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Category Archives: Romans

Romans 13:1-7

16 Apr

13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Romans 13:1-7

Dear God, I wonder why Paul threw this part into his letter to the Romans. In context with the end of chapter 12, this is part of a section where Paul is talking about loving your enemies and those who persecute you.

Yesterday was April 15, the deadline for making sure our federal taxes for the previous year are paid. I was at a Rotary meeting and people were complaining about paying taxes. I didn’t say anything, but I was wondering where their patriotism was. If they love their country like they say they do, why would they resent the idea that we have to pay something to live here? I see verse 6, and it makes me think of that.

But going back to the part about submitting to authorities, it is ironic that Paul was eventually killed by the authorities, as were all of the apostles besides John. Even Jesus. But Jesus agreed with Paul when he told Pilate that he wouldn’t have any authority over himself except what was given to him by you.

I was listening to a man talk yesterday about the New Testament and politics on the Voxology Podcast. How would Paul have had us act through his epistles. He said a lot that I liked, but one thing I will carry with me a long time is that he doesn’t understand how a Christian can identify as a Democrat or a Republican. Either label carries with it some things that are antithetical to you. We are Christians first. Then with each election we have a choice to make, but for me to pre-label myself as a Republican or a Democrat is in appropriate. I like that.

Father, at this point in my life, I am in a position where I don’t find myself having to stand up to any governmental authorities, but I do have authorities over me. At work, I have 14 board members. I have a wife to whom I am accountable. I have friends who hold me accountable. And I have people watching me all day every day who are looking to me to be an example of what it means to live a life submitted to you. So please help me to do that well. Help me to love you well. Help me to worship you and you only, serve others, and rest in your Holy Spirit. Oh, Holy Spirit, inspire me, comfort me, teach me, and love through me.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with that same Holy Spirit, my Paraclete,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 16, 2024 in Romans

 

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Romans 10:5-13

15 Apr

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is [b]based on law shall live [c]by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness [d]based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [e]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [f]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [g]resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [h]disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:5-13

Dear God, I probably shouldn’t be talking about this yet because I just started it, but I began reading a book yesterday by Skye Jethani called What if Jesus was Serious about Heaven? It talks about some of our bad modern theology about heaven and how we might see the realm where you reside and where we go after death a little differently. Of course, I have my own thoughts as well–none of which I am confident enough to try to teach to anyone as truth.

But this is today’s passage from Bible Gateway (actually, it’s just verses 9 and 10, but I wanted to go ahead and put them in a little more context) so I will just sit with this and you for a bit.

When I was a senior in high school we got a new youth minister in our church and he made us memorize three passages: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and Romans 10:9-10. So whenever I see this passage it always makes me think of him and my senior year. That seems like so long ago now. I guess it will be 37 years ago this summer. They were important for us to be able to share our faith and help people understand that we were all sinners, the result of sin is death, but there is hope in eternal life with you through believing in Jesus.

Father, for a lot of my life, people were scaring me into faith with the threat of hell. That’s like a parent coercing love out of a child through threats of being cut off or something. I don’t think that’s what you want from us when it comes to our love for you. You don’t want me to be here because I’m afraid to not be here. You want me here because I long for you. I need you. I love you. Well, I can honestly tell you that that is why I am here this morning. You are the one essential in my life. You are the only thing that is the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are my only certainty. You are my God.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 15, 2024 in Romans

 

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Romans 3:19-26

13 Apr

19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Romans 3:19-26

Dear God, there are a lot of great things about putting chapters, verses, and section headings in our modern Bibles, but there is one glaring weakness: context. Today’s verses for Bible Gateway were Romans 3:23-24, but I think verses 19-26 are important to capture the entire thought Paul was communicating.

I was watching an old sitcom last night from the 90s that my wife and I used to watch as newlyweds. It’s called Mad About You. It too was about newlyweds so it was really fun for us to relate to at the time. The episode I watched contained a line we both remember originally seeing and have used in the years since. In the scene, the husband and wife are arguing over something that he did that was clearly wrong, but she cannot get him to admit he was wrong. The closest he gets is saying, “This is not the most right I have ever been.” That’s the line we have used over the years. But in the end, he was just wrong.

