Tag: hope

A Promise

Isaiah 44:21–28; Ezekiel 34:25–31; Mark 14:22–26

Remember. We are called on to remember things every day. Some have become so ingrained (putting undergarments, I hope) that we don’t actually remember them; we just do them.

Like many things that are ingrained, relationships aren’t. We might take them for granted, but that doesn’t make them ingrained.

Isaiah’s call to the descendants of Jacob was REMEMBER! Remember God, who formed them, called them and redeemed them. They needed to be reminded…again.

This time, they are called to celebrate. Celebrate freedom. Celebrate redemption. Celebrate a relationship with God.

The unfolding of their redemption, eventually, results in a new covenant of peace. This new covenant was to change the very face of the Promised Land.

The promise of this covenant was delivered while talking about their return from captivity and exile. This makes the promise sure, as they were indeed delivered. So, where was the fulfillment of this new covenant?

We Christians say that of course, it is Jesus. Jesus’ life and death personified the concepts of relationship and redemption. The Resurrection is the exclamation point of the promise in Ezekiel.

In the Kingdom of God, the lion and the lamb lie down together.

※Reflection※

For you, what is the most important fact about God’s promises? Why?

※Prayer※

God, you have been faithful to us, even when we wander. We give you praise, glory, and thanks for your grace-filled love. Amen.

2020-11-20
Moneyed Futures

2 Samuel 7:12–21; Matthew 6:33–34; James 4:13–5:6

If you’ve ever listened to Dave Ramsey, you’ve probably heard of the “emergency” fund. When you start his Financial Peace University program, this is the first thing to be done. His point being that credit cards and payday loan “emergencies” become less so when you actually plan for them.

Ramsey goes so far as to say each family ought to have available funds to cover 3-6 months of expenses. That is often a large pill to swallow. Yet, as many people are struggling to make ends meet, and are looking at losing their jobs, homes, and even health care much would have been easier if all were so prepared.

In response to the 25%+ foreclosure rate during the Great Depression, the federal loan agent Fannie Mae was created in 1938. As homes and property were physical assets, there was some tolerance for it. Though one can look at the current housing market and wonder if Fannie Mae (and its “sibling” Freddie Mac) were a good idea.

In 1950, Diner’s Club International created the credit card. American Express followed a few years later. Bank of America followed them (eventually creating Visa). Then came Master Charge (now MasterCard). People were now able to borrow themselves into oblivion.

Then we add things like personal loans, auto loans, and student loans, it has become a real mess. The way the US tax code is, even companies are encouraged to do massive loans for tax benefits. The sad part is how much inflation all these loans (and the ability to get them) have probably caused.

However, what is interesting is that Generation Z has experienced and witnessed this, and all the companies that make money off of loans may be in real trouble. Gen Z already (barely into the workforce) has the highest rate of savings since those who grew up during the Great Depression.

The reality is that all these loans, and all that is spent, buys nothing in the eternal kingdom, at least not by itself. James’ words are rather harsh, but as we look around us, we can see that perhaps James wasn’t harsh enough.

A certain aerospace company contractually forced its subtiers (and their subtiers) to continue production of a plane that was grounded internationally. The rate of manufacturing was elevated at such a rate that hundreds of planes are now sitting, unsold. All the contractually obligated subtiers are also sitting on what is now likely at least a year’s (and likely 2-3) worth of inventory, with no one to send it to.

The arrogance of large corporations can be seen in James’ words. Also, as we look at all of our political leaders, we can see that arrogance regarding the future is just as much an issue for them as for companies.

Normal folks encouraged to have loans they can’t afford, look at the corporations and politicians who, by and large, escape the consequences. Normal folks are the ones losing their jobs. The politicians are keeping theirs.

※Reflection※

What are some lessons that we as Christians and as people of the US can learn from the economy and the COVID situation? How do we apply them to our Christian walk moving forward? How might the lessons how we treat others and even exercise our freedoms and responsibilities?

※Prayer※

Lord, you are our hope and our firm foundation. May the Holy Spirit continue to guide us toward a holy view of money that we might be better citizens of the US and also the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

2020-11-18
City of Home

Zechariah 2:1–13; Revelation 21:15–27

COVID? The New Normal? Back to COVID? What really is normal?

After generations of ups and downs, the remnants of Israel were beginning to come home. The People of God were returning to the Promised Land.

Zechariah’s vision conveyed many things. First, of course, was that the people were returning to Jerusalem; the spiritual home of Israel.

