1 Thessalonians 5:6-11

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” vs. 11

Paul knew that all would be well with that little congregation in Thessalonica because they understood that life is communal. We’re not on our own in this world, a bunch of singles laboring toward a celestial goal, but we are one body in Christ. The Holy Spirit has called us into a community of faith, and for better or worse, we are enmeshed with one another. Now for those who love their privacy, that may seem a burden, but in the long run there is nothing better than knowing we have brothers and sisters who will be present for us when times get tough. Likewise, there is nothing more sad than seeing people trying to deal with adversity on their own. In community, when problems come to one member of the body, others quickly respond with encouragement and support. If we stumble or fall, someone who loves us will be there to lift us up, and hold us close. Many people move frequently, and they may even welcome getting away from childhood homes, but the wise realize that the sooner they make connections, the better it will be for them. As Genesis puts it so succinctly, it is not good for humans to be alone. We need companions on the journey, and if they share our faith, all the better!

Thought for the Day: How has community been important for me?

1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

“But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.” vss. 4-5

Like other followers of Jesus in the mid-first century Paul was looking for the Day of the Lord, which he understood as the imminent return of Jesus. But as he wrote to his friends in Thessalonica, he described that time for them, not as a day of wrath, but as an occasion for celebration and joy. And he knew that it would not take them by surprise, because they were all children of light. We perhaps have a different notion of how the future will roll out, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we knew that there was nothing ahead that we can’t handle? And that’s how it is for all who walk in the light and who trust that in Christ there is nothing to fear. Oh we know that there will be valleys and mountain tops–that’s just the nature of life. So it really shouldn’t surprise us when those days show up–as children of light that’s what we’ve come to expect, and we’ll roll with the punches, knowing that one day we will be surprised by the joy God wants for all people. When that’s what lies in our future there’s really no need for anxiety or despair. It might be tomorrow, it might lie far down the road, but in the end, God’s biggest surprise awaits!

Thought for the Day: The biggest surprise life has given me.

Psalm 90:7-8, 12

“So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” vs. 12

To be alive in this spectacular universe is a great blessing no matter how long or how short our lives may be. But it is also acknowledged that there is value in having a long life. In fact, some people adopt healthy lifestyles in order to increase their odds of living longer. They’ll willingly give up artificial sweeteners and carbs in hopes of achieving triple digits. And as long as our minds and bodies retain at least some measure of agility, those platinum years can bring great joy. The psalmist prays that with the added days we would also gain a wise heart. Obviously that’s a worthy intention, but we all know that getting old doesn’t guarantee wisdom. We all know folks who are just as foolish as seniors as they ever were in their youth. If we do want wisdom in our elder years it is important to treat each day as a gift and relish every hour as an opportunity for learning and service. Many of us have lived longer than we ever expected and are still feeling vital and alive. What a blessing it is when we can learn from the Lord and become known in our faith communities for our wisdom! The constancy of our faith and the serenity of our lives provides a continual witness to the goodness of God and the joy of living.

Thought for the Day: How did I get to be so wise?

Psalm 90: 1-6

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” vss. 1-2

From the beginning star-gazers have pondered the origins of the universe and have wondered how all things have come into being. Probably every ethnicity and ancient culture had their own perspectives on creation and early religious groups adopted these stories as a part of their worldview. We have the ancient Hebrew account in the book of Genesis and some Christians have absorbed those creation narratives and made them their own. In these latter days astronomers and astrophysicists, using powerful space telescopes, have come up with more scientific, constantly evolving, ways of understanding our place in the universe. With all the advances though, there’s something compelling about a perspective like the Psalmist’s prayer, “before (all things), from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” There’s such simplicity and beauty in those words, especially since our little minds can’t begin to comprehend the complexities and contradictions proposed by the scientific model. All the talk about the “big bang” and “black holes” simply makes our heads spin. The knowledge gained does nothing for the concerns of our hearts. How much better it is to give thanks for the gift of being alive in such a spectacular universe and simply affirm that undergirding it all, God is! Nothing more need be said!

Thought for the Day: What speaks more clearly to me, Genesis or science?

Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

“The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter, the warrior cries aloud there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish…” vss. 14-15a

There was a time when preachers and revivalists regularly invoked the vivid pictures of the day of the Lord that are found in the Hebrew prophets. These passages paint a bleak description of judgment, a day of wrath from which only a few will be preserved. Zephaniah even wrote that “in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.” Preachers like Jonathan Edwards used these passages to terrify and warn their listeners that this would be their fate unless they turned to Christ, their one and only hope of avoiding the fires of hell. Believe it or not, such techniques worked! During the revivals of the 18th century, known as the Great Awakening, thousands of sinners dedicated their lives to Christ. Some did it multiple times! There are some who would like to see a return to that kind of preaching in our congregations. They believe that fear is a powerful motivator, and that people would clean up their lives if preachers would “scare them straight.” They’re tired of “grace-filled pablum,” and yearn for the “good old days.” Others aren’t so sure!

Thought for the Day: What’s my reaction to fire and brimstone preaching?

Matthew 25:8-12

“But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ “ vs. 9

We have to look hard to find any kindness or grace in the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids. The wise refuse to share their oil and the door to the wedding banquet is locked tight when the foolish finally arrive. Fortunately this is not a parable about life in the kingdom of God. Instead it reflects the world’s standards, and in the world we see again and again that when people make foolish decisions they will not be bailed out. They will simply have to bear the consequences of the choices that they have made. It’s one of the hard-nosed arguments that politicians use against the welfare system. And it’s true! Our lack of preparation in any number of areas will often mean that we will miss out on material benefits. The other truth used in this parable is that sometimes when we finally get wise, too much time has passed, and doors are locked against us. That’s one of the lessons that is taught in the school of hard knocks, an academy that is all too familiar to some of us. The good news is that life in Christ is not based on the truths that are used in this parable. As Paul put it, “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom,” and in Christ the wise will share with the foolish and the door of the heavenly banquet is never locked.

Thought for the Day: Times when I’ve been foolish.

Matthew 25:1-8

“When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept.” vss. 3-5

First century Christians believed that Jesus was going to return to earth and complete the work that he had begun. As the years went by and that didn’t happen, it was simply assumed that he had been delayed, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t eventually come. For that reason Matthew concluded the teaching portion of his gospel by recounting three parables of Jesus that dealt with his delayed return. In the first, ten bridesmaids have been charged with the task of welcoming the bridegroom with lighted lamps. Five had brought extra oil, five had not! As they waited both the wise and the foolish fell asleep–there was nothing to distinguish one group from the other. We know that scene! Generally it is not known whether we are wise or foolish–to the untrained eye all people look pretty much the same. It’s only when a crisis comes that our wisdom or foolishness is revealed. In that moment of need it becomes obvious that some have fuel reserves while others don’t. The result is panic and confusion for the foolish and calm acceptance for the wise. Blessed are those who have learned how to live prudently and who have accumulated spiritual treasure for themselves! They will be ready for anything!

Thought for the Day: Why is prudential living so difficult?

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.” vs. 17

Some people love the image that Paul chose to describe the great reunion of the living and the dead with the Lord. When taken literally these verses call to mind stories of the rapture that we’ve read about in popular novels about the end times. And if we allow our imagination free reign we have a wild vision of dead folks flying out of their graves and soaring into the sky along with all living believers snatched from their neighborhoods. As they rise through the clouds all these saints will meet the Lord coming down from heaven, and be joined with him forever. We don’t know where Paul got his information but it’s unlikely that he intended anyone to take his words literally. It’s just too bizarre! What he was trying to do was assure his readers that there was life beyond death, and that they didn’t need to worry about those who had died. They would be included in that new creation. We can’t blame Paul for his image or his choice of words. It’s hard for any of us to describe the life that is to come and all of our beloved images break down in the face of rigid literalism. But that’s okay! The truth is that there is life beyond death–and if it’s indescribably wonderful, all the better!

Thought for the Day: Why are people fascinated by end-time imagery?

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” vs. 13

Paul seems to have believed in the imminent return of Jesus, (it’s a common theme of his early letters), and that he would not die before that happened. But as the years passed, people in the congregations he had started began to die, and their loved ones wondered if they were going to miss out on new life with Christ. To reassure them Paul tells the Thessalonians that there is hope even for those who have died. Just as Jesus died and was raised, so they too will receive new life on the day of his return. Now, some 2000 years later, we’re still dealing with the problem of Christ’s delayed return. Some insist that it’s going to happen soon, but in spite of what our ancient creeds affirm, most believers aren’t really expecting it to occur, at least not in the way Paul imagined. But we’re still asking the same question as the believers in Thessalonica: what happens to our loved ones who die? And amazingly, Paul’s answer still applies, and it still brings comfort! We dare to affirm, with Paul, that just as Jesus died and was raised from the dead, so will all his brothers and sisters. In Christ, death is not the end, but a doorway to a new beginning.

Thought for the Day: What do I believe about the Second Coming? 

Psalm 70

“But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!” vs. 5

Sometimes we get tired of waiting for the Lord! It’s nice to say to ourselves and to others, “Oh, I have plenty of time, and God has given me the gift of patience, so it doesn’t matter when my deliverer shows up.” That’s a good attitude to have, since it seems we spend most of our lives waiting. But it’s not okay when we don’t have anywhere else to turn, and we’re frantic to get a response from our Shepherd. In those moments, uncertain and running out of options, we can’t help but imitate the psalmist. It’s awful to be in that situation. Sometimes all we can do is stand there and cry. Weeping and forlorn we pray for deliverance, often for our own needs, but many times too for a friend in a crisis. It’s interesting that the psalmist doesn’t give any encouragement. The psalm ends with his plaintive cry for help, and we’re left wondering if God came through for him in his moment of need. Often that’s how it is for us. Our desperate call for help turns out to be the end of the story. Even though people tell us that God will always come through, that’s not always true, and like Jesus on the cross, we feel alone and forsaken. We might not like this, but sometimes that’s just the way it is! 

Thought for the Day: What do I do when God doesn’t show up for me?