Healing Rays of Righteousness

Ascension Day, So What

In the opening verses of Acts, Luke tells us that during the forty days following Jesus’ glorious resurrection from the dead, He was spending time with his disciples, teaching and reassuring them.  He expands their understanding of His message regarding the Kingdom of God.  For in the light of the cross and His resurrection, that message takes on new meaning. 

Unfortunately, the disciples are still not free from nationalistic and political understandings of this kingdom and so they ask, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?” (v.6).  They are still looking for an earthly kingdom that rules in a political world.  They do not yet fully understand that God’s purpose in Jesus Christ reaches far beyond all national boundaries and beyond every race and lifestyle.

Jesus dismisses their question as irrelevant and again declares their mission is to be His Spirit-filled “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v.8b).  And because He knows this grand mission to be far beyond all human capabilities, He commands them to remain in Jerusalem and “wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (vv.4,5).

Having said that, Jesus takes his disciples to the Mount of Olives, outside Jerusalem, and there “he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” 

While the disciples stood there, intently looking upward toward the sky, suddenly two white-robed men appeared and asked, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?” This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”  (v.11).  I think in essence saying, “Stop staring upward!  There’s work to be done on this earth.”

For Jesus’ disciples, the ascension of Jesus into heaven was a significant commissioning event in sending them out to continue His Kingdom mission, for which he had called and prepared them to do.  His mission was now their mission.  Furthermore, His mission is also now our mission in this world.

Maybe more than anything else, Jesus’ ascension shows us that Jesus is Lord, exactly as He said.  Jesus’ claims about being God’s Messiah are imprinted on every word and action that he said and did from the moment of his resurrection until His ascension.  The Jesus’ who died, is now clearly alive and is triumphantly ascended to God.  This Jesus returned to a place we cannot yet see, but Jesus goes with purpose, to prepare a place for us, as part of God’s unfolding plan for this world. 

Ascension Day is a time for us to reflect and give attention to how serious we are in partnering with Jesus to carry on His Kingdom mission on earth?  Do we have a clear sense of personal mission?  Do we feel empowered by his Spirit in our life and faith?  Do we see living and teaching the gospel message as church work, or as our personal vocation?

There is truth in the saying that “we may be the only Jesus some people ever see.”  This is part of God’s plan. The Jesus who is no longer physically present in a way the world can see, becomes visible in us, when we make the compassion, love, and mercy of God real by how we relate to and care for one another, as well as for this earth and all creation.

The church does not exist for itself, but for the world.  From the moment God called a special people, God made it clear that every person who bears God’s name has been called into existence to be a blessing in this world.  Those were God’s words to Abraham, and they are basically Jesus’ instructions to the church. 

And so, the Jesus who is no longer physically present in a way the world can see, becomes visible in the church, when we live and worship together, speaking of God’s glory, love, and amazing grace. 

We are the way God blesses this world.  We are to grace others with God’s love, and clearly portray God’s presence in this world, revealing the footsteps of God in all our lives during both the bad and good times.  We do not live this life blindly and alone.  Through the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, we are assured that God is closer than our breath and we will be given everything we need.

The two white-robed men gave witness to Jesus’ ascension into heaven and testified that someday He will return.  In the meantime, do not stand around wringing your hands wondering what you should do.  Get on with the work of God’s kingdom. 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20).   Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 12, 2021

www.geigler13.worpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

National Day of Prayer

May 6, 2021

I am sharing the blog by Kathy Branzell, President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, as a call for us to join her in focused and fervent prayer for our communities, cities, and nation.  – Ray

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Yes, we are richly blessed to have a law that has proclaimed a day of prayer for our nation each year since the first observance as the law was signed in 1952!  Decades later, America still needs our prayers.  We need to be praying for all people, every day, for all seven mountains of influence and more, because people are still in need and the Church is still called to a prayer, care, share lifestyle.

First and foremost, people need to hear the message and experience the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.  All have sinned and fall short, but God’s arm is not short, and we have been sent to show and share His message of LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY.