The angel declared that Jerusalem would have no walls. It wouldn’t need them. Understanding that the walls of Jerusalem had been torn down to make it defenseless, and that it was only through courage that those walls were rebuilt, a city without walls would seem to be yet another slap in the face.

The angel’s point was that God would be the wall; God would be the ultimate defense. This harkens back to the times when God “placed a hedge” around Israel to protect them. However, a hedge can be easily destroyed and burned. Instead, God would be a wall of fire around them.

What is also interesting is that God stated that God would be the glory within Jerusalem. This implies being bodily present in Jerusalem. Surely, for the Jews, it was only figurative.

The returnees would say to themselves that God is the heart of Jerusalem, for God is who brought them back. Due to their return, God must be the center of their lives and worship if only to return some of the affection shown to them.

Returning to Jerusalem, the City of God, is a powerful image: the return of the exiles in the Old Testament; the journey of Christian to the Celestial City (The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan); the establishment of the modern nation of Israel (1945); the political imagery of the “City on the Hill” used by US politicians.

It is an image of hope, a deep-seated hope in all of us. This hope is a place that we can call home from the very depths of our beings. It is also the place that we can belong without fear or comparison. A place like this is, ultimately, the desire of each of us.

In his epistle to the churches, John writes about this hope. This city where the children of God need never be concerned about being separated from God. This city would be, for all intents, the center of life. At the center of the city was God.

John’s hope continues in a strange and encouraging way. There would be no threats in the City of God. That nothing “unclean” or people who were “false” would be in the city was another thread of hope to people who were living in fear.

The underlying truth is that this city was the home of those written in the Book of Life.

※Reflection※

What makes someplace home for you? What would make Heaven home for you? How can you bring something of your Heavenly home into your earthly one?

※Prayer※

Lord of Hope, guide us into hope that is deeper than our fears. Amen.

2020-11-16
You’re MINE

Luke 9:49–56

Family feuds can be long and painful. Some people are relieved that they won’t be traveling for the annual family gathering during Thanksgiving.

The Jews and the Samaritans were family. They were at one point, at least. Over the generations, things continued to get worse, until they became enemies.

Peculiarly, the Samaritans still retained some semblance of God worship. Even that created some tension, as both Jew and Samaritan viewed “their” understanding of God as right, and the other as wrong.

That Jesus came to the Samaritans recognizes that they still had a place in God’s family. Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on the Jews, but the Samaritans were there in the margins.

There was no question that the Samaritans viewed Jesus in a positive light. In this passage, though, we see that there is still some aspect of us versus them.

The Samaritans were upset that Jesus would “abandon” them for Jerusalem. This was a problem of misunderstanding and jealousy. They had some view of Jesus as theirs, despite him being a Jew.

Jealousy such as this isn’t all that uncommon. The problem is that we frame famous people with our own beliefs. We will often look at them and interpret everything they did or said through the lenses of our beliefs.

Christians have done the same thing. We take our beliefs (communism, capitalism, race, nationality, culture) and shape Jesus. We’ve seen that a lot this chaotic year.

Yet, if we read the scriptures and the views of other Christian people (especially from other cultures or theologies), it tends to shake our lenses a bit. Sometimes more than we like.

We like our Jesus just like we like our politicians and celebrities: safe for us, but not for them. The Samaritans were much the same.

However, at least with Jesus, if he is safe for everyone, then we can be sure that that’s a false view of Him.

※Questions※

1) What false views of Jesus have you held?

2) What are the dangers of false views of Jesus?

3) What are the best ways to determine if we have false views of Jesus?

※Prayer※

Jesus, help us to truly know you so that we are not lead astray from you, your salvation, or your message of hope and love to the world. Amen.

2020-10-21
Monuments to What

Ecclesiastes 1:10–11; Matthew 23:25–32; Luke 11:47–54; Acts 7:44–58

You have probably heard George Santayana’s famous quip, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Perhaps the writer of Ecclesiastes phrased it differently. The reality is that human behavior (especially, selfishness, greed, and hatred) has a tendency to repeat itself.

Jewish history is full of faithful followers of God being mistreated by their blood relatives. Whether it being cast into cisterns, having to hide in caves, being openly killed, it happened. We have the words and/or lives of some of these followers in Scripture.

Based on the general summary of the Old Testament, it is highly likely that there were many, many more that we don’t know about. The people of God were often more the people of the Enemy. Even with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, it still seems to be the case.

I have read this passage in Luke many times, contemplating it. The harsh truth was that the Jews decorated and maintained the tombs of the people their ancestors had killed. Instead of feeling shame for what their ancestors had done, they applauded themselves for taking care of the tombs. They celebrated that they cared for the tombs of those their blood had murdered as if it was the honor of the dead to be cared for by them.

