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PASTORS MESSAGE :
John 10:10: "I have come that [you] may have life, and have it abundantly"
I cannot imagine there being a person who wouldn't mind life a little better than it is right now. If you had the power to make your life better right now what would you do? More
money, better health, peace in our world, peace of mind, peace in the family? The list can go on. Wanting life to be better is a normal desire. Jesus knows this about us which is why he said, "I have come that [you]
may have life, and have it abundantly." Abundant living is what Jesus is all about. Living life fully. That is what he promises you.
Living life fully is not the same as having it all. Of course that's not how our world wants us to think. Our world tells us things like: the one with the most toys wins. Or, it says the more
possessions you have and the happier you will be. Again, it tempts us to have the looks, the grades, the perfect children, the best looking spouse, the bigger home, the fancier car, the
larger income you as paths to happiness. Our world wants us to believe that happiness can be bought. Jesus said He has come to give you an abundant life. There is no life like a life in Jesus. And I
have statistics to back this up. Statistics have shown that church people really have it better than un-churched people. What do I mean?
Dr. David Larson of the National Institute of Healthcare Research has found that people who attend worship services are: less prone to divorce, have less delinquency in children, and
suffer fewer addictions. Furthermore, people who attend worship regularly sense greater well-being, purpose and meaning for their lives, enjoy greater self-esteem, experience less
depression, adjust better in grief situation, and have less anxiety. What's more, religion is a deterrent to alcoholism and drug addiction among children and youth and religion promotes
concern for the welfare of others. As one person commented, "the door to happiness swings outward!" [This information quoted from Roberta Gilbert, M.D. at 2002 Growth in Ministry Seminar in Buffalo.]
This is great news! Jesus enriches our lives, heals our wounded souls, and leads us on God's right path of life. What does all this say to you and me? Well it says that Jesus' words are true. Jesus knows
what He's talking about. There is no life like a life in Jesus. That's because He's our Shepherd and He's the best shepherd there is. No one and no thing can deliver the peace of mind, the
assurance of forgiveness, the comfort and hope of eternal life like He does. And following Him makes you all the richer. If you do not have a church you can call home isn't it time you found one and start
experiencing the joys and riches of God's grace? And if you already belong to a fellowship of Christian believers isn't it time to tell the wonders of what God has done and continues to do for you?
Live life to the full!
[Devotion by Rev. Chris Wicher of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Cheektowaga. Pastor Wicher is the Webmaster for wnylutheran}
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Live Life to the Full
Prayer: Jesus our true and good Shepherd, in Your death You have
conquered every power that destroys life, and in Your rising from death You have brought heaven to us. Bless us this day. May we enjoy and count all the good things You have brought to us. This we ask in the
name of the Father, who created us and in the name of the Son, who redeemed us by His blood, and in the name of the Holy Spirit our Helper, who gives us the holy connection to God. Amen