Healing Rays of Righteousness

The Story

Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. … Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”  Then Jesus asked them (Pharisees), “Which is lawful on the sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?”  But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.”  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. (Mark 3:1-5).

The Teaching

This man, with his shriveled hand, was just there, in the synagogue, the place of worship. He was not there begging for money or shouting for healing. He was just there to learn of God and worship him.

I believe Mark would have us understand that when Jesus entered the synagogue and saw this man with a shriveled hand, he saw an opportunity to not only heal the man’s shriveled hand, but also to teach an important truth about appropriately caring for others, wherever they may be, whatever their need may be, and on whatever day it may be.

If we carefully observe and listen to how and what Jesus’ does and says, we will be reminded of the Kingdom work God calls us to do. To begin, Jesus told the man to “stand up in front of everyone.”  It is “show and tell” time to answer the crucial questions regarding Sabbath activity. When is it appropriate to respond to human need? When is it the right time “to do good, … to save life?”  When is it “lawful” to serve others?

Then Jesus angrily looked around at the Pharisees stubborn silence and responded with a dramatic teaching moment. Deeply distressed, Jesus acted out the Kingdom lesson he wanted to teach. He had the man standing up in front so that everyone could see him and his shriveled hand dangling beside him. Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” 

And when the man obeyed Jesus’ instruction, the miracle happened. His hand, previously shriveled and useless, is now “completely restored.”

The Lesson

The lesson we hear is this; God’s amazing grace in sacrificially and abundantly loving us, demands that we respond in healing ways to human need whenever and wherever the need presents itself. And the Kingdom truth that shouts from within the lesson is that religion without love is a most ugly thing in the world.

Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus taught and modeled a lifestyle of providing for the needs of others as a basic principle of daily Christian living, and of doing Kingdom business.

 A second level of teaching may not be as apparent, but it is also heard in the story. The shriveled, withered hand was “completely restored” when the man obeyed Jesus’ command to “Stretch out your hand.”

There is substantial non-biblical evidence from studies of human nature, that persons who keep their hands close to themselves, selfishly clutching their accumulated treasures and refusing to share their divinely endowed abilities and skills, soon experience a withering of their spirit and a shriveling of their lives in every way. They soon become fearful, unhappy, and handicapped spiritually, socially, physically. Like a shriveled hand, they are of little use or benefit in society.

These same studies would confirm the biblical stories of complete healing and restoration whenever and wherever Jesus’ commands are obeyed; “love one another as I have loved you, love your neighbor as yourself, be a servant in serving the needs of others, do good deeds to all, even your enemies.”

The miraculous cure for a shriveled life remains the same today as in Jesus’ day, “Stretch out your hand” in sharing and helping others toward wholeness. For when we do, we discover and experience healing for ourselves.

I pray that our love for God, because of what he has done for us, will grow and transform all of us from selfish grabbing to generous giving, and our daily work from greedy labor to being a joyous Kingdom privilege of caring for and serving others in Jesus’ name.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 7, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

“Sit, look, listen.”  These are the first lessons taught in dog obedience training. Before any training for doing competitive activity or tricks can happen, the dog must first learn to sit, look, and listen on command.

When we took our young puppy for obedience training, the first activity was to train her to “sit” at attention, which meant training her to “look into my eyes.”  At first this was a useless effort, but slowly the “sit” and “look” commands were obeyed. Only after this training expectation was accomplished did the training toward “doing” dog things become possible.

And neither does living the Christian life begin with our “doing” witness or mission. It begins with learning to “sit” at Jesus’ feet, looking into his eyes, and listening to his teachings. We must learn that becoming a fruitful disciple of Jesus begins with sitting and listening to what God has “Done” for us in Jesus, before we are adequately trained to “Do” his Kingdom work.

The apostle Paul knows this and begins his letter to the Ephesian Christians with a statement that God “has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (1:3). He then invites his readers to first sit down and enjoy what God has done for them, and not to rush out trying to attain it for themselves in their own strength.

Earlier Jesus had told his disciples, “Apart from (without) me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5). The whole of the New Testament would teach us that Christian living is, from start to finish, based upon this principle of utter dependence on the Lord Jesus. It may sound paradoxical, but is true, that we advance, “bear much fruit” only if we remain in full attention to Jesus’ love and teachings.

