February 15
“Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13, ESV)
Jennifer Roback Morse is a strong Catholic and the founder of the Ruth Institute. This non-profit organization seeks to support individuals and families harmed by divorce, the hook-up culture, and other forms of family breakdown. They try to help people who have had their lives damaged by modern ideals that promote family dysfunctions and damaged relationships. Their goal is to help make the family a strong place of love and support. Obviously, their goals are both lofty and commendable. However, when they tried in 2016 to get financial support through a charity program, they were told they would not receive any help or funds. A liberal organization had labeled her non-profit organization as an extremist group for not supporting same-sex marriage. Even though many people called the Ruth Institute a source of encouragement and care, political groups sought to silence and destroy the non-profit. The Southern Poverty Law Center even called her and her family-based group a “hate group”, urging individuals and corporations to stop all support of them or their cause. (See http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/civil-rights-watchdogs-hate-map-includes-christian-groups)
Jesus taught His followers to love one another, to show love in response to hate, and to even love one’s enemies. He also taught that despite being loving people, Christians would be hated for their faith (John 15:18). In our scripture for today from 1 John, this is reaffirmed. 1 John 3:13 states succinctly that the world “hates” Christians. Of this “fact”, Christians in the day were told “not to be surprised”. Evil always hates the good. Satan always hates godly righteousness. The world will find ways to hate the most faithful of people. They killed Jesus, who was perfectly faithful. What makes you think the world will be more accepting of your faith? They will not. In fact, the more faithful you are, the more you will attract hate from those who despise God.
What should be your response to this hate? Some Christians have responded to the scorn of their faith by watering down what they believe. They “act worldly” in order to fit in. They compromise their values by hiding their beliefs, keeping quiet when asked about their opinion on modern issues, or using scripture to justify worldly attitudes. It happens all the time. In order to fit in the modern world, you might be tempted to do the same. I’m not asking you to fight every wrong in the world, openly condemning all sinners publicly as if you are the ultimate judge. I’m asking you to remain faithful to God in Christ, not compromise what the scripture says, nor water down your faith. This takes courage. It takes fortitude. It also is very important you know God and God’s Word well.
1 John 3:13 cautions the reader not to be “surprised” by the hate of the world. I have met many who were genuinely surprised by the hatred people have toward the faith. You should not be. Worldly people want you to allow them to do worldly things. They want you to be accepting and even supporting of their attitudes, beliefs, and lies. An alcoholic wants his friends to accept his drinking. An abusive parent wants others to overlook the bruises on her child’s arm. An abuser will fight you if you stand up for the victim of abuse. Don’t be surprised when this happens. It is normal for the sinner to justify and seek support for their sin of choice. Have you ever wanted others to overlook or support a sin in your past?
Jesus saw it as perfection when a person who is hated responds with love (Matthew 5:43-48). He urged His followers to show love, not hate. He was wise to the hatred that the world has for the faithful. Are you wise to the hatred of the world as well? Do not compromise true belief in the face of hateful rhetoric. Don’t water down your understanding of sin just to please others. The road to heaven is a narrow one, where you cannot stray from the path without losing your way. The road to hell is wide and has lots of room for a person to do whatever he or she wishes (Matthew 7:13-14). Where are you heading in your life? Is your love for God pure or full of compromises?
Jesus taught His followers to love one another, to show love in response to hate, and to even love one’s enemies. He also taught that despite being loving people, Christians would be hated for their faith (John 15:18). In our scripture for today from 1 John, this is reaffirmed. 1 John 3:13 states succinctly that the world “hates” Christians. Of this “fact”, Christians in the day were told “not to be surprised”. Evil always hates the good. Satan always hates godly righteousness. The world will find ways to hate the most faithful of people. They killed Jesus, who was perfectly faithful. What makes you think the world will be more accepting of your faith? They will not. In fact, the more faithful you are, the more you will attract hate from those who despise God.
What should be your response to this hate? Some Christians have responded to the scorn of their faith by watering down what they believe. They “act worldly” in order to fit in. They compromise their values by hiding their beliefs, keeping quiet when asked about their opinion on modern issues, or using scripture to justify worldly attitudes. It happens all the time. In order to fit in the modern world, you might be tempted to do the same. I’m not asking you to fight every wrong in the world, openly condemning all sinners publicly as if you are the ultimate judge. I’m asking you to remain faithful to God in Christ, not compromise what the scripture says, nor water down your faith. This takes courage. It takes fortitude. It also is very important you know God and God’s Word well.
1 John 3:13 cautions the reader not to be “surprised” by the hate of the world. I have met many who were genuinely surprised by the hatred people have toward the faith. You should not be. Worldly people want you to allow them to do worldly things. They want you to be accepting and even supporting of their attitudes, beliefs, and lies. An alcoholic wants his friends to accept his drinking. An abusive parent wants others to overlook the bruises on her child’s arm. An abuser will fight you if you stand up for the victim of abuse. Don’t be surprised when this happens. It is normal for the sinner to justify and seek support for their sin of choice. Have you ever wanted others to overlook or support a sin in your past?
Jesus saw it as perfection when a person who is hated responds with love (Matthew 5:43-48). He urged His followers to show love, not hate. He was wise to the hatred that the world has for the faithful. Are you wise to the hatred of the world as well? Do not compromise true belief in the face of hateful rhetoric. Don’t water down your understanding of sin just to please others. The road to heaven is a narrow one, where you cannot stray from the path without losing your way. The road to hell is wide and has lots of room for a person to do whatever he or she wishes (Matthew 7:13-14). Where are you heading in your life? Is your love for God pure or full of compromises?
February 16
“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”” (Revelation 7:17, ESV)
The scripture for today, shown above, speaks of the Lamb of God. Throughout the New Testament, the Lamb of God is explained as a title for Jesus. As the Lamb of God, Jesus was to be a sacrifice for our sin in the same way as in the Old Testament a lamb was sacrificed to save the people during the original Passover in Egypt (Exodus 12:21). Jesus’ blood, sacrificed to atone for the sin of all humankind, was shed on the cross at Calvary. As the Lamb of God, He is a treasure of Heaven. He is prominently located “near the throne”. In Heaven, Jesus comforts the saved like a shepherd comforts the sheep. He gives them the necessities like "springs of living water". God will also bring grace to the saved in Heaven. God will “wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). This work of God to take away the tears of the faithful is also mentioned as God’s heavenly work in Revelation 21:4. Heaven is to be a place where tears and sadness are comforted. Pain and hurt will end. What will be left is eternal joy and comfort, all in the presence of God and the Lamb.
Until we get to Heaven, there will be days of sadness. Tears may come. Sadness may break your heart. Just know that when you are down, God desires to wipe away every tear! God desires you to feel joyful and hopeful. In Heaven, God will personally take care of that. For now, the world will cause you to suffer. Your body may not deal well with aging or disease. Someday, those will be gone. When you are in Heaven, God will take care of all that.
As a person of God, you will find that you have the gift to take away tears from the eyes of the hurting. Using the gifts God gives, you will be a source of hope and strength for the suffering. If you follow down the path God has for you, people will find comfort with you. God’s grace will be upon you.
Despite the desire of God to wipe away the tears of the hurting, the world causes suffering for all. Selfish desires prey upon all of humanity. Spiritual warfare seeks to separate every human being from the grace and love of God. Because the world is fallen and prone to sin, suffering will always be the inevitable result of worldly behavior. Sinful actions will sap the joy from life. People will vie for prosperity and power. Out of selfish concern, people will manipulate and control others. Sin will always be rampant in the world. Some would have you think that the more modern and great the human achievements, the more there will be peace and prosperity, joy and love. The opposite has been the case. The more humankind worships its own creation, the more tears will be spilled upon the earth. Humankind has the natural propensity to do evil. When separated from God, we are prone to cause suffering and havoc, no matter how modern we deem ourselves. Where God wipes away tears, human evil always causes tears. Of that, you can be sure.
Are you good at wiping away tears and easing the suffering of others? Do others find comfort in your presence? Does the grace of God shine in your life and actions? If you are truly faithful, your ability to bring healing and grace can change lives and overturn the effects of evil. God’s Spirit working in your life can bring a little bit of heaven to our hurting world! You have that power within you already. Do you use it?
Until we get to Heaven, there will be days of sadness. Tears may come. Sadness may break your heart. Just know that when you are down, God desires to wipe away every tear! God desires you to feel joyful and hopeful. In Heaven, God will personally take care of that. For now, the world will cause you to suffer. Your body may not deal well with aging or disease. Someday, those will be gone. When you are in Heaven, God will take care of all that.
As a person of God, you will find that you have the gift to take away tears from the eyes of the hurting. Using the gifts God gives, you will be a source of hope and strength for the suffering. If you follow down the path God has for you, people will find comfort with you. God’s grace will be upon you.
Despite the desire of God to wipe away the tears of the hurting, the world causes suffering for all. Selfish desires prey upon all of humanity. Spiritual warfare seeks to separate every human being from the grace and love of God. Because the world is fallen and prone to sin, suffering will always be the inevitable result of worldly behavior. Sinful actions will sap the joy from life. People will vie for prosperity and power. Out of selfish concern, people will manipulate and control others. Sin will always be rampant in the world. Some would have you think that the more modern and great the human achievements, the more there will be peace and prosperity, joy and love. The opposite has been the case. The more humankind worships its own creation, the more tears will be spilled upon the earth. Humankind has the natural propensity to do evil. When separated from God, we are prone to cause suffering and havoc, no matter how modern we deem ourselves. Where God wipes away tears, human evil always causes tears. Of that, you can be sure.
Are you good at wiping away tears and easing the suffering of others? Do others find comfort in your presence? Does the grace of God shine in your life and actions? If you are truly faithful, your ability to bring healing and grace can change lives and overturn the effects of evil. God’s Spirit working in your life can bring a little bit of heaven to our hurting world! You have that power within you already. Do you use it?
February 17
“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15, NLT)
While finishing up washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus mentioned to the disciples that He had done that service as “an example to follow”. The disciples were supposed to serve others, not be ashamed to reach out, not be too mighty to stoop and wash the feet of another. The washing of the feet was Jesus’ example to His disciples that service and help and the aid of others should be a priority in their ministry. To teach them the importance of service, Jesus washed the disciples' feet first, asking the disciples to follow His example saying, “Do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
Using an example is an important tool in teaching. It is a way for others to see firsthand the meaning of your words. Good words can accomplish amazing things, but an example goes further. It teaches through action. By means of the example, you show how something is done. Your explanation or lesson is taught not via talking about what needs to be done, but by living it out. Are you good at teaching through example?
A father and daughter had trouble communicating the further into her teen years she grew. It seemed that every time they tried to communicate, he ended up talking too much. Her usual response to her father’s words were “Whatever, Dad...” with rolled eyes and a pouty face. They were growing apart.
