In the beginning God pushed back the darkness and chaos to usher in the light. He spoke the word and it was so. Each day of creation that unfolded followed the same pattern of God speaking and it being so.
In the beginning of our lives we are all creations of God’s hand. But for many of us, at some point we lose that connection and find ourselves separated from God. This is through the choices we make. It is not God’s doing. For those who did not grow up in the faith, they feel that hole that cannot be filled on their own. All feel a pull towards the divine.
So why doesn’t God simply speak and make each of us a faithful and constant follower of Christ? Why doesn’t God speak and have it be so? Life would be do much simpler!
Although we are created in the image of God and are all loved by God, He does not force himself upon us. We are given a free will to make our own choices. When we are allowed to choose for ourselves, we are so much more invested in the outcome.
A forced faith is not true faith. We must each choose to enter into a relationship with Christ and then daily continue to walk in that relationship. He loves us enough to let us choose. This day may we choose the Lord.
Scripture reference: Genesis 1: 1-5
Tag Archives: faith
Lost in Him
If one were to pick up the newspaper or turn on the TV or surf the internet, one would maybe think that Christmas is just around the corner. It may be that there is more on sale after Christmas than there was before Christmas. Even for those who had a blessed and wonderful Christmas and thought they were satisfied on December 25, all of the advertising draws one to ponder what else one might need.
I wrote ‘need’ but really should have used ‘want’ instead. When we are stuck on focusing on what we want too much then contentment becomes elusive. Yes, it is difficult to be still and quiet amidst all the noise, yet God is still very present and is still seeking our presence.
The psalmist reminds us to sing out to God our thanksgiving, to see Him at work in the rising of the sun and the falling of the rain. God delights in those whose hope is in Him. Today may we get so lost in singing our praises to God that we become lost in Him, so that the noise of this world fades away and He is all we have left.
Psalm 147: 7-14
Calling All
God desires to unite all people in faith. His desire is not just for those already with faith but for all people to come to know Him. In Jeremiah 31, he writes of God reuniting a people long in exile. Jeremiah includes all of the exiles – the lame, the pregnant, the elderly, the marginalized. He tells us that God will make the path straight so that all can come home.
As we fast-forward to Jesus’ time on earth, we hear the same basic message. He came to save the lost, to eat with sinners, to bring healing and wholeness to all. For Jesus, those in exile were not just the Jews, but were all who were separated from the love of God. Jesus sought to gather all of the lost sheep to the Good Shepherd.
Fast forward another 2,000 years. The call coming from God and God in Jesus is still the same: all who are weary and burdened, come and find rest. All who suffer, come and find healing. All who are broken, come and be renewed. All who have sinned, come and be cleansed. He calls all of us. His call will continue on and on and on because His love never ends. Thanks be to God.
Scripture reference: Jeremiah 31: 7-14
The Right Order
In this season it can be easy to get caught up in the volume of gifts or in spending a lot of time and energy trying to find just the right gift. Yet for many the gift they most desire is one that is free and that is always available: time.
Our relationship with God can be similar. We can get so busy doing things for God and we come to think that our works are what matter to God. It’s easy to get caught up in what we do FOR God instead of focusing in on who we are TO God. Maybe in Advent it is even easier to get caught up in this game because Christmas can be about giving.
Adding to the mix is the fact that when we do or accomplish things for God, it can make us feel important or special. We must be careful here. God cares about who we are much more than about what we do. Our relationship to God is what matters most. From this relationship, the ‘doing’ naturally flows. When asked, Jesus listed loving God first. He knew the right order. If we first love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then loving others naturally follows.
Scripture reference: 2 Samuel 7: 1-7
In Christ’s Way
God calls us to a life of holiness. In living a life of holiness we are called to live with God’s love being our guiding light. Although we are imperfect in our human form, we are called to emulate our perfect God.
In daily living we are called to build others up, to pray for all we encounter, to do good and to do no harm, to serve and to give to others. Elements such as pride, greed, envy, and such are not welcome in our hearts. Our covenant with God calls us to holiness. And through this covenant we find God’s power being present to help us accomplish this calling.
Paul looked at holiness as a holistic or complete package. It involves our body, mind, and soul living a life worthy of Jesus Christ. Our journey of faith should lead us closer and closer and closer to Christ.
God knows we are imperfect creatures. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, we are also reminded that Jesus walked this earth too. Although He was without sin, He felt all of the emotions and things we deal with and struggle with. Jesus is on our side. He intercedes for us. God calls us to perfection, seeking to make saints out of our imperfection. The road is narrow but His love never fails and His hand is always upon us, guiding and leading us to walk in Christ’s way.
Scripture reference: 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24
The Gift of Faith
In Psalm 126 the people have returned from exile. For this they praise God joyfully. But a hard reality also faces them. No one was there the year before to plant crops and to store up grain. In the midst of a joyous return they face a food crisis.
The people of Israel have just experienced the miracle of being freed from slavery. They have seen God’s great power at work in their lives. So they turn their prayers to the need at hand. They pray for food and a good harvest and are confident that their God will respond with a good harvest. They have faith in His future blessings.
In our world today, many also have a hunger – a spiritual hunger. During the time of Advent. as we draw nearer to Christmas, people are more aware of Christ and faith. We have the food that the lost need. We can offer them the great news of Jesus Christ – a morsel that always satisfies. We are called to share what we have. When we give away our faith, strangely enough it grows in us too. Bless another today with the gift of faith.
Scripture reference: Psalm 126
Joy and Hope
Mark 13 has some apocalyptic writing. In verses 24-37 Jesus is speaking of the time when He will return in glory. This type of writing is fascinating to me. Personally I do not read too much into it. Some people do and sadly their focus often becomes the doom and gloom aspects and they see only the doubt, fear, and despair. I prefer just the facts.
First fact – Jesus is returning. Yeah! Second fact – there will be signs in the natural world that the time is at hand. These things will scare some people but others will gaze heavenward with joyous expectation. Third fact – no one knows the time for Jesus’ return except God the Father. This fact is the most imminent and the one with the most application for our daily lives.
Because the hour is unknown we are called as Christians to b alert and ready at all times. We are to live daily with faith, love, and hope always on our hearts, souls, and minds. These things should flow through and be visible in our daily decisions, choices, and actions. We are called to love our God and neighbor like they really are the most important things in our lives. When we live each day for God, we do not live in despair and fear but in joy and hope. There’s no place I’d rather be!
Scripture reference: Mark 13: 24-37
Fellow Travelers
Often times when we go on a journey, we like to have company go along with us. This is especially true if it is a long journey. We have someone to talk to, someone there in case we have trouble, and someone to keep us focused on the journey.
Our journey of faith is long and should be one of continual growth and development as we move along our “path.” It is a journey meant to be made in the company of other Christians, but how often we try to go it alone. We don’t usually mind sharing the good things in life or even coming together at a funeral in or common time of grief, but sharing our inner demons and struggles is much harder. Yet it is in the honesty and accountability that we find strength and power.
Jesus himself turned to others in times of trial and struggle. The Holy Spirit walked with Him in the desert and often He turned to the disciples for prayer and support. If Jesus needed others to be with Him, how much more so do we. May we find and be for others fellow travelers along the road of faith.
Scripture reference: Judges 4: 1-9
Ours to Invest
In the Parable of the Talents, the three servants had a choice in what to do with what they were given. Two chose to risk a little and work the gift and it grew. One chose to bury the gift in the ground. The two were rewarded for their efforts and the one was scolded and tossed aside.
Each of us are also given much. We may not have huge sums of money to invest, but we all have gifts and skills that God blessed us with AND we all have time. The question we face is this: how will we invest what God has given us? God has given us what has been called “divine capital” to invest, but we get to choose how or even if we are going to invest it.
Are your gifts invested or are they buried? Are you active in pursuing God and your faith or are you just warming a pew every once in a while? God’s call to us is to be invested in our faith, in the lives of others, and in the building of the kingdom. And the best news is that God is right here, ready to assist us as we invest. Just like in the parable, God wants to see us use what we have so that it will grow. Happy spending!!
Scripture reference: Matthew 25: 14-30
Be Filled
In today’s parable from Matthew, ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom to come to the wedding banquet. Sad thing is five of them do not have enough oil. Five do. When news of the bridegroom’s approach reaches them, the five need more oil. While they are away getting oil, the bridegroom arrives. Then banquet begins and when the five arrive late, they are not allowed in because the bridegroom does not know them now.
The lesson is to be prepared. The hour of return is unknown to us too. Metaphorically, Jesus is the bridegroom, we are the virgins, and the banquet is the celebration of the return of Christ. The oil represents the Holy Spirit and our faith is the lamp. In our walk of faith we must keep our lamps burning, shining forth with the light of Christ. To do so we must seek the Holy Spirit, that symbolic oil for our lamps.
Each day when we pray for guidance, direction, and God’s presence, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Each time we we read and meditate on His Word, we are filled. Each time we gather and worship, we are filled. Each time we stop and care for one in need, we are filled. God loves to pour His Holy Spirit into us because then our light shines bright. Be filled today and every day!!
Scripture reference: Matthew 25: 1-13
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