2007 Lenten Devotional
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 (Ash Wednesday)
SMOKE IN THE TEMPLE
Read today’s Scripture: Isaiah 6:5-7
Spirit, give focus to our King. We seek challenge to fallacies, and we
ask for eyes wide open as we reflect on our true condition and His
atoning work at the cross.
What’s your favorite life fallacy?
When you see the King on the cross, does God want you to focus on your
guilt or on your forgiveness?
“I am young, smart, good looking, in fact, a good guy all around, and
death is distant if not irrelevant.” We all have fallacies. Its good to
know one’s presuppositions in life, especially the false ones.
This month was eye opening, I was touched by three funerals: The first
is a Caucasian 60yr old fellow pastor, a figure in civil rights and
Jimmy Carter’s minister; A 48yr old son, husband, brother, father and
deacon in training in an African American church; Lastly, a 38 yr old
sister in Jesus.
60, 48, 38. Suddenly I find myself in the obituaries, eyes wide open to
our true condition. We live as though death is the rare anomaly. It is,
in fact, pandemic but our perception is impaired.
We live in a sterilized society. We don’t leave vacated bodies lying
around. We are so antiseptic we don’t even see dog poo anymore! The
steaming thing is picked up, placed in a baggie and hauled off! It’s
nice; it’s also deceptive, blinding us to our true condition. It’s a
shock when our vision is suddenly unimpaired and a fallacy crashes.
One day Isaiah is doing church as usual and God shows up, literally.
Suddenly church is smokin’! What would you do? Suddenly sit up straight
in your chair, fall to the floor, run to the altar or to an exit?
God’s presence is a spotlight. Suddenly Isaiah sees. He sees himself,
sees beneath the sanitary facade. A fallacy crashes. “Woe is me!” he
cries. “For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in
the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King,
the Lord of hosts!”
Today we see the King at the cross and cry, “Woe is me!” Still we know
as You touch us our guilt is taken away, our sins atoned for.’” Amen. I
smell smoke!
Art Barrett, New Life Christian Fellowship
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Let’s pray: Reveal to me where I tend to live a part from you and lead
me into your shepherding presence.
Scripture for today: Isaiah 53:6,7
What causes sheep to stray? Why are people driven to wander? Why do
sheep(and people) need a shepherd?
Isaiah pictures sheep going astray to describe the spiritual condition
of the people. Moses warned the people not to live as sheep without a
shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Jesus had compassion toward people because
they were like scattered sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:35). Why
sheep as an example of people? Why not goats or cows or even dogs? No,
it’s sheep because there are so many similarities between sheep and
people, I regret to say.
Sheep, like us, are restlessly hungry and thirsty, continually searching
for another mouthful or drink to satisfy its hunger and thirst. If left
on its own, restless sheep will eat inferior feed and drink from
polluted sources. People are the same. Jesus wants to shepherd us. He
wants to be the bread for our spiritual famine. He wants to be the water
that quenches our spiritual drought. Jesus provides for our restlessness.
Sheep, like us, by their very nature are anxious. Sound like anyone you
know? If there is the slightest sense of danger sheep are ready to flee.
Fleeing is their only means of protection. Yet the very presence of the
shepherd in the fields with the sheep is enough to calm them. People are
the same. Jesus wants to be our security, stability and protection. Our
shepherd alleviates our fears.
Do you know this shepherd? Not only will he satisfy your restlessness
and fears but he is willing to lay down his very life to offer the
necessary forgiveness and restoration for your wanderings. Jesus is the
sacrificial Lamb of God.
Lord, lead me from my wanderings into your shepherding presence and
life-giving forgiveness. You are the good shepherd. Amen.
Kurt Holm, The Creek Covenant Church
Friday, February 23, 2007
Heavenly Father, please reveal to me today the glorious and wonderful
life you intend for your creation – everyone and everything.
Scripture for Today: Romans 3:23-24
Questions: Why do you think it is hard for us to believe that ‘all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God’? What image comes to mind
when you reflect on ‘falling short’? How has God’s grace brought you
into God’s glory?
His rocket motorcycle streaked across the sky towards his goal; fame,
fortune, and the far side of the Snake River canyon. As you probably
know, on that late summer day in 1974, Evel Knievel did not make it to
the other side. Though he parachuted safely to the canyon floor, he fell
short of the daredevil glory he had sought most of his life and was
willing to risk his life to gain.
Paul tells us that in this wonderful and daring life God has given us,
we, like Evel Knievel, have fallen short. All of us sin – literally, we
miss the mark – and fall short of the glory of God - the glorious life
God intends for His creation. It may not seem this way, but I think
almost everyone agrees with this truth. If you turn on the television,
read a newspaper, or surf the internet you will find that most people
feel strongly that many things in the world are not the way they are
supposed to be. In other words, the world is missing the mark.
And yet, even though people agree the world is falling short, our lives
change when we embrace the reality, ‘I fall short of the glory of GOD.’
No matter how hard I try, I keep missing the mark. This means I cannot
be just a critic of the problem; I must recognize that I am part of the
problem. And I cannot solve it!
But by His grace God has solved our problem and the world’s in Christ.
Jesus has made a way for all of us to the other side. His cross is the
bridge over the canyon between us and the glory of God. Jesus alone can
connect us and the world to the glorious life God created for us.
Abba Father, thank you for your grace in Jesus Christ that brings me
into the glorious life you intend. Holy Spirit, please fill me with your
presence so that I might share this good news with others through loving
and powerful words and deeds. AMEN.
Mike McCoy, The Hills Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Let’s pray! Lord, in the midst of this busy week, I thank you for this
time we have together. I ask that you speak to me this morning. I accept
your mercy this day as a gift which grips me in awe of your incredible
love. Thank you for your patience as I wade through this journey of
faith. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 1:15-16
I wonder if many of us ever truly come to grips with our own sinfulness
as Paul does here. The confession that he was the “worst of sinners”
must have been very sobering for him as well as freeing.
It’s one thing to talk about sin, it is quite another to realize that we
are actually the guilty ones. You might be saying right now, “sure I’ve
made mistakes, but it’s not really all that bad, is it?” The answer
is…YES! IT IS!
We can dodge, ignore, blame, run from, or soften the truth, but the
reality is that you and I have sinned in ways that are so abhorrent to
God that we are deserving of death (See Romans 3:23 and 6:23 if you
don’t believe me!). It’s not a matter of whether we have sinned or not,
but rather a matter of how long we can keep up the facade. When this
moment arrives, we can either continue to live the lie or come clean.
Unfortunately for most, this moment of truth fills us with
disappointment and despair.
Yet for Paul, this realization filled his heart with gratitude, not self
loathing. God’s mercy came crashing down with an overwhelming force that
made His love undeniable. Paul saw that Jesus Christ came into this
world to save sinners, not condemn them. He was a man who was set free
by God’s love.
Paul is also mindful of Jesus’ unlimited patience with him and, this
too, should capture our attention. In essence he is saying “if God could
wait for someone who has messed up as bad as me; if I could wake up to
my need for him--then there’s hope for you!”
The good news is that God was patient for Paul to “get it” and now he is
patiently waiting for you and me to fully embrace him. This is what
eternal life in Jesus’ name means. Jesus gave his life for you and me
not because we earned it or are worthy, but merely because we “believed
on him”—trusting his words to be true, recognizing our need for him and
fully accepting his embrace. Paul was right when he said this is a
trustworthy saying that deserves our full acceptance: Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners!
PRAISE GOD!
Pray with me—Lord Jesus, as I see the example of Paul, I am in awe that
you are waiting patiently for me as well. I accept your mercy and I will
live this day in gratitude of your amazing love. In Jesus’ Name I pray.
Amen.
Shawn Robinson, Clayton Community Church
Sunday, February 25, 2007
(Pastor Exchange Sunday)
Today is February 25, we call it “Pastor Swap Sunday.” Today we would ask you pray for our churches, and to specially remember the those pastors and churches swapping pulpits.
The message going out today comes it titled “Field of Dreams,” from 1 Corinthians 3:1-11 NLT
1) You (the church – all gathered believers) are God’s field [vv8-9]
a. planted
b. watered
c. grown by God
d. for a harvest
vv8-9 The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God. You are God’s field, God’s building—not ours.
2) You (the church) are meant to GROW from infancy to spiritual maturity [vv1-7]
a. infant thinking: ‘I like mommy better than daddy, or sister, or brother…’i.e. Valuing one person or style more than another
b. mature thinking includes: ‘I value everyone & recognize the need for everyone’
vv1-7 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn’t handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord. When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I prefer Apollos,” aren’t you acting like those who are not Christians?
Who is Apollos, and who is Paul, that we should be the cause of such quarrels? Why, we’re only servants. Through us God caused you to believe. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or watering aren’t important, but God is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow.
A sign of spiritual maturity is valuing the unity of the church because…
3) You (the church) must carefully insure that what we are building together is built upon the one foundation. Unity in the church is built on the one and only foundation of Jesus Christ. Our unity and God’s harvest are interconnected. When we realize this and act like it - the world will get the message and the harvest will increase.
Because of God’s special favor to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
A sign of spiritual maturity is valuing the unity of the church because, it is then we become whom Jesus’ prayed and the world comes to know whom Jesus is.