Before God even spoke, “Let there be…” He loved you and me.  God is love.  We are surrounded by the hurting, hopeless, and helpless who have never experienced the love of God and possibly of another person.  God designed and defined love, real love; unconditional, authentic love that sent His Son to pay our sin-debt in full so that we could believe in Him and have everlasting, abundant LIFE.

We live in a nation that does not respect life – all life from womb to tomb.  We are surrounded by people who cannot be inconvenienced or made uncomfortable to keep the heartbeat of others beating.  Whether it is an unborn child, the homeless or hungry, orphans and widows, or others who are vulnerable and need compassion and thoughtfulness.  Everyone needs to know that they were created by God and that He loved them so much He put His image in them and authored their value and purpose that no person can take away from them.

As followers of Jesus, we must come together in obedient unity and love that spreads God’s glory across the earth.  We must share this message of love and life, so that our neighbors, co-workers, classmates – so that all the world would come to repentance, that NONE may perish and know the LIBERTY, the freedom from the stain and shame of sin.  Everyone can have freedom ring in their hearts, liberty that pronounces you, “NOT GUILTY” from the One true Judge.  God alone knows your heart, knows everything about you; everything you have thought, done, and had done against you. God alone is our judge and in Christ alone, we experience authentic, eternal LIBERTY.

In 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Paul reminds the Jesus followers in Corinth, “You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

Just as it was 2000 years ago, the mission remains today.  We, the believers and followers of Jesus are the messengers, the letters written with the Spirit on our hearts, and from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  It is our prayer today and throughout 2021 that the Spirit of the Lord, pour out, pour through us across America, to fill our lives, families, churches, workplace, education, military, government, arts, entertainment, and media, with Biblical, not cultural, not worldly, but Spirit-empowered, Spirit-filled LOVE, LIFE and LIBERTY as designed and defined by our Creator and Savior.

Our 2021 National Day of Prayer theme prays: ”LORD pour out Your LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY.” Once again praying and proclaiming a promise of God in our theme verse, 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

Let’s begin praying together now, please join me.  

Jesus, we come now professing that You are our Lord, the One and only Son of God who came to take away the sin of the world and that whosoever believes in You will not perish but have everlasting life.  As our Lord we are clay in Your hands, vessels of Your plans and love.  Fill us we pray, to be overflowing vessels and examples of Your LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY.

We thank you for loving us and commit to showing and sharing Your love.  We thank you for our life, and commit to serve You in the awe and respect You deserve, knowing You have put Your image in all of us, and that every person is fearfully and wonderfully made.  We thank you for forgiving our sins; for the LIBERTY you have given us, the mercy You have shown us, and You suffered in agony on the cross and the wrath of the Father was upon You, so that I might be found “Not guilty” through Your shed blood.

Help me to show compassion and respect to others so that they may hear the gospel and come to know You as Lord and know the release of being a slave to sin.  Pour out Lord, and pour through Your Church across America we pray, in Jesus Name. Amen!

Kathy Branzell

President – National Day of Prayer Task Force

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 5, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Just Jesus and You

In years past I enjoyed listening to gospel quartets singing “On the Jericho Road, There’s room for just two, No more and no less, Just Jesus and you.”  The melody and words still often resound in my mind and memory. 

However, “just Jesus and you.”  Is that a biblically correct statement or thought?  I think not.  According to the Apostle Paul, God’s purpose is for Christian believers to share life together within a body of interdependent members.  “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’  And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’”  (1 Cor. 12:21).

In Ephesians 4:25-5:2, Paul teaches that the Christian community should be so different and distinctive in character from the world community that the world notices and is attracted.  He makes it clear that the difference is not about any outward appearance, but about the way the community lives together in LOVE and readily share that LOVE within the community around them.

Therefore, Paul gives precise directions for living the new transformed life given us in accepting Christ’s salvation and lordship.  These involve putting away certain things and putting on new attitudes and behaviors that imitate God’s ways of LOVE in relating to us. 

Paul first says, stop lying and “speak truthfully to your neighbor.”  Why?  “for we are all members of one body.”  As Christians, we are connected as sons and daughters in God’s family.  What hurts you, hurts me, and vice versa.  And all lying, in speech and lifestyle, really does cause deep hurt to others.

