“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35, 37-39
I never actually write about what I was planning to write about because these devotions are the Lord’s. As I sit to write this particular week’s thoughts, a number of people I know are dealing with the storms of life - a few have received medical reports that are less than rosy, some are facing financial struggles and some relationship issues. Some have lost loved one and of course it seems like the whole of the free world is dealing with less than ideal political climates and lousy weather to boot. As I was looking for a passage that would be encouraging to all of us reading this - a song by the American band Zealand Worship came on the radio. That song is called Your Love is Wild. The words of the bridge led me to this week’s passage from Romans.
In what we know as chapter 8 in the book of Romans Paul is in full pep talk mode encouraging believer to hang on to the Holy Spirit and be the over comers Jesus intended us to be. The chapter starts with Paul reminding them that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Throughout the chapter Paul gets real about life saying the present suffering cannot compare to the glory that’s coming (v18). Paul reminds us that for those that love God – He will work everything out for the good (v28). The chapter closes with the powerful words of this week’s passage.
Which of this life’s storms are you in the midst of? What is going on in your life that is making you question God’s presence and perhaps His ability to work it out? What’s going on in your life that sometimes causes a bit of doubt to creep in? Remember first of all you are never alone – Jesus faced many of the things we do while he walked this planet. Paul was certainly acquainted with the struggles and storms of life, but in the midst of that – even knowing that his faith would cost him his life eventually Paul stood firm believing that nothing would separate him from God’s wild and amazing love.
We can have that same confidence no matter what we are facing nothing can separate us from God’s love, His wild and amazing love. The chorus of the song from Zealand Worship says: “Cause Your love is wild, fire in my soul. Your love is wild great than I know and I’m coming alive, coming alive and it’s beautiful. And I’m coming alive, coming alive cause You are beautiful.”
This week no matter what you are facing – let God embrace you with His wild love, He will not let you go.
A Prayer
Father – I am so thankful for Your wild and amazing love. Remind us daily that you are right there in the middle of our struggles, in the middle of the storms of life. Help us to find comfort and peace in the embrace of that love. Fill our hearts to overflowing with that same wild love so that we can embrace someone who needs to really see You in the midst of their struggles and storms. In the name of Jesus, who showed us what wild love looks like, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Two Wrongs = More Wrongs
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
In today’s culture, at least according to the media – the way humans solve problems is by hurting one another. This idea of getting even for a wrong or even a perceived wrong, a rush to judgment that leads to violence creates a cycle of brutality that if not stopped leads to anarchy and chaos, and people not even knowing why they are doing what they are doing – the first wrong is not even remembered, there have been so many other wrongs. I once worked in an environment where a person could be commended and commended, but one small mistake could wipe out all the good that had been previously accomplished. The saddest thing is that there are people who claim to be followers of Christ fall just as easily into this vicious cycle some times.
You’ve heard on the news a driver cuts someone else the “offended” party chases down the wrong doer and the cycle starts and doesn’t end until someone – possibly someone not even involved is hurt or dead. The cycle doesn’t have to include physical violence - hate filled words can do just as much damage. Ok I can hear some of you say but what about…? In the Old Testament the strong language and judgment were intended to some balance and limits to hand handling of wrong doing by individuals and their leaders. In the New Testament Jesus set a higher standard for the offended party to abide by when he said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39). Later in Matthew He also His audience: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” (Matthew 7:12). Jesus never said, go get a bigger stick. He never said respond to harsh words with even harsher words.
The Apostle Paul and Peter both tell their fellow believers to respond with kindness. This week’s pass from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians make it clear that we should not pay back wrong with another wrong. We have a choice to make today and everyday – we can allow ourselves to get caught in the cycle of thinking two wrongs will eventually make it right or we can respond to the wrong we see around us with divine goodness.
What does it look like to respond to our world with divine goodness? Yield when you have the right of way. If you get cut off – pray for that driver because there maybe something happening in their life distracting them. Open the door for someone; let someone cut in front of you in line. As Paul instructs – encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone and respect those in authority over you even in those moments when they don’t deserve it. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Overcome evil with good, it’s the only way to break the cycle.
Just remember two wrongs just make for more wrongs and good, especially divine goodness can change a life, can change the world.
A Prayer
Father – Forgive us for the times when we allow our worldly, sinful nature to get the better us and we retaliate for offenses made against us with just as much or more force. Help us to bring Your light, Your goodness, Your kindness into every situation we face. May we be the ones who lift people up and show them the way to Your love for the healing this world so desperately needs. In the name of Jesus, who taught us love our enemies, we pray – Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
In today’s culture, at least according to the media – the way humans solve problems is by hurting one another. This idea of getting even for a wrong or even a perceived wrong, a rush to judgment that leads to violence creates a cycle of brutality that if not stopped leads to anarchy and chaos, and people not even knowing why they are doing what they are doing – the first wrong is not even remembered, there have been so many other wrongs. I once worked in an environment where a person could be commended and commended, but one small mistake could wipe out all the good that had been previously accomplished. The saddest thing is that there are people who claim to be followers of Christ fall just as easily into this vicious cycle some times.
You’ve heard on the news a driver cuts someone else the “offended” party chases down the wrong doer and the cycle starts and doesn’t end until someone – possibly someone not even involved is hurt or dead. The cycle doesn’t have to include physical violence - hate filled words can do just as much damage. Ok I can hear some of you say but what about…? In the Old Testament the strong language and judgment were intended to some balance and limits to hand handling of wrong doing by individuals and their leaders. In the New Testament Jesus set a higher standard for the offended party to abide by when he said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:38-39). Later in Matthew He also His audience: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” (Matthew 7:12). Jesus never said, go get a bigger stick. He never said respond to harsh words with even harsher words.
The Apostle Paul and Peter both tell their fellow believers to respond with kindness. This week’s pass from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians make it clear that we should not pay back wrong with another wrong. We have a choice to make today and everyday – we can allow ourselves to get caught in the cycle of thinking two wrongs will eventually make it right or we can respond to the wrong we see around us with divine goodness.
What does it look like to respond to our world with divine goodness? Yield when you have the right of way. If you get cut off – pray for that driver because there maybe something happening in their life distracting them. Open the door for someone; let someone cut in front of you in line. As Paul instructs – encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone and respect those in authority over you even in those moments when they don’t deserve it. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Overcome evil with good, it’s the only way to break the cycle.
Just remember two wrongs just make for more wrongs and good, especially divine goodness can change a life, can change the world.
A Prayer
Father – Forgive us for the times when we allow our worldly, sinful nature to get the better us and we retaliate for offenses made against us with just as much or more force. Help us to bring Your light, Your goodness, Your kindness into every situation we face. May we be the ones who lift people up and show them the way to Your love for the healing this world so desperately needs. In the name of Jesus, who taught us love our enemies, we pray – Amen.
Friday, August 5, 2016
Too Big For A Building
“But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?”
2 Chronicles 2:6
David’s son Solomon was preparing for the construction of a temple for the Name of the Lord his God and this week’s passage comes from a letter Solomon was sending to King Hiram of Tyre asking for construction materials for the project. Solomon, in my opinion, makes a very telling statement in that letter – that his God, my God, your God, our God, the One God is really too big for a building.
So if God is too big for a building made of wood, stone, and precious metals – what can hold Him? The Apostle Paul makes it pretty clear in his letters that it is a body. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian believers he writes: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Paul encouraged gentile believers in Ephesus with this: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation if the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Did you catch that? Paul makes it clear that the true temple of the God of the universe is built of people – not wood, stone, gold or silver and it is held together by His Son. God has chosen to use the hearts, minds and souls of mankind to build His dwelling place. Our desperately limited existence on this planet becomes the conduit of His life changing power when we are together.
We each bring something to this living, breathing, growing dwelling place of the Lord. All of our life experiences are harnessed and made pure by the blood of Christ allowing us to take the living God into a world desperately in need of understanding, love, mercy, grace and the soul healing that only come through Jesus.
So this week gather with a few or with many of your fellow believers, be encouraged and equipped by one another and the Word of God. Gather in all sorts of places because wherever you are it is the people of God that make it a church. Then go out and do your part, use your gifts to add daily to His dwelling place.
Remember that without followers of Christ, that structure of wood and stone is just a building. We, His people make it a church because we are the church and it should be a church with doors and arms thrown open wide.
A Prayer
Father – Forgive us for the times we make church about a building. Help us to remember always that You are far too big for a building, that you require a body instead – one that moves and breathes and most importantly grows. Help us to heed Your word and never give up meeting together. May the actions of Your church bring glory to You and draw others to Your heart so that they too might be added on to Your dwelling place. In the name of Jesus, who is the head and cornerstone of His people the church, we pray – Amen.
2 Chronicles 2:6
David’s son Solomon was preparing for the construction of a temple for the Name of the Lord his God and this week’s passage comes from a letter Solomon was sending to King Hiram of Tyre asking for construction materials for the project. Solomon, in my opinion, makes a very telling statement in that letter – that his God, my God, your God, our God, the One God is really too big for a building.
So if God is too big for a building made of wood, stone, and precious metals – what can hold Him? The Apostle Paul makes it pretty clear in his letters that it is a body. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian believers he writes: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Paul encouraged gentile believers in Ephesus with this: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation if the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).
Did you catch that? Paul makes it clear that the true temple of the God of the universe is built of people – not wood, stone, gold or silver and it is held together by His Son. God has chosen to use the hearts, minds and souls of mankind to build His dwelling place. Our desperately limited existence on this planet becomes the conduit of His life changing power when we are together.
We each bring something to this living, breathing, growing dwelling place of the Lord. All of our life experiences are harnessed and made pure by the blood of Christ allowing us to take the living God into a world desperately in need of understanding, love, mercy, grace and the soul healing that only come through Jesus.
So this week gather with a few or with many of your fellow believers, be encouraged and equipped by one another and the Word of God. Gather in all sorts of places because wherever you are it is the people of God that make it a church. Then go out and do your part, use your gifts to add daily to His dwelling place.
Remember that without followers of Christ, that structure of wood and stone is just a building. We, His people make it a church because we are the church and it should be a church with doors and arms thrown open wide.
A Prayer
Father – Forgive us for the times we make church about a building. Help us to remember always that You are far too big for a building, that you require a body instead – one that moves and breathes and most importantly grows. Help us to heed Your word and never give up meeting together. May the actions of Your church bring glory to You and draw others to Your heart so that they too might be added on to Your dwelling place. In the name of Jesus, who is the head and cornerstone of His people the church, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Interrupted By Compassion
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick”
Matthew 14:13-14
In my line of work it would be really easy to close my office door and keep my head down working on the various things required to keep a church operating smoothly and be ready for Sunday, but I don’t. I have not once failed to get my “work” done because of interruptions. By allowing my work day and life to be interrupted by the people I’ve been called to work with and care for – lots of things happen – all of them good.
If Jesus minded having His plans interrupted, it’s not recorded in scripture – so personally I think He was ok with people interrupting him, after all He came to care for people, to build relationships with them, to draw them into His family. In this week’s passage we see Jesus’ plan to get way for some downtime interrupted. You see He had just learned of the death of John the Baptist. Jesus and John had known each other since before they were born, they were related – most likely cousins and they clearly understood one another’s place in God’s divine plan to save mankind. This no doubt would have been a troubling loss and Jesus’ friends would certainly have understood the need to get away. Anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one understands. The crowds perhaps didn’t know what had happen or were just insensitive to His needs because their needs were so great – so they interrupted His day.
Jesus could have gotten back in the boat and crossed back over to the other side of the lake, but He didn’t. Instead because He was filled with compassion for them He allowed them to interrupt. The result? People were healed, eventually they would be fed as well (Matthew 14:15-21) and some would recognize who Jesus really was and He would add children to His Kingdom. Real compassion demands action, sometimes immediate action so it’s going to interrupt your plans.
So this week, just be open to allowing compassion to interrupt your plans. Your willingness may just change someone’s life and you will be blessed in ways you can’t imagine.
A Prayer
Father – You know how busy we get and how we tend to put blinders on so our busy lives won’t be interrupted by someone else’s need. Help us today and everyday going forward to take the blinders off. Fill our hearts with the compassion of your Son, so that we are open to divine interruptions and moved to action. Remind us often that to change a life can be as simple as spending a little time really listening to someone’s story – someone who like us has been made in Your image and who needs You as much as we do. In the name of Jesus, who is our example of a life interrupted by compassion, we pray – Amen.
Matthew 14:13-14
In my line of work it would be really easy to close my office door and keep my head down working on the various things required to keep a church operating smoothly and be ready for Sunday, but I don’t. I have not once failed to get my “work” done because of interruptions. By allowing my work day and life to be interrupted by the people I’ve been called to work with and care for – lots of things happen – all of them good.
If Jesus minded having His plans interrupted, it’s not recorded in scripture – so personally I think He was ok with people interrupting him, after all He came to care for people, to build relationships with them, to draw them into His family. In this week’s passage we see Jesus’ plan to get way for some downtime interrupted. You see He had just learned of the death of John the Baptist. Jesus and John had known each other since before they were born, they were related – most likely cousins and they clearly understood one another’s place in God’s divine plan to save mankind. This no doubt would have been a troubling loss and Jesus’ friends would certainly have understood the need to get away. Anyone who has dealt with the loss of a loved one understands. The crowds perhaps didn’t know what had happen or were just insensitive to His needs because their needs were so great – so they interrupted His day.
Jesus could have gotten back in the boat and crossed back over to the other side of the lake, but He didn’t. Instead because He was filled with compassion for them He allowed them to interrupt. The result? People were healed, eventually they would be fed as well (Matthew 14:15-21) and some would recognize who Jesus really was and He would add children to His Kingdom. Real compassion demands action, sometimes immediate action so it’s going to interrupt your plans.
So this week, just be open to allowing compassion to interrupt your plans. Your willingness may just change someone’s life and you will be blessed in ways you can’t imagine.
A Prayer
Father – You know how busy we get and how we tend to put blinders on so our busy lives won’t be interrupted by someone else’s need. Help us today and everyday going forward to take the blinders off. Fill our hearts with the compassion of your Son, so that we are open to divine interruptions and moved to action. Remind us often that to change a life can be as simple as spending a little time really listening to someone’s story – someone who like us has been made in Your image and who needs You as much as we do. In the name of Jesus, who is our example of a life interrupted by compassion, we pray – Amen.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Trust Him
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
I’d been thinking about how we ought to deal with the disappointments of life. Life is full of them – that big holiday you want seems out of reach, the relationship that you thought was the one, maybe isn’t, the job you want doesn’t get offered, people you should be able to count on – like our government leaders fall so short of expectations. The list of disappointments can go on forever if we want to wallow in the self pity that often comes along with disappointment.
Then I started to think about some of the people in the Bible and the disappointments they faced and then overcame in amazing ways. Take Joseph for instance – God had given him a couple of amazing dreams, he understood them and like the song knew his future was so bright he’d need shades. Then he got thrown into a cistern, sold into slavery and ended up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. I don’t know about you but I’d be pretty disappointed. Consider Moses handpicked to help lead his people out of slavery and into the Promised Land – only to see it from a distance and never get there. Joshua was ready to lead the charge to take the land but had to wait until all the old folks died off in the wilderness before he could do what God wanted. Jesus’ handpicked leaders were not only disappointed that their friend and teacher was dead, but they were scared too. I suppose Jesus even had times when he was disappointed – like when John the Baptist was killed or when those same handpicked leaders just did not seem to get it. Yet all of them went on to do amazing things following their greatest disappointments. So how did they keep going, how did they go from disappointment to victory?
There is something that these examples share and I believe it’s the thing that allowed them to move from disappointment to victory. That thing is trust. In Joseph’s story we read over and over that the Lord was with him. Moses got to talk to God face to face and no doubt he is still talking with Him face to face. Joshua was old when he led Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land and declared that: “He and his house would trust in the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The disciples ultimately fulfilled their commissions because they trusted in Jesus and Jesus was able to do all He did because He trusted the Father.
The dictionary defines trust as: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of a person or thing; confidence and as the confident expectation of something; hope. So you see hope comes from trusting in the One who knows the whole plan and is with you even in the disappointments of life. I think this week’s passage not only sums up the secret to living a victorious life but instructs how we should live every day.
This week no matter what kinds of disappointments you may be dealing with, know you are not ever alone and trust that God has got you and that HE will bring you through to victory.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for all the examples of lives moving from disappointment to victory because they trusted you. Help us each day to put our full trust in You so that we can have hope even in the trials of life. Helps us also to display our trust and hope to the world around us – a world that so desperately needs hope and the confidence that a better day is coming. In the name of Jesus, who teaches us to trust and gives us hope, we pray – Amen.
Proverbs 3:5-6
I’d been thinking about how we ought to deal with the disappointments of life. Life is full of them – that big holiday you want seems out of reach, the relationship that you thought was the one, maybe isn’t, the job you want doesn’t get offered, people you should be able to count on – like our government leaders fall so short of expectations. The list of disappointments can go on forever if we want to wallow in the self pity that often comes along with disappointment.
Then I started to think about some of the people in the Bible and the disappointments they faced and then overcame in amazing ways. Take Joseph for instance – God had given him a couple of amazing dreams, he understood them and like the song knew his future was so bright he’d need shades. Then he got thrown into a cistern, sold into slavery and ended up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. I don’t know about you but I’d be pretty disappointed. Consider Moses handpicked to help lead his people out of slavery and into the Promised Land – only to see it from a distance and never get there. Joshua was ready to lead the charge to take the land but had to wait until all the old folks died off in the wilderness before he could do what God wanted. Jesus’ handpicked leaders were not only disappointed that their friend and teacher was dead, but they were scared too. I suppose Jesus even had times when he was disappointed – like when John the Baptist was killed or when those same handpicked leaders just did not seem to get it. Yet all of them went on to do amazing things following their greatest disappointments. So how did they keep going, how did they go from disappointment to victory?
There is something that these examples share and I believe it’s the thing that allowed them to move from disappointment to victory. That thing is trust. In Joseph’s story we read over and over that the Lord was with him. Moses got to talk to God face to face and no doubt he is still talking with Him face to face. Joshua was old when he led Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land and declared that: “He and his house would trust in the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). The disciples ultimately fulfilled their commissions because they trusted in Jesus and Jesus was able to do all He did because He trusted the Father.
The dictionary defines trust as: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of a person or thing; confidence and as the confident expectation of something; hope. So you see hope comes from trusting in the One who knows the whole plan and is with you even in the disappointments of life. I think this week’s passage not only sums up the secret to living a victorious life but instructs how we should live every day.
This week no matter what kinds of disappointments you may be dealing with, know you are not ever alone and trust that God has got you and that HE will bring you through to victory.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for all the examples of lives moving from disappointment to victory because they trusted you. Help us each day to put our full trust in You so that we can have hope even in the trials of life. Helps us also to display our trust and hope to the world around us – a world that so desperately needs hope and the confidence that a better day is coming. In the name of Jesus, who teaches us to trust and gives us hope, we pray – Amen.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
A Fashion Statement
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 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 out on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14
The fashion industry likes to get together regularly and show off their high fashion designs – nothing wrong with that, if you can afford those kinds of clothes and are built to wear them. Give me a pair of jeans, some boots and a t-shirt and I am happy and comfortable. As I was thinking about clothes it dawned on me that while wearing clothes is a good thing, the material clothes that we put on, or that fashion models wear on the runway aren’t life changing, they won’t make the world a better place. So I wondered if the Scriptures had anything to say about clothes. Turns out the Bible has quite a bit of “fashion” sense.
According to Biblegateway.com the New International Version uses clothe or some variation of the word 225 times. Sometimes it is practical like when God made clothes for the newly fallen Adam and Eve. A couple of times clothes are used to trick someone into doing something. In the Old Testament people regularly tore their clothes as a sign of deep sorrow and repentance. In the New Testament this Biblical “fashion” sense is more about God’s provision and character. This week’s passage is a great example. The Apostle Paul regularly talks about how followers of Jesus, should be clothing themselves with Christ and in this week’s passage he is encouraging the believers in Colossi by explaining to them what the divine outfit of Christ looks like.
The first piece of this divine wardrobe is compassion – Jesus has the amazing ability to meet people right where they are, in the midst of their pain and then He acts to make it better for them. The next part of the outfit is kindness – really just to treat people really well, even when maybe they don’t deserve it. Kindness is followed with an article of clothing that can be very hard for most of us to put on or even to really understand – humility. Humility is one of the foundational pieces of this line of clothing – it’s not about letting people walk all over us or being self depreciating, rather humility gives us the strength to put others before our selves – to lift them up and then help them up even higher. This next piece of clothing – gentleness is sometimes seen as a weakness in our daily lives, but in this wardrobe of Christ, gentleness is strength under control – especially under control of the Holy Spirit. Just a couple more pieces and our wardrobe will be complete. Patience is another one of those clothing pieces that we often struggle to put on. I like one of the definitions I found for patience it reads: “quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence” – this definition sounds like some of the accessories we have available to go with our wardrobe. Finally, there is one piece that holds every other piece together and makes them all work together, no matter the season of life they are being worn in. It is the most important part of the wardrobe – it is love. Love allows us to wear all the other parts – to be thoroughly clothes in Christ.
Each piece of Christ’s fashion line has the power to make some positive life change – but wear the whole outfit every day and lives will be changed – the world can be changed.
So what about it? This week will you make a divine fashion statement? Will you help others discover the best designer? Remember every outfit is custom made everyday – all you have to do is get dressed.
A Prayer
Father – thank you that Your Word is supernatural and practical. Thank you that it speaks to weighty matters like redemption, forgiveness and divine judgment. Thank you that it gives us fashion advice that is always in vogue and never goes out of style. Help us each day to clothe ourselves with Christ by putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. May the world be drawn to Christ’s fashion line and changed because of it. In the name of Jesus, our fashion expert, we pray – Amen.
Colossians 3:12-14
The fashion industry likes to get together regularly and show off their high fashion designs – nothing wrong with that, if you can afford those kinds of clothes and are built to wear them. Give me a pair of jeans, some boots and a t-shirt and I am happy and comfortable. As I was thinking about clothes it dawned on me that while wearing clothes is a good thing, the material clothes that we put on, or that fashion models wear on the runway aren’t life changing, they won’t make the world a better place. So I wondered if the Scriptures had anything to say about clothes. Turns out the Bible has quite a bit of “fashion” sense.
According to Biblegateway.com the New International Version uses clothe or some variation of the word 225 times. Sometimes it is practical like when God made clothes for the newly fallen Adam and Eve. A couple of times clothes are used to trick someone into doing something. In the Old Testament people regularly tore their clothes as a sign of deep sorrow and repentance. In the New Testament this Biblical “fashion” sense is more about God’s provision and character. This week’s passage is a great example. The Apostle Paul regularly talks about how followers of Jesus, should be clothing themselves with Christ and in this week’s passage he is encouraging the believers in Colossi by explaining to them what the divine outfit of Christ looks like.
The first piece of this divine wardrobe is compassion – Jesus has the amazing ability to meet people right where they are, in the midst of their pain and then He acts to make it better for them. The next part of the outfit is kindness – really just to treat people really well, even when maybe they don’t deserve it. Kindness is followed with an article of clothing that can be very hard for most of us to put on or even to really understand – humility. Humility is one of the foundational pieces of this line of clothing – it’s not about letting people walk all over us or being self depreciating, rather humility gives us the strength to put others before our selves – to lift them up and then help them up even higher. This next piece of clothing – gentleness is sometimes seen as a weakness in our daily lives, but in this wardrobe of Christ, gentleness is strength under control – especially under control of the Holy Spirit. Just a couple more pieces and our wardrobe will be complete. Patience is another one of those clothing pieces that we often struggle to put on. I like one of the definitions I found for patience it reads: “quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence” – this definition sounds like some of the accessories we have available to go with our wardrobe. Finally, there is one piece that holds every other piece together and makes them all work together, no matter the season of life they are being worn in. It is the most important part of the wardrobe – it is love. Love allows us to wear all the other parts – to be thoroughly clothes in Christ.
Each piece of Christ’s fashion line has the power to make some positive life change – but wear the whole outfit every day and lives will be changed – the world can be changed.
So what about it? This week will you make a divine fashion statement? Will you help others discover the best designer? Remember every outfit is custom made everyday – all you have to do is get dressed.
A Prayer
Father – thank you that Your Word is supernatural and practical. Thank you that it speaks to weighty matters like redemption, forgiveness and divine judgment. Thank you that it gives us fashion advice that is always in vogue and never goes out of style. Help us each day to clothe ourselves with Christ by putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and love. May the world be drawn to Christ’s fashion line and changed because of it. In the name of Jesus, our fashion expert, we pray – Amen.
Friday, July 8, 2016
The Wise Thing
“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17
I was reviewing video based Bible Study curriculum for my small group when I came across a series from Andy Stanley called Ask It. In it Pastor Stanley shares the one question that should inform all aspects of our lives. My group won’t be getting to this study until next year but in light of some truly horrendous things that have happened in our nation not only in recent days but in the past month or more. In light of the current – in my opinion terrible political climate we find ourselves in, a climate in which the servants of the people have forgotten they are servants of the people. In light of hate filled words some so called “christians” have spewed into the media. In light of a major decision that will be made at the church where I serve – I decided that I would touch on the topic of the wise thing now rather than later.
Whether you are a follower of Jesus or not - I think the question that Andy Stanley says we should ask ourselves is relevant to all of us, but he makes it so clear - it should be a driving factor for followers of Jesus especially. You see followers of Jesus are at the same time ordinary folks and members of a royal family. Followers of Jesus are ordinary people and members of a holy priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9). Followers of Jesus have responsibilities and are expected to live against the current and shake up the way things are done – there is no “the way we’ve always done it in the Lord’s operating manual – there is only the Lord’s way and that can and should look different in all circumstances and cultures so that those who are not followers of Jesus can see and feel the difference when they interact with members of this Divine Royal family, with these members of a Holy Priesthood.
Andy Stanley says the one question we all need to be asking ourselves is “What is the wise thing to do?” In this week’s passage – from which the question stems the Apostle Paul is exhorting the churches he planted and us to live carefully and act wisely understanding God’s will and doing that instead of what the world says. But how can we know what God’s will is, how will we know we are making decisions that are wise? Luckily for us the basics are actually pretty simple and they have all been written down for us in the Lord’s operating manual – the Bible. Jesus himself tells us the greatest commandment, the very first things we need to do to live carefully and with wisdom – He tells us to “Love God and love others” (see Matthew 22:35-39). The prophet Micah also provides insight into the matter when he tells us that the Lord desires for us to “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God” (see Micah 6:8) and again Jesus provides easy to understand instructions for living carefully and wisely in accordance with His will when he tells us “So in everything, do to others what you would have then do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
So there you have it – the basics for knowing the wise thing, love God, love others, act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God and treat others the way you want to be treated.
A Prayer
Father – thank you that Your Word, our operating manual provides easy to understand instructions for knowing Your will and how we should live it out in our world. Forgive us for making is more complicated than it needs to be and trying to make it fit our personal preferences, prejudices and our idea of justice. Help us daily to heed the words of your servant Paul to live carefully and wisely making the most of the opportunities You place before us – so that others might see You working in the world and find hope, peace, forgiveness and strength for the journey. In the name of Jesus, our example of what the wise thing is, we pray – Amen.
Ephesians 5:15-17
I was reviewing video based Bible Study curriculum for my small group when I came across a series from Andy Stanley called Ask It. In it Pastor Stanley shares the one question that should inform all aspects of our lives. My group won’t be getting to this study until next year but in light of some truly horrendous things that have happened in our nation not only in recent days but in the past month or more. In light of the current – in my opinion terrible political climate we find ourselves in, a climate in which the servants of the people have forgotten they are servants of the people. In light of hate filled words some so called “christians” have spewed into the media. In light of a major decision that will be made at the church where I serve – I decided that I would touch on the topic of the wise thing now rather than later.
Whether you are a follower of Jesus or not - I think the question that Andy Stanley says we should ask ourselves is relevant to all of us, but he makes it so clear - it should be a driving factor for followers of Jesus especially. You see followers of Jesus are at the same time ordinary folks and members of a royal family. Followers of Jesus are ordinary people and members of a holy priesthood (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9). Followers of Jesus have responsibilities and are expected to live against the current and shake up the way things are done – there is no “the way we’ve always done it in the Lord’s operating manual – there is only the Lord’s way and that can and should look different in all circumstances and cultures so that those who are not followers of Jesus can see and feel the difference when they interact with members of this Divine Royal family, with these members of a Holy Priesthood.
Andy Stanley says the one question we all need to be asking ourselves is “What is the wise thing to do?” In this week’s passage – from which the question stems the Apostle Paul is exhorting the churches he planted and us to live carefully and act wisely understanding God’s will and doing that instead of what the world says. But how can we know what God’s will is, how will we know we are making decisions that are wise? Luckily for us the basics are actually pretty simple and they have all been written down for us in the Lord’s operating manual – the Bible. Jesus himself tells us the greatest commandment, the very first things we need to do to live carefully and with wisdom – He tells us to “Love God and love others” (see Matthew 22:35-39). The prophet Micah also provides insight into the matter when he tells us that the Lord desires for us to “Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God” (see Micah 6:8) and again Jesus provides easy to understand instructions for living carefully and wisely in accordance with His will when he tells us “So in everything, do to others what you would have then do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
So there you have it – the basics for knowing the wise thing, love God, love others, act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God and treat others the way you want to be treated.
A Prayer
Father – thank you that Your Word, our operating manual provides easy to understand instructions for knowing Your will and how we should live it out in our world. Forgive us for making is more complicated than it needs to be and trying to make it fit our personal preferences, prejudices and our idea of justice. Help us daily to heed the words of your servant Paul to live carefully and wisely making the most of the opportunities You place before us – so that others might see You working in the world and find hope, peace, forgiveness and strength for the journey. In the name of Jesus, our example of what the wise thing is, we pray – Amen.
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