John 8:38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you do what you have heard from your father."
“Bunkum” was one of my Dad’s favorite words. I don't know where he picked it up, because it’s not native to the Scottish tongue. He traveled around the world as a merchant seaman, so I'm guessing he learned it from an American crewman. I never asked him, but I now wish that I had.
He used “bunkum” to end arguments that weren't going his way. Usually, I was the one who was arguing with him. We'd be going head to head and toe to toe, and just when I managed to get my point across, he would shout, “Bunkum!” That was the end of the matter. The discourse was over and the debate was complete. There was no point in trying to score any more points. He had settled things his way, and my mother silently signaled to me it was over. At that moment, I normally stormed out of the room.
After my mom died, I don't think I ever heard him use the word again. Her sudden death was a great shock to him and he seemed to mellow. Dad spent more time with us, as if it was precious to him. And instead of arguing, we seemed to agree more and more. Maybe I mellowed, too.
Years later, whilst driving through the mountains to Asheville, North Carolina, I discovered Buncombe County, where the word actually originates. It brought a smile to my face as I remembered the old scrapes that my Dad and I used to get into. In my imagination, when I drive through the county each year, I like to think of my Dad sitting in the car with me and saying “Bunkum!” one more time. This time, though, he'd be smiling and laughing with me.
It’s amazing what we learn from our fathers and how it still sticks in our hearts. When Jesus was confronting the religious leaders of His day, He was trying to make them understand that His new teaching came from His Father and their God. Sadly, they had built up so many prejudices through their traditions and customs that they couldn't accept His words. Instead of being blessed by His revelation, they rejected Christ. Instead of recognizing the divine source of His message, they more or less said, “Bunkum!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us true to Your words and remind us of God’s sovereignty. Forgive us when we diminish Your message by casting aside Your teachings. Empower and enable us to accept You and the divine source of the everlasting salvation that You bring. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.
Short daily devotions for busy Christians and Church meetings
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Trouble with Toads
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The pond was in a place called Jellyhill. My home was about six miles from its location. One summer, our street pack of adventurers decided to go over to the pond and play there all day long. Usually, war games were on our minds and we spent the whole day shooting each other with sticks, dramatically falling down hillsides, and fighting in the heather. Sometimes another street gang arrived and the throwing of rocks, stones, and clods of grass took place as we defended our heather forts and privileged play areas.
But one summer’s day things were different. A couple of street packs had arrived and no one was fighting. Instead, everyone had gathered around the pond. Hundreds of toads were in the water and could easily be picked up, so we set about collecting as many as possible. Our street gang managed to find an old discarded tin bucket which we filled with both water and toads. We planned to set up our own street pond in someone’s backyard and fill it with toads.
So, we spent most of the morning catching the toads. All of them were ugly and covered in slime, but boys being boys, we exalted in the hunt. Eventually, we had about thirty of them and then we began the six mile trek home. It was both arduous and painful. None of us had realized how heavy water can get when you’re carrying it for such a distance. It took us ages, especially when other pedestrians would stop us every five minutes to have a look. We gloried as they ogled the toads, and then we quietly ignored their mocking laughter. We were on a mission and nothing or nobody could stop us.
Nothing or nobody, that is, until we got home. When our mothers saw the amount of toads, none of them would give us permission to set up our wildlife aquarium in their backyards. We all sat as glum as toads on our front porch steps. We realized that for the toads to survive, we would have to take them back, but the thought of retreating for six miles with a heavy can of water and toads was not very appealing.
Fortunately, salvation arrived in the form of one of our parents. He was a local policeman. When he saw our faces and all of the toads, he laughed out loud. Then, as he recognized our dilemma, he authoritatively said, “I see that you’ve taken these suspects into custody without the usual warrants. Under Scottish law, you’re going to have to release them. Put them in the back of the car and I’ll take you over to the pond.”
We were elated because of three things: we didn’t have to carry the toads back; the toads would now survive; and we would be traveling in a police car! When we arrived back at the pond, there were still some other street gangs catching toads. As soon as they saw the police car, they fled in all directions and hid. They watched us pouring back the water and the toads into the pond. Our friend’s father feigned giving us a lecture about wildlife by-laws. Now our hearts were doubly elated – our reputation as a street pack soared; after all, we had gotten into trouble with the police. It was a great end to a bad day.
Freedom from burdens, freedom to live, and freedom of faith are equally important to all believers in Christ. His mission is to rescue us from all that wears us down. His ministry is to help us discover abundance in our lives. And His purpose is to free us from the slavery of sin, the despair of the past, and the mistakes we have made, so that we can glorify, honor and praise Him forevermore. No matter who we are, or what we’ve done, our freedom is found in God’s Holy Son.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we rely upon You to rescue us from sin, to redeem our souls, and to restore us to the eternal environment of God’s favor and love. We thank You for being our Savior and we acknowledge that our lives are in your hands, and our souls rejoice in Your Grace. In Your Holy name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
The pond was in a place called Jellyhill. My home was about six miles from its location. One summer, our street pack of adventurers decided to go over to the pond and play there all day long. Usually, war games were on our minds and we spent the whole day shooting each other with sticks, dramatically falling down hillsides, and fighting in the heather. Sometimes another street gang arrived and the throwing of rocks, stones, and clods of grass took place as we defended our heather forts and privileged play areas.
But one summer’s day things were different. A couple of street packs had arrived and no one was fighting. Instead, everyone had gathered around the pond. Hundreds of toads were in the water and could easily be picked up, so we set about collecting as many as possible. Our street gang managed to find an old discarded tin bucket which we filled with both water and toads. We planned to set up our own street pond in someone’s backyard and fill it with toads.
So, we spent most of the morning catching the toads. All of them were ugly and covered in slime, but boys being boys, we exalted in the hunt. Eventually, we had about thirty of them and then we began the six mile trek home. It was both arduous and painful. None of us had realized how heavy water can get when you’re carrying it for such a distance. It took us ages, especially when other pedestrians would stop us every five minutes to have a look. We gloried as they ogled the toads, and then we quietly ignored their mocking laughter. We were on a mission and nothing or nobody could stop us.
Nothing or nobody, that is, until we got home. When our mothers saw the amount of toads, none of them would give us permission to set up our wildlife aquarium in their backyards. We all sat as glum as toads on our front porch steps. We realized that for the toads to survive, we would have to take them back, but the thought of retreating for six miles with a heavy can of water and toads was not very appealing.
Fortunately, salvation arrived in the form of one of our parents. He was a local policeman. When he saw our faces and all of the toads, he laughed out loud. Then, as he recognized our dilemma, he authoritatively said, “I see that you’ve taken these suspects into custody without the usual warrants. Under Scottish law, you’re going to have to release them. Put them in the back of the car and I’ll take you over to the pond.”
