“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’…When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
“We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse afar…” These are the opening words of a much loved Christmas Carol. The real story is more interesting because it is a story of science and faith colliding. It is a story that has a much deeper meaning than we realize when we read it casually. It is a story we must read carefully and study to fill in the gaps.
The New International Version as seen in this week’s passage calls the travelers from the east Magi. The Message calls them a “Band of Scholars” and a number of versions call them “Wise Men”. We don’t how many there really were and we don’t even know for sure how far they have travelled. But we can piece the story together with some educated assumptions.
They were gentiles from somewhere east of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, but how far east? It appears it may have taken them as much as two years to arrive at the place they sought. What? You say – they appear in the Nativity scenes we set up. I know they are in mine too. But the passage clearly says “On coming to the house” Jesus was born in a manger, when these travelers arrive; the family is in a house. Read further along and at chapter 2, verse 16 Herod orders all male children two and under killed. They were men of science and perhaps experts in other disciplines as well. Wherever they were from it is likely they had access to the words of the Hebrew prophets – Daniel, Isaiah and others and (here’s the important part) that they believed what they had learned of the coming Messiah otherwise they would not have been looking for a sign signaling His birth. Then of course we know for sure they went to find this foretold King of the Jews, to worship Him and bring him gifts. When it was time to go they acted in obedience to the God of the universe and went home a different way.
So what does it all mean, how can we be encouraged by this. The whole story of the birth of the Savior is to show us that God loves all of us and wants to be in relationship with us. As we look back over the weeks of Advent remember – God chose an ordinary girl and her carpenter fiancé to parent His son. God sent the first birth announcement to shepherds working out in the fields and the only other visitors to the child we read about are the wise, gentile men who traveled a long way when their science collided with faith.
Being a follower of Jesus isn’t about having a crutch. Christianity isn’t a religion of ignorance. Following Jesus requires heart, soul and mind to work together. Following Jesus is what happens when we allow science and faith collides.
Merry Christmas!
A Prayer
Father – what an incredible story plays out in Your Word, a story of creative majesty and eternal love so strong that it reaches through time to tap us on the shoulder and hugs us in a tight embrace when we turn. Thanks you for showing us through regular people – Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the gentile wise men – that you came to save all who see Your Son for who He is – the Savior of the world. May we allow His light to shine as we allow science and faith to collide. In the name of Jesus, who wise men and women still seek – Amen.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Of Shepherds and Angels
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Luke 2:10
The natural and the supernatural, light and dark, humble poverty and majestic royalty these are the things that come to mind as I read about the coming of the Savior. I love how the Scriptures no matter how familiar, can present something new to the heart and mind that is open to the working of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever considers the two shepherd kings we read about in these inspired pages – one natural, one supernatural. One occasionally prone to darkness, the other overflowing with light. Both – at least as their humanity goes had humble beginnings that lead to majestic royalty. Of course One was really royal from since before time.
David the first shepherd king, in one of the most beloved passages of Scripture calls the Lord his shepherd, acknowledging his need for the divine care only God could provide. Jesus, the incarnation of that same God David sang of identifies Himself as “the Good Shepherd” in John 10. Some often wonder why lowly shepherds were favored with the proclamation of the child’s birth, by an angel of the Lord no less and a supernatural concert. You see, while today we would understand that being a shepherd is an honest job, important to the care of a flock of sheep which no matter what era we are talking about would be valuable. To the Hebrew people who needed a spotless lamb to offer as a sacrifice, a shepherd would be responsible for making sure a proper beast was ready when needed. Yet in the days of Jesus’ birth, they weren’t respected by those who held a higher place in the community – ok let’s just say it, the religious leaders – because well when you are spending time with sheep, you tend to smell like sheep – you get the picture.
But, that doesn’t mean they didn’t know God, didn’t know His law, didn’t know that in the eyes of others they fell very short of His standards. That’s the point though – they lived in His creation, they cared for important creatures, they no doubt sang David psalm declaring that the Lord their God was their Shepherd. The angel and the supernatural choir came to these shepherds first because God knew they would respond with open hearts, hearts so open they would be filled with joy. Hearts so open that they would rush, without the fear of being rejected to see the child, lying in a manger surrounded by – I don’t know smelly sheep maybe.
