Kurt Steinbrueck, Author at Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck February 25, 2021

Special Posts, Youth Blog Choices, youth, Youth Ministry

0

Choices

This week I thought and thought on what we can talk about… I finally decided on this topic.

Choices.

I remember in my younger days; I had many choices. To do this or do that. I can only imagine how hard it has become with social media influences, with school, and even family pressures.

Life is going to be a constant balancing act, but I like to remember Proverbs 16:9,

“A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”

That reminds me that with all the choices we have in the world, God really is in control of our paths.

He knows us and wants the best for us.

I always like to end our discussions with prayer. It really does help. Also, if you feel something is wrong, talk to someone and be honest. You will be surprised how many people understand life’s choices.

Til next time,

Terrell

Kurt Steinbrueck February 24, 2021

Blog compassion, Faith, Weak Faith

0

For The One Whose Faith Is Weak

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” – Romans 14:1

Do you ever feel like your faith is weak?

Perhaps you have had thoughts like this…

Why didn’t I say something?
Why do I hesitate to step out in faith when I feel God is telling me to do something?
Why don’t I trust God’s ways are better than mine?
Why do I have such a hard time accepting that my works don’t matter towards my salvation?
Why was I afraid?

Any of these can make us feel like our faith is weak and make us wonder what that means.

What does God think of my weak faith?

Will He say, “Enough is enough! I’m done with you.”

Our passage, today, from Romans 14 is a command to Christians on how we are to treat those with weak faith. If you are a person of great faith, you are not only to accept those with weak faith but not pass judgment.

God’s commands, however, don’t just tell us what to do, they also reveal something about God. In this case, it reveals God’s heart towards Christians with weak faith. He loves them. He does not reject them nor get tired of them. He treats them with care and compassion.

Isaiah 42:3 is a prophetic passage about Jesus. In it we are told this:

“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;“

The Gospel is not about the strength of our faith, it is about God’s faithfulness. Remember, He is the one who created faith in you in the first place. After all, He is “the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He not only doesn’t snuff out our faith, but He builds it and strengthens it.

Live In Faith But Trust God’s Faithfulness
Of course, I encourage you to step out in faith and trust God in every aspect of your life. I encourage you to pray for God to strengthen your faith. However, do not look to the strength of your faith as a gauge of your salvation or God’s love for you.

God’s love for you is from His own desire to love, your salvation is by Christ’s work not your own, and God is faithful, even when we stumble.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for giving me faith. Strengthen my faith in You. When I stumble, help me to remember Your promises and Your great love for me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 2

Kurt Steinbrueck February 24, 2021

Special Posts Dust and Ashes, God's love, Lent

0

Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 2

Love So Rich In Provision

As we continue through the season of Lent, we contemplate God’s great love and how it provides for us every thing we need for life and salvation.

Each week, we will have a new online mid-week devotional service this Lent. Watch for the new service each week as we explore the enormity of God’s love for us.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 23, 2021

Blog lies, One Body, The Church, truth

0

Quit Lying To Yourself

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” – Ephesians 4:25

Has your toe ever lied to your cheek?

I know. It’s a ridiculous question. It’s supposed to be. After all, one part of your body deceiving another part would be crazy. What purpose would it serve? In the end, it just hurts your body which, in turn, hurts the part that’s lying.

This is also true in the body of Christ, the church. One member of the body (the church) lying to another will hurt the whole church which, in turn, will hurt that member as well. So, we should not lie to each other.

Lying, in general, is a sin.

Do you remember the 8th Commandment?

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16

So, why point this out within the church and specifically regarding other church members?

Lying is not only sinful, it destroys relationships and reputations. This is bad enough in the world, but in the church, it sickens the body.

It’s a cancer.

It weakens the witness of the church. After all, how can we claim to bring the truth when we lie to each other?

It can also destroy a congregation. As lies are told, reputations are destroyed, trust is lost, and communication between the members of the body breaks down. When that happens, how can we build each other up in the Word or serve together for the good of the body and our witness to the world?

The only way to get rid of the cancer of falsehoods is through confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Is there someone in the body with whom you need reconciliation? Today may be a good day to start.

Heavenly Father,

You are always honest and never lie. Help me to always speak the truth in love. If I lie, convict me in my heart and lead me to repentance. Give me the courage to confess and seek reconciliation. If someone lies about me, help us to reconcile and for me to forgive.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 22, 2021

Blog Caring for Others, compassion, Justice

0

No Sidelines

“Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.” – Isaiah 1:17

What do you do when you see injustice?

Are you familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan? If not, you can read it really quickly in Luke 10:25-37. The point of the Good Samaritan is that we are to love our neighbor and we should be a neighbor to the people we encounter who are in need.

In other words, we’re not given the option to sit on the sidelines.

We see the same thing in our passage from Isaiah 1:17, though, it takes more of a political perspective. God loves justice and He hates injustice and oppression. We are to be the same. We should love justice and hate injustice and oppression.

We shouldn’t just hate injustice and oppression when we face injustice or are oppressed, but at all times and for all people. When we see injustice or oppression around us, we are not to just sit on the sidelines.

How do we get off the sidelines?

That’s not usually a simple question to answer. However, I think there are some guidelines we can follow to move in the right direction. (Note: These are my thoughts. I think they fit what we find in the Bible, but just to be clear, these guidelines aren’t straight out of the Scriptures.)

Pray – Seek God’s wisdom and courage. (Prayer can be the first step to just about everything we do.)
Investigate – Things are rarely as they seem on the surface and there are always 3 sides to every story (person A’s side, person B’s side, and the truth). You need the truth. Sometimes you may find that there really isn’t injustice or that the person you thought was being mistreated is actually doing the mistreatment.
Figure out if this battle is for you – In a sense, yes, everyone is your neighbor, but you can’t be a neighbor to everyone. There is so much injustice in the world, you simply can’t fight all the battles. You can, however, fight a few.
Help in a way that’s helpful – One of the complaints some people have about how Christians serve is that we often serve in a way that feels good to us, but doesn’t actually help. Sometimes it even hurts the very people we are trying to help. Pray, research, and pray some more and find a way to help that is truly helpful.
Act – Once you know the truth, decide you need to help, and figure out a way to be truly helpful, get to it. It may be scary, but just take a few steps at a time and do it.
Keep praying – God never sends us onto the field alone. He goes with us. Keep praying. Keep seeking wisdom, discernment, strength, and courage. Keep asking God to bring justice.

Is it time to get off the sideline?

Take a few minutes to pray. Ask God if there is someone or some people you need to be helping. Then wait. Be still and wait. If God lays something on your heart, start praying about it and praying about how you can help. If God doesn’t lay anything on your heart, then ask Him to let you know when He does have something for you. Keep your eyes and ears open and keep praying.

God bless!

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 21, 2021

Special Posts Order of Service, worship

0

Order of Service for February 21

You are invited to worship with us at 11:00 am on Sunday, February 21, 2021. Below, you will find the Order of Service so you can follow along and participate in the worship service. If you would prefer, you can also download a bulletin here:

8.5×11 Printout

Before we start, please share the live stream on your favorite social media site and invite your friends.

Worship Service for February 21, 2021 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: Cornerstone

My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus’ name

Chorus:
Christ alone, Cornerstone,
Weak made strong in the Savior’s love
Through the storm He is Lord, Lord of all

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil
My anchor holds within the veil

Chorus

He is Lord. Lord of all
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless, stand before the throne

Invocation

Song: The Steadfast Love

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases

His mercies never come to an end

They are new every morning, New every morning

Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness

(repeat)

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: When God created mankind, He said mankind was very good. Then man rebelled against God and sin entered the world. Immediately after, God promised a savior to save His rebellious creation.

C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.

P: In the fullness of time, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law.

C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.

P: At His baptism, Jesus was numbered among us sinners that He might offer Himself as a sacrifice upon the cross for sinners.

C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.

P: Through Jesus Christ, God bids us come to Him and confess our sins, promising to forgive our sins and purify us.

C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day. Let us confess our sins and seek God’s mercy.

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

C: Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart and have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ and His suffering and death on the cross, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen

P: The Lord our God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. Therefore, I announce unto you the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.
C: Praise be to God whose mercies are new every day.

The Steadfast Love

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning, New every morning
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord. Great is Thy faithfulness

Song of Praise and Thanksgiving: Happy Day

The greatest day in history, Death is beaten, You have rescued me
Sing it out, Jesus is alive The empty cross, the empty grave
Life eternal, You have won the day
Shout it out, Jesus is alive, He’s alive

Chorus:
oh, happy day, happy day! You washed my sin away
oh, happy day, happy day! I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed

When I stand in that place, Free at last, meeting face to face
I am Yours, Jesus, You are mine
Endless joy, perfect peace. Earthly pain finally will cease
Celebrate, Jesus is alive, He’s alive

Chorus

Oh, what a glorious day! What a glorious way! That You have saved me.
And oh, what a glorious day! What a glorious name! Yeah!

oh, happy day, happy day!   You washed my sin away
oh, happy day, happy day!   I’ll never be the same
oh, happy day, happy day!   You washed my sin away
oh, happy day, happy day!   I’ll never be the same
Forever I am changed

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 22:1-18

Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:9–15

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Children’s Message

Sermon Hymn – It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul”

Chorus:
It is well, (it is well) with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet tho’ trials may come,
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul

Chorus

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin not in part but in whole
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord oh my soul!

Chorus

And Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
Even so it is well with my soul

Chorus 2x

Sermon – “Enduring Testing and Temptation“

James 1:12-18

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Prayers

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Words of Institution

Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you all.
C: And also, with you.
P: We greet each other in the peace of Christ.

Distribution

Prayer

Benediction

Closing Song: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not.
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Chorus:
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand has provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness mercy and love.

Chorus

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside.

Chorus

Offering

Upcoming Events

Congregational Meeting about a New Facility
“Exploring Our Options”
Time and Date – TBD

Wednesday, February 24 – Mid-Week Lent Devotional Service
Online – Facebook, YouTube, FaithWesleyChapel.com

Thursday, February 25, 7am & 7pm – Tamp Lutherans Pray
TampaLutheransPray.com
Submit prayer requests on the site by Wednesday

Saturday, March 7, 11:30am – 2pm Youth Event – Escape Room
Imagine Escape Rooms https://breakoutgames.com/tampa
2830 E Bearss Ave. Tampa, FL 33613
Cost $24/person

Connect with us:

Kurt Steinbrueck February 20, 2021

Blog Give Thanks, Gods Love

0

Give Thanks For His Love Endures

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to be thankful for?

As soon as Sydney woke up she knew it was going to be a rough day. She had overslept her alarm. So, she quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom only to stub her little toe on the door frame. The day only went downhill from there. The coffee shop was out of bagels, so she just grabbed some coffee on the way to work, only to spill the coffee on her new blouse.

At work, she lost a big client, got reamed by her boss for something she wasn’t even responsible for, and found out the company was going to be announcing layoffs in a few days. As she got to her car to go home, she saw that the tire was flat. She just opened the door, got in the car, closed the door, and started to scream.

No Reason To Be Thankful?
No doubt, Sidney had a bad day. At that moment she would tell you she had no reason to be thankful. Everything was terrible.

Is that really true?

I could point to all the good things that are still in her life…

She still has a home.
She is capable of working.
A flat tire can be fixed and her car will work fine again.

However, I’m not going to. If I did, this would just be a message about positive thinking. And anyway, what if those are taken away?

Always A Reason To Be Thankful
Instead, we’ll just read Psalm 107:1 again.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” – Psalm 107:1

God is good. He is always good. God loves you. His love endures forever. This isn’t about positive thinking. This is about reality. Things can be going terribly and you can acknowledge that, but also know that God still loves you and He is still good. He is for you and is working all things for good. This is true. This is real.

We always have a reason to be thankful because God is always good and always loves us, every moment of every day for all the moments and all the days.

Let’s give thanks.

We gather for worship every week is to hear the Word of God, receive God’s forgiveness, hear the Gospel, and encourage one another in the faith. As we do this, we are reminded once again that God is good and His love endures forever. Our response is to give thanks, which we do in words, prayers, and songs.

When we feel like there is nothing left to give thanks for, sometimes we just don’t feel like going to church…or getting up at all. Yet, what better time to go so we can put life back into perspective, back into the eternal perspective of God’s love.

So, tomorrow, get up, and let’s gather for worship.

Let’s hear God’s Word, be reminded of His promises, be forgiven, be strengthened by His Supper, and be encouraged by each other. Then, let’s give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Lord God,

You truly are good. Everything You do is good. You are good to me. You love me and I know Your love never fails and never runs out. Remind me of this every minute of every day. May Your promises always be on my mind that my thanks may be always on my lips.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 19, 2021

Special Posts New Members

0

New Member Class Starts This Sunday

If you would like to join Faith Lutheran Church, now’s the time. Our new member class, “Belong,” starts this Sunday right after our worship service.

Belong is a 6-week class. It’s about an hour each week after the worship service. In the class, we’ll discuss…

The Christian faith
What we, as Lutherans, believe
What our unique congregation is all about

We also explore how you can…

Grow in your faith
Get more involved
Discover what gifts and talents God has given you to serve others

I hope you’ll join us.

See you on Sunday!

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 19, 2021

Blog Endurance, Faith, suffering

0

We Will Not Shrink Back

“But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For,

“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” – Hebrews 10:32-39

What are you willing to tolerate for your faith?

In our passage for today, the writer of Hebrews is commending, warning, and encouraging the church all at the same time.

Well Done – The church is commended for enduring hardship and suffering.

Be Ware – The church is warned not to shrink back and give up their faith in the face of further hardship and pressure.

Have Confidence – The church is encouraged that Christ will return and they will endure in the faith and be preserved.

Pressure and Suffering Ahead
For a long time, Christians have enjoyed freedom and majority status in the U.S. Even people who weren’t particularly spiritual would join a church and speak about God because it was expected. Those days are gone.

Whether we will ever have days like that again in America is unknown; but if the current trend continues, we will face increased pressure to give up our faith or at least be quiet about it. We will probably also have to endure suffering.

We don’t like to hear it, but we should not hide from the truth.

Do Not Shrink Back
The message from Hebrews is becoming more and more relevant to our lives with each passing year. Already, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction and it is only increasing.

Do not give up.

Pray, stay in the Word, and continue to gather with each other for both your sake the sake of those around you. Our Lord is faithful. He has already won the victory and He will return. Our hope is not in the things of this world. By the power of Christ, we can endure. We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Don’t shrink away, lean into Jesus.

If that time of suffering comes, remember Christ’s promises and join in Paul in saying,

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

and

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35-39

Heavenly Father,

The life You have given me through faith is greater than anything this world can offer and worth any suffering I may face. Be with me. Keep me in the faith. Make me ever bolder in that faith. When the pressure mounts to give up my faith, draw me even closer to You that I may endure.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck February 18, 2021

Blog all knowing, Comfort, Fear

0

The Fear And Comfort Of An All-Knowing, Ever-Present God

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” – Psalm 139:7-12

God knows everything about you. He is also everywhere all the time. Think about that for a minute.

How does that make you feel?

Comforted and Safe – On the one hand, that may make you feel comforted and very safe. When I say, “Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you,” it’s saying the same thing, but it puts it in the context of one who loves, supports, comforts, and defends you.

Scared – On the other hand, you may feel frightened and ashamed. When people say, “God is always watching,” it also is conveying the same concept that God knows everything about you and is everywhere all the time. However, it feels more like the police on a stakeout.

What if I told you both were right?

We see both of these concepts coming out in Psalm 139 (maybe take a moment to read all 24 verses). The Psalmist writes about how he can’t get away from God even if he tried. He says God knows every word before they are even said. At the same time, He talks about God knitting him together, being fearfully and wonderfully made, protecting him, and defeating his enemies.

Love Makes All The Difference
So, are we to feel safe or scared? If we don’t know God, His love, or His saving grace, fear is the right response. God knows every bad thing we’ve ever done. This fear, though, should drive us to repentance where we receive the grace and mercy of God and experience His great love.

If we know God, His love, and His grace then we should feel infinitely comforted and safe. Not only do I know He will comfort and protect me, but I know that He does so while also knowing my sin. I know that He forgives my sin and nothing I’ve done would surprise Him and cause Him to leave or stop loving me.

Jesus died for you, already knowing all the bad things you would do. Yet, he still died for you.

It’s because of God’s love that the Psalmist can finish Psalm 139 saying,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” – Psalm 139:23-24

He’s not saying, “Go ahead and search me, I’m confident You won’t find anything bad.” He’s saying, “Search me. I know you’re going to find all kinds of bad stuff, but I also know You love me and will lead me to eternal life.”

How?

By leading him to repentance and faith.

The Psalmist knows God is good and loves him. So, he can be completely exposed, trusting that God will do what is needed to save him.

You can do the same.

Heavenly Father,

I know I’m not perfect, but I also know that You love me and love to show grace and mercy. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Amen.

About Kurt Steinbrueck

Posts by Kurt Steinbrueck:

Choices

Choices

For The One Whose Faith Is Weak

For The One Whose Faith Is Weak

Lent Mid-Week Devotional Service – Week 2

Love So Rich In Provision

Quit Lying To Yourself

Quit Lying To Yourself

No Sidelines

No Sidelines

Order of Service for February 21

Order of Service for February 21

Give Thanks For His Love Endures

Give Thanks For His Love Endures

New Member Class Starts This Sunday

New Member Class Starts This Sunday

We Will Not Shrink Back

We Will Not Shrink Back

The Fear And Comfort Of An All-Knowing, Ever-Present God

The Fear And Comfort Of An All-Knowing, Ever-Present God

Faith Lutheran Church in Wesley Chapel, FL serving Lutz, Zephyrhills, Land O’ Lakes, and New Tampa, FL