Healing Rays of Righteousness

This past Sunday we acknowledged and celebrated the high school and college graduates in our church. It was a joyful and important event of congratulations and affirmations of their individual giftings. And it reminded me of the apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian church regarding giftedness.

“Gifted”is a marvelous word, and “giftedness” was an important concept to Paul and the early church. However, Paul’s understanding of “giftedness” is quite different from that of modern educational theory, which separates out from the mainstream those students who demonstrate greater intelligence as “gifted” persons.

The heart of Paul’s message to the Corinthian church is in his first letter, chapter 12, verses four to seven, when he writes that the Holy Spirit gives differing gifts to everyone, and to each person in the church. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (NIV).Nobody is left out! The Holy Spirit is working in everyonefor the common good.

I believe that God does not merely tolerate diversity but deeply values and loves it. Look at his numerous creative works around you on earth and in space. I am also convinced that God’s idea of unity is not the marshaled unity of a marching army, but rather the musical unity of a 100-member orchestra where each singer and player contribute a different tone or note in beautiful harmony with the whole.

However, gifts must be developed. That is our responsibility. We should not waste energy comparing ourselves unfavorably or better than others. Our task is to develop our particular gifts for use in God’s service for the common good. And yes, it takes all the gifts of everyone, finely tuned and working together, to correctly understand and accomplish God’s grand work in our community and world. Each one of us is gifted with greatness for serving others good, not for pursuing status above others.

Followers of Jesus are each given gifts that are to be developed and used in the context of community. And being Christian, we celebrate our differences. While we are not the same, each one of us is important to the whole. We need each other. There is no such thing as “going it alone” in the church. There is no such thing as “just Jesus and me” in the biblical view of church. We complement each other, challenge each other, comfort each other, and communicate with each other. What affects one member of the church is felt by all members. We are family, that is, the family of God.

One of the important meanings of “Holy Communion” is that we gather around the Lord’s Supper acknowledging that we are uniquely created and gifted individuals that have been united as one family of siblings into the household of God by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Communion means “to experience another” – “to have a close union with another.” Communion celebrates Christ’s living presence with us in community. God, speaking to us through Scripture, repeatedly calls us out of separateness and into community, out of proud independence and into humble interdependence.

Charles Osgood tells the story of two elderly ladies who lived in the same skilled nursing facility. Each had suffered a stroke. Margaret’s stroke had left her left side paralyzed, while Ruth’s stroke had damaged her right side.

This was a sad and unfortunate experience for both women because they both had been accomplished pianists. Both women had given up hope of ever playing the piano again – that is, until the Activities Director of the nursing facility encouraged them to play solo pieces together with Margaret playing with her right hand and Ruth playing with her left hand.

What a wonderful picture of the Christian church working together in unity and common purpose. No one person can do it alone. The journey through life is too difficult and too precarious to attempt “going it alone.” Be assured, we “desperately” need each other.

God has made us for community and gifted us uniquely for the common good. Let us celebrate our oneness, our unity, our communion in Jesus Christ as we partake of the bread and cup Jesus offers us, and as we congratulate and appreciate each other’s giftings. May it be so!

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 6/04/25

Suddenly, without invitation and expectation, Jesus appears, and standing among his fear-filled disciples says, “Peace be with you!”  And one week later when Thomas is present with the group, Jesus repeats his sudden appearance and greeting, “Peace be with you!”  (John 20:19-23).

Each time I read this passage, the words “Peace be with you,” seem to leap out of the text and give pause to my rambling thoughts. Three times he speaks these words to the disciples, and I ask myself, “Why does the resurrected Jesus repeatedly say this each time he appears to his disciples?”

Then I remember that long before Jesus’ birth, the prophet, Isaiah, told us that Jesus’ life and ministry would be focused on being the Prince of Peace. “For to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”  (Isaiah 9:6-7a).

