Healing Rays of Righteousness

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.”

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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.”

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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!

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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.

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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.

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

Today another “Ash Wednesday” begins the annual 40 days of “Lent” during which we are encouraged to give serious thought regarding our relationship with Jesus, as we  journey with him toward his death and resurrection on “Easter Sunday.” 

Two questions that will focus our self-reflections are; 1) In what ways has my love for God deepened and become more precious? and 2) In what ways have my attitudes and behaviors become more like Jesus? Sincere pondering of these questions will energize our efforts toward becoming a better Jesus-follower in our world of relationships.

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

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

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

Taking a deep breath of God’s forgiving, healing, energizing Spirit is advice that I think fits well into the purpose of Lent. For in taking a deep breath of God’s forgiving, healing, energizing Spirit, we will be encouraged, enabled, and energized toward a deepening love-relationship with God. And as we breathe God’s Spirit-breath, creativity is awakened, and his profound wisdom and love are empowered in us to do his will on earth as it is in heaven.

Yes, the days of Lent can be a painful time of repenting as we remember our stumbling and failures in being a Jesus-follower. But Jesus’ breathing on us his Spirit’s gift of forgiveness and empowerment, “Peace be with you,” removes all fear and anxiety that may be holding us hostage and invites us into a deepening love relationship with himself and others.

Jesus’ Spirit-breath of peace was to enable his disciples and us to embody and demonstrate the Father’s love and forgiveness for the world. And as he had told them and us earlier, their peace-mission will be known by their love for one another, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (John 13:34-35).

Edwin Hatch has written a prayer-hymn that is so appropriate for the days of Lent. It is titled “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.” I invite you to join me in making it our prayer during this season of Lent.

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, until my heart is pure, until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

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Ray M Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13@wordpress.com – 3/05/25

Although the story is old, happening during the 18^th century, it does illustrate a biblical truth that we who claim to be Christian need to remember and live by. I say this because I often ponder how much it must grieve the heart of God to hear the heated voices of evil divisiveness in almost every religious and community gathering of today. And should it also not grieve our hearts? For, undoubtedly, it is the deadly viruses of stubborn pride, selfishness, and demonic lies that fuel this relational turbulence.

The earthly story:

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 hear

On the edge of the monastery grounds there were beautiful woodlands, in which an old Jewish rabbi had built a small hut. The rabbi would often come there to fast and pray. And 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, looking at the Bible in prayerful meditation.

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 more 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 returned to the monastery, pondering the Rabbi’s teaching.

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. Then looking at each of his fellow monks, he said, “The rabbi told me that the Messiah, the Christ is among you.”

The monks were very puzzled by this saying, and from that moment on, they continually pondered the rabbi’s teaching that the Messiah, the Christ, was among them as they lived, worshiped, and worked together as a community of monks.

As time went by a significant and visible change happened among the monks as they began believing that the Messiah, the Christ, was present among them. They began treating one another with incredibly special reverence. And soon, a new spirit of love and appreciation for each other, began to grow and shape their relationships as a community of young priests and monks.

The community outside the monastery soon became aware of this new spirit of love among the monks. People from near and far were coming to be nourished by the prayer life of the monastery community. The visitors were deeply moved by what they saw and heard. And to the delight of many, the big church once again resounded with the singing of the chant.

The heavenly truth:

Through the prophet Zechariah, God said, “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you, declares the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10).

Jesus told the questioning Pharisees, “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 17:20b-21).

And Jesus promised his disciples, “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).

Yes, the Rabbi’s words were and are correct. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is among us and abides in each and all of us. And when we begin to fully understand this truth and its meaning for us, 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 world.

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).

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 2/19/25

Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day of expressing our love to another. Valentine’s Day is also an excellent day to be reminded that God sends us a most beautiful and glorious love message every day of our lives, and not just on one special day of the year. 

This most amazing love message is found in the fourth chapter of John’s first letter, which he wrote to instruct and encourage the early Christians.   In verse 8, John tells us that “God is love.” And these three little words get to the heart of what John believed about God’s character.  These three little words describe God as pure self-giving love and that he so greatly cares about you and me.

