Dear Brothers and Sisters,
One time or another, we have all heard the first verse of Psalm 14: The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” The psalm then goes on to detail all the ways in which the unbelieving fools have acted foolishly. They are corrupt; they commit abominable acts; they are faithless; they mistreat the afflicted. In summary, there is none who does any good; not a single one of them does any good. No, not one!
But God is righteous. God will judge. After providing refuge to the ones who the fools have afflicted, God will take matters in hand and will restore Israel. In those days, I certainly would not want to be one of the corrupt fools, who seem determined to do everything to bring about their own destruction. Not a cheery psalm for them, no matter how hopeful it is for those who turn to God for strength and protection.
If we believe Paul’s description of himself in 1 Timothy, he certainly appears to have been like the fools described in Psalm 14—maybe even worse. He confesses that he was “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence.” But Paul’s foolishness had a different character from the others’. Instead of being stubbornly persistent in the old, evil ways, he turned away from his ignorance and unbelief. Through the mercy of Christ, he received the gift of faith and love in Jesus. And beyond that, Jesus called him into service, patiently re-working him into someone who could become an example to future believers. In short, TO US!
Paul is only one of the examples we have of the change that can occur when we follow the way of Jesus. Those of us who attend the Wednesday prayer service are introduced to a new one each week. You may have a list of names of people who have been examples for you. Some of them you may even have known personally!
Deuteronomy 30:19 sums it up this way: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life.” Choose faith and live!
Joy to you **all** as we **all** continue to worship and serve together!
Mo. Laura+
Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 18 – The Great Chili-Lovers’ Smack-down | Potluck Picnic following morning service at St. Margaret’s, Emmaus PA
Wednesday, October 20 – Sunday October 23 – Icon Worship at St. Margaret’s, Emmaus PA