“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13
9/11, Oklahoma City, Boston, Columbine, Newtown, wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and monster storms - all of these and many more reflect the worst of humanity and nature. When living in a fallen world it can be easy to get tired of doing good, but we are exhorted not to give in and to do good in the face of adversity.
All of the events listed above have two things in common - first is the senseless and tragic loss of life and property and second they result in an outpouring of what is the best of humanity. The stories of compassion and generosity coming out of Boston will give hope and bring healing in time. Events like those listed above bring unity at least for a while among groups that might not otherwise come together. I heard the New York Yankees paid tribute to Boston at a game following the bombing.
Doing good when living in a fallen world can be difficult, because we humans seem to think we need to do big things in a effort to change the world. Instead all we really need to do are little things that can change hearts.
This week keep an eye out for those around you who may be on the brink of hopelessness - give them a smile, a hug, pray for them right then and there, encourage them, buy them a coffee, a hot chocolate or a coke. If you are in the position to do - buy the groceries for the person in line behind you. When someone puts themselves down in your presence let them know they are valued.
God’s Word boils down to loving God and loving others. God knows we love Him when we love and encourage others. When living in a fallen world it can be easy to grow tired of doing good, but Jesus can supply all the energy you need to make a difference one heart at a time.
A Prayer
Father, you know the struggles we face living in this fallen world, you know how we can grow tired of swimming against to current as we try to do good. Be our strength and wisdom so we will not grow tired. Give us eyes to see those around us on the brink of hopelessness and help us to lift them up. Thank you that Jesus by His death and resurrection lifted us up so that we can lift up others. In the name of Jesus, who never grows tired of doing good - Amen.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Obstacles
“When they (Paul and company) came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.”
Acts 16:7-8
It was a very blustery day when I decided to visit a friend just recently home from a brief hospital stay. The street I needed to take is lined on both sides by palm trees. Palm trees are exotic looking and definitely created to stand in strong winds, but the same cannot be said for their spiky fronds. These were all over the street, turning this thoroughfare that doubles for a speedway into a two-way slalom course. The fronds had become an obstacle. This life is filled with all sorts of obstacles - pot holes, speed bumps, closed doors, walls, fear, short-sightedness, and sometimes God gets in our way. These obstacles can throw us completely off course or just cause us to stop as we wonder what to do now.
Some of these obstacles will require that we take a different route like Paul had to do in this week’s passage. Sometimes we have to rely on God to show us how to get over or through the obstacle before us.
Paul faced many obstacles - from his Damascus Road experience as Saul to all he would encounter on his journey to Rome. While the scriptures do not really explain why Paul was turned away from Mysia we can assume that the people and events he encountered as a result were part of the plan. If he hadn’t be turned away he may never have gone to Philippi, Lydia might not have become a follower of Christ. Paul and Silas might not have ended up in prison, but the jailer and his household might not have become followers of Christ either. The obstacles in Paul’s life prepared him to speak to governors, kings and the Roman Emperor.
The obstacles of life can have various effects on our lives. On the negative side, they can cause us to become stagnant, stuck in the mire of life, frustrated and angry. One the positive side, these same obstacles can draw us near to God; empower us to dream bigger dreams, and to help the others we encounter overcome their obstacles. While it might be safe to say that Paul was frustrated that they couldn’t go the way they planned, I suspect that as he looked back over his life filled with obstacles he would not have wanted any of them removed.
Obstacles are part of living an abundant life - embrace them.
A Prayer
Father, you know that we do not care much for obstacles, yet we must face them anyway. Help us see the path around, over or through whatever we are facing. When we are frustrated be our peace, when we are hurt be our healing, when we are afraid be our courage. Then allow us to share what we have learned with others and to thank You for the abundant life you give us. In the name of Jesus who overcame every obstacle for us, Amen.
Acts 16:7-8
It was a very blustery day when I decided to visit a friend just recently home from a brief hospital stay. The street I needed to take is lined on both sides by palm trees. Palm trees are exotic looking and definitely created to stand in strong winds, but the same cannot be said for their spiky fronds. These were all over the street, turning this thoroughfare that doubles for a speedway into a two-way slalom course. The fronds had become an obstacle. This life is filled with all sorts of obstacles - pot holes, speed bumps, closed doors, walls, fear, short-sightedness, and sometimes God gets in our way. These obstacles can throw us completely off course or just cause us to stop as we wonder what to do now.
