Exodus chapter 33
What was the last big mistake that you made?
Who was hurt?
What did you learn from it?
Israel made a terrible mistake. God's first commandment is that they have no other gods before Him. Then, they lose patience and make for themselves a golden calf that they bow before and worship. God is hurt, and He is furious. Moses intercedes for Israel in a compassionate prayer to God. God remembers that He isn't finished with Israel yet. They have much to learn, but He has promised to remain faithful to them and to direct them to the promised land. God keeps his promise and returns to gide them to the promised land.
Because of Jesus, God has promised all his baptized children that we will one day enter the eternal kingdom of heaven. We struggle every day with tendencies to make mistakes. Some mistakes we aren't even aware of. We are not worthy of the gift of heaven, yet God promises to give it as a result of Jesus' love for us. God remains faithful with us. He is faithful that we will learn from our mistakes. God is also faithful that, because of Jesus' love for us, we will begin to see how precious we are in God's sight.
God isn't finished with you yet. Remember that!
When you mess things up: "God isn't finished with me yet."
When you hurt others by your sinful actions, and you're down on yourself: "God isn't finished with me yet."
When people try to bring you down with their self-righteous, judgment: "God isn't finished with me yet."
Lord God, your work with me is never finished, and you remain faithful that I will learn and grow from every mistake. Thank you, Lord, for your grace. You do not ask me to be perfect in anything, so make me faithful through everything. Remind me that even though I am a work in progress, I am YOUR work in progress and that's all that matters. In Jesus' name. Amen
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Morning Devotions: 4/17/10
Exodus chapter 32
Have you ever prayed this prayer: Lord, give me patience, and I give it RIGHT NOW! :-)
I know I have prayed that prayer, many times. We are fast-paced "I need it right now" people. In our world, patience is in short supply, speed is a commodity, and instant gratification is supreme. But, where does this leave us. We are working longer, faster, and devoting more and more of ourselves to the challenge of keeping pace. Once upon a time, we tried to keep up with the Jones', now we are trying to keep pace with everyone. The typical rituals that used to hold a family together, like dinner routines, have been sacrificed on the altar of speed and competitiveness. Things like prayer, and worship are given up in an attempt to gain an hour or two of Sunday morning for necessary chores or just the proverbial "me" time. More and more we are emotionally and physically exhausted, and spiritually bankrupt. We eat fast food; multi-task our friendships friendships with the internet; speed-date; save nothing and buy on credit; consume energy drinks to keep awake. Where does this stop? How do we get off the treadmill? We are moving so fast that we are ill. Speed kills, and we have the disease.
Fortunately, though, there is a vaccine for this disease. It is patience. It seems that there has never been a time when patience was more necessary. Imagine how much better you would feel with just a small dose of this medicine. Imagine being able to sleep better, being able to catch your breath, being able to wait for the right timing with people, being able to save money. What a difference just a small amount of patience can make.
The Israelites lost patience with Moses. He was on the mountain with God, while the words of the covenant were being grafted upon stone. Moses came down with the tablets, but found that the people had lost patience and had already crafted a God of their own making, a golden calf. The resulting consequence of their actions? The covenant between them and God is broken, and they are inflicted with a disease. Sound familiar?
But, God does not desire for any of us to suffer. With faith, God promises that eternity is ours. We may die in this world, but we will rise again in the next. We are promised more time than any of us can count. With this gift of a surplus of time, maybe we don't have to be so desperate for speed. We can be patient with others, with our world, and with ourselves.
Because of Jesus, God is patient with us. He desires that all of us would pursue His will. But, we don't. Nevertheless, he waits. He waits for us to draw near to Him. He waits for us to learn from our mistakes. He waits for us grow in faith. We are impatient with God, but God remains eternally patient with us.
Today, try to be a little more patient, and maybe realize how much better you feel at the end of the day.
Lord God, I am impatient. Forgive me for allowing my own haste to make such a waste of so much of my life. Thank you for your promise of eternity. Help me to remember that I don't have to be in a hurry with everything. I don't have to be so urgent. Encourage me to be as patient with you and others as you are with me. In Jesus' name. Amen
Have you ever prayed this prayer: Lord, give me patience, and I give it RIGHT NOW! :-)
I know I have prayed that prayer, many times. We are fast-paced "I need it right now" people. In our world, patience is in short supply, speed is a commodity, and instant gratification is supreme. But, where does this leave us. We are working longer, faster, and devoting more and more of ourselves to the challenge of keeping pace. Once upon a time, we tried to keep up with the Jones', now we are trying to keep pace with everyone. The typical rituals that used to hold a family together, like dinner routines, have been sacrificed on the altar of speed and competitiveness. Things like prayer, and worship are given up in an attempt to gain an hour or two of Sunday morning for necessary chores or just the proverbial "me" time. More and more we are emotionally and physically exhausted, and spiritually bankrupt. We eat fast food; multi-task our friendships friendships with the internet; speed-date; save nothing and buy on credit; consume energy drinks to keep awake. Where does this stop? How do we get off the treadmill? We are moving so fast that we are ill. Speed kills, and we have the disease.
Fortunately, though, there is a vaccine for this disease. It is patience. It seems that there has never been a time when patience was more necessary. Imagine how much better you would feel with just a small dose of this medicine. Imagine being able to sleep better, being able to catch your breath, being able to wait for the right timing with people, being able to save money. What a difference just a small amount of patience can make.
The Israelites lost patience with Moses. He was on the mountain with God, while the words of the covenant were being grafted upon stone. Moses came down with the tablets, but found that the people had lost patience and had already crafted a God of their own making, a golden calf. The resulting consequence of their actions? The covenant between them and God is broken, and they are inflicted with a disease. Sound familiar?
But, God does not desire for any of us to suffer. With faith, God promises that eternity is ours. We may die in this world, but we will rise again in the next. We are promised more time than any of us can count. With this gift of a surplus of time, maybe we don't have to be so desperate for speed. We can be patient with others, with our world, and with ourselves.
Because of Jesus, God is patient with us. He desires that all of us would pursue His will. But, we don't. Nevertheless, he waits. He waits for us to draw near to Him. He waits for us to learn from our mistakes. He waits for us grow in faith. We are impatient with God, but God remains eternally patient with us.
Today, try to be a little more patient, and maybe realize how much better you feel at the end of the day.
Lord God, I am impatient. Forgive me for allowing my own haste to make such a waste of so much of my life. Thank you for your promise of eternity. Help me to remember that I don't have to be in a hurry with everything. I don't have to be so urgent. Encourage me to be as patient with you and others as you are with me. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/16/10
Exodus chapters 30-31
When's the last time you travelled to visit family?
Fewer of us are fortunate enough these days to have family who live within an hour's drive. To drive two hours or more turns into a travelling event. Travelling, as opposed to just visiting, requires packing and preparing. The distance between me and my family is about 5 hours, so when I make a visit I have to plan and prepare to stay at least one night. It's a lot of work to make quality time with family, but it's necessary and worth it.
Imagine planning and preparing to visit your family. You do what you need to do in order to get yourself into their presence. You do all the work in order to spend a little bit of quality time with them. You leave early in the morning so that you have the entire day to spend with them. You make the trip, you arrive at about 9:30am and you're enthusiastic about spending enjoying quality time with your family. Now, imagine your reaction if when you arrive your family doesn't really share your enthusiasm. Imagine a situation where you've travelled and endured through the preparations, and they act like they really done even care to visit. As a matter of fact, most of them don't even bother to get out of bed to greet you.
If this happened to you, how would you respond? Would you turn, angrily, get back in the car and leave? Would you scold your family for their apathy and lack of appreciation for all the planning and preparations that you endured in order to be with them? What would you do? I dont expect that we would simply forgive everyone and head into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family.
What do you think Jesus would do, if it happened to him?
Well, it does....every Sunday.
I think if we're honest about the way we treat our Sunday morning worship service, we would have to confess that we treat Jesus with the same lack luster enthusiasm. We have this church building that we treasure. In it we make a spiritual home for ourselves and we become a part of God's family, Jesus' brothers and sisters. Jesus promises to come and be with us every Sunday for worship. He promises to be with us in our Sabbath. He promises to travel all the way from heaven to spend a little quality time in and through all that we do in worship. The preparations he has endured, the cross he has had to bear, the distance he has had to travel; the man literally had to go through hell in order to be with us in worship. And how to we receive this gift of his presence? Most of us don't even get out of bed to greet him. When we do show up, we are often unenthusiastic at our best, and harbor our personal agendas for even being there. Songs are prepared, the house of worship is decorated with flowers and colors, scriptures and prayers are read all to offer him a spirited welcome, but most of us just go through the motions.
How does Jesus respond? Does he angrily turn and leave? NO. Does he stay and scold his family for their lack of appreciation for all that he has endured to be with us? NO. He does what he has always done, he forgives us, assumes his role in the house as the host, and makes us breakfast (Holy Communion).
In today's text from Exodus, we hear the conclusion of all that God desired for the creation of the tabernacle (church, or house of worship). But, then the final verses remind us that building the church is not an end in itself. It is merely the means toward the end of honoring the Sabbath. Sabbath is not simply a day each week when we do no work. That completely misses the point. Sabbath is the devotion of quality time with God. God built the Tabernacle so that he could spend quality time with his people, Israel. Likewise, Jesus encourages the construction of the church so that he can spend quality time with us.
We understand the importance of spending quality time with our family. But, we forget that we have a spiritual family as well. Worship is the place where Jesus promises to be so that his family may receive him and spend some quality time with him.
When's the last time you really worshiped; not the last time you attended a service and went through the motions. When's the last time you REALLY worshiped? Do you remember how good it felt, how refreshing it was, to spend some REAL quality Sabbath time with Jesus? That is offered to us every week. What a gift!
Lord Jesus, I often forget how far you have travelled to be with us. I often forget how much you have endured to be with us. Forgive me...forgive all of us... for the ambivalence and apathy with which you are greeted on Sunday mornings. May I remember your saving acts of love on the cross and worship you always with an enthusiastic, and thankful heart. In your name. Amen.
When's the last time you travelled to visit family?
Fewer of us are fortunate enough these days to have family who live within an hour's drive. To drive two hours or more turns into a travelling event. Travelling, as opposed to just visiting, requires packing and preparing. The distance between me and my family is about 5 hours, so when I make a visit I have to plan and prepare to stay at least one night. It's a lot of work to make quality time with family, but it's necessary and worth it.
Imagine planning and preparing to visit your family. You do what you need to do in order to get yourself into their presence. You do all the work in order to spend a little bit of quality time with them. You leave early in the morning so that you have the entire day to spend with them. You make the trip, you arrive at about 9:30am and you're enthusiastic about spending enjoying quality time with your family. Now, imagine your reaction if when you arrive your family doesn't really share your enthusiasm. Imagine a situation where you've travelled and endured through the preparations, and they act like they really done even care to visit. As a matter of fact, most of them don't even bother to get out of bed to greet you.
If this happened to you, how would you respond? Would you turn, angrily, get back in the car and leave? Would you scold your family for their apathy and lack of appreciation for all the planning and preparations that you endured in order to be with them? What would you do? I dont expect that we would simply forgive everyone and head into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the family.
What do you think Jesus would do, if it happened to him?
Well, it does....every Sunday.
I think if we're honest about the way we treat our Sunday morning worship service, we would have to confess that we treat Jesus with the same lack luster enthusiasm. We have this church building that we treasure. In it we make a spiritual home for ourselves and we become a part of God's family, Jesus' brothers and sisters. Jesus promises to come and be with us every Sunday for worship. He promises to be with us in our Sabbath. He promises to travel all the way from heaven to spend a little quality time in and through all that we do in worship. The preparations he has endured, the cross he has had to bear, the distance he has had to travel; the man literally had to go through hell in order to be with us in worship. And how to we receive this gift of his presence? Most of us don't even get out of bed to greet him. When we do show up, we are often unenthusiastic at our best, and harbor our personal agendas for even being there. Songs are prepared, the house of worship is decorated with flowers and colors, scriptures and prayers are read all to offer him a spirited welcome, but most of us just go through the motions.
How does Jesus respond? Does he angrily turn and leave? NO. Does he stay and scold his family for their lack of appreciation for all that he has endured to be with us? NO. He does what he has always done, he forgives us, assumes his role in the house as the host, and makes us breakfast (Holy Communion).
In today's text from Exodus, we hear the conclusion of all that God desired for the creation of the tabernacle (church, or house of worship). But, then the final verses remind us that building the church is not an end in itself. It is merely the means toward the end of honoring the Sabbath. Sabbath is not simply a day each week when we do no work. That completely misses the point. Sabbath is the devotion of quality time with God. God built the Tabernacle so that he could spend quality time with his people, Israel. Likewise, Jesus encourages the construction of the church so that he can spend quality time with us.
We understand the importance of spending quality time with our family. But, we forget that we have a spiritual family as well. Worship is the place where Jesus promises to be so that his family may receive him and spend some quality time with him.
When's the last time you really worshiped; not the last time you attended a service and went through the motions. When's the last time you REALLY worshiped? Do you remember how good it felt, how refreshing it was, to spend some REAL quality Sabbath time with Jesus? That is offered to us every week. What a gift!
Lord Jesus, I often forget how far you have travelled to be with us. I often forget how much you have endured to be with us. Forgive me...forgive all of us... for the ambivalence and apathy with which you are greeted on Sunday mornings. May I remember your saving acts of love on the cross and worship you always with an enthusiastic, and thankful heart. In your name. Amen.
Morning Devotions: 4/15/10
Exodus chapters 28-29
What are you wearing today?
Our clothing says certain things about us. The business man wears a power suit. The teacher wears something casual, conservative. The doctor wears a white lab coat. The construction worker wears boots and jeans. Some of us wear uniforms, clothing that is very specific and according to our employer's request. Some of us have to wear certain credentials like an ID card, a police badge, or some other visual representation of a specific, and professional right of passage.
In today's text, God directs the making of a special uniform for the priesthood. The text goes to great detail about it's beauty, design, and quality. This was to be crafted of the finest materials, woven by the best weaver, sewn by the best seamstress. Anything second-rate was unacceptable. Israel would consider it a blessing just to be permitted to wear it. This uniform would be an outward statement of the honor, glory, and praise of which only God was worthy.
Do we honor God today by what we wear?
Some of us might be picturing the teenager who shows up on Sunday morning with worn out jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops. Or, the employee with all the tattoos who shows up at work all disheveled from the ride in on his Harley. Or, the woman at work who chooses to "go goth" by coloring her hair, nails and makeup all black. With those images in our mind, some of us at this moment can feel the righteous indignation stir within us. But, before we act on that visceral sensation, let's keep in mind that we wear more than just our clothing. We wear our attitudes as well.
Consider your attitude as if it is an accessory. A self-confident, joyful attitude can change the appearance of whatever we are wearing. A room full of gloomy, cranky, complaining people is still a very dark place no matter how well they're dressed. But, if your attitude is the one that's positive, you're going to light up the entire room. Even more, your attitude is going to be the thing that get's noticed more so than your clothing. With a positive, self-confident, joyful attitude you can get away with wearing just about what ever you want, and people will simply appreciate you for being you.
When we wear self-confidence, or joy, or any of these other positive attributes, we are also giving honor and praise to God. Just like the priestly uniform was designed to be a visible, outward sign of glory and honor to God, our attitude can be the same. God loves to see His children live and demonstrate their faith in Him by way of a cheerful, hopeful, positive attitude. So, what are you wearing today? Is your faith a positive accessory?
Lord God, you once desired that your priests be adorned with garments that gave honor and glory to you. regardless of my clothing or my style, may you be honored and glorified by my attitude, and may I be a positive light for people in darkness. In Jesus' name. Amen
What are you wearing today?
Our clothing says certain things about us. The business man wears a power suit. The teacher wears something casual, conservative. The doctor wears a white lab coat. The construction worker wears boots and jeans. Some of us wear uniforms, clothing that is very specific and according to our employer's request. Some of us have to wear certain credentials like an ID card, a police badge, or some other visual representation of a specific, and professional right of passage.
In today's text, God directs the making of a special uniform for the priesthood. The text goes to great detail about it's beauty, design, and quality. This was to be crafted of the finest materials, woven by the best weaver, sewn by the best seamstress. Anything second-rate was unacceptable. Israel would consider it a blessing just to be permitted to wear it. This uniform would be an outward statement of the honor, glory, and praise of which only God was worthy.
Do we honor God today by what we wear?
Some of us might be picturing the teenager who shows up on Sunday morning with worn out jeans, a t-shirt and flip-flops. Or, the employee with all the tattoos who shows up at work all disheveled from the ride in on his Harley. Or, the woman at work who chooses to "go goth" by coloring her hair, nails and makeup all black. With those images in our mind, some of us at this moment can feel the righteous indignation stir within us. But, before we act on that visceral sensation, let's keep in mind that we wear more than just our clothing. We wear our attitudes as well.
Consider your attitude as if it is an accessory. A self-confident, joyful attitude can change the appearance of whatever we are wearing. A room full of gloomy, cranky, complaining people is still a very dark place no matter how well they're dressed. But, if your attitude is the one that's positive, you're going to light up the entire room. Even more, your attitude is going to be the thing that get's noticed more so than your clothing. With a positive, self-confident, joyful attitude you can get away with wearing just about what ever you want, and people will simply appreciate you for being you.
When we wear self-confidence, or joy, or any of these other positive attributes, we are also giving honor and praise to God. Just like the priestly uniform was designed to be a visible, outward sign of glory and honor to God, our attitude can be the same. God loves to see His children live and demonstrate their faith in Him by way of a cheerful, hopeful, positive attitude. So, what are you wearing today? Is your faith a positive accessory?
Lord God, you once desired that your priests be adorned with garments that gave honor and glory to you. regardless of my clothing or my style, may you be honored and glorified by my attitude, and may I be a positive light for people in darkness. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/14/10
Exodus chapters 25-27
This morning, as I was reading today's selected bible chapters, my son woke up a little earlier than usual. I was sitting in my favorite reading chair, and he came and crawled up into my lap. Yawning and rubbing his eyes he made himself comfortable while asking a long list of questions about what I was doing. What a joyful distraction it was to have him in my lap while I attempted to devote some time to God in prayer.
Today's reading is a long list of rules and limitations that God establishes in an effort to create a safe place for his people to be able to approach Him, and for God to be able to dwell among His people. The tabernacle is essentially a means by which this accomplished. God comes down from heaven to establish His kingdom on earth, among us. However, at this point in the bible story the holiness of God must be kept safely guarded from the ungodliness of people. The Tabernacle allows God to dwell among His people, but only within the Tabernacle, and the people may approach God, but only through the mediation of the priesthood. God cannot actually be among His people, but the Tabernacle is a big step toward that end, and it brings God down from Heaven to be among His people for the first time in a very unique way. The Tabernacle is a major step toward understanding the gift of Holy Communion given to us through Jesus.
With Jesus, we have direct access to God. Jesus' forgiveness of our sins allows us to approach God like my son approached me this morning. This is why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Our Father, who is in Heaven...." Only Jesus can refer to God in such intimate terms. The actual word used in the gospels in the context of the Lord's prayer is Abba. The literal interpretation of Abba is daddy. Our traditional interpretation is "Father", but this is actually a bit more formal than Jesus offered. Abba is more intimate, personal. It's my son climbing into my arms, saying, "Daddy". All of the work and specifics that God put into the building of the Tabernacle is a foreshadowing of the intimacy in Christ which God wants to share with His people. But, for us, we already have Christ, we are privileged to be able to run to God and climb into His arms anytime we wish. Even more, God desires that we do just that.
Has it been a while since you climbed into the arms of God?
Prayer, worship, and even this devotion you're reading now are ways in which you can do just that.
Heavenly Father, Abba, I am just a child in your arms. I need to trust you for everything. When I am vulnerable, shelter me. When I am weak, strengthen me. When I am frightened, comfort me. When I am guilty, forgive me. When I am hungry, feed me. I am yours, Abba, save me. In Jesus' name. Amen
This morning, as I was reading today's selected bible chapters, my son woke up a little earlier than usual. I was sitting in my favorite reading chair, and he came and crawled up into my lap. Yawning and rubbing his eyes he made himself comfortable while asking a long list of questions about what I was doing. What a joyful distraction it was to have him in my lap while I attempted to devote some time to God in prayer.
Today's reading is a long list of rules and limitations that God establishes in an effort to create a safe place for his people to be able to approach Him, and for God to be able to dwell among His people. The tabernacle is essentially a means by which this accomplished. God comes down from heaven to establish His kingdom on earth, among us. However, at this point in the bible story the holiness of God must be kept safely guarded from the ungodliness of people. The Tabernacle allows God to dwell among His people, but only within the Tabernacle, and the people may approach God, but only through the mediation of the priesthood. God cannot actually be among His people, but the Tabernacle is a big step toward that end, and it brings God down from Heaven to be among His people for the first time in a very unique way. The Tabernacle is a major step toward understanding the gift of Holy Communion given to us through Jesus.
With Jesus, we have direct access to God. Jesus' forgiveness of our sins allows us to approach God like my son approached me this morning. This is why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Our Father, who is in Heaven...." Only Jesus can refer to God in such intimate terms. The actual word used in the gospels in the context of the Lord's prayer is Abba. The literal interpretation of Abba is daddy. Our traditional interpretation is "Father", but this is actually a bit more formal than Jesus offered. Abba is more intimate, personal. It's my son climbing into my arms, saying, "Daddy". All of the work and specifics that God put into the building of the Tabernacle is a foreshadowing of the intimacy in Christ which God wants to share with His people. But, for us, we already have Christ, we are privileged to be able to run to God and climb into His arms anytime we wish. Even more, God desires that we do just that.
Has it been a while since you climbed into the arms of God?
Prayer, worship, and even this devotion you're reading now are ways in which you can do just that.
Heavenly Father, Abba, I am just a child in your arms. I need to trust you for everything. When I am vulnerable, shelter me. When I am weak, strengthen me. When I am frightened, comfort me. When I am guilty, forgive me. When I am hungry, feed me. I am yours, Abba, save me. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/13/10
Exodus chapters 23-24
Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?
I have not, but one of these days I want to get there. I have seen various other canyons, and there is one thing that captivates my attention every time. Standing at the summit of one peak and looking across the canyon to the next side there is an overwhelming sense of distance, an almost impassible distance. Remember when Evil Kenevil attempted to jump the Grand Canyon, and failed? I remember feeling kind of satisfied that he failed. It's as if something inside me interpreted his inability to jump across this great boundary as some sort of validation for the Grand Canyon remaining pure in its refusal to be crossed. It's as if the Grand Canyon were saying to us that God had created a visual reminder that there are boundaries which we humans are simply incapable of passing without God's help. The Grand Canyon is not only an impressive work of nature. I have also heard it described as a spiritual experience. As we stand on one side of the canyon, looking across to the other side, there is a spiritual sense of the distance between us and God. The great chasm of sin, that cuts through rock and humanity scarring everything as it digs deeper and deeper, separates us from God's righteous purpose on the other side.
I have heard the Grand Canyon described as an illustration of one man's distance from his wife and family. His sin, devoting all of his life and time to his work, had become the great chasm that had cut and dug so deep that there seemed to be no way to bridge the gap between he and his family. The canyon illustration is equally demonstrative to other sins as well. Sin causes separation and alienation between people. It isolates and abandons. It leaves us lonely and disconnected. God has created us for community, for love. God does not desire for us to be alienated from him or others, but reconciled. But, we are incapable of reconciling ourselves to God, and therefore we are incapable of reconciling with others. God, however, is capable of this, because God is capable of forgiving our sins.
God can bridge the canyon. Jesus' cross is planted in the ground, picture it planted deep into the chasm of sin. Meanwhile, his arms reach out across the great divide connecting one side to the other. With one hand reaching to God, and the other reaching to us, his death to sin and simultaneous forgiveness of us bridges across the great divide. Jesus' is God's bridge for us, and it is built on love and forgiveness. Today's text from Exodus offers to us a glimpse of what will later be the final sacrifice, the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. But, keeping with this text alone, we see God's deep desire, not for angry hostile vengeance, but to overcome the great chasm of sin, and create a means by which people can find forgiveness.
God is an amazing bridge builder. His Son, built a bridge across the grandest canyon known to us. He bridged between us and God, by offering forgiveness and love to us in the free gift of his sacrifice. Jesus built this bridge with only two pieces of wood and three nails. :-)
Today, consider the way your sinful actions cut deep into the relationships around you. Consider the way in which you and your spouse, you and your children, you and your ___________________ may be getting further and further apart as a result of sinfulness. Before slipping into the typical tendency of blaming and shaming, which is only more sin in a disguise, consider instead ways in which God's grace, forgiveness, and love, might help you to bridge across these sinful divisions.
Heavenly Father, my sin cuts and digs great chasms between me and those I love the most. Help me today to see this, and encourage me by the sacrificial love of Jesus to be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to my life that I might be a bridge of grace and healing where it is necessary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon?
I have not, but one of these days I want to get there. I have seen various other canyons, and there is one thing that captivates my attention every time. Standing at the summit of one peak and looking across the canyon to the next side there is an overwhelming sense of distance, an almost impassible distance. Remember when Evil Kenevil attempted to jump the Grand Canyon, and failed? I remember feeling kind of satisfied that he failed. It's as if something inside me interpreted his inability to jump across this great boundary as some sort of validation for the Grand Canyon remaining pure in its refusal to be crossed. It's as if the Grand Canyon were saying to us that God had created a visual reminder that there are boundaries which we humans are simply incapable of passing without God's help. The Grand Canyon is not only an impressive work of nature. I have also heard it described as a spiritual experience. As we stand on one side of the canyon, looking across to the other side, there is a spiritual sense of the distance between us and God. The great chasm of sin, that cuts through rock and humanity scarring everything as it digs deeper and deeper, separates us from God's righteous purpose on the other side.
I have heard the Grand Canyon described as an illustration of one man's distance from his wife and family. His sin, devoting all of his life and time to his work, had become the great chasm that had cut and dug so deep that there seemed to be no way to bridge the gap between he and his family. The canyon illustration is equally demonstrative to other sins as well. Sin causes separation and alienation between people. It isolates and abandons. It leaves us lonely and disconnected. God has created us for community, for love. God does not desire for us to be alienated from him or others, but reconciled. But, we are incapable of reconciling ourselves to God, and therefore we are incapable of reconciling with others. God, however, is capable of this, because God is capable of forgiving our sins.
God can bridge the canyon. Jesus' cross is planted in the ground, picture it planted deep into the chasm of sin. Meanwhile, his arms reach out across the great divide connecting one side to the other. With one hand reaching to God, and the other reaching to us, his death to sin and simultaneous forgiveness of us bridges across the great divide. Jesus' is God's bridge for us, and it is built on love and forgiveness. Today's text from Exodus offers to us a glimpse of what will later be the final sacrifice, the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. But, keeping with this text alone, we see God's deep desire, not for angry hostile vengeance, but to overcome the great chasm of sin, and create a means by which people can find forgiveness.
God is an amazing bridge builder. His Son, built a bridge across the grandest canyon known to us. He bridged between us and God, by offering forgiveness and love to us in the free gift of his sacrifice. Jesus built this bridge with only two pieces of wood and three nails. :-)
Today, consider the way your sinful actions cut deep into the relationships around you. Consider the way in which you and your spouse, you and your children, you and your ___________________ may be getting further and further apart as a result of sinfulness. Before slipping into the typical tendency of blaming and shaming, which is only more sin in a disguise, consider instead ways in which God's grace, forgiveness, and love, might help you to bridge across these sinful divisions.
Heavenly Father, my sin cuts and digs great chasms between me and those I love the most. Help me today to see this, and encourage me by the sacrificial love of Jesus to be willing to make the necessary sacrifices to my life that I might be a bridge of grace and healing where it is necessary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Morning Devotions: 4/12/10
Exodus 21:1-22:31
Have you ever had to cope with someone who was inconsistent with their expectations of you?
If you have, then you know it is truly exhausting. Like when you were a child, and in the middle of a game, your playmate would try to change the rules to benefit him, and then if you disagreed he would threaten to leave and take his game with him. How are you supposed to play a game when you aren't sure of the rules of the game because they change each time the owner of the game takes his turn? In the game of life, behavior like this, in its subtlest form, results in strained or burnt out relationships. In its most extreme form this behavior results in tyranny. Whether extreme or subtle this is an unjust abuse of power and places people in situations where individual freedom is diminished.
The Israelites had lived for 400+ years as slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh thought of himself as a kind of incarnation of the gods. Therefore, he believed he had the power to change the rules whenever or however he saw fitting for the empire. The Israelites became subjects of tyranny. The laws of the land were the opinion of the sovereign power and authority of Pharaoh, and he was above the law. For the Israelites, slaves to Pharaoh, there was no freedom, because they were not given the authority to govern themselves. They were merely subjects of Pharaoh. This context is a necessity as we look at today's text. Without it, we miss interpreting the gift of God's Law.
In today's text, the underlying message is that God is laying out the law for the people and is giving it to them. God is not tyrannically holding the power to govern them over their heads. God is declaring up front, these are the ways you shall live, and then he commissions them to go and do. God is not holding onto power, He's giving it away. God gives the Law to the people and then empowers them to live freely within it. God wants them to take the Law and learn to govern themselves as a sovereign nation under His care and guidance, not as a tyrannized group of slaves. God uses the Law to enter into a covenant with His people whereby they would be free to self-regulate. He doesn't use the Law to dictate power over them. He gives his power to them in the form of a covenantal agreement. What God does with the Law is the extreme opposite of the tyranny they had experienced in Egypt.
With this in mind, we can hear this text more clearly. For instance, even though today's text speaks of slavery to the point of condoning it, what's more important is that we hear it as God's will in a specific historical context to protect the slaves, to provide laws that allow the people to treat them fairly and humanely. Also, with this understanding in mind, we are free to allow the historical context to speak God's will for slavery then, but not use the bible to contort God's will into condoning slavery today.
God's will---the Law, His expectations (particularly the Ten Commandments)---is made clear, remains steadfast over the generations and is given away with God's covenantal agreement so as to empower His people to live freely within the constraints of the law.
This is a bit more cerebral of a devotional topic than you may have become accustomed to with me, but it's an important one to grasp. It's important because it reminds us that freedom still requires laws that are clear and consistent. Where there are no laws, or where the one who makes the laws is above the law, there can be no freedom. God is sovereign to the law, but covenants with us to remain accountable to them as well. Within this relationship, the laws of God are what guide us in our relationship that are based in love, freedom, joy, and peace.
This is true in any relationship. Consider your most beloved relationships. Now think about all the laws that bind you together. Some are the written down kind, like possibly your marriage certificate, or a birth certificate. These come with obligations and commitments--covenants. Now, think about the unwritten laws that guide your relationships. All those little things that establish routines, boundaries, just simply knowing each other. Without these laws, we have no freedom to love and maintain peace, or find joy. Without these laws we do not know how to love or maintain love.
God gives to us His law, so that we would be free to love; free to prosper, free to just be.
Lord God, thank you for your Law. Like rebellious children we often think we can live without your restraint, but you know us better than we know ourselves. You restrain us by your Law and in doing so you free us to truly live and live abundantly. Help me this day, to recognize how much I depend upon you for guidance and protection from my own sinfully rebellious nature. Bring me to sense the peacefulness that is found only in your covenantal embrace. In Jesus' name. Amen
Have you ever had to cope with someone who was inconsistent with their expectations of you?
If you have, then you know it is truly exhausting. Like when you were a child, and in the middle of a game, your playmate would try to change the rules to benefit him, and then if you disagreed he would threaten to leave and take his game with him. How are you supposed to play a game when you aren't sure of the rules of the game because they change each time the owner of the game takes his turn? In the game of life, behavior like this, in its subtlest form, results in strained or burnt out relationships. In its most extreme form this behavior results in tyranny. Whether extreme or subtle this is an unjust abuse of power and places people in situations where individual freedom is diminished.
The Israelites had lived for 400+ years as slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh thought of himself as a kind of incarnation of the gods. Therefore, he believed he had the power to change the rules whenever or however he saw fitting for the empire. The Israelites became subjects of tyranny. The laws of the land were the opinion of the sovereign power and authority of Pharaoh, and he was above the law. For the Israelites, slaves to Pharaoh, there was no freedom, because they were not given the authority to govern themselves. They were merely subjects of Pharaoh. This context is a necessity as we look at today's text. Without it, we miss interpreting the gift of God's Law.
In today's text, the underlying message is that God is laying out the law for the people and is giving it to them. God is not tyrannically holding the power to govern them over their heads. God is declaring up front, these are the ways you shall live, and then he commissions them to go and do. God is not holding onto power, He's giving it away. God gives the Law to the people and then empowers them to live freely within it. God wants them to take the Law and learn to govern themselves as a sovereign nation under His care and guidance, not as a tyrannized group of slaves. God uses the Law to enter into a covenant with His people whereby they would be free to self-regulate. He doesn't use the Law to dictate power over them. He gives his power to them in the form of a covenantal agreement. What God does with the Law is the extreme opposite of the tyranny they had experienced in Egypt.
With this in mind, we can hear this text more clearly. For instance, even though today's text speaks of slavery to the point of condoning it, what's more important is that we hear it as God's will in a specific historical context to protect the slaves, to provide laws that allow the people to treat them fairly and humanely. Also, with this understanding in mind, we are free to allow the historical context to speak God's will for slavery then, but not use the bible to contort God's will into condoning slavery today.
God's will---the Law, His expectations (particularly the Ten Commandments)---is made clear, remains steadfast over the generations and is given away with God's covenantal agreement so as to empower His people to live freely within the constraints of the law.
This is a bit more cerebral of a devotional topic than you may have become accustomed to with me, but it's an important one to grasp. It's important because it reminds us that freedom still requires laws that are clear and consistent. Where there are no laws, or where the one who makes the laws is above the law, there can be no freedom. God is sovereign to the law, but covenants with us to remain accountable to them as well. Within this relationship, the laws of God are what guide us in our relationship that are based in love, freedom, joy, and peace.
This is true in any relationship. Consider your most beloved relationships. Now think about all the laws that bind you together. Some are the written down kind, like possibly your marriage certificate, or a birth certificate. These come with obligations and commitments--covenants. Now, think about the unwritten laws that guide your relationships. All those little things that establish routines, boundaries, just simply knowing each other. Without these laws, we have no freedom to love and maintain peace, or find joy. Without these laws we do not know how to love or maintain love.
God gives to us His law, so that we would be free to love; free to prosper, free to just be.
Lord God, thank you for your Law. Like rebellious children we often think we can live without your restraint, but you know us better than we know ourselves. You restrain us by your Law and in doing so you free us to truly live and live abundantly. Help me this day, to recognize how much I depend upon you for guidance and protection from my own sinfully rebellious nature. Bring me to sense the peacefulness that is found only in your covenantal embrace. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/11/10
John 20:19-31
2nd Sunday of Easter
Do you have a brain? :-)
How do you know for sure? You can't see it. Those in medical school get to see someone else's, but you can not see your own. Even an MRI is just a magnetic image of the real thing, but not the actual thing. We come to believe that we have a brain because we learn how to recognize the benefit the brain gives to us.
Is there oxygen in the air we're breathing, right now? :-)
How do we know for sure? We can't see it. Again, we come to believe there's oxygen in the air because we learn to recognize the benefit that oxygen gives to us.
Our brains, and oxygen are two examples of things we believe without seeing, because we come to learn how to recognize the benefits they provide us. In today's text, Jesus blesses Thomas with the opportunity to believe by seeing and touching his resurrected body. But, then Jesus immediately turns the attention away from himself and from Thomas toward all of us today who come to believe without the benefit of seeing. Jesus says, "Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe."
We are those who have come to believe without seeing. It's not easy for us. I think sometimes we would all prefer to have our own personal Thomas experience, where we get the opportunity to actually see the risen body of Jesus. But, Jesus has ascended to the Father. We do not get to see, but Jesus did leave behind the Holy Spirit. His risen body may be in heaven, but his Spirit lives among us. It's the Holy Spirit that we encounter. And, by the Spirit we come to believe in the resurrection of Jesus---something we can not see.
I once worked with a man named Dave. Dave was blind. He was a truly remarkable inspiration to anyone with capable eyes to see. His blindness didn't stop him, or even slow him down from most things. His talent to interpret the world around him was jaw-dropping. He made use of his sense of touch, and hearing in ways that astounded we sighted people. The enhancements made to his other senses in order to compensate for his lack of sight seemed at times unbelievable. Dave could not see, but he became a blessing and an inspiration to everyone around him. "Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe."
Faith in Jesus makes all of us who believe like Dave. Our faith is blind. We do not get to see Jesus, and yet with enhancements to our other senses we come to believe without seeing. We come to see, without the need for actually seeing. We do not get the privilege of seeing the risen Jesus. But, that does not mean we are incapable of believing in the resurrection. It simply means that our other senses need to be enhanced so that we learn to recognize the resurrection by its benefits.
Let's start with the sense of touch. We do not get to actually touch the body of the risen Jesus. But, that doesn't mean we are incapable of recognizing how we feel when His presence is near to us. Now, let me be clear, I am not referring to feeling some sort of strange movement of air as if the Holy Spirit were to behave merely as some sort of ghost or apparition. While there are stories of these sorts of theophanies in the bible, I'm mainly referring to our emotions. The work of Jesus is the same now as it was when he lived before the resurrection. His work among us is the work of compassion, love, friendship, sacrifice, forgiveness, generosity, etc. The first words the risen Jesus says to the apostles is "Peace be with you." When we feel that sense of peacefulness--shalom--this is the risen Jesus. Also, when we are passionate for justice, for righteous causes we are feeling the risen Lord's passion.
Hearing is enhanced when faith is blind as well. With our ears we hear the Word of God in scripture, worship, and prayer. But, as we grow in faith so grows our hearing. We become capable of hearing Christ's Word in art, music, literature, stories of love, sacrifice, and courage. By studying scripture, growing in faith, we enhance our hearing to compensate for our lack of sight.
Even our sense of taste is enhanced. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" the Psalmist says. Taste and SEE! Our sense of taste receives Holy Communion and believes that here in this moment the very presence of Christ is with me, and our faith is enhanced to believe and even taste a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.
We may not be able to see the risen Jesus. But, by practicing our faith; studying scripture together, attending worship regularly, prayer, charity, etc., we enhance our other senses to be able to recognize the resurrection without ever seeing it. We come to believe in the resurrected Jesus in the same way we come to believe that we have a brain, or that there is oxygen in the air. We learn to recognize the benefits. In other words, we come to believe in the resurrected Christ, because we learn to recognize the works of the risen Christ.
We learn to recognize what forgiveness looks like,
what love looks like,
what joy looks like,
what grace looks like.
We may not see Jesus, but we know what his work looks like.
Finally, we may not see Jesus, but we know that he was a human like us. Jesus may not have a body that lives among us any more. But, when we come together as the church, we are his body. When the church works together, worships together, prays together, we can see Jesus, alive and well, in the hearts and passions of each other.
Do you have a brain; is there oxygen in this room? Of course!
Has Jesus been raised from the dead? Of course!
And all who believe without seeing are blessed. We are blessed not just for our own spiritual encouragement, but we are blessed like my friend Dave; blessed to be a blessing for others.
Lord God, open the eyes of my heart, that I may see you and believe that you are with me always, and that you are in charge and have secured my future with you eternally. In Jesus' name. Amen
2nd Sunday of Easter
Do you have a brain? :-)
How do you know for sure? You can't see it. Those in medical school get to see someone else's, but you can not see your own. Even an MRI is just a magnetic image of the real thing, but not the actual thing. We come to believe that we have a brain because we learn how to recognize the benefit the brain gives to us.
Is there oxygen in the air we're breathing, right now? :-)
How do we know for sure? We can't see it. Again, we come to believe there's oxygen in the air because we learn to recognize the benefit that oxygen gives to us.
Our brains, and oxygen are two examples of things we believe without seeing, because we come to learn how to recognize the benefits they provide us. In today's text, Jesus blesses Thomas with the opportunity to believe by seeing and touching his resurrected body. But, then Jesus immediately turns the attention away from himself and from Thomas toward all of us today who come to believe without the benefit of seeing. Jesus says, "Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe."
We are those who have come to believe without seeing. It's not easy for us. I think sometimes we would all prefer to have our own personal Thomas experience, where we get the opportunity to actually see the risen body of Jesus. But, Jesus has ascended to the Father. We do not get to see, but Jesus did leave behind the Holy Spirit. His risen body may be in heaven, but his Spirit lives among us. It's the Holy Spirit that we encounter. And, by the Spirit we come to believe in the resurrection of Jesus---something we can not see.
I once worked with a man named Dave. Dave was blind. He was a truly remarkable inspiration to anyone with capable eyes to see. His blindness didn't stop him, or even slow him down from most things. His talent to interpret the world around him was jaw-dropping. He made use of his sense of touch, and hearing in ways that astounded we sighted people. The enhancements made to his other senses in order to compensate for his lack of sight seemed at times unbelievable. Dave could not see, but he became a blessing and an inspiration to everyone around him. "Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe."
Faith in Jesus makes all of us who believe like Dave. Our faith is blind. We do not get to see Jesus, and yet with enhancements to our other senses we come to believe without seeing. We come to see, without the need for actually seeing. We do not get the privilege of seeing the risen Jesus. But, that does not mean we are incapable of believing in the resurrection. It simply means that our other senses need to be enhanced so that we learn to recognize the resurrection by its benefits.
Let's start with the sense of touch. We do not get to actually touch the body of the risen Jesus. But, that doesn't mean we are incapable of recognizing how we feel when His presence is near to us. Now, let me be clear, I am not referring to feeling some sort of strange movement of air as if the Holy Spirit were to behave merely as some sort of ghost or apparition. While there are stories of these sorts of theophanies in the bible, I'm mainly referring to our emotions. The work of Jesus is the same now as it was when he lived before the resurrection. His work among us is the work of compassion, love, friendship, sacrifice, forgiveness, generosity, etc. The first words the risen Jesus says to the apostles is "Peace be with you." When we feel that sense of peacefulness--shalom--this is the risen Jesus. Also, when we are passionate for justice, for righteous causes we are feeling the risen Lord's passion.
Hearing is enhanced when faith is blind as well. With our ears we hear the Word of God in scripture, worship, and prayer. But, as we grow in faith so grows our hearing. We become capable of hearing Christ's Word in art, music, literature, stories of love, sacrifice, and courage. By studying scripture, growing in faith, we enhance our hearing to compensate for our lack of sight.
Even our sense of taste is enhanced. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" the Psalmist says. Taste and SEE! Our sense of taste receives Holy Communion and believes that here in this moment the very presence of Christ is with me, and our faith is enhanced to believe and even taste a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.
We may not be able to see the risen Jesus. But, by practicing our faith; studying scripture together, attending worship regularly, prayer, charity, etc., we enhance our other senses to be able to recognize the resurrection without ever seeing it. We come to believe in the resurrected Jesus in the same way we come to believe that we have a brain, or that there is oxygen in the air. We learn to recognize the benefits. In other words, we come to believe in the resurrected Christ, because we learn to recognize the works of the risen Christ.
We learn to recognize what forgiveness looks like,
what love looks like,
what joy looks like,
what grace looks like.
We may not see Jesus, but we know what his work looks like.
Finally, we may not see Jesus, but we know that he was a human like us. Jesus may not have a body that lives among us any more. But, when we come together as the church, we are his body. When the church works together, worships together, prays together, we can see Jesus, alive and well, in the hearts and passions of each other.
Do you have a brain; is there oxygen in this room? Of course!
Has Jesus been raised from the dead? Of course!
And all who believe without seeing are blessed. We are blessed not just for our own spiritual encouragement, but we are blessed like my friend Dave; blessed to be a blessing for others.
Lord God, open the eyes of my heart, that I may see you and believe that you are with me always, and that you are in charge and have secured my future with you eternally. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/10/10
Exodus 19:1-20:26
The Ten Commandments
Of all the references made to the bible, this one is probably the most widely known. Folks may not know where the Ten Commandments can be found in the bible, but they recognize the list of "thou shall nots". However, being widely recognizable can also lend itself being widely misunderstood. This is most certainly the case with the ten commandments. Also known as the decalogue, the list of ten laws is one of my favorite bible passages to teach, primarily because it is so widely misunderstood.
If you're like most people in our world who can recognize the decalogue with the first "thou shall not...", then you probably share the same commonly accepted understanding of the commandments as well. Ask just about anyone to tell you what they believe to be true about the commandments and they are likely to say that they are a list of things that people are supposed to do if they want to get into heaven. Live your life according to these ten and all will go well for you. Live your life otherwise, and God is likely to punish you. Often when political debates ensue over whether or not it is legal for the decalogue to be displayed or referenced in public places, this belief is what gets thrown up as a "common Judeo-Christian belief" in association with the reasons why non-believers find them a violation of their rights. The tragically comical truth, however, is that this commonly held belief about the ten commandments couldn't be any further from the truth.
Consider the characterization of God that comes from believing this about the decalogue. If this belief were true then God is nothing more than a vindictive tyrant. One who does not love his people at all, but instead holds a very high bar in front of them and demands that they jump over it, or He will punish them, possibly even kill them. This depicts God with no more empathy, compassion, or devotion to His creation than that of other ancient false gods. With this belief as the common understanding of the most commonly associated scripture of our faith, it's truly no wonder non-believers run away as fast they can from Christianity. Who would, or even should, worship a God like this?
The truth about the Ten Commandments is a very different characterization of God. When we look closely at the decalogue, we find that before God speaks any of His laws to the people he claims them as as His own. In verse one, God says "I am the Lord, your God. I brought you up out of Egypt." My favorite way of teaching this text is to refer to the way in which my grandmother would offer her household "commandments". When I was a boy, my grandmother had a very powerful way of enforcing her rules of the house. Particularly when I would misbehave in public, she would, as I call it, snatch me up by the back of the neck. make me face her, and she would say, "Richie, no child of mine behaves like that!" She was swift and forceful, but also very clear whose I was. I was her's, and nothing was ever going to separate her from me.....even if, as a boy, there were times when I wished I could get away. "No child of mine..." She loved me, and wanted what was best for me, therefore she had rules to guide my actions accordingly. Her laws were never merely that of a vindictive tyrant, but rather that of a loving grandmother; one would never let me stray too far from what was best for me.
The same is true of God. God is not the vindictive tyrant depicted by the the common held misunderstanding. God loves us, and wants what is best for us, therefore he offers commandments to us, so that we might live according to His loving intentions for our lives.
Lord God, thank you for guiding my life. Thank you for claiming me as your own. Thank you for never allowing me to stray too far from your loving, and forgiving embrace. Encourage me to see that your laws are good. Enable me to trust that nothing I do can ever separate me from your love. In Jesus' name. Amen
The Ten Commandments
Of all the references made to the bible, this one is probably the most widely known. Folks may not know where the Ten Commandments can be found in the bible, but they recognize the list of "thou shall nots". However, being widely recognizable can also lend itself being widely misunderstood. This is most certainly the case with the ten commandments. Also known as the decalogue, the list of ten laws is one of my favorite bible passages to teach, primarily because it is so widely misunderstood.
If you're like most people in our world who can recognize the decalogue with the first "thou shall not...", then you probably share the same commonly accepted understanding of the commandments as well. Ask just about anyone to tell you what they believe to be true about the commandments and they are likely to say that they are a list of things that people are supposed to do if they want to get into heaven. Live your life according to these ten and all will go well for you. Live your life otherwise, and God is likely to punish you. Often when political debates ensue over whether or not it is legal for the decalogue to be displayed or referenced in public places, this belief is what gets thrown up as a "common Judeo-Christian belief" in association with the reasons why non-believers find them a violation of their rights. The tragically comical truth, however, is that this commonly held belief about the ten commandments couldn't be any further from the truth.
Consider the characterization of God that comes from believing this about the decalogue. If this belief were true then God is nothing more than a vindictive tyrant. One who does not love his people at all, but instead holds a very high bar in front of them and demands that they jump over it, or He will punish them, possibly even kill them. This depicts God with no more empathy, compassion, or devotion to His creation than that of other ancient false gods. With this belief as the common understanding of the most commonly associated scripture of our faith, it's truly no wonder non-believers run away as fast they can from Christianity. Who would, or even should, worship a God like this?
The truth about the Ten Commandments is a very different characterization of God. When we look closely at the decalogue, we find that before God speaks any of His laws to the people he claims them as as His own. In verse one, God says "I am the Lord, your God. I brought you up out of Egypt." My favorite way of teaching this text is to refer to the way in which my grandmother would offer her household "commandments". When I was a boy, my grandmother had a very powerful way of enforcing her rules of the house. Particularly when I would misbehave in public, she would, as I call it, snatch me up by the back of the neck. make me face her, and she would say, "Richie, no child of mine behaves like that!" She was swift and forceful, but also very clear whose I was. I was her's, and nothing was ever going to separate her from me.....even if, as a boy, there were times when I wished I could get away. "No child of mine..." She loved me, and wanted what was best for me, therefore she had rules to guide my actions accordingly. Her laws were never merely that of a vindictive tyrant, but rather that of a loving grandmother; one would never let me stray too far from what was best for me.
The same is true of God. God is not the vindictive tyrant depicted by the the common held misunderstanding. God loves us, and wants what is best for us, therefore he offers commandments to us, so that we might live according to His loving intentions for our lives.
Lord God, thank you for guiding my life. Thank you for claiming me as your own. Thank you for never allowing me to stray too far from your loving, and forgiving embrace. Encourage me to see that your laws are good. Enable me to trust that nothing I do can ever separate me from your love. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/9/10
Exodus chapter 18
When's the last time you attended a family reunion?
Not long ago these were a popular way to maintain the ties that bind within families. But, if your family is like most others, then you have given up on this idea and in it's place have learned to rely on technology to stay connected.
We now have the capability to connect with people, share pictures, daily life stories, etc. and never leave our house. As spread out as families have become, the use of technology has offered a way for us to remain somewhat connected without having to use those valuable vacation days, without the expense of travelling, and without the hassle of organizing around everyone's busy calendars. My family stopped having reunions when I was a boy. Now, we rely upon free long distance cell phone services, Facebook, email, texting, and the obligatory holiday visits to maintain those ties that bind. What do you do? Does anyone sill have an actual annual family reunion?
In today's text, Moses had a family reunion. Jethro, his father-in-law came to visit him, and brought with him his wife and two children. We're a little unsure, at this point in the text, how long it has been since Moses has seen his family, but by the reading we recognize that it has been a long enough time to evoke a very joyous reunion.
Reunions are good for the soul. Of course, if the reunion lingers, the memories of why we left in the first place may indeed begin to creep into the joy of the occasion, but maintaining the ties that bind us to friends and family is important work. I find that every family has at least one person who is really good at this. For me, it's my mother. One hearty phone call to my mother will yield all the information I need to stay abreast of my entire family. Now, that doesn't negate the necessity to still stay in touch with them, but usually by the time I contact my siblings or my neices, I already know what's going on because of my contact with my mom. My family doesn't have annual family reunions, but it is noticeable that the family relies upon my mom and technology to keep everyone connected. There's probably someone in your family who does that. If it's you, recognize the valuable role you play within the family. Do it well, and avoid gossip. If it's not you, then identify who this person is. Today would be a good day to thank him/her for the role he/she plays within the family.
You are part of a spiritual family too. You are an adopted child of God, and personal friend of Jesus, God's son. God's family gathers together for a spiritual reunion every time we share Holy Communion. It's not quite the same as an annual picnic, but there's food and there's a strengthening of the ties that bind us together as one holy church. In this family Jesus is the one who plays the role of holding the family together. We may not find Jesus on Facebook, and he doesn't carry a cell phone, but he has given us the gift of faith and the freedom to pray. When we pray, we are connecting to God, Jesus, and all the saints. It's like one giant, spiritual teleconference. :-)
Sometimes we think of prayer too narrowly. We think of it as something we need to do in order to get God to listen to our needs. God already knows what we need before we even ask. But, when we pray we allow our faith to connect us together. It's like when I call my mom. I may already know most of what she's going to say, and she is probably aware of most of what I'm going to say. But, sharing that moment connected, communicating with each other, is more important for the relationship than the things we actually say. The same is true about prayer. Whether or not God answers our prayers the way we want Him to isn't what is of primary importance. What's important is just that we stay connected. God has given us two very easy ways to do that: prayer, and weekly Holy Communion.
Lord God, thank you for my family. They are a precious glimpse of your love for your Church. Help me to maintain the ties that bind us together. Thank you for adopting me, through baptism, into your holy and eternal family. Thank you as well, for giving me the gift of faith, the freedom to pray, and the reunion of Holy Communion. Encourage me to make good use of these gifts in order remain connected to you. In Jesus' name. Amen
When's the last time you attended a family reunion?
Not long ago these were a popular way to maintain the ties that bind within families. But, if your family is like most others, then you have given up on this idea and in it's place have learned to rely on technology to stay connected.
We now have the capability to connect with people, share pictures, daily life stories, etc. and never leave our house. As spread out as families have become, the use of technology has offered a way for us to remain somewhat connected without having to use those valuable vacation days, without the expense of travelling, and without the hassle of organizing around everyone's busy calendars. My family stopped having reunions when I was a boy. Now, we rely upon free long distance cell phone services, Facebook, email, texting, and the obligatory holiday visits to maintain those ties that bind. What do you do? Does anyone sill have an actual annual family reunion?
In today's text, Moses had a family reunion. Jethro, his father-in-law came to visit him, and brought with him his wife and two children. We're a little unsure, at this point in the text, how long it has been since Moses has seen his family, but by the reading we recognize that it has been a long enough time to evoke a very joyous reunion.
Reunions are good for the soul. Of course, if the reunion lingers, the memories of why we left in the first place may indeed begin to creep into the joy of the occasion, but maintaining the ties that bind us to friends and family is important work. I find that every family has at least one person who is really good at this. For me, it's my mother. One hearty phone call to my mother will yield all the information I need to stay abreast of my entire family. Now, that doesn't negate the necessity to still stay in touch with them, but usually by the time I contact my siblings or my neices, I already know what's going on because of my contact with my mom. My family doesn't have annual family reunions, but it is noticeable that the family relies upon my mom and technology to keep everyone connected. There's probably someone in your family who does that. If it's you, recognize the valuable role you play within the family. Do it well, and avoid gossip. If it's not you, then identify who this person is. Today would be a good day to thank him/her for the role he/she plays within the family.
You are part of a spiritual family too. You are an adopted child of God, and personal friend of Jesus, God's son. God's family gathers together for a spiritual reunion every time we share Holy Communion. It's not quite the same as an annual picnic, but there's food and there's a strengthening of the ties that bind us together as one holy church. In this family Jesus is the one who plays the role of holding the family together. We may not find Jesus on Facebook, and he doesn't carry a cell phone, but he has given us the gift of faith and the freedom to pray. When we pray, we are connecting to God, Jesus, and all the saints. It's like one giant, spiritual teleconference. :-)
Sometimes we think of prayer too narrowly. We think of it as something we need to do in order to get God to listen to our needs. God already knows what we need before we even ask. But, when we pray we allow our faith to connect us together. It's like when I call my mom. I may already know most of what she's going to say, and she is probably aware of most of what I'm going to say. But, sharing that moment connected, communicating with each other, is more important for the relationship than the things we actually say. The same is true about prayer. Whether or not God answers our prayers the way we want Him to isn't what is of primary importance. What's important is just that we stay connected. God has given us two very easy ways to do that: prayer, and weekly Holy Communion.
Lord God, thank you for my family. They are a precious glimpse of your love for your Church. Help me to maintain the ties that bind us together. Thank you for adopting me, through baptism, into your holy and eternal family. Thank you as well, for giving me the gift of faith, the freedom to pray, and the reunion of Holy Communion. Encourage me to make good use of these gifts in order remain connected to you. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/8/10
Exodus 16:1-17:16
Practice makes perfect! So, we should be careful about what we're practicing.
The Israelites have just been freed from Egyptian slavery. They have witnessed God's saving work on their behalf. Just yesterday we read and reflected upon their song of thanksgiving. Now, only days after they sung their thankful song to God, their tune has dramatically changed to that of grumbling and complaining. They complained about the lack of adequate food and water. While those are indeed issues that would cause deep concern among a nation of people, it is their way of dealing with these issues that is becoming a problem. God has proven Himself to be worthy of their faith and trust. Yet, when the people are faced with a lack of food, do they pray to God a prayer of trust that God will provide? No. They complain. Next, when the people are faced with a lack of water, do they pray to God a prayer of trust that God will provide? Again, the answer is no. They complain. The Israelites are beginning to practice a pattern of behavior that is not healthy for them or their relationship with God.
So, if practice makes perfect, then what are you practicing?
If you're practicing the behaviors of complaining and grumbling the way the Israelites did, then be careful, you might get very good at it. We all know people who have perfected the art of complaining. They can't seem to be thankful or appreciative for anything. They are miserable to be around, and it seems as though there is never anything positive to talk about when in their presence.
There are other behaviors like complaining that we should be careful not to practice because we might just get very good at them. Here's a few examples. There are some who just cant resist gossiping. There are others who constantly practice self-righteous judgment of others. Most of us know at least one person who cant seem to show any genuine care or empathy toward others.
Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice.
Christ died so that we would come to believe that God does not desire to cause us to suffer. Instead, God desires to forgive us and provide for us the freedom to change. By practicing the disciplines of our faith, (prayer, worship, charity, love, compassion etc.), we get better and better at the behaviors that God uses to mold us into the people that He created us to become.
God doesn't ask us to be perfect, but He does ask us to practice!
Lord God, no matter how good the Israelites became at grumbling, you did not abandon them. You provided for their every basic need, and encouraged them to grow in faith along their journey with you. Today, give me grace sufficient enough to make an honest assessment of what I'm practicing. And, provide for me the clarity and the courage to practice the necessary changes that will allow me to follow more closely behind your Son, Jesus. In his name. Amen
Practice makes perfect! So, we should be careful about what we're practicing.
The Israelites have just been freed from Egyptian slavery. They have witnessed God's saving work on their behalf. Just yesterday we read and reflected upon their song of thanksgiving. Now, only days after they sung their thankful song to God, their tune has dramatically changed to that of grumbling and complaining. They complained about the lack of adequate food and water. While those are indeed issues that would cause deep concern among a nation of people, it is their way of dealing with these issues that is becoming a problem. God has proven Himself to be worthy of their faith and trust. Yet, when the people are faced with a lack of food, do they pray to God a prayer of trust that God will provide? No. They complain. Next, when the people are faced with a lack of water, do they pray to God a prayer of trust that God will provide? Again, the answer is no. They complain. The Israelites are beginning to practice a pattern of behavior that is not healthy for them or their relationship with God.
So, if practice makes perfect, then what are you practicing?
If you're practicing the behaviors of complaining and grumbling the way the Israelites did, then be careful, you might get very good at it. We all know people who have perfected the art of complaining. They can't seem to be thankful or appreciative for anything. They are miserable to be around, and it seems as though there is never anything positive to talk about when in their presence.
There are other behaviors like complaining that we should be careful not to practice because we might just get very good at them. Here's a few examples. There are some who just cant resist gossiping. There are others who constantly practice self-righteous judgment of others. Most of us know at least one person who cant seem to show any genuine care or empathy toward others.
Practice makes perfect, so be careful what you practice.
Christ died so that we would come to believe that God does not desire to cause us to suffer. Instead, God desires to forgive us and provide for us the freedom to change. By practicing the disciplines of our faith, (prayer, worship, charity, love, compassion etc.), we get better and better at the behaviors that God uses to mold us into the people that He created us to become.
God doesn't ask us to be perfect, but He does ask us to practice!
Lord God, no matter how good the Israelites became at grumbling, you did not abandon them. You provided for their every basic need, and encouraged them to grow in faith along their journey with you. Today, give me grace sufficient enough to make an honest assessment of what I'm practicing. And, provide for me the clarity and the courage to practice the necessary changes that will allow me to follow more closely behind your Son, Jesus. In his name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/7/10
Exodus chapter 15
I often sing in the car. I also tend to sing when I'm when I'm doing chores around the house. When I'm singing I do so by singing along with some of my favorite music.
When do you sing?
Just as there are lots of different kinds of songs, there are just as many reasons to sing. There are sad songs; songs that help us to lament about loss and grief. There are happy songs; songs that allow us to let out joy and love. What have you been singing lately?
Songs that are sung with God in mind can be all of these, but they differ in one way. No matter whether they are songs of sad times of of happy times, songs about God are always thankful. Think about some of your favorite Christian hymns or songs. They are all thankful to God for something. Amazing grace, for instance, is thankful to God for "saving a wretch like me". Or, How Great Thou Art is a song that literally is about singing to God with thankfulness. Whatever the song, if it's a song directed toward God then its going to be a song that is thankful in substance.
So, what are you thankful for these days? Remember in the story Peter Pan, when Peter taught the kids to fly by telling them to think a happy thought? Well, Make a short list of the things that make you say thank you to God, and you'll have a list of happy thoughts. They may not make you fly, but singing might just allow your soul to defy a little bit of the gravity in your life. Your reasons to be thankful to God are reasons worth singing.
In our reading for today, the Israelites have just made it safely across the Red Sea. God has saved them from Pharaoh's army and has freed them from slavery. With thankful hearts for all that God has done, they sing. Having lived through the miraculous events of their freedom and having received such amazing grace as this, how could they keep from singing.
Likewise, the reasons in which you are thankful to God today; these are the reasons for which Jesus died for you. Jesus died so that you would have life, and have it abundantly both now and into eternity. With Jesus' gift of life and grace given freely to us by faith, how can we keep from singing.
Lord God, when trouble comes my way remind me of the many things for which I am thankful to you. With your grace and promise of eternal life, may I sing with a thankful heart through everything. In Jesus' name. Amen
I often sing in the car. I also tend to sing when I'm when I'm doing chores around the house. When I'm singing I do so by singing along with some of my favorite music.
When do you sing?
Just as there are lots of different kinds of songs, there are just as many reasons to sing. There are sad songs; songs that help us to lament about loss and grief. There are happy songs; songs that allow us to let out joy and love. What have you been singing lately?
Songs that are sung with God in mind can be all of these, but they differ in one way. No matter whether they are songs of sad times of of happy times, songs about God are always thankful. Think about some of your favorite Christian hymns or songs. They are all thankful to God for something. Amazing grace, for instance, is thankful to God for "saving a wretch like me". Or, How Great Thou Art is a song that literally is about singing to God with thankfulness. Whatever the song, if it's a song directed toward God then its going to be a song that is thankful in substance.
So, what are you thankful for these days? Remember in the story Peter Pan, when Peter taught the kids to fly by telling them to think a happy thought? Well, Make a short list of the things that make you say thank you to God, and you'll have a list of happy thoughts. They may not make you fly, but singing might just allow your soul to defy a little bit of the gravity in your life. Your reasons to be thankful to God are reasons worth singing.
In our reading for today, the Israelites have just made it safely across the Red Sea. God has saved them from Pharaoh's army and has freed them from slavery. With thankful hearts for all that God has done, they sing. Having lived through the miraculous events of their freedom and having received such amazing grace as this, how could they keep from singing.
Likewise, the reasons in which you are thankful to God today; these are the reasons for which Jesus died for you. Jesus died so that you would have life, and have it abundantly both now and into eternity. With Jesus' gift of life and grace given freely to us by faith, how can we keep from singing.
Lord God, when trouble comes my way remind me of the many things for which I am thankful to you. With your grace and promise of eternal life, may I sing with a thankful heart through everything. In Jesus' name. Amen
Morning Devotions: 4/6/10
Exodus chapter 14
Is there a more dramatic event in the bible than the parting of the Red Sea?
The drama of this event is heightened in the hindsight of realizing that the Israelites did not see this coming. They saw the trap they were in; the Egyptian army advancing on one side, and the water of the sea on the other. They did not see with eyes of faith. Without eyes of faith the Israelites were only able to see two possibilities: return to slavery in Egypt or death in the wilderness. They did not consider the possibility that God would open a new way; one that would dramatically save them from the trap they were in.
What are the most dramatic events of your life?
In hindsight can you see what God was doing with you? Try to remember back to the moments before God acted on your behalf, were you able to see beyond the trap you were in?
Sometimes the problems we face require eyes of faith to be able to see the possibility of a solution that is beyond the problem itself. To look upon problems with eyes of faith is to look with an attempt to see God's perspective. We are often far too close to the problems we face to be able to see with eyes of faith. God's perspective requires a kind of zoom lens, which allows us to zoom out and view the course that God has kept us on over a long period of time. When we do this, we begin to see the ways in which God has rescued us from ourselves through our past. To see the times in which God has rescued us in the past encourages our faith in the present moment, and opens our eyes to new possibilities for solutions.
With eyes of faith, we find the hope and the courage to look at our problems with less despair and more possibility. With God, there is always a solution, we are never trapped. But, we may need to take a dramatic act of faith to overcome certain things.
Lord God, when my eyes can see only the problems before me, open them to see with eyes of faith; and give me courage to act upon the possibilities you present. In Jesus' name. Amen
Is there a more dramatic event in the bible than the parting of the Red Sea?
The drama of this event is heightened in the hindsight of realizing that the Israelites did not see this coming. They saw the trap they were in; the Egyptian army advancing on one side, and the water of the sea on the other. They did not see with eyes of faith. Without eyes of faith the Israelites were only able to see two possibilities: return to slavery in Egypt or death in the wilderness. They did not consider the possibility that God would open a new way; one that would dramatically save them from the trap they were in.
What are the most dramatic events of your life?
In hindsight can you see what God was doing with you? Try to remember back to the moments before God acted on your behalf, were you able to see beyond the trap you were in?
Sometimes the problems we face require eyes of faith to be able to see the possibility of a solution that is beyond the problem itself. To look upon problems with eyes of faith is to look with an attempt to see God's perspective. We are often far too close to the problems we face to be able to see with eyes of faith. God's perspective requires a kind of zoom lens, which allows us to zoom out and view the course that God has kept us on over a long period of time. When we do this, we begin to see the ways in which God has rescued us from ourselves through our past. To see the times in which God has rescued us in the past encourages our faith in the present moment, and opens our eyes to new possibilities for solutions.
With eyes of faith, we find the hope and the courage to look at our problems with less despair and more possibility. With God, there is always a solution, we are never trapped. But, we may need to take a dramatic act of faith to overcome certain things.
Lord God, when my eyes can see only the problems before me, open them to see with eyes of faith; and give me courage to act upon the possibilities you present. In Jesus' name. Amen
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Pastor Rich
