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Author Archives: John D. Willome

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About John D. Willome

I post a blog of daily devotions that are my prayer journals based on scripture.

Esther 2:12-18

04 Jul
The above image is from Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups written and compiled by Ned Bustard. The image is called “Esther and the King (after marc Chagall)” and is a combination of two Marc Chagall images done by Bustard.

Before each young woman was taken to the king’s bed, she was given the prescribed twelve months of beauty treatments—six months with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments. When it was time for her to go to the king’s palace, she was given her choice of whatever clothing or jewelry she wanted to take from the harem. That evening she was taken to the king’s private rooms, and the next morning she was brought to the second harem, where the king’s wives lived. There she would be under the care of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of the concubines. She would never go to the king again unless he had especially enjoyed her and requested her by name. Esther was the daughter of Abihail, who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai had adopted his younger cousin Esther.) When it was Esther’s turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her. Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti. To celebrate the occasion, he gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor for all his nobles and officials, declaring a public holiday for the provinces and giving generous gifts to everyone.
Esther 2:12-18

Dear God, I don’t know that I have much to say about the story of Esther in this, but I was thumbing through this book this morning, and I noticed something in Bustard’s image of King Ahasuerus. He looks pensive and unassuming. He looks nervous and gentle. He looks unsure of himself. I haven’t yet read Bustard’s description of his work, but what it makes me think of is a man who, no matter what he looks like on the outside is something totally different on the inside. I guess it’s not common for people, men or women, to be completely transparent and let people see what they are experiencing on the inside. The veneer is too important.

It also makes me think of dogmatic Christians. It finally occurred to me a few months ago that the more confident someone appears that they are right about something–especially theologically, but it applies across topics–the more they are likely unsure about that very thing. For example, if I am the type of person that says every word in the Bible has to be factually accurate then it is likely that my brain needs that to be true because I am afraid everything I believe about you will unravel if it’s not true. So the fact that there are two creation stories in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 just needs to be ignored. Who was the woman Cain married and where did she come from? I shouldn’t stop and consider that either. When and how did Davis meet Saul? Was it the Goliath story (1 Samuel 17:55) or had he met him before as his harpist (1 Samuel 16:21)?

So now that I’ve pointed the finger at others, how am I like the king in this picture? How am I like the dogmatic Christian whose faith might be more fragile than even they realize? I think the biggest mistake I sometimes make is thinking that I need to understand you to worship you. I need to understand myself completely before I can live effectively for you. Frankly, that’s not what Jesus tells me I need to do. Who are usually the most carefree people? Unless they’ve experienced some sort of trauma, it is children. They don’t understand their parents. They don’t even understand themselves or their motivations. And sure, they aren’t good at loving their neighbors as themselves, but whenever they learn to do it they are happy. And they are happy when they love their parents.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I don’t even understand how the Trinity of your consubstantial oneness works. But I don’t have to to worship you. The king in this image with Esther is depicted as unsure of himself even though he probably did not physically portray that in his body language. Help me to reduce the facades I have built as much as possible. Not that it’s not appropriate to have some things about me I don’t show others, but for the most part my life is the most useful to you when I am the most transparent. So help me to be that. Forgive me for my pride. For my arrogance. For not loving you and loving others the way I should. Lead me today. Do it all for your glory.

I pray all of them through the mercy afforded to my by Jesus’s blood,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 4, 2023 in Esther

 

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“Has Christianity Done More Harm Than Good?” John Dickson

03 Jul
This is a link to Andy Stanley’s interview with John Dickson about Christianity’s impact on history. I recommend the entire interview, but the parts I am referencing start at the 38:50 mark.

Dear God, I just finished listening to this interview Andy Stanley with North Point Community Church did with John Dickson. Apparently, about 15 years ago in Australia, there was a debate between people who think religion has harmed the world (particularly Christianity) and those who thought it had helped the world. In pre- and post-debate surveys, the overwhelming consensus among the attendees was that it had harmed the world. The debate did nothing to move the needle. How sad.

The tools Jesus gave us

I could go on an on about the interview and what he said, but if there is anyone who actually reads these prayers I do to you, I highly recommend listening to the entire interview. With that said, at the 38:50 mark, they start talking about one of his main theses in the book. It is that Jesus gave us a very limited set of tool to use to transform the world around us.

  • Prayer
  • Service
  • Persuasion
  • Suffering

It feels like the American church today has added influence and power to that list. Why? Because we are afraid, I think. I think we are afraid of not being able to persuade. I think we don’t really believe in our message to the point we can articulate it and offer it to others. No, the easiest thing to do is force them into our way of thinking. To gain power over them. To protect ourselves from them by any earthly means necessary. We have forgotten that we’ve already won the war. Satan might win today’s battle. Someone might harm me in some way because of my beliefs, and I might feel like I lost today. But I have won. I have won in you. I have won my loving you with all of my heart and loving others.

It’s the singer, not the song

The other thing that struck me (to the point of giving me chills) comes at the 43:15 mark. Dickson talks compares Jesus’s Christianity with a genius piece of music, “Bach’s Cello Suite in G Major, Prelude.” Jesus’s Christianity, even more so than Bach’s piece, of course, is perfect. What Jesus aspired us to through faith in him was perfect. It was attractive to humans because it was so good. The problem has been people’s interpretation of it ever since. If Jesus’ Christianity is the song, then Christians are the singer.

Dickson took two cello lessons and then recorded himself trying to play the Bach piece. It was lacking, to say the least. It didn’t communicate the intricate nuances or the beautiful structure Bach wrote. In short, he butchered it. But then he played a professional cellist (maybe Yo Yo Ma, I don’t know) playing it the way it is supposed to be played and the brilliance of the piece is obvious, even to the most novice of listeners.

To quote Mr. Dickson from the interview: “If you have been hurt by the church or by an individual Christian, it’s because Christians haven’t played the melody. It’s not because the melody isn’t beautiful. And I reckon, if you have been hurt by the church, every genuine Christian in this building and watching on would want to say to you straight and look you in the eye and say, “We are sorry. We are sorry that we haven’t loved like Christ loved us. And we beg you, despite our poor performance, to see if you can hear the melody again: ‘Love your enemies.’ ‘Do good to those who hate you.’ ‘Bless those who mistreat you.’ A melody Jesus took all the way to his cross for us.”

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, there are times when I want to use more power and influence to expedite me getting my way. Prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering are too slow. But at the end of the day, they are all you gave me. They are the only tool you gave me. And as soon as I start trying to use other tools I start playing notes to a different melody than the Christianity Jesus taught us. I am sorry. Hel me to be patient in your victory and to lean all of the way into prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering as the only melody I try to play for your glory–for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I pray this through Jesus’ name because he taught us how to love you and he gave everything so I could be here this morning,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 3, 2023 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

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Romans 7:21-8:2, 35-39

02 Jul

The above image is from Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups compiled by Ned Bustard. The image by Bustard is called Simul Justus et Peccator.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7:21-8:2, 35-39

Dear God, this is a complete coincidence and not why I chose this today, but I heard the end of this passage read at a funeral yesterday. So as I think about this passage and Ned Bustard’s artistic interpretation of it through his work Simul Justus et Peccator (At Once Justified and a Sinner), I wonder what there might be for here this morning.

First, here is what I’m noticing about Bustard’s image:

