Healing Rays of Righteousness

The Joy of Godly Heritage

In Psalm 16, David, the shepherd boy and now King David, writes a testimony regarding his relationship with God. The theme of this short psalm is focused on the special joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God. Listen for them as I read, beginning in verse 5.

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

Please note that this deep sense of contentment flows from David’s sense of security expressed in verse 8.           “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

A few chapters later, Psalm 23, David enlarges these joys and benefits with more detailed, descriptive language. Listen carefully as I read.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In these psalms I hear King David giving thanks and praise for God’s ever-loving presence, never-failing provision, and ever-strong protection. And I understand King David saying that these special joys and benefits of a relationship with God are for now and eternity.

This does not mean that all the places of our heritage were pleasant.  Nor does it discount or diminish the difficult struggles in our life’s “cup” of relationships and circumstances. But to say that “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” is to acknowledge that the presence, provision, and protection of God transforms even those difficult places into times of special blessing. 

These “God gifts” often loom larger in retrospect than what is seen in the present moment. When we are young, we feel wise and strong, taking life by the tail for our purposes and enjoyment. But then we soon discover that the table has turned, and that now life has taken us by the tail and is swinging us around until we are dizzy with doubts and fears.

It is in these times of doubt, defeat, and darkness, that we need to turn to God and hear him inviting us to come to him and rest in his loving presence, protection, and provision.

And when we do, we find a table spread with all the good things of heaven to nourish and strengthen our relationship with God. And that gracious table is set right in the midst of our enemies, both physical and spiritual.

The realization that all our life has been and is being blessed by God’s gracious presence and love for us, will cause us to echo the psalmist’s joyous praise, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” 

Reading this testimony of King David reminds me of the southern mountain woman who had chiseled in rough and uneven letters this epitaph on her husband’s tombstone: “He always appreciated.”  I hope that the same tribute can be said about me and you after our deaths.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 27, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Joy of Marriage Bliss

Earlier this week my wife and I celebrated our 64^th wedding anniversary. As I was designing and writing an Anniversary card for her, the phrases “marriage bliss” and “blissful marriage” came to mind as appropriate phrases to summarize our many memories of wedded life.

Since I had not heard these phrases being used for many years, I became curious as to what they were describing and opened my two dictionaries for information. This is what I discovered; “Bliss – perfect happiness; great joy; a state of spiritual blessedness. “Bliss – serene happiness; the ecstasy of salvation; spiritual joy; a sense of great delight or happiness. “Blissful – extremely happy; full of joy.

I was surprised and somewhat awed by these definitions and how much they described what I was feeling, as well as describing the joy that Jesus’ promised us. Listen to Jesus words as John recorded them in his Gospel; “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”(Jn. 15:9-11).

When Jesus is invited into our life and experiences, he comes to enable us to experience fullness of joy in whatever the circumstance or situation – whether it is failure, disappointment, or trouble. Christ’s fervent desire for us is “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

And then I wondered could “blissful” also be a more appropriate understanding of Jesus’ use of the word “blessed” in his sermon beatitudes? (Mt. 5:3-12).

Gentlemen, do you remember that day, that moment when your bride walked down the aisle and you stepped forward and took her hand in marriage? Ladies, what were you feeling as he did so?

I remember that day and moment with joyous excitement and anticipation. But what happened in that moment of committing our love for one another, was significantly enlarged and enriched during the 64 years of joy and sadness, laughter and tears, good health and painful illnesses and losses. Today I recall these many memories and gratefully thank God that our love commitment to one another produced in us the joyous fruit of “marriage bliss.”

However, such pondering leads me to question if I can rightly summarize my journey with God as a “blissful marriage” relationship since making my baptismal vows of love for him? Can you?

Whether it be my relationship with God or with my wife, the joy of “marriage bliss” is supernatural in its source and essence in both relationships. Perfect and complete joy is God’s gift of being in relationship with him. Yes, this joy is his diamond-studded wedding band on our finger. Are you wearing it?