Then at his birth, the angels shouted their praise with these words, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14). Then during his earthly ministry, Jesus told the woman who anointed his feet with her tears and the woman who was healed of her hemorrhage to “go in peace” (Luke 7:50; 8:48). Also, during the last week before his death, he reminded his disciples of his imminent death and departure, and comforts them by saying, “Peace I leave with you; (John 14:27).

From this brief review and pondering, I conclude that this visit by the resurrected Jesus with his disciples was no superficial, neighborly visit, but rather a significant reminder and reassurance that he will always be with them and empowering them. And his repeated words, “Peace be with you” were much more than asimple familiar greeting. Indeed, he was giving them a very needed and precious gift.

Furthermore, this gift of peace was and is a companion gift with the other God-given gifts of love and joy. These gracious gifts flow from the grand gift of salvation that Jesus won for them and us on the cross of crucifixion, as his final few words declared the gift finished/completed. (John 19:30).

When he showed his disciples the nail prints in his hands and the great wound in his side, as evidence of his love for them, they “were overjoyed.”  And again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21).

Jesus’ resurrection, with its certifying, guaranteed hope of life beyond the grave, is wondrous news. But the uncertainties of daily life, with its doubts and difficulties, remain. And when painful reality sets in, we can easily become anxious, fearful, and despairingly conclude that we are alone in the darkness.

 At such times we need to listen and lean into Jesus’ words of comfort that he spoke to his disciples. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27).   

His peace is different because it is always given by him in person. It is the reassurance of his presence that takes away our many doubts and fears and fills life with peace. It was fear that brought the disciples together behind locked doors. Then Jesus enters the room to give them the only thing that can take their fear away, his living presence, and says, “Peace be with you.”

The “good news” is that the calming, powerful living presence of the risen Christ can and does come into our shuttered rooms and dark valleys with his gracious gift of peace, saying, “Peace be with you!”

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

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 5/14/25

Being overwhelmed with fear and grief, by the events of the past few weeks, since entering Jerusalem for the Passover, the disciples of Jesus are physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. Bewildered and confused, they struggle with feelings of guilt because of their cowardly desertion of Jesus during his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

Their hopes of a new Kingdom, a new day for the people of God, were shattered. Even though they rejoiced in seeing Jesus resurrected and again alive, they could not comprehend how he could transform what they saw as a lost cause, into a new future of God’s Kingdom on earth.

According to the disciple, John, he and six others were together, back home in their neighborhood by the Sea of Galilee. One evening, Simon Peter said, “I’m going out to fish, … and they said, “We’ll go with you.  So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3).

The decision to go fishing was a decision that came out of the need to alleviate their feelings of sad defeat and despair. And to go fishing was a return to something they knew, understood, and felt comfortable doing. 

But after fishing all night, which is the best time to catch fish, they are feeling even more defeated. They caught nothing, not even one small fish. They were expert fishermen who knew the lake in every detail and were skilled in catching fish. It had been their vocation, their livelihood, but on this night, they caught nothing, not even one small fish.

It was at this extremely difficult moment in their lives, that Jesus comes and standing on the shore, calls out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw you net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (Jn. 21:5-6).

And, wow, a tremendous fishing success follows their obedience to Jesus’ instruction. It was the same lake, the same boat, the same net, and the same crew, but a new obedience turned failure into success so great that “they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”  An important lesson of encouragement to us in our times of failure.

Even though Jesus had breakfast already prepared for these hungry men, he asks them to contribute to the breakfast from their big catch of fish. And then with gentleness and love, Jesus invites them to “Come and have breakfast.” (Jn. 21:12).

As Jesus graciously and lovingly shares his food with them, they experience his forgiveness. Their fellowship with him is restored and their hearts reassured that he loves them. Moreover, their team unity and love for one another is restored. They again sense that they are working together under the authority of Jesus. And their physical, emotional, and spiritual hungers are nourished and satisfied.

During the early dawn of a new day, Jesus comes to his exhausted disciples with love and forgiveness, and turns their sadness into gladness, their despair into hope, and their mourning into mission.