Like Mary, we must first be learners and worshippers, by sitting at Jesus’ feet, receiving from him Godly wisdom and understanding, before we busy ourselves with serving him, “doing” his mission in the world. Mary’s sister, Martha, was prioritizing “doing” a good thing for Jesus whereas Mary’s priority was “sitting” with Jesus. And Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better priority. (John 10:42).

The Quaker fellowships remind us of this important need for silence, meditation, worship; of being in God’s presence, of being taught by his Spirit, prior to doing God’s work of being his agent of change in our world.

What does it mean to “sit”? Webster’s dictionary gives two definitions that are applicable to what Paul writes to the Ephesian church.

   1. “To occupy a place as a member of an official body.”  Indeed, we “sit” at Jesus’ feet as a   member of God’s family, for he chose us in Jesus (1:4); in love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ (1:5); and in Jesus we have redemption, forgiveness of sins, with all wisdom and understanding lavished on us (1:7-8); and we are named as fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (2:12-13, 19).

   2. “To be in session for official business.”  Yes, indeed, we “sit” at Jesus’ feet as management    associates, princes of the King’s court, because he chose us (1:4); and we know the King’s blueprint, and his secret plan (1:9 and 1 Corinthians 2:7,16); and we are marked with the seal of Holy Spirit, identifying our belonging to the King’s court  (1:13); doing the King’s business as guaranteed inheritors of his eternal Kingdom. (1:14).

God, in Jesus, gives to us position and privilege, inviting us to sit at his feet, to look into his face, to listen to his heart and mind, to consider and receive his wisdom, direction, and power, which is needed enablement for doing Kingdom work in our community and nation.

Our praying “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” will be answered only to the measure that we first give the time and attention to “sitting, looking, listening” to Jesus’ teachings. An unknown author has written the following hymn which continues to remind me to do so.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,  Wondrous words I hear Him say!

Happy place! So near, so precious!  May it find me there each day.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,  I reflect upon the past;

For His love so gracious,  It has won my heart at last.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,  Is there anywhere more blest?

There I lay my sins and sorrows,  And when weary, find His rest.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,  There I worship and I pray.

While I from His fullness gather   Grace and comfort for today.

Bless me, O my Father, bless me,  All my inner life renew;

Now look down in love upon me,  Let me catch a glimpse of You.

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,  Make me holy through His Word.

May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,  Been with Him, my risen Lord.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 31, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

“Take a deep breath and count to ten.” This was the advice that I gave to my children whenever they became upset or angry because of what was said or done to them.  Unfortunately, I did not always follow my own advice and instead said or done things I later regretted. 

I am reminded of this good advice whenever I hear the words of Jesus recorded in John 20:21-23, “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’”

His words, “Peace be with you” announced to His disciples the offering of his gift of forgiveness and peace, which was the fruit of his sacrificial death and resurrection.  This gift of peace would remove the fear that was holding them hostage.  Remember, it was fear that chased the disciples to hide behind locked doors. And while they are trembling with anxieties and fears, the resurrected Jesus enters the room.

This surprise visit by Jesus was more than just a friendly, neighborly visit to confirm His aliveness.  It was a life-changing mission-sending visit, empowering His disciples to carry on His mission of forgiveness and peacemaking in the world.  In these few verses, I am hearing Jesus say to his disciples and to us, “I am sending you to be peacemakers, so take a deep breath of my Holy breath and receive my forgiving peace, which will enable you to embody the Father’s love and forgiveness for the world.”

Jesus concluded his mission-sending commission by reminding the disciples that if God’s forgiveness is not displayed in their lives than it will not be displayed at all.  Jesus’ Spirit-breath of peace was to enable his disciples to embody and demonstrate the Father’s love and forgiveness (salvation) for the world. 

And as he had told them earlier, their peace-mission will be known by their love for one another, “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35).  So, “take a deep breath and count to ten” before you speak or react.

It is important for us to understand that this gift of “peace” is wrapped within a living, daily relationship with God.  It is in this relationship with Christ and his Holy Spirit, that we receive empowerment for both living at peace within ourselves and toward peacemaking with others.  For just as Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto his disciples to empower them to carry forward his mission of forgiveness, healing, and peace in the world, so also, in the same manner, he empowers and commissions us.

