Romans 5:1-5

“And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” vss. 3-4

Paul relished the gift of faith that he had been given in Christ Jesus, but he never imagined that his faith would make him immune to suffering. In fact, we could even say that he relished the suffering that had come his way as a servant of the Lord. That’s why he tells the Romans that their sufferings will open up for them all the blessings of faith. And that’s still the way it works in our world. We blossom and grow spiritually, not when everything is going well, but when things seem to be falling apart. Time and again we’ve observed fellow believers emerge from the wreckage of their lives as changed persons, and carrying unshakable hope for the future. That doesn’t mean that ugly stuff is always good for us, these miracles of resilience only take place as a by-product of faith. But when faith is present there is nothing that cannot be overcome, and inspirational stories abound. Again, this doesn’t mean we should adopt masochism as a life-style. We don’t have to search for ways to suffer–suffering comes our way without invitation, and some folks even get more than their share! But when it comes, it will always be faith that brings the victory!

Thought for the Day: What constitutes real suffering in our lives? 

Psalm 95

“For forty years I loathed that generation and said, ‘They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they do not regard my ways.’ Therefore in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” vss. 10-11

The psalmist was a person of faith and had a profound sense of God’s glory and majesty. He gladly proclaimed that God was the Lord of heaven and earth, the Creator of all this is seen and unseen.  He called upon the people to bow down and worship, saying, “for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.” And then, to make sure the people understand how important it is to bow down before the Lord, he adds a threat! Using an old story from Israel’s wilderness tradition he recalls the time when the people complained to Moses about the lack of water. Because they questioned the Lord’s leadership the story says that the Lord refused them entry into the Promised Land. For some this is an acceptable understanding of God–in their book, if people don’t fall in line, they should expect to be punished. Even Christian preachers have adopted this tone and will regularly issue warnings from the pulpit about the consequences of sinful and rebellious behavior. There may be times for such warnings; there is a place for the law in our lives. But how much better it is when people mired in sin hear the good news that God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. 

Thought for the Day: When do people need to hear threats?

Exodus 17:1-7

“The people quarreled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” vs. 2

The Israelites’ anger is understandable. Moses had led them into the wilderness and then had them set up camp in a place where there was no water. The people had faithfully followed, and now they had been left high and dry. Who could blame them for being upset? Some followers of Jesus have had the same experience. They’ve felt the urgings of the Spirit and have enthusiastically devoted themselves to walking in the Way. They worship and pray, study scripture, join communities of faith, and then, all of a sudden things don’t go as they expected. Life is a grind, relationships fall apart, and instead of finding the promised land they end up camped in a waterless wilderness. And for many that’s it! They complain to high heaven, get angry with God, and some consider abandoning Jesus. But if they hang on, the journey does continue and what believers discover is that just down the Way, even in parched places, there is life-giving water. Any path that passes through the wilderness is going to give a variety of experiences, and what servants of Jesus have discovered is that the trials along the Way are actually the times that strengthen faith. As the Israelites discovered, living water can even be found in rocks!

Thought for the Day: Who do I blame when things go wrong?

John 3:11-17

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” vss. 16-17

John 3:16 is arguably the most memorized verse in all of our scripture, and deservedly so. It contains the kernel of the gospel and is a powerful declaration of God’s universal love. It’s a verse to remember through the worst of times, those moments when we doubt our own worthiness, and despair about the state of our world. Unfortunately some have distorted its grace-filled core by using it as a pretext to exclude and condemn. Illogically they have concluded that since those who believe in Jesus have eternal life, those who do not believe do not. The gospel writer evidently knew that many would react in that way because he hastened to add John 3:17 as a corrective. Jesus does not condemn unbelievers. On the contrary he came into the world that the world might be saved through him, and that includes all people, even the ungodly. Rather than use this gospel verse to separate and divide the people of our world, followers of Jesus will alway use it to celebrate the love of God for all, especially those whose faith expressions are different from our own.

Thought for the Day: Why is having like-minded friends not always a good thing?

John 3:5-9

“The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” vs. 8

The conversation with Jesus wasn’t going well. Nicodemus had been nurtured by a tradition that left nothing for granted. There was an ordinance or commandment for every situation–everything was black and white. So when Jesus said that it was necessary to be born from above to see the kingdom of heaven, Nicodemus didn’t know what he was talking about. And it didn’t help when Jesus then compares the Spirit to the wind. For believers though, these words are some of the most precious in all of scripture. The wind is unpredictable, an invisible force that moves all that it touches. And that’s exactly how it is with the Spirit. Untamed and wild the Spirit blows through our lives, calling us to serve and love in a myriad of settings, and we haven’t a clue about where it came from or where it is going. We discard old traditions and embrace new ones, associate with the most unlikely people, and bring love to those people and places that need it the most. Life in the Spirit is a mysterious adventure, kingdom living at its best for those who live in grace, and a way that brings daily delight and joy to people of faith.

Thought for the Day: What’s the appeal of just “blowin’ in the wind”?

