Saturday, May 30, 2009

May 30

May 30 - 2 John & 3 John

The early church had problems. One of the problems these two books seeks to deal with is the false teachers/prophets who were traveling from church to church. Instructions are given to watching out for these deceivers. Sin existed even in the early church.

But isn't the existence of the sin the reason Jesus came? Even those of us who follow Jesus sin and do the wrong thing. Thanks be to God that our salvation is not dependent upon our perfect action. Rather our salvation is dependent upon the perfect grace of God expressed to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Friday, May 29, 2009

May 29

May 29 - 1 John 5

"This is love for God, to obey his commands"

Most of the time it is not that difficult to obey God. Think of the 10 commandments, they make sense. Don't murder, steal or commit adultery. Don't bear false witness, misuse God's name, have other gods or make idols. We understand these and they tend to just fit in with our lives. I do think the command about not coveting is very difficult in our culture. It seems as if the economy of our culture is built on the idea of getting us to covet new things. Isn't that the point of advertisements? A TV ad tries in 15-60 seconds to convince us a product we have never seen is essential to our lives. Suddenly, we must have what we did not even know existed 60 seconds before! I think that is coveting.

So we buy the new product that we had to have. Soon it is either outdated or we realize it doesn't really change anything, and we have are captivated by another new product we must have. It becomes a never ending cycle. What if we remembered that life is not found in our stuff, but in God? What if we learned to resist coveting those items?

Thursday, May 28, 2009

May 28 - 1 John 4

May 28 - 1 John 4

"the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world"

Occasionally I have individuals ask me what I think about the devil/Satan. I know that many people think a great deal about the devil and there are many arguments about whether the devil exists or not. My response is something like "I don't". At one time in life, I did worry about the devil, until I came to this passage. I was struck by the idea that the spirit of God within me is greater than any other spirit I could ever encounter. When I grasped that, I decided I would rather focus on the beauty and power of God than worry about the devil. Now I must still stand against evil. Evil in the world, evil in and around my own life. But I don't need to worry about the devil, the power of God's spirit within me is more powerful than any other spirit I encounter.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

May 27

May 27 - 1 John 3

18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

I think that one of the reasons that Christianity is being pushed to the side by our culture is that we have made proper belief the essential element of faith. We tell those who are not Christians that they must believe as we do or else they are doomed. Then we tell them this is the unconditional love of God. I don't think that expressing the message of Jesus Christ in this manner resonates well with people. Our culture's response has been to start pushing Christianity aside.

When we express our faith through our actions as this verse teaches, I believe it changes the perspective on Christianity. When others see us living out our faith in Christ through feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and helping the homeless they see lives being transformed by living out the message of Jesus Christ. Then the message of the unconditional love of God makes sense.

This is not to say that we should not have solid theological understandings of who God is and our relationship with God. It is just that maybe our culture has grown weary of hearing how it should believe and responds to when it sees the beliefs lived out.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

May 26

1 John 2

"9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him."

How we treat people around us is a sign of God's presence in our lives. If we hate our brother, that says far more about the darkness we live in than the life of our brother. This is one of those lines where we want to say, "Yes, but" and then we give the justification of why we should not love our brother. What John makes clear is that this is not about our brother, it is about us.

Monday, May 25, 2009

May 25

May 25 - 1 John 1

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

This is an amazing promise. Forgiveness offered as we are willing to confess. The problem is too often we are unwilling to confess. Instead of confessing we justify why our actions aren't sin. Sometimes we find temporary satisfaction in the act so we pretend there is nothing wrong with our action. But life goes much better when we confess. When we acknowledge that we have done wrong and lay it before God.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

May 23 - Matthew 17

Matthew 17

"if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

This is one of the most amazing statements in the bible. But this is not just about us having power. This is about the Son of God empowering us to do his work. As our faith grows, as we are connected to God, we are putting ourselves in a position to do what God wants done. Doesn't it make sense that God would give us what is necessary to carry out the work of God?

Friday, May 22, 2009

May 22 - 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14

Paul is addressing a problem in the Corinth church. Evidently, many in the church were speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift where the Holy Spirit speaks through the person in an angelic language. There was a major emphasis in the Corinthian church and tongues was seen as a very important spiritual gift that dominated their worship. Paul teaches them that it is a spiritual gift that blesses the individual but of little use to the rest of the community that cannot understand what is being said. When they are together for worship, they should use spiritual gifts like prophecy that everyone can understand. He wrote, "But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue."

What does this have to do with us? I think it is a reminder that it is "not about me". Even in worship I am part of a community of faith. I am to always reach out or pay attention to my neighbor who I am to love as myself.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

May 21 - 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13

Notice as love is described the passage keeps using the phrases "love is" or "love does"? Paul in his description does not talk about how love feels, he talks about how love is acted out. There is no doubt that feelings are huge when it comes to love. We relish the feelings of being "in love". But Paul's instructions to us iare focused on the actions of love. How we live out loving another person.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

May 20 - 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is part of it."

The thought that keeps coming to me as I read this chapter is that "we are in this together". The passage does address spiritual gifts and that we are each given a unique spiritual gift. But why are we given the gift? To serve God by serving one another. If we try to live out our faith alone, we are like a single body part that is separated from the rest of the body. God created us to live out our faith together and together we can do the work of God in ways we never could alone.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday

1 Corinthians 11

In the gospels we have the teachings of Jesus. In the rest of the New Testament we see how the early Christians sought to live out the teachings of Jesus. In this chapter we see an example of one of their struggles. They had a problem with how they were celebrating the Lord's supper, communion. They were having a fellowship dinner as part of the Lord's supper. Except instead of sharing food, each person was eating what he/she brought to the meal. Some were having lavish meals, others had nothing. It is easy to see the problem. Paul has an easy solution, eat before you come.

When you put groups of people together, as we do in the church, you will have problems. There will be conflicts and differences of opinions. There will be intentional and unintentional actions that hurt people. The issue is not whether or not there will be problems, the issue is how we will express to love to one another when problems arise.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Monday, May 19 John 15

John 15

Cindy preached about the community of faith on Sunday. All the scripture passages this week deal at least in part with the community of faith.

This chapter has number of amazing passages. Consider:

"If you obey my command, you will remain in my love"
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you"
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends"
"You did not choose me, but I chose you"
"This is my command: Love each other"

Love is at the heart of each of these passages. Love is at the heart of following Jesus. If we are to follow Jesus, it will be reflected in how we love others.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

May 16 - Esther 9-10

Esther 9-10

Out of an evil plot, God brings about good. The Jews are saved. Mordecai becomes the second most powerful man in the empire. The days of Purim are established to remember.

Throughout the Old Testament we are called to remember. To remember how God has acted, how God has been faithful, how God always prevails. Celebrations, such as Purim or the Passover, are established to help the people remember. This continual call to remembrance is necessary because we have a tendency to forget. When stress builds in our lives, we forget how God has been with us before. When a tragedy occurs, we forget that tragedy is not the end, that God will have the final word. We forget the stories of God being with people through all kinds of circumstances and think it is completely up to us. Take a few minutes today to remember God's presence with you know.


If you want to know more about the days of Purim, here is a place to start http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purim

Friday, May 15, 2009

May 15 - Esther 7-8

Esther 7-8

Haman's downfall is complete. He is put to death on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. His downfall began when Mordecai would not bow before him. His pride got him. I wonder about the king in all of this. He is the one who ordered the death of the Jews because of Haman's bribe. His actions led to an unintended consequence.

We don't make decisions on the level of the king. But there are times in which our decisions have unintended consequences in our lives and the lives of others. There are other times in which we suffer the unintended consequences of a friend's actions. Esther is not angry with the king, it appears she forgives him for not knowing. Can you offer such forgiveness?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

May 14 - Esther 6

Esther 6

Who would have thought not being able to sleep one night would change everything? When I read this story I see God at work. The not sleeping, turned to reading, which led to Mordecai being honored, that began to turn the tables on Haman. One sleepless night became a string of events. I believe that is how God acts. I believe that is how God is acting in your life and mine right now. Not in dramatic acts, but in subtle interventions that work for our good.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

May 13 - Esther 4-5

Esther 4-5

"And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

The story makes it clear that Esther is afraid to act. Yet, Mordecai reminds her that being selected queen may have been just so she could act in this moment. She is left with the quandary of her personal safety versus the safety of all Jews. Of course she puts her safety aside, that is why the her story becomes part of scripture. Esther becomes a model of doing the right thing in the face of cost to ourselves.

Is it possible that God is calling you to act at this moment?

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Monday, May 12

Esther 3

Hard to imagine being so angry at one person that you wanted to kill all the Jews. For most of us, at least hopefully, we would never have the thought of killing someone, let alone a whole group of people. I think for us Jesus put our anger into a different context. In Matthew 5:21-22a we read, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, "Raca," is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell." It is easy for us to judge people who desire to commit atrocities like Haman, Jesus warns us to be careful even of the careless words we speak of others.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Monday, May 11

Esther 1 & 2

The differences between our culture and the culture in which Esther lived become apparent very quickly in this story. It is obvious that the king wanted a wife to be seen, not heard. The idea that the lack of obedience by Vashti was a crisis to all the leaders because it might change their wives behavior is almost comical. As much as things have changed, some remain the same. You could say that the idea that there would be a competition to discover the new queen could almost be seen as an ancient equivelant to the TV show "The Bachelor".

Customs change. Basic human behavior seems to stay the same. That is part of what makes scripture so relevant in our day. Issues of power and being in control are part of our daily living, much as they were in Esther's day. The customs have changed but people have not.

That is why God sent Jesus. We need the human model of how to live and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to help us break the self-destructive habits of our lives.

On a personal note, my dad died last night. We had the amazing privilege of being at his side as he died. He was a great father for me. I will miss him greatly. But I am glad he no longer has to suffer with pain.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

May 9 - 2 Timothy 3:14-17

2 Timothy 3:14-17

In these words of instruction from Paul to Timothy, Paul makes it clear the role and value of scripture. Scripture equips us "for every good work". This equipping happens as we come to understand who God is, and how we are called to live in relationship with God and our neighbor. That is why it is essential to be reading scripture on a daily basis.

Friday, May 8, 2009

May 8 - Acts 17:22-28

May 8 - Acts 17:22-28

"God did this so men would seek him"

One of the clear messages in the bible is that God wants to live in relationship with humanity. God wants to share life with us. God does not force the relationship but continually invites us into relationship. The only question is how will we respond.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Thursday, May 7

May 7 - Ezekiel 37:1-10

This passage is an image of what had happened to the people of Israel. They were cut off from God and spiritually dead. God reveals to Ezekiel that the breath of God can bring life back to them.

There are times in the spiritual life of every person when emptiness decribes our spiritual state. We feel cut off from God, we feel there is nothing there, we feel as if we are just going through motions spiritually. Usually this experience is the result of our actions separating us from God. That was the case for the people of Israel. When we are in the midst of those times, it is so important for us to continue to practices the spiritual disciplines of bible reading, prayer, worship and being in a small group. God did not give up on the people of Israel, God does not give up on us. At just the right moment, God will breath life back into our souls.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

May 6 - Psalm 39:1-5

Psalm 39:1-5

There are a couple of phrases in first few verses of this chapter put life in perspective: "man's life is but a breath", "how fleeting is my life". This is a perspective that seems to be growing in my life as I age. I had to keep reading beyond the first five verses. It did not get much better in verse 6 with "He bustles about, but only in vain". I felt a description of my life as I can not believe have fast it is moving past. Then in verse 7, there is the reminder, "my hope is in you". Spend a few minutes today thinking about why our hope is in God.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

May 5 - Genesis 7:17-24

May 5 - Genesis 7:17-24


The stage is set in Genesis 6:12-13 for the flooding of the earth in the reading for today. God views humanity as "corrupt" and speaks these words to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them." (Take a few minutes and read Genesis 6.) With the flood God starts over with Noah and his family. After the flood, God establishes a new covenant with Noah. A part of this covenant is that God will never again flood the earth. The rainbow is a sign of the covenant (Genesis 9:12-17).

As Christians we live with another sign, the cross. The cross is the sign of God's love, grace and mercy. The cross is the constant reminder that I have been forgiven by God.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Monday, May 4

Genesis 2:4-7

"In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,"

This scripture, and Genesis 1:1, tell us the same thing. God created. Dwell on the implications of that for a moment. God created everything that is in existence, everything. The Bible begins with the clear understanding of who is the creator of all that is.

If I believe God did that, why is it so hard to trust God in the midst of the little daily struggles of life? If I believe that God gave me life as a gift, gave his son as a gift to all of humanity, maybe I ought to remember that God wants the best for me. If the God who created the entire universe, and gave his son for me, wants to give me a little direction in life, it might be a good idea to not only listen but obey.


We had a great trip over the weekend. I am home now. Kenda is staying for a couple more days in Ohio with her family. Thank you for your prayers.

Friday, May 1, 2009

May 2 - Genesis 45

Genesis 45

"But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence."

Why were the brothers terrified? They knew they had sold Joseph into slavery. They knew he should harbor hatred against them. They knew he was in a position of power to do whatever he wanted. What did he want to do? Offer forgiveness. Save his family. Next time someone offends or bothers you, remember the example of Joseph. Remember his willingness and desire to forgive. His willingness to have faith in God through all the tragic events of his life put him in position to save his family. I would also argue that his willingness to forgive, and not long for vengeance against his brothers, saved Joseph's life.

Friday, May 1

May 1 - Genesis 41

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

This statement illustrates Joseph's faith. I believes God is acting and moving. A faith that has survived being sold into slavery and spending the last two years in prison. A faith that never gives up on God. Joseph becomes a wonderful model for us of having faith even during the most difficult times in life. We don't have such faith in hopes that we will promoted to such a powerful position, we have such hope because we believe that no matter what is happening, God is with us.

Two personal notes. Today is my dad's birthday. He has stage four cancer and has entered hospice care. This will be his last birthday. Please pray for him, my mom and our family.

The second note is we are flying to Ohio this weekend to bury Kenda's father's ashes. He died 16 months ago, but Kenda's mother is now ready to bury the ashes in the family plot. Please pray for our family. Because we will be in Ohio on Saturday morning, I am posting the Saturday devotion this morning.