THAT NAGGING DOUBT

 

March 1, 2024




I Kings 9:3

“And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your supplication that you have made before Me.”



Scripture reading: 1 Kings 8:22 – 9:9

THAT NAGGING DOUBT

Prayer is hard. Would you agree? My experience has been both in my own life, and through the testimonies of others that most of us Jesus’ followers struggle with praying faithfully in one way or another.

Frankly, I have lost count of how many times on home visits over the years I have heard words like “I don’t pray enough.” Maybe you have said that. Many authors have labeled prayer as a “Christian Discipline.” What that means is that Prayer is an area for growth and development as we walk with our God. Our practice of prayer changes over time in frequency and content.

I wonder if it is possible that one reason prayer is such a challenge for us is that we have this “nagging doubt” that God hears our prayers. Now don’t misunderstand me on this, I know we understand that God hears prayers, but we also need to firmly believe that God hears OUR prayers. Well, we learn today from our reading in 1 Kings 9 that God heard Solomon’s prayer. And so know this, God hears our prayers too!!

What was Solomon’s prayer you may be wondering? I invite you to read 1 Kings 8:22 – 9:9 for the full prayer of Solomon, it’s worth the read I promise. The prayer is basically a prayer that God’s mercy and grace will rest upon his people. Solomon’s Temple, which in the context of our reading today is being dedicated to the Lord, as a symbol of God’s presence on earth, a reminder of the Covenant God among his people, a reminder of God’s faithfulness to his promises, a reminder of God’s grace, his unearned favor toward his people.

Following Solomon’s prayer and the dedication of the temple we are told that God appeared to Solomon and “The Lord said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”

God listened to the prayers of Solomon “by grace alone!” If you know Solomon’s story you will likely remember that he was not the perfect righteous King, that kind of King was still to come in Jesus, sin plays a major part in King Solomon’s life, as it sometimes does in our own. The most basic reason God listens to and answers the prayers of His wayward, covenant people is His grace and abounding love.

I hope the snapshot of Grace is starting to develop for you today. What does all this mean for us? It means we should be certain, confident, convinced and fully persuaded that God is listening to our prayers!! His grace is full and free for us through Christ. Our Good and Faithful God’s unwavering promise to us is to hear us when we pray. So…pray!!

Psalm 34:1-8

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. 

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; …. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Amen!!

WILDERNESS GRACE

 

February 29, 2024



Exodus 17:10, 11

“So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” –

Read: Exodus 17:8-16 for context

WILDERNESS GRACE

Let’s set the context for this reading today. God’s people have been freed from slavery in Egypt, while they are heading to the promised land, they aren’t there yet. Where are they? The wilderness.

Ah, the wilderness, that desolate place, that we all know too well, right? Not geographically so much, but certainly we know personal experiences in which we feel we are in a desolate place, we know spiritual experiences where things seem “dry and barren” don’t we? Perhaps, that’s where you are today.

In this Bible reading today we should be able to relate to God’s people. We are told that they are fighting against the Amalekites. These are desert dwellers with whom there is a lot of infighting throughout Israel’s history. In this passage it is like the Amalekites keep coming and coming and coming and coming.

It’s just like those times in our life when we think, “Enough already!”; “Please just leave me alone.” Have you been there? I was talking to someone recently who asked in response to their situation “Can’t we get a break?” And this is what’s happening for the Israelites, the Amalekites keep coming against their forces and they just want and need a break. We are then told that in the middle of the onslaughts, every time Moses’ arms are raised the Israelites are winning. Moses’ arms droop and the tide turns and the Amalekites are gaining ground.

Now, this isn’t just a one time historical account that’s given to us in the Bible to teach us a history lesson. Truth is, this is the story that was repeated throughout the life of the God’s people. It was a story to remind them, and you and me, that God would be with them, that God would save them, that God would uplift them. It’s a story to encourage them and us, of God’s faithfulness, that God would deliver, that God would be faithful to the covenant, that God would indeed be present with them.

I love the image we see here, Moses with arms raised. Now maybe I am making too much of this image. I love this picture of “arms raised” because it’s one of the most fundamental postures of surrender, right? My hands are up. I surrender. And for people who’d been wandering around the desert, that kept forgetting, just like the rest of us do, that God would indeed show up for them. Moses puts up his hands and it’s like a demonstrated way of saying, “Okay, I surrender. I don’t have anything else here.” This story and example invite us to the place in which we surrender, “I don’t have anything else here”, so we let go, and we know and trust that God will save us, will show up, that God will be faithful to his promises.”

