Holy God,
On this new morning, may awe catch up with me, may it bowl me over, and may I lose myself in wonder.
Your love stretches from age to age, and your mercy covers the horizons, so that I can never find myself beyond it's reach. Your grace pours down from the heavens, and it drenches me, so that I am soaked to the soul. Your goodness reigns, and I bow before your throne.
You are good, Lord, even if I do not recognize or understand how you are at work. At times my sin rages within me, because I selfishly demand one thing or another. Quiet the storms within me, that I may patiently sit before you, learning from your kindness and grace, growing in love and faithfulness.
Teach me to be confidant that you are more than enough for this curious soul.
Amen
Monday, May 4, 2015
Jonah 3
Jonah 3
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jonah's sermon is not exactly a well-crafted, carefully polished gem of a sermon. It's not taught in preaching classes so we can learn to emulate it. It's short and to the point, but lacks any evidence or reasons to believe it. Jonah says seven words.
And yet, after those 7 words, an entire city, from the king to the beasts, repents. Sackcloth and ash become the decorations of choice, in hopes that God may relent from this punishment. The people are convicted to the heart.
What this tells me is that the Holy Spirit was already active in the hearts and minds of the people of Nineveh. God had been at work, preparing their hearts for a message of repentance, and when it came the floodgates were opened. Nineveh may not have been aware of what God was doing, but God was at work.
The message for us is that when we go forth into the world and engage as disciples, we need to trust that God is at work in the hearts and minds of people around us. Communicating the Good News doesn't mean we have to be perfect, we just have to be available. God is already at work in the people around us--he just wants to use us to continue to deliver the message of God's love and grace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jonah's sermon is not exactly a well-crafted, carefully polished gem of a sermon. It's not taught in preaching classes so we can learn to emulate it. It's short and to the point, but lacks any evidence or reasons to believe it. Jonah says seven words.
And yet, after those 7 words, an entire city, from the king to the beasts, repents. Sackcloth and ash become the decorations of choice, in hopes that God may relent from this punishment. The people are convicted to the heart.
What this tells me is that the Holy Spirit was already active in the hearts and minds of the people of Nineveh. God had been at work, preparing their hearts for a message of repentance, and when it came the floodgates were opened. Nineveh may not have been aware of what God was doing, but God was at work.
The message for us is that when we go forth into the world and engage as disciples, we need to trust that God is at work in the hearts and minds of people around us. Communicating the Good News doesn't mean we have to be perfect, we just have to be available. God is already at work in the people around us--he just wants to use us to continue to deliver the message of God's love and grace.
Friday, May 1, 2015
A Prayer for Friday, May 1
Holy God,
I'm always so curious about what's next. I want to peer just beyond the horizon to see what you have in store, to peek into what the future holds.
Help me be content with now, with today, with the present. May I revel in the moment and give thanks for right now, resting in you, letting go of anxiety and restlessness about the future. You are good, and whatever comes will arrive in due time, and when it comes I will deal with it. Until then, may I simply rest and rejoice in your goodness and provision.
Amen
I'm always so curious about what's next. I want to peer just beyond the horizon to see what you have in store, to peek into what the future holds.
Help me be content with now, with today, with the present. May I revel in the moment and give thanks for right now, resting in you, letting go of anxiety and restlessness about the future. You are good, and whatever comes will arrive in due time, and when it comes I will deal with it. Until then, may I simply rest and rejoice in your goodness and provision.
Amen
Jonah 2
Jonah 2
English Standard Version (ESV)
When the darkness closes in and all feels lost, there is still a light that shines in the darkness.
Jonah has fled from God, directly disobeying his order. God has brought a storm that leads to Jonah being tossed overboard into a violent storm. Surely this is the end, right? Surely, there is no hope for Jonah, especially since he has fled from God and has been swallowed by a giant fish. This is how it Jonah goes, right?
God never gives up. There is never a situation in which God says we are too far gone. God's love penetrates the deepest despair. God reaches out, even if we have recoiled and rejected God. God loves you, and God will pursue you, and there is hope for whatever situation you face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When the darkness closes in and all feels lost, there is still a light that shines in the darkness.
Jonah has fled from God, directly disobeying his order. God has brought a storm that leads to Jonah being tossed overboard into a violent storm. Surely this is the end, right? Surely, there is no hope for Jonah, especially since he has fled from God and has been swallowed by a giant fish. This is how it Jonah goes, right?
God never gives up. There is never a situation in which God says we are too far gone. God's love penetrates the deepest despair. God reaches out, even if we have recoiled and rejected God. God loves you, and God will pursue you, and there is hope for whatever situation you face.
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