Luke 6:20-31

“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” vs. 26

Most of us have an enormous need to be liked, a character flaw that the social media giant Facebook has exploited to generate traffic on its pages. People will go to any lengths to post pictures and comments that will get them “likes” from their hundreds of make-believe “friends.” The vulnerable among us, particularly the young and needy, can be devastated when their postings are ignored or ridiculed. Jesus warns his disciples that getting approval from others may be a sign they’re heading in the wrong direction, because historically, true prophets have never won popularity contests. How much better it is when we can develop enough confidence in ourselves and in our values to speak and act boldly in every situation without worrying about how we are being received. We may not win a lot of friends, but at least the truth will be seen and heard. Getting to this point in life is enormously difficult because most of us care so much about what others think. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons that prophets are so rare in our world. What a blessing it is when we grow so confident of God’s unconditional love that we can take risks with our words and deeds. Only then can real societal transformation take place. Only then can there be reformation!

Thought for the Day: How much do I care about being liked?

Ephesians 1:15-23

“And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” vss. 22-23

From the beginning the church formed by the followers of Jesus has been understood to be the Body of Christ. We’ve grown accustomed to that designation and have come to take it for granted, but it really is an audacious claim. We are saying that people of faith, saints and sinners alike, are collectively the presence of the eternal Christ in the world today. Of course God exists apart from the church–there is no part of the universe in which God is not present. But the church is the present incarnation of God in the flesh. We are Christ to the world, and more particularly, the recurring presence of Jesus in the world. In us the world sees the sacrificial love of God, and experiences the healing hands of Jesus. At least that’s how it is supposed to be. Because there is great power in the church, rulers and politicians are continually trying to use it for nationalistic purposes. But the true Church of Christ transcends national and political boundaries and works across party lines to promote justice and peace for all people. Like Jesus it speaks the truth to power and reaches out to lift up the poor and the hungry. It’s a blessing to be a part of the Body of Christ–may we remain faithful and vigilant!

Thought for the Day: Why does the Church need to be vigilant?

Ephesians 1:11-14

“In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.” vss. 13-14

As we observe the lives of fellow saints and sinners in our congregations we are often touched by the serenity and peace that accompanies some as they face the trials of our day. There’s an air of confidence about them, and an unwavering devotion to the good news. They know where they’ve been and they know where they’re going, and nothing is going to shake them in their daily walk. It isn’t that they’re any better than anyone else, but they do know that they have been marked with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and that their future is secure. They are God’s own people and their inheritance has already been revealed to them. How is it that some folks have this confidence while others don’t? To some extent it’s a gift from God, but it also has a strong connection to trust. They simply believe the promises that are a part of our common heritage! They’ve put their confidence in God, and not in themselves, and are looking forward to the full revelation of their inheritance. It’s a good way to live–and a wonderful thing to see.

Thought for the Day: Who do I know that lives like this?

Ephesians 1:11-14

“In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.” vss. 13-14

As we observe the lives of fellow saints and sinners in our congregations we are often touched by the serenity and peace that accompanies some as they face the trials of our day. There’s an air of confidence about them, and an unwavering devotion to the good news. They know where they’ve been and they know where they’re going, and nothing is going to shake them in their daily walk. It isn’t that they’re any better than anyone else, but they do know that they have been marked with the cross of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and that their future is secure. They are God’s own people and their inheritance has already been revealed to them. How is it that some folks have this confidence while others don’t? To some extent it’s a gift from God, but it also has a strong connection to trust. They simply believe the promises that are a part of our common heritage! They’ve put their confidence in God, and not in themselves, and are looking forward to the full revelation of their inheritance. It’s a good way to live–and a wonderful thing to see.

Thought for the Day: Who do I know that lives like this?

Psalm 149:6-9

“Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples…” vss. 6-7

In the psalmist’s apocalyptic vision, those heavenly choirs would do more than sing praises to God. It would be their pleasure to take two-edged swords and execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples as God’s chosen instruments of judgment. That kind of language has long had strong appeal for plenty of people, and particularly people of faith. And folks haven’t waited for the end times to begin doing the slaughtering. Within the last year, all around the world people have taken up arms to destroy and punish those perceived as their enemies. Sometimes it’s genocide, trying to eradicate a particular ethnic group, and sometimes it’s just pure vengeance, an attempt to punish or control another nation. It’s heart-breaking to see how willing we are to use violence to inflict injury. And what’s even worse, some might even use the psalmist’s words as a call to arms and see themselves as doing the work of God. Those who walk in the way of Jesus have an obligation to stand against these thugs and murderers and proclaim the way of peace. All this killing will get us nowhere and is repugnant to our loving God. The kingdom of peace envisioned by Jesus will be ushered in by prayer and acts of love and not by armed militias.

Thought for the Day: Why do people join militias?

Psalm 149:1-5

“Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory.” vss. 3-4

Today is All Saint’s Day, a festival set aside for the remembering of those who have fought the good fight and who now rest from their labors. We do a lot of wondering about what that new life is like, and search the scriptures for fitting images, mostly to no avail. Because no one knows, the best we can do is speculate, and then entrust our loved ones into the hands of the Lord. What scripture gives us is a vision of heavenly choirs gathered round the throne of God, and maybe even some  dancing. There’s an appeal to those triumphant images! Sometimes life brings years of travail and disappointment and the benefits of this world are certainly not divided up equally. It seems right to believe that God is going to lift up the lowly and give victory to the humble. And if we don’t have exactly the right words to describe that new white-robed life, that’s okay. Let it be a surprise! Perhaps it will be a time of joyous reunion–we can hardly imagine anything better than that. And if the Lord’s face shines upon us, that will be the icing on the cake! And we might even be asked to join the choir!

Thought for the Day: What do I hope for in the life to come?

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

“As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me.” vs. 15

Much of the book of Daniel is apocalyptic and similar to what we read in the book of Revelation. It’s not to be understood as history, nor does it have much in common with the books of the prophets. Rather it presents graphic images of an unsettled future, one in which evil forces threaten all that is good. The visions have come to Daniel in the night, a kind of bad dream that frightened the liver out of him. There had been four beasts rising up out of the sea, horrible creatures that bore slight resemblance to living animals, and he wondered what their significance might be. Now there are times when it’s fun to see how scary we can be–that’s part of the appeal of Halloween. And if we could reproduce the scenes of Daniel in our front yards we’d have the most popular house in our neighborhood. And maybe we need this kind of diversion in our times. Some are pretty sure we are facing a global environmental apocalypse, and it’s beyond frightening. Such persons are terrified by the possibilities. Others are stockpiling weapons to prepare for the coming civil war in the United States–and that’s really scary! Ultimately Daniel found reassurance in the promises of God, and in the end, that’s probably the best road to take. God is here! And the beasts don’t stand a chance!

Thought for the Day: Where do I find hope in scary times?

John 8:34-36

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” vs. 36

In his treatise, “The Freedom of the Christian,” Martin Luther famously wrote, “A Christian is the most free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, subject to everyone.” Those words sum up the paradoxical nature of our life as followers of Jesus, and provide a corrective to those who believe that being free in Christ means that we can do whatever we please. It is true that Jesus has set us free from having to obey the works of the law, but more importantly he has set us free to be the remarkable persons that God has created us to be. Sin is no longer an excuse for inaction–its burdens have been removed. All the talents and abilities that have been programmed into our DNA are available for our use as we work together as servants in building the kingdom of peace. There is nothing to hold us back! Of course that doesn’t mean that there are no obstacles or barriers in our lives. Sin is still hanging around and its companion, self-doubt, is always present to keep us from realizing our full potential. We’ll be wrestling those enemies until the day we die, but they no longer have any power over us. We have been set free in Christ and are daily empowered by the Spirit to be a transforming presence in whatever place we have been planted. This is most certainly true!

Thought for the Day: How am I being a transforming presence?

John 8: 31-33

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32

When Jesus uses the word “truth” he’s talking about more than doctrines or theoretical propositions. Everything is relational with him and here he’s promising his disciples a relationship that will put their hearts and minds at rest and also give them freedom from every anxiety and fear. Jesus is the truth, and as they come to know him, they will become one with him and begin to see the world through his eyes. For us this knowing goes beyond digging up all the biographical information we can find about Jesus of Nazareth. While that can be a fun project, at the end of the day Jesus will be little more than a small-time rabbi from an obscure Palestinian town. To know Jesus is to experience him as the living Christ and daily offer him our love and loyalty. And then as we continue to feast on his word of grace and love we will be transformed into his presence, and we will become the truth that can heal the broken and bring sight to the blind. The key to this mystical experience is the word “continue.” Life in Christ is not a once-in-a-blue-moon event, but a daily walk through every circumstance and opportunity that the world will send our way, and the resulting freedom gives peace that satisfies.

Thought for the Day: How could I be more satisfied with my life?

Romans 3:25b-28

“Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” vss. 27-28

We know that our salvation is by the grace of God, and not through our works, but Paul also says that we are justified by faith, and sometimes that gets confusing. Some folks focus on faith, and believe that it is the primary means of salvation. If they are asked about their salvation they say something like this, “Yes, I was saved when I was 16 and received Jesus into my heart at a crusade.” The emphasis is on what we do in response to God’s gift. Many times such persons are baptized after having come to faith. Others though focus on grace and celebrate the fact that God’s gift of salvation has been poured out on all humanity in Christ Jesus. Faith for such people is the means by which grace becomes a reality. It is the conduit by which grace enters human hearts. Since their emphasis is on grace they will practice infant baptism and pray that their children will one day come to faith. While these distinctions seem minor they have in fact had a divisive influence within the Church and cannot be easily resolved. It’s a blessing when we can put aside differences and give wholehearted thanks to God for the gift of grace, and then also celebrate faith whenever and wherever it appears.

Thought for the Day: Am I a “grace” or a “faith” person?