Category: Scripture

Faithfulness

Read Lamentations 3:21-23

There are many changes in life. Some are expected while others are not. The speed of change can be overwhelming in its rapidity. Finding reliable anchors in a sea of change can

prove difficult. Yet in the words of today’s reading, we are reminded of the faithfulness of God. Each day we are shown  compassion, mercy and love. With the dawn of the day, this is renewed once  again. Because of this we have hope, no matter what may be swirling around us.

The passage today was written during a time when the Israelites were dispersed in foreign countries and living in exile. It is part of the crying out to God, sharing their feelings of woe. The future seemed bleak at best. Yet even while in exile, visions of God’s compassion and love could be found.

As I read this passage, a hymn from my past came to mind.

Whatever you may be experiencing at this time, never lose sight of God’s faithful compassion, mercy, and love.

Contained and Controlled

Read Acts 7:44-50

When humanity decided to domesticate animals, a way to control the animals had to be devised early on. Cages, corals, stables and fences were brought into use. These attempts to limit the movement of the animals are still utilized in some form today. Once the animal’s ability to move was controlled, then behavior altering allowed for domestication. These methods, along with psychological methods, have also been utilized with humans. Confinement is a strong control technique.

The passage which we read from the Book of Acts speaks of building confinements. First we hear about a container for the Law. This container, built according to God’s specifications, allowed the Law of God to travel  with the Israelites. It is best known at the Ark of the Covenant and served as a visible sign of God’s presence and rule. Then we are reminded of the Temple which Solomon built, again as God specified. The Temple served as a gathering place for God’s people, a place to offer sacrifices and worship to God, and a visible reminder of God’s presence. The people also come to view these structures as a way to contain God and other people. Containment gives a sense of control.

It is important to keep in mind that the Ark and the Temple were not a need of God’s but a need for humanity. The words in Acts point this out to us. The words also attack the perception that humans could ever contain or control God. God is more expansive than anything conceived by humans. There is not any material or design which originates with humans because all originates  with God. There is no human power strong enough to contain or control God. Let us hear the words of Acts in order to keep a proper perspective.

Interconnected

Read 2 Timothy 2:11-13

When I was in college, I took a BASIC computer programming class. For those who are unaware, the name of the type of computer programming which we were learning was actually BASIC. The course taught us how to write rudimentary programs to guide the functioning of a computer. We created flow charts which had yes/no and if/then statements. These allowed us to achieve whatever end result we were expecting as long as we set it up correctly. After completing the flowchart, we entered the commands into the computer and tested it to see if we properly programmed the computer to complete our assigned task.

In the midst of a conversation where advice is being given by the author of 2 Timothy, the author writes a series of if/then  statements. The author indicates that these statements combined present a trustworthy saying. They speak of the connectedness between Christ and those who are followers of Christ. The first two statements present positive outcomes in the connection. The third is a relationship between our negative behavior and a negative result. The final statement is a contrast between an negative behavior and Christ’s positive behavior.

The author presents in this if/then series an image of the benefits of the  interconnectedness between Christ and us, his followers. What a comforting concept for us. Knowing that we share in all of Christ’s rewards is assuring. Even if we are unfaithful though, Christ remains faithful to our relationship. The only way this is broken is if we choose to disown Christ. Disowning means we reject all of which Christ offers.

Equipping the Called

Read Exodus 3:7-14

Have you ever been asked to do something for which you feel underqualified? Maybe you have not had enough training or any training for the task. You lack the confidence in your knowledge or abilities. You politely refuse but the person who is making the request will not accept an answer of no from you. The next step you take may be to ask clarifying questions so you have some sense of understanding and authority as you endeavor to complete the assignment.

Moses had a feeling of inadequacy. During his encounter with God in the burning bush story, we find a conversation which may be familiar if you were in a situation like was described above. God has told Moses that after seeing the Israelites’s misery, God is sending Moses to Egypt to lead the people to a wonderful land. Moses points out that he lacks any authority to approach Pharoah and demand the release of the Israelites. God assures Moses that God will be with him. Then Moses brings up the concern that he also lacks any authority with the Israelites so they may not follow him. God instructs Moses to tell the people that God, Yahweh, I AM has sent him. God gives everything Moses needs to do what needs to be done.

The lesson of Moses is valuable to us when we are given a task by God. Unlike Moses, most often God chooses the voices of people around us to call us. Others come to us requesting that we take on a role, a responsibility, or a task. We may feel inadequate to respond in the affirmative but if this is a God call, we will be equipped. One of my favorite sayings in regard to doing God’s work goes something like this, “God does not call the equipped, God equips the called.” Whatever we need to fulfill a calling by God will be supplied by  God.

Impressive

Read Mark 13:1-2

Walking in Manhattan in New York City, it is easy to become mesmerized by the huge buildings which surround you. Everything from the height, to the architecture, to the ornate facades causes a person to marvel at the accomplishments of humanity. The Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and the new One World Trade Center astonish visitors to the Big Apple over and over. This is just one example of a location where human ingenuity, creativity and hard labor astounds us. There are many other examples such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Hoover Dam, and the Space Needle which exist throughout the United States. If one was to look throughout the world even more examples exist; the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Big Ben, Taj Mahal, Great Pyramids and the Great Wall of China are some international examples. All of these structures cause awe in us when seen.

During Jesus’s time, the Temple in Jerusalem was awe-inspiring. Today’s passage makes this clear. As the disciples are leaving the Temple with Jesus, one mentions to him in casual conversation how wonderful the structure is to him. Jesus foretells a time when these amazing human structures will be destroyed. This will be true a few decades after Jesus’s death and resurrection.

The discussion which Jesus has with his disciples should cause us to pause and consider where we place our awe. Often we can become overly impressed with human achievements. At times we are so impressed that we lose sight of the most awesome reality in our lives, God actively engaged in our life is more amazing than anything found on this earth. The disciple was possibly more amazed in the Temple than in the fact that he was walking with the Son of God. Whether the truth that the Almighty God is actively in relationship with each of our lives has became part of our ordinary assumptions or we fail to even consider the idea, we often focus more on the things around us, things which do not last.

Jesus is attempting to redirect the disciple, and us, from being awed by an earthly structure toward the reality of being in relationship with the God of all creation. As inspiring as the achievements of humanity may be, the work of God is so much more inspiring. Besides, God’s work is eternal while humanity’s will pass away.

Contentment

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10

When is enough enough? Being a consumer-driven society, it seems we are always wanting more. The companies encourage us to be on a constant quest for bigger and better through their advertising campaigns. A new model of a cellular phone comes out and we must have it. The desire to obtain the new phone is not because our current one is not working, it is because we have convinced ourselves that we need the newest model. We are a people who are seldom content with what we have. We want more!

The writer in 1 Timothy addresses contentment. Contentment is linked with godliness. The reader is reminded that at our birth, we possessed nothing. Upon our death, any possessions of ours are left in the care of someone else. This leads to the instruction that if we have what we need for survival, we are to be content. A warning then follows. This warning is that the craving for more (an example of money being lifted up) will lead to ruin and destruction of one’s life.

When is enough enough? When we have the basics for our survival. A few questions may be helpful when determining if something is necessary.

1. If I do not have this, will I be unable to live my life?

2. Is there a functional need for this which cannot be provided by what I currently have?

3. Am I craving this because I have something missing in my

life? Is this the best way to meet that need?

You can add similar discernment questions of your own.

Heed the words of this passage. Be content with what you have been given for your survival. View anything you have obtained in addition as a blessing. Avoid becoming focused on obtaining even more.

Enjoy the Feast

Read Luke 14:15-24

We have become a people of excuses. There always seems to be a ready excuse why we cannot do something. These excuses may appear reasonable and logical. Some situations are appropriately avoided due to safety concerns. Other times circumstances which are not within our control require us to decline an opportunity. Yet, more often than not, we make excuses so we can avoid situations we judge to be unpleasant or too demanding of us. We are more concerned about our comfort or convenience.

Jesus tells a story of excuses. He speaks about the host of a great banquet who invited a number of guests who the host deemed to be deserving of the invitation. When the banquet was ready, each guest had an excuse why they could not attend. With all the food prepared, the hall stood empty. The host  instructs his servants to go into the streets to invite the people to enter the hall and feast. When this did not fully fill the hall, the servants were sent into the countryside until the hall was completely occupied. Then the host declared that those who had received the initial invitation would not be able to enjoy the great food because their place had been taken.

In our lives we are given many opportunities to enjoy the “feast” of life. These opportunities come in the form of moments given to share with others. Sharing of time, resources, love and caring fill these opportunities. Sadly, we can be quick with excuses why we are unable to grasp these moments. The Lord has prepared a banquet of life from which we excuse ourselves. The individuals who accept the invitations find they are able to enjoy a wonderful selection of the finest life has to offer. Each moment feeds the soul in indescribable ways.

Do not excuse yourself from the banquet of life. Seize  the opportunities which the Lord provides you. Taste the sweetness  of each engagement you have with others. Those who decline will never know the great banquet others experience when they accept the invitation.

The Well

Read John 4:11-15

In our family there are stories of the many times my dad would run out of gas when driving the car. He seemed to like to wait until the last possible moment to put gas in the car. Probably he thought he could find it at a cheaper price at the next station. Mom enjoyed telling one particular story from when they had lived in California. They had decided to take my visiting grandparents up into the mountains to see the beauty. Before they went, grandpa told dad that he had better fill up the car with gas but dad said it was not necessary. As they passed gas stations along the way, grandpa would mention getting gas and dad would refuse. The car made the trip up the mountain but as they started the descent it ran out of gas. They had to coast down the mountain with the engine not running. Dad ran out of gas. The good news was there was a station at the bottom where they were able to fill the tank.

Like the car of my parents, we can run out of gas. Our spirits may be running on empty. We may be physically and emotionally exhausted. Jesus gave an invitation to the Samaritan woman which exists for us today — come to the well. The well of Jesus is full of living water which quenches the thirst of our souls. We can refill our dry lives with this water from the well. We can be renewed and restored. The well never runs empty. Just come to the well of Jesus.

Jesus Loving Sinner

Read 1 Timothy 1:14-16

When we come to realize the magnitude of the love, mercy and grace demonstrated in Jesus Christ, we are amazed. Our sin can seem overwhelming. We may mistakenly think that there is no possibility that God can overlook our sin and continue to love us. God does not overlook our sin but loves us in spite of the sin. We are loved so much that God provides through Jesus Christ a way for our sin to be removed. This gift, or grace, prompts us to respond in love. Each of us is broken, that is the truth, but each of us are made whole in the love of Christ.

May this song by Casting Crowns remind you of these things.

Addressing Giants

Read 1 Samuel 17:1-11, 32-50

Life has the knack of throwing curve balls at us at times. There are things which spring upon us unexpectedly and we must decide how we are going to respond to them. Some people have the tendency to give more power and weight to these surprises than they deserve. This is what has led to the phrase, “making mountains out of mole hills.” However, there are times when difficulties are truly mountain-like. They become real giants in our lives which can hamper our forward progress. They can even threaten to overtake us.

Our passage today is a familiar story even outside religious circles. The story of the shepherd boy, David, challenging the great Philistinian warrior, Goliath, and beating him is told here. This story is quoted to illustrate that size does not guarantee or exclude victory. David had confidence that he could beat Goliath not because of his abilities or size but because the Lord would give him victory. This confidence was based upon his previous experiences as a shepherd boy overcoming a lion and a bear while protecting the sheep.

What or who are the giants in your life? How do you approach these giants? The story of David and Goliath emphasizes the importance of taking the Lord with you as you battle your life giants. The improbable victory obtained by David provides us the hope that we too can be victorious over the giants. Reliance on the Lord instead of anything which we may possess is the seed of our confidence. In partnership with God, we can achieve victories which alone would be elusive to us.