Healing Rays of Righteousness

In Luke 9:51 we read, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.”  In Luke’s version of the story, it takes a long time to get to Jerusalem.  There is much teaching along the way, with repeated reminders that the Son of Man must suffer and die, which the disciples never seemed able to comprehend.

When Jesus and his disciples neared the city, Jesus sat on a donkey’s colt and the gathering crowd escorted Him in making a triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  With much excitement and messianic expectations, the whole crowd spread their garments on the road and joyfully shout, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (19:38).The excited crowd is in a celebrative mood, worshipping and shouting their allegiance to Jesus.

Jesus goes directly to the temple courts and storms through it, overturning the merchants’ tables and accusing them of making the temple a den of thieves.  The chief priests and scribes react with anger, plotting together on how to get rid of this man, Jesus. 

During the next few days, events happened quickly, creating a swirl of confusion for the disciples and Peter vowing, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”(22:33). 

A few hours later the ugly night begins with the disciples falling asleep in Gethsemane while Jesus sweats out his final prayers.  Awakened by Jesus, they see Judas coming into the garden leading a mob, and soon Jesus is being taken to the high priest’s house where he is mocked and beaten throughout the night.

Then in the early hours of morning, there is a trial before Pilate, then to Herod, and finally back to Pilate, who wants to release him but can’t find the courage to do so because of the fickle crowd loudly shouting, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” … and “they kept shouting, Crucify him! Crucify him!”  Finally, the murderer, Barabbas, is released and Jesus is given over to the executioners and condemned to death by crucifixion.

Yes, we all know the story.  We have heard it many times.  But the question that confronts us is this;  Knowing what will happen to Jesus in Jerusalem are we willing to journey with Jesus on a path that leads finally to death on a cross, He for sin and we to sin? 

During Lent we hear Jesus inviting us to go with Him up to Jerusalem, into the city, to hear first, the welcoming crowd joyfully shouting, “Hosanna to the King” … and later the devilish crowd angrily shouting, “Crucify, crucify him.”

He invites us to painfully stumble with him up the torturous path to Golgotha and there to die, He for sin and we to sin. He grievously suffers being nailed to a cross, then hanging above the jeering crowd, we hear His loving prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”  And then He died.

Are we willing to die to our old self in order to experience the resurrection into newness of life?  Or will the noisy, threatening shouts of the crowd cause us to lose heart and our resolution “to go with you (Jesus) to prison and death“ evaporate into fear and denial like Peter.

Today our quick answer may be, “Yes, of course, we want to go with Jesus.”  In fact, we are almost eager to go along.  For we know that His death on the cross will lead to our life.  We know that “dark Friday” is not dark at all, and that we will shortly be able to celebrate the triumph of resurrection.  Of course, we will go with Jesus to Jerusalem and the cross.

However, Jesus tells us to carefully consider the cost of going with Him. The Scriptures make it very clear that the decision will sacrificially cost us.  Our old self must die. 

Paul explains this in his letter to the Romans;  “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.  For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” (6:5-7).

Either we wholeheartedly go with Jesus and let our old, selfish way of life be crucified with him, or we cannot expect to experience the triumphs of Easter morning’s resurrection into new life.  Either we go with Jesus to death on the cross, or we become a part of the fickle, noisy crowd.  Which will it be? 

• The Old Rugged Cross
• 1.  On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, / The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
•                 And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best / For a world of lost sinners was slain.
• (Chorus) – So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, / Till my trophies at last I lay down.
•                                 I will cling to the old rugged cross, / And exchange it someday for a crown.
• 2.  O the old rugged cross, so depised by the world, / Has a wondrous attraction for me;
•                 For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above / To bear it to Calvary.
• 3.  In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, / A wondrous beauty I see;
•                 For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died / To pardon and sanctify me.
• 4.  To the old rugged cross I will ever be true; / Its shame and reproach gladly bear.
•                 Then He’ll call me some-day to my home far away, / Where His glory forever I’ll share.
•                                 (George Bennard, 1913)

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 9, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

It is good to start our Lenten journey with the story of Jesus being tempted  in the wilderness.  This story reawakens us to the fact that Satan frequently wraps his temptations with scripture.  He is very adept in  deceitfully using scripture to attract and lead us away from God’s truth and mission for our life.

