Worship for the Weekday
He Will Answer the Heavens
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Hosea 2:16-23
16. "And in that day, says the Lord, you will call me, `My husband,' and no longer will you call me, `My Baal.' 17. For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be mentioned by name no more. 18. And I will make for you a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety. 19. And I will betroth you to me for ever; I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. 20. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you shall know the Lord. 21. "And in that day, says the Lord, I will answer the heavens and they shall answer the earth; 22. and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil, and they shall answer Jezreel; 23. and I will sow him for myself in the land. And I will have pity on Not pitied, and I will say to Not my people, `You are my people'; and he shall say `Thou art my God.'"
I never cease to be amazed at the poetic language in the Old Testament. I think these verses are just beautiful! I found this passage as a reference to a New Testament verse I was reading : 1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.”
These verses describe the deeper more intimate relationship God longs to have with man. His deepest desire is for us to grow into a loving, intimate, deep and abiding relationship with Him. He wants to be viewed no longer as an inanimate, demanding god, but now as a beloved partner with him. He aches for us to know and love him as one would a spouse or a lifelong friend--the way I can “read my husband’s mind” sometimes after 30+ years together, or think to myself, “I wish he were here,” when I watch a movie I know he’d like or have an experience I realize would be so much better if I shared it with him.
God wants to be “one” with us. He wants himself and us to be interwoven and intertwined as we minister to His world. He assures us He will not leave us alone. He will not abandon us. He will comfort us and care for us. He will love us. His plan also our greatest hope and longing: “And I will make for you a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground; and I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land; and I will make you lie down in safety. 19. And I will betroth you to me for ever; I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy.”
I can hardly wait for the day that God answers the heavens; and heavens answer the earth. But most of all I long so for a world of perfection. God promises us “And I will have pity on Not pitied, and I will say to Not my people, `You are my people'; and he shall say `Thou art my God.'" I can hardly wait!
Technical difficulties previously mentioned yesterday -- probably a good thing as I was in a rather foul mood! Yes, it happens! As the day progressed I improved in temperament and mood as I had to give it all up to God. And as we know, he never disappoints! After all, he has pity on “not pitied.”
I hope today you take comfort in knowing the God of heaven is also God of the earth. And that he hears you when you call out to him.
Mary
The Message
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1 John 1:5-7
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
The other morning I prepared to post my devotion to the website and realized I have posted over 400 devotions since I began! Somehow I had never noticed there was a counter or any place to tell how many “blog” entries had been made. I imagine at that hour of the morning I only am aware of what I absolutely need to pay attention to in order to accomplish my task. Reflecting upon this amazing statistic I had the following thoughts.
First, I realized upon discovering this statistic that I have posted more than a year’s worth of daily devotions – with a few to spare! So it may be time, as a friend suggested to do some editing, compiling, etc. and publish an e-book of devotions. Of course I would designate a large portion of any proceeds to a worthy charity! Secondly, I realized I’ve changed jobs since I began – and some of the logic, reasoning, leadings behind all that has probably been documented at momprays.com. I have been on a journey, and you have been gracious enough to share it with me.
Another realization is that I have approached my postings as I do a job. I don’t give it a second thought that my posting is a part of my “need to/have to/must do” daily activities. If I don’t post a devotion on a particular day it is usually because I am ill. From time to time, I have neglected to do it because of some other activity that I felt needed my time and energy, or once in a while, due to technical difficulties! Ask my husband or kids – I have those more often than “most people.”
Every so often my husband will enter the room and find me reading through several days/weeks of postings. He chuckles at that because he knows I often have no idea what I wrote on any given day! It’s a God-thing, and I really just let Him put the words into my heart, and through my hands, and then on into cyberspace! Why do I do it? Why don’t I sleep in that extra hour – 1 ½ hours? Why don’t I choose some other activity that will allow me to evangelize? The only answer I have is contained in the scripture I selected to share today.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
I repeat the words of my young friend: “Jesus is just irresistible!” I concur 100% and add that God is too amazing to be silent! The world must know the truth. We, as believers, must share the Good News. We must not only walk in the light, but lead others there as well. “. . . if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” We’ve begun Advent studies at our church and our traditional drive-through reenactment of Jesus’ birth – The Living Christmas Story is coming soon and all kinds of other reminders about Jesus and how he is the culmination of God’s plan for us.
I wonder what the world would be like if we celebrated Christmas in our hearts every day. I know it’s a trite line from a trite movie—but I’m one of those pie-in-the-sky idealists who really believes it could be a reality! And I don’t mind being perceived that way at all! You see, Jesus is the reason, not only for this Christmas season, but for my insatiable desire to share his message with the world.
I hope today you pause from all the hustle and bustle to reflect upon the true reason for this season. And that you will start thinking of even small ways you can keep Christmas in your heart every day.
Mary
Graven on the Palm of his Hand
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Isaiah 49:8-11, 14-16
8. Thus says the Lord: "In a time of favor I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; 9. saying to the prisoners, `Come forth,' to those who are in darkness, `Appear.' They shall feed along the ways, on all bare heights shall be their pasture; 10. they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall smite them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. 11. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be raised up. 14. But Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me." 15. "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16. Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.
Not a typical Thanksgiving devotion, I guess. I have had quite an interesting week, though and I have found myself thinking “outside the box” even more than I do usually! Tuesday night I visited a men’s prison about 45 minutes from my house. It may well have been a life changing -- and faith changing -- experience for me! Several of the men expressed gratitude to God for placing them in prison -- and thus changing their lives. Some of them found Christ behind bars. Some of then had already known Him but had drifted or perhaps run away from Him. I was so convicted! These men had such deep and abiding faith. And they, like Paul in so many of his writings, were grateful for their time in prison. They told us that they missed their families terribly, but that they had become a family to each other. They told us they were grateful to see the error of their ways and were willing to do their time because they would be different people when they were released.
Gratitude in prison. Faith behind bars. They thanked us for coming to see them and for our kindness. They don’t know how much I appreciate their presence on that evening! They showed me true faith. They knew in no uncertain terms that their Lord had not forsaken them! So what do I have to whine about? Well, I could share a rather lengthy list . . . but I won’t! I won’t because God declares to us: “Behold, I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me” My name is tattooed on his palm. My name. And yours too. Smack in the middle of his hand. It is a part of him--permanently affixed.
God loves us so much that he will make a way for us in the world. When we rely upon him our lives are so much better. Not that we don’t have problems, even really big problems, but that God will get us through them. Just like he’s there with those eight men we met this week, he is serving their time with them, and they know it! They feel it. And when they testify to their Lord and Savior, you know they know what it means to have the way made smooth and the mountains to be made low. They’ve climbed some pretty high mountains without Christ in their lives. They’ve traversed some rocky roads.
Every one of those men showed up with a bible! That surprised me because our Sunday School class members don’t even do that! But God’s word was important to them. It was vital to them for their survival -- physically and spiritually. On this day after Thanksgiving I hope the sales and the bargains and the great deals pale in comparison to the free gift your God gave you in His Son on the Cross.
My prayer today is for those men, and all those in prisons throughout the world. And that we will allow Jesus to free us from the self-imposed prisons in our lives.
Mary
Red Light. Green Light.
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Exodus 40:33-39
33. And he erected the court round the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. 34. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward; 37. but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up. 38. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.
Romans 8:14
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
I don’t know about you, but I am so prone to run ahead of God! I feel absolute and complete clarity about a situation and so rush in and go for it! And that can be a good quality! In fact volunteer coordinators pray for people like me to show up! I “see that cloud” and go charging ahead. Too often, I’m much too busy to notice that the cloud has stopped! What I am learning, or trying to learn, is that sometimes God wants us to do one part of a task or do two things toward a goal. Then he wants us to wait for further instructions.
My problem with that is: I don’t like to read the directions--I can usually figure out how to assemble things without them -- having made that declaration I won’t comment on the bookcase that has two of the front facings backwards. And I certainly won’t reveal any of the other masterpieces I created “of my own accord!” God has allowed an instruction manual to be assembled for us--the Bible. It is the instruction manual for perfection. He provides us countless examples of those who didn’t listen, those who didn’t obey, those who thought they had a better way or could do it on their own. And he shows us what is possible, if we just follow the example of Christ!
I am reminded of those “trick” tests where you are given countless instructions, some of the quite silly, and leave us scratching our head. After several pages we get to the last instruction which says, put down your pencil and wait for the people who didn’t follow the instructions to read the entire test before beginning! That’s the role Jesus plays. He’s not a shortcut -- His life and death did NOT give us the right to sin and sin and sin. His life and death demonstrated how much God is wounded when we don’t wait for the whole plan, when we don’t read all the instructions, when we rush ahead. That’s all sin. We may not think of it that way, but it is. It’s sin because we are separating ourselves from God.
God is on duty 24/7. That cloud is ever present by day and is illuminated by fire by night. There is no time in our lives when God is not ready and willing to provide us direction, guidance, understanding and clarity. We only need to stop. Wait. Pray. I will only speak for myself, but the times I followed that pattern, things in my life ran much more smoothly than the times I took charge. God does a much better job of ordering my life -- after all he ordered the universe -- so he has had a lot more practice! I am learning to trust him more and more. I am consciously waiting each step of my journey. I don’t always succeed in either capacity! Thankfully, God’s not surprised by that! And that cloud just stays over me for the times I’m ready to look up and see what I’m supposed to do next.
I pray that one of the things you are thankful for this week is that cloud of wisdom, clarity, guidance, and love that God provides us. And that you will look up often to see whether you are to “go” or “wait.”
Mary
Bearing Fruit
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John 15:1-7
1. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. 4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. 7. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Max Lucado devotes an entire book to this scripture in his book, “The Secrets of The Vine.” In that book he explains the painstaking care that grape vines require. They’re not like ivy or like my mint plants, or other plants that just go crazy and take over the garden. Those plants can grow and flourish in the most adverse circumstances. No rain -- that’s okay. No sun - no problem. They just grow and spread out and take on a life of their own. But mankind is like a grape vine. We need constant care and attention.
Lucado explains that vinedressers work just about 24/7 to care for their precious plants. If a leaf lays on the ground and get muddy, the vinedresser gingerly picks it up, cradles it in his hand and washes it off. The temperature is important too! If it gets too cold, fires are lit in the vineyard to protect the fruit from freezing, and the crop from being ruined. Too hot? Lots of water to keep the plants irrigated. And as referred to in this passage: constant pruning of dead branches so the healthy shoots can grow and spread out and the vine can produce more good fruit.
It was not until I read the book that I really understood the significance of being part of this vine to which Jesus refers. The people of that time would have understood, of course, how labor-intensive and all-encompassing that job would be. The livelihood of the family, and in some cases, extended family, depended on the vineyard’s yield. I understand these verses in a new way: God didn’t just give us life and then “turn us loose!” Jesus didn’t die on the cross just to win a place in history! He died because God so hated our sinfulness that he made Jesus our sin and had him crucified. God didn’t want us roaming around, with no direction or understanding, so he sent a savior to show us how to tend to each other.
After all those centuries of tender, loving care, we still needed to be held by the hand to find our way. Jesus came to tell us that we already know the way! Because of Jesus, we no longer wait to be told how to live and how to act. Because of Jesus we have no doubt that God loves us! Like the vinedresser in the story, God never sleeps, he never goes on vacation, he never stops walking up and down the rows and rows of grapevines, pruning here, lifting off the ground and tying up there, harvesting at the proper time.
This story may not have the same meaning for us today, but I think you get the idea. God never leaves us to our own resources! Jesus lived and died for us so that we would never forget that! Jesus is the way to the father. I don’t think it can be explained in more basic terms. Jesus is the way and the truth. He is, in fact, our very lifeline to the Father. We must be “connected” to the vine in order to bear fruit, we must be part of the vine. We must
be Jesus for the world.
I hope today you think of the loving care God affords us. And that you express your gratitude to the vinedresser by bearing much fruit.
Mary
Take Heart
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Mark 6:45-52
45. Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49. but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50. for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 51. And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52. for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Jesus has just fed the five thousand. As is the case after a miracle is performed, He needs to “recharge his batteries” by going off alone to meditate, pray, and reconnect with His Father. He has sent his disciples ahead probably to make arrangements for lodging, or to purchase food so they could eat around a campfire before sleeping under the stars. Some hours had passed when he realized his friends were straining against the powerful wind. I imagine he watched them for a while to see if they would be able to get across of their own accord, hoping that to be the case.
Jesus went to help the disciples, but he must have wanted more time to be alone, since he “meant to pass by them.” Who knows who looked up and called attention to the “apparition.” Remember the people of this day were very superstitious and I didn’t find a good explanation of who they thought it might be hovering over the water. In any case, they were terrified -- who wouldn’t be!? But they had been with Jesus. They had seen him perform the most amazing miracles! He had resurrected the dead! Jesus had already calmed a violent storm while on a boat with them! What more did they need to know and see in order to understand?
We already know the answer! They didn’t really “get it” until the Holy Spirit enlightened them fully. So I wonder what excuse we use for not doing what we should do. I don’t mean our to-do list items. I mean spending time with God. Praying. Reading the Bible. Meditating on His Word. The world ever calls to us: come and be with me; come and help me; come. Our challenge is to balance the demands of the world with our longing for our God. Alone on the mountain Jesus was able to look down and see from a better perspective what the true “emergencies” were. He was better able to determine if he needed to go or wait.
When we’re in the midst of life we don’t have the same “big picture” view. That’s why we need time alone with God! I would give anything to have touched to hem of the robe of Jesus! Imagine being the recipient such healing and wholeness! Just brushing up against the fringe of his garment would probably send a jolt through your body. I have had one or two moments when I felt fully in the presence of Jesus. They are truly indescribable! I guess reflecting upon those instances, I can understand the awe and fear of the disciples! To be in the presence of the divine is unspeakably, wonderfully, awesome and yes, fearful.
Today I urge you to “look up” to see your Savior walking on the waters of your life. And be comforted when he tells you, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear."
Mary
A Tree Planted By Water
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Jeremiah 17:7-8
7. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Philippians 4:11-13
11. Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. 12. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. 13. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
God’s words are as timeless as God himself, aren’t they?! The message has been unchanging for thousands of years. Beginning in Eden and right up to this present day, God assures and reminds us that He is charge and He has “it” all under control, thank you very much. He doesn’t need our suggestions, our complaints, or our approval. He only “needs” us to be like Paul and like Jeremiah.
Jeremiah declares the promise of a God who started the line of His chosen people a long, long time ago. Trust in the Lord. Trust
is the Lord. (“Lord” is with a capital letter here, referring to
the lord, the lord above all other. The Alpha and Omega. By Paul’s time, God’s chosen family had grown. He expanded the line and redefined history, didn’t he?
God’s love and care for us is very much like a tree planted by water. It is an ever present source of nourishment, sustenance, of life itself. Reliance upon God allows us to endure anything life throws at us. Paul needed Jesus to learn that lesson! And God knew that most of us would need an ultimate Savior. Mankind still needs the radical, mind-bending, New Testament promise to have the kind of faith described in Jeremiah. And Paul certainly had it. His recorded letters are as timeless as is the topic. Reliance upon God is the only way to live.
Christ won us the certain reward in heaven. So no matter our circumstance, no matter what our former sins, no matter how often we think the source of life is elsewhere, God draws us back to him. Jesus is how. I call to mind the statement my young Christian brother made not too long ago. “Jesus is just irresistible.” And indeed he is. Because man had sinned so completely and so deeply, God “reinvented” himself. He sent a human baby to live and grow among us. He sent us the living well from which to drink. So that we might all live with the attitude of Paul. “in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want." Rejoice in times of plenty and abundance and thank your God for his blessings. Rejoice in times of hunger and want -- and thank your God for Jesus.
I hope you’ll join me in thanking God today, regardless of your present circumstance. And that you will thank God for the irresistible gift of His Son.
Mary
Less Than We Deserve
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Psalm 103:10-12 NASB
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Ezra 9:13 ESV
And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this,
I sat this morning reading through much of the New Testament. As I went to the kitchen for my second cup of coffee I realized that it was getting late and had not yet “zeroed in” on a verse or thought for the morning. When I came back to the computer I decided to check on my “bible verses e-mails.” Wow! The Old Testament! I had just commented in Sunday School that so many of us focus only on the New Testament -- because of Jesus’ resurrection. We forget the rich and enthralling history of events that lead up to that Easter Sunday!
Both of these scripture describe the depth and generosity of our God. Throughout the Old Testament we read of God destroying cities, countries, entire races -- oh, but wait -- he never completely eradicates a people -- he has always left a remnant to tell the tale. God preserves a remnant, because he loves us too much to completely destroy us. For thousands of years the pattern was the same. Even in Eden, mankind sinned . . . God withdrew his intimacy, but not his presence. Man sinned and rebelled and even reviled our God, and yet he continued (and continues!) to give us yet one more chance. Not that we don’t suffer the consequences of our actions and our decisions!
God loves us so much! It is cause for celebration! For dancing in the streets! For rejoicing in the hillsides! We are loved more than we can sin! We are loved so much that God sent Christ into the world to be our sin. When God became so distressed and hurt and sad and disappointed in us that he had every right to wipe us off the face of the earth and start all over, what did he do? What did he do?
It is unimaginable! To be loved so much! I wonder if sometimes we sin because we perceive our own sinfulness and cannot imagine being worthy of that kind of love? One of my friends is famous for commenting on some quirk or peculiarity, “People are just fascinating.” She says it with absolute resignation to the truth that she (nor we) will ever really know ourselves or each other. But God knows us. He knew us before time began. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. He was there when we were born. He placed a soul within us.
I wonder what my life would be like and look like if I lived every day as if I believed--really believed and recognized--that I was so loved that nothing I ever do or say will separate me from God’s love. He even sent his son to earth to remind us of that truth. It is just absolutely inconceivable!
I hope you spend today rejoicing with me that we are loved so much more than we deserve and can imagine! And that you will extend that love to God’s world.
Mary
Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions and Thanksgivings
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1 Timothy 2:1-6
1. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, 2. for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. 3. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4. who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6. who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.
Romans 8:14-16 NASB
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.
It may seem as if I meandered through scripture and devotional materials this morning without my usual intentionality. But not so! 2 Timothy implores the community to lift up “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings” for everyone. That is what I was focused on initially. And so I prayed for clarity about what the true message should be today. You see, I’m in a more “prayerful” mode this week, as Saturday our church held a prayer vigil. One of my covenant sisters and I spent that last portion of the vigil reading the names of everyone on the church rolls.
One of us started with page one and one began at the last page; each reading every name aloud. After several pages a rhythm develops--so much so that when one of us paused to lift a “particular” prayer for a family or an individual, the other imperceptibly paused, as if to add a prayer of our own--without even knowing who it was the other interceded for. The experience is almost surreal. One enters into sacred space when those names are read. It is as if God has enclosed us and is sitting at full attention to hear our supplications.
I also listed last night (an entire page) in my journal the names of those for whom I am praying this week. I have not been that intentional in some time. I had allowed myself to get caught up in “worldly things.” I have been busy “doing.” And my prayer life has suffered. I have felt it too -- almost like a disconnect. I have missed it--that quiet, peaceful time when I have an intimate conversation with my God. I believe in prayer. I ardently and absolutely believe in it. I don’t have any personal miracle stories that I can tell you are a direct result of my prayers. But I know the world is a better place when God’s people pray.
All of my e-mail addresses are about prayer -- and of course this website! And people ask me - specifically me - to pray for them or for a situation sometimes. Not because they believe I have some special line to God -- or that my prayers are answered more readily than those of others. (Well, they may believe that.) But most importantly, they know I
believe in prayer! I also believe God wants us to pray! After all, he sent us Jesus and the Holy Spirit to intercede for us when we do not know what to pray.
I hope today you will pray for yourself and your family, for everyone in your life, for everyone you meet, everyone you pass on the road or in the hallway. And that you will offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings to a God who hears our every sigh.
Mary
Stubborn and Rebellious
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Jeremiah 5:20-24
20. Declare this in the house of Jacob, proclaim it in Judah: 21. "Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes, but see not, who have ears, but hear not. 22. Do you not fear me? says the Lord; Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the bound for the sea, a perpetual barrier which it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail, though they roar, they cannot pass over it. 23. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. 24. They do not say in their hearts, `Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.'
Mark 8:14-21
14. Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15. And he cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16. And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." 17. And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18. Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19. When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." 20. "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." 21. And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"
In the first scripture, Jeremiah declares God’s dismay at man’s refusal to trust in him. Though God sent prophets, like Jeremiah, and many others into the world, man did not listen to them. We are so slow to learn, and then don’t remember the lessons! The Israelites have once again turned away from God. They have worshipped other gods and the list of their sinfulness is quite extensive. Jeremiah warns his people to repent, turn back to the one true God, in order to be spared the great destruction that God will allow otherwise.
Fast forward several hundred years. The promised Messiah walks the earth. And even those who have lived with him, learned from him, grown to know and love him, just don’t get it. Jesus uses these words from Jeremiah, with which the disciples would have been familiar to make his point. Throughout history, God has demonstrated over and over and over again how much he loves us. He has proven that he will never leave us completely alone, or allow us to wander too far that we will be out of his reach.
Still today, after thousands of years of evidence, we turn away from God when things get rough. We turn to the world when we perceive a need. We fail to trust the God who parts seas, sends floods, overthrew armies, created the heavens and the very earth upon which we dwell. Doesn’t it follow that a God who can make an ocean, a planet, a tiny human baby, can provide everything necessary to sustain his creations? More than that, to allow them to flourish?
I’m not railing about the “editorial we” here! I have more examples of this behavior in my own life than I care to admit OR share here! God loves us so very much. He asks only that we trust and obey him. It sounds so simple. But it is not so easy! He made us in his image and likeness, but remember, the fallen angels were too. We have speck of them within us. I imagine that’s what keeps us from being like God! But it is what makes us want to BE our own god, isn’t it?
As long as things are running smoothly in our lives, we feel pretty comfortable thanking God for his many blessings. The minute things start to go wrong, though, we leap into action. We make decisions based on “human wisdom.” We act before we think, let alone pray! We charge ahead, trying to prevent a “worse case scenario” without even consulting God! We fail to stop, pray, wait for an answer from God. And man acted that way even before the age of microwaves, instant messaging, drive thru’s and fax machines!
I hope today you stop, pray, and then thank God that he is with you, and will sustain you in whatever circumstance you find yourself. And that you hear and see and believe the word of God as the foundation of your life.
Mary
Good, Acceptable, Perfect
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Romans 12:1-2, 9-17
1. I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 9. Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10. love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. 12. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality. 14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. 17. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
Paul exhorts the Romans first to live in line with the transformation of their hearts. They are not to acknowledge Jesus with their heads but with their hearts and their hands. Then he goes on to list the signs or demonstrations of what a transformed life looks like. The overriding theme, of course, is that not only our transformation, but also our actions are brought about through God’s mercy.
In light of that perspective -- our new life as a gift from the God who withheld nothing from us -- we cannot help but imitate Christ, to be Christ to this world. We are tasked with encouraging and teaching others -- by how we live our lives -- to be transformed with us into the body of Christ. We serve others, lift others up, never flagging in zeal for good works.
Hmmmm. Good. Acceptable. Perfect. Kind of sounds like flow chart, doesn’t it? Good= I have accepted Christ as my Savior and I begin to rethink and re-evaluate how I live my life. Acceptable= I rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. I even begin to learn patience in tribulation. I begin to shun the “things of this world.” Perfect=I strive to know and obey the will of God. That last step is the most difficult! And the obedience is my personal stumbling block in all honesty.
We won’t achieve perfection until we get to heaven. But we are to work hard, never ceasing in our labor, to bring about heaven on earth -- as much as is within our ability. Christ is our example and role model. The Holy Spirit is our helper and our guide. The Father is waiting for us at the end of time -- like the father in the parable of the prodigal son -- he’s going to come running to meet us at the “pearly gates!”
I hope today you’ll remember that we are not to be conformed to this world. And that you’ll join me in striving for that perfection only possible because of the cross.
Mary
Best of Both Worlds?
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Deuteronomy 6:4-6 NKJV
Jesus is quoting from Deuteronomy:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
1 John 2:15-17 RSV
15. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. 17. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.
I may have mentioned that I receive several subscription e-mails daily. Most of them are on issues of faith, spirituality, seeking. I received one today that contained an article that caused me to pause and think about whether or not I was being too hasty, too judgmental in my initial reaction. (I am self-aware enough to know that I shoot from the hip on a regular basis--it is an on-going “growth area” for me!) As I read this article about “Metrospirituality” I was on the one hand very troubled, and on the other sad.
This phrase was used to categorize those individuals--“famous” and otherwise--who are turning to organic foods, deliciously infused candles and other aromatherapy, statuary and other art of various gods, even furniture that is ergonomic yet attractive, and basically inspired to be earth-friendly, people-friendly, feel-good indulgences -- and very expensive! There is certainly nothing wrong, in and of themselves, with these practices or the lifestyle adopted by people who are seeking comfort, peace and serenity in their lives. I’ve been known to frequent Good Foods Grocery myself. And I certainly try to do what I can to recycle, reuse and otherwise be a responsible earth-dweller!
What concerned me about this new trend/lifestyle is that I had the distinct feeling that these individuals are “loving the things of this world” without acknowledging their source. There was not discussion of Jesus or even of God in this article. These folks are seeking a comfortable, secure, pretty, appealing life in the here and now. This self-comforting, self-indulging lifestyle is not so disturbing to those living it because they are also responsible citizens (except for the tremendous wealth they use to support this lifestyle). Again, nothing wrong with being wealthy -- I’d love to try it!
I look though, to individuals like Rick Warren whose book made millions of dollars. What did he do? He paid back the salary his church had paid him for the past 20+ years, set up a foundation for various charities, and began “reverse tithing.” That is, he now lives on 10% of his income and give 90% away. Crazy? Maybe. But so was Jesus thought to be! Mother Theresa was probably thought mad as well - she was born into a wealthy family and walked away from it all to live on the streets of India with the sick and the dying. Let’s go back even farther -- Isaiah the prophet -- he was born into an extremely wealthy family. He could have had anything he wanted in life. What did he choose? The life of an outcast, scorned and persecuted because of his obedience to the calling God put upon his heart.
No talk of creature comforts in the bible. In fact Jesus tells us to give it all away -- better -- sell it to the wealthy and use the money for good. It sounds pretty crazy! But let me tell you something from my real life: Our church is beginning 3-year capital campaign. My husband and I have been giving faithfully, on a weekly basis, what we feel is a sacrificial amount of money for our “regular” operating budget. We prayerfully arrived at an additional sum to donate towards this capital campaign. Since we’ve made our pledge, both my husband and I have been told of (near) future opportunities for increased income with our current employers. Coincidence? I don’t think so. Will it actually happen? Probably. But that’s not the point! We both take it as a sign that we have done the right thing. Such a small thing, though, in light of all the need in the world.
My prayer today is that you spend your time, your money, your prayers, and your life in spreading the good news of what awaits us in the next world. And that you work with me to figure out a way to have the best of both worlds without shortchanging the one to come!
Mary
Perfect Love/Perfect Power
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Isaiah 40:1-2, 10-14
1. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 10. Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11. He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. 12. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? 13. Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as his counselor has instructed him? 14. Whom did he consult for his enlightenment, and who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?
I began in Psalms this morning and was referred to a passage in Isaiah. This is truly one of my favorite books of the Bible! The language is almost hypnotic and just about every life circumstance in which we might find ourselves is addressed in this book--just like the Psalms. I especially am drawn to Chapter 40 because it demonstrates some of the many faces of God. Comfort my people. Speak tenderly. The Lord comes with might, and his arm rules for him.
I am both awed and joyful that a God of such power to create the earth with the mere utterance of a few words, is also the God who loves me tenderly and gently. I guess perfect love is only possible from one who possesses “perfect power.” What example do we have from our God? Love with all our hearts. Live life acknowledging and declaring the greatness of our God and source of all love. Rejoice that we have received the Lord’s hand double for all our sins.
Luke uses much of chapter 40 in his gospel. Christ, of course is the epitome of this perfect love/perfect power. And much of Isaiah does foretell of the Messiah--not just chapter 40! Isaiah gave up wealth and social standing to obey God. He was scorned and ridiculed. People probably thought he was quite mad! But he was obedient to the God who measured waters in the hollow of his hand, trusting that same God would protect and sustain him.
We have the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecies in our Risen Lord. Our sins are already covered over by the sacrifice of the perfect one who became our sin for us--not just our sin, the sin of every person who ever lived and who will live in the future -- your sin -- my sin -- the sin of anyone who ever cheated on their taxes, committed adultery, lied, stole, assaulted, killed. Each and every sin. Think about that! Every evil act ever committed since the beginning of time - Adam and Even in the garden, you and me, and the last one left alive at the end of time. Every sin.
I wonder if some are unable to believe because their lives have been so full of pain and disappointment, despair and hardship. I wonder if the God of perfect love is too much for them to accept because they have never met Him in the kindness of another, or seen His face reflected in the eyes of a stranger. I cannot imagine a life without the perfect love of God to sustain it. My heart breaks for those who do not/cannot believe. Our task is to be Christ for our world. That is the only way there is any chance for hearts to be touched and lives to be changed.
We wonder what’s wrong with the world today. Not enough God, is my opinion. Not enough fear and trembling of the all-powerful creator of heaven and earth. Not enough trust in the loving tenderness of His mercy. Not enough faith in His promise for us, proven to be trustworthy by the sacrifice of Jesus.
My prayer today is that you show the world Christ through your words and your actions. And that you extend the Lord’s hand that saves to someone in your life who needs to hear the Good News.
Mary
Feasting on the Bread of Life
John 6:27-35
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." Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 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. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."
I can relate to any writing about food. Bread or otherwise! I have had a life-long love affair with food, so I have almost 50 years of experience on this subject! You’re thinking well, everyone needs to eat, so of course it’s not unreasonable to like food. But I have more than a passing interest. I have had a real love affair with food -- to the point that food has at times become the most important thing in my life. In all honesty, it became my comfort, and shared in all my celebrations. It became my support system and the focal point of some of my daily plans -- do I have enough “snacks?”
It is only because of my intentional efforts to extricate myself from this adulterous relationship with food that I am sharing something so personal. It has been adulterous because food has often taken the place of God in my life for many, many years. Rather than turn to God when I was stressed, I reached for something salty and crunchy. When I was depressed or down, ice cream. When I was in a celebratory mode - sugar -- in any form. And chocolate became a staple -- a life-line.
Several weeks ago I began a class on the Celebration of Discipline (book by Richard Foster). The chapter on fasting was not sounding very appealing to me. I could not conceive of such a thing! But through God’s grace, I did fast the day of class. And it was one of the most powerful experiences I can recall! I was very intentional, and planned out the day, with the help of the book’s author. I did not focus on how deprived I was, but on God’s ability to sustain me throughout the day. I was determined to make it a day focused on God. And I felt so joyful! Of course I didn’t keel over in starvation! Of course I was hungry. Really hungry! And my stomach protested mightily! I admidetly have not been as joyful on subsequent fasting days, but am committed to this discipline, until I learn all God has to reveal to me.!
Something happened that day to my heart. I moved from the “Israelites surviving on manna” mindset to “feasting on the bread of life.” I have been fasting 1 day a week ever since. I do that because on the days in between, I still have a tendency to fall back into that “I need some chocolate” mode, or “I really want french fries to supplement the salad I brought from home” mindset. I don’t do either as often now, because I am so much more aware of that tendency. I try not to be hard on myself when I succumb to food I don’t really need, because I know I am overcoming a lifetime of loving an idol. And it will not happen over night! Or over a week or month. I hope it will become an ingrained habit to go to scripture first!
My prayer today is that you examine the idols in your life, asking God to help you cast them aside. And that you rejoice in feasting on the bread of life, on whom the Father has set his seal.
Mary
Future Glory
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Romans 8:18, 28-30
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 28. We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. 29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. 30. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
This passage uses past-tense -- predestined, called, justified, glorified. It’s as if it has already happened! And in eternity, the future has already occurred! Some of my friends who are much smarter than I have talked about quantum spirituality--I think it refers to the fact that there are alternate/parallel universes where everything is going on that is going on in ours--but at different times(?) Those with a clearer understanding of it all are probably wincing right now!
Anyway--time in God’s view is not the same ours! We’ve all read that a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day to God. That’s how God “thinks.” That’s how God views us and our lives. God views reality as if we have always been there in eternity with him, because we were thought up a long, long time ago. And we remain with God into infinity, since God is eternal. Think about that! Our “essence” has always been “out there” in the universe!
I can almost understand why some religions believe in reincarnation--or perhaps they
hope in reincarnation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had the opportunity to relive our lives over and over again applying the lessons we learned from the previous life? But Christ took care of all that for us! He lived the one perfect life so that we could all be perfected. What an amazing freedom! What an amazing gift to receive! We don’t need to earn heaven -- the price has already been paid!
So where do we fit in the picture? I think we have strive for the perfection of Christ out of gratitude. We don’t need to keep coming back over and over again ‘til we “get it right” because Jesus already did it for us. So we strive for that perfection in the finite lifetime that we have been given. We do it for the pure joy of it--knowing full well what waits for us when our current bodies are in the ground. And we wait -- with hope, with expectation, with unbridled joy -- for our reincarnation as children of God--perfected in eternity -- in the past and in the future because of Christ.
I wish I could articulate these thoughts more clearly! I am humbled to think about how very small and microscopic we must appear from heaven, and yet how precious and important we are to the Creator of this earth, this universe, and every speck of dust in creation!
My prayer today is that you live out your calling as a child of God. And that you rejoice in the future glory that has already been planned and is waiting for you in eternity.
Mary
Songs of Everlasting Joy
Isaiah 55:12 NIV
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
John 15:11 NASB
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Psalm 105:43-45 NKJV
He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness. He gave them the lands of the Gentiles, And they inherited the labor of the nations, that they might observe His statutes and keep His laws.
Isaiah 51:11 NLT
Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness.
Why in the world would we refuse and reject a God who does this for us? We are his chosen. He brought us our of captivity. He hold our life in his hands. And yet, we find ourselves downcast and fearful, lonely and adrift, anxious and angry.
God wants us to be joyful! He wants us to celebrate our status as his beloved, his chosen, his special creations -- so special he made us last of all his creations -- he saved the best for last. I think about man sometimes like a “renegade computer” or a “master race of robot” that overtakes mankind. They evolve to such a point that they have innate intelligence, and view mankind as so illogical and foolish, that they’re compelled to seize control.
God must feel great sorrow at our rejection of him as our master. He must weep when we stubbornly refuse to accept the perfect gift of his son. After all he’s done, we still don’t get that what he asks in return is so small in comparison. Obedience. Trust. That’s it! Easy? Not at all! But simple. Trust and Obey. Be joyful in our obedience and at peace in our trust. God will provide for us. He will protect us if we ask for his help. He will sustain us and makes a place for us in heaven with him. How can we not be joyful at that prospect?
Of course, life is full of stress and struggle. Very few people we encounter are joyful. In fact most of them are pretty unhappy and they want us to join them in their misery. Our joy is too uncomfortable for them! I have always had a tendency to be “negative.” I have allowed myself to get worked up over things that really don’t matter in the big scheme of things, but at the moment are terribly inconvenient. Someone’s thoughtlessness, another’s rudeness, and another’s lack of respect can send us on a rampage, if we allow ourselves to be seduced by self-pity and self-importance!
I started some time ago listening exclusively to Christian music in my car and at work. It helps me keep a positive attitude. I’ve developed a reputation as a “hummer” and it’s not a bad thing! I’ve worked places in the past where my humming was “distressing” to co-workers because they were in the “whoa is me” mindset. Someone else being joyful felt insulting to them. Sorry! Not! They didn’t “get it.” And it wasn’t always easy for me. But I remained joyful in the Lord through my intentional efforts to do so.
And in the job I have now, my co-workers are pleased that I am joyful -- as demonstrated by my humming -- even in the midst of the occasional chaos! Sometimes our testimony falls on deaf ears. Sometimes it is embraced. Regardless of how it is received, we must offer it. When we think of our amazing God, we cannot be silent for very long!
I hope today you hum your way through rush hour traffic, an “emergency” that developed over the weekend, grumpy coworkers, and sleepy family member’s protests about Monday mornings. And that you keep humming -- even when others look at you askance!
Mary
A Life Worthy of the Prize
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Hebrews 10:22-25
22. let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24. and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25. not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
My NIV translation of verse 24 says, “let us consider how to spur one another on.” As I read through Hebrews this morning, I had a new appreciation for the amount of good advice and the encouraging exhortations the author gives to the recipients of this letter! It’s just packed full of good news and reminders of the “new covenant!” We need this type of encouragement today, just as much as the believers of the first century did. Probably more so today!
Really, though, people haven’t changed all that much in all this time. The rich still get richer at the expense of the poor. The poor continue to live in virtual slavery to “the system.” And everywhere we turn, “the world” tells us to grab hold of whatever we can, right now, and hold on tight -- at any cost. Spend your valuable time making money so you can acquire and accumulate more and more. Why on earth would you spend your Sundays in church, when you can be on the golf course, making your next big deal?
The time of Christ is at hand. We must diligently hold fast to our faith. We must weigh every decision, consider every choice we make in light of our faith. We must live our lives within the new covenant won for us at a cost too great to imagine or comprehend! And more--we must encourage each other and lift others up in their journey. We must live a life worthy of the prize that awaits us in heaven.
Hebrews 12:2-3, 14-15,
2. looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 14. Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15. See to it that no one fail to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" spring up and cause trouble, and by it the many become defiled;
How do we live our lives day to day without faltering or losing hope? By keeping our eye on the cross. We are citizens not only of our own family, of our workplace, of our congregations, but also citizens of the world. We dwell among a world of millions and millions of others -- which may make us seem small and insignificant and powerless in the big scheme of things. But we don’t act alone! We act on behalf of our Savior!
With his strength, power, might, love, encouragement and faithfulness, we can share Him and His truth with all the world. Again, how we live our lives matters. We are Christ to the world. When I think about that, it really makes me watch what I say, and even what I think. All is not lost. Don’t get discouraged! God already gave us the only thing we need to live a life worthy of the sacrifice of Christ: Christ himself!
I hope today you will think about your role as a citizen of the world. And that you will see yourself as valued and valuable in bringing about the kingdom of heaven at the end of time.
Mary
Awesome!
Philippians 2:12-18
12. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13. for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15. that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16. holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17. Even if I am to be poured as a libation upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Fear and trembling bring to mind two different possibilities for me. First, the fear and trembling when I think of God’s mighty power. Second, the fear and trembling when I see what God is doing in me and with me. I guess the one word that describes both would be awe. There aren’t that many things that leave us awestruck any more, are there? I imagine the Grand Canyon would be one -- I’ve never been, but hope to one day. When my family lived in Montana, right at the start of the Continental Divide, I spent a great deal of time in awe of the mountains, the sky, the landscape--it was beautiful and certainly awe-inspiring. But I don’t remember too many of those “stop dead in your tracks, unable to fully absorb/comprehend, give me a minute to wrap my brain around this” experiences.
Moses had one when he came upon that burning bush. When Shadrach, Meschack and Abednego were thrown into the fire and didn’t burn up -- that was a “fear and trembling” moment for the authorities who ordered them burned alive! When someone tells me they were touched or comforted by something I said or did -- I am awed by the power of God working in me to touch another’s life. I am intentional -- when I’m line with God’s design for my life -- in encouraging others. Encouragement is one of my spiritual gifts, and it comes very natural to me. My co-workers have labeled me “the mom.”
After typing the phrase “when I’m in line with God’s design for my life” I realize the very fact that God would even bother to have a design for my life -- and for yours -- is awe-inspiring. He cares about us, so very much, each and every one of us, that he does go to the trouble of designing a custom-made life for us. Full of awe and wonder, fear and trembling, hope and joy. We are to be the shining lights of hope and love to a world that lives without a single awe-inspiring vision or moment.
We now live in a world where a whole generation has never known life without a microwave oven, a cell phone, e-mail, ipods, cable television. Man walking on the moon? Ancient history. How is Jesus relevant to a world without awe? How do we make the cross relevant today? How do we live a life worthy of the gift of grace God gave to us when his son died on the cross? How do we live blameless and innocent lives in a world that is crooked and perverse?
Don’t get me wrong! I’m not bemoaning “the world.” I’m not saying that nothing excites me or inspires me! I’m in front of a computer right now and getting ready to post this blog via the internet! That’s all an amazing concept to me! But I know that this awesome, powerful vehicle can also be used for evil, for harm.
God sent his son to earth to become one of us. He lived a life in line with the plan laid out for him -- in submission and obedience. He became our sin -- not just yours and mine -- all sin that ever was or ever will be. And it was nailed to the cross with him that day 2000 years ago. And on that first Easter morning, he rose from sin and death into a new life.
Now that still inspires awe in me. To be so small and weak and full of sin. To be loved so much by a God who doesn’t
need me to do anything, but makes a special plan, just for me, because he
wants me. That’s awe-inspiring.
I hope today you are awe-struck that God has made a special plan for your life -- uniquely designed just for you. And that you shine as a light for the world that is in desperate need of awe!
Mary
To Whom Shall We Go?
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John 6:47-51, 58-69
47. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. 48. I am the bread of life. 49. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. 51. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." 58. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever." 59. This he said in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. 60. Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" 61. But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at it, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? 62. Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending where he was before? 63. It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64. But there are some of you that do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. 65. And he said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father." 66. After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. 67. Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" 68. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69. and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
“This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Wow! I have found myself feeling that way in my faith journey so often. I am faced with a situation where I must make a decision and the choice may be obvious, but it is not easy. I reach a crossroads in my career and must decide the path to take -- money, “getting by,” having lots of “perks,” but having to compromise my beliefs; or giving up the “worldly” perks to seek a job where I can be true to my Christian values. Life is full of “hard” choices. Even deciding how to rear our children--do we attempt to make them “worldly” and teach them to survive in an ungodly society, or do we instill in them the values we hold dear -- compassion, love, peace, mercy. It’s tough.
On the occasions where I do choose the “right” path (don’t get me wrong--I’m far from perfect and too often have chosen the “path of least resistance!"), I am sometimes questioned. “Why would you give up _____?” My response is the same as that of Simon Peter in response to Jesus’ question about whether or not he wants to abandon Jesus. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; 69. and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."
Jesus changed all the rules. He changed the entire dynamic of human existence! And we are ever challenged to live counter to our innate desire for immediate gratification and instant satisfaction. We want all of our wants and needs met --
now. We don’t want to wait for “eternity.” And yet, how can we make any other choice? A dear Christian brother commented recently that he just thinks Jesus is “irresistible.” I agree! The world may pull us, push us, prod us, entice us and try to lure us away. But in the end what Jesus offers, who Jesus is, his message . . . well . . . it’s irresistible!
So the decisions become easier with practice. The choices are less threatening and challenging, once we make the first few “right ones.” You see we not only have Jesus as our guide and model for living, he left us the Holy Spirit -- I sometimes think the Holy Spirit is my “conscience” helping me discern the right path--then leading me back to the irresistible Savior.
I hope today you find the wisdom and the courage to make the “right choices.” And that you cling to the words of Christ, “the words of eternal life.”
Mary
