Saturday, March 31, 2012

Such Irony

Isn't it ironic? The very people who were instrumental in the execution of Jesus were also centrally involved in bringing about the very thing they tried to stop. The Romans tried to stop the uprising they feared might be taking place in Jerusalem. The Jews tried to stop the one they feared would attract many away from their religious order and practices and jeopardize their desire for political freedom.

Listen to what it says in John 11,

45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”
49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”
51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
 - John 11

A Jewish high priest prophesied that Jesus would die for the all the "children of God." Yes, they managed to kill Jesus, but his death (and his resurrection) brought about freedom and life that they could not stop.

And I find it ironic that Rome, who desired to conquer and rule the world, was eventually conquered by the Christian faith and became the centre of Christianity for centuries.

Jesus said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it."

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Plight of A Prophet (Pastor)

Kind of sounds like he might be a pastor. People watching him to see if he might slip up. In Jeremiah 20 we read,

10I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!
Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!”
All my friends
are waiting for me to slip, saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we will prevail over him
and take our revenge on him.”

It is fascinating how friends and even fellow Christians can watch leaders (especially pastors) to see if they will slip up. To see if they will make any mistakes - and then judge them. As a pastor you know this comes with the territory.

I used to use the describe it this way.... When you are new in ministry of the church you start at the bottom. Every time you do something good, you are raised up in people's minds. However, once you become a pastor, you are put on a pedestal and every time you make a mistake (of any kind) you drop in people's minds. As a pastor, there seems to be no way but down.

Sounds like Jeremiah 20. But just as for Jeremiah the Lord is with us.

11But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;
their dishonor will never be forgotten.
12LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous
and probe the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance on them,
for to you I have committed my cause.

And because the Lord is with us we can sing with confidence!!

13Sing to the LORD!
Give praise to the LORD!
He rescues the life of the needy
from the hands of the wicked.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Eternal Youth

"Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”
- John 8:31

Never see death? Wow!! Jesus must have caught the attention of the people with that bold statement.

If I could invent some concoction that would keep people young and keep them from dying, I would be rich! People would flock to me and would pay big money for this product.

The fascinating thing is - we already have the potential to "never die" and be "forever young." And it's free. Well, free for us anyway. It came with a huge price.

Next week we celebrate Easter week. And we celebrate the very fact that Jesus Christ came to this earth, gave his life for us, died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose from the grave to conquer death. And as a result, death on earth is not the end for us. When we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ we have the promise from God himself that we will live forever and will never die. And in that forever state we will never get old, our bodies will never deteriorate.

And we will never see death. Totally cool!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Conditional Clauses

We don't like them! If we are honest, we would prefer the "if's" were removed from the following statements.

31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed....
42Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.
- John 8

In his dialogue with the Jews, Jesus made some statements that are quoted frequently. The problem is, we don't read them as conditional statements. For example...

We quote part of verse 32 "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free" and we apply it to any situation where it is convenient or beneficial to us. And expect to experience freedom - as we decided according to our terms. Somehow we miss the first part of that conditional statement. "IF you hold to my teaching." This statement indicates that we will be set free if we LIVE out the teaching that God has given to us. Knowing information is not enough. We need to live it. And it needs to be God's truth - not just whatever we claim to be our truth.

And "IF the Son has set you free - you will be free indeed."

And "IF God is your Father, you will love me..." Jesus said.

I guess that means that in our relationship with God, we have a responsibility.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I wonder why he chose to do it that way?

4They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”
6Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.
- Numbers 21

Why did God choose to have Moses make a snake and have the people look at the snake to be healed? Could they not just have gone to the tabernacle and ask for prayer? Couldn't they have prayed from their own tent and have been healed? I wonder why? Would the people not be tempted to start worshipping the bronze snake?

And, why did Jesus have to die on a cross? Lifted up from the ground for all to see? Why not a quick death? Why not in a day when there was the electric chair where one could be executed in privacy away from the public eye?

21Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”
22This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”
23But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”
25“Who are you?” they asked.
“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26“I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”
27They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
- John 8

I wonder if the reason has something to do with "faith." The people had to exercise their "faith" to be healed. The very act of looking at the snake was an act of faith. And you had to do it the way God said.

The effect Jesus brought about on the cross also has to do with faith. Once again, those who want to receive the benefit Jesus brought need to exercise their faith.

And what will I do about it?

Monday, March 26, 2012

Oh the questions I have...

What would we do? What would I do? What would we have done if we would have been in Jesus' shoes? Would we have condemned the woman like the religious leaders did? Would we have cried out in righteous indignation at the woman? How dare you? What were you thinking?

Would we have responded like Jesus? Would we have had mercy for the woman? Would we have extended the offer of forgiveness? Would we have required penance?

And where was the man? I presume there was a man involved in the adultery. What about him? Why were they not accusing him? Why was he not brought to the kangaroo court? Were only women not allowed to commit adultery?

1But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
- John 8:1-11

Oh, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus! We - I have so much to learn!!

Friday, March 23, 2012

No Fear

It is amazing how fear can rule us! Paralyze and immobilize us!

Especially fear of people.

I love how Jesus responded to people. Maybe it was because he was/is God. Maybe it was because he lived by faith as he calls us to live by faith. When Jesus encountered people who tried to harm him, he didn't retaliate or try to defend himself. Yes, there were some times when he stayed out of the public eye for particular reasons. But that was hard to do given his popularity. And when they tried to harm him prematurely, he knew he was okay.

At this they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
- John 7:30

We might be afraid because we know we are not God as Jesus was. But are we any less safe than Jesus was?

I don't think so.

As much as God expects us to use our judgment and common sense He has given us, we are still in his hands and he will not allow anyone to harm us before our time.

So, today I can live without fear - because the Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not lack anything.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Persistent Prayer

8This is what the LORD says:
“In the time of my favor I will answer you,
and in the day of salvation I will help you;
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people,
to restore the land
and to reassign its desolate inheritances,
9to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’
and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’
“They will feed beside the roads
and find pasture on every barren hill.
10They will neither hunger nor thirst,
nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them.
He who has compassion on them will guide them
and lead them beside springs of water.
11I will turn all my mountains into roads,
and my highways will be raised up.
12See, they will come from afar—
some from the north, some from the west,
some from the region of Aswan.[b]
13Shout for joy, you heavens;
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
14But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
15“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
- Isaiah 49

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Tough Question

I wonder what he was thinking? And, who was he? But, he (whoever "he" was) had been an invalid for 38 years. He had not been able to work ro take care of himself for all those years. Now this stranger comes to him and asks if he wants to get well?

Well DID he?

2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
7“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
- John 5:2-9

When Jesus asked the question, the man was faced with an avalanche of problems. What would he do if he was healed? Now he would have to get a job and look out for himself. What would he do? Did he have any family? If not, he would have to feed and clothe himself. Did he ever "say" he wanted to be healed?

What about us?

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Elder and the Sinner

A paraphrase (with liberty)...

There were those who had their act together, were considered stalwarts in the church, and were confident of their spiritual status. To these Jesus told this story:
"There were two men who showed up in church one Sunday morning, a church elder and a sinner. The elder got up in front of everyone and prayed: 'O Gracious and Mighty God, we are so blessed that we are not like those sinners around us - people who smoke, drink, go to dances and carouse all night. Bring judgement on those liberals who would take away our freedoms and raise our taxes. We faithfully go to church and give our tithes and offerings. Thank you that Thou hast kept us from being like these awful sinners.

The sinner in church that Sunday bowed his head in despair. "God, I beg you to have mercy on me! I am a sinner, forgive me."

14“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Luke 18:9-14

1“Come, let us return to the LORD.

3Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Hosea 6

Friday, March 16, 2012

Authentic Community

Funny how we are about truth! We tend to choose what we want to accept as truth - even when it comes from the very same document or source. This is not only true in politics or media - it is also true in the church. Out or our traditions and prejudices we select what we want to believe and accept. Then we judge others according to our standards.

I met a fellow at lunch today. It soon became clear that he was from a church that considered itself a cut above any others in the community. Not that he would admit it, but it became clear in the dialogue. I could not help but think, "is this what Jesus had in mind?" When He came as the Word made flesh, did he intend for us to form our little exclusive groups to "guard the truth" so that we  would make sure we were not erring in any way? To the point where we had such division in the church community? And I don't mean the "big stuff."

