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About Kurt Steinbrueck

http://faithwesleychapel.com

Posts by Kurt Steinbrueck:

Those Great Plans I Had
Kurt Steinbrueck
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Those Great Plans I Had

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    “Lord, you are my God;
    I will exalt you and praise your name,
    for in perfect faithfulness
    you have done wonderful things,
    things planned long ago.” – Isaiah 25:1

    What are you doing next weekend?

    How about next year?

    We often make plans. Sometimes we do them. Sometimes not. I’ve been planning to fix-up the paint on some of the walls in my house…for about 2 years now.

    When God makes plans He always follows through and He has made some awesome plans!

    How wonderful to consider that when God blesses us, He planned that a long time ago and He faithfully followed through. He always does.

    Do we need to worry? Nope. God knows the plans He has for us…and they are awesome! So, you can rest.

    Heavenly Father,

    You know the plans You have for me. They are good. Thank You for loving me and caring for me. Thank You for following through on all Your plans and all Your promises.

    Amen!

    In Christ’s Service,

    Pastor Kurt

    So, Whatcha Up To, Today?
    Kurt Steinbrueck
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    So, Whatcha Up To, Today?

      whatcha up to, today?

      “These commandments that I give you today are to be on 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.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

      What do you focus on?

      What takes up a lot of time in your day?

      We have a lot of things vying for our time. Generally, you can tell what is most important to you by what you spend your time on. Do you spend your time working? Do you make time for your family? Do you spend time in nature?

      But, I don’t have time!

      People often talk about things they wish they could do…if they only had time. The truth is, though, that they usually do have time. They are just spending it doing something else.

      I used to go hiking and camping several times a year. Now, however, I don’t think I’ve done either for years with the exception of my family’s summer vacation. Sometimes I lament that I don’t have time to do it. However, it struck me the other day as I saw on Facebook yet another hiking trip a friend was going on. I realized that it wasn’t that I didn’t have time, it’s that I chose to use my time in other ways.

      How do you spend your time?

      I may not be hiking much, but that’s not to say that what I spend my time on is bad. They are, at least mostly, good things. So, it’s not necessarily a question of good against bad. It’s often a question of what is most important to you.

      Here’s Moses is telling Israel (and God telling us) that God should be foremost on our minds and saturate our time. It’s not that we can’t do other things, but God should be a part of them. We should also always look for ways to spend time with Him in Word and prayer and talk about Him with others, especially our kids.

      In the end, all the other good things we do will perish. Only God is eternal. The time we spend with Him and sharing Him with others will have eternal consequences. 

      Heavenly Father,

      Thank You for the many good things You have blessed me with. Help me, however, not to get lost in all these good things and forget to spend time with You. Help me not only to set time aside to be with You but to see You in all the things I do and to talk about You in all the things I do.

      Amen.

      In Christ’s Service,

      Pastor Kurt

      Be Strong and Courageous
      Kurt Steinbrueck
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      Be Strong and Courageous

        Be strong and courageous

        “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

        When was a time when you have lost your nerve and that prevented you from doing something?

        Fear is something we all have to deal with. The Israelites had to deal with fear, too. In the passage above, Joshua delivers that message the second time the people of Israel were at the entrance to the Promised Land. The first time, they all (except Joshua and Caleb) let fear overcome their trust in God.

        “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’

        But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’” – Numbers 13:30-33

        So, this time, Joshua keeps repeating, “Be strong and courageous,” and “the Lord your God will be with you.”

        It’s a good message for us, too. Why be strong and courageous? How? Because God is with us. When we follow Him, even into scary situations, we have nothing to fear. He is with us.

        Is there something you’ve been holding off on because of fear?

        Heavenly Father,

        There are times I am afraid. Sometimes that fear prevents me from doing things I know I should do. Sometimes fear prevents me from obeying You. Give me strength and courage that I may follow You and have peace.

        Amen

        In Christ’s Service,

        Pastor Kurt

        That’s Not Fair!!
        Kurt Steinbrueck
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        That’s Not Fair!!

          That's Not Fair!!

          “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
          neither are your ways my ways,’
          declares the Lord.
          ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth,
          so are my ways higher than your ways
          and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” – Isaiah 55:8-9

          Do you think God is fair?

          It’s something we may struggle with sometimes. There are some events in the Bible that may shock us.

          However, let me ask you…

          • Is God stronger than you? You’d probably say, yes.
          • Does God know more than you? Yes.
          • Is He wiser than you? Yes.