The secret of daily living in this peace and confidence is often as simple as just “taking a deep breath” of God’s holy breath.  For as we deeply breathe in God’s breath, we become co-creators with God.  And as

co-creators, we are empowered to breathe new life and hope into difficult and threatening situations and relationships by breathing peacemaking responses and solutions into the crisis or difficulty.  So, “take a deep breath and count to ten.” 

As we breathe God’s Spirit-breath, creativity is awakened, and his profound wisdom and love are empowered in us to do his will on earth as it is in heaven. 

What may be your first thoughts as you awaken each morning?  I suggest we first take a few moments to sense the presence of God and of Jesus breathing on us and saying, “Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.  Receive the Holy Spirit and be empowered to breathe the new life of forgiveness, peace, and hope into each relationship throughout the day.” 

Edwin Hatch has written a prayer-hymn that is so appropriate for the beginning of every day.  It is titled “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” and was published in 1878.

Breathe on me, breath of God.  Fill me with life a-new,

that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God, un-til my heart is pure,

un-til with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am whol-ly thine,

Till all this earth-ly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I nev-er die,

But live with thee the per-fect life of thine e-ter-ni-ty.

<><>  AMEN  <><>

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 24, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

From my childhood years, I remember this motto, beautifully painted, hanging on the wall in our house. And during the many years since I have learned just how true, important, and marvelous this gift is in my life.  

Yes, I said “gift.” I have learned that prayer is one of God’s majestic gifts to us humans, a gift of gracious privilege, and a gift of tremendous value in daily enabling us through life’s uncertain and often difficult journey.

To be privileged to come into the presence of God Almighty and to speak with Him about whatever is on our hearts and minds is a gift of grace. To be privileged to come into the presence of Almighty God as his children, and to speak with him as “Our Father” is a privilege of unimaginable worth.

And yet, we tend to frequently take “prayer” for granted and fail to appreciate its value to us. We glibly “say a prayer” at mealtimes and begin meetings or special events with a prayer; most often being more motivated by tradition than by a sincere, genuine desire for God’s presence and power in our midst.

The value of prayer really was magnified to me one night while serving as hospice chaplain at Paoli Memorial Hospital. A woman’s husband was in the final hours of dying, and both had previously requested that I not pray in their presence because they were agnostic with no church affiliation. And yet she requested the nurse to phone me at 3:00 in the early morning, asking that I come to the hospital to be with her. Why?

I never felt so helpless and useless. I knew that audible prayer was not valued by her and thus not appropriate. They had no children and very few friends. I remember agonizing, how sad, how lonely it must feel to not value prayer in such times of loss. I wanted to assure her that God was present and loving her. I wanted to audibly pray with and for her, but I was not permitted to do so. All I could offer her was my human presence. And with little conversation I waited with her until her husband died several hours later, for which she thanked me. 

In Mark 9:14-29, we read that it was late morning when Jesus, with his three disciples, came down from the high mountain where the three disciples had witnessed Jesus being gloriously transfigured. But now, at the foot of the mountain, there was a crowd of excited people, and amid the crowd stood the other disciples, humiliated by their failure to cast out the evil spirit that possessed an epileptic child.

After Jesus had healed the boy and the crowd left, his disciples asked him, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”  Jesus’ reply touches one of the deepest mysteries of the Christian life. “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:28-29). Thus, Jesus proclaimed that prayer is a force in the universe, a super-natural force, that God’s people are privileged to tap into.

We tend to forget that our God is all-knowing and knows the opportunities and hazards of the future like the back of his hand. He is also all-powerful and able to steer and energize us through the shadowy and uncertain events of life.

Prayer brings God into our life and work, making us more conscious of his presence. And that awareness fills us with God’s enabling power in decision-making, conversation, and doing. It is the privilege of every child of God to have the super-natural power and energy of God in their life and work.

Prayer connects us to the energy of God. Isaiah said, “…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (40:31).

Prayer is relational.  It is inviting God into conversation.  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 that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20). And, most amazingly, you can talk with Him at all hours of the day and in every situation or event in our life.

As a pastor/chaplain, prayer has been and is the strength undergirding my ministry, my one and only remedy for the healing of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Without the gift of prayer, I would have nothing to offer those in distress – the sick and dying person, the bereaved family, and their friends, the fearful, the troubled in spirit, and others.

Yes, prayer changes things and persons. I believe in the healing, enabling power of prayer because I have witnessed and experienced its healing balm so many times and in so many different circumstances.

