Time of Grace With Pastor Mike Novotny

Today’s culture and their own sinfulness cause storms of trouble in the lives of Christian men today. But their greatest shelter comes from God—whose unconditional love provides them with value and empowers them to show that same love to others who are struggling. Not only can Christian men be shelters to those around them, but they can mentor a new generation of men to carry on the faith.

God calls Christian men to be shelters for their families and for others who need help. Yet it’s not an easy role to play. There are many stressors in our lives today that can cause storms and trouble as we try to fulfill the plans God has for us.  

We are often like the disciples—seeking greatness in the eyes of the world, and even greatness in God’s eyes by our own doing. But Jesus tells us that we are to be like children in order to enter heaven—aware of our need for a Savior, repentant of our sins, innocent in our faith. As we humble ourselves, we are more aware of the needs of others and the greatness we have in being a servant. 

It’s easy for us to fall in love with our lives here on earth. We get caught up in everyday life, friends, and family and forget about our God. But Jesus says we need to lose our lives to save them. What that means is that we live our lives with God’s agenda in mind, not our own. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t enjoy our lives but we aren’t to be in love with our them so much that we forget to keep our focus heavenward. 

Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven. What he meant is that we are all spiritually dead in sin—walking around as zombies on our way to hell. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word and Baptism, we have saving faith in Jesus and are reborn as new—living our lives with heaven in our future.

The paradox that Jesus is both a man and God is something we can’t quite understand. Yet through the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe it to be true. As true man Jesus was able to be die for our sins. As true God he was able to live a sinless life and bear the sin of the world on the cross. Though it’s hard for us to reason, God wants us to listen carefully and clearly to what he says in his Word and believe.

The older generation deserves our care and attention. God puts them in our lives to pass on the faith, to encourage us, and to share their life wisdom, so they deserve our respect for all that they’ve done before us. As Christians, God wants us to provide and care for them in their last stage of life.

God gives us an amazing example of how he often works through just one person to carry out his will. In this case God shows us how important and valuable older people are in our lives. Like Jehoiada, they pass on God’s Word, mentor the younger generation, and give us advice from many years of life experience. Thank God for the older generation—they have a unique purpose in God’s plan.

Although Daniel was living in a foreign country, he used his position to let his light shine. He trusted in God to deliver him and witnessed to his faith while doing it. God also gives us opportunities to serve him in our everyday lives. Our age, sex, ability, or circumstances don’t matter; like Daniel, we can use whatever gifts God has given us to bring him glory.

The discussion of gay marriage and love wins is important, and it’s not a matter of individuals putting their biases and prejudices on other people. The real issue is for us to dial into our God. This is a spiritual issue, and you don’t truly love people who are committing spiritual suicide by letting them continue in what they are doing. Love demands that we represent what our Creator and Savior-God has revealed to us about his intent for the human race. Let’s love people enough to tell the truth.