What about what Jesus taught in Mark 17?

28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Never mind John 17?

Oh that we would learn to walk together, learn from each other, encourage each other - you know - the kind of stuff the Bible talks about...

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Biblical Integrity

My mind mulls over our church's new Directional Statement as I prepare for our Annual Meeting tonight and preach on the subject this coming Sunday. The first point of our statement declares that as a Church we are committed to Biblical Integrity.

We declare that we believe what the Bible teaches as truth. We should not only get to know that truth, but live it out in our daily lives. Truth and life need to be integrated. In today's world many question whether we can ever know truth. Still others have no apparent connection between what they claim as truth they believe and how they live  their lives.

Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.
Jeremiah 7:28

Today, if only you would hear his voice,
Do not harden your hearts...
Psalm 95:7-8

Our challenge today is to first accept God's Word as truth. Then we need to live that truth. And God is faithful - absolutely!

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Our Mission

I just read the statement, "There is no mission for the Christian other than the one Jesus shares with us."

In the Bible we read various statements from Jesus that we regard as His mission for us. Matthew 22:37-39; 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 for example. In Acts 1:8 Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit was going to guide and direct the followers of Jesus Christ and instruct them once Jesus was gone.

In Acts 2 we read of how the Holy Spirit fell upon Christ's followers and they began to do what He guided and empowered them to do. After the significant events of Pentecost, we read of what the followers of Jesus continued to do. I believe what we see them do forms the core of what our church today is to do.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:42-47

As Bethel Church in Three Hills we have affirmed what we believe God has called us to do. Here is our statement of direction:
"Bethel Church is committed to helping more people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ through:
1. Biblical Integrity
2. Authentic Community
3. Persistent Prayer
4. Active Worship
5. Intentional Outreach


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Forgiveness

"The litmus test for being a Christian is not whether one can say the creed and mean it, but whether one can forgive and love an enemy." (Not By Bread Alone: Daily Reflections)

21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times....
- Matthew 18

Jesus then told the story of a man who was forgiven his incredible debt, but would not forgive another person a minute debt. His forgiveness thus revoked and he was thrown in prison until he could repay his debt.

35“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Forgiveness is one of those things that we can easily believe in when we are the ones that need to be forgiven. However, when the time comes when we need to forgive someone else, we struggle intensely. Jesus came to offer forgiveness. Forgiveness brings peace.

Monday, March 12, 2012

The End - The Beginning

It can be a bit shocking! Suddenly life comes to an end - for those you love and you are not ready for it.

In January my Dad passed away after struggling with his health for many years. Yet, at the end, he went downhill quickly and was gone much more quickly than I expected. Now my mom is battling for her life. It is hard to believe.

It does remind me that none of us knows when our time will come. We don't know that we will make it to tomorrow, or next week, or another year or till we reach 90 years of age. Are we ready should it be our turn?

Thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ that we can have assurance that when our life is over here on this earth that we can have life forever.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Birds of a Feather...

What a great quote! It goes perfectly with my sermon for tomorrow.

"Birds of a feather flock together," as the saying goes. How strange, then, to see Jesus, the sinless one, eating and speaking with sinners and others who were detested by "respectful" citizens. Yet, that is exactly what Jesus did and he made it very clear that the reason he came was to reconcile everyone to the Father. (Not By Bread Alone: Daily Reflections For Lent).

Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
- Micah 7:18-19
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
- Luke 15:1-2

Friday, March 09, 2012

Talk about headaches

Okay, so I have been pretty serious on here during Lent. So, today I will quote something else I read. Nothing to do with Lent.
----------------------------------
Little Susie, a six-year-old, came home from school and said, "Mommy, I've got a stomachache."

"That's because your stomach is empty," her mother replied. "You'd feel better if you had something in it." She gave Susie a snack, and sure enough, Susie felt better right away.

That afternoon the family's minister dropped by. While he was chatting with Susie's mom, he mentioned he'd had a bad headache all day long.

Susie perked up. "That's because it's empty," she said. "You'd feel better if you had something in it."
---------------------------------
The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.

