PRAYING FOR PEACE

 

Matthew 6:9-10

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

The Bible provides us with a rich and broad vision of intercessory prayer. Both the Old and New Testaments are full of examples of people offering prayer for others.

• Abraham pleads with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah;

• Moses asks God to spare the people after they worship the golden calf;

• Jeremiah exhorts the captive Israelites to pray for Babylon, the city to which they have been exiled.

Throughout the Old Testament there are continual reminders to remember the orphans, widows, and strangers.

This emphasis on intercessory prayer was further strengthened and supported by the example and teaching of Jesus himself.

“Pray for those who persecute you,” Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, and then proceeded to do exactly that as he was being crucified: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

The early Christians believed that Jesus had passed this ministry of intercession along to them. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he suggests that prayers should be offered for everyone, not just members of the faith community.

In early Christian worship the believers continued to take the ministry of intercession to heart. It is interesting to note that some of the early patterns for worship puts a high emphasis on Prayers of Intercession. They would spend a great deal of time in prayer during worship, ptaying for others.

What do you believe about intercessory prayer? Does it make a difference in our world? Should the practice of intercession be an integral part of our ministry to our world?

Theologian Karl Barth has been quoted as saying, “To fold one’s hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” Through our intercession we participate with God in bringing about God’s vision for our world. Through our continued cries of “hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” we, the people of God, actively seek the in-breaking of God’s rule in our world.

LET US PRAY

God, You have called us to be peacemakers, to continue the reconciling ministry of Jesus Christ. Remove from us all those things which would prevent us from being true agents of reconciliation in our broken world. Through our lives, and by our prayers, may your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Amen.

REFORMATION: THEN, NOW, ALWAYS!!

 

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Psalm 46

 

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

 

 

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing.
Our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.

Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.

Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also.
The body they may kill;
God’s truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever.

 

Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

 

It is not a Reformation Day without reading Psalm 46 and singing A Mighty Fortress is Our God. When I think of the images used for God in Psalm 46 and this hymn (fortress = a Military stronghold and bulwark = a defensive wall), I picture things that don’t move, don’t change, that are not open to reform. When we reflect on the Reformation movement, we are led to focus on our call as Jesus followers, to continually be open to reforming, change and renewal, through the study of the scriptures, by paying attention to our culture, and openness to new winds of the Spirit. I feel this paying attention to what is often called, “Reformation Nudges” that push us to recognize the tension of living in a space where we celebrate who we have been (the past), and seek to make sense of the present moment, and yet knowing we have not yet arrived at the end of our journey of growth. With Paul we say “not that we have already arrived, but we press on to our high calling” in Jesus.

So why do we read Psalm 46 and sing this hymn on Reformation day? James Mays, Old Testament Professor, writes, “the Psalm does not invite us to trust in a place, but in a Presence” (Mays, James, Psalms: Interpretation (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox) p. 185). I wonder if the images of God as a defensive wall (bulwark), as a mighty military stronghold (fortress) , are not images meant to suggest an unchanging, stay in one place kind of God who is “closed and locked up tightly;” but rather, images meant to call to mind, to evoke, a trust in the promise of a Divine Presence who is always constantly with us, even as we move, change, and shift. I wonder if Luther’s interpretation of Psalm 46 in his hymn is meant to give us tools for being ready to be reformed, changed, and challenged.

Think about it, if we remember that God is present with us in every step of our life’s journey, doesn’t it change the way we feel about possibilities for our future?

If we know and trust that no matter how often we feel the confusion and uneasiness of change; that no matter how often our own strength seems to fail us; that no matter how often it feels like “this world with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,” that we are supported by God’s abiding and constant presence, we will not be afraid. “We will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.”

God’s presence is the solid rock on which we stand, the mighty fortress in which we make our home, and the promise of God’s presence is what does not change, no matter what occurs because this promise rests on the foundation of “the man of God’s own choosing”!!

Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same.

 

LET US PRAY

O Mighty Fortress, bulwark of love and presence, open our eyes to the ways you travel with us. Open our hearts for the constant reforming and renewing work of your Spirit. Don’t let us grow content with what is, but give us vision for what, who, we might become as your people and as your church. Amen.

 

 

DO IT FOR THE GLORY

 

OCTOBER 30, 2023

 

“Salvation is by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, according to Scripture Alone, for the glory of God Alone."

 

Today let’s reflect together on the theme of “Glory to God alone.” The truth that the Reformers were most concerned to promote and what can be seen as the central theme of Scripture is soli Deo gloria — to God alone be the glory.

 

Ephesians 1:17-21

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

 

1 Corinthians 10:31

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

On the weekend I reread an article that was retelling the story of Olympic runner and Gold medalist Eric Liddell. His story you may remember was depicted in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. Eric Liddell ran with his head back, his mouth open, and a tranquil look on his face. He was one of the fastest men in the world, and one of the most famous at the time as well. After gaining Olympic glory as a gold medalist, he had everything the human heart could want: the chance to become wealthy, positions at schools like Oxford, fame, and influence that few others would ever attain. But the runner commemorated in the movie Chariots of Fire passed all this by and gave all this up. He had other things on his mind. Specifically, he had God’s glory in view.

Liddell knew that serving in God’s kingdom was of infinite worth, both to God and humankind. Liddell had a heart for the work of missions and the making of disciples among people who had never heard of Christ. So, in the midst of having “hero” status and the opportunity for greatness according to world standards. Eric Liddell made the most counter cultural step possible: he moved to China to be a missionary. He taught school, engaged his neighbors, and showed kindness to many around him. Why did he do it? The answer might seem complicated, but in truth, it is simple: he did it for the glory. But not his glory. The glory of God

Soli Deo gloria (God’s Glory Alone) is not only central to the Five Alone’s we have looked at, but Scripture reveals that the entirety of the Bible points to God’s glory alone, just as creation does, and our lives are intended too. 2 Corinthians 4:15 tells us that our salvation through grace produces glory to God. Ephesians 2:8-9 explains that the grace of God strips us of our ability to boast in our own doing or works. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 tells us that no human shall boast in pride before the Lord, but we are to boast only in God. Ephesians 1:4-6 explains that the great purpose of our life is to bring glory, honor, and praise to the glorious grace of God. Romans 11:33-36 states that to Him alone belongs all glory. Isaiah 2:12-17 speaks of humankind being brought low, and God alone being exalted. Simply put, Glory to God alone means that everything is done for God’s glory.

We must remember that the glory of God is first and foremost an attribute of God. It simply is who God is beautiful, majestic, splendid, amazing, glorious. Considering this knowledge, we must devote ourselves to the knowledge of God in all of His attributes. Knowing who God is, merciful, just, righteous, gracious, long-suffering, patient, holy, and loving allows us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Matthew 22:36-40). As we come to truly know and love the God of the Bible, praise, adoration, worship, and exaltation of Him alone is the outcome. As someone has put it, “The more we love God for God, the more natural our praise and adoration of Him will become.”

As Christians, we simply are not our own (Romans 14:8). Once we become alive in Christ, we put the old self to death (Galatians 5:24). This means that as believers, we can no longer categorize our life into boxes. We cannot have a ‘church’ box, ‘friend’ box, ‘family’ box, ‘free time’ box, and ‘work’ box. Rather, all our boxes get dumped into one large container labeled “Glory of God”. New life in Christ results in our entire life being fully devoted to God and His glory alone— in everything we do, think, feel, and believe.

Even the great musician and composer, Johanne Sebastian Bach, believed in and lived out the phrase soli Deo gloria. He was known to write SDG at the bottom of each finished piece of composition, making the statement of soli Deo gloria widespread within the music industry. Bach believed God’s Glory Alone to be central to his music, and even stated, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

Let it be a reality for each one of us, that whatever we do, we do it for the glory of God.

LET US PRAY

Glory to God the Father, who brought back from the dead

our Lord Jesus Christ and crowned him with glory and honor.

Glory to God the Son, who lives to plead our cause at the right hand of God and

 who will come again to make all things new.

Glory to God the Holy Spirit, who brings us the taste of the good Word of God

 and the power of the age to come. Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,

 thanksgiving and honor, power and might be to our Lord for ever!

 Amen.

 

NO OTHER NAME

 

October 27, 2023

 

 

Romans 10:9-13 

9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

 

Acts 4:11-12 

11Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

 

Colossians 1:16-17

“All things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

 

 I Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

 

 

The Reformers concluded that our salvation is through Christ alone. We are declared righteous by the perfect work of Jesus on the cross. There is no other name given by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and humankind. He is the ultimate Prophet, Priest and King.


Christ is the ultimate Prophet who instructs us in the ways of God and heals our blindness and ignorance. Christ is the ultimate Priest who does not offer sacrifices through animals but through His own blood He redeemed us. He is also the great High Priest who intercedes for us in the heavenly courts. Christ is the ultimate King who rules over all things and one day he will usher in the kingdom in all its fullness where we will live gladly under His dominion and reign. “I Can Only Imagine!”


Now, we acknowledge that we live in a turbulent, confused, and chaotic time, so did Luther, Calvin and other Reformers. It did not stop them from seeking Christ first and putting God at life’s center. Some of you will know the inscription on the seal from Calvin University, it is a quote from John Calvin which says, “My heart to you I offer Lord, promptly and sincerely.” Now is our time. We have been placed where we are, in this our generation, purposefully, in our families, Churches, and workplaces etc., as I heard someone say recently, “to proverbially nail our own declaration of faith to the door of our hearts, homes, and in our communities.” Through Christ, alone, we come to God, by faith, forever redeemed. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift to us in Christ Jesus our Lord!!

LET US PRAY

Lord Jesus, I love You Lord, and I desire that my trust remain in You alone. I want to trust You in every area of my life, and I pray that my trust in You permeates into every part of my being. Lord, I want to trust you in all things so that nothing touches my life that does not have You right there with me.

Lord, help me to trust You for all that I need, my daily needs and my spiritual needs. I want to rely on You and You alone, and not put my trust in my own frail and foolish abilities, for without You I can do nothing, but I can do all things through Christ Who gives me the strength. May nothing in heaven or earth or under the earth usurp Your central position in my life, I pray.

Lord, I want to trust You in every situation and every season of my life, for You have promised to take all things, whether good or evil, and use them together for good, not only for my good and the good of others, but also so that Your name may be glorified through it.

Amen.

 

FREE? HOW CAN IT BE?

 

 

OCTOBER 26, 2023

 

2 Corinthians 12:9

 

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

2 Timothy 1:9

 

9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time …”

 

Ephesians 2:8-9

 

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

What was the Reformation, really? What Luther, Calvin and the other Reformers devoted themselves to was nothing less than a recovery mission. They were recovering the rich, powerful, message of free grace in Jesus, or as they put it “Grace Alone.”


Grace is a gift most of us do not know how to receive. We have been so flooded with the societal systems of give-and-get and work-and-earn that grace is a concept that is hard for us to grasp. Yet it is grace alone that has the power to transform lives. Grace alone has the power to bring freedom. By grace alone we are rescued.


Many of our most beloved Worship songs involve the word Grace: Amazing Grace, Grace Greater than All My Sin, Your Grace is Enough, This is Amazing Grace, and on and on. WHY? What is so compelling about Grace that we are driven to sing about it? Why do we ask God to tune our hearts to “sing His grace”? I believe it is because Grace meets a need that we cannot meet in any other way.


Just for a moment consider the thoughts and actions of the human heart, that we witness in our selves, and in others. Just follow a news feed for a day and you will read many stories of the distorted thoughts and actions of the human heart. Even the absolute best works we could do are “like filthy rags,” as Isaiah 64:6 puts it. This makes me think that if our salvation depended on the good, we do, no one would be set free from the “sins that so easily entangle” us. The Reformers found Paul’s words in Ephesians and elsewhere clear: our salvation cannot be bought or earned by us; as a gift it comes by grace alone.


Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But [God] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” What great comfort we hear in these words of Paul. And what amazing love our heavenly Father has for us, that he would give his all sufficient grace to us.


Our God is one who comes to us, who stepped toward us, and lays down his life that we might live through him. In his grace, all God asks of us is to have a heart open, willing, and receptive to him.

Let us remember, that God’s grace is entirely sufficient for us. In fact, it is only in living by his grace that we are made strong. Your heavenly Father says, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” Christ demonstrated through his ministry that he works powerfully when people simply acknowledge their need of him. From the woman desperate to touch his garment, to Zacchaeus the tax collector, to the paralyzed man lowered through the ceiling, God works incredible miracles in the lives of those who come before him with all their brokenness and need. His power is made perfect in those who simply cry out to him in desperation. Grace ALONE. God’s unmerited favor to us through Jesus Christ.


Yes, “… it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”

 

LET US PRAY

You know, Lord, how much I like to pay my own way. Help me remember and be continually amazed that salvation is a gift from you. I could never earn it. Amen.

 

NOTHING TO OFFER

 

OCTOBER 25, 2023

Romans 1:16-17

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

 

2 Corinthians 5:21

21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Philippians 3:9

9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

“When I was a monk, I didn’t accomplish anything through fasting and prayer. This is because neither I nor any of the other monks acknowledged our sin and lack of reverence for God. We didn’t understand original sin, and we didn’t realize that unbelief is also sin. We believed and taught that no matter what people do, they can never be certain of God’s kindness and mercy. As a result, the more I ran after and looked for Christ, the more he eluded me.

When I realized that it was only through God’s grace that I would be enlightened and receive eternal life, I worked diligently to understand what Paul said in Romans 1:17—a righteousness from God is revealed in the gospel.

Finally, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I took a closer look at what the prophet Habakkuk said: “The righteous will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). From this I concluded that life must come from faith. In other words, a person becomes righteous by faith. That opened the whole Bible—even heaven itself—to me!”

 

- Martin Luther -

 

Faith Alone! The word faith can have several meanings. Sometimes it means simple concurrence to a fact or an idea as true. Sometimes it refers to a body of religious teaching, as in “The Faith”. In the Bible it can sometimes refer to a special amount of faith, as in “a faith that can move mountains”. But the most common use of faith refers to an absolute trust or reliance on something or someone.

For Jesus followers, that sense of trust or dependence points to the liberating (Saving) faith in Jesus Christ. As Ephesians 2:8 points out, we are saved by grace (Alone) “through faith” (Alone) In contrast to the church’s teaching of his time, Martin Luther rediscovered that salvation is by grace and is received through faith. “Grace wrapped in faith is the gift of God.” (K. Selles)

Instead of seeing faith as something required to receive grace, Luther found that faith is a channel of God’s grace. In other words, even the faith we need in order to acknowledge Jesus as Lord comes graciously from God through the power of the Holy Spirit. If it were any other way, we could boast: “I found Jesus!”

Paul emphasizes in the text above that no boasting is allowed. God finds us. Even the faith to accept Jesus comes through grace alone. Indeed, grace alone and faith alone are like two sides of the same coin.

Paul is not ashamed of the gospel, for the gospel is for all people. He makes the point that the gospel came not only to the Jews, but also to the non-Jews. When God told Abraham one night to look up and number the stars, for that is the number of his offspring (Gen. 15:5), God revealed that He had a plan to provide salvation for all the nations of the earth. Paul can declare that in Christ Jesus, Abraham’s offspring, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28) This truth gives hope to everyone created in the image of God, regardless of where they were born, who their parents are, how they have lived, or what they have done. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

 

LET US PRAY

In your grace and mercy, O God, you have provided us not only with a Savior but also with the faith to trust in him for our salvation and our lives. Thank you. Amen.

 

 

 

 

GETTING HAMMERED

 

October 24, 2023

Jeremiah 23:29

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

 

The Latin phrase “Sola Scriptura” (By Scripture Alone) means that God’s Word is sufficient and has the highest authority for all of life. This does not mean that the Bible is clear on every issue or question we have. However, Sola Scriptura means that the Bible is the reliable Word of God and takes supreme authority over our lives in every area it speaks to. We read in 2 Peter 1:19, “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

When it comes to the spiritual life, Sola Scriptura means that the Bible gets the final word. As Christ followers, we believe that all answers to our questions and all wisdom for life should first and principally be found in the Word of God. Yesterday we discussed the life and energy of God’s word it penetrates deeply into our souls and spirit, that it challenges our thoughts and attitudes, that it has legs and hands that chase after us and tackles us.  Yes, God’s word is “living and active.

 We find in that the Bible actually gives us a various images to describe itself—these images describe for us what God’s Word is and does.

God’s Word is a seed that he plants.

Scripture is rain that soaks in and nourishes,

It is something sweet and delightful to eat, and

something that gives light and understanding.

The Bible is a sword that penetrates and makes sharp distinctions.

God’s Word is also a fire and a hammer to deal with what is cold and hard.

I would think most of us would believe that we need a soft rain of God’s word to soak and nourish us. I have found in my own journey that there are also times when I need God’s word to be a hammer to break apart my cold and hardened  spirit. Can you understand that? Have you had that experience in your journey? Isn’t true that there are times when we have let the world around us squeeze us into its mold? (Romans 12:1-2)

The word of God is inspired, true, sufficient and has final authority over a Jesus follower. As we follow Jesus, we do not place our traditions, culture, feelings, wants and opinions over the word of God. When we hold the bible, we affirm that it is the very Word of God and we take joy in reading, meditating and studying it to know God and to also learn what it looks like to live as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.

Scripture invites us on a journey in which our knowledge of God grows and at the same time, the Bible also helps us to know ourselves. God’s Word reveals the truth about who we are and what we need for life, abundant life! Scripture guides us to live a life that pleases and honors and brings glory to God.

As the Westminster shorter Catechism reminds us our "chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."

Now, that’s a pretty awesome summary of the Christian life!

LET US PRAY

Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me. Thank you for the hammer and the seed and the rain you send in your Word. Help me to keep listening, so I may enjoy the full life you offer. Amen.

 

NO EMPTY WORDS

 

OCTOBER 23, 2023

 

 2 Timothy 3:15-17 

. . .you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 

Our Devotions this week will focus on the key teachings and encouragement that come to us out the historical period know as the Reformation.  I should tell you that a question prompted my preparing this series of devotionals. The question was REFORMATION? Why should I care? Why should we care? My prayer is that by weeks end we will be able to answer these questions and be able to acknowledge why this act of remembering is a worthwhile exercise.

 

Today I want us to reflect on the value and importance of God’s Word, the Bible. The teaching that came out of the period of the Reformation was captured in this phrase “By Scripture Alone.” (Latin: Sola Scriptura) I was recalling the other day about the praise that was being heaped on Martin Luther, a key leader during this period, for his work and the outcome of that work which resulted in a significant change in the life of the Church and indeed, Christian History. Luther’s response to the praise really struck me. Luther said, “I did nothing. The WORD did it!” In other words, in Luther’s view any achievement toward renewal and change in Church practice and life was the result of people’s response to God’s word.

I wonder, if there is perhaps a lesson in that for us in the Contemporary Church. Could it be that what ought to drive our vision and mission and programs, and yes even our structure is what develops from the study of God’s Word. I wonder what it might look like to “Let the word do it.” Could it be that we would “do Church” differently? How might Worship be shaped? Would the ministry, and things we do be more driven toward community? Might the Church be more in tune with advocating for Justice in our society for all people?  I wonder what it might look like to “Let the Word do it?”

Luther in another place said that “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me.”  Have you experienced that in your life? That “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Do you know what Paul was saying to Timothy when he said “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work"? Is that what it means to “Let the word do it?” Is that what Luther was getting at when he talked about the activity and energy of the words of the Bible, that ran after him, that laid hold of him? You see, God’s word is “alive and active” it does grab hold us, and by the Holy Spirit’s work pursues us. God, speaking through Isaiah said that:

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

So, let's study God's word, let’s surrender to it, let’s do what it asks of us, let’s live according to its promises, let us By Scripture Alone Let the Word do it!!

I pray that we all experience God’s Word in this way, I know this, that we will all be better for it, as will the world around us.