It is said that we could view this time by the Sea of Galilee as a time of LOVE, even as we view Pentecost as a time of POWER. I can agree with this perspective because we can learn from the biblical scriptures that in God’s expectations and training of Jesus followers to be his witnesses, enabling power is always secondary to compelling love. However, I confess that even though I know that when God’s love fills and possesses us, it becomes the source of our greatest good, our greatest happiness, and our greatest usefulness as God’s witness and evangelist of good news, I still find it easier to pray for power to do things for God, than it is to pray for greater love for God and all others.

More than anything else, we need love! The world needs love! In the early morning seaside breakfast, love is on the menu and infuses Jesus’ every word and act in his effort to restore relationship, while 07love in the relationship between himself and the disciples, as well as between disciple and disciple.

For the same purpose, Jesus comes to each one of us and invites us to “Come and have breakfast.”  Start your day with me and I will feed and nourish your deepest hungers of the day. I will turn your nets of empty dilemmas and concerns into full nets of blessings. With love, I will unite you with my church team in doing my work of love in the world. And I will always love you. “Come and have breakfast.”

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 5/07/25

Today is the Wednesday after Easter Sunday, when we celebrated the glorious truth that the story of Jesus did not end with his death; that Jesus’ resurrection from the grave of crucifixion death confirmed his triumphant victory over Satan and death; and that his glorious resurrection confirmed his promise to us of an eternal new day and new life. Hallelujah! Praise be to God!

And as in previous years, “Holy week” seemed to come and go so quickly. Reflecting on my “now what” feeling, I wonder if I am being motivated to enter into Christ’s glorious resurrection event more fully for the purpose of gaining a greater appreciation for its impact on my life.

In reading all four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, it seems that none of the disciples were on board with Jesus and prepared to understand and joyously celebrate their Lord’s resurrection from the dead. Instead, they were overtaken by surprise, fear, and doubt.

The story tells of women bringing spices to anoint Jesus’ dead body. On the way, they wonder who will roll the stone away for them and then are perplexed to find the stone rolled away and the body gone. They do not know what to make of the empty tomb and neatly folded grave clothes. Standing there perplexed, a voice from behind them asks, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Lk. 24:5), and “Trembling and bewildered, they fled from the tomb.” (Mk. 16:8), to go and tell all the other disciples what had happened to them. They were not anticipating and prepared to joyously celebrate Easter.

John tells us that even after seeing the empty tomb, the disciples “still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” (Jn. 20:9). John also tells us that Mary Magdalene weeps with grief while the resurrected Lord stands nearby. (Jn. 20:11-18). They were not anticipating and prepared to joyously celebrate Easter.

I believe all four Gospel writers would have us understand that Easter joy is real, even for those not prepared for it. Easter is for Peter, too paralyzed by guilt and fear to take it all in. Easter is for Philip, who because of doubt finds it hard to believe without concrete evidence. Easter is for John, who believes in Jesus’ resurrection but needs time to process what difference it makes. Easter is for Mary, blinded by tearful grief, mourning her loss, while her Lord stands behind her.

Yes, prepared or not, Easter’s celebration is for each one of us. Our retail culture does not give us much time to joyously ponder Easter’s glorious life-changing event. Much like an impatient waiter whisking our plate away before we are finished eating, our culture tries to quickly move us on from Easter’s life-changing truths and joyous praise.

But I remind myself and you, that we still have the fifty days of the Easter season remaining until Pentecost; a time for us to linger by the empty tomb in thought and wonder. Days to weep. Days to pray. Days to ponder. Days to rejoice and give witness to the Lord, who stands behind us, healing our past; and before us, beckoning us to follow him into His promised future.
He is alive! Jesus Christ has conquered death. “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.!” (Rev. 1:17).

