Psalm 3
English Standard Version (ESV)
At one point, the disciples asked Jesus to pray. There was clearly something about Jesus' relationship with God that led the disciples to ask about how their own relationship could be transformed. He came to give his peace, a peace that transcends understanding. It's the kind of peace that leads a man to sleep when surrounded by thousands of enemies, so confidant is he in the protection of God.
Have you ever seen pictures of children asleep in the most chaotic of situations? There are pictures of children asleep in their parent's arms during thunderstorms and other loud, chaotic events, and it's overwhelming for me -- such is the child's confidence and trust in their parent that they can fall asleep.
And so we should pray for that kind of peace, for the kind of trust where we, in the face of overwhelming circumstances, can rest in God, confidant that the outcome is in good hands, because we are safe with God. The Lord hears our cry and answers us, and nothing can tear us from his hand - and so we need not fear. Salvation belongs to the Lord!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 2:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's lost in the Pentecost wonder is that the disciples were all gathered together. I like that -- the early church, gathered together, talking about what God is up to.
In today's world, religion is often so individualized. We privatize everything, often out of fear of offending someone, but usually just because it's easier. We don't impose on anyone this way, and we can do things our own way -- we don't have to worry about anyone else's preferences when we customize our religion to fit our own lives and our own spaces.
But we're called to do and be the church together. And so we gather together and wait on the Holy Spirit. We listen to one another and humbly consider what God is doing in one another's lives. It's important that we do this, and we grow together, recognizing how God is at work in you and me and we. It's not just about me -- it's about us, and God is growing us up together to show the world what it means to be a community gathered around the worship of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's lost in the Pentecost wonder is that the disciples were all gathered together. I like that -- the early church, gathered together, talking about what God is up to.
In today's world, religion is often so individualized. We privatize everything, often out of fear of offending someone, but usually just because it's easier. We don't impose on anyone this way, and we can do things our own way -- we don't have to worry about anyone else's preferences when we customize our religion to fit our own lives and our own spaces.
But we're called to do and be the church together. And so we gather together and wait on the Holy Spirit. We listen to one another and humbly consider what God is doing in one another's lives. It's important that we do this, and we grow together, recognizing how God is at work in you and me and we. It's not just about me -- it's about us, and God is growing us up together to show the world what it means to be a community gathered around the worship of God.
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Romans 4:17-24
Romans 4:17-24
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are so many reasons to believe that certain things cannot happen. Pick an event, and I bet you can imagine a series of circumstances that would make the event unlikely, or would sabotage its success. We do this most often with our futures, focusing on all the ways things can go wrong, unaware of the worst-case scenarios we are building. We doubt ourselves and often doubt God and his providence.
Abraham, we are told, did not waver at the promises of God. His belief was unshakable that God would do what God had promised to do. In the face of reasons not to believe, Abraham's faith grew stronger as he gave glory to God, trusting in the unknowable, believing in the uncertain, confidant in the outcome.
So what's your life look like if you placed total faith and trust in God? How does your day change if you live with an unshakable belief that God's promises will be true? God cares about you, God loves you, and God has promised to never leave or forsake you. God has already demonstrated the depths of his love for you by ascending the cross and dying to secure your life. May you never doubt the proximity of God -- He abides in us, and holds your future in his strong and victorious right hand!
English Standard Version (ESV)
There are so many reasons to believe that certain things cannot happen. Pick an event, and I bet you can imagine a series of circumstances that would make the event unlikely, or would sabotage its success. We do this most often with our futures, focusing on all the ways things can go wrong, unaware of the worst-case scenarios we are building. We doubt ourselves and often doubt God and his providence.
Abraham, we are told, did not waver at the promises of God. His belief was unshakable that God would do what God had promised to do. In the face of reasons not to believe, Abraham's faith grew stronger as he gave glory to God, trusting in the unknowable, believing in the uncertain, confidant in the outcome.
So what's your life look like if you placed total faith and trust in God? How does your day change if you live with an unshakable belief that God's promises will be true? God cares about you, God loves you, and God has promised to never leave or forsake you. God has already demonstrated the depths of his love for you by ascending the cross and dying to secure your life. May you never doubt the proximity of God -- He abides in us, and holds your future in his strong and victorious right hand!
Monday, December 4, 2017
Romans 4:13-16
Romans 4:13-16
English Standard Version (ESV)
Maps are funny things. If you've got to drive across the country, you absolutely need one. Without a map pointing the way and choosing a road based on what felt right, it's highly unlikely you'd arrive at your destination. And yet, if you spend all your time on the road staring at the map and never look at the road ahead, you'll probably veer off the road and hit a tree.
As Christians, without the grace of Christ we are strangers in a foreign land, and the map of the law cannot lead us where we need to go. We are lost, without hope of finding our way home.
The beauty of grace is that Christ doesn't simply give us a new map. He comes and picks us up and carries us home, offering us freedom from trying to figure it out on our own. It doesn't depend on us -- Christ has paid the ultimate price so that we might be free.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Maps are funny things. If you've got to drive across the country, you absolutely need one. Without a map pointing the way and choosing a road based on what felt right, it's highly unlikely you'd arrive at your destination. And yet, if you spend all your time on the road staring at the map and never look at the road ahead, you'll probably veer off the road and hit a tree.
As Christians, without the grace of Christ we are strangers in a foreign land, and the map of the law cannot lead us where we need to go. We are lost, without hope of finding our way home.
The beauty of grace is that Christ doesn't simply give us a new map. He comes and picks us up and carries us home, offering us freedom from trying to figure it out on our own. It doesn't depend on us -- Christ has paid the ultimate price so that we might be free.
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