How do we know this to be true?  How can we be certain that “the love of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell”?  My friend, if you daily walk close with Jesus, you will know it to be true. 

Never has there been a more awesome display of LOVE than on Good Friday, when Jesus shouldered 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 goodnight kiss. 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 young adults, and continues yet 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. Their ability to love was and is a “learned” emotion.  And their learning was in response to our enduring, sacrificial, parental love for them throughout 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 our children.  They did not earn it, and neither did they necessarily deserve it. Furthermore, they expected a lot from us as their mother and dad and were costly in both time and money.  But above and beyond any of that, they were our children.  And nothing they could ever do or become would stop us from loving them.        

Most importantly, while growing up in that steady environment of love, they began to love me and their mother as their parents.  And today, when they say “I love you” we know they speak from their heart, because we now 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 our children grew and matured, year after year, we modeled and encouraged certain expectations of them.  We desired that they would deeply love the Lord Jesus and others, being honest, fair, and kind in all their relationships, becoming like Jesus in every way.

And, it should not surprise us that as God’s children we too are 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 God expects us to be loving 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 commanded expectation from God.

Echoing the apostle 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.”

SO BE IT, and may your Valentine’s Day be extra special with God’s love spilling over you!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 2/12/25

I invite you to open your bible to Colossians 3:12-17 and read Paul’s list of resolutions for those who claim to be God’s chosen people. I suggest this list of Christ-like virtues worthy of your serious resolve to be more Jesus-like in the coming months of this new year.

To better understand Paul’s thinking regarding these virtues, I offer my summary of the prior verses 1 through 11.  “Since you have been made alive in Christ, set your hearts and minds on things above, for your life is now with Christ in God.  Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature, the things you did in the life you once lived. Get rid of these things and put on the new self which is being renewed in the image of your Creator God.”

Having set the stage of past life-events, Paul shouts, “Therefore” to get our attention and addresses us as “God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved.”  The Scriptures repeatedly affirm that this is really who we are, and how we live and what we do flows out of who we are. The Scriptures also teach that being and doing cannot be separated.

“Holy” has to do with our character, which shapes our attitudes and actions.  That’s why in the previous verses 5 through 9, Paul urges us to put away the sins that flow from our earthly nature. “Holy” also has to do with being set apart and dedicated for special purpose. As Creator of all things, God claims us and calls us to respond to his love. And when we do, we are made alive and given a new pattern and purpose for living in our world.

Both meanings of “holy” help to define our identity.  But most importantly, we are “dearly loved.”  I do not think there is anything more important than knowing that I am loved.   

Paul passionately believes this truth and shouts to us, “Therefore …”

Be Caring (vv.12-13)

“… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” 

God’s royal garments are graceful, beautiful, and life changing. Each morning, God lovingly invites us into his dressing room to be clothed with garments from his priceless collection.

Compassion –    I will care about my world and do my best to bring it help.

                              I will be moved by your pain and seek to act on your behalf.

Kindness –          I will do useful things to improve your well-being.

Humility –           I will remember who I am in relation to God and other persons.

Gentleness –      I will exercise self-control because I am God-controlled.

Patience –           I will tolerate and bear unpleasant situations, unexpected hurts, and problems.

Forgive –             I will graciously forgive because God has forgiven me.

Be Loving (v.14)

The difference between a nice wardrobe and stylish look is the “tied-together” appearance of the accessories. Love is the garment that brings the parts of our character into a single whole. Love “binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Be At Peace (v.15)

Living with others in family, community, and church, can be difficult and stressful, causing us

to become arenas of conflict and competition. How can these feelings to be arbitrated and harmonized?

The literal meaning of the word “rule” comes from the athletic arena, and Paul is literally saying, “Let the peace of God be the umpire in your heart.”  Paul knew that only within the peace that Christ gives, are we motivated and empowered for having a good relationship with ourselves and with all others.