You may find these prophetic words from Isaiah 25:6-8 to be helpful meditation; “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine – the best of meats and the finest wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations, he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”

Because Jesus has “destroyed death” (2 Tim. 1:10; 1 Cor. 15:26), we are able to face uncertain tomorrows with singing, “Because He lives I can face tomorrow, because He lives all fear is gone; because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living – just because He lives.”

<><><><><>

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – http://www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 4/23/25

On Easter morning, many Christians will joyfully sing of Christ’s glorious resurrection as though the cross and crucifixion was nothing more than a temporary inconvenience for Jesus; similar to a trip to the dentist, painful but endurable and over quickly.

In their story of Good Friday, both Mark and Luke record that “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” (Mk. 15:33).Jesus had hung on the cross for three hours, and then at noon darkness came over the whole land. And for three more painful hours, Jesus suffered in the dense darkness that blocked out the mid-day sun.

From the larger story, we know that this darkness was more than just a fact of the day’s appearance. It was also the description of the deep darkness of abandonment that was overwhelming Jesus’ body, soul, and spirit.

The physical torture of crucifixion, with its excruciating pain, was designed by the governing authorities to send waves of darkness and fear coursing through the victim’s body. But for Jesus there was also the painful darkness of being ridiculed, abandoned, and rejected by His own people, including His dear friends and disciples.

And added to this darkness was the deeper darkness of taking on and forgiving the world’s sin, reconciling the world to himself. It was this darkness of the world’s sin that separated him from his heavenly Father, who “is light: and in (whom) is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5).

Pause a moment and try to imagine the story. The heavens went dark and silent, covering the world in darkness, and he could not see nor hear his Father. Jesus felt utterly alone, with nobody near who could fully understand and empathize with him and his suffering? Nobody! And we hear Jesus verbalize his agony when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  But even though Jesus felt forsaken by all, he reaffirmed his relationship with the Father by crying out “My God, my God.”

So where was God on that terrible dark Friday? Betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, and deserted by his friends and disciples, did God also abandon him? Really? It is true that God would not stand between Jesus and sin’s darkness, holding off the painful suffering and protecting him from death, which is the judgement of sin.

However, I am convinced that God was very much there, as loving, grieving Father, silently watching and agonizing with his Son as he made the ultimate sacrifice of his life for the sins of the world. He was there expectingly waiting, and when Jesus loudly cried “Finished” and died, Father God burst forth with earth-shaking, rock-splitting, brilliant light that completely tore the Temple curtain in two from top to bottom, causing the centurion guard to testify, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mk. 15:38-39).

For me, the good news of Good Friday is that the God of light is also God in the darkness. Yes, God is in the darkness of His people’s pain and suffering. No, God does not stand between us and pain, holding it off, bringing us only good news, but God does stand, sit, and even hangs with us on our cross of painful, frightening darkness. However, this comforting, encouraging truth is most often only seen in the rear-view mirror of living.

For those of us who choose not to make a quick leap from the wondrous revealing light of Palm Sunday to the glorious resurrection light of Easter, the discovery that God is very much present in the awful suffering darkness of Good Friday is most encouraging.

The Scriptures repeatedly reassure us that when we feel most alone, God is with us in the darkness. As the psalmist declares in Psalm 139 – “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? …if I make my bed in depths, you are there. …even the darkness will not be dark to you;” And again in Psalm 23 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Thank you, Jesus!

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 4/16/25

During my childhood and early teen years, I could not see things that others were seeing in the distant sky or woods. And I remember asking my schoolteachers to be seated closer to the classroom blackboard in order to better see the teacher’s writing. However, I do not remember questioning my vision or complaining to my parents. But at age 16, when I excitedly went for my driver’s permit, I failed the vision exam and needed corrective glasses before receiving the permit.

I can still visualize and feel the amazement that welled up in me as my dad and I walked from the optician’s office to our car. Stepping out of the office and onto the brick sidewalk, I excitedly exclaimed that I could see the sidewalk as individual bricks. And then looking up at the trees along the street I could hardly contain my excitement in seeing the shape and beauty of the trees’ leaves.