Some of these obstacles will require that we take a different route like Paul had to do in this week’s passage. Sometimes we have to rely on God to show us how to get over or through the obstacle before us.
Paul faced many obstacles - from his Damascus Road experience as Saul to all he would encounter on his journey to Rome. While the scriptures do not really explain why Paul was turned away from Mysia we can assume that the people and events he encountered as a result were part of the plan. If he hadn’t be turned away he may never have gone to Philippi, Lydia might not have become a follower of Christ. Paul and Silas might not have ended up in prison, but the jailer and his household might not have become followers of Christ either. The obstacles in Paul’s life prepared him to speak to governors, kings and the Roman Emperor.
The obstacles of life can have various effects on our lives. On the negative side, they can cause us to become stagnant, stuck in the mire of life, frustrated and angry. One the positive side, these same obstacles can draw us near to God; empower us to dream bigger dreams, and to help the others we encounter overcome their obstacles. While it might be safe to say that Paul was frustrated that they couldn’t go the way they planned, I suspect that as he looked back over his life filled with obstacles he would not have wanted any of them removed.
Obstacles are part of living an abundant life - embrace them.
A Prayer
Father, you know that we do not care much for obstacles, yet we must face them anyway. Help us see the path around, over or through whatever we are facing. When we are frustrated be our peace, when we are hurt be our healing, when we are afraid be our courage. Then allow us to share what we have learned with others and to thank You for the abundant life you give us. In the name of Jesus who overcame every obstacle for us, Amen.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
How are you? Fine.
“I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
Psalm 6:6
How many times have we asked or been asked “How are you?” Only to receive or give the same “I’m fine” response when we know we are not fine? More times than we might care to admit I would guess. How many times when we are in distress do we come before God using polite language as if we are trying not to offend? Plenty I am sure.
The Psalms of lament teach us about the depth of authenticity God desires of our relationship with Him. Logan Jones agrees when he writes: “The laments should be seen as the honest engagement and dialog with God within a covenantal relationship where hurt and pain are acknowledged rather than denied and avoided." The Psalms of lament teach us to be real with God. The God we follow and serve is big enough and strong enough to allow us to pound on His chest in our fear, our anger, our doubt, our confusion and then to hold us gently as we cry in His arms. We see this clearly in the Psalms of lament.
These Psalms that express the raw emotion of the human experience teach us what it is to fall to our knees in our anguish and to know total dependence on a God that is faithful to respond to the cries of our heart. Can you see David on his knees has he cries out in Psalm 6 “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of my foes” (vv. 6-7).
Yet these Psalms of lament do not leave the psalmist in a state of anguish. The psalmist after expressing his pain and making known his request to God, acknowledges that he can trust God and will praise Him. Can you feel the peace that follows David’s plea in Psalm 13 “But I trust your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (vv. 5-6).
These Psalms teach us to get real with God. We do not have to approach timidly, we do not have to be polite, we can express our raw emotion and expect a loving response from the One who is worthy of all our praise because He is God.
These powerful songs are also a model for prayer, prayer that expresses the emotional reality of the human experience both in the midst of the storm and in its moments of victory.
This week, when God’s asks you “how are you?” Don’t respond with the typical “fine” get real with Him.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for wanting to have an authentic relationship with us. Thank you that you will allow us to question the trials we face and demand that You act. Thank you that you allow us to remind You of Your promises. Help us always to be real when we come into Your presence and like the psalmist to praise you just because You are God. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Psalm 6:6
How many times have we asked or been asked “How are you?” Only to receive or give the same “I’m fine” response when we know we are not fine? More times than we might care to admit I would guess. How many times when we are in distress do we come before God using polite language as if we are trying not to offend? Plenty I am sure.