And, although we may not speak lies, we may instead speak truth so bluntly and unloving that the other is deeply offended and hurt.  Paul makes it noticeably clear in these verses that whenever we speak, love must fully bathe our words and manner.  We must always ask ourselves how we can best express truth in the most loving way. 

The old children’s verse, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not true.  The older we become the more we realize that words do hurt.  And hurtful words coupled with hurtful actions are much more painful than “sticks and stones.”  The sting of hurtful words and actions can remain with us for years.  Paul knew this and said, “you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully, … for we are all members of one body.”

Secondly, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”  Why?  Because this will give the devil a foothold in your life, and he will cause you to damage or destroy the relationship you have with the other person.  We know and have seen how holding onto anger becomes a seething bitterness and often breaks out in wrath-filled action toward others.

Thirdly, stop stealing.  Why?  Because stealing is selfish and sinful.  And instead of stealing, Christians “must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”  The Christian’s heart is changed and becomes more generous and wanting to add to the life of others, not take or steal from them.

Then Paul places these relational directives under the large canopy of the Holy Spirit and says, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”  Why?  Because it is the Holy Spirit that has sealed our redemption.  When we express our anger in bitterness, wrath, and undisciplined passion, we are obviously giving the devil a place in our life and grieving the Holy Spirit.  Paul does not detail the ways we may be doing this, he simply says, stop it.

In summary Paul says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 

As children of God, we are to imitate Him.  God is love, and our whole life, attitude, and actions, should be characterized by love.  This means putting others before ourselves, wanting and working for the best in others, being patient and kind, hoping and believing in others.  This God-like love is much more than soupy sentimentality.

When Christ was preparing to leave for home, no doubt realizing that the unifying power of His presence would be gone, He gave His followers the formula for sticking together.  He said, “A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  Then He made this pivotal statement:  “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35).

Instead of traveling the Jericho road with “just Jesus and you” I think it better to be “a part of the family of God” and join in “marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God.”  The New Testament repeatedly assures us that the glory highway is broad enough to allow all of God’s people to march along together, side by side, helping one another on the way.  Let’s do it!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 28, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

TO BE A BLANKET OF LOVE

At a chaplain’s luncheon meeting that I attended some years ago, our leader introduced the devotional time with a reading of “The Crazy Quilt of Life” written by Barbara Battin and published in Women Psalms.  I share it with you because I think it is such a beautiful description of what God intends every community of persons to be in our world, that is “a blanket of love.”

“In the pattern of God’s purpose, we are stitched together in caring and community:  scraps of the lingering past, fragments broke from future’s dearest hopes; textures of disappointment and dreams, prints of pain and promise:  calico and corduroy, stripes, silks, and satins – all the colors of emotion and experience are sewn into a crazy quilt of life, patched together and transformed into a blanket of love… and our compassion comforts a cold and hurting world.”     

Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, “I am a pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”  Whether we speak of being a love-writing pencil or part of a blanket of love, we are saying that God created us to be his means of loving the world. 

I gratefully thank God every day for those many persons who do care about others and will go out of their way and take the time to enrich the life of another with love.  There simply is no greater reward of feeling worth and satisfaction than that given to those who sincerely care about others and relate to them with loving words and works.

It has been noted that right after September 11, 2001, people’s behavior changed dramatically.  Strangers seemed to show more interest in each other.  Drivers gave way to other drivers and rudeness seemed to have ebbed considerably.  Most of us noted and enjoyed the change.  But sadly, it did not take long for many people to revert to their old snobbish and selfish habits, caring only about themselves and believing that the world revolved around them.

William Sloane Coffin is correct in stating that “There is no smaller package in the world than a man wrapped up in himself.”  Probably we all can think of someone who would fit that description.  And my guess is that they are individuals we try to ignore or avoid in our life because they are not fun persons to be around.  And if you happen to get stuck working besides such an individual it makes for a long stressful workday. 

That should be enough motivation for all of us to be deliberate in our efforts to not become such a “small” person.  It should encourage us to always remember the instructive words of Brother Lawrence when he said, “We must not grow weary of doing little things for the love of God, who looks not on the great size of the work, but on the love in it.”

Brother Lawrence is echoing the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatian Christians, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (6:9-10).

