Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Share the Light in the Light

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." -John 3:1-2 (NIV)

At night. That's when Nicodemus came. At night. That's why Nicodemus came. He didn't want to be seen by anyone else so he approached Jesus under the cover of darkness.

Sound familiar? I remember a conversation that I had years ago with a man who said something like this: "I praise God at church but I don't praise Him at work. I pray to Jesus before lunch with the preacher but I don't pray to the Lord before dinner with my family. I read the Bible in a Wednesday night study but not on a Monday morning flight."

What this man was essentially saying was that there were times and places when he didn't feel comfortable spending time with Jesus. There are times when all of us feel that way.

When and where can you be seen spending time with Jesus? May God grant you the grace to share the Light in the light today.


If you're interested in reading the Bible through in a year, read 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, and John 4 for tomorrow.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Don't Whine

His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." -John 2:5 (NIV)

Jesus is at a wedding in Cana of Galilee with his disciples and his mother. While there, the wine runs out. Mary, the mother of Jesus, points this out to him, apparently expecting Jesus to do something about it. Jesus' response seems a little harsh, as if to say, "Woman, it's not my problem." Mary then says to the servants, "Do whatever Jesus tells you."

Usually when I read this gospel story, I am drawn to the fact that Jesus takes six jars that each hold thirty gallons, fills them with water, and then turns the water into wine. That's 180 gallons of wine for a wedding party and this is after the previously purchased wine had already been consumed. It's a miracle conveying how Christ gives in abundance, providing more than we could ever need.

But today I am drawn to Mary, the mother of Jesus. When the wine runs out, she goes to Jesus and tells him about it. When Jesus says, "woman, my hour has not come," Mary doesn't whine about the wine. She doesn't say, "I'm your mother and you'll turn water into wine if I want you to turn water into wine." Instead, she instructs the servants, "Do whatever Jesus tells you."

Mary seems to have faith in her son. She trusts him. He may not always do what she would like for him to do. He may not always say what she would like for him to say. His ways won't always be like her ways. She may not understand his reasoning, but she has confidence in him to do what's right.

When I take my problems to Jesus, I usually have my own opinions about what Jesus should do. I often whine when Jesus doesn't turn my water into wine, when Jesus doesn't respond in the way that I think Jesus should respond. I want the faith of Mary, who trusts Jesus enough to say, "Whatever He says and does will be fine with me."

May God grant you the grace to not whine about your wine today but to trust Jesus with your problems and the way He is at work in and through them.



Tomorrow's suggested readings are Isaiah 65-66, Psalm 62, and John 3.

Friday, July 27, 2012

The Feast Has Been Prepared

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good., and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David...Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them return to the Lord and he will have mercy on them. -Isaiah 55:1-4, 6-7 (NIV)

For today's devotional, I share with you some notes from Homiletics Magazine, a preaching resource that I often use when preparing for sermons. It expresses far better than me the beautiful promise of today's suggested scripture reading.

* "Come" (v. 1). God sets the table, but we have to pull up the chair. The disciple has to respond to God's faithfulness by taking action of her own.
* "Buy" (v. 1). Or buy into. Commit. Take the step, the leap, the plunge.
* "Eat" (v. 1). Partake. Experience. Taste. Savor the goodness of God.
* "Listen" (v. 2). Pay attention. Discriminate. Be attuned to the voice of God, and tune out competing voices - whether cultural, secular or the voice of entertainment and peers.
* "Hear me" (v. 3). Fix the spiritual physiognomy so that the voice of God can be heard. Get rid of the noise and interference that can drown out the voice of God. Dig out the spiritual earwax that reduces the voice of God to a muffle.
* "Seek the LORD while he may be found" (v. 6). Pursue single-mindedly, search diligently for. Make the presence of God a priority. Take advantage of the opportunities to walk with God while you still have them.
* "Forsake" (v. 7). Abandon whatever doesn't work for your relationship with God. Decide what is holding you back, and let these things go.
* "Return to" (v. 7). After letting go of the bad, grab the good. Turn to what is right, good and positive. Turn to God for forgiveness and mercy.

