Burkhart, Bob 4

Scripture: John 14:27 (NIV) – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Message: We often have moments where we feel calmness, quietness, and moments of serenity. During these times of calmness, we feel a peace within ourselves, and we often feel the presence of God.

However, we are often aware of other things going on around us. Such disturbances can be disruptive to the calm and peace we feel when we are in the presence of God, and our minds struggle to process and make sense of the impact of these disturbances.

This may make us feel anxious and lonely, especially when we have no one to talk to, or to sit with. It may bring us to the realization of how small we are in comparison to the vastness of Your world and Your universe. Can we only feel calm and peace by isolating ourselves from all other activities? Is it necessary for us to be in silence to feel calm and peace?

Whenever we have such disruptive thoughts or feelings, it is time to go to God in prayer, asking for direction, for calm and for peace.

Prayer: Dear God, please help us always to be aware of Your presence, despite the disturbances that invade our lives. Help us, dear God, to feel the calm and the peace of Your presence and understanding. We thank You and praise You for Your forgiveness of our shortfalls. Amen.

Bob Burkhart

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Scriptures: John 19:30 (NIV) – “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Matthew 27:51: (NIV) – “And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom, and the earth quaked and the rocks rent.”

Matthew 27:54 (NIV) – “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’”

Message: I have often wondered what God thought when He looked down from heaven and saw His Son falsely accused, arrested, mocked, tortured, and crucified knowing He had never committed a sin, or broken the law?

Could these verses of Scripture from Matthew 27 be Gods expression of His displeasure of what He saw? Was this earthquake sent by God for all on earth to witness?

The temple curtain served as a barrier between God and the Holy Place. Its tearing revealed that all could come into the presence of God with the acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The temple curtain splitting from top to bottom, at the moment Jesus died on the cross, signified the end of the old covenant and the beginning of the new covenant. We now have direct access to God through Jesus’ sacrifice. The curtain, representing the barrier separating people from God's presence in the Holy of Holies, has been removed; access to God is now open to all who turn to Him.

We know that God sent His Son, Jesus, (God on earth) to walk on earth to teach and preach. He had a faithful following in His disciples who followed Him everywhere He went. Jesus taught His disciples to pray and to put God first in their lives and to love Him with all their heart, soul, and mind. Jesus further taught His disciples to be a good example and to share with others and to Minister to those in need. As Christians, is this not what God expects of us?

Prayer: Father in heaven, during this Eastertide Season, keep us ever mindful of the sacrifice made by You in giving up Your Son, Jesus, and of His sacrifice of dying on the cross in forgiveness of our sins. Amen.

Bob Burkhart

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Scripture: Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Message: When David wrote Psalm 139, could he have known just how complex and complete the human body is? In my younger years, I never gave thought to how wonderful and complex my body really is.

Growing up I was always active in sports or anything else I felt was competitive. Of course, I had a few injuries and bruises. I never once thought about healing. My body was strong, and my legs were strong.

Four years ago, I started having bad pains in my right leg. I just thought that it might be a result of walking a lot. The pain, instead of getting less hurtful, continued to worsen. Tests revealed that I was not getting proper circulation in my leg and foot. End result: amputation of my right leg.

During this journey, I have spent many hours in doctor’s offices and hospitals. I have seen and studied a lot of charts depicting human anatomy. I have learned how complex our bodies are, the vascular system, the muscular system, heart and lungs. The way these body parts work together truly depicts how wonderfully made we are.

How could anyone ever think we, as humans, could ever doubt that our bodies were anything other than the design of a master architect, which is our GOD?

My experience has been very traumatic as I dealt with questions about my condition and abilities to walk again, drive again, and even dance again.

I could have fallen into depression and started feeling sorry for myself had I dwelled on my condition. Instead, I worked hard at staying positive about my life and condition. God still loves me; my family loves me, and I am very blessed to have a wonderful wife that has been by my side through all these challenges.

Prayer: Dear God, we thank You for being our creator. We praise You and thank You for healing our bodies when we are sick and injured. We thank You for guiding our thoughts when our minds are troubled. We pray all of this in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bob Burkhart

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Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) – “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”

Philippians 4:6 (NIV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Message: As I read this verse, I had flash backs of the days of my youth. Flying like Superman. Playing soldier, all decked out in my “camos” with my canteen strapped to my belt while wearing my army helmet.

As I grew older, I realized these were mere fantasies, or mind clutter, which needed to be erased from my mind to provide space for innovative ideas. This mind clutter can only be removed through prayer and supplication. As Paul writes in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”. In contrast, physical clutter (junk) in our attics, garages and houses can be disposed of by dump runs, or by contributions to rummage sales, or garage sales.

With clutter removed from sight and mind, we have cleared the path for new thoughts and innovations. Our aspirations can now be that of a new direction and purpose.

Prayer: Dear God please help us to stay focused on You with clear and uncluttered minds. Give us clarity and direction in the things we say and do. We pray these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Bob Burkhart

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