GOD'S INTENTION

 FEBRUARY 1, 2023

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.


Joseph’s story is an extended example of the truth Paul later expresses in Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose”.

Despite everything that had happened in the long story of Joseph’s life, he was able to say that God had sent him ahead into Egypt, to save life, not to destroy it (Genesis 45:5,7). It was not the jealousy and betrayal of his brothers that had carried him there, but the hand of God.

We can’t always see this truth, at the time of difficult situations. Most often, perhaps always, we see it only in retrospect. Looking back we see the hand of providence and we are comforted by the fact that there is no truer reality than this: God’s plans will be accomplished. 

Joseph’s story is the great example for us. Jesus’ story is the guarantee. God used the actions of misguided people to establish his kingdom in the death and resurrection of his Son. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Thanks be to God!

LET US PRAY

“God, thank you for your sovereign power and your guiding hand. Thank you that in your wisdom and care you don’t give us what we want, but what we need. Thank you for the blessing of knowing you are working all things together for the good of your people. Amen.

ONE THING

 JANUARY 31, 2023

Psalm 27:4

One thing I asked of the Lord;
this I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

If you could ask God for only one thing, what would it be? 

(Pause give some thought to that question)


Here in Psalm 27, we see David’s “One Thing.”

I saw list of people responding to my opening question on a recent post and generally the responses were on everyday things, like prosperity, health, family needs, and possessions. Now these are natural requests for humankind. They are not wrong; they certainly are deep longings in us.

David’s “one thing” though stands in distinction to these. David says,

One thing I asked of the Lord;
this I seek:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.

Why is this David’s request? Well, the outcome is certainly important to life. Wouldn’t you agree? Dwelling in God’s presence will keep him safe; he will be hidden. He will be lifted above his enemies and will praise God with songs and music.

When we seek God first, other things are added. That is what Jesus told his disciples, and us, in Matthew 6, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What things? All the necessary things of life.

So, perhaps we need to learn, what David discovered, that our “one thing” is to seek to dwell in the house of the Lord, to seek first his kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Let’s trust God to add all the things necessary that are for our good.

LET US PRAY

Lord, may I seek you first before all other things. You are “my light and my salvation; You are “the stronghold of my life." With David, I declare” “this I seek: to live in the house of the Lord, to abide in your presence, all the days of my life, to behold your beauty, Lord, and to burst out in songs of thankfulness and praise. Amen


PSALM 27:8-9

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, do I seek.

REMEMBER :YOU ARE MY PEOPLE

 JANUARY 30, 2023

Isaiah 51:16

I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand – I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people’ 

Here we are reminded of the remarkable splendor of God and that we are his people! In Isaiah 51:9–16 we read of the actions of God, that reveals his “mighty arm” at work. Read the full passage and have a look at these awesome actions. I find it helpful at times to reflect on my relationship with God in a broader context by thinking and remembering God’s mighty acts: imagine the power to make the sea a pathway rather than a barrier. I wonder if we pause sufficiently to consider the power of our Creator God, and the access we have to this power as his worshipper.

I ask that question because here in our passage we are reminded that even though God’s people were rescued, they still forgot and turned away from God later. These mighty acts of God are remembered … and then forgotten. God’s saving activities are forgotten in the moment they begin to fear the oppressor or some temptation. When the struggle is real, they forget the ability and promises of God. Do you ever do that? I have, I do.

Contrast the responses of God’s people, and our own responses at times to forget and turn away from God to other things, with the final verse above. The God who set the heavens in place says, "You are my people". Do you hear that? We are not forgotten. We must not forget the one who covers us with the shadow of his hand.

LET US PRAY

Lord, help us remember your mighty acts, to read and learn from your word the wonderful promises to your people. God help us to be constantly aware of what you have done for us and assist us to remember that we are your people always. Amen.

CONFIDENT and PATIENT

 JANUARY 27, 2023

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.

6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.
12 For evils have encompassed me
without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me.
14 Let all those be put to shame and confusion
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God.

Psalm 40:1

"I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer."

 

We can rest with confidence and patience in our God. Amen?

Do you hear the boldness and confidence of the young King David here? During his early years, he faced many challenges and dangers as his rule as Israel’s King was being established.

When I think of King David, I think of a man of action, yet here in Psalm 40 we are reminded that David was also a man of patience. Even as he waited on the Lord for answers, he was able to look back, to see and remember the amazing things that the Lord had done. David recalls the way the Lord rescued him from that lonely muddy, miry pit and raised him up onto a firm foundation.

David also looked ahead with confidence and patience, for the promises of God to be revealed. Ready to be obedient to the Lord: ‘I am here to do what is written about me in the book, where it says, “I enjoy pleasing you. Your law is in my heart”’ (Psalm 40:7,8).

Let us allow the Lord to use David and his life, his confident and patient example of faith, to encourage us in our lives. We all need to pray with such confidence and patience in the Lord. But recall what we said above, David’s patient waiting for answer to prayer was sustained by his experience in looking back at the ways God had done amazing things, lifting him from hard places, muddy places to a firm foundation.

God has plans for your life and mine. He will journey with us, never leaving or forsaking us. We can pray and live with full confidence in the Lord. Lord, into your hands, I commit myself, my life, and all that I am. Remember, Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change.”

Over the weekend, reflect on the amazing things God has done in your life, of how he lifted you from muddy places to a firm foundation. Give thanks for those times, and use them as faith builders for your present and future as you wait patiently for God’s purpose to unfold.

Lord of our days, Lord of yesterday,
Lord, our Lord, forever, your people we are.
Lord of our days, Lord of yesterday,
Lord, our Lord, forever, your people we are.

From many pasts you fashion one history,
a people of God created to hold
for all [humankind] the myst’ry of faith.
Lord of our days, your people we are.
1976 Neil Quintrell


LET US PRAY

“O God, our help in ages past our hope for years to come.” We place our confidence and trust in you knowing that you never change, you are the same yesterday, today and forever. We praise and thank you that “from everlasting you are God, to endless years the same.” Amen.

May the strength of God pilot you;
May the wisdom of God instruct you,
May the hand of God protect you,
May the word of God direct you.
Be always yours this day and for evermore.               

St. Patrick's Prayer

LISTENING TO GOD'S VOICE

 JANUARY 26, 2023

Matthew 3:13-17

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”



One of the beautiful realities in Christianity is the diversity we find in various traditions. For example, lets take Epiphany for a moment, in many traditions it is a day or a Sunday, while other traditions mark Epiphany with several weeks of focus. In the Eastern Churches, the Orthodox church, Epiphany actually receives more attention in worship and practices then Christmas does. I do believe that the message of Epiphany, that of the revelation of God’s son, and of God’s intentions through him, deserves a little bit of lingering and reflection. That is what we have been doing.

Today, We look at this short but wonderful announcement of revelation from God concerning Jesus: "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Now, it is interesting to note the conversation between John and Jesus before Jesus’ baptism occurred. It often happens this way. We have our expectations of how God should act, what he should do and how he should be. And so, John confronts Jesus with his idea of how things should go. John says in verse 14, "I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?".

But Jesus gently reminds him of who he is in relationship to John by effectively saying, ‘this is how it has to be’ … Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness". “To fulfill all righteousness” means to submit to the saving plan of God for the  human race. Which, involves Jesus' identification with sinners, John's baptism was one of repentance, you may recall, Jesus enters the waters of baptism in solidarity with all of us. So “to fulfill all righteousness” is Jesus full obedience to  the righteousness will of His Father and to His Father's mission.

And so, Jesus is baptised and then shown to all the world as the Son of God! God has great plans, and they are all being fulfilled in Jesus.

Pause for a few moments today and take some time to reflect on the ways that you have experienced God’s purposes in your life. 

 Let Us Pray

God, we thank you for revealing who Jesus is in all his fullness as your dearly loved Son. We know all he has done for us, showing the way, by standing in solidarity with us, and so we look forward with confidence, and like Jesus, we submit to what you have in the future for us, as your plan unfolds in our lives. Amen.

Jude 24–25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 

WILDERNESS STREAMS

 JANUARY 20, 2023

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 44:3

I will pour water on the thirsty land
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my spirit upon your descendants
and my blessing on your offspring.

John 4:10,14

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water. . . those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”


I am going to invite you to use your imagination to picture in your minds eye a painting I want to describe to you. The artist created a painting that was inspired by our reading above, called “Living Water”. He painted a barren desert floor, so dry and cracked from the sun that parts of the hard ground started to lift off around the edges. Can you picture it? Then, hope arrives. A whole pool of water appears in the wasteland and sends ripples out from its centre. Looking closely, one can see that a shape becomes visible, it seems almost overlaid on the water. It’s the outline of Jesus with outstretched arms. The Living Water himself. I hope you can see it all in your mind’s eye.

Jesus told the woman at the well that whoever drinks living water will never be thirsty again (John 4:14). God says through Isaiah (55:1), "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters". Our readings today promise streams in the wasteland and water on the thirsty land.

I wonder are you feeling dried up at the moment? Is there a wasteland you are crossing? We have those times in our life don't we. Today we are encouraged to remember that the promised "Living Water" is right here now. It wells up inside us like a bubbling spring. With Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will never thirst again. The water soaks the dried-up ground and transforms it, creating a new landscape. Now the ground is ready for new growth and renewed life. I pray that today will be a day in which a cracked patch of wasteland in your life is rejuvenated by a welling up of the "Living Water."

LET US PRAY

Holy Spirit, Living Water, flow in us and set us free.
Cleanse our unbelief and sorrow, wash our eyes and make us see.
Holy Spirit, come as wind and blow the dust of death away.
Breathe the gift of life into us, lighten hearts to laugh and play.
Holy Spirit, rushing fire, burn with truth and justice here.
Catch our minds alight with passion, perfect love that drives out fear.
Holy Spirit, come in silence, wordlessly to heal and bless.

Be the heart that prays within us; fill the void with tenderness. Holy Spirit, blessed Wisdom, teach us all of God’s delight. Offer us the wine of grace and make us children of the Light. Amen. 

(Elizabeth Smith)



Ephesians 3:17-19

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 

YOU ARE GOD'S

 JANUARY 19, 2023

Isaiah 43:1b

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.



Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor and lecturer during the time of the German Nazi regime, was thrown into prison and would later be executed for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. While behind bars, Bonhoeffer wrote a poem to express his inner turmoil called ‘Who am I?’. In it, he said that, on the one hand, he appeared at peace and strong, knowing he was in God’s hands and that, ultimately, nothing could harm him. On the other hand, behind bars, he felt unsettled and caged, hungering for freedom, safety, and his loved ones.

Does this experience sound familiar to you? You rest assured in the hands of God, yet you also can’t help but feel restless because of something big going on in your life. In the messy in between time we wrestle with our faith, that turmoil is part of, as the scriptures say, being refined in the fire.

Bonhoeffer’s poem concludes with the words, ‘Whoever I am, you know, O Lord, I am yours’. Let today’s words through the prophet Isaiah be your daily reminder of God’s love and commitment: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine’.

Isn’t that a comforting promise?

LET US PRAY

Gracious God, I shall not fear for you have redeemed me. You have called me by name, and I am yours. Thank you for what you have done for me. Would you Draw me close to you today and reassure me of your presence when life becomes chaotic, confused, and uncertain. I know you will never let me go. Amen.


Revelation 7:12

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

UNFAMILIAR PLACES

 JANUARY 18, 2023

Isaiah 42:16b

I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.



How much do you like change? I suppose I could guess what your answer is. It depends on what the change concerns, you might think. The truth is that we are creatures of habit and the thought of change unnerves us. The unfamiliar causes us a measure of fear and anxiousness. If you are anything like me, you likely find comfort in being able to predict things and find familiarity in how things are.

The Gospels tells us that Jesus opened the eyes of the blind, led people to the kingdom of God along unfamiliar paths like servanthood, humility, and inclusion, Jesus turned darkness into light. What this means for us is that when we live our lives in the presence of Jesus, we can be confident in the midst of the changes we face in life. I will admit it, Unfamiliar paths can be uncomfortable, but in the discomfort and fear of change we have God’s promise that we read above: "These things I will do, I will not forsake you".

For you, this could mean journeying through a time of illness that changes your everyday life. It could mean embracing changes in relationships with people dear to us. The experience of grief and sorrow can be an unfamiliar and scary paths for us. Remember, God’s perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). God will smooth the rough places and not forsake us as we fix our eyes and hearts on him. Yes, even in the most significant places of change.

LET US PRAY

Loving God, you never change. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Yet we are constantly faced with changes around us. Please give me courage. Give me steadfast faith in you so that by your light, I can prevail along unfamiliar paths through the darkness and in rough places.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen

AQUAINTED with DEEPEST GRIEF

 JANUARY 17, 2023

Isaiah 53:3

... a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

Jeremiah 31:25

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

John 11:35

“Jesus wept.”


Jesus experienced a full range of human emotion during his earthly ministry. He felt joy. He felt disappointment. He felt the sting of betrayal. He felt sorrow. And He felt anger.

Perhaps you recall that he made a whip and drove the moneychangers out of the temple in Jerusalem. They had made the house of God a den of robbers, Jesus said. God’s house was no longer a place of prayer for all nations. Jesus was angry at such practices.

And He also was angry after Lazarus died.

John’s gospel tells us, “When Jesus saw [Mary] weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled” (11:33 NLT). 

Was Jesus angry with Mary or her sister, Martha? No.

Was He angry with the people who were with Mary and Martha? No.

Jesus was angry with death itself. He was angry that this had to happen.

Not only was Jesus angry, but we see another emotion of His in this passage. John tells us, “Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, ‘See how much he loved him!’” (verses 35-36 NLT). Reading and reflecting on this account in John 11, I believe we are led to understand that death breaks God’s heart. just as it breaks our hearts.

As someone has said, “He cried. He knew Lazarus was dead before he got the news, but still, he cried. He knew Lazarus would be alive again in moments, but still, he cried. … He wept because knowing the end of the story doesn’t mean you can’t cry at the sad parts.”

This serves as a reminder that Jesus weeps with us in our times of pain. Does that surprise you? I know some suggest, that God is indifferent, that God is disconnected, and unconcerned. But Jesus was and is God. Jesus was God walking among us. Some have put it that Jesus was God with “skin on.” The point we see over and over in the New Testament is that if you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus.

When we’re in pain, He feels that pain as well. Jesus, our Messiah, according to Isaiah 53, “was a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (verse 3 NLT).

The “Good News” we encounter in the Bible is that Jesus bore our sins, but He also carried our sorrows. Don’t miss this. That means that if your life situation hurts you, it concerns Him. In other words, if life causes you pain, He cares. 

Jesus wept. It seems to me that says a lot about Jesus and his loving care toward us. 

As the Hymn writer put it,

No one under-stands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast Your every care on Him.

No understands like Jesus;
Every woe He sees and feels.
Tenderly He whispers comfort,
And the broken heart He heals

Thanks be to God!!



2 Corinthians 1:3 – 4a

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, …”

STANDING UP

JANUARY 16, 2023 

Today our friends in the US celebrate a holiday that is called Martin Luther King Jr. day. The legacy of Dr. King has had an impact in North America and around the world, even in our own City of Windsor, On. One of Dr. Kings, many visits to Windsor took place in 1963 on March 14, where he delivered a speech at the Cleary Auditorium which is now part of St. Clair College. Dr King it is said he was "enamored with Windsor’s relative racial harmony, the peaceful approach of its civil rights workers."

 

Proverbs 14:31

If you oppress poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship.

Proverbs 19:17

When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back. ​


At the foundation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign was his desire to break chains of economic injustice that bound millions of people to a life of poverty. King appealed to the hearts of his listeners with this claim: “I choose to identify with the underprivileged. I choose to identify with the poor. I choose to give my life for the hungry. I choose to give my life for those who have been left out.”

Dr. King had the poor at heart, but the poor and needy have always been on God’s heart. Scripture is full of instruction about caring for the oppressed, orphans, widows, social outcasts—those often named among the poor. Talking about their needs is not enough. It requires action, even sacrifice. The age-old advice of King Lemuel’s mother—Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8–9), is still relevant

Scripture invites us not to “close our hearts” against those in need. If we do, we cannot claim to love God who call us to love others in deed and not word only (1 John 3:17–18). Loving others requires that we seek their welfare, even when this is challenging. Love enables us to push past inconvenience and choose a generous and charitable, course of action.

We participate in such actions knowing that “kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship” (Proverbs 14:31). Those who benefit from our generosity might not be able to repay us, but in giving to the poor we lend to the Lord, and he will reward us.

LET US PRAY

Father, from your hands we have received many blessings. For each we are grateful. Forgive us for the times we’ve turned a blind eye to those in need. Help us to love our neighbor as ourselves, seeking their welfare as eagerly as we seek our own.

 

TWO KINGS, TWO KINGDOMS

 JANUARY 13, 2023

Matthew 2:16

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious

Proverbs 29:25

25 Fear and intimidation is a trap that holds you back. But when you place your confidence in the Lord, you will be seated in the high place.

1 John 4:18

. . . perfect love drives out fear

What's wrong with the world? Have you ever asked that? Have you heard someone ask that kind of question?

As I was writing yesterday's devotional it occurred to me that what we were reading was a comparison of two kings, two kingdoms, two opposite world views. On the one side we have a kingdom of fear and on the other a kingdom of Peace. Now perhaps I am being a too simplistic here, yet I’ll risk it to point out that I see something in this story of Matthew 2:13-18 that just might give an answer to our opening question: What’s wrong with the world?

Do you recall the question that resulted in Herod being in a panic? The Magi asked, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” When Herod heard this, he was frightened, and disturbed.

Herod knew his status as ruler was fragile. He had gained and then maintained his power through brute force and political manipulation. He had little support from the common people around Jerusalem. Discontent with his rule was so high that as one historian wrote, “a small spark could create a firestorm of revolution.” Herod lived in constant fear–no matter how many enemies he tortured and executed; he knew the number of his opponents continued to grow. That’s what the kingdom of fear looks like, violent, suspicious of those around you, always looking over your shoulder to watch for who or what might emerge from the shadows. An awful way to live, I suggest.

King Jesus on the other hand represented a kingdom of Peace and Love. Remember the word we translate as Peace is the Hebrew word and concept of “Shalom”. Shalom means peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. These are the markers of Jesus Kingdom. The prophets declared a peaceable kingdom would be ushered in by the Messiah, angels announce that “good news” comes out of Bethlehem. Do you recall what comes next? “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ….. then bursting into song they sing “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Jesus exposed the violence of power politics. He goes on to show us that God’s merciful kingdom is available right now to break this spiral of violence. The story of Jesus is about the presence of God’s healing mercy in human history. This mercy enters a world of conflict. It is because we have so much conflict that we so desperately need God’s mercy. The tidings of Jesus’ birth are tidings of a new expression of God’s abundant mercy and healing.

What’s wrong with the world? Could it be that far too many people, rulers, governments, etc. live in the Kingdom of Fear? When you exist in this kingdom fear makes you do violent and ruthless things. This Kingdom divides people into insiders and outsiders.

Jesus said in John 3: 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. Their deeds are considered evil because they live out of a place of fear. Yet, even so Jesus offers a different choice, peace and love. Remember, 1 John 4:18? “Perfect love drives out fear.”

So, we are given a choice, live in the Kingdom of fear or join Jesus and live in the Kingdom of Peace (shalom). What Kingdom will we choose?


LET US PRAY

Jesus we thank you that your perfect love drives out fear. Would you remind us today of those times when our fears have been dispelled by your perfect love. We choose the Kingdom of Peace over living in fear. May we glorify Your name this day in ways great and small, that will reflect that perfect love which is without fear. Amen


Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there.
God has a purpose in your being right where you are.
Christ, who indwells you by the power of his Spirit,
wants to do something in and through you.
Believe this and live in his grace, his love, his power.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen

IF THE LORD HAD NOT BEEN ON OUR SIDE

 JANUARY 12, 2023

Matthew 2:11-18

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”

 Now there is a story to skip over, don’t you think?

Today, in our Gospel reading we read the conclusion of Matthew’s Christmas story. I would have been okay with Matthew concluding the birth of Jesus accounts with the Wisemen “rejoicing as they went home by another way.” Matthew draws his Christmas story to a close and we hear that Mary and Joseph have to flee to a foreign country with their son, here we have a refugee family escaping the violence of an out-of-control king. We hear of the murder of children, the weeping of parents, death, and more danger. Matthew’s narrative of the Birth of Christ ends with bloodshed, sadness, and danger.

I’ll stick with the Angels, Shepherds, and wisemen thank you very much!

Yet, this is God’s word we are reflecting on, we need to wrestle with a story of violence and sadness that comes on the heels of Do not fear, Rejoice, Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to those favored ones.

Over the years I have gone in all sorts of directions on this passage. Lately, I have come to think that perhaps Matthew is telling us something we need to always remember: the child born in Bethlehem came to love and serve and save everyone.

He came to love and serve and save people like, shepherds just out in the fields doing there job,  the Magi – people with some wisdom. People with the ability to make a long trip and buy a nice present.

Jesus came to love and save people whose lives seem to go smoothly and have good outcomes.

Jesus came to love and serve and save people like… those families in Bethlehem. The moms and dads whose hearts were broken. Jesus came to love and save those who dietoo young, those who die from violence, those who are victims of repression and jealousy and hate.

 And, the child born in Bethlehem came to love and serve and save families: families like his own family… who must deal with imperfect situations, or terrifying moments. He came to love and save families

who must flee one country to seek safety in another. He came to love and save imperfect families.

Jesus came to love and save every person who ever feels as if their wonderful plans and dreams have been snatched away from them by a situation that is unfair, unjust or utterly terrifying.

The child of Bethlehem comes to every one of us in our hours of darkness, struggle,  disappointment, embarrassment, and fear… he comes to us, to love us and guide us by his perfect light. To teach us how to love others who are struggling or fleeing or afraid.

The child born in Bethlehem also came to love and save people like (are you ready?) people like … King Herod, and his troops, and everyone who thinks that violence is the solution to our problems.

This story about the birth of Jesus reveals that God is present, here and now. Yes, he is present in all that is beautiful in your life. But the savior is also present in every aspect of your life, and our world, that is struggling, suffering, staggering, screaming, streaming with tears. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. A light no darkness can extinguish.

  

LET US PRAY

Jesus,
You are our strength,
the light by which we walk,
the truth by which we talk.

You are our hope,
the promise to which we hold,
the story that must be told.

You are the peace
this world cannot provide,
that overcomes our pride.

You are our God,
the One whose name we praise
to whom our hands are raised. Amen

  

May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ shine in our hearts, transform our lives, and brighten the world. And the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest upon you always. Amen.

GROWING IN WISDOM AND STATURE

 JANUARY 11, 2023

LUKE 2:40b - 52

... the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.


The above Gospel story is one that generally we skip over. Typically, we read the birth story and jump ahead to Jesus Baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordon and then the Wilderness Temptations, and then on to the “good stuff” of teaching and miracles. At least that’s what I often do. Today’s reading has a great deal for us though if we take the time to listen and reflect for a few moments.

We forget sometimes that Jesus whose birth we celebrated at Christmas spent many years growing up in a Jewish family, growing wiser and stronger, learning a trade, waiting for his moment according to God’s plan. Waiting for the pieces of the bigger picture to fall into place, when he would enter the waters of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descend on him and that voice would come from heaven proclaiming, "You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight."

Take notice of the importance of the family in this account today. For a large part of his life Jesus was part of a family. I suppose we might imagine that this must have been an extremely happy family that the Son of God belonged to. Yet, I imagine like every other family, this family had its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, its problems, and difficulties. Certainly, the beginning of family life was not easy, a manger birth, a refugee life in Egypt, a return from exile.

We notice that Mary and Joseph, as faithful Jews, make sure to fulfill their duties as parents toward their son Jesus. When Jesus was eight days old, Mary and Joseph went to the temple to name and to circumcise him. They also offered the Lord the appropriate offering. We read above that it was the family’s annual practice to attend Passover in Jerusalem.

Luke is reminding us, I believe, that Jesus experience is a lot like ours, having the benefits and blessings of Family life. I know, he was a special child, debating the religious teachers at 12 is not something I was doing at that age. Yet still the family served a formative role in Jesus’ life as he “grew in wisdom and stature” as he waited for God’s time and leading. His waiting was the preparation needed for Jesus to live out his call and his purpose.

That is something for us to think about today. The way God’s purpose and plan unfolded in Jesus’ life, is the way we experience God’s purpose for us, individually and as a faith community. We have our waiting times, these times make us uncomfortable, but the result of these times is the preparation of our spirits to be God’s servants, we too grow in knowledge and wisdom during such times. We, like Jesus are waiting for the pieces of the bigger picture to fall into place. In God’s perfect timing, we hear “the voice behind us saying, “this is the way walk in it.”

Remember,

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope"

LET US PRAY

Forgive me for all my doubts, worries, and fears. Forgive me for my impatience as I wait in this place. Forgive me for questioning the story you are writing for me. 

I believe in your good will toward me. Help me to remember that it is good to wait for you.

Grant me the joy that comes from knowing you.
Fill my heart with gospel joy. Amen

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Romans 11:33, 11:36

YOUR EVERLASTING LIGHT

 JANUARY 10, 2023

ISAIAH 60:1-2

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For darkness shall cover the earth
and thick darkness the peoples,
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.



Psalms 18:28

You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

As mentioned previously in our devotions Epiphany refers to a revelation and realization that Christ is the Son of God. The Messiah promised through the prophetic words of the Old Testament. God’s anointed One will show up and “the People walking in Darkness will see a great light.” (Isaiah 9) The arrival of this one will result in the hopeful song and message that says “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." Jesus is that light. The light that we spoke of yesterday to which we are drawn toward.
Isaiah 60 concludes with these words,

"The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night, but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun shall no more go down or your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.
21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever. They are the shoot that I planted, the work of my hands, so that I might be glorified. 22 The least of them shall become a clan and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the Lord; in its time I will accomplish it quickly."

The story is out! Jesus Christ, Light of the World has been born to dispel the darkness that covers its people. God’s glory appears in human form. Life on earth will never be the same again!

Remember the lines in the opening of John’s gospel, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. . . . 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” This life that was light is here among us and continues to give us the power to become children of God.

Light is an extremely significant theme in Scripture. We first read of it in Genesis 1:3 as the word of God breaks into the darkness of a world not yet created: “Let there be light.” Such is the power of the divine command that we are not surprised to read next, “and there was light.” We last read of the light in Revelation 22:5, “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord gives them light; and they shall reign forever and ever.”

What an amazing promise! Light now, but not fully yet. The promise is that light grows to the point where there will be no more darkness. No Candle needed, for our Lord Jesus Christ will be our everlasting light.


LET US PRAY

God, We are drawn to your feet in worship
Your creation facing its creator
Hearts laid bare by your light
Humbly asking for your mercy.

We come to you as a people in need
of assurance and forgiveness.
We come to you as a people in need
of healing and wholeness.
We come dependent upon your love.


Draw us close.
Enfold us in your arms.
Fill us with your Spirit
that we might reflect your light
within this dark world,
speak your Word with boldness
and draw others to your feet.
We ask this through your dear Son Jesus Christ.
Amen


2 Peter 3:18

May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

COMING INTO THE LIGHT

 JANUARY 9, 2023

JOHN 3:16-21

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

The season of Epiphany reminds us that the light has come. Epiphany means revelation, revealing, appearance, or manifestation of Jesus to the world. The sudden invasion of God's light into a world of darkness.

Our passage today talks about this darkness that exists and its retreat from light, God's light in Jesus Christ. "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed."

Those who have been drawn to the light, are those who live by the truth, who believe in Jesus are under no condemnation, so they have no fear of the light.

Being drawn into the light results in our hearts longing for truth and hungering for closer fellowship with God. We don't fear our sins being exposed because we come to the Light and there receive mercy, grace, and forgiveness.  This experience of coming to the light develops a desire in us to commit to living in ways that reflect God's faithful lovingkindness, gracious compassion, and righteous character. Psalm 86:15 says, "You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness." With Psalm 116:5 we exclaim "How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours!"

Isn't it true that once we have experienced the Light through Jesus we want the world to know that God has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light? We want to be caught up in the nature of God's Light, "so that it may be seen plainly that what (We) have done has been done in the sight of God," so that others will see Jesus and be drawn into the light of God as well. Into a new and living relationship with God. 

"For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." 

 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

LET US PRAY

God, You are faithful, gracious, loving, holy, righteous, and full of compassion. You are God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone are immortal and who lives in unapproachable light. Yet, dear God, You have chosen to come near to us and invite us into fellowship with You through Jesus, the Son, and our Savior, the Light of hearts. Thank you! I praise you! We commit to lighting the way for others to join us in fellowship with You through Jesus. Amen.

This prayer is adapted from 1 Timothy 6:15-16.
2 Corinthians 4:6-10 and 1 Peter 2:9-10.

"You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."  Amen.

FORWARD LIVING

 JANUARY 6, 2023

The word epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning "manifestation or appearance." The “Epiphany season,” begins with the journey and visit of the Magi (Wisemen) and then reflections focusing the Baptism of Jesus, the water into wine story, and on the teaching and healing ministry of Christ. All of these accounts shine a revealing "light" on who Jesus is.

Numbers 8:1-3

The LORD said to Moses, 2“Tell Aaron that when he sets up the seven lamps in the lampstand, he is to place them so their light shines forward.” 3So Aaron did this. He set up the seven lamps so they reflected their light forward, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.



One of the notable realities about the Bible’s message is that it has a future focus. The scripture story, and the history and events it describes are going somewhere, they are moving God’s story of revelation forward. Many times, in the words and teachings of Scripture we discover God’s promises for tomorrow. Repeatedly God’s word encourages us to have hope for what is ahead. We experience this during Advent and Christmas, when we both look back at the Old Testament scriptures of the past, and at the same time we read them with our eye on the future. That is what fills us with such hope as we light candles and sing songs like “Hark! The Glad Sound the Savior Comes, or the longing and hope and promise in one of our favorites Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.

We witness this forward emphasis in some of God’s instructions to Moses regarding Tabernacle worship in the Old Testament. It is fascinating that God told Moses to have Aaron position the lamps in the Tabernacle in such a way that the light was projected forward, not backward. (Details are important to God) There certainly are lessons here for us––life principles we need to understand and embrace.

Here are a few:

· God’s light is found when we look forward, not backward.

· God has something positive ahead for us––His light is drawing us to our future, not to our past.

· God’s light always goes before us.

· We are invited to live with a forward-focus.


God lights our way. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God’s “word is a lamp for our feet, a light on our path..” Psalm 27 says “The LORD is my light and my salvation” Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When with the Apostle Paul we determine to “forget what is behind and press on into what is ahead” we find and experience that the past, is just that, past. When we decide to walk in the light we journey in hope. From God’s perspective, yesterday’s experiences whether they are great moments or moments we would like to forget, do not need to be an obstacle that keep us from pursuing and knowing the thrilling future full of great promise(s) that God has for us. One of the special verses that I often call to memory that helps me stay focused on looking ahead is found in Isaiah 43:18-19 where God says through the prophet “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness.” So, let us lean into “Forward Living.”

LET US PRAY

“God today I pray, that you would help me to know that your light shines ahead of me. I ask that you help me stop wasting time, energy and focus on what is behind me. Help me to turn my focus to what you have ahead for me. I thank you that your light illumines a path for my future. Help me to daily walk in your light. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

YES and AMEN!

 JANUARY 5, 2023

1 Corinthians 1:20

All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!”
And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
He has anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,
guaranteeing what is to come. Amen!

2 Peter 1:4

[God] "has given us his very great and precious promises"

There is no greater source of hope than God’s faithful declaration to be close to each and everyone of us. Over and over our God declares “I will be with you.” That is our Creator's promise. Today I want to remind you of an important truth which is: “God is Closer than you Think!”

As children of the true and living God, our confidence is founded on God’s promise to be near, close, with us, for us, among us. This "presence" reality should be at the core of our hope. This is indeed one of those "great and precious promises" that are "Yes ... through Christ."

As we make space for God’s presence today, I pray that he fills us with a new measure of hope that is based on the reality that we are not alone, God is with us. Know that this presence of God gives us strength and courage in life. I am reminded of Joshua and God's promise to him as he assumed leadership of God's people following Moses death. I believe it is a promise for all of us. God said to Joshua, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. . . . Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Keep your eyes open for God, watch for God’s works; be alert for signs of God’s presence. 

Psalm 105:4

LET US PRAY

Show me, Lord. 

Help me notice. 

Your presence with me.

Surprise me, by your nearness. 

Amen


“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

 

WORDS OF LIFE

 JANUARY 4, 2022

JOHN 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Genesis 1 emphasizes that God spoke our world into existence. Over and over we read "God said... and there was …” (See Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29). John begins his gospel by introducing us to that creative Word of God, who is Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, the word that was made flesh. (John 1:1-3, 14-18)

Jesus is God at work. The relationship of God as Father, Son, and Spirit stands out as a relationship that demonstrates the life-giving power that created and shaped all that is by God's powerful Word. Even now, in this moment, as you read this devotion, it is the Son who holds the world together as God's powerful Word. (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3)

Jesus, as the Word of God, reminds us that God has made the impact of spoken words have power. In relationships with others, and especially as we are in a relationship with God, words can be comforting, healing, encouraging, motivating, blessing, affirming, and hope-filled in our relationships. I believe we all know that Words can also be destructive.

As we reflect on Creation, we notice that God intends for His Word and the words of His people to bring life, light, blessing, and goodness. As I read recently, “God intends our words to be more than a collection of syllables and sounds with definitions. He wants our words to be shaped by Jesus, His ultimate Word.” That means each word we speak today should reflect something of the creative power and grace of God's Word!

LET US PRAY

Father, please forgive me for the times I used empty, valueless, or even damaging words. I invite the Holy Spirit to transform me to become more like Jesus, the ultimate Word. I ask that you use my words today, dear God, to be a blessing and create hope in the hearts of those individuals I speak today. In Jesus' name, I ask for this grace. Amen.

Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.