Healing Rays of Righteousness

The Statue of Liberty stands at the entrance of the New York harbor, inviting the world with these words, “Give me your tired, your poor.”  Resonating with this invitation to the world, Jesus shouts out this invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus’ invitation is directed to you and me, disciples who often struggle and become discouraged in our commitment to being a loving Jesus-like neighbor toward others.  He promises that in Him we will find rest, wisdom, and strength for the difficult and sometimes dangerous journey of nurturing a loving relationship with all others.  

When Jesus was asked by an expert in the law, ‘And who is my neighbor?’  Jesus answered with the story of the Good Samaritan, and then asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”  The man replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”  Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37).  In this conversation, Jesus shifts the identity of “neighbor” from the victim to the questioner.    

With that corrective to our usual reading of the story, I must ask myself whether I am being a  Jesus-like neighbor to those with whom I live, work, and play; be they family members, community members, coworkers, both the likeable and unlikeable.  Yes, there are many people in my  world of relationships, and I need always to remember that each one of them is dearly loved by God even as he loves me. 

Jesus was a servant-leader who deeply loved others during his short ministry here on earth, and I am convinced it is his expectation and command that we do the same as his followers.  “A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  (John 13:34).

But what does it mean to be a Jesus-like neighbor?  I think Jesus would tell us that it is more about what we do to others then what we say to others.  His story of the Good Samaritan is only one example.  On another occasion he told a wealthy “wanna be” disciple to “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21). 

And in Matthew 25:31-46 we hear Jesus describing the end-time judgment and its separation criteria.  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and , and did not help you?’  He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”  (vss.44-45).   

In introducing a study from Proverbs, Karl A. McKinney lists four definitions of neighbors as those who: plan to do good to one another, including to not harm or ignore one another (Proverbs 3);  suffer to benefit one another and fulfill vows to be neighbors (Proverbs 6);  look for poor people to care for them (Proverbs 14);  and control their speech “weep with those who weep; rejoice with those who rejoice”; show care and compassion for others, even when one becomes an enemy and needs food, shelter, and clothing;  and do not speak evil about one another to anyone else (Proverbs 25).

In his devotional book, A Daily Walk Through Romans, Myron Augsburger writes, “There is a cost in love, for when you love someone, their experience is shared with you, their problems become your problems.  Love is far deeper than tolerance; it calls for repentance while tolerance doesn’t require change.  Love does not select.  Love shares totally with the person.  When we love we identify honestly, openly, fully.  Paul states his admonition simply but profoundly: “Let love be genuine.”

 Yes, the command to be a neighbor of Jesus-like love to all others, including our enemy, is often difficult, costly, and sometimes dangerous.  But difficult roads are also opportunities to deepen our relationship with Jesus, and to have our trust strengthened.  And since Jesus knows our limits of strengths and weaknesses, he invites us to “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, … For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Jesus’ invitation is not the promise of an easy road, but rather of a difficult road made easier because of a traveling companion whose wisdom and strength makes the journey more restful and enjoyable.

The burden becomes light (easy) because Jesus shares the burden with us and carries the greater weight for us.

The Statue of Liberty promises a country where like-minded persons will travel the journey together.  Likewise, the empty cross of Jesus Christ on Mount Calvary promises a journey where like-minded persons will travel together with the resurrected Christ as yokefellow, companion and guide, comforter and teacher, protector, and healer.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 30, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

We are quick to classify significant events as either “tragic” or “triumphant” based on our extremely limited knowledge and insight.  However, we need to admit that such simplistic classifications do not and cannot fully describe nor explain the whys and wherefores of such events. 

What is so readily visible to us in our life experiences and situations is so small in comparison to what God knows, sees, and purposes for us.  He sees and knows the big and eternal picture of the world in which we live.  And he knows every little detail about us because he created us and breathed life and purpose into our bodies.  And so, it is only reasonable to believe that his perspective of any event or situation happening to us would be much different and more accurate than ours.

