In Our Hopelessness You Are Hope
Father, thank You for a good night’s sleep and for Your gentle call to wake me this morning. May this be a day where I accomplish all that You deem necessary. May I love Karen with Your love from beginning to end. May I be the conveyer of truth to those who come to listen tonight at our special Holy Week service. Amen.
Matthew 11:1-6 (<<click the green)
I can only imagine what John the Baptist’s thoughts were as he sat in that prison cell. He had been obedient to God’s direction. He had proclaimed the message God had given him – not under his breath or in back alleys but loud and hard right where no one could miss him. He was not shy or backward and he didn’t hold back from what needed to be said – hence the reason for his imprisonment and eventual death. (King Herod wasn’t to keen on being called out on marrying his sister-in-law.)
Being alone can have its benefits but sometimes it gives us too much time to think. He had done all the right things and had ended up in jail. Had he missed something? Jesus was the Messiah…wasn’t he? John sent his disciples to make doubly sure. Jesus affirmed the truth
How many times do we find ourselves imprisoned either by our own actions or by things beyond our control even? We can’t escape and may even feel that death is imminent. We have diligently been doing the best we can and then out of nowhere, it seems that we are stuck…with nowhere to turn.
One thing we must realize is that we are not alone.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been listening to Steven Curtis Chapman’s autobiography, Between Heaven and the Real World on CD traveling back and forth to work. We so often look at “celebrities” and think that they’ve got it made – fame, fortune…they just seem to have it all together. But I have to say, I have lost count of how many times I have just broken down and cried while listening as he has bared his heart. Even now as I have been typing I’ve had to stop for the tears. Not a single one of us – no matter how focused or dedicated –is exempt from the ravages of this old world and the enemy of our souls. Heartache and loss…our own inability to truly love others and ourselves the way we so desperately desire to do so…it quite often overwhelms us… We are lost…we are hopeless.
Lord Jesus, thank You for stepping into our hopelessness for You and You alone are Hope. In the midst of our lostness, You are our Savior. You are our only way out. Our lives here are but a blink of an eye in the scheme of eternity and many times all we can do is just cling to You to make it through to that time when there will be no more pain, no more tears, and we will step across that threshold into Your arms.
“God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
– Jesus (Matthew 11:6)
Mar 29th, 2018, Thurs, 6:38 am
A Cup of Cold Water
Father, from so many angles life continues to show me that there are no guarantees in regards to its length or quality or lack thereof. I must be about the work You have given me. I must love like there is no tomorrow for it may come and it may not. Father, may I make the most of this day as I labor on this side of eternity. Amen.
Matthew 10:40-42 (<<click the green)
Lord, why do we make life so complicated? We make relationships complicated and work demands. With all the computerized functions of vehicles nowadays a mechanic from years gone by would be hard pressed to work on just about anything on an engine. Some even make accepting Your saving grace complex. “You have to fix this first. You’ve got to follow these rules and regulations.” NO! Lord, You have done all that needs to be done for us to begin our relationship…all we must do is accept the free gift – yes, it was costly to provide but it is freely given.
It is the same with passing on the invitation of accepting that gift to others. It is simple; it is not complex in its makeup. It can be as unpretentious as giving “a cup of cold water to one of these little ones”.
The NIV Quest Study Bible Notes states that the “Greek word used here means “little” in size or “young” in age – but it can also mean “insignificant,” “lowly” or “unimportant.” Using this wide-ranging word, Jesus’ words can include children, outcasts and the ostracized—all the “nobodies” of society.”
Lord, may I be always be prepared with a cup of cold water in hand. May my thought always be to see the need, to quench the thirst. Help me to not complicate life. Help me to simplify it. Help me to discern the reality and not to be distracted by the complexity. Use me, Lord Jesus, to see the world as You did when You lived here amongst us and then to extend the cup. Amen.
Mar 28th, 2018, Wed, 8:08 am
Not Peace but a Sword?
Thank You, Father, for a much better night’s sleep. As I sit to write, I know it is raining outside. I saw it glistening on the bay window through the darkness and I can hear it tapping on the cap of the woodstove flue. We tend to complain about days like this, Father, but may we not forget the blessings that it brings. Our reservoirs will be filled, flowers will soon be blooming in abundance, the salt and grime of winter will be washed away. Thank You, Father, for Your abundant gifts. Amen.
Matthew 10:34-39 (<<click the green)
Lord, this is one of those passages that at first glance is startling, to the least. We believe that You are the Prince of Peace and that You are, but here You clearly state that You “have not come to bring peace, but a sword” and that You have come to create division in families. What? That just seems so…so…anti-You!
Your desire is for unity and peace but decisions have to be made. We have to choose between belief in You and unbelief and absolutely nothing stand between us and belief. Belief in You is of utmost importance.
My study Bible* succinctly states,
“Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones. In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather he was showing that his presence demands a decision because some will follow Christ and some won’t, conflict will inevitably arise. As we take up our cross and follow him, our different values, morals, and goals will set us apart from others. Christs calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. Love of family is a law of God, but even this love can be self-serving and used as an excuse to not to serve God or do his work. Don’t neglect your family, but remember that your commitment to God is even more important. God should be your first priority.”
Lord, I am so grateful for a family that has chosen to believe in You. We may not always agree on every point but we love You and we love each other. I also realize that this is not the case in every home. You are not readily received into every heart and conflict arises. I would pray for those who have given themselves over to You, may they be steadfast in their commitment but may they also overflow with love and compassion as they interact with those around them. May we all “take up [our] cross and follow [You]”. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Mar 27th, 2018, Tues, 6:32 am
I Confess and Acknowledge
Even when I don’t get the best of sleep, I am grateful for Your presence, Father. You are ever by my side and I would be undone without You. Today is the beginning of a very full week, with additional services and all the preparation that entails. I would ask for Your guidance and direction as I work, in Your strength, to bring it all together. Amen.
Matthew 10:32-33 (<<click the green)
“Therefore, the one who confesses* and acknowledges Me before men [as Lord and Savior, affirming a state of oneness with Me], that one I will also confess and acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven. But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven.”
*The word “confess” used in conjunction with “before” connotes
a legal statement or a testimony in a legal setting.
Regularly I find the Amplified Bible very helpful in fleshing out Your word, Lord. I understand what these verses are saying but that portion in the brackets helps me to think a little farther and then the footnote, even more so.
A relationship with You, Lord, is not for the faint of heart. I’ve heard many times that there are those who believe that religion is a crutch. That it is for the weak and feeble minded. I might possibly concede that thought when it relates to “religion” but, Lord, nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to our relationship with You.
A relationship with You is far more than just going to church a day or so a week. It is far more than a little prayer before we eat (if we can remember to do so). It is far more than all the little rites and rituals of religion. Those all have their place but without relationship, they are nothing.
How can those “things”, in and of themselves, equal “a state of oneness with You”, Lord Jesus? Our relationships with You must go far deeper! My relationship with You is not a crutch – You are by my side weathering every storm. I am strong when I am with You. No one who has ever worked through passages of Scripture is feeble-minded!
Jesus, I confess and acknowledge before all of humanity that You are my Lord and Savior! Thank You for the honor of being able to do so!
Mar 26th, 2018, Mon, 6:38 am
More Valuable than a Flock
Father, thank You for Your presence throughout this day – in worship and with family. May I hear Your voice as I sit before You. Amen.
Matthew 10:28-31 (<<click the green)
Like my father, I enjoy birds. I have set up feeders for many years and they are readily seen out of my office window through the long, cold and snowy winter months. I enjoy seeing many species from bright red cardinals to vibrant blue birds. Some birds I have only seen once – such as the rose-breasted grosbeak. Others I see just about every day – sparrows are a prime example. I see bunches of those – they are very common…much like me.
If I was to stand in a long line with forty-nine other 55-year-old white males, I wouldn’t stick out. Oh, some may be taller, or shorter, or thinner, or heavier. Sure, there would be differences but I would be one of many – 55-year-old white guys are pretty common.
So sparrows and I are on fairly equal ground. But what is astounding is that You proclaim that “not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.” Of all the thousands and thousands of sparrows in this world, if one falls to the ground You know it. You care enough to know. Your creation is important to You. They do not go unnoticed.
So how do I factor in? You command me to not be afraid of what man would want to do to me. They can kill my body but my soul is untouchable. You cared enough about me…me!…to give Your very life’s blood to redeem me. You took upon Yourself my sins…You paid the penalty – and that penalty was death upon the cross – because You love me. I am “more valuable to [You] than a whole flock of sparrows.”
In this world, I may be common – one of all the thousands and thousands of middle-aged white guys. But to You, Lord, I am special. I am unique. There is no one like me. I am the one and only me. And You cherish me for who I am to You. Thank You, Lord, for loving me enough to give of Yourself so we can be together not just now for eternity.
Mar 25th, 2018, Sun, 9:14 pm