John 17:6-10

”I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.” vs. 6

We live in two realms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world. They occupy the same physical space, but have vastly different values and operating systems. The world focuses on external and material desires and seeks our allegiance with promises of beauty, wealth and power. When Jesus began his ministry he called people out of the world and into a relationship with the Divine. He called that realm the Kingdom of God. Those early disciples listened and watched and became intimately acquainted with a new way of living, one that is rooted in sacrificial love, and that bears fruit through service. They discovered through him that they bore the image of God and were the light of the world. Through them, Jesus said, all those living according to the ways of the world could begin to know God, and live as children of God. He called that new way of living “eternal life” and said that it was God’s gift to the world. After Jesus’ death and resurrection signs of God’s peaceable kingdom have popped up all over the globe. We still see them today, even when the ways of the world seem so strong. All around people are being grasped by the good news and beginning to love and serve. Perhaps it will grasp even us, and we’ll see the kingdom today!

Thought for the Day: How has the good news grasped me?

1 John 5:11-13

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” vs. 13

John presumes that his readers believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and he also wants them to know that they have eternal life. It’s almost as though there is a difference between believing and knowing, and he’s saying to believers, “Wait a minute, there’s more!” In saying this he captures the exciting essence of the gospel, and encourages us to be diligent in proclamation. This is where evangelism gets exciting. Not only are we called to tell the story of Jesus to folks who have never heard, we also get to tell them that in Christ they already have eternal life. And this isn’t just the “pie in the sky by and by” variety of eternal life, this is “real life now” kind of living–and we don’t have to physically die to get it! What’s really sad is that a lot of people don’t know this. Instead they struggle on, caught up in the ways of the world, uncertain about meaning or purpose, and unimpressed with most types of religious expression. They think that if there is a God, they’ve just missed out! And that’s just so wrong! What they don’t know is that they are claimed, loved, and forgiven–and that in Christ they have life. They may have turned their backs on the gift–but the gift is never “returned to sender”! It’s theirs forever!

Thought for the Day: What’s the purpose of evangelism?

1 John 5:9-10

“If we receive human testimony, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has testified to his Son.” vs. 9

It is clear from the gospels that the ministry of Jesus was set in motion by his experience of baptism at the hands of John the Baptist. As he came out of the water he heard the testimony of God regarding himself, “You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well-pleased.” That affirmation was for Jesus a divine call to announce the arrival of God’s rule on earth–and that’s what he did until his life was cruelly ended by those he had been sent to love. For his followers that testimony was greater than any other human claim about God that might be made. Jesus was the beloved Son of God and they were willing to give their lives to spread that good news. It was important, not so much because of what it meant to Jesus, but what it meant to them. If Jesus was the Beloved, then by faith they could claim the same status, because his Spirit also dwelt in them. That continues to be our common legacy as we make our way through the 21st century. We too are the beloved children of God and the Spirit of Christ lives in our hearts. There is no better news in all creation, no human creed packs a greater wallop. No matter what others say or what we think, we are loved by God!

Thought for the Day: How do I know I am loved by God?

Psalm 1:4-6 

“Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” vss. 5-6

The psalmist reflected the common sense, black and white perspective of his religious peers, and his words resonate well with folks in our time too. He tells us that there are basically two kinds of people in the world, the righteous and the wicked. Good people walk in the way of righteousness, obey the laws of God, and bear fruit that brings them blessings. Sinners, on the other hand, are like wind-driven chaff and will be separated from the righteous by the judgment of the Lord. And that, in a nutshell, pretty much sums up the viewpoint of most major religions, including Christianity. Now there is much in this basic teaching that is easy to believe, and many passages of scripture do teach much the same thing. The problem is that life doesn’t operate according to our formulas, and it’s never as easy to differentiate right and wrong as we think it is. Seldom are things black and white–more often they’re some shade of grey, and doing the right thing isn’t always obvious. So-called righteous folks can do despicable things–sinners can do incredible good. What a blessing it is to adopt the posture of Jesus and just love all people, and trust that the unconditional grace of God covers us all!

Thought for the Day: When do I feel righteous indignation?

Psalm 1:1-3

“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.” vss. 1-2

The ancient editors of the scriptures we know as the Psalms chose these verses as an introduction to the whole of the book. It describes in a few words what an authentic life of faith might look like–and we can’t disagree. Those who turn their backs on the ways of the world and who spend their lives meditating on the law of the Lord will very likely have blessed and happy lives. These are the folks who really want to be good people and who believe that there is great benefit in following the rules. We all know people like this–they can be depended on to live beyond reproach, and always do what is right. Their lives are fruitful and just–they’re truly the backbone of our society. But there’s a problem with this kind of living–Jesus noticed it at once when he began his ministry. Such persons as the psalmist describes can often become self-righteous and arrogant in their attitudes toward those who tread the sinners’ path. At their worst they are devoid of compassion and unable to even comprehend the nature of unconditional love. For them everything rests on obedience–anything else can only be condemned. Jesus taught another way! So they killed him!

Thought for the Day: What’s wrong with living beyond reproach?

Acts 1:15-17, 21-26

“Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen…’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.” vss. 24, 26

When the disciples wanted to add a person to their ranks to replace Judas, they had two candidates, each with the necessary credentials, so they cast lots, the first century equivalent of flipping a coin. And then they attributed the choice of  Matthias to the Lord, who had presumably worked through the lots–and everyone was happy. For those used to secret ballots and elections it seems a strange way to choose leaders, yet we frequently find ourselves doing nearly the same thing in our decision making. One of the givens about life in this world is that decisions are not easy, and no matter how hard we try to weigh all the evidence, sometimes we reach the point of flipping a coin. The big question then is, does God direct the flip? But more important is the question, does it make any difference? Is one person God’s choice and the other not? The truth is that Justus probably could have served just as well as a disciple as did Matthias. And most of the time our big decisions, while clearly marking important crossroads in our lives, could go any way or another just fine. God will be with us no matter what–it’s what we do after the decision is made that has the most consequence for our futures. 

Thought for the Day: How did I make my biggest decision?

John 15:14-17

“I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” vs. 15

Some of us were weaned on the old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and have its verses emblazoned on our hearts, if not on our minds. It was a kind of precursor to the praise songs that dominate Christian radio stations now, an evocative hymn, one that triggered our deepest feelings. Friendship is a much cherished relationship and to have that kind of connection to Jesus is precious, much more satisfying than calling him Lord. It’s important for us to remember though that when Jesus called his disciples friends he was calling them to a higher level of service. Being a friend of Jesus means embracing his mission, going into the world bearing his name, and bearing fruit of the highest quality. He assured his disciples that they had all the knowledge necessary to do as he asked, and so do we! That’s because it’s not that complicated. All we are called to do as his friends is love one another and love the poor. Everything else religious people do is just for show! So if we don’t alway have warm cozy feelings on our walk with our friend, Jesus, that’s okay. Our friendship is deeper than that and will persist through every season of emotion and pain.

Thought for the Day: Who is my best friend?

John 15:9-13

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” vs.9

To put it simply, our life in Christ is a massive love connection, with God, Jesus, and one another. God’s love began with creation, and was amplified in Jesus as a deep and potent sacrificial love, one that extends to all people. Our invitation as those drawn to Jesus is to abide in that love, to bask in it, and remain there for our entire lives and beyond. Sadly, some may have a hard time even conceptualizing what that immersion in love might be like. Love itself is an alien concept to too many! Because of our obsession with self-interest and preoccupation with satisfying our own needs, true love experiences can be rare or even non-existent. Blessed are those who know love, who have been loved, and who can show love to others! Such persons know the consolation and solace that being held in loving arms can bring. It’s where we find comfort, security, and joy–and Jesus wants that feeling to be multiplied and expanded and experienced through a lifetime. Will there be sadness in love? Of course, that’s always the way it is with sacrificial love–there’ll be separation and even death. But love will not die, because it’s rooted in the creative energies of God–and there is nothing in all the world that can separate us from that love. It truly is the most incredible gift that has ever been given–and it’s ours to enjoy in abundance.

Thought for the Day: What have been my deepest experiences of love?

1 John 5:4b-6

“Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” vs. 5

The phrase “conquers the world” conjures up in our minds great Christian armies flying the flag of Christ traveling by land and sea to win victory over pagan peoples in order to bring them into the family of Christ. And indeed there have been times when such armies did range through Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas in one crusade or another. Unfortunately that isn’t even close to what the scriptures have in mind by conquering the world. The world refers to those forces familiar to us all which are allied against the rule and will of God. They pull at our hearts and tempt us to indulge in our natural appetites. The world is creation turned against itself, and the origin of every kind of tyranny we can imagine. Following the way of the world leads us into nightmarish webs of intrigue and selfish desires–and it’s a powerful foe. We see its influence in popular culture, social media, politics, business, and it even creeps into religious organizations. But the thing is, God loves the world, even to the point of dying that it might be redeemed and fulfill its creative promise. As the people of God, gathered around the cross of Jesus, we are charged with overcoming the world, not with force of arms, but with the power of love.  Our conquering will be gentle, kind, and restorative. In and through us the world will be resurrected together with Christ.

Thought for the Day: What are the ways of the world?

1 John 5:1-4a

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child.” vs. 1

Anyone who has been a part of an authentic Christian community will be able to testify to the awesome mutual love that has marked their life together. Of course there are the usual spats and disputes as the group deals with practices and rituals, but when the rubber hits the road, love blossoms and flourishes. Brothers and sisters in Christ will serve and minister to each other in magnificent style. Prayers are said, hands held, tears wiped away, bellies fed, rides given, hugs shared, stories listened to, and menial chores done. It truly is a sight to behold, and to be the recipient of such love can change our lives forever. That’s the way it’s been from the beginning, as testified to in the book of Acts, as outsiders said, “See how much they love one another.” Of course Christians aren’t the only folks who love in this world. Members of other faith communities are bound together by love in the same fashion. And that’s as it should be! After all God’s love extends to all people. We’re fools to think that Christians are the only ones who experience it. So instead of wasting time criticizing others, followers of Christ will focus on the love which binds them together, and continue to practice loving in all that they do. Such is our purest calling!

Thought for the Day: How have I been loved by my community?