April 27, 2016
Spring has sprung. The rains have come and the plants and animals are shaking off the death of winter. Life is surging in the waters set free from the lock of ice. Cool clear water is giving drink to dormancy and crying “Awake out of sleep, you drowsy trees.”
The rabbits 
and squirrels 
are scurrying and chasing after their mates in a frolic for new life. The God-given force of nature is marching across the southern plains of Minnesota and will not be denied. Farmers are sowing seeds by the billions, trusting in the power implanted in tiny shells which will burst forth into a sea of green across fields farther than the eye can see.
And with the potential of new life, we are also continually reminded of the curse. The thorn bush and the unwanted weed both flourish also. Not all is well in paradise, for paradise has long been lost. Not only does the gentle rain come, but also the hail; not just the gentle breeze, but the tornado as well. The voice of our God booms in the thunder. His arrows pierce the sky and strike the earth. Marvel at the power. Feel the earth shake. Who can stand before nature let loose by the curse of sin? Whoever would dare defy the God of all creation let him do it to his own peril.
Bless God! It was also in the spring of the year He provided life for man from the death of the winter of our sin. The Spring Tree which brought us life did not shine bright green, but glistened red with a Savior’s blood. The storm of this spring came first upon a cruel cross before the peace of God flowed down to man. Oh what a gift to be made alive, to know God, to be awakened out of the sleep of death and to feel communion with the Creator! “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” So then, my brother and sister let us drink freely from a life-giving spring which never grows dry. Let the blessed Word of God surge through your spirit and feed you a life-giving flow which will prosper you in this day. Ah, today is the day the Lord has made. We only have today. Tomorrow has not yet come and yesterday is behind us. How then shall we live today? Let us bring forth a holy crop in honor of the One who saved us and gives us life!
John 15:8-9 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my life.” Lord God, help all of us stay close to you. Let us not wander in the futility of our own way. Cause us to eat of Thy bread – the Word of God, and to be filled with Thy Spirit. As You have graced us, may we freely give back in worship, and praise, and willing service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to the Christ, to the Son of God and the Son of man, to Jesus the only Savior and hope for a fallen world. Amen.
Because of His Grace
With love to you,
Pastor John Schofield
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