The Psalms of lament teach us about the depth of authenticity God desires of our relationship with Him. Logan Jones agrees when he writes: “The laments should be seen as the honest engagement and dialog with God within a covenantal relationship where hurt and pain are acknowledged rather than denied and avoided." The Psalms of lament teach us to be real with God. The God we follow and serve is big enough and strong enough to allow us to pound on His chest in our fear, our anger, our doubt, our confusion and then to hold us gently as we cry in His arms. We see this clearly in the Psalms of lament.
These Psalms that express the raw emotion of the human experience teach us what it is to fall to our knees in our anguish and to know total dependence on a God that is faithful to respond to the cries of our heart. Can you see David on his knees has he cries out in Psalm 6 “I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of my foes” (vv. 6-7).
Yet these Psalms of lament do not leave the psalmist in a state of anguish. The psalmist after expressing his pain and making known his request to God, acknowledges that he can trust God and will praise Him. Can you feel the peace that follows David’s plea in Psalm 13 “But I trust your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me” (vv. 5-6).
These Psalms teach us to get real with God. We do not have to approach timidly, we do not have to be polite, we can express our raw emotion and expect a loving response from the One who is worthy of all our praise because He is God.
These powerful songs are also a model for prayer, prayer that expresses the emotional reality of the human experience both in the midst of the storm and in its moments of victory.
This week, when God’s asks you “how are you?” Don’t respond with the typical “fine” get real with Him.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for wanting to have an authentic relationship with us. Thank you that you will allow us to question the trials we face and demand that You act. Thank you that you allow us to remind You of Your promises. Help us always to be real when we come into Your presence and like the psalmist to praise you just because You are God. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Something New
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:25-26
In the course of a single week my husband and I became grandparents for the first time, I started new classes at school and one of our daughters moved with her husband out of our state, that is a lot of new for one week.
As I was thinking about all the “new” in my personal life, I spent some time contemplating the cross of Christ. You see, as we read in this week’s passage God promised to cleanse the people of their sin and to give them a new heart. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, the surrendering of His life for ours is God’s method of heart replacement.
Left to our own devices, we would try to fill our lives with new stuff - cars, clothes, recipes, furniture, whatever. For a while, those things might make us feel better, might mask the tight feeling of a hardened heart - but the feeling will not last. The search for a heart replacement will continue in a sometimes vicious cycle. Only Jesus can cleanse us from what separates us from God. Only Jesus can give us the new heart we need.
Best of all, because Jesus - the Son of God, paid the unfathomable price warranted by the cross, we can have a new heart as a gift. The remembrance of His death and the celebration of His resurrection will soon be here, so spend some time contemplating Jesus and the cross.
If you haven’t already accepted the gift of a new heart, now could be the right time to get one. The new heart will not guarantee smooth sailing in this life, but it does make new our relationship with God, it grants us an abundant life that allows us to really love and it comes with a warranty that will last for eternity.
A Prayer
Father, only You can make things new. Only You can make us new. Thank you for sending Your Son who willingly paid the price for our heart replacements. Help us to use our new hearts as you would have us use them. In the name of Jesus, the giver of new hearts, Amen.
Ezekiel 36:25-26
In the course of a single week my husband and I became grandparents for the first time, I started new classes at school and one of our daughters moved with her husband out of our state, that is a lot of new for one week.
As I was thinking about all the “new” in my personal life, I spent some time contemplating the cross of Christ. You see, as we read in this week’s passage God promised to cleanse the people of their sin and to give them a new heart. Jesus’ atoning work on the cross, the surrendering of His life for ours is God’s method of heart replacement.
Left to our own devices, we would try to fill our lives with new stuff - cars, clothes, recipes, furniture, whatever. For a while, those things might make us feel better, might mask the tight feeling of a hardened heart - but the feeling will not last. The search for a heart replacement will continue in a sometimes vicious cycle. Only Jesus can cleanse us from what separates us from God. Only Jesus can give us the new heart we need.
Best of all, because Jesus - the Son of God, paid the unfathomable price warranted by the cross, we can have a new heart as a gift. The remembrance of His death and the celebration of His resurrection will soon be here, so spend some time contemplating Jesus and the cross.
