Healing Rays of Righteousness

Teach Us to Number Our Days

In the beginning God created TIME.  He then placed things into space and TIME.  Then he created MAN and placed man in TIME as a subject of TIME to live in TIME. 

I say this to impress upon us that God created TIME and gives it to us human beings as a daily gift, moment by moment, heartbeat by heartbeat.  Someday, during one heartbeat moment, the same God who created time and works in time is going to say, “That’s it.  There will be no more time for you.”

What we do with that daily moment by moment gift very directly shapes how we will age physically, socially, and spiritually.   And it will determine what kind of person we will become in our latter years.  Today, not tomorrow, is given us for the one purpose of preparing ourselves for the future.

To properly prepare for the latter part of our life’s journey it is crucial that we begin by accepting the fact that we are going to die.  Yes, each one of us will die.  Life on this earth will come to an end.   Until we break down that wall of denial, we will not be motivated to follow through on any of the other needed preparations.

Whether we choose to believe it or not, our relationship with death and our attitude about our own dying, significantly affects the way we live each day.  I agree with those who say that we cannot truly live until we have accepted the fact that one day we are going to die. 

How will God call time, ending my life on earth?  When will God call time?  Only He knows.  How much time do I have left?  Only God knows.  How do I prepare for that end moment and the latter years of life that precede that moment?  That’s the focus of this presentation and the ones to follow over the next few weeks.

During my 20 years as a chaplain at Menno Haven Retirement Community I often heard a resident comment, “I didn’t expect to live this long” or “I never thought I would get to be this old.”  In those comments I hear the resident’s confession, I wasn’t prepared for this.  Now what should I do?

Preparation for growing old gracefully and gratefully should begin during the younger, more energetic and busy years of life.  Before we enter the latter third of our life’s journey and the retirement years.  This early preparation is important not only for sufficient financial resources, but also for adequate emotional and spiritual resources to carry us through to the end of this life on earth and into eternal life in the heavenlies.  Even so, we are never too old to begin changing our attitudes and behaviors regarding the ending of our life on earth.

Abram Schmitt writes, “I have a haunting notion that too many people live on too shallow a level.  They miss the real joy of living.  There is a depth of meaning to life that eludes them.  If only people would permit themselves to face their limited life span, they would be forced to make the most of every moment.  …There is no escape from death, but in this modern era people do all they can to avoid death, to delay it, and to evade all thoughts and conversations about it.”

The Psalmist prays, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” (39:4).  And again, in chapter 90, verse 12, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Joni Eareckson Tada writes, “…of all the things to be counted, this is the hardest – to number our days.  We number everything else so easily.  We know how much money we have in our purse and how many dollars in the bank.  Farmers number their sheep and cattle.  Restaurants number the meals served in a week.  Teachers check off attendance records.  Gardeners can tell you how many tomato plants are in the backyard. 

Yet we find it hard to number something so precious as our days.  Perhaps that’s because we see our days stretching on and on.  They seem infinite and so there is no need, we think, to number them.  Things we fail to account for, we waste.  That’s why it is wise to ask God to teach us to consider each day separate from the next, distinct in its purpose, unique in the way it is to be lived.”  (Diamonds in the Dust, 1993, Sept. 14). 

Contrary to popular thought, we do not live on borrowed time but on entrusted time.  Each day is the gift of time that God has given us.  Today is the day we hold in our hands to manage and use for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. 

As Bill and Gloria Gaither sing so beautifully – “We have this moment to hold in our hands, and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.  Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.”

What do you want to accomplish before your time in this world of Time is ended?  How do you want people to remember you?  What are you doing with your fleeting TIME? 

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 25, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

What Breaks Your Heart?

The prophet Jeremiah lived during a time of great national tumult and transition.  The nation of Judah was experiencing a period of political and social decline much like today.  And much like today, both political and religious leaders were hypocritical and deceitful.  It seemed no one was concerned about their not living up to their covenant with Yahweh, nor the consequences.

God called Jeremiah to preach to these religious, but sinful people, calling them to repent and return to worshipping and obeying God.  At great personal cost to himself, Jeremiah remains faithful to God in telling his own people that they have sinned in their selfishness, greed, and  ignoring God’s call to justice and concern for all people.

However, they resisted his preaching and would not listen.  Time after time, they ignored him, laughed at him, and refused to change their ways.  And the biblical record reveals that their stubborn resistance led toward their eventual destruction as a nation.

