Psalm 23:5-6

Psalm 23:5-6
English Standard Version (ESV)

  When we read that goodness and mercy will follow us, our first instinct can easily be to notice all the things that don't seem to fit into the categories of goodness and mercy.  We point to areas where there doesn't seem to be goodness and we wonder where God is in this.  We ask God why we can't sense his mercy.
  There are no easy answers for these questions.  I believe that God is good, but I also believe that there is still evil and chaos in our lives, and the presence of these often overshadows God's goodness in our lives.  The fact that you can read God's Word in a house tells of amazing wonders, of gifts of life and love and shelter and other gifts, but we gloss over these.  We forget what a miracle life is.  As Rachel is about to give birth to a third child, it's always amazing what God is doing -- life itself is a miracle, and each breath is a gift from God.
  So let us keep our eyes peeled for signs and reminders of God's goodness, and may our hearts look forward to the house of the Lord, that we may dwell and dine with him in heaven forever!

Psalm 23:2-4

Psalm 23:2-4
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Most people in the world have a certain degree of selfishness.  When someone calls and offers us a free lunch, there is something inside us that is suspicious -- we wonder what is in it for the buyer, right?  We're often curious if someone does something generous for us, because we think that they must be getting something out of it.
  Here in Psalm 23, we're reminded of God's selfless love.  When he could abandon us in the valley of the shadow of death, he abides with us.  When he could leave us on our own, he chooses to lead us beside still waters, to stay with us no matter what and lead us into the ways of abundant life.  God is always choosing to be with us, to remain with us, to stay with us and point us towards hope, towards peace and towards joy.  God doesn't abandon us, no matter if we deserve it -- God remains, and God does so selflessly, not out of self-interest but rather out of selfless love.  God loves you and wants you to experience his abundance and peace, and so he walks with us, every step and every day, so that we might be enveloped in his love and wrapped in his peace.

Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23:1
English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.

  On every beach vacation I've taken, I always wonder if the vista would get old.  If I up and moved there, would I one day take it for granted, stop being in wonder at the sound of the waves, complain about the seagulls and how sand gets everywhere?  Would I stop bothering to watch the sunset, which was the same as the one before?  Would it get stale?  (I'd like to move and find out!)
  Scripture can be the same -- we can come to a familiar verse and read it out of habit, ceasing to wonder at the truth buried within.  We can miss what's incredible when it becomes familiar.
  The 23rd Psalm is one you've probably heard hundreds of times if you've been a Christian for years.  It becomes a rhythm, and when you finish reading it, you can sometimes wonder what you just read.  But the first verse amazes me -- what's it like to not want?
  When you're a Christian, you realize that the truth and love and mercy and grace of God are truly all you need.  There is nothing else that you need for life and for abundance.  When God cares for us, that is enough.
  Our souls and brains are often so caught up in wanting things -- be it material things or simply more time or rest.  In God, when we rest in him, we want for nothing.  That is what the promise of heaven is -- no more restless yearning.  We are complete in him, and we lack for nothing.  We can finally rest, at peace.
  And so I pray that you may get a window into what it means to want for nothing.  To see the things around us and be at peace, knowing that you are enough, that you have enough, that Christ is all in all.  May we experience that grace fully, tasting to see that the Lord is good, getting a glimpse of heaven for a moment to wonder at the life to come when God is enough and more.

James 1:12-15

James 1:12-15
English Standard Version (ESV)

  If you stand by the ice cream stand long enough, eventually you'll buy an ice cream.
  It's the pathway of sin that we all have walked -- we have a desire, and we allow our minds to dwell on it.  We flirt with it, always believing that we are stronger and able to resist.  We wouldn't give in to it, but we'll play with it, entertain it, and the more time we spend with it, the more our resistance weakens, the more tempting it becomes, and eventually we give in.  Our desire gives birth to sin, and sin leads to death.  It's a slow process, and it would be certain were it not for the grace of God, who intercedes to disrupt the pathway to death.
  In Jesus Christ, we have a pathway out of sin, we have a path to life.  In paying the ultimate price for sin, he accepts the punishment we deserve and creates another option -- one that leads to eternal life.  It is a free gift, an invitation to us all.  Accept the grace and love of God, and we will walk with him and receive his peace, avoiding the path from sin to death and instead choosing to receive abundant and eternal life.

