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Some friends went hunting in northern Canada. One was an Engineer. One was a Psychologist. And one was a Theologian. As they were hunting, a bad winter storm came up and they found a little isolated cabin. No one answered when they knocked, and the door was unlocked, so they went in. It was nothing fancy – just two small rooms. There was nothing unusual about it, except for the coal stove. The large, potbellied stove was suspended in mid-air by wires attached to the ceiling beams.

The Psychologist said, “Fascinating! It is obvious that the lonely trapper feels so isolated from the world that he elevated the stove so that he can curl up underneath it and emotionally return to his mother’s womb in a fetal position. A brilliant means of adapting to one’s environment!”

The Engineer said, “That a load of Freudian nonsense! The man is simply displaying a knowledge of the laws of thermodynamics. He obviously discovered that elevating his stove off the floor would distribute the heat more evenly throughout the entire cabin. He put the laws of physics to practical use!”

The Theologian said, “With all due respect to both of you and your wisdom, you are wrong. Hanging his stove from the ceiling has powerful religious symbolism. You see, fire, lifted up, has for centuries been a symbol for the nearness and active presence of God. I would guess this was his way of coping with his loneliness and abandonment, letting the elevated fire be his constant reminder of God’s presence here with him.”

They each debated the merits of their theories, which in itself helped to warm them up. They also lit a fire in that elevated stove, enjoying its warmth, but never resolving their different theories. While they were debating and warming, the trapper returned to his cabin.  After the necessary introductions and greetings, they asked him, “Why did you suspend your pot-bellied stove from the ceiling?” His answer was brief and simple. “I had plenty of wire but not much stove pipe.”

In God’s service, we are asked to use only what we have been given. Some have plenty of one thing. Some have plenty of something else. God wants you to use what you have been given “plenty of” in His service. And this is done in response to knowing what God has already done for you, providing His Son to pay for your sins so that you can have forgiveness and eternal life.

A passage that I remind myself of on a regular describes an attitude that was instilled in me as a child by my father, something that has shaped the way I have lived much of my life.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  

 Whatever it is you are doing, do it with all your heart, remembering that you are doing it for Jesus.

When I hear or read the headlines, I often shake my head at the behavior of people. When you hear of a tragic accident or another killer on the rampage, don’t you wonder how people can get to that point?  Sometimes the victims will ask, “Why did this happen to me?” They may have lost their homes or were injured or lost a loved one, and trying to make sense of it all they are asking “Why me? Why did this happen to me?”

We ask that question when tragedies come into our lives, as though we expect life to go smoothly and be trouble free. But the truth of the matter is that we ALL have trouble and problems and hardship in our lives. Not all of it makes the national news, but that makes it no less devastating to us. We have our individual circumstances that lead us to ask, “Why me?”

The short answer is simple. Sin. Every problem that exists in this fallen world is because it is a fallen world. The perfection we long for eludes us because sin came into that which God had created and declared good, corrupting it completely (Romans 8:18-22). Sin’s presence in the world causes all of the problems that afflict us all. It is sin that causes someone to walk into a theater or school or church and start shooting strangers. It is sin that causes terrorists to blow up buildings. It is sin that brings tragedy and pain into this world.

When I think of that, I am even more amazed that God would send His Son into this corrupt world to share our existence, our very flesh. While He came into a world full of sin, He was without sin. And He never sinned, even when He experienced the worst this world could throw at Him. What kind of love is that? Even more, this sinless one voluntarily took the sins of the world on Himself so that He could be your substitute in punishment, paying for your sin (1 Peter 2:22-24). The full force of sin is what led Him to be unjustly accused, arrested, tried, convicted and crucified. He did that for you. And then rose again in victory, also for you. Believe it to be true and it is yours.

That knowledge leads me to ask “Why Me?” in an entirely different context. I know my struggles, my problems, my failings. But I also know my Savior’s love. Why was He willing to do all He did for me? The only answer I have is “God so loved the world”—including me—“that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Those who have experienced tragedy and loss and are struggling need our prayers. Pray for comfort, for healing, for help, for peace. And include yourself in those prayers, for as I said earlier, we all have our struggles. But don’t forget the blessings that God has given, none of which you deserve, when you are talking to Him.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy…  (Psalm 103:2–4 ESV)

Every three years my church body has something they have called a “National Youth Gathering,” and now refered to simply as “Youth Gathering.” The last one was in in Houston. About 20,000 youth and adults (mostly high school youth) from across the United States and some international participants gathered under the theme “In All Things.”  They had daily Bible Studies, time for play, worked on service projects around the area, listened to speakers and musicians in “Mass Events” at Minute Maid Park every night, and had chances to hear presentations on a variety of relevant topics every day at the George Brown Convention Center. They took time to worship and pray together. That was the fifth time Cheryl and I volunteered as workers at one of these events, and prior to that we had attended three other gatherings as Family Group leaders for the youth from our congregation. These were always a wonderful and tiring experience.

