Ephesians 3:7-12

“Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power.” vs. 7

While many question whether Paul was the actual writer of the book of Ephesians there is no doubt that its content is consistent with what we know of his life. He was completely committed to the message of inclusive grace that had been given to him by revelation. He was so convinced that he left home and family and headed off on risky and harrowing journeys guided only by the Holy Spirit. He had no master plan or source of major funding…he called himself a servant of Christ and sought nothing more than to be a mouthpiece of the good news. Occasionally we encounter people like this in the Church…and it’s always a blessing. Their deepest desire is that others might know the inexhaustible grace of God. Their satisfaction comes, not from personal gain or wealth, but from the knowledge that hungry people have been fed by the steadfast love of God. They don’t seek position or status and are unimpressed by material accumulation. And it’s not just all talk! They can communicate grace and love without a word…their convictions permeate their actions and their listening is compassionate and unjudging. Like Paul they consider themselves the very least of all the saints and find total contentment in their service. Their gentleness is obvious and their smiles contagious…they are the presence of Christ among us.

Thought for the Day: How strong are my faith convictions?

Ephesians 3:1-6

“that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” vs. 6

Paul’s gospel insight changed everything in those exciting Spirit-directed and chaotic early days of the Church. The promise of life and forgiveness that had been given to the children of Abraham through the revelation of the prophets was intended for all people. No one was to be excluded! All people were to be considered fellow heirs and members of the same body. Never again would there be insiders and outsiders! This simple truth has been excruciatingly difficult for the Church to take to heart and put into practice. Almost immediately folks started to make exceptions based on orthodoxy, morality, and ethnicity. Rules and traditions were designed to keep out anyone who didn’t conform to rigidly defined standards. Even in our supposedly enlightened times the Church often delights in exclusions and becomes nothing more than a glorified club for people who think they’re just a little bit better than everyone else. Of course there are exceptions, communities of believers who are known for their open doors and open minds. These scattered saints and sinners keep Paul’s vision alive and actively practice openness and acceptance in their associations. In their midst the promise of new life in Christ is proclaimed, the hungry are fed, and the hurting find healing. In them Jesus lives on!

Thought for the Day: Who might not be welcome in your congregation?

Psalm 72:10-14

“He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.” vss. 13-14

There are over 65 million displaced persons in the world today, and more than 25 million refugees…more than half of these are children. They’ve been forced from their homes by oppression and violence of every kind…in some countries whole cities have been bombed into oblivion. By any definition it’s a humanitarian crisis, one that the world seems ill-equipped to deal with. Some countries are selling war planes and weapons to those carrying out the destruction and then closing their borders to those seeking refuge. It seems a horrible distortion of the psalmist’s vision for benevolent leaders in a caring nation. Most of us are well aware of what is happening in the world…we catch glimpses of television footage and read the accounts of journalists on the ground. It sickens us! And yet as individuals it’s hard to know what to do. Even political leaders are locked in stalemates about how those hurting people can best be helped. It’s as though our world has been programmed for destruction and we don’t know how to do anything different. Most of us just go about our business, enjoy prosperity, and try to ignore the ugliness. But silently standing by doesn’t seem right! Those who claim to be walking in the way of Jesus have been called into action. Surely there must be something we can do!

Thought for the Day: What am I going to do about the world’s humanitarian crisis?

Psalm 72:1-7

“Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son. May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.” vss. 1, 4

The people of Israel always had high expectations of their rulers and even sang about their hopes in temple rituals. The psalmist might have composed this psalm for an enthronement ceremony and there is no doubt about what he believed the king ought to do. He knew there was little need to defend the cause of the rich or the privileged…in those days, as in ours, those folks were well equipped to take care of themselves. The ones who really needed the king’s benevolence and protection were the poor and the needy. It’s hard to argue with the psalmist’s job description and most would agree even in our time that any person in power should have special concern for the least and the lowly. No what their political stance or party, people of faith know in their hearts that God desires justice for the oppressed and the marginalized. The problem is that the number of the poor in our world is increasing exponentially. There are so many wars and rebellions…famine and drought are a constant threat…there are more displaced persons than ever before in human history. The needy are everywhere and it’s hard to know what to do. Our leaders need our constant prayers for guidance…may they have the wisdom and the will to do what God desires.

Thought for the Day: Why is it tempting for rulers to neglect the poor?

Isaiah 60:1-6

“Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” vs. 1

Epiphany is the season of light, a time to celebrate the dawning of the good news in a world of darkness. It’s a time to rededicate ourselves to our calling as children of light and focus on the many ways we can let that light shine before others. Way back in the time of the exile the prophets of Israel had the strong sense that the message of grace that had sustained them through their darkest years was for all people. They looked forward to a day when all nations would be drawn by the purity of the light that burned so brightly among them. It was a light that had been kindled in by their experience of God’s steadfast love in the wilderness. Later on the followers of Jesus came to know him as the Light of the world and reveled in his glory. After his resurrection, driven by the Holy Spirit, those disciples carried that light to the furthest corners of the earth. They came not to conquer or enslave but to love as fully as they could. They lived gently and humbly seeking only to serve and work for justice and peace. Despite the negligence of subsequent generations that light continues to shine brightly in millions of people all around the world. The light of Christ can never be extinguished and will be our guide through this new year and every new year to come.