Thursday, March 08, 2012

Search the Heart and Mind

We think we have it figured out! We think we pretty much know all there is to know and think we are in control. Well, at least that is what we would like to believe.

We even like to tell God what to do - what he can or cannot do. What he is allowed to do. What he would do IF he is a good God at all.

Somehow we have this all backwards. Jeremiah had it right...

5 This is what the LORD says:
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
10 “I the LORD search the heart
and examine the mind,...”
- Jeremiah 17

We are the ones who need to pay attention to God and follow HIS purpose, teaching and influence. God is the creator, we are the created. God is the one who is trustworthy. We are the ones who cannot be trusted.

In keeping with this Romans 12:2 gives great advice.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Only 10 Words

Only 10 words!

What a difference 10 words can make.

This past weekend the leadership of our church spent a weekend away praying and working through the purpose of our church. Why are we here? What are we here to do? What priorities should determine how we use the resources God has given us? After much discussion we affirmed our purpose is this...

"Helping more people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ."

That purpose should direct all that we do as a church. Essentially we should eliminate anything we do that does not help us accomplish our purpose.

It is sadly interesting that far too often we get sidetracked and actually do things that keep us from accomplishing our purpose. And how we talk to and about others has a lot to do with this. I was struck by this when reading Jeremiah 18

18 They said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.”
19 Listen to me, LORD;
hear what my accusers are saying!
20 Should good be repaid with evil?
Yet they have dug a pit for me.
Remember that I stood before you
and spoke in their behalf
to turn your wrath away from them.
- Jeremiah 18:18-20

We get wrapped up in our own lives, forgetting that God has called us to influence others toward Jesus Christ. Just like "the two brothers" we forget that we are in the presence of Jesus Christ and he has an amazing mission for us. Instead we jockey for the positions of power and personal benefit.

17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!” 

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21 “What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

An Illusion

I got stuck in the snow today! The snow blower would not work, so I shovelled some snow, and soon gave up. I got the car out of the driveway okay and managed to start down our street. Then came the corners. I made it past the first one, then got hung up on the second. After much shoveling and help from others, I got going once more.

The snow looked soft and "friendly" but in reality it was hard, and stopped my vehicle in it's tracks.

In the passage for today we are challenged in regards to our lives. We had such a tendency to lives for the sake of what we might look like to others. Yet, on the inside, we know we are not what we appear to be.

16 Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
- Isaiah 10:16-18

When we come to Christ, seek and receive his forgiveness, we truly become white as snow. On the other hand, when we try to "cover up" what is inside and pretent we have it all together, we not only harm ourselves, but hinder others in finding true cleansing and hope. In Matthew 23 Jesus warned against hypocricy.

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
- Matthew 23:1-7

Lord, today may my life be a reflection of your work in my life. May I experience true purity as you make me pure and I follow your ways.

Monday, March 05, 2012

Mercy and Forgiveness

“Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
7“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. 8We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, LORD, because we have sinned against you. 9The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. - Daniel 9:4-10

36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  - Luke 6:36-38

"What grace this is for us who have sinned. Though w have turned away from God's love, God remains faithful and continually invites us back into his embrace." (Not By Bread Alone: Daily Reflections For Lent 2011)

Friday, March 02, 2012

Who can ever make it?

How can anyone ever make it?

In my reading from the Old Testament this morning, it seems that a person determines whether he will "live" or "die" based on his own righteousness. Ezekiel 18 states,

21“But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live....
24“But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

Then in the New Testament we find that Jesus elaborates on the subject. In Matthew 5 he said,

20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Pharisees attempted to live (at least in the public eye) in obedience to the laws that were found in the Scriptures. Yet, Jesus said that our righteousness must surpass theirs if we wish to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Who then, can make it?

Praise God, there is a righteousness that is not our own, but comes from God. We are approaching Easter where we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ gave his life to pay the price for our sin - to provide righteousness that we cannot attain on our own. It is only through faith in Christ.

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Knock, Knock!

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
- Matthew 7:7-12

Why would God invite us to ask, seek and knock? Of course, there is a progression. Asking is somewhat passive. Seeking takes action on our part. Knocking requires us to become vulnerable, anticipating but not knowing what is behind the door.

Our life with God is not a static affair. It requires us to "get up and move."