In Romans 8:26-28, apostle Paul, encourages us with this reassurance –  “… the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  … the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Paul then continues in verses 31-39 by asking two questions.  His first question in verses 31-32, is “What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us,who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”    

Paul is emphatically trying to convince us that written on the underside of every experience in our life, both the good and bad, is the holy seal of assurance, “God is for you.”  Unfortunately, some have misread verse 28 and being disappointed, have become confused and discouraged.  It is especially important for us to note what this verse does not say as well as what it does say.

Verse 29 clearly identifies the “good” promised in this scripture as the ability “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”  To accomplish this, God uses all things, the good and the bad, the joys and the tears, the successes, and the failures to shape us into the likeness of his Son, Jesus.  And we can be assured that God does not waste any events or experiences in our life and world toward accomplishing his purpose of transforming us into the person he created us to become.

We know this because God is for us.  Pause for a moment and think about what you just read.  God is for you!  It does not say that God  “may be” of “has been” or “was” or “will be” for you, but rather “God is for you.”  Can I really believe that today, at this very minute and every minute, God is for me?  The biblical answer is “YES”!

Paul’s second question is this – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”  Remembering his personal experiences of hardships and sufferings, Paul lists those things that can cause us to question God’s love for us, and emphatically declares that none of these things can ever, ever separate us from Christ’s love. 

Rather than separating us from the love of Christ, Paul declares that these difficulties and sufferings make us “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (v.37).  Our sufferings do not separate us from the love of Christ, but rather they strengthen our bond of relationship with Christ as the dearly loved, adopted children of God.

In verse 38 Paul answers his own two questions, with a powerful, all-inclusive declaration regarding the love of God for us – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  This is Paul’s testimony of faith from his own life of many difficult, life-threatening experiences.

Remembering my own journeys through times of difficult and painful sufferings, I can affirm that God is present with us every moment or every day.  He keeps his promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  He is by our side cheering us on, applauding our accomplishments.  He is there to pick us up when we stumble and fall, and he puts his arms around us to comfort us when we hurt and cry.  God is always for us, and in every situation of life working for our good.  Thanks be to God!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” –  June 23, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Many are the times I wished I would have followed the advice that I would give to my children when they became upset or angry because of what was said or done to them.  I would tell them to “take a deep breath and count to ten” before responding. 

I am reminded of this whenever I hear the words in John 20:22 being read – “And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”   It seems my advice to “take a deep breath and count to ten” is echoing in my memory.  I think I am hearing Jesus say to his disciples and us “take a deep breath of my Holy breath and receive my peace.”

Each time Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection, he greets them with “Peace be with you” and I ask myself, why does the risen Christ repeatedly speak this greeting?  Is it because he knows their lives are in turmoil with all the uncertainty caused by the events of Passion Week?  Is it a theological statement about receiving reconciling peace with God now that sin and death havebeen overcome?  Or is Jesus simply modeling how he expects his disciples to greet one another?  The answer is probably “yes” to all three possibilities. 

It was while the disciples are trembling with anxieties and fears, that the resurrected Jesus enters the room and gives them the only remedy that could remove their fear and restore their peace and confidence.  “Again Jesus said, “Peace 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.” 

His greeting, “Peace be with you” was the offering of his gift of peace, the fruit of his sacrificial death and resurrection, to his disciples.  This gift of peace could and would remove the fear that was holding them hostage.  It was fear that chased the disciples to hide behind locked doors. 

It is important for us to understand that these surprise visits by Jesus were no superficial, neighborly visits, but rather needed events to confirm and reassure his disciples that he can and will keep his promise to always be present with them to protect, provide, and empower them through every scary situation of uncertainty and darkness in their life. 

We also need to understand that his gift of “peace” is wrapped within a living, daily relationship with himself.  It is in relationship with Jesus and his Holy Spirit living within us, that we are given empowerment to break out of fear’s stronghold on us and into a life of peace within ourselves and to peacemaking with others. 

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 to go into the world making disciples. 

