Worship for the Weekday
The Promise to David Fulfilled
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Acts 2:29-40
29. "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, 31. he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear. 34. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says, `The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35. till I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet.' 36. Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38. And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." 40. And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."
John the Baptist emphasized the importance of repentance, as did Jesus himself in his preaching and in his final instructions before he ascended to heaven. The baptism John performed was a sign of repentance alone—baptism by Christ represented not only repentance, but demonstrated belief in Jesus Christ. More than that, baptism in the name of Jesus offers us forgiveness of our sins. And one important element that was only possible because of Jesus’ death and resurrection: The Holy Spirit. While none of this is because of our baptism, our baptism into the faith symbolizes and demonstrates our faith and represents the wonderful gift of The Holy Spirit.
Peter speaks of David’s reverence in prophesying the coming Messiah. Through inspiration of the Spirit, David recognized how great and divine Jesus would be. No wonder he could not be silent! He must have carried a tremendous burden of responsibility—after all the future of God’s people lie in his hands, his heart! We, too, should bear that same burden—not for the future, but for the present. We are responsible for saving ourselves and others “from this crooked generation.”
We are to spread the good news of the Risen Lord! While we don’t perform baptisms, we can certainly lead others to desire baptism into the truth. While we aren’t prophets or apostles, we still have an obligation—and an honor and privilege—to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We cannot help but tell others about the wonderful gift of forgiveness through repentance. We cannot stop ourselves from testifying to the marvelous Helper sent to guide and sustain us until the end of time when Jesus comes again.
This world offers many temptations, distractions, and opportunities to forget our heritage as Christians. Through our faith in Christ we are all descendents of David. We should speak of Christ with equal reverence and awe. We should live out the message of God’s grace. Our lives should be a beacon for all who seek the way to Jesus. David did all of this with only the future promise—how can we do any less with the fulfillment of that promise!?
Repent, be forgiven, and receive the Holy Spirit. It’s that simple. Once we are baptized into the family of believers, our work begins in earnest. The hard part is really the repentance, I think. Everything after that, while challenging, perhaps sometimes even torturous, is an easy burden, a light yoke, because God is working out our salvation. We have faith that God is using us and everything we experience in our lives to prepare us for perfection in heaven. If we look at every difficulty in our lives as moving us one step closer to perfection, we can rejoice that God loves us that much, and had gifted us with the Holy Spirit through the journey.
Repent. Be forgiven. Receive the Holy Spirit. Work out your salvation. Long for the perfection God promises us through His amazing grace.
I hope you spend today working out your salvation, rejoicing that God is perfecting you for eternal life with Him.
Mary
The Whole Fullness of Deity
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Colossians 2:6-12
6. As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, 7. rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8. See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9. For in him the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily, 10. and you have come to fulness of life in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12. and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
This world holds so many appealing opportunities and promises for wealth, recognition, power, beauty . . . perfection! Infomercials abound! Advertisers guarantee immediate results—you’ll look younger, be more energetic, acquire more wealth, be more than you could be without their product or system or program. And on those days when we’re feeling weighed down by our lives, when the cable goes out and the washer breaks and the outfit you planned to wear to work has a big rip in the seam, and the kids are poking around, and it starts to rain as you’re going out to pick up the paper from the front yard—on those days its so tempting to opt for the quick fix.
But Paul reminds the believers in Colosse that there is a better way. He beseeches them not to fall prey to those who prey on us with empty promises and proven track records of success by earthly standards. There is only one victor! And He is victorious over sin for all eternity. In him “the fullness of deity dwells” and we have “come to fullness of life in him.” Once that happens, nothing on the earth will satisfy us; nothing will offer us the comfort or security of salvation through Jesus Christ.
But the world tries mightily to dissuade us! Buy, lie, cheat, steal. Lust after, covet, murder if necessary. You deserve anything and everything you want. If only they knew the magnitude of their lies! If only they preached the Good News of the Risen Lord with such voracity! What kind of world would this be? No more wars over oil. No more massacres over desire for power. No more nuclear weapons or stealth bombers. No more sin. No more suffering. But the world isn’t ready yet for that news! Mankind isn’t prepared yet to turn to God and rely on his power and his might, his wisdom and his strength. We’re just not ready yet.
Empty deceit is the practice of the day. But nothing in this world will satisfy us. Nothing man-made. Nothing ever conceived of by man. Nothing ever dreamed of by man. Because the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is impossible to comprehend. God’s grace is just not tangible enough for us top be willing to be true to our conviction that we are saved. God knows we’re weak and subject to the frailty or our humanity. That’s what is so incredible about grace! He offers is to us, knowing we cannot fully embrace it in our earthly form. His covenant does not rely on our performance—only our honest effort to be worthy. His promise is eternal—and will far outlast anything on this earth.
“As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving”
I hope you spend today rooted and built up in Christ Jesus, abounding in thanksgiving for the sacrifice He made for each of us.
Mary
Life, Life, and More Life
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Isaiah 53
Who believes what we’ve heard and seen? Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this? The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling, a scrubby plant in a parched field. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing to cause us to take a second look. He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. One look at him and people turned away. We looked down on him, thought he was scum. But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him. He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off—and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought for his own welfare, beaten bloody for the sins of my people. They buried him with the wicked, threw him in a grave with a rich man. Even though he’d never hurt a soul or said one word that wasn’t true. Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him. Out of that terrible travail of soul, he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many “righteous ones,” and he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore, I’ll reward him extravagantly—the best of everything, the highest honors—Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of the black sheep.
This version of scripture today is from “The Message” translation. I received this bible version for my birthday and I’m just thrilled! It’s pretty far from the King James version, but the worship leader at Lake Junaluska this summer used this translation and I really like it. I would not use it as a primary source of scripture, but as another perspective, another way of gaining insight into “the Word.” Especially in the Old Testament, this translation is helpful. So I used it this morning, for a change.
Are there times you’ve experienced” terrible travail of soul”? Most of us have if we’re committed Christians. We face situations in our lives that seem just impossible to deal with, unbearable. When we’re in the midst of it all we can’t imagine being glad OR certain that “it’s worth it.” So how do we do it? How do we do what’s right and not falter? How do we do what’s hard and not turn back in retreat? How do we see it all to its conclusion? The answer is within these words today. We give it to Jesus. We know he will take it, because he already demonstrated his willingness to do so. We believe he’ll be there with us because he sent the Holy Spirit. We trust that we’ll not only survive, but thrive and come out the other side stronger, surer, and even more committed in our faith.
And through our own suffering, we become better servants and ministers to others who suffer. Through our pain, we can comfort others. Through our struggle, we can support and encourage those in difficulty. Through God’s love and the gift of his son, we are strong enough and wise enough to be there for the others in this world who need to feel that love and bask in the glow of salvation and healing only possible to achieve in one way.
Like Jesus, no . . . because of Jesus, we too will be rewarded extravagantly! He bought us heaven with his obedience. He purchased eternity with his pain. He won us freedom from sin and unloosed the chains of our human-ness. So how do we “do it?” How do we make it when we don’t see any way out? How do we get up and live our lives and do what we need to do even when we don’t feel like it? Look to the cross. That’s the only way. It’s the only way we need! Look to that cross. And remember the empty grave.
I hope you spend your day today in the shadow of the cross, empowered and comforted by the gift of God’s son, and the promise of the empty grave.
Mary
Making the Most of Every Opportunity
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Ephesians 5:14-17 NIV
This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 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.
Colossians 1:9-14
9. And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10. to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12.giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
It’s really hard to “be careful how you live” when there are so many things in life that cause you pain, anguish, anger, sadness, frustration, and you fill in the blank for any other “difficult” feelings or state of mind you can think of. It’s easy when you’ve just had a wonderful day to top off a wonderful week! It’s easy when you’re feeling like everything in your life is finally going right. It’s easy when it’s all easy.
But when you get thrown for a loop, when a wound you thought was healed is reopened, when a situation you thought was resolved is revisited, it’s not as easy. When life takes a big fat u-turn back to a day and a time when you felt exactly the opposite of strengthened, patient, joyful, or full of redemption, it’s very, very hard to live a life fully pleasing to God. But it’s not impossible! If we draw strength from the times we needed God to help us endure—and so He taught us not only endurance but total reliance upon Him; if we turn to His word for wisdom in how to deal with the latest turn of events in our lives, we find comfort in the familiarity of His truth revealed in the bible, and so we make it through.
No, we do more than “make it through!” We thank God for “his glorious might” and we find strength in the assurance of our “inheritance of the saints in light.” We know that He loves us and fills us with His truth, and teaches us His ways and has delivered us from the finality of death. We know that through prayer He will teach us what we need to know to make the most of a current difficult situation. We trust that He will be with us through it all.
Christ’s light shines on us if we only turn our faces toward the cross. I cannot express my deep, deep gratitude for the gift of Jesus Christ. I can only live my life in a way that I believe is pleasing to God. The rest of the world is in His hands!
I hope you spend today strengthened for endurance with patience and joy as you face whatever the world sends your way.
Mary
Perfect Health through the Author of Life
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Acts 3:1-16
1. Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at that gate of the temple which is called Beautiful to ask alms of those who entered the temple. 3. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4. And Peter directed his gaze at him, with John, and said, "Look at us." 5. And he fixed his attention upon them, expecting to receive something from them. 6. But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7. And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10. and recognized him as the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11. While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's, astounded. 12. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13. The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15. and killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16. And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
The Perfect health referred to in this last verse is, of course, literal for this beggar, but figurative for us—Peter is really referring to spiritual health. Perfect spiritual health is available only one way: faith in Jesus Christ. This lame man, well-known by all who came to pray is used to make a profound and unquestionable point. He was lame from birth and was healed in the name of Jesus Christ. My Bible Reader’s Companion indicates that a person’s name in that time was not only an identifier of who someone was, but of their character and their “total persona.” So healing “in the name of Jesus” really means “in the power of Jesus.”
I love how the beggar is told to look at them – and he complies – expecting to receive a few coins. Instead he receives so much more than he ever even imagined asking for or hoping for! That’s how Jesus longs to work in our lives too! He wants us to turn over who and what we are to Him and let our faith in Him be strengthened, deepened and put into action through the Holy Spirit.
Peter isn’t mincing any words here when he addresses the crowd. He doesn’t offer a polished, rehearsed “sermon.” He’s just saying it like it is—sharing His truth—and offering His truth to anyone who will listen and believe. That’s what we are to do as well. We don’t have to be articulate and scholarly to share the Good News! We only have to believe—and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. We will be given the words when we speak “in the power of Jesus.”
Peter offers “proof” that the Jesus he lived with and followed, and now preaches to everyone, is the fulfillment of the scriptures, the culmination of history, the hope for the future at the end of the world. He has no doubt about that! Healing the beggar offers physical, visual, “in your face” proof of what Jesus can do in someone’s life. Acts tells us that faith and trust in Jesus can afford us far more than silver and gold—more than any treasure this world can offer!
I hope you spend today preaching the gospel and spreading the Good News in the Power of Jesus.
Mary
The Mystery of Godliness
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Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Timothy 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Romans 1:1-4
1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God 2. which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3. the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4. and designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
I began this morning in 1 Timothy. It’s so funny to me that some mornings I feel pulled by The New Testament and on others by the Old Testament. I guess on those NT mornings, I’m needing more of the “mystery of our religion” to jump start my day! Anyway, my notes indicate that the words of this verse from Timothy were printed in a poetic form and probably came from and early creedal hymn.
I don’t know about you, but it’s often easier for me to remember the words to a song than words just printed or read aloud. So the Ephesians were probably familiar with this as a hymn or song that was sung regularly during worship and to instruct new believers. Timothy 3:16 is a pretty concise summation of our faith, isn’t it? Of course, it’s not that cut and dried, but if you only had a few seconds to describe who and what Jesus was, and relate His life to someone, this would do it.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” That is the bottom line for us as Christians. The divine revelation of Christ through the Holy Spirit should become a part of our very being. We should wear our faith like a garment, own it like a prized possession, preach it at every opportunity. Our thankfulness should be so apparent that others want to know the source.
Angels tended to Him, ministered to Him, guarded His soul, and escorted Him back to His home in heaven with God. He was that precious to God. He is that priceless to us. 2000 years later, he is still preached among the nations. Not only is history changed because of Him, but the future as well. We cannot thank God enough for the gift of His son. We cannot comprehend fully the gift of the Holy Spirit while we are in our earthly bodies.
I long for my future in heaven when all the mysteries will be revealed and all truths will be uncovered. I look to those who have gone before me and rejoice that we will be reunited at the end of time—for all time.
I hope you live today with such thankfulness that others ask you the reason and the source of your gratitude.
Mary
Bread From Heaven
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John 6:25-34
25. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26. Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his seal." 28. Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" 29. Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." 30. So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? 31. Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32. Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." 34. They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
The “they” referred to in verse 25 is some of “the crowd” of 5000 who had just been fed on the mountainside. They sought Jesus out when he had “disappeared” after performing that miracle and they wanted more of what he offered! Jesus indicates to them that they seek him not because of his miracles, but because the “bread” he offered them – spiritual bread – satisfied them in a way they had not experienced before.
Jesus does that for us, too. Belief in Him affords us not only eternal life when we die, but eternal life now—here, today. In light of that gift, we are compelled to live “like we’re saved.” I’ve made that statement before. And I will certainly make it again—more as a reminder to myself than as a chastisement to anyone else! Manna in the desert sustained the Israelites for 40 years – in that day and time, it was probably about a lifetime for most of the people-an entire generation. Jesus declares that the bread he offers (His body) will sustain us through eternity.
Jesus tells us not to labor for earthly rewards—wealth, fame, power, material comforts—but rather to expend our time and energy investing in our relationship with the risen Lord. And to seek a deeper, stronger understanding and belief in Him and His father. Invest in eternity—and share that “investment strategy” with others. Spread the Good News!
Some in the crowd ask Jesus what they must do to be doing the works of God. They are still living by Mosaic law—that salvation is earned by good works. Jesus tells that that all that is required for salvation—now that He’s on the scene—is belief in Him and His message. His message? God’s grace equals eternal life for all who accept and believe.
Wow! Try putting that message in a 30-second commercial! JESUS SAVES. GOD’S GRACE IS FREE. Imagine the traffic jam on the interstate if a billboard read: ETERNAL LIFE: JUST ASK. Jesus fulfilled the predictions of the prophets. He satisfies our deep desire to be loved and accepted and saved. Faith in Him is all that is required to live forever in heaven. It sounds so easy doesn’t it?!
I hope you spend today pointing others to the path to eternal life in heaven.
Mary
The Spirit of Life
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Romans 8:1-6,12-17
1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. 3. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4. in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 12. So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -- 13. for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. 14. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16. it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17. and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Paul is not saying that it’s okay to sin, now that we’re saved! Rather, he is saying that once we become Christians, our desire will be to live without sin; so we will strive to live according to the law of “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” The “law” – whether the Old Testament, the actual laws on the books of our localities and country, are necessary because all people are not living by the Spirit of life. We obey a higher law, which, in a perfect world, makes mans laws obsolete and unnecessary. Our challenge—and our commission—is to spread the news of that law to all the world.
Several high-profile trials have been in the news for the past few months. I am so amazed at the focus of the commentators and pundits as they cover these trials. The importance is no longer was someone abused, was someone killed, was someone dishonest, violent, or murderous, but rather on how good the defense is at wearing down the prosecution, or at how completely the character of a witness can be called in to question, or how tricky the defense is, or how poor a job the prosecution is doing. . . . it just goes on an on. And I am deeply concerned that the message of this scripture is not getting through!
What matters is that someone—whether those on trial or not—sinned, lied, cheated, stole, murdered. And they just can’t admit it! They just haven’t heard the good news declared in this scripture! There is not a lot of focus on the millions of dollars being spent to defend someone, and the millions of dollars being generated for advertisers! Think about it: sin sells! But Paul cautions us: “you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.” Sonship with Christ. Child of God. Heir to heaven with Jesus. And we didn’t even have to pay the price! But we must pay that price now, by living as Jesus did.
So in gratitude and humility and a healthy dose of shame, we admit our sinfulness. High profile attorneys get rich off of sin. Don’t get me wrong—our justice system guarantees that everyone receive a fair trial. But is a trial fair when one side has all the money and power? Is a trial fair when the trial itself becomes the news and not the victims? Is a trial fair when the facts become so obscured and the rich get richer selling more and more advertising time during prime time coverage?
What doesn’t sell is someone questioning the whole thing. What doesn’t sell is repentance and begging forgiveness—not from us, but from the victims and their families—and from God. That doesn’t generate revenue. That’s not encouraged or really probably even “allowed” because our good old justice system allows for a months long trial and our 24/7 news cycle covers every second of it! Are we slaves to sin? Are we slaves to those who laud sin, who “sell” sin? Are we slaves to the law of man? I think we would be better served to call out to God to help us say, “enough is enough.”
I hope you spend today rejoicing that you have been released from the bonds of slavery to sin and are now an heir to heaven with Jesus Christ.
Mary
The Perfect One
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John 17:20-26
20. "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, 21. that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22. The glory which thou hast given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23. I in them and thou in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them even as thou hast loved me. 24. Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world. 25. O righteous Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee; and these know that thou hast sent me. 26. I made known to them thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."
In this final portion of Jesus prayer, he prays for “all believers.” Jesus includes not only those who have heard his word and the teachings of the disciples in person, but for all future believers as well—for us and for all future generations. So we are responsible to pass on the Truth to our children and to all the world. And God desires that all believers are one—one community, one family, one body through Jesus Christ.
We are to put aside our own agendas within our faith community – church should be a place to edify each other, not to advance our own desires. Jesus prays that we will be so unified, that we will demonstrate such loving kindness, such selfless care and concern for each other that “outsiders” will long for what they see and yearn to be a part of a community full of members who care for each other and pray for each other and advance God’s word in the world.
My bible notes indicate that verse 24 really means “I will” as in a last will and testament. The greatest blessing for a Christian is glory in Christ Jesus. And Jesus prays that for us! The last two verses acknowledge that while no one on earth knew God personally, they knew that He had sent Christ—and that knowledge is far surpassing any of unbelievers’—any that had been gained prior to Christ’s life on earth.
Finally, He declares that God’s will and not His own is what matters to Him. God’s will. Not His own. He was from God. Part of God. He had the power to act on His own accord. He had the power and the right to say, “No” to the cross. But His purpose was to die on the cross. And the goal of every Christian to is to accomplish our mission. Jesus wanted to be sure there was no question in our minds what we are about. We were made to glorify God. And the only way we do that is through the kind of obedience and subjugation of our own will to God.
I’m sure I’m not worthy of such a task. I’m not smart enough, talented enough, gifted enough to be a “successful” disciple of Jesus Christ. But because of Christ, and God working through my faith in Him and His Son, what I am and what I have to offer will be enough. And more than enough. I am but the vessel—and the vessel is filled with the words and truth of the Perfect One. My prayer, my ardent hope and dream is that His perfection will be displayed in some small way through me.
I hope you spend today displaying the perfection of Christ and building up His church, so that others will long for what we have as believers.
Mary
Consecrated in Truth
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John 17:6-19
6. "I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gavest me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gavest them to me, and they have kept thy word. 7. Now they know that everything that thou hast given me is from thee; 8. for I have given them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from thee; and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9. I am praying for them; I am not praying for the world but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine; 10. all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11. And now I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name, which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name, which thou hast given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13. But now I am coming to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14. I have given them thy word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. I do not pray that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil one. 16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17. Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. 18. As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.
These verses continue the “great priestly prayer.” Jesus begins this portion of the prayer for His disciples by acknowledging God’s divine choice in Jesus’ selection of each of the disciples. Jesus mentions the disciples’ acceptance of Jesus’ teachings, they knew with certainty who Jesus was, and they believed in Him and what He told them. Jesus also acknowledges that everything He (we) have, comes from God. My bible notes indicate this is the only time God is referred to by the title “Holy Father.” This name implies not only God’s remoteness and power in heaven, but His love and nearness to us.
While on earth, Christ’s power was enough to protect the apostles. In fact, his power is adequate to meet every one of our needs. But after His departure, they will face life without that physical presence. And they may be tempted to scatter—return back to their former lives. Jesus prays that they remain unified in the Truth, the truth to which they have been sanctified. They must now face a world that is hostile to Christ’s teachings on their own.
Jesus prays that God will continue to protect them as they continue the work they started under His direction and leadership. He doesn’t ask that they be taken out of the world, though (with Him), because our work (and theirs) is done here on earth—in the world. The worldly are the ones who need to hear the truth, and it is our commission to spread the truth to them—to everyone!
Jesus consecrated Himself through his death on the cross. And not only Himself, but also us, so that we can be in service to God, divinely protected and saved for His works. He died on the cross so we could be sanctified in the truth. And the truth will set us free! Free to live out our commission, taught, explained, demonstrated and obedient unto death for us—on behalf of all of us. We are to do God’s work in the world.
I hope you spend your day doing God’s service, empowered by your consecration in the truth.
Mary
How Great is Our God
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John 17:1-5
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee, 2. since thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom thou hast given him. 3. And this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. 4. I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; 5. and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.
Jesus is in the garden awaiting his arrest. This is the first part of the prayer that has been called the “high priestly prayer.” Jesus has glorified God by doing His will on earth. In that way, He was the role model for all Christians to follow. He was born to die on the cross—but He did so much more, didn’t He?! He obeyed God’s will at every point of decision in His life. And He always, always gave God the glory for any good, for any miracle, for any mercy, and for His grace. He lived to glorify God! That is our only task, too. To glorify God. When we have done that obediently we can be assured of rejoicing with Him in heaven! It’s not easy, but it’s that simple. It’s not an attainable goal—perfection—but it is a goal to strive for. It is in the striving that we fulfill our purpose for living. It is in the attempt that others may look at us and say, “Look how faithful they are. Their God must be great and good indeed!”
Jesus knows he has perfectly obeyed His father. He is prepared to “finish the job.” He is bound to be tired, weighed down by the weight of flesh and bone. He longs for His divinely appointed place in heaven. He must longingly dream of that glory in which he shared from before the dawn of time. Can you even imagine? Giving up heaven for us? Giving up divinity? How can we choose any way but love and obedience in light of that? How can we gripe or complain about any hardship or annoyance in our daily lives? How can even illness or death be a burden when viewed in the great sacrifice our Holy, Divine, Perfect Christ made for us?
I have a lump in my throat as I realize my sinfulness and unworthiness to even represent Him! But that is my commission – it is the commission of every Christian. To represent God on earth. And the only way to do that is to recognize our inadequacy and our unworthiness. And then to thank God that through His choosing us and desiring to use us in His world, we become worthy and more than adequate! Through His power and grace we become His messengers. We may not be wise or strong or powerful or famous—but we are blessed beyond imagining! And when others hear our words and see how we live our lives, surely they will say, “Their God must be great and good indeed!”
I hope you spend today proclaiming God's goodness and grace, so that all whom you encounter declare, “How great is your God.”
Mary
As Long as it is Called Today
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Hebrews 3:7-19
7. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, when you hear his voice, 8. do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9. where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, `They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways.' 11. As I swore in my wrath, `They shall never enter my rest.'" 12. Take care, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14. For we share in Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end, 15. while it is said, "Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." 16. Who were they that heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? 17. And with whom was he provoked forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18. And to whom did he swear that they should never enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19. So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Wow! I really hope I don’t ever experience the kind of wrath God let loose on the Israelites to prevent their entry into the Promised Land! It lasts a long, long time and the people suffered tremendous hardships for their disobedience and hardened hearts. They wanted their reward now, not later! They wanted it in their time not in God’s. They arrogantly thought they knew better than God when their journey should end.
Don’t we still fall into that today? Don’t we still go to God with requests—even demands—and expect them to be fulfilled as we see fit? Don’t we ask God to help us, save us, protect us, deliver us, empower us, embolden us, prosper us, make us rich and famous and powerful and admired? Even if we only ask that we are viewed that way by our small circle of friends, or of our community or church. We want to appear great in the eyes of others! We don’t want God’s brand of greatness—obedience, faithfulness, humility, eternity in heaven. Well, we want eternity in heaven. . .
Today is only going be a little while – today here refers to the present time – or maybe it does literally mean “today!” If that’s the case, I better start this very minute re-focusing my energy, my time, my thoughts and my actions! I better get to work proclaiming the Good News with my words and with my life! I better bow down in humility and gratitude that I worship a God of second chances. . . and third . . . and fifth . . . and one hundred! But not of an infinite number! His love is infinite, but not his patience! He warns us of that! He tells us ahead of time what will happen if we wait too long to live like we’re saved!
He has proved time and time again that He says what He means and means what He says! Today might be a good day to heed his warnings! Today is a good day to repent, to beg forgiveness, to turn over a new leaf. Today. While today is still today.
I hope you spend your day responding in obedience and gratitude when you hear His voice.
Mary
The Friendship of the Lord
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Psalm 25:4-14
4. Make me to know thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; for thee I wait all the day long. 6. Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7. Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions; according to thy steadfast love remember me, for thy goodness' sake, O Lord! 8. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11. For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12. Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13. He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land. 14. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
The summary of this Psalm is given in my Bible Reader’s Companion, “David turns to God for guidance and forgiveness and finds assurance in God’s grace to those who fear him.” The fear is not one of an anxious certainty of punishment simply because of a capricious and mighty God, desiring to demonstrate his power! It is a fear borne of recognition of David’s failings and sinfulness and the certain knowledge that God is all-powerful and mighty and has every right to punish him. But he is comforted to recognize that our God is merciful and loving, in addition to being just.
God’s laws provide us the knowledge we need to live according to his will, to his plan, and in order to receive the benefits of the covenant He made with man. Humility, faithfulness, fear, acknowledgement of sinfulness and our absolute need for reliance upon God, are not only the requirement for receipt of the covenant promises, they are the natural outpouring of gratitude for God’s unimaginably generous grace.
In my NIV translation, Verse 14 reads, “The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.” That is the one verse that stood out this morning. The Lord confides in those who fear him. . . I love the thought of having that intimacy with God. To have him confide in me. . . that is a lofty goal. But when we assume a posture like David’s in this psalm, we are benefactors of that intimacy. God is, indeed, intimately involved in our well-being and is delighted when we seek that intimate knowledge of his mercy and grace.
To delve down deep, to a level of understanding and awareness that we haven’t acquired before can be kind of scary. Because when we “go deeper” we unearth some of the “junk” we’ve kept buried for so long. But God longs for the intimacy that is only possible when we give all of it to Him. Offer it up, turn it over, get rid of it—He wants to take it from us. He wants that intimacy with us. He wants to go with us as we strive to acquire a deeper love, a deeper wonder, a deeper sense of awe and gratitude for our God.
God wants us to “go there” and He wants to come with us—more—He assures us He will be with us. He wants us to get rid of everything and anything that prevents us from having a close, loving, intimate relationship with Him. Don’t be afraid—He’s promised He will never leave us alone. He sent His Son to show the depth of His love and His eagerness for us to go to Him and turn our lives over to Him.
I hope you spend today confiding in God all that keeps you from accessing the intimate, loving assuredness of God’s mercy and grace.
Mary
More Than We Ask For
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1 Kings 3:5-14
5. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I shall give you." 6. And Solomon said, "Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. 9. Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?" 10. It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11. And God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12. behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."
Monday mornings are just about my least favorite time—ever! But I have been convicted lately about my general attitude toward life—by those who have endured and survived experiences that I could not even begin to imagine—and have shared their stories in order to bring glory to God. So enough about me—I think that’s what God was trying to tell me this morning. Not only has He given me more than I ever could have imagined asking for, He has given more than I deserve.
In light of that, I changed my attitude this morning – and coffee helped! Solomon was actually not a “little child” but was about 20 years old when David died and Solomon assumed the throne. Still, that’s pretty young to take over such a huge responsibility, especially in light of his father’s reputation! And he admits to God that he is ill-equipped to be a godly king—that in and of itself is a good start for a 20 year old!
What is God’s response? He gives Solomon what he asks—wisdom. What is ironic about the request is that Solomon already possessed wisdom! That is true humility! It’s not lack of self-confidence—it’s recognition that in order to be what and who God wants, we must rely on Him and not on ourselves alone. God obviously had equipped Solomon, whose place in history is firmly established with the phrase “the wisdom of Solomon.”
But God gives Solomon more! Much more! He gives him long life, wealth, honor. He wants Solomon to stand out in history! He wants Solomon to serve as an example of all that God can and will accomplish in and through us—if we’ll just let Him. If we go to Him before each decision; if we seek His guidance and wisdom, our lives will not only be much “easier” but also will serve as an example for others. They will look at us and recognize that everything we have—spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, blessings—all come from God! He gives us more than we deserve. He will give us more than we can even think of asking for ourselves, if we’ll just let Him!
I love The Prayer of Jabez. If you haven’t heard the prayer or read the book by Bruce Wilkinson, you should! Jabez asks God to bless him. And God does! It’s that easy! But the trick is this: we ask God to bless us as God sees fit! And then we run with it! Easy, right?! Well, simple. Not easy. But these verses remind me to adjust my attitude today and to “let go and let God” because He is so much wiser, stronger, more generous and loving, capable and good than I could ever imagine!
I hope you’ll join me today in asking God to bless you as He desires. I know my day will be better because of that request. My prayer is that yours is too!
Mary
A Collection of Idols
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Isaiah 57:3-13
3. But you, draw near hither, sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the harlot. 4. Of whom are you making sport? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and put out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, the offspring of deceit, 5. you who burn with lust among the oaks, under every green tree; who slay your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? 6. Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion; they, they, are your lot; to them you have poured out a drink offering, you have brought a cereal offering. Shall I be appeased for these things? 7. Upon a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed, and thither you went up to offer sacrifice. 8. Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your symbol; for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a bargain for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness. 9. You journeyed to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes; you sent your envoys far off, and sent down even to Sheol. 10. You were wearied with the length of your way, but you did not say, "It is hopeless"; you found new life for your strength, and so you were not faint. 11. Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not give me a thought? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and so you do not fear me? 12. I will tell of your righteousness and your doings, but they will not help you. 13. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.
This scripture is more “negative” than those I am usually drawn to, but the message is so powerful, I just had to go with it! The people have really been giving Isaiah a hard time. He’s so angry and frustrated that in spite of his (and God’s) continual warnings they continue to be unfaithful. Verse 3 refers to spiritual adultery—worship of idols. In verse 5 the oaks referred to were considered sacred trees and it was not uncommon for people to sacrifice their own children to placate the gods under the oaks—Molech was one of gods to whom children (and other offerings) were sacrificed.
Isaiah is utterly exasperated, disgusted, angry and tired because of the lack of faith in the one true God his people have demonstrated. And even though those idols did not respond positively, even though the sacrifices seemed to be in vain, they did not turn back to God! They kept at it! Isaiah shares God’s wonder at how in the world they could be so blatantly rebellious and foolishly forget not only God’s promise for salvation, but also His wrath!
This scripture may seem a bit outdated and not too relative to our lives today, but I found a lot of parallels to modern life! While we don’t sacrifice our children, per se, and we don’t offer up grain and animals to lesser gods, we certainly often take the “easy way out!” We go to church, but we don’t contribute when the collection plate is passed around. We attend Sunday School, but we don’t show up to help with set up or break down of any activities. More importantly, we buy our children everything they see advertised on tv and we demonstrate that its okay to want and have it all because we buy the latest, greatest everything for ourselves, rather than investing in our future—financially and spiritually. We succumb to the values (or lack thereof) and to the morals (or absence thereof) that the media and the advertisers tell us are correct—or at least “okay.” We hedge our bet and hope for the best on judgment day!
I’ve shared with some folks who have known me for a while that if I had my way, we would not have a television at all. That sounds crazy, I know, but while the television itself is not bad, the garbage that is fed to our minds and our hearts and our souls certainly is. This most recent presidential election is a perfect example! I haven’t heard much about what is important to me: health care, education, and other important issues that impact not only our lives, but the future of our children and grandchildren! Instead we are fed a continuous diet of how the other candidate is a liar and every other kind of awful person. My contention is that if half of what either is saying about the other is true, we better find two other candidates. Are those two the best we can do? Has the country come the point where in order to win an election, the character of the opponent must not only be questioned, but defiled? Sorry – off the soapbox now!
But really, are we spending nearly as much time reading the bible, listening to Christian music, socializing with Christians who share our values and morals? Are we spending time in quiet prayer and reflection? Are we teaching our children what really matters—not only by what we tell them, but by the example we set? It may seem that there’s “no escape” but this scripture reminds us of the only one we need. “But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.”
I hope you spend today taking refuge in the one true God and start working toward the inheritance of His holy mountain.
Mary
The Cost of Following Jesus
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Version: RSV
Matthew 8:18-22
18. Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19. And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20. And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." 21. Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22. But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."
1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18 MSG
Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
It may not seem at first glance that these two scripture go together! But I came upon Matthew first and then when I opened my subscription scripture service e-mail I discovered the second scripture. Both address a way of life that is counter to what the world considers correct, or normal, don’t they?
Choosing to follow Jesus means that we will roam the earth, never feeling settled or “comfortable” with our work of discipleship. We will always feel as if we have more to do, and to do more, better. We will feel like aliens, even among our neighbors and our friends if we choose the “high road.” Jesus didn’t “belong” on this earth. And He was trying to explain that once we become one with Him, we won’t either. Once we belong to Him, heaven becomes our home, and this world we live on in our bodies, is only the road to our destination.
Beyond living as aliens and foreigners, we are commanded in Thessalonians to be cheerful no matter what. That doesn’t mean “put on a happy face” and pretend everything is great in our lives. Rather it means that we are to be grateful and joyful at being recipients of God’s grace through His Son. We are to thank God in every circumstance, because we know He loves us and wants good for us.
God wants us to “live like we’re saved!” It’s not usually easy to do that! We often have “earthly” tasks we feel compelled to complete before we act on our faith—before we call a friend who has been going through a hard time, just to chat; or before we go to visit an elderly neighbor whose family has moved to another state; or before we spend an hour at the food bank helping to distribute groceries to poor families. We have laundry to do, and soccer games to attend, and meetings at church, and bills to pay, and dinner to fix and a golf game to finish, and the list goes on and on!
We are not to shun our responsibilities, or neglect our friends, or stop doing the things we need to do, but we are to be sure we have our priorities in order, and our to do list arranged properly, and our lives focused on our real purpose. God must be at the center of it all. We are to live our lives in light of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
When we do that, we can’t go wrong! Let the spiritually dead live like the others “of the world.” As Christians we are to live “in the world” with our eyes set on heaven and our hearts set on Christ.
I hope you spend today cheerfully following Jesus, wherever He leads you.
Mary
His Plans Shall Stand
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Jeremiah 29:11-13
11. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart,
Isaiah 14:24
The Lord of hosts has sworn: "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,
This has always been an “area of challenge” for me! I really like to be in charge—of everything!! Those who know me well will not be the least bit surprised to hear this! Those who don’t . . . well you may have figured it out from past postings. But I really do have this major “control” issue. And it is exhausting!
The thing is, when I do “let go and let God” He does such a great job! His plans are far more expansive and wonderful and all-encompassing and every other superlative you can think of – than are mine! Because I am limited by my human understanding, and comprehension. Even our imaginations are limited and small compared to God’s view of time and space and past and future. He sees beyond the now and his future extends to a time past our physical bodies and on into eternity with Him.
With the kind of assurance God offers man in Isaiah, why do we worry? Why do we rush around this world trying to be and do what man determines we should be and do? Why don’t we just be still more often and go to God? Why don’t we ask Him to reveal to us His wonderful plans for us and for our future? I guess our humanness includes both vanity and lack of self-esteem. Why would God care about me enough to even bother? How do I know God has specific plans for me? Does it really matter what I choose to do with my life? Does it really make a difference if I pray before each decision? That seems like it takes a lot of time and energy.
But I have found that what takes more time and energy is “fixing” the situations I cause by my lack of seeking direction and guidance! By not relying on God and His plans, I often make a mess of things. Or at least I create situations that require lots of time and energy that I might not have needed to expend if I had just let God be in charge! Maybe this is a confession that only applies to me. . . Maybe you don’t do that.
I can also testify that when I hear God’s directions and discern His plans, they are indeed wonderful! They are for my benefit—for my good. They are to prosper me—in heavenly currency! But the good news here is that God is so good, that even when we work to defer or delay His plans, He intercedes and turns our poor decisions, our mistakes and our really big messes into learning experiences, opportunities for faith-building, a chance to learn that He knows best, but that He is also merciful and loving.
I am so grateful to worship a God who plans good for me; who loves me enough to let me rebel, and then return to Him; who cares enough to turn even my bad choices into something useful. I am so awed and amazed that in spite of thousands of years of man attempting to “mess up” God’s world, the earth still turns and the sun still shines and the stars still twinkle in the sky over vast oceans that churn up waves to crash on the shore.
God is so good! And He is worthy of our thanks and our praise! His plans are awesome beyond imagining, because His love is beyond comprehension or explanation. I need that kind of God! The world needs that kind of God. If every politician and every key decision-maker in this world would “go to God” first and last, what would our world be like? Think about it! Since I can’t make that happen, I’m going to strive to at least accomplish that in my own life. That’s something I CAN control!
I hope you spend today going to God for guidance, direction and understanding of the wonderful plans He has to prosper you.
Mary
Walking with God
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Genesis 6:9-22
9. These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God. 10. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11. Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. 13. And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with violence through them; behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14. Make yourself an ark of gopher wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. 15. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its breadth fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and set the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks. 17. For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall die. 18. But I will establish my covenant with you; and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 19. And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you, to keep them alive. 21. Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up; and it shall serve as food for you and for them." 22. Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
The notes in my Bible Reader’s Companion indicate Noah labored 120 years building the ark on a waterless plain! Can you imagine?! Oh, how he must have been ridiculed! “We’re not even near any water!” They must have laughed and shook their heads and talked about “that crazy Noah.” “God talks to him!” “Surely he’s lost his mind!” The ark was ½ again as long as a football field. And there were no power tools available! Noah must have labored day and night, day-in and day-out, week-in and week-out, year after year. No wonder God considered him righteous!
That’s what real faith is like. It not only sustains us through the trials and tribulations in our lives, but it compels us to be obedient to God’s word—no matter the cost, no matter our reputation, no matter the sacrifice. That kind of obedience is difficult—near impossible! But Noah was righteous. He obeyed God. “He did all that God commanded him.”
I don’t know about you, but I would have certainly been tempted to stop at any given point along the way, not sure enough that obedience was “worth it.” After all, Noah didn’t have the benefit of history—of the prophets and especially of Jesus Christ! He only had God—and his faith and trust that God was good and would reward him for his obedience. He may have been used to being made fun of to some extent, since he was apparently the odd-ball in his righteousness.
Noah was one of those great heroes of faith. He serves as an example to us—not of perfection, but of perfect obedience and faith. He spent years and years of his life doing something that made no sense; that seemed to serve no obvious purpose; that was counter to everything his contemporaries could even imagine. There was no water for hundreds of miles—or at least as far as they had traveled on foot up to that day. And it had not rained during the lifetime of some of the people alive at that time!
God uses the unimaginable and the unbelievable and the unwaveringly faithful to make His point. Noah trusted God. And He obeyed. He acted according to God’s command. How he must have fallen to the deck of the ark as the water rose and the ark began to float! How he must have anguished for those who would certainly be destroyed—though they had been his tormenters, they were his kinsmen and his neighbors. How he surely thanked God – for hours – that he and his family had been spared! How he must have been humbled and awed and confused and overcome with a tremendous sense of responsibility.
This is what God requires of all of us: the faith of Noah. It seems impossible. Yet Noah was a man, just like us. But, no . . . his faith was unwavering; his obedience unquestioning. His life was long a full and he reaped the reward of his faith and obedience. As did his family. So even if we can’t be obedient for our own salvation, maybe our choices and our example will save our children, or our spouse, or our friends.
God wants, commands, and deserves our unquestioning obedience and unwavering faith. He knows that we are human—and so not perfect. But He wants us to strive for perfection! He wants us to think about Noah. And He wants us to think about Jesus Christ-who was obedient unto death. From that perspective, it seems like Noah got the better end of the deal! And we certainly did!
I hope you spend today striving for the faith of Noah and the obedience of Jesus Christ.
Mary
At the Table with Jesus
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John 13:1-5
1. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2. And during supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4. rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. 5. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.
Psalm 41:7-9
7. All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. 8. They say, "A deadly thing has fastened upon him; he will not rise again from where he lies." 9. Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
John 13:18-26
18. I am not speaking of you all; I know whom I have chosen; it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, `He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' 19. I tell you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives any one whom I send receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me." 21. When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22. The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; 24. so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." 25. So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" 26. Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
I was drawn initially to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. I’ve probably posted that scripture in the past, but felt drawn to it again. The theme of servant hood is so strong and so consistent throughout the New Testament that it’s no wonder that part of the last supper is re-enacted and discussed often, and in many contexts. But as I read my bible notes I found a reference to Psalm 41:9 and how Jesus’ comment regarding betrayal by Judas was a fulfillment of that scripture—and/or that David’s lament was a foreshadowing of what was to happen to Christ—a descendent of David.
Foot washing in biblical times, as you may know, was a common courtesy afforded to guests. But the service was always performed by the lowliest servant—or in poorer households, by a woman. For Jesus to wash the feet of his students, his followers, his friends was unthinkable! Framed within the other two scripture, the message is even more powerful—and daunting to me! Not only are we to serve others—we are to serve even those we know hate us, speak ill of us, try to undermine our works and deeds. Because, even in His being betrayed—Jesus was in charge! He refused to let man control the timing or the sequence of events. He was determined that scripture be fulfilled—to God’s glory—and for the sake of believers—the eyewitnesses, the disciples, and the believers to come in the future.
In order for us to believe more fully and more readily, scripture had to be fulfilled. The prophets must be correct—and Jesus knew we needed proof—written and recorded truth—in addition to his physical fulfillment of the predictions made long before He walked the earth.
This servitude is not to be out of a feeling of unworthiness—but rather one of empowerment and strength. With Jesus’ example, we are able to place ourselves at the “bottom of the totem pole” and to empty ourselves of all need to be approved or affirmed or honored. We can be completely and fully Christ-like through acting as He did with a willing heart and the assurance of His absolute and perfect love for us.
I hope you spend your day discovering new ways to serve others—even those whom it is difficult to love. And that you draw on the absolute and perfect love of Christ as you are in service to others.
Mary
The Spirit of Truth
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John 16:5-16
5. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, `Where are you going?' 6. But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. 7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8. And when he comes, he will convince the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9. concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10. concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more; 11. concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12. "I have yet many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 16. "A little while, and you will see me no more; again a little while, and you will see me."
The disciples, by this point in the conversation, were more concerned about themselves—and what would happen to them than they were curious about where Jesus might be going! They’re sad, of course, because they’ll miss him, but a million things must be running through their minds. . . what will we do now? How will we know what to say to people? How will we know where to go? How will we live without our beloved friend and teacher? Jesus reassures them that he must go in order to send another – in the form of man, Jesus cannot live forever. Even as the resurrected Christ He no longer has a “logical” place in this world. He will belong in heaven then, having fulfilled his mission and purpose here on earth.
But the one who will come after him will live with and within us forever! The many things the apostles couldn’t bear were, I think, the revelations and clarity and joy and confidence that comes through the Holy Spirit! With the spirit’s indwelling, we become like Christ! And we are (as Christians) unstoppable! But only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us fully and completely that we are sinners—at a very deep and yet ethereal level of understanding. And only through Christ’s death – and not our good works – are we saved.
That was – and is – a lot to grasp! How would these common, ordinary, flawed men obtain knowledge of a heavenly, angelic, spiritual realm? How would they ever find the words and the courage and the wisdom. Jesus told them—through the Holy Spirit. They had no way of imagining that their deeds and their capturing of their adventures in writing would allow us to see salvation through their eyes—up close and personal—in person and in truth! How exciting and yet how daunting and scary!
After all this time, tagging along after Jesus. . . obedient, but certainly not proactive. Sincere, but certainly not strong. Loving, but certainly not ready to transform that love into “The Great Commission.” Nor are we—without the saving grace of Jesus Christ who sent us the Holy Spirit.
So we must call upon the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit will empower us to get out of bed on the mornings we anticipate a challenging day ahead. The Holy Spirit will enable us to be a witness to the world—even when we don’t think we’re being heard. The Holy Spirit lifts us up to a higher place in the world – and protects us – like the full armor of God. The Holy Spirit is strong, and good, and powerful and is ready, willing and able, for us to access that strength, goodness and power! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Especially the blessings of His Son AND The Holy Spirit!
I hope you spend today accessing and spreading the Spirit of Truth throughout your world and thanking God for His two greatest gifts to us.
Mary
He Will Tread our Iniquities Under Foot
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Micah 7:14-20
14. Shepherd thy people with thy staff, the flock of thy inheritance, who dwell alone in a forest in the midst of a garden land; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. 15. As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt I will show them marvelous things. 16. The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall lay their hands on their mouths; their ears shall be deaf; 17. they shall lick the dust like a serpent, like the crawling things of the earth; they shall come trembling out of their strongholds, they shall turn in dread to the Lord our God, and they shall fear because of thee. 18. Who is a God like thee, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger for ever because he delights in steadfast love. 19. He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20. Thou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old.
Before I begin I should explain that I did not prepare devotions in advance for posting on Monday and Tuesday. While I am truly committed to the mission of the website, I know God intends me to fulfill the mission of caring for my family as well, and that while I am still a wife and mother, I must be true to that mission too. I hope no one was concerned. I traveled Thursday and Friday, spent Saturday in a church leadership retreat and left Sunday after church for Northern Virginia – for work and to check in on our daughter who just started her second year of college at George Mason. So that’s how that all pans out!
As for today. . . The subtitle for these verses in my bible is “Prayer and Praise.” The book of Micah alternates between prediction of gloom and desolation and calls for hope. I think that pretty much is how we live our lives today, isn’t it? We have a problem – or several – and become overwhelmed, feeling as if we are at a point in life that is insurmountable. Then God steps in and reminds us who and what He is. Or, if we watch the nightly news, it seems the world is in pretty bad shape – wars, genocide, greed, hatred, poverty, you name it! It’s easy to get depressed and discouraged about the future of mankind.
But Micah reminds us that after a time, if we are faithful, God will be there. In fact, He has been with us through every up and down—we just might not have felt His presence. I think that happens when we make it “about us.” When we forget to go to God, when we shake our heads and click our tongues and worry about how we’re going to fix everything, we’re not giving God the power to do what He does best! We’re diverting that power – we’re not being faithful.
“He will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot. Thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20. Thou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as thou hast sworn to our fathers from the days of old.”
God will “tread our iniquities under foot. He will cast our sins into the depths of the sea.” That’s what gets us through whatever we are experiencing in life. That truth is how we survive the tough times. That knowledge and belief is how we can rejoice in the midst of sorrow. And beyond that, we have the gift of Jesus Christ, who did more than tread our iniquities under foot—He not only “beat up” our sins—he erased them!
And that is why we praise God! He loves us, cares for us, uplifts and supports us. And He waits for us. And when we find Him—each time we go back to Him—he treads our iniquities under foot. And even more! He gave us an unimaginable gift! And through that gift our sins are erased! Tread under foot and then obliterated! That’s love! That’s deserving of prayer and praise!
I hope you spend today in prayer and praise for a God who welcomes us back into His loving arms—every single time we run to Him—with rejoicing and celebration.
Mary
