Thursday, May 31, 2012

May We Not All Love Alike?

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. -Romans 14:18 (NIV)

I guess I've become resigned to the fact that there will always be differences of opinion. Some would say that it's these differences that make the world a more beautiful place. But too often I see people (including myself) using their differing viewpoints as weapons against others. Oh how that must pain the heart of God!

In today's suggested readings, Paul points out that we are to welcome those who think differently but not just so that we'll have someone to argue with! He notes that we should not judge others, pointing out their flaws and shortcomings. Instead, we should look at our own lives- examining how the things we say and do affect others (even causing others to stumble or be less than God wants them to be). But the most helpful thing to me that Paul says in this chapter is that we should make every effort to do the things that result in peace (which does not mean simply the absence of conflict but that which is for the highest good) and edification of all people.

I'm reminded of words attributed to John Wesley (the founder of the Methodist movement): "though we may not all think alike, may we not all love alike?" If we allow ourselves to be guided by the principle of love, then we are less likely to use our opinions as weapons against others.

I wish we could all just get along. But when we disagree, making every effort to do what leads to the peace and edification of others sounds like pretty good advice to me.

May God grant you the grace to be an agent of peace and edification today.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Power to the Powerless

We have different gifts according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. -Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)

Last night around 7:45, our lights flickered. I looked outside and the wind was blowing my trash can down the alley. Before I could even stand up from my chair, our power went completely out.

Normally I don't call the electric company to let them know that my power is out. I figure everyone else in Lincoln County will do that for me. But as I went outside to retrieve my trash can that by this time had to be near Park City, I noticed that most of my neighbors still had power. I began to covet them, thinking that out of respect for the powerless, my power-possessing neighbors should turn off all of their lights until mine came back on. They didn't.

I finally decided to call the electric company. It took a while to get through to the dispatcher (apparently I wasn't the only one without power). She assured me that Fayetteville Public Utilities was already at work trying to restore electrical power to the fine folks on 4th Avenue.

While I waited, I found myself thinking of and praying for the utility workers. I don't have a clue about how to restore power. How do they figure out what the problem when it's dark outside? What were these workers giving up (family time? sleep?) in order to get my power restored so that I could watch America's Got Talent? I thanked God for people who know how to restore power to the powerless. I thanked God for people who know things that I don't know and who do things that I can't do.

In our suggested scripture reading this morning, Paul reminds that each person has particular gifts. Only when each one of us shares our gifts with others (oftentimes without notoriety) is the world as sweet as it can be.

What are your gifts? What is your function in the world and in the body of Christ? How will you offer your gifts to Christ today? You may not know anything about electrical currents either, but I suspect that Christ can still use your gifts to restore power to the powerless, to bring light to someone's darkness, and to help people to see Jesus and His love.

May God grant you the grace to be a source of power, light, and love today. And if you see a Fayetteville Public Utilities employee today, tell them that I said thanks for restoring power so quickly last night.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Proverbs 19-21 and Romans 13.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Flourish and Nourish One Another

Do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. -Romans 11:18 (NIV)


It’s hard not to think about the Holocaust as I read today’s scripture. I probably don’t need to tell you that the Nazi regime’s belief that they were racially superior to the Jews led to the persecution and murder of approximately six million people.


In Romans 9-11, Paul acknowledges that there were Jews who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah and that their rejection opened the way for the Gentiles to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. But Paul is quick to point out that the Gentiles should not feel superior to the Jews just because they have embraced Christ and others have not. In fact, the roots of the Jewish faith are what provide nourishment to the Christian faith.


Why are we so tempted to feel religiously superior to other branches of God’s faith tree (whether it be Christian/Jewish or Methodist/Baptist)? In what ways has our superiority hurt or damaged others?


May God grant us the grace as branches of God’s faith tree to flourish and nourish each other.