  • The face in the mirror seems to be a fairly accurate reflection of the face we see outside of the mirror. He didn’t make it look worse that it is.
  • Bustard’s publishing company is called “Square Halo Books.” Bustard says on his web page, “In Christian art, the square halo identified a living person presumed to be a saint.” So the man in the mirror is presumed to be a saint.
  • The square halo is not represented in the mirrored image. It is only seen by us, not the man himself.
  • I seen apple with a bite out of it on the desk. I presume this is original sin.
  • I see a crow looking at the man. The crow can represent both the good and the bad. A duality.
  • I see what appears to be a bag of money on the ground, but it is marked with “xxx.” I assume this indicates that they money is more of a problem than a solution.
  • The man’s head is resting in his hands. It gives the appearance of despair.
  • The man is frowning and his eyes are sad.
  • In the mirrored image, the mans clothes have horizontal stripes, making it seem like he feels imprisoned.
  • I don’t see a significance to it, but the candle on the table seems to be what is illuminating the room.
  • The man is barefoot and appears to be in his pajamas. This is either at the end of the day or the beginning of the day. He is either regretting his day or dreading his day. There is no optimism in his eyes.

So those are my observations before reading Bustard’s description of the image. Here is what he said: “The print conveys the idea of being both sinful and righteous through symbols from Christian art. The black bird, the Adam’s apple, and the thirty pieces of silver [oh, that’s what the money was supposed to be] represent sin. The candle and mirror are God’s Word. The man is clothed in Christ’s righteousness–in the form of the robe and sash ubiquitous in Sunday school pictures of Jesus [I don’t see the robe and sash]. The square halo indicates that he is a living saint.”

Okay, I have to say that I feel pretty good about the things I noticed. I didn’t the candle and mirror as your Word. I missed the money reference to the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for betraying Jesus. And I still don’t see the robe and sash he mentions. But overall, I think I got it.

So what do I do with it? Well, how do I see myself when I look in the mirror? The truth is, I am as much of a dichotomy as anyone in the world. I am sinful. I am redeemed. I do good. I do bad. I am a living saint. I deserve death, but you have offered me life.

Father, help me to see this for myself today and to see others this way too. Help me to offer them the same benefits of your redemption that you offer me. And may those who see me as a failed man be able to maybe extend some of that mercy as well. Not for my sake as much as for theirs.

I pray all of this through the mercy and grace of Jesus that makes me, of all people, a saint,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 2, 2023 in Romans

 

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2 Kings 4:8-37

01 Jul

8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” 14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” 23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” 24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

2 Kings 4:8-37

Dear God, this is an interesting story. It’s interesting because it happened. It’s interesting because it happened the way it happened (a child was given as a “gift”–I suppose–to a couple that didn’t ask for him dies and then is resurrected). It is also interesting because it was recorded for us to know these thousands of years later. Why?

As I’ve thought about this since this morning when I first read it, I think the idea I’ve finally come to is that you used this child in the lives of this couple the same way you use children for parent or person who raises them. You change them through this child. In this case, I think even Elisha didn’t know what you were up to. Gehazi didn’t either. They thought they were giving her and her husband a child. This wonderful gift of joy and love. What they were really doing was giving this couple the gift of refinement. You used this child to refine them and make them even more your children. You also used it to impact Elisha’s life as well. This child changed everyone he touched. I guess every child does to some extent or another.

I had lunch just two days ago with a dear man who lost his 11-year-old girl to leukemia just 10 months ago. It’s tragic. He commented that it was easier to go through the strain of fighting the leukemia than it is to endure this loss. This man and his wife are people are great faith. They love you. What could possibly come from this?

Then there’s the mourning process. I go back to the Garth Brooks song “The Dance” that I’ve talked about a few times with you before. I still can’t hear that song without tears coming to my eyes.

The chorus is actually in the thumbnail of the YouTube video I just linked to. It says it all. If they’d have known the pain in store for them with this child, they might have been tempted to avoid it. To not experience it. But if they’d have missed that opportunity, they’d have missed “the dance” they had with their little girl.

I’ve sung this song for myself over pain I’ve experienced. Nothing like theirs. Nothing even close. But I’ve had pain that I would love to have removed. This pain still stays with me every day. But I’m glad I never had the chance to even consider making the decision about whether or not to avoid the path that brought me here because that path shaped me in its good times, and it is shaping me now. The question is, how will I move forward and enable that pain to shape me even now?