This comes to mind as there is a reckoning happening in the US. Statues of famous people are being removed. Buildings named “in honor of” famous people are being renamed. Even a whole university was renamed.

These famous people brought light and/or heroics in US history. All of them had parts that most of us today cannot support. They were, without a doubt, the product of their times. Even celebrated religious leaders in various denominations, including our own, had preferences or opinions that we would not today celebrate or endorse.

I was raised in a “Northern” household and a “Southern” household. Needless to say, the Southern household had a lot to say about the “War Between the States” (i.e., the Civil War). Not all of it was accurate, as I would learn. On the other hand, some of the behavior of the “heroes” was equally abhorrent as the defense of slavery, as I also learned.

All were products of their time. They did what they thought was right or did wrong to uphold a “higher” purpose. Sherman’s destructive march through the South comes to mind. Sherman was a military man. He was there to win the war. That was the higher purpose. Later, he was a leader during the Indian Wars (a horrific wiping out of First Nations peoples). This, despite being named after a famous First Nations chief.

The church too, as a whole, has similar shades of darkness in it. As the nation wrestles with its future, it also wrestles with its past. The church has much of the same work to do.

For the church to be what it called by God to be—a light unto the darkness—its people need to be diligent in cleansing, repenting and reconciling its past and current wrongs so that it can be the spreader of hope for a world that desperately needs it.

※Question※

What people and issues come to mind in this? What will/can you do to be Christ’s light in the darkness?

※Prayer※

Father of justice and mercy, be kind and merciful to us as we learn what justice really means, and how to apply it to our lives. Amen.

2020-10-14
Mercifully Faithful

Matthew 9:9–13; Luke 10:25–37; James 2:5–13

“For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
— Hosea 6:6 (CSB)

It’s interesting that the same translation, the CSB, translates Hosea 6:6 with faithful love, while in Matthew 9:13 it’s mercy. What makes it even more interesting is that the same word used for “faithful love” in Hebrew is also used for “mercy”.

In the context of Hosea, “faithful love” makes sense for the wayward Israelites. One of the issues, though, for the Israelites was that they did not show mercy to the orphans and widows (or, it seems, anyone else).

One could then conclude (reasonably) that the issue is that one of the ways that the Israelites did not show “faithful love” by not showing “mercy” to those who desperately needed it. It should not be lost on us that faithful love is mercy, and mercy is faithful love.

The world could use a lot more mercy. Imagine being merciful to your enemies…any of your enemies. They could be political, family, religious, national, tribal, even sports teams. Enemies aren’t just those we perceive as being our opposites.

Sports teams are the perfect example. Some you know probably like a sports team that you don’t (if you’re into sports). There can be times when sports fan blends into tribal then into gang behavior. Football (i.e., soccer) had “hooligan” troubles for many years. Team fans would riot at games and after games, trying to harm each other. Troubling or harming a fan based on their team is certainly not merciful.

As we delve into politics, everyone’s favorite topic, being merciful to people who seem to be on the opposite side of you is a Christian response. They love their families, too. What if they love Jesus? Then it’s even more important in many ways.

These days, being merciful means NOT responding to that social media statement, or too snarky comments made in the same tone that it was delivered. If you must respond (which may be necessary), it should be, “While I love you, we don’t see things in this area the same.” One would hope that this would be taken well. However, it’s not your responsibility for how they take a lovingly gentle response.

※Questions※

1) What are your thoughts and feelings regarding faithful love as mercy, and mercy as faithful love?

2) While it sounds strange, how might we show mercy to God?

3) What are ways that you show and can show mercy to others (hint: think beyond “compassion”)?

※Prayer※

Merciful Father, we thank you for your mercy, personified by the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son Jesus. May we show that same spirit of mercy to the world through our faithful love. Amen.

2020-10-04
Graveside Dancing

Psalm 30; Hosea 13:4–14

Yesterday was the birthday of my stepfather. He passed away years ago. For whatever reason, this year his birthday hit me kind of hard. He and I had our good moments. We had our bad moments. Just like any parent-child relationship. I was his only child.

At his burial, the priest spoke about his baptism sealing him to Jesus Christ. This was spoken pastorally to people grieving. However, scripturally it has some weaknesses. His life, and to my knowledge, and beliefs were not of Jesus Christ.

On his death bed, my wife shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. He was in a “non-responsive” state. Yet, she felt a physical response to the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior. Only in Heaven will I learn if the baptism was “sealing” as the priest said, or whether the physical response truly was an acceptance of Jesus. I can only hope and trust in God.