We all are sometimes. Sometimes, we are all just wrong. Sometimes I am sinful. Sometimes I am selfish. Sometimes I will take advantage of someone else to benefit myself. I’m not going to get into the theology of this verse as it applies to other people, who is “saved” and who isn’t, etc. I’m just going to say this morning, for me, I need you. I need Jesus’s blood to cover me so that you won’t be able to see my sin. I need Jesus’s blood to cover me so I too can be free from my sin and move on. I need Jesus’s example so I can pursue a life of meaning that is based on the peace of knowing just how small I am and just how big you are. I need Jesus’s resurrection to give me the power to let go of my own agenda and embrace a life of loving you and serving others.

Father, first, I want to thank you for a good day yesterday. I felt very loved on a day when sometimes I feel a lot of self-pity. Thank you. Thank you for the people you’ve put around me. Thank you for your grace. Thank you, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 13, 2024 in Romans

 

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Romans 5:6-11

08 Apr

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 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. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 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. 10 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. 11 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, am I really a friend of yours? That’s an incredible thought. But let me start back at the beginning.

I wonder how much of the timing of Jesus being born when he was was because of who was alive at the time. From Mary and Joseph to Peter, John, and Paul. These were all unique people who did remarkable things. When Paul says, “…just the right time…” I can’t help but wonder also about the other players in the story and how unique they were too. Even the bad actors such as Herod and Pilate.

Then there is the idea that you chose to wound a part of yourself, permanently scarred, for my reconciliation with you. Frankly, I don’t think I’ll ever fully grasp it or appreciate it. How could I? You’re so unfathomable. How could I ever really understand what it cost you, and then appreciate it adequately.

Finally, a friend of yours. You are my friend. I mean, it’s an unequal friendship to be sure. You are my God. I worship you. But I don’t worship you out of fear. I worship you out of love. I worship you out of gratitude. You’ve done so much to make it possible for me to be here praying to you. How could I not offer you my adoration?

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I worship you as my complete, Triune God. Thank you for what you have done for me and what you continue to do. You are my God. I am your servant. But I am also your friend. That is something that I can’t think of any other religion in the world can really claim. I’m probably wrong there, but the concept of you wounding and sacrificing a piece of yourself for us is certainly unique. Help me to live into that gift.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on April 8, 2024 in Romans

 

Lent Day 46

30 Mar

Dear God, before I get into today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer, I want to look at something the priest read yesterday when I attended a “Stations of the Cross” service at our local Catholic church. This is an excerpt from the 12th Station: 

My people, what have I done to you? 
Or in what have I offended you? 
Answer me. 
What more should I have done and did not do? 
I led you out of the land of Egypt, and you prepared a cross for me.
I opened the Red Sea before you, and you opened my side with a lance.
I gave you a royal scepter, and you give given me a crown of thorns.
With great power I lifted you up, and you have hung me upon a cross.
My people, what have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? 
Answer me.
(from the Reproaches of Good Friday)

There are shades of your speech to Job in this, but it’s very convicting for me because I know that if your time on earth had come now and not 2,000 years ago, I would be as guilty as any. I wouldn’t have gone to see you, so my attitude would have been more apathy that hatred, but I certainly would not have worshipped you or even defended you.

But there is a question that is asked here that people today could stand to answer: “What more should I have done and did not do? There are some example of human suffering I hate such as sex trafficking and war, but even those are manmade. What do I expect you to do to stop them? How do I expect you to intervene in our lives to smite the bad people and build up the good? Who is to say which side of the cutline from good and bad I would be on? You, of course. But my point is whenever I have stopped to think about how things should be different–how the Bible could be better or more clear and concise, how you should approach evil in the world, etc.–I have no idea. We are who we are as humans. Maybe I could take issue with how you created us in the first place, free will and all, but I cannot take issue with who you are and how you love us. What more should you do that you have not done?