Father, I wish I could take my friend and his wife’s pain away. All I know to pray now is that, if this pain must be experienced, then please make it count. It hurts too much for it to be wasted. This much pain should somehow, ultimately, maybe even in ways they will never see, produce some kind of way for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on this earth as it is in heaven. Holy Spirit, please sit close this couple, even in this very moment. Help them to feel the Spirit of the Lord. Help them to feel you in your role as counselor, comforter, and even healer. Flow through them into their children. Flow through them into this world that seems intent on running from you. And do the same for my wife and me. Don’t let our pain be wasted. Don’t let the pain the ones we love are experiencing be wasted either. Oh, Lord. My heart is heavy for me, but it is heavier right now for this couple. Holy Spirit, like I prayed for the couple in our town who lost their son to suicide a few months ago, please moan for us in words that are too deep for understanding. Pray for us to the Father. Jesus, touch this couple. Fill them with your peace.

I pray all of this through the grace of Jesus and with the power of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 1, 2023 in 2 Kings

 

2 Peter 3:8-16

28 Jun

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Dear God, as an American Christian in 2023, it is hard to read this passage in the right context. I don’t suffer. I don’t know what it means to suffer. Yes, I have pain from rejection and being unmercifully judged, but that’s just from a few people close to me. It’s real pain, but I’m not being persecuted. I’m don’t have people out to get me–trying to kill me. Holding me back just because of my beliefs.

The most devout Christian group in the country are black Americans. In terms of church attendance, it is largely recognized that they lead all other races in terms of church attendance.

I would posit that it is because they experience more persecution and suffering in their daily lives than white Americans do. I remember once when an Hispanic coworker interviewed me one time for a class. The assignment was to interview someone who is from a different social class and background that the student. One of the things we talked about during the interview was white privilege, which is something I believe to be real. But when she wrote about it she said, “John believes there is white privilege, but he doesn’t take advantage of it.” I told her that she got that wrong. I said, “I can’t help but take advantage of it. For example, when my wife and I are driving back from South Padre Island and they just wave us through at the inland border checkpoint after they ask us if we are U.S. citizens I don’t stop and say, ‘Hold it. You need to look at my ID.’ Whereas your family all has to produce IDs when you go through the checkpoint. And that’s just one example.”

My point is, Peter, Paul, and this first generation of apostles knew what it meant to suffer and so they longed for your return. They longed for a new earth. They longed for an end to this age. They didn’t know why you were taking so long. I’m sure Paul would be shocked to know that 2,000 years have now passed and Jesus hasn’t returned to put an end to the old earth yet. But here we are. And while there are plenty of people in the world who suffer and would love to see this new earth arrive today, I don’t feel that same desire. I don’t live the same kind of life Peter and Paul lived. I’m just a guy who tries to discipline himself to worship you and learn more about you even though I don’t have a desperation for respite from this current earth.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please combine to make me mindful of those around me who are, indeed, hurting and longing for you. Help me to understand the role you have for me to play in their lives. Help me to know how to bring you to them. Love through me. Live through me. And I also want to thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for caring. And in the suffering I have experience, limited as it is, thank you for being my comforter and for being my reason for living.

I pray all of this in your gracious, powerful, and awesome name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 28, 2023 in 2 Peter

 

Leviticus 19:17-18

26 Jun

“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:17-18

Dear God, why? There’s always a “why” to what you commanded. Sometimes, I think the modern church misses that. I think we read something in the Bible that we see you say is wrong, and we just run with it and then go out and judge anyone who is doing that thing. But we forget to take the “why” with us. We forget to meet people where they are and start with the “why” as opposed to starting with the “what.”

In this case, I think every one of these things listed in verses 17 and 18 are for our own good. Nursing hatred is poison to my own soul. Confronting people directly instead of just holding on to the judgment or gossiping about them helps me to be in relationship with people and build something positive (if the confrontation is done in the right way. Letting go of revenge and grudges frees up my spirit to simply love. And loving others is what is good for my soul. Loving you and loving others–the two great commandments.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I worship you this morning. I turn loose of the grudges of which I am aware and lean into you for my comfort where I am hurt. I turn loose of the people who have hurt me or wish me ill. I turn loose of those who have grudges towards me. Set them free, Lord. But not for my sake–for theirs. I can think of a few people who have grudges against me. Set them free for their sakes, not mine. For them.

