"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"--Matthew 6.30
In this passage in Matthew, Jesus is reminding his disciples and us that our lives are in God's hands. Surely, in Jesus' time, there was a lot to worry about. Israel was occupied by the foreign forces of a nation that worshiped false gods. Taxes were high, the real estate market had bottomed out, and jobs were insecure at best. Sound familiar?
Into this desperate situation, Jesus challenges his disciples to "consider the lilies of the field," to consider how God cares for the smallest parts of His Creation. If God takes care of mere grass, certainly He will take care of you, his prized child! And that is exactly what you are!
There is a certain form of release that Jesus is suggesting in this passage, releasing our lives, our loved ones' lives, all Creation into God's loving hands. It is not all up to us. God is in control. As you give thanks this week around the Thanksgiving table, remember that "It is God's grace that has brought you safe thus far and God's Grace will lead you home!"
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Truth
John 18.37: "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
The almost limitless sources of information in our world never cease to amaze me! Through the internet, we have access to every major newspaper in the world (and most minor ones too!) Cable and satellite television provide news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Add to that the number of reference web sites (such as Wikipedia) and personal blogs. Add to that the "traditional" sources of information like the local and regional newspapers, newscasts, oh, and don't forget the latest gossip from your co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends and you have a staggering amount of information that you can access each day!
There is no doubt that we have all the information and data any human being could ever want or handle. My question, though, is HOW MUCH OF IT IS TRUTH? Research has shown that most Americans regard most of what they see on t.v. each day as at least half-truths and at worst, outright lies. A wise teacher I had once noted that politicians lie to us sometimes because we really don't want to hear the truth from them. Unfortunately, many of us find that an easy lie seems more tolerable than a hard truth.
But, in the end, the TRUTH is what will set us free. The Bible and especially the gospels remind us that JESUS IS THE TRUTH! He is the very embodiment of the TRUTH about God, about us, about life, and about the Universe.
I encourage you today to spend some time in the TRUTH, which is Jesus. One direct way to do this is to simply pick up the Bible and turn to one of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In these gospels, the TRUTH of Jesus Christ is relayed to us in its purest form. Why not turn off the t.v. today for just a few moments and listen to that TRUTH?
The almost limitless sources of information in our world never cease to amaze me! Through the internet, we have access to every major newspaper in the world (and most minor ones too!) Cable and satellite television provide news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Add to that the number of reference web sites (such as Wikipedia) and personal blogs. Add to that the "traditional" sources of information like the local and regional newspapers, newscasts, oh, and don't forget the latest gossip from your co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends and you have a staggering amount of information that you can access each day!
There is no doubt that we have all the information and data any human being could ever want or handle. My question, though, is HOW MUCH OF IT IS TRUTH? Research has shown that most Americans regard most of what they see on t.v. each day as at least half-truths and at worst, outright lies. A wise teacher I had once noted that politicians lie to us sometimes because we really don't want to hear the truth from them. Unfortunately, many of us find that an easy lie seems more tolerable than a hard truth.
But, in the end, the TRUTH is what will set us free. The Bible and especially the gospels remind us that JESUS IS THE TRUTH! He is the very embodiment of the TRUTH about God, about us, about life, and about the Universe.
I encourage you today to spend some time in the TRUTH, which is Jesus. One direct way to do this is to simply pick up the Bible and turn to one of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In these gospels, the TRUTH of Jesus Christ is relayed to us in its purest form. Why not turn off the t.v. today for just a few moments and listen to that TRUTH?
Monday, November 9, 2009
refuge
"Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge."--Psalm 16.1
Do you have a refuge? Do you have a safe place where you can retreat for renewal, rest, and recreation? All humans need this. For our world is a busy place, a place of constant movement, a world obsessed with productivity.
The psalmist reminds us that we need a place of refuge, a place of renewal, and that God is at the center of that. If you don't have a holy place of refuge, I recommend that you make one. It can be as simple as a cross you hang on the wall. It can be your night stand where you read your Bible. It can be wherever you light a candle during your time of prayer. It can be a special place in nature. We all need a special place to pray and be present with God. Carve one out for yourself today! God is inviting you today to come apart, just for a little while and be renewed by His Life-Giving Spirit.
Do you have a refuge? Do you have a safe place where you can retreat for renewal, rest, and recreation? All humans need this. For our world is a busy place, a place of constant movement, a world obsessed with productivity.
The psalmist reminds us that we need a place of refuge, a place of renewal, and that God is at the center of that. If you don't have a holy place of refuge, I recommend that you make one. It can be as simple as a cross you hang on the wall. It can be your night stand where you read your Bible. It can be wherever you light a candle during your time of prayer. It can be a special place in nature. We all need a special place to pray and be present with God. Carve one out for yourself today! God is inviting you today to come apart, just for a little while and be renewed by His Life-Giving Spirit.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Letting God in on it
"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain."--Psalm 127.1
This psalm is a reminder to me that ultimately, my life is in God's hands. Ultimately, the outcome of history is also in God's hands. God's will is going to get done!
So the question for you and me today is: Are we letting God in on our plans or are we just working away at our own agendas without Him? How often are we tempted to make up our minds what needs to happen in situations without consulting our Lord? Of course, if we consult the Lord, then we must prepare to be subject to His will. Perhaps this is the secret reason we don't consult God so much of the time: We want to be our own God. We want things our way. But in the long run, we can't work against God. In the end, God will get things done in His plan for completion, not ours.
I invite you today to let God in on what you're doing. Ask for His direction and will to be done. Life goes much smoother if we are working WITH God and NOT AGAINST God!
This psalm is a reminder to me that ultimately, my life is in God's hands. Ultimately, the outcome of history is also in God's hands. God's will is going to get done!
So the question for you and me today is: Are we letting God in on our plans or are we just working away at our own agendas without Him? How often are we tempted to make up our minds what needs to happen in situations without consulting our Lord? Of course, if we consult the Lord, then we must prepare to be subject to His will. Perhaps this is the secret reason we don't consult God so much of the time: We want to be our own God. We want things our way. But in the long run, we can't work against God. In the end, God will get things done in His plan for completion, not ours.
I invite you today to let God in on what you're doing. Ask for His direction and will to be done. Life goes much smoother if we are working WITH God and NOT AGAINST God!
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