COME and SEE

 MARCH 7, 2023

John 4:5–42

5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

23 Jesus replied … a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”


39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers.

42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”


After explaining to Nicodemus, a known teacher of the scriptures and law, that God loves the world (John 3:16), Jesus travelled to a new area called Samaria, he expanded the neighborhood of his ministry we might say (John 4:4). So, in Samaria. Jesus shows an unnamed woman unconditional belonging, Jesus shows her the kind of love that extends to a person who is known very well, as we see in our account today, Jesus did know her story quite well. Even with a rather messy story Jesus accepts this women and calls her to a deeper experience of grace.

The thirsting of her soul was satisfied, when Jesus asked her to fill his cup. We never learn this woman’s name, but we do know she brought an entire community to faith in Christ. Her method was to simply invite everyone to come and see Jesus, a person who knew her so well that he recounted “everything she ever did.”

The text doesn’t say she composed arguments to prove that he was the Messiah he claimed to be. I believe, she trusted God to do in her neighbors, what God had done in her. She just told her story to her neighbors. May we, who have encountered Jesus, likewise show others the way to Jesus, beginning with our story of encounter and acceptance, and reconciliation.

LET US PRAY

God who satisfies our thirst for a deeper experience of grace, remind us that it is in giving that we receive, we ask today, that you might use us to be the answer to someone else’s prayers and their longing for a drink of living water. Help us to tell our stories of encountering Jesus in ways that invite the whole neighborhood to seek you. Amen

A MESS ...... BUT

MARCH 6, 2023 

GENESIS 3:1-16

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”

4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”

11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?”

12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”

13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?”

“The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”

14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”

16 Then he said to the woman,

“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband,
but he will rule over you.”



How would you summarize our Bible reading today in a few words?

Genesis 3:1-16 often is given a title, like Why Life Is a Mess. Makes sense doesn’t it, everything we hear about or experience that is painful or hurtful or generally not of God, can be traced back to this moment in the Garden when the devil tricked humanity into believing a lie.

Let’s admit it the lie sounded good. The devil made a strong argument, and the spin the serpent uses does make it seem like God was holding out on the people he created - that God was not wanting Adam and Eve to experience everything life had to offer. Here is the thing though, the devil leaves out one very crucial detail, it is that Adam and Eve would now experience death. You see to this day, one of the devil’s best scams is taking our minds off the near-certain consequences, and getting us to focus on a short-term gain, that is often a lie too. I have fallen for it, haven’t you? We all fall prey to this, and the consequences would be our doom – if it wasn’t for God’s love for us in Jesus.

Jesus stepped into the mess with us and for us. "The wages of sin is death," but on the cross, we observe that “the gift of God is eternal life.” 

Jesus willing laid down his life, and so his death and resurrection became the act of love, that lifts us out of, what the hymn calls “the miry clay and sets our feet on the rock to stay." The take away is that when Jesus willingly stepped in for us, messy as it was, God’s love, grace and mercy was more. What I hear in all of this is that because of Jesus loving action, a lie that could result in separation between us and God, lost its power to do so.

LET US PRAY

Lord God, thank you for your love and compassion. In your amazing grace, you know me perfectly and completely and you call me your child. I confess that at times I am vulnerable and easily deceived, and I ask that you help me hold to your truth always, so that I may live in your love. It is in Jesus’ name that I lift these things up to you. Amen.

FULL LIFE in EMPTY PLACES

 March 3, 2023

Isaiah 58:11

I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places – firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.


The word on the street is that Joy is found in doing what matters to us, in getting the desires of our hearts. Peace and meaning are found in pursuing and conquering our dreams. These are the daily messages I encounter, social media is loaded up with influencers who say something similar, take time to appreciate yourself; remove your own barriers to happiness. Spend time looking inwards and build your self-esteem.

This mantra that drives our lives sounds good. Yet, this pursuit, in the words of Ecclesiastes 2:11, is a “chasing after the wind.” It is a road that leads to pride, despair, suffering, and quarrelling.

Isaiah 58 tells us that when we chase our dreams instead of God’s purposes, we cut ourselves off from real joy. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” The message here is that real Joy is found in surrendering to the way of the Spirit, trusting all of life to our Creator with the confidence and assurance that God will lead us “by still waters” and “make us lie down in green pastures”.

