Worship for the Weekday
You First, And Have a Drink of Water
.
Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.
Hebrews 13:1-3
Continue to love each other with true Christian love. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.
Galatians 5:13-14
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Now just about everyone has heard the "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" quote from Jesus himself. The passages from Romans and Hebrews expand upon or give examples of how that love might manifest itself. The scripture tells us that we are to do more than just think of others lovingly. We are to walk along side them. We are to experience their sadness, pain, hopelessness, as well as their joy and peace as if we were one with them. I don’t know about you, but that’s a pretty tall order in my book!
At a conference I attended a few weeks ago, one of the speakers discussed the topic of love – this agape love that is described in the scripture here. He said that true love meant putting the other first. Not equal with you – first. Even if it means you go without – without food, without a warm winter coat, without life itself. That is true Christ-like love. He gave us several “assignments” for when we went back into the world, and one of them was to look each person we encounter – strangers or friends – in the eye and silently say to them, “You first. And have a drink of water.” We become the least so that the other can be built up. We go thirsty so the other can be quenched. We offer our love, then we give ourselves.
This “giving away” our need to be first, is so empowering! Doesn’t that seem like an oxymoron? Relinquishing our strength allows God’s strength to enter in. That’s how we endure hardship so others may be at ease. Freely offering our love allows the love of God to enter us and become even greater love—to give away even more love. Offering the best and giving away even the last of everything we have and everything we are affords us the honor of growing more like Christ. And the closer we grow to Him, the more we want to draw others to Him.
Of course, all of this is counter to what the world tells us. And it is a challenge to live this way in a world that views this kind of thinking and living as a weakness. But Satan had that same error in judgment of Jesus in the desert, didn’t he?
My prayer today is that you will give away little bits and pieces of yourself to those who really need it. And that you will live out the greatest commandment in all you do.
Mary
An Acceptable Sacrifice
.
Psalm 51
1. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. 5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice. 9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. 12. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee. 14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance. 15. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16. For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. 17. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18. Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 19. then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.
I have verse 17 underscored and highlighted in my bible. And every so often, I start thinking God has broken my spirit adequately for my life to be an acceptable sacrifice. I feel as though I have worked hard to rid myself of sinful behavior – though I ever fall short of the ideal. I believe I am acting in obedience, though I rely too often on my own will as a “fall back.” When I woke up this morning, at 3 am (because our dogs decided they needed to go “outside”) I was aroused from a dream that I cannot now remember. But verse 10 was on my mind and I remember reciting a couple of times before I went back to bed. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”
I knew immediately why I was reciting the Psalm, and why I searched for it this morning to reflect upon. In His goodness and wisdom, God has placed amazing, loving individuals in my life who help me see the “growth areas” in myself. God has stripped away so many layers of my resistance to Him. He has taken ownership of so much of my heart and soul. I realize, though, that so much and so many is not enough. He wants it all—every ounce and every square inch; every thought and every dream; every deed and every decision. My husband has commented on my bent toward “road rage” as we’ve commuted together several days. And in a situation recently when a hurtful situation from the past came back to visit me, he reminded me of Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Regarding this same situation, several others were involved with me. Each of us felt we were “right.” Beyond that, some of us felt “wrongly accused.” Aren’t there many psalms about how to deal with that scenario? Didn’t Jesus address it as well? And last night when I told a dear sister in Christ that I felt I needed to get two of the parties involved together, she gently asked me, “Why?” She told me that one of the qualities she loves in me is my ardent desire to have everyone in my world at peace, happy—no dissention or disputes. And she followed up that compliment with a statement that very gently and kindly reminded me that it really is not my business how each of the parties are dealing with the situation.
And I had to ask myself whether I wanted them to work out this discord for the sake of harmony and peace in my life, or was I concerned for their souls. Both, is the answer. But I realized that I will not be broken or contrite or “clean” enough until my only concern is for them alone. So God is at work in yet another area of my being! He loves me so much He won’t just let me be. And God loves you that much too. If you are struggling with something in your life, and you feel overwhelmed by situations in which you find yourself, you may want to ask God to show you the areas of your life that need to be given over to Him. He will take them from you and replace them with an unimaginable peace. He will restore to you the joy of God’s salvation, and uphold you with a willing spirit.
My prayer today is that you ask God to create in you a clean heart. And that you offer up to Him a broken spirit and contrite heart, knowing He will lift you up for your offering.
Mary
Lay Down Your Worries
.
Philippians 4:4-7
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My translation substitutes forbearance with gentleness. My hand-written notes indicate that what is meant is ‘justice—but more’, a Christ-like consideration for others. At one time, I interpreted these verses to indicate that we should rejoice in the Lord because, if we prayed hard enough and long enough, and with a sincere enough heart, God would grant us our request. I didn’t feel that if a request was not granted, that meant the requester was sinful and was being punished – including myself. I guess I just felt that what I was asking for wasn’t meant to be. In the case of my unanswered prayers, I guess I felt what I was requesting was just not God’s will, and left it at that.
As I read these words today, I understand the bigger picture here. We are to rejoice in the Lord always because of His love and mercy, and especially because of His grace! We are to present every request to Him, every wish, every desire, every decision—small and large. When God is the center of our lives, everything else will fall in to place—everything! We don’t need to sit up worrying about things. We don’t need to fret about whether or not our requests are heard. We don’t need to expend energy struggling with whether the outcome of a situation will be “happy.” It will be in the best interest of our souls and of our eternal life. That is the God’s perspective.
The Lord is at hand. He is ever-present in our lives, in our existence. He was present even before our existence! As our creator, He could never wish us ill or harm. That doesn’t mean we won’t suffer, and that we won’t struggle in our lives. It means very simply that God will be with us through it all—good, bad and everything in between. God doesn’t cause us to suffer, rather, He travels through it with it. Because He took the human form of Christ, He feels our hurts, our heartaches, our disappointments and betrayals, just as much as he rejoices when we rejoice.
Paul implored rejoicing here, though, as a constant state of gratitude in the certainty of God’s love and care; and his ever present watchfulness over and involvement in our lives. Yes, I do believe He is intimately involved. It from the perspective of heaven though. He sees our lives in view of eternity and has already known and forgotten and been reminded again of every instant of our lives. We rejoice even when we don’t think our prayers have been answered. Because we trust and believe that God has something else in mind for us. We don’t always know what that is, or how it will play out in the big scheme of things, but we trust and believe nonetheless.
When we pray, we are wise to ask God to use us as He wills. To make us instruments in the grand orchestra of life He has already composed. We can lay down our worries and anxieties at the foot of the cross. And then the prayer we lift is “Thank you. Please use me as you will.” We rejoice because once we have made our requests known to God, we can sleep in peace, live in joy and share the Good News of Jesus Christ with reckless abandon!
My prayer today is that you celebrate the lavish, overwhelming grace of your God and Creator. And that you rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again, Rejoice!
Mary
Apply Yourself to Good Deeds
.
Titus 3:1-8
1. Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for any honest work, 2. to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men. 3. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by men and hating one another; 4. but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5. he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, 6. which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7. so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life. 8. The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I still find myself falling in to all the behaviors and attitudes Titus is reminded to avoid! I guess in a perfect world, I could live up to this standard of living. If only the “authorities” I voted for won elections, and then did only what I wanted them to do. . . If my boss would give me a raise every year, and promote me often, and always thank me for my hard work, and give me the credit for the work I did . . . If my husband always did what I asked him to do – immediately – and in exactly in the way I envision . . . If my kids adored me and obeyed me instantly and with joy. If evil people never did evil acts . . . I think I’ve more than made my point!
I am still sometimes foolish and disobedient in the choices and decisions I make. I am much too easily and readily led astray from what God intends me to do – because it’s too hard – and it requires me to trust HIM-not myself, not the world. I am judgmental and susceptible to yielding to various desires and pleasures way too often and with too much facility. You may not have any of these shortcomings . . . come on – surely you admit to at least one! And it’s okay. I mean, it’s not, but you and I are both made righteous in our sinfulness. Praise God for His mercy and grace!
I guess the only difference between those who are saved and those who are not, is that we know we’re wretched and broken, and also beloved and precious. I can’t think of a higher honor or a more compelling reason to attempt to live as Jesus commanded and demonstrated for us. Paul, if anyone ever did, understood what it meant to be saved! He was unusual though, in that he relished and even welcomed hardship, imprisonment, and ultimately crucifixion because of his faith. That faith was so important and precious to him, he didn’t care what he was forced to endure on this earth, in this life. He was so full of gratitude and abject humility at being chosen by God, he was so thankful and felt so much joy and was in such awe of his own salvation, he wanted everyone to share in his joy and gratitude—and even more—his hope!
I’ve been awake just about 2 hours and I’ve already blown it! Wow. Have I got work to do on myself! I’m going to try to start anew, right now, as I prepare for work and go out into the world. It will be even more challenging once I go out my front door—but I’m going to attempt to live up to Paul’s exhortations and be “careful to apply [myself] to good deeds.”
My prayer today is that you relish your status as an heir in the hope of eternal life. And that you strive to live in the way Jesus taught and modeled.
Mary
The End is not Yet
.
Matthew 24:3-8
3. As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" 4. And Jesus answered them, "Take heed that no one leads you astray. 5. For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. 6. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8. all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.
Psalm 57:1,2 NKJV
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.
Is it just me, or when you listen to the news do you sometimes wonder if “this is it”? How many disasters can take place; how many people can die of starvation; how many years can a country survive with no rainfall? Who is the latest “candidate” for the role of Anti-Christ? My questions can continue, on and on. Is this the end of the age? Are we entering into the “end times”?
We may tend to think that way. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who wonders about this! Jesus tells us that we should not be “distracted” by all that is going on. We must do the work of disciples! He doesn’t want us to stop our work to worry and fret and spread alarm about all these things! We are to do something about them! Vote! Join a mission team! Pray! Do whatever you can! But don’t let your alarm, and especially your belief in the “end-times prophets” of today make you feel helpless and hopeless! Even if it’s true—that Christ will come again soon—we can’t just sit back and wait for it to happen! We had better be busy doing the Lord’s work at that last moment of life on this earth as we know it!
Not that we are to be complacent, and believe that we still have plenty of time. I really relate to Scarlett O’Hara, the main character in
Gone With the Wind. Her famous line is “I’ll worry about that tomorrow.” I’m “famous” for saying, “After _______, I’ll do what I need to do.” Or, “As soon as _____ happens, I’ll be able to do what I should.” I realize that is a risky attitude! Because, while I’m convinced the world isn’t going to end in my lifetime – it could end today! I will so regret having the last words out of my mouth before the rapture be “after” or “as soon as.”
Thousands of years ago, when the Psalms were recorded, man’s deep desire for refuge in a loving and faithful God is apparent. I believe we need that refuge and comfort even more today. Most of us aren’t even aware of the famines and wars, impending wars, greed, corruption, ethnic cleansing and HIV/AIDS epidemics. We aren’t informed about sexual predators and we don’t understand teachers having sex with students, or the million other evils in this world. We truly do need something to believe in—to cling to. And God is available now, just as He was in David’s time. David called out to God even before he had been given Jesus!
We have been given a Savior who transcends any evil of which man can conceive. God demonstrated the depth and breadth and height of His love for us when He took human form and allowed himself to be nailed to the Cross. We have no need to be afraid for our souls. He promised us on that day over 2000 years ago that we are His and that He loves us beyond explanation. I, for one, hope I am busy doing what He has tasked me to do when that final trumpet sounds!
My prayer today is that you lift a prayer of hope and healing for a hurting and desperate world. And that you find comfort in the shadow of the wings of your mighty and loving God.
Mary
We are His Witnesses
.
Isaiah 44:1-8
1. "But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! 2. Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. 3. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring. 4. They shall spring up like grass amid waters, like willows by flowing streams. 5. This one will say, `I am the Lord's,' another will call himself by the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, `The Lord's,' and surname himself by the name of Israel." 6. Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 7. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. 8. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."
God establishes himself as the great provider. He supplies us with everything required to live. More than that He has been the provider for His people since Adam. He is the God of history. Wouldn’t it be logical to then assume He is the God of the present – and the future? We are chosen. That makes us very special – precious in the eyes of our Creator.
In a world hungry for something of substance and meaning to cling to, only God offers us hope. When the whole world cries out for something to believe in, God reminds us, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.” This one, true God will make a way for us even when it seems that what we are experiencing is impossible to bear. He makes a way for us through every experience in our lives, good, bad, and everything in between – the every day, day in and day out of life. He’s there. He ordained them. He knew what was to come even before he formed us.
God also assures us we have nothing to fear in this life. He is The God, the I AM and that is all we need! He’s already arranged for us live with Him in heaven – we just need to live the best life we can live here on earth. We are to bide our time by making the most of the time. We are to declare to as many others as possible the promise and the home of this Alpha and Omega God we worship. And of the promises He makes, and will never break.
We know He can do anything He says He’ll do because He has proven it throughout history. I know of three very specific situations where He acted quite deliberately in the lives of people who had no way of knowing they were going to need to be in a certain place at a certain time. In two cases, women were led to join covenant groups. Within weeks after joining, 1 lost a brother, the other woman’s mother began to experience serious health problems. They both said they could not have made it without the support of these groups. The third is even more amazing. A family who formerly attended our church realized one Sunday morning they needed to begin attending our church again. Within weeks after their return, one of the family members was diagnosed with cancer. One year later, the individual is cancer free. Again, God led this family back to the love, support, and prayer of our congregation before they even were aware of just how very much they would need us.
Coincidences? I don’t think so! Nor do any of these three. This was God, announcing from of old the things to come. And my faith is strengthened by these examples. That’s the “bonus” in it all! God not only acts in individual lives, He uses those actions to minister to others, and to strengthen their faith.
My prayer today is that you find comfort in the God Who Is, Who Was, and Who Will Be. And that your life may be a witness to others.
Mar
“It is I”
.
Matthew 14:22-33
22. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24. but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27. But immediately he spoke to them, saying, "Take heart, it is I; have no fear." 28. And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water." 29. He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; 30. but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." 31. Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
I am so much like Peter! “Lord, call me to you!” Then in the midst of it all, “Whoa! Save me! I’m in this over my head.” And for that matter, I have a tendency to be like the other disciples! I can’t believe it when I see Christ with my own eyes, hear him with my own ears, feel him in my own heart and soul. “It is who? What do you mean don’t be afraid! We’re about to drown here!” Fortunately, God’s patience and mercy extend beyond all space and time to wait for that light bulb to light up over my head! “Oh, you mean, “I AM!” Well, that’s different! In fact my Bible notes indicate that “it is I” could also be translated “I AM.”
Of course, Jesus had been telling his companions, over and over, who he was! He had been explaining it to them, methodically, with much care and selecting his words very precisely. But as in my case, sometimes I need more than words to inform me. Too often, like Peter, I believe, but . . . just in case, I need proof. Even once we believe, we ask for one more bit of proof, because so often our faith is difficult. We are challenged every day to live out our faith. Christ bids us come to Him, and the world says, we can’t walk on water. So we need a little help mustering up the courage to follow Him.
For me, the Bible has been a treasure trove of history of mankind and a recounting of God’s mercy and patience. And in the New Testament, God demonstrates so much more – his unconditional love – through Christ. This past Holy Week, several television programs were on that attempted “debunk” many of the tales of Jesus. I listen, because some of the programs are interesting. I also listen because I feel need to be informed about what others are saying and thinking. I don’t care what they say. It doesn’t matter to me. I can’t explain why. I’m not naïve and gullible. (Well, okay I do have that tendency.) You see, it doesn’t matter to me if not a single word in the Bible is historically accurate. Because even if not, the words contained therein have a power that can only be explained one way!
The lessons are true. The examples may be fictional. I don’t think so, but it is possible. And it doesn’t matter. God speaks to me every time I open a Bible. And I feel His love, His mercy, and I am ever awed by His grace—extended to us through Jesus. Jesus is the I AM. I understand that in a new way this Easter season.
My prayer is that will live as one of the Easter People. And that you will take some time to read the words that reveal the true and living God, not only of history but of the future.
Mary
Written in Heaven
.
Luke 10:1, 17-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. 17. The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" 18. And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. 20. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
After Jesus had chosen the apostles, he traveled with them, performing miracles, and “establishing himself” in the geographic regions around Capernaum, which served as his “home base.” His ministry grew, though, and so he selected others (70, here, some translations indicate 72) to go on ahead of him to prepare the way. They were apparently given the power to heal and to perform some miracles, which would have gotten the attention of the town’s people witnessing them! Jesus instructs them to find a home in which to stay and establish it as their home base – so they’ll be easy to find when the people come looking for them.
He sent them out two by two into the countryside. I imagine some of the reasoning was practical – a lone person on the road was vulnerable to robbery, etc. Also traveling together and working together made a lighter load. They had companionship and support and encouragement in their work by working together. Also, in this time, the testimony of one man may not be believed, but that of two was generally required for the statements to be considered valid. So two men, testifying to the same thing provided more validity to what they were saying and doing.
By the time Jesus entered a town, some of these 70/72 had already performed miracles, and preached about Jesus, and let folks know he was on the way. No wonder as soon as word got out that he had arrived in town, throngs of people ran to him, and ran after him. And once they saw him, touched him, listened to his words, they must have been forever changed. Their whole lives must have started swirling around them as they cast off their old life and opened themselves to the healing love of this savior/man. He must have emanated electricity just standing still! Imagine how it must have felt to have him touch you!
Naturally, this original “army of God” was ecstatic when they returned to give Jesus a status report. Probably as they traveled back from various towns and villages, they passed through others that had been visited by their fellow disciples. They must have heard the “buzz” about healings and driving out of demons, and the excited anticipation of the one who had even more powers than these odd men from far away. And the disciples felt elated to have generated such excitement! And to have been given such power—to drive out demons!
And Jesus tells them they did a great job! They were obedient and their mission had been successfully completed. He told them not to be excited about the power to drive out demons, though. Be excited that your name is written in heaven. Jesus declares that He was their as/with God when Satan fell from grace. And to have power over him is certainly an honor. A greater honor, though, is to be recognized as a child of God. To know that your place in heaven is guaranteed. Wow! That is reason to rejoice!
We are not saved because of our good deeds. We do good deeds because we are saved. And we rejoice in our labor, because of our certain reward.
My prayer today is that you declare the good news to everyone you meet. And that you rejoice in that commission because you are certain of the future in heaven.
Mary
HE IS NOT THERE!
.
Matthew 28:1-9
1. Now after the sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. 2. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. 3. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. 4. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you." 8. So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
Rest In Him
.
Psalm 100
1. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! 2. Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3. Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! 5. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
This is one of my favorite Psalms. Anytime the instruction is to make a joyful noise . . . I’m right there—I can’t carry a tune in a bucket – but I can sing joyfully! My kids get pretty embarrassed when I clap and move around and sometimes, I come close to dancing during some of the songs sung in worship! I love music that much especially when it is to praise God! Many of the psalms call us to rejoice, to be glad, thank God. This particular psalm is short and to the point. It summarizes the reason we are to be joyful “in the LORD.” Notice I used all caps—designating THE LORD – the highest, mightiest, one and only true God.
If you are not familiar with the Old Testament, and if you would like to have a broader frame of reference for much of the New Testament, the Psalms would provide that for you. They’re almost like an encapsulation of everything that went on – beginning with Genesis and forward. Some of the psalms relate victories in battles, won by the faithful. Some talk about the adventures of one or more biblical characters. Some talk about various emotions, and stages of a faith journey. I have turned to some that seem to express sadness and hopelessness, because of my own feelings at that point in time. And it’s interesting to realize that, because one of the speakers at a conference I attended last weekend said that the psalms are really read “backwards.” They express our own sense of isolation and our distancing ourselves from God. And he’s right, because, of course, God never leaves us – we make the decision to stray from Him.
I have heard many of the psalms put to music – and I didn’t realize they were psalms at the time, until I read them in the Bible! They are that powerful! People who have read the words here, are compelled to put them to music and share them with the world. In fact, many of the psalms probably were originally sung – either by one person or as a responsive reading – with a leader and the congregation. Today, though, I am right here in the middle of Psalm 100! I’ve still got “issues” and “challenges” in my life. I know I always will. And I know without doubt, or question, that God is in the midst of it all. He made us. He loves us. His love for us endures forever.
When I remember that, when I “breathe it in” a few times; when I own that truth, then I can rest in Him. I can be reassured that someone/something higher, stronger, more powerful than myself is really in charge. And I am so glad because I grow weary with “running the show” all the time. I wear myself out orchestrating my life! I run myself ragged being the “go to” person for everyone in my life. So God waits patiently, through all time and space, for me to rest in Him. And for that, I do make joyful noise to the Lord!
My prayer today is that you will read a psalm, a chapter in the Bible, a devotional reading, or just sit quietly focusing on our amazing, unspeakably loving and caring God. And that you will rest in Him as you travel through your day.
Mary
Great Crowds Followed Him
.
Matthew 4:23-25
23. And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people. 24. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25. And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.
Matthew 9:20-22
20. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; 21. for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." 22. Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.
Matthew 12:13
Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, whole like the other.
Matthew 11:28-30
28. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Jesus spent a great deal of his time healing people, didn’t he? Everywhere Jesus went, great crowds followed him. Word had spread that this man had great power – to heal the sick and raise the dead! I’m pretty sure I’d be among that throng, running after him, following him to see what he was going to do next, and struggling to work up the courage to ask for my own healing.
That’s not really why he came to earth, though. That was not his primary mission. That was an “aside” while he strove to reach his goal. It was necessary to physically heal people so they would be drawn to him and trust him. Then he could start to work on their souls! There was, as they say, “a method to the madness!” Jesus didn’t come to restore a shriveled hand, or to stop a woman’s bleeding. He didn’t do all those miracles for the fame and glory of it all. He did them so that he could reach us at our deepest place of need, meet that need, and allow us to begin to understand that He wants our hearts and our souls.
And to prove how much he loves us, he died on a cross. He took all our sins, all our brokenness and shame, all our regret and our pain, and he carried them to that cross. He made our burden light, by taking on that burden himself. He loves us so much, that he considered crucifixion an “easy yoke” in order to redeem us. He confined himself to human form so that we could be assured he understands every heartache; that he has tasted the saltiness of tears; and felt the stabbing agony of being betrayed.
More than that, He allowed his hands and feet to be pierced by wooden nails. He wore a crown of thorns, and his last words were uttered to beseech His Father’s forgiveness for us. For you. For me. For all of us. He laid down his divinity and took on the form of flesh and blood and bone. He became like us – but so much more. He became
all of us and
each of us.
My prayer today is that you’ll lay down your burdens. And take up the easy yoke of Jesus.
Mary
No Toll-Free Number Needed
Psalm 121
1. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? 2. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3. He will not let your foot be moved, he who keeps you will not slumber. 4. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. 6. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. 7. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore
Deuteronomy 28:1-6
1. "And if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. 3. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. 4. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock. 5. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading-trough. 6. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
Wow! Even Nationwide can’t make a promise like this! In fact, no one and nothing on this earth can promise absolute, complete, total and constant comfort and protection every single second of your life. I’m pretty sure Nationwide has a “1-800” number for after hours calls. God doesn’t send calls to a service – he answers them all, personally. And unlike an insurance company, which will ultimately cancel your coverage if you have too many accidents or moving violations, God’s coverage is eternal, and on-going. This is an important point to the original hearers and readers of these passages, because Baal, one of the most powerful gods of the time, did sleep sometimes, and so, it was believed, worshippers were without his protection during his slumber.
The God who made heaven and earth can certainly handle what’s going on in my life – and in yours. It may not feel that way sometimes, but I think I feel the farthest from God when I try to take charge of a situation. When I interject my own will, things don’t always work out in my favor. God doesn’t promise he’ll give us our hearts’ every desire – unless that desire is to see His face in heaven at the end of time. He does promise He will provide for us what we need to live in Him. And He promises to be with us throughout every struggle and every celebration. He will support us through the rough parts of our life, and sustain us through our trials.
Hmn . . . This is one of those mornings where the scripture passages don’t really need much interpretation or explanation. They pretty much speak for themselves. My husband and I were at a healing prayer conference this weekend. One of the most profound statements made by a nun to whom St. Francis went for advice was quoted by one of the speakers: “God Is. That is all you need to know.” We make it much more complicated than that, don’t we? But that is really all we need to know to be reassured and comforted that we are in God’s care. And there is no better, safer, gentler or more loving place to be.
My prayer today is that will rest in Him who keeps your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. And that you will lift your eyes to the hills and find God there.
Mary
Lusting after Heaven
Matthew 13:44-46
44. "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46. who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of my time running around looking for the things that are going to satisfy me. Searching for the next best thing that is going to make life better, easier, happier. And don’t get me started on all the commercials on television! It seems as if every one of them now tells us that we not only deserve instant gratification of our all of our needs, we should demand nothing less! Because after, all. . . It’s all about us! Right!? We work hard. We play hard. We should have rewards for our labor. We should be able to take a pill to lose weight – who has time to wait for exercise and a proper diet to take their effect? We should have the nicest car manufactured – with GPS and surround sound stereo, heated/cooled seats, and all the adornments to let the world know, “I’ve ‘made it.’” I won’t belabor my point. I think you get it.
What Christ told his listeners is that there is something more, something better. And when we find it, we’ll know! We’ll be willing to sacrifice everything for it!
Everything!! It’s not a car. It’s not a house. It’s not a boat. It’s not a better job, or a vacation home. It’s better than the finest wine you’ve ever tasted, or the most tender, rare steak you’ve every enjoyed. It’s better than anything.
Anything! And it is freely, graciously, readily available to us. Anytime we want it! At no cost! The price has already been paid. There’s no fine print! No disclaimers hidden in the 27th paragraph on page 14. Free! No strings attached! Well . . . there is one! We must believe – and desire it more than anything else in our lives.
In the time of Christ’s life on earth, they didn’t have banks with safe deposit boxes, so it was common practice for people to hide their valuable in clay pots in the ground, and mark the spot with landmark so they could find it when they wanted to retrieve it. When you taste heaven, you will desire nothing else as much! When you feel the breath of God blowing through your life, you will desire no other feeling. When you devote your life to Christ, and His message, nothing else you say or think or do will matter. Only Jesus. Only Jesus.
You may think that just sounds preposterous! But think about it. . . If I treat everyone in my life—my family, my friends, strangers on the street, my co-workers, my neighbors, and everyone else—as Christ commanded don’t you think I’m going to get back what I give? Don’t you think my entire life will be in order, and will be exactly as it should be, if I follow the teachings of Jesus and search for the Kingdom? Oh, I may have health problems, I may not have as much money as I would like. I may not live in the neighborhood I want to live in, and my kids aren’t perfect. My husband . . . he’s pretty close, but no cigar!
Once you approach the kingdom of heaven, nothing else matters. And everything changes. Because at that point, God is in charge. And from what I have gleaned, He does a much better job than I could possibly attempt! Long for the Kingdom. You will desire nothing else. You will need nothing else. Your life will be filled to overflowing. And your future will be established.
My prayer today is that you lust after heaven. And that everything you do and say today moves you one step closer to those “pearly gates.”
Mary
Choose Today Whom You Will Serve
Daniel 3:16-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
Joshua 24:14-15
"So honor the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone.
But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live?
But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."
I have a connection to the three men mentioned in the verses from Daniel. It is because of the fire into which they were thrown. The image of fire has been pretty potent for me in the past 6 months or so. I have felt as if I were being refined and prepared for something – purified by fire. If you have not read the rest of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, I urge you to do so. The ending is quite amazing! They, though, are amazing to me. Their faith was so strong and so deep that they risked being thrown into a fiery oven rather than confess another God. This oven was huge – big enough to hold the three men. And the fire was so hot they would have been incinerated almost instantly. They knew that! They as much as asked for it!
They believed their God – the
I AM of my recent postings – would do 1 of 2 things: keep them from burning up and so use them as signs of the one true God’s power and might; or allow them to burn up and go to heaven to be with their God. Either way, they win! They were ready to honor their God that much. They refused to bow down to any other god. That’s the kind of faith I can only hope to have before I die!
The message is the same in Joshua. Serve the one true God. Serve only Him. If you don’t choose God, then you choose something else. Did I share the words to a song I hear often? “Everybody’s worshipping something, I choose you.” And it’s true. We put so many things before God, in place of God, in spite of God, don’t we? Jobs. Friends. Money. Status. You fill in the blank for yourself. I don’t know about you, but I get within about 10 feet of the open door to that furnace, and start to rethink my decision. I commit myself over and over again to serve my God, and then life happens.
My prayer today is that you go with me to the open door of God’s refining fire. And that you take that one last step into the flames. He promises us we will not be burned up!
Mary
Making the Most of the Time
.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
OK. One of my friends told me I was “all over the place” with the devotion I posted on Tuesday. The “mercy seat” discussion! And I was, truly, in quite a whirl. I can’t really explain how my heart skips a beat when I think about even approaching that place of resting so completely in God and feeling so covered by Him and His love and grace. It is overwhelming. And I say that I do not understand why He has allowed me to even think I deserve to be in that seat!
Well, assuming that is the case, where does that leave me? What does that mean for me and for my life? Doesn’t it mean that I am now to hold myself to a higher standard of living? Doesn’t it mean that I shun the world and spend every ounce of my energy and expend every second of my life, working toward the perfection Jesus promised us at the end of time? Does it mean “the end” is approaching? Well of course it is! It has been for 2000 years! And today, it’s one day closer than it was yesterday! No, I did not glean that information in my temporary “altered state.” I only know that the end is coming. And that I want to be ready to be taken up to heaven on that day.
And I want my world to be a better place because I lived in it. I want the people I meet to feel more loved and more valued because I crossed their paths. I want peace. I want an end to hunger and poverty. I want a perfect world. I want. . . I want . . . I want . . . Oops! It’s so easy to fall into that mindset! I want God to use me as He wants. I want His will. I want His perfection. I want Him to show me what small part I play in His plan. I want Him to reveal to me what I can do, what I am made to do to bring about that perfection only possible through belief in Him and in His Son.
I commented to my husband that being in the mercy seat didn’t mean that everything around me was just wonderful. He replied, “Just the opposite is usually the case, my dear.” And he’s right. It doesn’t mean that everything in my life is so great. It doesn’t mean I have all the answers – or any of them! Maybe that mercy seat is meant to protect me. Maybe it’s meant to comfort and soothe me when my mind races around to all the ways I fall short of the perfection I so deeply desire. Maybe, just maybe, God stoops down from heaven sometimes to let us know our efforts are noticed, and that we are on the right track. And that He loves us, even when we feel the world hates us. And that He does exist. And He is the great I AM.
I don’t have any great wisdom! I have no great knowing of the intimate workings of the mind of God. I do know about His mercy though. And I understand He loves me more than I deserve, and far more than I could ever explain or imagine. And he loves you that much too. More than you’ll ever know. More than you will ever know.
My prayer today is that you will find rest in the mercy seat. And that you will abide awhile there, throughout the tumult of your day.
Mary
The Mercy Seat
.
1 Chronicles 16:25-27
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
Isaiah 49:6-7
6. he says: "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." 7. Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nations, the servant of rulers: "Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
I have had the overwhelming feeling the past several days that I can’t quite explain. It’s as if I’m the tiny, microscopic pin-prick dot on “google earth.” (For those of us not of the “computer age” it’s as if I were being viewed from a satellite way out in heaven and I’m this little tiny dot, smaller than an ant). It’s almost like I’m in this vortex or vacuum, sucking out the air from around me, because I’m surrounded by a million lights, then darkness, then just a blur and barreling down into some bottomless, endless, void. It’s not scary. It’s just that I feel as if I’m having trouble keeping on my feet. No it’s not that I’m “overmedicated.” Nor, I think is it that I have begun to go a little crazy – though that one may be open for debate! I believe that I have come to a place in my faith where I have reached a new level of understanding of the greatness and vastness of God.
I say a new level of understanding. Properly stated it should be a new level of understanding I will never be able to grasp even the mere essence of God. I will never be able to begin to explain or comprehend a single portion of one of His thoughts. I sip my coffee, and while I savor the taste, my mind and heart are drawn to a place far away where the coffee growers live, and the workers on their plantations and the conditions in which they live. And then a moment later, I think of my children, and all their goodness and strength. And then an instant later, of all the blessings in my life. . . . then, the people in Iraq . . . then . . . . on and on . . . and on in a whir. It’s almost as if I’m spinning in a circle.
And I am struck, by the words of a song I often listen to! I believe I may have approached the “mercy seat.” Dictionary.com defines it as: “The golden covering of the Ark of the Covenant, regarded as the resting place of God.” Wow. WOW! The mercy seat. To be in the resting place of God. To rest in God. God draws us each there. He wants us to rest there, in that mercy seat. As I think of such a place, I wonder – no, I anguish – How could I ever be deserving of that seat? How? And then I read the words of Isaiah and I remember that God has amazing plans for us! He bids us to that place, so we can begin to see our own greatness—from His perspective.
We are, after all, created in His image and likeness. I think too often we look in the wrong mirror! God has made us from His own essence. He has formed us for a specific purpose. He has loved us since before time began and He longs for us to live with Him. More—He yearns for us to run to Him – begging for that seat of mercy. The mercy that is beyond deserving, beyond imagining, beyond bounds, beyond anything we can comprehend. That’s where God’s grace is found.
My prayer today is that you rest awhile in the mercy seat. And revel in the grace of God that cannot be explained or contained.
Mary
He Kneels to Wash our Feet
.
Psalm 51
1. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment. 5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice. 9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 11. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. 12. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee. 14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance. 15. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16. For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased. 17. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18. Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, 19. then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.
I awoke this morning with the word “broken” on my heart. Actually, I thought of it last night as I lay awake, trying to figure out “who I am” and what God intends for me to do. I know that may sound a bit grand and “big” for one such as me. But for the first time in months, I had a beautiful afternoon on my deck – and you may recall from postings last summer, how that deck impacts my spirit!
Earlier in the week, I read our church newsletter with the usual letter from our pastor on the cover and I just lost my breath! He talked about Easter of course, and the Passion. This writing, though, hit me square between the eyes in revealing how small we think. How small a box in which we try to contain God. How insignificantly we view ourselves and our Creator! His comment was “On Maundy Thursday we witness a God who, in his son Jesus, falls upon his knees to wash his disciple’s feet.” Well, most of us know the story of the “Last Supper.” I will readily admit, however, that though I truly and absolutely, without question, believe in and worship the Triune God, I never thought of GOD washing the disciples’ feet! God stooped down on his knees. For me. And for you. He bent down from heaven and took up a towel. He became earthbound in those moments – in that act. He drew us to Himself so tightly in that upper room, that the world has never been the same! Missionaries risk their lives still today to spread the news of a God who loves that much. Humble, spirit-filled men and women (and their families) travel the earth, unable to contain their utter joy and deep gratitude at being loved so much by a God who transcends time, and space, and life itself.
I run around so often, thinking I’m “thinking so big” in how I hope to impact this world! And then I read a sentence like this, and I realize I’m so small. My mind is so small. My heart is so small. My life is so small. My world is so small. But my God is so very big! Bigger than I could ever imagine or explain or understand! In making Him small, I attempt to embrace His essence. I am ever grateful He is big enough not to be contained!
I hope today you will allow yourself to be embraced and enfolded by the God who stoops from heaven to meet your every need. And that you will wash the feet of everyone you meet.
Mary