Why share the angst? “I cried to you for help, and you healed me.” In our pain and sorrow, God is there to “turn [our] lament in dancing”. Joy in Christ in the midst of the pains of life is the life we are called to.

In lament and pain, it is easy for our faith in God to be shaken, while at the same time relying more firmly on God will help us through the pain.

There are many kinds of loss. The verses of Hosea summarize loss. The people lost (walked away from) God. They had experienced blessing, then they lost it. The vision of loss sounds brutal. Think of it though from God’s anguished heart.

“…like a bear robbed of her cubs.” Have you seen a momma bear (or many human mothers) separated from their children, with the feeling that the kids are threatened? I’ve seen a recorded version of one and lived the other. Don’t be the one that separates momma from the cubs. Just don’t.

THAT’S GOD! Something is between momma (God) and the cubs (the children of God)! That is just not going to go well! It could be a kingdom that has the name Israel or Judah attached to it.

THAT is the concept of ransom and redemption. Death and Sheol are not going to be forgiven for taking away the Children of God. The exact mechanism (despite a whole lot of theologians arguing over it for centuries) is unknown. All we know is that heart of God wants to turn our lament into dancing and our sorrow into joy.

※Questions※

1) What’s do you think about dancing at the death of death?

2) As Christians, why does death still frighten us? If we truly believe that a fellow Christian is in Heaven, why do we grieve?

3) “Deathbed Conversions” will continue to decrease, as too many don’t know the basics of Jesus. How will you turn regular conversations into God conversations?

※Prayer※

Father, thank you for redeeming us from death through the death and resurrection of your Son. May the Holy Spirit guide our hearts to speak the words of Christ to the world. Amen.

2020-10-03
Who Is Family?

Psalm 2; Acts 13:32–41; Galatians 4:1–8

I was Luke Skywalker for Halloween. I was attired like he was when we first see him in Star Wars (now re-titled “Episode IV: A New Hope”). Needless to say, I was excited to see The Empire Strikes back a few years later. Then my world was shaken. My hero, Luke Skywalker, had his arm chopped off and Darth Vader (the archetypal bad guy) reveals that he is Luke Skywalker’s father.

(the scene of Luke trying to escape Darth Vader who reaches out his hand and says, “Luke…I am your father…,” and Luke screams, “NO!”)

Granted, Leia was more shocked when she learned that she was Luke Skywalker’s sister and thus also the daughter of Darth Vader, whom she would have been raised to oppose (though I will say that the acting of both Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher left a lot to be desired for that scene).

There are likely many of us who would say they have not had such a revisionist event in their lives. If you were raised in the church from childhood, coming to know Jesus Christ is not the same life-altering experience as it could have been.

This is not the case with all, for some wandered away in their hearts while still showing up in the building and mouthing the words. Others walked out, cursing, drinking, smoking, or whatever other issue that some church person got all offended about. Some of these indeed did have that life-altering experience, which is why they came back to the family of God.

For those, though, whose encounter with Jesus was life-trajectory-altering this glimpse of a truly messed-up family dynamic (from Star Wars) makes sense. While not the seemingly negative change of being identified with the galaxy’s number 2 most evil and hated person, coming to identify oneself as a child of the creator of everything is definitely a change for many.

For those of a more intellectual bent, we can assent to Jesus being Lord and Savior, and even assent to being a child of God. The emotional switch to go from assent to embrace (mind to heart) can be significantly altering.

For those of a more emotional bent, we can have a heart that loves Jesus, and is grateful that he is Lord and Savior. Our hearts will be formed (whether twisted or beautiful) by our family/life history, and the change to embrace the fullness of being a child of God can be almost impossible as our hearts are stuck in their ways (hearts often being harder to change than minds).

The significance of this is that many, even most, of “the church” body may not have had that experience. This makes it hard to reach people for whom this experience will have to happen for them to come and know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Often, all we can do is pray and be ready to be there when their world shifts.

※Questions※

1) Who do you identify with the most, the intellectual, the emotional, or the trajectory-altered? Why?

2) Why is it important to understand how much of a change—just on an emotional and intellectual level—is being “asked” of those who do not yet know, or need to come back and know, Jesus?

3) How does understanding what was a brand-new way of life, thinking, and belong meant to the early church (i.e., in Acts and Galatians) impact or should impact how we in the church today operate and think?

※Prayer※

Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and as children of God the Father, help us to gain and/or never lose the life transformational understanding of what a relationship with you means. Amen.

