What's Your Dream?

 What do you think of when you hear the word "dream?" For some, the image of sleep may come to mind. Sleep experts say that everyone dreams but we don't necessarily remember them. For others, to dream is to consider what the future may hold. We all have some desire to see the fulfillment of our dreams, for example owning our own home, or getting married, or owning a certain type of car. In the Bible, dreams are a part of the biblical narrative. Joseph dreams that he will one day have authority over his parents and brothers. (Genesis 37) He is also able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh and Pharaoh's baker and cupbearer. (Genesis 40-41) Moreover, not only did Daniel dream but he was also able to interpret the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 2-9) In the New Testament, the Lord spoke to Joseph twice in a dream, once telling him to take Mary as his wife because she was carrying the Savior of the world. (Matthew 1:20-21) The second time Joseph was warned by an angel to flee to Egypt after King Herod threatened to kill Jesus as a child. (Matthew 2:13-15) 

Eternal Dreams

The month of February has been declared Black History Month. Perhaps more than any other year, Black History Month has been more highlighted following the deaths of George Floyd and other Black Americans who needlessly lost their lives. Out of these tragedies the "Black Lives Matter" movement gained new energy in an attempt to end racism and violence against Black Americans. Prior to the "Black Lives Matter" movement, there was another man who had a dream. His name was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In many ways, Dr. King's dream for equality was the first "Black Lives Matter" movement and his non-violent methodology brought about the Civil Rights Movement, and the eventual signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Over 2,000 years ago another man had a dream. He was the God-man, Jesus Christ. However, unlike the dreams of humanity which can be at times fleeting, Jesus' dream became an eternal reality. His "dream" was to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us back to God through His death and resurrection. Prior to His death, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one. (John 17:22-23) Jesus desired complete unity among His people so the world would know Him by our love for each other. (John 13:35) 

Desiring God's Dream

There is nothing wrong with dreaming about what our hearts may desire, however what is the reality that most of our dreams will be fulfilled? In a world that is fallen, broken, and tainted by sin, the attempts to achieve racial harmony between blacks and whites could be considered an unachievable dream. However, if the church truly takes to heart Jesus' eternal vision we can move closer to the "oneness" that truly reflects the heart of God. So, what is your dream? The temporary satisfaction of our individual desires or the eternal vision of loving God with our entire being and loving our neighbor as ourselves? "We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (1 John 4:19-21)

Peace,

Pastor Sheree

 

"Comfort"

 Every year I think about and pray for a word to focus on during the upcoming year. Last year's word was "rest" but I have to admit that last year was definitely not restful. However, the concept of rest can also focus on resting in the Lord in the midst of all the chaos and confusion that played out in our world last year. This concept of resting in the Lord was definitely needed in 2020. Many have verbalized a need for "hope" in 2021. The word I was given for the year is "comfort." I believe "comfort" is an appropriate word in the year ahead. In times of trouble and distress we all seek some sort of comfort. When we are sick and struggling to function we need the comfort of other's care or the relief we can experience from medication. When we have lost a loved one to death, comfort from the support of others can help us through our grief. "Comfort" is a very significant concept in God's word. 

God's Word Is A Source Of Comfort

The Old and New Testaments have many examples of the importance of comfort. In the midst of their struggles, Isaiah prophesied in chapter 40, comfort and deliverance for the Israelites through a soon to come Messiah. Many during this pandemic have experienced suffering and have sought relief. The psalmist provides encouragement during hard times and declares, "My comfort in my suffering is this; Your promise preserves my life." (Psalm 119:50 NIV) Moreover, one of the most familiar psalms speaks of God's comfort through one of the most fearful times in our lives--death, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 NIV) Some versions of the Bible translate "darkest valley" as the "valley of the shadow of death." Both the rod and staff of the shepherd were used to bring comfort to the sheep through protecting them against predators and gently guiding and keeping the sheep close to the shepherd. Fast forward to the New Testament and Jesus in His person represented God's comfort to those who were in bondage to sin. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, comfort is a part of the Beatitudes, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4 NIV) Comfort is not solely something we receive, but also something we give to others. God calls us to follow His example and be comforters as Paul states in 2 Corinthians, "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 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV) 

An Ultimate Comfort Will Come

Our ultimate comfort will be realized with the creation of a new heaven and earth when we will no longer need comfort but we will be comfortable in the presence of our Lord forever as we read in Revelation, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4 NIV) Its a New Year and as in previous years, there will be triumphs as well as tragedies, pleasure as well as pain, celebration as well as suffering. We will all need comfort at some point during the year but there will be times as well when we will be comforters to others. I will wait with expectation upon the Lord to see how the word "comfort" unfolds in my life this year.

The comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you in the year ahead!

Pastor Sheree

A "Captive" Audience

 The corona virus pandemic has certainly held the world hostage in 2020. Some may even say the virus has held us captive for a year. The after effects of being held in captivity can be devastating. The emotional and psychological damage can leave some people struggling to put their lives back together. Those who are resilient can move on with their lives while sadly others can feel there's no longer any reason to live and choose to end their lives. The Israelites knew what it felt like to live in captivity. For over 400 years, they were enslaved by the Egyptians until God sent them a deliverer in Moses. (Exodus 3) However, throughout the Old Testament, the Israelite people continued to experience various seasons of captivity related to their ongoing disobedience to God. At one point in time they were sent into exile under the Babylonians as a result of their failure to follow and worship the one true God.(Jeremiah 52) In Jesus day, the Israelites once again found themselves under oppression and captivity, this time from the Roman government. However, they had received deliverance by the hand of God many times in the past from their oppressors. Moreover, the Israelites had also been promised that one greater than Moses would one day overthrow their enemies once and for all. "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9 NIV)

"Holy Captivity"

 Ironically, the Christmas story is a story of captivity. The Son of God left eternity and became captive in time. He gave up the glories of heaven and became captive in a human body. He lived among His people and became captive to their suffering. He was nailed to a cross and became a captive of the sins of the world to save us. The world today remains captive to sin and its negative influence on our lives. However, the Christmas story continues to remind us that we don't have to remain prisoners to sin. "But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship...So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir." (Galatians 4:4,7 NIV) So in essence we have become a "captive" audience. However, our captivity is not that which restricts us and holds us hostage but rather we have become captive to the awe and wonder of the greatest gift we could receive, a baby born into our world to save us from our sins. I encourage you this Christmas not to be a hopeless prisoner to a pandemic but a captive to hope. For hope has a name--Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Sheree