Light Walking

Psalm 4, Isaiah 26:1-13, Matthew 5:13-16

“Many are asking, ‘Who can show us anything good?’ Let the light of your face shine on us LORD.”
Psalm 4:6

“I long for you in the night; yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks you…”
Isaiah 26:9

Yesterday, we read about being the light of Christ. In the context of yesterday’s reading, it is the light of Christ that shines peace onto and into a world of darkness. Today is Monday. People went to work or school or out into the public. Did you? Did you remember that you are a bearer of Christ’s light of peace? Or were you the person that hid the light underneath the basket.

Have you ever walked around with a lit candle (or candles, if we’re talking birthday cakes)? Think about walking and the flame. If you walk too fast, the candle goes out. If you put your hand in front of the candle, the light going ahead of you is blocked. Lastly, if you stare at the candle while walking to watch and make sure the candle doesn’t go out, your eyes begin to hurt, and you can temporarily blind yourself.

Too fast? In this day and age, it is far too easy to go too fast. Too fast driving, too fast living, and, most importantly, too fast to have deep relationships.

Hand in front? If you prevent the light from guiding and informing your path, you will end up someplace other than Jesus wants you.

Staring at the candle? Too focused on doing “all the right things” (the light is good) causes one to focus not so much on something bad. It also blinds us to what is around us and the need to do something about it. What’s the point of bringing the light without sharing the peace?

1) We each have one of those areas where we are focused on doing stuff and forget people. Where are you being too fast in your life?

2) We all struggle with weakness and temptation, and so try to protect the light of Christ we have. Yet, if we spend all our efforts protecting it, it does not serve its purpose. How are you trying to control things that is keeping God from working through you?

3) Focusing on the flame? Being like Jesus, is not staring at the light that he gives, but doing what he did. You are not Jesus, however, you’re going to make a mistake. You’re going to make a mess. Focus on carrying the light into the mess of your life and the lives of others. Where do you need to spread the light, rather than focusing on your understanding of the light?

2018 12 10
Quenching Our Light

Isaiah 9:6-7, John 8:12-19, Philippians 4:4-9

We are sheltered from the dark. For the most of us, light is but a moment away, whether it is the dining room light or a flashlight. If you’ve ever spent a night out in the wilderness with a new moon (i.e., completely shaded by the Earth, and not giving off light), you experienced a wild darkness. In darkness, even in the “safe” darkness of our homes, our hearing becomes more sensitive, and we have a tendency to jump at noises that we don’t even notice in the day.

“It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness,” said William L. Watkinson in his sermon, “The Invincible Strategy.” The Christian doesn’t turn a blind eye to the darkness that covers the world. Instead, the Christian chooses to bear the light of Christ into the world. In a dark room, a candle can shed enough light to make us feel more comfortable. When confronted by darkness, light brings us peace.

In a similar way, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, brought light into the world, and our lives. The light of Christ, if we allow it, burns away the darkness inside of us that often seems to overtake us. When the light of Christ pushes away the dark, we can rest in the warmth of Christ and find peace. How this works is a spiritual mystery. That it works is testified to by generations of Christ followers.

Yet, we often are the worst quenchers of Christ’s light in ourselves and others. Whether it’s through envy, greed, pain (physical/emotional/spiritual), accident, or error, many things can quench the light of Christ in others. We can quench our own light by putting too much emphasis on the ways (and errors) of the world and others, and continually looking left, right, backwards, forwards, instead of looking up to Christ.

1) How is our comfort in the dark at home, similar to the struggles we have living a Christian life?

2) We often compare ourselves to others, or hold ourselves to a very high standard, when carrying the light of Christ. How is that good? How is that bad? What is the dividing point between good and bad?

3/KD) Being the light can be quite simple, but we often make it hard for ourselves, and for others. What is something simple that you will do today to be the light of Christ for someone else? What will you do tomorrow?

2018 12 09
To Keep or To Make Peace
Psalm 16, Matthew 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

“When a person’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
Psalm 16:7

In many parts of the world, the United Nations has stationed peacekeepers. Their purpose is to be a soothing presence in the midst of conflict that has, temporarily, stopped bloodshedding. However, they do not make peace. Their goal is to keep conflict from breaking back out.

Often, sadly, they are merely symbolic. They often are not empowered to actually make peace, and they will usually be pulled out of an area they were stationed in if hostilities rise again. This is not to say that the UN Peacekeepers should violently enforce the peace. That would be counterproductive.

In daily life, people will do many things to keep the peace, even if it is not (even from their own perspective) the best thing spiritually, socially, economically, or physically. Peace is kept by doing nothing. It is a peace of questionable value.

In this section of Matthew called the Beatitudes, the word peacemaker is nearest to reconciler. In other words, “Blessed are the reconcilers.” Paul states that part of the Christian life is to be reconcilers. We are not only to be reconciled to God (through Jesus) and fellow Christians but to help the world to come to the table and to be reconciled to God and each other.