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 12, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

CONTROLLING OUR TONGUE

I have been to Niagara Falls and heard the awesome roaring power of water as it cascades over the edge of the riverbed to the rocks far below. I have felt the power of jet engines as they lift the large plane, filled with cargo and passengers, into the skies. I have seen the angry power of tornado winds as they shred and scatter everything in its path. I have seen the deadly power of fire as it sweeps across hill and valley consuming everything caught in its raging fury.

Unfortunately, I have heard, seen, and felt a more deadly power being wielded by an uncontrolled tongue. Yes, the tongue is a small part of our body, but is most likely the most powerful part, capable of speaking words of gracious healing and reconciliation or of grievous hurt and suffering. And the Scriptures consistently declare that it is every person’s responsibility to control it.

I remember the saying we learned as children. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Even though the saying was meant to encourage steadfastness in the face of ridicule or intimidation, it does not survive the test of truth. I have learned that even though words, however hateful and demeaning they may be, usually do not cause physical harm to our bodies, they can do considerably more damage to our personhood than sticks and stones. Most bodily injuries heal over time. Sometimes the injury will require some medical attention, such as a bandage, stitches, or maybe even a cast or surgery. But eventually, if we are healthy, the physical injury will heal completely.

However, words that are spoken in anger or hatred and without thought or respect for the other, most likely will do damage that may never heal. Most of us have been called a derogatory name or have had someone say things that were not true about us. And the pain we feel is very real and lasting.

Unfortunately, many of us have also been on the other side, being judgmental and speaking unkindly, berating the character or actions of another. Weakened and blinded by heated disagreement or prejudiced opinion, we can easily forget that our tongue is “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” In the tense moments of debate, we can easily forget the need to control our tongue and use it as an instrument of enhanced healing rather than a weapon of fire.

The Scriptures declare that our words do have a wonderful power to heal. The book of Proverbs shares several insights about the power of words to heal and build one another up. “Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up” (Pr. 12:25). “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Pr. 15:1a). “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Pr. 16:24).

James, the brother of Jesus, writes in his letter, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (1:26). Then in chapter 3, James uses very descriptive language to describe our tongue and its power to bless or destroy, in his effort to help us to better understand the urgent and constant need to control what we say. And in verses 9-10, he summarizes “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” 

Think about those three precious words, “I love you.”  When these words are spoken at the right moment, they can lift our spirits and make us forget our anxieties and difficulties. Think about some other phrases like: “I care about you; I have been thinking about you; I have been praying for you.”  Indeed, such words have a wonderful power to heal and lift broken spirits.

Also consider the power in giving a compliment or speaking words of encouragement. Such words contain tremendous healing powers. I encourage myself and you toward being more diligent in controlling our tongue to do so, and to always remember James’ admonition. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20).

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 7, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Staying With the Relationship

In situations of illness where there is no cure and usually no miracles, there is a harsh reality for both the sufferer and their caregivers. As a chaplain, I know it is an emotional and physical challenge to stay connected to, minister to, and support the dying person and their family through what is frequently a prolonged dying process.

Working in a large retirement community for ten years and with hospice prior to that, I have ministered as chaplain, friend, and comforter to many a dying person and their family during the slow journey toward the moment of death and separation. I am trained in clinical pastoral skills to compassionately minister to both the dying and the living. I have learned how to mediate God’s caring presence in these situations. And I have been very comfortable being there as a listening, empathetic presence. I have a good understanding of my role as chaplain and can use my skills effectively in helping the dying person and their family move toward a meaningful closure in their relationships.

However, during these same years, the prolonged illness and dying of several colleagues presented a much different and more difficult ministry challenge for me. In these relationships I had a much greater than usual emotional investment of mutual interests and friendship, and so experienced a great sense of loss in their dying. In some ways I became more a part of the grieving family needing a chaplain rather than being the chaplain. And I discovered that as the disease progressed in their body and death approached, it became increasingly difficult for me to stay with the relationship. It became easier to find “excuses” for staying away.