Living in this environment of Holy empowerment is as simple as daily “taking a deep breath” of God’s holy breath.  For as we deeply breathe in God’s holy breath, we inhale his profound wisdom and love for doing his will on earth as it is in heaven. 

Furthermore, as we deeply breathe in God’s breath, creativity is awakened and in many ways we become co-creators with God.  And as his co-creators, we are empowered to breathe new life and hope into difficult and often threatening situations and relationships by breathing peace into responses and solutions that will help bring resolution of the crisis or difficulty. 

It would be good for us to awake each morning by taking a few moments to sense the presence of God in Jesus breathing on us and saying to us, “Peace be with you!  Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

And then being awakened and reassured of God’s presence and love, we can pray the hymn written by Edwin Hatch in 1878, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.”

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,

Un-til 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.

I believe these few moments each morning will encourage and empower us to keep breathing new life and hope into our every activity and relationship throughout the day.  And then each evening before we sleep, give thanks to God for his enabling Holy Spirit and gift of peace.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 9, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

I always loved relaxing on our patio at our previous residence after sunset and listen to the evening music of God’s little creatures, watch the floating, flickering lights of lightning bugs, and follow the fast turns and dives of bats and swallows as they catch an evening meal of mosquitoes. 

This was also an evening highlight for me on our many travel trailer camping experiences.  I still enjoy relaxing on our back porch glider at our present residence, even though the nearby traffic noise overwhelms much of the creaturely music and entertainment. 

I was enjoying such an evening when my thoughts turned to the important role of music and song in our lives.  To live in a world without music would be so depressing, so hopeless, so much like hell.  The Bible tells us that there will be only great sorrow and weeping.  In contrast, heaven will be filled with great gladness, joy, and singing.

Music is often said to be a universal language that awakens feelings and thoughts in persons everywhere and crosses all cultural and geographical boundaries.  Music evokes joy and sadness, praise and petition, memory, and hope.  It is both the song and the cry of the heart. 

Music has the power to quiet and energize the heart and mind, influencing our thoughts and action.  Music is healing therapy to the weary, the hurting, or the despondent soul.  Martin Luther wrote that music is even effective in driving the Devil away.

In her book, A Deepening Love Affair, Dr. Jane Marie Thibault writes, “Music, secular as well as sacred, can bring many of us into the presence of God very quickly and powerfully.  Music affects the limbic system of the brain, the center that has control over all of our feelings. …which in turn affects the temporal cortex, a section which seems to be sensitive to the spiritual.” 

Dr. Thibault continues, “Think about the role music plays in your spiritual life.  What kind of music moves you to tears?  What makes you joyful, hopeful, peaceful, repentant, and happy?  What kind of music draws you into yourself?  What pulls you out of yourself?”

I often experience music as the means whereby my soul is ushered into the presence of God with joyful praise and/or loving prayer.  There have been many times that my walk outside, appreciating the beauty of  a sunrise or sunset, that I am inspired to sing “My God, How Great Thou Art.”  Even a cloudy and rainy morning may stir within me the melody and words of “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings”and on a snowy morning the hymn “Whiter Than Snow.”

A hymn that has become a meaningful prayer of petition for me  is “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”  I have often found renewed courage and strength during a difficult day by singing that prayer hymn in my thoughts.

I could continue with a long listing of music that has stirred my emotions and aided my spiritual journey, but the above is sufficient to illustrate the potential music can have in drawing us into a closer relationship with God. 

Yes, God created the hills (and the valleys) to be alive with music for that very purpose.  I cannot listen to a mockingbird singing his seemingly endless repertoire of songs without my spirit being lifted and encouraged.  I wonder what music and songs you may have been listening to and singing or humming during the past months.  Can you say that it is inspiring and encouraging you in your life journey?  If not, maybe you need to change your choice of music.

Dr. Thibault concludes, “Other kinds of music may be more important to you.  Classical pieces have enormous power to evoke spiritual feelings and remind us of God.  Even jazz, which was one of Merton’s favorite forms of music, can do this for some.  …How about the love song from West Side Story – “One Hand, One Heart”?  Some hymns could not come as close as this to being prayer.  So, try experimenting with music as a medium for prayer – it may quicken your spirit more than any other way of being with God.”

