March 31, 2016

Psalm 49:  13

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

The Psalmist is concerned with wicked, wealthy people. They are sure that they have it all. He reminds us that everyone will die. All that they acquired will belong to someone else. They will be nothing. The faithful will be redeemed and taken to God. 

This reminds me of the quote, "It will be all right in the end. If it's not all right, it's not the end."  That's what believers can expect. For the others, well,  not so much. It may look to the world as though they won, since they died with the most toys. But, denied the life eternal with their Lord and Savior, they don't win. They just fade away. I have been surrounded by death, it seems, and I value eternal life more than ever. 

Prayer:  Lord, I pray for friends who lay their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to rest today. Comfort them as You welcome their loved one into Your kingdom. I pray for all the others who mourn, and for those who wait for their loved ones to be released from this life to join You. I pray for comfort for myself as well. I still grieve for those I have lost. 

Amen

March 30, 2016

Psalm 42:  8 Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me, and through the night I sing his songs and pray to God who gives me life.

David is in trouble again. His enemies make fun of him, because he is suffering. Waves of grief have been his state of mind. In the middle of his troubles, however, David made time to praise God. 

I understand David's mixed feelings. It's hard to move past the grief for myself and my friends. It's tempting to stay in that state of mind, and to moan with the loss and pain. But we must remind ourselves that this is only a part of our lives, and that God is there to see us through tough times as well as good ones. 

Prayer:  Lord, thanks for the life You have given me. Thanks for the people who make it all worthwhile. Thanks for the beauty of Your earth coming back to life after a cold and gloomy winter. Thanks most of all for the gift of Your son who gave his life for me. 
Amen

March 29, 2016

Judges 6:  15 But Gideon replied, “Sir, how can I save Israel? My family is the poorest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least thought of in the entire family!”

Gideon is hiding, doing his work in a way that won't draw attention to himself. The angel tells him that he will save his people. He can't believe that, and he makes the angel prove who he is by doing a miracle. Afterwards, Gideon does become a great warrior for the Lord. 

I'm writing this part 24 hours later. I was so drawn to the Gideon story, which I have read right through before. I am still praying to see why it was so compelling this time. Is it the low standing of Gideon at the outset, or is it the trumpets, or is it the way he kept sending guys home until he defeats a much larger army, with trumpets and torches inside clay jars?  Maybe it's the way the Lord confused the enemy into fighting each other. 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to rise and become the kind of faithful servant Gideon became. Help me to know Your will for my life in these troubled times.   I want to serve You better. 
Amen 

March 26, 2016

1 Corinthians 11:  24 "gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.”

Paul's words are used whenever we have communion. It's remarkable that we use them when there are first-hand accounts of the Last Supper. 

I'm kind of removed from the events of Holy Week this year, because of events in my personal life. A friend lost her mother 2 weeks ago, and then her home was destroyed by fire Thursday. I'm keeping her young children. I saw a Passion Play last night as the baby played with the remote, flipping through channels. It made me very aware that I am out of touch with the "reason for the season" this year. 

Prayer:  Lord, I am so sorry for all You and Your son endured for me. I'm so grateful for all You did for your people, even in the face of our stubbornness and disbelief. Stay with us, as we face the challenges of today with the strength of faith You have given us. 
Amen

March 18, 2016

1 Corinthians 3: 7  The person who does the planting or watering isn’t very important, but God is important because he is the one who makes things grow.

Paul is speaking to the people who have been arguing whether they follow Paul or Apollos. He says it doesn't matter. Both of them serve God. They have only watered the faith that God gave His church. We serve God, and that is all that really matters. 

I am applying this to the different denominations now. It doesn't matter if you are Methodist or Catholic. Don't hold other Christians to a standard your church has, because you don't understand anyone else's relationship with the Father. God is the important thing. If they serve the same God, love them as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Prayer:  I pray for Christians all over the world. Yesterday our country acknowledged that Your people are victims of genocide by ISIS. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer persecution in Your name. I pray for other Christians everywhere whose struggles are real. Be with us, God. Strengthen our faith. 
Amen

March 17, 2016

Mark 16: 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 

Jesus came to the 11 disciples. He rebuked those who didn't believe when others saw him after the resurrection. He called them to go unto the world, preaching. After his ascension into heaven, they did. 

The ascension must have been an amazing sight. These disbelieving men not only are forced to accept the truth about the resurrection, but then Jesus leaves them again to go to his Father. They must have been stunned. 

Pray

March 17, 2016

1 Corinthians 2:  14 Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.

Paul's words come after he has told the readers that his intention was to speak the plain truth. He says that we who believe have the mind of Christ. Thus the nonbelievers can't really judge us, because they can't understand us. 

I'm not so sure about the next part, where Paul says that we can judge. I don't want that much responsibility, maybe, but I don't think things go so well when Christians get judgmental. I'm right with him on this part though. We can't get understanding from those who aren't equipped with the tools, the Holy Spirit, to see what we as Christians are about. It's a relief to free ourselves and them from the impossible burden of knowing why we devoted our lives to our faith. 

Prayer:  Lord, I pray for Your people, misunderstood in this sin-filled world. Be with us, as we let the Spirit inside us guide us. Give us the strength to remain faithful in a world of temptation. You alone have the power to make us able to show Your face to an unfaithful world. 
Amen

March 12, 2016

Galatians 3:  23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 

Paul is trying to explain the Law and its place now that we have received the Messiah. He says that the Law was necessary until Christ arrived. People needed it like students need a tutor until they are ready to handle difficult material on their own. Now we no longer have to depend on the Law, because we have the promise of Christ to guide us. 

It's sometimes hard to deal with people who don't have faith. They are so dependent on their version of the Law. They are sure that you have violated it, and they can't get past wanting to see you set straight. They chafe at the unfairness of your happiness. If only they could get you to see how you have transgressed, then they could have peace. Not true, but it can't be explained without faith. I forgive those who trespass against me, and I can do that because I know God has forgiven me. I couldn't possibly forgive without a sure knowledge of that, and neither can they. 

Prayer:  I pray to be more forgiving myself. Let me see the ways that I hold onto old grudges, and help me to move on through forgiveness. I pray for those whose lives are tarnished through their inability to forgive. Guide them to You, so that they, too, can experience the peace that passes all understanding. 
Amen

May 11, 2016

Psalm 38:  21

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me

David is discouraged. His body is failing him, and his enemies remain strong. They speak against him, but he chooses not to hear or respond. He keeps his eye on God, his redeemer. 

I have been discouraged too. I am having trouble knowing the purpose of my life in this new chapter. Sometimes it's family or my job,  but it's really bigger than that. I have lost so much of what gave me comfort, and I anticipate more sadness. I should do as David did. Keep my eyes on God, and let him take care of the rest. 

Prayer:  Lord, I am sad, but I trust Your plan for me. I know You have great things planned for the future. Help me to let go of the bad feelings. Show me the way to my life to be. 

Amen

May 10, 2016

Galatians 1: 10 Does this sound as if I am trying to win human approval? No indeed! What I want is God's approval! Am I trying to be popular with people? If I were still trying to do so, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul is introducing himself in the first chapter of this letter. He cites his background and experience before he was saved. He gives all the credit for his faith to God. And he asserts that others who are trying to change the message are not driven by God. 

I'm with Paul in these thoughts. I'm adjusting to a new reality. My family has been e everything to me. Ron needs me, and so does Elaine. That's it. I'm not an important part of anyone else's life. I need to adjust my thinking to that. The good news is that I am free from the need to please them. I can focus on pleasing God. 

Prayer:  Lord, show me how to rearrange my life to better serve and please You. Don't let me become bitter or depressed. Help me to fulfill the plan You have for me. 
Amen

March 8, 2016

Mark 15:  21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 

Jesus is on the way to be crucified. He has been beaten and mocked. They started for Golgotha, and they made Simon carry the cross. 

I'm remembering an Easter cantata with Nick playing Simon of Cyrene. I'm thinking of his powerful voice. It was shocking to think of this ordinary man who was right there at the crucifixion. The cantata emphasized his fatherhood, another link to us as everyday people who serve Christ. 

Prayer:  Lord, I want to serve You. I know that sometimes means being in an awful situation. Guide me to Christlike actions even under stress. 
Amen

March 6, 2016

Mark 13:  35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—

Jesus is telling the disciples about the end times. This is the bottom line; always be ready. Things will be really be tough. Everyone would die, except that God has chosen people who will survive. We need to be ready to respond whenever the time comes. 

I gave some thought to this before heading to Sin City. It really is Sin City, with many disturbing things among the pleasures. What if I had been right in the middle of that when Jesus arrived?  The danger of being unprepared is everywhere though. 

Prayer::  I pray for your people, wherever they are. I say a special prayer for those who are caught in temptation of the flesh. There are many who could be made ready, but they are distracted by the pleasures of this Earth. Guide them and me to become faithful servants of the Lord. 
Amen

March 2, 2016

Mark 9:  23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

The transfiguration has occurred. As they came off the mountain, a crowd had gathered. The father of a young boy was with them, and he asked Jesus to cure him if he was able. Of course Jesus was able, and he told the disciples afterwards that only prayer would work in cases like this. 

Why couldn't the disciples heal this boy?  They had faith enough to leave their lives for Jesus. But their faith wasn't great enough for this job. All things are possible with Christ, but we fall short in so many ways. 

Prayer:  I am in Sin City, Lord, literally and figuratively. I'm stunned by the excess here, but I am also part of it. All things are possible with you. I'm sure of that, but I am not able to rise above my own desires to completely fill Your plan for me. Guide me to a greater faith, one that makes everything possible. 
Amen