May God grant you the grace to come, buy, eat, listen, hear, seek, forsake, and return today. The feast has been prepared.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Isaiah 57-59, Psalm 103, and 2 Peter 3. Sunday's readings are Isaiah 60-62 and John 1. I'll be back on Monday with a devotional thought from Isaiah 63-64, Psalm 107, and/or John 2.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Guidance for Growing Christians

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self control; and to self control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. -2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)

You have everything you need to live to a godly life and it is God's desire that you participate in this life. But how do you do it? How do you live the way that God wants you to live?

It begins with faith, believing in Jesus Christ and his teachings. It is important to add to that faith goodness, striving to the do the right things in the right way. Knowledge is essential in order that we can apply the wisdom of God in all aspects of life. Self control is crucial to allow the wisdom of God to keep feelings and actions in check. Perseverance is key because the life of faith isn't always easy; perseverance is not simply enduring or accepting things as they come but also looking forward to the way God can work for good in all things. Godliness does not just mean being in right relationship with God but also being in right relationship with others. Mutual affection is paramount because it's so easy to focus some much on your relationship with God that you forget or neglect relationships with other people. Finally, it's not just enough to have affection for others, you must grow in and have love for others.

When you do these things, Peter says that you will not stumble and that these things will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive. If you don't do these things, you'll become blind or short-sighted in your understanding of who God is and who God calls you to be.

May God grant you the grace to do the things that will enhance your life in Christ today.


Tomorrow's suggested readings are Isaiah 53-56 and 2 Peter 2.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Restoration and Glory Are Coming

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. -1 Peter 5:9-10 (NIV)


Rarely a week goes by that someone doesn't come to me with a serious problem with which they're struggling. Many feel as if there is a black cloud hovering over them: they feel overwhelmed by the storms of life and they wonder if better days (the sun) will ever come again. They question how to keep the faith and how to persevere during difficult days.

I wish that I could just snap my fingers and make the dark clouds dissipate but it isn't always so easy. But Peter does give some helpful advice in the suggested scripture readings for today. Be alert and of sober mind, which I interpret to mean that we are to be watchful, ready to act, and clear in our thinking. Be mindful that there are things which cloud our judgment and reason that make God's restoration difficult. We should seek to resist evil in whatever way it presents itself and this is best done by staying disciplined and standing firm in faith, realizing that there are other good people who are undergoing suffering of every kind, and claiming the promise that God will one day restore us and make us strong, firm and steadfast. And perhaps even more important is to remember that God will one day grant us an eternal glory where suffering and struggling will be no more.

So many of you reading this devotional today are struggling with major life issues. May God grant you the grace to be alert, of clear mind, and ready to act. May God strengthen you to stand firm in your faith and may you find comfort in knowing that your restoration is coming and that God's eternal glory will be revealed.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are Isaiah 50-52, Psalm 92, and 2 Peter 1.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

God's Calling Your Name

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. -Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV)


When I was a student at Ole Miss, we sang a song featuring this scripture at the Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry (a United Methodist ministry on the campus). I remember the minister emphasizing that the Israelites were in exile in large part because of their sinfulness and spiritual waywardness. But this period of punishment was coming to an end. God had redeemed Israel, calling the people by name. Their actions had consequences, to be sure, but God's redemption meant that God was about to do a new thing, remembering their sins no more.

When I think about my own sin, I realize that my sin separates me from God (just like the sin of the Israelites separated them from God) and it deeply troubles me. I am far from what God desires me to be. I have eyes to see but am so often blind to what God would have me see; I have ears to hear but am so often deaf to what God would have me hear (Is 43:8).