Imagine the whole world reconciled to God and each other. That would be a peace worth having.
1. For you, what is the difference between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker?
2. Being a peacemaker is one of the callings of the Christian life. What are you doing to be a peacemaker?
3. On the playground, in the classroom, online, or at home, what do you do that isn’t peacemaking? What is one thing you can do this coming week to change that?
2018 12 08
Where Peace Resides

Psalm 94, 2 Kings 11:6-23, 1 Peter 5:6-10

“When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.”
Psalm 94:19

“Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.”
2 Kings 6:16

“…casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.”
1 Peter 5:7

While when we discuss or think of peace, we often look to the outside. Really, true peace starts on the inside, specifically the inside that is being transformed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Often when we do not feel at peace, it is because we are allowing something to shake us up. I know I find that hard to accept that I am allowing something to upset me. It may be hard for you to accept, too. However, when we look at the peace promised by Jesus Christ, versus the worries we try to bear on our own, it seems that we often don’t chose Christ’s peace.

True peace begins with a surrendered will. Not a surrendered will to politicians or power, but to Jesus. The King Sennacheribs of the world (see yesterday’s reading) give what is already ours, or act as if it is generous to let us live, and that it is their continued generosity for us to continue living. Jesus takes our surrendered life, gives us a greater one on this earth then gives us an eternal one.

1) Why do you think we have to surrender our will to have peace?

2) Does surrendering our will mean that we are no longer ourselves? Are we no longer an individual?

3) How does being surrendered to Christ and still be yourself work? How does it conflict?

KD) Put your hands up! Give it up! How is that feeling different than it should be when we surrender to Jesus?

2018 12 07
Listening for Peace

Psalm 7, Isaiah 36:13-20, Luke 14:31-33

Peace is fleeting. We look around the world and cannot help but recognize that a lack of conflict only lasts for a short time. World leaders are speaking well of one another, then the next day attacking one another. People at work or school say positive or encouraging things to us, then say horrible and damaging things to others about us.

As editors and news-writers know, bad news, wars and bad behavior sells. It seems that we are conditioned to seek out the bad stuff. Good or heart-warming stories often don’t get the eyeballs or the clicks, at least in comparison to the bad.

When trying to convince the people of Jerusalem to surrender, King Sennacherib has his messenger make huge promises that after taking a moment, one realizes is impossible for the King to do without devastating the other countries he has already dominated (and probably made similar promises to). This is similar to politicians and leaders who make wild promises to those already in their camp, and then even more to those outside their camp in an attempt to draw them in. This is often the promised peace of the world.

King Sennacherib promises peace, his peace. His peace is the surrendering of self, property and even national identity to be pulled into his sphere of influence, and be controlled. Even in the United States we have people who express themselves in the same way as King Sennacherib.

All too often, we allow ourselves to believe that everything will be alright (we’ll be “at peace”) when have an item, prosperity, land, or health. We can deceive ourselves and put too much emphasis on what will pass away, rather than what is eternal.

1) If you listen to a person, such as a politician, talk in a peaceful way or in a warlike way, which are you more likely to respect? Is one perspective more realistic than the other?

2) How do you think that is different than how Jesus speaks of peace?

KD) How do you talk about peace with your friends? How can you help adults in your life learn (or re-learn) about peace?

2018 12 06
Stirring Up

Psalm 71:1-9, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Matthew 12:9-21

“Be a rock of refuge for me, where I can always go…”
Psalm 71:3

“I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live… I have spoken, and I will do it.”
Ezekiel 37:14

“The nations will put their hope in his name.”
Matthew 12:21 (also see Isaiah 42:1-4)

When we read Psalm 71, we read chronological age (birth to old), and that is as the Psalmist intended. Let’s look at it differently today. Let’s look at it as our life in Christ. Most people (not all, and that’s okay) when they first come to know Jesus Christ are eager to share about their new life in him. Often huge life changes occur that bear witness to the life-change that is available through Christ. However, as our faith ages, often the enthusiasm goes away. We become “old.” In other words, our life in Christ is not very vigorous. Some people start out “old,” because they grew up in the church, and knew nothing different, and those around them (having been in the church awhile) were “old” already and were thus not very enlivening to a new believer. There are some who appear “old” due to their personality. They, too, need better ways and habits to invigorate their spiritual lives and the spiritual lives of others.

By God’s grace, we don’t have to rely on ourselves. The Holy Spirit that was promised to each and every believer will help us with our spiritual lives and help us help others with their spiritual lives. When we, in partnership with the Holy Spirit and each other, stir up our spiritual lives, the world will look at us and our hope, and the world will hope in His name.

1) Why is a strong spiritual life an essential component to hope?

2) What is one thing you can start doing to stir up your spiritual life?

3/KD) No matter how young or old you are, you are important to other people’s spiritual life. What is one thing you can start doing to stir up others’ spiritual lives?