“Singing I Go”  –  (Eliza E. Hewitt)

Refrain:

Singing I go along life’s road,  Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;

Singing I go along life’s road,  For Jesus has lifted my load.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – June 2, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

A most amazing Scriptural teaching is found in the 4^th chapter of John’s first letter, which he wrote to instruct and encourage the early Christians.   In verse 8 of this chapter, John tells us that “God is love.” Those three little words get to the heart of what John believed about God’s character.  They tell us that God is pure self-giving love and that He cares deeply about you and me.

But how do we know this to be true?  How can we know with certainty that God genuinely loves us? 

I am reminded of a story out of Roman history.  The Roman army had subdued the kingdom of Armenia, and now the king of Armenia stood before the conquering general.  The king fell to his knees and pled with the Roman general:  “Do whatever you wish with me, but I beg you to spare the lives of my family.”  The Roman general graciously spared the life of both the king and his family.

Sometime later, the king of Armenia asked his wife what her impression of the Roman conqueror was, and she responded, “I never saw him.”  Astonished, the king asked, “How could you have failed to see him?”  “He was only a few feet away.  What were you looking at?”  With eyes full of tears, the queen replied, “I saw only you, the one who was willing to die so that I might live.”

We, who have committed our life to Christ, can put ourselves in that story, for we know what it is to have someone love us so much that they willingly die so we can live.  Such remarkable love is at the very core of God’s character and heart.

Never has there been a more awesome display of LOVE than on Good Friday, when Jesus took our sins upon himself and carried them to the cross.  And never has there been a more awesome display of the power of LOVE than on Easter morning, when God raised Christ from the dead and he emerged victorious from the tomb.

This is the reality that John points to when he writes in verse 9 that “This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him.”  And in verse 10 he adds, “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 

I fondly remember the bedtime ritual of our small children coming to me for a kiss and a goodnight.  Each time I would say “I love you” and they would respond, “I love you, too, Daddy.”   This bedtime ritual later became our good-bye ritual as they became teenagers, and a similar ritual continues today.

I have no doubt that my children dearly love me.  But I can recall a time when love was not the issue. They needed Mom and Dad.  They were utterly and totally dependent on us.  Their love for us as their parents came later.  It was and is a learned emotion.  And that learning was in response to our greater love for them in their growing, maturing years. 

From the very first sight of our children, the first touch, the first sound of a cry, the first cradling, I was deeply in love with them.  I loved them simply because they were mine.  They did not earn it.  They did not necessarily deserve it.  And they demanded a lot from me and were costly to me in both time and money.  But above and beyond any of that, they were my children.  And nothing they could ever do or become would stop me from loving them.        

With their growing up in that environment of love, they began to love me and their mother as their parents.  And now, when they say “I love you” we know they speak from their heart, because we are frequently the recipient of their many acts of love.

In verse 19, John says God’s parental relationship with us is like our relationship with our children.  We love (God) because he first loved us.”  And nothing we could ever do will stop God from loving us.

But there is something more.  As my children continued to grow and mature, I modeled and encouraged certain expectations of them.  I desired that they deeply love the Lord Jesus and others, being honest, fair, and kind in all their relationships, being Christian in every way.

And as God’s children we are likewise greeted with expectations from our Heavenly Parent.  John believes that the implications of God’s amazing love is clear.  “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  (v.11).

IF we are experiencing God’s atoning forgiveness and love through Christ, and IF we are experiencing God’s love through the indwelling presence of the God’s Spirit, then we are commanded to love others. “And he has given us this command; Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”  (v.21).  There is no wiggle room in that command. 

Echoing John’s teaching letter, Mother Teresa urges us to “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” – May 26, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 12, 2021

www.geigler13.worpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

May 6, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kathy Branzell

President – National Day of Prayer Task Force

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 5, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 28, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Refrain:

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

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

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 21, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 14, 2021

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley