November 28, 2015

Matthew 28:  14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.

The chief priests and elders told this to the guards at Jesus's tomb. They didn't want people to know that he rose from the dead. They wanted everyone to think his disciples stole the body from the tomb.

This is so disturbing. These men saw the angel.  They felt the earthquake, but their fear of trouble from the governor is greater than any other force, even a heavenly one. It's so self-serving and just wrong. Even if they didn't understand the truth, they knew that they were lying.

Prayer:  Lord, don't let me become more interested in protection than in the truth, especially when it comes to You. Guide me to be the kind of witness You need among Your people.
Amen

November 22, 2015

Matthew 13: 43  Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.

Jesus says a lot in the three chapters of Matthew today. He is talking about Judgment Day. The weeds have been allowed to grow with the wheat. But the harvesters have thrown the weeds into the fire. Now the faithful get their reward.

I'm looking forward to this day. I fear the fall of the people of the earth, but I understand the joy of the faithful when God's kingdom is fully realized.

Prayer:  I want to shine like the sun. I want to join the faithful in Your kingdom, Lord. I hear Your voice, and it sounds so good to me. Imagine my joy when I finally come into Your presence.
Amen

November 15, 2015

2 Corinthians 1:  4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Paul begins the second letter with praises to God, Jesus's father and a description of our relationship with Him.

Comfort is what I need.  Someone stopped me at church to say how sad I seem.  I am noticing the weight loss in my clothing and how it fits.  I struggle with the changes in my life.  I have troubles.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to be a comfort to others.  Thank you for the comfort You have given me.  I know I have been troubled a lot lately, Lord, and it helps to know that You are always there.
Amen

November 14, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:  44. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Paul is talking about life after death. Some in Corinth doubt that. Without the resurrection, there is no point to faith, Paul says. He explains that there must first be life, then death and resurrection.

I have been thinking about death and faith a lot. Walt's death, so soon after my mother's, has really rocked me. A spiritual body... what is that?  Is the person who died aware of what is going on with the living?  Do they feel time slipping by?  Is there only awareness of the glory of God?

Prayer:  Lord, I am hurting for myself and for Your people. We grieve the loss of those we have loved. Comfort us. Help us to move on despite our pain. Let us feel Your presence in our daily lives.
Amen

November 12, 2015

1 Corinthians 12:  3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

This is Paul talking to the church again.  He wants them to understand that they are one body, all working together to glorify the Lord.  He doesn't want any of them to feel alienated from the whole body of those who worship the same Lord.

I am sad today.  Illness, strife, change, even death surround me.  I can't find peace in my own home.  It does comfort me that we are all in this together.  Despite our differences, we ultimately belong to the one true Lord, and I will serve Him as best as I can.

Prayer:  Lord, help me to be a better servant.  Help me to see how I can be more effective in bringing peace into my home.  Guide my words and actions to glorify You.

Amen 

November 9, 2015

1 Corinthians 8:  3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

Paul is talking about sin. He talks about sexual sin and about eating food which was sacrificed to an idol. He talks about slavery and circumcision. This is in the middle of all that.

I'm loving this. If you love God, He knows you. Yes, and He knows what is in your heart. You aren't fooling Him. So forget your pretenses.

Prayer:  I love You, God. You know what is in my heart. Let me know when I am getting out of line. You are the best thing ever.
Amen

November 8, 2015

 1 Corinthians 1: 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

A good quote for the beginning of a November challenge:  from now to Thanksgiving, I will start each entry with a thanksgiving statement.  Today I am thankful for the gift of faith I received and for those who share it with me.

Paul was thankful for the people of the church in Corinth. He is concerned about their division however. They are starting to follow different leaders within the church. Paul reminds them that they all follow Christ. He doesn't want anyone to be a follower of Paul or anyone else.

Grace is the greatest gift we have ever been given. I know that I am not worthy of it; neither is anyone else. Yet we try to pick it apart. We look to see all the ways we are more worthy than our fellow man.

Prayer:  Lord, show me how to bring Your people together. We come up with so many ways to divide ourselves into groups. I would like to see more Christian brotherhood. Let me know how You would have me to promote that.
Amen

November 7, 2015

Galatians 5:  26  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Paul has given us a list of acts of the flesh, guaranteed to keep us out of heaven. Then he lists the fruits of the spirit. He says Christians have conquered the flesh and should follow the Spirit.

I'm disturbed by posts a young friend has shared on Facebook attacking churches. They say how off track Christians are today, as opposed to the early churches. No problems so far, but I find this spiritual one upmanship to be self-righteous and disturbing. Shouldn't Christians try to find common ground?  Can't we accept that everyone has a different sort of relationship with God?

Prayer:  Lord, guide Your followers to love and understanding. Lead us away from the tendency to judge others. Help us to see when our righteousness turns into self-righteous indignation.  Correct our attitudes so that we may best serve You.
Amen

November 6, 2015

Galatians 4: . 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 

Paul is puzzled by the previous behavior of the Galatians. They welcomed a sick Paul and treated him so well. Now they have been distracted by a competing group. He tells them that they were saved by faith. Where is that faith now?

I felt this verse. I especially like the "are known by God" part. We are in a relationship with God that is everything in our lives. But "weak and miserable" forces pull us away from the purity of our faith. We find ourselves enslaved, instead of empowered. 

Prayer:  Empower my faith, Lord. Strengthen me in my daily life. Comfort me in my sorrow. Rejoice with me at the triumphs of those I love. 
Amen

November 3, 2015

Mark 14:  65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Jesus has been betrayed by Judas.  He is taken to the Sanhedrin.  They try to get him to talk, but he doesn't have much to say.  Then they ask if he is the Messiah.  He says yes, and that makes them crazy.

I have never focused so much on the actions of the Sanhedrin and their employees.  How awful!  He hasn't done anything to harm them.  Why do they react so strongly?  They are only acting in their own self-interest.  They have all the privileges in this system; another one might lead to their downfall.  It's all about sin.

Prayer:  Let me see my own sin, Lord.  I don't want to be like the Sanhedrin.  I want to be able to see Your hand in my life clearly.  Let me know when I have crossed the line.
Amen

November 2, 2015

Mark 11:  24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

The disciples are shocked. In the morning Jesus had cursed a fig tree. He was disappointed that it had no figs, so he said it would never have figs again. In the evening, it had died. This was Jesus's reply to their astonishment. 

Okay, I am going there. That's what happened with Sherri. I asked and believed, and it was so. How much power there is in these words!  Praying like this from now on!

Prayer:  I am asking for Your plan to be fulfilled for those I love most. Ron's health, Elaine's move, Daniel's return to grad school...I am asking for all of these things to show Your glory. I believe that there is nothing You can't do. Make it so. 
Amen

November 1, 2015

Mark 10:  21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The rich young man has followed the Mosaic law all his life. He asks what else he needs to do to inherit heaven. Jesus's answer made him sad. He knew he couldn't do that. He left. 

I am suddenly flush with money, and it hasn't made my life better so far. We gave away a car, and I feel really good about that. I have proposed giving our son and his girlfriend the title to the car we paid for, but that they drive. That seems right. I don't think I am so attached to the money, but I feel pressure to be a good steward of it. It has caused conflict in my marriage, and I could see how it could cause conflict between my children and us. You better believe I will not be selling everything to give it to the poor. Does that make me a bad Christian?

Prayer:  Lord, show me how to use my wealth to glorify You and to improve the lives of Your people. I want to be properly generous, but I need to protect myself and my family against the costs of my old age. Guide me to know how to show my love for You financially. 
Amen