I think about all the years our congregation held Vacation Bible School. Cheryl and I were able to help with that again this year. VBS is a big production with lots of decorations and fun. Every year we share with the children the Good News of God sending His Son into this world to be the Savior of all people. We told them how Jesus paid for our sin so that we would not have to do so ourselves. We did this through story time, crafts, games, experiment stations, snacks and music. It was a joy to hear all those happy and excited voices in our building. And yes, it was always tiring as well.

In spite of my exhaustion, I would not hesitate to be part of those events again. I have always been a strong proponent of sharing the Good News of Jesus with our young people. It is crucial. And we do that not just in “big” events like Youth Gatherings and Vacation Bible School. Our congregations are constantly trying to share this Good News every week in Children’s Church and Sunday School and Midweek Classes. We share resources for parents to use at home to educate their children throughout the week.

A phrase that has been floating around the internet and social media the last few years is “If we don’t teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to.” That is worth serious contemplation. Many parents who were raised in Church and Sunday School have made those things a low priority for their children. It is not a case of not believing in Jesus, but that other things demand their time and attention. Sunday morning is used as “time off” for recovery rather than a time to gather with other believers for worship and praise. Satan convinces people that it is okay to just stay home. It is a clever ploy our old evil foe uses to lead people away the importance of putting Jesus first.

Here are a few of the Scripture passages that speak to the importance of teaching the faith to our children.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Matthew 19:13–14 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

This is the responsibility of all followers of Jesus. If your children are grown or you have no children of your own, you can still be a part of sharing Jesus with the next generation. All of you can volunteer in the children’s ministry of your congregation. It doesn’t have to be as a “teacher,” but it could be. Those who help behind the scenes are also needed. Maybe you can help prepare classrooms and make sure all the necessary supplies are available. Offer transportation for those who have trouble getting their children to Sunday School. Encourage parents in their efforts to raise godly children. God will bless you as you do this loving work.

What can you do to make sure that future generations hear and know and understand God’s love for them in Christ? Don’t delay. Do it today.

Colossians 2:13–15 ¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

“When you were dead.” God did not tell you that you had to first make yourself alive, then He would accept you. God did not tell you to try harder and be better and then He would consider claiming you as His own. God did not say you had to earn your forgiveness.

“When you were dead in your sins.” Those without faith are physically alive but spiritually dead. Standing before God without faith in Jesus, you will fall short. You will be destined for hell, eternal separation for God.

“The uncircumcision of your sinful nature.”  Those who were not circumcised were not part of God’s chosen people, not heirs of the promise.

“God made you alive with Christ.”  It was something Jesus did for you. The one who lived without sin, offered Himself as the sacrifice on the cross, was crucified, dead and buried is the same one who was raised back to life on the third day. God gives you that same new life because you trust in Him.

“Having canceled the written code.”  This was a reference to a document that someone signed when they borrowed money. Paul compares our sins against God’s Laws to a “debt” we owe Him, and it is one we cannot repay. The cancellation of this debt is a huge thing for us.

“He took it away, nailing it to the cross.”  The debt was paid, but not by us. Jesus did it on the cross.

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”  Is certainly a reference to spiritual forces, but can also remind us that worldly powers and authorities are often opposed to Christ and His church. These have been conquered by Jesus, but they still attempt to pull us away from our Savior.

“He forgave us all our sins.”  Jesus did it all. Jesus paid it all. We need to remember this Good News every day.

Colossians 2:6–12 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. ⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. ⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. ¹¹ In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Paul’s epistles were meant to encourage converts in their faith walk. As part of that, he would often point out errors that should be corrected and give warnings about false teachers. We see some of this in today’s reading.

e reminds the believers in Colosse that they were led to faith in Christ and that they should remain steadfast and thankful for what they have received. Then he warns against false teachers who try to get people to trust in things other that Christ.

Just as he did in the first chapter (1:19), Paul asserts again that all the fullness of God is in Jesus Christ the man. As a man, He was able to go through everything we encounter, yet He did so without sin. As God, He was able to pay for the sins of everyone when He offered His perfect life as the acceptable sacrifice for sin. That is why Paul says we have been given fullness in Christ.

This passage also connects Baptism with circumcision, the only portion of Scripture that does so. I think it is a powerful and important connection. Circumcision marked the Jewish people as God’s chosen. It was part of the promise God made to Abraham, the sign of the covenant. Baptism connects us to everything Jesus did for us, and it marks us as God’s chosen people, claimed and forgiven by Him. But it is more than symbolic. Baptism is a true washing of sins by the power of God’s Word of promise connected to the water (Titus 3:5).

You may know that the Jewish people were told to circumcise their boys when they were eight days old. Those little boys no say in the matter. The parents saw to it that this happened for their boys to mark them as part of the chosen people, beneficiaries of the promise God made to them.  I think that is significant that Baptism is compared to circumcision. Baptism is something God does for us, not something we do for Him. He is the one who places His name on us. He is the one washing away sin. Through Baptism, we are the beneficiaries of all that Jesus earned for us. That is why parents willingly bring their children to be baptized, that they might be the recipients of God’s grace through this Sacrament.

Colossians 2:1–5 ¹ I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. ² My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

When someone says “I am praying for you,” How does that make you feel? Sometimes you may not grasp the import of that statement. Other people are pleading for you before God Almighty. You are not alone. Members of the body of Christ are there for you. When separated by a great distance, they can still be by your side through their intercessions on your behalf.

Paul reminded the believers at Colosse that even though he was not with them, he is working on their behalf. His letter is an encouragement for them to hold on to the Good News they have heard. He reminds them of the tremendous value of the wisdom and knowledge that has been given to them.

Paul also warns them that others will come with contrary messages, trying to lead people away from the free gift of life that Jesus earned. Beware! Don’t fall for it. Hold on to Jesus in faith! He alone delivers what we need to be saved.

Paul wrote: “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ…”

United in love. Paul wants believers to mature in their faith and love each other, be there for each other. That does not mean only when things are going well. It means being there for each other when life gets hard, when problems and troubles arise.

Jesus showed us how to love in all situations. He loved us to death. He did what was needed.

How can you love a neighbor who is in need today?

Colossians 1:1–8 ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, ² To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. ³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

As Paul begins his letter to the believers in Colosse, he follows his normal manner of complimenting them on what he has heard about them. “…we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints…”

I wonder how many of us would be described that way. Would our daily actions bring accolades or condemnation? Would your behavior in your community warrant praise or ridicule? If Epaphras came to your house, what report would he take back to Paul? We have the same motivation to live new lives, don’t we?

,,,the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

We have heard and believed, as the Colossians, that Jesus lived and died and rose again to earn our forgiveness and open heaven for us. We have had the same message shared with us. The Spirit has worked faith in our hearts. We have that message to share. Do our lives reflect that or hinder the spread of the Good News?

Lord Jesus, thank you for having led me to faith. I know I have been forgiven and look forward to being with you forever. Help me to live now in a way that shows my certainty and opens the way for others to follow you. I pray this in your most holy and precious name. Amen.

Throughout Scripture we are told to “live as children of light.”

1 John 1:5-6 “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth”

Peter reminds us that God has “called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

And Jesus told His followers “you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).

There is an old stone church in the Swiss Alps that does not have a lighting system, nor has it ever had one. A traveler heard a church bell ringing and saw the people heading up to the church, each one carrying a small bronze lamp filled with oil and having a wick. She approached one of those worshipers and said, “I’m a stranger here. Will you tell me why you are carrying a lamp to church?” The woman heading to the service explained that the Duke who had built that church asked that each worshiper bring his or her own lamp. The traveler replied, “I would guess that keeps some folks from attending the evening services!” “Quite the contrary,” the other woman said. “Everybody that goes makes it a little brighter, and when anybody is tempted to stay home or go somewhere else, they remember that the church needs everyone’s lamp. If your lamp is not there, there is that much less light. We also remember those who are not believers can look to the church and see its brightness or dimness in the windows. A bright church gives a good witness to those in the darkness. And not only does the church miss your light, but you miss the blessing by not being there.”

That is how all the children of light should feel. Your Church is brighter when you are there. But do not just let your light shine at church. Your faith goes with you when you walk out the door and put it into action. You carry the light with you. You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8), or stated another way, you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ. When you share that Good News, you are letting your light shine.

Live as children of light.