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Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Song of Faith

Reading: Psalm 68:1-10

Verse 4: “Sing to God, sing in praise of his name.”

Psalm 68 begins by asking God for protection: scatter the enemies, make the foes flee, blow them away. God’s enemies and foes are Israel’s enemies and foes. And then the psalmist turns to remembering what God has done for Israel and to praising God for this. In verse 3 David writes, “May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God.” It is a call to sing and to lift praises to God.

The people are called to remember and to sing praises for God’s love and care for the orphans and widows and for the lonely and poor, for freeing the prisoners, and for pouring down abundance on “your weary inheritance.” The Israelites are called to praise God and so are we. To do so we must remember what God has done. In today’s Disciplines devotional, author Maureen Knudsen Langdoc writes, “Praise springs from remembering, and remembering is crucial for bearing witness to Christ” (page 173.) We have experienced God’s love and care, God’s gifts of mercy and forgiveness, the hope and promise of salvation. Together we too have a song to sing.

So what is the chorus and what are the verses to your song of God’s love and care? Luke David and the Israelites, we have a corporate experience of God’s activity in the community of faith. Perhaps that is the chorus. What, then, are the personal experiences with God that compromise the verses of your song? As you consider and compose the song of your faith, may you sing it to God and to others.

Prayer: Lord God, fill my mouth with a song of praise. Put words in my heart and on my lips that bring praise and glory to you! Amen.


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Three Lessons

Reading: Acts 1:12-14

Verse 14: “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

In yesterday’s portion of Acts 1 Jesus gives the disciples some instructions. They were to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was given. And they are to be witnesses of Jesus to the ends of the earth. Now, I do not know about you, but I might have tried to tackle these in reverse order. I am a doer. It is hard for me to wait when a clear task is right there in front of me.

The disciples return to the city and gather in the place they’ve been staying. The 11 gather together with other devoted followers of Jesus: “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” This faithful group was “constantly in prayer.” There are several lessons for us to take away from these three verses.

First lesson: follow Jesus’ instructions. Trust that God has a plan and a purpose and that you are equipped for it. Be obedient to that. Second lesson: include others. Note that the 11 didn’t huddle up and shoo everyone else out. Like them, we need to realize that being witnesses is all of our jobs. It’s not a task just for the pastor or other church staff or even the leadership team. Together we accomplish this task better and more effectively. Third lesson: pray. Pray a lot – “constantly.” Pray about what was spoken to you by the Holy Spirit, by the Bible, by someone… Wrestle with it before God. Seek discernment and direction. Spending time in prayer further connects us to God and to God’s plan and purpose. This deepens our faith. And this better equips us for the task that God has laid before us.

As we all seek to witness to our faith may we be obedient to God’s instructions, may we seek out others to walk faithfully with, and may we pray, pray, pray.

Prayer: Lord God, speak to me today. Lay out your plan and purpose for me. Grant me the will, the courage, and the faith to be obedient. Lead me to those you want me to partner with in ministry. Reveal all we need to know and understand as we spend time in holy and prayerful conversation with you. Amen.


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Paul’s Witness – Part 1

Reading: Acts 17:22-31

Verses 22-23: “I see that in every way you are very religious… I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.”

Our focus this week is on being prepared to offer our witness to our faith. As we spend today and tomorrow in Acts 17, we will gain some insight from Paul’s example. While there is not any one right way to share our faith with others, some general do’s and do not’s are helpful.

As Paul prepares to minister in Athens he first spends some time in observation. He gets to know his audience. This provides Paul a place to engage them, to meet them where they are at. When we are nearing an opportunity to share our faith, these are steps we take naturally if the person is someone we know personally. If not, these are wise steps to take. Paul begins the conversation with this acknowledgement: “I see that in every way you are very religious.” He commends them for being spiritual. Continuing, he shares this observation: “I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.” This is the place from which he can engage in a conversation. Paul will connect their unknown god to the God that he knows. More on that tomorrow!

