Matthew 13:1-9

“And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up…’” vss. 3-4

Jesus didn’t lack for crowds in the course of his Galilean ministry. Wherever he went people gathered, and he taught them many things, often in the form of parables. The one about the sower is familiar and shows how he felt about those he was teaching. Jesus was no fool and he knew perfectly well that most of the people would be untouched by what he said. Only about a quarter of them would produce fruit in abundance! The rest might be moved for the moment, but his wisdom would have no lasting effect.

Those percentages continue to describe the reaction of people to gospel preaching and teaching. While situations vary, most pastors know that their sermons will have little effect on most of the people in their congregations. About a quarter of them seldom even gather for worship–they never even hear the words that have been so carefully crafted for their benefit. And distractions abound for the rest of the folks. Some are caught up in the cares of the world, while others have been spoiled by television preachers with more interesting messages. 

But pastors keep on preaching! Like Jesus they know that some of their words will strike fertile soil and that the gospel will be heard. Through the work of the Holy Spirit the seed sprouts and the harvest is great.

Thought for the Day: When do sermons produce fruit in me?

Romans 8:9-11

“But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”  vs. 10

Just because we are believers doesn’t mean that life is going to be a bed of roses for us. In fact some of the most faithful people are also subject to regular battles with depression. They do their best to cope and paste smiles on their faces to show others that they are just fine, but inside they feel dead. Sometimes there are physiological reasons for their depressed moods and it’s good when helpful medication can be prescribed and taken. It does make a difference!

But sometimes we’re just sad inside and we aren’t quite sure why. We have the sense that if Christ is in us that those moments won’t come, but that’s not true. After all we live in a broken world and sometimes the sound of that brokenness overwhelms the voice of goodness in our heads. We certainly don’t like those times but they do come. So what can we do?

It’s likely that each person will have to find their own way–prayer and meditation can be helpful–but somehow it’s simply a matter of reconnecting with God’ s love and remembering that life is communal. Often the community, whichever one it is, can lift us up and draw us out, and we rediscover the ancient truth that together we are better! 

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

Romans 8:1-7

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” vss. 1-2 

Paul had nothing but good news for the Romans. He had figured out the answer to the dilemma of sin and death. He’d been caught up in that game of perfection for years and now he had been set free, and it was totally a gift. No longer did he have to battle his inner desires and deal with his guilty conscience. None of that mattered any longer because of what had happened in Christ Jesus. In him all the condemnation had been eliminated and now all who are in Christ Jesus are simply free to be!

There are some who, for one reason or another, don’t even worry about things like that anymore. We might even wonder if they even have a conscience. They behave like animals, seemingly not knowing the difference between truth and falsehood, and nothing seems to bother them. They do whatever they please without a second thought. Paul’s words probably just seem like gibberish to them.

Those folks were around in Paul’s time too, and he didn’t have much to say to them. He was writing to people who took behavior seriously and who did have consciences. And his words were the best news ever to them. They could simply relax about their struggles and allow the fruits of the Spirit to flourish within them.

Thought for the Day: How do I deal with a guilty conscience?

Psalm 65:9-13

“the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.”  vs.13

For this psalmist creation was a visible manifestation of God’s presence. It wasn’t just eye candy for Sunday drives through the countryside. All that could be seen was not only connected to God, it had a vital relationship to God. As all of us learned from “Sound of Music” the hills weren’t just there to look at, they were alive and if we listened closely we could hear God singing.

So many folks miss that. One of the negative side effects of all our technological and mechanical advances has been a huge separation between humans and nature. More and more people are living in massive cities where they seldom even see trees and plants. Everything is concrete and blacktop! Soon even lawns will be non-existent, a distant memory in an age of  plastic flowers and artificial grass. 

We still don’t know what the effects of such changes will be but we can be pretty sure that the meadows and the valleys will not be pleased and the hills will surely not be singing together for joy. Of course it could be that humans will come to their senses and realize the beauty of the natural world. It could even be that a sense of stewardship can be replanted among us, a recognition that our basic responsibility is to take care of stuff in this world. After all, it’s the only world we have!

Thought for the Day: What does the music of nature sound like?

Isaiah 55:12-13

“Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” vs. 13

The myrtle is an evergreen broadleaf plant common to the Middle East and is known for its medicinal properties. Its white blossoms are large and showy and it has come to be a symbol of love and peace. Isaiah chose it to symbolize God’s faithfulness.

It’s wonderful to be able to see signs of God’s unconditional love in nature, and for many that’s exactly what the myrtle is. Year after year it returns from dormancy to bring fragrance and beauty to the barrenness of the landscape. For some the myrtle has an almost mythical standing as a symbol of God’s presence and providence. It is above all a sign of resurrection hope, a reminder that even in our bleak lives new life lurks, and God’s love will never be cut off.

Sometimes we forget that the plants surrounding us in this world have been around longer than we have. They’ve been our faithful companions, providing us with food, shelter, and medicine from the beginning. And more than that, they are one of the primary sources of beauty in our lives. Some wonder if we could even express love for one another without flowers or bouquets. Who does not enjoy wandering through arboretums or  botanical gardens? It’s in the living plants that we see the fingerprints of God’s love most clearly.

Thought for the Day: What do gardens say to my spirit?

Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven…making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;” vss. 10-11a

For the prophet Isaiah there was a kind of inevitability to the goodness and generosity of the Lord. At least that was the pattern that he saw in the creation. The natural forces that sustain life have been built into the very fabric of the universe, and his observation was correct. Granted, weather patterns like the El Nino are notoriously unpredictable, but in general, in spite of floods and droughts, it all works together for good.

Because of that built-in goodness Isaiah believed that humans could trust in the goodness of God to sustain them in their life together. They would not be forgotten or left to languish in whatever captivity they were experiencing. The people of Israel would be returned to their land and joy would fill their hearts. Because God is good they could count on it.

What a blessing it is to have that kind of hope for the future! We all know that adversity can come our way and we can experience the ugliness that comes with brokenness. But we know that this creation has been founded in goodness. Indeed, the Divine Presence is the essence of good, and ultimately, in spite of our situation, that goodness will break into our lives and bring peace beyond our expectation or understanding.

Thought for the Day: Where will I see the goodness of God today?

Matthew 11:25-30

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” vss 28-29

Again and again Jesus revealed his compassion to the harassed and helpless folks who scrambled to hear his words and feel his healing touch. He wasn’t like any religious or political leader of his time. All they cared about was exercising power and raising taxes.  As in our time a few people controlled nearly all the wealth, and they weren’t about to give anything away.

But Jesus was different. Because he was gentle and humble in heart he invited people to lean on him and find rest for their souls. His words were revolutionary and life-changing and they were remembered. Down through the centuries people have come to Jesus, laid their burdens on him, and have received the delights of the kingdom of peace.

His words and practices continue to make his followers proud. It just feels so good to know that we are his disciples. We are the ones who are going to change the world and not the politicians. As we fan out in our daily living, offering words of hope and consolation to all we encounter, lives are changed. Our gentleness and humility is contagious, and others will want to be like us. Our calling is unique and no one has a better gig than ours.

Thought for the Day: Where do I go when I am weary?

Matthew 11:16-19

“But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’” vss. 16-17

People love to criticize! They always have and likely always will. Jesus marveled at the folks he encountered in the course of his ministry. He and John the Baptist had a similar message, namely, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!” But their lifestyles were entirely different. John abstained from food and drink, and Jesus freely ate and drank. Yet both were lambasted by the crowds! They called John demonic and said that Jesus was a glutton and a drunkard. 

The same thing happens in this generation. To get a sample of it we need only look at what goes on during the course of election campaigns. Anyone who decides to run for office can expect to be criticized for everything they have ever done. Whether the accusations are true or not makes no difference. And it would be laughable, except that it goes on everywhere, even in our communities of faith.

And it’s so destructive! When congregations are infected by this spirit of criticism, it’s often directed against pastors and leaders. No matter what they do, someone is going to complain, and sometimes it can get malicious. 

Thank God for those believers who look first to the needs of others,  and who always put the best construction on all that others say and do!

Thought for the Day: How does a spirit of criticism affect me?

Romans 7:21-25a

“Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”  vss. 24-25a

Paul had concluded that there was absolutely nothing that he could do to help himself. No matter how hard he tried, no matter what kind of self-talk he used, no matter how many self-help books he read, there was no way he could escape his addiction to sin. It was impossible! And after a lot of sleepless nights it finally dawned on him. He had to quit battling and surrender! He had a Savior close at hand, Jesus Christ, and in him there was power to change and lead a Spirit-filled life!

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Just surrender! But when egotistical humans are involved, there is probably nothing more difficult. Even a long record of repeated failures isn’t generally  enough to convince us that there isn’t anything that we can do. Only when we hit bottom, as Paul did, does it dawn on us that our one hope is the Divine Presence, or as some would say, our Higher Power.

It’s then that we discover that at the core we aren’t wretched! We are the much-loved children of God, and the Holy Spirit can’t wait to start our internal renovations. And when that happens, it’s a beautiful sight to see. It’s almost like being born again! In fact, Jesus would say that’s exactly what it is! 

Thought for the Day: When have I felt like a wretched person?

Romans 7:15-20

“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” vs. 15

It’s not likely that the Apostle Paul played golf, yet his description of his own actions sounds very much like the lament of an addicted golfer. It’s probably one of the most frustrating sports ever invented, precisely because it mirrors the human experience. Even though we know exactly how life should be lived, we are incapable of actually pulling it off.

Now it’s possible to laugh off our experiences on the golf course. It is after all only a game. But it’s harder to live with our daily failures to live as we ought. We’re forever saying what should not be said, being silent when we should speak, eating and drinking things that are bad for our body, and looking out for ourselves when we should be looking out for others. 

That’s the sort of thing that happens when we aim for perfection in our lives–it just doesn’t work! We’ll never pull it off this side of the grave. Wise golfers have figured this out. They stop playing the game of perfect and take whatever they’re given. And as they relax in their attempts to hit the ball, all kinds of good things begin to happen. 

So it is with life in Christ! We’re not called to be perfect. And as we learn to relax in our walk, by the grace of God we discover the pure joy of simply living!

Thought for the Day: How relaxed is my walk with Jesus?