Why? I can think of several reasons. First, every visit forced me into thinking more intensely about my own mortality and separation from those I love.

Secondly, not only was my colleague grieving, but also was I; he the loss of life, and I the loss of a trusted co-worker and beloved friend. Out of this grieving and contrary to my best clinical pastoral knowledge, I found myself tending to protect the relationship by speaking more hopeful than realistic, more cheerful than sad, more confident than honest in my expressions of faith. And, fearing greater isolation, my grieving colleague did the same, not wanting to upset me or scare me away from visiting again. In tiptoeing carefully through our conversations, both of us robbed ourselves of the opportunity to walk together and support each other in confronting the deep feelings of loss, and together experience God’s healing presence.

Thirdly, I found it extremely painful to witness my colleague’s body and mind slowly deteriorating, and their interests and conversation diminishing. To see the person who once provided leadership, pastoral advice, listening, and nurturing, now no longer able to do those things was so heart wrenching and hard to accept. Thus, it became increasingly stressful to visit and minister appropriately to both the person and their family.

In these several experiences I discovered that it was neither easy nor comfortable to be God’s messenger of comfort and hope to a dying colleague. I also became more aware of my tendencies to avoid painful visits and needed to make a greater effort to stay with the relationship, validating my dying colleague’s feelings, history, and future, going with him hand-in-hand to the moment of separation by death. And knowing that the family experiences more intensely the same feelings and tendencies that I experience, energized me to move beyond my initial inclination and be there mediating God’s loving presence to them.

(Postscript)

I authored the above article 20 years ago while still actively ministering as a chaplain. Now retired and reflecting on what I said then, reminded me of how much my life has been shaped and guided by my decision to “stay with the relationship” no matter what. Whether it be family, church, work, or neighborhood, this has been a basic life principle for me, based on my understanding of God’s command to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:39), and “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34).

I will confess that this has not always been easy and the temptation to avoid or end the relationship is often very real. Differing religious and political beliefs, perspectives, and expectations crucified Jesus, and the same differences remain equally deadly in our relationships yet today. And Jesus weeps!

But I have also experienced the rich rewards of staying with the relationship, and that has kept me motivated toward maintaining and nourishing even the difficult and often painful relationships. Furthermore, my study and meditation on Jesus’ life and teachings leads me to believe that this is what Jesus expects from us, his disciples.

May God help us to commit ourselves toward staying with and deepening all our relationships. Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 28, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Are You Privileged or Task Oriented

We know that every human step leads to another step, and that every human act toward another brings about a reaction. What we too easily forget is that every step and action we take toward another is preceded by thought and attitude regarding the other. This is why Jesus repeatedly commanded his disciples to love others, even as he loves them.

A loving attitude toward another always leads to the greatest and most beneficial consequences for both. To maintain a loving attitude toward another leads to blessings for both the giver and receiver of loving actions. Yes, a loving attitude leads to loving actions that will likely require sacrifice of time and energy. But it will also lead to significant gains in a deepening relationship with the other.

Beverly Sills, a well-known operatic soprano singer during the 1950 – 1970 years, had just given an outstanding matinee performance, and according to the program, she would give another performance that evening at 8:00 p.m. 

Backstage her loyal fans were congratulating her, when one of them said to her, “You must rest now, because I see that you have to give another performance tonight.” “No,” said Beverly Sills, “I don’t have to give another performance tonight.” “Well,” said her fan, “it says here in the program that you have an 8:00 p.m. performance this evening.  Did you forget?” Beverly answered, “Yes, I do have a performance tonight, but I don’t have to give it.  I get to give it.”

Beverly Sills spoke and acted the difference one’s attitude can make in how we live and relate to others. Beverly Sills was “privilege” oriented rather than “task” oriented. She considered it a privilege and a joy to give a performance, not a task to do or a burden to endure. For her, the performance was a joyful pleasure, because she believed she was doing what God called her to do, that is, sing. In being led by Jesus’ love for others, Beverly was blessed as she lovingly blessed others with her singing.