In this text, the snapshot of grace is the profound reminder, of our dependence on God and God's commitment to us. It seems to me that we all need this truth to be imprinted on our hearts that God alone is our deliverance.

LET US PRAY

Faithful God, of new life, of salvation, who makes beautiful things out of hard places, bring life in the midst of the places of difficulty, struggle, and weariness, bring healing in the spaces where we need your touch, and God grant us the courage in all things to incline our hearts and our whole lives to you. We “raise are arms” in surrender. In your name we pray. Amen.

 

MARVELOUS in OUR EYES

 

February  28, 2024

Psalm 118:22-24

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.



Mark 12:1-12

12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
11 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

MARVELOUS in OUR EYES

In the parable of the tenants above, the owner of a vineyard leases his property to others and travels abroad. While away, he sends his servants to collect his share of the fruit from the land, but the tenants beat his servants and then kill them. Finally, he sends his son to collect the fruit, reasoning, “They will respect my son” (Mark 12:6). But he is wrong. They kill his son too.

Jesus explained what the parable meant by quoting Psalm 118: “Have you not read this Scripture: "This stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?" (Mark 12:10-11, cf. Matthew 21:42). In other words, God is the owner of the vineyard. The tenants are his people. They were supposed to give him the fruit of their lives through worship and obedience. But they rejected his prophets and messengers. Finally, he sent his Son. But they rejected him too. John 1, puts it this way “he came to his own but his own received him not.” In rebellion, they would not respect or honor him as the Son of God. Instead, they killed him.

Now on the surface of the story its appears that Jesus’ death was defeat. Yet when paying close attention to the story we discover that His rejection and its consequences was according to “the Lord’s doing.” This is “marvelous in our eyes” because the death of Christ defeated death itself. We rejoice because God picked up Jesus from the grave and made him the cornerstone of salvation for everyone who believes. In John 11:25-27 we read of a conversation Jesus has with Mary of Bethany, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Paul’s thoughts on  all this are recorded for us in Ephesians 2:19-22, here is the outcome and promise to those who believe, who trust God’s word and commitment.

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

So, knowing that we can surely lean into Psalm 118’s invitation to celebrate, we declare: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Why? Because:

“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.

Now there is a snapshot of Grace that gives life!!



Let Us Pray

Lord, you work everything according to your good will. Even though Christ’s death seemed like defeat, you vindicated him by raising him from the dead. In him, therefore, we sing, “We shall not die, but we shall live” (Psalm 118:17). He is our salvation. It is marvelous in our eyes. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

 

FROM STRUGGLE to FRUITFULNESS

 

February 27, 2024

Genesis 41:37-43, 46-52

“Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.

50 … two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

FROM STRUGGLE to FRUITFULNESS

Do you know the Old Testament Joseph and his story? I find that some of the most beautiful snapshots of grace are viewed in his life. Here in Genesis 41 Joseph at 30 years of age, is in the employ of Pharaoh and is the second in command in Egypt. “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” … So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” (Genesis 41:37-41) Not too bad for a Jewish boy in Egypt!

Joseph, in our account, names his two sons, born from Asenath. Notice two things about the names he gives them. First, the names Manasseh and Ephraim are Hebrew names, not Egyptian. This establishes that they belong to the Covenant God of the Hebrews, even though born in Egypt to an Egyptian mother. But second, notice the meaning of the two names as these are very revealing.

First, Manasseh – “God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house”. Manasseh, means forgetfulness. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh, because God had made Joseph to be able to forget all the previous pain and trial in his life. You may recall some of the pain from Joseph’s story, had been spoiled by his father and as a result he was rejected by his brothers, then attacked and sold into slavery by them. He had been thrown in jail for honoring God and those he had helped forgot him.

Second, Ephraim – “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”. Ephraim, means fruitfulness. He gave him this name because God had made Joseph fruitful in Egypt. God had raised him from the “pit to the pinnacle”, second in power only to Pharaoh. God had blessed Joseph, and gave him peace and blessing.

I want to draw attention to the fact that these are not just names; they are also statements of faith. Interpreted, these powerful statements demonstrate Joseph’s testimony, God has brought me through! God has brought me to peace after a great storm!

I want to remind you today that we have every reason to believe that God will bring us through too. Joseph’s story teaches us that our merciful God can take those serious and devastating circumstances in our journeys and turn them to our benefit, for our good, and to his glory. I am thankful that the snapshot of Joseph’s story illustrates for us that God’s grace provides relief from our struggles too! But not just “relief” but also “fruitfulness.”

Pause for a time of reflection and ask God to remind you of how He has brought you through in your past experiences. Give Thanks.

Then in prayer, ask God to give you the assurance of His grace for the days that are ahead.

