old enough to understand what was happening. In those moments, I feel nothing but judgement and anger towards a parent who would scare or hurt a child. Jesus definitely had extremely harsh words for someone who would hurt or cause a child to stumble.

I realized a few moments later I was forgetting the gospel. Yes, what that man's father had done was terrible and he should receive consequences for it.  But scripture reminds us "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I am in need of repenting and confessing just as much as anyone else. Sin has separated everyone from God and only through the sacrifice of Christ can we be redeemed to the Father. We as Christians don't always like talking about sin. How often the call to repentance has been abused. People have been told they have been in sin throughout history for not "getting the theology exactly right" or dancing or taking one drink of alcohol or simply being themselves. We as the Church, by focusing on things that don't matter, have often lost our power in proclaiming those things that are sin: abuse, murder, hatred, the hurt we cause others as well as the truth that ALL have sinned. I am not better than you as you are not more righteous than me. We also have so often forgotten the beautiful truth of the gospel: that ALL have sinned BUT also ALL have hope through Jesus Christ!

Who in your life have we by not proclaiming the gospel or not living it or through hatred in your heart, have we forgotten is not beyond the grace of God? I had to memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism when I was younger. It beautifully says in questions 33 and 34:

Q33: What is Justification? Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputeth to us, and received by faith alone.

Q34: What is adoption? Adoption is an act of God's free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.

I am grateful that we are a confessional church (even when I don't feel like it!) and in confessing I am reminded each week I am no better than any other person but thanks be to Jesus Christ! It is SO difficult to forgive those who have hurt us or hurt others but how often we have done that, even in little ways. When we fail, we have a way to healing and hope and forgiveness that is available to all people everywhere! When we gather as the church, as broken people, may we remember that we are each no better or no worse than any sitting next to us in the pew for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God BUT "...we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful..." and "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." -I John 1:9 (NRSVUE). Thanks be to God!

Brent Shaw

Happy Presidents' Day

Presidents' Day, officially Washington's Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and served as the first U.S. president from 1789 to 1797. (Wikipedia)

Love is Patient, Love is Kind

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8   

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14   

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Words from 1 John

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

The Lord Your God is With You

 The Lord your God is with you,

    the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

    but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

The Month of Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

February is a good month to think about love: for example, consider the loving kindnesses of friends and family. Maybe it was a kind word, a smile, a pat on the back or a special celebration. For some of you it may have been the unexpected kindness and love of a stranger who just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Or instead of being the recipient perhaps you are the one who takes time to help a neighbor, prays with a sick person, reads to a child, offers a ride, cooks a hot meal or donates to disaster relief for people you will never see. We could go on and on about the subject of love which leads us to the love of God. He loves each one of us dearly with a love that has no end. It is a perpetual love that occurs continually. God’s love is not just for a particular day, month, sickness or event in our lives: it is forever.

Whatever you’re celebrating or struggling with right now may you continue to grow in faith, blossom with hope, and know the love of friends (Philanthros), the love of family (Familios), the love of romance (Eros), and the love of God (Agape).

Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for your never-ending love. Thank you for sending Jesus. Help us to be good and faithful stewards of your love. Amen.

Georgia Lambert (reprinted from the 2008 Eastridge Devotional book)

Let Us Run the Race

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

February has always been the black and red month for me. I always looked forward to this month when I was in elementary school in the 1940s. Of course, there was the large box that had a mail slot cut into its top and was covered with red or pink paper. It was big enough for many small valentines; this was no more enjoyable for me, though, than making black silhouettes of Presidents Lincoln and Washington for the walls of the classroom. You were proud that these men had been such magnificent leaders of your country. They ran their races and endured. February is Black History Month now and we can add Martin Luther King to the list of runners.

Our lives are races of a sort. Christ has given us goals, sometimes difficult ones to achieve. Some days we race toward what we consider the end like rabbits, other times we look around as we travel and make slow or irregular steady progress like the tortoise. God wants us to keep on loving and trusting him all during the race to love and assist our neighbors as we slow down, to endure for him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us endure and run the race for your glory. We pray for your continuing help and love each day of our lives.

Carol Budka (reprinted from the 2008 Eastridge Devotional book) 

A Good Name

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1 

Shakespeare said, "Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; 'twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; but he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed."

