Tag: remember

Live Freely
1 Corinthians 6:12–20; John 1:43–51

In the US, freedom is a significant cultural word. Often, we use language such as “free country”. The Declaration of Independence is quoted most often with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The problem with such an ideology has been shown in the context of individual liberty. We are currently watching political extremes play out in the public “square” where one person’s pursuit of happiness in in direct conflict with another’s.

The US Constitution is an imperfect document. It cannot deal with the myriad of people who want to rewrite it in their own image (equally an issue in the 2 primary political parties).

The US Constitution is, in many respects, a contract. Far too many people read it just like the read the terms and conditions on credit cards, mobile phones, internet agreements, account usages, etc.. In other words, there are too many people (politicians, media hosts, regular people) who haven’t read the constitution.

Yet, many people believe they have “rights” based on the tendency to misunderstand that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are not the same document and have completely different intents.

So, what do “rights” and “freedom” have to do with Jesus Christ? A whole lot and very little.

As a Roman citizen, Paul had rights and privileges that many people didn’t. Since he was born a citizen (see Acts 22:28) and was a Jew (a Benjaminite), at a minimum his father had bought rights or was granted them. Thus, at birth, Paul was a citizen.

Paul’s privilege may have well put him in a place of societal and political superiority of the Jewish world. He was an official part of Roman society and had special legal protection. From a legal standpoint, Paul’s privilege was not “white privilege” (as we hear today). From a functional viewpoint, however, it may not be far off.

When Paul talks about freedom, therefore, we must understand that he knew quite well what his freedom was in comparison to many (even most) Christians. He could do things, own things, influence things in ways others could not.

Recently, an acquaintance—George Holleway—wrote, “Christians, you may have freedom of speech constitutionally, but you don’t have it biblically.”

The immediate response was an argument that combined scripture with US culture and politics (and the constitution fits into both). It showed an ignorance of scripture and a presumption of culture that should deeply concern the church.

Paul’s words are slightly different than George’s, but both Paul and George have the same presumption…Christ comes first. Even the secular constitution has something with Paul’s words, others are important to our freedom.

For the constitution, it was to protect the people from the overreach of government (remember, we elected them). For the church, and Christ, it is to protect people from Hell.

Christians, we aren’t free to do whatever we want. We are free to do the will of Jesus Christ who came to earth to live and die, that we might be children of God.

※Reflection※
- Why is it important to understand the difference between constitutional freedom and freedom in Jesus Christ?
- To you, what does “freedom in Jesus Christ” allow you to do? What does it—if anything—prevent you from doing?
- What is the difference between “freedom of” and “freedom in”?
※Prayer※

Jesus, we call you Lord and Savior. In our world, Lord doesn’t have the impact it should. Help us to truly understand what it means that you are the Lord of our lives. Amen.
2021-01-16
Power Granted
Isaiah 41:14–20; John 1:29–34

♫ Nobody likes me; everybody hates; just because I eat wo-oorms ♫

I don’t know if you remember that song from your childhood. I recall it as some weird camp song. Really, who would eat worms?

At the same time, I did learn that other cultures ate maggots, caterpillars, and even worms. They would fry them up or even eat them raw.

Still, though, as being raised in the US, we’re not really into worms as part of our diet. One of our biggest things about worms is, “the early bird gets the worm,” and the first robins of spring eating worms.

With that in mind, let’s be happy we’re worms!

Isaiah’s words are odd to us. Which is understandable. Why would someone want to be a worm? I remember kids saying they’d like to be an eagle, or a horse, or a wolf. I don’t recall someone saying they wanted to be a worm.

For us, it is strange to be called a worm or an insect. Yet, in comparison to the Glory and power of God…we are. That is point of Isaiah’s words. Today we might say something like, “we know everything is crazy. We know the world is not making any sense right now. We know that you are hurting or have been hurting. We want you to know that God is bigger than all of that.”

Worms and insects may not be attractive to you. However, it sums up a far larger number of words. All of it to say, God’s got this.

That was God’s message to Israel. God is their hope. God is their redeemer. If they are looking elsewhere…failure!

The language God uses is fascinating. The Israelites would flatten and shape mountains! For us that is solved by explosives and earth movers. In fact, it’s not all that impressive to us. To the Israelites, this was a huge indicator of power! God wouldn’t just redeem them (though that was good), God would give them the power to shape the world!T

he promise wasn’t just redemption. This is key, especially as we look at Jesus’ coming, along with the story of Jesus’ baptism. Being baptised into the death and resurrection of Jesus is not only about redemption. That’s still great! That’s just not all.