Then, on a long trip to visit family during the holidays, the family car had problems out in the middle of nowhere. As they rolled to the side of the road, the engine sputtered and quit working. Attempting to restart the engine proved fruitless. In the howling wind, the family was stranded on that road with no cell reception and no means of communication. The last house they saw was at least a mile back. Temperatures were frosty. The situation was dangerous to say the least.
Dad immediately jumped into action. He retrieved a quilt from the trunk that he always kept there and brought out some food and a few bottles of water that he had stowed in the back seat for the trip. As he did this, his daughter said, “Why is all this stuff in the car?”
He responded, “I put it there in case of an emergency before we left home.”
She didn’t say anything, but she was impressed. He could tell. Over the next hour, he checked the engine and finally told the family that he could not fix the problem. He thought it was electrical. Getting more and more nervous, the daughter asked what they were going to do. They hadn’t seen a car in the entire hour they were stranded. The poor teen looked terribly frightened. He responded, “No worries. I brought along some extra warm gear from work. I’m going to walk back down the road and call for a tow.”
“But Dad! Its too dangerous!” was the girl’s response. Her mother agreed.
Dad told them it was more dangerous to stay on the road for much longer and after dark. He donned the extra outerwear and went on his way. A mile and a half down that frosty road, he saw a farmhouse with lights on and people home. There, he called a tow truck. He walked back to the car and they waited only a few more minutes for the truck to arrive.
During the ordeal, something changed in the daughter. For a long time after that situation, she was warmer to her father. She didn’t say “Whatever, Dad.” Not even once. Her father’s willingness to put himself out in a precarious situation and be prepared for any emergency made a huge impact on his daughter. His example of selfless protection and a willingness to find help for his family when they needed him spoke volumes. In point of fact, it was better than any words he could ever have used.
What kinds of examples do you give your family? When was the last time you used an example as a method of teaching? Are you too prone to use words or debate and less willing to use yourself as an example in making a point? Jesus used an example to teach His disciples an important lesson. Don’t overlook the power of using yourself as an example to reach out to others.
Using an example is an important tool in teaching. It is a way for others to see firsthand the meaning of your words. Good words can accomplish amazing things, but an example goes further. It teaches through action. By means of the example, you show how something is done. Your explanation or lesson is taught not via talking about what needs to be done, but by living it out. Are you good at teaching through example?
A father and daughter had trouble communicating the further into her teen years she grew. It seemed that every time they tried to communicate, he ended up talking too much. Her usual response to her father’s words were “Whatever, Dad...” with rolled eyes and a pouty face. They were growing apart.
Then, on a long trip to visit family during the holidays, the family car had problems out in the middle of nowhere. As they rolled to the side of the road, the engine sputtered and quit working. Attempting to restart the engine proved fruitless. In the howling wind, the family was stranded on that road with no cell reception and no means of communication. The last house they saw was at least a mile back. Temperatures were frosty. The situation was dangerous to say the least.
Dad immediately jumped into action. He retrieved a quilt from the trunk that he always kept there and brought out some food and a few bottles of water that he had stowed in the back seat for the trip. As he did this, his daughter said, “Why is all this stuff in the car?”
He responded, “I put it there in case of an emergency before we left home.”
She didn’t say anything, but she was impressed. He could tell. Over the next hour, he checked the engine and finally told the family that he could not fix the problem. He thought it was electrical. Getting more and more nervous, the daughter asked what they were going to do. They hadn’t seen a car in the entire hour they were stranded. The poor teen looked terribly frightened. He responded, “No worries. I brought along some extra warm gear from work. I’m going to walk back down the road and call for a tow.”
“But Dad! Its too dangerous!” was the girl’s response. Her mother agreed.
Dad told them it was more dangerous to stay on the road for much longer and after dark. He donned the extra outerwear and went on his way. A mile and a half down that frosty road, he saw a farmhouse with lights on and people home. There, he called a tow truck. He walked back to the car and they waited only a few more minutes for the truck to arrive.
During the ordeal, something changed in the daughter. For a long time after that situation, she was warmer to her father. She didn’t say “Whatever, Dad.” Not even once. Her father’s willingness to put himself out in a precarious situation and be prepared for any emergency made a huge impact on his daughter. His example of selfless protection and a willingness to find help for his family when they needed him spoke volumes. In point of fact, it was better than any words he could ever have used.
What kinds of examples do you give your family? When was the last time you used an example as a method of teaching? Are you too prone to use words or debate and less willing to use yourself as an example in making a point? Jesus used an example to teach His disciples an important lesson. Don’t overlook the power of using yourself as an example to reach out to others.
February 18
“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” (John 15:16, NRSV)
When speaking to His disciples, Jesus reminded them that they did not choose Jesus. Jesus chose them. Jesus called them to ministry with Him. Jesus had plans for them. So often, like the disciples, you may forget that God chose you and has plans for you. It may be that you think you chose God, when the opposite is the case. Before you chose to follow God, God chose to reach out to you. Even when you were in the womb, God had hopes and plans for you (Jeremiah 1:5).
John Piper, on his wonderful web site www.desiringgod.org , wrote that because God chose you, God “shapes history on your behalf”. God will manipulate events in the world so that your spiritual purpose will have its effect on the world. God will shape history so that His plan for you will come to fruition. Then, God’s Spirit in you will guide your steps and put you where God has a need. You will become an important “lynch pin” in the outreach of God in our present time. Don’t ever underestimate the spiritual effects of God’s choices upon your life.
In the 1970’s, a man was working at his church on a special project. The church was collecting paper for recycling and using the money for special projects and mission outreach. Many of the youth were involved in bundling and stacking the paper and in the final delivery. For each ton of paper they collected, the church earned a bit of money which they then used for various programs in the church. One program in the church involved sending the youth to help in a nursing home. The man saw promise in one of the boys working hard stacking the paper. He saw potential in that young man. From that project on, that man encouraged that young man. He had no idea that his support and encouragement would end up in that young man being a minister. Little did he know that one day that young man would grow up to write meditations on a web site of his design so that people all over the world might be encouraged to become closer to God. That’s right; that man affected my life. God used that man in my home church at that time to encourage me. God shaped that man’s history to influence me in my spiritual life. I’m hoping God does the same thing with me for you!
God chose me long ago, having plans for my life. Jesus reached out to me. God through Christ also reaches out to you. God has chosen you for something greater. You have only to respond to God’s leading. You were chosen with a purpose. Your life is deemed precious in God’s sight. You will go and bear fruit that will last. You are part of God’s plan. When you get down in the dumps, remember that God chose you first. God sees your potential. Your life has ultimate importance. You are part of God’s history in this world. Your relationship with God is incredibly important.
God may choose you to be an elder in your church, making spiritual decisions that affect hundreds. God may influence you to be a teacher or mission worker, youth leader or mentor. God will influence your choice of work and your future goals. Don’t you see? God chose you for a reason. God wants you to live out your life in accordance with His plan. You may not see the reasons for everything God does, but what is important is that you follow God’s voice. Lives depend on it. The future will be affected by your spiritual life.
God chose you to bear spiritual fruit. God chose you with a mission in mind. Do you know your part in God’s plan? Is God pulling you closer or starting you on a new spiritual journey? Does God want you to learn more about His word or to reach out to someone who has a need? God chose you for a reason. Your life was meant for something very special. Always, always, remember that!
John Piper, on his wonderful web site www.desiringgod.org , wrote that because God chose you, God “shapes history on your behalf”. God will manipulate events in the world so that your spiritual purpose will have its effect on the world. God will shape history so that His plan for you will come to fruition. Then, God’s Spirit in you will guide your steps and put you where God has a need. You will become an important “lynch pin” in the outreach of God in our present time. Don’t ever underestimate the spiritual effects of God’s choices upon your life.
In the 1970’s, a man was working at his church on a special project. The church was collecting paper for recycling and using the money for special projects and mission outreach. Many of the youth were involved in bundling and stacking the paper and in the final delivery. For each ton of paper they collected, the church earned a bit of money which they then used for various programs in the church. One program in the church involved sending the youth to help in a nursing home. The man saw promise in one of the boys working hard stacking the paper. He saw potential in that young man. From that project on, that man encouraged that young man. He had no idea that his support and encouragement would end up in that young man being a minister. Little did he know that one day that young man would grow up to write meditations on a web site of his design so that people all over the world might be encouraged to become closer to God. That’s right; that man affected my life. God used that man in my home church at that time to encourage me. God shaped that man’s history to influence me in my spiritual life. I’m hoping God does the same thing with me for you!
God chose me long ago, having plans for my life. Jesus reached out to me. God through Christ also reaches out to you. God has chosen you for something greater. You have only to respond to God’s leading. You were chosen with a purpose. Your life is deemed precious in God’s sight. You will go and bear fruit that will last. You are part of God’s plan. When you get down in the dumps, remember that God chose you first. God sees your potential. Your life has ultimate importance. You are part of God’s history in this world. Your relationship with God is incredibly important.
God may choose you to be an elder in your church, making spiritual decisions that affect hundreds. God may influence you to be a teacher or mission worker, youth leader or mentor. God will influence your choice of work and your future goals. Don’t you see? God chose you for a reason. God wants you to live out your life in accordance with His plan. You may not see the reasons for everything God does, but what is important is that you follow God’s voice. Lives depend on it. The future will be affected by your spiritual life.
God chose you to bear spiritual fruit. God chose you with a mission in mind. Do you know your part in God’s plan? Is God pulling you closer or starting you on a new spiritual journey? Does God want you to learn more about His word or to reach out to someone who has a need? God chose you for a reason. Your life was meant for something very special. Always, always, remember that!
February 19
“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”” (John 3:1–3, RSV)
As I was reading the above verses from the Gospel of John, I saw something I hadn’t seen before. Let me show you what I found.
Normally, when viewing these verses, people focus on the fact that Jesus said one must be “born anew” or “born again” or “born from above” depending on the version of the Bible you use. However, I saw something else noteworthy in these verses related to the word, “see”. Nicodemus mentioned that he believed Jesus was a “teacher come from God” because Nicodemus had seen Jesus do “signs” or miracles (John 3:2). In response to Nicodemus’ praise, Jesus said “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus’ words questioned what Nicodemus had previously said. Nicodemus saw “signs” or miracles. Jesus wanted him to see the Kingdom of God. These two things are very different.
Five years ago, I prayed for the healing of a young boy. I felt God had His hand in the situation and felt the Holy Spirit moving. Over a period of a few months, the boy was “cured” of his life-threatening illness. A few members of the family were shocked at the changes in the boy, especially as we prayed for him. Bad news seemed to be turned to good news. Dangerous surgeries seemed to go like clockwork. After all the bad news for months, the boy’s life went back to normal. While a few members of the family felt the amazing progress was due to prayers and God’s power, others saw it as “good doctors at a good hospital”. The difference was the perspective of the people who saw the “sign” of the healing of the young boy. To some, it exhibited God’s power and grace. To those who didn’t believe in God, all they saw was “good doctoring”.
Miracles happen all the time, but people often don’t “see” them. And even when they do, they will often contribute God’s working of a miracle into just “coincidence” or a “lucky break”. It takes eyes of faith to see what is really going on…. That God is active and powerful and His hand changes lives.
Nicodemus saw Jesus’ spiritual miracles as “signs”. Jesus wanted him to see that they were not just miraculous events, but signs of God’s kingdom at work in the world. The only way to put that together was if a person was “born from above” or “born again”. Without the Holy Spirit to show you the real truth, its hard to see what God is doing in your world. That’s the message Jesus was trying to pass on to Nicodemus. That’s what God is trying to teach you today.
Without being “born anew” or born of the Spirit, its hard to see God’s actions for what they are. Mighty acts of God like the parting of the Red Sea might seem like coincidence. To a meteorologist, the parting of the sea might seem like an unusual natural storm with a strong east wind. To an oceanographer who studies the ocean, the parting seas might have seemed like an unnatural oceanic event. A geologist might figure that tectonic plates moved and caused the seas to part for Moses. Miracles are often misinterpreted. Few really see the evidence of the Kingdom of God at work. They often see what they want to see. That was Jesus’ point. He was teaching Nicodemus that he must look with spiritual eyes to really see God at work.
How often do you use your spiritual eyes to see what God is doing around you? Do you shake unusual things off as coincidence when maybe they are not? Maybe God’s hand is at work, but you can’t see it because of your perspective. Or maybe you do see evidence of God’s presence in your life. Isn’t it nice to know that the Kingdom of God is active in your world!?
Listen to Jesus’ suggestion in the scripture for today. “See” things through the perspective of the Kingdom of God. Let God’s Spirit show you more than just the visual candy. God is doing amazing things. God’s Kingdom can be seen. Are you able to see what God is doing around you?
Normally, when viewing these verses, people focus on the fact that Jesus said one must be “born anew” or “born again” or “born from above” depending on the version of the Bible you use. However, I saw something else noteworthy in these verses related to the word, “see”. Nicodemus mentioned that he believed Jesus was a “teacher come from God” because Nicodemus had seen Jesus do “signs” or miracles (John 3:2). In response to Nicodemus’ praise, Jesus said “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus’ words questioned what Nicodemus had previously said. Nicodemus saw “signs” or miracles. Jesus wanted him to see the Kingdom of God. These two things are very different.
Five years ago, I prayed for the healing of a young boy. I felt God had His hand in the situation and felt the Holy Spirit moving. Over a period of a few months, the boy was “cured” of his life-threatening illness. A few members of the family were shocked at the changes in the boy, especially as we prayed for him. Bad news seemed to be turned to good news. Dangerous surgeries seemed to go like clockwork. After all the bad news for months, the boy’s life went back to normal. While a few members of the family felt the amazing progress was due to prayers and God’s power, others saw it as “good doctors at a good hospital”. The difference was the perspective of the people who saw the “sign” of the healing of the young boy. To some, it exhibited God’s power and grace. To those who didn’t believe in God, all they saw was “good doctoring”.
Miracles happen all the time, but people often don’t “see” them. And even when they do, they will often contribute God’s working of a miracle into just “coincidence” or a “lucky break”. It takes eyes of faith to see what is really going on…. That God is active and powerful and His hand changes lives.
Nicodemus saw Jesus’ spiritual miracles as “signs”. Jesus wanted him to see that they were not just miraculous events, but signs of God’s kingdom at work in the world. The only way to put that together was if a person was “born from above” or “born again”. Without the Holy Spirit to show you the real truth, its hard to see what God is doing in your world. That’s the message Jesus was trying to pass on to Nicodemus. That’s what God is trying to teach you today.
Without being “born anew” or born of the Spirit, its hard to see God’s actions for what they are. Mighty acts of God like the parting of the Red Sea might seem like coincidence. To a meteorologist, the parting of the sea might seem like an unusual natural storm with a strong east wind. To an oceanographer who studies the ocean, the parting seas might have seemed like an unnatural oceanic event. A geologist might figure that tectonic plates moved and caused the seas to part for Moses. Miracles are often misinterpreted. Few really see the evidence of the Kingdom of God at work. They often see what they want to see. That was Jesus’ point. He was teaching Nicodemus that he must look with spiritual eyes to really see God at work.
How often do you use your spiritual eyes to see what God is doing around you? Do you shake unusual things off as coincidence when maybe they are not? Maybe God’s hand is at work, but you can’t see it because of your perspective. Or maybe you do see evidence of God’s presence in your life. Isn’t it nice to know that the Kingdom of God is active in your world!?
Listen to Jesus’ suggestion in the scripture for today. “See” things through the perspective of the Kingdom of God. Let God’s Spirit show you more than just the visual candy. God is doing amazing things. God’s Kingdom can be seen. Are you able to see what God is doing around you?
February 20
“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus…”
(2 Corinthians 7:6, ESV)
(2 Corinthians 7:6, ESV)
This scripture above teaches us two very important pieces of understanding concerning the character of God. What is God like? God is a deity who “comforts the downcast”. To comfort those who are beaten down in life, God may send someone like Titus, to bring comfort and hope and encouragement. That’s what God is like.
God “comforts the downcast”. You may not realize it today, but in millennia past, many believed that the eyes of God were only on the powerful, the winners, the movers and shakers, the successful. The Mayans, for example, sometimes beheaded the losers in ball games played on a large field. The losers were seen as “lesser” in the eyes of the gods. Mary Lefkowitz wrote that the Greek gods tended to “favor” those who could “further their interests” like heroes, aristocrats, and those with power or influence (p. 6, Greek Gods, Human Lives). Teutonic gods were impressed most by the victorious in war. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob changed all that. Our God reached out not to the powerful Egyptians, but their slaves. God chose David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, to be a great leader. Jesus was born of Mary, not to a Queen or powerful leader. Our God does not overlook those who are humbled, depressed, hurt, overlooked, or weak. God sees potential in the lowly, while chastising the prideful and arrogant.
It is important during your bad days that you remember that God comforts the downcast. If you are depressed, you are never alone when you are a follower of God. God will comfort you. If you lost all your money or are in a nursing home or on food stamps, God watches over you. God doesn’t have a preference for the powerful. God blesses the poor: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Luke 6:20). “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for they shall see God” is what Matthew 5: 3 teaches. Jesus came not to bless the wealthy, but to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Whenever you are hurting, lost, alone, forsaken, beaten down, oppressed, or suffering, God will be there to bring comfort and encouragement.
One way that God brought comfort to the Macedonian Church was by sending Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6). This is also shown in the scripture for today. God uses special people to bring comfort to the hurting. You may be one whom God sends to comfort another. God may send someone special to comfort you.
I was sitting at the airport listening to an audiobook when I noticed a woman who seemed agitated. She had that kind of “deer in the headlights” look on her face. She was sitting alone. She fidgeted. She looked around as if she was lost. I watched her for several minutes when I felt God telling me to go sit near her, so I moved to a seat two down from her. After a few minutes, she spoke to me. I let her talk. She was going on a long trip to visit her grandchildren. She was a little worried about the trip. She told me that she was praying that things would go well, but nervous about something in the family. She was traveling alone. She said she was going to miss her church while gone. It was then that I asked her about her faith. She talked for several minutes, then said, “What do you do for a living?”
Usually, I don’t tell people unless they ask, preferring to let them talk to me without biases. After I told her I was a pastor, she said, “I thought so. I felt it. It shows. I feel God here, now.”
We talked for a long while, with two others joining our discussion. When we got on the plane, she smiled at me and touched my hand. I could tell she felt God’s comfort surrounding her. All agitation was gone.
You never know when God will want you to comfort someone, even someone you don’t know. God will bring comfort to another through your words or your presence. God will also comfort you when you need it. God is that way. It’s in God’s character.
As a faithful person, you need to learn how and when to comfort others. You will need to reach out to them with what God wants, not what you want. You will need to learn that enabling is NOT comforting, and that comfort from God means many things. Sometimes, offering to pray for another is all that is needed. In another case, a visit might be best. Comforting another may involve baking cookies or stopping for a chat. It may mean sending an email or calling to check in on a grieving friend. God’s comfort comes in many forms. Watch for God to bring that comfort. Pray for comfort to be with others. Be a sign of God’s comfort in our needy world.
God “comforts the downcast”. You may not realize it today, but in millennia past, many believed that the eyes of God were only on the powerful, the winners, the movers and shakers, the successful. The Mayans, for example, sometimes beheaded the losers in ball games played on a large field. The losers were seen as “lesser” in the eyes of the gods. Mary Lefkowitz wrote that the Greek gods tended to “favor” those who could “further their interests” like heroes, aristocrats, and those with power or influence (p. 6, Greek Gods, Human Lives). Teutonic gods were impressed most by the victorious in war. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob changed all that. Our God reached out not to the powerful Egyptians, but their slaves. God chose David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, to be a great leader. Jesus was born of Mary, not to a Queen or powerful leader. Our God does not overlook those who are humbled, depressed, hurt, overlooked, or weak. God sees potential in the lowly, while chastising the prideful and arrogant.
It is important during your bad days that you remember that God comforts the downcast. If you are depressed, you are never alone when you are a follower of God. God will comfort you. If you lost all your money or are in a nursing home or on food stamps, God watches over you. God doesn’t have a preference for the powerful. God blesses the poor: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Luke 6:20). “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for they shall see God” is what Matthew 5: 3 teaches. Jesus came not to bless the wealthy, but to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Whenever you are hurting, lost, alone, forsaken, beaten down, oppressed, or suffering, God will be there to bring comfort and encouragement.
One way that God brought comfort to the Macedonian Church was by sending Titus (2 Corinthians 7:6). This is also shown in the scripture for today. God uses special people to bring comfort to the hurting. You may be one whom God sends to comfort another. God may send someone special to comfort you.
I was sitting at the airport listening to an audiobook when I noticed a woman who seemed agitated. She had that kind of “deer in the headlights” look on her face. She was sitting alone. She fidgeted. She looked around as if she was lost. I watched her for several minutes when I felt God telling me to go sit near her, so I moved to a seat two down from her. After a few minutes, she spoke to me. I let her talk. She was going on a long trip to visit her grandchildren. She was a little worried about the trip. She told me that she was praying that things would go well, but nervous about something in the family. She was traveling alone. She said she was going to miss her church while gone. It was then that I asked her about her faith. She talked for several minutes, then said, “What do you do for a living?”
Usually, I don’t tell people unless they ask, preferring to let them talk to me without biases. After I told her I was a pastor, she said, “I thought so. I felt it. It shows. I feel God here, now.”
We talked for a long while, with two others joining our discussion. When we got on the plane, she smiled at me and touched my hand. I could tell she felt God’s comfort surrounding her. All agitation was gone.
You never know when God will want you to comfort someone, even someone you don’t know. God will bring comfort to another through your words or your presence. God will also comfort you when you need it. God is that way. It’s in God’s character.
