May 25, 2009 - I Corinthians 12

Paul presents an interesting, and effective, test of unity. Stuck in the middle of extended discussion of the unity of the body and how every part is necessary and plays its part, is this simply communicated test: 'If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.' Though this is simply said, it is not always simply done. That is why I think it is an excellent test of our unity. Do we authentically suffer with one another? Do we authentically rejoice with one another? Are we instead glad that it is not us suffering or jealous that it is not us that is not being honored? That certainly is the temptation that comes to us naturally, but when we let the Spirit have His way with us we can enjoy true unity.

May 21, 2009 - I Corinthians 8

We hear a lot these days in this country about personal rights, privileges, and freedoms. In fact, it seems to me that our current President was elected on the hope of what he was going to do for the individuals in our country. As Christians we hear so much of this, it becomes easy for to fall into the trap of that same way of thinking. In reading I Corinthians 8, we see a different picture. Paul acknowledges the personal freedom that we, as Christians, have a part from the old Jewish law. He is speaking here specifically about eating meat that has been sacrificed to an idol. In this case he says that since an idol is nothing, eating the meat sacrificed to an idol does not bring us closer to God so we are no better if we do and no worse if we do not. But then he goes on to say that some other Christians with weaker consciences might see us participating in this act in a public place and be misled into sin. In that case Paul says that he would never eat meat again if will keep his brother from sinning. That is the different picture. To acknowledge that he has the personal right and freedom, but be willing to give it up in consideration of his brother. We don't hear much about that. That is a much better example for us to follow. It is the kind of example that can help change the world!

May 18, 2009 - I Corinthians 5

We are expected to be influencers not influenced. Paul makes this very clear in the second half of I Corinthians 5. He says, "I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people - not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters." The tone here seems almost like Paul would be shocked that most Christians today have no non-Christian friends. Who are we going to influence if we don't associate with people like this? Jesus spent much of His time with people such as this and caused much controversy, saying it was the sick that needed a physician. As Christians, most of us, myself included, have become rather insular. We protect ourselves and our reputation at the cost of trying to love and influence the sick right into a relationship with Jesus. I wonder if we haven't missed the point.

May 16, 2009 - I Corinthians 3

"If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." (I Corinthians 3:18b-19a) How often does our pride get in the way of our becoming, or even looking like, a 'fool'? Yet, this verse says that is what we should be when it comes to the ways of this world. When I thought about this, the next thought that came to my mind was the recent incident and treatment of Miss California at the Miss America or Miss USA or whatever pageant it was. She was certainly made to look like a 'fool' in the eyes of the world for simply saying that in her world marriage was between one man and one woman. She became the target of many so called 'tolerance-speakers', lashing out with profane and intolerant rebuttals and attacks of her thoughts and person. I think it showed evil for what it is and worldliness for what it is: 'If you don't agree with me, then you don't have the right to say what you want.' Is that the 'wisdom' that we seek. If so, I would much rather seek foolishness.

May 12, 2009 - Romans 15

I think it is difficult for us to understand what an earth-shattering idea it was that Jews and Gentiles could become Christians and make up one body. In fact, Paul basically says in Romans 15 and Ephesians 3 that this is the mystery of the gospel that is revealed in Jesus. Do we have something today to which we can compare that division? I have been thinking about this and have thought through a few ideas, but I don't think I have a good comparison. I don't think the White and African American works because there are significant places where there is not a division between these races. I wondered next about a division between Americans and those of Arab descent because of September 11th. But, I think a lot of that skepticism and prejudice has gone away. Finally, I am wondering about an economic division between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'. There are not too many places where there is a significant sharing between these two groups, where they are really seen and perceived as equals. The Church is supposed to be that place, but most of our churches are made up chiefly of the 'haves'. What are we doing to reach the 'have-nots'? Is it the like the Jews trying to reach the Gentiles?

May 11, 2009 - Numbers 14

Numbers 14 concludes a story that is rich in examples for us today, even after the thousands of years since it occurred. The children of Israel sent 12 men into Canaan to spy out the land. They returned with the report that the land was very good, but there were giants in the land. Two of the twelve, Joshua and Caleb, said, “If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land…do not be afraid of the people of that land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.” The other ten led the people in a rebellion against God, Moses, and Aaron. They discussed choosing a leader and returning to Egypt and even stoning Joshua and Caleb. They could not, would not, be reminded of the great things they had seen God do to get them to their current place and his overall plan for them. They would not get their eyes off their troubles and onto God. Is that ever true of us? I think we know about the punishment for the children of Israel, forty years of wandering in the desert and none of that generation made it into the promised land, save for the faithful Joshua and Caleb. What became of the ten faithless spies? Verse 37 reports that they were struck down and died of a plague before the Lord. Faithlessness will do that to you. It may not be physically, like it was for them, but it will kill you just the same.

May 9, 2009 - Romans 12

Paul, and the Holy Spirit, show us a very practical side as we read the twelfth chapter of Romans. He starts with a bold demand of how we should, as recipients of God's mercy, present our "bodies as living sacrifices" to God as an act of worship. The practical side comes in that he spends most of the rest of the chapter in telling us how we can do this. Have humility, work together as part of a body, and love. These are always appropriate reminders and tasks for which we can all probably strive for improvement. I know I can.

May 6, 2009 - Numbers 9

How does God lead you? Do you wish He led you with a cloud by day and fire by night like He did the children of Israel while in the desert? That method seems so clear and concrete to us today, while we sometimes struggle to know what God would have us do in situations. Other times we know exactly what we should do, but maybe we just can't find the strength or courage to do it. That is one thing that is clear from Numbers 9, the children of Israel followed the cloud without deviation. Does God still lead us in clear, concrete ways today? Absolutely! Almost exactly four years ago I joined with my Dad and a friend of his in a day of fasting over direction in our jobs. I went to work that day as normal. Shortly before noon my boss shows up with his boss and they ask me to lunch unexpectedly (irony alert). During the course of that lunch, God made it abundantly clear to me that it was time to start looking for another job and within a few weeks I had one. It was as clear to me as a cloud in the sky. There were no questions. Looking back, since that day my Dad has a new and better job in ministry and I believe the third man has a different job as well. This is just one small example, but God certainly leads us in clear, concrete ways today. Just not every time.

May 5, 2009 - Romans 8

Romans 8 is filled with encouraging and inspiring language, especially following the section of chapter 7 where Paul describes his, and our, struggle with doing the things that we want to do. Here Paul explains the role(s) of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He names several different roles in just this chapter. The Spirit helps us control our thoughts and desires, specifically so that we are not controlled by the sinful nature. By the Spirit, Paul says we can "put to death the misdeeds of the body". Here he mentions our adoption as sons into God's family and seems to be saying, "Act like the sons that you are!" The Spirit also helps us by interceding for us when we don't know what we ought to pray. God knows what is on our hearts and minds and the Spirit intercedes in those situations. If those weren't encouraging enough, Paul closes the chapter with a section that reminds us of the good that God has in store for us and that nothing will ever separate us from His love for us in Christ. What more could we ask for to face another day, another struggle, whatever the circumstance?

May 4, 2009 - Romans 7

Isn't it our story too? Paul's familiar description (Romans 7) of he doesn't do wants to do, but instead does what he doesn't want to do. That's common for all of us, isn't it? The conclusion then is in verse 24& 25, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Thanks for saving us when we could not save ourselves through our own efforts. Thanks for paying the price for our sins. Thanks for giving us access to a loving God and Father. Thanks for making life worth living.

May 1, 2009 - Psalm 13

Pressures at work, repairs and decisions made and to be made at home, plans and responsibilities at church, all these kept my 'quiet time' from being anything but quiet this morning. Oh, it was audibly quiet, but the voices in my head were loud and insistent during my reading and praying time this morning. Then I read Psalm 13 and first felt like I, at least, had company, then I found some encouragement and relief. David specifically asks in verse 2, "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts…"? That certainly was my thinking this morning. That, and that I was losing the wrestling match. Then he concludes the psalm with two beautifully encouraging verses, reminding himself and all of us where to place our trust and that He is faithful, loving, and that He saves us. Listen to David's conclusion, my encouragement for today, verses 5-6, "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me." That is really all I need to be reminded of. That is enough for me to keep going. Thank you, Father, for your love and constant goodness!