May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. John 17:23
25 Feb 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Our wrong doings pile up before you, God, our sins stand up and accuse
us. Our wrongdoings stare us down; we know in detail what we have done:
Mocking and denying God, not following our God, Spreading false rumors ,
inciting sedition, pregnant with lies, muttering malice. Justice is
beaten back, righteousness is banished to the sidelines, Truth staggers
down the street, Honesty is nowhere to be found, Good is missing in
action.
Isa 59:12-14 The Message
I need this season of lent because I naturally will not want to be
reflective or practice repentance. My wrong doings are like my garage
after six months to a year. I say, “How did all this get here.” Look at
all this junk I accumulated. It seems overwhelming to begin to clean it
up. So I continue to throw stuff in there hoping it will just take care
of itself, but as we know it doesn’t. Many of our church traditions
practice a discipline called ‘the examine’, where we spend time
examining our life and reflecting on and acknowledging our sin. The
individual sins are just things we stuffed in the garage. What is more
important is our turning our backs on God. We have ignored Him and in
doing so we have not kept our spiritual house clean. We need to repent,
to change our minds, turn around and come face to face with Jesus again.
Jesus is the lover of our souls who longs to help us keep our spiritual
garage clean.
Isaiah the prophet is coming to Israel and saying, your garage is full
of ---- stuff. Since your life is full of all the wrong stuff there is
no space for justice (setting the world right) or living righteous, it
has been sidelined. Truth is staggering. It has no power in your life.
Honesty can’t be found and there is no space for goodness in action.
What happens to me is I get so overwhelmed with my garage being full
that I am paralyzed and have no space for others in my life. There is no
room for love. Christ has come to help us live in His kingdom. A way of
life that the garage of our souls never gets cluttered again. He invites
us to a life of reflection and repentance. This 40 days is not just a
once a year cleaning but a way of life. The church is to live as kingdom
people. In prayer begin to ask God to reveal the ways you have turned
your back on Him. Then ask Him through the power of His Spirit to help
you not stuff your wrongdoings in the garage of your soul, but to offer
them to Him for transformation of your very being into His likeness.
Practice this as often as you can and begin to make it a daily, weekly
and monthly time of reflection and repentance. You will be amazed at how
clean your garage stays and the space you have to love the world.
Sean Blomquist, Shelter Covenant Church
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Read today’s Scripture: James 2:1-4
Let’s pray: Gracious God, that fact that you love and have chosen me to
be one of your followers may be the greatest proof of all that you
welcome everyone into your kingdom. Give me the grace and mercy to hear
your Word spoken to my heart this day.
What do you see? Where do my prejudices come from? Have I “baptized”
some of my prejudices and allowed myself to believe that my opinion and
God’s opinion are the same? How can my heart be converted from judging
by outward appearances?
There is no subtlety in James’ description of a scene that could take
place on any given Sunday morning in one of our churches. Americans, and
especially American Christians, are as class-conscious as any Christians
in the world. James’ question about the way we treat people differently,
and that inconsistency with the Gospel-mandate cuts to the heart of
every believer.
It is easy to see that those who have more wealth seem to look down on
those who have less. But isn’t it equally true that those who have less
(be they poor or middle class) often carry serious prejudice against
those who have wealth? It is easy to quote the verse about “giving away
everything we have to the poor and following Christ” (Mark 10:21), but a
little harder to quote Jesus’ teaching “For all those who have, more
will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have
nothing, even what they have will be taken away” (Matthew 25:29).
We may never be able to move completely beyond judging by worldly
distinctions, but our Lord and the Scriptures never allow us to be rude
to anyone. And we must place our hearts in solidarity with the wealthy
person who is spiritually impoverished at the same time we are called to
be in solidarity with those who have little worldly wealth.
What is “glorious” about Jesus and what is “glorious” about having
material wealth are two different kinds of glory. Only when we seek
God’s glory, and God’s glory alone, will we be able to detach ourselves
from the type of favoritism that James condemns.
May we never be a church that sides with the rich and neglects the poor
(James’ example). But may we also never be a church that sides with the
poor and assumes that the rich have no need of a glorious Savior.
Dr. R. Kevin Murphy, Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Let’s Pray: Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see where you still have
work to do to develop my faith.
Scripture for today: James 2:14-17
1. What seems to be the connection between a claim to faith and deeds?
2. According to James, what kind of action accompanies faith? Is this
what you would have expected him to say? Or did you assume
faith-expressing actions to be something else?
Since the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther argued for omitting
the book of James from the New Testament for being too works-heavy,
Christians have been struggling to find a balance between faith and
deeds. James is not talking about works that justify you for salvation,
but works that express authentic Christian faith. There¹s a difference!
Works meant to convince God that you are worthy of his salvation are a
wasted effort. God’s salvation is a gift, undeserved and impossible to
buy‹and aren’t we glad for that! But good deeds that are the visible
evidence of faith growing in you are made possible by God¹s power at
work in your heart. Real
faith comes out in real action empowered by a real Spirit.
William Law (1686-1761) took issue with Christians who pray in fancy
terms but then turn around the rest of the week and live godless lives.
He didn’t have a problem with “pious prayers,” but said, “Our lives
should be as holy and heavenly as our prayers!” A Sunday profession of
faith is confirmed by Monday through Saturday deeds that radiate God’s
joyful love to others.
And what are the deeds that demonstrate our faith is real?
Showing compassion to those who are so poor they do not have a coat to
get through a cold, homeless night. Feeding those who otherwise would
subsist on garbage they dig out of city trash bins. If we say we care,
then we should show it with tangible help!
But who is able to do this? Remember, God has created in our hearts
“good works” that make real the heart-change we have experienced. This
is a work of God’s Spirit, to enable and empower us to do what Jesus
would do if he were standing right here assessing a needy situation himself.
O Lord, help me connect the way I live with the faith I profess. I
confess I have averted my eyes from someone who needed me. Please help
me translate the love you have shown me into concrete help for others in
the same circumstance. Please provide out of your bounty what I need in
order to be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name, and for the sake of
his Kingdom, Amen.
The Rev. Mary Naegeli
Minister-at-Large; Adjunct Faculty, Fuller Theological Seminary
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Jesus, please use these next few moments to open my eyes to truth that
will change me a little bit more into your likeness. Amen
Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-3
What do you see? How does “suffering in the flesh” eliminate sin?
This is a strange little text. Peter seems to suggest that suffering in
the flesh is the route to eradicating sin in a person (verse 1). Is he
saying that physical suffering unhinges our worldly passions and fixes
our intentions squarely upon following God’s will? If this were the
case, we might end up prescribing various forms of flagellation as
effective remedies for sinful habits. Some in history have adopted this
route. Maybe we should become people who aggressively pursue suffering
itself in hopes that it will fix us. Or maybe not.
Let’s look again. Peter has been talking about Christ’s suffering on the
cross (3:18) as that which has brought us to God. He will later say that
our baptism portrays the reality of Christ’s suffering and resurrection
cleansing our consciences (3:21). Then in Chapter 4 Peter will tell his
readers to so identify with the righteous suffering of Christ so as to
determine to live life the very same way Jesus faced death. In the
Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus resisted all the normal and natural signals
of His body (which, I am sure, were telling Him to run as fast as He
could away from the place!) Upon the cross, with His body so broken and
breath running shallow, the consuming essence of Jesus was His heroic,
loving obedience to the will of God.
To imitate Jesus the Sufferer is to live for God and reject sin of any
kind and at any level. The imitation of Jesus begins with His life story
being central in my imagination. My imagination feeds off of what I
read, watch, and muse on. I have opportunity this Lenten season to think
long and hard about the story of Jesus’ and His relentless journey to
the cross. As I do, I pray that my feet will itch to walk in such
magnificent footprints on the very ordinary path set before me here and now.
Jesus, teach me to suffer in Your suffering that I might live as You lived.
Jeff Reed,Hillside Covenant Church
Friday, March 2, 2007
Holy Spirit, I ask that you would lead me into truth, and use that truth
in my life to make me more like my Jesus so that I might glorify the
Father. Amen.
Scripture for today: 2 Timothy 2:22-23
What do you see? As you took a moment to reflect on this passage, what
did the Spirit of God bring to your mind? What specific things are you
to flee? What are you to pursue? And what is it that you should avoid?
Let me ask you another question: What do think we as Christians spend
more time doing, arguing about foolish speculations or following Paul’s
advice in these two verses?
This passage is not saying that we should tolerate false teaching.
Neither is it saying that we should ignore our own maturing in our
understanding of the Bible. It in fact gives good guidelines and exhorts
us on these very issues. However, the point Paul is making is that words
alone will not bring about the kingdom of God, much less arguing about
them. Check out I Corinthians 2:4-5.
At issue is the way in which we can become even more useful in the hands
of God for the purpose of blessing not arguing with others. That pathway
is highlighted in these two verses with three, not suggestions, but
commands: flee, pursue, and avoid.
The first and last are things to run away from. We are called to flee
the striving after and coveting of things that God has not intended for
nor given to us. We are to avoid engaging in a war of words. And in the
center, the focal point, is what we are to chase after. We are called to
pursue right living from a foundation of faith in Jesus, the love of the
Father and the peace of the Spirit.
I suppose a simple way to say it is we are always moving from something
to something. Life is not static. We are either being chased or are
doing the chasing. What we focus on is where we will go. The good news
is that we are not called to do this in isolation. We are called to do
this with others who are also seeking after God. I thank the Lord that
He has put us together in this chase.
Lord Jesus, help me to run after you with my whole heart. Show me ways
in which I can encourage and pray for (insert name) in their pursuit of
you. Amen.
