“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12
I really detest anything having to do with Christmas before Thanksgiving, so imagine my surprise when as I was praying and studying for this week’s devotion when the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas popped into my head. Not one of my most favorite stories but I love the transformation that takes place in the Grinch when his heart goes from “two sizes to small” to “three times larger.” I also like how little Cindy Lou gives him the benefit of the doubt when she interrupts his thievery and even as he lied his way out of the situation. Her trust and the look in her eyes, in my opinion is where the heart change starts.
Paul along with his brothers in Christ had established a church in Thessalonica, but had to leave sooner than they would have liked due to the persecution they were facing. In Athens, Paul decided to send Timothy to check on the Thessalonians and encouraged by what Timothy has to say when he returns - pens his first letter to the church. In the majority of the letter he sharing how encouraged he is by the news and shares his desire to go and visit. In this week’s passage Paul is praying that the Lord would make their hearts grow in love, a love that would become so abundant that it would overflow into another’s lives and into the lives of the people around them.
That their hearts would become 3 times larger, 300 times larger with the love of Christ overflowing into everyone they encountered. Into the lives, possibly of those who may be persecuting them. Into the lives of people who were different from them. Into the lives of those who were separated from God by sin.
A bit later in the letter Paul reminds them to make sure their own lives are in order and that they are living lives pleasing to God, a sort of reminder that our actions can speak to the size of our hearts. This reminder seems to beg the questions – Are any of us in the position to cast the first stone? Is there something in our lives that needs to be removed or fixed before we dare tell someone else what needs to be fixed their life?
In the story, no one forced the Grinch’s two sizes to small heart to grow to three times larger – it was the spirit of the Who’s Christmas that drew him in and transformed him. We cannot change anyone, but if we love people with Christ’s love from faithful hearted stretched by that love, we can draw them to the cross where Christ’s Spirit can stretch their hearts and transform their lives too.
A Prayer
Father, thank you that your love for us stretches our too small hearts and fills out new hearts to overflowing. Forgive for the times when we forget all that you have done for us and withhold your love from the people around us who really need it. In those times when our own self-righteousness gets the better of us stretch our hearts with your love in a new way. In the name of Jesus who chose to love us when we were not worthy of His love – Amen.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Excuses, Excuses
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’”
Exodus 3:11
A long time ago at a concert the singer told a story about a time when God told him to give away his most favorite guitar. He had one of those negotiation talks with God – but ended up giving that guitar away. More than a decade ago I had one of those moments with God. Lying in bed one night praying, because I couldn’t sleep, when I heard a voice say “get up and pray” – I responded twice that I could pray just fine lying there in bed – I ended up on my knees in the living room. The results of these two experiences later, but for now let’s look at one of these conversions that took place much longer ago.
This week’s passage is the beginning of Moses’ excuses conversation with God. A little background in case you are not familiar with the story of Moses. Born at a time when the Egyptian Pharaoh had called for all male Hebrew babies to be killed. Moses was kept safe and eventually would end up in the palace being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. As a grown man he would kill an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave and have to flee his privileged life. Moses ends up working as a shepherd for his father-in-law. That’s where we pick up the story. Moses has a close encounter with God where God essentially tells him “I have a job for you – a job that your whole life has been preparing you for” and Moses starts making excuses.
This week’s passage is the first excuse “who am I?” I’m a nobody, a shepherd, a murderer, etc. As the conversion continues it is filled with God answering each of Moses’ “yes, but” comments. “But what if they don’t believe me? (Exodus 4:1). “But, I don’t speak well, I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). The end result - Moses’ goes to do what God has asked and God provides everything He would needs from co-leaders to provision in the wilderness.
I am sure God sometimes wishes that when He asks something of us we would just do it without argument or excuses, but I also think the conversation is important because by the end of it we want to do it and we have a better understanding of God and His desire to be with us in the journey.
What happened with the singer who gave away his favorite guitar – he received so many guitars as gifts he was able to find new favorite, plus give more away. What about my late night on my knees in the living room experience? I had the most incredible spiritual, up close and personal encounter with Jesus. If I had stayed in bed I would have missed it.