If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are Proverbs 16-18 and Romans 12.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Principle of the Path

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding- indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand and find the knowledge of God. –Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV)

I cannot read the book of Proverbs without thinking of Andy Stanley’s book, “Principle of the Path.” I read it several years ago and God really used it to deepen my faith. The basic premise of the book is this: your direction, not your intention, determines your destination. If you want to go to Florida from Tennessee, you’ll never get there by going north on the interstate. Your direction (going south) and not your intention (I want to go to Florida) determines your destination.

When I play basketball with some of the guys at the church and get winded after two trips down the court, I always say, “I’m going to get in better shape.” But then I don’t go the fitness center. I don’t jog around the neighborhood. I park in the closest parking space I can find when I’m out shopping. I have the best of intentions, but unless it informs my direction, I’ll never get to the destination of better health.

I’m guessing that I’m not the only one who has the best of intentions but hasn’t changed their direction. Want to lose weight but can’t pass up the Chinese buffet? Want to spend more time with your family but find reasons to work late instead? Want a deeper relationship with Christ but then don’t make time for worship, prayer, or Bible study? Your direction, not your intentions, will determine your destination.

Today’s proverb promises that if you seek God like you’d seek silver or a hidden treasure, you’ll come to understand and find the knowledge of God. It’s not enough just to want a relationship with God; you have to move toward God.

May God grant you the grace to look at the direction of your life today; it will tell you where you’re headed. And if you need to change direction, may God grant you the grace to do so.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Free and Forgiven

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. –Romans 6:6-7 (NIV)

In Romans 6, Paul is talking about the change that occurs when people grow in faith. He puts it this way: our old selves are crucified with Christ so that we are no longer slaves to sin but have in fact been set free from sin.

Well, if we are free from sin, then why are we still tempted by sin?

Let me offer an analogy (not necessarily a good one); it’s not an original thought but I have personalized it to my fit my own life.

My wife’s side of the family lives in Atlanta now but they are from Argentina. Spanish is their first (and in most cases primary) language, but they speak fluent English as well.

I, on the other hand, can’t speak a lick of Spanish. So when I visit my wife’s side of the family in Atlanta, they always try to remember to speak English around me. But at some point, someone will forget that I can’t speak Spanish and they’ll start speaking to me in their native language and I’ll have absolutely no idea what they’re saying.

When we have been crucified with Christ, we are no longer enslaved to sin. You might think that we’d never sin again. But we have lived in sin for so long and it’s just such a part of who we are, we continue to sin even when we don’t want to sin. It’s like my wife’s side of family speaking Spanish so long and so often that they sometimes speak in Spanish around me even when they don’t want to speak in Spanish.

When my wife’s side of the family realizes that they have spoken to me in Spanish, they’re quick to apologize and I’m quick to forgive (I know; I just need to learn Spanish). And I am thankful to be in relationship with a God who, when I realize I have sinned and apologize for it, is quick to forgive.

May God grant you the grace to experience the power of being freed from sin and forgiven today.

If you’re interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow’s suggested readings are Proverbs 1-3 and Romans 7.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

His Love Endures Forever!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. –Psalm 136:1 (NIV)

Following yesterday’s entry about praising the Lord, today comes the reminder that God’s love endures forever. This is a timely word in a world where love has become so fickle and self-serving. While my love wanes, God’s love endures. While my wonders and works sometimes display love, God’s wonders and God’s work always testify to love. God’s unending love gives me more reason to praise.

I needed more reason to praise this morning. Though I intended to praise God all day long yesterday, it was tough. News of unexpected hospitalizations and homes burning to the ground left me upset, not thankful. But as I reflected on the day last night and this morning, I still found reason to praise. I praise God for our local hospital that stabilized a patient. I praise God that no one was in the house when it burned. I praise God that when our world and our lives are in absolute chaos, God’s love remains steadfast.

Today, I plan to remind myself often that God’s love endures. When my cell phone battery dies in the middle of an important call, God’s love endures. When the traffic light turns red before I get through the intersection and I have to come to a halt, God’s love won’t stop. When I’m tempted to give up on someone or something, God’s love won’t quit. His love endures forever…and I am thankful (I just don’t act like it sometimes).

May God grant you the grace to proclaim the enduring love of God throughout the gift of this day.

