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Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Day by Day

Reading: John 7:10-8:59

John 8:19 – “You don’t know me and you don’t know my Father. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.”

Much of today’s reading centers around this key verse. In many ways Jesus asserts that he is “I AM” – knowing Jesus is knowing God and vice versa. Some people recognize this truth. Others struggle to see it or to believe in Jesus. Such is the case to this very day.

Almost all of today’s reading is set in the temple. Jesus’ teaching astonishes the Jewish leaders, the people, and even the temple guards sent to arrest him. But the impact of Jesus’ teaching does not travel to everyone’s heart. Some want to arrest him and others believe Jesus is the Christ, God’s son.

Jesus’ authority is questioned again and again by the leaders and the people. Jesus points to the Law and to Abraham’s example, asserting that they don’t keep true to Moses’ words and that they don’t follow Abraham’s actions. Jesus tells them that the devil is their father because they listen to Satan’s lies. As proof, Jesus says, “You don’t know me and you don’t know my Father. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” They won’t accept God’s words that Jesus speaks, the words that are the light of life and that will set them free from their sin.

At the start of chapter 8 we find the story of the woman caught in adultery. This story generates many questions for me. Where is the man? What did Jesus write on the ground? Did the woman go and sin no more? This story also offers specific truths. We’re all sinners. None of us has right standing to judge or condemn others. Jesus offers us all grace and mercy. We are all called by Jesus to go and sin no more. Day by day may we grow in our capacity to live out these truths and this call.

Prayer: Lord God, like many in today’s text we struggle and we walk in belief some days, in doubt other days. We allow other voices, sometimes our own, to distract us from our walk with you. Lord, ground us in the truth of your word and in the guidance of your Spirit. Lead us to live daily as a repentant sinner saved by grace and as an unconditionally loved child of the one true God. Amen.


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Are Any Unworthy?

Reading: Jonah 3-4

Jonah 3:5 – “They proclaimed a fast and put on mourning clothes, from the greatest of them to the least significant.”

Photo credit: Clay Banks

God tells Jonah a second time, “Go to Nineveh.” Deposited on the nearby shore, he gets up and goes. Jonah proclaims, “Just forty days and Nineveh will be overthrow.” This simple warning moves people’s hearts. Here is their response: “They proclaimed a fast and put on mourning clothes, from the greatest of them to the least significant.” This is step one towards a repentant heart. Words get to the king and he proclaims the next steps: call on God, change your ways. When conviction came upon their hearts, all of Nineveh responded immediately. Conviction can come quickly up on our hearts too.

God sees their changed hearts and decides not to destroy Nineveh. Jonah is deeply angered, thinking this “utterly wrong.” He says this is why he ran. Jonah recognizes God as “merciful… compassionate… very patient, full of love, and willing not to destroy.” Jonah would rather die than see God save his enemy. He exits the city and plops down to see what happens, ignoring God’s question: “Is your anger a good thing?” God sends Jonah some shade. He is very happy about this mercy. Then God takes away his shade, provoking his anger and renewing his wish to die. Again God asks him, “Is your anger… a good thing?” Jonah believes it is good – “even to the point of death.”

God invites Jonah to consider God’s mercy, compassion… Jonah was grateful for the mercy that came in the shade. God asks, “Can’t I pity Nineveh?” They are a people that don’t really know any better. The story ends here, inviting us to consider ways that we want to limit God’s mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness… Jonah’s hard heart calls us to reflect upon the condition of our own heart, especially as it regards to those who we might feel utterly unworthy of God’s (and our) forgiveness and grace.

Prayer: Lord God, the story ends in an uncomfortable place for Jonah and for us. Your love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness for the repentant is amazing. We can be less free with these things at certain times, with certain people. Lord, open our hearts to the vastness of your love and mercy and grace. It truly is for all people. Amen.


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Praise God!

Readings: Psalms 145-150

‭Psalm 145:8 – “The LORD is merciful and compassionate, very patient, and full of faithful love.”

We close our time in the Psalms with Psalm 145 and then the “Hallelujah” Psalms, 146-150. These five begin and end with “Praise the Lord” – our translation of the original Hebrew: “hallelu” and “yah.”

Psalm 145 calls for us to praise the Lord, from one generation to the next. This praise is “proclaiming your mighty acts.” Doing so leads the worshippers to “rave in celebration.” That’s a phrase we don’t find often in the Bible! In verse 8 the psalmist writes, “The LORD is merciful and compassionate, very patient, and full of faithful love.” Because of these traits, the psalmist can also write, “The Lord is close to everyone who calls on him.” True and true!

Psalms 146-150 celebrate God’s mighty acts, each with their own focus. Psalm 146 celebrates the God who brings justice to the oppressed and who frees the prisoners, the God who protects the immigrants and who straightens the bent. Psalm 147 celebrates this compassionate heart of God and then adds thanks for God’s generous hand in nature. Psalm 148 calls all of creation to praise God – sun, moon, and stars, hills and trees, all creatures, including “kings of the earth and every single person.” Psalm 149 calls for praise and expresses the belief that the execution of justice will bring honor to God and God’s people. Lastly, Psalm 150 closes with a snapshot of worship. Any and all instruments will be used to praise God. May that include our voices!

Prayer: Lord God, yes, we are called to praise you, to lift your name on high. Lead us to join all of creation in worshipping your holy name. Open our hearts to pour forth praise from our lips. All glory and honor and praise to you, O God! Amen.


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Foundational Truths… Practices… Disciplines

Readings: Psalms 13-16

‭Psalm 16:8 – “I always put the LORD in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.”

Psalm 13 begins with a series of questions that all ask “How long?” This pattern of repetition for emphasis is found in many Psalms and throughout the Bible. To these questions the psalmist adds, “Look at me! Answer me, Lord my God!” When we are in a “how long?” experience or season, these thoughts are on our minds too. The feel shifts in verse 5, where God’s faithful love, salvation, and goodness become the rock on which the psalmist will stand during this present storm. May we too claim these foundational truths.

Psalms 14 and 15 wrestle with what it means to live for God and what it means to live for the world. These Psalms invite us to reflect on which person we are. Are we the fool, the wicked, the sinful… OR… are we the righteous, the blameless, the thankful? In reality we are mostly one or the other. The goal is to be “the person who lives free of blame, does what is right, and speaks the truth sincerely… who does no harm.” This worthy life is mirrored in two of John Wesley’s “3 Simple Rules.” May we too live these foundational practices.

Psalm 16 is a song of faith in God. God is the psalmist’s refuge and protector. God is the psalmist’s portion, cup, and provider of good things. In turn, this is the psalmist’s commitment to God: “I always put the LORD in front of me; I will not stumble because he is on my right side.” Instruction from God’s word coupled with God’s daily presence prevents stumbling as we seek to “walk in the way of life.” May we too strive to live out these foundational faith disciplines.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Lead and guide us to choose you and your ways over the selfish and sinful ways of worldly living. Help us to focus on and to live out your faithful love, your goodness, your truth. Be our sure foundation and our eternal hope. Amen.


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God Surrounds Us

Readings: Psalms 1-4

‭Psalms 4:1 – “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!”

Today we begin the Psalms. These words of lament and praise have guided and given voice to faith and suffering for thousands of years. They invite us to walk this road too. Originally the Psalms were Israel’s song book. As do our hymns and praise songs today, the Psalms tell the history and the theology of the people of faith – both then and now.

Psalms 1 and 2 serve as an introduction to almost all that follows in Psalms 3-150. Psalm 1 focuses on living according to God’s instruction and Psalm 2 focuses on the kingship of God. Psalm 1 begins with a list of don’ts. If one wants to be truly happy (or blessed) then don’t do these things. We all have our own list. Instead, the psalmist invites us to recite God’s word day and night. In the original Hebrew the word we translate ‘recite’ would have meant literally mumbling or uttering God’s word under one’s breath all of the time.

Psalm 2 acknowledges that the world (i.e. – the wicked) takes its stand against God and against God’s anointed. The one called “son,” the one who shall reign over “all nations” – we read that as Jesus. The psalmist advises the world to worship this king “reverently” and with “trembling.” And again the theme: take refuge in God and be truly happy.

Psalms 3 and 4 are attributed to David. Both are about crying out to God. In Psalm 3 David is hard-pressed by Absalom’s rebellion and pursuit. While we might not be kings facing a coup, we deal with oppressors and others who want to do us harm. In many ways and in many situations we too can cry out, “Answer me when I cry out… Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer!” And because God is ever faithful, figuratively and literally, we can “lie down and fall asleep in peace.” God surrounds us always. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you do fill our hearts with joy. Your face does shine upon us. We do not need to fear because you save and you rescue. When we rant and rave like the world, draw us to the Lord our refuge. Be intimately acquainted with our ways, O Lord, as we strive to grow intimately acquainted with your ways. Amen.


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Such… Good… News

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4

Verse 1: “The Lord has sent me to bring good news to the poor… to bind up… to proclaim release for captives… liberation for prisoners.”

As Isaiah’s ministry and Israel’s time in exile is coming to a close, the prophet offers these words of hope and promise. These words were written to a people living in captivity in a foreign land. These words can be applied to many times and to many people who are experiencing exile in many forms. These words spoke to the people of Jesus’ day as they lived under the Roman occupation. These words speak to many people today. These words speak to you and to me.

Verse 1 is so powerful. It is jam-packed with hope, promise, rescue… It begins with a call to “preach good news to the poor.” Maybe this is material good news – food, help with rent or gas or utilities, warm clothes for the winter. Maybe this is spiritual aide that helps them to know that they are beloved and worthy, that they matter and belong to God and to us. Then there is “binding up” those who are broken and hurting. Verses 2 and 3 also touch on this. The binding up is healing for the ill and the suffering. It is also comforting those who grieve. It is drawing in the lonely. There is also proclaiming the freedom from captivity and darkness that the Lord brings. This encompasses the Israelites literal release from Babylon. It also includes release from addictions and other abusive relationships or from unjust situations and systems. And it includes freedom and release from our sins and from the guilt and shame that is often connected to our sin.

In one form or another we have each experienced each of these forms of the good news. As followers of Jesus Christ we too are sent to bring this good news to others. Taking where we have been, recognizing how we got to where we are at, may we help others to experience the good news of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, walking and living with you, we’ve experienced firsthand all of what Isaiah speaks of. We’ve been healed, freed, rescued… Use each of us today and every day to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who need healing or hope, release or rescue, restoration or redemption. Amen.


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God’s Sanctuary and Dominion

Reading: Psalm 114

Verse 2: “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.”

For the psalmist, the exodus from under mighty Egypt’s oppression and the near-impossible rescue at the parting of the sea were two great examples of God in action. God acted on behalf of the beloved of God. You and I are beloved of God. So there are times and situations that you can look back on and say, ‘Yes, right then and there, God acted in my life.’ When has God freed you or saved you or rescued you? Like the psalmist does here, it is important for us too to remember and offer our thanksgiving to God. This is part of being God’s sanctuary and dominion.

In verses 5-6 the psalmist asks a great question. He or she ponders over why the waters part and why the mountains and hills quake. They do so because they are “in the presence of the Lord.” God’s power and might and majesty are over all of creation. They are over you and me. As we recognize God’s sovereign hand in all of creation and in our lives, we too humbly now and honor almighty God. This too is part of being God’s sanctuary and dominion.

In verse 2 we read, “Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.” This speaks of relationship and connection. It speaks of intimacy and commitment. You and I are part of God’s family. God is our sanctuary – both the place where we worship and the place we go to feel safe and protected. God is our dominion – both the one who is steadfast and true and the one to whom we commit our lives and faith. Thank you, God, for being our sanctuary and our dominion.

Prayer: Lord God, you are our all in all. With you we lack nothing that we need. You are ever-present and almighty. You are personal and intimate. May our lives be expressions of our gratitude for our connection with you. Amen.


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Peace and Joy

Reading: Romans 5:1-5

Verse 2: “We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”

Photo credit: Eugene Zhyvchik

This week’s passage from Romans 5 is all about peace and joy, two of the wonderful gifts that we receive from God. These words that we read today and tomorrow must have been of great encouragement to the church in Rome. These words can be of great encouragement to us today.

Paul begins by celebrating the justification that we experience through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the process of being made right in God’s sight. It begins with a recognition of our sin and moves into confession and repentance. This opens the door for forgiveness, which is freely given by God without price to us. Being made right with God is an oft-repeated process that brings us peace again and again.

In verse 2 we read, “We have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” It is faith that empowers us to come to God with our flaws and failures, assured that in love God’s grace will flow into our lives. Because through Christ we are justified over and over, we have hope. It is a hope both for this life and for the life to come. We can rejoice in this life because we know that nothing can separate us from God’s love found in and through Jesus Christ. We have hope for the life to come because the forgiveness and reconciliation offered by God allows us to be in right relationship with God. This guides our way to heavenly glory.

The peace and joy found in relationship with Jesus allows and enables us to walk through the hard things of life standing on our faith. This eventually leads us to a place of hope. Our section today closes with these words: “God has poured out God’s love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Because of this indwelling presence of love in our very hearts, hope and joy never disappoint. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the peace and hope and love that you have set in our hearts through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank you for the grace and mercy that renews our relationship again and again. May we be people who reflect and share your love, peace, hope, joy, grace, and mercy into the lives of all that we meet. Amen.


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Power and Authority

Reading: John 20:21-23

Verses 22-23: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven.”

Continuing in John 20 today, Jesus offers the disciples peace once again and then he sends them into the world – just as God had sent him. This means that they go with all of the power and authority of the one who sent Jesus. Just as he ministered, taught, and healed through the power of God, so too would the disciples. So too can we.

“And with that” – with the command to go into the world, Jesus breathes on them the Holy Spirit. There is a connection here. It is the Spirit within us that connects us to God and to God’s power and authority. Jesus says to the disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven.” This gift comes with some responsibilities. The first and most obvious is the mission to go into the world to represent God and Jesus. Filled with the Spirit, we are to be Christ to the world.

The second responsibility is helping people in their sin. For most of us, at first at least, this is an uncomfortable thought. Sin feels private, personal. That’s the way Satan wants it. But Jesus knew how important community was. He lived and practiced community. Not just for worship or fellowship, but also for support and encouragement and accountability. In this second role we help one another to be freed from our sins. In a similar way we can walk with non-believers, helping them to find freedom from the trappings of this world. Both of these actions are fulfilling the command to represent Jesus as ones sent into the world.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, filled with God’s authority, may we go into all the world, bringing forth the good news of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord God, fill me and send me out! Guided by the Spirit within, may the words I speak be your words. And may the actions of my hands and feet mirror those of Jesus. Amen.


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Evidence of the Power

Reading: 1st Corinthians 1:18-25

Verse 23: “We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

Photo credit: Thanti Nguyen

In the first half of this week’s Epistle reading Paul both encourages the Corinthian church and he reminds them of the challenges they face. For example, in verse 18, he encourages them with the tangible power of the cross to save and he reminds them that much of the world still sees this as foolishness. To the worldly, the story of the cross was one of weakness and defeat.

Paul writes about Jews demanding “miraculous signs” and Greeks demanding “wisdom”. The Jews wanted the power of Christ demonstrated in amazing ways – a new version of the parting of the sea, if you will. The Greeks wanted to be argued into believing. Both groups were really saying, ‘Prove to me that Jesus is real, that he still has power.’ This remains the sticky point for many today. People still want proof. Today many think, ‘Yes, nice stories and some good examples to follow, but what will it do for my life today?’ So to many people today the cross remains a “stumbling block” and to others it appears as “foolishness.”

But, as Paul points out, the cross is also “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” To those who believe, the cross brings new life. In the cross we see God wisely recognizing what needed done for our transformation to be possible. In God’s wisdom it was identified and through God’s power the sacrifice was offered. It is because the price was paid that we can be made new again. Freed from the chains of this world we are able to live as new creations in Christ. Filled with joy and hope and peace and love and grace and mercy and forgiveness we live as examples of the power and wisdom of the cross. And this, my friends, is the proof that the world needs. Day by day, may the transformation wrought in us be the evidence that leads others to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, through your power I am made again and again, each time a little more into who you created me to be. May this power at work in me be the story that others see, drawing them towards the Savior. Amen.