And this annual 40-day season of spiritual reflection and soul-searching regarding our relationship with God is an invitation to meditate on the life of Jesus in order to examine and discover where we may have strayed away from relationship with Jesus.  To ignore the purpose of Lent could mean we are yielding to the enticing voice of Satan, luring us into a wilderness of complacency, apathy, and even the death of our spirit? 

Jesus had just experienced a high moment in his life, being baptized by John, having the Spirit of God descend on him, and being affirmed by God’s own voice from out of heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  Then “full of the Holy Spirit” Jesus is led into the wilderness of devilish temptations.  

Here in this barren wilderness area, Jesus was alone with God, pondering and praying about his messianic ministry in this world of humankind.  Jesus is so focused on choosing the direction for his life that he does not eat any food for 40 days.  It is a great understatement when both Matthew and Luke write, “he was hungry.”

The lonely silence of the wilderness is broken when there comes a voice, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus vividly remembers the River Jordan, the sky opening and the voice saying, “This is my Son, whom I love.” 

Now it is a different voice saying, “If you are the Son of God” and with it the temptation.  Why not?  Who will it hurt?  If I am God’s Son, then why shouldn’t I have what I want?

We also struggle with the temptation of making decisions on the basis of what requires the least effort and pain, rather than striving for the eternal gifts God offers.  This is especially so when we realize how hard it is to forgive the guilty, listen to the lonely, and share what we have with the needy poor.  We can so easily slip into the habit of not choosing the hard way of sacrificial loving and giving toward others. 

We may even falsely convince ourselves to believe that an easy life is a sign of God’s approval. But the biblical prophets and teachers, including Jesus, would tell us that we have missed God’s best purposes and gifts to us, if we are living comfortable lives.

Jesus understands this temptation of choosing the easy way and responds, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”  In other words, obedience to God is more important than my own comfort.

Satan tries again from the highest point of the temple, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.  For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, … to guard you carefully.”

The first-century Jews believed that when the Messiah came, he would reveal himself from the temple roof.  The devil is tempting Jesus to be the Messiah the people expect and want.  He can be a great religious teacher and skip the hard parts of suffering and dying.  The temptation is real. 

We also are tempted to look spiritual, to do the right deed for the wrong reason, to be a religious hero, a martyr.  We can look religious without truly seeking a relationship with God and obeying his will.  Satan convinces us that pretending to be living as God’s children is the easier way to meet people’s religious expectations.

And again, from a very high mountain, the tempting voice of Satan comes to Jesus as an offer of palaces and kingdoms.  “All this I will give you, if you bow down and worship me.”  The temptation is offered as a “reasonable desire” for material success and political power, which soon becomes selfish greed. 

This may be our most contemporary and strongest temptation, for Satan has sufficiently wrapped it with scriptures to convince us to yield.  We believe the bumper sticker, “He who has the most toys wins,”  and choose to hang on to our greed, even though it begins to crowd out things that matter more and have eternal implications.

Jesus answers Satan, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”  Then Satan retreats, but only temporarily.  Throughout His journey to Jerusalem, Jesus faced the same temptation of compromising His commitment to God, that we still face today.  Satan is as real and devious today as he was when encountering Jesus in the dusty, barren wilderness. 

During this Lenten season may we be awakened to the Tempter’s voice in our own struggles with evil compromises. Christian living is not about experiencing great mountaintop feelings and passions.  It is about our commitment to trust and obey the Father and being encouraged and sustained by His Holy Spirit.

May we journey through these 40 days giving serious attention to our need for repentance and confessing our tendency to follow the easier paths of compromise.  And may we ask God for Spirit-filled hearts that desire more than anything else, to love and obey Him in all things, at all times.   Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 2, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Next Wednesday is “Ash Wednesday” which begins the annual 40 days of “Lent” during which we journey with Jesus as He walks toward His death and resurrection on “Easter Sunday.” 

This journey with Jesus is a time for us to listen and reflect more carefully to His teachings and to witness His sufferings and death in our behalf.  It is also a time for acknowledging our mistakes, repenting of our waywardness, and renewing our commitments of love and loyalty to God.

The days of “Lent” are marked on our calendars for the purpose of an intentional and sincere self-examination of our relationship with Jesus, who claims to be the Messiah, “God with us.”