2020-09-25
3 Greats

Luke 11:9–13; 1 Corinthians 12:31–14:1

It’s a little presumptuous to talk about Christmas. However, it is likely that Christmas will be very interesting this year. Either the traveling will breakout to overwhelm the system (which is suffering from abandonment, at this point), or everyone will stay home. Regardless, children will still eagerly await to see what the wrapped presents contain.

Parents don’t wait for Christmas to give gifts, or even until birthdays. Often the unthought present is a favorite meal or just a hug on a bad day. Little gifts of love are generally just lived out. We actually don’t think of them…and that’s a good thing.

Love is the best four-letter word. It is also one of the most confusing words. When Paul uses it here, it is a deep affection and respect. In other words, looking to the benefit of the other.

His famous words are often used in wedding ceremonies. It’s not wrong (For, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” 2 Tim 3:16). It’s just part of a bigger picture.

Paul’s real focus is the “greater” gifts: faith, hope, love. In the context of these words, though, it is about the spiritual gifts given to the people of God. Going back to Jesus’ words, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13)

Our constant focus on love (though worthwhile) misses the point Paul is trying to make. The three greater gifts are what make the spiritual gifts powerful and effective.

Great! You can argue a fish into believing it’s allergic to water! You obviously don’t love it.

Fantastic! You know the Scriptures and the original languages! You have lost all hope with your knowledge.

Wonderful! You are a talented medical worker through whom bodies thought gone can heal. You have left the soul (including your own) to wither and die.

What should be the most interesting thing here is that Paul brings up three (faith, hope, love) and only speaks of one (love). Paul felt, it seems, that faith and hope were sufficient on their own, and needed no further explanation. Love, however, needed something more.

In an era where “faith” and “hope” seem to be faded (if not gone) in the wider culture, and love has generally become a saccharine-sweet noxious feeling that is stuck in a romantic byway, the church (that is, you) must relearn, regain, reteach, and rejoice in the 3 greatest gifts: faith, hope, love.

※Prayer※

Lord, may we not take the lesser or greater gifts for granted. May we actually use them for your glory and to fulfill your will for our lives. Amen.

2020-09-16
Criminal Christian

Luke 23:32–43; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11

A criminal is saved on the cross. Talk about a “bedside” or “execution” salvation! He was on the cross when he was saved.

Look at the words the criminal stated. Look at the words that Jesus spoke. We often have longer phrases and understandings (even from Jesus’ own words) of what it takes to be saved. There probably is no quicker salvation story.

That being said, it could be that the rumors and news about Jesus was so strong and flowing, that the criminal even from prison knew about Jesus. We don’t know what seeds had already be sown when the man sought salvation.

However, we can say that by all appearances the criminal didn’t meet even the lowest standards of salvation as we often understand it. Does this diminish his salvation? No. It does show the amazing grace and mercy of God.

Do you want to be the criminal? All done. All saved. All good. Nothing more to do.

The criminal is not the ideal follower of Jesus. Truly, to a select group the criminal is a beacon of hope. For the rest of us, though, the criminal is a criminal for something completely unrelated to the cross.

He doesn’t live out his faith. He does, for a few hours, but it’s really not the same. Faith and salvation are tested and refined through the long and many trials of life.

It can be reasonably argued, and has been by many, that salvation is only the beginning. Yes, in our salvation, we walk through the door to kingdom of God. It’s a big kingdom, though. Do you really only want to stay at the entrance?

The fuller life, the rich life of God, is the full and complete promise of life with Jesus. We are often satisfied with so much less. Even more disturbing is that so many want salvation, but they don’t want the transformative live with Jesus.

Some people call this being “on fire” for Jesus, except that it can devolve to being obnoxious in the name of Jesus. We don’t really want to be “on fire” for Jesus. We should want to be “on fire” by Jesus.

For Jesus usually comes from our strength and emotion. By Jesus means that it is fully (and lovingly and..and…and…) reliant upon Jesus to do the work in us through the Holy Spirit.

Is this merely semantics? Perhaps. However, there are a lot of people out in the world trumpeting the church (the Body of Christ), but aren’t living fully within it. Some show up on Sunday. Or, maybe they’ll show up digitally.

Living the (truly) rich Christian live means living it together in community. We must seek, foster, and grow that community. It won’t just come.

Or we can just be a criminal on a cross.

※Prayer※

Jesus, help us to want a full and complete life with you. Help us surrender everything to the Holy Spirit to form and shape us for your will. Amen.

※Questions※

1) How’s your faith community? Not just church (though that too), but your daily faith community?

2) How does one know whether one is living the Christian life of the criminal on the cross, or the fullness of the Kingdom come?

2020-08-18