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?

Matthew 4:5-11

“Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’” vs. 10

As Jews dreamed of the coming Messiah, they imagined a ruler like David to whom all the kingdoms of the world with all their splendor would be obedient. And in the wilderness, as he considered the dimensions of his call, Jesus came to realize that for that to happen he would need to make a pact with the devil–and he said, “No!” Temptations like the one faced by Jesus are not unusual for believers. We’re all conscious of what the world has to offer. From the time we’re children we’re told that material riches are at our fingertips, and that being successful means the accumulation of power and wealth. What we aren’t told is what Jesus figured out in a heartbeat, namely, that buying into the standards of the world always means making a deal with the devil. Our call as the servants of Jesus is not to lord it over any one, nor is it to pile up riches for ourselves. Rather, we have been set aside by our baptisms as beloved children of God, and our purpose is to be the daily presence of Christ in the lives of the hurting people around us. When we learn to say no to the subtle urgings of the devil and focus solely on serving the Lord, life in all its splendor opens up, and we can actually begin to know daily joy.

Thought for the Day: What’s it like to make a deal with the devil?

Matthew 4:1-4

“He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ “ vss. 2-3

It had been an exhilarating and exhausting time for Jesus. First, he had gone for baptism at the Jordan, and in the immediate aftermath he had heard a voice saying, “You are my Son, my Beloved. With you I am well-pleased.” But then he had been led by the Spirit into the wilderness for a long period of fasting, a debilitating process that left him hungry and vulnerable. And it was then the tempter came. “You should,” the devil suggested, “test God! Was that experience at the Jordan real or imagined?” That’s how the tempter still operates. When we’re at a low point, depressed about life and discouraged, perhaps questioning whether we really have value, the voice comes. “Is God real or a figment of my imagination? Am I loved by God? Does anyone really care about me in a special way? Perhaps if we tested those who claim to love us we could find out for sure!” And that’s what some do! We withdraw from community and from our lovers. We test the limits of our relationships just to see how folks will respond when we’re out of line. How good it is when we recognize the voice of the tempter, call off the testing, and remain committed to our call to serve and love.

Thought for the Day: When am I most vulnerable to temptation?

Romans 5:12-19

“For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” vs. 19

Paul had loved the ancient stories of the Hebrews and had tucked them away in his memory bank. And now as he attempted to explain the righteousness of God to the Romans he drew on one of those stories to make sense of his message. He explained that the disease of sin had come into the world through one man, and that all humanity had been infected. Therefore all people were sinners. But the good news is that by the obedience of Jesus Christ all humanity will be healed through God’s grace. All people have been and will be made righteous. For Paul, this was the gospel in a nutshell! In general people had many questions about Paul’s grace-centered teachings. This new message, even though it arose out of their scriptures, seemed to undermine the law and many thought that it would lead to careless and licentious living. And there were many others who thought that it was too inclusive. People still have those reactions when they first hear about what has been called “universal salvation.” They wonder if anyone will even bother to go to church if everything has already been taken care of. After all, why pay when you can get in for free? But Paul is clear. Jesus paid the price for all! And for most of us that’s good news!

Thought for the Day: How do I feel about free gifts?

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

“But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” vs. 4-5

The ancient Hebrews used the story of temptation in the Garden of Eden to explain the presence of evil in the world–when not taken literally it contains profound truths about human nature and our relationship to God. Often we think of evil as an opposing force, a power that has battled the forces of good from the very beginning. While that dualistic view of reality can be compelling it leaves many questions unanswered. Consequently some have found it more helpful to think of good and evil as being more like partners in creation, and it does seem to be true that one cannot exist without the other. While at times we’re conscious only of the good, and the joy that it brings, experience tells us the evil is close at hand, and sometimes it only takes one bad decision to turn our lives upside down. Mostly those poor choices come in response to temptations. We’re led by our inner voices to believe that life can be better than it already is, and then speak or act in ways that are completely contrary to God’s way. Sometimes, by the time we’ve come to our senses, only repentance and grace can get us back on track. How much better it is when our first response is resistance!

Thought for the Day: The best temptation I’ve ever resisted.

If you just got a post for February 26, ignore it! It’s coming again on February 26.

I think someone screwed up!!!!

Ash Wednesday

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” vs. 1

For some believers the season of Lent is a time for serious reflection on faith and its implications for daily living. They cherish the opportunity to retreat from some of their usual distracting activities by adopting one or more disciplines. Often thought of as “giving something up for Lent” such exercises can also include “doing something for Lent.” As such they could include the acts of piety mentioned by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, i.e. giving alms, praying, or fasting. Any or all of these disciplines would surely enhance these 40 days for any believer. But Jesus speaks of these actions in the context of a warning. He knows the devious nature of the human spirit and has seen how often religious folks do pious things purely to enhance their position in the community. Such a practice, he warns, will have absolutely no spiritual benefit! But he also says that when our intention is pure, and our discipline is private, we will be piling up treasure for ourselves in heaven. Now this doesn’t mean that if our tongue slips and we mention our discipline to a friend, all the benefit is lost! Such private sharing can in fact be useful and inspiring. It really is a matter of intention–and when our goal is to enhance and expand our own spiritual experience, the blessings do abound.

Thought for the Day: How will these 40 days affect my spiritual life?

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

“We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way” vss. 3-4

Paul had been reconciled to God through Christ Jesus, and now, as Christ’s ambassador, he believed that others might be reconciled to God through his ministry. Because of that important calling he was now determined not to be an obstacle to anyone’s faith. His behavior and the behavior of those who were his fellow servants was crucial, and he took great pains to exercise every virtue in overcoming the adversities that regularly came his way. He realized that the way he behaved was a reflection on Christ, and people were either repelled or attracted to Christ depending on their reaction to him. That’s how it still is for those who understand themselves to be ambassadors for Christ. People are watching! And what they see in us makes all the difference in the world–it may even be a factor in their salvation! Granted, we don’t really like to think like this. Today is Mardi Gras and we’d maybe like to engage in every kind of debauchery and not have it reflect on our witness. But that’s not how it works. The way we conduct ourselves in moments of triumph and suffering has an impact on others, and our most effective evangelism comes as people watch us deal with the joys and sadness of daily living.

Thought for the Day: Are others seeing Christ in me? Do I care?