Be Thankful (v.16)

The body-life of the Christian congregation is described in this verse as teaching, admonishing, and gratefully singing together with all wisdom. The “word of Christ” is a synonym of his living presence within us. We are admonished to “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.”  The Lord Christ wants to be “at home” in our hearts and worshipping community.

We are to be a grace-filled, grace-equipped, grace-celebrating people, in whom Christ dwells richly and through whom grace flows to the people around us. Yes, the church is to be the reality of God’s Kingdom today in our world.

Be Purposeful (v.17)

The name of Jesus Christ stands at the center of Christian living, and provides both our identity, “I am a Christian,” and our authority, “I do this in Jesus’ name.”  As a Christian acting in Jesus’ name, I need not cower nor bully, neither whine nor despair, in my conduct and conversations.

I believe being in Christ, filled with his Spirit, and committed to the above resolutions, will assure our being adequately prepared for the new year of 2025. And whatever the year may bring into your life, always remember you are chosen, holy, and dearly loved by God.

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 01/22/25

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”  (Isa. 60:1-2).

The prophet/pastor, Isaiah, was writing to God’s people in a time of deep darkness and despair, most likely gloomier and more desperate than that in our present time.  The return trip to their homeland in Israel, after 70 years of exile in Babylon, was exceedingly difficult and disappointing. 

The back-to-back imperative verbs, “Arise, Shine” constitute a hope-filled “wake-up” call announcing the Lord’s new day, signified by his glorious light. This glorious light is evidenced in God’s majestic, redeeming presence and provision. This glorious light awakens and encourages their prophetic hope for a Messiah/Redeemer whose glorious light will overcome the deadly darkness of Godlessness and evil.

This promised glorious light links us forward to what the apostle John says about Jesus Christ, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  …The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. …The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:4-5,9,14). 

And it also links us to the story of the “Magi from the east” who were looking for a hopeful sign about the future and then seeing it, followed the brilliant light of a star to Bethlehem. The star that appeared in the nighttime sky led them to the place where the young child was with his mother Mary.

In that child, the Magi recognized that God had finally brought light and hope into the world’s darkness.  They believed this child was the beginning fulfillment of God’s promise of a whole new world called the Kingdom of heaven, “and they bowed down and worshipped him.” {Matthew 2:11).

Ponder this glorious truth and make it your personal reality. Because this sovereign, creator God so loved you and me, he clothes himself in human flesh and being born of a woman, comes down to earth as glorious and holy light incarnated in Jesus Christ. And it is this glorious light that “rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”

Unlike the people of Isaiah’s day, we have received more than a promise of light.  As John says, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.”  (Jn.1:14).  The promise is fulfilled.  We now live in the new reality of God’s Kingdom of light and glory shining on us in the here and now.

Should we not be more confident and enthusiastic regarding God’s presence and goodness to us as we daily pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt. 6:10)?

The glorious evidence of a living, loving God in our midst, is made visible over all the world with each sunrise, as people of every nation are inspired and mobilized by the Christ-like spirit of love and compassion to care for and help others in their need; that is, “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8). 

The remarkable truth is that this glorious light of Christ does much more than just make us feel good and confident.  This “Jesus” light changes our attitude toward the world and the people around us.  We see them, all of them, in a new light as human beings created, just like us, in the image and likeness of God, and who are dearly loved by God.

And yes, the glory of God’s new promised Kingdom shines brighter and brighter as the glory of the Lord overcomes and sweeps away the darkness of sin in persons and nations far and near to us.  The apostle Paul says it this way in his second letter to the Corinthians (3:18) – “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”          

HAPPY NEW YEAR – Rise and shine!  God has come down to us in Jesus. The true light of the world and our salvation is here! Let the glory of the Lord shine over you, in you, and through you!  Do not hide it under a bushel. Step into this new year with confident faith, believing Christ’s new kingdom of redeeming light, hope, love, peace, joy, and life has dawned upon us and is moving toward complete and glorious fulfillment as the glorious eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ on earth.

“O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.” AMEN!

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Ray M. Geigley – “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – www.geigler13.wordpress.com – 01/01/25