A note in my Bible says perhaps the shepherds got the word first “because they represented all who needed cleansing since Jesus was and is a king for all those humble enough to see their need for a Savior.” As followers of Christ we need to remember we are all works in progress – may we stay humble enough to hear the voices of Angels because our hearts are open for the message they carry.
More importantly and especially in this season of Advent, may our eyes be open to the modern day “shepherds” in our midst – the people on the fringe of our communities, the people some might look down their noses at if they stepped into the doors of our churches. They are there and they need to see and hear the good news of great joy.
Of shepherds and angels – which are you? Maybe, you are both. Maybe that’s a blessing.
A Prayer
Father – that we might have the humble spirits of those shepherds visited by Your angel. That we might by our actions more than anything announce Your Good News to those who really need you especially during this season. Thank you for showing us that it is when we recognize our need of a Savior that You can and will do amazing things with our lives. Help to remember that until we see you face to face, we are always in need of the grace and forgiveness our Shepherd King offers. In the name of Jesus, who is the Shepherd King – Amen.
Luke 2:10
The natural and the supernatural, light and dark, humble poverty and majestic royalty these are the things that come to mind as I read about the coming of the Savior. I love how the Scriptures no matter how familiar, can present something new to the heart and mind that is open to the working of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever considers the two shepherd kings we read about in these inspired pages – one natural, one supernatural. One occasionally prone to darkness, the other overflowing with light. Both – at least as their humanity goes had humble beginnings that lead to majestic royalty. Of course One was really royal from since before time.
David the first shepherd king, in one of the most beloved passages of Scripture calls the Lord his shepherd, acknowledging his need for the divine care only God could provide. Jesus, the incarnation of that same God David sang of identifies Himself as “the Good Shepherd” in John 10. Some often wonder why lowly shepherds were favored with the proclamation of the child’s birth, by an angel of the Lord no less and a supernatural concert. You see, while today we would understand that being a shepherd is an honest job, important to the care of a flock of sheep which no matter what era we are talking about would be valuable. To the Hebrew people who needed a spotless lamb to offer as a sacrifice, a shepherd would be responsible for making sure a proper beast was ready when needed. Yet in the days of Jesus’ birth, they weren’t respected by those who held a higher place in the community – ok let’s just say it, the religious leaders – because well when you are spending time with sheep, you tend to smell like sheep – you get the picture.
But, that doesn’t mean they didn’t know God, didn’t know His law, didn’t know that in the eyes of others they fell very short of His standards. That’s the point though – they lived in His creation, they cared for important creatures, they no doubt sang David psalm declaring that the Lord their God was their Shepherd. The angel and the supernatural choir came to these shepherds first because God knew they would respond with open hearts, hearts so open they would be filled with joy. Hearts so open that they would rush, without the fear of being rejected to see the child, lying in a manger surrounded by – I don’t know smelly sheep maybe.
A note in my Bible says perhaps the shepherds got the word first “because they represented all who needed cleansing since Jesus was and is a king for all those humble enough to see their need for a Savior.” As followers of Christ we need to remember we are all works in progress – may we stay humble enough to hear the voices of Angels because our hearts are open for the message they carry.
More importantly and especially in this season of Advent, may our eyes be open to the modern day “shepherds” in our midst – the people on the fringe of our communities, the people some might look down their noses at if they stepped into the doors of our churches. They are there and they need to see and hear the good news of great joy.
Of shepherds and angels – which are you? Maybe, you are both. Maybe that’s a blessing.
A Prayer
Father – that we might have the humble spirits of those shepherds visited by Your angel. That we might by our actions more than anything announce Your Good News to those who really need you especially during this season. Thank you for showing us that it is when we recognize our need of a Savior that You can and will do amazing things with our lives. Help to remember that until we see you face to face, we are always in need of the grace and forgiveness our Shepherd King offers. In the name of Jesus, who is the Shepherd King – Amen.
Monday, December 5, 2016
A Faith Filled Husband
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:18
Mary was pledged to Joseph - in some translations the word betrothed or engaged is used. We need to understand this word in order to understand what the reality of Mary and Joseph’s situation here. In our modern world while getting engaged to be married is an exciting and often happy time – a modern engagement is not a binding promise – today engagements can be easily broken, it can be painful but it is still easy. In Joseph and Mary’s day being pledged, betrothed, engaged to be married was a binding contract – they were legally considered husband and wife even though the marriage bed had not been slept in yet.