Yes, God’s foremost desire is to relate to us as his sons and daughters. Jesus affirms this in saying, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 17, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Loving God is the highest pleasure a human being can ever know. Please read that again, slowly.  Loving God is the highest pleasure a human being can ever know.  Now pause a few moments to let the thought saturate your present relationship with God.

I think it was during my seminary training that this truth was planted into my soul and it has never stopped growing and shaping my life.  This is what I hear in Jesus’ response to the Pharisee expert in the law who asked Jesus which is the greatest commandment in the Law.  We have memorized Jesus answer – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” – but have we ever asked why?  Why would Jesus say the loving God was the greatest thing we could ever do?

It was because He created us especially for this relationship, and He knew that there would never be another person, possession, or activity that would ever come close to giving us the fulfillment and satisfaction that surpasses being in the awesome presence of God.

I would like to share three pictures from my memory file of a trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to attend a Mennonite Health Assembly during March 1999. I had shared these three pictures in a devotional I presented in a meeting several days after my return home, and I share them now with you as confirmation of my opening statement.

The first picture is viewed from the fourth-floor meeting room of the Colorado Springs Sheraton Hotel while eating brunch. Looking out through a wall of glass I view the rugged grandeur of the Rocky Mountain range and Pikes Peak piercing the blue sky with its snow-capped brilliance. In worshipful awe, I muse about the God of ancient past, and His creative imagination in shaping the mountains for my present enjoyment and challenge – and with grateful eyes I humbly worshipped the Creator God of yesterday.

The second picture is a wide-angle view as seen from the window of a jet flying several miles above the earth and at a speed of more than five hundred miles per hour. Far below farms, small towns, and cities rapidly slide by in an ever-changing pattern of fields, forests, roads, and rivers. From such heights I can see for miles in every direction.

The changing panoramic views invite me to come and explore their life and beauty. And then a question forms in my mind and searches for an answer – Is this the way God sees the world? Intrigued, I remember that although invisible, each farm, town, and city is alive with human life, — the young and old, the strong and weak, the happy and sad, the healthy and the sick — many, many hundreds of thousands of people invisibly fill the moving landscape below. How can God ever see me and think of me?

Then I remember that God can see and know me because He came down from lofty heights and lived among us humans, experiencing life, pain, and death as we do. And yes, He still comes down to live with us as the indwelling Holy Spirit – and with grateful eyes I joyfully with tears, worshipped the Compassionate God of today.

The third picture is a very close-up view as I sit in a large, cushioned chair on the fifth-floor maternity suite of the Chambersburg Hospital. Carefully cradled in my arms is my newly born granddaughter. Her sweet one and half day-old innocence speaks to me as I gently stroke her face, trying to visualize the future, while a myriad of feelings wash over me. Forming a circle with grandma, mother, and dad, we thankfully pray – and with grateful eyes I confidently worshipped the Sovereign God of tomorrow.

I think it must have been similar experiences by the psalmist David that caused him to write, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”  (Psalm 36:5-9).

During the past twenty-three years, those three pictures have replayed in my life through many experiences, and they continue to encourage and inspire me toward deepening my love for God and to daily enjoy His awesome, loving presence in His beautiful world and in His gracious provisions to me for life, family, and labor. Thank you, Jesus!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 10, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Last week I said that God’s gift of FREEDOM does not give me a personal right to gain and store wealth for my own comfort and pleasure. Let me try to briefly explain why I made such statement.

Have you ever looked around your home and wonder why God has entrusted you with all the stuff you have accumulated in your house, attic, and garage? Have you ever looked at your bank account, investments, and retirement portfolio and wonder why God so blesses you? Could it be that you have not done so because you think you worked for it and deserve it. Deserve it? I think not!

Henri Nouwen said, “Wealth takes away the sharp edges of our moral sensitivities and allows a comfortable confusion about sin and virtue.”

The biblical answer is grounded in what God said to Abram in Genesis 12:2-3, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. … and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  This tells me that all of us, like Abram, are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.

In fact, Peter tells us that we have been called to use the gifts God has given us to serve others. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  (1 Peter 4:10). I read “wealth” being included in Peter’s “whatever gift.” 

Listen to Jesus’ unexpected, extreme response to the rich, young ruler, who asked Jesus what he must do to inherent eternal life. “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  Luke says the young ruler “became very sad, because he was very wealthy. (Luke 18:22-23).