Here are today’s passages. It’s interesting that there is no Gospel reading. Jesus is apart from us for the time being. Part of our God has died, sacrificed for me. Amazing

  • AM Psalms: 88, 95
  • PM Psalm: 27
  • Job 19:21-27a
  • Romans 8:1-11
  • Hebrews 4:1-16

Psalms 88, 95 – Once again, they are pairing the worship of Psalm 95 with a lament psalm. In this case, it is Psalm 88. My wife mentioned yesterday a sermon she heard saying that Jesus might have had Psalm 88 in mind as he walked his path yesterday. I would love to be able to see into Jesus’s mind that morning as he walked a brutal and terrible road.

Psalm 27 – “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” That’s what we are doing now as we wait for Jesus’s resurrection. It’s also kind of the word I was getting from you way back at the beginning of Lent: Patience. Wait. I will wait patiently, Father. I will not force my own timing or agenda. I will wait.

Job 19:21-27a – I almost wish they had left our verses 21-24 because those are words of Job I think you would take issue with. But the faith beyond his ignorance in verses 25-27 is beautiful: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Yes! Yes!

Romans 8:1-11 – “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Sprit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Oh, Father, bring my spirit your life through your Spirit. Live in me! Forgive me of my sin. Forgive the mess of my bodily temple. Thank you, Jesus, for making it possible for me to have the Holy Spirit in me.

Hebrews 4:1-16 – Lord, teach me what I am supposed to carry with me past this Lenten season. What should my time in scripture look like? Prayer? Service? Loving my family? Impact on my sphere of influence? In the case of this passage, Sabbath? Show me what to do. Reveal your truth to me.

Oh, Father, I offer this prayer to you in the name of Jesus, your son, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 30, 2024 in Hebrews, Job, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 39

23 Mar

Dear God, I heard some news this morning that distressed me. Are you calling me to some sort of action? Have you put me in a unique position to act? Oh, please guide me.

And I had an odd interaction yesterday that almost felt demonic. It left me frazzled, anxious, and frantic. Maybe it was your Holy Spirit whispering to me to reveal it to me, but I finally wondered if it wasn’t a demonic spirit who was messing with me after the person and I parted ways. Oh, Father, protect me from the powers and principalities of the enemy–Satan. Please protect me. Holy Spirit, flow through me. Please, Jesus, bring me your healing.

Here are todays passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalms: 137, 144
  • PM Psalms: 42, 43
  • Jeremiah 31:27-37
  • John 11:28-44
  • Romans 11:25-36

Psalms 137, 144 – I almost want to stop here and spend all of my time in Psalm 137. It is so powerful. I’m going to assume this was written during the exile prophesied in Jeremiah. And I don’t know how trained the psalmist is in the prophesies of Jeremiah. I don’t know if he is specifically familiar with the instructions of yesterday’s passage from Jeremiah 29 (the one we take out of context and foolishly proclaim over our lives) about you knowing the plans you have for the Israelites during and after their exile/captivity. Did he know of the instructions to building houses and have children? There is so much lament here. And it’s deep. And it’s appropriate. I get it. I’m not saying that every one of them shouldn’t feel lament. Perhaps this was written after he had seen Jewish children dashed against the rocks. But there is also living to do. You are to be worshipped by your creation. Generations are to be continued. Life is to be lived regardless of the awful circumstances. I’ve never thought about combining this psalm with Jeremiah 29 before, but it’s actually quite beautiful to think about. And then we go to Psalm 144, which David wrote. praising you and submitting himself to a life lived for you. Beautiful.

Psalms 42, 43 – I like how these two psalms are both worshipful and despondent at the same time. I like the question, “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” that is within each one. I feel that sometimes. I am with you. I am worshipping you. I love you. Why is my soul sometimes downcast. Then I remember my sorrows and I remember that it is okay to mourn. I would be a heartless beast to not mourn over some of the circumstances in my life. And I bring that mourning to you and you comfort me. And I live a pretty joyful life in the midst of it. But I confess there is always a constant sorrow. But that sorrow keeps me strongly tethered to you. If for no other reason, I am grateful for that. I am grateful to be humbled before others because of this sorrow. I am grateful that I can be a source of comfort to others because of my sorrow. And I am grateful for all of the joy in my life in the midst of my sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:27-37 – This is a great set up for the new covenant. It literally says in verse 31, “The time is coming when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Thank you, Jesus! Oh, thank you!