If you are interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow’s suggested readings are 1 Kings 10-11, 2 Chronicles 9, and Romans 6.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Praise the Lord

Praise the name of the Lord, praise him, you servants of the Lord, you who minister in the house of the Lord…he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. –Psalm 135:1-2 and 7 (NIV)

What a joy it was to read this morning’s suggested biblical texts and feel as if the psalm was written just for me! I find myself praising the Lord for several reasons today, all of which are mentioned in Psalm 135.

First, I am thankful for the servants of the Lord that I have the privilege to pastor. Last night, volunteers from our church waited tables at the local Shoney’s restaurant. All of the tips raised and 10% of the sales will go to support our community’s ministry to the hungry. Of course, it doesn’t do much good to wait tables unless people come out to eat. I was so pleased at the number of people from our church that came out to enjoy a good meal and to support an important ministry. We raised $1400 in tips alone for our hunger ministry, all of which will go to feeding the hungriest people in Lincoln County. Praise the Lord!

While a restaurant full of customers enjoyed food and fellowship inside, outside I noticed ominous clouds, lightning flashes across the sky, and a hard rain that we so desperately needed. And I found myself praising the Lord for watering fields, flowers, and lawns.

Over and over, Psalm 135 reminds us to praise the Lord. As I read this psalm, it occurs to me that I don’t often praise the Lord enough. I do a pretty good job of praying for the sick and for the problems in my life and world but those things tend to dominate my prayer time with God. Seldom do I spend significant time just praising the Lord for all He has done, is doing, and will do in my life.

Today, I am going to focus on praising the Lord. I’m going to try and find things for which I’ve never praised or thanked God. Will you join me?

May God grant you the grace to be more aware of and thankful for the signs and wonders of God’s goodness that surround you.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8, Psalm 136, and Romans 5.


Monday, May 21, 2012

Because God First Loved You

For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law…Do we then nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. –Romans 3:28 and 3:31 (NIV)

Several years ago, I read a book by A.J. Jacobs entitled “The Year of Living Biblically.” It was about one man’s quest to follow every single rule of the Bible. It was often irreverent, often critical of religion, but the writer does seem to come away from the experience with new insights that make him more open to faith.

One of the author’s points is that you cannot keep every single rule of the Bible. Try as he might (and he really tries), Jacobs finds it impossible to obey every single commandment in scripture, which begs the question: if people are unable to keep all of the rules of scripture, then why are they there?

Paul attempts to answer that question in Romans 3. The law makes people aware of their sin but keeping the law does not save them from sin. People are made right with God by faith and not by keeping laws. I’ve heard it said that the way to God is the way of love, not the way of law.

Perhaps a personal illustration might be helpful. Whatever trouble that I was able to avoid as a teenager (and I certainly didn’t avoid it all) was because of love and not law. I knew that my mother loved me and I loved her. When I successfully resisted temptation, it was not because I was afraid of being arrested, suspended, or punished but because I didn’t want to disappoint my mother who loved me and simply wanted the best for me. The rules of the Ward household were there, to be sure, but I obeyed them (mostly) not because of what I was afraid would happen if I didn’t or because I wanted my mother to love me more but because I already knew that she loved me and I didn’t want to break her heart by breaking the rules.

Rules are important. Paul doesn’t try to discount them and neither do I. But my prayer for you today is that God would grant you the grace to keep the law not because you’re afraid of God or because you’re trying to earn God’s love, but because God first loved you.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's suggested readings are 2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 135, and Romans 4.

Friday, May 18, 2012

Informed AND Transformed

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else... -1 Kings 4:29-31 (NIV)

As I have spent time with friends this week at the Festival of Homiletics, some have said how impressed they are that I get up every morning, read scripture, and write a daily devotional. I do thank God that I have been able to maintain this daily discipline and that it has been so helpful to my spiritual life, but I can remember periods of my life when I maintained the same discipline and it didn't seem to help my spiritual life. As I reflect on that this morning, it occurs to me why that is the case: I was reading the Bible for information, but not transformation.