Why was Jesus so extreme in his response? Because Jesus knew this man’s wealth made him comfortable in life and gave him power and prestige. By telling him to sell everything he owned, Jesus was touching the very basis of his security and identity. And let us not forget that accumulated wealth represents and displays a person’s pride of accomplishments and self-efforts.

This man’s love for wealth was a barrier that would keep him out of the Kingdom of God. Why? Because it would make him unable to obey God’s first and greatest commandment, “Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37).

And so, Jesus is saying that the rich, young ruler, must get rid of anything and everything that has become more important than God in his life. Is this not the first assignment that Jesus gives to all of us who desire to follow Him and gain eternal life?  

Those that find it difficult to generously love and share with their neighbors are those who are not completely sold out to obeying God’s first commandment. This must happen before we can obey the second commandment of loving my neighbor as myself.

There are many differing responses to what it means to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  I propose a very simple, easily understood meaning to be “to love my neighbor means caring for and providing for my neighbor in the same manner and to the same degree that I care for myself.”  Did I hear you gulp?

I recently read that few people are more attractive and appreciated than those who find happiness in generosity. It is unfortunate that so many people find the two words “enjoyment” and “giving” to be mutually exclusive. Because our society is so preoccupied with “getting,” we often fail to personally experience the truth of Christ’s saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35); or to believe that “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  (2 Corinthians 9:8).

In the previous two verses, Paul writes, “Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Matthew records Jesus teaching His followers “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:19-21).

The story is told of a missionary who was witnessing to the chief of a very primitive Indian tribe. In response the chief tried to impress the missionary with gifts of horses, blankets, and jewelry. But the missionary said, “My God does not want the chief’s horses, blankets, or jewelry. My God wants the chief himself.”  Then the chief smiled and said, “You have a very wise God, for when I give him myself, he also gets horses and blankets and jewelry.”                                                                                                      

Undoubtedly, the chief had a much better understanding of “total commitment” than many who claim to be Christian today. So, the issue is not simply how much we have or do not have; the issue is what we do with what we have. Are we free to share our wealth confidently and generously with those in need?

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – August 3, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Many who call themselves Christian do not understand that God’s gift of FREEDOM overrides and should frame our understanding of the national freedoms of speech, religion, and wealth.  Contrary to popular thought, God’s FREEDOM does not give me the right to disrespect, demean, ridicule, blaspheme, or falsely accuse others as I may wish to do.  Neither does God’s FREEDOM give me the right to coerce  others by legalization, to believe and live according to the religious tradition I have chosen.  And neither does God’s FREEDOM give me the right to gain and store wealth for my own comfort and pleasure. 

In fact, God’s FREEDOM frees me from all of the above selfish and prejudiced concerns in order to fully love God and share with others all that I am or hope to be.

We need to rediscover that any worthy definition of freedom must be grounded in the biblical understanding that the core motivation and life-purpose of every follower of Jesus is rooted in the same sacrificial “agape” love which is seen in Jesus and evidenced in a lifestyle of  “serving” others. 

Thus, for the Christian, God’s gift of FREEDOM is not a lawless, irresponsible anarchy, but a holy commonwealth nourished by a self-disciplined, trustworthy, responsible lifestyle of living in unselfish, unwavering love for God and others. 

When asked which is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (Matthew 22:37-40).

Jesus proclaimed FREEDOM to be the purpose and focus for His ministry when he said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19).

In his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul declared FREEDOM to be God’s gracious gift to us through Jesus’ suffering and death, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” And then he adds, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command; ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  (Galatians 5:1, 13-14).

The apostle Peter similarly writes, “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.  Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”  (1 Peter 2:16-17).

When we accept God’s gift of FREEDOM, purchased for us through Jesus’ suffering and death, we are rescued (redeemed) and set free from the guilt and penalty of sin.  And then by God’s overcoming death through Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb, we are set free from the fear of death.  And finally, by God’s bringing Jesus’ love and power to us through His indwelling Holy Spirit, we are set free from self-contempt, insecurity, hopelessness, purposeless living, addictions, racism, and all selfish and unloving attitudes and actions toward others.

We all know that this FREEDOM gift from God has been and continues to be constantly under attack by satanic-inspired enemies seeking to deceive the declared disciples of Jesus into believing a false, but more tolerable understanding of personal freedoms as my rights to speak and do as I please.