John 11:28-44 – “Jesus wept.” Why did he weep? I don’t think it was over Lazarus (personal opinion). I think it was over the pain he saw everyone in. About 10 days ago, I was in a hospital room with a family shortly after they wife/mother had passed. While I knew the woman and was sad at her loss, my tears were fueled by the pain of her family and compassion for them. It’s amazing to think, God, that you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit truly love us as much as you do. Amazing.

Romans 11:25-36 – I just feel compelled to retype Paul’s doxology from verses 33-36: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who as ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him area ll things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Paul referencing Isaiah 40:13 and Job 41:11).

Father, I offer all of my heart to you this morning. My prayers. For my wife. For my children. For my community. For my friends. For my extended family. For my country and for the world. Oh, Lord, God Almighty!

I pray all of this in Jesus, your son, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 23, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 38

22 Mar

Dear God, this is a special day because it is a day that you have given to me. Don’t let me waste it. I want to use this day to glorify you. Frankly, I don’t have anything particularly special scheduled. I just have a lot of work to do. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention what happened 25 years ago today. At this hour 25 years ago, my wife and I were getting ready to head to the hospital for her to be induced to have one of our children. Oh, how I love that child. Tears are in my eyes as I type this. So much love. Thank you for that child and that day. Things got complicated with the delivery and we had a complication, but you kept my wife safe and the child safe. Thank you for that too.

Here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 22
  • PM Psalms: 141, 143
  • Jeremiah 29:1, 4-13
  • John 11:1-27
  • Romans 11:13-24

Psalm 22 – This is one of those great songs of lament. Of course, the opening words are familiar to the Passion and Easter stories: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” I have a friend with whom I check in each day through the WeTree app. Frankly, his check-ins are usually more upbeat than mine. Not that mine are doom and gloom, but sometimes I start to worry that I don’t see enough positive and focus on it. Then I read a lot of these psalms and remember there is always a place for lament. For me, through these prayers and different forms of self-reflection, I think I have a healthy amount of access to and working through those feelings. They don’t dominate me, but they are certainly part of the cocktail that makes up who I am as a person. So this psalm is a good reminder that it’s okay to lament. It’s okay to have sorrow. It’s the sorrow that sometimes motivates me into 1.) prayer, 2.) action, and 3.) empathy for others.

Psalm 141, 143 – Playing off of what I just said about Psalm 22, here is David exploring his heart through writing poetry and then laying it before you. And it’s not all pretty. Some of his psalms are very worshipful, but some of his psalms express agony, fear, sorrow, or any list of other negative (and I hate to say negative because that doesn’t mean they are bad to have) emotions. It makes me think of the movie Inside Out. The emotion of Sadness had its part to play in the little girl too.

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-13 – Oh, how this passage (especially verse 11) is taken out of context, but in its correct context it is still such a beautiful thing, if not also being a tough pill to swallow for those receiving it. For me, it is counterintuitive what we read about yesterday that you were with those who were being sent into exile, but not the remnant left behind. It will be 70 years before this prophecy is fulfilled. Every adult hearing it will be dead when the time comes for Israel’s return. But they are given instructions to follow that will make it possible for their children, their children’s children, and so forth to live the fulfillment of the prophecy. They are to do everything they can to live for you–even live for the land they are in–so that you might bring their descendants to a new place. Father, right now, I don’t know that anything I am doing will benefit me personally, but I pray that the words of my mouth, the actions of my hands, and the thoughts of my heart will glorify you and set up your plan to be lived out through the world around me.

John 11:1-27 – As we move closer to the Passion and ultimately the resurrection, this story is an interesting precursor to it: Lazarus. But the sisters don’t even know what to ask you for. Jesus, you tell Martha that he will rise again, but she can’t think that big. She doesn’t know your real plan. I can’t think that big either. Help me to think that big.