There's nothing wrong with information, but reading the Bible for transformation is what deepens the spiritual life. It doesn't matter what scripture says if you don't allow it to change you. There have been times in my life when I didn't want or simply allow it to change me.

In the readings for today, we are told that Solomon is knowledgeable of many things and that his wisdom comes from God. He wants not only to know the ways and will of God but also that the ways and will of God would influence the way he lives and leads.

May God grant you the grace to be informed and transformed by the word of God today.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 1 Kings 6, 2 Chronicles 3, Psalm 97, and Romans 1. Sunday's readings are 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4, Psalm 98, and Romans 2. I'll be back Monday with a devotional thought on 1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5, Psalm 99, and Romans 3.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

You're a Shepherd to Someone

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them. -Psalm 78:72 (NIV)

I'm reminded of the story about the parent who was preparing supper for the family one night. A child stood nearby watching the parent cut the sides of a piece of meat off before placing the remaining piece in a large pan. The child asked the parent why the sides of the meat were sliced away and the parent replied, "I don't know; that's just the way your grandmother does it and I learned from her." Several days later, the child is watching grandmother cook the same dish in her kitchen. The child asked the woman, "Why do you and my mother cut both sides of the meat off before placing it in the pan?" The grandmother replied, "I don't know why your mother does it but I do it because my pan's not large enough for the meat."

Why do you do what you do? Have you clearly communicated to others the reason? In our psalm this morning, the psalmist states the importance of telling the next generation about the deeds and wonders of God. The goal is to teach your children so that they'll know and so that they'll teach their children. It's not enough to let them observe you living out your faith; you must be clear as to why you live out your faith. So, why are you a person of faith? Why do you live out your faith the way that you do?

The psalmist notes that not all who see the faith lived and who hear the faith explained will follow. Some will see the deeds and wonders of God a hundred times over and still be rebellious and stubborn. But God continues to raise up leaders to lead God's people with integrity, leaders like David. He was a shepherd, certainly not perfect, but he was willing to be used by God to shepherd and lead others.

You're a leader whether you like it or not. Someone is looking at you and looking to you to show them how to live and for an explanation as to why you live the way you do. You're a shepherd to someone.

May God grant you the grace to shepherd with integrity today.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 1 Kings 4-5, 2 Chronicles 2, Psalm 101, and 2 Thessalonians 3.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Growth

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. -1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV)

If the apostle Paul were writing you today, would he see evidence that your faith and love continue to grow? Do you read the Bible more faithfully than you've done in the past? Is prayer time a more integral part of your day? Do you look for opportunities to love and serve others in the name of Christ? Does your heart break for the things that break the heart of God?

And do you take the time to encourage others who are growing in faith like Paul does in these beginning verses of 2 Thessalonians? Do you celebrate their perseverance and persistence? Is your heart filled with joy in seeing increasing joy in another person's heart? Do you make time and space available for spiritual conversation with other people? Do you thank God for evidence of spiritual growth and maturity in the life of someone else?

May God grant you the grace to see affirmation in your own spiritual growth and may you be a source of encouragement and affirmation in the life of someone else today.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 1 Kings 3, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 78, and 2 Thessalonians 2.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed that the only people who want to be around negative people are negative people? The people who are most enjoyable to be around are those that tend to be joyful and prayerful and thankful; they don’t deny the existence of evil or pain or disappointment but through their faith in God, they seem to transcend the evil, pain, and disappointment.

While in Atlanta for the Festival of Homiletics, I am so appreciative of being here with dear seminary friends who are joyful, prayerful, and thankful. Their faith transcends evil, pain, and disappointment. The joy that they embody is contagious.

May God grant you the grace to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful today. And may you God place in your path today others who are full of joy, prayer, and thanksgiving.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Hope

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of humankind, who have no hope. -1 Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)

The title of the devotional this morning is hope. Before I get to the specific context of hope today, I want to say that I am in Atlanta attending the Festival of Homiletics. With such a busy schedule, I HOPE that I will be able to write these daily devotionals each morning. If you don't get them, you'll know why and I HOPE you'll understand.