As a faithful person, you need to learn how and when to comfort others. You will need to reach out to them with what God wants, not what you want. You will need to learn that enabling is NOT comforting, and that comfort from God means many things. Sometimes, offering to pray for another is all that is needed. In another case, a visit might be best. Comforting another may involve baking cookies or stopping for a chat. It may mean sending an email or calling to check in on a grieving friend. God’s comfort comes in many forms. Watch for God to bring that comfort. Pray for comfort to be with others. Be a sign of God’s comfort in our needy world.
February 21
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.”
(Proverbs 10:19, RSV)
(Proverbs 10:19, RSV)
Do you realize how often your own mouth gets you into trouble? It is all too easy to say something and later wish you could take it back. You might spout off angry words in the heat of a moment. You may be prone to tell the truth but use harsh words. Words can escape your lips before you think about what you are saying. In many and varied ways, you should learn to watch what you say. As the scripture for today written above proclaims, you need to “restrain your lips”.
Cal was always a big talker who was known for his big ego. He would often be found talking it up with his friends, bragging about some recent event in which he shined. Then, he met Charlene. She brought out the best in Cal. He was the perfect gentleman in her presence. Hardly a week went by in their small town when you didn’t see them across a table at lunch staring into each other’s eyes or holding hands as they walked down Main Street. Then came a fateful moment. While standing with a few guys from work at a Christmas party at work, the single men began to brag about the “assets” of the girls in the office. Cal joined right in without thinking, loudly bragging about his one-night stand with one of the women. He did so, just as Charlene walked up behind him, not knowing she was in earshot. Being very hurt, Charlene left the party without Cal. She stopped seeing him. Cal did everything he could to win her back. What Cal had forgotten was that Charlene’s heart was broken by a man who seduced her with a one-night stand. Charlene was crushed by his callous words. Cal has never been the same since Charlene stopped seeing him. When Charlene married another man, Cal’s heart barely recovered.
All it takes to ruin a friendship or a relationship are some careless, hurtful, or resentful words said at the absolute worst moment. You can’t take back the words after they are spoken. You can beg forgiveness or regret the words, but you can’t take them back. An email written in the heat of the moment can wreck a budding friendship. A post on social media can go viral, and you could lose your job over it. The scripture above from Proverbs urges you to choose carefully the words you utter or write. This scripture desires that you restrain your lips, watch your words, even limit what you say. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking” (Proverbs 10:19).
Have you ever noticed your tendency to use a bunch of words to cover up a mistake or a sin? Have you ever tried to talk your way out of trouble? Lawyers are wise to this mistake. Often, they will say something to provoke and just remain quiet, giving the person in the stand an uncomfortable silence. To fill the silence, people can say the wrong things. They will often hang themselves if given the opportunity. Where we should be careful with what we say, we are sometimes too apt to pop off with anger, say words under our breath in jealousy, and write with emotional abandon in social media. These words can always come back to haunt you.
Today, consider the words you speak or write. Are they appropriate for the moment? Do they need softening? Are they apt to miscommunicate your meaning? The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom… wisdom you could use today.
Cal was always a big talker who was known for his big ego. He would often be found talking it up with his friends, bragging about some recent event in which he shined. Then, he met Charlene. She brought out the best in Cal. He was the perfect gentleman in her presence. Hardly a week went by in their small town when you didn’t see them across a table at lunch staring into each other’s eyes or holding hands as they walked down Main Street. Then came a fateful moment. While standing with a few guys from work at a Christmas party at work, the single men began to brag about the “assets” of the girls in the office. Cal joined right in without thinking, loudly bragging about his one-night stand with one of the women. He did so, just as Charlene walked up behind him, not knowing she was in earshot. Being very hurt, Charlene left the party without Cal. She stopped seeing him. Cal did everything he could to win her back. What Cal had forgotten was that Charlene’s heart was broken by a man who seduced her with a one-night stand. Charlene was crushed by his callous words. Cal has never been the same since Charlene stopped seeing him. When Charlene married another man, Cal’s heart barely recovered.
All it takes to ruin a friendship or a relationship are some careless, hurtful, or resentful words said at the absolute worst moment. You can’t take back the words after they are spoken. You can beg forgiveness or regret the words, but you can’t take them back. An email written in the heat of the moment can wreck a budding friendship. A post on social media can go viral, and you could lose your job over it. The scripture above from Proverbs urges you to choose carefully the words you utter or write. This scripture desires that you restrain your lips, watch your words, even limit what you say. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking” (Proverbs 10:19).
Have you ever noticed your tendency to use a bunch of words to cover up a mistake or a sin? Have you ever tried to talk your way out of trouble? Lawyers are wise to this mistake. Often, they will say something to provoke and just remain quiet, giving the person in the stand an uncomfortable silence. To fill the silence, people can say the wrong things. They will often hang themselves if given the opportunity. Where we should be careful with what we say, we are sometimes too apt to pop off with anger, say words under our breath in jealousy, and write with emotional abandon in social media. These words can always come back to haunt you.
Today, consider the words you speak or write. Are they appropriate for the moment? Do they need softening? Are they apt to miscommunicate your meaning? The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom… wisdom you could use today.
February 22
“Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”” (Genesis 18:13–14, NIV84)
When speaking with Abraham about a child who was to bless both him and his wife, God noted Sarah’s response. The wife of Abraham could hardly believe her good fortune. She even laughed at first mention of having a child (Genesis 18:13). Well advanced in years (ninety years old!) and no longer experiencing her menstruation, she thought she was beyond her years for having children (Genesis 18:11). But God had long-promised Abraham a son with Sarah. That son was to have great importance in the history of God’s people (Genesis 17:16). All the major Israelite leaders and prophets came through the line of Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac. Also, the line from Isaac to Jesus is well documented in Matthew (Matthew 1:2ff). Isaac’s birth changed everything for the future of God’s people.
God’s words after Sarah’s laugh have always intrigued me. When Sarah laughed at the prospect of having a child in her old age, God asked Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). God was reiterating to Abraham that not only did HE create everything, HE is still in control. God can cause a woman who is beyond childbearing years to have a child. It’s not that hard for God to do! As God reminded Abraham of this, I think God is also reminds you of this fact as well. There are times when you might wonder if God is able to do something in your situation. You might wonder if God is powerful enough to change things. God’s answer is always: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” God is not bound by the same laws of nature you might be. God is not kept from doing what HE sees as necessary. When something needs to happen in your life from God’s point of view, God will make it happen. If God sees the need, God will step in. Though it may take days, months, years, or centuries, God will see that HIS plan comes to fruition. It may be that what you pray for may not happen today, but finally be answered in a decade. Maybe when you are gone, God will bring your child back to the faith. It might be through your illness that God changes your life years after. We don’t know the mind of God, but we can be sure of this: nothing is too hard for God to do. So, why doubt HIS abilities?
Lori prayed for her husband constantly. He had anger issues. He was stubborn. But, he had a soft side. He didn’t believe in God, but Michael did love Lori. The one thing missing in their relationship was God. Lori was a strong believer, who attended worship regularly. Michael was a hard-headed backslider, who was raised in the church but fell away from God. He liked alcohol a little too much and God not near enough! So, Lori prayed and prayed and prayed for Michael. Fourteen years after her first prayers, Michael attended a three-day spiritual event called “Tres Dias”. At that event, he knelt and asked for God to come into his life. From that day on, Michael was a changed man. He began to follow God’s lead. He began to read and study the Bible. It completely changed their marriage. Every Sunday, I saw those two in church. Few people knew how long Lori had prayed for Michael, but I knew. Michael and Lori were a great joy in my life. They often ministered to my family when things were difficult. One time, when my wife felt afraid, it was Michael and Lori whom she called.
There were many people who told Lori to give up on Michael. Friends and family told her to divorce him. People at work would sometimes comment on Michael’s harshness. People in her church wondered why she stayed faithful to him. Through it all, Lori prayed. She knew that nothing was too hard for the Lord! Michael was not beyond God’s reach. Her prayers changed many lives, especially when Michael became an elder in the church.
Just as God reminded Abraham that nothing was too hard for the Lord, do you need to be reminded as well? Are you apt to think something is beyond God’s saving or someone is beyond hope? God can change your life or your situation. God can introduce something new and wonderful into your life. Ask and you shall receive, seek and ye shall find that God can do amazing things (Matthew 7:7). Sometimes, all that is required is that you just believe, pray, and remember that God is ultimately, supremely, powerfully in control of things! Talk to God today about the big obstacles you see around you! Watch for what God can do about them! Don't stop praying or believing in God's power... ever.
God’s words after Sarah’s laugh have always intrigued me. When Sarah laughed at the prospect of having a child in her old age, God asked Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14). God was reiterating to Abraham that not only did HE create everything, HE is still in control. God can cause a woman who is beyond childbearing years to have a child. It’s not that hard for God to do! As God reminded Abraham of this, I think God is also reminds you of this fact as well. There are times when you might wonder if God is able to do something in your situation. You might wonder if God is powerful enough to change things. God’s answer is always: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” God is not bound by the same laws of nature you might be. God is not kept from doing what HE sees as necessary. When something needs to happen in your life from God’s point of view, God will make it happen. If God sees the need, God will step in. Though it may take days, months, years, or centuries, God will see that HIS plan comes to fruition. It may be that what you pray for may not happen today, but finally be answered in a decade. Maybe when you are gone, God will bring your child back to the faith. It might be through your illness that God changes your life years after. We don’t know the mind of God, but we can be sure of this: nothing is too hard for God to do. So, why doubt HIS abilities?
Lori prayed for her husband constantly. He had anger issues. He was stubborn. But, he had a soft side. He didn’t believe in God, but Michael did love Lori. The one thing missing in their relationship was God. Lori was a strong believer, who attended worship regularly. Michael was a hard-headed backslider, who was raised in the church but fell away from God. He liked alcohol a little too much and God not near enough! So, Lori prayed and prayed and prayed for Michael. Fourteen years after her first prayers, Michael attended a three-day spiritual event called “Tres Dias”. At that event, he knelt and asked for God to come into his life. From that day on, Michael was a changed man. He began to follow God’s lead. He began to read and study the Bible. It completely changed their marriage. Every Sunday, I saw those two in church. Few people knew how long Lori had prayed for Michael, but I knew. Michael and Lori were a great joy in my life. They often ministered to my family when things were difficult. One time, when my wife felt afraid, it was Michael and Lori whom she called.
There were many people who told Lori to give up on Michael. Friends and family told her to divorce him. People at work would sometimes comment on Michael’s harshness. People in her church wondered why she stayed faithful to him. Through it all, Lori prayed. She knew that nothing was too hard for the Lord! Michael was not beyond God’s reach. Her prayers changed many lives, especially when Michael became an elder in the church.
Just as God reminded Abraham that nothing was too hard for the Lord, do you need to be reminded as well? Are you apt to think something is beyond God’s saving or someone is beyond hope? God can change your life or your situation. God can introduce something new and wonderful into your life. Ask and you shall receive, seek and ye shall find that God can do amazing things (Matthew 7:7). Sometimes, all that is required is that you just believe, pray, and remember that God is ultimately, supremely, powerfully in control of things! Talk to God today about the big obstacles you see around you! Watch for what God can do about them! Don't stop praying or believing in God's power... ever.
February 23
“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.” (Luke 11:34, NIV84)
A blind person cannot “see” the light. She may feel the warmth of the sun and know that it has risen in the sky, thus experiencing the heat of the light; but she cannot experience light in the same way as those who have sight. A man who is blind cannot know the difference between seeing in the light and seeing in the dark. For him, it is always dark. A blind friend kept his lights off day and night, because they were not needed. He couldn’t see in the light anyway. When I’d visit at seven o’clock in the evening on a dark winter’s night, there would be no lights on in his house. He once said to me, “Oh, sorry, I forgot that you need the lights on!” He was used to the darkness. He didn’t need the light to get around at home. I’m sure he would have appreciated seeing with the light, but for him that was not an option.
Jesus healed blind people. He reached out to their need, giving a number of them new sight. Jesus also used blindness as a tool of ministry to explain the spiritually lost. He believed that in the same manner that a blind person is hampered when walking in some spaces, groping as she walks and falling when she can’t see an obstacle; spiritually blind people grope around spiritually in life. They will often fall to sin as they grope through the meaning of life. Jesus called the Pharisees and Jewish leaders blind to God’s work. He believed they could not “see” the work of the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Their hearts were “blinded by sin”. He called them “blind guides” (Matthew 15:14, 23:16).
In the scripture for today, Jesus used blindness to explain a spiritual meaning of faith. He mentions in Luke 11:34 that the eye is the “lamp of the body”. Through the eyes, light enters the body. The eye is the physical organ that perceives “light”. It was created to harness light and inform the brain of the presence of light. Jesus taught here that as a lamp brings light to a room, the eyes bring light into a body. Thus, when a person’s sight is bad, he is “full of darkness”. He cannot perceive the light in the normal way. Jesus believed that the “light” also could be used to describe spiritual “seeing”. Like a body will only experience darkness without the eyes to perceive the light, a soul will be in darkness without the ability to perceive God’s Kingdom and its spiritual light.
In cartoons, comics, and media, people often use a light bulb to picture the moment when a person “gets it”. We talk about someone “seeing the light” when they finally realize some concept or learn some important lesson. The concept of spiritual light and dark or seeing and blind was a common one in Jesus’ teaching. He too thought a person began to “see” spiritually when the light of God came into his heart and life. Thus, there was in Jesus’ teaching the notion that a person who sees the spiritual “light” is a person who understands God and God’s Kingdom. If you look closely at the scripture above, you might see this. If a person has God’s Spirit in her life, she will be able to “see” God’s work and perceive the lightness of God’s grace. If a man is in spiritual “darkness”, everything he sees with his eyes is spiritually darkened. He can’t see God’s work. He can’t perceive God. He can’t understand the spiritual side of life. He will sin.
I have met many people who were or are spiritually blind. They look at miracles as coincidences or luck. They will not see or perceive God’s actions in the world. They may have a great family and a good job, but their spiritual side of life is often stunted or non-existent. He or she may grope around spiritually, seeking the next spiritual fad, swayed by spiritual charlatans or hyped gurus.
When I met Nancy, she was involved in a form of new age spirituality. She revered things like angels, but also felt she could “channel” different energies in the world. She set up her living room to take advantage of “feng shui”, placed crystals in various rooms to “capture the energy all around”, and visited with different groups that talked about the power of various elements. Without knowing it, she was dabbling with a form of nature worship and playing around with types of shamanism. Her beliefs were highly eclectic.
Nancy believes she is a modern woman. She believes that Christianity is an “old religion” filled with myths that perpetuate hatred. She believes herself elevated above the lower spiritual people who go to church or attend a synagogue. She might say: “The divine is all around us; who needs to go to a church to experience God?” She has no clue that this is a pantheistic saying. Nancy is floating through life experiencing the next new thing. Someday, she is going to realize that there is a God. I just hope that is not on Judgment Day.
I find it interesting that Nancy cannot in any way perceive God. She calls God a myth. At the same time, she believes in angels, fairies, natural energies, and spirits. She thinks I am a little backward for not perceiving them. How can she “perceive” the possibility of fairies, but not the possibility of God? It makes no sense to me. I would love to help Nancy find God, but she won't allow it. She is too caught up in studying “chakras”. She has no clue they are related to Hinduism and Buddhism. She sees them as real forms of psychic energy that can be tapped into in life. How she can believe in a chakra, but not in prayer is beyond me. She believes chakras can’t be seen, but only felt. She argues that you can’t feel God, because God doesn’t exist. How does she know? Has she even searched for Him?
Sadly, I feel that people like Nancy are just groping around spiritually in life. They are dabbling blindly in their own pursuit for fairies and spirits and energies, while God’s saving grace has happened in real history. Jesus came into this world. He died for our sins. He taught us how to truly love. He taught us about the Kingdom of Heaven, a place that one day you will visit (if you haven’t already like did John of Patmos who wrote the book of Revelation!). Don’t let spiritual blindness keep your life in the dark. Don't let any sin darken your life. Remain in God’s light. Enjoy the warmth of God’s grace. Look around for evidence of God’s Kingdom. It’s amazing what you “see” when spiritually aware of God’s presence!
Jesus healed blind people. He reached out to their need, giving a number of them new sight. Jesus also used blindness as a tool of ministry to explain the spiritually lost. He believed that in the same manner that a blind person is hampered when walking in some spaces, groping as she walks and falling when she can’t see an obstacle; spiritually blind people grope around spiritually in life. They will often fall to sin as they grope through the meaning of life. Jesus called the Pharisees and Jewish leaders blind to God’s work. He believed they could not “see” the work of the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). Their hearts were “blinded by sin”. He called them “blind guides” (Matthew 15:14, 23:16).
In the scripture for today, Jesus used blindness to explain a spiritual meaning of faith. He mentions in Luke 11:34 that the eye is the “lamp of the body”. Through the eyes, light enters the body. The eye is the physical organ that perceives “light”. It was created to harness light and inform the brain of the presence of light. Jesus taught here that as a lamp brings light to a room, the eyes bring light into a body. Thus, when a person’s sight is bad, he is “full of darkness”. He cannot perceive the light in the normal way. Jesus believed that the “light” also could be used to describe spiritual “seeing”. Like a body will only experience darkness without the eyes to perceive the light, a soul will be in darkness without the ability to perceive God’s Kingdom and its spiritual light.
In cartoons, comics, and media, people often use a light bulb to picture the moment when a person “gets it”. We talk about someone “seeing the light” when they finally realize some concept or learn some important lesson. The concept of spiritual light and dark or seeing and blind was a common one in Jesus’ teaching. He too thought a person began to “see” spiritually when the light of God came into his heart and life. Thus, there was in Jesus’ teaching the notion that a person who sees the spiritual “light” is a person who understands God and God’s Kingdom. If you look closely at the scripture above, you might see this. If a person has God’s Spirit in her life, she will be able to “see” God’s work and perceive the lightness of God’s grace. If a man is in spiritual “darkness”, everything he sees with his eyes is spiritually darkened. He can’t see God’s work. He can’t perceive God. He can’t understand the spiritual side of life. He will sin.
I have met many people who were or are spiritually blind. They look at miracles as coincidences or luck. They will not see or perceive God’s actions in the world. They may have a great family and a good job, but their spiritual side of life is often stunted or non-existent. He or she may grope around spiritually, seeking the next spiritual fad, swayed by spiritual charlatans or hyped gurus.
When I met Nancy, she was involved in a form of new age spirituality. She revered things like angels, but also felt she could “channel” different energies in the world. She set up her living room to take advantage of “feng shui”, placed crystals in various rooms to “capture the energy all around”, and visited with different groups that talked about the power of various elements. Without knowing it, she was dabbling with a form of nature worship and playing around with types of shamanism. Her beliefs were highly eclectic.
Nancy believes she is a modern woman. She believes that Christianity is an “old religion” filled with myths that perpetuate hatred. She believes herself elevated above the lower spiritual people who go to church or attend a synagogue. She might say: “The divine is all around us; who needs to go to a church to experience God?” She has no clue that this is a pantheistic saying. Nancy is floating through life experiencing the next new thing. Someday, she is going to realize that there is a God. I just hope that is not on Judgment Day.
I find it interesting that Nancy cannot in any way perceive God. She calls God a myth. At the same time, she believes in angels, fairies, natural energies, and spirits. She thinks I am a little backward for not perceiving them. How can she “perceive” the possibility of fairies, but not the possibility of God? It makes no sense to me. I would love to help Nancy find God, but she won't allow it. She is too caught up in studying “chakras”. She has no clue they are related to Hinduism and Buddhism. She sees them as real forms of psychic energy that can be tapped into in life. How she can believe in a chakra, but not in prayer is beyond me. She believes chakras can’t be seen, but only felt. She argues that you can’t feel God, because God doesn’t exist. How does she know? Has she even searched for Him?
Sadly, I feel that people like Nancy are just groping around spiritually in life. They are dabbling blindly in their own pursuit for fairies and spirits and energies, while God’s saving grace has happened in real history. Jesus came into this world. He died for our sins. He taught us how to truly love. He taught us about the Kingdom of Heaven, a place that one day you will visit (if you haven’t already like did John of Patmos who wrote the book of Revelation!). Don’t let spiritual blindness keep your life in the dark. Don't let any sin darken your life. Remain in God’s light. Enjoy the warmth of God’s grace. Look around for evidence of God’s Kingdom. It’s amazing what you “see” when spiritually aware of God’s presence!
February 24
“Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”
(Psalm 139:7, RSV)
(Psalm 139:7, RSV)
When I counseled Charlotte, I could tell that she was deeply crushed. A year before she had been raped. Her response to the rape was to run and hide. She stopped talking to her friends. She closed herself off from her family. Often, she closed her bedroom door and just stared off into space. God practically shouted at me that something was seriously wrong within days of the rape. I knew even before her parents, because of God's prompting. I approached her when I saw her, just speaking kindly and asking if she wanted to talk. At first, she ignored the topic. Then, after a few weeks, I mentioned that I’m available for her twenty-four hours a day, whenever she would like to chat. She looked a little more receptive but cast down her eyes and rejected my offer. Every month or so, I would try to just get in a good conversation with her about any topic. She seemed to warm up after a few months. Finally, she asked to meet.
God’s Spirit told me she had been assaulted. Right away. I bided my time, waiting for her to talk. At first, she skirted the subject. Then, when I talked about God’s love and grace, she began to open up. She responded to love from God, but nothing else. As she shared, she spoke about how she had separated herself off from everyone following the rape. She had even stopped praying. She became numb. She would stare off for hours. Her family was pushed away. She retreated into herself and depression. Over the months that followed, we worked together toward her healing. Slowly, she stopped hiding. Soon, she felt God’s love again and began to accept the love of others. It was a long process. It’s amazing to me how a few minutes of violence in a young girl’s day can so change years of her life.
In the above true story, Charlotte was hiding from everyone including God during the early period after her rape. People hide from God for various reasons. Some sin and don’t want to bring that up with God. In refusing to repent, they cause a wall to form between themselves and their Creator. Some hide from God their true feelings. They fill their prayers with lofty words and religious phrases, but they don’t share with God what’s really in their heart. Those who are filled with anger often hide their true feelings. Addicts can hide their addiction. Like Adam and Eve hid from God in the Garden of Eden after their sin, so many people try to hide themselves or their sin even from God (Genesis 2).
The scripture above from Psalm 139 was written by a person who tried to hide himself from God. When he did, God searched for him (Psalm 139:1). God reminded the author that he was created by God. God knew him. Ultimately, he could never hide from God. God is Omnipresent. God is all-knowing. There is no place to truly hide from God. God sought him out and reached out to him. The author was truly never alone. This brought comfort to the writer of this psalm. Realizing God’s desire to be with him, he was overjoyed (Psalm 139:5). He invited God to search his heart completely for any wickedness (Psalm 139:24). After being reunited with God, he was glad for the renewed relationship. He grew to trust God.
Both Charlotte and the author of this psalm found comfort that God sought them out. God intended to be with them through good and bad days. They realized not only that you can’t hide from God, but you also need God to find true grace and healing. Sin causes us to want to hide from God. You may want to hide in shame for what you’ve done in the past. God wants nothing of it. God wants to deal with it and move on to a renewed loving relationship. God wants you to be redeemed. God wants you to feel grace and love. God wants you to repent and seek forgiveness. Seeking God’s grace and love, not hiding from God, is the best way to feel whole again.
Today, ask yourself if there is anything you are hiding from others. Are you good at burying something that needs to be worked out with God? The writer of this Psalm found such hope in knowing that God is always close. It truly is a joy to be close to God. So, stop hiding anything from God. Acknowledge God’s presence. He’s only a thought away at this second; waiting, watching over you.
God’s Spirit told me she had been assaulted. Right away. I bided my time, waiting for her to talk. At first, she skirted the subject. Then, when I talked about God’s love and grace, she began to open up. She responded to love from God, but nothing else. As she shared, she spoke about how she had separated herself off from everyone following the rape. She had even stopped praying. She became numb. She would stare off for hours. Her family was pushed away. She retreated into herself and depression. Over the months that followed, we worked together toward her healing. Slowly, she stopped hiding. Soon, she felt God’s love again and began to accept the love of others. It was a long process. It’s amazing to me how a few minutes of violence in a young girl’s day can so change years of her life.
In the above true story, Charlotte was hiding from everyone including God during the early period after her rape. People hide from God for various reasons. Some sin and don’t want to bring that up with God. In refusing to repent, they cause a wall to form between themselves and their Creator. Some hide from God their true feelings. They fill their prayers with lofty words and religious phrases, but they don’t share with God what’s really in their heart. Those who are filled with anger often hide their true feelings. Addicts can hide their addiction. Like Adam and Eve hid from God in the Garden of Eden after their sin, so many people try to hide themselves or their sin even from God (Genesis 2).
The scripture above from Psalm 139 was written by a person who tried to hide himself from God. When he did, God searched for him (Psalm 139:1). God reminded the author that he was created by God. God knew him. Ultimately, he could never hide from God. God is Omnipresent. God is all-knowing. There is no place to truly hide from God. God sought him out and reached out to him. The author was truly never alone. This brought comfort to the writer of this psalm. Realizing God’s desire to be with him, he was overjoyed (Psalm 139:5). He invited God to search his heart completely for any wickedness (Psalm 139:24). After being reunited with God, he was glad for the renewed relationship. He grew to trust God.
Both Charlotte and the author of this psalm found comfort that God sought them out. God intended to be with them through good and bad days. They realized not only that you can’t hide from God, but you also need God to find true grace and healing. Sin causes us to want to hide from God. You may want to hide in shame for what you’ve done in the past. God wants nothing of it. God wants to deal with it and move on to a renewed loving relationship. God wants you to be redeemed. God wants you to feel grace and love. God wants you to repent and seek forgiveness. Seeking God’s grace and love, not hiding from God, is the best way to feel whole again.
Today, ask yourself if there is anything you are hiding from others. Are you good at burying something that needs to be worked out with God? The writer of this Psalm found such hope in knowing that God is always close. It truly is a joy to be close to God. So, stop hiding anything from God. Acknowledge God’s presence. He’s only a thought away at this second; waiting, watching over you.
February 25
“You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…” (Deuteronomy 5:8–9a, NRSV)
The contrast was at the time striking for me. It was the first time I realized that worship came in right and wrong forms. It was the first time I ever understood idolatry.
I had attended communion at my home church on the Thursday before Easter. I remember it distinctly. It was a holy time, a precious moment. I thought about Jesus giving up his life on the cross. I considered my sinfulness redeemed in that holy moment. I was in High School. The next evening, I was at a party. There, a person had gotten so drunk that she was throwing up in the bathroom at the house where the party occurred. The girl was holding the toilet, throwing up loudly, saying “Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!” The contrast to the previous night hit me like a ton of bricks. At worship, we knelt during communion praying to God. The very next day, a young girl was kneeling at the toilet uttering words to God after consuming way too much alcohol. But, these were two very different types of kneeling and two very different methods of calling out to God. That night was the first time it hit me: some worship God at an altar while others pursue gods of their choosing from a porcelain throne.
I don’t in any way mean to compare throwing up to communion. NO! I’m contrasting the huge difference in what we worship. You might worship God. You might worship alcohol or a drug, living for your next high. Another person might idolize a celebrity. Another person would even steal for cocaine. Rich people often fashion an idol out of money. Still another might worship a memory, treating it more holy than God. Within each of us is the capability to worship things or fashion our own gods. It is tempting to give so much power to something inanimate. You need to be careful in life not to place too much worth on things or people. God is the one deserving ultimate allegiance and respect. What brings you to your knees? Is there something you give a little too much importance to in your life?
Gus started a business in Ohio in the 1940’s. What began as a love for cars became a passion. Gus enjoyed tuning up vehicles, fixing problems with cars. He loved hearing the purr of a well-tuned engine. He was so good at fixing cars, that he could tell if an engine was well-tuned by how it sounded as it drove by on the street. Gus found an old barn and began fixing up family cars, then cars for friends. Pretty soon, he was fixing cars almost every day. In 1948, he started a business as a mechanic. He fixed up that old barn and added signs, paint, and work bays. Within ten years, he hired his first helper. By the 1960’s six people worked for him at the shop. But, something changed in Gus over the years. What began as a passion and love for cars turned into a life that did nothing else. When his two kids were born, Gus was not home. He was at the shop. His was one of the first businesses to stay open seven days a week. Gus was seldom home, only there to sleep and eat. The rest of his day was spent at the shop. Every other area of his life took second place. His wife even commented to her friends at church every now and then: “Gus isn’t here again. He’s praying over some car at work, kneeling before sheet metal.” Her loneliness was readily apparent in the comment.
Gus loved his job. In fact, he worshiped it. God took second, or third, or twentieth place in Gus’ life. Everyone knew it. Few spoke of it. At Gus’ funeral, the pastor talked about Gus’ commitment to helping others when a vehicle broke down. What the pastor didn’t want to say is that everything in life came second to the shop, the business. Gus was married to his job more so than to his wife.
Now, before you look down upon Gus, realize that all people struggle with priorities in life. I would even say all people worship something, without exception. What do you worship? What takes priority over everything else in your life? Deuteronomy 5:8 cautions all who read it to “not make for yourself an idol”. We all either worship God or fashion our idols. We either bow down to God or “bow down to them” (Deuteronomy 5:9).
In a weak moment, you might believe that something you have made, worked for, or a thought (and not God) carries ultimate importance in your life. Those moments are incredibly destructive and dangerous. Why? When something other than a God who stands for love and justice comes first in your life, you are liable to perform all kinds of sins that will later come back to haunt you. Young people are incredibly susceptible to giving ultimate importance to temporary or worldly things. Sometimes, they spend a lifetime trying to fix the mistake when they gave ultimate importance to an idol and because of the resulting sin are still paying the price.
I had attended communion at my home church on the Thursday before Easter. I remember it distinctly. It was a holy time, a precious moment. I thought about Jesus giving up his life on the cross. I considered my sinfulness redeemed in that holy moment. I was in High School. The next evening, I was at a party. There, a person had gotten so drunk that she was throwing up in the bathroom at the house where the party occurred. The girl was holding the toilet, throwing up loudly, saying “Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!” The contrast to the previous night hit me like a ton of bricks. At worship, we knelt during communion praying to God. The very next day, a young girl was kneeling at the toilet uttering words to God after consuming way too much alcohol. But, these were two very different types of kneeling and two very different methods of calling out to God. That night was the first time it hit me: some worship God at an altar while others pursue gods of their choosing from a porcelain throne.
I don’t in any way mean to compare throwing up to communion. NO! I’m contrasting the huge difference in what we worship. You might worship God. You might worship alcohol or a drug, living for your next high. Another person might idolize a celebrity. Another person would even steal for cocaine. Rich people often fashion an idol out of money. Still another might worship a memory, treating it more holy than God. Within each of us is the capability to worship things or fashion our own gods. It is tempting to give so much power to something inanimate. You need to be careful in life not to place too much worth on things or people. God is the one deserving ultimate allegiance and respect. What brings you to your knees? Is there something you give a little too much importance to in your life?
Gus started a business in Ohio in the 1940’s. What began as a love for cars became a passion. Gus enjoyed tuning up vehicles, fixing problems with cars. He loved hearing the purr of a well-tuned engine. He was so good at fixing cars, that he could tell if an engine was well-tuned by how it sounded as it drove by on the street. Gus found an old barn and began fixing up family cars, then cars for friends. Pretty soon, he was fixing cars almost every day. In 1948, he started a business as a mechanic. He fixed up that old barn and added signs, paint, and work bays. Within ten years, he hired his first helper. By the 1960’s six people worked for him at the shop. But, something changed in Gus over the years. What began as a passion and love for cars turned into a life that did nothing else. When his two kids were born, Gus was not home. He was at the shop. His was one of the first businesses to stay open seven days a week. Gus was seldom home, only there to sleep and eat. The rest of his day was spent at the shop. Every other area of his life took second place. His wife even commented to her friends at church every now and then: “Gus isn’t here again. He’s praying over some car at work, kneeling before sheet metal.” Her loneliness was readily apparent in the comment.
Gus loved his job. In fact, he worshiped it. God took second, or third, or twentieth place in Gus’ life. Everyone knew it. Few spoke of it. At Gus’ funeral, the pastor talked about Gus’ commitment to helping others when a vehicle broke down. What the pastor didn’t want to say is that everything in life came second to the shop, the business. Gus was married to his job more so than to his wife.
Now, before you look down upon Gus, realize that all people struggle with priorities in life. I would even say all people worship something, without exception. What do you worship? What takes priority over everything else in your life? Deuteronomy 5:8 cautions all who read it to “not make for yourself an idol”. We all either worship God or fashion our idols. We either bow down to God or “bow down to them” (Deuteronomy 5:9).
In a weak moment, you might believe that something you have made, worked for, or a thought (and not God) carries ultimate importance in your life. Those moments are incredibly destructive and dangerous. Why? When something other than a God who stands for love and justice comes first in your life, you are liable to perform all kinds of sins that will later come back to haunt you. Young people are incredibly susceptible to giving ultimate importance to temporary or worldly things. Sometimes, they spend a lifetime trying to fix the mistake when they gave ultimate importance to an idol and because of the resulting sin are still paying the price.
February 26
“Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land which he swore to give to their fathers; and having taken possession of it, they settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers; not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” (Joshua 21:43–45, RSV)
Have you ever been the recipient of a failed promise? When you put your faith in someone who makes a promise and later that promise is broken, it makes you forever question how true that person will be in the future. A person who keeps promises is a person whose word you can usually trust.
At the scene of an accident, a young lady was struggling to survive. Her car was side-swiped by a drunk driver as she was going home from work. When the car of the drunk driver swerved into her, Carlita lost control of her own car and slammed into a tree. She was pinned and bleeding. She had a broken leg and ankle. Her head had lacerations and bruises. Going in and out of consciousness, she barely realized the police car lights flashing around her as an officer struggled to reach her and assess the situation. What Carlita did remember well was the officer’s calm voice saying, “I’m here. I’ll take care of you, I promise. You stay with me now…..” Carlita could not focus on much at all, and the pain tore at her reality. Still, the calm voice of the officer made her heart settle down. She felt in good hands. In short order, a crew from the fire department used the “jaws of life” to extricate her from the twisted wreckage. She was transported to the hospital.
Two weeks after the accident, Carlita came to the police department. There, she hugged and thanked the officer for his calm voice and promise to be with her. She remarked to him, “I felt so safe with you there. Thank you for keeping your promise to watch over me!” They hugged. Pictures were taken. It was a memorable moment for both the department and Carlita.
Promises that are kept often bring hope and relief. Broken promises lead to mistrust, worry, fear, and instability. Making promises is not a bad thing. It gives people something to place their faith in. Broken promises feel like lies. They make people insecure and fearful, afraid to trust another.
In the scripture for today from Joshua 21, there is a summation of the conquest of the “promised land”. Throughout the time of the exodus from Egypt and during the wilderness years, God had promised the people that they would soon have a place to live. Centuries before, God had made similar promises to the patriarchs and matriarchs of old, including Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, and Moses. Here in the time of Joshua, many of those promises came to fruition. Joshua 21:43 makes this clear: “the Lord gave to Israel all the land which he swore to their fathers”. The next two verses add to the picture by saying “the Lord gave rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers”; “not one of the good promises which the Lord made…. had failed; all came to pass.” (Joshua 21:44-45). It is important that scriptures like this were included in our Bible. They state for posterity that not only does God make promises, God keeps them.
Are you a person of your word? Do you both make promises and keep them? Politicians and salespeople are good at making promises to gain your trust. When they fail to follow through by keeping their word, it causes social anger and resentment, distrust and disrespect. God is NOT this way. God knows that promises are very important and meant to be kept. God keeps HIS promises.
In my final words for today, I want you to remember that God has made a good number of promises to you. Based on the scripture for today, God plans on keeping them. Isn’t it nice knowing that God will follow through? In response to God’s faithfulness, make sure to keep your own promises. Others are counting on you. Others need you to be true to your words. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Don’t fail to follow through on your promises. God cares about such things. Do you?
At the scene of an accident, a young lady was struggling to survive. Her car was side-swiped by a drunk driver as she was going home from work. When the car of the drunk driver swerved into her, Carlita lost control of her own car and slammed into a tree. She was pinned and bleeding. She had a broken leg and ankle. Her head had lacerations and bruises. Going in and out of consciousness, she barely realized the police car lights flashing around her as an officer struggled to reach her and assess the situation. What Carlita did remember well was the officer’s calm voice saying, “I’m here. I’ll take care of you, I promise. You stay with me now…..” Carlita could not focus on much at all, and the pain tore at her reality. Still, the calm voice of the officer made her heart settle down. She felt in good hands. In short order, a crew from the fire department used the “jaws of life” to extricate her from the twisted wreckage. She was transported to the hospital.
Two weeks after the accident, Carlita came to the police department. There, she hugged and thanked the officer for his calm voice and promise to be with her. She remarked to him, “I felt so safe with you there. Thank you for keeping your promise to watch over me!” They hugged. Pictures were taken. It was a memorable moment for both the department and Carlita.
Promises that are kept often bring hope and relief. Broken promises lead to mistrust, worry, fear, and instability. Making promises is not a bad thing. It gives people something to place their faith in. Broken promises feel like lies. They make people insecure and fearful, afraid to trust another.
In the scripture for today from Joshua 21, there is a summation of the conquest of the “promised land”. Throughout the time of the exodus from Egypt and during the wilderness years, God had promised the people that they would soon have a place to live. Centuries before, God had made similar promises to the patriarchs and matriarchs of old, including Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, and Moses. Here in the time of Joshua, many of those promises came to fruition. Joshua 21:43 makes this clear: “the Lord gave to Israel all the land which he swore to their fathers”. The next two verses add to the picture by saying “the Lord gave rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers”; “not one of the good promises which the Lord made…. had failed; all came to pass.” (Joshua 21:44-45). It is important that scriptures like this were included in our Bible. They state for posterity that not only does God make promises, God keeps them.
Are you a person of your word? Do you both make promises and keep them? Politicians and salespeople are good at making promises to gain your trust. When they fail to follow through by keeping their word, it causes social anger and resentment, distrust and disrespect. God is NOT this way. God knows that promises are very important and meant to be kept. God keeps HIS promises.
In my final words for today, I want you to remember that God has made a good number of promises to you. Based on the scripture for today, God plans on keeping them. Isn’t it nice knowing that God will follow through? In response to God’s faithfulness, make sure to keep your own promises. Others are counting on you. Others need you to be true to your words. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Don’t fail to follow through on your promises. God cares about such things. Do you?
February 27
““… declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. …Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? … “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, … to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, "Here I am.”” (Isaiah 58:1–9a abridged, RSV)
Roman Catholics accept that there are seven sacraments. Protestant Christianity only accepts two sacraments: baptism and communion. What many Protestants don’t know is that Martin Luther argued within himself if confession should be included as a sacrament for the Lutheran faithful. I’m not talking about confession with a priest here, I’m talking about confession as a rite, a spiritual act that is crucial to the life of the believer. Whether done in corporate worship or between two faithful, confession is critical to the holy life. Rev. Billy Graham, whose funeral is this week, also believed in the power of confession. He believed it was the first step to a faithful life. Thousands of times at rallies and crusades, Billy Graham urged sinners to come forward and confess their sins.
The importance of confession being good for the soul is lost on many Christians. This importance of confession surprises many people. Most Christians do not think of confessing their sins in the same way they think of communion. Though we often have prayers of repentance or even times in our worship devoted to confession of sin, people think confession is a personal thing, not a worship thing. You also may not think that confession of your sin to a confidant is needed. I believe it is. In some cases, I found it was CRUCIAL to healing. In fact, it was the one barrier that held up feeling better for many people in counseling. God surely determined that the confession of sin should be a part of every holy life.
In Isaiah 58, written above, the prophet Isaiah is critical of the people of Israel. On holy days when they were supposed to be confessing their sins and fasting because of their failure to follow God, they were NOT truly sorry for their sin. Isaiah told them that they should go home, bow their head, put on sackcloth to wear, and cover themselves with ashes. Then, he believed that God would notice their true repentance and see their true faith. You see, the people didn't want to admit they were wrong. They didn't want to let others know when they had sinned. But God wanted the people to be sorry for their sin, to confess and repent, to cover themselves with ashes as a sign that they had failed God.
To commemorate the call to put on ashes and confess our sins, many Christians use Ash Wednesday as a call to confession and repentance. On that day in many churches, spiritual leaders place ashes in the form of a cross on the foreheads of the faithful. Congregants are encouraged to confess their sin and repent of their failures. The imposition of ashes is a sign that a person wants to get right with God in the manner of Isaiah 58.
In 1951, comedian Red Skelton and a party of friends flew to Europe, where Skelton was to appear at the London Palladium. As they were flying over the Swiss Alps, three of the airplane's engines failed. The situation looked very grave, and the passengers began to pray. Skelton went into one of his best comic routines to distract them from the emergency as the plane lost altitude, coming closer and closer to the ominous-looking mountains. At the last moment, the pilot spied a large field among the slopes and made a perfect landing. Skelton broke the relieved silence by saying, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, you may return to the evil habits you gave up 20 minutes ago."
Many people do not realize that they are not right with God until they face death. It is common for people to ignore their own mistakes, failures, and sin. We sweep them under the rug, put those skeletons in the closet, hide those flaws from others. That's part of the human condition. We don't want to admit we fail, we mess up, we sin.
In Saint Louis in 1984, an unemployed cleaning woman noticed a few bees buzzing around the attic of her home. Since there were only a few, she made no effort to deal with them. Over the summer the bees continued to fly in and out the attic vent while the woman remained unconcerned, unaware of the growing city of bees. Over time, the whole attic became a hive, and the ceiling of the second-floor bedroom finally caved in under the weight of hundreds of pounds of honey and thousands of angry bees. While the woman escaped serious injury, she was unable to repair the damage of her accumulated neglect. They had to condemn her house!
When you don't deal with sin in your life, it too may grow out of control. You ignore the sin thinking it will go away... it doesn't do much.... nobody will notice. But that sin can easily take over your life. That sin can cause you to feel disconnected with God. It can cause physical ailments and disease. It can damage your spiritual life and throw you into a depression. Dare you take that chance?
In what ways have you failed God in the past years? Are there sins that get to you, thoughts that are not pure that swim in your head? Does your anger, your bias, your selfishness take a toll? Then, today is the day to acknowledge your sin and make right with God. Confession and repentance will set you on the right path. Confession is good for the soul. Isaiah acknowledged that. Jesus confirmed that. Luther respected that. Billy Graham and I also give credence to the power of confession. So, what is keeping you from confessing to God your mistakes and failures and sins today? It might be the very thing needed to bring healing to your body and soul. It could easily change your life for the better!
The importance of confession being good for the soul is lost on many Christians. This importance of confession surprises many people. Most Christians do not think of confessing their sins in the same way they think of communion. Though we often have prayers of repentance or even times in our worship devoted to confession of sin, people think confession is a personal thing, not a worship thing. You also may not think that confession of your sin to a confidant is needed. I believe it is. In some cases, I found it was CRUCIAL to healing. In fact, it was the one barrier that held up feeling better for many people in counseling. God surely determined that the confession of sin should be a part of every holy life.
In Isaiah 58, written above, the prophet Isaiah is critical of the people of Israel. On holy days when they were supposed to be confessing their sins and fasting because of their failure to follow God, they were NOT truly sorry for their sin. Isaiah told them that they should go home, bow their head, put on sackcloth to wear, and cover themselves with ashes. Then, he believed that God would notice their true repentance and see their true faith. You see, the people didn't want to admit they were wrong. They didn't want to let others know when they had sinned. But God wanted the people to be sorry for their sin, to confess and repent, to cover themselves with ashes as a sign that they had failed God.
To commemorate the call to put on ashes and confess our sins, many Christians use Ash Wednesday as a call to confession and repentance. On that day in many churches, spiritual leaders place ashes in the form of a cross on the foreheads of the faithful. Congregants are encouraged to confess their sin and repent of their failures. The imposition of ashes is a sign that a person wants to get right with God in the manner of Isaiah 58.
In 1951, comedian Red Skelton and a party of friends flew to Europe, where Skelton was to appear at the London Palladium. As they were flying over the Swiss Alps, three of the airplane's engines failed. The situation looked very grave, and the passengers began to pray. Skelton went into one of his best comic routines to distract them from the emergency as the plane lost altitude, coming closer and closer to the ominous-looking mountains. At the last moment, the pilot spied a large field among the slopes and made a perfect landing. Skelton broke the relieved silence by saying, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, you may return to the evil habits you gave up 20 minutes ago."
Many people do not realize that they are not right with God until they face death. It is common for people to ignore their own mistakes, failures, and sin. We sweep them under the rug, put those skeletons in the closet, hide those flaws from others. That's part of the human condition. We don't want to admit we fail, we mess up, we sin.
In Saint Louis in 1984, an unemployed cleaning woman noticed a few bees buzzing around the attic of her home. Since there were only a few, she made no effort to deal with them. Over the summer the bees continued to fly in and out the attic vent while the woman remained unconcerned, unaware of the growing city of bees. Over time, the whole attic became a hive, and the ceiling of the second-floor bedroom finally caved in under the weight of hundreds of pounds of honey and thousands of angry bees. While the woman escaped serious injury, she was unable to repair the damage of her accumulated neglect. They had to condemn her house!
When you don't deal with sin in your life, it too may grow out of control. You ignore the sin thinking it will go away... it doesn't do much.... nobody will notice. But that sin can easily take over your life. That sin can cause you to feel disconnected with God. It can cause physical ailments and disease. It can damage your spiritual life and throw you into a depression. Dare you take that chance?
In what ways have you failed God in the past years? Are there sins that get to you, thoughts that are not pure that swim in your head? Does your anger, your bias, your selfishness take a toll? Then, today is the day to acknowledge your sin and make right with God. Confession and repentance will set you on the right path. Confession is good for the soul. Isaiah acknowledged that. Jesus confirmed that. Luther respected that. Billy Graham and I also give credence to the power of confession. So, what is keeping you from confessing to God your mistakes and failures and sins today? It might be the very thing needed to bring healing to your body and soul. It could easily change your life for the better!
February 28
“Wise people treasure knowledge…” (Proverbs 10:14a, NLT)
Some think wisdom is being “smart”. I’ve known intelligent people who could rattle off scientific principles verbatim but couldn’t remember to pay their monthly bills and never seem to have the time to help others. Some think wisdom is being worldly wise. Not necessarily. You can know a lot about how the world works and have all kinds of life experiences but still not apply them to your life. The biblically wise person has a number of characteristics including: a knowledge of God, common sense, lots of learning, an understanding of how the world works and God’s place in it, and a willingness to live out the godly life. You don’t need a college degree, a PhD, or lots of recognition, to be wise. I’ve met wise people who were young, old, and in-between.
One of the cornerstones of being wise is desiring knowledge. The wise person is always willing to learn. You’ve probably met many people who did not want to learn. They shun reading. They want others to do things for them instead of learning how to do an easy task themselves. In church, they want the priest or pastor to tell them what to believe instead of studying their Bible. Learning and knowledge take time. They take a willingness to study and pursue knowledge that is not biased or manipulated. Truly wise people want to know the truth about a subject. Facts are important, but the implementation of those facts is also important. Changing your life and actions to adapt to what you learn is also vital. That’s one reason that people who aren’t wise seem to falter at things in life. They don’t want to take the time and effort needed to change or learn. Thus, they can make the same mistakes or have the same problems over and over. Wise people not only learn knowledge, but they implement it in life and use it to better their world.
In the scripture for today is contained the simple description of the character of wise people: “they treasure knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). Wise people are willing to take the time to learn, to read, to listen, to appropriate knowledge in many forms. Those who care about wisdom don’t sit on their laurels; they know the value of knowledge and seek after it in life. Seeing a problem, they find solutions. Unwilling to just talk or complain about something, they like to work through a problem or overcome an obstacle.
When I met Jerry, I thought him shy. When I got to know him, I realized he had great wisdom. His silence didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking. Far from it! I learned that when Jerry was quiet, he was usually working out possibilities and solutions.
A complaint had arisen in Jerry’s church. Kids who fell in the recreation center often had bruising and scrapes, so young children’s classes wouldn’t use the space. The old wooden floor made for a great basketball court for the church group that played there, but the children got splinters and their knees hurt from playing on the floor. When the floor in the old center needed refinishing, some in the church advocated tearing out the floor, putting up some walls, and designing different play areas for all ages. Leaders pointed out that the large open center was needed for congregational meetings and shouldn’t be broken up. Youth liked the basketball court. The women’s group wanted to put in a walking track instead. There was no consensus about the recreation center. It was a constant source of tension between groups in the church. Jerry, as an elder, listened to all the voices. He took in their concerns.
Two months later, Jerry presented an idea to the leadership. A new type of floor had been developed for gymnasiums. The floor had some give (it was like cork in consistency). It was soft enough for children to play on, yet hard enough to enable basketball players to not trip on it. An elastomeric coating was put over it on which you could paint lines for basketball courts and walking tracks. It was durable, so it would not be affected by chairs and tables set up for congregational meetings. The floor was perfect for their church. The leaders learned everything they could about the floor and decided to have it installed. That was twenty-five years ago. The floor has not only held up over time, but every single group in the church (and many in that community) uses that area now. Jerry’s wise leadership and knowledge saved the day. No arguments over the floor have been heard for decades.
In this true story of Jerry and the church floor, notice all the wisdom and knowledge involved. Jerry researched for and found a perfect solution for their floor. He learned how it was made and how to install it. The leaders researched all the information they could about the floor before purchasing it. The church leaders listened to all those who used the area. They all prayed about whether to buy the floor (which wasn’t cheap) and knew it was what God wanted them to utilize. The knowledge that congregation appropriated went to helping all with a functional and safe place to grow, learn, study, pray, and just plain have fun.
Wise people know that knowledge is important as the scripture for today contends. They are willing to learn what they can and to store that knowledge for when its needed. Wisdom requires the treasuring of knowledge. Being wise involves acquiring knowledge and learning to adapt that knowledge as God sees fit. Is there some knowledge that you need at the moment? Are you wise enough to realize you need to study something in order to help an issue you are facing? Are your sources of knowledge biased or hampering your growth? Do you realize how knowledge should be treasured? I’ve met many teachers, but the best ones are those who make you crave learning and desire knowledge. I thank God today for all those who teach others after learning themselves!
One of the cornerstones of being wise is desiring knowledge. The wise person is always willing to learn. You’ve probably met many people who did not want to learn. They shun reading. They want others to do things for them instead of learning how to do an easy task themselves. In church, they want the priest or pastor to tell them what to believe instead of studying their Bible. Learning and knowledge take time. They take a willingness to study and pursue knowledge that is not biased or manipulated. Truly wise people want to know the truth about a subject. Facts are important, but the implementation of those facts is also important. Changing your life and actions to adapt to what you learn is also vital. That’s one reason that people who aren’t wise seem to falter at things in life. They don’t want to take the time and effort needed to change or learn. Thus, they can make the same mistakes or have the same problems over and over. Wise people not only learn knowledge, but they implement it in life and use it to better their world.
In the scripture for today is contained the simple description of the character of wise people: “they treasure knowledge” (Proverbs 10:14). Wise people are willing to take the time to learn, to read, to listen, to appropriate knowledge in many forms. Those who care about wisdom don’t sit on their laurels; they know the value of knowledge and seek after it in life. Seeing a problem, they find solutions. Unwilling to just talk or complain about something, they like to work through a problem or overcome an obstacle.
When I met Jerry, I thought him shy. When I got to know him, I realized he had great wisdom. His silence didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking. Far from it! I learned that when Jerry was quiet, he was usually working out possibilities and solutions.
A complaint had arisen in Jerry’s church. Kids who fell in the recreation center often had bruising and scrapes, so young children’s classes wouldn’t use the space. The old wooden floor made for a great basketball court for the church group that played there, but the children got splinters and their knees hurt from playing on the floor. When the floor in the old center needed refinishing, some in the church advocated tearing out the floor, putting up some walls, and designing different play areas for all ages. Leaders pointed out that the large open center was needed for congregational meetings and shouldn’t be broken up. Youth liked the basketball court. The women’s group wanted to put in a walking track instead. There was no consensus about the recreation center. It was a constant source of tension between groups in the church. Jerry, as an elder, listened to all the voices. He took in their concerns.
Two months later, Jerry presented an idea to the leadership. A new type of floor had been developed for gymnasiums. The floor had some give (it was like cork in consistency). It was soft enough for children to play on, yet hard enough to enable basketball players to not trip on it. An elastomeric coating was put over it on which you could paint lines for basketball courts and walking tracks. It was durable, so it would not be affected by chairs and tables set up for congregational meetings. The floor was perfect for their church. The leaders learned everything they could about the floor and decided to have it installed. That was twenty-five years ago. The floor has not only held up over time, but every single group in the church (and many in that community) uses that area now. Jerry’s wise leadership and knowledge saved the day. No arguments over the floor have been heard for decades.
In this true story of Jerry and the church floor, notice all the wisdom and knowledge involved. Jerry researched for and found a perfect solution for their floor. He learned how it was made and how to install it. The leaders researched all the information they could about the floor before purchasing it. The church leaders listened to all those who used the area. They all prayed about whether to buy the floor (which wasn’t cheap) and knew it was what God wanted them to utilize. The knowledge that congregation appropriated went to helping all with a functional and safe place to grow, learn, study, pray, and just plain have fun.
Wise people know that knowledge is important as the scripture for today contends. They are willing to learn what they can and to store that knowledge for when its needed. Wisdom requires the treasuring of knowledge. Being wise involves acquiring knowledge and learning to adapt that knowledge as God sees fit. Is there some knowledge that you need at the moment? Are you wise enough to realize you need to study something in order to help an issue you are facing? Are your sources of knowledge biased or hampering your growth? Do you realize how knowledge should be treasured? I’ve met many teachers, but the best ones are those who make you crave learning and desire knowledge. I thank God today for all those who teach others after learning themselves!