Psalm 111:1-5

“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” vss. 1-2

From the beginning the wonders of the universe have been admired by all humans! The psalmist calls them the great works of the Lord and adds that they are studied by all who delight in them. Through the centuries as we have continued our study with increasingly sophisticated instruments of discovery, our appreciation has increased. Using powerful microscopes to peer inward and massive telescopes to look upward, we have discovered beauty and precision beyond our imaginations. And as we’ve explored the complexities of atoms and black holes, we have begun to realize that the God in whom the universe has its being is far greater than our puny minds can ever comprehend. It’s really crazy! At one time religious folks were afraid of science, fearing that as our knowledge increased, God would eventually die and that faith would become obsolete. But now, as exploration of the universe has expanded, we have gained new appreciation of God’s handiwork in the intricacies of creation. For many scientists study has enhanced faith and even caused them to join with theologians in giving praise and thanks to God, the source of all light and being in the entire universe. And as that study continues, just imagine what wonders will be revealed!

Thought for the Day: What happens when our God is too small?

Deuteronomy 18:15-20

“I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command.” vs. 18

According to Deuteronomy the Israelites experience of God at Mt. Sinai was too much for them. Never again did they want to hear the voice of the Lord shake the earth and set the heavens ablaze. If one day Moses wasn’t around anymore they wanted a prophet just like him to act as an intermediary. Now Israel and Judah ended up with more prophets than they ever imagined. Every generation or two new ones would show up, and sometimes the people listened. But as the years passed some began to think they needed the prophet who had been promised in Deuteronomy, and they were still looking for that Moses-like prophet when Jesus showed up in Galilee. In fact after they heard Jesus preach and teach, some thought that he was indeed that prophet. As a result it got pretty confusing. He was Jesus, pure and simple, but nearly everyone he encountered thought he was someone else. Actually people are still looking for those who will be a channel for the words of the Lord. And whenever someone gets a bit of notoriety, they can end up with a slew of disciples. The problem is that not all these so-called prophets can be trusted. That’s why most folks stick to the tried and true–they trust Jesus, and none other. And that’s a really good choice!

Thought for the Day: Why do I trust Jesus?

Mark 1:19-20

Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.” vs. 20

Mark frequently uses the word “immediately” as he describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Jesus felt a sense of urgency in his work; it’s as though he didn’t have much time to waste as he called his disciples. And what amazes us is how quickly they responded! They may have been familiar with him, we don’t know that, but there’s no hesitancy in following him. They didn’t need a day or two to think it over, and he didn’t even ask them to pray about their decision. Later on we discover from Luke that there were some who hesitated–one man asked to be able to bury his father, another wanted to say good-bye to his family–but Jesus wasn’t empathetic. This was important work, and he didn’t want followers who weren’t totally committed. We might wonder how we would respond in similar circumstances. Obviously times have changed, and Mark’s snapshot may have left out some prolonged farewells. But we also know that sometimes our best decisions have been those made on the spur of the moment. Some of us have changed careers in the blink of an eye–and when it’s something important we know that there’s no point in delaying. Our heart says “Go for it!” And so we do! And our lives are never the same!

Thought for the Day: My biggest spur-of-the-minute decision.

Mark 1:16-18

“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’” vss. 16-17

Mark is the action gospel. The writer doesn’t include much of Jesus’ teaching–there’s no Sermon on the Mount and only a few parables–and Jesus is always on the move. He seems to have been alone as he entered Galilee and his first act as he walked along the Sea is to call some disciples. He is evidently not interested in their spirituality and he doesn’t bother to ask for volunteers. He simply says, “Follow me!” It’s likely that they were acquainted with him–perhaps they’d heard him preaching, or they may even have known of him. We don’t know if they were active in their synagogue or if they were literate. All we know is that they were fishermen, and that was enough for Jesus. This becomes the pattern for his ministry. He calls people where they are and as they are, and so it has continued through the centuries. As a result, people from all kinds of backgrounds and every educational level have heard the invitation that comes through the Holy Spirit, and have become followers of Jesus. And more than that, they have become leaders in the Church. It might seem a strange way to build a worldwide organization, but it seems to have worked very well.

Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between volunteering and being called?

Mark 1:14-15

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” vss. 14-15

According to Mark, the first gospel written, Jesus had been in Judea, near where John was baptizing, and when John was arrested he headed north to Galilee, his home territory, and began his ministry. Though he seems not to have baptized anyone, his message of “Repent and believe in the good news,” was similar to that of John. For him the good news was that “The kingdom of God has come near.” It’s important to note his verb use. He doesn’t say that the kingdom will come, but rather that the kingdom has come near. In other words, the kingdom had arrived; all the people had to do was open their eyes and see it! And that’s how it still is for us. The kingdom of God is here and we can actually glimpse and experience it. That’s a far cry from those who say we have to wait until we die to see God’s kingdom. How sad it must be to live with no sense of God in the present! The people Jesus preached to saw the kingdom in him and what he did. We see the kingdom in the light-filled lives of his followers and in their actions, and what a beautiful sight it is! 

Thought for the Day: Where have I seen God’s kingdom today?

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

“I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning…” vss. 29-30a

Paul had spent about 18 months working and teaching in Corinth and was well acquainted with the people who were a part of the congregation there. So later on, when he hears reports from there, he writes them letters in which he responds to a variety of their concerns. His insights on the gospel and the work of the Spirit are inspired and helpful, but he also offers his own opinion on other matters, and it’s here that some roll their eyes! He’s not married but thinks he knows all about what goes on in a marriage.. Since he believes the return of the Lord is imminent he advises folks to avoid marriage if they can, and if they are married, to act as though they aren’t. He wants people to be free of the anxieties and the desires that are a part of relationships, and to even put aside feelings of sadness or joy. Now while it is true that marriage can provide its share of burdens, it can also be a source of incredible pleasure and joy. Good marriages are the key to stability in communities and our most intimate source of companionship. There may have been a reason for Paul to advise as he did, but not everything he wrote is gospel.

Thought for the Day: When is it best not to be married?

Psalm 62:9-12

“Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” vs. 10

People have been trying to figure out how to get rich for a long time. Even in the days of the psalmist people were willing to try extortion and robbery to pad their retirement funds. As time has passed those attempts have become ever more sophisticated and many are even touted as being completely legal. Scams are directed at vulnerable people and thousands of people are being fooled; many are losing thousands of dollars. And even so-called respectable companies are using questionable, yet “legal” methods to get people to sign up for streaming services, pay ever increasing monthly fees, and risk their savings in risky investment plans. We live in a world rampant with greed and fraud! The psalmist doesn’t present a solution to that–but he does have two words of advice for us: First, obviously enough, so far as we are able, don’t participate in the extortion or the robbery. Don’t get involved in shady schemes. And second, if by chance we end up with more money than we ever dreamed possible in the course of our lives, something that does happen, don’t imagine that your wealth will give you the serenity and peace you crave. In fact, we are much more likely to gain satisfaction from giving our riches away than we are in adding to them. Followers of Jesus know what the psalmist means. They store up money in heaven!

Thought for the Day: How does it feel when I’m scammed?

Psalm 62:5-8

“For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.” vs. 5

There are some who had occasion this holiday weekend to reflect on the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While in his lifetime many considered him to be a troublemaker and a threat to national security, we now see more clearly his intent and his purpose. He had a dream of a world in which divisions based on race or ethnicity would be eroded and replaced by a sense of inclusion and mutual respect. When some civil rights advocates turned to violence in response to injustice, he never wavered from his commitment to non-violence, following the spirit of Gandhi. His strength came from his faith convictions. Nurtured in the black congregations that were a part of his heritage and by regular worship, he understood the liberating message of Jesus Christ and yearned to see the freedom promised in the gospel. The liberation that he was looking for wasn’t going to happen as the result of human effort. Such a momentous change could only come from God, and he had learned the importance of patiently waiting for that moment in which the Spirit would act. By the time he died much remained to be accomplished. Racism is an insidious enemy! But he had had a glimpse, he had “been to the mountaintop” and seen a vision of his hope fulfilled. And now we continue to wait on God, perhaps no longer in silence, but still hoping for the end of prejudice and bigotry.

Thought for the Day: What am I waiting for God to do?

Jonah 3:1-5, 10

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.” vs. 10

Much to Jonah’s chagrin, the people of Nineveh repented and turned from their evil ways and in response, God too repented, and did not bring calamity upon them. His story reminds us of two things, first that it is possible for people to turn around their lives and avoid losing all that they hold dear. That’s good to know, particularly if we’re among those who have postponed repentance in favor of self-indulgence for too many years. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. God’s last word is always restoration! And secondly we learn that it’s not unusual for people to resent the favor that God seems to show to those who don’t deserve it. Sometimes we would just rather that rascals reap the repercussions of their careless and carefree living. When we’ve lived a relatively decent life it galls us to see those who deserve less get more. But that’s how it is, and we should all be grateful. After all, if forgiveness wasn’t woven into the fabric of creation by our loving God, we would all be the losers. While it’s hard for anyone to comprehend how it’s even possible for God’s mind to be changed, it’s always good to know that everyone gets a mulligan!

Thought for the Day: How many mulligans have I received?

John 1:47-51

“And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’” vs. 51

Nathanael had made a confession of faith based on little evidence, and Jesus told him that his insight had been superficial. But it was a start! And according to the gospel writer, John, Jesus went on to tell him what was in store for him. The image used by John evokes memories of Jacob’s ladder from the book of Genesis. In Jacob’s dream the ladder was used by angels and stretched from earth to heaven. John now implies that Jesus is that connection between heaven and earth. No longer do humans have to climb a ladder to get to God. Rather, God has come to us in Jesus, and in Jesus we catch a glimpse of the new life that is our salvation. Of course it’s doubtful that Nathanael had a clue of what Jesus was talking about in that encounter. It’s like that with a bunch of what Jesus says in scripture. The truth of who he is and the depth of his promises remains a mystery, and we only discover the full picture after we’ve begun the journey. One thing will always be true. We don’t have to climb any ladders or reach some stage of perfection to experience his love. That’s God’s gift to us through him–and God always comes down to where we are when we need a hug.

Thought for the Day: How has my image of Jesus changed?