When I was a little girl about 11 or 12, autograph books were very popular, and I carried mine everywhere and asked my teachers, classmates, and relatives to sign it. Most of my friends wrote things like: "When you get married and have twins, don't come to my house for safety pins." Or maybe they said: "When you are old and cannot see, stand on your head and think of me." Silly verses, I'll grant you.

But my dad surprised me and wrote that verse from Proverbs 22 in my autograph book..."A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold." He was very proud of being an honest man and a Christian. Even though we didn't have much, he wanted me to know that I could amount to something if I did the right thing. He also wanted me to know I could be proud that I was a child of God. I think that impressed me, because at that point I made up my mind that I wouldn't ever disappoint my parents if I could help it. And I also resolved to always be a part of God's family.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the heritage and influences our parents gave to us. Thank you for our good names. Help us to be proud of our values and to show by our lives what we believe. 

Gerry Draney (reprinted from 2008 Eastridge Devotional book)

Hope

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. Psalm 71:1-6 

When you were a kid, were you a pessimist or a worrier like me? Did frightening events or negative things said by others influence your perceptions or attitudes? Granted, there are a lot of bad things happening in the world, and some people get more than their fair share of misery. But one of the many things about being in relationship with God is that there is always something to hope for. Christian faith is about being hopeful for the future. There is always something better coming around the corner. There is always something new and amazing that God is working to make happen. 

Prayer: God who calls us into impossible optimism, I thank you for being a dreamer. When I am in the midst of trials, please help me to remember you are there with me, not causing the pain, but hoping for a better day. When things are going my way, help me to remember those who are not having a great day. Amen

 

Barry and Alinda Stelk (reprinted from 2018)

Grey Days

When the righteous call for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Psalms 34:17-20

The winter sky at dawn and dusk is often the most colorful part of the landscape all day.  When my daily drives take me past miles of tawny taupes and charcoals in the palette for the views, I crave a burst of color and a vivid plump flower or two. 

These hues saturate parts of my life, and I see them reflected in other people's moods as we struggle with the challenges of cold-weather months. Tasks can be wearying, and we are prone to experiencing drudgery.

The imagination is the precious gift that can keep us going when we feel oppressed by our surroundings or by the nature of the work ahead of us. It seems appropriate that Lent comes when we are struggling with external issues that seem to trigger internal issues.  There is often a feeling of loss at this time of year; an emptiness that indicates some kind of disconnect.

The challenges of Lent are many, but one I always try to focus on is what I can eliminate that is distancing me from God.  The flip side is exploring what I can add to encourage a closer relationship with God.  There is a switch in my brain that can take me from the process of letting go to the process of practicing discipline that will bring a fuller life. It becomes a cycle of cleansing and becoming involved. 

What I see very clearly is that time spent in front of a screen typing ideas from inspiring things I have read fills me up; and time spent in front of a screen scrolling down through selfies and memes and videos absolutely drains me. There is a great resource in technology, and a great danger as well.

I am trying to be diligent about items on my to-do lists, but I find I really need to intersperse some moments of reading or looking at something beautiful while enjoying a cup of tea, in between digging for tax records and washing dishes and doing a load of laundry. These tasks are wearying to me because I sometimes let myself see the punitive nature of work rather than rejoicing in the sacrament of daily tasks. I need to practice remembering joy.

While scrolling down my Facebook feed today, I was entranced by this poetic prayer posted by a young pastor friend, and I know she would be happy to have it shared. I suppose this, and the photos my old friend has been posting of his trip around World War II memorials in France and Belgium, are the reasons I still look for something on Facebook.  But I do think that there are more worthy distractions that actually engage the soul and mind and body, and I mean to find them.

Prayer on the road of life, attributed to Augustine of Hippo:

God of life, there are days

when the burdens we carry are heavy on our shoulders

and weigh us down,

when the road seems dreary and endless,

the skies grey and threatening,

when our lives have no music in them,

our hearts lonely,

our souls losing their courage.

Flood the path with light.

Turn our eyes to where the skies are full of promise,

tune our hearts to brave music,

give us the sense of comeradeship

with heroes and saints of every age.

So quicken our spirits

that we may be able to encourage the souls of all

who journey with us on the road of life,

to your honor and glory.

Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2018)

Words from Psalm 89

 

Words from Isaiah

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31