Romans 13:11-14

“Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.” vss. 11-12

Paul felt that the Romans needed a wake-up call! He was expecting that the end would be coming soon, that Jesus would return to complete the work that he’d gotten started.  So he encourages the Romans to wake from sleep and to get ready for the end. In our day, we don’t have that same sense of an imminent return, but we do know that we are most certainly drawing closer to the end, however we imagine that ending to be like. And we’re certainly familiar with the concept of a wake-up call, that jarring moment in time when we’re shocked into making or attempting to make significant changes in the way we live. They can come in a variety of ways: a crisis in our health or in a relationship or maybe the loss of a job. In those moments we become super motivated to make lifestyle adjustments and stop living in destructive ways. It’s amazing how quickly we can change when enlightenment comes. And what’s equally astounding is the fact that the changes we make will often be of a spiritual nature. We don’t wake up and decide to indulge our flesh–that’s pure foolishness. Almost always we awaken and begin to seek the enrichment of our spirits and souls–and some of us are able to pull it off.

Thought for the Day: How have I experienced wake-up calls? 

Romans 13:8-10

“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet’; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” vs. 9

Most people have at least a vague sense of familiarity with the Ten Commandments. Occasionally we’ll hear about some new plan to have them engraved on monuments on courthouse lawns or posted on the wall of public school classrooms. There is a sense that they’re important, a summary of divine imperatives, rules that we should all live by. And most of us would agree. We spend an enormous amount of time in confirmation classes trying to drum them into the heads of our children, and we’re mostly unsuccessful. Very few people can actually say the Ten Commandments in their entirety. And that would be okay with Paul! In his estimation, as long as we’re loving our neighbors as ourselves, we’re doing just fine, for all of the “Thou shalt nots” are included in the one “thou shalt love.” To put it another way, loving our neighbor as ourselves is the benchmark of life in Christ. The problem is that this is an enormously high standard! Obeying commandments is a lot easier than loving someone unconditionally. For one thing love draws us into a relationship with the other–we’re called to do something positive, rather than to not do something negative–and that can often be a challenge. But then again, Jesus never said it would be easy to follow in his way!
Thought for the Day: When is it hard for me to love?

Psalm 119:33-40

“Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vss. 36-37

Because we carry the divine spark in our genes we have an innate sense of how life shall be lived. Of course, from the time we are toddlers we are also receiving alternative messages from our context and culture. We are regularly encouraged to look to our own needs, build up wealth, and then use our excess on baubles and vanities. And it works! We live in the most prosperous nation the world has ever seen. But regularly people are discovering that such living does not bring satisfaction or serenity. Depression is at all time highs. We’re discovering that Isaiah was right, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” The psalmist certainly would agree, and recommends that we turn away from selfishness and our lust for fleshly delights, and seek the life that was programmed into us from the beginning. Certainly, that’s easier said than done, and some have no concept of what that life might be like. We have to be taught the ways of the Lord, and sometimes it takes years to discover our inner truth. But as we continue searching we’d be well advised to pay attention to teachers along the way, folks who seem to have figured life out–they’re easily spotted. They’ll be living simply, not worrying about tomorrow, and giving full attention to the joys of today.

Thought for the Day: What is it like to live simply?

Ezekiel 33:10-11

“Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?” vs. 11

There is probably nothing worse than to think someone doesn’t care about us. Some who have been given that message by parents or presumed lovers carry the scars for the rest of their lives. They can never quite deal with the knowledge that they have been rejected or abandoned. Their betrayal can become an issue that never quite goes away. More than that, some even live with the sense that they have been abandoned by God. Perhaps they believe that their lives have not measured up to divine standards. Maybe they’re living with addictions and haven’t been able to turn from their self-destructive ways. If that’s the situation they can feel estranged and despair of ever being embraced by God’s love. It’s an awful place to be! The prophet Ezekiel has a word for those who feel that way. He tells them that God takes no pleasure in their destruction and wants them to experience restoration. We can’t do much about the attitudes of those who have done us wrong–we can’t make anyone love us. But we can know that we are loved unconditionally by our Maker and Creator–even before our restoration!

Thought for the Day: Times I’ve felt unloved!

Ezekiel 33:7-9

“So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” vs. 7

Ezekiel was feeling the pressure of his prophetic role. He had been chosen as a mouthpiece for the Lord, and his major responsibility was to tell the wicked that if they did not change their ways they would surely die. If he didn’t do it, and they didn’t change, their blood would be on him. If however, he did issue the warning, and they didn’t repent, well, then it was on them–he’d done his job. Sometimes we are in a position to offer words of warning to others–we can see clearly that if they continue on their chosen path they’re going to crash and burn. Mostly we don’t like that prophetic role. We like minding our own business and keeping our noses out of the affairs of others. So we often choose silence rather than intervene. The problem is that, if we’re right, and they continue their downward spiral, we’re almost certain to feel guilt. On the other hand if we do offer warnings in a spirit of love, it could be that our words will bring repentance. Then everyone can rejoice! If however they pay no attention, even becoming angry for our interference, we will at least know that we were faithful to our call. Of course that’s little solace when assessing the damages–we would rather they had paid attention. But at least we will have done what we could!

Thought for the Day: How do I know when to speak and when to be silent?

Matthew 16:24-28

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” vs. 24

It must have appeared to the disciples that Jesus had performed a classic “bait and switch” on them. They had begun to follow him because they believed him to be the messiah, the one who would restore Israel to its former glory. As his initial followers then, they seem to have felt that they would enjoy positions of power and prestige in that kingdom. But then he tells them the truth–there’d be no glory for them. Instead, if they were so inclined to follow him, they’d be walking on the path of self-denial–and carrying crosses besides! That’s always been a toughie for those who are drawn to Jesus. We aren’t huge fans of self-denial, especially in our age of self-indulgence and over-the-top consumption. Even when we’re told that in order to save the planet we need to adopt simplicity as a life-style, we seem unable to make any commitments that might involve self-sacrifice. But Jesus knew that human life flourishes in the presence of self-giving love and sacrificial service. He gave his own life that we might have life and have it abundantly, and it’s as we lay down our lives for the sake of others, that we begin to find and save our lives. Our sacrifice is a down payment on spiritual health and wholeness.

Thought for the Day: How do I practice self-denial?

Matthew 16:21-23

“But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’”

Matthew’s irony is unmistakable! The “Rock” on which Jesus intended to build his church had become a stumbling block to him, and the Rock’s error has been a lesson for Christians of every age, and the mistake is so clear it’s a wonder that anyone can miss the point. For a long time it seemed that followers of Jesus understood his mission. Following his example they focused their attention on the broken and the outcasts and thousands responded to that gospel message of forgiveness and love. But then the politicians came knocking, and the focus of church leaders shifted. By becoming enmeshed in human things they discovered the delights of power and wealth, and only the efforts of brave reformers, willing to risk death, kept the mission alive. Today we’re facing a new challenge. Politicians are again wooing church leaders and inviting them to make America the new Rome, an empire in which the interests of church and state are merged. Some folks are even embracing what is called “Christian Nationalism,” an unholy alliance in which flag and cross are merged. When minds are set on such human things, the gospel of grace is threatened and Christ’s true mission is obscured. It really isn’t a stretch to call such tendencies Satanic. That’s what Jesus called them, and that’s still what they are.

Thought for the Day: What is Christian Nationalism?

Romans 12:16-21

“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” vs. 18 

One of the problems in a diverse community, as the Body of Christ is intended to be, is learning how to live with people who are different from ourselves. We have different ethnic and religious backgrounds, different perspectives on gender issues, different political preferences–in fact, we likely think differently about every matter under the sun. So there will be inevitable conflict undermining our communal experience. In talking about such an atmosphere Paul admonishes his readers to live peaceably with all. But seeming to think such a climate will be virtually impossible to maintain, he adds a caveat, “if it is possible, so far as it depends on you.” He believes that the individual has the responsibility to set the tone in relationships. We aren’t going to be able to control others; we can’t wait for others to wave the olive branch of peace. It’s up to us, always, without exception, to do the things that make for peace in our communities. We’re the ones who will listen carefully, and, when necessary ask for forgiveness–we won’t wait for others to take the first step. As the popular song birthed in the 50’s puts it, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” The song may have come out of Holywood, but there’s no doubt that its roots can be found in the words of Paul. Its sentiment is the key for our most precious communal aspirations.

Thought for the Day: What keeps me from having peace in my relationships?

Romans 12:9-14

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” vss. 9, 12-13

Life in community is not complicated, and after showering the Romans with theological background, Paul outlines some basic principles for dealing with brothers and sisters in Christ and offers his readers guidance that has stood the test of time. Any congregation that is doing the things that he has listed will likely be vibrant and flourishing in every part of its ministry. In our troubled and conflicted times, it’s particularly important for us to rejoice in hope, and offer blessings instead of curses when division threatens. And we can’t forget to cling to one another in our suffering, offering daily prayers for all those feeling pain and loss in their lives. The reminder that we are not alone when our lives seem to be falling apart is of inestimable value. It’s precisely at this point that we are bound together in love and can begin to believe that we really are the living, breathing Body of Christ in this world. When we are tempted to give up on the Church in the face of conflict and membership loss, what a blessing it is to be reminded that when our congregations are healthy, there’s still no better place for searchers to encounter the unconditional love of God.

Thought for the Day: How well do Paul’s words describe my congregation?

Psalm 26:1-8

“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.” vss. 1-2

The psalmist was a righteous man, and he knew it! And he didn’t want anyone to confuse him with the sinners that may have hung around the temple precincts. And he was so confident in the way that he had lived that he asked the Lord to test him. He was sure of his own righteousness and had no fear of any judgment from God. And what evidence did he present of his inherent goodness? He didn’t mince words, “I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord, singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.” Now some might resonate with these words and claim them as a description of their own behavior. But others find this kind of religiosity troublesome–we see ourselves as people of faith but are much more comfortable identifying with sinners than with the self-identified righteous. We may even suspect that the psalmist would avoid our pew like the plague if he ever visited our congregation. And we’d likely be okay with that! It’s really not much fun to hang out with the righteous–which is why Jesus sought out sinners!

Thought for the Day: What does the company we keep say about us?