The truth is that I don’t have to love my neighbor.  I don’t have to share what God has given me.  I don’t have to feed the hungry, visit the sick, and be a friend to the lonely and dying.  I don’t have to be kind, compassionate, and considerate of others.  I don’t have to sacrifice time and energy to benefit the well-being of others.

I don’t have to do any of these things, but I get to do them as a privilege of being led by and filled with the love of Jesus. To be led by Jesus Love in caring about others is not burdensome and it transforms my work and relationships from burdensome task to blessed privilege.

This is what I hear Jesus saying to his disciples and us in John 15:9-17, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ….. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. ….. This is my command: Love each other.”

In this passage, I hear Jesus telling his disciples of yesterday and today, that truly loving him will demand more than our words of love and worship. Truly loving him (Jesus) will lead to actions of love toward others in the same manner and measure that he loves us. And these works of love will often require sacrifice, even as he did for us because of his love for us.

Most importantly, the result of our being “privileged” oriented rather than “task” oriented, is perhaps more than most of us can fathom.  In return for our love and obedience to his command to “Love each other,” God will love us. “He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” Like the story of the prodigal son, God will wrap his arms around us and welcome us home. Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 16, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Precious Memories

Another year, another May 1, another Memorial Day has passed. And again, I am grateful to J.B.F. Wright for putting words and melody to the thoughts and feelings that I experience annually during the month of May.

My wife and I experienced the sudden, unexpected death of our first-born, only son, on May 1, 1983. The rest of that month was a painful blurring of time and Memorial Day at the end of the month was simply another day of painful grief and “why” questions.

But in the months and years since that “mayday” crisis, Memorial Day observance has taken on a new focus and meaning for me. And J.B.F. Wright’s hymn, “Precious Memories” has frequently lifted me above death’s painful grief in losing son, parents, siblings, friends, and toward the precious gift of memories they gave me. Sing the words with me.

     Precious mem’ries, un-seen angels, Sent from somewhere to my soul;

     How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfold.

              Refrain:   Precious mem’ries, How they linger, How they ever flood my soul,

                                In the stillness of the mid-night, Precious, sacred scenes un-fold.

     Precious father, loving mother, Fly across the lonely years,

     And old home scenes of my childhood, In fond memory appears.  (Refrain)

     In the stillness of the midnight, Echoes from the past I hear;

     Old-time singing, gladness bringing, From that lovely land somewhere.  (Refrain)

     As I travel on life’s pathway, Know not what the years may hold,

     As I ponder, hope grows fonder, Precious mem’ries flood my soul.  (Refrain)

I agree with Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote, “Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love. …It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap. He doesn’t fill it, but on the contrary, he keeps it empty and so helps us to keep alive our former communion with each other, even at the cost of pain.  …The dearer and richer our memories, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. The beauties of the past are borne, not as a thorn in the flesh, but as a precious gift in themselves.”

Contrary to a popular myth, bereavement grief is not a process of forgetting, but rather a process of reconciling ourselves to the loss of relationship with a loved one while also reliving the good memories of that relationship.

Establishing the significance of the life lived in our midst is key to the healing of the pain suffered in the loss. And significance is established as we remember and share memories of that relationship with one another. And to not talk about our relational memories of the person who died is to rob ourselves of good grief work and healing, as well as to rob significance from the one who died.

In his booklet, The Gift of Significance, Doug Manning writes, “The grieving process is a gradual change from the physical presence of a loved one to the sense of presence provided by the memories. The goal is to learn to live with the person not being here. Coping without their presence happens when we begin to find comfort in the memories.”  

One of the most priceless gifts that God gives us through the life of another person is the memory of our relationship with that person. Those memories are ours to keep, to hold, and to cherish. It is a treasure that no one can rob from us, a treasure that never needs to be locked up or buried.

Memories are gifts that take us by the hand and lead us back through the mists of the past to the happy scenes and experiences of yesterday. And when a life has been lived constructively for God and others, the memory of that life is like a beautiful walk through a pleasant garden.

Yes, the Godly memories given us by those now separated from us are very precious gifts. Let us rightly cherish them and freely share them with one another. In doing so, we will both bless and be blessed.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 31, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com Ray M. Geigley

Adopted and Adored

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1-2).

Even though we are God’s creation, we are not naturally born as God’s children. Becoming a child in God’s family is a gift of divine grace and becomes realized only as the Spirit of God leads us.

The apostle Paul clearly states that we have received a great gift, a tremendous gift, when God adopted us into His family. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. …the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:14-15).

I believe you will agree that one of the most blessed privileges we will ever experience is to be a part of a loving family. So, what does it mean to be adopted into God’s family? I do not think there is a more beautiful image of God’s love for us than the image of adoption as portrayed in this story.

Tina was an adopted child. One day, while at school in the second grade, Tina was teased by her classmates about being adopted. Tina went home that day in tears, not knowing how to react to the other children telling her that her parents were not her real mom and dad. With tears flowing down her cheeks, Tina walked in the back door of her home and was greeted by a worried mother. “What is wrong?” her mother asked. Tina told the story of being teased at school about not having real parents and not being as good as the other children because of it. Tina’s wise mother took Tina into her arms and told her that all of those other children were born into their families and their parents had absolutely no choice about the child they got.  “But” said her mother, “we got to choose you because you were so special.”

In his several letters, the apostle Paul repeatedly reminds us that each one of us is incredibly special to God, and for that reason he chose and claimed us as his very own child. However, we are not naturally born into God’s righteous family but are adopted into it by God’s choice in Jesus Christ.

Since child adoption was not a Jewish practice, Paul uses the image of “adoption” from the Greek and Roman society to describe what happens to the Christian believer. The adopted child had no natural or legal claim of membership in the adoptee’s family, but received a gift of full, family membership through adoption.

Likewise, we have no natural claim in God’s family. Yet in his divine love and grace, God extends a legal and loving hand toward us, inviting us into his family. As adopted children, we are given all the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of family membership. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.”

Words and phrases like “children of God, sons of God, heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ” indicate that we belong to God. We belong to God in every way. Our sin debt is canceled. God’s home is our home, and we can address the infinite creator God as “Abba, Father.”

Thus, we can say those words and mean them, relating to God as father because we are family. This is an awesome privilege! To be passionately loved by a Father who desires an intimate relationship with his children, is a precious gift of amazing grace. How can we not say, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him be-long, they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

Let that truth enter into, overflow, and propel your worship today and your work tomorrow. You know who you are. You know that God’s Spirit within you testifies with your spirit that you are a member of God’s family. (Rm. 8:16). Look closely and see yourself in this bigger picture. Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 24, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The One Thing God Will Never Do

The well-known speaker began his seminar presentation by holding up a new twenty-dollar bill. In the room of two hundred persons, he asked, “Who would like this twenty-dollar bill?”  Hands were slowly raised up. He continued, “I am going to give this twenty-dollar bill to one of you, but first let me do this.”  He then proceeded to crumple up the bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?”  Again, the hands went up in the air. “Well,” he asked, “what if I do this?”  Dropping the crumpled bill to the floor, he ground it beneath the heel of his shoe, until the bill was not only crumpled but also dirty and torn. “Now who still wants it?” he asked. And again, the hands went up.

“My friends,” he said, “you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth twenty dollars. Many times in our lives we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what happened or will happen, you will never lose your value in the eyes of those who love you. You are special, and never forget it.”

I totally agree with this speaker and believe the biblical record of God’s LOVE relationship with his people consistently confirms his message. You were born great, unique, and full of potential. And now, years later, you are even greater, more unique, and still full of value and potential.

In his book Experiencing God, Henry T. Blackaby writes, “God is far more interested in a love relationship with you then He is in what you can do for Him.”