So image the position Joseph found himself in, his wife is pregnant and he knows full well that the baby is not his. Would he believe her when she told him she was carrying a divine child? In those days the punishment for adultery was death. Joseph loved Mary, what a difficult place he found himself in. How hurt must he have been? The next verse in Matthew’s narrative says:
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). He had in mind, he was thinking about, praying about what the course of action would be. Perhaps he had made a pros and cons list in his head of all the possible actions he could take. Joseph wanted to do the “right” thing.
As Joseph slept an angel visited him in a dream, addressed him by his full name and delivered to him a message from God that gave him the Lord’s preferred path – keep Mary as your wife, she has done nothing wrong, she has found favor with God and has acted obediently, in light of all the risk – the risk of losing you – in order to do what was asked of her. It is interesting that the angel didn’t say – your families will understand, your community will understand, everything will be wonderful if you do this. The angel just laid out what God would prefer Joseph to do (see Matthew 1:20-23).
When he woke from the dream because he was a righteous man and a faith filled husband, Joseph did as the Lord wanted he took Mary as his wife, he cared for her and honored the Child she carried. Were there whispers behind his back? Probably. Did his business suffer? No way to know for sure, but he taught Jesus the trade anyway. In the end he had the woman he loved, he had a family and he was favored by God to help bring up the Savior of the world, to teach Him a trade and what it means to be a faith filled man.
Mary saw the possibility of the impossible. Joseph understood the blessing of faith filled obedience. Together, with the Holy Spirit they brought the prophesied child into the world, so that we and the world could be saved.
Imagine if we all could see the possibility in the impossible and respond with faith filled obedience.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the stories of faith filled obedience to you. What a revolutionary, risk taking way to live and to make a difference in our world. Lord be the courage we need to act like Joseph did. Help us not just in this season of Advent but every day to respond to others by acting in faith filled obedience to you. May our actions reflect your heart and bring you glory. In the name of Jesus, who also acted in faith filled obedience – Amen.
Matthew 1:18
Mary was pledged to Joseph - in some translations the word betrothed or engaged is used. We need to understand this word in order to understand what the reality of Mary and Joseph’s situation here. In our modern world while getting engaged to be married is an exciting and often happy time – a modern engagement is not a binding promise – today engagements can be easily broken, it can be painful but it is still easy. In Joseph and Mary’s day being pledged, betrothed, engaged to be married was a binding contract – they were legally considered husband and wife even though the marriage bed had not been slept in yet.
So image the position Joseph found himself in, his wife is pregnant and he knows full well that the baby is not his. Would he believe her when she told him she was carrying a divine child? In those days the punishment for adultery was death. Joseph loved Mary, what a difficult place he found himself in. How hurt must he have been? The next verse in Matthew’s narrative says:
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). He had in mind, he was thinking about, praying about what the course of action would be. Perhaps he had made a pros and cons list in his head of all the possible actions he could take. Joseph wanted to do the “right” thing.
As Joseph slept an angel visited him in a dream, addressed him by his full name and delivered to him a message from God that gave him the Lord’s preferred path – keep Mary as your wife, she has done nothing wrong, she has found favor with God and has acted obediently, in light of all the risk – the risk of losing you – in order to do what was asked of her. It is interesting that the angel didn’t say – your families will understand, your community will understand, everything will be wonderful if you do this. The angel just laid out what God would prefer Joseph to do (see Matthew 1:20-23).
When he woke from the dream because he was a righteous man and a faith filled husband, Joseph did as the Lord wanted he took Mary as his wife, he cared for her and honored the Child she carried. Were there whispers behind his back? Probably. Did his business suffer? No way to know for sure, but he taught Jesus the trade anyway. In the end he had the woman he loved, he had a family and he was favored by God to help bring up the Savior of the world, to teach Him a trade and what it means to be a faith filled man.
Mary saw the possibility of the impossible. Joseph understood the blessing of faith filled obedience. Together, with the Holy Spirit they brought the prophesied child into the world, so that we and the world could be saved.