In Jeremiah 8, we hear Jeremiah weeping for the brokenness of his people that piled up as the consequence of their sinning.  He knows that the judgment of God is now unavoidable and that the time for amending their ways is past.  This causes Jeremiah to feel a deep sadness and pain in the pit of his stomach.

And yet, like God, Jeremiah continues to have compassion for his people.  “My grief is beyond healing; my heart is broken.  …I hurt with the hurt of my people.  I mourn and am overcome with grief. (vv.18 & 21, NLT).  …Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears!  I would weep day and night for the slain of my people.” (9:1)     

Jeremiah is a man in deep pain and asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead?  Is there no physician there?  Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (8:22).  And his painful weeping reveals that it is too late, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” (8:20).   

In verses 10 – 12, he summarizes their grievous sinfulness.  “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain;  prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.  They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious.  ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.  Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?  No. they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.”

“Do not even know how to blush.”  That is an accurate and appropriate description for many of our contemporary church and national leaders.  Like the people of Israel, we have no shame in naming ourselves Christian even as we give ourselves to esteeming and bowing to the idols of power, money, sex, personal success, and material possessions.  Nor do they blush in choosing to believe lies and conspiracy theories rather than obvious truths.

With all the social and political issues that currently divide us, it is fair to say that we are a church and a nation at war with each other, rather than standing together in Christian love and compassion, proclaiming and doing the good news of Jesus Christ.  

Meanwhile, our prisons are filled to over-capacity, children go to bed hungry in most every city and town of our nation, and many die because they do not have the money to pay for health care.  And yet, we arrogantly claim to be a Christian nation.  God weeps over us, my friend.  Sadly, it can be truthfully said, “They do not even know how to blush.”   

What makes you blush?  What breaks your heart?  Is it because you care about the victims of our society, such as the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the handicapped, the unemployed?  Or is it because of our societal sins that cause victims, such as pride, greed, prejudice, lust, malice, injustices and oppression of all kinds?  

Jeremiah’s heart was broken because of the sins of his people.  But he always understood that God’s love is a healing balm, bringing forth newness of life where there was the stink of death, resurrecting hope where there was despair, and rebuilding that which has been torn down.

May we, like Jeremiah, have our hearts broken by what breaks the heart of God.  For then we can truthfully and compassionately sing with our voices and our lives, “There is a balm in Gilead, to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.”  Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 18, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

God’s Offer of Great Power

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as dynamis, which means power.  Jesus tells his disciples before his Ascension that “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

When we receive the Holy Spirit into our life as our inner resource, we become living beings of God’s great power on earth.  That power is given us for the one purpose of accomplishing his will on earth.

We access this power through prayer.  Like His great power, prayer is God’s gift to us.  Prayer invites God into our life and work and makes us more conscious of his presence and power in the world.  Our praying connects us to the energy and will of God.  Our praying opens the floodgates for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven through us.    

The apostle Paul believed this to be true and desired the Ephesian church and every Christian church today to understand more clearly the purpose of God’s gifting us with His Holy Spirit and power. 

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”  (Ephesians 1:18-21).

Now, slowly read those verses again, thinking deeply about each phrase.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

                in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,

                                the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

                                                and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead

                and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

                                far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked,

                                                                not only in the present age

                                                                                but also in the one to come.”

Wow!  I confess I still have much to learn about this glorious inheritance of hope, power, and prayer.

In 1880, a Christian couple, George and Sarah Clarke, purchased the lease for the Pacific Beer Garden in Chicago.  Promptly dropping the word Beer, the couple added the word Mission, and launched a ministry to homeless alcoholics and downtrodden men and women.  Thus began the Pacific Garden Mission of Chicago.

George and Sarah Clarke bore the cost of the mission themselves, but as expenses grew and the ministry expanded, their funds ran low.  Eventually the day came when they could not pay the rent.  Attempts to secure the needed funds failed, and the Clarkes were told they had only 24 hours to make the payment.  Otherwise, the Clarkes would lose their lease and the Pacific Garden Mission would be closed.

Throughout the night, the couple prayed, asking God to guide and to provide in his own way and time.  They reminded the Lord of the souls being saved each night, and the many men and women whose lives were being salvaged.  They asked God why they should find themselves in such straits while trying to do his work.  However, committed to trusting God and not questioning, they continued in prayerful faith and earnest pleading throughout the night.

When they emerged from their Morgan Park house that morning, they gasped.  What had happened to their front yard?  It was covered with something white, something that instantly reminded them of the manna of the Old Testament.  Looking closer, they discovered their lawn was filled with mushrooms of excellent quality, which was very mysterious because it was not the season for mushrooms.

Gathering the crop, the Clarkes carted the mushrooms down the street and sold them to the chefs at the Palmer House, the famed hotel just off Michigan Avenue, for a large price.  The money they received was enough to pay the rent, with enough left over to meet other ministry expenses.  This miracle enabled the Pacific Garden Mission to continue with its life-changing ministry in the community.

Some persons may choose to discredit such stories of answered prayer, but I choose to believe because I agree with the Apostle Paul that God offers “his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Prayer is God’s gift to us, a gift of privilege and power, which is of tremendous value in today’s demanding world.  To be privileged to come into the presence of the “Almighty God” as his children, and to speak with him as “Our Father” is an amazing privilege of unimaginable worth.

Where are you going for replenishment of strength and courage?  Where are you seeking for wisdom and discernment? 

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 11, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

GOD Is Refuge, River, Rainbow

One of the most precious truths that I have learned through personal experience and Bible study is that “God is not our protector against trouble, but our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

This truth is reinforced by the three affirmations of faith found in Psalm 46. These affirmations of faith have frequently encouraged and strengthened me in both my times of praise to God as well as in my times of petitioning God’s help.

Bible scholars believe Psalm 46 was written by King Hezekiah to commemorate God’s great victory over Sennacherib. The Assyrian king thought he had Hezekiah caught in Jerusalem like a bird in a cage. But Hezekiah prayed, God spoke, and the enemy was defeated. In one night, an angel killed 185,000 enemy soldiers.

Affirmation One – “I will not fear because I have a refuge.” (Read vv.1-3). In every crisis and chaos, God provides refuge and strength. In times of crisis, we turn to whom or what we trust. To what or whom do you trust in times of crisis?

Earlier, the psalmist said, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Ps. 9:9-10).

Affirmation Two – “I will not faint because I have a river. (Read vv. 4-7). God provides a river of resources in his city during threatening times of despair and evil attack. “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (v.5).

All of nature depends on hidden resources. The trees send their roots deep into the earth to find the hidden streams of water. Likewise, we Christians need to sink our spiritual roots into God’s stream of resources that keep us from fainting in despair and defeat.

Affirmation Three – “I will not fret because I see the rainbow.”  (Read vv.8-11). What is that rainbow?It is the revelation of God’s sovereignty and majestic glory over all the earth.It is seeing God exalted and overarching all storms of uncertainty and tragedies. The rainbow claims it to be so. There is no need to fret, because “The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

This truth became very real to me and my family during one of our return trips home after visiting family in Phoenix, AZ. On a Monday, June 25, we left Phoenix in a VW Camper van that we agreed to drive to the New York seaport to be shipped to Africa.

We enjoyed the long drive through beautiful Salt River Canyon and then by late afternoon, stormy winds were blowing as we entered New Mexico. While eating supper in a restaurant, a very windy rainstorm delayed our return to vehicle and traveling. As we entered onto the interstate a bright and beautiful double rainbow appeared before us.

The evening soon grew darker, and it was then I discovered that the vehicle had no headlights. Racing against the deepening darkness we were unsuccessful in finding a garage that was still open, and so stayed the night at motel. This was the beginning of troubles and frustration.

The next afternoon, Tuesday, the engine quit, and we had to be towed to Amarillo, Texas. By then it was late evening and we had to stay the night a short distance from garage.

Wednesday was a day of delay and disappointment, and finally a diagnosis on Thursday. The van needed a new engine short block. This had to be ordered from Houston and should arrive sometime Monday and take about 2 days to install. The lack of urgency on part of garage service department frustrated me and family.

However, a phone call to the Mennonite church in Amarillo, connected us to the pastor who just happened to own a motel. The pastor and his wife graciously provided a room, meals, and a car for us to enjoy our stay while waiting for the van to be repaired, which took several days longer then promised.

Finally, we were on our way home by Tuesday evening, July 3, and behold, as we left the city limits of Amarillo, traveling east, a beautiful rainbow appears in front of us.

It was then God’s promise of presence, protection, and provision, a promise that speaks of peace amid trouble, was revealed to us in a very personal way. The rainbow stands guard over the storm. It is God’s name written in the sky for all to see and spells out “God with us” to remind and renew our faith and trust in his presence and power.

I believe God placed those two rainbows at the beginning and ending of our nine-day journey through trouble and blessing as an experiential teaching for me and my family about God’s enduring faithfulness.

So it is that I read “Be still, and know that I am God” to mean, “Relax. I am God and I can manage the situation.”

And so, I repeat what I said at the beginning,  “God is not our protector against trouble, but He is our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 4, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley