Author: Scott Heitshusen (Page 1 of 93)

Most people like a party. Surprisingly, even a pity party.

For some reason there are times that we like to feel miserable, alone, even abandoned. Playing the victim carries some status, I guess. Of course there are times when we’re not playing the victim but actually are. Times when we don’t just feel alone but are. When we’re in the moment it’s difficult if not impossible to tell the difference between what we feel and reality. Our perception, in the pain, often defines our reality. Our head may know truth but our heart make counter.

Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.

1 Kings 19:18

In our text today Elijah has just been God’s servant in an amazing show of God’s power and might. God has used him to display His greatness to the leaders and people of the land in an explicit and undeniable way. Yet right after this he is threatened and runs away scared. When he talks to God he bemoans that he is the only one left who is faithful to Him. Elijah may well have felt that was true, even though it is likely there was evidence to the contrary.

And God showed him that what Elijah felt was indeed not at all true. Elijah was not alone. He was not abandoned. He was not the only one left who was faithful to God. God tells Elijah that He has preserved for Himself “seven thousand in Israel” (1 Kings 19:18) who have remained faithful to Him.

That’s not to say that Elijah didn’t feel alone. It’s God telling him he wasn’t alone. God’s reality is what matters no matter how we feel.

That doesn’t minimize our feelings or are hurts or pains. But it is a stark reminder that those things, though our reality, are often or seldom not true reality.

There are times that we may feel distant from God, abandoned by God, all alone. There are times when we feel our sins have pushed us so far from Him that He couldn’t possibly still be present with us, still forgive us ,still love us. That we are all alone.

But that’s not reality.

Through faith in Jesus Christ the reality is that He has preserved us for Himself forever. He is with us and we are not alone. Ever. We are not abandoned because Jesus was for us. Even in our pain He has given us the Victory.

1. When God displays His power and salvation, don’t run away.
2. You may feel alone, but you never are. He is with you.
3. It’s not about you. God preserves.

That is reality. That is what matters.

Through faith in Jesus we are preserved. By God. For Himself.

Remember this in your suffering and pain. Remember Jesus’ words that, “Lo, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

“Thank you, Lord God, for checking our feelings with Your reality. With Your care. With Your love. Help us to always remember that so that our feelings don’t trump Your Truth. Remind us that through faith in Jesus alone You have preserved us for Yourself forever. In Jesus name, amen.”

Scriptures

• Galatians 3:23-4:7

I often think we don’t fully appreciate our status as Christians. As children of God. The fact that we are heirs of God. We occupy a special, selected, privileged position not enjoyed by those who do not have faith in Jesus. We can talk to God our father in a way that those without faith can’t – won’t. As children of God through faith we are free from all that binds and holds us back.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring according to promise.

Galatians 3:29

Unfortunately I think that some Christians view this status as license to treat our Father like a genie; their to just grant whatever we want whenever we want. They see accumulation in this life as the goal instead of our adoption and eternal life as the goal; as the gift.

It’s a focus on self and this world instead of on God and the next.

And when we truly understand our place, our privileged place as God’s heirs – and that the new creation is already ours, that should change our motivation and heart. Not to gain this world, but to serve it. To serve others. To share the faith so that others may also receive that same gift commit that same inheritance of eternal life. So that others may become our eternal brothers and sisters and all of us together can cry, “Abba! Father!”

Being full heirs through faith in Jesus means recognizing the fact that God’s full inheritance is already ours. We have nothing to strive for. Nothing to fear. Nothing to worry about. We have it all. Now.

What an awesome blessing! What an awesome privilege! What an awesome status!

“Thank you, Abba, Father, for freeing us from the slavery of sin and making us Your full heirs and inheritors of freedom and everlasting life through faith in Jesus. Grant us wisdom and joy to share this Gift in word and deed. In Jesus’ name, amen!”

Scriptures

• Galatians 3:23-4:7

Last Sunday was Pentecost. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the people in Jerusalem and the start of the Church united in Jesus.

God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.

Acts 2:24

The first thing the Holy Spirit led Peter to say in our text was last week, explaining what was happening in God fulfilling His prophecy through Joel.

Today Peter continues, sharing words of prophecy from King David and how David foresaw and foretold how his Descendant would die but rise again, not even letting His body see decay!

The words are not just important for those within earshot of Peter. We, also, need to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say. Too often we listen to ourselves and others, and ignore or drown out His Words of life for us.

In our Scripture today, the Holy Spirit shares through Peter that “God has made [Jesus] both Lord and Christ” – the master over all and God’s Anointed One for all time!

The Holy Spirit is sharing that Jesus is the One prophesied about; the One God chose to execute His plan of salvation; the One who is elevated over all things for all time!

That’s what the Holy Spirit does: He points people to the Lord and Savior; He points them to Jesus! Because in Jesus, there is forgiveness! In Jesus there is mercy! In Jesus there is Life! In Jesus there is salvation!

Faith in Jesus is your very life – now and forevermore!

Look to Him! Believe in Him! Serve Him! For God has made Him both Lord and Christ!

“Gracious God, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to point us to Jesus! Thank You for You plan of salvation which Jesus fulfilled and now and forever, Lord and Christ! Move us from areas in our lives where we do not see or treat Him as such. Forgive us and renew us with Him always and only before and above us. In His precious name; amen!”

Scriptures

• Acts 2:22-36
• Psalm 8