Now to today's assigned reading and the importance of hope:

Jesus has ascended into heaven and has promised to return. Most, if not all, of his followers at the time believe that his return would be in their lifetime. But when some of these followers begin to die, those remaining wonder if their dearly departed friends will be excluded from being reunited with Christ when he returns. You can imagine how concerned you'd be if you thought you were going to miss out on the triumphant return of the Lord and you can imagine why this would create a theological quandary.

That's why Paul writes what he writes. He assures the reader/listener that when Christ returns, the dead in Christ will rise first and will then be joined by those who are still alive. Together they will be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air.

There is much debate about whether Paul is using poetry here to describe this event or whether we are to take his description literally. Do those that die not join Christ in glory until he comes again or do they immediately go to glory to be with God? I try not to get hung up on how it happens and instead just cling to the promise that it does happen! It makes little difference to me as to how or when, only that it will!

May God grant you the grace to hope, to be encouraged and comforted in death. The same love that draws us to Christ and one another in life draws us to Christ and one another in death. We have hope!


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are1 Kings 1, 1 Chronicles 28,Psalm 91, and 1 Thessalonians 5.

Friday, May 11, 2012

More Than Words

And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. -1 Thessalonians 1:7 (NIV)

What does it mean for to be a model to all believers? In the suggested reading this morning, Paul notes that the gospel came to the church of Thessalonica not just with words but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction. Paul notes that the Thessalonians imitated him and the Lord, welcomed the gospel message in the midst of suffering and became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

That leads me back to the question: what does it mean to be a model in our community and world? Is it personal piety? Is it a passion for social justice and transformation? Is it a willingness to suffer for the sake of Christ?


The Thessalonians became models when the gospel became for them not just words, but power. They listened and read not just for information, but transformation. They imitated Paul and Jesus because they were both worthy examples of how God desires for people to live. Then they themselves became models/examples for others and their faith became known everywhere.


May God grant you the grace to experience the gospel today not just as words, but as power. May you see the gospel modeled beautifully by someone else and may such an example inspire you to beautifully model the gospel to others.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21,Psalm 30, and 1 Thessalonians 2.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Sustain Me

Cast your cares upon the Lord and he will sustain you. -Psalm 55:22 (NIV)

In today's suggested reading of Psalm 55, the psalmist begs God to listen and to not ignore. The psalmist is being attacked by someone that the psalmist knows well. This friend, now an enemy, is saying terrible things. The wicked are making awful threats. The psalmist is suffering, troubled and distraught. The psalmist wishes for wings of a dove in order to fly away and finally be at rest.

This psalm affirms that when personal relationships break down, things can get ugly in a hurry. Now, if an enemy attacks you, it's bad enough. But when you're attacked by a close friend, with whom you once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God (verse 14), it's especially difficult to endure.

I suspect that many reading this devotional are feeling attacked today. I don't know who or what your enemy is: it might be a close friend as is the case with the psalmist but the battle being waged against you may be something else entirely. The psalmist shares his or her complaint with God with confidence that God will hear and that God will rescue. And the psalmist encourages you and me to do and to believe the same thing. He puts it this way: cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.

If you're like me, you're good at telling God your problems but you sometimes question whether God is interested in sustaining you when you cast your cares upon Him. May God grant you the grace today to trust God with your problems and to trust that God will be your help.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 21-23 and 1 Thessalonians 1.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

When You Wonder

From noon until three, darkness came over the land...about three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?" (which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?") -Matthew 27:46 (NIV)

I see it almost every single day, sometimes in my own life. You know what I'm talking about: a period so dark, when things are so tough, that even the strongest people of faith question God's presence and purpose. Perhaps you're going through such a period right now. Job loss. Troubled children. Rocky relationship. Financial woes. Faith crisis. Declining health. Despite what the clock on the wall says, perhaps it's your three o'clock in the afternoon (see the scripture reference above) and you find yourself screaming out at the top of your lungs: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

I wish that darkness never came over the land or over your life, but I will have to say this: I've learned things in the darkness that I would have never learned anywhere else. I would have preferred to have learned these lessons another way, but I doubt that I could or that I would. I have also come to realize that I cling to my faith even more when darkness comes, leaning not on my own strength but on God's.

