Author Archives: revjaf

AS HE SAID Matthew 28

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Who can you trust?  Seems like few and far between anymore.  Growing up we respected police and firefighters, doctors and teachers, and pastors.  I called our elderly neighbors Mr., Mrs. or Miss.  Never by their first names.  If any complaints came to my parents about me, the griper was believed way before yours truly!

Remember when you shouldn’t trust anyone over 30?  Then those under 30!  That covers the gamut.  Leaves us with little authority to lean upon.  Few we can believe in.  Lion’s share come up short.  Except.

You know what I’m about to say.  Yes, Jesus!  After His crucifixion, women followers come to His tomb, expecting nothing less than one containing His lifeless body.  But instead, they encounter the unimaginable.  He’s gone.  An angel tells them not to be afraid.  Yeah, right!  Why not?  What’s happened?  Where is He?  God’s messenger says this–‘He is not here, for he has risen, as he said…’ (Matt. 28:6).

‘As he said…’  That’s it.  We can read Jesus’ promises and stories, His miraculous healings and right teaching, trusting them one and all.  It’s all there in your Bible.  Check it out!  The Old Testament points to the coming Messiah, with all fulfilled by Jesus Christ in the New.  ‘…as he said…’ –from start to finish.

What Jesus says we can trust.  And the only way to know Him better is to dig deeper into your Bible.  Without that, we’re left utterly vulnerable to any claptrap myth and baloney society doles out and bullies us with.  The more I study God’s Word, the more this world seems hopelessly off-base, off-kilter, off-the-wall, outlandish, hitting multiple sour notes all at the same time.  Well, you get the point!

So, take Jesus at His word.  Feast on your Bible like never before.  Then you’ll notice that your trust barometer is beginning to rise, and heading in the right direction.  Just ‘…as he said…’

Thank you Jesus, for being totally trustworthy.  Amen.

AND REMEMBER, DON’T FORGET! Deuteronomy 8

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The church that’s honored me as their pastor emeritus has two communion tables.  Two?  Yes, two!  One rests up on the elevated chancel platform.  The other table, crafted by a church member decades ago, sits on the main floor, where the communion elements are placed for distribution during weekly worship.  Jesus’ words have been carved on the front–‘Do this in remembrance of me.’

Why two tables?  Well, getting older, it’s obvious that some no longer can navigate the chancel steps without fear of falling.  It sounds redundant yet having two adds up.  After all, how easy is it to forget how much Jesus has done for us?  As in giving His all to forgive us of what we can’t do for ourselves.  That the cross was no walk in the park, but the ultimate sacrifice of God for His own.

Deuteronomy 8 repeats the words ‘remember’ and ‘forget’ many times.  Here’s one–‘You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you…’ (Deut. 8:18).  And then ‘…if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods to serve them and worship them…’ (Deut. 8:19).  The dual words ‘remember’ and ‘forget’ roam all through this chapter.  Why so necessary to repeat them?  Don’t we get the point?

No.  At least I don’t.  I need constant reminding.  How often do I face some difficulty and my first reflex being fear and worry, wringing my clammy hands until finally remembering that the Lord wants to hear from me not last and even least, but rather first and foremost.

That’s what He wants.  To be remembered… that He’s right there for me.   And not forgotten… that He always knows best.  Why is that such an uphill battle?  For still I fret and stew.  Am I the only one?

So– ‘Remember and do not forget…’ (Deut. 9:7)– all those times He’s been there for you.  All the help Jesus has given.  He’s right there, side by side, never to let go.  Never.  Ever.

Got it?  Remember…and don’t forget!

Thank you, Jesus, for always being close to me.  Amen.

UP A CREEK Deuteronomy 1

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I’m impatient.  That grass seed we scattered weeks ago seems to be more bird food than anything else.  Where are those new sprouts?  Push…push…push.  Pull…pull…pull.  Working myself into a stew.  And not a tasty one at that!

In Deuteronomy 1, Moses sadly rehashes ancient Israel’s history of disobedience.  Instead of entering the Promised Land, they hem and haw, grouse and gripe, kick the dust, anything other than following God’s instructions.  But when the Lord warns them that this is not the time to fight the Amalekites and the Canaanites (see Numbers 14: 39-45), they plow ahead anyway, getting totally clobbered.  Impatient bunch.  Aren’t you glad that you’re not like those naughty, rebellious folk?  Me too!

Sad to say, I’m their mirror image.   Antsy and in a sweat.  Gung ho and rarin’ to go.  At times like this, I can hear the Lord saying to slow down.  Wait, already.  What’s your hurry?

I need to listen to the Lord.  But somewhere behind my impatience lurks a wrong view of God.  Much like that of ancient Israel–“And you murmured…and said, ‘Because the Lord hated us he has brought us out of the land of Egypt…to destroy us'” (Deut. 1:27).  Hated them?  Out to destroy them?

Hard to admit that at times I think the Lord is out to get me.  Waiting for my next misstep, causing Him to put His big leg out tripping me up.  Has it in for me.  Relishes rubbing salt in my sin’s wounds.

I know.  You’re disappointed in me.  How could a retired pastor ever think that way?  Sorry if honesty bothers you.  It does me too.  But let the truth be told.  Read the Old Testament Book of Job without preconceptions.  You’ll encounter bald-faced bluntness, glazed with heated anger and rampant impatience.

So, I pray for a truer picture of God.  One that’s spot on.  And biblical.  Not from nasty old distorted tapes I keep playing over and over again in my rusty noggin.  Time to shred them.  Heed their siren call no longer.  And for this I pray the Holy Spirit’s help.  HELP!

Without His help, I’m up a creek without a paddle.   Just me?

Lord, help me to know and love you as you truly are.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THE SATURDAY BEFORE John 20: 11-18

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The Saturday before Easter Sunday, a church member, who happens to be an actor on the television soap opera ‘As the World Turns’, meets with me to rehearse the main Bible reading for the next day’s 3 worship services. I’m the tenderfoot assistant minister who needs help. At Princeton Seminary, I take speech classes with Virginia Damon, who’s a former radio star and character actress with Jackie Gleason’s repertoire company. A top-notch teacher, yet I must still seem needy.

Hank Forsythe, who portrays Dr. David Stewart on the soap in addition to a variety of roles in movies and on Broadway, volunteers to coach me on reading John 20, the Easter Resurrection story of Jesus’s encounter with Mary Magdalene at the garden tomb.

How am I feeling? Nervous an understatement. Shaking more like it. After all, this is my first Easter Sunday in a church of 1600 members with probably many more attending this special day. Oy vey, already!

How’d I do? Fine really. Hank, a kind and humble man, how could I not love what he teaches me, adding passion and emotion to familiar words. But actually none of this falderal amounts to a hill of beans disconnected from the reason behind it all. That Jesus truly gives His life so that we’ll live forever. Death dies in the face of His resurrected life. And knowing Him personally as your Savior and Lord is incomparable. What could ever match up?

Lots of moolah stashed away? Maybe when interest rates were worth writing home about. But not even then. Being in control of everything? If so, you won’t be missed when off the scene. Not one bit. The center of attention? Sorry, vain big shot. Who cares anyway? Spend some time reading the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes to get a good whiff of life’s meaning. Oodles and caboodles of vanity and foolishness. Unless.

Unless you know the Lord. The more of Jesus, the less annoying life becomes. You can put up with a lot holding His hand, looking up into His face, walking right beside the One who knows exactly where He’s going. He makes a world of difference. I know. Has in my life. And He’s not done with me yet!

Tomorrow why not think about all that He’s done for you. How He’s changed your outlook on life. Added patience and kindness with lots more where that came from. All because of Jesus.

Let the children enjoy the decorated eggs and candy (probably I’ll have some, as well!). But primarily, let’s relish Jesus. Who lives…and lives forevermore!

Happy Easter!

Lord Jesus, you mean the world to me. I love you. Amen.

GOOD ADVICE Matthew 24: 36-51

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Yesterday would have been my father’s birthday.  Ellsworth (he preferred Bud!) Fischer was a house painter and interior decorator.  He was good at what he did.  Made fair money even in difficult times.  Not ‘easy street’, but we were never forced to live on the street either.  Thanks Dad, for providing so well for your family!

Growing up, I don’t remember him giving much advice.  He wasn’t the type.  But when it came to school, he always said to do your best.  I did.  I loved school.  Doing my best is easy when you love what you’re doing.

Most weeks he and I would drive to his local bank where he’d make deposits into my folk’s savings and checking accounts.  He would advise me to take any amount I could out of whatever paycheck I earned, and put it in the bank.  $5 or $10 a week becomes seed money for later needs.  Good counsel Dad, which I also heeded.  I’m so glad I did.

Do your best.  Save for later on.  Be honest.  And never work for family or friends!

In Matthew 24 Jesus tells His followers that the timing for His second coming is known only to God the Father.  Oh, how disappointing.  A little hint or two, Jesus?  Forget it!  Stop the guessing game.  Admit we don’t have a clue.  Any advice, Jesus?  What should we do in the meantime?

It’s simple.  Do your best.  Whatever you can… for Jesus.  A busy bee for the Kingdom.  Get off your duff–‘Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them food at the proper time?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes’ (Matt. 24:45-46).  See?

What else.  If it’s to call a friend, make contact.  Give to a missionary couple?  Donate.  Offer a helping hand to a neighbor?  Well, you get the point.  Following through is like banking in God’s Kingdom.

Save for later on, investing in what Jesus has in store for you and me.  Make whatever size deposit you can into your account with the First and Only Bank of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  All fully insured.  All forever.

Thank you, Lord, for what we can and will do for you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

BARKIS IS WILLING! Matthew 23: 37-39

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I love Dicken’s novels.  In ‘David Copperfield’ young Davy is raised by an attendant named Peggotty.  She’s a gentle, humble woman who loves Davy as her own.  He feels the same toward her.  Later a rough and tumble man, a good’s hauler, shows interest in Peggotty.  His name is Barkis.  He asks Davy to pass along the word that he’d like to marry her.  Davy is to say ‘Barkis is willing!’  Peggotty gets the message loud and clear and is willing!

Willingness.  That’s what’s missing in ancient Jerusalem as Jesus prays–‘O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!’ (Matt. 23:37).  Barkis is willing but not God’s people.  When Jesus wants to gather His own close to Him, to love and care for them, they put up both hands, barking a loud ‘NO!” Unwilling.

How about you and me?  When Jesus makes promises do we go around unwilling and unbelieving?  Not sure if He’s ready to help?  His willingness heard in one ear and out the next?  That’s me, sad to say, more often than not.

But Jesus knows we’re far from perfect.  What He wants is an inclination, a simple nod, a genuine desire to be His own.  A willingness.  He’ll clean us up in time.  Then completely in the sweet by-and-by.

In the meantime, cuddle up a little closer.  Talk with Jesus.  Hear from Him in your Bible.  Put Him center frame in the Zoom picture of your daily life.  As best you can, try to block out Satan’s nasty lies, put-downs and suspicious doubts.

So, are you willing?  All in?  Mostly?  Well, that’s a good start.  Let’s keep at it.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my best forever friend.  Amen.

HAPPY? Psalm 84

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What makes you happy?  Think about it for a moment.  In church circles we talk more about what fulfills us or gives us joy.  We’re skeptical of happiness as being too dependent on fleeting, momentary things.  Not for Psalm 84 where happiness unashamedly rules the roost.

Reading verses 5 and 12 we note (at least in my translation) the word ‘blessed’.  In the original Hebrew one word for ‘blessed’ is often used.  But here we have a different one, which means flat out happiness.  Raucous cackling which explodes in cloud nine, rolling in the aisles, gut-busting laughter!

Really?  Why?  At the end of the day when we’re in heaven, at the foot of Jesus who’s at the right hand of the Father, surrounded by angels, the Holy Spirit and countless saints from all ages, who wouldn’t burst out in laughter?  Not some quiet little unassuming tee-hee, but a bursting out roaring guffaw.  We’re here!  We’ve made it!  Just take a gander!

Psalm 84: 1-2–‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.’  See?  We crave and hunger to be right next to our Lord.  Shoulder to shoulder intimacy.  Privileged beyond our fondest dreams.

Here’s something to remember–that ‘dwelling place’ of the Lord in Psalm 84 is most likely Solomon’s Temple, which resides this side of heaven.  Right here on planet earth is where we can be so close to God that happiness warms up the cockles of our hearts and souls.  Happy?  Why not?  Party-poopers fizzle out.  Naysayers say no more.

I’m happy in Jesus, hanging out with Psalm 84, refusing to drag my feet in the mud.  Happy as a lark.  Floating on air.  Doing backflips and handstands!  At age 73?  Well, ‘staying on the sunny side, always on the sunny side’!

Just what the doctor ordered.  Dr. Jesus, that is!  Happy?

Thank you, Jesus, for best days ahead forever.  Amen. 

BARBS AND THORNS Numbers 33

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Deep within the Law of Moses you’ll discover wise words for wisenheimers like me who imagine that we can get away with sin.  Sneak through by the skin of our teeth.  Feather our nests by whatever means.  Supposedly when comedian W.C. Fields is in hospital for the last time, he’s caught reading a Bible.  A friend asks him about this rather unexpected behavior.  Field’s comment?  ‘I’m looking for a loophole!’  Keep looking, W. C.–sorry, none will be found.

Numbers 33: 55–‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell.’   Sin does a number on us.  Dings, mucks up, and pokes full of holes everything in its path.  The whole kit and caboodle.

Like barbs in your eyes, giving excruciating pain to something super sensitive and tender.  Or a thorn in your side, which easily gets infected, spreading toxic bugs.

Personally, my conscience becomes numb the longer I allow sin to fester unchecked.  I grow cold to my Bible.  Ignoring it.  Becoming bitter and critical of God’s people.  A downward, slippery slope.  Why?  I know why.  So do you.  It’s that three letter word.  Nothing to be toyed with as sin’s barbs and thorns do their dismal, dirty work.

Be honest.  Anything keeping you from closeness with Jesus?  Fess up.  Mean what you say.  Ask for His help if you really want it.  Then be forgiven and move on.  Jesus gladly cleans us up.  Clean as clean can be.

Refuse to look back, which I find easier said than done.  Exercise faith’s forward-moving muscles.  Get stronger in Jesus.  Determined and single-minded.  No ifs and or buts about trusting Him.  All-in!

This takes effort.  Doesn’t come easy.  Barbs and thorns still hang around nearby.

Nevertheless, I’ll try if you will!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for cleaning up our lives.  For your sake.  Amen.

SALTY SEA Matthew 5

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I’m the only one of our Holy Land tour group who can’t float on Israel’s super-salty, extra-buoyant Dead Sea.  What an honor!  But I couldn’t.  Too scared?  Maybe.  After all, why do they call it the ‘Dead Sea’?

As a kid I love salty snacks.  Can’t tell you how many cans of potato chips and pretzels I consume growing up, bursting the seams of my clothes.  My parents would drive back to Jersey City to some bar that sells zesty, briny treats by the barrel full.  My sister and I dive in.  Good to the last crunch!

Jesus talks about salt.  As in His followers having spicy and preservative qualities.  Matthew 5:13–‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.’

I read somewhere that salt remains effective for about 15 years.  After that forget it.  No good except to be trashed or used to foul some good-for-nothing neighbor’s land.

Jesus warns about losing our tastiness, being an ineffective follower.  How?  Praying less while worrying more?  Probably.  Checking your net worth more than God’s Word?  Most likely.  Constantly talking about yourself rather than listening to or caring about others?  No doubt.  You can think of your own un-salty behaviors.  For sure.

That business about the 15 years reminds me of how patient the Lord is.  He doesn’t fly off the handle at the first sign of our wavering or weakening.  No nailing us to the wall in a sudden fit of rage.  Thank God, for I’d have been cast aside and booted out decades ago.  But here I am!  Still salty!

Jesus’ love is patient, consistent and dependable.  When all else fails, He doesn’t.  Ever.  ‘…Jesus…having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end’ (John 13:1).  Right to the finish line… and beyond.  That’s the gospel truth!

Pass the salt, please!

 

Thank you, Jesus, for such great love.  Amen.