Am I living and growing more in love with God?  Have my attitudes and behaviors become more like Jesus?  Have I always done my best toward being a Jesus-person in my world?   

Former President Jimmy Carter tells this story about himself.   As a young man, he graduated from the Naval Academy and served as an officer on a nuclear-powered submarine.  However, before he was able to assume that position, he had to have a personal interview with Admiral Hyman Rickover, the man considered to be the father of the nuclear navy.

Carter was understandable nervous, knowing how much was at stake and that only the best, most disciplined officers were chosen to serve in this prestigious force.  As he stood before Admiral Rickover, it was soon obvious to Carter that the wise admiral knew more about every subject discussed than he did. 

Finally, Admiral Rickover came to the last question on his list –  “Where did you finish in your class, young man?”  Pleased with his accomplishments and thrilled to finally be presented a question he could easily and proudly answer, Carter informed the Admiral that he had finished 59th out of a student body numbering 820.  Then he waited for a commendation from the old sailor – but it never came.

Jimmy Carter recounts the incident this way.  The question that broke the uncomfortable silence between the two men was, “Did you always do your best?” 

Carter says that he thought a moment and then cleared his throat and hesitantly replied, “No sir, I did not.”  At that point, Admiral Rickover turned he chair around, signaling the interview was over, and asked, “Why not?”

That is a good question to ask ourselves during these 40 days of self-examination regarding our spiritual health.  Did I always do my best as a disciple-learner and follower of Jesus?          

A prayer hymn that I love to sing, because it expresses the deep desire of my heart and I hope of your heart as well, is “Lord, I Am Fondly, Earnestly Longing.” It was written by Elisha A. Hoffman and published in 1902.  I suggest you also choose it as your prayer for this journey with Jesus during these 40 days of “Lent.”

“Lord, I am fondly, earnestly longing / into thy holy likeness to grow, / thirsting for more and deeper communion, / yearning thy love more fully to know.”

            (Chorus) –  “Open the wells of grace and salvation, / pour the rich streams deep into my heart. / Cleanse and refine my thought and affection, / seal me and make me pure as thou art.”

“Dead to the world would I be, O Savior, / dead unto sin, alive unto thee. / Crucify all the earthly within me, / emptied of sin and self may I be.”

“I would be thine and serve thee forever, / filled with thy Spirit, lost in thy love. / Come to my heart, Lord,  come with anointing, showers of grace send down from above.

I think most of us deeply desire to do and be better persons.  And God offers that to each of us.  “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  So be earnest and repent. 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 3:19-20).

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – February 23, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

Although the story is old, happening during the 18^th century, it illustrates a biblical truth the Christian church needs to hear during our current evil divisiveness in every gathering and with every issue.  The deadly viruses of stubborn selfishness and demonic lies are fueling this relational turbulence.  

The Truth is this. 

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion.  For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the Lord.”  (Zechariah 2:10-11).  And “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can  be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:20-21).

The Story is this.

A beautiful and famous monastery in central Europe had fallen on tough times.  In earlier days, its many buildings were filled with young priests and monks, and its big church resounded with the singing of the chant, but now the buildings and church were mostly deserted and silent.  Only a handful of monks shuffled through the buildings praying their prayers and praising their God with heavy hearts.

On the edge of the monastery grounds there were beautiful woods in which an old Jewish rabbi had built a little hut.  The rabbi would often come there to fast and pray.  No one ever spoke with him, but whenever he appeared, the word would be passed from monk to monk, “The Rabbi walks in the woods.”

One day the Abbot, who was the head of the monastery, decided to visit the Rabbi and open up his heart to him regarding the bad conditions at the monastery and seek his advice.

The Rabbi welcomed him into his little hut.  In the middle of the room was a wooden table with the Bible laying open upon it.  The two men sat down at the table and said nothing to each other.  They just sat there looking at the Bible.

Finally, the Rabbi lifted his eyes and said, “You have come to ask a teaching of me.  I will give you a teaching, but you can only repeat it once.  After that no one must ever say it aloud again.”  The Rabbi looked straight at the Abbott and said, “The Messiah, the Christ, is among you.” 

For a while there was silence, then the Rabbi said, “Now you must go.”  The Abbott left without saying another word or looking back, but his mind and spirit were filled with questioning wonder as he pondered the Rabbi’s teaching.