Romans 11:13-24 – This seems like a lot of words to say that I, as a Gentile, am part of your plan, but I also have the opportunity to reject you and remove myself from that plan. Oh, Father, I want my branch connected to your vine. Thank you for grafting me into your Kingdom.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus, my Savior, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 22, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 37

21 Mar

Dear God, I am ready to be here with you this morning. I asked my wife last night how Lent was going for her and she said that it had hit a bit of a dry spot. I replied that I kind of felt like I was in the dog days of it as well, but maybe that’s also part of the point. This was a haul for Jesus. The first 30 years, the final three years, and then the final couple of weeks leading up to it. It was hard, but it was also just a day after day kind of slog. Well, my life and this slog isn’t nearly what Jesus’s was, and I don’t have crucifixion waiting for me eight days from now, but this is a reminder that Jesus really gave himself to this whole experience so that I could learn from him and be redeemed into relationship with you.

So here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalms: 131, 132, 133
  • PM Psalms: 140, 142
  • Jeremiah 26:1-16
  • John 10:19-42
  • Romans 11:1-12

Psalms 131, 132, 133 – I think I want to focus on 131 and 133, and not just because they are the shortest two of the three. Psalm 131 is probably one I should read every day (Gasp! Maybe even memorize?): My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. Yes, I should probably read that every day. And then Psalm 133 makes me think of the ministerial association meeting I am attending later today: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. That is my prayer for our local ministerial association.

Psalms 140, 142 – While I don’t like all of the sentiments of Psalm 140, I do use this to pray for a friend I visited with yesterday. This friend has some people out there who are conspiring against them, speaking against them, and, just all in all, judging them for something they don’t really understand. So “rescue [them], O LORD, from evil men; protect [them] from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.” But I also pray for those who are judging. Raise up people who will speak your truth to them. Give them love. Give them peace. I know they think they are doing to right thing. And maybe there is some rightness in what they believe, and maybe there is some wrongness in what I believe and my friend is doing, but I know that the current path is not of you.

Jeremiah 29:1-16 – This is quite a story as part of Jeremiah’s journey. What I really like about it was the part where Jeremiah just surrendered to the situation you put him in and said, basically, “Yeah, do what you will to me, but it won’t make me wrong and it will only make you more guilty than you already are.” Father, help me to surrender my life to you today. Give me the right ideas and words. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, but if there is something you need me to do please give me the courage to do it.

John 10:19-42 – As Jesus was walking this difficult path, he was having to confront those he knew he would not change. He knew going in that they didn’t believe in him. He knew they would try to kill him. And yet he went to tell them the truth. He might have also been setting up the anger towards him that ultimately led to his crucifixion, but he also just spoke the truth to him. And I don’t know where Nicodemus was during this interaction, but I know that he was at least one who believed. Maybe all of it was partly for him too.

Romans 11:1-12 – I think one thread through all of these stories from Jeremiah and John and what Paul is saying here is that there are so many of us who think we are so right, and yet we are so wrong. Please give me eyes to see where I am wrong. Give me a willingness to see where I am wrong. Help me, Father, to see your truth and see the world with your eyes, regardless of what it costs me.

I pray all of this in Jesus, your son, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 21, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 36

20 Mar

Dear God, the funeral yesterday was lovely. My wife commented it was the best funeral sermon she’s ever heard. The main thrust of the comforting part of the message was that a few days before she died the pastor, who was the woman’s brother-in-law, asked her if there was anything she had to say. She had to go to a lot of effort to say the words, “It’s not fair.” Then the pastor related that emotion even to Jesus on the cross and his feeling of abandonment. This is a weird existence we have. And yeah, sometimes it doesn’t seem fair. But as we were told over and over again as children, even though none of us want to believe it, life isn’t fair.

Speaking of Jesus on the cross, let’s see what the passages are today from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 119:145-176
  • PM Psalms: 128, 129, 130
  • Jeremiah 25:30-38
  • John 10:1-18
  • Romans 10:14-21

Psalm 119:145-176 – This psalm reminds me of the error I sometimes make that I can bargain with you. “God, if I do this will you do that?” That is a pretty Pagan, idolatrous way of looking at you. Like I can own you and bargain with you. Like you are somehow subject to my demands. Can I pray to you for outcomes? Of course. But the idea that, well, going back to the funeral yesterday, life should be fair at all–that I deserve whatever I deem fairness to be–is simply making you in a small god, and the God.