Imagine if we all could see the possibility in the impossible and respond with faith filled obedience.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the stories of faith filled obedience to you. What a revolutionary, risk taking way to live and to make a difference in our world. Lord be the courage we need to act like Joseph did. Help us not just in this season of Advent but every day to respond to others by acting in faith filled obedience to you. May our actions reflect your heart and bring you glory. In the name of Jesus, who also acted in faith filled obedience – Amen.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
The Possibility in the Impossible
“For nothing is impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37
The season of Advent is upon us once again. It is a season of celebration and anticipation. The story of it to quote the famous philosopher Walt Disney is a “tale as old as time” well actually it is a tale much older than time really. As much as I love the scriptures from both the old and new testaments concerning the advent of Messiah, I must admit it can be hard to find a fresh perspective on it when it comes to writing something that will encourage me and anyone who may be reading this at the place they are this moment.
As listened to the first Sunday of Advent message at church, hearing once again Luke narrative of the angel Gabriel’s conversation with Mary, I was struck by how many stories of the possibility in the impossible there are in Scripture, so many in fact that it is possible to see how people who don’t believe in God could see the book as a fairy tale.
Right from the beginning we see the possibility in the impossible as the Spirit asks to believe that this world and everything in it was either spoken into existence or handmade by God himself.
What about the son of a farmer overcoming great adversity to be second only to Pharaoh in Egypt?
How about Moses – alone it would have been impossible for a stuttering, sheep herding, murderer to lead a nation full of people out of bondage and on a forty year journey through the wilderness? What about the fact that during that journey – their clothes never wore out and they always had food to eat and water to drink? How impossible is it for a young shepherd to kill a giant and become king? There are plenty more in the Old Testament, but let’s jump head to this amazing conversation between Gabriel and Mary. Mary by all accounts was probably just an ordinary girl, it’s not likely that she was the only girl in Nazareth who was still a virgin, though it could be possible that she was the only girl in town to be engaged to a descendant of David. It could also be that she was also the only girl in town that could find a connection to the line of David in her own family tree. So that made her stand out perhaps from the rest of the girls her age. We know from how Gabriel talks to her that she must have been a really good girl to have been noticed and favored by God for this seemingly impossible task. But wait, what is the possibility that a really good girl would agree to becoming pregnant out of wedlock, of looking as though she had betrayed her betrothed – in our thinking a good girl, even if being addressed by an Angel of the Lord she loved would likely have said know. Look at her cousin’s husband Zechariah – he talked to an angel too and didn’t believe him and so had to watch the impossible happen in silence.
Mary had the courage to say yes to the Lord, to be the revolutionary, risk taker needed to bring the Messiah into the world, because she had faith in her God and she believed in the possibility in the impossible.
In this season of celebration and anticipation, this season for some of sorrow and hopelessness let us look for the possibility in the impossible. No matter what this season looks like for you – look to Jesus, stand firmly, believing He has amazing things in store for you, believing that with God no thing is impossible and that there is plenty of possibility in the things you see as impossible right now.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the stories of possibility in the impossible in Your Word. Thank you for the examples of people who walked in faith with You and accomplished such amazing things. Thank you that Mary walked in faith so that Your Son’s impossible journey to humanity could take place, give us the same power of the possibilities found in the impossible. Help us in this season that carries so much good and so much difficulty to be a light shining in the darkness declaring that with Jesus there is possibility in the impossible. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Luke 1:37
The season of Advent is upon us once again. It is a season of celebration and anticipation. The story of it to quote the famous philosopher Walt Disney is a “tale as old as time” well actually it is a tale much older than time really. As much as I love the scriptures from both the old and new testaments concerning the advent of Messiah, I must admit it can be hard to find a fresh perspective on it when it comes to writing something that will encourage me and anyone who may be reading this at the place they are this moment.
As listened to the first Sunday of Advent message at church, hearing once again Luke narrative of the angel Gabriel’s conversation with Mary, I was struck by how many stories of the possibility in the impossible there are in Scripture, so many in fact that it is possible to see how people who don’t believe in God could see the book as a fairy tale.
Right from the beginning we see the possibility in the impossible as the Spirit asks to believe that this world and everything in it was either spoken into existence or handmade by God himself.