Thought for the Day: How does the light of Christ shine in me?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

“He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” vs. 11

We’ve come to the end of another year and many are thinking about the months that have just slipped away. Some will recall it as the best year ever, full of times for laughter and love, and maybe even joyful dancing. Others will have other memories. For them it’s been a time for weeping and tears and the absence of love. For most it’s been a reminder of Koholeth’s oft-quoted words, “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” A year goes by so quickly, yet as we look back it’s stunning to see how much has actually taken place. Perhaps tonight, as midnight approaches, we’ll also take a moment to raise a toast to the new year. We know that it will likely be as eventful as the one just passed, but we haven’t a clue about the details. Oh, we’ve likely made some plans..yet none of us have the ability to know exactly how things are going to go. The future is always shrouded in mystery. It’s probably best to simply offer up the new year to God and trust that no matter what happens we’re going to experience grace and peace. It will again be a time for every matter under heaven…and we pray in our hearts that it will be the best year yet!

Thought for the Day: What does the new year hold for me?

Luke 2:48-52

“He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” vs. 49

It appears that parenting Jesus was a challenge for Mary and Joseph. They had every right to be upset with him. He had deliberately stayed behind in Jerusalem when the group from Nazareth had begun their journey home. There’s no mention that he said a word to anyone…and then, after two days of presumably frenzied searching, he shows no sign of remorse. Instead his response to his mother communicates the kind of insolence that makes every parent bristle. In his youthful impudence he implies that the whole misunderstanding was their fault. Parents are familiar with scenes like this. It seems every child goes through a period when they are completely oblivious to anyone’s needs but their own. It never dawns on them that their parents might have feelings too. It would seem that this is a natural part of the maturing process and that every child will have a time when their focus is on self. Mary and Joseph were undoubtedly hurt…some of us know what that’s like. Luke says they didn’t understand his rationalization and ultimately they all just went home. Nothing is said of Jesus’ teenage years, only that he increased in wisdom and in years. We do know that ultimately he got over himself and devoted his life to serving and loving. We only hope that our own children will do the same!

Thought for the Day: How would you have dealt with Jesus?

Luke 2:41-47

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” vs. 46

Among his sources Luke found a story about the 12 year old Jesus that has become one of the best known passages in his gospel. It describes the aftermath of a family trip to Jerusalem for the Passover. Mary and Joseph somehow lost track of him on the return journey (something most parents of pre-teens can identify with), and subsequently discovered him in the temple sitting among the teachers. Our attention is often drawn to the comment that the boy Jesus was saying things that amazed his elders, but of more significance is Luke’s observation that Jesus didn’t know everything as a kid. He didn’t have all the answers. Indeed, just like all the rest of us, he had to learn…and he learned by listening and asking questions. That’s important for us to remember as we join in the bible studies and classes in our congregations. For some reason our churches are full of folks who delight in giving answers and showing off their knowledge, something that’s off-putting and intimidating to those who are there to learn. If we’re in a study group and there are things we don’t understand, questions are perfectly acceptable. After all, if that style of learning was good enough for Jesus it should be good enough for us too. Wise teachers know that good questions are always more valuable than easy answers.

Thought for the Day: When has my lack of biblical knowledge been intimidating?

Colossians 3:12-17

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” vs. 12

Imagine what an impact Christianity could have had on the world if God’s chosen ones had actually sought to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Suppose these had been our identifying marks rather than doctrines about the nature of Christ or a proper understanding of the Trinity? Of course such speculation is fruitless. Christianity became a religion instead of remaining a movement. Followers of Jesus began to pay more attention to what they believed than to how they behaved. And as they moved even further from the Way they began to clothe themselves with armor instead of love. Soon Christians were killing one another with delight and found glory in massacres and mayhem. It’s a sorry history…it’s no wonder we’re held in such contempt by so many. Of course not all have wandered from the Way of Jesus. We can be grateful for those who have continued to act with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. In them the Christ has survived…and it may be that in these latter days they will prosper and flourish. The world has had enough of doctrinal disputes and petty denominational wars. The least and the lost are hungry for our attention and yearning to be fed. We are indeed God’s chosen ones and like Jesus we’ve been called to proclaim good news to the poor and release to those who are held captive.

Thought for the Day: What’s the difference between a religion and a movement?

Psalm 148

“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command!” vss. 1, 7-8

The psalmist is so in love with God and the wonders of creation that he offers a song of praise and thanksgiving that encompasses all of existence. And more than that, he insists that everything in the heavens and on the earth will be more than eager to join in the hymn. And he’s right! We do live in a spectacular universe and its beauty deserves our attention and admiration. Who could even imagine a finer place to live out our days! The endless variety of plants and animals! The amazing sequence of the seasons, each with its particular glory and delight! The stars and planets of the night, the comforting dawns and fiery sunsets! In every moment of every day we are bound to give thanks for the grace of existence and the privilege of being alive. How sad it is when the routines and burdens of our lives make us blind to the glories all around! As this year comes to a close and the calendar gives us pause to reflect perhaps we can find time to join the psalmist in his paean of thanksgiving to the Lord. As Herbert Brokering so wonderfully wrote, “Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets! Sing to the Lord a new song!…I too will praise him with a new song!”

Thought for the Day: What’s filling my heart with praise today?