I don't want to be exiled from God. I don't want to be separated from the Lord. That's why these verses from today's suggested scripture readings mean so much to me. It's an assurance that God's desire to save is greater than any other desire of God. When I repent of my sin, I know that God remembers my sin no more. God calls me by name, assures me that I am His child, and wants to do a new thing in my life.

May God grant you the grace, if you feel as if you're in exile today, to hear the voice of God calling you by name, offering redemption and hope in the midst of the storms, waves, and flames of life.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggestions are Isaiah 46-49 and 1 Peter 5.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Removing Obstacles

A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God." -Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)
See the Sovereign Lord comes with power...he tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers his lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. -Isaiah 40:10-11 (NIV)

As I was coming back from our Jurisdictional Conference in North Carolina on Saturday, traffic on the interstate came to a halt. Apparently someone had blown a tire and what was left of the tire was lying in the middle of the road. A state worker removed the debris and I was able to continue my journey home.

The suggested scripture readings for today describe a day when God's people will be able to return home from exile. Any obstacles in the way will be removed, just like that shredded tire was removed from the interstate on Saturday.

Not only will the pathway be cleared, but Isaiah promises that the Lord won't simply wait on us to come to Him, but will come to us as a shepherd and gather His lambs in His arms, carrying them close to His heart, and gently leading them home.

When I see things like what happened in Aurora, Colorado over the weekend, I realize that we are not yet home. There are still many obstacles in the road. But Isaiah promises that the word of our God endures forever and there will come a day when all obstacles will be removed. I am mindful that God would welcome my help in doing what I can to remove these obstacles so that the Good Shepherd can gather all His lambs in His arms and carry them close to His heart.

May God grant you the grace to help remove any obstacles that prevent others from knowing the great love of God today. Join me in praying for the victims, their families, the suspect, and his family in Aurora and join me in praying that the world would know the loving embrace of the Good Shepherd.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, read Isaiah 43-45 and 1 Peter 4 for tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Taming the Tongue

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself on fire by hell.
-James 3:5-6 (NIV)

In today's suggested scripture readings, James reminds us of the power of the tongue. It's small but so is the bit in a horse's mouth and the rudder on a ship. But if you control a horse's mouth, you control its whole body. If you don't control the horse's mouth, you'll soon be on a path where you don't want to be. Likewise, a small rudder on a big ship alters the entire course of the ship. Lose control of the rudder and you'll end up in rough water. The tongue has that kind of power. It's a small part of the body but can cause great damage if not controlled.

I'm guessing that most reading this devotional today can recall times when we have had a great morning of reading scripture, journaling our thoughts, and praying...only to get up from our quiet time and say something mean-spirited or destructive to (or about) someone else. In an instant, the wonderful quiet time that we had with God is erased by a careless or wrongly-placed word. Such words are like a small spark of fire than can quickly spread and do damage far and wide. Chances are, we've been on the receiving end of such words before and chances are that we've started the forest fire with words of our own.

May God grant us the grace to tame our tongues today: to praise the Lord instead of cursing human beings created in God's likeness.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, consider 2 Chronicles 29-31 and James 4 for tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Faith Without Works

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. -James 2:14-17 (NIV)

Though I thoroughly enjoyed being back at Ole Miss this past weekend, one of the things I really hate that I missed was our community's Mobile Food Pantry. Needy families were provided with thousands of pounds of food, school supplies, and haircuts, all at no charge. There were also activities for the children designed to value them and add a little fun to their lives.

I'm guessing that most of the people reading these daily devotionals are people of faith. You're at the church every time the door is open. You read your Bibles. You pray regularly. I sincerely hope so.

I also hope that you embrace the words of James in our suggested scripture readings today: that faith without works is dead. I hope you realize that you're not saved by works but that you're saved for works. I hope you realize that, every time you see a need and don't respond, means that you'll likely be even less inclined to help the next time you see that need.

I know you care about faith or you wouldn't be reading. My prayer is that you also value expressing your faith through works... especially with those who are poor in the eyes of the world so that they might become rich in faith and inherit the kingdom of God (v5). What are you doing for people like that as a sincere expression of your faith? It's a question worth considering.

May God grant you the grace to express your faith through good deeds today.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are 2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 28, Psalm 46, and James 3.

Monday, July 16, 2012

When You Face Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything... Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. -James 1:2-3, 12 (NIV)


I spent the weekend in Oxford, Mississippi at Ole Miss Football Fantasy Camp. It's a weekend designed for die-hard Ole Miss fans to get a behind-the-scenes look at our football program. We learn about the recruiting process, we're taught some of the offensive and defensive plays, and then we divide up into teams and play each other in a game of tag football. It's an incredible weekend and I had so much fun.

As many of you know, we have a new coaching staff at Ole Miss this year. They've inherited a mess with the Rebels having only won six games in the last two years combined. But what impressed me about our new coaching staff is that they didn't spend a lot of time moaning and groaning about how bad things have gotten or what they inherited. Instead, they said that the trials facing Ole Miss football are what is going to make the restoration of the program that much more gratifying. They're convinced that they can persevere through the present circumstances and that their perseverance will ultimately pay off with a SEC crown.

In the suggested scripture readings for today, James encourages the Christian to face trials in much the same way as our Ole Miss football coaches are approaching them. Trials produce perseverance (the ability to strive for something despite facing difficulties, failures, and/or opposition). Perseverance leads to growth. And if you can endure trials and grow spiritually and personally from them, blessings will follow and so will the crown of victory.

You may think I'm crazy for believing that Ole Miss will one day compete with the Elephants, Tigers, and Gators of the SEC. You may think I'm crazy for believing that good things come out of trials like cancer and divorce. But I'm not crazy. I just have faith. I've seen it happen before and with the right approach to trials, it can happen again.

May God grant you the grace to persevere through whatever trials you're facing. And may you be someday soon be rewarded with a crown of victory...whether it be on the football field or in the much more important arena of faith and life.




If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, read Isaiah 32-25 and James 2 for tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Rally to the Branch

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him- the Spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. -Isaiah 11:1-3 (NIV)

As I finished this morning's suggested scripture readings, I was reminded of an old folktale (later retold by Angela Elwell Hunt and available on amazon.com). The tale is of three trees talking about their futures. The first tree said it wanted to be made into a cradle, so that it might go on living as a support for the new fragile life of a baby. The second tree wanted to be made into a ship so that it might carry important cargo and see new lands. The third tree longed to stay right where it was, existing only as a tree, but growing taller and pointing towards heaven as a reminder that there is a God who loves all of creation.

One day, woodcutters came to cut down these trees, and apparently also their dreams. The first tree was not made into a cradle but into a feeding trough, a manger for animals. But this manger was sold to a family in Bethlehem, and on the night that Jesus was born, this simple feed box became the cradle of the newborn Jesus. The second tree was built into a water vessel, but only a tiny simple fishing boat. But a man named Simon Peter bought the boat, and on one warm afternoon when the crowds pressed in, Jesus climbed aboard this small craft so that he might preach. The third tree was not only deprived of its dream to remain standing, but its wood was fashioned into a horrible instrument of torture, a cross. But it was on this cross that Jesus was crucified, transforming that symbol of cruelty into an eternal reminder of God's eternal love for all of us.

Isaiah prophecies that from a tree chopped down to a stump will grow a branch (a Messiah) that will be stronger than any tree before it. This tree will bear much fruit and the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon this Branch. This Messiah will have wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of God. This Messiah will not judge by what he sees with his own eyes, or decide by what he hears from his own ears. Nations will rally to this Messiah and his resting place will be glorious (11:10).

May God grant you the grace to rally to this Branch today and find glorious rest.


Tomorrow's readings: Isaiah 15-18 and Hebrews 10.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Christmas in July

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

It's beginning to look a like Christmas. Okay, so even Walmart hasn't started putting out their Christmas trees yet (although it probably won't be long). And it's 100 degrees outside with absolutely no chance of snow. And you probably haven't purchased my Christmas present yet (but if you want to get an early start, I can produce my wish list with just a few moments notice).

How then is it like Christmas? Is the heat finally getting to Tommy? Perhaps. But check out today's suggested reading from Isaiah and you'll know why. You'll find verses that are read in church every December and featured on countless Christmas cards that you receive in the mail.

It's one of my favorite verses in scripture because of the promise that it makes of One who would come bringing righteousness and justice forever. Christians understand this One to be Jesus.

He is a Wonderful Counselor. His guidance is wonderful. His teaching is wonderful. His healing is wonderful. His forgiveness is wonderful. His love is wonderful. His wisdom is wonderful. He is wonderful.

He is a Mighty God. Jesus said that he and God are one; when you've seen Jesus, you've seen God. He is awesome. In Him is great power. In Him is great strength. He is mighty to save.

He is Everlasting Father. My dad died in 1999 and in many ways, I still grieve his death. Jesus is the Everlasting Father. This means that I'll never lose my Father again. He will always be present to love me, guide me, watch over me, and encourage me. He is everlasting.

He is the Prince of Peace. He has extraordinary power and authority but desires to use this power and authority to bring about peace. He wants us to be whole and well. He wants what is good and perfect for His people. He wants us to experience peace.

May God grant you the grace to experience Jesus as a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace today.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Isaiah 11-14 and Hebrews 9.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Get Some Rest

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. -Hebrews 4:9-11 (NIV)

"Mommy," said the little boy. "Why does the pastor get a month's vacation in the summer when you and Daddy only gets three weeks?"

"Well, son," answered Mommy, "if he's a good minister, he needs it. If he isn't, the congregation needs it!"

I was watching a television show last night about a counselor who led a group of his clients in sleep-deprivation therapy. His thought was that, when people are deprived of sleep, it's like truth serum: they let their guards down and say what they are truly thinking and feeling. If he could get to the core of what people really think and feel, perhaps he could help his clients.

Of course, this was a comedy show and you can imagine how funny things can get when a group of strange people go three days without sleep. The participants ended up saying things that they shouldn't have said. They ended up doing things that they shouldn't have done. They ended up neglecting things that were important and doing things that were not important. By the end of the experience, the group realized more than ever the importance of rest.

Rest is important. You know you need it. And God knows you need it. That's why God modeled that we rest. That's why God commanded that we observe Sabbath. It's not a suggestion.

But this rest, this Sabbath, is more than just finding time to lay out by the pool or spending a weekend in the mountains. It's also being intentional about listening to God, admiring the handiwork of God, and drawing closer to God. While you're out by the pool, why not listen to Christian music? When you're on a deck overlooking the Smokeys, why not read a book about faith or discipleship? Limiting your intake of godly things to one or two hours on Sunday morning is like limiting your sleep to one or two hours a night. You can probably survive, but it won't be easy.

If you go too long without God-time, much like if you go too long without good sleep, you'll be more likely to say things that you shouldn't say and do things that you shouldn't do. You'll be more likely to neglect some important things and devote too much time to things that aren't important. If you make ample time for rest and ample time for spiritual growth, you'll feel better and you'll make better decisions.

May God grant you the grace to find to some Sabbath time and rest-time this weekend.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, here are the suggested readings for this weekend:
Saturday: Hosea 13-14, Psalm 100, and Hebrews 5.
Sunday: Micah 1-4 and Hebrews 6.
Monday: Micah 5-7 and Hebrews 7.


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Don't Refuse or Abuse Good Love

Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears. -Hosea 6:4 (NIV)

On so many levels, it must be frustrating to be God. In some small way, those of us who are parents or who work with children can relate. We love our children. We want what's best for our children. We try to equip our children with the tools they'll need to make good decisions.