If you haven’t already accepted the gift of a new heart, now could be the right time to get one. The new heart will not guarantee smooth sailing in this life, but it does make new our relationship with God, it grants us an abundant life that allows us to really love and it comes with a warranty that will last for eternity.
A Prayer
Father, only You can make things new. Only You can make us new. Thank you for sending Your Son who willingly paid the price for our heart replacements. Help us to use our new hearts as you would have us use them. In the name of Jesus, the giver of new hearts, Amen.
Monday, March 18, 2013
All We Need is Love
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s command and remain in his love. …This is my command: Love each other.”
John 15:9-10, 17
“Love, love, love all you need is love, love is all you need” that’s what the Beatle’s sang. I am not a Beatle’s fan but as I was thinking about today’s passage these words of the song came to mind. Perhaps we could change them to read: Love, love, love because of Love, all you need is love.
Jesus loved his disciples because He was loved by the Father. So He wants his disciples to love others because He has loved them. Earlier in his Gospel John shares similar words from Jesus “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
The Greek word translated as love is agape - it is defined “as the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies. For the humans who live in this world, the command to love one another can be a tall order.
Spring is at hand, trees are blooming and soon some will bear fruit. The branches of fruit trees cannot bear fruit without the roots that nourish and water them. We cannot love as we are called to love without Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If we are to love as Jesus loved, if we are to love because Jesus loved, we must stay close to Him. We must live by His example.
Love, love, love - Yes, all we need is love - God’s love. This week as He fills you with His love, show that love to others, especially to those who are hard to love. By that others will see God’s love and you will bear the fruit you are meant to.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the love relationship you have with Your Son. Thank you that Your Son loves us so much, even when we are undeserving. Help us to love as we have been loved. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
John 15:9-10, 17
“Love, love, love all you need is love, love is all you need” that’s what the Beatle’s sang. I am not a Beatle’s fan but as I was thinking about today’s passage these words of the song came to mind. Perhaps we could change them to read: Love, love, love because of Love, all you need is love.
Jesus loved his disciples because He was loved by the Father. So He wants his disciples to love others because He has loved them. Earlier in his Gospel John shares similar words from Jesus “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).
The Greek word translated as love is agape - it is defined “as the active love of God for his Son and his people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies. For the humans who live in this world, the command to love one another can be a tall order.
Spring is at hand, trees are blooming and soon some will bear fruit. The branches of fruit trees cannot bear fruit without the roots that nourish and water them. We cannot love as we are called to love without Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If we are to love as Jesus loved, if we are to love because Jesus loved, we must stay close to Him. We must live by His example.
Love, love, love - Yes, all we need is love - God’s love. This week as He fills you with His love, show that love to others, especially to those who are hard to love. By that others will see God’s love and you will bear the fruit you are meant to.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the love relationship you have with Your Son. Thank you that Your Son loves us so much, even when we are undeserving. Help us to love as we have been loved. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Show Us
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5
There are times in life when the cry of our hearts should be simply show us Lord. Show us your love, your strength, your plan, your path, your mercy, your grace - show us.
We live in an ever darkening world and even those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ can sometimes find ourselves wondering in the shadows, unsure of where we should go, what we should do or what we should say. Those are the moments and seasons of life when we need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us because He will be faithful to make clear the path even if it is just one step at a time.
Not only will He show us, He will give us everything we need to take the step, speak the words and do whatever He has called us to do. He will be our courage if we need it. He will grant us His wisdom and He will be our light.
Where are you today? Do you need new direction - ask Him to show you. Do you need to show mercy and grace - ask Him to show you. No matter what you need or where you are in the journey - take heart and be hopeful because He will show you, guide you and teach you everything you need to know, when you need to know it.
This week ask Him to show you what you need to see, show you what you need to do, show you what you need say and when He does… just do it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that you are ready to show us what we need to see, teach us what we need to learn and give us what we need to do Your will. Help us to ask when we are uncertain. Be with us, give us hope. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Psalm 25:4-5
There are times in life when the cry of our hearts should be simply show us Lord. Show us your love, your strength, your plan, your path, your mercy, your grace - show us.