2018 12 05
Free to Feel

Psalm 42, 2 Samuel 7:18-29, Romans 15:7-13

“…Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:5

“…Do as you have promised, so that your name will be exalted forever…”
2 Samuel 7:25-26

The Psalmist and David have different emotions in their words. The Psalmist seems exhausted mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It would be reasonable to say that the Psalmist was very depressed. David on the other hand was joy-filled for God had made a promise to him that his family (his house) would forever have a place before God. In a culture where family was of greater importance than the individual, this was a big deal.

Both Psalmist and David, regardless of circumstances, put their hope in God. Both understood that they were insignificant in comparison to God, but that they were not insignificant to God. That is hope built on solid ground. An individual’s daily struggles may be small in comparison to the big picture, but the God who continues to draw the big picture knows that every person has their right place in the picture, and because of that, they are significant to God.

The social and cultural events that occur around Christmas (company parties, family get togethers, even church activities) can often exhaust and overwhelm us. Many of these activities can feel more like obligations, rather than times of joy and warm-heartedness. The times around Christmas can find feeling like both the Psalmist (exhausted/depressed) and David (joy-filled and thanks-filled). Sometimes the change in moods can catch us by surprise, and we might even feel guilty for our feelings. As long as our hope rests on/in God, we are free to feel. We are free in Christ.

1) How can you strengthen other people’s hope in Jesus? How will you?

2) The best “tool” we have to feel hope is the Holy Spirit. How can you “use” the Holy Spirit to strengthen your hope?

3/KD) Christmas is a time to give and receive gifts. Not everyone gets presents. How can you show and share that the best gift is Jesus?

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13

2018 12 04
Secured Hope

Job 8:13-18, Psalm 62:5-8, 2 Peter 3:1-18

“…the hope of the godless will perish.”
Job 8:13

“Rest in God alone…for my hope comes from him.”
Psalm 62:5

“The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9

While many might consider me patient, I know my own impatience. While I wait for something, I still want it now. Yet, I wait.

1) Do you think of yourself as impatient? Do others think of you as impatient?

2) Can you think of someone you feel is impatient?

Yesterday, hope was the focus, just as it is today. In fact, hope is part of the foundation of the Christian faith. Faith is trust. Hope and faith are tied together. They really cannot be separated. While Job’s friends had questionable motives and an unclear understanding of God, there is still truth in them. Bildad reminds Job that hope not founded on God is useless. In the Psalm, David reminds himself and us that unshakable hope can only come from God. In other words, true hope is based upon faith (trust) in God.

The birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God, was (and remains) fulfilled hope. Peter reminds the church that this is not the end of hope. Jesus will come again. In Peter’s day, people were already losing hope because God had not yet come back. Around 2000 years later, Jesus has still not returned! If our hope is based on our understanding, how easy it is to lose hope. When our hope is based upon God, trusting God, and relying on God’s nature, our hope remains secure!

3) Do you lose hope quickly? Why?

4) If you trust God today, why would you not trust God with tomorrow?

5) How does being impatient undermine trusting God?

2018 12 03

Light Walking

Psalm 4, Isaiah 26:1-13, Matthew 5:13-16

“Many are asking, ‘Who can show us anything good?’ Let the light of your face shine on us LORD.”
Psalm 4:6

“I long for you in the night; yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks you…”
Isaiah 26:9

Yesterday, we read about being the light of Christ. In the context of yesterday’s reading, it is the light of Christ that shines peace onto and into a world of darkness. Today is Monday. People went to work or school or out into the public. Did you? Did you remember that you are a bearer of Christ’s light of peace? Or were you the person that hid the light underneath the basket.

Have you ever walked around with a lit candle (or candles, if we’re talking birthday cakes)? Think about walking and the flame. If you walk too fast, the candle goes out. If you put your hand in front of the candle, the light going ahead of you is blocked. Lastly, if you stare at the candle while walking to watch and make sure the candle doesn’t go out, your eyes begin to hurt, and you can temporarily blind yourself.

Too fast? In this day and age, it is far too easy to go too fast. Too fast driving, too fast living, and, most importantly, too fast to have deep relationships.

Hand in front? If you prevent the light from guiding and informing your path, you will end up someplace other than Jesus wants you.

Staring at the candle? Too focused on doing “all the right things” (the light is good) causes one to focus not so much on something bad. It also blinds us to what is around us and the need to do something about it. What’s the point of bringing the light without sharing the peace?

1) We each have one of those areas where we are focused on doing stuff and forget people. Where are you being too fast in your life?

2) We all struggle with weakness and temptation, and so try to protect the light of Christ we have. Yet, if we spend all our efforts protecting it, it does not serve its purpose. How are you trying to control things that is keeping God from working through you?

3) Focusing on the flame? Being like Jesus, is not staring at the light that he gives, but doing what he did. You are not Jesus, however, you’re going to make a mistake. You’re going to make a mess. Focus on carrying the light into the mess of your life and the lives of others. Where do you need to spread the light, rather than focusing on your understanding of the light?