I pray all of this through the grace you gave me in Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 26, 2023 in Leviticus

 

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (The Message)

24 Jun

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 (The Message)

 

One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we’ll be rescued from these troublemakers who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil.

Dear God, I don’t normally read “The Message” translation, but I happened to see this from 2 Thessalonians 3 today and it really caught my eye. Eugene Peterson seems to have added some stuff here that the traditional translations don’t have. Here are some examples of other translations:

NASB (1995): 3 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

NIV: 3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 

ESV: 3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

None of these translations contain even the sentiment of “I’m finding that not all ‘believers’ are believers” that Peterson includes in his translation. They say something to the effect of “not all have faith,” but Peterson puts this description on “believers.” It’s an interesting thing for him to do.

My wife and I were talking earlier today about whether or not there was a difference in being called a “Christian” and being “saved.” Are there people who are called Christians who are not saved? Are there people who are saved who would not be called a Christian? What makes someone saved? What makes someone a Christian? Are the terms synonymous?

I’m not going to try to answer that question here because I think there are some things that are simply mysteries that we cannot understand them on this side of the death veil. I just don’t know how you see all of this. It’s still so overwhelming to me that I might be saved and/or called a Christian through simply believing in your son and repenting before you. I know that I truly do believe in you, God the Father. I believe in you, Jesus the Son, and I believe in you, God’s Holy Spirit. I know that times like this are critical to my inner core. Communion with you makes all of the difference in the world in my life. Even if life on earth is all I have for these 53-100 years (I’m currently 53) and an afterlife was not part of your plan for any of us, I would still cling to you because I need you for my peace and happiness.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, help me to be a beacon that attracts others to you. For your glory, Oh Lord.

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 24, 2023 in 2 Thessalonians

 

“Hypocrite”

21 Jun

Note on April 22, 2024: I originally wrote this prayer in the summer of 2023. This evening, I was listening to the Bible Project Podcast, and in the midst of their series on the Sermon on the Mount, they had a whole episode dedicated to the Word “hypocrite.” They redefined it for me, and I found that I have apparently either been misinformed or misunderstood the definition of the word the translators used to convey Jesus’s message. Apparently, a more accurate definition would be someone who is doing the things they say they (and you) should do, but they are only doing them for show. So it’s not what I thought, which is the old “do as I say, not as I do” definition, but it’s actually something that only God can tell if we are doing it or not. Only God can see our hearts and motives as we do what we do and say what we say. So this is another example of how my interpretation of scripture can be influenced by misunderstandings and my own lack of education. With that said, her is the prayer I prayed with the wrong definition in mind.

Dear God, I noticed that the New Testament reading for today for the Catholic church had the word “hypocrite” a couple of times. Both times, it was Jesus talking. I decided to take the New Living Translation and find out how many times the word is used in the Bible. As it turns out, it came up 21 times. Three times in the Old Testament (one in Psalms and two in Isaiah) and then 18 in the New Testament (13 in Matthew, one in Mark, two in Luke, one in Acts and one in 1 Timothy). So Matthew really seems to have zeroed in on this word and Jesus’s use of it. Therefore, I thought I would look at the instances when Matthew quotes Jesus as using it, courtesy of Bible Gateway.

  1. Matthew 6:2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  2. Matthew 6:5 Teaching about Prayer and Fasting“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  3. Matthew 6:16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  4. Matthew 7:5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  5. Matthew 15:7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  6. Matthew 22:18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  7. Matthew 23:13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  8. Matthew 23:15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are! In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  9. Matthew 23:23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  10. Matthew 23:25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  11. Matthew 23:27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  12. Matthew 23:29 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
  13. Matthew 24:51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Jesus seemed to have very little tolerance for hypocrites. Perhaps this is something I should be careful about as I move through this life. Are there areas where I am hypocritical?

I guess hypocrisy is something that requires self-awareness because I know of very few people who are able to see their own hypocrisy in real time. Even now, as I try to search my heart, I try to think of areas where I might be hypocritical, but I can’t think of any. Am I a hypocrite? Almost certainly. Can I identify how? Apparently not.

I think hypocrisy starts with a spirit of judging others. Maybe that’s where I should start. Do I judge others and how do I judge others? If I am judging them for this thing or that, then the odds are probably good that I have some work to do on myself in that area–oh, and I need to stop the judging.

Father, there are six instances in Matthew 23 that includes the phrases “What sorry awaits you…” and “Hypocrites!” I recognize that this is partially Jesus getting the Pharisees riled up so they will crucify him. It’s also getting his last words in with them while he can. But the message is still true. If it is true with me, please reveal it to me. Holy Spirit, please reveal it to me. Jesus, please forgive me.

I pray all of this in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 21, 2023 in 1 Timothy, Acts, Isaiah, Luke, Mark, Matthew, Psalms

 

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Mark 8:34-35

20 Jun

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.
Mark 8:34-35

Dear God, there are parts of my life I really want to hang on to. I confess it. Not just admit it–I confess it. I want some things in my life the way I want them, especially as they relate to my family. But I’m slowly getting better. I’m slowly turning loose of it. I’m turning loose of my own way and taking up my cross to follow you. I’m getting there.

Last night, I had a conversation that I thought would have messed me up pretty badly, but I think I’m really okay this morning. I think I am. Maybe I’m not, and I’m just in denial, but I think I’m okay. It feels like I given (at least mostly) the forgiveness you’ve told me to give for my own sake. To some extent, I almost feel like I’m outside of this situation looking down on it like a third party. Almost an out-of-body experience. I’m not mad this morning. I didn’t lose any sleep over it last night, although my adrenalin was a little high as I went to bed after the conversation just from the intensity of it so it took me a while to get to sleep, but I wasn’t thinking about it as I went to sleep. My own way that Jesus mentions in verse 34 is not a path to peace. It is a path to angst.

Father, there is a lot of damage that’s been done in the situation to which I’m referring from last night. Some of it really concerns me. Heal hearts. Bring repentance to all involved, including me, for each of our own sakes. I have some people on my heart right now who are really hurting. Please raise up people around them who can be your ears, your voice, and your hands to them. Bring them healing. Ease their pain and make them whole. Help them to deny their own way, turn loose of it, and take up their cross to follow you. Do all of this for their relationships with you and for your glory to come into this world. Please, continue to do the same for me.

I gratefully pray all of this to you, my God, my King, my Savior,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 20, 2023 in Mark

 

Romans 5:6-11

18 Jun

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Romans 5:6-11

Dear God, when I read this passage this morning it made me think of a Phillips, Craig & Dean song “Mercy Came Running.” It also made me think of the “Thank You/F*** You” post I did a few weeks ago. “Utterly helpless.” I really am. I’m just utterly helpless. I cannot fix my sin. I cannot reconcile myself with you. I cannot do anything to reconcile myself to the people I’ve harmed and offended. I need your mercy. I need their mercy. I am helpless.

But “since [I] have been made right in [your] sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly same me from [your] condemnation.” So what is my responsibility now? What am I to do with this amazing gift? Whom shall I love. How shall I love them.

Right now, my wife and I are going to spend the evening with some people we don’t know well. I pray that you will use this evening to glorify your name through us. Glorify your name to us through them as well. I want to be your servant tonight. I want to be very good at being my wife’s husband and being your ambassador. I am sure our hosts want the same. I am sure they want to be your ambassadors as well. Let this be an evening of iron sharpening iron. Let it be an evening of your glory being shone through our weaknesses. Through our sin and your mercy and grace.

I pray all of this through the blessed, holy, taintless blood of Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 18, 2023 in Romans

 
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