The Abbott returned to the monastery, and the next morning he called all his monks together.  He told them he had received a teaching from the rabbi “who walks in the woods.”  But the teaching is to be spoken only once and never again.  He looked at each of his fellow monks and said, “The rabbi told me that the Messiah, the Christ is among you.”

The monks were startled and puzzled by this saying.  “What can this mean?”  they asked themselves.  “Is Brother John the Messiah?  Or, Father Matthew, or Brother Thomas?  Am I the Messiah?  What can this mean?”  The monks continually pondered the rabbi’s teaching that the Messiah, the Christ, was among them as they lived, worshiped, and worked together. 

But as time went by a remarkably interesting thing began to happen among them.  They began to treat one another with an incredibly special reverence.  There was a gentle, caring quality about them now, which was hard to describe but easy to notice and feel.

It was not long until the big church again resounded with the singing of the chant.  People came from everywhere to be nourished by the prayer life of the monks.  Visitors were deeply moved by what they saw and heard.  A significant and visible change came over the monks when they believed the Messiah, the Christ, to be present among them.

My Plea is this.

Yes, the rabbi in the woods was and is correct. The Messiah is among us. He is in each and every one of us.  “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of  truth.  …I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  … On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”  (John 14:16,18,20).

And when we begin to fully understand this truth and its meaning for our relationship with others, it will significantly reshape our lifestyle and relationship with others.  This truth when lived out in our churches and communities, will cause the presence of God and His Kingdom to gloriously unfold in our midst. 

Then we will joyfully proclaim with the psalmist,  “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  … For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”  (Psalm 133:1,3b).

Jesus Prays this.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity.  Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  (John 17:22-23).   May it be so with you and me!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – February 16, 2022

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Ray M. Geigley

The title reminds me of the story from a previous generation, that tells of a young man who stopped at a farmhouse asking for work.  The farmer asked of his occupation, which was carpentry.  At first the farmer said he had no work.  Then, pointing across the road to the neighboring farm, he said, “That is where my brother lives and we have become bitter enemies.  He even took a bulldozer and cut a stream from the reservoir through the pasture between us.  I’ll hire you to take that lumber by the barn and build an eight-foot-high solid fence between us, so that I don’t need to be looking at him.”

The farmer went into town for a few days, and the young man went to work.  When the farmer returned home, instead of a fence, he saw a beautiful bridge across the stream, complete with handrails.  At first, he was angry, but then he saw his brother walking down the hill to the bridge with outstretched arms.  As he came nearer, his younger brother called out, “You are a special brother, and to think that you would build a bridge so that we can more easily get together!”

A short time later, as the carpenter began to walk away and toward the roadway, the farmer asked, “Hey, where are you going?”  The man answered, “I’m going on my way to build other bridges!”

Bridges are inviting as they open a pathway to the other side.  This is true in both nature and in relationships.  Bridges invite us to cross over toward strengthening relationships with others.  Whereas, barriers obstruct, wall shut, and close down any possible building or restoration of relationships with others.  Bridges lead to new vistas, adventures, and unlimited possibilities.  Whereas, barriers confine and protect a comfortable environment of non-disturbing, non-threatening sameness, and offering extremely limited possibilities. 

For these reasons, I cry out to my church, community, and nation, and to all who call themselves Christian; let us go into our personal worlds, committed to building bridges of loving forgiveness and healing, and restoring relationships with all people, even those we see as enemies.  Let us build bridges of respectful listening as we walk together toward seeking common ground and guidance in making a better world for all of us.

Some of the most profound teaching in the whole Bible is found in the 3^rd and 4^th  chapters of John’s first letter.  In verses 8 and 16, John tells us that “God is love.”  Those three little words get to the theological and practical understanding of God’s character of self-giving, caring love. 

In verse 9 and 10, John says we know this to be God’s character because “He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”  

In other words, by sending Jesus “as an atoning sacrifice” God built a beautiful and sturdy bridge for us to cross over the deadly chasm of sin and into a relationship with Himself.

In verse 11, John makes it noticeably clear that God’s amazing love toward us makes a logical, common-sense demand upon us. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  And verse 21, “And he has given us this command:  Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”  There is no wiggle room here!

If we have experienced God’s atoning love through Christ, and if we continue to experience God’s love through the indwelling presence of the God’s Spirit, then naturally we will be human fountains of God’s love flowing through us and bathing a hurting and bleeding world.