Another writer has named these enemies of FREEDOM as complacency, conformity, control, and coercion, which are currently extremely active in the political and religious arenas of today.

Complacency is evident in the undisciplined and unmotivated person.  God’s FREEDOM is always the result of a disciplined relationship of love and obedience to God.  It is never free nor automatic.  It must be desired and pursued as our first priority.

Conformity is evident in the desire to squeeze everyone into the same mold of thinking and acting as we are by intimidation and accusation.  God’s grants His FREEDOM to all others, even if they are not like us, do not think like us, nor agree with us, and even do not do things the way we do.  And yet, this desire for conformity continues to be a divisive struggle in many evangelical, conservative churches.  

Control is evident in the attempt by any religious group to control the government and determine its policies regarding religious beliefs and behaviors.  This is an insidious enemy of God’s FREEDOM.  Our histories would confirm that the most grievous threat to God’s FREEDOM is not a government void of religion, but a government controlled by religion.  An earlier Baptist church leader, John Leland said, “Experience, the best teacher, has taught us that fondness of magistrates to foster Christianity has done it more harm than all the persecutions ever did.”  And yet, this is the advertised goal of many who call themselves evangelical Christians, in their use of Old Testament stories to authenticate their efforts.

Coercion is evident in the demands that the religious faith of others be just like ours, and expressed with the same terminology and practiced in the same manner as we do.  The Pharisees of Jesus’ day were coercing people into conformity with their rules and regulations regarding relationship with God.  

Jesus opposed this kind of Pharisaical pursuit of Godly living, knowing that coercion of any kind is an enemy of the FREEDOM that He was offering to all people.  Jesus’ always offered God’s gift of FREEDOM as a choice.  Jesus lived and practiced the FREEDOM He taught, always inviting others to choose to believe, trust, and follow Him, saying “Come to me.”  

God’s gift of FREEDOM to Love is offered to all as a choice that bubbles up from a redeemed, transformed heart toward loving God and all others.  So let this FREEDOM to LOVE ring and reign today and tomorrow, in the lives of all who claim to be Christian in our churches, nation, and world.  Amen.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 27, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Sabbath Day hospitality was a significant part of Jewish life.  Banquets and other mealtimes provided a casual atmosphere for philosophers and teachers to impart their wisdom.  There was nothing unusual about Jesus being invited to a home for a meal after the weekly Synagogue service.  Most of the time the host was sincere, wanting to learn more of God’s truth.

However, there were several occasions when Jesus was invited to dinner only so his critics could watch him and find something to criticize.  That was the case in Luke 14.  Jesus is invited to eat in the house of a leading Pharisee only so the guests could watch him closely and catch him violating some Sabbath rule.

But Jesus turned the occasion into a teachable moment.  When they were called to the dinner table, Jesus saw their mad scramble for the places of honor, closest to the head table.  Once the guests were seated and quieted by the serving of the food, Jesus began to speak about their lack of humility, and concludes with these words in verse 11, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 

The story is told of a newly promoted, pompous air force officer sitting in his new office.  While thoroughly enjoying his good fortune, a worker with a toolbox in hand, walks into his office.  Wanting to impress the visitor, the officer picked up the phone, and said, “Yes, General, I will call President Bush this afternoon.  No, I will not forget.  I understand that the president wants to talk to me.”  Then hanging up, the officer asked the young worker, “And what may I do for you?”  “Oh,” replied the workman, “I just came to connect your phone.”

We may chuckle, but even today many of us still have the problem of wanting to be the “top dog” – the first in line, the most honored.  Somewhere I read that, “Man is the only animal you can pat on the back, and his head swells.”  Think about that as you check your humility meter.

During this and other occasions, Jesus teaches that humility is more important than being honored.  Jesus upset the popular notion of how to be successful in the eyes of the community.  What Jesus said was contrary to the Pharisees’ way of thinking, and their puffed-up egos.  They considered themselves good, religious people and thought the community should esteem them as such.

Even the disciples struggled with this new “upside-down” Kingdom thinking.  Remember the story of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, asking Jesus for the honor of being seated on his right and left in his glory.  On another occasion the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them.