But for today, let’s consider what Paul does not do at this point. He did not say ‘You think you are religious’ and then launch into belittling or ridiculing or tearing apart their religion because they worship a god they don’t know and can’t even name. He does not comment on how they worship a plethora of gods, as if the breadth might cover all their bases. And he does not tell them how wrong they are as a means to provide space to prove how right he is or to share just how much he knows. There is nothing negative or insulting or confrontational about Paul’s witness to his one true God.

As we consider our natural approach to sharing our faith, ponder which of these do not’s might be your tendency.

Prayer: Lord God, part of the power of our faith comes from really believing what we believe. That’s great, right God? And yet… God, please guard my heart and mind against using my belief as a battering ram or as a stick to pound on another. Instead, Lord, use my faith as a loving and gentle tool to share you with others. Amen.


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Declare

Reading: 1st Peter 2:9-10

Verse 9b: “Declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

As we continue in 1st Peter 2, he explored what it means to be living stones. Peter’s main audience, as were most Christians at that time, came from the lower classes. The early church was made up mostly of women, servants or slaves, and other basic laborers. These groups were looked down upon and had almost no rights. Hear verse 9a from this perspective: “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” For people of low status in society, their standing in God’s eyes couldn’t be any higher.

In the rest of verse 9 we hear their task: “Declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” These new believers are to declare their testimony. They are called to praise God for what has been done in their lives. They are to tell of how God brought them from dark to light. They are to declare to the world how they received mercy. In short, these folks thought lowly by society, these folks who faced much persecution, Peter is calling them to live their faith out loud, boldly declaring Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

As readers and recipients of these words nearly 2,000 years later, we are spoken to as well. You and I are chosen as priests belonging to God. You and I have received mercy upon mercy, grace upon grace. You and I have walked out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light. In response may we boldly declare our praises of the God who saves.

Prayer: Lord God, walking in your marvelous light is so wonderful. Even though I step off the path now and then, you continue to guide, to bless, to love, to pour out your mercies. Use me today to declare my witness to those still walking in darkness. Amen.


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Living Stones

Reading: 1st Peter 2:2-8

Verse 5: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.”

Photo credit: Tyler Milligan

As we look at this week’s reading from 1st Peter 2, Peter begins by addressing their faith. From verse 2 we can glean that many are just beginning their walk of faith. Here he refers to these believers as newborns, encouraging them to “crave pure spiritual milk” so that their faith can grow. He also touches on their love of God. He reminds them that they have “tasted that the Lord is good.” It is a tangible and sure reminder for the hard times that they live in.

Peter names Jesus “the living stone.” He settles on this title because it connects into the words and images used in the Hebrew scriptures to describe the Messiah. Peter quotes from Isaiah 28 and 8 and from Psalm 118, identifying Jesus as the cornerstone, the capstone, the rock. He identifies Jesus as the one who was “chosen” by and is “precious” to God. He then connects these exiled followers of Jesus into all of this by saying, “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.” They too are chosen and precious. They too are to be living rocks of faith. All of this applies to us too. We are chosen and precious. We are to be living stones.

Peter calls these followers living as exiles and sojourners in foreign lands to be built into a community of faith and to live as “a holy priesthood.” The community is the necessary source of strength and support, of help and provision, of love and encouragement, of praise and prayer. This community, this family, is essential to them and us being “a royal priesthood.” Without our brothers and sisters in Christ it is really hard to be living stones in this hostile world. So we begin here, with hope and encouragement. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for calling me, for seeing me as precious and as worthy of a place in the family of Christ. Use me as one who ministers to others, helping them too to know that they are chosen and precious, beloved and worthy. Amen.


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To Know One…

Reading: John 14:7-14

Verse 9: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

Photo credit: Alexander Gray

In the second half of our John 14 passage Jesus makes some connections and a promise that comes from these connections. He begins by asserting that “if you really knew me, you would know the Father as well.” Here Jesus is affirming that he is the incarnation of God – God come in the flesh. As one of my devotionals put it this morning: “they are two separate but interconnected persons of one essence; to know one is to know the other” (Tanya Marlowe, Disciplines, page 45.) For the disciples this was a hard concept to wrap their heads around. In their Hebrew scriptures to physically see God brought death; to touch the ark of the covenant, the place God dwelt, brought death. To equate that God to this walking and talking Jesus was hard for them.

Jesus presses on, stating, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Jesus’ life, teachings, example – all came from the essence of God within him. He points to the miracles as further proof of this connection. Having experienced all this for almost three years, they must’ve been connecting some dots. And then Jesus hints at more, beginning to push the essence of God a step further. In verse 12 Jesus tells the disciples, “anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing… even greater things.” There is a hint of the Holy Spirit here – the third separate but interconnected persons of one essence. This will lead to Jesus in them, to Jesus in us. Their (and our) knowledge of God will grow deeper and stronger as this new connection takes up residence in them.

And lastly comes the promise: “I will do whatever you ask in my name.” We cannot stop after six words. We can ask for anything, yes. But if it is not done in and through the indwelling presence of God within us, then it is not of Jesus. Again, here Jesus points to connection – God in Jesus, in the Spirit, in us. May we ever be led by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord God, be in me today as the Father was in you: fully, completely, totally. In all I say and do and think, lead and guide me. With this connection may I reflect you to the world this day and every day. Amen.


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Graces of God

Reading: 1st Peter 2:19-25

Verse 20: “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”

This week’s passage from 1st Peter 2 is part of a section titled “Submission to Rulers and Masters.” Verses 13-18 provide some important context for our passage today. In these proceeding verses Peter encourages his readers to submit to “every authority” as they seek to live as “servants of God.” Doing so, Peter says, they will be living holy and righteous lives, shining a light into and onto the world. Continuing in verse 18 he encourages slaves to “submit to your masters with all respect.” This directive is to be followed whether the master is “good and considerate” or if they are “harsh.” (Side note: Although Peter was writing into the accepted context of his day, slavery in any and all forms is wrong.)

In our first verse for today, Peter describes the “bearing up” of “unjust suffering” as an action that is commendable when done “conscious of God.” There is unjust suffering in our world. There are people in parts of our world that suffer unjustly just as the audience of Peter suffered. And even in our “safer” parts of the world there is unjust suffering that occurs. It happens in our lives and in the lives of those we know and love. In verses 21-24 Peter reminds us that Christ suffered unjustly – for us. Here Jesus gave us an example to follow. In the suffering, Jesus did not retaliate. In the pain, he did not threaten. He chose to trust himself and his situation to the God who “judges justly.” Christ knew that one day all things would be made right. This is yet our promise too.

Peter points out that Jesus suffered for us so that we might “die to sins and live for righteousness.” Empowered by Christ’s example his readers then and us now can live with assurance, confidence, and hope. If you are suffering, draw upon these graces of God. If you know another who is suffering, come alongside them and offer these graces to them. Doing so we live by the example set by Christ. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, in the midst of pain and suffering, be present to us. Be our comfort to endure and our strength to walk in faith and trust. Use us to bring the hope and love of Christ to others who suffer. In these times, fill us with your Holy Spirit power so that we can bring your graces to bear in other people’s lives. Amen.


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The Path of Life

Reading: Psalm 16:7-11

Verse 8: “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Our passage today begins as yesterday’s began, with praise to the Lord. David celebrates God’s presence in his life just as Peter did. In verse 8 David writes, “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Here he expresses that faith is a choice. David chooses to receive counsel and instruction from God day after day. He chooses to keep God front and center – “always before me.” Because David chooses God again and again, his faith is assured and strong. He trusts that God will always be there for him.

David rejoices again in the next verses. His “heart is glad” and he knows God’s protection is his: “my body also will rest secure.” For David, his faith is holistic – mind, body, and soul. David’s faith involves all of his life, both in the present and in the future. Mirroring the inheritance that we read about yesterday, David rejoices that the Lord has “made known the path of life” and filled him “with joy in your presence” now and “with eternal pleasures” that are sure to come one day. His faith is not just holistic, it is total and complete. David practices a faith that rests on the Lord’s presence here and now and it trusts into God’s eternal promises for his future.

The God that David connected to, walked daily with, and trusted with all of his being is the same God that seeks to be in the same relationship with you and with me and with all people. Setting the Lord ever before us, we will not be shaken. May we choose the path of life, rejoicing daily in the living hope that comes through faith in the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, draw me to you morning by morning, keeping me ever before you. Fill me daily with your presence, growing my faith and trust day by day. Turn me to you in all circumstances, for there I can stand secure and strong. Amen.


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A New Birth

Reading: 1st Peter 1:3-9

Verses 3-4: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

Peter writes to “God’s elect” who are spread throughout the known world. These scattered Christians are experiencing an uptick in persecution under Emperor Nero. They are afraid and they are questioning the living of their faith in the public arena. Their suffering is driving these thoughts.

Today’s 7 verses pack a powerful punch. Peter begins his encouragement with these words: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” Through their faith in Jesus Christ these exiles have received the promise of salvation and with it the gift of eternal life. They have been born anew, now living with hope as brothers and sisters of Christ. This new relationship and connection with Jesus brings with it an inheritance. Peter reminds them that this inheritance will “never perish, spoil, or fade.” It is eternal. It is “shielded by God’s power.” There is nothing more powerful. Living as elect exiles , as Christians in a pagan world, this reminder of Christ’s living presence and of God’s power over them would have been great encouragement to these believers.

In verse 6 Peter touches on another part of their inheritance. Here he writes, “though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” While this may make some consider going underground with their faith, Peter is being honest. Trials will come. Testing is assured. Living as hope and light in the world will draw fire. But, take heart, Peter says this will refine our faith so that it “may be proved genuine.” This too is a new birth. Although uncomfortable and often painful, this refining yields a stronger faith now and one day will result in “praise, glory, and honor” when we come face to face with Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, what a great reminder of the power and presence that you offer to us in this life. Though the trials come, we are always under your shield. Though the suffering may be painful and hard, it works for our good now and for glory to come. You are the God of all time, of all places, and of all situations. Praise be to you, O Lord! Amen.


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Blessed Are…

Reading: John 20:24-29

Verse 29: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Act 2 unfolds today. We learn that Thomas was absent from the risen one’s first visit. It seems odd that Jesus would first visit when one disciple was missing but the reason why becomes clear as we read on. Thomas refuses to believe. He insists on his own physical proof. How many times have you said or thought “I’ll believe that when I see it with my own eyes”?

Usually when I’ve said that, the person’s response has been something along the “Well then, I’ll show you!” lines. It is not said with grace or humility or compassion. Contrast this human norm with how Jesus speaks to Thomas. In act 2 Jesus once again appears and greets them. Then, turning to Thomas alone, Jesus offers what he needs: “Put your finger here…” I picture a kindness in Jesus’ eyes and I sense a mercy and compassion in his voice. I think this is because it’s what I’ve felt when Jesus has met me where I was at and has given me what I needed. Thomas immediately professes faith in “my Lord and my God.”

And then to Thomas, but certainly loud enough for all to hear, Jesus says, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” All there have now seen him. By seeing the risen Lord they have come to believe. Yet when Mary Magdalene came from the tomb with her good news… They all had doubt. They all needed more. So not only with Thomas but with all the disciples, he gave them what they needed to really believe. Jesus met them where they were at and helped them to step forward in faith. In Spirit, Christ continues to do this.

You and I fall into this “Blessed are…” statement. We have come to believe without physically seeing Jesus. How? Through the words of scripture, through the witness of others, and through our own experiences with Christ, we have come to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This day may our lives lay the groundwork for the Spirit to move the heart of another, drawing them towards faith in Jesus Christ. In whatever way we can, may we be part of other’s “how.”

Prayer: Lord God, use me today as you will. In and through me may others come to see and know Jesus in their hearts. Lead and guide me to help others toward the Lord and Savior of us all. Amen.