Coheirs With Christ

This week of reading scripture has been very different for me. I have been very inspired to pray more, read slowly and ask questions. The results are amazing to me. I do not think my writing will be different or more inspiring but I have received a grace that I am loved by our Heavenly Father beyond any measure I could possibly share.

I focus very much on my sinfulness. I know how weak I am as a disciple of Jesus and I tend to share that a lot in my writing. When I read passages from scripture, especially the Gospels, I can easily point to the sinner I am. I do think it is important to recognize the sin in me so that I can ask for help to be a better version of who I was created to be. But in spite of my sins, I am truly loved by God and that message seems to be much clearer to me.

St. Paul, in Ephesians 3, talks about being given an insight to the mystery of Christ. That insight was given only to him, the apostles and disciples by the power of the Holy Spirit. That revelation was great news for us “that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same Body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” We are those same Gentiles. As a father, my children are welcome to everything I have. They are coheirs. How much greater is it for each of us to know that everything our Heavenly Father has is for us as coheirs with Christ!

Thank you Heavenly Father for this promise of adoption for us. Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus, gave His life out of love for us in doing Your Holy Will. In the Spirit of love and thanksgiving, all glory and praise is Yours Father through your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever, Amen.

Image from google.com

Mike Burke; Wednesday, October 19, 2016

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We Are Unprofitable Servants

Today, our group SIGN, Singing In God’s Name takes the stage to close out our St. Paul the Apostle Harvest Festival. We are a unique Christian band. We are old rockers that have played the nightclub circuits in our youth and by the grace of God, were united at our Church to give glory to God through our music.

I am going to speak for the group when I say that we as musicians have possessed some egos in our day. For me, I couldn’t wait to get on stage to let loose and get the crowd going, free drinks, food and much adulation from our followers. But today, I must say it is very different. All adulation, all adoration, all glory and all praise goes to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Without God, there would be no music. Without God, there would be no me.

To hear that I am an unprofitable servant is music to my ears. Jesus follows with … “we have done what we are obliged to do.” (Luke 17:10) Being on stage now is so different. Singing glory to God as others watch, sing praise, raise hands and voices to the Lord or close their eyes to the beauty of God is more rewarding as an unprofitable servant than any compliment, gift or achievement given for my own glory. How prideful it was to think, at a time in my life, that I earned all my talents through hard work on my own.

Thanks be to God! May I live as an unprofitable servant all the days of my life and do what I am obliged to do which is to love the Lord and my neighbor. Amen, Alleluia!

Mike Burke; Sunday, October 2, 2016