And the disciple, John, in his first letter writes, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (3:18).

I pray that we will want to be stitched together with others who care and love, and in doing so, become a “blanket of love” in our community, bringing much needed comfort to this cold world of emotional, physical, and spiritual distresses.  The payoff is priceless, meaningful, and ever so satisfying.  In fact, such loving behavior has the promise of heavenly reward.

A song I remember as a youth singing in our church is “I Would Be Like Jesus.”  It has an easy, rhythmic melody and made an impression on my young life that guided me through the teen years and still does.  These are the words:

Earthly pleasures vainly call me – I would be like Jesus;

nothing worldly shall enthrall me – I would be like Jesus.

He has broken ev’ry fetter – I would be like Jesus;

that my soul may serve Him better – I would be like Jesus.

All the way from earth to glory – I would be like Jesus;

telling o’er and o’er the story – I would be like Jesus.

That in heaven He may meet me, I would be like Jesus;

that His words “Well done” may greet me, I would be like Jesus.

Refrain:

Be like Jesus – this my song – in the home and in the throng,

be like Jesus all day long!  I would be like Jesus.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 21, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Evidence of Jesus’ Resurrection

Belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead separates Christianity from all other religions.  No other religion claims that its founder and leader was raised alive from the dead and that his spirit is now a living presence with those who worship and serve him.

There is only one way to destroy Christianity and that is by disproving Jesus’ resurrection.  Satan knows this and since day one continues to deceive many church leaders and religious scholars into disregarding or distorting the historical facts with conspiracy theories as recorded in Matthew 28:11-15.  However, none have succeeded because they cannot find the dead body as evidence to support their theories.

When we carefully read the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, I think we will discover that there is far more “proof-positive” evidence for believing that Jesus was raised from the dead than there is for not believing such happened.  Here are several snapshots from the story that provide convincing evidence to me.

When the two women came to the tomb early Sunday morning to prepare his body for decomposition,they came with a broken heart, crushed hope, and resigned to his death.  The ugly terror of Friday was over, and the hopeless grief of Saturday was still with them.  They came with zero faith that anything could or would change in their relationship with Jesus.  He was now and forever dead and gone from their lives.

Imagine their surprise when they found the tomb entrance open and going in, find no body.  “While they were wondering about this” they are suddenly greeted by two angels.  Imagine their stunned bewilderment when asked, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  Suppose you were one of them.  What do you think would have been happening in your mind and emotions at that moment?  (Luke 24:1-5).

I can easily believe that the Jewish leaders, being faced with evidence of a great spiritual awakening that threatened their proud Judaism, would have loved to produce the dead body of Jesus, and give the lie to this resurrection rumor.  But they could not.

Also, under Roman law the soldiers guarding the tomb were held accountable for the disappearance of the body they were guarding.  And the penalty for such negligence and disappearance was imprisonment or death.  We can be assured that they would be extremely eager to produce the dead body.  But they could not.

Furthermore, it is inconceivable to think that the disciples might have stolen the body, as the soldiers were commanded to say.  Why?  Because at that moment, the disciples were a demoralized, defeated, and confused little group, hiding in fear of the authorities, after the crucifixion. 

We have Luke, who was a physician and wrote a detailed record of Jesus’ life and ministry, telling us in Acts 1:3 that during the 40 days after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the risen Christ “presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.” 

Finally, the Scriptural record reveals that following Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the fearful and doubting disciples were transformed and filled with Holy Spirit faith, courage, and boldness that endured for the rest of their lives.  If the resurrection were a fabricated myth, how would you explain the changed behavior of the early Christians, of whom many were crucified or fed to lions because of their steadfast faith in Jesus’ aliveness.

There is overwhelming evidence that something supernatural occurred in Jesus’ resurrection.  And it is amazing to me to see how God took great care in establishing the truth that Jesus’ resurrected body was a real body and not some illusion, or phantom spirit.  Luke records in 24:36-43 that when Jesus appeared to his disciples during those 40 days before ascending into heaven, it was with the same body that hung from a cross and was put into the tomb.  The marks of his physical torture and suffering were still visible on his body, and Jesus invited the disciples to touch his flesh and bones.  

Just before his final departure and ascension into heaven, Jesus reminds the disciples that the Scriptures confirm that the crucified and resurrected Messiah was not an adjustment in God’s plan.  This was God’s design all along, and everything written about the Messiah, in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.  So be it, and so it is!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 14, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

From Downcast Faces to Burning Hearts

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  (Luke 24:32).

As adults, we lean toward believing there is some hidden force in life that we can tap into and fulfill our dreams and destiny; that there is somebody or something beyond ourselves, trying to get through to us, that would enable us to experience renewed hope, joy, and fulfillment in life.

And yet, does it not seem strange that so many Christians never thought of discovering that mysterious power encased in their own professed Christian faith.  Could this be because they have forgotten or shelved and ignored the one key truth that unlocks abundant hope and excitement in Christian living and worship?

One of the reassuring messages we can hear in the Emmaus road story (Luke 24:13-35), is that the most powerful and exciting force in the universe is Jesus Christ, alive and present with us. 

Two believers were walking home to Emmaus after being in Jerusalem for the Passover event and witnessing the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus.  This was a trip of about seven miles.  Since they shared a home together, it is thought that these believers were Cleophas and his wife.

A third person joins them.  It is Jesus who takes the initiative in joining them in their slow walk of disappointment and despair.  This stranger asks what they are discussing together.  With downcast eyes they tell him the confusing story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Surprisingly, the stranger responds with explaining the scriptural basis for all these events and rebukes them for slowness of heart in believing that Jesus had risen.

Since it was getting dark, the invited him to stay the night in their home.  It was when this stranger “was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” that they recognized him to be Jesus.  Then they understood why their hearts were burning within them as he journeyed with them, explaining the Scriptures concerning himself.

The surprising events of that first Easter day cannot be reduced to a creed.  We are not asked to believe the doctrine of the resurrection.  We are asked to meet this person who was raised alive from the dead and wants to prove his aliveness to us.

The two people walking along the road toward home, recite the past events.  They said, “We had hoped.”  But Jesus himself is there in the present tense, but they do not recognize him. 

But what can we do to better see and experience a relationship with this person?  Let me highlight four events from this story that can be helpful in opening our eyes and see Jesus.

First, give attention to reading and understanding the Scriptures.  Jesus spoke from the Scriptures to encourage these two discouraged travelers.  He traced through all the Old Testament prophetic scriptures regarding the coming and work of the Messiah. 

Second, be willing to converse with and learn from strangers.  Jesus initiated and invited fellowship as he joined himself with to these two travelers.  Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had promised that where two or three are gathered in his name, there he is in their midst.  He is most alive and powerfully present among believers who read the scriptures and pray together, sing and cry together, confess and receive forgiveness together.  The sitting around a table, sharing food and breaking bread together creates opportunity for Jesus to bestow his blessing of healing forgiveness and love, of renewed hope, peace, and joy.

Thirdly, we need to increase our sense of expectancy, even to expecting the unexpected.  Psychologists tell us that we often do not believe what we see, rather we see what we believe.  In other words, we see what we expect to see.  Who and what do you expect to see as you travel an Emmaus road of disappointment, despair, and sorrow?

Finally, the two travelers made time for Jesus.  The implication in verses 28-29 is that if they had not made time for him, he would have walked on.  Jesus did not intrude into their plans, and neither will he intrude into our plans.  We must make time for Jesus, like they did in urging him strongly to stay with them.

The resurrected Jesus said “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my  voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20).

The only source of almighty power and amazing love is with you and me, and so much wanting us to invite him into our life and companionship as we travel our own Emmaus road experience of doubt and despair.  His powerful presence will turn our downcast faces into burning hearts! 

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 7, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Message of The Cross

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The Jews of Paul’s day were saying to God, “Give us miracles.”  And so, they asked Jesus for a sign that would prove he was God’s Messiah.  They wanted to see some marvelous, miraculous act that would confirm and convince them that Jesus was indeed God’s promised messiah. 

Instead, God gave them a man crucified on a cross.  And they did not like it.  The bloody cross was anathema to them because their scriptures said, “anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23). They also believed that the Messiah would be a strong leader who would come with great conquering power and majesty.  Therefore, a crucified messiah was a contradiction in their thinking and thus unbelievable.