We were elated because of three things: we didn’t have to carry the toads back; the toads would now survive; and we would be traveling in a police car! When we arrived back at the pond, there were still some other street gangs catching toads. As soon as they saw the police car, they fled in all directions and hid. They watched us pouring back the water and the toads into the pond. Our friend’s father feigned giving us a lecture about wildlife by-laws. Now our hearts were doubly elated – our reputation as a street pack soared; after all, we had gotten into trouble with the police. It was a great end to a bad day.
Freedom from burdens, freedom to live, and freedom of faith are equally important to all believers in Christ. His mission is to rescue us from all that wears us down. His ministry is to help us discover abundance in our lives. And His purpose is to free us from the slavery of sin, the despair of the past, and the mistakes we have made, so that we can glorify, honor and praise Him forevermore. No matter who we are, or what we’ve done, our freedom is found in God’s Holy Son.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we rely upon You to rescue us from sin, to redeem our souls, and to restore us to the eternal environment of God’s favor and love. We thank You for being our Savior and we acknowledge that our lives are in your hands, and our souls rejoice in Your Grace. In Your Holy name, we thankfully pray. Amen.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Chokmah
Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding.
The Old Testament word for wisdom is ‘chokmah.’ It sounds like something that the Klingons would say on an episode of Star Trek, but it really expresses a skill which is learned through hard experiences. It’s not something that you wake up with one morning or is given to you at birth. Chokmah takes years to develop and requires focus and dedication, devotion and study.
The ability to learn from past mistakes is also an essential requirement, so it’s no surprise that some of the wisest people in the Bible were once sinners and fools. Jacob, Moses, and David are revered as being great leaders, but one was a con-man, the other a murderer, and the third an adulterer, as well as a murderer. They learned things the hard way, but eventually wisdom prevailed.
We all make mistakes and regret our foolish choices. Everyone has something in the past where we have let down or disappointed other people. We cannot change those events or circumstances, but we can decide whether or not we will learn from them, and use those experiential lessons as moments that gave birth to wisdom.
Someone once said (I think it was Einstein) that the definition of madness is doing the same things over and over again, expecting different results. I guess that means that chokmah could be defined as avoiding the same things over and over again, and getting those different results.
Perhaps there’s something in our lives that needs to be changed. Maybe we’re going through a tough time because of habitual mistakes and foolish choices. If we really want things to change for the better, then we have to stop repeating the past in order to reshape the future. And that’s why taking Jesus to be our Savior is so crucially important – the only way He can reshape us for an eternal future is when we allow Him to redeem us from the past and renew us at this present stage in our lives.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are God’s wisdom in our lives and the Holy One who brings us real change. Look over our lives and grant us the blessing of chokmah, so that we can learn from our past mistakes and be strengthened in faith. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.
The Old Testament word for wisdom is ‘chokmah.’ It sounds like something that the Klingons would say on an episode of Star Trek, but it really expresses a skill which is learned through hard experiences. It’s not something that you wake up with one morning or is given to you at birth. Chokmah takes years to develop and requires focus and dedication, devotion and study.
The ability to learn from past mistakes is also an essential requirement, so it’s no surprise that some of the wisest people in the Bible were once sinners and fools. Jacob, Moses, and David are revered as being great leaders, but one was a con-man, the other a murderer, and the third an adulterer, as well as a murderer. They learned things the hard way, but eventually wisdom prevailed.
We all make mistakes and regret our foolish choices. Everyone has something in the past where we have let down or disappointed other people. We cannot change those events or circumstances, but we can decide whether or not we will learn from them, and use those experiential lessons as moments that gave birth to wisdom.
Someone once said (I think it was Einstein) that the definition of madness is doing the same things over and over again, expecting different results. I guess that means that chokmah could be defined as avoiding the same things over and over again, and getting those different results.
Perhaps there’s something in our lives that needs to be changed. Maybe we’re going through a tough time because of habitual mistakes and foolish choices. If we really want things to change for the better, then we have to stop repeating the past in order to reshape the future. And that’s why taking Jesus to be our Savior is so crucially important – the only way He can reshape us for an eternal future is when we allow Him to redeem us from the past and renew us at this present stage in our lives.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are God’s wisdom in our lives and the Holy One who brings us real change. Look over our lives and grant us the blessing of chokmah, so that we can learn from our past mistakes and be strengthened in faith. In Your Precious Name, we pray. Amen.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Injustice
John 18:23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
It’s a terrible moment of injustice in Christ’s life. He is standing before His own people, His own religious leaders and they unfairly strike Him for insubordination. They want to show Him who is in control. They want to display their power and authority. They want to humiliate Him for upsetting the status quo and for leading the people astray. In the one holy place where Christ should have received justice, He was abused. Amongst the chosen leaders who could have been given Him mercy, He was shown wrath.
Sometimes we forget that Jesus went through all this in order to save us from our sins. Things happen to us in our own lives that cause setbacks to our plans, our hopes, and our dreams. We think of these things as being unfair, unmerited, and unnecessary. We even wonder why God allows such painful things to happen to us or our loved ones.
We should remember that the real definition of unfairness is injustice. Christ suffered because we are sinful. He was struck because we are shameless. He was battered and bruised, tortured and tormented, crucified and killed because of us. The things He went through were unnecessary, and yet at the same time, absolutely necessary because there was no other way, no other path, no other road than that which led to Calvary to ensure salvation for the world.
I hate to read about Christ suffering, but knowing me, if I had been there in the Sanhedrin, I probably would have struck Him, too. That’s why I need a Savior like Jesus. That’s why I need someone else to take away my sin. Without Him, I am nothing and without His pain, I am powerless to receive God’s grace.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Only You can redeem us; only You can restore us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
It’s a terrible moment of injustice in Christ’s life. He is standing before His own people, His own religious leaders and they unfairly strike Him for insubordination. They want to show Him who is in control. They want to display their power and authority. They want to humiliate Him for upsetting the status quo and for leading the people astray. In the one holy place where Christ should have received justice, He was abused. Amongst the chosen leaders who could have been given Him mercy, He was shown wrath.
Sometimes we forget that Jesus went through all this in order to save us from our sins. Things happen to us in our own lives that cause setbacks to our plans, our hopes, and our dreams. We think of these things as being unfair, unmerited, and unnecessary. We even wonder why God allows such painful things to happen to us or our loved ones.
We should remember that the real definition of unfairness is injustice. Christ suffered because we are sinful. He was struck because we are shameless. He was battered and bruised, tortured and tormented, crucified and killed because of us. The things He went through were unnecessary, and yet at the same time, absolutely necessary because there was no other way, no other path, no other road than that which led to Calvary to ensure salvation for the world.
I hate to read about Christ suffering, but knowing me, if I had been there in the Sanhedrin, I probably would have struck Him, too. That’s why I need a Savior like Jesus. That’s why I need someone else to take away my sin. Without Him, I am nothing and without His pain, I am powerless to receive God’s grace.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Only You can redeem us; only You can restore us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Stingers
Mark 1:40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Have you ever been in an internet chat room and taken part in a cyber-space discussion? When I first started using the internet, I used to visit Christian chat rooms in order to talk about current theological and political issues. It was amazing to interact with so many minds across the world. The discussions were usually quite civil, but then when people began to dispute hot topics such as abortion, fundamentalism, and life-style choices, the conversations became animated, agitated, and even hostile.
Every now and then, someone would offensively sting other people, and a moderator would block the offender with a time out. This let the discussions flow without becoming personal. This led to a real sharing of ideas without hostility and competitiveness taking over. A good chat room moderator knows when to use the time out. A bad one just lets the hostility grow.
After the time out ended, the offender had to request permission to get back into the chat room. Most people did that, but sometimes some chatters just left the room altogether. They couldn’t bear being blocked, nor could they bring themselves to ask to be let back in. I guess they just nursed their wrath and fed their pride.
Instead of patiently waiting and bringing something positive back to the whole community, they went away, probably to find another chat room, where they would perhaps experience the same.
When the leper in today’s story asks Jesus if He is willing to make him clean, he’s really asking, “Can I come back into the community?” Lepers in those days were complete outcasts, abandoned by their families and ousted by their neighbors. They had no rights, no blessings, and no hopes. Leprosy meant isolation, and isolation meant you were cut off from the community of faith.
The great thing about Jesus is that He is willing to make the leper clean. He recognizes both the pain and humility in this request. The man is asking for his body to be made clean, so that he can rejoin his family and friends. He is pleading with Jesus to redeem and restore him at the same time. And the wonderful thing is this: that’s what Jesus is all about. He came to redeem and restore.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we do or say things that cut us off from other people. Sometimes we allow anger and pride, bitterness and pain to fill our minds and wound our hearts. Help us to come to You with those things that give us pain, with those thoughts that bruise our souls, and with those memories that harm our spirits. Savior, redeem us from self-righteousness and restore us by Your grace. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Have you ever been in an internet chat room and taken part in a cyber-space discussion? When I first started using the internet, I used to visit Christian chat rooms in order to talk about current theological and political issues. It was amazing to interact with so many minds across the world. The discussions were usually quite civil, but then when people began to dispute hot topics such as abortion, fundamentalism, and life-style choices, the conversations became animated, agitated, and even hostile.
Every now and then, someone would offensively sting other people, and a moderator would block the offender with a time out. This let the discussions flow without becoming personal. This led to a real sharing of ideas without hostility and competitiveness taking over. A good chat room moderator knows when to use the time out. A bad one just lets the hostility grow.
After the time out ended, the offender had to request permission to get back into the chat room. Most people did that, but sometimes some chatters just left the room altogether. They couldn’t bear being blocked, nor could they bring themselves to ask to be let back in. I guess they just nursed their wrath and fed their pride.
Instead of patiently waiting and bringing something positive back to the whole community, they went away, probably to find another chat room, where they would perhaps experience the same.
When the leper in today’s story asks Jesus if He is willing to make him clean, he’s really asking, “Can I come back into the community?” Lepers in those days were complete outcasts, abandoned by their families and ousted by their neighbors. They had no rights, no blessings, and no hopes. Leprosy meant isolation, and isolation meant you were cut off from the community of faith.
The great thing about Jesus is that He is willing to make the leper clean. He recognizes both the pain and humility in this request. The man is asking for his body to be made clean, so that he can rejoin his family and friends. He is pleading with Jesus to redeem and restore him at the same time. And the wonderful thing is this: that’s what Jesus is all about. He came to redeem and restore.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we do or say things that cut us off from other people. Sometimes we allow anger and pride, bitterness and pain to fill our minds and wound our hearts. Help us to come to You with those things that give us pain, with those thoughts that bruise our souls, and with those memories that harm our spirits. Savior, redeem us from self-righteousness and restore us by Your grace. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Monday, January 22, 2007
TPH
Matthew 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Many years ago, I was a leading a Bible study in Scotland in someone’s home, and the house group was looking at this passage from scripture. During the meeting, it struck us that Christ’s strategy for ministry was totally encompassed in this one verse. All that He accomplished, He did through teaching, preaching, and healing.
At the end of the study, we came up with what we thought was a snappy slogan for our church’s ministry: teach the truth, preach the Gospel, and heal the people. It sounded so simple and we thought it would inspire us each day. For a few months, I placed the slogan in the church pulpit to remind me on Sundays what faith was all about. It seemed like a good idea and fitted the times.
These days, we appear to be living in a different world. There are no absolutes, so how can you teach the absolute truth? Everybody has their own individual ideas about what’s good and bad, right and wrong, true and false. There are new Gospels being re-discovered throughout the world, so which Gospel do we preach? And then there’s the fact that so many people are broken and wounded in our society, so how can we find enough resources to heal the world?
I guess the older I get, the more complicated the world becomes. What appeared to be so simple years ago, now seems outdated, quaint and naïve. Teaching, preaching, and healing get harder every year. Churches are more into cutting edge communications, strident commercialism, and the quest for completeness. Instead of having a simple message, we want a life style series to bring us success. Instead of listening to Christ, we want to give equal room to our own opinions; and instead of helping the world get better, we more interested in making things better for ourselves.
But perhaps it has been that way all along. Perhaps Jesus cut through all the complicated parts of life to show us that simple ways, simple words, and simple works are all that matters. And I guess that in the end, it’s not going to be what we do in life that will be important; at the close of our lives, it’s still going to be Christ’s teaching, preaching, and healing that will get us through all of our days and restore us to God’s everlasting love.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us Your truths; those precious things that have stood the test of time and will endure forever. Preach to us Your Gospel, so that we may be saved from our sins and forgiven of all our faults. And heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul, so that our spirits may be united to You forever. Amen.
Many years ago, I was a leading a Bible study in Scotland in someone’s home, and the house group was looking at this passage from scripture. During the meeting, it struck us that Christ’s strategy for ministry was totally encompassed in this one verse. All that He accomplished, He did through teaching, preaching, and healing.
At the end of the study, we came up with what we thought was a snappy slogan for our church’s ministry: teach the truth, preach the Gospel, and heal the people. It sounded so simple and we thought it would inspire us each day. For a few months, I placed the slogan in the church pulpit to remind me on Sundays what faith was all about. It seemed like a good idea and fitted the times.
These days, we appear to be living in a different world. There are no absolutes, so how can you teach the absolute truth? Everybody has their own individual ideas about what’s good and bad, right and wrong, true and false. There are new Gospels being re-discovered throughout the world, so which Gospel do we preach? And then there’s the fact that so many people are broken and wounded in our society, so how can we find enough resources to heal the world?
I guess the older I get, the more complicated the world becomes. What appeared to be so simple years ago, now seems outdated, quaint and naïve. Teaching, preaching, and healing get harder every year. Churches are more into cutting edge communications, strident commercialism, and the quest for completeness. Instead of having a simple message, we want a life style series to bring us success. Instead of listening to Christ, we want to give equal room to our own opinions; and instead of helping the world get better, we more interested in making things better for ourselves.
But perhaps it has been that way all along. Perhaps Jesus cut through all the complicated parts of life to show us that simple ways, simple words, and simple works are all that matters. And I guess that in the end, it’s not going to be what we do in life that will be important; at the close of our lives, it’s still going to be Christ’s teaching, preaching, and healing that will get us through all of our days and restore us to God’s everlasting love.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, teach us Your truths; those precious things that have stood the test of time and will endure forever. Preach to us Your Gospel, so that we may be saved from our sins and forgiven of all our faults. And heal us of all that harms us in body, mind, heart, and soul, so that our spirits may be united to You forever. Amen.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
David
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands.
King David of old faced many crises in his long life. He had to fight bears and lions when he was a young shepherd, in order to preserve his father’s flock. He confronted and slew the giant Goliath with no armor or sword. He destroyed Saul’s enemies and protected his people from the warring Philistines. He endured the king’s wrath and went into years of exile, wondering what was to become of him. And even when David was victoriously enthroned over his people, he still had to fight and endure several civil wars against his sons.
You would think that David caused all of that trouble for himself through poor decisions, sinful choices, and rash mistakes. But when he reflected upon his life as a warrior, he realized that God worked through all of those events in order to make David a bold leader. That’s why he faithfully writes that God will fulfill His purpose in David; that’s why he declares God’s love endures forever; and that’s why he pleads with God not to abandon what He has created in David.
Faith is never easy and people like David appear to us to be wild and untamed, imperfect and ignoble. As a leader, David would never have made it in today’s world – he’s too coarse, too bloody, too tainted with sin. And yet, God chose David to be the greatest king in Israel and promised him a succession line that would last forever. Perhaps God rewards boldness over blandness, passion over perfection, and resolve over reputation. It’s hard to say, but if you look at David’s whole life and read about his exploits, you soon realize that God fulfills His purposes in His own way, by His own choices, and for His own sake.
I guess the lesson that we glean from today’s passage is this: no matter what we want, God’s will prevails; no matter whom we choose, God calls His own.
Prayer: Lord God, when we look at David’s life and all the struggles he experienced, we realize that You can use anyone for Your purposes. His sinfulness and bloody ways are no different from our own, and yet with faith, You allowed him to accomplish much. Take us and use us for Your purposes. May we serve You greatly, even though we greatly sin. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
King David of old faced many crises in his long life. He had to fight bears and lions when he was a young shepherd, in order to preserve his father’s flock. He confronted and slew the giant Goliath with no armor or sword. He destroyed Saul’s enemies and protected his people from the warring Philistines. He endured the king’s wrath and went into years of exile, wondering what was to become of him. And even when David was victoriously enthroned over his people, he still had to fight and endure several civil wars against his sons.
You would think that David caused all of that trouble for himself through poor decisions, sinful choices, and rash mistakes. But when he reflected upon his life as a warrior, he realized that God worked through all of those events in order to make David a bold leader. That’s why he faithfully writes that God will fulfill His purpose in David; that’s why he declares God’s love endures forever; and that’s why he pleads with God not to abandon what He has created in David.
Faith is never easy and people like David appear to us to be wild and untamed, imperfect and ignoble. As a leader, David would never have made it in today’s world – he’s too coarse, too bloody, too tainted with sin. And yet, God chose David to be the greatest king in Israel and promised him a succession line that would last forever. Perhaps God rewards boldness over blandness, passion over perfection, and resolve over reputation. It’s hard to say, but if you look at David’s whole life and read about his exploits, you soon realize that God fulfills His purposes in His own way, by His own choices, and for His own sake.
I guess the lesson that we glean from today’s passage is this: no matter what we want, God’s will prevails; no matter whom we choose, God calls His own.
Prayer: Lord God, when we look at David’s life and all the struggles he experienced, we realize that You can use anyone for Your purposes. His sinfulness and bloody ways are no different from our own, and yet with faith, You allowed him to accomplish much. Take us and use us for Your purposes. May we serve You greatly, even though we greatly sin. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Sheba - the Wonder Dog
Psalm 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts.
For some reason, still unknown to me, “Sheba” was a popular name for dogs in Scotland when I was growing up. It usually was given to a German Shepherd or Alsatian, which looked proud and fierce, but normally was great with children. Anyone who knows me knows that I am intimated by big dogs (I was attacked and violently shaken by a ferocious collie when I was four years old – but that’s another story). However, my memories of the German Shepherd called Sheba, who lived in our subdivision, are pleasant ones.
We used to play a stick ball game called “Rounders” on our street. It was quite dangerous because there was a bend at the top of the road, which blind-cornered any car drivers who came through our street. Anyone who was speeding could have run over several kids on the road, but we had an early warning system: Sheba. Her hearing was far superior to our own and she must have sensed that we were in danger. Each time a car approached the blind corner, Sheba barked. We would all scatter to the sidewalk and wait for the car to pass. Her intelligence far outweighed any of the kids, including myself, in our street. To this date, the name Sheba recalls good memories and safe times.
The kings of Sheba in today’s Bible passage were renowned for their commercial and trading skills. They knew how to barter with the other nations around their Southern Arabian country. The fact that they are bringing gifts in this psalm – in other words, giving away something for nothing – means that they must be impressed with God’s Chosen and Anointed One. They were giving up their wealth for the riches of God’s grace. They were exchanging their temporary talents and livelihood for God’s eternal favor.
I guess that’s why we're also called to do the same – to give and use our gifts for the splendor and glory of God’s kingdom in Jesus Christ our Lord. Just as Sheba used her great gift of hearing to protect innocent kids; just as the kings of Sheba gladly gave their gifts to God’s Anointed One, we are expected to do the same.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, every life is a gift from God and every day is a new blessing. Encourage us to faithfully give of ourselves to You and to God’s Kingdom. May we use the gifts You give us for the growing of faith and the expansion of Your Church. In your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
For some reason, still unknown to me, “Sheba” was a popular name for dogs in Scotland when I was growing up. It usually was given to a German Shepherd or Alsatian, which looked proud and fierce, but normally was great with children. Anyone who knows me knows that I am intimated by big dogs (I was attacked and violently shaken by a ferocious collie when I was four years old – but that’s another story). However, my memories of the German Shepherd called Sheba, who lived in our subdivision, are pleasant ones.
We used to play a stick ball game called “Rounders” on our street. It was quite dangerous because there was a bend at the top of the road, which blind-cornered any car drivers who came through our street. Anyone who was speeding could have run over several kids on the road, but we had an early warning system: Sheba. Her hearing was far superior to our own and she must have sensed that we were in danger. Each time a car approached the blind corner, Sheba barked. We would all scatter to the sidewalk and wait for the car to pass. Her intelligence far outweighed any of the kids, including myself, in our street. To this date, the name Sheba recalls good memories and safe times.
The kings of Sheba in today’s Bible passage were renowned for their commercial and trading skills. They knew how to barter with the other nations around their Southern Arabian country. The fact that they are bringing gifts in this psalm – in other words, giving away something for nothing – means that they must be impressed with God’s Chosen and Anointed One. They were giving up their wealth for the riches of God’s grace. They were exchanging their temporary talents and livelihood for God’s eternal favor.
I guess that’s why we're also called to do the same – to give and use our gifts for the splendor and glory of God’s kingdom in Jesus Christ our Lord. Just as Sheba used her great gift of hearing to protect innocent kids; just as the kings of Sheba gladly gave their gifts to God’s Anointed One, we are expected to do the same.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, every life is a gift from God and every day is a new blessing. Encourage us to faithfully give of ourselves to You and to God’s Kingdom. May we use the gifts You give us for the growing of faith and the expansion of Your Church. In your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Managing Branches
Jeremiah 33:15 "'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land.
We have a grape myrtle tree right in the middle of our back lawn. When mowing season begins, I have to struggle past the tree with my lawnmower. The tree is also on the side of a hill, so it’s not an easy obstacle to circle. And when it reaches its peak growth in the Fall, the new branches that have sprouted are thick and hard to negotiate around.
Some friends have suggested that to make life easier I should just cut down the tree, pull up its stump, and re-grass the lawn. It certainly would make things less difficult for me. But there’s a story behind the tree, which is why it continues to exist in the middle of the lawn, at the crest of the hill.
We purchased the house from a young couple who had three boys. After we finally closed the deal, the mother drew us aside and asked, “Please promise that you won’t cut down the myrtle tree. I had a miscarriage and we lost our baby girl. We planted the tree in memory of her.”
So, during the mowing season, I circumnavigate the tree because of a promise that we made, and in memory of a little girl that we didn’t know. And if ever we have to move or sell the house, I’ll say to the buyers, “Please promise you won’t cut down the myrtle tree.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Righteous branch that sprouted from the line of David. Your connection to him across the centuries fulfilled the promises of God. Graft each of us onto Your Branch, so that we may grow in Your goodness and continue to fulfill those righteous promises. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
We have a grape myrtle tree right in the middle of our back lawn. When mowing season begins, I have to struggle past the tree with my lawnmower. The tree is also on the side of a hill, so it’s not an easy obstacle to circle. And when it reaches its peak growth in the Fall, the new branches that have sprouted are thick and hard to negotiate around.
Some friends have suggested that to make life easier I should just cut down the tree, pull up its stump, and re-grass the lawn. It certainly would make things less difficult for me. But there’s a story behind the tree, which is why it continues to exist in the middle of the lawn, at the crest of the hill.
We purchased the house from a young couple who had three boys. After we finally closed the deal, the mother drew us aside and asked, “Please promise that you won’t cut down the myrtle tree. I had a miscarriage and we lost our baby girl. We planted the tree in memory of her.”
So, during the mowing season, I circumnavigate the tree because of a promise that we made, and in memory of a little girl that we didn’t know. And if ever we have to move or sell the house, I’ll say to the buyers, “Please promise you won’t cut down the myrtle tree.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Righteous branch that sprouted from the line of David. Your connection to him across the centuries fulfilled the promises of God. Graft each of us onto Your Branch, so that we may grow in Your goodness and continue to fulfill those righteous promises. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Friday, January 12, 2007
Ante Up
Micah 4:3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
I’ve a confession to make: I like to play poker. It’s a card game that I’ve always enjoyed because it’s not about playing the cards that you’re dealt – it’s about pitting your wits against your opponents. Most people play to their own pattern – betting high when they’re on to a sure thing, or betting low when they’re waiting for the turn of a card. Every now and then, someone bluffs and breaks the pattern. This is what makes the game so fascinating to me – it’s all about the people around the table, not the cards that are in your hands.
It probably seems strange to be writing a daily devotional and talking about poker, but this week there’s seems to be an international poker game that’s going on, which could end up being disastrous if it doesn’t achieve a win. I’m talking about the President’s decision to augment the number of troops in Iraq. He’s wagering everything on the strategy of escalating the effectiveness of troops on the ground by upping the numbers of those being sent to the Middle East. The trouble is this: our opponents in the war could up their ante and kill more of our troops. Sadly, I saw the same thing happen in Northern Ireland decades ago. Let’s hope and pray that it doesn’t happen.
Micah’s word for today is not about poker or politics, it’s about peace. He utters a prophecy that one day people will give up their weapons and study war no more. I wish that prophecy could be fulfilled right now, but instead I’ll probably have to wait until Christ returns as the Prince of Peace before the world gives up it’s warring madness and wicked ways.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, times like these trouble our hearts and worry our minds. We wonder each day where all of this conflict will end. Challenge our ideals and lead us to peace. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.
I’ve a confession to make: I like to play poker. It’s a card game that I’ve always enjoyed because it’s not about playing the cards that you’re dealt – it’s about pitting your wits against your opponents. Most people play to their own pattern – betting high when they’re on to a sure thing, or betting low when they’re waiting for the turn of a card. Every now and then, someone bluffs and breaks the pattern. This is what makes the game so fascinating to me – it’s all about the people around the table, not the cards that are in your hands.
It probably seems strange to be writing a daily devotional and talking about poker, but this week there’s seems to be an international poker game that’s going on, which could end up being disastrous if it doesn’t achieve a win. I’m talking about the President’s decision to augment the number of troops in Iraq. He’s wagering everything on the strategy of escalating the effectiveness of troops on the ground by upping the numbers of those being sent to the Middle East. The trouble is this: our opponents in the war could up their ante and kill more of our troops. Sadly, I saw the same thing happen in Northern Ireland decades ago. Let’s hope and pray that it doesn’t happen.
Micah’s word for today is not about poker or politics, it’s about peace. He utters a prophecy that one day people will give up their weapons and study war no more. I wish that prophecy could be fulfilled right now, but instead I’ll probably have to wait until Christ returns as the Prince of Peace before the world gives up it’s warring madness and wicked ways.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, times like these trouble our hearts and worry our minds. We wonder each day where all of this conflict will end. Challenge our ideals and lead us to peace. In Your Holy Name, we faithfully pray. Amen.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Appointment
Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Normally, when we think about the word ‘appointment’, it usually entails visits to the dentist, going to the doctor, or having a job interview. It’s a special time that we agree to set aside with a professional person or worker in order to get something done that will benefit us. We create appointments to manage our time and make best use of our resources. We mark them on our calendars or input them to our computers because they are important. And if we miss a scheduled appointment, then we may lose a special opportunity.
The Greek word for appointment that Luke uses in this passage from Acts is ‘tasso.’ It means to arrange in order, determine, appoint and ordain. It’s not just that the Gentiles turned up to hear Paul’s preaching and that God subsequently blessed them. They were ordained to be there. Long before that day began, God was already moving their hearts and spirits to ensure they would be at the right place, at the right time.
Sunday mornings are ‘appointed’ times, too. Did you know that our Session ‘appoints’ the hour of worship on Sunday? It’s a sacred time which is set aside to gather the people of God for worship. It’s an ordained moment in the week when we stop focusing upon ourselves and turn our eyes upon God.
But more than that, it’s also a time when God calls us from our homes, even when we’re tired and weary, and don’t want to go, to be given an ordained opportunity of His blessing. If we go to church, we receive it. If we stay away, we miss it. It’s only given at that moment in time. It’s only appointed to be experienced by those who hear and honor the word of the Lord that very day.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes we take church for granted, and tend to come and go as we please. We don’t think of it as a place where special blessings are given, at special moments and sacred times. Keep us aware of what worshipping You really means and help us to honor those appointed times. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Normally, when we think about the word ‘appointment’, it usually entails visits to the dentist, going to the doctor, or having a job interview. It’s a special time that we agree to set aside with a professional person or worker in order to get something done that will benefit us. We create appointments to manage our time and make best use of our resources. We mark them on our calendars or input them to our computers because they are important. And if we miss a scheduled appointment, then we may lose a special opportunity.
The Greek word for appointment that Luke uses in this passage from Acts is ‘tasso.’ It means to arrange in order, determine, appoint and ordain. It’s not just that the Gentiles turned up to hear Paul’s preaching and that God subsequently blessed them. They were ordained to be there. Long before that day began, God was already moving their hearts and spirits to ensure they would be at the right place, at the right time.
Sunday mornings are ‘appointed’ times, too. Did you know that our Session ‘appoints’ the hour of worship on Sunday? It’s a sacred time which is set aside to gather the people of God for worship. It’s an ordained moment in the week when we stop focusing upon ourselves and turn our eyes upon God.
But more than that, it’s also a time when God calls us from our homes, even when we’re tired and weary, and don’t want to go, to be given an ordained opportunity of His blessing. If we go to church, we receive it. If we stay away, we miss it. It’s only given at that moment in time. It’s only appointed to be experienced by those who hear and honor the word of the Lord that very day.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes we take church for granted, and tend to come and go as we please. We don’t think of it as a place where special blessings are given, at special moments and sacred times. Keep us aware of what worshipping You really means and help us to honor those appointed times. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Liberator
1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
Years ago, I read Frederick Douglass’ autobiography, “The Narrative of His Life; An American Slave.” In the book, he detailed his experiences of slavery in both Southern and Northern States. None of it was complimentary and, on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, slaves were battered and abused. How he managed to escape and earn his freedom is remarkable journey of faith and fortitude, concentration and courage.
In his lifetime, Frederick Douglass became an icon for the Abolitionists in the North and, to this day, he is highly honored as an important figure in ridding this land of slavery. If you’ve never read the book, it’s one that I heartily recommend.
Slavery in New Testament times was just as bad. Human beings were subjected to the worst kind of ill-treatment by their Roman owners. The young Christian church was full of slaves because it was the one faith that offered them an equal opportunity of hope. Every other religion was based upon rewarding the powerful and blessing the great. Christianity was different. The everlasting promises of God and the bounty of immortality were offered to everyone, slave or free, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile.
Because there were no political or class barriers, the message preached was one of reconciliation and humility, service and peace. Peter’s words may sound unjust to us, for why should a slave not resent his or her master who beat them unfairly? But in those days, it was a radical message that liberated the victims from their oppressors – a gospel that eventually overcame the mightiness of the Roman Empire.
Today’s message may seem like a potted version of the history of slavery, but it’s more than that. It’s reminder that our true freedom is contained with our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls. No one can take that from us. ‘No one,’ as Paul writes in another famous passage, ‘can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Great Liberator of the souls of humankind. No matter who we are, what we have or what we do, we can come to You to be released from our sins and restored to God’s eternal freedom. Liberate us this day from the chains of our past mistakes, and lead us on to Your glorious Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Years ago, I read Frederick Douglass’ autobiography, “The Narrative of His Life; An American Slave.” In the book, he detailed his experiences of slavery in both Southern and Northern States. None of it was complimentary and, on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line, slaves were battered and abused. How he managed to escape and earn his freedom is remarkable journey of faith and fortitude, concentration and courage.
In his lifetime, Frederick Douglass became an icon for the Abolitionists in the North and, to this day, he is highly honored as an important figure in ridding this land of slavery. If you’ve never read the book, it’s one that I heartily recommend.
Slavery in New Testament times was just as bad. Human beings were subjected to the worst kind of ill-treatment by their Roman owners. The young Christian church was full of slaves because it was the one faith that offered them an equal opportunity of hope. Every other religion was based upon rewarding the powerful and blessing the great. Christianity was different. The everlasting promises of God and the bounty of immortality were offered to everyone, slave or free, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile.
Because there were no political or class barriers, the message preached was one of reconciliation and humility, service and peace. Peter’s words may sound unjust to us, for why should a slave not resent his or her master who beat them unfairly? But in those days, it was a radical message that liberated the victims from their oppressors – a gospel that eventually overcame the mightiness of the Roman Empire.
Today’s message may seem like a potted version of the history of slavery, but it’s more than that. It’s reminder that our true freedom is contained with our hearts and minds, our spirits and souls. No one can take that from us. ‘No one,’ as Paul writes in another famous passage, ‘can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38)
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Great Liberator of the souls of humankind. No matter who we are, what we have or what we do, we can come to You to be released from our sins and restored to God’s eternal freedom. Liberate us this day from the chains of our past mistakes, and lead us on to Your glorious Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Hearing Jesus
Luke 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
There’s something sad about this whole episode in Jesus’ great life. No matter what wondrous things He did or miracles that He performed, His enemies were just waiting for Christ to say something wrong. He walked among them as the holiest person on earth, divinely appointed and spiritually perfect. He healed the lame, cured the blind, and cleansed lepers. He provided food for the hungry and cast out demons. He did all of these amazing things and yet His foes waited to hear Him say something that they could use to arrest, try, and execute Him.
Whether it was treason or sedition, heresy or hearsay, they didn’t care. So long as they could pin something on Jesus was all that mattered. So long as they could stop His voice, break His authority, and halt His ministry, it didn’t matter what they heard. As long as it would stick and they felt justified, then Christ could be crucified and His enemies could celebrate. Taking care of Jesus would get rid of their problems. All they needed was a word, a phrase, or a sentence to hang Him. The truth didn’t matter – nailing Jesus was all that was important.
I feel sorry for those people. They were motivated by a hatred that extinguishes goodness and damages souls. They were filled with a prejudice that made grace powerless and forgiveness unattainable. It makes me wonder if their lives were so empty of good that they could not see Christ’s goodness. I feel so sorry for them and wonder if their souls are still wearily wandering the earth, looking for Christ to pardon their acts of betrayal.
Unlike us, Christ’s foes knew Him in person; but just like them, we can twist His words and turn His message into something to suit ourselves. I guess the question we need to ask ourselves today is this: are we ready to listen to what Christ actually says through scripture, or are we hoping to read and hear what we want Him to say?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and we have no secrets that we can ever hide from You. You know our motives for all that we think, say, and do. We cannot claim to be wholly ignorant of our choices, nor can we escape from Your scrutiny. Forgive our foolish ways and lead us back on to Your path of righteousness, responsibility and restoration. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
There’s something sad about this whole episode in Jesus’ great life. No matter what wondrous things He did or miracles that He performed, His enemies were just waiting for Christ to say something wrong. He walked among them as the holiest person on earth, divinely appointed and spiritually perfect. He healed the lame, cured the blind, and cleansed lepers. He provided food for the hungry and cast out demons. He did all of these amazing things and yet His foes waited to hear Him say something that they could use to arrest, try, and execute Him.
Whether it was treason or sedition, heresy or hearsay, they didn’t care. So long as they could pin something on Jesus was all that mattered. So long as they could stop His voice, break His authority, and halt His ministry, it didn’t matter what they heard. As long as it would stick and they felt justified, then Christ could be crucified and His enemies could celebrate. Taking care of Jesus would get rid of their problems. All they needed was a word, a phrase, or a sentence to hang Him. The truth didn’t matter – nailing Jesus was all that was important.
I feel sorry for those people. They were motivated by a hatred that extinguishes goodness and damages souls. They were filled with a prejudice that made grace powerless and forgiveness unattainable. It makes me wonder if their lives were so empty of good that they could not see Christ’s goodness. I feel so sorry for them and wonder if their souls are still wearily wandering the earth, looking for Christ to pardon their acts of betrayal.
Unlike us, Christ’s foes knew Him in person; but just like them, we can twist His words and turn His message into something to suit ourselves. I guess the question we need to ask ourselves today is this: are we ready to listen to what Christ actually says through scripture, or are we hoping to read and hear what we want Him to say?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us completely and we have no secrets that we can ever hide from You. You know our motives for all that we think, say, and do. We cannot claim to be wholly ignorant of our choices, nor can we escape from Your scrutiny. Forgive our foolish ways and lead us back on to Your path of righteousness, responsibility and restoration. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Monday, January 08, 2007
All Things
1 Corinthians 3: 22 ‘…whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-all are yours…’
A Scottish soccer manager once said, “Football isn’t about life or death – it’s much more important than that.” His name was Bill Shankly, who coached the world-famous English soccer team Liverpool. He was a hero of mine when I was growing up and to many people, he was the best soccer coach who ever lived.
When I heard him say that about football, I agreed with him at the time. Soccer is a highly competitive sport which brings out a lot of wildness and passion amongst its supporters. American football has legions of zealous fans throughout the States, but honestly a soccer crowd in Britain, even for a minor league, has much more heart and zeal for their team. Football games over here are wonderfully loud, wildly exhilarating, and absolutely fantastic to attend, but British soccer games have all that and are also dangerous. I can remember being at soccer matches where fans ended up in pitch battles behind the stadium during the game! Sadly, sometimes someone lost his life just for wearing team colors. That’s why Bill Shankly said what he did. That’s why I believed it at that time.
These days I don’t agree with Shankly’s statement. Soccer is just a game and life is much more than that. Millions of people will tune in to the National College Championship Game tonight but in the end, no matter who wins or loses, it’s still just a game. Being #1 in the BCS or supporting the team that wins the game won’t bring anyone nearer or closer to God (even if a lot of prayers are said during the last two minutes of the game). The outcome won’t affect our salvation – why? Because life and faith are infinitely worth more than a National Championship game or even a Superbowl. As Paul states in his letter, all things are ours when we are of Christ – football can’t ever give us everything.
So, we may sit back and enjoy tonight’s game, or we may do something else, but no matter how involved we are, there is only one thing that is greater than life or death and that is faith in Jesus Christ, our everlasting Savior.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are many distractions in our lives that can make us passionate, zealous and fanatical. In the end, these things pass away and have no place in eternity. We may cheer our teams loudly and attend their games, but even the best coaches and most successful champions in the world can’t bring us eternal salvation. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
A Scottish soccer manager once said, “Football isn’t about life or death – it’s much more important than that.” His name was Bill Shankly, who coached the world-famous English soccer team Liverpool. He was a hero of mine when I was growing up and to many people, he was the best soccer coach who ever lived.
When I heard him say that about football, I agreed with him at the time. Soccer is a highly competitive sport which brings out a lot of wildness and passion amongst its supporters. American football has legions of zealous fans throughout the States, but honestly a soccer crowd in Britain, even for a minor league, has much more heart and zeal for their team. Football games over here are wonderfully loud, wildly exhilarating, and absolutely fantastic to attend, but British soccer games have all that and are also dangerous. I can remember being at soccer matches where fans ended up in pitch battles behind the stadium during the game! Sadly, sometimes someone lost his life just for wearing team colors. That’s why Bill Shankly said what he did. That’s why I believed it at that time.
These days I don’t agree with Shankly’s statement. Soccer is just a game and life is much more than that. Millions of people will tune in to the National College Championship Game tonight but in the end, no matter who wins or loses, it’s still just a game. Being #1 in the BCS or supporting the team that wins the game won’t bring anyone nearer or closer to God (even if a lot of prayers are said during the last two minutes of the game). The outcome won’t affect our salvation – why? Because life and faith are infinitely worth more than a National Championship game or even a Superbowl. As Paul states in his letter, all things are ours when we are of Christ – football can’t ever give us everything.
So, we may sit back and enjoy tonight’s game, or we may do something else, but no matter how involved we are, there is only one thing that is greater than life or death and that is faith in Jesus Christ, our everlasting Savior.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, there are many distractions in our lives that can make us passionate, zealous and fanatical. In the end, these things pass away and have no place in eternity. We may cheer our teams loudly and attend their games, but even the best coaches and most successful champions in the world can’t bring us eternal salvation. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Blind 'n' Light
Sunset from my upstairs bedroom window. I like the Cross in the middle. Somehow it all invokes C. S. Lewis & Shadowlands...
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Lead Kindly Light
Job 38:19 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
During the mid 1980’s a lot of people got interested in the reports of near-death experiences that seriously injured and gravely ill patients were having all over the world. Some critical event happened that made them feel that they were finally dying. They felt as though they were floating above the surgeons, doctors and nurses who were frantically trying to save their lives. As their spirits floated away, they were drawn to a pure white light, which attracted their souls away from their bodies into another realm.
Some of these NDEs as they came to be known said that they met Jesus in the midst of the light and that He told them that their time had not come. All of a sudden, their free spirits were rushed back into their bodies, due to a defibrillator or an adrenaline shot being used by the health care professionals to keep them alive.
Documentaries were made about the people who survived death, and they seemed to be changed. They no longer had a morbid fear or fascination of death. It was only a short journey to a better and brighter place. I came across one such person in Maybole, and after she expressed what she had experienced, it also explained to me her change of character and rediscovered devotion to the Lord.
As we go through life, we face many challenges and sometimes we are fearful of what death will bring. This is where faith endures at its best. This is the time when our relationship to God and union to Christ will at last be sealed forever. We will go on enjoying and experiencing this life as much as we can on earth, but ultimately every journey, no matter how long, how successful, or how powerful it has become, will end in death. The difference for the Christian will be that we will find that abode of light and see Jesus face to face.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World, but You are also the Light to the Next World. Guide our lives each and every day, so that when our human journey ends, our eternal one begins at the twinkling of an eye through the power of Your compassion, mercy, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
During the mid 1980’s a lot of people got interested in the reports of near-death experiences that seriously injured and gravely ill patients were having all over the world. Some critical event happened that made them feel that they were finally dying. They felt as though they were floating above the surgeons, doctors and nurses who were frantically trying to save their lives. As their spirits floated away, they were drawn to a pure white light, which attracted their souls away from their bodies into another realm.
Some of these NDEs as they came to be known said that they met Jesus in the midst of the light and that He told them that their time had not come. All of a sudden, their free spirits were rushed back into their bodies, due to a defibrillator or an adrenaline shot being used by the health care professionals to keep them alive.
Documentaries were made about the people who survived death, and they seemed to be changed. They no longer had a morbid fear or fascination of death. It was only a short journey to a better and brighter place. I came across one such person in Maybole, and after she expressed what she had experienced, it also explained to me her change of character and rediscovered devotion to the Lord.
As we go through life, we face many challenges and sometimes we are fearful of what death will bring. This is where faith endures at its best. This is the time when our relationship to God and union to Christ will at last be sealed forever. We will go on enjoying and experiencing this life as much as we can on earth, but ultimately every journey, no matter how long, how successful, or how powerful it has become, will end in death. The difference for the Christian will be that we will find that abode of light and see Jesus face to face.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World, but You are also the Light to the Next World. Guide our lives each and every day, so that when our human journey ends, our eternal one begins at the twinkling of an eye through the power of Your compassion, mercy, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
A New Dawn
Job 38: 12, 13 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?”
For some, it may appear as though last week, just before dawn, this verse from Job was fulfilled. When Saddam Hussein was led to the gallows and executed by his own people, it may have seemed in Iraq that the earth had indeed been taken by the edges and the wicked shaken from it. I guess if members of my family had been tortured or murdered by his regime, then his death would have justly compensated for it.
But shaking the wicked from the earth is like sweeping a house clean and leaving it empty. All that you create is a power vacuum, which is usually filled, according to Christ, with seven more wicked devils (Matthew 12:43-45). The Iraqi people, as a sovereign nation, may have gotten rid of Saddam Hussein, but now they have to struggle in the void. And unless all sides are willing to co-operate, the demons that may arise amongst them could be worse than anything they have previously encountered.
So, in these early days of 2007, we need to keep praying for the Iraqi people. At the moment, they are like sheep without a shepherd and there are wolves amongst the flock. If we are serious about peace, then we need to pray that God raises a peacemaker amongst them because, whether or not foreign troops remain in their country, in the end the realization of peace remains in their own hands.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, in these troubled days of this New Year, we pray for peace across the Iraqi nation and amongst its diverse peoples. We pray that the common bonds of nationality, geography, and birth bring them together. Lead them to a unity that will overcome hostility and insecurity, terrorism and schism. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
For some, it may appear as though last week, just before dawn, this verse from Job was fulfilled. When Saddam Hussein was led to the gallows and executed by his own people, it may have seemed in Iraq that the earth had indeed been taken by the edges and the wicked shaken from it. I guess if members of my family had been tortured or murdered by his regime, then his death would have justly compensated for it.
But shaking the wicked from the earth is like sweeping a house clean and leaving it empty. All that you create is a power vacuum, which is usually filled, according to Christ, with seven more wicked devils (Matthew 12:43-45). The Iraqi people, as a sovereign nation, may have gotten rid of Saddam Hussein, but now they have to struggle in the void. And unless all sides are willing to co-operate, the demons that may arise amongst them could be worse than anything they have previously encountered.
So, in these early days of 2007, we need to keep praying for the Iraqi people. At the moment, they are like sheep without a shepherd and there are wolves amongst the flock. If we are serious about peace, then we need to pray that God raises a peacemaker amongst them because, whether or not foreign troops remain in their country, in the end the realization of peace remains in their own hands.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, in these troubled days of this New Year, we pray for peace across the Iraqi nation and amongst its diverse peoples. We pray that the common bonds of nationality, geography, and birth bring them together. Lead them to a unity that will overcome hostility and insecurity, terrorism and schism. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)