Donald W. McCullough writes in his book, Finding Happiness in The Most Unlikely Places, “Often our self-centered aggressiveness comes from not liking ourselves very much.  Insecurities push us to prove to others and, most of all, to ourselves that we have value; if only we could get to the top of the ladder of success, we might think, surely, we would feel more worthwhile.”

We like and crave honor, but humility, well, that does not excite us.  Why?  Probably because we tend to think of being humble as akin to being weak and of little worth.  Some would call it being like a doormat.

However, humility is not about putting yourself down as a worthless nobody.  Being humble is not a denial of value or ability, a minimizing of who God created us to be.  In fact, as recorded in Psalm 139, God looks on us as being very precious. 

To be humble is to acknowledge our finitude, our inability to save ourselves, our complete dependence on God’s grace.  So, when we say “yes” to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we can say “no” to the old games of fighting for prestige and security.  What Jesus did on Calvary’s cross validates our worth.  

Humility is an honest evaluation of ourselves, an acceptance of who we really are in Christ Jesus.  It is knowing that even while we were yet sinners, God has forgiven us our past, put a robe on our shoulders, a ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet, and has exalted us by inviting us to the wedding feast.

The humble person habitually feels that he/she owes all their gifts and accomplishments to God, and that they have been the recipient of underserved redeeming love.  To be humble means that we are in earnest about God’s glory rather than our own.  Humility is a fruit of seeking to glorify God in our lives.

To the Roman Christians, the apostle Paul writes, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:  Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has distributed to each of you.”  (Romans 12:3).

And because we no longer are trying to be “top dog” in our community, we are freed to ease the pain, want, and hurt in our community by sharing what God has so generously given us, that is, His amazing, awesome love.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 20, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Many times, in past years, I have sung “I have the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart;  I have the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart to stay.”

To find a person who is brimming full of joy is about as rare as sighting a bald eagle these days, thanks to the very disturbing and depressing currents events in our nation and world.  And I sense that much of what is passed off as joy is simply counterfeited happiness.  More than 50 years ago, Joseph Folliet wrote a critique that remains very appropriate for today:

“I listen to you talk, my brothers of today; I lend an ear to your conversations, which are nothing but alternating soliloquies.  You pour forth torrents of black bile in the form of criticism, complaints and accusations, forever deploring your bad luck and blaming some mysterious people called ‘they’ who never tire of playing dirty tricks on you.  As it happens, ‘they’ is everything outside of you – tax collectors, neighbors, the government, perfect strangers.  Nothing and nobody, from the weather to the people closest to you, can escape your censure.  Why this perpetual fault-finding, which is sadistic toward others and masochistic toward yourselves?  Isn’t it possible that you see the dark side of everything because there’s so much darkness in your souls?  Don’t you find the world sad and ugly because you view it with a joyless eye?  The cold and gloom are in you first of all.  Always unsatisfied, always discontented, you make more and more demands.  Now, demands point to a lack.  When the destitute clamor, we can see exactly what they need.  But when the rich and the surfeited multiply their demands, what can they possibly be looking for?  Perhaps the one thing that wealth and prestige can’t give; joy.”  (Invitation to Joy, published by Newman,1968)

I believe that of all the things we may lack the lack of joy is the saddest.  And nothing makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ more appealing than its promise of joy.  All through the New Testament we read and hear a symphony of joy.  When Jesus was born, an angel announced, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Lk. 2:10).  Throughout his teaching ministry, Jesus repeatedly promises joy to those who are his disciples.  When Jesus is telling of his impending death, he reassures the disciples, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (Jn. 16:22). 

The Gospel is both a message of joy and an invitation to begin living a life brimming full and overflowing with joy.  Genuine joy reflects God’s very own Being.  It is who He is, the source of all joy.  God is not some grim and emotionless ruler of the earth and its people.  The Old Testament says, “He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zeph. 3:17). 

The joy God gives is different from pleasure and happiness because it is an abiding, deep-down exuberance which comes from God through His Spirit by faith in his Son, Jesus.  The joy He gives is supernatural in its source and essence, the fruit of His Spirit. 

Maybe you are asking how we can cooperate with this fruit-producing energy in our life?  We should begin by seriously considering the conditions that Jesus lays down before promising joy to his disciples. “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed 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. 15:10-11).