In fact, one of the greatest weakness of the modern church is redemption and forgiveness has been the evangelistic focus. The power was kind of missed. Some of the charismatic churches displayed “power” through being “slain in the spirit” or “speaking in tongues”.

It might sound dismissive, but…that’s it?

In Isaiah, God ties redemption to power, and not just any power, the power to change the world. Of course, just because one has the power, doesn’t mean you should use indiscriminately. We are called to love first, and the power should be motivated by the sacrificial love for others.

※Reflection※
- What’s your power? (Note that the question wasn’t, do you have power?)
- Why do you think the church (as a whole) surrendered the power, and was satisfied only with redemption?
- Why is it so important to know, believe, and act with the understanding that redemption is only the beginning?
※Prayer※

God, you gave us the power to move physical mountains, emotional mountains, and spiritual mountains. Help us remember that you also gave us the responsibility to use it wisely and with love, and leave it withering away. Amen.
2021-01-12
Remembrance of Change
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Genesis 1:1–5; Acts 19:1–7; Mark 1:4–1

Approximately 70% of the earth is covered by water. Around 3% of that is readily drinkable. On average, a human is 60% water. Depending on weather and health, a human can survive 2–7 days without additional liquid.

We all know water is important. Even those of us whose water only habits are lackluster understand that we need liquids to keep our bodies going. There are those that are so concerned about their water habits that they have apps that remind them to drink water.

Other than a few desert cultures, people bathe using water.

From an ancient perspective, water (deep waters, like oceans, especially) also represented death. When we think about it (even today), the depths of the ocean have the air of death and fear often because we are unable to see below the surface.

As a sign of repentance and/or the fulfillment of a vow or for other requirements of the purity laws, a bath (or mikveh) was (and still is) performed to fulfill ritual cleanliness.

Part of the path of a Christian is being baptized. This is to show, in symphony with the mikveh cleanliness, that what was unclean (the old person, the person separated from God) is now clean and reconciled.

Yet, the most mysterious baptism is Jesus’. The Perfect One didn’t need cleansing. The Son of God didn’t need to be reconciled to the Father (God). The water of baptism brings change. Jesus didn’t change, though it could be argued that Jesus’ ministry truly did not begin until after he was baptized.

The other change is a “handing-off”. John the Baptist could be (and probably should be) viewed as the last Old (or First) Testament prophet. This “old school” prophet “passes the torch” from the way of the Law to the revealed way, which is Jesus.

※Reflection※
- It is not “evangelical” or “Church of the Nazarene” to remember (i.e., observe the anniversary of) our baptisms. For such a significant event, why do you think that is?
- Other than your own, what is the most significant baptism story that you remember? What made it powerful?
- Why do you think it is important to and for “the church” (thus, all believers) to remember Jesus’ baptism?
※Prayer※

Jesus, as your testimony of your humility, you were baptised by your own creation. May your humility guide us into your truth, and away from the truth of the world. Amen.
2021-01-09
Burning Light

As the more reclusive type (i.e., sitting alone, or with my wife, quietly in a space without other people), it is easy to fall into a rhythm of not interacting with people. In fact, it’s too easy. These times of non-interaction, however, can produce new thoughts.

Joni, my wife, baked springerle this Christmas. Springerle is a traditional anise-flavored German cookie that has, for generations, been made by rolling dough into intricate hand-carved molds. She only found a “rolling-pin” style, but it got the job done.

Springerle molds often served the same purpose as stained-glass windows: telling the story of God through pictures to people who could not read. In preparation for next year (maybe I’ll help do something other than eat the cookies), I started looking for springerle molds.

One of the websites I found was in German (which makes sense). They had many molds. One of the ones I found was for a lighthouse. In German, lighthouse is “leuchtturm”. Look at that word for a moment.

Perhaps it is just my mind. I saw lectern. According to learned people, lectern’s root is the Latin word “lectus”. However, as the term lectern was (supposedly) only used for the reading of the Scriptures, perhaps leuchtturm is the true origin of our lectern.

Just as “Star of Bethlehem” drew Gentiles (the “wise” men or magi) from afar, so does the speaking and reading of the Scriptures bring light into the world that is in pain and dying. Similarly, a lighthouse casts its light into the dark seas, providing guidance and the promise of security to ships.