From that moment on, with the healing help of corrective lens, I enjoyed exploring a new world of earthly beauty and magnificence. And this visual exploring, coupled with a desire to see Jesus, became   a life-long pursuit. Many are the times, both glorious and grievous, that I, like blind Bartimaeus, answered Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” with “I want to see.”    

Corrective lenses have opened the door wide to an ever-new understanding and appreciation for the world around me. And as such, it greatly impacted my relationship with God. Every day and everywhere, my desire has been, “Jesus, I want to see more of you in my world.” Maybe that is why I so thoroughly enjoyed traveling with van and trailer across country, east-west, north-south many times during our years of marriage.

Remember, Bartimaeus is a beggar, so he could have asked for a bag of gold. He has no status in the community, so he could have asked for the respect of others. He is unemployed, so he could have asked for a job. Most likely he has made mistakes in life, so he could have asked for forgiveness. But instead, he asks for healing of eyesight.

“Go, your faith has healed you” says Jesus. And “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”  Instantly Bartimaeus’ blindness was healed and seeing Jesus, he quickly joins the crowd in following Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem. What else can you imagine him doing?

Bartimaeus is spontaneously enthusiastic, and in all likelihood, was one of the participants in the cheering crowd surrounding Jesus as he enters Jerusalem, shouting “”Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

We can receive the same life-changing healing of heart, mind, and spiritual insights. We can fully embrace Jesus as our most loving and powerful Messiah King. And we can follow him with re-energized courage and confidence, as our most trustworthy Savior. And the first step toward that reality is in answering Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” with “Lord Jesus, I want to see you.”

If we ask, Jesus will heal our eyes, allowing us to see the chaotic world as he sees it. He daily calls us to walk with him in loving and caring for the world with the grand vision of building God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Amen!

The song-writer, Bob Dylan asks some hard questions that call for a prayerful “I want to see” response.

Blowing in the Wind

“How many times must a man look up, before he sees the sky?

Yes, and how many ears must one man have, before he can hear people cry?

Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head, and pretend that he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind.”

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 4/10/25

It is wonderful to hear stories of answered prayers for successful surgery, cancer cured, health restored, protection and safety in dangerous storms or threatening violence. I rejoice with all recipients of answered prayer and gratefully praise God for his intervention and help.

But there are times when sincere and fervent prayers are not answered as we would desire, and our life is painfully shattered with grievous loss of spouse or child, and our future is emptied of dreams and expectations. We weep, we groan, and we cry out “O God, why?” 

There are many psalms that ask this same question. Psalm 10:1 – Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 22:1 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? Yes, we may be crying out “Why, God” but we really want to know “Where are you, God.”

Feeling alone, unloved, and forsaken by God, we wish for someone to sit and cry with us. But feeling shameful because of our tears, we are reluctant to ask someone to just sit with us. But when someone does take the time to sit and cry with us, they become to us God’s heart and hands of caring love in human flesh and presence.

During these days of Lenten self-reflections, I am hearing God’s reprimands for not responding to the cries of others as he would want me to do. Even though I have appropriately done so many times during my chaplaincy ministry, God is reminding me of the more recent times that I have excused myself as being too busy or being already burdened with my own crying heart, I did not want to give compassionate attention to the cry of another.

But God keeps reminding me that helping each other to cry is his intended primary role in our shared life with others. Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan writes this intention in large letters.

Also, the apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians in this “crying” ministry with his greeting to them. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”(2 Cor. 1:3-5). And he also talks about this caring, sensitive, comforting lifestyle in his letter to the Romans, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  (Rm. 12:15).

God’s intention is also vividly declared in the story that I heard told of a little girl who got home from school unusually late one evening, only to find a daddy who was very unhappy about her lateness. He asked his little girl why she was late. She said, “Because my friend broke her dolly.”  Her daddy then said, “Oh, okay, so you stayed with her to fix it?”  He did not expect her gentle reply, “No, Daddy, I stayed with her to help her cry.”