          These things we generally accept, but we also need to realize that God’s justice is more just than ours. Our fallen nature affects our attitude towards sin. It affects our sense of judgment as well.

          Our ways are not God’s way nor our thoughts His thoughts. Sometimes we simply have to accept that God is God…and we are not.

          And, no, God isn’t fair.

          However, I praise Him for it!

          A fair God doesn’t send His Son to the cross in our place. A loving, gracious, and just God does.

          Heavenly Father,

          I confess that I am a sinner. Thank You for not treating me as I deserve. Help me to accept that You are God and I am not. Help me to be more like You, but also to accept that I do not understand everything about You.

          Amen.

          In Christ’s Service,

          Pastor Kurt

          Do You Like Tests?
          Kurt Steinbrueck
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          Do You Like Tests?

            Do you like tests?

            “But he knows the way that I take;
            when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
            My feet have closely followed his steps;
            I have kept to his way without turning aside.” – Job 23:10-11

            Do you like tests?

            Do you like being tested?

            Most people don’t like tests. Sure some tests, like the one that tells you which Marvel Superhero you are can be fun, but when we take real tests, they can cause nervousness and stress.

            Does God test us?

            The Bible tells us that God will never tempt us to sin, but He does test us. There’s a big difference!

            Think of Abraham and Isaac (Gen 22). Abraham had no children, but God had promised to give him many descendants. Finally, long after he and his wife, Sara, should have been able to conceive, they had a son, Isaac. Then God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son. That’s a test!

            Why?

            Job says that God knows the way He takes because God tested him. It’s not that God didn’t know before the test. It’s that the test allowed Job and God to experience what would happen. Job grows through these tests. He’s gone through a difficult time or had to make a difficult decision and come through it faithfully. He’s more prepared for what will happen in the future.

            They may not be fun to go through, but tests strengthen us. They teach us about God’s faithfulness. They help us trust.

            Next time you are going through a difficult time or have a hard choice to make (maybe you are right now), rather than getting frustrated or accusing God, seek Him and His wisdom and trust that He will work through it. It may be a test. You can grow through it.

            Heavenly Father,

            Tests aren’t easy, but I know You work through them. I also know I need to grow. Help me to faithfully go through any tests You give. Help me to turn to You at all times, but especially when things are difficult.

            Amen.

            In Christ’s Service,

            Pastor Kurt

            What Is Most Important in Your Life
            Kurt Steinbrueck
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            What Is Most Important in Your Life

              What is most important in your life?

              “Whom have I in heaven but you?
              And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail,
              but God is the strength of my heart
              and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:25-26

              What would you most like to have?

              What is most important in your life?

              Between the media, other people, and our own minds, we have a lot vying to be high on our priority list.

              • Do you want a big house?
              • Do you need the new iPhone?
              • Do you want a spouse?
              • What would you add here?

               

              What do we really need, though? God.

              That’s it. He loves us, saves us, sustains us, forgives us, renews us, and provides for us. That’s what the Psalmist is expressing. Our only hope for heaven is Jesus. Even here on earth, nothing compares. Everything will fail, even our own bodies, but God will never fail. He is our strength and all we ever need.

              Jesus said it like this,

              “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:31-33

              The trick is realizing that trusting God with our lives is the best thing we can do for ourselves and others.

              Take a few minutes to examine your life and priorities.

              Heavenly Father,

              You give me all I need. Help me to place my hope in You. Help me to seek first Your Kingdom. Help me to trust that You will provide.

              Amen.

              In Christ’s Service,

              Pastor Kurt

              Please! Forgive Me!!
              Kurt Steinbrueck
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              Please! Forgive Me!!

                please! forgive me!!

                “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” – Isaiah 30:18

                What do you need to confess, today?

                Do you ever feel like you need to beg for God’s forgiveness and, even then, you’re not sure He’ll give it?

                I can remember plenty of times as a kid knowing I did something wrong, but being afraid to confess because I was afraid of being punished. Even as adults we may avoid confessing, either to God or each other, out of fear of what will happen.

                God is a just God who deals harshly with sin, but Isaiah 30 shows us God longs to be gracious to us. He wants to forgive us! He wants to bless us! He rises to show compassion to you.

                His justness is what sent Jesus to the cross, to pay for our sin. He could not leave our sin unpunished. His grace and compassion also sent Jesus to the cross because God wants to forgive us and bless us.

                So, yes, He does forgive you. Lay your sins at the cross and be free.