The Greeks of Paul’s day were saying to God, “Give us wisdom, the intellectual key to understanding the world’s mysteries, the Gnostic wisdom of religious humanism without the Divine.”  Instead, God gave them a man crucified on a cross.  And they did not like it.  They could never dare to humble their proud intellects to believe that in Jesus Christ, God became human man.

To believe that God was in Jesus Christ reconciling the world to himself was incomprehensible and ridiculous in the human and proud reasoning of both Jews and Greeks.  Neither group was willing to lay aside their egotistical skepticism to simply believe and trust God to be and do what he proclaimed to be and do.

On the other hand, the cross was for Paul the foundational core of salvation history.  At the heart of the Christian gospel is the story of Christ’s death, and the good news that by that unspeakable ugly event of crucifixion suffering and death, salvation and eternal life were made possible for all mankind.

What God accomplished in Jesus Christ being crucified is in direct contradiction of the human ideas of wisdom and power, yet it did what human wisdom and power could never achieve.  The message of the cross of Jesus Christ conveys the truth that God is LOVE, and that mankind is SINFUL.  It further conveys that belief in Jesus, the crucified and resurrected Lord, fully and completely delivers all who believe from their bondage to sin and Satan’s evils.

There are three ways that I think the message of the cross reveals the ultimate power of God. 

1.  The way of the cross is the way of redemption – “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

2.  The way of the cross is the way of reconciliation with God. “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10).

3.  The way of the cross is the way of restoration – “When you were dead in your sins …, God made you alive with Christ.  He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us;  he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”  (Colossians 2:13-15).

The summary message of the cross as declared by the early church was simple and forthright.  “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him (Jesus) to reconcile to himself all things, whether thing on  earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”  (Colossians 1:19-20).

At the center of the centuries, B.C.-A.D., God placed a crucifixion cross.  And, as the songwriter, Jessie B. Pounds, says so clearly, “I must needs go home by the way of the cross; There’s no other way but this.  I shall ne’er get sight of the Gates of Light if the way of the cross I miss.” 

Truly, the way of the cross is the only way home to the Father’s house.  Carroll S. Ringgold tells of a white cross that stood on the outskirts of a city.  A little lad was lost in the city.  A policeman inquired, “Where do you live?  Just tell me where you live.”  But the boy did not know his address.  Finally, upon further questioning, the small fellow said, “Take me to the cross on the hillside, and I can find my way home from there.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 31, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Spring-Time Renewal

The annual season of SPRING has arrived.  For me, even the word “Spring” has a kind of energetic and vibrant ring to it.  It is a word pregnant with anticipation and action.  It identifies a season of the year that I most enjoy, because it is the season when both the earth and its creatures give birth to new life.  There is a fragrant freshness in the air as trees blossom, flowers bloom and the grasses burst green with beauty.

In the Old Testament book, Song of Songs 2:11-13, Spring is called “the season of singing” and certainly it is that.  “See!  The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.  The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.” 

The Message paraphrase reads, “The whole world’s a choir – and singing!  Spring warblers are filling the forest with sweet arpeggios.  Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed, and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.” 

What a delight it is each year to welcome the newness and freshness of springtime, with its annual reminder that resurrection and renewal amazingly happens.  It is a most wonderful and beautifully refreshing time.  It awakens our hearts to sing and pray with Ralph Waldo Emerson.

            For flowers that bloom about our feet;
            For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
            For song of bird, and hum of bee;
            For all things fair we hear or see,
            Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

            For blue of stream and blue of sky;
            For pleasant shade of branches high;
            For fragrant air and cooling breeze;
            For beauty of the blooming trees,
            Father in heaven, we thank Thee!

It is also the time when many people do “spring house-cleaning” which is a process of thoroughly cleaning house and property.   This is a vigorous activity of washing away the grime and dirt, gathering up trash, and getting rid of clutter that has accumulated over the past months. 

I think it is significant and helpful that the Church season of Lent leads us into this season of Spring.  This should remind us that the physical effort of “spring house-cleaning” activity should begin with a similarly needed cleaning of our spiritual house.