What is God asking you to do? What excuses are you making? Are you afraid? Not enough time? Not smart enough? A nobody? Too old? Too young. Let me encourage you this week have the conversation and if you have to make excuses do, but then choose to do whatever you are being asked to do – not only will you bless God and someone else, you be blessed in ways you can’t even imagine.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for not just asking once. Thank you for letting us have that conversation with you about why we think we are not the right person for the job. Thank for providing everything we need for the things you have for us to do. Thank you that our obedience brings you glory and brings us blessing. In the name of Jesus we pray for wisdom and open hearts to hear your call – Amen.
Exodus 3:11
A long time ago at a concert the singer told a story about a time when God told him to give away his most favorite guitar. He had one of those negotiation talks with God – but ended up giving that guitar away. More than a decade ago I had one of those moments with God. Lying in bed one night praying, because I couldn’t sleep, when I heard a voice say “get up and pray” – I responded twice that I could pray just fine lying there in bed – I ended up on my knees in the living room. The results of these two experiences later, but for now let’s look at one of these conversions that took place much longer ago.
This week’s passage is the beginning of Moses’ excuses conversation with God. A little background in case you are not familiar with the story of Moses. Born at a time when the Egyptian Pharaoh had called for all male Hebrew babies to be killed. Moses was kept safe and eventually would end up in the palace being raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. As a grown man he would kill an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave and have to flee his privileged life. Moses ends up working as a shepherd for his father-in-law. That’s where we pick up the story. Moses has a close encounter with God where God essentially tells him “I have a job for you – a job that your whole life has been preparing you for” and Moses starts making excuses.
This week’s passage is the first excuse “who am I?” I’m a nobody, a shepherd, a murderer, etc. As the conversion continues it is filled with God answering each of Moses’ “yes, but” comments. “But what if they don’t believe me? (Exodus 4:1). “But, I don’t speak well, I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). “Please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). The end result - Moses’ goes to do what God has asked and God provides everything He would needs from co-leaders to provision in the wilderness.
I am sure God sometimes wishes that when He asks something of us we would just do it without argument or excuses, but I also think the conversation is important because by the end of it we want to do it and we have a better understanding of God and His desire to be with us in the journey.
What happened with the singer who gave away his favorite guitar – he received so many guitars as gifts he was able to find new favorite, plus give more away. What about my late night on my knees in the living room experience? I had the most incredible spiritual, up close and personal encounter with Jesus. If I had stayed in bed I would have missed it.
What is God asking you to do? What excuses are you making? Are you afraid? Not enough time? Not smart enough? A nobody? Too old? Too young. Let me encourage you this week have the conversation and if you have to make excuses do, but then choose to do whatever you are being asked to do – not only will you bless God and someone else, you be blessed in ways you can’t even imagine.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for not just asking once. Thank you for letting us have that conversation with you about why we think we are not the right person for the job. Thank for providing everything we need for the things you have for us to do. Thank you that our obedience brings you glory and brings us blessing. In the name of Jesus we pray for wisdom and open hearts to hear your call – Amen.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up
“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down”
Psalm 145:13b-14
I don’t know why but this week’s passage reminded me of that old television commercial for personal distress alarms. You know the one with the older lady lying on the floor, kicking her legs and yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The commercial became a joke, but there is some truth in it. Sometimes we do fall – physically and sometimes spiritually – and we can’t get ourselves back up. David reminds us this week that God will be there to pick us up.
There are plenty of stories in the Bible about people who have fallen and wouldn’t have been able to get back up if God hadn’t stepped in. Peter’s denial of Jesus is one example. David’s time in the wilderness on the run from Saul another. Jonah’s time-out in the belly of a big fish still another. David really knew what it meant to fall once he had become king and decided to take something, rather someone who belonged to someone else. When David finally realized how far he had fallen he knew the only One who could help him up was his God. The woman caught in adultery that was brought before Jesus knew how far she had fallen, what she may not have known was that Jesus was the only One who loved her enough to help her up.
Plenty of stories about fallen people being picked up by a loving, compassionate grace filled God. A word of caution here – when we fall, God will pick us up, dust us off, forgive us and set us back on track but that doesn’t mean our lives all of a sudden become perfect. It doesn’t mean that we may not have to face the consequences of our fall. It does mean that He will be with us holding us up and helping us to clean up the mess we've made.
Then once we've been helped up, we are meant to use our experience with God’s grace to help others up who have fallen – because we've been there and understand.
We all fall once in a while – sometimes we can get up on our own and sometimes we start yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” If no one else is there to help Jesus will be.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for being faithful in keeping your promises. Thank you for picking us up when we fall, for dusting us off and forgiving us. Thank you for going even further and helping us clean up the mess we’ve made on the way down. Thank you that we are never really alone. In the name of Jesus who picks us up we pray – Amen.
Psalm 145:13b-14
I don’t know why but this week’s passage reminded me of that old television commercial for personal distress alarms. You know the one with the older lady lying on the floor, kicking her legs and yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” The commercial became a joke, but there is some truth in it. Sometimes we do fall – physically and sometimes spiritually – and we can’t get ourselves back up. David reminds us this week that God will be there to pick us up.
There are plenty of stories in the Bible about people who have fallen and wouldn’t have been able to get back up if God hadn’t stepped in. Peter’s denial of Jesus is one example. David’s time in the wilderness on the run from Saul another. Jonah’s time-out in the belly of a big fish still another. David really knew what it meant to fall once he had become king and decided to take something, rather someone who belonged to someone else. When David finally realized how far he had fallen he knew the only One who could help him up was his God. The woman caught in adultery that was brought before Jesus knew how far she had fallen, what she may not have known was that Jesus was the only One who loved her enough to help her up.
Plenty of stories about fallen people being picked up by a loving, compassionate grace filled God. A word of caution here – when we fall, God will pick us up, dust us off, forgive us and set us back on track but that doesn’t mean our lives all of a sudden become perfect. It doesn’t mean that we may not have to face the consequences of our fall. It does mean that He will be with us holding us up and helping us to clean up the mess we've made.
Then once we've been helped up, we are meant to use our experience with God’s grace to help others up who have fallen – because we've been there and understand.
We all fall once in a while – sometimes we can get up on our own and sometimes we start yelling “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” If no one else is there to help Jesus will be.
A Prayer
Father, thank you; for being faithful in keeping your promises. Thank you for picking us up when we fall, for dusting us off and forgiving us. Thank you for going even further and helping us clean up the mess we’ve made on the way down. Thank you that we are never really alone. In the name of Jesus who picks us up we pray – Amen.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Working Hard
“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:34-35
It had been a long week, the kind of week that occupies my mind so that things like this devotion end up being late according to my timing. The “business” of church is hard work, it can exhaust you mentally, physically, emotionally and yes even spiritually – sometimes. Do not in any way take that as a complaint – I love what I do and where I am doing it – it’s just the reality of “doing church”. I love that I get to use all of my gifts everyday to care for the church and the people who walk into my office. Yes it is hard work, exhausting and sometime painful but, it is also so satisfying and worth it. I think that’s how Paul felt about it too and his job was a lot rougher than mine, a lot rougher than most people’s jobs.
In this week’s passage Paul is saying goodbye to a group of church elders from Ephesus. Paul is encouraging them to keep up the work they had started no matter how hard things got. Reminding them of how he lived and worked hard, despite all of the difficulties he had and would continue to face. In the face of everything I am confident that on those nights where sleep actually found Paul – that he rested satisfied, that he was using the gifts he had been given, working hard to do the work that he had been called to do and that lives were being changed – including his own.
What about you? Are you working hard or hardly working? Maybe you think you are too old to make a difference in someone else’s life. Maybe you are just trying to make it through each day and put food on your table, feeling like there is nothing left to do any more. Maybe you are working hard, but feel overwhelmed by all the need you see around you. Paul got all of his strength from God and he had made sure that these elders, indeed everyone who we might say “worked” for him and with him, knew that that power and strength was available to them as well. To this particular group he told them “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
Whatever you do, work at it with God’s strength. Work hard - to be the best version of yourself and to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for gifts you have given us and for the things that you have called us to do. Give us the strength we need to work hard and to continue working hard when we are overwhelmed by the needs we see around us. Thank you also for the rest that you bring to us and for the satisfaction that comes in the giving of ourselves to others. Show us where are gifts are most needed. In name of Jesus, who set for us an example of working hard – Amen.
Acts 20:34-35
It had been a long week, the kind of week that occupies my mind so that things like this devotion end up being late according to my timing. The “business” of church is hard work, it can exhaust you mentally, physically, emotionally and yes even spiritually – sometimes. Do not in any way take that as a complaint – I love what I do and where I am doing it – it’s just the reality of “doing church”. I love that I get to use all of my gifts everyday to care for the church and the people who walk into my office. Yes it is hard work, exhausting and sometime painful but, it is also so satisfying and worth it. I think that’s how Paul felt about it too and his job was a lot rougher than mine, a lot rougher than most people’s jobs.
In this week’s passage Paul is saying goodbye to a group of church elders from Ephesus. Paul is encouraging them to keep up the work they had started no matter how hard things got. Reminding them of how he lived and worked hard, despite all of the difficulties he had and would continue to face. In the face of everything I am confident that on those nights where sleep actually found Paul – that he rested satisfied, that he was using the gifts he had been given, working hard to do the work that he had been called to do and that lives were being changed – including his own.
What about you? Are you working hard or hardly working? Maybe you think you are too old to make a difference in someone else’s life. Maybe you are just trying to make it through each day and put food on your table, feeling like there is nothing left to do any more. Maybe you are working hard, but feel overwhelmed by all the need you see around you. Paul got all of his strength from God and he had made sure that these elders, indeed everyone who we might say “worked” for him and with him, knew that that power and strength was available to them as well. To this particular group he told them “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
Whatever you do, work at it with God’s strength. Work hard - to be the best version of yourself and to make a difference in the lives of those around you.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for gifts you have given us and for the things that you have called us to do. Give us the strength we need to work hard and to continue working hard when we are overwhelmed by the needs we see around us. Thank you also for the rest that you bring to us and for the satisfaction that comes in the giving of ourselves to others. Show us where are gifts are most needed. In name of Jesus, who set for us an example of working hard – Amen.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
It's Peaceful Here
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”
Psalm 23:2-3
I have a friend, well a virtual friend who lives on the beautiful Australian island of Tasmania. This friend posts incredible photographs of where she lives, many of which remind me of California. One of the photographs she posted was of a tree lined, dirt country road – that much of the image alone sets my mind at ease, but that isn’t the whole picture. In the middle of the road is a lone chook (chicken for my American friends) and at the end of the road a little white country church with a green roof. That is my kind of place, a place that brings peace to my mind and soul.
This week’s passage paints a similar peaceful picture for me – what about you?
I like that God uses the language of farming and nature to teach us about who he is and what He stands ready to do for us and with us if we believe and trust in Him. It is a language we can understand. David was just a young shepherd, the youngest son when he appears in the Biblical narrative. God would make David a hero and King, but the journey to becoming king would not be an easy one. Through it all David’s God led him to places of peace, gave him courage when he needed it and at times when David failed miserably, God showed him incredible mercy, grace and forgiveness – now that’s peace.
Jesus refers to himself as “The good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14), which means He’s the one who makes us lie down in green pastures. He’s the one who leads us beside quiet water. He’s the one who restores our souls. No matter what we are facing he will lead us to places of peace, He will give us courage when we need it and when we fail miserably…well we’ll find more peace as we receive His mercy, grace and forgiveness.
What makes you say – it’s peaceful here? Is it a tree lined country road? Is it the shore with the roar of the sea? Is it the mountains? Maybe it’s a sunset from your front porch or back patio. I hope that is being in His presence wherever you are.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the incredible peace that you have for us. Thank you for leading us to places where we can rest and be restored. Thank you for giving us the courage we need to face the storms and battles of this life. Thank you for Your mercy, grace and forgiveness which also brings us peace. Help us to share Your peace with those around us. In name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd - Amen
Psalm 23:2-3
I have a friend, well a virtual friend who lives on the beautiful Australian island of Tasmania. This friend posts incredible photographs of where she lives, many of which remind me of California. One of the photographs she posted was of a tree lined, dirt country road – that much of the image alone sets my mind at ease, but that isn’t the whole picture. In the middle of the road is a lone chook (chicken for my American friends) and at the end of the road a little white country church with a green roof. That is my kind of place, a place that brings peace to my mind and soul.
This week’s passage paints a similar peaceful picture for me – what about you?
I like that God uses the language of farming and nature to teach us about who he is and what He stands ready to do for us and with us if we believe and trust in Him. It is a language we can understand. David was just a young shepherd, the youngest son when he appears in the Biblical narrative. God would make David a hero and King, but the journey to becoming king would not be an easy one. Through it all David’s God led him to places of peace, gave him courage when he needed it and at times when David failed miserably, God showed him incredible mercy, grace and forgiveness – now that’s peace.
Jesus refers to himself as “The good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14), which means He’s the one who makes us lie down in green pastures. He’s the one who leads us beside quiet water. He’s the one who restores our souls. No matter what we are facing he will lead us to places of peace, He will give us courage when we need it and when we fail miserably…well we’ll find more peace as we receive His mercy, grace and forgiveness.
What makes you say – it’s peaceful here? Is it a tree lined country road? Is it the shore with the roar of the sea? Is it the mountains? Maybe it’s a sunset from your front porch or back patio. I hope that is being in His presence wherever you are.
A Prayer
Father, thank you for the incredible peace that you have for us. Thank you for leading us to places where we can rest and be restored. Thank you for giving us the courage we need to face the storms and battles of this life. Thank you for Your mercy, grace and forgiveness which also brings us peace. Help us to share Your peace with those around us. In name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd - Amen
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Prove It
“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”
Proverbs 27:19
Birth certificate…check. Marriage certificate…check. Two items to prove residency (signed lease and utility bill with my name on it)…check. California driver’s license…check. Social Security Card…check. Those are all the documents I needed to prove that I am me and that I now reside in Kansas, so I could get a Kansas drivers license. I don’t think you have to work that hard to get a U.S. Passport. Whether or not I think that was a little overkill is not the point. The point is sometimes we have to prove who we are and sometimes, as followers of Christ we have to prove we are citizens of another kingdom as well.
This week’s passage is really just an introduction to how we go about proving who we are in Christ. Jesus said, “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.” So we prove our identity in Christ, in part by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Note Jesus doesn’t say anything about denominations here; He just says others will know we are His by how we treat other members of the family. Earlier in response to a question about the greatest commandment Jesus says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Loving God and loving others, sounds easy, but in a fallen world it is often easier said than done, because it means loving people we don’t like or who are different from us or who from our fallen perspective are worse sinner than we are.
Fortunately, there are some other things we need to help prove we are who we say we are. The Apostle Paul speaking to the Colossian Christians and us says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (let’s sit with this a minute – we are chosen, holy and dearly loved by the creator of the universe), clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love (there’s that word love again), which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).
Are you ready? If you are called upon to prove who you are in Christ by how you love God and others will you be able to prove it?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word provides for the information necessary to prove our identity in You. Help us to stand ready to love those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in such a way that others are drawn to You in order to find their true identities. In name of Jesus who showed us what it means to prove it - Amen
Proverbs 27:19
Birth certificate…check. Marriage certificate…check. Two items to prove residency (signed lease and utility bill with my name on it)…check. California driver’s license…check. Social Security Card…check. Those are all the documents I needed to prove that I am me and that I now reside in Kansas, so I could get a Kansas drivers license. I don’t think you have to work that hard to get a U.S. Passport. Whether or not I think that was a little overkill is not the point. The point is sometimes we have to prove who we are and sometimes, as followers of Christ we have to prove we are citizens of another kingdom as well.
This week’s passage is really just an introduction to how we go about proving who we are in Christ. Jesus said, “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.” So we prove our identity in Christ, in part by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Note Jesus doesn’t say anything about denominations here; He just says others will know we are His by how we treat other members of the family. Earlier in response to a question about the greatest commandment Jesus says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Loving God and loving others, sounds easy, but in a fallen world it is often easier said than done, because it means loving people we don’t like or who are different from us or who from our fallen perspective are worse sinner than we are.
Fortunately, there are some other things we need to help prove we are who we say we are. The Apostle Paul speaking to the Colossian Christians and us says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (let’s sit with this a minute – we are chosen, holy and dearly loved by the creator of the universe), clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love (there’s that word love again), which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14).
Are you ready? If you are called upon to prove who you are in Christ by how you love God and others will you be able to prove it?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word provides for the information necessary to prove our identity in You. Help us to stand ready to love those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in such a way that others are drawn to You in order to find their true identities. In name of Jesus who showed us what it means to prove it - Amen
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Dangerously Beautiful
“On the morning of the third day there was there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.”
Exodus 19:16, 18-19
The American Mid-West is subject to fierce storms. These regular thunderstorms in the right circumstances can cause severe damage and under the right conditions can turn deadly. However, the run of the mill storm is beautiful in its power, color, light shows and varying sorts of thunder. We had been living the Mid-West for five or so months when the conditions became ripe for a regular thunderstorm to go very wrong. Emergency sirens blared, people sought cover in all sort of places. Pictures in the days that followed the storm showed tornadoes and damage. As I look at the pictures of tornadoes I couldn’t help but think that in the midst of those potentially deadly weather events that tornadoes are dangerously beautiful.
Meditating on the incredible power and beauty of the nature God created I couldn’t help but think how often weather terms are used to describe the power and majesty of God. In this week’s passages the Israelites had made their escape from Egypt and the Lord had led them to the foot of Mount Sinai, where they are all about to have a fearsome encounter with God and where Moses would once again speak to God as you and I would speak to each other.
I really like the picture of power and majesty this week’s passages describe – thunder, lightning, thick clouds blanketing the summit and the Lord descending on the mountain in fire turning the underside of those red and yellow hot with smoke rising and a trumpet announcing His arrival getting louder and louder. It was into this dangerously beautiful environment that Moses went to talk with God. The people left at the foot of the mountain were afraid, so imagine how Moses’ brother Aaron must of felt when Moses came back down to get him to take him to the mountain top.
Later I love what Moses’ said to the people trying to calm them down after what they had witnessed. He said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear (awestruck respect) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
In the New Testament we see another dangerously beautiful event take place – a horrendously, brutal death meant that mankind could be restored and made new if they believed Jesus and accepted his awesome gift of grace and mercy, forgiveness and love.
Being a follower of Christ is a dangerously beautiful journey because followers are called to live against the cultural tide, against the world’s status quo and to be a beacon of light to a world being overcome by darkness.
When we embrace the power God has for us and stand humbly in His majestic power, we can change the world. Are you ready to live a dangerously beautiful life?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word paints such vivid pictures of who you are and what Your powerful love looks like. Help us to live the dangerously beautiful life you have called your people to. Be the power we need to reflect Your amazing light and love to the world. In name of Jesus who showed us what it is to live dangerously beautiful - Amen
Exodus 19:16, 18-19
The American Mid-West is subject to fierce storms. These regular thunderstorms in the right circumstances can cause severe damage and under the right conditions can turn deadly. However, the run of the mill storm is beautiful in its power, color, light shows and varying sorts of thunder. We had been living the Mid-West for five or so months when the conditions became ripe for a regular thunderstorm to go very wrong. Emergency sirens blared, people sought cover in all sort of places. Pictures in the days that followed the storm showed tornadoes and damage. As I look at the pictures of tornadoes I couldn’t help but think that in the midst of those potentially deadly weather events that tornadoes are dangerously beautiful.
Meditating on the incredible power and beauty of the nature God created I couldn’t help but think how often weather terms are used to describe the power and majesty of God. In this week’s passages the Israelites had made their escape from Egypt and the Lord had led them to the foot of Mount Sinai, where they are all about to have a fearsome encounter with God and where Moses would once again speak to God as you and I would speak to each other.
I really like the picture of power and majesty this week’s passages describe – thunder, lightning, thick clouds blanketing the summit and the Lord descending on the mountain in fire turning the underside of those red and yellow hot with smoke rising and a trumpet announcing His arrival getting louder and louder. It was into this dangerously beautiful environment that Moses went to talk with God. The people left at the foot of the mountain were afraid, so imagine how Moses’ brother Aaron must of felt when Moses came back down to get him to take him to the mountain top.
Later I love what Moses’ said to the people trying to calm them down after what they had witnessed. He said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear (awestruck respect) of God will be with you to keep you from sinning” (Exodus 20:20).
In the New Testament we see another dangerously beautiful event take place – a horrendously, brutal death meant that mankind could be restored and made new if they believed Jesus and accepted his awesome gift of grace and mercy, forgiveness and love.
Being a follower of Christ is a dangerously beautiful journey because followers are called to live against the cultural tide, against the world’s status quo and to be a beacon of light to a world being overcome by darkness.
When we embrace the power God has for us and stand humbly in His majestic power, we can change the world. Are you ready to live a dangerously beautiful life?
A Prayer
Father, thank you that that Your Word paints such vivid pictures of who you are and what Your powerful love looks like. Help us to live the dangerously beautiful life you have called your people to. Be the power we need to reflect Your amazing light and love to the world. In name of Jesus who showed us what it is to live dangerously beautiful - Amen
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