Wednesday, February 4, 2026

 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  (Philippians 1:21)

 

 

Yesterday we noted how God’s prophet Elijah was so worn down he wished to die.

 

Today we look at how the Apostle Paul came to feel the same way.

 

In Philippians chapter one Paul reflected on just how exhausted he was.  He confessed to the Philippians his desire to “depart,” that is “die,” to be with his Lord.  He believed dying was, at this point in his life, a better alternative than living (Philippians 1:23).

 

At the same time, Paul was convinced it was more important that he continue on in order to encourage the Philippians (Philippians 1:24).

 

As a result, Paul was joyful at the prospect of continuing on in this life for the benefit of the Christians in the city of Philippi.

 

Like Elijah, Paul still had work, God’s work, to do.

 

As long as our Lord has work for us to do, we will find joy in even the most challenging of circumstances.

 

And when our Lord determines our work is done, then He will receive us home.

Blessings, 

Pastor Karl

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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Elijah came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.  “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.  “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”  (1 Kings 19:4)

 

 

Elijah was one of the great Old Testament prophets of God.

 

The Lord called Elijah to oppose the wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel.  Elijah found this calling to be both dangerous and also exhausting.  Isn’t it strange how the wicked seem to have great “staying power?”  So it was with Ahab and Jezebel.

 

Completely drained physically, emotionally, and spiritually, Elijah sat down and asked the Lord to end his life.

 

Reading further in 1 Kings 19, we see the Lord respond by providing rest and nourishment for Elijah.

 

Eventually the very presence of the Lord came to Elijah in “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

 

Soon Elijah was back on his feet, once again serving his Lord.

 

Elijah shows us there is no shame in calling for the Lord to take us home.  There is no shame in feeling as if we are completely depleted and can do no more.  (The Apostle Paul gives us a similar example in Philippians chapter one.)

 

Additionally, Elijah also shows us our calling is not completely fulfilled until the Lord says it's completely fulfilled.

 

Until that day, when by our Lord’s decision our days on earth come to an end, we have a calling to fulfill as Jesus provides for us rest, nourishment, and above all direction for serving Him.

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Blessings,

 

Pastor Karl

Monday, February 2, 2026

 

As Jesus, his disciples, and a crowd were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  (Luke 9:57)

 

 

The story is told of a would-be follower of Jesus praying:

“Lord make me chaste…but not quite yet."

 

In Luke chapter nine, the men whom Jesus called to be his disciples respond in the affirmative with the proviso of, “First let me…”  (Luke 9:59-61)

 

In other words, “Jesus, I will follow you, but not quite yet."

 

Jesus knows the words, “…not quite yet…” really mean, “No”.  (Luke 9:62)

 

They mean, “Jesus, I will follow you, but I have a few things in my life to take care of that are more important than you".

 

If we are to truly follow Jesus, He must be more important than anything else in life.

 

Whenever we say, “Not quite yet”, we would do better to be honest and simply say, “No."

 

How many of us, as we enjoy our second piece of pie, have thought, “I really should begin that diet…but not quite yet."

 

Blessings,

 

Pastor Karl

Friday, January 30, 2026

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Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”  (Acts 10:34-35)

 

 

The Apostle Peter, a follower of Jesus and a devout Jew, was called by God to visit the home of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion.

 

According to Jewish custom, Peter ought not have accepted this invitation to enter Cornelius’s house.

 

Nevertheless, Peter followed the clear instruction of his Lord to bring the Good News to Cornelius and his family (Acts 10:19-20).

 

While Peter was speaking “the Holy Spirit came on all those who heard the message.”  To the surprise and shock of the Jews who were with Peter, the Holy Spirit was poured out on these Gentiles and they became believers.

 

The New Testament book of Acts tells the beginning of the story of the Gospel of Jesus going out to all the world.  The Good News of Jesus is not only for the Jews.  It is for all.

 

The same holds true today.

 

While individuals can decide to exclude themselves from God’s family, no one is denied the invitation by virtue of their background, sex, or race.

 

What did Peter say that resulted in the conversion of Cornelius and his household?

 

Peter simply told the story of his encounter with the Lord.

 

That was enough.

 

Again, the same holds true today.

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Blessings,

Pastor Karl

Thursday, January 29, 2026

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Do not judge, and you will not be judged.  Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.  Forgive, and you will be forgiven.  Give, and it will be given to you.  (Luke 6:37-38)

 

 

Writing in the 19th century, Henry David Thoreau is best known for his book, Walden.

 

However Thoreau wrote many other books and articles.

 

Included in his writings is a series of articles chronicling his walking tour through Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Thoreau wrote about the unique geography and the unique people of “The Cape."

 

In one memorable passage Thoreau recorded his conversation with a lighthouse keeper.  This man was charged with making sure the lamps, fueled by whale oil, were lit at sunset and extinguished at sunrise.

 

Powerful mirrors concentrated the light from these lamps so that ships off the coast could see the signal and keep a safe distance from shore.

 

The mirrors of the lighthouse needed to be kept clean and focused.

 

This particular lighthouse keeper constantly battled the town's governing board concerning the quality of the whale oil they provided, as well as how much whale oil he used.

 

Concerned citizens would come by both at dusk, and also at dawn, to make sure he wasn't wasting this expensive commodity by letting the lamps burn during daylight hours.

 

As a result, the lighthouse keeper was careful to light the lamps precisely when darkness fell, and extinguish them as soon as the sun arose.

 

One clear morning the lighthouse keeper extinguished the lamps the moment the sun appeared over the horizon.  He then proceeded down the stairs to walk around the grounds and stretch his legs.  When he looked up it appeared as if the lamps were still lit.  Puzzled, he climbed back up the stairs to find the lamps - lamps he knew he had extinguished - burning once again.

 

As it turned out, as the sun arose the mirrors acted “in reverse.”  They gathered the rays from the sun and focused them on the wicks of the lamps.  Thereby re-lighting them.

 

The very same “apparatus” (the mirrors) that sent out the light of the lamps, also gathered the light from the sun.

 

Something similar is at work in us.

 

The “apparatus” within us that sends out the blessings of God to others, is the very same “apparatus” that gathers and receives the blessings of God.

 

Our ability to receive God’s grace is simply the "reverse side" our ability to extend His grace to others.

 

Jesus said this is true for: judging, condemning, forgiving, and giving (verses above).

 

Therefore, let us keep the one “mirror” of our lives clean and focused on the horizon where we find:

(1) both people in need (ships), and also

 

(2) the light of Christ shining brilliantly upon us.

Blessings,

Pastor Karl