Provision Archives - Faith Lutheran Church, Wesley Chapel

Kurt Steinbrueck September 23, 2020

Blog God is Good, Provision, trust in God

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Is God Good?

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

Do you believe that God is good?

To most Christians, this seems to be a pretty obvious question and answer.

“Of course God is Good!”

It’s all around us. We have songs singing about how good God is. We have books telling us. We have posters and memes and sermons and so much more. Of course, God is good. However, that wasn’t the question.

Do YOU BELIEVE that God is good?

Whether God is good or not is not affected by what you or I believe, but how you act towards God is very much affected by whether you believe God is good.

What would make God good?

He must come through on His promises.
He must provide what is truly needed and helpful.
He must act out of loving-kindness, not selfish ambition.

God’s Promise
In our passage from Matthew, we are given a promise. If we seek first the Kingdom of God, God will provide “all these things.” From the surrounding context, we know that “all these things” refers to clothing and food and can infer it means everything we need for this life.

If God is good, He must, therefore, keep His promise and give us what we need. Otherwise, He would be a liar. Numbers 23:19 tells us,

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.“

He must also give us what is truly needed and helpful. If He gave us the wrong things or harmful things, He would be either incompetent or a deceiver. James 1:17 tells us,

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.“

He must act out of love or He is just self-seeking and doing this for His own gain. Yet, 1 John 4:10 tells us,

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Our Response
Love always bids a response. It asks us to love in return. It asks us to trust. In the case of Matthew 6:33, God’s love for us tells us to seek His Kingdom first, trusting that our good and loving Father will provide all that we need…and He will. He gives even when we don’t do a good job of seeking His Kingdom. Yet, He still says to do it because He knows that seeking His Kingdom is also good for us.

Heavenly Father,

You care for me more than I know. I know You keep Your promises. I know Your gifts are all good. I know You love me. Help me to trust Your love and Your goodness and seek You in all that I do.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck September 4, 2020

Blog Authority, Command, evangelism, Protection, Provision

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All Authority

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” – Matthew 28:18-20

God is almighty and Jesus has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth.

What does that mean for us?

He can command us.
If you are in the military, if a superior officer gives you an order, you obey it. Why? By their rank, they have been given authority over you.

Similarly, when Jesus gives us an order, we do it because He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. So, when He says to go make disciples, we need to do it.

He can protect us.
There’s a character in the movie, Braveheart, named Stephen the Irishman, who fights alongside William Wallace. He seems crazy through the movie, so you never know whether to believe him or not. He made one claim in particular that was key to the story. When asked about Ireland, he said,

“It’s my island.”

Later in the movie, the Irish show up on a battlefield standing with England’s troops. Wallace and the others say,

“What are the Irish doing fighting with the English?”

Stephen responds, “I wouldn’t worry about them. Like I said, ‘It’s my island.'”

William looks at him, “Your island?”

“Yep, my island!”

Then the English commander sends in Irishmen to attack. They start running, weapons raised. Wallace and the Scottish fighters start running at the Irish, weapons raised. Faster and faster they run towards each other until they are both about to collide.

Then they both stop, put down their weapons, and greet each other with handshakes and hugs. Then the Irish fight alongside the Scottish. Why? Because Stephen had the authority to tell the Irish what to do.

Jesus has all authority and can command armies of angels to protect us. He can stop our enemies dead in their tracks.

Jesus is with us.
So, we obey, because our king has commanded us. Also, we do not fear, because our God will protect us. He will never leave nor forsake us.

Almighty God,

You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You hold all authority. Thank You for strengthening me and protecting me. Help me to obey You at every step.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck August 21, 2020

Blog Blessings, Faith, Provision, trust

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Why Wouldn’t He?

Why Wouldn't He?

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” – Romans 8:32

Do you ever feel like you just don’t have what you need to endure in your faith?

There are days when Darnell just doesn’t feel like he could go on. The struggles of life just aren’t getting better. He’s putting everything into it, but it’s not getting any better. He prays, but God doesn’t seem to answer. Even though it’s hard to squeeze it in, he still gets to church most weeks. Though, he’s not sure he feels anything when he’s there. Every now and then he even finds himself wondering, do I still believe?

Have you ever felt like giving up?

Satan loves to attack Christians and he does it in a variety of ways.

Temptation to sin – Why should I follow God’s Commands when I like this?
Sudden painful hardship – Why would God do this to me?
Prosperity – Why do I need God if I have everything I want?
Dead Religion – I’m doing what I’m supposed to do for God, why don’t I feel anything?
Prolonged hardship in life – Why doesn’t God listen and help?
…

God will give you the strength to endure.

When we are tempted:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

When we feel pain or grief:

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3

In prosperity:

“The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” – Psalm 145:15-16

And I’m reminded of the parable of rich fool (Luke 12:16–21).

When we’re just going through the religious motions:

“For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

In prolonged hardship:

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

When you start to feel like your losing your faith or you just can’t endure, ask God for help. He will give it. He will give you strength. He will revive your soul.

He gave you your faith, why wouldn’t He give you the strength to endure?

That’s what our passage in Romans 8 is all about. Not only does God give us faith and save us by His grace, but He graciously gives us all things we need for salvation, including the strength to endure to the end.

Heavenly Father,

Give me strength. There are times when I feel like giving up. There are times when I feel tempted away. There are times when I feel numb. In all these and at all times, be with me. Strengthen my faith that I may endure until that time You bring me to be with You and are joined with all the saints who have gone before me.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Kurt Steinbrueck March 19, 2020

Uncategorized Comfort, Guidance, Provision, Psalm 23, psalms, The Lord is My Shepherd

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My Guide, My Provider, My Comfort

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3

Do you feel anxious, today?

I love Psalm 23. It’s such a warm and comforting poem that not only helps people to feel better but assures them of the reality of their lives because of God’s love for them.

Do sheep wander around wondering what they will eat or where they will sleep? No.

They are guided by their shepherd who cares for them so they don’t have to worry about those things. Neither do you. Your shepherd, the Lord, will guide you and care for you as well. So, you can rest and be restored.

So, let’s take a moment to read all of Psalm 23 and then give God your anxieties in prayer.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
    He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

My Dear Shepherd,

You guide me and provide for me so I will not worry. You comfort me and heal my wounds. You are my protection in danger so I will not fear. Lord, take my anxieties.

(Pray about the things you are worried about.)

Continue to remind me that You are there with me and give me peace.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt

Provision

Is God Good?

Is God Good?

All Authority

All Authority

Why Wouldn’t He?

Why Wouldn't He?

My Guide, My Provider, My Comfort

My Guide, My Provider, My Comfort

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