Just a Minute . . .

It is amazing how often the word love is used. It is equally amazing for what it is used. People can love just about anything. From pets to food, from houses to cars, and especially other people – all of these can be preceded by the word love.

It is unfortunate the word has become so diluted. It is difficult to determine whether a person only prefers something, or if there is a willingness to make a life-long commitment.

There should never be any confusion when Jesus uses the word love. As he prepared his disciples for his suffering and death, he gave them the command: “love one another.” The words were probably met with mixed emotions. This is why Jesus also added the following explanation: “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Suddenly, the word took on a special meaning. The new command was not about personal preference or taste. It was about love that was unselfish and never-failing.

Jesus uses his own love as the key to understand this new command. His love brought him to this earth. It also made him endure shame, mockery and rejection. It even subjected him to the most horrible of deaths on the cross. In him, the love he commands for those who follow him is revealed in complete clarity.

What makes Jesus’ love unique is that it not only offers the encouragement to love, it also provides the reason and power to love.

Certainly there are many reasons for me to be selfish and self-centered. It is the natural response with which I am born. In contrast, there is only one reason why I can love. That is the love of Jesus. This is why I need to keep his cross before my eyes. It is also why I need to keep his resurrection fresh in my mind. Here is where love begins, grows, and overcomes every selfish thought and desire I may have. Here is where I recognize what love really is.

Roughly forty years after the disciple John heard Jesus’ words, he wrote: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). He learned the lesson Jesus taught and lived it without compromise. As I hear Jesus’ new command, “love one another,” how will I respond? As I learn of my Savior’s unselfish love for me, and as I grow in that love, there is only one response: I will love others as Jesus loves me.


In HIS awesome service,

Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

It’s good to have goals. God had goals when he sent Moses to Egypt to lead his chosen people, the nation of Israel, out of slavery in that land: 1) Let the Israelites know that the LORD is God, 2) Let the Egyptians and the world know that the LORD is God, and 3) Free his people and bring them to the land he had promised them.

Through powerful miracles performed in Egypt the Israelites caught on and believed. The LORD is God and there is no other god besides him! Some of the Egyptians caught on and feared the LORD. Others caught on and hated the LORD. Pharaoh was one of the haters.

The LORD freed his people from slavery in Egypt. They marched out following the LORD and Moses. Very soon, Pharaoh decided he wanted the Israelites back in Egypt as his slaves. Pharaoh chased them with his chariots and warriors. The LORD led Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground, lured the Egyptians in after them, and then brought the waters of the Red Sea crashing back down on them. The Israelites did not need to lift a finger against them. The LORD fought for Israel and drowned the Egyptian warriors in the watery depths. The LORD is Israel’s salvation!

The LORD is still majestic, holy and powerful. God still leads people to see and believe and trust and follow him. Like the ancient Israelites, you have reason to break into a similar song of praise as the Israelites did in Exodus 15:1-11. Who is like the LORD? No one! God powerfully swept away mighty enemies when he died to free us from the slavery of sin and hold of eternal death. With his resurrection from the dead, he gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and the power of death is broken.

God doesn’t lead you through the Red Sea, but does promise to lead you through life with his powerful Word. God doesn’t prepare a path of escape from enemy chariots, but he does promise an escape route whenever you are tempted (take it!) Your LORD is majestic, holy and powerful – there is no one like him!

In HIS awesome service,
Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

Who would you obey? God told Peter and the other apostles to share Jesus Christ. The religious leaders commanded the apostles NOT to preach about Jesus Christ.

Who would you obey? God or some people telling you to NOT do what God told you to do? It’s easier to answer the question if we keep it to the situation over 2,000 years ago – one where we’re not involved. However, if we slide the question to today and make it all about you and the decisions you make, is the question always so clear cut and easy to answer? Who would you listen to? Would you obey God and love your neighbor as yourself? Or, would you listen to your sinful nature that tells you it’s okay to be mean to your neighbors because they’re a bunch of jerks?

We could pile up a huge list of “listen to God, or listen to your sinful nature or world.” Right alongside that list we could pile up a huge list of times when “I didn’t listen to God – I made the other choice and sinned against him.”

Listen to Peter’s words: “God exalted him [Jesus] to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.”

Repentance and forgiveness – that’s exactly what sinners like you and I need! Jesus died on a cross. He suffered the punishment for all of your sins. Your debt was paid in full by Jesus. Then, God raised Jesus from the dead. God accepted his sacrifice and declares you not guilty! You are forgiven.

Child of God, who will you obey? Peter and the apostles chose to obey their loving Savior who died for them and forgave them. Listen to and obey your God. He loves you and forgives you.

In HIS awesome service,
Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

Jesus had risen. The disciples knew that as they went fishing. Now they waited for him in Galilee as Jesus had instructed them. All night they fished to pass the time. Their nets were still empty as the sun came up. Then they saw a man standing on the shore as they fished. At his instruction they threw the net into the water and pulled up 153 large fish. Then the disciples recognized that the man they saw on the shore was their risen Lord. Imagine their surprise when they arrived on the shore and Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” A fire was already burning on the shore. Bread and fish sizzled over the hot coals. It was ready to be served. And the chef was none other than Jesus himself. It is rather amazing to think about. Jesus himself cooked breakfast for his disciples. He knew that the disciples had been up all night and would be hungry, and he prepared a meal for them.

Sometimes it can be easy to forget about this little fact about our risen Lord. We know that he rose from the dead on Easter. So as we face death, he comforts us with his power over death. He gives us peace by assuring us of our own crown of life. But what about today? How does the hope of heaven help us as we struggle though a day of work? Where is the peace when we are separated from loved ones who are deployed for weeks or months? What about the times our belly rumbles or the children are sick?

It’s at these times the simple act of Jesus preparing and serving his disciples breakfast serves also as a comfort for us. Jesus didn’t just rise and tell us he would raise us also, and then leave us to take care of everything else on our own. Our risen Lord also cares for our daily needs. He is the one who gives that gift of patience as you work with the abrasive personality in the office. He is the one who intercedes on your behalf as you cry out in prayer for your dear one fighting in the war. He is the one giving the doctors the skill to help your children. He is the one providing for each of your needs through the many people he equips and sends to help you. He assures you that nothing is going to separate you from the love of your risen Lord, not your death nor any hardship or trial that comes your way here on earth. The risen Lord continues to serve you even as you wait for the blessed life in heaven that he brings.

In HIS awesome service,
Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

What Happened?

Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

What happened? As Peter peered into the open tomb, he was plagued by the question. Certainly he had plenty of evidence. He heard the women’s testimony. He went past the stone that covered the opening. He saw the linen strips that covered Jesus’ body. He could even recall the words Jesus had spoken previously: “On the third day he will rise again”. In spite of the evidence, Peter left the tomb wondering.

What happened? I may struggle with the same question. On Easter Sunday I may have heard about the open tomb. I may have been led past the stone that guarded the opening. I may have even been shown the linens, and heard the message of the women and the angels proclaiming that he is not here. Still, the question persists.

What happened? I need an answer, and Jesus is the only one who can help. I could try to rely on other resources, but none will answer the question. None will give me the peace of mind I desperately need. None will offer me any lasting assurance.

Jesus tells me what happened. Throughout his ministry, Jesus always pointed to his death and resurrection. These were the culmination of his God-appointed work. When Jesus died and rose from the dead, he proclaimed that every promise God made was kept. He also proclaimed that my rescue was secure.

Jesus’ resurrection is my guarantee that I am forgiven. Jesus’ resurrection is my guarantee that I am at peace with God. Jesus’ resurrection is also my guarantee of a new life. Because Jesus lives, I can live with confidence. Satan’s tyranny is defeated. Sin’s control is overcome. Death’s terror is silenced. Today, and every day, I can live with a resurrection joy. In addition, I can live every day with Jesus’ personal promise, “because I live you also will live”. I know the grave is not the end. Just as Jesus broke free from the grip of death, so will I. On that day I will live with him forever.

So, what happened on Easter day? I might be tempted to wonder about the resurrection, but my doubts are answered in Jesus. He lives. The tomb is empty. New life and heaven are mine.