Some of the most profound teaching regarding God’s love is found in the third and fourth chapters of John’s first letter. In verses eight and sixteen of the fourth chapter, John tells us that “God is love.” 

Those three little words get to the heart of what John believed about God. They tell us that God is pure self-giving love, and that God cares deeply about you and me and covets our love relationship with himself. The character of God is love and his greatest desire is that we be in a daily love relationship with him as our loving Father, caring Mother, and glorious King. Yes, I said it. You are a child of the King, loved and cared for in the family of God.

It seems to me that John’s thinking about God’s love causes him to gush with joy in proclaiming how much God loves and cares deeply about us. Read slowly and let your mind and heart fully absorb John’s message. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 3:1, 4:9-10).

How deep is God’s love for us? Read those verses again. Such remarkable, amazing love is at the very core of God’s character and at the very center of God’s heart of love. And nothing we can ever do will stop or hinder God from loving us.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  (1 John 3:1).

We are children of God, who is LOVE. And there is nothing that can stop God from deeply loving us. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).

Yes, God will never, can never stop loving you. He created you in your mother’s womb and breathed life and love into you. You are his amazing and glorious creation of eternal purpose and potential.

And so, you may feel as though you are worthless. But no matter what happened in your past or may happen in your life, you will never lose your value in the eyes of your Heavenly Father and those who love you. You are special, and never forget it. You are loved, today and always.

Let us pray and sing with the psalmist!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 18, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

GODLY MOTHERS and a MOTHERLY GOD

Each year on Mother’s Day we give special recognition and honor to our mothers, both living and dead. Truly, the world has been significantly blessed by Godly women who view their role as a mothering parent to be a special privilege and ministry from God. I was blessed with such a mother.

Speaking of “Godly Mothers” the writer of Proverbs says that “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”  (Proverbs 31:30-31).

I heard it said that “Mother” is not simply a title, but a divine function. In other words, “To mother” is to create and birth life into a new human being, and then to provide, nourish, protect, and shape its being and character toward maturity of adulthood. And to accept this awesome privilege of mothering is often a difficult, frustrating, and disappointing challenge, but it can also be a very rewarding experience.

From the very first sight and cry of each of our four children, from the very first cradling of their tiny body, my wife and I were head over heels in love with them. I loved them simply because they were ours. They did not earn our love. They did not necessarily deserve it. Furthermore, they demanded a lot from us and were very costly in terms of both time and money.

They would get sick and grouchy. Many a night they interrupted our needed sleep. They prided themselves in spitting baby food on our clean shirt or skirt. They could be noisy, messy, and smelly all at the same time. But above and beyond all of that, they were our children. And nothing they could do or say would ever, ever stop us from loving them.

Eventually, growing up in the environment of love we maintained for them, their love for us as parents took root and deepened. And now, being matured adults when they say they love us, we know from their hugs that they truly do love us.

In his first letter, John says God’s parental relationship with us is just like that. We love (God) because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). AND NOTHING WE CAN EVER DO WILL STOP GOD FROM LOVING US.

The one word that characterizes both our “Motherly God” and “Godly Mothers” is LOVE. This amazing truth is confirmed in the following verses regarding God.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16).

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13).

“One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: Power belongs to you, God, and with you , Lord, is unfailing love;” (Psalm 62:11-12)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Maybe you heard the story of a three-year-old who climbed into her mother’s lap and said, “Mommy, I love you.”  As she felt her mother’s face and touched her mother’s nose she said, “I love your nose, Mommy.”  She said the same thing about her mother’s ear, chin, cheek, hair, and finally she said, “Mommy, show me your heart.”

Her mother hesitated for a moment and then said, “Honey, look into my eyes and see what you can see. Look way down deep.” The little girl got very close and looked intently into her mother’s eyes. Then she said, “Mommy, I can see way down and the only thing I can see is myself.”

That is the kind of deep love for which every child hungers. And that is the kind of love we discover when we look way down deep into God’s eyes. He loves us with a love greater and deeper than the best of mothers could ever love.

To be a noble, wise, and loving mother is an awesome challenge, and we need always to respect and honor their good influence in our life. And probably the greatest tribute given to a mother was found on a cemetery headstone. Below the name and date of the deceased mother, is this simple phrase, “She made home happy.”

No other word was needed. What a testimony to a mother who was gifted, enabled, and committed to her calling and mission in life. May their numbers increase in our world today, and may all of us, both mothers and fathers, daily endeavor to make our home happy.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 11, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Living Hope – The Wonder of It All

The apostle Peter begins his first letter to the suffering, scattered church of his day by addressing them with awesome descriptive words as being God’s elect, scattered exiles, chosen, and sanctified. He then blesses them with “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

Peter than launches into a hymn of thankful praise to God for the gifts of hope and inheritance given them through the resurrection of Jesus. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5). Thus, Peter reaffirms the basics of salvation for both them and us.

Peter’s statement “In his great mercy” is key to grasping the fullest meaning of our salvation. With these words, Peter reminds us that “new birth” comes to us not as a reward but as a gift, a gift we do not deserve. The writer of Lamentations earlier wrote, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lam.3:22-23).

Peter experienced this truth in his own life and declared that “new birth” gifts us into a new relationship with the resurrected Jesus Christ. And the most obvious benefit of this new birth is the “living hope” of eternal life.

But Peter also teaches that God’s gift of “salvation” also invades our present everyday life with some very enjoyable benefits” such as:

               1. A living hope (v.3). In Jesus Christ, God has given us a “living hope” that is not dependent upon our environment or outward circumstances. The word “living” denotes that which is dynamic, vital, alive. In other words, this hope is like living waters flowing from a perennial spring which never runs dry. We need to remember that the word “hope” is a uniquely Christian word because it makes no sense without the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is more than wishful thinking and beyond “I think I can, I think I can.”

               2. A heavenly inheritance (v.4). This inheritance is indestructible, nonperishable, unpolluted, and shining. It is a guaranteed inheritance, kept and guarded in heaven for each of us who believe and received Christ’s resurrection gift of new birth.

               3. A powerful shield (v.5). Until the day we claim our heavenly inheritance, God has promised to provide us with living hope and shielded with His power. This powerful shield is ours if we live by faith in the living resurrected Christ. The apostle Paul instructs us to use this shield of faith to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16).

In verse 8, Peter portrays “salvation” as a life of experiencing “inexpressible and glorious joy” living in a relationship with Jesus of loving and believing in him.

Peter concludes his hymn of praise in verse twelve by saying that our salvation is such an amazing event that “Even angels long to look into these things.” The New Living Translation is even more descriptive. “It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” 

Can you imagine that? The angels in heaven are in the very presence of God’s heavenly glory and majesty and yet they “long to look into these things” concerning our salvation. The Greek word for “look into” means to “stoop down to take a peek.”

Let your mind ponder the truth that God’s “salvation” gift to us is so great that it amazes the heavenly angels. With eager curiosity, longing, and desire, they continue peeking into this wonderful salvation which had been declared by the prophets, revealed by the Holy Spirit, and is now available for all who will believe by faith in the resurrected Jesus and receive his gift of a “new birth into a living hope.”

It is a certainty for Peter in believing that Jesus’ resurrection is crucial. Everything that he says in his letter regarding salvation hinges on God’s act of raising Jesus from the dead. And he urges us to believe with the same certainty and amazed wonder.

The writer of Hebrews summarizes the situation well, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For … how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3).

As I reflect on the salvation that is ours because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, my thoughts are expressed in a hymn that George Beverly Shea wrote and beautifully sung during my earlier years.

The Wonder of It All

(1) There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul – Is the wonder that God loves me.

(Refrain)

O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all – Just to think that God loves me!

O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all – Just to think that God loves me!

(2)  There’s the wonder of spring-time and harvest, The sky, the stars, the sun;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul – Is a wonder that’s only begun.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 3, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley