1 Kings 2:1-4

1 Kings 2:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)

  When you think about what you want for the next generation, what comes to mind?  We're hoping that at least one of the kids grows up to be rich so they can support us in our golden years!  Our default is to hope for our kids to be happy and successful, but the Biblical charge is to raise them to be faithful to God, to be leaders in their community that encourage others to be faithful disciples.  As David is dying, he charges Solomon to be faithful to the Lord, reminding him that this is the most important task he has before him, and that only through faithfulness will his line continue on the throne. 
  May our prayer for the children of the next generation be that they grow closer to God each day, that the Spirit encourages them to point to God through their words and deeds, that they enrich their communities through selfless love and service and share the Good News of the hope and peace that we find in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Zephaniah 3:14-18

Zephaniah 3:14-18
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  When we think of the mighty works of God, do we also remember that he is in our midst, that he is here among us, on the move, exulting over us?  God did not come to save and then abandon us -- God came to save and continues to surround us with his grace and peace.
   The temptation is to think of salvation as a one-time event.  I was saved at this place at this time.  The reality is that while salvation has taken place, your sanctification is still ongoing, every day of your life.  God is doing a great work in growing you up, maturing you into the disciple he has called you to be, and so our primary task is to listen, and we are then to follow God's word into the world, rejoicing at his grace and joining with our companions on their own walks.  Sometimes, we are called to mourn with those who mourn, while other times call us to celebrate with those in joy.  Each day is different, but we are still living into our calling, still working out our identity as disciples, still discovering what it means to be a Christian each and every day.
 

Romans 8:1-4

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

  I was reading a devotional by Tim Keller today about the first verse of chapter 8.  He pointed out that it's important to notice how it's phrased -- we don't escape condemnation.  It doesn't exist.  The possibility of condemnation is vanquished once we are in Christ.  We don't even need to worry about it -- there isn't some minuscule chance we'll end up in condemnation-land.  The threat is gone once we are in Christ, and so we are free.  God has done what we could not -- sending his own Son to liberate us from the threat of condemnation, we are free to walk in the Spirit.
  The question, then, is what your life looks like as being free in the Spirit.  How will you live?  Will you live a life of constant celebration and thanksgiving for having been set free?  Or will you let anxiety and fear bombard you with threats?  Will you dance with gratitude?  Or still let the devil's empty threats remind you of what once might have been, even though it no longer is.
  YOU ARE FREE IN CHRIST!!!  Nothing can take that away from you!!

Ezekiel 1:26-28

Ezekiel 1:26-28
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Try to describe how good your favorite food tastes to someone who has never had it, and eventually you run out of words -- you tell them what it's like, but there is nothing that fully compares, and they just have to try it for themselves.
  This vision begins back in verse 4, but I omitted a number of those verses describing the angels and the general appearance of the throne.  You can tell that Ezekiel doesn't have words to describe the full glory of the Lord.  It's like the bow and it's like the appearance of fire, but those fail.  Our words fail.  If our faith exists only in words, it falls short of being a complete faith.  There's something vital to action -- both to going out into the community to serve, and also to sitting quietly in the presence of the Lord, stilling the mind and voice to let the grace of God flow over us.  A beautiful setting always helps, sitting on a rock and letting the grandeur of the Lord leave you in awe, but ultimately it's simply remembering how great the Lord is and allowing that to lead us into a place of praise and thanksgiving. 

Jeremiah 1:4-8

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

  Today, we celebrate all that we have to be grateful for.  We take a deep breath and exhale, letting go of all the anxiety -- most of it worries about future uncertainties.  We worry about what might be, or what might not be.  We worry about how distant turmoil might come near, or about how anticipated events might not take place.  We stress ourselves out and forget all the blessings.
  And so today is the day to take a deep breath.  Your life is a gift from God, who knit you together in the womb.  He has called you by name, and no matter how unworthy you may feel, he has called you with a purpose, for a purpose, on purpose.  You are not an accident -- you are beloved by the immortal & all-knowing God who exists outside of time and space and yet entered into this world by the presence of his Son and died on the cross to save you from the mire of your sins.  God loves you, and God sends you, empowering you by his Holy Spirit on the way, surrounding you with his love and commissioning you to tell others about his amazing love. 
  You have much to be grateful for.  You are held in the same hands that hold eternity, and through the grace of God the light and love we experience here and now are a mere shadow of the blessings that are to come.  May we be joyful today!!

Isaiah 25:6-9

Isaiah 25:6-9
English Standard Version (ESV)

   I remember waking up in the middle of the night between Christmas Eve and Christmas as a kid and wondering if it was morning yet.  The morning held such appeal to me that it was all I could do to lay in bed and wait until the morning.  The waiting was so hard, but it was so exciting to think about the wonders of Christmas morning.  As a kid, it's the most special morning of the year, and it's so hard hard to wait for it... 
  As Christians, we wait for God.  We wait for him to deliver us from sadness and sorrow and pain, and we wait for him to swallow up death and make a rich feast for us.  We wait with eager longing for all that God is going to do, and it's so hard to wait -- the waiting should consume us, should excite us, should continue to remind us that what we are waiting for is so wonderful -- it's greater than anything we could possibly imagine!  As an excited people, we wait, knowing and trusting in the God who keeps every promise and who has promised to wipe away every tear!

Revelation 3:14-22

Revelation 3:14-22
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I've always believed that this passage described much of the American church -- we can be so comfortable that our passion for Christ doesn't run hot.  We're lukewarm, heating up on some days and cooler on others.  Our material riches have lulled us into a sense of complacency where we don't recognize our full need for grace, and this leads us to a spiritual blindness that prevents us from seeing how utterly dependent we are upon the Spirit of God for our every breath.  We think we are rich, and yet if we were to see our accounts from a spiritual perspective, we are utterly broke, because the only riches worth obtaining are from God and God alone.  No money or success in this world can buy true and lasting wealth -- it is a gift from God alone, who stands at the door and knocks, asking to be let in, so that we might be healed. 
  Those who open the door will be rich beyond measure, with a wealth that the world cannot imagine.  May we who accept the gift have the courage to pray for Holy Spirit passion to love Christ more each and every day.

Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-13
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  We put ourselves in the middle of the story --- we like to be the heroes of our stories.  We like to be the ones who work out the solution, who save the day. 
  When we come to Scripture, though, it is God who is the hero of the story, and he is saving us from an enemy over which we cannot prevail on our own strength.  He is the one who has opened the door, and he is the one who will keep the door open.  I love here how the letter mentions that the people in Philadelphia have little power.  Note that it isn't a bad thing -- it's simply a fact, and it doesn't change the story.  Their little power does not prevent them from serving God -- they can still be faithful and stay true to the name of their Savior.  They are working with their situation, whatever it may be, serving faithfully in the present.  In the same way, we are called to serve faithfully, no matter the circumstances, no matter our situation.  If we have power or if we don't, if we have influence or if we don't, we can be faithful, patiently enduring whatever challenges we face, so that God's glory may be proclaimed.

Revelation 3:1-6

Revelation 3:1-6
English Standard Version (ESV)

  The last few months have been a sad testament to the difference between public lives and private lives.  Many figures that were once held in high esteem have been brought down due to allegations of how they acted in private.  They lived a double life for a time, but eventually, the truth came out.  It almost always does.
  God sees through when we try and cover our private sins with a veneer.  That's why confession is so important -- we acknowledge our sins, both public and private, and trust in the forgiveness of God.  God is calling the church in Sardis to recognize that many in the congregation do not have a heart that matches their reputation, and so they are offered the chance to repent, to turn from sin and trust in God.  There is healing for brokenness and a balm for our souls if we accept the offer of forgiveness, but we first must stop denying our sins and confess them before God, who is faithful and just to forgive our sins. 
  We who are broken have quite a story to tell, of a God who forgives and of life restored!

Revelation 2:18-29

Revelation 2:18-29
English Standard Version (ESV)

  As a parent, I'm not always great about praising my children.  I'm usually quick to criticize, but it's much harder for me to give them the praise they often deserve.  I'm trying, and I think I'm doing better, but there's still a long way to go. 
  God notices what we do.  That's an important thing to remember -- it matters how we choose to live.  So often, we act like much of our lives don't matter.  We compartmentalize our lives, and the ones that fall outside of the 'church' part are ignored, or we think that God doesn't care.  God notices.  God cares.  It's important how we live, both inside the church building and when we go out into the world as the church.  We should choose carefully, paying attention to our words and deeds in each and every situation.  We have a constant opportunity to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom by holding fast to joy and hope, pointing to love and extending grace.  God is paying attention -- this need not strike fear in our hearts, for God has proven himself to be merciful and patient, but it should encourage us to lead lives that would be praised.

Revelation 2:12-17

Revelation 2:12-17
English Standard Version (ESV)

  There's an old Jonathon Edwards sermon about sinners in the hands of an angry God, and it captures a lot of popular theology -- that we are all sinners and God is looking for any excuse to cast us into the pit of eternal fire.  It's based on fear, and we all fall prey to this line of thinking in some small way.  Sometimes we are paralyzed by the fear that we aren't good enough for God, while other times there are nagging doubts as we wonder what grade we get on God's report card at the end of it all.
  I don't believe for a second that God is eager to condemn.  To my reading, Revelation paints a picture of a God that wants people to turn from sin and towards God.  These letters are invitations to turn away from sinful thinking, and the plea is that a sinful people will repent.  God comes with an invitation to find grace and conquer.
  So do not let fear rule your heart and mind.  Take courage in the grace of God, and find comfort in the invitation extended to each of us.  It is true that we are all sinners, but it is a greater truth that God has conquered sin and invites us all to dwell with him through the power of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.

Revelation 2:8-11

Revelation 2:8-11
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  I've run a few 5ks, and that last 0.1 is always fascinating.  I'm usually exhausted, and that last mile has taken twice as long as the first one.  My sides feel like they're going to explode and my legs ache, but knowing that the finish line is near stirs up something within me that allows me to push forward, usually much faster, and finish strong.  (I then collapse, but hey -- I finished!)  Once we know the end of the race is near, we can push forward.  The hardest part is in the middle, when the rush of starting has faded and the finish feels a long way away. 
  In those times, when we're in the middle of the struggle, the church needs to gather around one another and remind each other of the crown of life.  When relationships are strained and finances are tight and cancer knocks at the door, we gather together and remember the promised crown of life -- while we will have tribulation for a little while, if we are faithful to death, we receive a prize far greater than what we could imagine  We will conquer because He has conquered!!! 
  So press on, and remember your brothers and sisters in the race with you.  Encourage one another, and do not forget about the crown of life that awaits!!

Revelation 2:1-7

Revelation 2:1-7
English Standard Version (ESV)

  I love the letters to the churches that are included in Revelation.  They're a glimpse into what God has to say to real-world churches, both how they are praised and where they are rebuked.  There is much to celebrate, but there is still room to grow in faithfulness.  For each of us, this is a helpful reminder that we are never all the way there on this side of heaven -- God is  always going to push us toward a growing edge, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for us.  We still have room to grow closer to God.
  The church in Ephesus endures trials patiently, concerned about the faithfulness of its leaders.  This is good, and John leads with this -- but there is still more work to do.  Over time, their love and passion for the Gospel has faded, and God is calling them back to this, reminding them of how deeply they loved God. 
  Just as the church in Ephesus has room to grow, so do we.  Set aside time to listen and consider your growing edges, that we may each have a faith that pushes deeper and leads us closer to God.

Isaiah 40:27-31

Isaiah 40:27-31
English Standard Version (ESV)

  When I get to the end of the day, I'm usually pretty tired.  Whether it's a long day at work or a day spent hiking in the woods, it feels like there is often a limited supply of energy that dwindles down.  By the end of the day I'm tired, and I'm unable to pay attention like I could in the morning.
  God is not like this -- God does not grow weary.  God loves the world and has loved it from the start, and the love God feels for us does not decrease at the end of the day.  God is ready to forgive the 70th sin just as eagerly as the first, for God is the everlasting Father, rejoicing as his children come home to him. 
  We learn from God  We who put our hope in the Lord are promised renewal in Him.  Isaiah paints a vision of what the future looks like, and it is one in which we are caught up in God's boundless energy, surrounded by his love and carried forward by his grace.  It is a beautiful picture, and we are wise to hold it fast in our minds and to live with that eternity in our hearts.

Exodus 24:9-11

Exodus 24:9-11
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Sometimes things in life are incredibly complicated to explain.  Maybe you had an experience that defies words, or you were someplace so beautiful that you can't hope to capture it in words.  You might try and take a picture, but sometimes even that falls short.  I remember being out in the woods not too long ago and simply being overcome with the splendor of it all -- there were no words to describe how I felt, and no picture could capture the experience, but the joy and fulfillment in my heart were amazing.  I'd describe it... but words fail.
  So often in Scripture, when the authors are trying to describe an experience with God, you can tell that words simply don't do justice.  Here in Exodus, one of the most interesting passages in Scripture to me, the elders of Israel go up to the mountain and dine with God.  The ground beneath God's feet, we're told, is like a pavement of sapphire stone, like heaven.  You can tell that there simply isn't a word in the human language to convey what it was like.  The author tries to paint a picture, but ultimately, we simply don't have the ability to talk about it, because it's so different, so other than what we are used to, that we can only do our best to try and get close.  (The reason I find this passage so fascinating is that the elders of Israel ATE DINNER WITH GOD and then, just a few short weeks later, were busy creating idols when Moses didn't come down off the mountain.  Dinner with God wasn't enough to convince them that they should devote their lives to the worship of the one true God.  Sin is real, and sin is strong.)
  So when we talk about God's love, realize that we simply run out of words to describe how powerful and amazing God is.  We just can't describe God, because our words cannot capture God's greatness.  Just the same, our words fall short when we try and describe how much God loves you.  There aren't enough words to say how far God would go to save you from sin.  God loves you with such depth that the English language cannot capture it.  Give thanks!

Ephesians 5:1-2

Ephesians 5:1-2
English Standard Version (ESV)

  It's intimidating as a parent to realize that your children often turn out just like you.  Children watch their parents to see how they act and react, and that's the behavior they show to the world, good or bad. 
  As Christians, much of what the world learns about God is from our behavior.  When we treat others with love, we demonstrate that we are imitating our loving Father, who selflessly gave himself up for us, not counting the cost but only focused on how much he loves us.  When we think of our friends and neighbors, do we count the cost, or do we love selflessly, as God loves us?  What does our behavior teach others about our heavenly Father?  How do our lives proclaim Christ, and what kind of Christ do they proclaim?

Mark 7:14-23

Mark 7:14-23
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  We're always looking for excuses.  We want someone or something to blame -- if things are going poorly, it can't really be our fault, right?  Wouldn't it be great to blame that mean thing you said on something you ate?
  In this passage, Jesus tackles the dietary laws head-on.  He tells the people that it's not how you eat that makes you a good person, but it's the condition of your heart.  Where you focus your thoughts, what you think about when you have free time -- if you're focused on what is pure and good, then that will overflow and your interactions, your words, will be good.  However, if you spend your time thinking on things that are selfish and hateful and evil, that, too, will overflow.
  We can't blame our wicked impulses on other things or people or influences.  We have to take responsibility for our character.  We can then confess our sins to God, trusting in his forgiveness, and asking him to guide us to be the kind of people who selflessly love others and build up one another. 

John 19:38-42

John 19:38-42
English Standard Version (ESV)

  It's Monday morning -- a new week is beginning, filled with hopes and dreams and uncertainties and anxieties, but you can take comfort in one thing -- Jesus Christ ascended the cross and went to the tomb so that your sins might not burden you into this week.  You don't have to spend a single second of your week worrying about a sin that is in your past.  You don't have to fear if God loves you, because God has proven it, once and for all, when he willingly entered a tomb and died the death that we deserved.  Christ died for you, and because he died, you shall live.  The world closed the tomb, thinking that was the end of the story, but a new beginning was on hand.
  So as you go into the day, picture a new world, lit with the love of God, is before you.  Live like that's what matters more than anything else. 

John 6:16-21

John 6:16-21
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Being in a boat at night is a fascinating experience.  It's often calm and quiet -- it can be a very peaceful place.  It is also intimidating -- you feel very small, and if your mind starts to wonder, you realize how much trouble you could be in if you fell out of the boat.  So if the water is rough and the night is turbulent, it sounds like a terrifying time to be in a boat in the middle of a sea. 
  But the disciples weren't afraid then.  They were only afraid when they saw Jesus walking on the water, probably because they thought he was a ghost.  Until Jesus walked out to them, they don't seem to be afraid. 
  The more time we spend around Jesus, the less afraid we are.  When we get the mindset that nothing can separate us from the love of God, and that even death doesn't have power over us, that can be wonderfully freeing.  There is nothing to be anxious about when we realize that eternity is in God's hands, and that we dwell there in safety.  There are other times in the Gospels, including times in a boat, when the disciples are afraid for their lives, just as there are times when we will take our eyes off of Christ and fear for ourselves.  But when we focus on him, we need not fear, for the mountains can collapse into the sea and he is still with us.

Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:16-20
English Standard Version (ESV)

  A restaurant can spend millions on marketing, but that money is not as effective as satisfied customers telling their friends and family about the great food.  A brand can have the best marketing, but if those who use the product aren't satisfied or impressed, the brand will struggle to find success.  The ability of a message to spread depends on how excited the people are to be part of the movement.
  Authority has been given to Christ, but he then invites us to be a part of his kingdom, to participate in the expansion by inviting others.  We who have been blessed to come to know Christ as King and Savior are invited to be a blessing to others by sharing the news of a Savior who loves without qualification and extends mercy without merit.  If we are transformed by grace, we can then invite others to come, to taste and see, and experience the love of God.
 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
English Standard Version (ESV)

  If you're Catholic, today you are marking All Saints' Day, a remembrance and celebration of those who have died and dwell in Heaven.  Many Mexicans are marking the Day of the Dead, a multi-day remembrance of those who have died. 
  We stand in a long line of faithful believers.  Those who have gone before us sought to live faithfully, and their lives were joined to the church universal in praising Christ.  Their lives continue to praise Him now. 
  I don't know exactly what it will be like when Christ returns in glory.  He has promised to, and considering that God has kept every previous promise he has made, I am completely confidant that he will keep that one as well.  We will experience the promised fulfillment of the promises and dwell in the heavenly city, where there will be no more pain or darkness, only light and life. 
  So let us wait actively, living into our hope, seeking him above all else, and trusting that whatever is in store for us will be better than we can ask or imagine.