Then we can begin cultivating the fruit-producing habits of spiritual discipline by studying the scriptures, being in prayer with God, and in Christian fellowship.  We may need to adjust our schedules in order to spend more time with God, remembering what David said about God, “…you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Ps. 16:11).

I want to be a joy-filled person, giving witness to others that God is faithful in all his promises.  Yes, there is much to criticize and complain about, but our Heavenly Father is greater than any circumstance and is sovereign over all situations.  “This day is holy to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10b). 

And so, let us give thanks to God and let His joy overflow in all our relationships and conversations.  There is no better way to enhance the quality of life and to light the darkness in our communities, church, nation, and world.  Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 6, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

In her book, Bring Us Together, Marjorie Holmes prays, “Oh, God, we go through life so lonely, needing what other people can give us, yet ashamed to show that need.  And other people go through life so lonely, hungering for what it would be such a joy for us to give.  Dear God, please bring us together, the people who need each other, who can help each other, and would so enjoy each other.”

That is the prayer of the human heart for community and the securities, freedoms, love and joy it provides.  God created every human heart with the need to belong, i.e., to be accepted, included, and cared for in community with other human beings.

When I reflect on my younger years, I fondly remember many enriching experiences of community in my church and neighborhood.  But today in America such experiences of community have diminished, giving fertile soil to the seeds of distrust, disrespect, and disregard for the others around us, which leads to fears and violence.

One of the most contagious problems in Western society is our individualism, which diminishes the value or need for community.  This individualism is characteristic of a human heart that is going away from God and His intent for every human being.  In addition to losing perspective on life and fearing intimacy, individualism builds isolation from others, and isolation breeds selfishness.

The biblical record clearly states that God purposefully created us to be in community with others.  When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, he answered by saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and first commandment.  And the second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

And in obedience to Jesus’ command, His followers will use the biblical language of community rather than the cultural language of individuality.  His followers will use the language of mutuality, caring for one another, providing for one another, and being accountable to one another.  Love for neighbor will identify a Christian more than any “religious” rituals or behaviors.

The first Christian community, following the Pentecost event, caught this vision and became a fellowship of sharing at all levels of life – spiritual, social, and economic (shelter, clothing and food).

Myron Augsburger defines the biblical understanding of love in community with these three statements on page 227 of his book The Robe of God.

“First, love personalizes relationships rather than institutionalizing them.  We are to look at people as ends in themselves and never as a means to some other end.  Second, love energizes relationships rather than legalizing them.  Jesus moves us beyond codes to compassion.  As we care for people, we regard the law only as a means for treating others with justice and mercy.  Third, love immortalizes relationships rather than temporalizing them.  We have been called to always look beyond the need of the immediate, to share the quality and the extension of the eternal.  We are not to make our decisions solely on the basis of the needs of the moment.  With eternity in view, we share to invest in a life.”

These definitions help us to “walk our talk,” in acting out our beliefs regarding community.  The core value of loving God is vividly displayed in our outer clothing of loving others as ourselves, of giving a sincere and generous “I care for you” concern toward those around us.  This is the one and only true identity of “Christian.”

It is also the single most important value of freedom.  “Freedom” may be the most slippery word spoken by us today in our nation.  I say this because for many Americans, and for many who call themselves Christian, the idea of responsibility and concern for the other, be it family, co-worker, or neighbor is sadly divorced from the concept of freedom.  The consequence of this selfish right to freedom is evident all around us every day.

We need to be reminded that the true foundation to Christian freedom is love, and it is evidenced in “serving” others in family, church, neighborhood, and nation.  Paul’s thesis in Galatians 5 is that true freedom is to be found in a lifestyle of self-giving servitude toward others.  That is certainly not the way we usually define freedom in our world.  But it is the way of Jesus who came to serve and obey the will of his Father.

The freedom we have in Christ is not a lawless, irresponsible anarchy, but a trustworthy, self-disciplined, responsible freedom of loving and serving others.  This was and is God’s intention and purpose in breathing his Spirit and physical life into us at our birth.  This was Jesus’ intention and purpose in going to the cross for us.  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”  And this is the Holy Spirit’s intention and purpose in taking up residence and abiding within us.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Yes, becoming a person in Christ is an authentic, liberating freedom of living in community where love, joy, and peace; that is, where caring/sharing, thankfulness/generosity, and respect/security are equally experienced.  Let us give serious thought to this as we celebrate our national freedoms this weekend.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 29, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley