Jesus and the Pharisee’s saw the world completely different from one another. The pharisees saw the world through the law, through tradition, through their truth. That is the way most of us see the world. We have all developed a “world view” or a reality paradigm. It is the way we believe the world to be. Jesus see’s the world through God’s eyes. He see’s beneath all the distractions, and all the disappointments and man made rules. Spiritual vision and spiritual hearing can be developed but it will take time and effort and a close connection to God. This happens when we let go of our ways and begin implementing God’s ways. God’s ways are found in the Bible. As a pastor, I can only point you to the truth which is Jesus. We find Jesus in the words of the Bible.
But Kent, I am hurting, I am disappointed, I am angry I am frustrated. I go to church, I have read my bible, but my problems continue! Now what? Over the past two Sunday’s I have been talking about walking within God’s circle of blessing. That circle of blessing comes when we turn from or ways, repent, and start moving toward God’s ways. I have used the story of the Prodigal son to help explain this process but there is another great story from the Bible to read and study when life seems stuck.
Luke 18:1-8
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’”
6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
The short cut to blessings from God: Read your bible daily and ask for wisdom. Then do what God tells you to do!
This Sunday, November 5th, PCF will be leading worship! Kent will continue speaking on walking in God’s Blessings, even when things look impossible! PCF will not be leading worship again until November 26th!
In Need of Your Prayers:
Faye Heuchert: Faye is recovering from back surgery that she had this past week. She is home but is experiencing pain. Please pray for her and for Brad who will be her nurse over the next few weeks.
Cathy Watson: Please continue to pray for Cathy! She is through her chemo treatments but will be having surgery soon. Cathy was at church yesterday and as usual was smiling and looked great! Cathy you are an inspiration.
Bonnie Rutkowski: Please keep Bonnie in your prayers as the doctors are trying to figure out some shortness of breath. Darlene said they are still running tests.
Trevor Rallo: Most of you don’t know Trevor but he was one of the leaders of the young persons bible study group that met at the church for about a year. Trevor is a young man who knows and believes in God! Trevor had brain surgery this past Friday to remove a tumor on his brain stem. Believe it or not, Trevor is home already. The doctors said they have never seen such a positive young man and they have found out that the tumor is not what they thought it was which appears to be good news. Please pray for Trevor”s healing he is a very faithful young man!
Pastor John Shear: Please continue to pray for John, Jackie’s husband. He continues to battle complications from his diabetes.
Emily Norris: Emily is Donna and Will Bower’s daughter who is battling breast cancer and needs to have another operation this coming week. Please lift Emily up for healing prayer and also lift up her husband Chris as they go through this difficult time. Donna and Will you are also in our prayers for God’s peace, strength and wisdom.
Stan Rutkowski: God we lift Stan before your healing grace everyday so that he may feel your strength, your presence, and your Peace.
Reminder: This Tuesday, October 31st, PCF and IMUC will be participating in our annual Hot Dog giveaway at the Halloween Parade. The event will be held at Barb Joiners Law office located at 116 West Street. There is very limited parking so it is suggested that you come early with lawn chairs and find a parking spot near her office. A big thank you to Rusty Burian and Bunny Bread for donating the hot dog buns! It’s a fun night, hope to see you there! starts about 6:30.
Keep it Simple. Live life through Love! See you soon! Love, pastor kent