Psalm 29:1-4

“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” vs. 1

Humans have always wondered about God. In the beginning they saw God connections everywhere, particularly in the unexplained mysteries of the universe. In those times God was the standard cause for everything humans didn’t understand. As knowledge grew and scientific investigation revealed the natural forces at work in the world around us, some began to believe that there really was no place for God in the universe. Everything had a natural explanation. That notion has captured the minds of many in our modern culture…more and more people identify themselves as atheists. Others, unwilling to make such a bold assertion, still claim to believe that God exists, but then live as though there is no God. They seldom pray and only occasionally worship. The truth is that our language is largely ineffectual in describing God. How can one even find words to define that which is unknowable and unseen? The psalmist wasn’t burdened with our issues. For him there was no doubt. Not only did God exist but God was greater than we can even imagine. There’s great truth in the psalmist’s words. God does exist…and is more than we can possibly comprehend. Of course we have no vocabulary sufficient to describe or limit God…but it does not follow that there is no God! That’s why believers continue to humbly bow their hearts and minds in praise of the One in whom we live and love and have our being. To that One we offer glory and praise!

Thought for the Day: How do I describe God to unbelievers?

Isaiah 43:4-9

“Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.” vs. 4

When we take time to study the history of the Jewish people we can’t help but be impressed by their dogged determination to hang on to their heritage and religious practices. They’ve endured almost endless persecution and prejudice through thousands of years and have emerged with a strong sense of pride and dignity. Some of that strength has come from the Hebrew scriptures and the encouraging words of the prophets. For generations they’ve read that they are precious in the sight of God, and honored, and that they are loved. They’re God’s chosen ones! Followers of Jesus are inheritors of those same promises and believe with all their hearts that those baptized into Christ Jesus are a holy nation, a people set aside for the good of the world. It’s that conviction that gives them strength in the face of adversity and hope when the future seems dim. How sad then that some Christians have been central through the years in promoting the vicious teachings of antisemitism! We’re not enemies! Both Jews and Christians have an intimate connection to the Lord of the Universe and a common calling to be the light of the world. Both are precious in the sight of God. How beautiful it is when rivalries are put aside and we can live together in peace and harmony!

Thought for the Day: What do Jews and Christians have in common?

Isaiah 43:1-3

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” vs. 1

The Israelites were feeling very alone. They’d been transported hundreds of miles from their homeland and were living as strangers in a foreign country. Many felt that their God had deserted them…and to them the prophet spoke powerful words of reassurance. Most importantly he told them not to be afraid…they were redeemed and had been called by name. Even in a strange land they remained the people of God. These words from 2500 years ago echo through the centuries and find a place in our hearts. For many they have become a reassuring reminder of baptism, the moment in time when we are welcomed as children of God and received as full members of the Body of Christ. The moment of our baptisms can often be obscured by the passage of time and forgotten. Life catches up with us and we’re consumed by the worries and challenges of everyday living. But our baptisms don’t go away…they’re the seal of the Holy Spirit and can never be erased, even by careless and thoughtless living. Even if we’ve wandered away from the church we always remain the precious redeemed children of God. We’ve been called by name…we belong! Again and again through our lives the whisper of God reaches our ears: “Do not be afraid. You are mine!” We can worry about a multitude of things…but we never need to wonder whose we are!

Thought for the Day: What name does God use for me?

Matthew 2:1-12

“On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” vs. 11

Officially the season of Christmas ended yesterday. Presumably trees and decorations have been taken down or stored away and folks are ready to get on with the new year. The gift-giving is over and all that’s left of the holiday are the bills! But not in some parts of the world! In those places the day of Epiphany is celebrated with enthusiasm…in department stores and malls crowds of children gather to greet the Three Kings and receive their gifts. It’s a really big deal. For most of us however Epiphany gets more of a ho-hum…we’re just too worn out from Christmas to give it much notice, even when it comes on a Sunday. Frankly we don’t know what to do with it…we’re familiar with the Wise Men but, thanks to biblically incorrect nativity scenes we connect them more with Christmas. For Matthew their appearance in Bethlehem showed the universal significance of Jesus’ birth. The wise men came following a star in the sky but the real star of the story is the child they encountered on his mother’s lap. This boy was the Light of the World and in him all nations would see and experience the love of God. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it!

Thought for the Day: What would be a good way to celebrate Epiphany?

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?