For Christians, the Lenten season is seen as a time of repentance and forgiveness as we allow God’s Spirit to do a thorough cleaning of our spiritual house.  This cleaning work is best done as we focus our thoughts on Christ’s suffering and death for us during these weeks leading up to his resurrection on Easter Sunday. 

As we think about God’s amazing love for us, the light of Jesus reveals the accumulated grimy dirt of pride, envy, and selfishness that clutters and corrupts our relationship with God and with others.  Acknowledging what is revealed, we repent and invite God’s Holy Spirit to enable us in a thorough cleaning of our spiritual house.

The smelly garbage of resentment, anger, and bitterness needs to be buried.  The ugly trash of prejudice, gossip, and a critical spirit needs to be discarded.  Broken and injured relationships need forgiveness, repair, and healing.  The clutter of unnecessary worry, doubt, and fear needs to be sorted out and given away to Jesus. 

These are but a few of the things God will take care of when we come to him in repentance.  God has promised that if we repent of these things, he will both forgive and “thoroughly” cleanse our lives.  “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).      

Springtime and the Lenten season both speak to us of cleaning up our lives through repentance and forgiveness so that we can experience the invigorating freshness, beauty, and music of new life and relationships.  Let us do so now in preparation for the best Easter Sunday yet!     

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 24, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Hope and Healing

Whether it be in response to our own physical or mental health or that of our spouse or children, none of us wants to ever hear the words, “There is nothing more we can do.  There is little hope for recovery.”  To feel a sense of hopelessness is most likely the most difficult sense we  can experience.  I believe we can survive most any difficult experience if we can sense that purpose and hope is somewhere near and within our grasp.  It has often been correctly said that “Hope enables us to cope.”

In his book, When Love Gets Tough, Doug Manning talks about a lady who shared her experience of aging with these words, “The toughest part of aging is living without goals.  All my life I was looking forward to something.  First, it was getting out of college, then marriage, then a new home, then a family, then the marriage of my children, then the empty nest and time to travel with Bob.  But now Bob is gone, I am retired, and all I can do is look back.  There is nothing to look toward except the day I am to die.  I have lost my purpose.  The rest of it I can handle.  So, what if the body creaks a little.  The loss of purpose leaves me with no reason to live and no way to die.”  

In contrast to the above woman, Miss Mary McCorkle, a 104-year-old lady said the following when asked to summarize her life.  “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”  I can’t see, I can’t hear, I can’t walk, and my hair is falling out, but every day I live the world is more beautiful.  I can still read my large-print Bible, watch the changing seasons from my window, and do some baking and canning from my wheelchair.”

It is evident that Mary’s life was brimming over with everyday purpose and hope which kept her in touch with life and caused her to enjoy every day of it.

Hope and a sense of purpose are so essential ingredients to the quality and enjoyment of life.  Victor Hugo is quoted as saying, “The word which God has written in the brow of every person is HOPE.”   And an Irish proverb states, “HOPE is the physician of every misery.” 

Hope and purpose is essential for living at any time, but especially so in the hard times of adversity and difficulty.  Hope and purpose are heavenly gifts given us to enable our looking forward with confidence, knowing that even if the future holds suffering and death, it will be okay because Jesus Christ has gone before, prepared the way, and promised to never leave nor forsake us.  

For the Christian believer, hope is neither a message of escape nor a hollow promise of avoiding all problems and sufferings.  Our “living” hope and purpose is firmly anchored in the biblical good news that for every today, tomorrow, and for eternity, there is a future for each of us because a sovereign, almighty, all-loving God is in it.  “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.”  (1 Peter 1:3).   

A multitude of health research studies confirm that having a future orientation is critical for any person to maintain physical and mental health throughout their later life.  It is a well-documented fact that hopelessness quickly and completely drains the energies of life and purpose from any human being, regardless of race, creed, gender, or wealth.

Perhaps the most destructive thing our selfish, me-focused, American culture has done to its aging population, is to deprive them of any hope and purpose by ignoring them or treating them as if their future is empty and meaningless.  Unfortunately, our present culture is also doing the same with those persons in our communities who are the underprivileged, dependent, or different from us.