We often do not do this very well, because our full schedules keep us busy and disconnected from another’s pain. But God is always giving us opportunities to hear someone’s cry, to feel someone’s pain, and to be God’s compassionate presence in the midst of their hurt.

In his book, Out of Solitude, Henri Nouwen says, “When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand.”

Perhaps the most important thing we can do in life is to “weep with those who weep.”  I pray that we will be more attentive to nurturing within ourselves a Spirit-led flexibility that allows us to step away from our busyness and sit with those who need a friend to “help them cry.”

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness”– www.geigler.wordpress.com – 4/2/25

We frequently thank God for the things he has done for us and others. And we should do that. But should not we also thank God for the things he has not done? I can think of four wonderful things God has not done which should make us incredibly grateful.

FIRST – God has not rewarded us according to our iniquities. In response to his contemplative thoughts regarding God’s behavior during the Exodus experience of his people, the Israelites, David wrote, “he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10).

 David rightly understood that his ancestors, along with their Egyptian neighbors, should have also lost their firstborn children to the angel of death. But God provided a substitute in the Passover lamb. This is a wonderful part of David’s life history, and he celebrates God’s mercy. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8).

The Scriptures clearly state that we have no inherent right to God’s mercy and redeeming grace. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 3:23, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  But God makes possible that privilege for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Thank you, God!

SECOND – God has not failed, even once, to keep his promises. After Solomon completed his lengthy prayer, he stood to bless the people. This inspired man of prayer looked back on Israel’s long road from Mount Sinai and summed up the entire history of Israel in one sentence;  “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.”  (1 Kings 8:54-56).

Also, Joshua, an elderly hero in Israel’s history, affirms God’s faithfulness; “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”  (Joshua 23:14).

And, even today, we can rightly declare that the record of God’s faithfulness still stands. He has never failed in keeping his promises. When God speaks, it is as good as done. Yes, we can trust God’s promises. He will never disappoint us. What God promises, he can and will perform. Thank you, God!

THIRD – God has not given us the spirit of fear. Fear is one of the most controlling emotions of our modern life. Fear causes weakness and failure. Fear saps strength, paralyzes initiative, and poisons the atmosphere. When fear is evident in our lives, we can be assured that it is not of God.

Now listen to the prophetic message regarding Jesus’ birth that we hear each Christmas; “say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.’”(Isaiah 35:4). And the angel’s announcement of Jesus birth, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10).

To reassure Timothy in his ministry, the apostle Paul writes, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid (fearful), but gives us power, love, and self-discipline (a sound mind).”  (2 Timothy 1:7).And the apostle John writes, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  (1 John 4:18). Jesus comes to free us from fear. Thank you, Jesus!

FOURTH – God has not assigned us to wrath. The apostle Paul wrote, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

This echoes John’s statement regarding both God’s gift of salvation and his righteous judgment, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”(John 3:36). And earlier in that same chapter, John declared, “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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”  (John 3:16-17).

No, we cannot earn salvation or deliverance from God’s wrath, but, yes, because of God’s great love and mercy, we can receive his gift of eternal life by believing and walking with Jesus in repentance and trust. This is the basis of our hope. Thank you, God!

May these reminders of four things God has not done, give you even more reasons to celebrate God’s amazing love for you. AMEN!

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 3/26/25

“Go tell that fox, I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.” (Luke 13:32).

Among first century Jews, foxes were viewed as destructive and worthless pests. Both Jews and Greeks used the term “fox” as a metaphor for a cunning man, a sly person. In rabbinical literature it occurs as a term of contempt in describing a person as worthless and unimportant.

The fox in our text is King Herod. He is a ruthless, cunning man of power. It is thought that he had two of his own sons murdered because he feared their growing political power. And now he is out to kill Jesus. But Jesus in not intimidated by Herod’s death threats.