I hear John saying in verse 20, that it is impossible to be a recipient of divine love and, at the same time, be motivated by hatred for others.  Love and hatred are like oil and water, for they do not mix.  If God’s love fills our life, there can be no room for hatred or bitterness.  “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.  For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

I encourage you to hear and heed this age-less admonition from Mother Teresa;  “Spread love everywhere you go; first of all, in your own home.  Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next-door neighbor.  … Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – February 9, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

In my Christian faith journey, I was well-taught from Sunday school thru seminary on how to prepare and do things for the Lord; how to serve God and others, how to be a biblically grounded preacher-minister, and how to be an effective pastor-chaplain.  But what I needed most was encouragement to desire, to seek after, to develop a passionate love for the person and presence of Jesus Christ. 

Wesley Duewel in his book, Ablaze for God, writes,  “It is not enough to be evangelical in faith and heart;  we must be utterly possessed by Christ, utterly impassioned by his love and grace.”  To this passionate love for relationship with God, I invite your attention.

One of the hazards of maturing in the Christian faith is that we tend to lose some of the wonder and awe that attracted us to Jesus Christ.  We begin to believe that we have arrived and that we have figured it all out.  The awesome mystery of our redemption gradually slips away and soon our enthusiastic and passionate love for Christ is diminished. 

Luke calls us back to that childlike wonder and love for Jesus as our Redeemer and sovereign Lord by telling us stories of persons who were busy doing things, rather than to just sit at Jesus’ feet.  In chapter 10, verses 38 to 42, he tells us the story of Martha and Mary’s differing relationship with Jesus.

As Jesus and his disciples were traveling through the village where Martha and Mary lived, Martha invited them into her home.  As the story unfolds, Jesus is conversing with his disciples and Martha gets busy preparing a meal for them.  While everyone else in the house is listening to Jesus, Martha is scurrying about to get food on the table. 

Distracted by all the meal preparation work, she becomes upset that her sister, Mary, is listening to Jesus rather than helping her.  Totally distressed and upset with her sister, Martha marches into the room where Jesus was.  I can imagine the look on Martha’s face as she gives Jesus a gentle rebuke:  “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  

We are attracted to this story because of the sympathy we feel for Martha.  We would argue that no matter what the attractions of the hour were, some routine tasks had to be done.  Someone had to prepare the meal.  And so, Martha’s irritation seems natural to us, and her outburst is understandable.

And I am certain that from Martha’s perspective, her complaint was entirely in order, and she fully expected Jesus to support her.

However, Jesus did not.  On the contrary, he used Martha’s complaint as an opportunity to help her better understand herself.  “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset (caring) about many things, but only one thing is needed.”

Jesus challenged Martha to make the better choice toward making him feel welcomed in her house.  The meal could wait.  But for now, the chance to be with Jesus, to learn from Him is the better choice.

Martha is so busy being gracious, polite, and a good host, serving the Lord, that she felt she had no time to be, like her sister, just sitting at His feet and listening to His teachings.  

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

There will always be many distractions to our sincere efforts to love and serve God, but “only one thing is needed.”  Like Martha, we will get pulled away from time with God by the urgent distractions within us and around us to serve God, but “only one thing is needed.”  We may say that all our time, life, and money is the Lord’s, but does He have our attention?  Or are we too busy doing good works?

The choices we make daily help shape the person we are, the person our friends and neighbors see.

Mary chose devotion to Jesus over distractions.   She chose intimacy with Jesus over the expectations of her culture and her family.  Mary had a passionate love for the Lord’s presence and that made all the difference in her life.

A regal lady of 19th century England, well known as a gracious host, was also a devout Christian.  She frequently spoke the name of the Lord Jesus in her conversations, to the dismay of some of her friends.  The story is told that on one occasion, a friend asked her who was the most distinguished guest she had ever entertained.  “Her majesty, Queen Victoria,”  she replied immediately.  “What about Jesus Christ?  You’re always talking about him,” chided her interrogator.  “Why didn’t you name him?”  “Oh, Christ is not a guest,” she said.  “He lives here!”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – February 2, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Woefully, many Christians go through life with little spiritual interest or vitality.  Their days are consumed with secular pursuits.  For them “real life” is not life in the Spirit, but life in the flesh.  It is reaching here and there, doing this and that, and fitting in some Christian activity, mostly to meet their own social needs.  Bible reading and prayer are like a once-a-day “fast food” activity.  They may even close the night in prayer as a “spiritual glaze” over their real interests, but there is no serious heart-hunger for God. 