Ron Musch, Lighthouse Regional Church
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Father, grant that our hearts would be encouraged by your Spirit today
as we look upon Jesus.
Scripture for today: 1 John 1:9, 10
What do you see? If you can quote these verses from memory, be extra
careful! Read them again, slowly, in an unfamiliar version. What is the
motivation for God’s forgiveness? What does “cleanse” mean? Define “all”.
I once had a co-worker who drove a Porsche. One of his “little
pleasures” in life was to pay the bridge toll for a stranger two or
three cars behind him and then speed off! Imagine the scene a few cars
later: “I don’t need your money; you’ve already been paid for!” “By
whom?” “That guy in the Porsche.” “I don’t know who he is!” “I do! He’s
the guy who paid your toll!”
So it is with our Father. Jesus went on ahead of us and paid the price
for all our sin (and not for ours alone, John will soon add “of the
whole world”). When we, as Christians, come to The Father and agree with
Him about our wrong doing, wrong thinking, and general “falling short”,
He is “faithful” and “just” . . .. Pause with that a moment. Not
“lenient” and “soft”. Not even “loving” and “gracious” (though, of
course, He is that). His motivation in this particular act is His own
faithfulness and justice. The toll has been paid. It would be wrong to
charge double. “You are forgiven because the debt has been paid in full
by My Son” is the affirmation.
But there is more! He is not only “faithful” and “just” to forgive, He
also instantly cleans us of every defilement. The image is perhaps
painful for some of us (whose mother’s may have taken to the task a bit
too vigorously) but it’s like: “He cleans behind our ears for us!”
Maybe, “He washes our back for us” would be a more fitting picture. When
He washes, He is thorough; everywhere there is defilement, He cleanses,
continually. Even places we didn’t know we had are clean!
John ends with a kind of “Get real!” “Don’t deny your failure!” Admit
guilt and be forgiven. Be cleansed. Enjoy Him. He’s not speeding away in
a Porsche, He’s in your heart!
Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the toll for us all; for me. Thank you
for the continual bath. Thank you for the assurance that there is no
spot You missed. I love you.
John Michael Milgate, A Community of Grace
Monday, March 5, 2007
Thank you Lord for the gift of this day and your love today.
Scripture for today: Isaiah 59:15b-17
How do you feel when you observe injustice in your world?
Why do we often hesitate to stand up against injustice?
Our God is a just God and because we are made in His image we also want
justice. But, unlike us, God desires justice for all people. If we are
honest we must admit we are most concerned about getting justice for
ourselves and the ones we love. We do not have enough strength, energy
or wisdom to pursue universal justice. So we are usually satisfied when
we feel we are being treated justly and are often willing to turn a
blind eye to other injustices in our purview. In today's text we hear
that God is appalled when no one steps forward to fight for justice. But
praise God, He doesn't fuss and fume, He takes the responsibility of the
battle for justice onto Himself - "So His arm worked salvation for Him".
The salvation that this passage speaks of is more than what New
Testament believers think of when we think of salvation. It points not
just to the forgiveness of sins but also to making things right in human
relationships and in our community. This salvation is not an
instantaneous event, but a long battle that takes place in the daily
affairs of mankind. Jesus took this struggle for justice on His
shoulders in His life and won the decisive battle on the cross and in
the resurrection. Thank you Lord. But while the decisive battle has been
won, the war rages on and Jesus' followers are called to be agents of
His loving justice in our daily lives. If you take up the battle for
justice today do not try to fight in your own strength, but be sure to
call on the risen Lord Jesus to give you wisdom and strength.
Thank you Lord for leading the battle for justice. Give me strength to
join you in that struggle today. Amen.
Pastor Dean Honnette, Hope Center Covenant Church
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Let’s Pray: Lord, guide me through your Spirit; bring understanding deep
into my heart and mind. Reveal yourself to me in new ways in this day
and in this Easter season.
Scripture for today: 1 John 2:1-2
What do you see? Have you sinned? What is atoning, anyway?
Ok, so we have all sinned. It is silly to ask ‘have you sinned’, or is
it? Though the Bible is clear in saying ‘all have sinned’ (Rom 3:23), we
should acknowledge that John here says that he writes ‘so that you (or
‘we’ his audience) will not sin’. The fact that John seems to write “not
sinning” as possible has always struck me as shocking, and challenging;
however, with a crucial accommodating turn he goes on to point us in the
direction of our defender, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Defender is
described as ‘the atoning sacrifice’ and, in this time of preparing for
Easter, we should seek to fully appreciate this truth about Jesus. The
Biblical word atonement finds its meaning in words like ‘covering’ or
‘reconciliation’; it is about God’s provision to cover our sin and
reconcile us to Him.
The children of Israel practiced a Day of Atonement (also known as Yom
Kippur, see Lev. 16), This celebration was about a sacrifice of
guiltless blood (an animal) given by God to be shed to atone for the
forfeited blood of the guilty (the people). This was a practice that
ultimately found its fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 6:23). In
the atonement, Jesus has restored sinners (you and me) to God. As one
writer put it, Jesus is the "at-one-maker between God and man."
While we do our best to look to Jesus in our day to day life and bring
our actions under his will and guidance, we inevitably fall short. In
fact, like a defiant child we can be downright hostile at times! But
praise be to God for “while we were still sinners Christ died for us”
(Rom 5:8)—“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins”(I Jn 2:2)
Lord, I know that every time I sin it is a decision I make to turn my
back on you. I am so sorry for assaulting our relationship with my sin.
Thank you for the amazing defense of your son Jesus, I weep over his
blood given for my sin, but I rejoice over my restored relationship to YOU!
Bill Francis, Morello Hills Christian Church
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Read: Romans 6:1-4
When I was a young child, around 9 years old, our family experienced a
tragedy like none I had experienced in my young life. On a cool fall
Sunday evening in North Carolina, there was a death in the family.
Bootsie, our loyal poodle of 13 years, was dreadfully and horribly
murdered before our very eyes. It was a drive-by killing. By my father.
With the entire family in the van watching the unpleasant scene unfold
with disbelief. Bootsie always ran out from the backyard to greet us on
arriving home and this time he got a little too excited, and my dad got
a little too careless, and before anyone knew what had happened we heard the stomach-turning sound of ba-boom under the family van.
It was so difficult to deal with. I’d never thought of my dad of the
killing type before, and now he had just killed my very best friend. My
confidant. He was part of me and I was part of him.
The next morning we had a funeral service for Bootsie. My dad, trying
his best to move beyond his murderous ways, built a coffin, as my
brothers and I watched, for our beloved pal. My mom and sisters went to
the florist to get some flowers. There in our backyard we dug a hole,
prayed over Bootsie, said our goodbyes, and laid him in his final
resting place.
Over the next couple of weeks I missed Bootsie tremendously. As I played
in the backyard I would often wander over to the gravesite and sit and
think of all our good times together. I wanted him back. Why did he have
to die? Would I ever have fun again? One day, as I sat next to dead
Bootsie, a thought came into my misguided 9-year-old mind, “Why can’t I
dig Bootsie up? Just for a while. No one will know. It would be great to
hang out with him again. I’ll put him back just like he was before.” Of
course, after coming to my senses, I realized this was not an option and
that playing with dead things was strictly prohibited in my parent’s
household.
I wonder why any rational person can understand the futility and
absurdity of playing with dead things, but we as Christians, regularly
dig up our old self for a few moments of instant gratification. We are
alive and new, “we have died to sin, so how can we continue to live in
it?” Sure there will be times when we feel like bringing back the old,
dead self…for old times sake, but we must resist the urge. It’s not
healthy to play with dead things whether it’s your loyal poodle or your
old life of sin. Let’s leave the dead things in our lives buried and
discover (or rediscover) the joys that come with our new lives in
Christ.
Chris McCabe, Freedom
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Today’s Scripture: Hebrews 7:24-26
Lord, today help us to see Jesus as One on our side.
Are you feeling secure in your relationship with Jesus? Are you happy
that he is always there for you?
The book of Hebrews presents Jesus to us as our High Priest. He became
completely human "in order that he might become a faithful high priest
in the service of God" (2:17). Because he was tempted in every way, just
as we are, he is able to sympathetically offer us help (2:18), mercy and
grace (4:16). Our text tells us three things about the results or
benefits of his priesthood:
1. He lives forever, so he has a permanent priesthood. He is the Son of
God who has "passed through the heavens" (4:15) and sits at the right
hand of the throne of God. He presented himself as an offering for sin –
once and for all – (10:10-12) and was raised from the dead.
2. He is able to save completely (forever, to the uttermost) those who
come to God by him. Once we have given our lives to him, he carries us
through life and on into heaven to reign with him forever. What he has
started in us he will complete (Philippians 1:6). Nothing is able to
separate us from his love (Romans 8:39).
3. He always lives to make intercession for us. The results of his
atoning sacrifice are kept before God so that he always sees us as in
Christ and therefore as righteous. David Eckman puts it this way: "When
God looks at his Son, he sees me. When God looks at me, he sees his
Son." I am "in Christ" forever, and this means there is no condemnation.
In Romans 8 Paul tells us that there is no condemnation for those who
are in Christ Jesus. Who will condemn us – cause us to miss heaven? Not
the Father, for he has justified us. Paul goes on to say, "Who is he
that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised
to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us"
(vs. 34).
One person asked, "How would you feel right now if you knew that Jesus
was in the next room praying for you?" Well, he is! And not only there
but before the throne of heaven!
Floyd Roseberry, Pastor to Pastors
Friday, March 9, 2007
Day by day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again
and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he
sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his
enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made
perfect forever those who are being made holy.
If you have been keeping up, you have reached the 15th day of our Lenten
devotion. Each of us has most likely been encouraged to “follow” Jesus
by giving up something during this time. This portion of Scripture
really takes a slightly different tack, but with the same outcome. It
compares two types of priests.
One priest religiously, goes about his duties. These would include
prayers, readings and offerings. These activities are certainly Biblical
and most likely well meaning, but in this context the effort has too
much of something and not enough of something else.
The second priest, given the title “THIS PRIEST” seems almost lazy by
comparison. Listen to the text: He offers only one sacrifice, only
offers it one time, then He sits down and just waits.
I hope you see the contrast, now let’s fill in the participants. I think
the first priest represent us, you and me. We become followers of
Christ, then as we learn how to be devoted to Him we slowly shift to
being devoted to devotion: Our prayers, our readings, our offerings. And
when that happens our devotion is filled with too much “self” and not
enough power.
The second, the one titled THIS PRIEST, is of course our Lord. During
this season, He waits at the right hand of God for us, you and me. Those
He has “made perfect.”
My suggestion: This day cease from your religious labors. Take a walk,
Listen for His voice in the sound of the birds singing. Watch a child
playing. He is waiting for us to STOP trying to do what He has already done.
Jim Shields, Sanctuary Ministries
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Scripture reading for today: 1 Peter 2:21-25
Think about: What does it mean to suffer?
How many times a week do you suffer for the sake of Jesus? When compared
to what He endured most of us would say, “really, never – not like
that.” But is that really true? Surely, one would have to agree that we
rarely, if ever, have to physically suffer like Christ did, at least not
here in the United States. But there was a deeper suffering Christ did
for us that we might experience to some degree.
Have you ever heard someone take His name in vain? How did that sit with
you? Maybe you have been the offender. When someone uses God’s name
profanely we suffer. First for God Himself, for this is such an affront
to His Holiness, He is bound to experience grief. Grief over the fact
that someone doesn’t yet know Him, grief over the fact that He has been
taken lightly. We suffer the same grief for those who do not know Him,
we wonder how could someone, saved by His sacrificial grace, be so
calloused as to grieve the Holy Spirit. And then we pray that God may
make Himself known to them so they might have the victory we have.
We suffer in other ways too. When someone assigns the labels of
intolerance, insensitivity, unloving, or judgmental to us, it hurts us.
This is where we are the student of Jesus, taking His example of “taking
it” for the Father’s sake. To really live the example He gave us while
he was here and not be all those things the world assigns to us. This is
the sign of a Godly person, but it is not easy is it?
Each day we need to keep in the forefront of our minds that we are sheep
returned to the shepherd, and that by our membership in the flock we are
to suffer for His sake as an example to those around us. Each day we
need to remember that we are not required to do it alone, as if we
could. Each day our prayer should be “Lord, help me be the example of
Your Son here on earth, so that others might want what we have in You”.
God Bless You.
Pastor Dan Helix, Awakenings Christian Church
Monday, March 12, 2007
Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 59:21
God’s mercy and faithfulness are beyond measure, even extravagant. For
the past two Mondays, we’ve encountered parts of this same chapter from
Isaiah. The prophet has described a pretty dismal state of affairs. One
might even call it beyond hope –– a total loss. He describes a society
where justice and righteousness are pushed aside, where “truth stumbles
in the public square,” like a man who’s been beaten to near
unconsciousness. The Lord is appalled at all of this. It sounds like
virtually every corner of this society, virtually all of the Lord’s
people are running in the direction of evil and destruction.
What would you do? If you were in the Lord’s place, what would you do?
“As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my spirit that
is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not
depart out of your mouth. . . .”
In spite of all that’s happened, God does not give up on us. Even if
things seem beyond hope, there is still hope, because the Lord has
promised. God’s Spirit will endure. God’s word will endure. God’s mercy
will endure. God’s faithfulness is for all time. God’s Spirit is not
only with us, but within us. The Lord has chosen to give us his eternal
presence to enable us to speak words of justice, mercy, grace and
healing in a broken world, even as we are being healed from within.
Holy God, where would I be without your Spirit? Lost, weak, broken, even
dangerous. Thank you for your enduring, strengthening presence. Thank
you for calling me to ministry in your word. Make me your voice of
justice, mercy, grace and healing. Amen.
Eric O. Strom, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
God, we are so grateful for the enlightening, enabling filling of Your
Holy Spirit. We ask for the insight to see opportunities today to share
your good news, and the boldness to act.
Scripture for today: 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
What do you see? Think of the many images you have seen of the face of
Christ. Did any of them seem to shine with the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God? What does Paul mean, anyway?
In the beginning…..the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over
the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the
waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light (Gen.
1:1-3). Imagine the power of that first flood of light. Exploding into
the universe; dispelling the darkness. Do you suppose it was like a
gigantic flash of lightening? Whatever God did, it was too much for us
to comprehend. And Paul equates that mighty moment with the enlightening
experience of the flooding of His Holy Spirit into our hearts. I wonder
whether the darkness that existed in the beginning was deeper than the
darkness that at one time controlled my heart. Wow!
This Holy Spirit light that fills us is not with knowledge about, but
the knowledge of. Paul is talking about an intimate knowledge of God’s
glory that we can experience only through Jesus (John 1:18).
And He calls this relationship treasure. Treasure indeed! We cannot
measure the joy, the thrill, the all surpassing power of this gift. And
without the grace of God we could not contain it. Think of it! Before
Jesus came people knew that they could not even look at God and live,
and now we are filled with Him. Hallelujah!
In the greater passage that contains today’s verses Paul is encouraging
the Christians at Corinth to share this light. Just as Jesus came not to
be served, but to serve, so we must use this glorious presence to draw
others to the joy of eternal life, and abundant life. Jesus has given us
an awesome responsibility, but He has also given us His own power to
fulfill it.
I pray that you will shine His light on everyone you meet today.
Chuck McKinney, Valley Christian Church; Concord
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Thank You, Father, that through the shed blood of Jesus and by the power
of your Spirit within, we can come to you in everything. We open
ourselves to You. Renew us today. Amen
Please read: Romans 5: 5, 6
What do you think? What is the difference between being “poured into”
and “poured out”? How dependent are you on your watch? Do you ever look
at the clock, or your watch, during a sermon?
That last one was just for fun! It reminds me of a joke! A young boy
took an “unchurched” friend to church. Throughout the service he would
lean over and whisper to his visiting friend explanations of all the
“goings on.” When the pastor took to the pulpit, took off his watch, and
positioned it above his Bible the young boy whispered to his friend:
“That doesn’t mean anything!” [The boy didn’t understand: Pastors wear
calendar watches!]
God is less concerned about time than we are. Yet, in our text today we
are told that God acted “at the right time.” When we were still without
strength, weak, unable to act on our own, still ungodly, at that “right
time” Christ died for us. As someone has said, “God often delays, but He
is never late!” And because of that timely work (the “for” at the
beginning of verse 6 tells us that it is the basis for what happened in
verse 5), God’s love has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit (Who we have as a gift).
Do you enjoy gifts? Have you thought of the Spirit and His Holiness in
your innermost being as a gift? God says He is a gift, and that the
affects of His arrival are an overflowing of God’s love in our innermost
being, our “hearts.” I still remember the astonishment and anxiety on
faces of the young and not-so-young alike as, several years ago, I
deliberately overflowed a glass with water to illustrate God’s abundant
provision. Here we are told that His love (which is without measure) is
“poured out” in our “hearts” [which are finite]. Don’t try to control
it, direct it, conserve it: Let His love splash on everyone you pass.
The time is right!
Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your perfect timing; allow us to live
unrushed (especially when we think “time is short”). We thank You for
your limitless love; we surrender to You our desire for “neatness” and
“control”, cause us to revel in Your overflowing, splashing love. We
thank You for the Holy Spirit, given to us, living in us; cause us to
rejoice in His extravagant, lavish ways. May it always be so!
John Michael Milgate, A Community of Grace
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Prayer: Lord Jesus, One Who Is full of grace and truth, may your Spirit
continue to lead us into all truth. Amen.
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:20, 21
What do you see? What is an “anointing”? Who is this written to, that
they know everything? What does it mean to know the truth?
Reading this passage brings to mind a scene from the Bible, where Aaron
is anointed priest and the oil ran down his beard. This anointing was
not “tidy” and “contained.” Oil, ever a picture of the Spirit of God,
flowed in abundance. His garments, the “clothes” he wore while
ministering to God on behalf of the people and to the people on behalf
of God, bore the evidence of his anointing.
How significant that we, Christians in various congregations in this
locale, but engaged together as part of His Church, should hear God’s
comments through David in Psalm 133:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments
. . .
We have an anointing beyond the one experienced by Aaron, by which God
Himself makes His home in our hearts, and seeks to show Himself through
us as we walk in truth. This isn’t something new, as to content. But our
willingness to allow Him to flow in visible manifestation must be
constantly renewed, because it isn’t always neat and tidy.
“Thank you, O our Father, for giving us Your Son,
And sending Your Spirit to us. Through Jesus we are one.”
May He be glorified.
Willie Franco, Canto Nuevo Ministries
Friday, March 16, 2007
Read today’s scripture: Galatians 4:4-7
Father, may Your Spirit open our hearts and minds to the reality of your
love and kingdom. Amen
In the Greco-Roman world, a naturally born son needed to be adopted by
his own father before he could be socially and legally recognized as his
father’s son and heir. The father would decide if and when he would
publicly adopt his son. If a father did not adopt his son legally, then
that son was excluded from the inheritance and was considered by others
as little more than a servant in his father’s house. (Obviously this had
tremendous advantages in motivating teenage children to obey their
parents!) On the day of adoption, the father would place a family ring
on his son’s finger for all to see. The ring would be a public testimony
bearing witness to the father’s acceptance of that man as his rightful son.
The Apostle Paul used this Roman custom to illustrate how we have been
adopted by our heavenly Father. Apart from Jesus Christ, we are not
worthy to have our Father’s name. However, “when the fullness of time
came” God acted through His Son Jesus Christ in a way that redeems us,
cleanses us and ultimately transforms us into His perfect character.
Because of this, God can and does adopt us as His rightful sons and
daughters. And for a public testimony of His acceptance of us, He gives
us not a ring, but His Holy Spirit, through whom we cry out, “Abba,
Father!” God want us to know that we belong to Him. And He wants the
world to know that He is proud of us though our faith in Jesus Christ.
And if we are God’s legal children, then we are heirs to His glorious
kingdom!
Father, thank you so much for adopting me as your beloved child and
legal heir. By your Spirit in me, may my life always reflect Your love,
truth and life. Amen
Steve Diehl, Forgiveness Ministries &
Walnut Creek Friends Church
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Today’s Scripture: II Corinthians 3:5-6
What do you think? 1. If the Apostle Paul was so accomplished in so many
ways, why does he disclaim "competence" for himself? 2. How does God
make us capable and competent? 3. Why does Paul draw such an absolute
contrast between the "the letter" and "the spirit"?
Paul is constantly downplaying his own abilities and diminishing his own
achievements --- because he has come to recognize they are not really
his own. Anything he does by himself or for himself is very limited and
not worth much. But what God gives to him is greatly valued, instilling
great confidence, and should then be invested for a greater purpose.
That purpose is a "new covenant ministry", as he calls it --- a mandate
to invite people into a transforming relationship with God. This
relationship is by God's initiative and made possible by the sacrificial
death of God's Son. And this purpose can only be fulfilled by the power
of the Holy Spirit who is sent by God. Paul is so clear about this ---
God's intent to qualify us as competent for this essential ministry ---
that he wants to dissuade us from any attempt to produce this effect in
our own strength. It can't be done and will only lead to frustration and
exhaustion. The "letter of the law" describes our effort to manufacture
a spiritual result. Predictably, the attending attitude is pride and the
inevitable outcome is futility. But when the Spirit leads, and we
follow, we come alive, trusting in His wisdom and “generativity” to grow
the Kingdom of God. And it is our high privilege to serve in the wake
created by the Spirit who is setting exactly the right pace.
How can we apply this liberating truth? We first need to recognize that
the insidious habit of taking the credit for ourselves needs to stop.
Recognizing especially that the harder we try to pump ourselves up the
more pathetic we appear. Paul once played that game, became very
image-conscious, and lost his way. He mastered the letter of the law,
but knew nothing of the spirit --- of the real meaning and purpose of
God's law that was given to lead us to Christ, to surrender our selfish
ambition. Having emptied ourselves, we rely totally on God's capacity to
empower us for a supernatural calling. He does it. We submit ourselves
to Him and look forward with a holy desire to be useful for His service.
Finally, we begin to revel in this new covenant reality --- that gives
God all of the glory as the Spirit brings life into dark, lonely, sad,
dead places. What laws and commands and judgments can never do, the new
community of God celebrates as a gift. Lives that are claimed and
changed by God's grace, not by human pressure.
So, welcome the Spirit! Let Him have His way with you! Let His life
flow, into you and through you, and out into a world in desperate need
of His ministry.
Dear Lord, we confess we have asserted ourselves and like to appear
successful ... and spiritual. But we make no claims for ourselves. We
only claim our inadequacy. But now we claim your promise to make us
competent, make us effective, as ministers of this new covenant that
delivers life --- life abundant. Thank you for this wonderful privilege.
All because of Christ, in whom we place our absolute confidence. Amen.
Doug Stevens, The Renewal Project &
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Monday, March 19, 2007
Read today’s Scripture: Isaiah 61:1
In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus reads these words from Isaiah as he begins his
ministry: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to
the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go
free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor . . .” (Luke 4.18-19,
quoting Isaiah 61.1). After reading these words, Jesus responds: “Today
this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.21) This
launched what would be the focus of Jesus’ ministry: to preach to the
outsiders and outcasts, those whom society had neglected yet those whom
God still called God’s own sons and daughters.
In a society with as much affluence as the Bay Area, it is difficult to
imagine the poor, especially the severely impoverished. But, the poor
are still with us and the poor still need good news, both the freeing
power of the Gospel and in the freeing power of being released from
their poverty. God’s love compels us to express love for one another. As
members of the Body of Christ, we can be witnesses of this Gospel of
love to bring good news to the poor by being stewards of that with which
God has blessed us. Take a moment and ask the Spirit to reveal to you
those in your life that you need to “proclaim…the Lord’s favor” to.
Write down these names of these people:
Someone who poor: _________________________________
Someone that is a captive: ____________________________
Someone who is spiritually blind: ______________________
Someone who is oppressed: ___________________________
Pray and ask God to show you how to carry on the ministry of Christ to
those in our lives that are hurting. Decide now how you will initiate
contact with one of the people on your list above. What steps will you
take to bring release, freedom and joy into the impoverished souls in
your life?
Chris McCabe, Freedom
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Let’s pray! Lord, as I begin this time with you, please let these words
be more than letters on a page. Let me see your word as a love letter
that you have written to me, breathed upon by your Spirit and delivered
in a way that speaks directly to my soul. Help me quiet my mind from all
that is before me so that I might only hear your voice. In Jesus’ name I
pray, Amen.
Today’s Scripture: II Corinthians 5:17-20
Reconcile (def.)—to restore to friendship or harmony. Isn’t this exactly
what Christ has done for us? He has made us new creations! He has
restored the friendship that was once broken. The past is now done and
laid aside. He is making all things new. It’s a fresh start and an
opportunity to live a life of gratitude and hope.
This passage means so much to me because it would be so easy for me to
wallow in my broken past, feeling that God would never want to be
associated with me because of all I have done wrong (and believe me,
there’s plenty!)
Yet now that old tape that kept playing over and over again in my head
saying “you’re not good enough” is silenced forever. Jesus delivers me
from my past through his sacrifice on the cross. He has given his life
for me to pay the price for my wrongful past and now I can move forward
without shame or hearing the voices of my past, but with renewed hope.
Not only has he been reconciled with me, but he invites me to be his
ambassador to help others receive the same reconciliation. I now see
that maybe I can be used by God to help others in the same place as I
was. I am not here to hold myself up as better than others. On the
contrary, I am fully aware that God could count my many sins against
me…yet he chooses not to and because of that I joyfully share my good
fortune with others. I have been empowered by the Lord of the universe
to bring reconciliation to others so that they too might become a friend
of God.
This is why Paul pleads with us so desperately to be reconciled to God.
Because until we are we will never be whole. This is what God wants for
you and me more than anything in the world, to walk hand in hand in
unity so we will not be alone, afraid or incomplete.
Pray with me—Lord Jesus, I want to live as your new creation, reconciled
to you and walking hand in hand as your friend. I want to help others
join hands with you as well. Please come and be with me. Show me how to
be your ambassador in a world that is filled with hurt and brokenness. I
trust in you. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Shawn Robinson, Clayton Community Church
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, please empower your disciples to do what
you have sent us to do in the diablo valley and beyond. AMEN.
Scripture for Today: John 20:21-22
Question: How do you feel about being sent by Jesus as he was sent by
the Father? What are some things you believe the church in our valley
has been sent by Jesus to do? What do you think you have been sent to do?
“Peace be with you.” Comforting words for His frightened disciples. They
have never seen a resurrected person before and are understandably
shaken. But I think Jesus’ next words shook them up even more. “As the
Father has sent me, I am sending you.” These scared yet excited
disciples were being commanded to continue the mission Christ had been
given by the Father. How were they going to do that?
Jesus anticipates their question. He breathes upon them and commands
them to receive the Holy Spirit. For them to continue His ministry in
Jerusalem and beyond they will need the same Spirit he has – the Holy
Spirit. Like Adam in Genesis, they need to breathe the same Spirit Jesus
breathes to live the life God has for them.
Just like the first disciples, we have been called and commanded to
continue Christ’s mission in our valley and beyond. To do this we need
the same Spirit Jesus had and gave to his disciples. We need the Holy
Spirit. Not so we can have new and amazing spiritual experiences, though
those will happen as we continue His mission. And not so we can boast of
having a higher or better spirituality than others, though our devotion
will deepen and increase. Rather, Jesus commands us to receive the Holy
Spirit so He can send us into the world as the Father has sent Him, not
to achieve what only He can achieve, but to implement what He has
achieved. Just as an orchestra implements what the composer has achieved
when they play his musical composition, so we, empowered by God’s
Spirit, are able to implement in the world what Jesus Christ has
achieved for the world by His death and resurrection. This is the work
He has sent us to do. This is why He says to us, “Peace be with you.”
Abba Father, please show me what you have sent me to do. Breathe on me,
Holy Spirit, so that I can do what you want me to do and be who you want
me to be. Thank you.
Mike McCoy, The Hills Vineyard Christian Fellowship
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Thank you Jesus for the inward work of your grace…forgiving, restoring,
healing me. May my life express your grace to those who are living far
from you and lead them a step closer to knowing you.
Scripture for today: Acts 17:8
What do you see? How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit
in your life? In what ways has the Spirit shaped your character, values
and relationships into a witness of his grace?
A handful of Jesus’ original followers were commissioned to change the
world. Yet when Jesus physically left this earth it appeared that the
game plan was aborted. His followers became confused, troubled, fearful
and doubtful about their ability to change much of anything. In fact,
many of them just went back to fishing. But the remarkable fact is that
according to first century people these followers eventually “turned the
world upside down”(Acts 17:6). How can you explain this transformation?
The Holy Spirit was sent to empower all believers in life-change and
mission. Jesus changes us not by setting out rules, pointing a finger or
lecturing us but by actually taking up residence inside of our lives. It
is a mystery but it’s true. Jesus asserts: “But you know him(Holy
Spirit), for he lives with you and will be in you.”(John 14:17) The
Spirit of the living God resides with you!
Have you ever noticed how a stiff dried out sponge when placed in water
doesn’t easily absorb the moisture around it? Its hardness hinders its
ability of soaking up water. One could say that it’s one thing for a
sponge to be in the water but another thing for water to be in the
sponge. In the same way, every genuine follower of Jesus has the Spirit,
but it’s possible not to live in the power of the Spirit or in the
mission of God. Like Jesus’ original followers you can feel confused,
troubled, fearful and doubtful.
Surrender to the Spirit’s leadership and enter into the mission of
loving what Jesus loves most – people, people living far from him. Turn
the world upside down!
Holy Spirit, fill me, change me and lead me into your mission today. Amen.
Kurt Holm, The Creek Covenant Church
Friday, March 23, 2007
Oh Living Word send out a signal from your written word for my life and
the soul of your church today.
Read: Philippians 1:14-16
What imperatives does Paul issue the church and why?
Why does it matter if our light is bright or dark?
$350 will get you the ultimate paranoid parent’s must-have gizmo. A new
company is now marketing GPS equipped shoes. With a kick on the panic
button a distress signal is sent. The signal sent out from your soles
can save a life!
As followers of Christ we are not equipped with panic buttons but we do
send out a signal to the world emanating from the depth of our souls.
Too often our signal broadcasts the wrong message. When we grumble and
argue instead of broadcasting a “get help here” sign, we transmit a
death signal.
When a darkened world looks to the body of Christ for hope and sees the
same crookedness, the familiar darkness of grumbling and arguing, it
gets the message loud and clear: There is no rescue available here.
Paul calls us to examine how we serve and specifically, how we serve
together. It may be a good time to ask what signal the soul of our
church is sending to people in our community who are searching for a
beacon of life.
A crooked world is studying the crookedness in us. We have an
opportunity here, but we must hold tight to the word of life together.
While under its inspection light, we can become the signal light leading
to a life saving rescue.
God didn’t give us an alarm switch like those GPS shoes, but we have
been given the Holy Spirit who, if we’ll listen, sounds an alarm
whenever our grumble light starts to shine. Church, lets serve together.
Whenever we complain and argue about one another, let’s consider it a
life and death emergency. Our disputes send the wrong signal. Its up to
you and me whether or not our souls will be seen in a better light.
Forgive us, Lord, and lead us to humble ourselves before one another so
that the word of your Life will be better seen in us.
Art Barrett, New Life Christian Fellowship
Saturday, March 24, 2007
We thank You, Father, for Your Word, and the detailed plan for living we
find in it. Give us the grace this day to live as though it was the last
day.
Scripture for today: 1 Peter 4:7,8
What do you see? Did Peter expect Jesus to return soon? Do you expect
Jesus to return soon?
The early Christians expected Jesus to return quickly. They lived with
one eye on the work before them, and one eye on the sky above them. It
was then, and is now, difficult to maintain this dual focus. Peter says
we must keep our minds clear, and remain constantly aware of everything
happening around us. He indicates that it will take concentrated prayer,
and extreme love for one another. Communion with God, and community with
people.
Someone once said, “pray as though everything depended on God, and work
as though everything depended on you.” I wonder of he was reading this
passage. It takes a deliberate, disciplined prayer life to stay in the
center of God’s will, and to know that we are ready to meet Him in the
air at any time. But God has clearly instructed us to express His love
while we wait. Agape love is the selfless desire for the good of the one
loved that we learn from God Himself. And Peter says we are to love each
other fervently with that quality of love.
He goes on to say that love covers a multitude of sins. That can mean
several things. a) When we love someone we are prone to overlook their
shortcomings. b) Certainly, the love of Jesus covered all sin for all
time. c) We are forgiven because of our love. In Luke 7 a sinful woman
ministered to Jesus out of great love, and was forgiven much. In Matthew
25 Jesus says when we express agape love to even the least of people, we
do it to Him.
What a wonderful blessing! We get to minister to Jesus in love while we
excitedly anticipate His soon return. Hallelujah!
I pray you will find someone today to love with the agape love of Jesus.
Chuck McKinney, Valley Christian Church; Concord
Monday, March 26, 2007
Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to bring
insight into Your Word and to reveal Jesus to us. Please open my heart
and mind to understand and to be transformed by Your Word today. Amen.
Scripture for today: Isaiah 61:10
What do you see? In what are we to rejoice? What does rejoicing mean to
you and how do you rejoice? Are you confident that you are wrapped in
Jesus’ garment of salvation and righteousness? If not, you can be. Read on!
Life happens. Sometimes life can be great and sometimes it makes you
feel like you’ve been slimed with filth. Sometimes our choices cover us
with guilt and shame. We try to hide behind masks that cover who we
really are from those around us. The prophet Isaiah tells us that God
can replace those old things and cover, wrap, clothe us in the salvation
and righteousness of God.
“Righteousness” has to do with rightness, decency, virtue, justice and
with prosperity. “Salvation” is an awesome word too. God Himself
purchased our salvation through the death of His only Son, Jesus Christ,
who both died and was raised alive again to provide salvation for every
person who will receive it. Everything we have ever done wrong is
removed from us and all of that filth, slime, guilt and shame are
totally and completely washed away from us, but it does not stop there!
When our loving Heavenly Father covers and wraps us in salvation, He
takes us out of the confinement of captivity and places us in a wide,
open, free place that is safe. Salvation means that we can be delivered,
set free from those things that have kept us bound and trapped. It means
that Jesus rescues, preserves and provides for us so that we can live
life in freedom and victory.
No wonder this verse tells us to rejoice—to have great joy, to spin
around with great emotion, to be refreshed and to laugh. The picture of
a bride and groom dressing for their wedding helps us to picture the
kind of celebration with laughing, dancing and deep contentment that we
can experience in response to being covered in salvation in Jesus. Ask
Him to exchange the old things that have covered you in the past for the
life, freedom, safety and great joy of His salvation.
Jesus, I want to exchange all of that slime, filth, shame and guilt with
which I have been covered in the past for Your robe of righteousness,
for Your covering of salvation. I want the life, freedom, deliverance,
and victory that You have provided for me. Release your joy, refreshing,
and laughter in my life. Teach me to enjoy Your salvation.
Pastor Leslyn Musch, Lighthouse Regional Church
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Read today’s Scripture: Romans 4:4-5
In Romans 4 Paul is talking about membership. What identifies you as a
member of this covenant family? The Jews were “members” and believed
that to be a member there were some very important rituals and symbols
that needed to take place in order to be a true Israelite. These symbols
and rituals were important distinctions which separated them from the
culture of their day. The 2 main marks or works of membership were: 1.
Following the elaborate law. 2. Circumcision. It was what set them apart
from other groups. They were not earning there way with God through
works which we have tended to believe, but these works were marks of
what it looks like to be God’s chosen people. This is what made them
justified and righteous. These works/marks are what confirmed their
membership status with God.
According to Paul since the messiah Jesus has come the membership marks
have completely changed. In chapter 4, Paul uses Abraham as the one
chosen to receive God’s promise, to be the father of the world wide
covenant family.
Abraham trusted God to do what God promised, this is what gave him
membership status. This covenant family was never intended just for
Israel, but has always been for everyone. Through Jesus, God’s divine
plan to fulfill this promise was now being ushered in at last. These new
believers (gentile non-Jews) don’t need to carry all the marks of what
this covenant used to look like since the marks of Christ and His death
and resurrection gave them status as members. They are already in. They
have been credited righteous through Christ’s marks. The very essence of
God is to forgive and to justify (set things right). This is a blessing
as David says in 4:6-8. This faith in Christ has its own marks. God
didn’t just wipe out our sin debt and credit us as righteous just so we
can go to heaven.
For Paul the gentiles being included in the covenant family meant they
are now part of the world wide movement with the Spirit to establish
Gods’ Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Paul could never imagine a
membership in this covenant family limited to being forgiven for sins,
going to church, and going to heaven. Forgiveness is essential, but the
context in Romans 4 is membership. Membership status is now loyalty to
Jesus as King. Jesus has given his life to usher in God’s Kingdom. This
kingdom vision is to redeem the world in which we are not only
recipients, but participants and servants. For Paul there is not one
without the other, those are the marks. We have not been “saved” to do
nothing, but saved to be God’s kingdom people. The marks of membership
are no longer obey the law and be circumcised, but obey Jesus as King
and live as kingdom people under His rule and reign.
Sean Blomquist, Shelter Covenant Church
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Scripture for today: Ephesians 1:3
*Let’s pray*: /Gracious God, you have blessed us in every way possible,
especially through the gift of your Son Jesus. Open our eyes, hearts and
minds to see your blessings in our lives Amen./
*What do you see?* What is God’s perspective on our lives from the
vantage point of heaven? How is God’s blessing upon us “/in Christ/”?
This passage begins the famous twelve verse long complex sentence with
which Paul begins his encyclical letter to the Christians in Asia Minor.
This is pure stream-of-consciousness writing as Paul pours out his heart
about the vision God has given him of what the Church can be and do
(theme of Ephesians).
Commentators have called these opening verses: an operatic overture, a
snowball, an express train, the flight of an eagle, and a kaleidoscope.
Whatever the metaphor, Paul wants us to see all the spiritual blessings
– which he carefully enumerates – which we have “/in Christ/.” These
heavenly, spiritual blessings empower all of us who are God’s sons and
daughters as we live our daily lives on planet earth.
Paul blesses God for blessing us with “/every spiritual blessing/.” The
God Paul blesses is the Triune God. “/The God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ/” is “/our Father/” (verse 2). All these “/spiritual
blessings/” we have come from our union with Christ. And these
“/spiritual blessings/” are not merely pertaining to the soul, “but
…derived from the Holy Spirit, whose presence and influence are the
great blessing purchased by Christ” (Hodge). God the Father is the giver
of the Gift. Jesus is the one in whom the Gift is conferred. There is no
greater spiritual blessing than the Person and work of the Holy Spirit
in our lives. Alleluia!
In order to punctuate this idea even further, Paul adds the phrase “in
the heavenly places.” But Paul is not talking about heaven as a place.
He uses a curious word “in the heavenlies” (/epouraniois/), which he
uses five times in Ephesians and no where else. Different from how Paul
uses the word “heaven” – the sky, eternal life, and the final place of
the redeemed – the “heavenlies” is where “principalities and powers”
operate (3:10; 6:12), where Christ reigns supreme and his followers
reign with him (1:20; 2:6), and the place where God blesses us with
every spiritual blessing (1:3).
Dr. R. Kevin Murphy, Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church
Friday, March 30, 2007
/ Lord, introduce me to the availability of a New Life and spark a
living hope within me./
*Scripture for today:* 1 Peter 1:3-5
*What do you see?*
1. Underline the words in this passage that pop out as blessings. 2. Is
this promise to be redeemed in life now, or to be realized after death?
When Jesus Christ rose from the dead, something quite amazing happened.
Not only did Jesus come back to life after lying in a tomb for three
days dead [this alone captivates our imagination!] but we, too, were
given a new birth. Those who believe in Jesus Christ experience a new
birth into a new reality: hope and inheritance that will never fade. I
picture it this way: when Jesus was resurrected, he opened a gateway.
Those who follow him in his death (dying to the Old Life, the Former
Self dominated by sin), follow him through this doorway into Life that
is characterized by hope and culminates in heaven (the “inheritance that
will never perish”). Between now and heaven, God is keeping our hope
alive and protecting us by his power, shielding us from the things that
would be spiritually threatening.
Remember C. S. Lewis’ Narnia book _The Silver Chair_? In her underground
realm, the Witch had cast a hopeless spell upon Puddleglum and the
children so that they would forget they had come from above ground,
where there were trees, grass, sun and moon. Alert to their danger,
Puddleglum made a brave speech to say they would have a better quality
of life believing in that sunlit world, even if it turned out not to be
real, than they had in the dark underground under the Witch’s spell.
Above ground there was life, below ground there is futility, darkness,
despair and meaninglessness. Who can thrive on that spiritual diet? With
the Truth thus exposed, the Witch lost her powers and the gateway to
light and life was discovered.
The gift we have been given is the promise of God’s “above
ground,” that is, heaven that awaits us. We have been given hope now and
so look forward to eternal life. We receive an inheritance based on
God’s merciful promise, which he will fulfill at just the right time.
/O Lord, don’t let me lose sight of the light and life you have given
me. Help me to live as a child of the light, with hope in my heart and a
vision for heaven. In the meantime, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven!” In Jesus’ name, Amen./
The Rev. Mary Naegeli
Minister-at-Large
Adjunct Faculty, Fuller Theological Seminary
Saturday, March 31, 2007
*Today’s Scripture*: 2 Peter 1:2-4
*What do you see?* Read it again, and take try to take it in.
Grace and peace in abundance, His divine power giving us everything we
need for life, and participation in His divine nature, escaping the
corruption of the world. What a menu! Is this just an embellished
introduction to a second letter to persecuted lovers of Christ? I think
not. Especially because of the person from whom this inspired piece of
cannon was delivered. Peter. That’s right the scared denier of Jesus
writes these words to us. He lived in the worst of times, beaten for his
belief, martyred upside down on a cross and yet somehow his experience
is one of grace, peace and power. It seems incongruous with his
situation, but there it is. How is this possible? Peter lived a life in
the midst of turmoil but without its confusion minimizing the promises
of God or corrupting his belief.
This was not always the case. Peter came out of the upper room on the
day of Pentecost a changed man. His encounter with the promised Holy
Spirit changed him forever.
Peter writes that the knowledge of God and Jesus are the wellspring of
this grace, peace and power.
Jesus, in promising the Spirit to those that would follow, says His
Spirit will teach us, remind us of Him and give us His power.
My suggestion today: Find your own upper room. (It may be sitting in
your car in the parking lot at work.) Ask. Seek. Knock. He will come. He
always does.
Jim Shields, Sanctuary Ministries
Sunday April 1**
*Palm Sunday*
*Celebrate His Coming*
* *
* with His people*
* *
* today!*
Monday, April 2, 2007
/This week, we follow Jesus in His last week/
*Read:* Matthew 22:41-45 and wonder ...
*What do you think? *1. Why was there such confusion about the identity
of the Messiah (the Christ) in First Century Judaism? 2. What point is
Jesus making by quoting from the Psalm? 3. Why don't his opponents
continue to argue with him?
When the Pharisees gathered around Jesus, there was always tension.
There was always some kind of collision. They couldn't stand him. He
infuriated them. But they couldn't leave him alone. There was too much
at stake. They believed that God would someday send the Messiah.
Someday. But not now. And definitely not this man. Jesus did not fulfill
their concept of Messiah. To be fair to the Pharisees, Jesus did not
conform to anyone's expectation --- except that of the Hebrew prophets.
Everyone had their own agenda and preference. For the Pharisees, these
esteemed and learned religious leaders, they believed the Messiah would
eventually come to validate their position and bless their judgements.
They had worked hard to elevate themselves, to show themselves worthy of
special status. Jesus did not validate their self-
righteousness. Far worse, and most insulting, he demanded that they
relinquish their sense of entitlement, confess their need, and
acknowledge their sin. He wouldn't join their elite association and
assigned value to the "poor in spirit" instead. He spoke with the
assurance of God on these matters. He drove them crazy!
So, he asked them, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is
he?" Their answer is measured, cautious, orthodox. "He's the son of
David." True enough. He is of the lineage of David. That is affirmed in
the Old Testament Scriptures and again in the Gospels (see Matthew
Chapter One). And now he has them. Once again. If David is the ancestor
of the Messiah and the authority on the Messiah . . .. Jesus calls their
soured minds to consider a Psalm of David that seems to indicate a
status for the Messiah that is far beyond that of priest or prophet, an
identity that surely suggests these religious leaders must bow before
Messiah as a divine person. They had been challenging him repeatedly and
without ever really listening. But according to David himself in Psalm
110, David's son is also, at the same time, David's Lord. If the
Messiah, if the Christ is Lord to David, the most highly regarded of all
the kings of Israel, and if Jesus continues to prove himself and
fulfills all the requirements of the Christ (a man with all of the
messianic credentials, teaching with authority, performing miracles, a
man without sin, on his way to die on a cross for the sins of the nation
and the world, etc., etc.) . . . do you see where all of this is going?
Take another look at Jesus. What are your preconceptions? What are you
missing? Do you recognize him as Lord? As the one sent from God to
subdue every enemy that threatens God's good creation --- including your
guilt and shame, death and hell, the devil and every vestige of evil?
What do you see? Who is this Jesus?
/ Lord, I have some doubts, I have some questions. I have my own
expectations and you don't always fit into my views. But I'm willing to
re-consider this. I don't want to miss you. I probably shouldn't try to
dictate what you should do and how you should do it. Please help me
understand. And if I'm blind to you, open my eyes. If Jesus is your Son,
if he was more than a man, I have to know. Thanks for thinking of me. I
guess I'll say amen./
Doug Stevens, The Renewal Project &
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
/Lord, guide me through your Spirit; bring understanding deep into my
heart and mind. Reveal yourself to me in new ways in this day and in
this Easter season./
*Scripture for Today:* Mark 14:3-5 *//*
*What do you see? *Are you more like ‘the indignant’ or the woman? How
much should it cost to worship Jesus?
* *I’m a practical sort and you probably are too. I want the proper
amount of money to go to the proper places. I don’t like to pay more
than I have to and I love good deals! If I can get something for
nothing; all the better--Amen? So what is your reaction to this little
episode from Jesus’ life and how do you apply it today, right now?
Two interesting notes: 1)A parallel passage from John (12:3) reveals
that this woman was likely Mary, sister to Martha and Lazarus (the guy
Jesus raised from the dead) and 2)This man is Simon “the Leper” and the
episode takes place at his house! Since lepers were more likely to be
ostracized at that time than host a party we might assume that Jesus
healed this man. (Isn’t it cool that it probably stuck as a nick name?
“Hello, I’m Simon—Formerly known as ‘The Leper’.”) Isn’t it hard not to
immediately fall in love with this environment? The scene presents this
passionate woman (Mary), anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume,
in the house of a healed man--a miracle of Jesus.
But there were skeptics, there are always skeptics. And all too often
one of the skeptics is me. I may not voice it, but I often think it.
Hopefully I exercise the fortitude to allow Jesus to search my heart and
cleanse me from my wickedness and breathe new life into my faith and
experience where I am tempted to be skeptical. Those who stood on the
fringes and poked holes in Mary’s worship missed so much! In this
amazing worship setting their hearts were hardened. Come and sit with
Mary at Jesus’ feet this Easter season, don’t stay on the fringes. He
gave all and we can too!
/Lord, I cannot hide anything from you; you know my heart. Help me allow
you to cleanse my heart of all the ugliness I hide there. As I gaze on
Jesus, touch me with your love./**
* *
Bill Francis, Morello Hills Christian Church**
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
*Read thoughtfully:* Mark 13:13-15
/Dear Lord, remember me in my times of struggles with others that I
might reflect your glory, love them with your love, and know your peace
despite the turmoil of this world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen./
Isn’t it something that Jesus tells us very clearly that we are going to
have difficulties resulting from our faith in and love for Him? And He
doesn’t say it is going to be a little bit, does He? From Judea, in
other words “the powers that be”, the governing authorities, to your own
house. He is warning us about this in order that we might not be
surprised and startled. Why? When we are prepared for the challenge it
is easier for us to steel ourselves against the onslaught. In this way
we are more likely to behave in a way that brings God glory, rather than
in a way that might be MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction).
I know when I am blindsided in life two things happen. First I am hurt.
Usually a blind side occurs from a source I initially trusted. It may be
a bit naive, but I don’t expect those in formal authority over me to
hurt me. I still have the idea that they are there to protect me, help
me live in harmony with others, and generally assist me when the need is
there. So when laws are passed that allow others to offend me, and even
offend my beliefs, it hurts. One way in which this might be illustrated
is the ”state” (Judea) allowing lewd and lascivious things to invade my
line of sight and rather than protecting me from that, they protect
those that would project those images onto innocent bystanders.
Or how about when my family or closest friends do things that are
hurtful? I am not expecting those I trust to betray me or be set against
me; they are my family, friends and confidants. But Jesus is telling us
in this passage: be clear, it will happen, fallen things happen in a
fallen world. He is saying DON’T be surprised.
The second thing that happens when I get blindsided is I get angry and
want to lash out to return the hurt. Jesus is telling us that we need to
be prepared for this so we do not lash out. He knows if we are not
surprised we are more likely to respond in a loving, forgiving way, and
in that response we can be a witness to His Lordship in our lives.
All this is not to say we should go around in a defensive posture with
our walls of self protection up and guarded. No, Jesus is actually
freeing us up from this because of His spirit that dwells within us. It
is He who gives us the calm in the storm. . . . //
. . . Today is a day to be a witness to others of the love of Jesus.
Be blessed by the blessing you give, and have a Spirit filled day.
Pastor Dan Helix, Awakenings Christian Church
Thursday, April 5, 2007 (*Maundy Thursday*)
/We gather tonight as His Church to remember Him /
/(at Diablo View Middle School, Clayton) /
*Let’s pray:* /Thank you Father for loving me today. Amen./
*Scripture for today*: John 13:3-5
*What do you see? *Why does John tell us about Jesus' internal thoughts
in verse 3? How would you feel if Jesus began to wash your feet?
It takes great confidence to be humble. That sounds contradictory, but
it isn't. In this passage verse 3 gives the foundational reasons why
Jesus was able to humbly serve His disciples by washing their feet.
Sometimes we are afraid of humbly serving others because we fear we may
lose status in relation to others if we do. If we lose status, then we
may lose a measure of acceptance, thereby losing a measure of power and
control in those relationships. But verse 3 tells us Jesus had enough
confidence to humbly serve because He knew His security was in His
relationship with His heavenly Father. Jesus knew He had power from the
Father even if others betrayed Him (see verse 2). He knew His real home
was in relation to the Father - "He had come from God and was returning
to God". The Father's love gave Jesus the confidence to know He would
lose nothing by humbly serving His friends, but would instead build
God's Kingdom.
When you and I balk at humbly serving others it is a sign of our lack of
confidence, our insecurity, which is a sign that we have not fully
received the foundational love of our Heavenly Father and His son,
Jesus. He knew His real home was in relation to the Father - "He had
come from God and was returning to God. How can we know God really loves
us? The cross says it all. When we truly gaze on the cross we will be so
humbled by God's great love that we end up confident enough to humbly serve.
/God please help us receive enough of your love today to be able to
confidently and humbly serve others in your name. Amen./
Pastor Dean Honnette, Hope Center Covenant Church
/(Join in 40 hours of prayer, starting tonight.)/
Friday, April 6, 2007 (*Good Friday*)
*Read today’s Scripture:* Luke 23:42-43
/Lord, help us today to rejoice in the gift of salvation'/
Have you asked Jesus to "remember" you by your act of faith in him, as
your Savior* *and Lord? Are you secure in the knowledge that you belong
to Jesus now and forever?
In this text we find one of the seven last words of Jesus as he speaks
from the cross. In it we hear the giving of what Max Lucado calls "The
Eleventh Hour Gift .”
Jesus is near death. The people are watching, the rulers are sneering,
the soldiers are mocking. One of the two criminals hurls insults at
Jesus; both had been insulting him earlier. But one of the criminals
begins to defend Jesus. He rebukes the other criminal saying, "Don't you
fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly,
for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing
wrong.”
Something in the demeanor of Jesus made him realize that this man was
innocent. Perhaps hearing the words, "Father, forgive them, for they do
not know what they are doing," made him realize that this man was
different. Something about Jesus made his heart stir and give him a ray
of hope. He said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come into your
kingdom." Somehow, he saw Jesus as Messiah and the coming Son of Man,
and asked to be raised from the dead when Jesus came again to earth to
set up his kingdom.
But Jesus gave him a different answer, a promise that "today you will be
with me in paradise." Not with me in the future, but today. Paradise was
a symbol of the Garden of Eden, which became a/ /type of heaven and the
bliss of heaven. Jesus assured him he would be there with him that very
day by his simple act of faith in who Jesus was.
The same gift is given to us when we turn to Jesus in faith. At the
moment of death we will enter the presence of Jesus. Paul tells us that
to be away from the body is to be present with the Lord. (II Cor. 5:8).
We have assurance that here or there we belong to Jesus. I love the
simple and direct way Paul puts it in Romans 14:8: “If we live, we live
to the Lord; and if we die we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or
die, we belong to the Lord.” We are saved! The thief was saved at the
last minute, the eleventh hour; we are saved right now through our faith
in Jesus. We are not in paradise yet, but in Jesus paradise is in us,
and we can live gladly and victoriously!
Floyd Roseberry, Pastor to Pastors
/(40 hours of prayer continues)/
Saturday, April 7, 2007 (*Holy Saturday*)
*Just one verse, consider it:* Luke 23:56
Holy Saturday. That’s what we call this day in Lent. Holy Saturday. It’s
an almost cheerful name for what was certainly the darkest day in
history. While I imagine the women who performed the loving duty of
laying the body of Jesus in the tomb might have described it as a holy
act, they have also just had everything holy in their lives shattered.
Just last night, we (along with those women) gazed on Jesus as he
suffered a gruesome death. This long forty-day journey of Lent that we
have been walking together seems to have ended in crucifixion. Like a
brutal “period” at the end of a dark sentence.
I remember the dark fog that settled over my own life in the days
following my mom’s premature death. Grief is like that. No matter what
the weather is like, it feels dark and hazy. In addition to losing their
beloved teacher and healer, these women have lost the incredible,
indescribable hope that he brought to them. At least they think they
have. So they do the only thing they know how to do at such a time.
Tenderly, lovingly, they prepare Jesus’ body for burial and lay him to
rest. Notice how God still cares for them. Grief is exhausting, so God
gives them Sabbath rest.
Still, we are aware of something that these women were not as they
performed their duty. They think the journey is done. We know it is not.
We know that death’s dark “period”, which seems so final, is not the end
of the story. Even now, we know there is an exclamation mark still to
come, one which brings an end to death. And this one, in so many
beautiful ways, is just the beginning.
Holy Saturday. It’s dark today, yes. But soon comes the dawn.
/“Ah, Holy Jesus, your sacrifice was for my sake and for the sake of
everyone I know. That you could love us so much is beyond words to
describe. We can only offer our humble and grateful thanks and live in
the joy of knowing that love. Amen.”/
Eric O. Strom, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
(40 hours of prayer continues through this evening)
* *
* *
* *
* *
*Easter Sunday*
*He is Risen!*
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*He is Risen Indeed!*