Psalms 128, 128, 130 – Of these three, 130 is my favorite. It’s not expecting or asking anything of you but mercy and forgiveness. I think the psalms of lament full of repentance and then the ones that are just pure worship are my favorite. Most of the others bother me a little theologically.

Jeremiah 25:30-38 – This is pretty grim prophecy. It’s no wonder the people of the time embraced the false prophets instead. In the end, I suppose, the run of the mill Jewish person didn’t need to know this prophecy except to ultimately learn that you were using this pain to call people back to you. At this point, there was nothing they could do to stop it. They just had to live their lives each day. Make a decision to worship you regardless of their circumstances. Father, help me to always worship you, regardless of my circumstances.

John 10:1-18 – Jesus, thank you. I still don’t totally understand the lines between praying to the Father, you, or the Holy Spirit, but I know that I am grateful you are my shepherd. I am grateful you love me with the Father’s love because you and the Father are one. I am grateful you teach me through what is recorded of your words and actions. I am grateful for your reconciliation between the Father and me. Between you and me. Between the Holy Spirit and me. Thank you for being my good shepherd.

Romans 10:14-21 – Verse 21 from Paul to the Romans is powerful: “But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient people.'” Thank you for continuing to hold out your hands to me.

I offer all of these thoughts and prayers to you in Jesus Christ, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 20, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 35

19 Mar

Dear God, I have a funeral to attend today. It’s one of those where I know the husband pretty well, and while it will be hard and sad to say goodbye to his dear wife, it will be a privilege to be there for him and his children. Please live through me today, Father. Live through me today with my wife, with my work, with my children, and with my friends. “Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”

Here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalms: 121, 122, 123
  • PM Psalms: 124, 125, 126
  • Jeremiah 25:8-17
  • John 9:18-41
  • Romans 10:1-13

Psalms 121, 122, 123 – I had two thoughts while I read these psalms this morning. The first was about a workshop I went to yesterday about mental health needs and resources in our community. Our children are struggling. Our children need help. Those who care for them need help. Their parents. Their teachers. Their church youth workers and Sunday school teachers. There is a lot of pain, and the church actually has the answer, but I fear that they American Evangelical church is offering the wrong answer right now. It is offering more rules. It’s not offering what Jesus taught us to offer. Oh, Father, help us offer you to them. Reconciliation to you. Freedom in you. And when I say them, I mean not only the children, but their parents, teachers, youth leaders, and Sunday school teachers.

My other through was from what David said in 122: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.'” I just picture the scene of one of David’s friends, advisors, confidants, or whatever talking with him and saying, “Let’s go to the house of the LORD,” and David lighting up with that idea. It paints a great scene.

Psalms 124, 125, 126 – From this group, I am reminded of how you provide for me personally and the nonprofit where I work. One of our current campaigns is not going well, and there is a tendency in my heart to panic. But I have to ask myself the questions: Am I trusting in you in this moment? Have I taken too much credit for what has come before? Oh, Father, if I have taken any credit for the good you have done to our clinic, please let me know. If I am not trusting you enough, I am sorry. I do trust you, oh God. I repent of attaching my ego to our fundraising success. I am sorry.

Jeremiah 25:8-17 – As I was flipping through Jeremiah today and remembering how long the book is, it just made me think about this poor prophet’s life. There was no “best life now” for him except that he got to live in your presence and hear directly from you. But I would imagine that his daily check-in with friends on his emotional health would not have been filled with much good news. I am unbelievably fortunate to live the life I live.

John 9:18-41 – Reading the story of the blind man healed and the Pharisees being so upset about it makes me think about how all of us in the church can get focused on the wrong priorities–including me. Holy Spirit, please speak to me. Teach me. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see.

Romans 10:1-13 – I just have to reprint verses 1-4 here: Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. I seem to be coming back to this theme this morning. Perhaps it is my own biases that are bringing me here, but I am simply concerned about some in your church who are acting like Pharisees but can’t see it. Holy Spirit, help me to hear you clearly, repent where I need to repent and then act when I need to act. And let anything I do be done in your love.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 19, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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