I take comfort in knowing that Jesus asked some of the same questions of God that I ask when darkness comes. I take comfort in knowing that Christ would have preferred avoiding the darkness ("Father, take this cup from me") just like me. I take comfort in knowing that God has a track record of taking the darkest moments of life and using them for glory and growth.

When you wonder, when you question God's presence and purpose, may God grant you the grace to believe that there is nowhere you can go that God is not. When darkness comes, I pray that you'll cling to Christ and that you'll see glimpses of growth and glory.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 19-20, Psalm 55, andMatthew 28.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Give Generously

"Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me."
-Matthew 26:10 (NIV)

Several years ago, I officiated a wedding and received an honorarium. Almost as soon as the two crisp one-hundred dollar bills were handed to me, I felt God leading me to give it away. I wasn't sure who was supposed to receive it, only that I wasn't supposed to keep it. So I prayed that God would prompt me to give it when the time and the person was right.

The next day was Sunday and as I sat in the chancel area during the choir anthem, I noticed a family that doesn't regularly worship at our church. Immediately I felt God prompt me to give the money to them. The problem, I realized, was going to be getting them to take the money. So while the choir sang, I devised a plan (I apologize to the choir for not giving you my full attention that day).

After the service, I approached the family and said, "If you felt that God was clearly telling you to do something, would you do it?" They said, "Yes, hopefully we would." I followed the first question with another: "If God told me, a preacher, to do something, would you want me to do it?" They said, "Yes, absolutely." Then I told them that I had received $200 for officiating a wedding and that God wanted me to give it to them.

The couple began to cry. "Who just walks up and gives $200 that they've been given to someone else?" they asked. They couldn't possibly take all of the money, they said. I reminded them that they had already stated that they wanted me to do what I felt God calling me to do. They reluctantly but gratefully took the money. Then they began to tell me just how much they had been struggling financially and that they had been praying for a sign that God would provide. They felt certain that my gift to them was the sign that they had sought.

In today's assigned scripture reading, a woman approaches Jesus with a costly jar of perfume. Common sense would suggest that she keep the perfume for herself. Even if she is going to share the perfume with someone else, she shouldn't just pour it all out on someone's head; instead she use it sparingly. But this woman is moved by some generous impulse to give more than expected or required. And it honors Jesus.

May God grant you the grace to give generously to someone today: more than expected or required. It will probably honor that person in a special way. And it will certainly honor Jesus.

Confession Is Good for the Soul

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess" my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin. -Psalm 32: 5 (NIV)

I'm feeling guilty this morning. I slept in! There, I admitted it. The reason you're not receiving this morning devotional earlier is because lazy bones here just couldn't get out of bed at 5am to read, reflect, and write before getting his son ready for school. So today's devotional is better described as "Good Mid-Morning God." Hey, it happens.

Okay, I feel better. They say confession is good for the soul. The writer of Psalm 32 seems to agree. He (the writer is presumed to be David) notes that when he remains silent about his sin, it's as if God's heavy hand is against him and as if his strength is sapped. But when he acknowledges his sin to God and doesn't try to hide it or act as if it doesn't exist, he experiences forgiveness and is blessed.

Is there anything that you need to confess today? Something that you need to get off of your chest? Let me encourage you to take the psalmist's advice and pray. Tell it to God. Ask God to surround you with deliverance. Seek God's instruction as to the way that you should go. Ask that the Lord's unfailing love would surround you as you trust in Him.

May God grant you the grace today to confess, to pray, to be teachable, and to be blessed.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 17, Psalm 71, and Matthew 26.

Friday, May 4, 2012

You're invited! Please respond!

But they paid no attention and went off- one to his field, another to his business. -Matthew 22:5 (NIV)

Today’s assigned reading in Matthew is a parable of Jesus about a king who prepares a wedding banquet for his son. When it is time for the banquet, the king sends his servants to those who have been invited but they refuse to come. One invitee goes off to his field; another goes off to his business. The remaining invitees seize the king’s servants, mistreat them, and then kill them.

Most scholars believe that the king in Jesus’ story is God, the son is Jesus, and the invitees are the chief priests and Pharisees who refused to accept that Jesus is the Messiah.

As I read this parable, I am really not surprised that some things haven’t changed much. The world is still full of people who reject the invitation to come to the banquet of Christ. Some of us do so violently, as the ones in the parable who kill those extending the invitation. Others of us refuse the invitation because we’re too busy doing other important things, like going to work in the field or at the office. I can certainly relate to being distracted by the pressing demands of life.

How do you respond to the invitation of Christ? Violently? Hopefully not. But do you resist spending time with him because of other important tasks that need to be completed, tasks that aren’t bad in and of themselves but nevertheless prevent you from the joy of being with Jesus?

May God grant you the grace to hear the gracious invitation of Jesus today and the grace to respond.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible, here are the readings for the weekend (I'll be back with another devotional on Monday): Saturday: 2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51, and Matthew 23. Sunday: 2 Samuel 13-14 and Matthew 24. Monday: 2 Samuel 15-16, Psalm 32, and Matthew 25.


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Actions Speak Louder than Words

I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. -Matthew 21:31b (NIV)

A few days ago, a friend of mine posted an article to Facebook that suggests that the less religious are more motivated by compassion than the highly religious. You can find that article here. I was reminded of that article as I read the assigned scriptures for this morning.

Jesus tells a parable about two sons. One son is asked by his father to go work in the vineyard. The son says that he will not go but then he decides to go anyway. The other son says that he will go but then never does. Jesus asks the chief priests and elders this question: which son did what his father wanted? The elders correctly reply that the first son did. More than just the correct response, their answer is an indictment against themselves.

Apparently the chief priests and scribes claim that they want to know and to do God's will but then they don't do it. They're like the second son in the story. Jesus points out that, like the first son who says that he won't go to the field and then does, tax collectors and prostitutes (considered the chief among sinners in Jesus' day) will enter into the kingdom of God ahead of the chief priests and elders.

As I reflect on this reading, I am reminded of how my actions and words should confirm each other. I'm reminded that actions so often speak louder than words. If I am going to claim to be a Christian, then my actions need to support my claim.

May God grant you the grace to know and do the will of God today and may your words and actions confirm it.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 20, and Matthew 22.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Offering Grace and Generosity

About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around...

-Matthew 20:6 (NIV)


As a child, I was taught that the vineyard owner in this story is God and that we are the workers...that the point of this parable is that people often believe that they are more deserving of God's grace and generosity than others. According to this interpretation, God wants the workers to see that no one deserves God's grace and generosity.


And yet this morning as I read the assigned readings for today, I find myself identifying not so much with the workers but with the land owner. As he did, I feel led to go out to those who haven't been with the land owner nearly as long and invite them to come and experience God's grace and generosity for themselves. I want a heart for those who haven't been in the vineyard all day.


May God grant you the grace to offer grace and generosity to others today.



If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18-19, and Matthew 21.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

God's Love Lasts

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever...we have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea...Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. -Psalm 106:1, 6-7, 44-45 (NIV)


God's love lasts. God's desire to forgive, redeem, and save is the strongest desire of God. Even when our love fails and we turn away, God's love remains steadfast.


As I reflect upon today's assigned scripture readings, I am mindful that I have both hurt and been hurt. Oftentimes, I forget about those that I've hurt while continuously dwelling on those who have hurt me. In fact, when I allow myself to dwell on how others have hurt and disappointed me, it's easy to get angry. How God must feel when we hurt and disappoint Him and when we hurt and disappoint others! And yet the psalmist suggests that it's not God's anger that endures, but God's love.


May God grant you the grace to experience His goodness and love in a special way today.


If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, tomorrow's readings are 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18-19, and Matthew 21.