Did Jesus fear death? He most likely did. I remember his prayer struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.” (Mt. 26:39). And his loud cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46). I believe these were cries of doubt and fear, questioning God’s presence and purpose in the moment. If not, how can we say that he was fully human like the rest of us.

And so, I hear his response to his disciples, “Go tell that fox …I will continue doing what I am doing, and I will reach my goal.”as both speaking reassurance to himself and re-affirming his commitment to the Father’s purpose and presence. I hear Jesus declaring that his life, work, and death would not be determined by Herod or the Pharisees, and names them “foxes.”

Jesus is committed to being directed by God’s inner voice and is clear about who holds his life and his future. He will not let sly foxes set his agenda, and he will not let Herod’s threats stop him from doing what he knows is God’s will for him. Jesus will go to Jerusalem and Herod’s threat will not stop him. Yes, Jesus will be killed, but his death will not be God’s final word. The final victory belongs to God and the risen Christ, who is Jesus.

During the weeks of Lent, we are encouraged to re-examine our level of commitment to God’s plan and purpose for us. To do so, we should seriously consider how we may be being deceived, lied to, and drawn away from God’s truth and mission for us by devilish human foxes.

These human foxes are cunning and quick to invade our mind and hearts with tempting, twisted, and distorted “godly explanations” or unbiblical “conspiracy theories” that are attractive and believable, and confirming what we “secretly” most desire to believe.

We will encounter these human foxes in our work-place, neighborhood, and even in churches. Truly, the devil’s foxes are everywhere, deliberately using the power of innuendo and scare tactics to intimidate and steer us away from the biblical Jesus and God’s grand mission of love and peace in the world.

Watch the evening news, skim the headlines, listen to the talk-shows – it is a scary and deadly world of foxes that we live in. And it is important that we give attention to the destructive nature of these foxes and how they may be diluting and weakening our commitment to being a Jesus-follower every day, everywhere, and with everyone.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Jesus knew nasty people and nasty things are out there, but he also knew that with God’s spirit in us, we are enabled to remain committed to God’s agenda and power in the world. Jesus has shown us that with courage and determination we can refuse to be drawn into the cunning, hurtful, evil ways of the foxes everywhere present, knowing that God’s way of love, joy, and peace to all will triumph. This is the essence of our faith.

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 3/19/25

I did not understand nor appreciate the church calendar with its season of Lent until my Seminary studies and exposure to other religious thoughts and rituals. For me, the time of spiritual and relational self-examination happened twice a year prior to Communion Service.

Following my seminary experience, and after arriving at my new pastorate location, I would join in the activities of the local ministerium. Those experiences made me more aware of the value of church rituals, but also how quickly good rituals for deepening relationship with God and others, can quickly become emptied of spiritual growth and strengthening.

This is why the conversation, recorded in Luke 10:25-37, between Jesus and “an expert in the law” regarding “who is my neighbor, awakens me to my own biased attitudes and behaviors. Yes, I have biases, both good and bad. And yes, at times I have tried to justify my attitudes and behaviors by defining “neighbor” according to my own “preferred” (biased) comfort level.

But I hear Jesus’ “Samaritan story” response to the “religious expert’s” question as vividly declaring such questioning to be out of order. The correct questioning is not “Who is my neighbor” but “How can I be neighbor?”  Yes, “neighbor” to every person I encounter, with all biases removed. Yes, even the neighbor who is frequently at my door wanting something.

Okay, but what does it mean to be a Jesus-like neighbor? I hear Jesus telling us that it is more about what we do to others then what we say to others. His story of the “Samaritan who did good,” 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 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.”

 Many times, I have experienced Jesus’ command to be a neighbor of love and compassion to all others, to be difficult, costly, and sometimes dangerous. But what if we considered these difficult experiences as opportunities to deepen our relationship with God and have our trust in him strengthened. We can do so being reassured that God will always keep his promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). Truly, I have found it to be so!

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 it be our prayer for this Lenten journey with Jesus.

“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.

<><><><><> 

Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 3/12/25