What about the son of a farmer overcoming great adversity to be second only to Pharaoh in Egypt?
How about Moses – alone it would have been impossible for a stuttering, sheep herding, murderer to lead a nation full of people out of bondage and on a forty year journey through the wilderness? What about the fact that during that journey – their clothes never wore out and they always had food to eat and water to drink? How impossible is it for a young shepherd to kill a giant and become king? There are plenty more in the Old Testament, but let’s jump head to this amazing conversation between Gabriel and Mary. Mary by all accounts was probably just an ordinary girl, it’s not likely that she was the only girl in Nazareth who was still a virgin, though it could be possible that she was the only girl in town to be engaged to a descendant of David. It could also be that she was also the only girl in town that could find a connection to the line of David in her own family tree. So that made her stand out perhaps from the rest of the girls her age. We know from how Gabriel talks to her that she must have been a really good girl to have been noticed and favored by God for this seemingly impossible task. But wait, what is the possibility that a really good girl would agree to becoming pregnant out of wedlock, of looking as though she had betrayed her betrothed – in our thinking a good girl, even if being addressed by an Angel of the Lord she loved would likely have said know. Look at her cousin’s husband Zechariah – he talked to an angel too and didn’t believe him and so had to watch the impossible happen in silence.
Mary had the courage to say yes to the Lord, to be the revolutionary, risk taker needed to bring the Messiah into the world, because she had faith in her God and she believed in the possibility in the impossible.
In this season of celebration and anticipation, this season for some of sorrow and hopelessness let us look for the possibility in the impossible. No matter what this season looks like for you – look to Jesus, stand firmly, believing He has amazing things in store for you, believing that with God no thing is impossible and that there is plenty of possibility in the things you see as impossible right now.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the stories of possibility in the impossible in Your Word. Thank you for the examples of people who walked in faith with You and accomplished such amazing things. Thank you that Mary walked in faith so that Your Son’s impossible journey to humanity could take place, give us the same power of the possibilities found in the impossible. Help us in this season that carries so much good and so much difficulty to be a light shining in the darkness declaring that with Jesus there is possibility in the impossible. In the name of Jesus, we pray – Amen.
Blessed
“Blessed are…”
Matthew 5:3-11
As I planned for our Thanksgiving supper, I thought about how so many people in the Western World and seeming, especially in the United States seem to feel entitled to things and frankly expect others to give them what they want. I was thinking about how being blessed is so much different from being entitled. I was thinking that I want to be thankful for being blessed rather than taking for granted those things that a sense of entitlement brings. Does that make sense? That’s where this week’s passage comes in – probably the shortest bit of Scripture I’ve ever started one of this with – but wait there’s more.
Jesus begins what is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount with a list of nine “Blessed are…” statements. It seems to me that counters well the entitlement mentality that the world sells and that can be so easy to buy.
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom heaven” (v. 3). To be poor in Spirit means to recognize that we are not able to really improve the state of our souls and so our lives without total dependence on God. Sure the world tells us we are entitled to certain thing and if we buy into that we have no choice but to become dependent on another human or our government. Depending on God, grants us entry to the abundant life that comes with the fellowship of God’s Kingdom. Remember in other places Jesus makes it pretty clear that unless the religious leaders of His day laid down their pride, the respect they felt entitled too and their dependency on their own actions – they would not enter His kingdom.
Bless are… those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted because of righteousness and those who others speak against. In God’s kingdom and under His loving care all of these things result in some that builds the person up in some way – they will be comforted, they inherit the earth – because they know their true selves in light of Christ’s love and compassion, they will be filled, they understand what real mercy is, they will see God, they are called sons and daughters of God, their reward will be great.
The world tells us we are not poor in spirit – unless of course we don’t fit into the world’s media driven mold and then we are simply outcasts. The world says stuff your sorrow – never let them see you sweat or cry. The world says only might inherit the earth and righteousness is all relative – that success, money and power will fill you up. The world says show no mercy, that pureness of heart is no virtue, unless it helps you get what you are entitled too, that war makers and haters get what they want or take it by force. You get the idea.
The world’s entitlement mentality – tears people down in my opinion, making into something less than human – lulling people into a sense of power when really the only one who has the power is the one who can give them what they think they are entitled too.