TESTING of the PROMISE

February 26, 2024

Genesis 22:1-14 

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.



When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

TESTING of the PROMISE

Admittedly, this is one of the most well known and most difficult passages in the Bible. Would you agree? We first meet Abraham in Genesis 12, there he is described as the one through whom “all the peoples on the earth” will be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). Now, remember that promise God gave to Abraham and Sarah when they were well advanced in years, and before they even had a child.

Today’s reading places before us the scene in which we observe that what started as God’s call to Abraham to leave his home has now reached a dramatic climax. God has now included in that call the ultimate sacrifice and test of Abraham’s faith, the willingness to sacrifice his only son. The pain and sadness of this moment is amplified by the fact, as I just mentioned, that Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had waited years without seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise of a son. God’s promise that a nation would come through their family seemed impossible  to Abraham and Sarah.

Put yourself in this situation. After waiting and waiting and waiting some more for God’s promise to be fulfilled finally they now have the answer to their prayers and God has given them a son. Now here is the uncomfortable part, the difficult part, the “how could God ask this? Part. God asks Abraham to do something that seems completely cruel and irrational. How in the world will God bless all the peoples on the earth, and create a people through Abraham by the sacrifice of Abraham’s only heir? How will this death lead to the blessings promised in Genesis 12? The answer comes as we move from the events of Abraham’s life to the events of the life of Jesus. There we see, the Grace of God in action.

Today, as you reflect on this story of faith and sacrifice in light of this season of LENT which leads us up to Holy Week, take the time to reflect on the way it foreshadows the faith and sacrifice of Jesus. Abraham’s declaration that God himself will provide the lamb (Genesis 22:8) reminds us of God’s gift of the Lamb to save the world (Mark 10:45; John 1:29, 36). God’s provision of the ram on Mount Moriah foreshadows his sacrifice of his only son, Jesus Christ, the true Lamb without blemish who died in our place on the cross. Like Isaac, Christ is the lamb led to the slaughter, yet unlike Isaac, Jesus didn’t open his mouth. Just as Isaac carried his own wood for the altar, Christ carried his own wooden cross (John 19:17). I invite you to go back and re-read the passage above with your eyes focussed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:2).



Prayer

God, I thank and praise you for sending your only Son into the world. And in light of your grace may I live a life of faith, trusting in your goodness and grace. In Christ’s Name, Amen.

 

AMAZING GRACE IN ANSWERED PRAYER

 

February 23, 2024

 

Genesis 24:50, 51 

 
Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.”

 

Click these links to read or hear the larger passage today.

Scripture reading:  Genesis 24:1-67 NIV - Isaac and Rebekah - Abraham was now - Bible Gateway

 Audio: BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.: Audio

 

AMAZING GRACE IN ANSWERED PRAYER

What we know from the Bible is that God’s listens to our prayers, that may be an amazing sign of grace in and of itself. Our Creator hears us when we pray. We learn this truth from verses like the following:

Psalm 145:18

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth

1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

Psalm 102:17

He regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Psalm 55:17

Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.

Romans 8:26-27

the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Ah, the amazing grace of prayer!!

What is clear from our Genesis 24 reading today is that God did hear the prayer of Abraham’s servant.

Here is the story. Abraham told his servant to go take a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s descendants, “go to the land of my birth and get a wife for my son Isaac.” The servant takes an oath to follow Abraham’s wishes and off he goes. When the servant arrived in Haran, late in the day, when the women would come to the well to get water, he stopped and he prayed, overwhelmed by the task before him and wanting to fulfill his oath to Abraham her turned to the God who hears.

“Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’, let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

We are told that before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder and she “was very beautiful.” . . . She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came back up. The servant ran to meet her and asks, “Please, can I have a sip of water from your jug?”

Rebekah responds, “Certainly, drink!” And she held the jug so that he could drink. When he had satisfied his thirst she said, “I’ll get water for your camels, too, until they’ve drunk their fill.” She promptly emptied her jug into the trough and ran back to the well to fill it, and she kept at it until she had watered all the camels.

Talk about a detailed answer to prayer. In this prayer the servant asked God to be God. God heard. God listened. God answered. Look at the servant’s response in verse 27, he worshipped, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” One more thing as Rebekah’s brother and father hear the story they say in response, “This is from the Lord.”

“This is from the Lord.” I love that phrase. “This is from the Lord.” How many times have you declared such words in your walk with God? How many times have you witnessed God listen, hear, and move? When was the last time that you experienced the “great and hidden things” revealed to you by God’s grace?

It happens doesn’t it. We Pray, God Hears and we witness the action of God. Not always as swiftly as we would like. But God moves and there is no doubt about it.

So, what is your major life issue today? 

Where do you need/want to see God do “Great and hidden things” around you?

I came across this quote the other day, “One truth about prayer that we learn later in life is that God moves us to pray about things He plans to answer. This way we learn to pray with more boldness.” Ponder that one a bit, I did. It is truly amazing grace that God answers our prayers, and His answers are always gracious help given to the “destitute.” Our God is gracious and will answer our prayers. Trust and Pray and Follow.

That’s some really Good News for us as we head into our weekend and prepare for the 2nd Sunday in Lent. 

May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

 

 

A JOURNEY OF GRACE

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Genesis 12:1, 4

Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land I will show you…So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him…” 

A JOURNEY OF GRACE

 In Joshua 24, as Joshua is reviewing covenant history, we read the following “Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods.” Joshua is talking about the ancient city of Ur. Ur was home to the moon god, “Nanna” also known as “Sin”. Now Ur was a wealthy city on a major trade route, I suspect that the people there probably considered the proper worship of the moon god “Nanna” very important to their financial strength and security. “Long live Nanna of the Ur-ites!” they would say.

Our text today tells us that God had a different plan for Abram and Sarai. This plan was one in which we see that Grace leads. The story demonstrates that God was showing how He can deliver His people. First, God moves dad, Terah, to Haran and then Abram and Sarai into the region known as Canaan. The description we have leads us to recognize that we are reading about a journey of grace.

Look at what occurs here in this passage, God directed Abram in the way he needed to go, in order to depart from the worship of false gods. In the process God was at work to bring Abraham into a covenant relationship of grace with Himself. Through Abraham and Sarah, God would create a nation for His glory. Through their heir, Jesus, God would be glorified and continue to make a people for Himself, even today.

As I reflected on this story, I was reminded of the Journey by Grace that I have been on. Like Abram and Sarai God by grace called me and directed me to turn toward a different path, a different way of life. Away from false gods and idols into the arms of God’s mercy and grace. What about your story? What has the Journey of Grace looked like for you? Today, take a few moments and reflect on the work of God's Grace in your life, and the way in which God is glorified in your story and “Give thanks with a grateful heart.”




Scripture reading: Genesis 11:27 – 12:4

 

WHAT IS THAT YOU ARE BUILDING?

 

February 21, 2024

Genesis 11:4

And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 

WHAT IS THAT YOU ARE BUILDING?

It seems we work hard each day building our career, education, wealth, position, power, possessions, and relationships. But are we building the right things and for the right reasons? That is, I believe what our verse for today invites us to consider.

It had only been a few generations since the great flood, however, Genesis 11 illustrates humanity’s self-sufficiency and independence from God was deeply embedded. They had forgotten the death and destruction that came from living apart from God. And, they had forgotten how God in grace had rescued them. Here we are post-flood, and humanity confident in their own abilities and wanting to display their greatness, “make a name for themselves”, through an architectural wonder, a testament to their own genius and ability.

The decision to build the great tower was not necessarily wrong, but their motives were the issue: “Come let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves…” (Genesis 11:4). So, seeing the danger in this type of thinking and action, God chose to intervene. God takes away the most basic, required tool of the building project, the ability to communicate. "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” (Genesis 11:7)

What is behind God's actions here? Is He jealous of humanity? Is God threatened by this tower people are building? Does it mean that He is afraid that humanity will master things so that the very foundations of the universe will be threatened by these inventive, resourceful, creative people? No. That is the way some people want to read this. The reality is we have been telling ourselves that we can do anything we want if we want it badly enough! Therefore, God is optional in human life.

God, in this text, admits that humans can do things if they put their minds to them. He knows, he created them. This passage has a high view of humankind. They can do seemingly anything, but what about be? That is the question. What can humankind become? You see, I believe this is the fatal flaw in people's thinking. What do they purpose or propose to do? The final answer is to glorify themselves, to be God, in other words. God knows that people are incapable of this; they are creatures. They are lovingly created by God; they are not the creator.

Humankind, in their ingenuity, resourcefulness, and creativity, think they can master the earth. Have you noticed that the very solutions they work out, often become the bigger predicaments and messes that they can no longer control. Think of environmental issues of our day as an example. The whole vast order and structure of things eludes humans; they are not able to put all the fragments together.

So, God’s action here in Genesis 11 is a snapshot of GRACE, for humankind’s sake, not because God is afraid of them, but for their sake, to save and protect them from themselves, God says, let us go down and confuse their language. Let us stop people from destroying themselves from the face of the earth, because they are not God enough to handle it.

God loves us and knows our lives are incomplete and lacking without Him. He designed us to rely on Him. Brings us back to our opening question, “are we building the right things and for the right reasons?” Let us remember Jesus words? “Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you as well.” So this Lent season let us seek God first, let us build the right things for the right reasons. 


Scripture reading: Genesis 11:1-9

Postscript 

I thought I should just ask you to Jump ahead with me to Acts 2. There Jesus would send the Holy Spirit just as He promised (John 16:7), and the work He began in Jerusalem was again gathering together the nations as one. They all heard the same ‘wonders of God’ (Acts 2:11) as if no confusion existed. What a snapshot of grace!  Today, people everywhere can hear the good news read and  proclaimed in their own language. Amazing Grace.

The Color of GRACE

 

February 20, 2024

The Color of GRACE

Genesis 9:12-13

“And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.””



The rainbow, what a beautiful sight! This is the centerpiece of a great many “snapshots” I see on social media. Why wouldn’t that be the case, they are beautiful to see. The rainbow serves also as a snapshot of grace.

My mother-in-law loved rainbows, she wouldn’t miss an opportunity to take in the beauty of rainbows and to point them out to anyone who was around. For her, it was one of God’s beautiful gifts to us all. I believe, for her every rainbow symbolized the promise of God’s care for all of creation. It was a comfort to her. It was fitting that upon returning from her funeral, we looked out the patio door at her daughter’s home and there in the sky was a rainbow. It was comfort, God’s comfort I felt, to us as a grieving family of God’s promises and care.

The rainbow we read today was to be a sign of God’s covenant promises to all of creation. I want you to know today that God still sees the promises He made to Noah whenever the rainbow adds its colors to the sky. The rainbow remains a beautiful reminder of God’s grace.

We noted yesterday that the consequences of Adam and Eve eating the fruit of the tree that God said not to eat, spread like a disease. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). What is the creator to do? Well, God decided that He would cleanse the earth by a flood which would cover the globe. In grace, God instructed Noah to build an ark, through which God would preserve life. When Noah’s family and animal representatives were loaded into the ark, God sent water from above and below and the world was washed by water. Noah and his family and all living creatures were preserved from destruction by the grace of God. From that time until now, every time the rainbow shimmers in the sky, God is ‘reminded’ of His covenant of grace. God said, “Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.”

The message to us is that when we see a rainbow we should always be reminded of God’s faithful promise and His amazing grace. The implication of the Covenant with Noah tells us it is an unconditional covenant. It does not depend upon anything Noah or his descendants could do. The promise is based upon God’s faithfulness alone. You see, just as God amazing grace provided a way for Noah and his family to be rescued in the ark, He also has provided a way for us to be rescued and be given life through Jesus Christ. That is a Good Gospel to remember during this season we call Lent.

My prayer is that the rainbow, when we see it, will remind us of God’s Amazing Grace.



Scripture Reading: Genesis 9:1-29

GARMENTS of GRACE

 

February 19, 2024

Genesis 3:21

“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”

The story of Adam and Eve is an important place to start in our Snapshots of Grace series. The Adam and Eve story illustrates for us the human condition and God’s answer to that condition. Genesis 2 ends with these words, 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

You know this story, don’t you? Adam and Eve, placed in the garden of Eden, had everything going for them. As we read Genesis 3, what emerges is that the world that God created for them was perfect, their relationship with God was intimate and joyful. I mean think of it, God walking in the garden of his own creation in the cool of the day, visiting with Adam and Eve. What closeness!! Imagine a world like that.

But. Then. Sin. How? The summary in Genesis 3 tells us that they did not believe God. When the serpent told them that he had a better plan than what God had said, that God was holding them back, that the “forbidden fruit” would not mean death, but knowledge of good and evil. Eat, go ahead for when you do “you will be like God.” They listened to the lie.

They ate the fruit. They moved from “the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” to “ the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked.” They clothed themselves and hid from God, afraid. They doubted God’s goodwill toward them, and chose to disobey the creator. The consequences of their decision was that of estrangement from God. Fear, shame, disobedience, violence and the ugliness and all unpleasant things were introduced into the world all at once. Keep reading Genesis and within a few verses we will encounter jealousy and murder and a broken family life.

What is God’s response to a world like that? Before we answer that perhaps I should ask what is your response when someone treats you dishonorably? God’s answer is grace, but costly grace that included death. Blood was shed so that Adam and Eve could be covered. We read, “the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Animal skins, “death-for-covering” was the reality in that moment. Grace!! While the consequences for Adam and Eve were enormous, being driven out of the garden, God’s act of covering them was a beautiful snapshot of grace. God is love, and here in Genesis 3, only 3 chapters into the story of God and his creation we encounter Grace. I wonder if this in someway is a partial view or preview, the foreshadowing of what Jesus Christ would do for us all on the cross. Grace. Costly grace. Thanks be to God.

We sing a song in worship that says, “I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross”, maybe today we can ask God to teach us and show us how much his grace for us cost. The song writer continues after reflecting on the costly grace of God to say,

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You're my God

Amen

*Scripture reading: Genesis 3:1-24

 

“Who do you say I am?”

 

FEBRUARY 16, 2023

Matthew 16:13-16

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

There is nothing quite like going away on a retreat with a group of friends. You turn off the phone, interrupt the routine, and prepare yourself to move into a deeper faith experience.

This is exactly what Jesus had in mind when He took His closest disciples up to Caesarea Philippi, which was about twenty-five miles north of their Sea of Galilee ministry headquarters. But Jesus threw them a curve ball when He picked this place. This place was notorious for the worship of the pagan fertility god, Baal. It was given the name Caesarea Philippi by Rome as a political move to disconnect the region from indigenous pagan ritual. The Jewish people wanted nothing to do with the place so they went so far as to name the most popular shrine “The Gates of Hell.”

Perhaps even more unusual than the place Jesus took the disciples was the question He wanted them to answer: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

The disciples offered a bunch of answers. “John the Baptist!” someone blurted. “Elijah!” offered another. “Jeremiah or one of the other prophets!” another guy shouted. Then Jesus asked them “Who do you say I am?” That's the important question isn't it? Then, over all the noise, Peter shouts, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

The question "Who is Jesus?" is a very important one. Peter got it right, he answered Jesus, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." What does this mean? And what does it mean for us?

First of all, Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the One God chose to be the revealer of the Kingdom, and our King, Savior, and life giver. He is the One God promised long ago to send into this world. As we hear and discuss during Advent/Christmas season, the Old Testament prophets anticipated His coming.

This means Jesus is one on whom we can rely. He is not some self-appointed Messiah who will let us down, or run when the pressure comes, or disappear in challenging times. Jesus has the full authority of God behind Him. The Gospels emphasize that for us with stories of Jesus’ authority over Truth, and unclean spirits, sickness, yes even wind and waves. The point is that whatever Jesus says and does is what God sent Him to do and say. "Who ever has seen me, has seen the Father" said Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is trustworthy.

Second, Jesus is the Son of the living God. Jesus is not simply a man, He is in fact God Himself, the “God-Man” who become a human being among us. This means Jesus is not limited. As the Bible says, "He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him" (Hebrews 7:25a). As the Son of God, His suffering and death on the cross are enough to rescue every one of us, and to raise us from the dead, just as He Himself rose, "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (I Corinthians 15:20)

By the way, this was not a safe statement that Peter made. It was rather explosive, it was “politically incorrect.” To the Jew, this answer was blasphemous, and to the Roman, treasonous. Peter’s declaration at Caesarea Philippi announced the foundational truth of a movement that continues to change the world today, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

That is good news for us today and everyday, Jesus is one who has authority over the things that burden us, Jesus is one who is unlimited in power, and Jesus is the one we can fully trust.

LET US PRAY 

God, what a blessing it is to confess Jesus Christ as God and Savior. Thank You for making Yourself known to us, so that I too can declare with Simon Peter and with all the saints, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Continue to guide me into all truth, I pray, and may my life be a testimony to the truth that Christ alone has the words of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

TAKE AWAY ACTION

 Which name or title of Jesus is closest to your heart, and why?

 

THE ANSWER

 

FEBRUARY 15, 2024



John 1:1-3a, 4-5, 14a, 18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him ... In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us ... No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, He has made Him known.



What is God really like? 

What does He think of me? 

Can He deal with my brokenness, all the things in me that make me want to hide from the light? 

Can I trust Him to take care of me, to love me, to protect me, and not to mistreat or harm me?

These are some of the important questions we ask. The kind of questions in which everything depends on the answers. The one who is creator and through whom “All things were made”, the life and light of all —what is He like?

Did you notice the answer in our reading above? The Holy Spirit tells us plainly: When we see Jesus, we see God. Jesus is God come down from heaven to be a human being, one of us—a real person, full of grace and truth. Loving, teaching, healing, listening, suffering, dying, and rising again—this is God in action. This active God has come into the world to seek us out, to rescue us from  all those powers that seek to rob us of God's loving purpose for us,  and to identify us as His own beloved child forever.

During this season of preparation for Easter, we focus our gaze upon this one who is called “the Word” who became “flesh and dwelt among us” ... and who is described as “the only God, who is at the Father's side”. The one who the voice from heaven said “this is my beloved son, whom I love, listen to him.” Who could better answer our question What is God really like? Than the beloved Son.

LET US PRAY:

God, by your Holy Spirit, help us to see You in your beloved son Jesus during these days of Lent as we prepare for Easter celebration. Amen.

TAKE AWAY ACTION

Choose three words to describe Jesus, from what you know of Him.

 

LET US TURN

 

FEBRUARY 14, 2024

 

Isaiah 55:6-7

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake their ways
and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

 

 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Historically, the Lenten period of fasting and renewal corresponds to Christ’s forty-day fast (Matt. 4:2), and, by counting forty days back from Easter (excluding Sundays, which remain “feast” days or mini Easter’s), arrived at the Wednesday seven weeks before Easter.

In earlier times Lent was primarily viewed as a period during which new disciples and followers of Jesus prepared for baptism on Easter Sunday, but later the season became a general time of repentance and renewal for all Christians.

The themes of Ash Wednesday tend to have 3 key emphasis,

1) to meditate on our mortality, sinfulness, and need of a savior;

2) to renew our commitment to daily repentance in the Lenten season and in all of life;

3) to remember with confidence and gratitude that Christ has conquered death and sin.


Ash Wednesday is filled with gospel truth. It is a witness to the power and beauty of our union with Christ and to the daily dying and rising with Christ that this entails.

In many Christian traditions “ashes” are a central aspect the days worship service. You may recall that Ashes show up frequently in the Bible. There we understand ashes or dust as a symbol of frailty or death (Gen. 18:27), sadness or mourning (Esther 4:3), judgment (Lam. 3:16), and repentance (Jon. 3:6). Some Christian traditions also have placed emphasis on “ashes” as a purifying or cleansing agent. All these images are a way to be reminded of our need of mercy and grace.

I read the following summary that I found helpful, “In Christ’s passion we see God’s judgment on evil; in our penitence we express sorrow and repentance for our sins; in our rededication we show that we are purified and renewed.”

There is this beautiful act in the worship setting on this day in which a cross of ashes is made on each person’s forehead, called the “imposition”, as this is done these words are spoken, “Consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ.”

While ashes play an important gospel visual on this day the crucial act of Ash Wednesday is, as we saw in our Bible verse yesterday that disciples “rend their hearts” (Joel 2:13).

Lent is a journey of deepening reflection and renewal, an opportunity to make new commitments in faith. We prepare for the journey by setting aside burdens that would weigh us down. Let us turn to God and confess our sin.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.

Psalm 51:1-2, 6, 10-12

DIG IN

FEBRUARY 13, 2024

 

Joel 2:12-14

"Even now," declares the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love….

Growing up where I did, today was called Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, I have learned around here in our area Paczki Day. This day is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten Season.

A little bit of history for us today. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called “Shrovetide,” The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for “Carnival,” which is derived from the Latin words “carnem levare”, meaning “to take away the flesh.” While this day was seen as the last chance to "make merry", which unfortunately in some places resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh, the hindrances to intimacy with God, and to prepare spiritually for Lent.

The English term “To shrive” meant to hear confessions. So, on the week before Lent began, was a time for confession before God, of course in many Christian circles of that time all were required to go to the church. The Priest or Minister would then offer God’s forgiveness to them, much like we do in our moments of confessions in worship services. The season of Lent then became a time for making amends and restitution in gratitude for God's grace and forgiveness while at the same time giving special attention  to the renewal of faith.

A text like Psalm 51 was the appropriate prayer at such a time as the worshippers moved from Shrovetide into the Lent Season.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen.

While this week of Shrovetide condoned the partaking of pleasures from which a person would abstain during Lent, this Tuesday had a special significance in England where Pancakes were prepared and enjoyed because in so doing a family depleted their eggs, milk, butter, and fat which were part of the Lenten fast. In our area, among Polish immigrants a similar practice occurred resulting in Paczkis being made.  The need to eat up the fats gave rise to the French name Mardi Gras; meaning Fat Tuesday. What I have been describing sounds like MARDI GRAS doesn’t it.

Despite the many excesses leading up to Lent the invitation of our Bible reading today became a call to all worshippers, a call of grace. Read the words again reflectively, notice what God says and promises, and what our response is to be.

Joel 2:12-14

"Even now," declares the Lord,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love….



LET US PRAY

May God the Father, who does not despise the broken spirit, give you a contrite heart.

May Christ, who bore our sins in his body on the tree, heal you by his wounds.

May the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth, speak to you words of pardon and peace. Amen

ROAD to TRANSFORMATION

 

February 12, 2024

 

Luke 9:28-36

About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.  Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.  As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

 

There are two things that jump out at me in our Gospel reading above. The first, is that we are told that Jesus along with Peter, James and John go up onto the mountain to Pray. In order to discover silence, we have to be like Jesus and go off to find a place where we can turn off the cell phones and all the other electronics that consume us, a place with no rushing businesses or the chatter of people to deal with.” This is what is happening here, away onto a mountain to pray.

The second part of our Gospel that stands out to me are the words of the heavenly voice saying, “Listen to him.” That is one aspect of prayer that is often overlooked but is very necessary, the act of listening for God in the quiet and in solitude.

Transfiguration is about Jesus and about us. When we are with him, we are in touch with the Holy. The human and the divine are brought together. He is among us. His love, grace, peace, and compassion can transfigure us. And then we look at those around us and recognize that hope of transfiguration is for all.

God wants to speak to us, too; because he knows where we are, how we live, and when we need encouragement. He wants to tell us that he loves us; and he wants to guide us and to reveal himself to us and to use us for his glory. He is always talking… and communicating but are we always listening?

Prayer is our road to transformation. “As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning” (Luke 9:29, NIV). Encounter with the Holy One changes things and us. When we encounter a Living God, his divine power transforms us from the inside out. As our heart changes, our outward person begins to reveal that change. Just like Jesus’ disciples could see this visible manifestation of an inward change, the people in our world will begin to see who God is reshaping us to become.

As we reach for Jesus in prayer, we become like him. “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” I wonder, if this is meant to be a signal to us that if we want to witness any transformation in our lives, we must learn to turn to Jesus in our prayers.

Today let us seek God in prayer, let us seek for Him to change our hearts and minds and draw us closer to Him. That God would change us from the inside out.

 

INTERMITTENT "SPRITUAL" FASTING

 

FEBRUARY 9, 2024


Matthew 6:16-18

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.



When you think of “fasting,” what comes to mind?

Maybe you picture people willingly starving themselves. Maybe you picture a monk living off of dry bread. Or maybe you’re someone who prefers not to think about fasting … ever.

In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 4 we read of Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness fasting. And based on His conversations with His disciples, fasting was a practice He assumed they would practice as well. See our verse above “When you fast,” it begins.

Intentionally creating space in our lives to hear God by removing things that give us immediate satisfaction can feel uncomfortable. Is that your experience too? This is especially true when our society, well our world, glorifies pleasure with a message that we should deny ourselves nothing.

Some time ago I listened to a podcast on fasting and here are 3 reasons why fasting matters according to the discussion.

Fasting matters as it starves what is stopping us from experiencing God’s presence. It forces us to pay attention to the parts of our lives that we try to drown out through late night binges and social media scrolls. And in the process, it teaches us to rely on Jesus to meet our needs.

Fasting invites, us to give up something we love to make space for something we love even more. Although giving up something you love, like food, may feel difficult and uncomfortable, it is an opportunity to experience great joy, because true joy is only found when our strength comes from Jesus.

Fasting often comes before breakthrough. Moses fasted for 40 days while receiving the 10 Commandments, Daniel fasted for 3 weeks and then received a vision, and Jesus fasted for 40 days and then overcame the devil’s temptations. In each of these cases, God provided clarity, strength, and breakthrough on the other side of faithful sacrifice.

Try completing a fast. If you haven’t fasted often, keep this exercise simple, the goal is to finish. Lately I have read several articles about “intermittent fasting” being good for our physical self, this is where a person introduces a 12 hour fast into their daily routine to start. Perhaps some you do this or have tried this. (there also alternate day fasts, or 2 day fasts) This had me thinking about “intermittent “spiritual” fasting” in which we fast a few hours each day and when during those periods we feel the discomfort of hunger we take those moments as opportunity to turn toward God in prayer seeking clarity, strength and/or breakthrough.

Now, we can fast from things other than food, for example our phones or some other distraction in order to make space to commune with God. I need to say to you if you have medical reasons why fasting from food would have a negative impact on you, please do not risk this practice adjust fasting so that you are not harmed by the practice.

My father was a diabetic and for him to engage in fasting he had to be very careful and his Doctor suggested some helpful ways to him. The whole point of the practice of fasting is to reduce distractions in order to connect with God.

Once you’ve finished the fast, write down anything that stood out to you during this time. Then ask God to give you understanding about what He may be wanting to teach you. 

All the devotions this week have been inviting us to make space for what is important, my prayer is that all of us can use these practices to deepen our connection with our creator.