And yet the reality is that we will likely be disappointed by our kids.They'll refuse to listen. They'll refuse to believe that we know what we're talking about. They'll make bad choices and decisions.

As a parent or someone who is like a parent, it's tough to watch. It's frustrating to watch our children rebel. It's difficult to watch our children be hurt.

Sometimes we reach the point of wanting to throw our hands up into the air and announce, "OK, I'm done." God seems to have that moment of exasperation in today's scripture readings. God is tired of Israel's declarations of love that don't last any longer than the morning mist. As The Message states it, God wants "love that lasts, not more religion."

God and most parents want to believe that children will do better if given another chance. When children disappoint, God and parents want to believe that children will do better. Even though God and parents can get frustrated with their children, they hope that, given another chance, children will make better decisions. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't.

Unfortunately, children often turn away from or take advantage of a loving God or parent. And refusing or abusing this love always has consequences... consequences that result in far less than what God and parents desire for their kids. I don't know about you, but I don't want to refuse or abuse love in this way.

May God grant you grace not to refuse or abuse the good (God) love of another today.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, read Hosea 10-12, Psalm 13, and Hebrews 4 for tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Dependence Upon God

There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying, and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Because of this the land dries up and all who live in it waste away. -Hosea 4:1b-3 (NIV)

On this day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and our country's legal separation from Great Britain, I fear that our country has also declared its independence from God. I have some friends who celebrate the diminished role that God and faith play in our nation today, pointing out that some of the most terrible things in our history were done in the name of God and faith. I cannot deny that such things have happened (and continue to happen), but surely they can't deny that many great things have been done and continue to be done in the name of God as well.

Today's suggested scripture readings are eerily similar to the world in which we live and describe what happens when a nation is in moral and spiritual decay. There is no faithfulness, no love, and no acknowledgement of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery; boundaries are broken and bloodshed follows. The land dries up and the people waste away.

The good news, according to Hosea at the end of chapter 2, is that in the midst of such a wayward nation, God still tenderly speaks and offers a doorway of hope. We can return to God and God will say to the people once called "NOT God's people" that now they ARE God's people and now God is their God. The promise of new life follows.

On this day commemorating our nation's independence, may God grant you the grace to acknowledge your (and our nation's) dependence upon God.




If you're interested in reading through the Bible in year, read Hosea 6-9 and Hebrews 3 for tomorrow.


Monday, July 2, 2012

Forgiveness and Grace

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. -Philemon 17-18

Though some admittedly read this letter of Paul differently, I see it as a wonderful expression of forgiveness and grace. Onesimus is a runaway slave who likely stole from his master, Philemon. Onesimus makes his way to Rome where he meets Paul. It is obvious that Onesimus quickly becomes invaluable to Paul while Paul is in prison for sharing the gospel.

Even though Paul wants Onesimus to remain with him, he realizes that Onesimus has broken the law by running away (and possibly even stealing from his master) so he sends him back to Philemon. Fully realizing that this is a huge risk, that slave owners are often not very sympathetic to runways slaves, Paul writes a letter to Philemon requesting that Philemon receive Philemon with forgiveness and grace as a fellow brother in the Lord.

Though we are never told how Philemon responds, some scholars suggest that Philemon did extend forgiveness and grace to Onesimus and did receive him as a brother in the Lord. They suggest that the main reason this personal letter of Paul is now included in the canon of the New Testament is because a bishop in the early church at Ephesus later argued for its inclusion. That bishop's name? Onesimus... the same name (and many say the same person) that was once a slave on the run.

No one knows for sure if the slave and the bishop were one in the same. But if it is, it's a wonderful story of what forgiveness and grace can do. If the way Philemon forgave and received a runaway slave helps result in that slave becoming an early leader in the church, what kind of positive impact might the way you forgive and receive others make in the world today?

May you be an agent of God's forgiveness and grace today.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are 2 Kings 15-16, Hosea 1, and Hebrews 1.