I know, this doesn’t seem very encouraging or uplifting – but it is because we all have a choice. We can choose to become part of this worldly economy based on I deserve… whatever it is or we can choose to depend on God – the creator of the Universe who will bless us for all of the things the world portrays as bad and do so even though we don’t deserve any of His blessings.
I am thankful to be blessed – I pray you’ll blessed as well.
A Prayer
Father – such a striking contrast between Your Son’s blessed are list and what we see the world offering us every day. Forgive us for those times when we choose the world over Your kingdom. Forgive us when we treat people poorly because we feel entitled to do so. Show us what the blessings look like when we choose You instead. Help us to show others there is a better way – a way filled will abundant blessing and real living. In the name of Jesus, who blesses us in amazing ways we pray – Amen.
Matthew 5:3-11
As I planned for our Thanksgiving supper, I thought about how so many people in the Western World and seeming, especially in the United States seem to feel entitled to things and frankly expect others to give them what they want. I was thinking about how being blessed is so much different from being entitled. I was thinking that I want to be thankful for being blessed rather than taking for granted those things that a sense of entitlement brings. Does that make sense? That’s where this week’s passage comes in – probably the shortest bit of Scripture I’ve ever started one of this with – but wait there’s more.
Jesus begins what is commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount with a list of nine “Blessed are…” statements. It seems to me that counters well the entitlement mentality that the world sells and that can be so easy to buy.
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for theirs is the kingdom heaven” (v. 3). To be poor in Spirit means to recognize that we are not able to really improve the state of our souls and so our lives without total dependence on God. Sure the world tells us we are entitled to certain thing and if we buy into that we have no choice but to become dependent on another human or our government. Depending on God, grants us entry to the abundant life that comes with the fellowship of God’s Kingdom. Remember in other places Jesus makes it pretty clear that unless the religious leaders of His day laid down their pride, the respect they felt entitled too and their dependency on their own actions – they would not enter His kingdom.
Bless are… those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted because of righteousness and those who others speak against. In God’s kingdom and under His loving care all of these things result in some that builds the person up in some way – they will be comforted, they inherit the earth – because they know their true selves in light of Christ’s love and compassion, they will be filled, they understand what real mercy is, they will see God, they are called sons and daughters of God, their reward will be great.
The world tells us we are not poor in spirit – unless of course we don’t fit into the world’s media driven mold and then we are simply outcasts. The world says stuff your sorrow – never let them see you sweat or cry. The world says only might inherit the earth and righteousness is all relative – that success, money and power will fill you up. The world says show no mercy, that pureness of heart is no virtue, unless it helps you get what you are entitled too, that war makers and haters get what they want or take it by force. You get the idea.
The world’s entitlement mentality – tears people down in my opinion, making into something less than human – lulling people into a sense of power when really the only one who has the power is the one who can give them what they think they are entitled too.
I know, this doesn’t seem very encouraging or uplifting – but it is because we all have a choice. We can choose to become part of this worldly economy based on I deserve… whatever it is or we can choose to depend on God – the creator of the Universe who will bless us for all of the things the world portrays as bad and do so even though we don’t deserve any of His blessings.
I am thankful to be blessed – I pray you’ll blessed as well.
A Prayer
Father – such a striking contrast between Your Son’s blessed are list and what we see the world offering us every day. Forgive us for those times when we choose the world over Your kingdom. Forgive us when we treat people poorly because we feel entitled to do so. Show us what the blessings look like when we choose You instead. Help us to show others there is a better way – a way filled will abundant blessing and real living. In the name of Jesus, who blesses us in amazing ways we pray – Amen.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Thankful No Matter What
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
Freedom according to the dictionary is “the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint”. But is that all it means - are there other kinds of freedom? Is it possible to be free even if you are confined or perhaps enslaved? What about political freedom?
In this season of thanksgiving, not only do we celebrate God’s blessings at harvest time, we in America and other countries around the world take a day out this time of year to remember and thank those who have served our countries, protecting our freedom and aiding in the liberation of others. Unfortunately, we live in world where some are not as fortunate as I am, as most of those reading this are. We can practice whatever religion we wish in whatever way we choose without fear. We can say what we want to say, again without much to fear. For most of us as long as we aren’t doing something that harms someone else we are at liberty to live as we see fit. For others in our world, owning a Bible, speaking against the government, breaking some law - that to us would seem unreasonable, can land them in jail or sometime worse. Yet some of these people, bond by chains and living in a cell - are thankful, more thankful than those of us who live free every day. How is this possible?
This week’s passage comes from Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. It is a simple statement - that if savored and allowed to sink into our hearts will explain why prisoners and slaves, yes eventually even Paul - can still be thankful in whatever circumstances they find themselves in.
I don’t know about you, but I so often take for granted how easy my life is sometimes, due to the sacrifices of others. One little thing doesn’t go my way and the attitude to gratitude goes out the window, as I decide to behave like a spoiled brat. I am free - I can write this and send it out into the ethos with no fear of being imprisoned for it. I have good food to eat and I can come and go as I choose and sometimes I am not thankful for any of it - shameful but true. There are people on this planet having bread and water for every meal and are thankful for it. I seem to remember reading once that some the Jews being held in the Nazi death camps were thankful if their porridge had weevils because it meant a bit of protein. There are people in prison because of their faith and they are thankful that God is with them in that cell and for each breath they take. Because they know without a doubt that the Spirit of the Lord is there with them they can be thankful not matter what.
I want to be more mindful of the presence of the Spirit of the Lord in my every day - so that I to will be thankful no matter what. How about you?
A Prayer
Father – forgive for the times when we ignore the presence of Your Spirit and let our circumstance dictate our thankfulness. We are far to blessed to be ungrateful. Help us Lord to recognize that there are people around us who need to see Your Spirit working in our lives, working so powerfully that we are thankful no matter what. So thankful that others are drawn to You because of it. Thank you for the freedom Your Spirit brings us each day no matter where we are or what we are facing. In the name of Jesus we pray – Amen.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Freedom according to the dictionary is “the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint”. But is that all it means - are there other kinds of freedom? Is it possible to be free even if you are confined or perhaps enslaved? What about political freedom?
In this season of thanksgiving, not only do we celebrate God’s blessings at harvest time, we in America and other countries around the world take a day out this time of year to remember and thank those who have served our countries, protecting our freedom and aiding in the liberation of others. Unfortunately, we live in world where some are not as fortunate as I am, as most of those reading this are. We can practice whatever religion we wish in whatever way we choose without fear. We can say what we want to say, again without much to fear. For most of us as long as we aren’t doing something that harms someone else we are at liberty to live as we see fit. For others in our world, owning a Bible, speaking against the government, breaking some law - that to us would seem unreasonable, can land them in jail or sometime worse. Yet some of these people, bond by chains and living in a cell - are thankful, more thankful than those of us who live free every day. How is this possible?
This week’s passage comes from Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth. It is a simple statement - that if savored and allowed to sink into our hearts will explain why prisoners and slaves, yes eventually even Paul - can still be thankful in whatever circumstances they find themselves in.
I don’t know about you, but I so often take for granted how easy my life is sometimes, due to the sacrifices of others. One little thing doesn’t go my way and the attitude to gratitude goes out the window, as I decide to behave like a spoiled brat. I am free - I can write this and send it out into the ethos with no fear of being imprisoned for it. I have good food to eat and I can come and go as I choose and sometimes I am not thankful for any of it - shameful but true. There are people on this planet having bread and water for every meal and are thankful for it. I seem to remember reading once that some the Jews being held in the Nazi death camps were thankful if their porridge had weevils because it meant a bit of protein. There are people in prison because of their faith and they are thankful that God is with them in that cell and for each breath they take. Because they know without a doubt that the Spirit of the Lord is there with them they can be thankful not matter what.
I want to be more mindful of the presence of the Spirit of the Lord in my every day - so that I to will be thankful no matter what. How about you?
A Prayer
Father – forgive for the times when we ignore the presence of Your Spirit and let our circumstance dictate our thankfulness. We are far to blessed to be ungrateful. Help us Lord to recognize that there are people around us who need to see Your Spirit working in our lives, working so powerfully that we are thankful no matter what. So thankful that others are drawn to You because of it. Thank you for the freedom Your Spirit brings us each day no matter where we are or what we are facing. In the name of Jesus we pray – Amen.
Unworthy and Thankful
“I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.”
Genesis 32:10
Do you ever feel unworthy? I do and to be honest I do so quite frequently. Sometimes, others make me feel unworthy because I don’t fit into some sort of world defined mold. Sometimes I make myself feel unworthy - because of my own unrealistic expectations. Sometimes, the shear enormousness of God and what He has called me to do makes me feel unworthy. Ever feel thankful for being unworthy? That’s a bit harder to do when you are struggling with your worthiness. That where I find myself as I write this - unworthy but still thankful.
This week’s passage is part of a prayer from man who is unworthy but also thankful. Jacob had run from home after double crossing his brother and taking the blessing meant for the eldest son. God had been with all the years of his self imposed exile - helping him to become a shrew man, who managed to amass great wealth while working for his father-in-law. God has told him it is time to go home and make peace with his brother. In the prayer Jacob acknowledges God and the instructions he has been given. Then he admits he is no worthy all that God has provided for him - he had nothing and now he is returning home with two huge households’ people and the wealth that livestock meant in those days. While he doesn’t come right out and say he is thankful - the tone of his prayer is clearly one of incredible thanks.
I think the veiled blessing of being unworthy and let’s face it - in the light of a holy God we are all a bit unworthy at best and completely unworthy at worse - we find blessing because our unworthiness makes us reliant on God. Recognizing our need of Him, allows Him to change us, to make us worthy in His eyes (even while we still feel unworthy) worthy of all His amazing kindness, faithfulness, protection, grace and love. That my friends is something to be thankful for indeed.
Has someone made you feel unworthy? Do you make yourself feel unworthy? Have you been called to do something that you feel unworthy to do? Lean into Jesus - know that in His eyes you are more than worthy and He’ll show you if you’ll let him.
I am unworthy and thankful - what about you?
A Prayer
Father –on our own we are unworthy of all you have given us. Yet your Son offers us grace and love that makes us worthy in Your eyes. Thank you for the kindness and faithfulness you show us daily. Help us to not make others feel unworthy, rather show us how to lift one another up, encouraging each other. In the name of Jesus, who makes us worthy – Amen.
Genesis 32:10
Do you ever feel unworthy? I do and to be honest I do so quite frequently. Sometimes, others make me feel unworthy because I don’t fit into some sort of world defined mold. Sometimes I make myself feel unworthy - because of my own unrealistic expectations. Sometimes, the shear enormousness of God and what He has called me to do makes me feel unworthy. Ever feel thankful for being unworthy? That’s a bit harder to do when you are struggling with your worthiness. That where I find myself as I write this - unworthy but still thankful.
This week’s passage is part of a prayer from man who is unworthy but also thankful. Jacob had run from home after double crossing his brother and taking the blessing meant for the eldest son. God had been with all the years of his self imposed exile - helping him to become a shrew man, who managed to amass great wealth while working for his father-in-law. God has told him it is time to go home and make peace with his brother. In the prayer Jacob acknowledges God and the instructions he has been given. Then he admits he is no worthy all that God has provided for him - he had nothing and now he is returning home with two huge households’ people and the wealth that livestock meant in those days. While he doesn’t come right out and say he is thankful - the tone of his prayer is clearly one of incredible thanks.
I think the veiled blessing of being unworthy and let’s face it - in the light of a holy God we are all a bit unworthy at best and completely unworthy at worse - we find blessing because our unworthiness makes us reliant on God. Recognizing our need of Him, allows Him to change us, to make us worthy in His eyes (even while we still feel unworthy) worthy of all His amazing kindness, faithfulness, protection, grace and love. That my friends is something to be thankful for indeed.
Has someone made you feel unworthy? Do you make yourself feel unworthy? Have you been called to do something that you feel unworthy to do? Lean into Jesus - know that in His eyes you are more than worthy and He’ll show you if you’ll let him.
I am unworthy and thankful - what about you?
A Prayer
Father –on our own we are unworthy of all you have given us. Yet your Son offers us grace and love that makes us worthy in Your eyes. Thank you for the kindness and faithfulness you show us daily. Help us to not make others feel unworthy, rather show us how to lift one another up, encouraging each other. In the name of Jesus, who makes us worthy – Amen.
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