John 3:1-3

“Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ “ vs. 3

Nicodemus had been impressed by the signs that Jesus had been doing, but he was also puzzled, and he wanted to have a chat. Concerned for his reputation he came by night and served as a foil for Jesus’ comments about the nature of faith. Nicodemus had seen the signs but he hadn’t seen the kingdom. The signs hadn’t been enough to trigger faith. Where does faith come from then? Jesus said that it came through being born from above. That’s Holy Spirit talk, and it’s what Martin Luther was referring to in his explanation of the Third Article when he says that the Holy Spirit calls us through the gospel and enlightens us with gifts. Faith is born in us in that mysterious moment when the Spirit of God connects with our spirits and we are turned from spectators into disciples. It’s not a matter of intellect or knowledge, faith comes by grace, sometimes out of the blue, but most often where the gospel is proclaimed and practiced. We might wonder why it comes to one person and not another, but such are the mysteries of life. We can suspect that it fails to come where the Spirit is stifled and the gospel is perverted, but we can know for sure that no person is intentionally “ghosted” by our loving God. Faith is a gift intended for all!

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to be born from above?

Romans 4:13-17

“For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham…” vs. 16

Paul assures the Romans that the promise of God to Abraham rested on grace, and it was therefore guaranteed to all his descendents. This declaration has continued to be foundational for every following generation of believers. We whole-hearted cherish the gospel of grace and rely on it for the assurance of salvation. But Paul also reminds us that for grace to work its wonders on our hearts there has to be faith. Faith is the point of connection between us and God. Where faith is not present all the gifts of God will be as nothing in our lives. Without faith the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection is only a pointless story concocted by our ancestors. Without faith there is no forgiveness and no hope of eternal life. It will be as though the Word never became flesh and the Spirit never was given. Without faith God might as well be dead to us! We can see then why Paul says everything depends on faith. Unless we trust God, nothing that God has for us can ever be ours. This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love the faithless. Indeed, Jesus poured out his life for unbelievers. But for God to be real in our hearts, there absolutely must be faith! There’s no other way.

Thought for the Day: What can a person do to get faith?

Romans 4:1-5

“But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” vs. 5

It’s been pretty well accepted by folks nowadays that works are no advantage in our relationship with God. We’ve sung “Amazing Grace” so many times, in every setting, that we’ve pretty much taken it to heart. Since God has justified the ungodly there’s even hope for a wretch like me. The bigger question for us is the matter of faith. More and more people are reporting that they no longer even factor God into the equation, and are perfectly content living without prayer, worship, or any pretense of piety. Some of those folks are a part of our families, and it’s hard for people of faith to not worry about them. And it’s not so much that we’re worried about their eternal salvation. Like Paul we trust that God takes care of the ungodly too, and we hang on to the hope that these too will have life beyond death. But what about now! What do those who have no faith hang on to in times of despair and suffering? Where can they go to find a caring community who will have compassion on them in times of sickness and broken dreams? Or does it make any difference? Perhaps those who choose the path of secularism are really on the right track! It’s just hard for believers to imagine living in a time and in a place where faith has no value!

Thought for the Day: What is the value of faith for me?

Psalm 121

“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and for evermore.” vs. 8

Life is an ongoing cycle of going out and coming in. We know the pattern, up in the morning, out during the day, and then a coming home at night. Day after day, year after year, during good times and bad, from the time of our youth until the arrival of the golden years, the rhythm continues. And through it all the psalmist promises, the Lord is keeping watch over us. That’s good news, ‘cause sometimes life can get pretty lonely. It can seem as though we’re completely on our own and that no one wonders or cares about how we’re doing. It’s like we’re going through the motions, just caught on an endless merry-go-round of repetition and routine. When the psalmist got in one of those moods he would lift up his eyes to the hills, he’d look at the mountains and be reminded that his help came from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The one who brought us into existence, the one who gives us life, will not abandon us but is always present with uncompromising and unfailing love. Ultimately, there is nothing, not even death itself that can separate us from the steadfast love and mercy of God. That has been the testimony of God’s people from the beginning, and it remains our confidence today.

Thought for the Day: What should I do if I don’t feel God’s presence?

Genesis 12:1-4a

“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” vs. 2

Israel’s ancient origin story begins with Abram and Sarai, the intrepid pair who left home and family in favor of a wandering nomadic life that took them all the way from Mesopotamia to Egypt. They became revered, not because of their wealth or station, but because they lived by faith–they trusted the promises of God. And now, some hundreds of generations later, those who are their faith children are still living the adventure, going where the Spirit leads, and trusting in the promises of God. At times in our history we’ve imagined that some day we will arrive and actually become the great nation that was Abram and Sarai’s dream. But really, that’s not the point of the call. Ultimately our journey is not about being blessed, it’s about being a blessing. So that’s what we do! Never looking behind we plod onward over paths yet untrod, trusting that the God who sent Abram and Sarai is also sending us, and that on the way we will have daily opportunities to be a blessing to the hungry and hurting, the least and the lost. And as we continue to live by faith we know that one day our descendents will fill the world and all nations will be the inheritors of God’s richest blessings. 

Thought for the Day: How will my descendents be a blessing to the world?