Revelation 4:1-8

Revelation 4:1-8
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  When John was an old man, he was granted a vision  of heaven that overwhelms the senses.  He was grasping for ways to describe it, but it clearly exists beyond what our minds can grasp.  What translates, however, is the sense of awe and wonder one gets from the throne room of God.  The only response is to worship the God who sits upon the throne and rules with mercy and power.  It's a transforming place, one words fail to describe.
  To aim our lives at the presence of God, we can't rely upon rules to guide our lives.  I once listened to a preacher describe a situation he encountered in Australia.  There, they don't have fences for the cattle -- instead, they dig deep wells, and it turns out that creating life-giving wells in the middle of the Outback is enough to keep the cattle near, and it's far more effective than creating boundary fences.  The wells keep them close.
  To follow God, the most important thing we can do is to seek to love God more than anything else.  I've been praying for this -- for the Holy Spirit to teach my heart to love God above all, that my love for God may lead my heart, and then my heart may lead my actions to honor and glorify God.  If we love God, we will seek to honor him with our choices and with our words and with our actions.  We shape our lives around what we love, and so loving God will shape how we interact and how we choose to spend our time.  God has poured out his love on us, so let us choose to love God in return for all that God has done, and may this love be the guiding light for our lives.

Romans 8:1-4

Romans 8:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Do you feel free?  Do you feel like you walk according to the Spirit?
  If you're like me, you probably don't.  And I think this is a critical point for Christians to know and understand -- it's not about how you feel.  What happens to a lot of us is that we focus on ourselves -- on our thoughts and our actions and our lives, and we let those feelings make judgments about what kind of Christians we are.  We feel compassion fatigue when we see the third wave of hurricanes sweeping across the lives of the vulnerable, and we feel guilty, and we decide that we aren't good enough Christians, and we beat ourselves up.  We do this over and over -- I'm still thinking about whether or not I responded faithfully to the homeless guy who hit me up for money on my walk to the car.  We get these thoughts and questions into our heads and they rattle around in there and pretty soon we feel terrible about ourselves, right?  Or am I the only one?
  What Paul is teaching us here is that our worth is not determined by our inner feelings.  Our value is based upon what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.  In Him, there is no condemnation.  In Him, we have been set free.  That's it -- it's not conditional!!!!  We are free because God has sent his own Son, and our lives are forever changed because of Him!!!  So let us give thanks, because our worth isn't dependent on how we feel -- Paul doesn't say that there is no condemnation for those who feel good about their walk of faithfulness.  Paul says that we who are in Christ are set free due to his amazing love  Let us give thanks with a joyful heart for the steadfast love and faithfulness of God!

1 Timothy 1:12-17

1 Timothy 1:12-17
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I'm convinced that you could spend the rest of your life plumbing the depths of this paragraph and likely never reach the bottom.  Just when you think you can grasp the beauty and wonder of God's love for us, there is more.  That's how I understand heaven -- a place where there is always inexhaustible beauty that continues to astound.
  Here is Paul, a self-admitted blasphemer, persecutor and insolent opponent.  Take a moment and think of all the negative labels you can hang on yourself.  I know I have plenty with which I can describe myself.  And all those labels -- they have not determined our fate, because Christ's purpose is to save people exactly like ourselves!!!  Christ didn't save us by accident.  He didn't come for the perfect people only to be disappointed that there weren't any and revert to us as plan B!  He came expressly to save sinners, and when he found us, he used us as an example of his perfect patience!  God showed up and was gracious towards us, knowing that we weren't going to get it right the first time, knowing we'd need a lot of help, and through his patience he continues to express his love and is encouraging us to move towards grace and away from sin.
  This is the God we worship, and due to his patience and grace and love, he is due all the honor and glory forever.  When we slow down enough to realize that God came precisely to save people who had turned against him, it is astounding to think of the depths of his love and patience that pursues us wherever we are!