Yes, every Christian church has persons in their midst and neighborhood, who are suffering various losses with much pain and grief, and with diminished hope become discouraged and depressed.  For that reason, Jesus Christ commissions us to extend love, compassion, and support, from the whole church community to these persons, enabling them to discover and hold onto a hope and purpose that both anchors their soul and energizes their life, even to moment of death.

May our prayer and life mission be to enrich the life of every friend and neighbor in ways that enables them to say of their life, “I enjoyed every minute of it.”  We will  be blessed in doing so! 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Romans 15:13).

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 17, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Should Christians Grieve the Deaths of Loved Ones

Whether by illness or accident, death suddenly robs from you the life of your dearly loved spouse, child, friend, or parent.  Your world seems to have come to a standstill.  You feel separated from reality.  Nothing makes any sense.  Everything seems out of control, even your feelings.  What is happening?

You have been plunged into bereavement grief.  A most precious relationship has been cut off from you.  And so, begins a painful journey through bereavement grief.  A journey through three difficult wildernesses or seasons of Shock, Suffering, and Recovery.

But does not the apostle Paul say in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 that we Christians “do not grieve like the rest of mankind”?  Unfortunately, this incorrect partial reading of the text has caused many Christians to suffer an inadequate grief experience that in turn leads to unhealed emotional, physical, and spiritual disturbances.  Read and listen to the whole of Paul’s statement.  “Brothers and sister, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

Yes, the Christian believer does and must grieve the death of loved ones, but their bereavement grief is comforted, protected, and healed by the hope of life beyond death, assured to us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. 

This hope is the resource of our Christian faith that steadies and reassure us through the raging rapids of painful, tumultuous emotions; that pours healing balm of Gilead into our wounded soul; that provides enabling energy for the day.  This hope is not available to the non-Christian.  That is the sharp contrast that Paul wants his readers to know and experience.

The death of a loved one, whether sudden or after extended illness, is a soul-shattering experience for both Christians and non-Christians.  Bereavement grief is a deep and serious wound to one’s body, mind, and spirit, that needs lot of careful attention and assistance if recovery and healing is to be accomplished.  Bereavement grief that is denied, buried, or rushed through, becomes infected and causes various debilitating physical and emotional illnesses.  It also undermines our relationship with God.    

Lazarus is a dear friend of Jesus, and when he died, Jesus travels to the home of Lazarus’ sisters and shares deeply in their grief.  He wept tears of empathy with them, but Jesus’ weeping was different than the wailing of their friends and neighbors.

The Scriptures read that Jesus “was deeply moved in spirit and troubled” by the ability of death to defeat life and cause such deep sorrow to his friends.  So, he determined to conquer and destroy the hopelessness of death.  His calling Lazarus back to life on this earth was a public display of his mission.

We believe the resurrection of Jesus from the dark, lifeless tomb, to be  the bedrock of our Christian faith.  We believe Jesus’ resurrection offers us supreme evidence that his mission to conquer death was accomplished, giving us hope of life beyond the grave.  As Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  (John 15:25-26).

The resurrection of Jesus gives us an endless resource of comfort, strength, hope, and assurance, BUT it does not prevent the pain of death’s separation, nor does it shield us from the disabling grief of loss,  BECAUSE it is only after “the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, that “then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  (1 Corinthians 15:54). 

Only when God’s eternal life is transfused into our resurrected bodies, do we become invulnerable to death’s separations, sorrows, and pains.  It is only after, in the new world of God’s Kingdom is the grief of death forever abolished.  “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of thins has passed away.”  Rev. 21:4).

Meanwhile, it is important for every Christian to know that after the death of a loved one, they must journey through grief, acknowledging and expressing their painful feelings appropriately and adequately to fully realize the blessings of spiritual and emotional growth that God offers all who mourn.  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  (Matthew 5:4).

Jesus knows the way through the dark, threatening valley of darkness and fears because he has been there before.  Jesus invites every bereaved person to take his hand and let him lead you through the journey of death’s grief and bring you to a new plateau of spiritual and emotional growth and ministry.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4).  AMEN!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 10, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley