Does your family have any unique practices or traditions – a special dish at the holiday season, a quirky birthday celebration, something you do every Easter…? Maybe you don’t understand it or even understand where it came from, but you go along because that is what is expected. Then at some point, someone says something like, “Hey, this year instead…” and you gasp! Or sometimes the tradition or practice fades because you moved away and one Easter morning you realize you don’t ‘x’ anymore and you feel like something is suddenly missing. As a Christian family we get our traditions and practices from Christ. He is our firm foundation, our Cornerstone. We are called to be His “living stones” – to live our lives in a way that brings Christ to the world. Like our family traditions, we find our identity in Christ. Sadly, like some of our own family traditions, sometimes we don’t always fully understand or even like some of the Christian traditions and practices that we are called to. Sometimes we fail to live them out. For example, do we always embrace tolerance and practice respect? Do we always love our neighbors as ourselves? Sadly, not always. At these points the gasp does not come from us. But the good news is that we are precious to Jesus. Despite our human limitations, He continues to build us into His holy nation, a people called to God. We belong to Him. Our journey is simply growing more and more like Jesus every day. And despite ourselves, we do. It is through Jesus. Thank you Lord!!
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Strong Arms
Psalm 31:2 reads: “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.” What words of trust in God – these statements represent sure things. We know He will come to us. We know He is our rock. We know He will save us. In times of crisis, pain, and despair, we turn to our God. His strong arms will embrace us.
In Him we find strength every morning. In Him we find His arm around us helping us in every step we take. In Him we find comfort and peace as the sorrow and pain begin to well up again.
Verse 3 goes on, “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” Not if, not when. God IS our rock and fortress. In our times of struggle, may we lean into those strong arms.
The Reality of Eternity
Jesus told His disciples, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” He also told them that no one comes to God except through the Son. Just as these words are meant to encourage and strengthen the disciples, He meant the same for us. Jesus wanted all to know that the path to eternity led through him. For the disciples, soon Jesus would die and He wanted them to trust in His continuing presence. He was going on ahead of them to prepare a place for them – a heavenly home. As they continued the work that He had begun, He wanted them to work in the peace and comfort of the reality of eternity.
Jesus knew, as He spoke these words, that His disciples – both the 12 and us today – would face trials and would be asked to go into uncomfortable situations and places. He asks us to trust into His “everlasting fellowship”. The earthly Jesus is now the eternal Jesus, calling us to know Him more and more through how we engage Him in study and Word and prayer and in how we participate in His mission in the world. His call is today and every day, in the here and now. To know is to love, To love is to serve. To serve is to know.
As we continue to grow in this cycle that Jesus calls us to, we step closer to that reality of eternity. For some of us, we are a part of bringing the new creation to this place where we dwell. Some may see the new creation come right before their earthly eyes. For others, while we share in the building of the kingdom here on earth, we are bringing ourselves closer to our eternal glory. We will be a part of the coming of the new creation. It matters not. We are all part of the same plan. Thank you Jesus!
Faithful and True
Have you ever done something or ventured somewhere with a guide or expert that you never would have alone? If I were to go white-water rafting or skydiving or up Mount Everest, I would want a pretty skilled guide right there with me, leading and showing the way. Imagine stepping to the door or the airplane and hearing your guide say, “Hope I packed the parachutes right, today was my first time packing a chute.”
In your walk of faith have you ever stepped outside of your comfort zone or made a ‘leap of faith’? When we do these things we do so with the confidence that He is right there with us. He walks right alongside of us – ready to catch us when we stumble, ready to show us the way when we feel a little lost, ready to whisper in our ear just what needs to be said, ready to give us courage when we begin to have doubts. He is our rock, our comforter, our expert guide.
Knowing He is always by our side gives us the confidence and knowledge to step up or out for Him. He will never leave us, He will never forsake us. May we walk boldly, for He is faithful and true.
At the Gate
Jesus is often known as the ‘Good Shepherd’. On one level it is an odd choice – in Jesus’ day it was one of the lowliest jobs you could have. It was hard work. It was lonely work. It was thankless work. It was dangerous work. Your sheep were in almost constant need of care and protection. You lived outside with them day in night, in the cold, in the rain, in the wind, in the scorching sun.
Yet in many ways the analogy makes perfect sense. Tending to a fellow Christian can be hard and lonely work. In parts of the world it can be dangerous. Some people require lots of care. You may have to go out in the middle of the night or during a snowstorm to be with them.
Yet I have a feeling that none of this would have even slightly bothered Jesus. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace is His motto – He loves us that much. His love is so great that He would lie down His life for us – again and again and again. Like a shepherd lying down before the gate each day to keep his sheep safe, Jesus lays down at the door to our heart each day and says, ‘Satan, you shall not enter. This one is mine’. And safe and secure, we say ‘Thank you Jesus!’
Just One Step Past
What a wonderful image of the early church – gathering daily to hear the Word proclaimed, to worship, to fellowship to break bread. They gave freely to one anther as there was need. In Jesus’ name miracles were occurring and each day others were drawn into their community of believers. When I think about the early church, the word ‘family’ comes to mind.
Then I thought, is this the word we would each use to describe our own church? Or is it only a ‘church’ – a group that gathers once a week on Sunday mornings? A nice time to worship, to hear the Word proclaimed, to enjoy a little casual fellowship. Or are there ‘families’ that some are involved in? Do some dive in and become a part of a small group, a covenant group, a life group, an accountability group? It is to this small group that an extra commitment is required. It is one step past Sunday morning.
Yet when one chooses to take that extra step one usually finds the loving support, the personal encouragement, the heartfelt concern, the genuine fellowship, that we all need and crave. If you haven’t taken that extra step, please do. I know it is one more thing to fit into your busy schedule. But it is worth the step.
Calling All Sheep!!
The church I serve is the downtown area of a small city in a rural state. We are in and amongst some sheep that are not like our ‘average’ sheep. Most of the flock comes from neighborhoods where they must drive to church. The body is made up of many loving sheep from lots of the different pastures around town. But when we come together we form one body. Gathered there and when apart, we all strive to listen to the same One voice of Jesus. In His voice we find nurture and protection, guidance and conviction, strength and comfort, love.
Occasionally ‘another’ sheep wanders into our enclosure on a Sunday morning or on a Wednesday night. Sometimes, to the casual observer, they are hard to identify as not being of our flock. In other cases, it is easy to see they are not part of the regular flock. But do we realize that almost all of these sheep are seeking to hear the same One voice we are there to hear? On Wednesdays some of these ‘other’ sheep are there trying to find a warm meal and to be in a safe places for a little while.
As the Good Shepherd, his voice calls out to us all. Not just to some – to all! As we find ourselves next to a sheep that is different from ‘us’, may we NOT look them over with the “What are you doing here?” look in our eyes. Instead, may we show them the same love we would show our own spouse or son or daughter. He is calling them too. There is no one Jesus wants to see outside the fold. Why should we?
What a Shepherd!!
Sheep have a reputation for being animals that lack intelligence. They are known to do stupid things at times – they wander off and find themselves lost or in danger. When the shepherd isn’t around or when they cannot hear his voice, they can become lost or worse.
Sheep are a pretty good metaphor for us, aren’t they? Not the lacking intelligence part – humans are pretty capable intellectually. But this make it all the more ironic that at times we too wander away from Jesus, our shepherd. We know He paid a price. We know he bled, suffered, and died to pay for our sins yet sometimes we are prone to wander off down a different road.
When the shepherd notices a sheep is missing, he will search for that sheep until he finds it and bring it back to safety. At times, danger comes near the sheep. The shepherd takes up staff or sling and protects the sheep.
When we wander away, surely we will hear His voice. When I hear Him calling, ‘John, where are you?’ then I respond, ‘Here! Here! Here I am!’ and I come running back. As I come to walk again with the shepherd I wonder why I ever went astray. But Jesus just smiles ad welcomes me back into the fold. There is no “tsk, tsk’ or sad look in His eyes. Just a smile and love in the eyes. At times, do you hear Him calling? Run to Him! He will do the same for you. Jesus offers love, grace, and mercy to all. What a Good Shepherd we have!!!
God Always Present
Psalm 23 is one the best known psalms. It is a psalm many know by heart. It is a passage that assures us of God’s grace and love for us. It is a passage that speaks of God’s constant and steady hand upon us as we walk on our journey of faith. It is a passage that speaks of God blessing us and a promise of His goodness and mercy as we live with God in our hearts. It is a psalm of thanksgiving.
Yet it is also a psalm that brings great comfort and peace. It is a psalm that reminds us that God is present beside the still waters and in the green pasture. It is also a passage that assures us that in our dark and sad times, God is there too. In the dark valleys we need him more than ever, as He is always there.
For all of these things, His presence in both the good and in the bad, we give thanks. Romans 15:13 reads: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him; so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy spirit.” Hope does not disappoint, for God is always near.
Do You Hear His Voice?
In John 10, Jesus draws the analogy between sheep following the voice of their shepherd and us following His voice. If only I was as faithful as a sheep!!
When flocks would mingle together at a watering hole it would be hard for the casual observer to tell one sheep from another. I wonder if this is how I look when I am out in the world – is it hard to identify me as a follower of the Good Shepherd? Do I look and act like all the other sheep who belong to other shepherds?
When the shepherd would call out, his sheep and only his sheep would leave the watering hole and come to him. They knew his voice alone and wouldn’t follow another. Over time he had guided and protected them – trust had been established. A relationship of exclusivity had been formed.
I know the Good Shepherd’s voice. Through study, prayer, and other means I am trying to know His voice better. But at times I hear other voices. At time I even listen to and follow the voices of pride, control, and judging – just to name a few. And then very soon I hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, the Holy Spirit, calling my name and drawing me back. Sometimes He has to shout. Alas, I am still a work in progress. But He knows my name and keeps calling. And I hear His voice.
Ponder how you hear His voice and what you can do to hear it better.
pastorjohnb 