                Heavenly Father,

                I confess that I have sinned.

                (Take a few minutes to confess your sins.)

                I am sorry. Please forgive me and renew me.

                Amen.

                Your sins are forgiven!

                In Christ’s Service,

                Pastor Kurt

                What’s Your Favorite Praise Song?
                Kurt Steinbrueck
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                What’s Your Favorite Praise Song?

                  What's your favorite praise song?

                  “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.” – Exodus 15:6

                  What is Your favorite song of praise to God?

                  This passage from Exodus is part of Moses’ song after God led His people out of Egypt through the Red Sea. God had just freed the people of Israel from slavery in a mighty and miraculous way. Moses recounts with great joy what God had done for them. It reminds me of A Mighty Fortress.

                  This passage can be ours as well.

                  God’s majestic power has freed us and destroyed our enemies, sin, death, and the devil. Jesus’s death and resurrection have won our salvation and defeated our enemies! 

                  The enemy, now, has no power over you. Jesus has defeated Him. Praise the Lord!!

                  Almighty God,

                  You have defeated all my enemies. I fear no evil for my enemies have no power over me.

                  Amen.

                  What is your favorite song of praise? Take a few minutes to sing/listen to it and praise the Lord!

                  In Christ’s Service,

                  Pastor Kurt

                  The Lord Bless You and Keep You…
                  Kurt Steinbrueck
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                  The Lord Bless You and Keep You…

                    the lord bless you and keep you...

                    “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

                    The Lord bless you and keep you;
                    the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
                    the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

                    “So shall they put My name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.’” – Numbers 6:22-27

                    You may recognize this as the common Benediction at the end of worship services. It is the Aaronic blessing given by God to Moses for Aaron the priest to say to Israel. You may have heard it a hundred or a thousand times. Sometimes, we hear things a lot, but never take the time to really understand them.

                    So, what does it mean?

                    “The Lord bless you and keep you;“

                    The Hebrew word we translate as bless is to kneel, show respect, or give a gift. It can literally mean to kneel in respect as you give a gift (think of the Magi in the Christmas story). God is giving us a gift. Then there’s, “keep.” This word is the same as the word for, “thorn.” It refers to how a shepherd out in the fields at night would arrange thorn bushes to surround the sheep and provide a barrier from predators. To keep is more than to possess. It means to guard and protect.

                    “the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;“

                    Have you heard the phrase, “The person was beaming.” It refers to a big smile. “Make His face to shine upon you,” is for God to smile at us and show His happiness with us. This is as opposed to showing His displeasure at our sin. God shows mercy on our sins and graciously (unearned) treats us well.

                    “the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.“

                    Lifting His countenance, again, refers to God’s face or God looking upon us with favor. Lastly, there is peace. This peace, Shalom, is not just an absence or conflict as we often use the term today. It has to do with your whole self. It is a state of wholeness and well-being without danger or strife. We have this kind of peace because of God’s favor.

                    So…

                    The Lord bless you and keep you;
                    the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
                    the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

                    Amen.

                    In Christ’s Service,

                    Pastor Kurt

                    Power, Love, and Self-Discipline
                    Kurt Steinbrueck
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                    Power, Love, and Self-Discipline

                      power, love, and self-discipline

                      “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

                      Go ahead.

                      Do it!

                      What are you afraid of?

                      This passage is often used to motivate people to act when they are afraid to. Speak up! Step forward! Take the plunge! Etc.

                      I find it interesting, however, that it doesn’t just say,

                      “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power.”

                      It goes on to say,

                      “of love, and of self-discipline.“

                      Power may help us deal with fear to some extent, but love gives us motivation and direction. Self-discipline helps us to act even when we still feel fear. These three work together. Think of it as,

                      • “I can do it,”
                      • “I should do it,” and
                      • “I will do it.”

                       

                      I can do it because of God’s power. “Can,” however, is not doing. It’s not enough. So, then we find motivation…love. I should do it and want to do it because I love so and so and because I love God. Finally, I will do it even if I am still afraid.

                      This is not just motivational thinking, God gives us His Spirit for this. He is at work in us.

                      Is there some area of your life you need to ask for God’s power, love, and self-discipline?

                      Heavenly Father,

                      You have all power. I can do all things through You who strengthen me. Help me to trust Your power and Your love even when I’m afraid. Help me to act, despite my fear.

                      Amen.

                      In Christ’s Service,

                      Pastor Kurt

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