"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!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
an eternal feast
Isaiah 25:6-8: "On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken."
In our day to day existence, it is easy to forget that this world, with all its problems and challenges is passing away. "For this world in its present form is passing away." (1Corinthians 7.31) The trials that seem to last so long, the problems that hem us in a corner, the pain that never seems to go away, all these things will come to an end one day! The vision that Isaiah conveys to us is of God setting a rich feast for his people. And one of the most beautiful parts is the image of God wiping the tears away from our faces, taking away all that causes us pain.
Hold on to that vision today! Remember that YOU ARE PROMISED AN ETERNAL PLACE OF PEACE WITH GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT AND ALL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS!
In our day to day existence, it is easy to forget that this world, with all its problems and challenges is passing away. "For this world in its present form is passing away." (1Corinthians 7.31) The trials that seem to last so long, the problems that hem us in a corner, the pain that never seems to go away, all these things will come to an end one day! The vision that Isaiah conveys to us is of God setting a rich feast for his people. And one of the most beautiful parts is the image of God wiping the tears away from our faces, taking away all that causes us pain.
Hold on to that vision today! Remember that YOU ARE PROMISED AN ETERNAL PLACE OF PEACE WITH GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT AND ALL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Try Jesus!
"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed are those who take refuge in him." (Psalm 34.8)
When I was growing up, there was a humorous cereal commercial that used to play on t.v. There were some young boys who were sitting at the breakfast table despairing that they had to try this "new healthy cereal." Suddenly, one of them looks at his younger brother and says, "Give it to Mikey, he'll try anything." Mikey then proceeded to chow down the cereal, enjoying every bite. To which the older brother declares, "Hey Mikey! He likes it!" The guinea pig has performed well! Presumably, the older brother can now eat the cereal with no fear that it will be "yucky."
We humans are kind of like Mikey. We will try anything at least once. The psalm writer for today declares that we should also try the Lord: "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Some of us have tasted more of the world than we would like to admit. Still, the invitation is open: TRY Jesus! You see, the psalm writer knows that if we really try God, if we really worship and serve the Lord, we will not be disappointed. There is no better way to live. (I do not mean that there will never be trials. But the trails will come whether we serve God or not. Bu do we want to be alone in those trials or do we want the Lord of the Universe to help us? Do we want to live life as meaningless randomness or do we want to have purpose, direction, and eternal life with the God who made us? The choice is ours).
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement once gave some interesting directions for singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. He wrote, "Sing [God's songs] lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan."
Most of us have flirted with sin at some level in our lives (whether it be gossip, wanting what others have, making idols of money or possessions, judging others, gluttony, selfishness, sexual sin, greed, or breaking our promises.) NOW is the time to try Jesus, to accept Him as Savior and Lord of our lives. "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"
When I was growing up, there was a humorous cereal commercial that used to play on t.v. There were some young boys who were sitting at the breakfast table despairing that they had to try this "new healthy cereal." Suddenly, one of them looks at his younger brother and says, "Give it to Mikey, he'll try anything." Mikey then proceeded to chow down the cereal, enjoying every bite. To which the older brother declares, "Hey Mikey! He likes it!" The guinea pig has performed well! Presumably, the older brother can now eat the cereal with no fear that it will be "yucky."
We humans are kind of like Mikey. We will try anything at least once. The psalm writer for today declares that we should also try the Lord: "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Some of us have tasted more of the world than we would like to admit. Still, the invitation is open: TRY Jesus! You see, the psalm writer knows that if we really try God, if we really worship and serve the Lord, we will not be disappointed. There is no better way to live. (I do not mean that there will never be trials. But the trails will come whether we serve God or not. Bu do we want to be alone in those trials or do we want the Lord of the Universe to help us? Do we want to live life as meaningless randomness or do we want to have purpose, direction, and eternal life with the God who made us? The choice is ours).
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement once gave some interesting directions for singing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. He wrote, "Sing [God's songs] lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard, than when you sung the songs of Satan."
Most of us have flirted with sin at some level in our lives (whether it be gossip, wanting what others have, making idols of money or possessions, judging others, gluttony, selfishness, sexual sin, greed, or breaking our promises.) NOW is the time to try Jesus, to accept Him as Savior and Lord of our lives. "Taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
God is with you!
Psalm 24:1-2: "The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers."
"The earth is the Lord's and ALL that is in it." Those words flow over me like a cooling mountain stream. I belong to the Lord! You belong to the Lord! And there is no where that we can go in all Creation that is away from the Lord's presence. Yes, there are some "dark valleys" in which we don't emotionally feel the Lord's presence. There are some trials that we go through that try to make us doubt the Lord's presence. There are some heartbreaks that come upon us that try our faith. BUT GOD IS STILL THERE!
Where are you today? Are you at a trying job, doubting that you can get your work done? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Does school seem to be more than you can handle? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Are you doubting that your job will even last another day? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Have you lost your job in these uncertain economic times? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Do you have a loved one who is facing terrible health? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Are you facing health concerns that cause anxiety and fear? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Do you just have the blah's today? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, is reported to have said on his death bed, "the best of all is that God is with us!"
May that assurance bring you comfort this day!
"The earth is the Lord's and ALL that is in it." Those words flow over me like a cooling mountain stream. I belong to the Lord! You belong to the Lord! And there is no where that we can go in all Creation that is away from the Lord's presence. Yes, there are some "dark valleys" in which we don't emotionally feel the Lord's presence. There are some trials that we go through that try to make us doubt the Lord's presence. There are some heartbreaks that come upon us that try our faith. BUT GOD IS STILL THERE!
Where are you today? Are you at a trying job, doubting that you can get your work done? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Does school seem to be more than you can handle? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Are you doubting that your job will even last another day? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Have you lost your job in these uncertain economic times? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Do you have a loved one who is facing terrible health? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Are you facing health concerns that cause anxiety and fear? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
Do you just have the blah's today? THE LORD IS WITH YOU!
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, is reported to have said on his death bed, "the best of all is that God is with us!"
May that assurance bring you comfort this day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)