We live in an ever darkening world and even those of us who call ourselves by the name of Christ can sometimes find ourselves wondering in the shadows, unsure of where we should go, what we should do or what we should say. Those are the moments and seasons of life when we need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us because He will be faithful to make clear the path even if it is just one step at a time.
Not only will He show us, He will give us everything we need to take the step, speak the words and do whatever He has called us to do. He will be our courage if we need it. He will grant us His wisdom and He will be our light.
Where are you today? Do you need new direction - ask Him to show you. Do you need to show mercy and grace - ask Him to show you. No matter what you need or where you are in the journey - take heart and be hopeful because He will show you, guide you and teach you everything you need to know, when you need to know it.
This week ask Him to show you what you need to see, show you what you need to do, show you what you need say and when He does… just do it.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that you are ready to show us what we need to see, teach us what we need to learn and give us what we need to do Your will. Help us to ask when we are uncertain. Be with us, give us hope. In the name of Jesus our Savior, Amen.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Through the Looking Glass
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12
At some point in our lives we all have a day when we get out of bed look at ourselves in the mirror and think… it would just be better to climb back into bed and pull the blankets over our heads. One look and doubt about our value, our purpose creeps in and we haven’t even faced the world yet. We make the choice not to hide and go out into the world where our reflection can become even more clouded. The world has very definite ideas about how we should look and act and if we are living against the current that reflection can really beat us up.
Today’s passage from Paul’s love chapter reminds us that the mirrors in our lives do not reflect who we really are. Imagine that the mirror we gaze into in the morning, the one that reveals the wrinkles, dark circles under our eyes and the graying hair, is actually a two way mirror. On our side we see our flawed selves, the self the world has turned us into. The reflection that says we are not worthy, we have little value. On the other side of the mirror God is looking at us just as intently.
He sees a different version of us. He can see beyond what the world has made us to be. He sees beyond what we are and how we look. He sees beyond our flaws and sin. He sees us as He created us. He created each of us perfect to fulfill the purpose he has given us. He sees our value and He loves us.
As we race toward the solemn observance of Christ’s passion and the celebration of His resurrection, remember that His sacrifice was made because He loves us and He wants a vibrant relationship with us.
As Paul says today we see only a reflection. Someday we will look Jesus in the face and see who we really are in the glow of His glory. We will see what He sees and he sees us as beautiful and more than worth the price He paid to restore us.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that You see through what we see when we look in the mirror. Thank you for giving us value and beauty. Until we see you face to face, help us to catch a glimpse of who we are in you the next time we see our reflection. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:12
At some point in our lives we all have a day when we get out of bed look at ourselves in the mirror and think… it would just be better to climb back into bed and pull the blankets over our heads. One look and doubt about our value, our purpose creeps in and we haven’t even faced the world yet. We make the choice not to hide and go out into the world where our reflection can become even more clouded. The world has very definite ideas about how we should look and act and if we are living against the current that reflection can really beat us up.
Today’s passage from Paul’s love chapter reminds us that the mirrors in our lives do not reflect who we really are. Imagine that the mirror we gaze into in the morning, the one that reveals the wrinkles, dark circles under our eyes and the graying hair, is actually a two way mirror. On our side we see our flawed selves, the self the world has turned us into. The reflection that says we are not worthy, we have little value. On the other side of the mirror God is looking at us just as intently.
He sees a different version of us. He can see beyond what the world has made us to be. He sees beyond what we are and how we look. He sees beyond our flaws and sin. He sees us as He created us. He created each of us perfect to fulfill the purpose he has given us. He sees our value and He loves us.
As we race toward the solemn observance of Christ’s passion and the celebration of His resurrection, remember that His sacrifice was made because He loves us and He wants a vibrant relationship with us.
As Paul says today we see only a reflection. Someday we will look Jesus in the face and see who we really are in the glow of His glory. We will see what He sees and he sees us as beautiful and more than worth the price He paid to restore us.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that You see through what we see when we look in the mirror. Thank you for giving us value and beauty. Until we see you face to face, help us to catch a glimpse of who we are in you the next time we see our reflection. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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