God makes everything beautiful. God will sustain us, despite everything, even when we make mistakes and follow our own ways. God’ promise is “I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places – firm muscles, strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.

This may be why elsewhere in scripture we here that “the Joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Let us live in this strength!

LET US PRAY

God, teach us what is important to you. Help us to let go of a “chasing after the wind” and fill us with yourself. We want to live the “full life” you promise where Your joy is our Strength.” Amen.

Here is a song that captures today's message and a great way to end our devotions this week.

 

HE IS ABLE

 MARCH 2, 2023

Hebrews 2:16-18

16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Read that last sentence (verse 18) again.

Now, take a deep cleansing breath and say, “Thank you, Jesus. You know what I am going through.”

We will never fully understand the tension Jesus experienced being fully God and fully human. But we can know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he understands what it means to live in this world. To have fear. To suffer loss. To be misunderstood. To love and then be betrayed. But also, to laugh. To surprise those you love. Experience joy. To be at peace in the storm.

Now, take that deep cleansing breath again and say, “Thank you, Jesus. You know what I am going through.”

LET US PRAY

Come Holy Spirit and be with me now. Thank you, LORD, for knowing what I am going through. I am (wrestling with, excited about, tested by, fearful of) _____________. (fill in the blank). Please help me.

Thank you, Jesus, for becoming human. Thank you for giving up all you did to experience what I experience. Transform my heart to be more like yours. May I be renewed by remembering you are present always and want to lead us toward abundant living. Thank you for being so very near. AMEN

 

A WAY OUT

MARCH 1, 2023

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.


Are you familiar with the following saying: “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle.”? This is a statement most of us have heard. Maybe we have said it at one time or another.

Can I ask when it was said to you, 

how did it feel to hear it?

Was it a comfort to hear?

Was it said in a loving way, or in a trivializing way?

What was the context and situation of your life when it was spoken?

Generally, these words are spoken in a supportive way, as an attempt to comfort someone who is facing challenges that are outside of their control. Maybe the person is grieving. Maybe the person is facing financial hardship, or struggling with mental illness, or a broken relationship. It is in these shattering places, that “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle” is offered. Now, maybe I am way off base here, but my experience has been that when someone is at the point of devastation, hopelessness or even despair, the words “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle” rarely work to comfort that person. I have said these words to people in the hard places in life, in reflection, I wonder if I spoke them because I was uncomfortable with another persons situation, and I just didn’t know what to say. I wonder if it would have been better for them is I had said nothing and just sat with them and listened.

A friend said to me, that this sentence sounds like a trite, churchy way of saying, “suck it up, buttercup, clearly this is something you can handle, so quit your belly-aching.” I don’t know if she is correct, but this certainly isn’t what we intend to say. Yet, this is the way that it is often received, so I believe that we should just reassess saying it! No one needs to hear, or is comforted by notion that God has given them the hardship they face, and that he did so because he knows they can handle it if they just try hard enough.

But this saying isn’t it in the Bible? This verse we are reading today is probably the closest thing to the well-known platitude but this verse does not say that God gives us anything. Look up top and read it again. The context of the verse is important, it uses the history of God’s people and the way they sinned against God to encourage Christians to avoid the same pitfalls of sin. This reading tells us of God’s FAITHFULNESS and calls us to humility. Look closer at these verses again; what do you see God doing? God isn’t giving challenges, or testing people at all, but instead God rescues us, saves us, show us a way out, and gives us endurance. You may not agree with me, but I believe this is much better news, than maybe we thought!

LET US PRAY

God,
You are always here for us, and the path you guide us in is the path of righteousness, peace, and life. Teach us the depth of your love and the discipline that goes with it. Teach us that redemption is always the point. In Jesus’ name, Amen

ON WATCH 24/7

 FEBRUARY 28, 2023

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.


The Pastor begins with “God is good!” The people declare, “All the time!” Then the people call out, “All the time.” And the Pastor echoes, “God is good!”

Psalm 121 is a declaration of faith, a recitation of trust in God, no matter what. This is divine assurance, not some insignificant optimism. The question is real, “From where will my help come?” The ground under the nation may be shaking. The voices of violence, hostility, and cruelty threaten by day and by night. Are Community leaders sleeping? Is anyone keeping an eye on us, watching over us?

Psalm 121 served to remind God’s people that God’s support and care were constant and unfailing (Psalm 121:3-4). I want you to know, that the promises in Psalm 121 are as true for God’s children today as they were thousands of years ago. No matter what situation we face, we can rely on the God who created heaven and earth, to be our provision and protection. (Psalm 121:5-8).

We are on a journey, and Psalm 121 is a wonderful song for the journey. The Maker of heaven and earth watches over every aspect of your life. God is for you! You can trust him in all things. So, take comfort in this. Learn to trust God in all things and to look for the good in all the details of life. God cares for you. He will provide for you. He is there to help you. “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Yes, God is good, all the time. All the time God is good!! As the apostle confirms, nothing “in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:31–39).

LET US PRAY

Jesus, be with me today, and with those I
love, and with all who need your care. May we remember that our help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Help us to trust the one who neither slumbers nor sleeps for all things. Amen.

'I DON'T EVEN KNOW HIM"

 FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Luke 22:54-63

54 So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. 55 The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. 56 A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

57 But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

58 After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

59 About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62 And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

63 The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him.

In the gospels Peter is known for being a courageous, at times stubborn and hard-nosed person. As one of the 12 disciples and a member of what many call Jesus’ inner circle, he seems to have been someone who was loyal and committed to Jesus too.

Remember, he was the disciple who got out of the boat to walk on water with Jesus. At that final Passover, he was the one ready to go to prison or even die with Jesus. At Jesus’ arrest, Peter even cut the ear off one of the soldiers. And he seems to be the only one who followed Jesus to his trial.

But something changed. As Peter was waiting for the outcome of Jesus’ trial, a slave girl saw him and said, “He was one of Jesus’ followers!” Peter responded, “I don’t even know him!” Someone else saw Peter and said, “You must be one of the disciples!” “No, I am not!” Peter insisted. An hour later, someone else said, “This man must be one of them. He’s a Galilean!” Again, Peter denied it. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

A fair conclusion is that Peter’s loyalty and commitment only went so far; that when he was truly cornered, Peter turned out to be all about Peter. Wait, before we cast some severe judgement in Peter’s direction, I’m not sure we are any different. In our most honest assessment, like Peter, don't our loyalties and commitments only go so far? When things get truly frightening, difficult, and painful, when we feel cornered, don’t most of us go into self-preservation mode, where survival becomes more important than anything or anyone else?

The end of Peter’s story is not his action of self-preservation. There is more to Peter’s story, and to our story as well. After his resurrection, Jesus personally approached Peter, forgave him, and restored him to community. Here is the amazing news, Jesus does that for us, too! You see, what our Bible tells us is that No matter how much we mess up, how much we demonstrate to be all about ourselves, Jesus is there for us: ready to forgive us and to bring us back to our proper place in his community, to his inner circle.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, accept our honest confession of the wrongs we have chosen, the unfairness to which we have been party, and our denials of your grace and mercy. Would you turn us toward the love and forgiveness offered in your Son, and cleanse us by your mercy, forgive us, bring renewal through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

SUNDAY THOUGHTS

 FEBRUARY  26, 2023

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

According to the church calendar, Sundays are not actually part of the calculations of the 40 days of the Lenten season. Sunday remains as always, a reminder of Easter—a celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord—Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

So perhaps it is fitting on this day of Resurrection that we dwell for few moments on the Resurrection theme.

In this moment may we hear the good news that God loved the world, and that through faith in him we receive the gift of new life, that leads to everlasting life.

LET US PRAY

God of grace and glory, let our songs and imaginations raise to sing your praises for your love you have shown to all your creation in the gift of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A QUESTION WORTH PONDERING

 FEBRUARY  24, 2023

Matthew 4:1–11

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.



Jesus is ready to begin his mission and ministry. At his baptism he has just heard the benediction of the voice from heaven, “This is my beloved Son. In him I am well pleased!” With a lineage like that, as God’s beloved Son, what more does one need?

Reading our today’s Bible passage, it is little wonder, that almost in the next breath after the heavenly announcement, the devil appears to test Jesus, as if to say, “You’ve got it all. Go for it. Just trust yourself!” But “what if?” What if that trust is misplaced? As John the Baptist will later push Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3). Our Matthew 4 reading above, emphasizes for us that with each challenge the Devil presents to the Beloved Son of God, Jesus refuses the bait and reaffirms and restates his trust in God and God’s word.

Jesus’ example is certainly a model for us to ponder in our day to day journey. Perhaps this is the question we all need to answer, 

“When all the “what if’s” come our way,

 in what or in whom will we place our trust?

Who will be our God?

Who will we trust to see us through this journey?

Who has loved us and blessed us and sent us on our way?

Who has pointed us toward the path
and posted the signs we need to find our way?

Will you choose this day to stay faithful to the One who is faithful to us?
Will you choose this day to place your whole trust in the One who is trustworthy?

  

 

LET US PRAY

God of promise, when temptations come to place our trust in ourselves or in the world around us, teach us to follow our Lord’s example and place our trust securely in God's word and the promises of God. Amen.

A CENTERED HEART

 FEBRUARY 23, 2023

Matthew 6:1–21

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

16 “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. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 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.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Our gospel reading from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with its focus on the practice of devotion, paying attention to matters of righteousness, the proper behaviour of giving, prayer, and fasting, seems to be the kind of teaching we might expect at the outset of the season of Lent.

Our reading’s concluding words, invites us to consider where our heart is truly centered. Where or what our treasures are. These words serve as a caution for us to be mindful that the Lenten journey is not simply an inward journey. I believe that this is emphasized in the words of our Lord’s Prayer which would encourage us to focus on the mercy of our Father in heaven, on God’s kingdom coming among us in the doing of God’s will, and on God’s gift of daily life-giving bread, all of which enable us to live in merciful relationships in our world.

LET US PRAY

Our Father in heaven, teach us to live as our Lord taught us to pray, with our heart centered on the treasure of your love and forgiveness that renew and sustain us for each day of our journey. Amen.

FROM DUST to FIRST-FRUITS

 FEBRUARY 22, 2023

GENESIS 3:19

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

I CORINTHIANS 15:20

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.


The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. We sit in this solemn feeling of our own mortality, imperfection, brokenness, and sin. Lent begins in humbleness. In the mindfulness of our own greatest need. It glosses over nothing, Ash Wednesday’s theme results in feeling the burden of a shattered world, overwhelmed by death. Many of us have experienced the weight of this, the Russian-Ukrainian invasion and war, a massive world wide refugee crisis, food and housing insecurity, gun violence, the drug epidemic taking too many young lives, and more recently the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We do not have to look far for images of a shattered world do we?

But the Good News is that LENT doesn’t remain there. As we shall see in the days ahead there is an inescapable movement toward the source of life. Lent prepares our hearts to remember again the wonder of Easter’s resurrection and new life.

And so, over the next forty days we journey toward that bright dawning of our hope, our forgiveness, our restoration, redemption, and renewal, the glorious reversal of sin and death bursting into this world and into our own lives in the glory of the
resurrection; the resurrection of Jesus. In his own resurrection, is the "flowering promise" of our own
bodily resurrections and the hope of eternal life, the hope toward which we, along with all creation, so deeply desire.

Yes, Lent begins in the “disturbing shadow of our mortality,” but do not miss that the season climaxes in the glorious hope of our eternal life in Jesus.

While our culture seldom acknowledges the significance and inescapability of our mortality, scripture encourages us to soberly consider those very things, for the purpose that instead of recklessly chasing after less important things we might instead live our lives investing our days in what is eternal, in love and service to others, and in the advancing of the kingdom of God through good stewardship of the moments, relationships, talents and resources entrusted to us.

LET US PRAY

Now may the Lord and Father of us all, who leads us from death to life, be at work in and through and around you in this time of prayerful consideration and reflection during the season of Lent. Amen.

MMMMM .... Sweet Words

 FEBRUARY 21, 2023

PSALM 119:103

“How sweet are Your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

When I came to Windsor, On in 1996, I became a participant in a local tradition celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This tradition was inherited from the time of the middle ages through Polish immigration. On the Tuesday before Lent, the people of Poland used up food so that it would not be spoiled or wasted during the fasting season called Lent. Families would use up their eggs, butter and sugar and fruit by treating themselves one last time before Lent began with these rich treats, called Pączki (punch-key).

The first year that I participated, I heard that a local bakery, Blak’s it was, would have 35,000 of these oversized donuts filled with fruit, or custard and when they were gone that was it until next year. Well, all the hype over these Pączki meant that I just had to get some to share with my family. I rose early on that Tuesday because I did not want to miss out of this experience. Some of you are laughing at me I suppose, because you know, what I didn’t know, that these treats are rather plentiful in our area. Well, it was worth it, that is all I will say. Paczki are filled with sweetness that we enjoyed.

Thinking about Pączki today made me think about these Bible words from Psalm 119:103:

“How sweet are Your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

I also thought of Jeremiah 15:16,

“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.”

And the account in Ezekiel 3:1-3 “And he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.’ So I opened my mouth, and he gave me this scroll to eat. And he said to me, ‘Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.’ Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.”

Finally, the testimony of Psalm 104:34, “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD

In our Bible verse today God’s words, are called sweet to the taste, “sweeter than honey in my mouth”, says the Poet. Honey is of course a natural sweetener. God’s words, we are being told bring a sweetness to the life we live. As Jesus followers our lives should crave the sweetness of God’s words, just as our tongues crave sweet desserts, or more fitting today I suppose is the craving for Pączki.

Almost everyone knows the meaning of sweet. It means a pleasant taste like sugar or honey, which is opposed to that which is bitter. 

How can words be delicious? What does it mean that God’s law is sweet?  We know that Scripture contains the true words of God, given to us so that we can know what God loves and values and wants for his people. It also helps us know how to live in the world so wonderfully created. The Bible isn’t just a collection of random stories or a list of harsh rules. It’s an instruction manual for our lives. It’s a love letter from God to His people. When we read the Bible, we want it to be like enjoying our favorite dessert, can't wait to taste and experience the sweetness. We can think about what God's words mean and how they can help us or make our lives better. When we think of it that way, it truly is sweeter than honey!

So read it, embrace it, enjoy it, think about it, and love the Word of God! It lasts forever, helps us in every way. Charles Spurgeon wrote “All the sweetness you can get from earthly joy will be exceeded by the sweetness of an applied promise from the Word of God.”

If you sit down to a Pączki today and take that bite and taste that sweet filling, pause and remember the sweetness of God’s word and the promises God makes to you today, and everyday. Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good, crave God’s spiritual food!

LET US PRAY

God,
Thank you for your Word
Thank you that when we read the Bible we can know your heart
Help us meditate on the sweetness of your words
And savor it like tasty treasure!
Thank you for your love
In Jesus name, Amen!

TEACH ME YOUR HOLY WAYS, O LORD

 FEBRUARY 20, 2023

Psalm 119:33-40

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees
and not to selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
be gracious to me according to your word.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts;
in your righteousness be gracious to me.

Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes… Psalm 119:33

Have you ever read Psalm 119 in one sitting? If you have you would have noticed the poet’s deep longing, the cry from his heart.

Many writers describe Psalm 119 as a devotional on the word of God. Bible scholars suggest that it was most likely composed originally in writing (rather than orally) and this writing was intended to be read instead of sung or recited. Most of its text is addressed to God, blending prayers with the declaration of a passionate devotion to God’s law, that is, to God’s word. The author humbly and honestly admits the rebellious ways of his heart and life, the pain and fruit of the Lord’s discipline through affliction, and his suffering from those who are hostile toward him. Underscored in the Psalm are God’s instructions for life, and God’s gracious promises.

Hearing the deep longing and desire of the psalmist’s heart in today’s reading, can you make them your own requests of the Lord? One of the amazing blessings we receive from our God that fills us with gratitude is that God’s Holy Spirit lives in us, teaching us, giving us insight into God’s word, deepening our understanding, changing our hearts, renewing our minds, and transforming us into women and men who are holy and acceptable to our creator.

Psalm 119 records for us the psalmist longing for a deeper work of God in him that would enable him to walk in the ways of the Lord, to take God at his word into daily life. He was hungry for a growing relationship with the God, recognising that only God could turn his eyes away from worthless things, and turn his heart toward the worship of the true and living God.

Likewise, let us be intentional in relying on the Holy Spirit to bring God’s word alive in us and through us.

LET US PRAY

Lord, we ask for insight into, and understanding of, your word and ways every day. Amen