Does this describe your life?  This limited relationship with God may fit nicely into your busy schedule and presently satisfy you.  But I remind and assure you that this can change, sometimes sudden and dramatically, causing you to feel separated from God.  Serious illness or accident, death in family, loss of job, business or home, conflict in marriage or with children, may bring you to a crisis point of despair and desperation that frightens.  

But whatever the reason, these emotional earthquakes will break down our defenses and open us up to the Lord.  The feelings of helplessness, inner emptiness, and separation from God generates an intense longing for God.  You feel much like small children feel when they are separated from their parents; frightened, lonely, angry, depressed, and  intensely longing for your parent to return.

Psalm 63 is a prayer psalm of David written while hiding from Saul in the Desert of Judah.  It is a prayer of lament dominated by trust in God.  In spite of his dire circumstances, his psalm also becomes a song of confidence and thanksgiving.

In verses 1-2, David calls out in prayer, confessing his faith in God.  This God is his God.  He lives in a daily personal relationship with Him, a relationship that is the priority of his life.

For David to say “you are my God” means he is assured that God can be trusted, and that he is concerned about David’s situation.  It also means he is willing to stake his present and future on God and God alone.  Can we honestly say that?

In praying “earnestly I seek you” David puts his whole self into his spiritual search.  The Hebrew verb used here means “to seek with longing” and implies a passionate desire for relationship with God.

To pray “my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,” is no disembodied spirituality.  Rather, it expresses the deep passion of his whole being in seeking God’s presence of love and provision in his time of need.

Psalm 42:1–2 expresses a similar thought: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

David’s thirst for God is set in the context of a “dry and weary land where there is no water.”  He thirsts for God as an exhausted wander needs water in a parched desert.  This is a classic metaphor for spiritual longing.  If you are feeling this way, read on.

Then David remembers where his spiritual thirst has been quenched in the past.  It was in the “sanctuary” that David felt the presence of God.  It was there that David sees God’s “power” and “glory.”  (Read Psalm 27:4-6).

The memory of seeing God in the sanctuary is so powerful that he says, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (vv. 3-4).

David’s worship is based on God’s “love” which he says is a greater good than “life” itself.  And David’s response to God’s love is, “my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live.” 

And the result of this worship is that David’s “soul” is now “satisfied as with the richest of foods.”  The refreshing power of the nearness of God is compared to a rich feast.  And he responds in praising God “with singing lips.”

In verses 6-8, we hear that David also seeks God “on my bed” where he remembers and meditates on God.  Through the dark and dangerous night, David meditates on God’s help, protection, and authority.  Remembering that God has been his “help” in protecting him, David sings “in the shadow of (God’s) wings.”  And so, David “clings” to God and is upheld by God’s “right hand” of authority and power.

What is fascinating and most reassuring about these verses is that David’s situation has not changed at all.  He is still in the desert.  He is still a hunted man.  But, within that condition, David has learned the secret of spiritual richness. 

He has learned that when he fully puts his trust in God and longs for God as much as he longs for the cool refreshing stream of pure water, he finds God.  He finds a deep sense of peace and acceptance.  His longing is answered by God presence.

David’s longing for God is satisfied as he meditates, remembers, and worships.  As this becomes our spiritual lifestyle, we too will see God’s “power” and “glory” and our hunger for God will be satisfied.

David’s experience teaches us that God’s presence can be enjoyed right now.  Yes, right now!  In the midst of the pressures and debilitating forces that threaten to diminish and destroy us, God is there!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 26, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

In his Gospel account regarding Jesus, the disciple John, tells the story of John, the Baptizer, standing with two of his disciples when Jesus came walking by.  John said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (1:35-41).

Hearing this, the two disciples decided to follow this man and see for themselves if it was true what the Baptist was declaring about this man named Jesus.  Going only a short distance, Jesus turns around and seeing them following asks, “What do you want?” 

In asking these two men “What do you want?” Jesus was asking the most fundamental question in life.

A question we should be frequently asking of ourselves, especially at the beginning of a new year. What do I want to accomplish this year?  What are my goals?  What are my plans in seeking to achieve what I want from life?  Is the desire to know God better and be in a more intimate relationship with him a priority on my want list?”

The two disciples respectfully answered with their own question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?”  In other words, “Where are you making your home in the world?”

This suggests they were curious and wanted to know more about this “Lamb of God.”  And possibly were hoping for some “alone time” with him so they could ask questions and see for themselves what the Baptist was seeing in this man named Jesus.  They wanted to know for themselves whether or not he was truly “the Lamb of God?”

But maybe they, like many of us, did not know what they wanted or what they were looking for.  Maybe they were afraid or ashamed to state what they really were hoping for, that is, a comfortable lifestyle, good health, much happiness along the way, and financial security in our elderly years.

Whatever thought these two men may have had that prompted their question, Jesus simply replied, “Come, and you will see” and took them to where he was staying. John, the disciple who wrote this gospel account, finishes the story with “So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him.”  And, as it turned out, they stayed with him for the rest of their lives.

Don’t you, like me, wish that John would have recorded their conversation?  What subjects did they talk about?  What were their conclusions?  We do not know, but we do know that John and Andrew’s life was forever changed that day, for they met and were convinced that he was indeed Jesus, the “Lamb of God” – the “Son of God” – the “Messiah (Christ).”

And so, the first thing Andrew did in the morning was to find his brother, and with great excitement tell him, “We have found the Messiah. And he brought him to Jesus.”

This story introduces us to the larger story of Jesus’ ministry while on this earth.  That bigger story teaches us that authentic disciples of Jesus are persons who want to stay with Jesus, wherever that stay may be and wherever it may take them.

Discovering who God is and experiencing the presence of Christ in your life is rarely experienced as a sudden blinding light or a burning bush. Enlarging your knowledge and soul, filling your spirit with the right spiritual nutrients of Godly wisdom, understanding, and purpose is a lifelong process of staying with Jesus.

It is more than just interesting to note that the Gospel accounts of Jesus portray him as a traveling man, always going somewhere.  It underscores an important truth that staying with Jesus means daily traveling with Him to wherever He chooses to go.  Where might he travel?  Only He knows.

We know it will be to the temple to worship and to the mountain to pray, but He also will travel to painful places of human need and desolate places destruction, demons, and death.  These places may be a natural disaster, a demonstration, or mission trip into unfriendly territory. Will we stay with Him there?  He also may travel to a classroom, a workplace, a neighbor’s house, or a hospital.  Will we stay with Him there?

The truth we need to consider is this;  Jesus is always on the go, traveling to all and every living person and to every place and situation on earth.  Are we prepared to stay with Him anywhere at any time?  Can we join William O. Cushing in his commitment to “Follow On” as he penned it in 1878? 

Down in the valley with my Savior I would  go,  Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow.  Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on,  Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.

                (Chorus)   Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus.  Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on.

                                    Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus.  Everywhere He leads me I will follow on.

Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,  Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters

flow.  With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear;  Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.

       Down in the valley or upon the mountain steep,  Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep. 

       He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,  Up to where they gather on the hills of God.

So, where will you be staying tonight?

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 12, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

A new year has begun.  A new chapter in our book of life is waiting to be written.  It is a new beginning and chance to live with new resolve, aspirations, and behaviors.  Some say the year ahead provides exciting anticipation, while others view it as dismal and threatening.  What do you see as you peer into your future?  What do you dare to imagine happening in your world of experiences?  What and who will anchor your faith, trust, and decision-making?

There have been times in my life when I was breathless with wonder and awe.  It has happened when someone gave me a gift I never expected.  At other times it happened when seeing something incredible, such as a “breathtaking view” of God’s creation. 

I remember the day when I, with eager anticipation, walked from the parking lot to the edge of the Grand Canyon.  When I got there and looked down into that expansive space I was awestruck and speechless.  I was not prepared for the overwhelming emotions that filled and silenced me.  All the pictures that I had seen beforehand did not fully prepare me for the awesome breath-taking view.

There are also times when I feel that way spiritually.  Consider with me John’s opening introduction of Jesus to us in his Gospel account.  As you slowly read the first two verses and verse fourteen of chapter 1, I invite you to open your spiritual eyes and imagine the awesome grandeur and beauty of this reality.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made, without him nothing was made that has been made.”  … “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (NIV).