While writing devotionals can be difficult, I’ve now spent enough time with God’s word burning that I cannot help but write.

I will never be that “great” pastor/writer that people talk about. I am only beginning to understand God’s call on my life, knowing that it is still growing and changing. I’m okay to not be okay with not knowing, yet still trusting.

Those magi “trusted” that something amazing was going to happen. Paul “trusted” that God’s call on his life was to the Gentiles (people he himself once viewed hostilely). I “trust” that God is using me through these devotionals.

※Reflection※

What is God calling you to do more of? If you already have a ministry, what is God calling on you to change to fulfill His commission for you?

What new thing might God be calling you to this year?

※Prayer※

God, Epiphany calls upon us to remember that even Creation (a star) will draw people to you. Help us to remember that the Gospel is for all people, and that you desire that all people come to know you. Help us to be your faithful, trusting, and open servants. May we be ready and responsive to your call on our lives. Amen.

2021-01-05
Believing Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
—John 3:16 (NRSV)

God loves you! Did you know that? Okay – if you are reading this…chances are that you did know that. But do you believe it? There is a possibility that at some point, or another, you have questioned if a certain person in your life loves you. A parent, your spouse, a grandparent, your kid, etc. Personally – I have questioned this a handful of times in all four of those areas mentioned. It’s not a good feeling to question if someone loves you. Maybe we logically know they love us, but we don’t feel it or see it very often – which leads to the questioning. We can also have a hard time loving ourselves even.

This can lead to questioning God’s love for us at times. But. I want you to really know, and believe that God has a deep love for you. It’s the reason that He sent Jesus – His one and only Son – to come to the earth as a helpless baby only to grow up and save us all. So if you believe in Jesus you should also believe the love that comes from God. If you believe you have eternal life because of the faith you have in Jesus, then you should believe in the love that comes from God.

God loves you! God’s love is the never failing kind of love. When earthly love can fail us – God’s love never fails. When you fall short as a grandparent, parent, sibling, parent, child – God’s love never fails. When you feel unlovable – God’s love never fails and He demonstrates that love through Jesus. Remember that this Christmas season. You are loved. And because you are loved you can love others.

Maybe you are like me and have given yourself a hard time or two about how you have showed your love to your kids, spouse, parents, grandparents, friends, or people you don’t even know very well. Give yourself a break and then remind yourself that you can love others because you are first loved by God. Then go out and try to show that love again and again and again. Love others the way that Jesus loves you.

2020-12-21
Room Enough to Love

“While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
—Luke 2:6-7 (NRSV)

We just had our third child. I remember when we went from one kid to two I was so nervous about the love I had in my heart. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to love two kids the same way I loved our first child. My heart had been opened up to this child and I wasn’t sure how it was going to work adding a second kid. Was I going to love our second born as much? Was my love for our first son going to diminish a little to make room for the second child? Maybe you’ve had kids and have had some of these fears or maybe it’s just me. But then we had our second child. And our oldest came to the hospital to meet him and I realized my heart stretched. It was big enough to love both boys the same amount (which is a lot). And now we have 3 kids. We added a daughter! But, this time I wasn’t scared or nervous. I knew, because of last time, how our hearts would grow and make room for another child.

As Adam and I talked about this love we talked about how much greater the love God has for us as His children. Love that we can’t even fathom. Love so great that He sent His one and only Son for us. To do something indescribable for us. How often do we, because of that great love, go out and show love for others? That was our next thought.

Truly. God sent His Son to show us love so that we might go out and love others which hopefully in turn makes disciples of all nations – something that we are called to do as Christ followers. So. How often do you go out and love others? I know that is particularly difficult given the current COVID circumstances. So we have to be pretty creative. So, what does that look like for you? This week. Show someone you love them. Go out of your way even if it’s a little, but then try to make it more habitual so it’s not “going out of your way” – rather, it’s a part of your every day life.

2020-12-19
Companion of Peace

“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”
—John 16:33 (NRSV)

I think it’s interesting that we see the word “persecution” in this translation. Persecution at its base is ill treatment or harassment. We have seen this for many in our world and especially in the US this last year. Maybe you have even felt persecuted in some way or another in this last year or at some point in your life.

It’s not a great feeling. In fact it downright feels terrible. It feels pretty disheartening to see it happen to others as well. I’m betting, like me, over the last year you have wondered where the peace was in our world.

The reality? Our peace doesn’t come in or from this world. Our peace comes from Jesus. Even when our world is in shambles – our peace and the peace that everyone needs comes from Jesus. That is why it’s so important to tell everyone about the peace that Jesus can bring and already has brought us. That’s why it’s so important to tell everyone about Jesus. What He is doing in your life!

That’s right! Yes, Jesus can bring us peace. But we have to remember that Jesus has already brought the peace. Jesus conquered the world. Jesus defeated death. For us! For you, for me, for our neighbor. We don’t have to be afraid, or disheartened, or face persecution alone because of what Jesus did for us. And this brings peace.

Take courage. Find peace in the fact that Jesus came so that we might have life and have it to the full. So that we might have peace in the face of some really tough circumstances where we see persecution around us or in our own lives. Take courage. Take peace. And then give that peace to someone else that needs it just as much! We all need Jesus. We all need peace – especially now.

2020-12-11
Unfailing Promiser

“Not one of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed: all came to pass.”
–Joshua 21:45 (NRSV)

My son, Jackson, is notorious for saying “you promise?” And now Wylder is picking up on it. You know what. I will let you in on a little secret. I almost never say that I do promise. I almost always say… we will see, probably, most likely, etc. I don’t want him to hear me promise something and then not follow through on it. Because inevitably, as a parent to now 3…I will not follow through on that promise. I don’t want him to experience from me a failed promise.

But. There has been a handful of times that I have accidentally promised and he has experienced that. And he usually yells in my face “but you promised!!!”

Can you relate?

Maybe it’s your own kids who have yelled in your face. Maybe you have made a promise to someone else and it not go the way you planned and so your promise fell short. Maybe someone promised you something and their promise fell short. It doesn’t feel great to
break a promise or have someone break their promise.This is why I am so thankful I can turn my son back to God and His never failing promises. I mean if Jesus isn’t the picture perfect example of never failing promises – I don’t know what is!

Think about it for a second.

If you’ve read scripture you have read God’s people, Israel, over and over and over promise God that they will be good and follow Him. And then what do they do? Their own thing—breaking those promises. God could have said, “sorry” with a shrug of His shoulders. But God did not do that. In fact. God delivered on the most amazing promise ever. The birth of Jesus and ultimately the sacrifice of Jesus for all humankind so that we might have life and have it to the full!

This Christmas season. I want you to remember God’s never failing promises in your life when everything around you seems to be failing. Phases, schooling for our kids (or for you), work life, etc. Lot’s of “promises” were made this last year and we also experienced a lot of let downs and missed milestones in our families lives. It’s been hard. So look to Jesus this Christmas and experience the hope that He brings in being our never failed promise.

2020-11-30
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
Moving Stone

Mark 16:1-7; Ephesians 2:11–22

The Resurrection was an event. Obviously. Yet, in many respects, we miss the extending power of the Resurrection. Yes, the Resurrection shows that there is something after. It also shows us that there is something more.

The event itself begins with what cannot be done alone. The stone being rolled away. This is not a one-, two-, or even three-person job. The stone that would go in front were HEAVY.

The first “witness” to the Resurrection event was actually the stone being moved. An obstacle beyond a single human’s ability to bear was removed. Perhaps it is a stretch. Yet, the biggest obstacle for the Marys and Salome to be faithful was removed by God.

This truly might be reading too much into it. At the risk of that, though, think of Paul’s words to the Ephesians, “For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).

The dividing wall is not a small obstacle between two very different people groups who view the other as scum or dirty. The grace, mercy, love, and redemption of the Gospel are able to not just remove what separates them; it is able to join them together.

The significance is that while their obedience and work is part of the process, it is Jesus who has done the greater work. The primary effort is not that of humanity; it is of God.

When we are divided by seemingly impossible walls, we either try to stay on “our side”, try to scale the wall, or even try to destroy the wall. We often do this in our own power.

The secular world continues to try to do this by attempting to “adjust” thinking through programs, training, and peer pressure. However, this too is only a work of humanity. It is, as the secular world continues to learn and forget, doomed to fail.

For those of us who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, however, we are called to something greater. Regardless of your political leaning, the church is to be an example of how to love. Currently, one of the biggest barriers in the US is political.

※Reflection※

What is one specific thing YOU can do to help heal the divide? Why is it critical to know that the Gospel is the way to remove the divide? How does secular society try to emulate the Gospel?

※Prayer※

Jesus, thank you for removing the wall that separates us from you, and us from each other. Help us to remember the grace, mercy, and love you have shown us, as we engage the world. Amen.

2020-11-14