Ephesians 4:1-7

Ephesians 4:1-7
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Paul lists a group of traits that don't seem like they're in popular demand these days.  Humility.  Gentleness.  Patience.  Selfless love.  Seeking unity above all else.
  In a culture of pride that seeks to create a memorable persona so people will know who you are, these aren't traits that are admired.  In a social-media dominated culture that defines popularity by the number of followers and the ability to create a brand that others will follow and imitate, these aren't the types of qualities people will seek out.  But when building authentic community that will require people to be vulnerable and build trust, this is what you need.  When you reach the depths of life's valleys and need a companion to walk with you through the darkest chapters of life, these are exactly the type of things you look for.  When you need a friend and the world has turned its back, this is what you're looking for.
  In summary, authentic relationships are built on our willingness to be humble and consider the needs of others, to selflessly serve the community and think not of our own needs first.  When we build relationships and trust, we are able to share the Gospel effectively, out of genuine love for the other.  We are stronger when we think of another first and ourselves last.

Colossians 1:3-8

Colossians 1:3-8
English Standard Version (ESV)

  When you pray, who are you celebrating? Are you praying that those who are serving well might continue to be strengthened by the Spirit?
  When you go out today, are you remembering that your ultimate hope is in Heaven, allowing you to keep the day in perspective?  Do you cling to your hope in Christ, recognizing that all else will pass away and one day, only the Kingdom of God will remain?  Are you giving thanks for the day when you heard the Gospel and came to understand the grace of God in truth?  Do you give thanks for those who continue to faithfully go into the world to proclaim the Gospel to those who have not heard, and do you support their ministry?
  There is so much Good News in the Gospel, and so many ways that we can be encourage and then encourage and support others.  The Gospel is hope and joy and peace and grace -- and may we pray for the message to go into the whole world and continue to bear fruit and increase!

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

2 Corinthians 5:16-21
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Hurricane Irma yielded some interesting photos of the freeways in Florida -- everyone is streaming north while the southbound lanes are barren.  No one wants to head into the storm.
  In Christ, God enters into the storm of human sin.  He doesn't have to, but he chooses to, because he knows that entering into sin is the only way to save us, and he loves us too much to allow us to continue down that path.  For our sake he became sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.  It's an amazing trade -- he takes the pain and brokenness and agony of sin, while we receive the glorification that rightfully belongs to Christ.  It's completely unfair in our favor.
  Paul makes this case in Corinthians, urging the Corinthians to live as ambassadors -- to go out into the world and carry the message of hope and peace of the Kingdom of God to the corners of the world.  We are charged to go out in love, carrying within us the joy of a people set free by the love of God.  He entered into our storm and gave us hope.

2 Corinthians 1:18-22

2 Corinthians 1:18-22
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  All the promises of God point toward Christ.  And what do we find in Christ?  Unlimited love, unmerited favor, endless grace, forgiveness and peace and abundance.  All of the beautiful things in this world point to Christ, the Word made flesh, the one who shows us what true love and beauty are.  Christ is the one who poured out himself on the cross to teach us how God's love has no limits.  Christ was the one who rose from the grave to demonstrate his power and invite us into his kingdom, where death cannot touch us and there is no place for hatred or sorrow or fear.
  Everything points to Christ, and so we pray for the wisdom and courage to orient our hearts towards Christ, to let our lives show our love and devotion, to give all in the hopes of gaining life with him.  There is nothing better, nothing greater, nothing worth more than the unsurpassed love of God, shown fully in Christ.

Romans 12:1-2

Romans 12:1-2
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Someone once said that the problem with living sacrifices is that they keep trying to crawl off the altar.
  This is such a wondrous and challenging verse --  it defines our call as Christians, to somehow live a life that is fully dedicated to God, seeking him above all else, trying to follow his will, which is better than our own.  It involves our bodies and our minds, resisting pressure to conform and always seeking the most faithful way at any cost, trusting in the Lord our God.
  But the world tells us to do otherwise, and so often we would prefer to take the easy route, to go away from faithfulness and seek easy happiness or pleasure.  We want to be comfortable more than we want to be faithful -- we have a hard time trusting that God's will can lead us to ultimate fulfillment and abundance, so we choose what offers pleasure here and now.
  So we take up the challenge day after day, praying for the wisdom and strength to be faithful, to pursue God's will and to find a way to use our body and mind for his glory.  This is a lifelong challenge, and God promises that it is worth our dedication!

Acts 28:23-31

Acts 28:23-31
English Standard Version (ESV)

  For two years, many people came, in great numbers, to hear the words of Paul.  And as we read them, we realize that these weren't always easy words Paul was proclaiming -- they were often tough messages.  Paul was telling them that their hearts had grown dull and that they weren't listening to God.  Paul was telling them things they probably didn't like to hear, but he loved them enough to proclaim the truth to them.  He loved them enough to be honest and give them the truth they needed to hear.
  So let's not sugarcoat the Gospel.  Paul's experience shows us that we don't have to deliver easy news to bring people.  We can say the tough things that we need to say, as long as we do so in love, trusting that serving the other selflessly will lead the closer to grace.  Let us tell the whole truth of God's great love, and let us not be afraid to speak of sin, and we will engage with society selflessly, graciously, listening and loving, and sharing the Gospel with boldness and without hindrance!

Acts 28:17-22

Acts 28:17-22
English Standard Version (ESV)

 How many items are competing for your attention at any given time?  It's likely that there is a television and a phone and several people, all of them vying for your limited attention.  In these busy times, the quicker we can make decisions, the better we are -- if we can quickly disprove or approve of something, we can turn our attention towards other, more pressing matters.
  Here, the local leaders do the opposite.  They've heard lots of negative things about the sect, but they want to hear from Paul what his views are.  And this, I believe, is the opportunity for the Gospel.  The great thing about the Gospel is that it is the single greatest Truth in the universe -- there is no argument that can prevail against it, for everything else falls short.  And so when people open themselves up to consider it, to hear the Gospel message, there is a chance for the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and beauty of the grace of the Gospel.  But people have to be willing to hear it, rather than to just listen to the various bad news and discard the opportunity.
  The Good News for you and I is that the truth of the Gospel doesn't depend on the speaker -- it shines through us, no matter how sinful we may be.  God uses clay vessels to deliver this wondrous message, and so we are presented with a great opportunity -- to be used by God to deliver the message of God's great love to the world around us.

Acts 28:11-16

Acts 28:11-16
English Standard Version (ESV)

  September 11 will forever be a strange day in our nation's history, a day filled with haunting memories of the tragedy that struck and wars launched as a result.  So many lives have been forever changed by the actions of a few that day, and we are surrounded by reminders of their hatred -- every time we go to the airport, our travels will never be the same.  The impact of hatred lingers on.
  What's dangerous is that we begin to live out of fear.  We see threats lurking behind every corner, so we hide, changing our lives to avoid the unknown, afraid and trying desperately to protect what we have.  We're afraid to reach out and encounter others, because we begin to see threats.
  God calls us to engage with the others, with the unknown.  God reminds us that we once were lost, strangers, foreigners in a strange land, and that through the work of God we have been reconciled and redeemed.  Not through out own work, remember, but through what God has done.  Our life is a gift, and our salvation cannot be taken from us.  So not only do we have no reason to fear, but also we have been given a gift, and we are to share the amazing news of that gift, in the hopes that others might come to know the giver as well.
  So we should not fear, but rather trust -- the God who has brought us this far, buying us with a price, will continue to carry us home.

Acts 28:7-10

Acts 28:7-10
English Standard Version (ESV)

  You and I have journeys that face detours every day.  We have a certain idea as to where a path is leading, and suddenly there is an interruption that leads us down another road.  Often, we go down that road with frustration, wondering what might have been or regretting the change that forced us to alter our path.  (Which makes me think of another point -- I think smartphones/social media are reducing serendipity in our lives.  We're so plugged into our individual lives that there isn't much room to meet someone unexpected anymore.)
  When our path changes, how do we greet it?  Do we recognize that the Spirit may be at work, leading us into a new place with fertile soil where we might be used for the glory of God?  Or do we sulk because we didn't get our way, waiting until this chapter is through and we can get back to what we think is important?
  Scripture is filled with examples of people who were willing to be flexible, going with the Spirit's direction into new situations, trusting that God was at work.  So today, when your will is frustrated and you end up on another path, look for opportunities to point to what God is doing.  Trust in Him and look around to see how you might spread the Gospel message.

Acts 28:1-6

Acts 28:1-6
English Standard Version (ESV)

  There's an old saying in football that you're never as bad as people say you are after a loss, and you're never as good as people may say after a big win.  The truth is often somewhere in the middle, and believing the first can lead to despair while the second can lead to an overinflated ego.
  In the same way, Paul escapes from a shipwreck only to have a viper grab hold of his hand.  At the time, the locals assume Paul was a murdered and had some pretty nasty karma working against him.  But it wasn't this bad, but Paul also isn't as good as the god they assume him to be when he survives.  He's in the middle -- a sinner redeemed by the blood of a Savior, redeemed by the Lamb and made whole by the grace of God.
  We, too, are not as bad as the devil tries to tell us we are.  We are not lost and hopeless.  We are not alone or forsaken, and God loves you as you are.  Never give up on yourself, never despair -- we are not beyond the grace of God.
  We are not, however, gods.  We are not perfect, and we must be wary of the sin of pride, of assuming that we are better than we are.  We are still sinners who turn from God and pursue our own will, our own gods, our own interests at the expense of our relationship with God and others.  We have far yet to go, and we are not there yet.
  We are in the middle of a beautiful story -- saved by grace, and yet God is still at work in us.  Believe in God, trust in him, remember from whence we have been saved and the future that lies before us, and cling to our hope in Christ to carry us forward.

Acts 27:39-44

Acts 27:39-44
English Standard Version (ESV)

  The Gospel is an amazing story.  The Word of God, the long-awaited Messiah, comes to us as fully God, fully human, offering us the hope for which our souls have longed ever since we were separated from God in the Garden.
  And just as we're starting to see the beach, as we think we are saved from our sins, Good Friday happens.  The religious leaders of the day, with Judas' help, intervene to snatch victory away, crucifying Christ on the cross and thinking he is locked safely in the tomb.
  The great joy of the Gospel is one of reversals.  The lame walk and the poor are rich in God.  The sorrowful laugh and the despairing rejoice.  When death looms, life breaks through.  Resurrection changes everything.  Just as the centurion intercedes to save Paul and the others, God breaks through and saves us from death, offering us eternal and abundant life through Christ.
  And so it is that we are brought safely through the storm

Acts 27:33-38

Acts 27:33-38
English Standard Version (ESV)

  What makes the sea so terrifying to many is the unknown.  You can't see what's down there, and there are a few creature who aspire to do more than just nibble on your toes.  Being in a small boat in the midst of a storm in the dark and chaotic ocean fills the heart with uncertainty -- what will happen to me?  Can I make it to shore?  Are the waves too much?  Can I endure?
  These are questions we ask of many situations that face us.  Do we have the strength to persevere in the face of trials?  Do we have the resources, the energy, the ability to keep putting one foot in front of the other when the waves of life are crashing?  Is there hope beyond the next wave?
  To the 250 souls in the boat, Paul assures them that they will not perish.
  To the depth of your soul, God assures you that you will not perish.  Through the power and love of Jesus Christ, who established that death itself cannot hold him, you have seen that God is stronger than violence and Christ is stronger than death.  We worship the Victor, who not only triumphs over darkness but also abides with us in the midst of the storms.  When the darkness surrounds us and the waves crash upon us, Christ is with us, reminding us of the power of the Spirit and pointing us towards the hope within and beyond us.

Acts 27:27-32

Acts 27:27-32
English Standard Version (ESV)

  There are always people interested in getting out early.  Unconcerned about the community, they notice an alternative that seems like an easier way and seek to slide out under some pretense, perhaps slipping out the back door never to return, unwilling to be a part of a solution to whatever problem the community is facing.  Unfortunately, what often happens is that these people end up in peril as well, just as these sailors who were trying to slip away in the small boat would likely have ended up in greater peril in a small boat in the storm.
  So it's worth noting here that we are called to remain together in difficult times.  God calls us into community, and we work together to move forward through problems. It's certainly not easy, but it makes us so much stronger, and gives a more complete witness to the community.  We have to be selfless and gracious and humble, and we don't always get our way.  It's easier for a time to be on our own, but we miss out on the richness of learning other points of view.  We miss out on the love and support that comes with a community, but this comes with a cost.  People are complicated, but God is always teaching us that we gain far more than we lose by being richly involved in one another's lives and learning and growing as we deepen our sense of community, learning more about how God interacts in the Trinity, which is constantly filled with selfless love.