In HIS awesome service,

Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

How do you think Peter felt on Good Friday? Just watching Jesus go through all his suffering must have been bad enough, but to know that he had denied knowing Jesus had to make him feel awful. Even worse, he'd done it three times. More than that, Jesus had warned him plainly in advance that he was going to do it! How might Peter have felt? I'm guessing he felt horrible.

Then on Easter Sunday, the women who arrived at Jesus’ empty tomb are given a clear instruction by the angel. "Go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'" Tell Peter. Tell Peter specifically. Why?

Probably because Peter really needed to hear it! Peter really needed to hear that his sins were forgiven, that he had a risen Savior who still loved him and who always would love him.

You and I are no different than Peter. We're sinful human beings, just like he was. We've denied Jesus in our own ways, whether by blatant statements (like Peter), or not letting our light shine, or failing to trust God fully, or neglecting God’s Word, or whatever. We've failed. We've sinned. We're "Peter."

Jesus' resurrection marks his victory over death which assures us that our failures and sins are forgiven. The good news of Jesus resurrection is the special message of God's Word for you! You have a risen Savior! Jesus died and rose again from the dead to assure you that your sins are all forgiven.

In HIS awesome service,
Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

The classic TV series M*A*S*H tells the story of an army field hospital located mere miles from the front lines during the Korean War. In one episode, the army chaplain, Father Mulcahy, cannot comfort a wounded soldier because he’s admitted that he’s never experienced what it’s like to be in battle. After some introspection, the chaplain makes a decision. He secretly stows himself away in a truck headed for the front. Upon his arrival he finds himself in the middle of a full-fledged firefight. When it’s finally over, he returns to the hospital where word of what he’s done has already spread through the ranks. The final scene of that episode is Father Mulcahy sitting down once again with the same soldier. The chaplain looks him in the eye and says, “Now let’s talk.”

When you talk to your Savior in prayer, you are not talking to someone who’s sitting back on his distant throne in detached serenity. Rather, you are talking to someone who has been exactly where you are. In fact, Jesus did not merely get a small taste of what the battles of the world are like. Instead, Jesus fully felt the very worst that this world can launch against us.

But remember: Jesus did this not only so he could feel what we feel. He did it to be our perfect Substitute. He willingly took the punishment for our failures and paid for them completely at the cross.

Every day through his Word, Jesus sits down with you. Every day Jesus says, “Let’s talk.” When he does, think about where he’s been. Think about what he’s done for you. He knows what the battle is like. He’s the one to carry you through.

In HIS awesome service,

Pastor Dennis

Just a Minute . . .

Face it, a good number of the people you know are on Facebook. They’re chatting and sharing and updating constantly. They’re letting the world in on their lives one profile update at a time. Now, what if God had a Facebook page? With what sort of things would he fill it? Would his profile have a Bible verse of the day? If God had a Facebook page, how many friends would he have, and would you be among them?

People fill out a Facebook profile in order to stay connected with friends and to let the world know who they are. If God had a Facebook page, you can be sure it would be for the same reasons. To do those things, his page would be undoubtedly all about his Son, Jesus. There’s a reason for that. The Apostle Paul said that God “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

Paul’s words remind us that the world feels it can know and be friends with God in many different ways. But without Jesus, God calls all those ways blindness. God reveals in the Bible the one way to know him: through Jesus, his Son.

Now, picture the face of Jesus. When we see Jesus; we see just what God wants in a friend. When we see Jesus; we see the way God makes those who aren’t like him to be his friends. Jesus lived perfectly, just like God. Though innocent, Jesus died on the cross. Jesus bore the guilt for all those who aren’t perfect like God. And that’s all of us!

Know the face of Jesus and understand the perfection God wants in life. Know the face of Jesus and understand the perfection God sees despite your imperfection. Know the face of Jesus and understand God’s love as it shines in your heart and lights up your life. In Jesus, you have the daily comfort of knowing who God is and how he stays connected to you.

If God had a Facebook page…by faith in Jesus, you would be his friend.

In HIS awesome service,

Pastor Dennis