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What’s going on in the world today?  Every time you turn on the tv, listen to the radio, or check the internet, it’s disaster after disaster.  Nation against nation; religion against religion; race against race, democrat against republican, and person against person. Ezekiel 13:10 says, “they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace.”  It seems like everyone wants peace, but no one has it.

Jesus said, “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

The world says peace is the absence of conflict but the peace Jesus gives lives in the hearts of those who love him.  How can nations live in peace  if the people that make up those nations have no peace?  How can races or religions live in peace if the people who make up those races and religions have no peace in their hearts?

The world’s peace is dependent upon feelings - It says if I feel good about myself, I will be at peace.  We live in the most self-obsessed society that has ever existed.  Let’s call it, the selfie society.  We take pictures of ourselves until our arms wears out, then we put our phones on  selfie sticks and take more.  This avalanche of self-love should mean that we have more than enough peace.  Then why is there no peace?

Jesus’s peace is dependent on trust.  The bible says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”  Is 26:3.  But trust is only as good as its object.  If you sit in a chair with a broken leg, you can trust it with all my heart, but you will still end up on the floor.

The world’s peace says you have to be in control of every situation.  The world says if you have power and money, you will be in charge.  Then, you will have peace.  But what happens if you meet someone with more power or money than you?  You no longer have control so you no longer have peace. 

Jesus’s peace says you don’t have to be in control, because God is in control.  James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”  What could be more peaceful than snuggling up in the arms of the Creator of the Universe.

The world says that peace comes from winning.  If someone hits you, hit back harder.  Never forgive and never forget.  In the movie Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,  Malcolm (human) warns Caesar(ape) that the apes need to run because the soldiers are coming and war is about to start.  Caesar replies that apes already started the war and man would finish it because men never forgive.  We don’t need a monkey to tell us that men never forgive.  Just look around!  How much forgiveness do you see.

Jesus says forgive.  In Matthew chapter 18, the bible says, that  Peter came to Jesus and asked him, if he must forgive somebody up to 7 times for sinning against him.  Jesus answered, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  Jesus said that if God forgives us, the least we can do is forgive each other.

The world’s peace says the one who dies with most wins….Stay tuned for part two…..

I just spoke with our granddaughter Morgan yesterday, and heard about her pastor’s sermon last week in Phoenix. She said it was a good warning to the Church to keep our eyes on Jesus, letting Him be the main thing.

Satan, the Splitter, wants us to focus on the things that divide. A divided Church is a weakened Church and a weakened witness to the world. In Proverbs 6:19 we read that the LORD hates some things, including a man who stirs up dissension among brothers. “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity, it is like precious oil poured on the head…(and) brings healing.” (Psalms 33:1,2) It is in grace and with humility that we meet at the mercy seat. There we find that He is enough. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Yet, we need to face the issues of today in the spirit of Elijah, recognizing the idolatry all around us, ready to truthfully converse with those who deny our Lord, and remind them that the choice is theirs.” How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is a god, follow him.” (1Kings 18:21)

We must pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit, that we might “be wise in the way (we) act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let (our) conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that (we) may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:5-6) Jesus prayed for us, that we would be one, “brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me”. (John 17:20-23)

Periods of pain or suffering provide unique witnessing opportunities to a watching world as genuinely concerned family and friends listen in a way they otherwise might not.  During my second bout with cancer this year, the Lord has ministered to myself and my family in many ways – none of them more tangible than the acts of love coming from the body of Christ.  You have made it easy for people in my life - but outside the church – to see the love that exists in our church family, and the provision our Lord whom we seek to glorify.  Thank you!

Jesus told us that “all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35).  John solidifies the point: “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another…” (1 Jn 3:23).  Thank you, saints for your faithfulness to our King and for the way you’ve loved us when we need it most!  Praise God with me as I recount just a few of the blessings that have left us feeling like our cup is overflowing!

For months you have been providing meals that have allowed me to meet obligations at work and home during endless treatment appointments and unpleasant chemotherapy side-effects.  For months we have received notes, calls, and messages of encouragement – and an extra hand whenever we needed one.  During multiple long stints away from home – including several weeks apart from my family – we’ve had:  our woodpile stocked, grass cut, garden and chickens taken care of, plumbing and furnace fixed, rides given to fix broken vehicles, and many other “small” things that are anything but small in the way they have ministered to us.

Cards, emails, messages and phone calls of encouragement, teaching, and admonishment have helped us keep perspective, and centered us in God’s love and provision.  I’ve worshiped with many of you even while I’m far away – psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing together with thankfulness in our hearts to our great God.  Care packages have kept me healthy and happy (who isn’t encouraged by chocolate?) – and never feeling alone.

Thank you, brothers and sisters – our true family - for showing us once again what Christian love looks like, especially with the non-believers in our lives listening and looking on.  This is how it’s supposed to be in the midst of our broken and lost world.  May the Lord compel all of us to continue find opportunities to wash one another’s feet, following the command and example of our Lord and Teacher (Jn 13:14).  We were made for this!

There are several interesting stories about Judah’s King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 17 through part of 21. One particular story was recently brought to my attention by my dear wife; the story of a battle against three neighboring armies in chapter 20. The story begins with the king’s alarm at hearing about the impending threat. Another translation says he was afraid. An army of Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites came to make war with him.

This has been a week for me in which I have succumbed to fear on several accounts. I was being threatened by fears of my enemies, and I had to do battle.

• COVID is back, attacking friends, and causing me to fear for us all.
• The news is full of tragedies, as in Afghanistan, causing sadness and fear.
• Physical maladies are pressing in, causing me fear of being old and in the way.

Experiencing mild depression, and irritability with those I love most, I needed help from the Lord. I needed help to get out of this funk I’ve been in. I needed a rescue. I needed to break the chains of fear from overcoming me. It is hard to ask for help, but I began by reading this passage of scripture, hoping for a rescue.

In the king’s alarm, he did some things:

1. He inquired of the LORD and proclaimed a fast for all of Judah.
2. He and the people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD.
3. He prayed to the LORD, acknowledging His greatness and faithfulness, asking for the LORD to help, acknowledging no power to face the vast army. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
4. He listened to what the Spirit of the LORD spoke to the assembled people, to not be afraid or discouraged, “for the battle is not yours, but God’s”. “Take up your positions, then stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you.” “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”
5. He and all the people bowed down in worship and praised the LORD with very loud voice.
6. He led the people into battle singing, “Give thanks to the LORD, for His love endures forever”, and the LORD annihilated the vast army.
7. He led the people home rejoicing over their enemies.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit I need your help. I am in desperate need. I feel like a sinking ship. I’m having dreadful thoughts. I’m miserable. What can I do? I try prayer. I try different activities, try reading, try exercise, try taking a nap. LORD, you have been so good to me, to us, to our family. We have recounted the ways. I know your presence is with me. Why do I feel so overcome? I feel surrounded by my enemy. LORD open my eyes to see the unseen realm – to see the reality of your mighty army fighting for me.

Sunday came, and I felt like staying home, but my dear wife urged me with “let’s get to church”. I was encouraged to “set (my) heart on things above … and set (my) mind on things above”. I was reminded that I am “one of God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved”. I was encouraged to sing spiritual songs, being overwhelmed with gratitude for the messages to my own heart and mind. I worshipped. Monday evening came, and we have worshipped again, our family group has come together singing the old hymns of the faith. I have had time to recollect how my experience gave me the opportunity to encourage a couple of brothers Sunday and Monday. I feel that God is rescuing me from a pit. I am thankful. The battle belongs to the LORD. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.”

Chris Willadsen                                                                                                                                              August 31, 2021