And now slowly read verse sixteen for the awesome view of our relationship with this Word (Jesus). “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”  Or, as the New Living Translation says it, “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”    Wow!  What breath-taking, soul-stirring beauty.  It is utterly amazing grace.

The story is told of a poor, elderly lady who sometimes visited a church in her town.  The elders of the church were always embarrassed when she did because she often would get excited in the service and shout “Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!”  And that was more than the dignified members of this traditional congregation could endure.

One Sunday morning the church elders greeted her at the door and made an agreement with her.  They promised her a new, heavy blanket for the cold, winter months if she would not shout during the service.  She agreed and took a seat near the front of the sanctuary.

She held her silence at first, but as the pastor got into his message, he got more wound up, really preaching from the heart, and his words about the grace of God in Jesus gripped that elderly woman’s heart and soul, until she almost exploded with excitement.  Finally, she stood up and shouted, “Blanket or no blanket, Hallelujah, Amen!”

Maybe the year 2022 has that kind of awesome spiritual surprise awaiting you.  Are you eager for such an experience?  If not, why not?  Imagine what would happen in your church and community if you got so excited about Jesus that you could not restrain yourself from telling the next person you meet just how much Jesus Christ means to you?

That is what happened to Andrew.  He listened to what John the Baptist had to say about Jesus and then he listened to what Jesus had to say, and he got so excited that he went and found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!”

Are you seeing Jesus and the glory of God’s amazing grace ?  Are you receiving one gracious blessing after another?  Then, “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!  Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.”

Are you eager to see Jesus in 2022 and be awestruck with his amazing grace and glory?  I pray it will be so for both you and me.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 5, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Christmas carols have been sung, the Christmas drama presented, the Christmas dinner consumed, and the gifts all opened. The exciting Christmas spirit of anticipation, hopes, and celebrations now deflated.   Now what?

When we were young, we would ask, “Why can’t it be Christmas every day?”  Of course, we were thinking mostly about the presents we would get.  Today, I still ask why does celebrating the angel’s good news of joy and peace for all people end so quickly?  Why are we so quick to hush and file away for another year the joyous music and message of God’s gift to the world.     

The biblical scriptures clearly indicate that God desires for us to continue enjoying his salvation gifts of joy, peace, and goodwill every day and for always.  This is his one grand and glorious purpose for coming into our world.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).

During the Advent-Christmas season we joyously and thankfully remember and celebrate what God has done in sending us the Messiah, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Living in a shadowy world of evil, violence, and diminishing hope, a “Savior” is the greatest of all gifts we could ever receive.  A “Savior” brings us rescue, redemption, renewed life, hope, and a future.

Accompanying God’s salvation gifts of joy and peace is the gift of his loving presence with us.  In Jesus, God comes into our world and participates in the sufferings of his people, whom we are.  As “Emmanuel” God brings to us mercy, compassion, unfailing love, redemption and rescue.  What a gift!  What amazing love and grace is wrapped in his gift of presence with us.  

“Emmanuel” – God with us.  But I hear Paul saying there is even greater and more amazing “good news.”  The Almighty, all-knowing, ever-loving God, through Jesus, comes to live in us.  Yes, we human beings are the intended recipients of his coming. 

In the first chapter of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul writes in verses 26-27, that “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations” has now been revealed.  The New Living Translation reads  “This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.  For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too.  And this is the secret: Christ lives in you.  This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” 

There is no greater gift than this.  Christ dwells in us.  This is confirmed in John’s record of Jesus’ proclamation to the church in Laodicea, “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).

The essence of the whole Christian experience and the crown jewel of the gospel, is that Jesus Christ, by whom and through whom all things were created, who is before all things and in all things, in whom God was pleased for all His fullness to dwell, – this Christ who has primacy over all things, in whom all things hold together, who is the head of the church, – this Christ, who will stand at the end of time and be the final judge and triumphal Lord, lives in us by the Holy Spirit.

In one of the boldest prayers ever prayed, Paul interceded for us, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  …that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16,17,19).

What feelings does this thought of “Christ dwelling in you” arouse?  Hopefully, this glorious truth leads you toward an answer to my “Now what” question.  The answer I hear is messaged in this Christmas carol.

“Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!  Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – December 29, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley