February 3, 2013 - Turn to God

This week’s scriptures are: Jeremiah 1:4-19, Psalms 71:1-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30

Please pray with me:

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that the words of this sermon are YOUR words, and not mine.  I pray that the message here touches those that need to be touched.  I pray that those receiving this sermon remember that all Honor and Glory are yours, Lord, both now and forever.  Amen and Amen.

Grace and Peace to you, from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep I kept thinking of George.  He was a wonderful man.  A holy man.  I don't mean a "religious man" or a minister or anything like that.  He was a HOLY man.

This man, during my lifetime, was a holy man.  He was WHOLLY committed to God.  He was WHOLLY committed to his wife, Lillian.  He was WHOLLY committed to being an example of what a HOLY man looked like.  How a HOLY man acted.  How a HOLY man lived.  Not just on Sundays, but EVERY day.

You see, when I was in the second grade, I had the privilege of living next door to George and Lillian.  I went to school in the school district where George was the Head Custodian.  So I saw him when he was at home and at work.  I saw him when he didn't know I was watching him.  I have fond memories of watching him read the Word of God.

He kept a Bible in the stand, next to his chair.  Some times he'd be watching TV and suddenly just reach in the drawer and pull out his Bible and start reading.  Sometimes it seemed that maybe he "planned" to read.  Often, it was just a spur of the moment type of thing.

As I was drifting off to sleep, I remembered George tell me more than once, "turn to God."  That phrase, "Turn to God", kept playing over and over in my head.  I thought I knew why the phrase was playing over and over, but I wasn't sure.

This one simple phrase, "Turn to God", was the basis for the life that George lived.  So how was this going to matter to me today?  Why am I bringing this up this morning?  As I was preparing to write this sermon, I wasn't sure.  Then I read the scriptures for today.

When I read the selection from Jeremiah, I thought, WOW, before I was even conceived in the womb, God knew me.  How comforting is that!!  I mean, if we're down, lonely, going through troubles or just having a GREAT day, how comforting is it that GOD knew us from before we were in the womb?  He knew where we'd be and what we'd be doing RIGHT NOW!!!  Amazing.

And then I read from Psalms.  "In you, O Lord, I take refuge...".  How comforting.  God knew us before we were in the womb.  Where ELSE should we take refuge?  Where ELSE can we find comfort in times of trouble?  Where ELSE can we find hope or trust?  Where else can we turn?

In Luke we read that Christ was not accepted in His "hometown".  Where ever He travelled, He did wonderful things and everyone was amazed.  Yet in Nazareth, where "He was brought up", they just turned on Him.

How could Joseph's son be able to do anything?  He's just a carpenter's son.  He's not a priest or a priest's son.  Yet He's supposed to be able to do all of these miraculous things?  How silly.

And God knew this would happen, before any of them were in the womb.  And Christ was able to take refuge in His father.  And so can we.

You see, no matter how tough things get or how great things are, we can always Turn to God.  Take refuge in Him.  Let Him be our rock.

Today, more than most days, I miss George and Lillian Penley, my grandparents.  But God knew this before I was in the womb.  God is my refuge in my times of sorrow and despair.  He is my rock and anchor in good times and bad.

Today, like every day, is a good day to Turn to God.  No matter the situation, Turn to God.  He knew us and our situation before time.

So this week, and every week, Turn to God.  You see, God knew us before we were in the womb and even knowing the bad things we'd do or go through, He still loves us.  So Turn to God.  It just might be what you're looking for.

See, Poppa, I WAS paying attention all those years ago. 

Amen, Amen.

May the reading of this sermon bless you.  May God be with you and you with Him, until we meet again.

Amen, Amen.